Whilst birding the Jubail area in early May I can across a Whimbrel. This is not a common species in Saudi Arabia and it occurred to me there could be a very slim chance it could be a Steppe Whimbrel alboaxillaris as one has been claimed in Bahrain in recent years. The timing was not […]
The best of Uzbekistan
I am already in Kazakhstan now with my Rockjumper group. There are many good things to say about Uzbekistan, but internet connection is not one of them. Tonight, in Almaty, is my first encounter with at least partial wifi for the last few days. I have many stories to tell ad photos to share […]
Dunlin in breeding plumage – Jubail
Whilst birding the Jubail area recently I saw a few summer plumaged Dunlin, these birds are supposedly of the subspecies Calidris alpina centralis. I rarely see Dunlin in summer plumage, so took the opportunity to take a few photos and although the light was very poor but I did manage to obtain a few average […]
Rusty-tailed Flycatcher near Samarkand
This morning our Rockjumper tour went up to the mountains south of Samarkand. We had a fantastic morning around Takhta-Karacha mountain pass, at about 1700 m. We saw so many wonderful birds, including Eastern Rock Nuthatch, Irania, Upcher’s Warbler, Indian Paradise flycatcher, Red-headed and White-capped Buntings, ‘vittata’ Pied Wheatear, Lammergeier, Grey-headed Goldfinch, Hume’s Lesser Short-toed […]
Migrants – Jubail
A steady trickle of migrants have been passing through the Eastern Province in the last couple of weeks with several Red-backed Shrike appearing. Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Redstart, Pied Wheatear, Tree Pipit and Western Siberian Stonechat were also seen in small numbers. Very few Yellow Wagtails have been around recently compared to recent years […]
Uzbekistan quick update
I am now in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Arrived in this fabulous country four days ago, leading a tour for Rockjumper. We have had many fantastic birding experiences up till now. Internet connection here is very problematic, so I will be very brief now and will expand when I can. Pander’s Ground Jay doing what it says […]
Whiskered Tern at Dungeness RSPB
Well I suppose I should land the pun now – one good Tern deserves another! We popped down to Dunge this afternoon hoping the reported Whiskered Tern would hang around and it did. We got straight on it seconds after arriving at an empty Dennis’s hide to give us all a Life tick. We watched […]
Results of the Best Photo of the Month May 2019
We are delighted to announce the results of our latest photo competition. Alan de Witt wins First Prize for his brilliant capture ‘Bad Hair Day’. Second Prize is shared between Noushka Wildlife with ‘Wattled Cranes at Heart’ and Glenn Perrigo with “Long-billed Thrasher (Perfect Timing)”. Please give kudos to the photographers by leaving a comment […]