Kuwait bird trip report

INTRODUCTION

The first Swedish bird watching group visited Kuwait in March 2007. The visit was preceded by a number of emails to George Gregory, an Englishman living in Kuwait since 15 years. George, working at the Voluntary Work Centre with bird monitoring and bird protection was our guide for most of the 11 days we spent in the country. He is also the author of “The Birds of the State of Kuwait” (2005), a most useful guide and checklist with descriptions of birding sites and highest counts of each more or less regular species in each month. Site names and site numbers in the text below refer to this book (cf. Fig. 3). Beside this book, little is written about birds and birding in Kuwait. Only two proper trip reports were found on internet, made by a Danish group (Hagerman 2006) and a Finnish group (Lindroos et al. 2006). We also found an annual bird report for 2005 (Foster (ed.) 2006). Birding in Kuwait makes it interesting due to its location at the southeast corner of Western Palearctic, especially for bird watchers counting WP-species. A problem with bird watching in Kuwait is that to most of the sites, access is by permit only, why a local guide is most important. The trip was made a little bit earlier than the possibly best spring migration time, with the aim to also find some winter visitors. The trip turned out to be very successful. In total, the group found 195 species. The participants in the group were: Jan-Michael Breider, Christer Brostam, Bosse Carlsson, Per Forsberg, Seppo Haavisto, Sven Karlsson, Staffan Rodebrand and Johan Sandström

Figure 2. Waders, mainly Calidris at Doha Peninsula (site 7), March 24, 2007. Photo: Jan-Michael Breider

VISITED SITES

Site numbers refer to Gregory G., 2005: The birds of the State of Kuwait. Cupit Print, Horncastle, England. 219 pp. Cf. also Fig 3.

March 19:	Arrived Kuwait City
March 20:	32 Sulaibikhat Nature Reserve, 27 Sabah Al-Ahmed Natural Reserve (SAANR),
	15 Jahra Farms, 7 Doha Peninsula
March 21:	26 Rawdatain, 1 Abdali Farms (including Mohammed Al-Ajmi and Yacoub
	Boodai), 4 Bahra, 14 Jahra East Outfall
March 22:	11 Green Island, 37 Zour Port, 29 Sewer Plants Reed, 28 Sabah Al-Salem
March 23:	8 East Doha, 27 Sabah Al-Ahmed Natural Reserve (SAANR), 7 Doha
	Peninsula, 14 Jahra East Outfall
March 24:	14 Jahra East Outfall, 19 Kabd (Sulaibiya Agricultural Research Station, 7 Doha
	Peninsula, 8 East Doha
March 25:	2 Al-Abraq Al-Khabari
March 26:	32 Sulaibikhat Nature Reserve, 16 Jahra Pool Reserve
March 27:	29 Sewer Plants Reed, 18 Jebel Al-Benayah, 35 Wafra Farms, 28 Sabah Al-
	Salem
March 28:	1 Abdali Farms (including Mohammed Al-Ajmi and Yacoub
	Boodai), 12 Hujaijah, 14 Jahra East Outfall
March 29:	2 Al-Abraq Al-Khabari, 14 Jahra East Outfall
March 30:	14 Jahra East Outfall, 27 Sabah Al-Ahmed Natural Reserve (SAANR), 15
	Jahra Farms. Left Kuwait City in the evening

Figure 3. Map of Kuwait showing location for visited sites.

ITINERARY March 19. The group arrived to Kuwait 23²⁰ local time (21²⁰ Swedish wintertime) via Schiphol, Amsterdam by KLM. Before getting the luggage we fixed our visas without problems (2 Kuwaiti dinars = c. 50 Swedish crowns or 6 euros). George Gregory met us and took the group to the hotel after we had rent two cars at the airport. We arrived to hotel Hussa House in the Basmah district in central Kuwait City around 02.

March 20

We started with a quick breakfast at 07⁰⁰ in hotel Continental next to Hussa House. George met us at the hotel entrance at 07³⁰. Before leaving the town, one of the target WP-species, Common Mynah (Acridotheres tristis), was encountered. This introduced species is now very common resident. Since the first record of breeding in Kuwait City 1981, it has spread and is now established breeding resident from Jahra Farms throughout Kuwait City down to Fahaheel and Ahmadi. Our first stop was Sulaibikhat Nature Reserve (site 32, cf. Fig 3.). This is a small fenced reserve, managed by the Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS), along the shore of Sulaibikhat Bay on the western side of Kuwait City. The trees, bushes, ground vegetation and freshwater pools attract many migrants and breeding birds in spring and summer. Our target species was Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) (Fig. 4), a winter visitor from the east. The bird, second record for Kuwait and the fourth in Western Palearctic, was soon located in a shrub. Another target, White-cheeked Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), was common in the area, where also the first breeding of this species was noted in 1972 (Fig. 5).

Figure 4. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius Figure 5. White-cheeked Bulbul schach), second record for Kuwait, (Pycnonotus leucogenys), was and the fourth in Western Palearctic common in Sulaibikhat Nature Photo: Bosse Carlsson Reserve (site 32).

Photo: Jan-Michael Breider.

Among passage migrants we found e g. two Semi-collared Flycatchers (Ficedula semitorquata). Next site was Sabah Al-Ahmed Natural Reserve (SAANR) (site 27), a 320 km² fenced and guarded nature reserve north of Jahra City. For access needs permit. The reserve includes a large area of original semi-desert (main part of Kuwait is overgrazed by e.g. camels and goats), small wadis and an oasis at Tulha. Larks and Wheatears, e.g. Lesser Short-toed Lark (Calandrella rufescens), Greater Hoopoe Lark (Alaemon alaudipes), Pied- and Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka, O. hispanica) was common. At Tuhla, common passage migrants such as Barn- and Red-rumped Swallows (Hirundo rustica, H. daurica) together with Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) was flying above the water. Other migrants like Chiff-Chaff (Phylloscopus collybita), Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) of two races feldegg and beema) was present. Close to the oasis we also saw a few Steppe Eagles and an Imperial Eagle (Aquila nipalensis, A. heliaca). In a wadi a female Ménétries´s Warbler (Sylvia mystacea) was hiding in a scrub. In the desert Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis), locally known as Dhubs, was common. These up to a metre long reptiles looked like tree trunks on distance when they were looked up from their holes in the ground (Fig. 6).

Figure 6. In the desert Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis), locally known as Dhubs, was common. Photo: Jan-Michael Breider

At about 15⁰⁰ we arrived to Jahra Farms (site 15), a group of traditional farms with palm trees and small cultivations situated in the centre of Jahra City, where we stayed for about an hour. Regularly breeding birds is e.g. Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) and Whitethroated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis). The main target, Bank Mynah (Acridotheres ginginianus) was soon located outside the farm area, breeding in a well (Fig. 7). We also saw a Richard´s Pipit (Anthus richardi) and a Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus).

Figure 7. Bank Mynah (Acridotheres ginginianus) in Jahra City. Photo: Jan-Michael Breider

We ended up the day with Doha Peninsula (site 7), west of Kuwait City, an area of harbours, mudflats and sabkha (Arabic name for salt-flat which is very saline areas of sand or silt lying just above the water table). The most interesting species here was the flock of 200 Crab Plover (Dromas ardeola) (Fig. 8).

Figure 8. Crab Plover (Dromas ardeola) at Doha Peninsula (site 7). Photo: Jan-Michael Breider

There were also flocks of waders, most numerous was Snowy (Kentish) Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) 50, Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) 50, Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) 100. A flock of 200 Greater Flamingo (Phonenicopterus roseus) was standing in the bay as well as two Great Black-headed (Palla´s) Gull (Larus ichthyaetus). Among a larger flock of Common (Eurasian) Teals there were even some Northern Pintails and Mallards (Anas crecca, A. acuta, A. platyrhynchos), which became the only observations during the trip.

March 21 We started 06⁰⁰ for a visit to Abdali Farms (site 1) in the northern part of Kuwait, close to the border of Iraq with the aim to find Red-wattled Plover (Hoplopterus indicus) and Common Babbler (Turdoides caudatus). We made a first stop at Rawdatain (site 26), an oasis south of Abdali which use to attract migrant birds, but we saw just a few like Isabelline Shrike (Lanius isabellinus), Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), a European Wryneck (Jynx torquilla) and a dead Indian Silverbill (Euodice malabarica). Along the road, we stopped for breakfast at a restaurant with local food. Outside the restaurant we meet two young Kuwaitis which proud showed a Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) (Fig. 9).

Figure 9. Two young Kuwaitis showing their Kestrel. (Falco tinnunculus). Photo: Jan-Michael Breider

We continued further north and close to Abdali Farms immediately at the Iraq border, where we saw two Red-wattled Plover (Hoplopterus indicus) along the road close to a watchtower (Fig. 10). This area is probably the best in the Western Palearctic to get this species.

Figure 10. Red-wattled Plover (Hoplopterus indicus). The area of Abdali Farms close to the Iraq border is probably the best in the Western Palearctic to get this species. Photo: Jan-Michael Breider We were not allowed to stop so we continued to Mohammed Al-Ajmi, one of the farms connected to Abdali Farms. We stayed there between 9³⁰ and 10³⁰ .We got nice views of a Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and a Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus). We also spotted several Green Toads (Bufo viridis) in a well. Next stop was Yacoub Boodai which George called an annex to Abdali Farms, where we stayed until13³⁰. This is an open area with shrubs and rows of low palm trees. Immediately when arriving we saw a Shikra (Accipiter badius) above us. This species is a very scarce passage migrant and winter visitor from the east. After some search we localized three Common Babblers (Turdoides caudatus), in the palm trees. According to George´s book “The Birds of the State of Kuwait” the bird is described as vagrant with three records in Kuwait. Since then the Common Babbler seems to have start breeding in the neighbourhood of Abdali Farms, probably the only place in the Western Palearctic. Here we saw further four Red-wattled Plover (Hoplopterus indicus) and a Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga). On the way back towards Kuwait City we stopped at Hujaijah (site 12) near recent ruins north of Subiya. Here is an avenue of trees good for migrants during spring and autumn, but it is also a bird-shooting site. George told us that once 60 bee-eaters had been shoot at one occasion. A dead Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus), a Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and a lot of cartridges in the sand illustrated his word. We spent an hour between 14³⁰ and 15³⁰ at Bahra (site 4) along the Subiya Road. This is a small traditional farm with trees and bushes. As it was in the middle of the day, the activity was low but a few birds were noticed, e.g. two Common Nightingales (Luscinia megarhynchos), a Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) and an Acrocephalus we did not see enough, but was probably a European Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus). The last stop for the day was Jahra East Outfall (site 14), between 16³⁰ and 17⁴⁵. This is the most easterly sewage outfall from the Jahra area and holds both reed beds and marshy areas. From the reed beds we heard Great Reed Warbler, Reed Warbler and a Savi´s Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus, A. scirpaceus, Locustella lusciniodes). On the salt-flat and the wet meadows we had e.g. a Collared Pratincole (Glaerola pratincola), flocks of Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) together with a few Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta). On distance we could see an Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) sitting, a Great White Heron (Egretta alba) and 9 Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) flying over. We ended the day with a dinner at Pizza Hut on the way home.

March 22 We met George 06⁰⁰ outside the hotel like yesterday. First site this day was Green Island (site 11), an artificial island at eastern Kuwait City. We hoped to find Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) which is breeding on the island. The Bulbul, with the first confirmed breeding in Kuwait 1986, was soon located in the broad-leaved trees, and all together with saw five birds (Fig. 11). Another target species was Grey Hypocolius (Hypocolius ampelinus) which sometimes is seen on the island. According to George´s book, Grey Hypocolius “is recorded every year in Kuwait but is usually very unpredictable in its occurrence”. We had not been on the island for more than half an hour when Seppo saw a flock of 5 birds coming toward us and settled in a tree 15 m in front of us (Fig. 12). After that we saw another flock of 18 birds and two single, all together 25 Grey Hypocolius within a few minutes.

We continued south along the coast to Zour Port (site 37), a fenced oil terminal. George had fixed permit for us to get in at Zour, a village along the shore with residences for foreign families to oil workers. This site is the best for Socotra Cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis) which usually is present offshore between March and September. We found two on a skerrie, together with Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) Lesser Crested Terns (Sterna bengalensis) and two White-cheeked Terns (Sterna repressa). Additionally two juveniles Socotra Cormorant were fishing close to the shore which satisfied the photographers in the group (Fig. 13).

This site was exceptional also for terns. Beside the mentioned, we noted four Greater Crested Tern (Sterna bergii), a few Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis), Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) and Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica). We continued, and made a stop between 11⁴⁵ and 12¹⁵ in the desert with shrubs, immediately south-west of Zour Port. We found an Asian Desert Warbler (Sylvia nana), a Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas galactotes), Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina), a Menétries´s Warbler (Sylvia mystacea) and the always present Chiff-chaff (Phylloscopus collybita) which is an abundant winter visitor as well as a common passage migrant. A desert rat, called Jird, disappeared in a hole. Next stop was a site called Sewer Plant Reeds (site 29), a sewage-water outfall with surrounding reed bed and pool, located close to Zour road junction on the Nuwaisib Road. All reed beds we visited were with the main aim to find Basra Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis), but a Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) and a Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) was found. The most interesting at the site became a parasitic yellow flower, called Bruum Rape or Yachnut flower grooving in the sand. The last stop for the day was Sabah Al-Salem (site 28), opposite Messila, south of Kuwait City, with bushes and reed beds. We stayed there between 15³⁰ and 17⁰⁰. Here we found e.g. Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) and Isabelline Shrike (Lanius isabellinus), both common passage migrants, but also Semi-collared Flycatcher (Ficedula semitorquata), recorded in small numbers in spring.

March 23

This day we spent with Pekka Fågel, a Finnish birdwatcher working and living in Kuwait. We started the day at East Doha (site 8), with a sewage pool and large reed beds east of the Doha Road, west of Kuwait City. Common birds in the reed beds were European and Great Reed Warbler, but no Basra Reed Warbler present (Acrocephalus scirpaceus, A. arundinaceus, A. griseldis). One or two Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio porphyrio) was heard and we saw one Red-wattled Plover (Hoplopterus indicus). Next stop, was a return to Sabah Al-Ahmed Natural Reserve (site 27), where we were on March 20. We started 9⁰⁰in a small wadi where Staffan found the target species for the day, Red-tailed Wheatear (Oenanthe chrysopygia), recently split from Kurdish Wheatear (Oenanthe xanthopymna). The Red-tailed Wheatear is a scarce winter visitor which we hoped to find by visit Kuwait relatively early in the season. The wadi and the surrounding desert also held several Black-eared and Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica, O. pleschanka), both passage migrants of whom Pied Wheatear was present almost everywhere. A female Finsch´s Wheatear (Oenanthe finschii) was also observed, the only for the trip. Other migrants in the wadi were Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris), and a Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius). Nearby we also found a Bartailed Lark (Ammomanes cincturus) which is a quite rare breeder in Kuwait, but also a Wood Lark (Lullula arborea) a rare winter visitor and passage migrant. Next stop in the reserve was the pond at Tulha. A few waders were present like Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis), Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and Ruff (Philomachus pugnax). A standing Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) gave good photo opportunities. We went back towards Kuwait City 13¹⁵ to next site, Doha Peninsula (site 7), which we visited on March 20. This time we had checked the tide table so we knew that it was tide around 15⁰⁰. We did not get disappointed. There were huge flocks with many thousands of waders of at least 25 species. Most interesting were groups of 150 Lesser- and 30 Greater Sand Plover (Charadius mongolus, C. leschenaultii), 130 Crab Plover (Dromas ardeola) on close view and two Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus). As last site for the day, we went to Jahra East Outfall (site 14), where we stayed between 16⁰⁰ and 17²⁰, after Pekka Fågel got a phone message that a Kuwaiti birdwatcher thought he had seen a Buff-bellied Pipit (Anthus rubescens). This species is a vagrant with one record in Kuwait. The bird was documented on photos, but it showed to be a Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta). Before we got back to the hotel, a few of us went home to Mike Pope, a South-African birdwatcher living in Kuwait, and borrowed a song recording of Basra Reed Warbler, which we had not managed to find before leaving Sweden.

March 24 We started the day with Jahra East Outfall (site 14) again, where we stayed between 6³⁰ and ⁰⁰. A large flock of c. 200 Yellow Wagtails of three races had arrived to the wet meadows (Motacilla flava beema, M. f. feldegg, M. f. lutea). The race beema from south-eastern Russia and the steppes in Central Asia was the most common, followed by the race feldegg with a breeding area from Balkans to Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. The beautiful race lutea with yellow head, breeding from the lower Volga River basin to Kazakhstan was just two. Together with the Yellow Wagtails there were a few Water Pipits (Anthus spinoletta). In an opening in the reed beds we saw both Baillons´s and Little Crake (Porzana pusilla, P. parva). Our main target species for the day was Dunn´s Lark (Eremalauda dunni), which we hoped to find at Kabd (Sulaibiya Agricultural Research Station) (site 19), a large, fenced, ungrazed area c. 40 km SW of Kuwait City. We arrived at 9⁰⁰ when the research station opened. Before getting in we had to take on protective plastic on our shoes. The cars were flushed with insecticide because of the bird flue. Immediately after the entrance Seppo identified a Small Whitethroat (Sylvia minula) on a fence. This desert site were supposed to be the best place to find Dunn´s Lark (Eremalauda dunni), but no one showed up. Black-crowned Sparrow-Larks (Eremopterix nigriceps) of the eastern race melanauchen were quite common and we saw c. 20 of this uncommon breeder (Fig. 14).

A surprise was a male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis) far in the flat sand desert. We had also good observations of an Asian Desert Warbler (Sylvia nana), one Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), an adult Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) and an Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca). On our way out from the reserve, two Short-eared Owls (Asio flammeus) flew away from a row of trees close to the entrance. A Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis) sitting on a wire gave good pictures at close distance. We left Kabd at 13⁰⁰ and continued to Doha Peninsula (site 7) to meet the waders at high tide (Fig. 2). There were huge flocks like yesterday and we tried to estimate the numbers e.g. Lesser Sand Plover (Charadius mongolus) 450, Greater Sand Plover (Charadius leschenaultii) 50, Black-bellied (Grey) Plover (Pluvialis squaterola) 140, Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) 200 (yesterday 600), Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) 100, Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) 20, Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) 200, Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) 50 (yesterday 200), Dunlin 1000 (Calidris alpina) (can have been lot more), Broad-billed Sandpiper (Limicola falcinellus) 3 (yesterday 20). We also had five Great Black-headed (Palla´s) Gulls (Larus ichthyaetus). We left the site at 15⁴⁵ and ended the day with a revisit to the reed beds at East Doha (site 8), for Basra Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis). Unfortunately we had no luck, even with a recording. A fox at distance draw attention.

March 25 This day we went to Al-Abraq Al-Khabari (site 2) an isolated oasis not far from the western border to Iraq, where we arrived at 8⁰⁰. Along the road to the oasis we found this dromedary mother with a child (Fig. 15).

The isolated location in the desert is excellent for migrants, who have been attracted by the trees and scrubs in the oasis. We were told that the Iraq generals, used the oasis as headquarter during the Gulf war. The oasis is quite large, maybe 700-800 m in diameter with a farm and planted trees of Acacia, Eucalyptus and Tamarisk. It was relatively quiet in the oasis this day, but an Upcher´s Warbler (Hippolais languida) together with a White-throated Robin (Irania gutturalis) was nice (Fig. 1). Staffan found an African Collared Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea) which was secretive and just few saw the bird. The same can be saying about a male Shikra (Accipiter badius) which also just a few saw. Other interesting birds was a flock of 30 Bimaculated Larks (Melanocorypha bimaculata), a Bluethroat of the eastern race magna (Luscinia svecica magna), a male Masked Shrike (Lanius nubicus) which became the only for the trip as well as a male Cinereous Bunting (Emberiza cineracea). A European Scops-Owl (Otus scops) was hiding in a tree, and a male Chestnut-shouldered Petronia (Petronia xanthocollis) was found by Per. At the edge of the oasis we got nice views of a male Montagu´s Harrier (Circus pygargus) and a male Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) passing by. A surprise was a Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus), native to Central Asian countries and the Caucasus Mountains, which was walking in the grass among the planted trees. Hunters in a jeep tried to shoot five flying Purple Herons (Ardea purpurea) outside the oasis. We left the oasis at 15²⁰. On our way back through the desert a large flock of Greater Short-toed Larks (Calandrella brachydactyla) attract our attention. We stopped and among them there were also the target species we searched for yesterday in Kabd, five Dunn´s Larks (Eremalauda dunni). The wind increased and we were afraid of a sandstorm coming, but it ended in a weaker “dust”storm. In the evening we were invited to dinner at a Kuwaiti style restaurant by Ahmed Al-Mershed, a senior official of the Voluntary Work Centre. We spent a very nice evening with good food and fruitful discussions.

March 26 Started the day late (10³⁰) with Sulaibikhat Nature Reserve (site 32) where George had arranged a meeting with Kuwaiti television. George, Staffan and Per were interviewed by aims, bird protection, why visiting Kuwait for bird watching and so on. There were no new birds to see, maybe due to the weather. Several showers in the morning reduced the bird watching. Two Namaqua Dove was nice to see at close range feeding on the ground. The always present Graceful Prinia (Prinia gracilis) was common like everywhere in suitable habitat. At 14³⁰ we continued to Jahra Pool Reserve (site 16) a small fenced nature reserve consisting of a sewage outfall with reed beds and a pool surrounded by sabkha (salt-flat). We did not find anything special, except a Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus).

March 27 In the morning we headed south, and the first site this day were Sewer Plant Reeds (site 29), the sewage-water outfall with surrounding reed beds and pool, where we were on March 22 searching for Basra Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis). No luck this time either. In the reed beds we got a fast view of a Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) and a Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio). In the bushes at the nearby sabkha, we found one or two Hume´s Whitethroat (Sylvia althaea) beside the more common Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca). At close distance we could also identify our first Steppe Gray Shrike, a race (pallidirostris) of Southern Gray Shrike (Lanius meridionalis). In the bushes on the sabkha we also found a Hypocolius (Hypocolius ampelinus), Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and a Whitethroated Robin (Irania gutturalis) among others. At next stop, Jebel Al-Benayah (site 18), George took us up on a low hill near Khiran Town. The hill is a popular picnic site with a good viewpoint over the sabkha. It happens that cars get stuck in the wet mud during the wet season in the winter. Unfortunately it started raining and we continued further south to Wafra Farms (site 35). This is a large area of traditional farms on the southern border to Saudi Arabia. We stopped for an hour between 12³⁰ and 13³⁰ but it was not many birds around in the middle of the day in sunny weather. Two Steppe Eagles (Aquila nipalensis) and two Imperial Eagles (Aquila heliaca) were soaring above our heads. We headed north, towards Kuwait City and stopped at Sabah Al-Salem (site 28), where we stayed the rest of the afternoon, until 17⁴⁵. We were here also on March 22. The most interesting in the bushes was two Whitethroated Robin (Irania gutturalis), a Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis) (Fig. 16), two Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla), a Ménétries´s Warbler (Sylvia mystacea) and a Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria).

(Monticola saxatilis) at Sabah Al-Salem (site 28). Photo: Christer Brostam In the reed beds we observed two males and one female of Streaked Weaver (Ploceus manyar) and a Village (Black-headed) weaver (Ploceus cucullatus). The Streaked Weaver is known from the site but the Village Weaver is as far we know not mentioned from Kuwait. In any case both species can probably be regarded as escapes. Three persons in the group (Per, Jan-Michael and Johan) left Kuwait late this evening, because of work at home.

March 28 This day we did a revisit to Abdali Farms (site 1) in the northern part of Kuwait, where we were on March 21. We started at Mohammed Al-Ajmi, from 8⁰⁰ one of the farms connected to Abdali Farms. In the palm groves and cultivations we found mainly common passage migrants like Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (Hippolais pallida), European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) and Common Chiff-Chaff (Phylloscopus collybita). Beside these, the always present breeding birds, e.g. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) and Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis).We went back to the “Babbler site”, Yacoub Boodai area and stayed there between 10⁰⁰ and 12⁰⁰. This time we could hear the Common Babbler (Turdoides caudatus) singing a soft song falling at the end. All together it was a family group of seven or eight Common Babblers present. We also found at least four Hypocolius in the area, one of them singing, indicating possibly breeding. Grey Hypocolius ranges through the Middle East, breeding in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, wintering mostly near the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coasts. George told us if breeding here should be confirmed, it would be the first time at the Arabian Peninsula. Other birds present were e.g. Shrikes who liked this open bushy area. We saw Woodchat Shrike, Isabelline Shrike and Steppe Grey Shrike (Lanius senator, L. isabellinus, L. meridionalis race pallidirostris). Above our heads, a flock of 12 Collared Pratincole (Glaerola pratincola) on migrating passed. We continued to Yacoub Boodai Farm where a Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), light phase, was soaring low above us and later even a Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus). We went back south towards Kuwait City, and along the road, we saw several Lesser- and Eurasian Kestrels (Falco naumanni, F. tinnunculus). We stopped at Hujaijah (site 12), the hunting trees north of Subiya to see if any new birds had appeared since last time (March 21). Flocks of European and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster, M. superciliosus) passed by as well as a Black-winged Pratincole (Glaerola nordmanni). At long distance we saw a raptor sitting in an avenue of trees, which turn out to be a Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus). We left the site at 14⁴⁵ and took us back to the last site for the day, Jahra East Outfall (site 14) again. There were still a huge amount of waders. Interesting to note were two large flocks of waders standing on the sabkha far from the sea. The main part was Dunlin (Calidris alpina), estimated to c. 3000 (possibly more), 200 Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), 250 Lesser Sand Plover (Charadius mongolus), 50 Greater Sand Plover (Charadius leschenaultii), among others. There were still a lot of Yellow Wagtails on the wet grassy area. We tried for the Basra Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis) as we had done everywhere we found possible habitat, without result. We saw also a hunter shooting a Slender-billed Gull (Larus genei) at the shore which was depressing to see.

March 29 We spent the whole warm day (+34˚C) at Al-Abraq Al-Khabari (site 2) the isolated oasis close to the western border to Iraq where we were on March 25. Pekka Fågel accompanied us this day, which he probably do not regret. Christer found a bird we did not expect to find, a Black-crowned Accentor (Prunella ocularis), a new species for Kuwait. The bird was obliging and the photographers were satisfied (Fig. 17).

This time all of us also got a good view at the African Collared Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea) sitting in a high tree, where we clearly could see the white belly in contrast to darker breast. A secretive Shikra (Accipiter badius) gave us problem, because there was also five Eurasian Sparrowhawks hiding in the trees, so we had to check every flying Sparrowhawk carefully. At least three Eastern Orphean Warblers (Sylvia crassirostris), four Ménétries´s Warblers (Sylvia mystacea), two Upcher´s Warblers (Hippolais languida), one Pale Rockfinch (Carpospiza brachydactyla) and five White-throated Robin (Irania gutturalis) was found (Fig. 1). A Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) passed the oasis. Five Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus ibis) roosted in a tree. A surprise was a flock of Western Reef Heron (Egretta gularis) in the oasis far from the sea. We also found e.g. a European Scops Owl (Otus Scops) hiding in a tree, a few Gray Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) and four Semi collared Flycatcher (Ficedula semitorquata). We ended the day with a visit to Jahra East Outfall (site 14), which we thought was the best place to find Basra Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis). We spent an hour between 17¹⁵ and 18¹⁵ at the site, but had no luck this time either.

March 30 This was the last day in Kuwait. We started again with Jahra East Outfall (site 14), where we stayed between 7⁰⁰ and 8³⁰ for a last attempt on Basra Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis). When we were standing in front of the reed beds, suddenly the bird appeared, attract by the tape recording and we all got a good view of the Basra Reed Warbler. Later on we saw eventually one another, but possibly the same bird. This warbler was one of the main targets and we had searched for it every day in suitable habitats, so it had probably arrived during the last night. At this site we also had two Red-wattled Plover (Hoplopterus indicus). From 9⁰⁰ we spent three hours at Sabah Al-Ahmed Natural Reserve (site 27). Two European Scops Owl (Otus scops) were hiding in different trees near the pond at Tulha. A Chestnut-shouldered Petronia (Petronia xanthocollis) was found together with large flocks of House- and Spanish Sparrows (Passer domesticus, P. hispaniolensis). Among the sparrows there were also one or two melanistic House Sparrows. A Short-toed Eagle and a Steppe Eagle (Circaetus gallicus, Aquila nipalensis) passed by. We ended up the bird watching by visiting Jahra Farms (site 15) a last time between 13¹⁵ and 13⁴⁵. There were nothing new, all was common birds like Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis), Common Mynah (Acridotheres tristis), and Laughing Dove (Streptopelia. senegalensis). This site is one of the best to see Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) of which we saw four. On our way back to Kuwait City we visited one of the main tourist attractions in Kuwait, Kuwait Towers, built in 1975 AD and inaugurated 1979 AD, where the main tower is 187 m above sea level. We continued to the hotel, took a shower, packed our things and went to the airport where we left the car and had a dinner. The flight left Kuwait 00³⁰. It was five very satisfied birdwatchers who left Kuwait.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the first hand we would like to thank George Gregory for his sacrificing support. Without his help we had not managed to get access or even found our way to many of the sites, where the target species were. We will also thank Pekka Fågel who joined us when he was free from his ordinary work. Mike Pope helped us with a recording of Basra Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis), which was most valuable to elicit the bird at last. Thanks to Ahmed Al-Mershed who invited us to a dinner at a restaurant in Kuwait City, where we spent a pleasant evening with marvellous food and Kuwaitian hospitality (Fig. 18).

List of bird observations, Kuwait, March 19^th-31^st, 2007

Compiled by Seppo Haavisto

seppoahaavisto@hotmail.com

The bird-watching sites in following list:

(1)

Abdali Farms

(2)

Al-Abraq Al-Khabari

(7)

Doha Peninsula

(8)

East Doha

(11)

Green Island

(12)

Hujaijah

(14)

Jahra East Outfall

(15)

Jahra Farms

(16)

Jahra Pool Reserve

(18)

Jebel Al-Benayah

(19)

Kabd (Sulaibiya Agricultural Research Station)

(26)

Rawdatain

(27)

Sabah Al-Ahmed Natural Reserve

(28)

Sabah al-Salem

(29)

Sewer Plant Reeds

(32)

Sulaibikhat Nature Reserve

(35)

Wafra Farms

(37)

Zour Port

Descriptions of the sites in: Gregory, G., 2005: The Birds of the State of Kuwait (cf. also Fig. 3).

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

1 (14) 28/3.

Common Teal Anas crecca

150 (7) 20/3, 4 (7) 24/3.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

4 (7) 20/3.

Northern Pintail Anas acuta

10 (7) 20/3.

Garganey Anas querquedula

2 (8) 24/3.

Common Quail Coturnix coturnix

A total of 6 singles heard.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Fairly common. Highest daily counts approximate 50 species

Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

1 (26) and 1 (1) 21/3.

Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis

Almost daily observations up to 20 specimens on coastal locals. Surprisingly, a flock of 9 observed on (2) 25/3, far in the desert.

Great White Heron Egretta alba

1 (14) 21/3.