The Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria situation can form plagues and threaten agricultural production in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, something it has done for centuries. The desert locust is potentially the most dangerous of the locust pests because of the ability of it to form swarms and to fly rapidly across great distances. I […]
Egyptian Nightjar – Khafrah Marsh
Whilst birding Khafrah Marsh south of Jubail, Phil Roberts and I found ten Egyptian Nightjars in various areas of the site. Birds were initially seen sitting under small bushes with others flushed as we walked through the vegetation. Birds here were much less confiding then those seen in other areas of Jubail, but I got […]
Pinks, Parasols and a Phalarope
The weather was warm and settled ideal conditions for the pink footed geese to arrive from Iceland. I like to witness one of nature’s spectacles as the geese arrive at Martin Mere for their winter holidays. There were already about seven thousand geese in the area and I was hoping for many more during the […]
Eurasian Hobby – Jubail
Whilst birding near Jubail in September I found an adult Eurasian Hobby sitting on the small tree in the early morning. The weather conditions had been foggy and large numbers of birds had been grounded by the weather most of which appeared to be Spanish Sparrows. I assume the Eurasian Hobby was part of the […]
Results of the Best Photo of the Month September 2018
We are delighted to announce the results of our latest photo competition. Paul Wild wins First Prize for his brilliant image “Territorial Dispute”. Candy McManiman wins Second Prize for her outstanding image “Put ‘Em Up”. Third Prize goes to Rita Caluori for her inspiring photo “Margay”. See detailed results below: (click on thumbnails for slideshow). […]
Carpintero de La Española / Hispaniolan Woodpecker; Melanerpes striatus (Müller, 1776)
El carpintero de La Española (Melanerpes striatus) es un miembro antillano del género Melanerpes endémico de la isla de La Española, que sólo se encuentra en los bosques de Haití y la República Dominicana. Se distingue por su vistoso plumaje de estrías negras y amarillas y su cabeza coronada en rojo completo, en los machos, […]
Arabian Scops Owl – Tanoumah
Whilst birdwatching the Tanoumah area in summer 2018 I managed to hear a number of Arabian Scops Owls Otus pamelae and photograph one. The Arabian Scops Owl has recently been split as a distinct species from African Scops Owl O. s. senegalensis. Recent work (Pons et al 2013) has shown African Scops Owl, represents a […]