Malachite kingfisher 1<\/p>\n
Tommy Pedersen and I saw one here in June. The same one or another was seen in October and it is presumed this is the latter bird as it has been seen continually since. Our record was the eighth record and this one is recorded as the ninth as there were no sightings in the summer. One pair of birders say they recently saw two together and I believe I may have glimpsed that too (but not on Tuesday).<\/p>\n
Malachite kingfisher 2<\/p>\n Although the bird is very attractive it is difficult to get good pictures primarily because it is considerably smaller even than a house sparrow.<\/p>\n Malachite kingfisher 3<\/p>\n Elsewhere in the reeds I observed several bluethroat, citrine wagtail, clamorous reed warbler and a Namaqua dove alongside the more common Ruppells weaver and white spectacled bulbul.<\/p>\n Bluethroat<\/p>\n I also observed two common snipe.<\/p>\n common snipe<\/p>\n This is a good place to see crakes especially after five in the evening.<\/p>\n spotted crake<\/p>\n \u00a0I had excellent views of two spotted crake and one Baillon’s crake but little crake has still evaded me in Oman.<\/p>\n lesser flamingo<\/p>\n \u00a0Earlier I had been in the main section of the Khawr. Seven lesser flamingo had been there on December 28th but that had diminished to two on Tuesday. This still meant that along with the<\/p>\n Malachite kingfisher there were two vagrant species present.<\/p>\n lesser flamingo with black-tailed godwit<\/p>\n The collection of ducks and waders was similar to the late December visit too although I didn’t see a marsh sandpiper that time.<\/p>\n marsh sandpiper (foreground)<\/p>\n ‘This time last year, 25 greater white fronted goose were present. This year only one has been seen. Diving ducks are far fewer too. The weather has been warmer to the north and this may well be the main reason.<\/p>\n greater white fronted goose<\/p>\n Larger numbers of great cormorant are no real compensation.<\/p>\n great cormorant<\/p>\n It was however overall a very rewarding afternoon.In other news, on Sunday I had hosted some a non-birding friend and his family around one or two nature sites. I was not birding and yet I saw an Arabian golden winged grosbeck and masked shrike at Ain Razat in passing. We also visited Al Balid. This time I did get the camera out and found three spotted thick-knee while they visited the frankincense museum.<\/p>\n young spotted thick-knee<\/p>\n One of the birds was a juvenile while the other two were adults.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n