Collared pratincole twitched at Raysut

I finally saw collared pratincole in Oman yesterday. It became bird number 295 on my Oman list.

Thanks are due to Jens Eriksen for tipping me off that four were at Raysut settling pools. It wasn’t easy as I was at work at the time the message came through.

I left work at the close of business and went straight there in my work clothes. I had already missed them on Friday when I came back from the desert. I don’t like twitching and it’s even worse when it fails.

collared pratincole (right) with broad-billed sandpiper

This time they were there at the far end of a very large array of birds. There were 15 species lined up at the side of the pond where the pratincoles were.

four collared pratincole

As soon as I had observed these birds I went home. This was a twitch and not a full birding session. My clothes weren’t appropriate either.

I returned at dawn this morning. The birding was excellent though time was short. This site is very good this year.

I have reported on Raysut settling pools several times this season so rather than report all the birds seen, I have photographs in this blog only of birds not shown before at Raysut this autumn.

Terek sandpiper (left) with greenshank

I have pictures of terek sandpiper this time. Indeed this was the first terek sandpiper I have seen anywhere in Dhofar this autumn.

Terek sandpiper

There have been plenty of Temminck’s stint at Raysut but I haven’t pictured one there.

Temminck’s stint (left)

Over 50 garganey were present this morning but I could only see one duck that was different. It was a northern shoveller.

Northern shoveller

While glossy ibis are present all year round at East Khawr and Sawnout farm, they are rarely seen at Raysut.

glossy ibis (back)

There were three there this morning.

first juvenile white winged black tern

Finally adult

white-winged black tern

arrived at Raysut a week or two before I saw any juveniles. Now juvenilesappear more numerous.

second white winged black tern

We have an Eid break starting this afternoon. I will be travelling to central Oman. I will blog what I see.

Robert Tovey

Dr Rob Tovey is a scientist by training and more recently an English teacher. His profession allows him to travel to some of the more difficult-to-get-to places and stay there for years if his inclination takes him. He is a keen bird watcher, blogger and amateur photographer. He has worked in Azerbaijan and Libya and is currently in Saudi Arabia. Rob also has a base in Bulgaria so overall is becoming a bit of birding specialist in very general terms where East meets West.

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