World and the Wild - Bird Watching and Wildlife Photography

While Birding in the Late April  i came across some raptors and scavengers in the mountains of Tanomah. It includes the Bonellis Eagle, Eurasian Griffin Vulture and Long Legged Buzzard  

 On 13th May , considered as the Global Big Day for Bird watchers.I was able to find some birds. Most of them were in the breeding plumage as its the season for the birds to look for the partners. Red wattled lapwing now seen often and is breeding.While terns with some fish hunts and willow warbler having fun with its snack meal. Red wattled lapwing little Bittern - full breeding Willow warbler Caspian Tern - with a fish Common Tern Squacco Heron Rose RIng Parakeet Little Ringed Plover little Tern - with a fish Streaked Heron

 While birding today in one of the the parks of Al Khober ,i found a semicollared flycatcher which is a lifer for me. I visited the park based on the knowledge that the season is here for this species and i ws lucky. There were like five flyctachers including females, an awesome sight i was not expecting.The park was full of bird songs and calls.Although i was on one spot of the park but it seems there could be more semicollarred around the park. Some other birds included common nightingale, COmmon redstart,lesser whitethroat, some leaf warblers and plenty tree pipits on the ground. This park has alway sbeen interesting as its location is just near to the coast.

 While birding along the shores of the eastern province,this time of the year again i spotted some huge flocks of Great Crested Grebes.These birds are some what special and its always a treat to watch them. I believe this time the numbers are even more then the last year. Rough count would be like 100-150 birds together. I was able to get some photos for a record and kept watching them for an hour till they went far away.

 Birding had been a bit slow for a while due to routine. Today  while birding in the near reeds near the shores i witnessed 2 red vented bulbuls among huge flock of White Eared bulbuls. The presence was not much welcomed by them and the red ones had to flee. Its an uncommon bird to be seen in the eastern region .The numbers have reduced from past decade where it is said to be commonly seen around.

 Last week while birding in some reeds near Halfmoon i witnessed five female Pied kingfisher. Although,iv seen them here past two years but this time the number increased. Its not a natural habitat for them but somehow they tend to live and enjoy here. I hope they survive and expand to the region.Its always exciting to see them and flying around. I was able to capture one with a fish and would like to share below Uptil now i  have noot seen any Male record in the Eastern region.

 While Birding today in Deffi Park ,Jubail i saw White throated kingfisher on a tree Branch.It was severaly overcast and low light early morning but i was able to document the shot. The good thing is the numbers are increasing for this kingfisher species with records from Khafra Marsh, Jubail and even in the city of Al Khobar recently.

This bird  still seen near the shores of the sea. Its been one month since seeing it at this spot. Single bird among some stilts and small waders.

 While birding today at the Halfmoon reeds where they are very few waders and one northern lapwing ,i spotted a White throated Kingfisher sitting on the pole. Upon approaching close the bird went inside the reeds in distance so the shots were not very clear. It was overcast since morning and the light was very poor but still managed to get good photos for the record. This bird tends to be a vagrant in the region and most probably first record from the city of Al Khober.

 While walking around the local park next to the South Corniche I came across a single Song Thrush foraging on the Ground. The bird was shy and coming back and forth to the ground from the trees. It's not the first time iv seen it here they are visiting every winter but last season I spotted there was a pair. Song Thrushes are regularly seen every winter in Deffi Park  in Jubail which is about 130 Km far from this city. There they are accompanied by Black Throated Thrush which is supposed to be a Rare sight. It's always a delight watching them every time and is considered to be one of my favorite Thrushes.