Monday 7 October 2019

Kuwait - Part 4

Our first stop of the day was the Abraq-Al-Habri oasis, which was about ninety minutes drive from Kuwait City. I was at the wheel for the day and was starting to drive like a local at this stage. On arrival at the oasis we had a flock of mixed Squacco Herons, Little and Cattle Egrets circling the farm buildings but sadly some trigger happy local was taking shots at them and it was likely that several perished. This was something we came across several times in Kuwait and its really an upsetting thing to see!

Didn't even bother to pick up the spent cartridges

Nick did a little tidy-up

Anyway, we had a quick breakfast before spreading out to search for migrants.

Breakfast time at Abraq Al-Habri

There were more Common Redstarts than you could shake a stick at and amongst those was this fine male Ehrenberg's Redstart.

Ehrenberg's Redstart - Abraq Al-Habri Oasis, Kuwait

Ehrenberg's Redstart - Abraq Al-Habri Oasis, Kuwait

Also at Abraq Al-Habri we had Masked and Isabelline Shrike, White-throated Robin, Lesser Whitethroat, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Ortolan Bunting, Pale Rock Sparrow and Hypocolius.


Masked Shrike

White-throated Robin - is there a prettier chat??
Hypocolius flock in flight
Cattle Egret - this one survived the gun


News reached us that Basra Reed Warbler and Cinerous Bunting were once again present in Al-Shaheed Park. So, we high-tailed it back to city - just in time for the rush hour!

Rushhour in downtown Kuwait City
This time our luck was in and Abdulrahman pinned down a very showy Basra Reed Warbler feeding on the deck - in my mind if I was ever to see this species it wasn't going to be in a city park!

Fly-catching from a rock - Basra Reed Warbler

Looking for his next victim

A classic pose in typical habitat ;-)
And a Great Reed Warbler kept company on the adjacent lawn.

Great Reed Warbler - also in a less than typical setting!
Great 'Lawn' Warbler

And this time our luck was also in with Cinerous Bunting.

Cinerous Bunting (semenowi)

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