05/08/2009 at Kabd Reserve

Highlight at KISR-Kebd was a juvenile Temminck’s Lark at the small pool. The bird was showing the typical cooling behaviour, as described by myself for other larks in a recent edition of Sandgrouse (31(1): 6-14.). Exactly 2 years ago, an adult bird was seen at the pool, so it seems as if birds disperse from their breeding areas, mainly in the far west of Kuwait, at this time of the year. Also present were up to about 50 Black-crowned Sparrow-larks, also in the vicinity of the pool. Some birds were definite juveniles, strongly suggesting that despite the extremely dry year and the reduced number of adults noted earlier in the season, breeding was successful for some birds. In contrast, Dunn’s Lark, often quite conspicuous at this time of the year, was not seen yet again, so it appears as if the birds have disappeared from the area.