14/04/2013 at Jahra Pool Reserve and Jahra East Outfall

A couple of days ago, I heard the news of a first breeding record of Mallard at JPR, yesterday also a Ferruginous Duck was also reported to have bred as well a 1st breeding record as well. It has long been suspected that these species may breed. They have bred in the Eastern Province of KSA  300 Km south of Kuwait (M.Jennings,1995 An Interim Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia).

The water has for almost two years now been kept at such a high level. It results in good bird numbers and more breeding records.

This is also good news and a reason to convince the Reserve Management to keep the fresh water to its levels, and not to discharge it directly to the sea.

I also an adult and a chick of Little Grebe.

Birds that were seen at JEO include: Pallid Harrier 1, Northern Wheatear 6, Common Redstart 3, Siberian Stonechat 1, Wryneck 1, European Bee-eater 2, Black-eared Wheatear 3, Pied Wheatear 2, Turkestan Shrike 3, Woodchat Shrike 1, Eurasian Reed Warbler 2, Common Chiffchaff 5, Mauryan Grey Shrike 1.

At JPR: Masked Shrike 1, Ferruginous Duck 5 (adult 1 and chicks 4), Little Grebe 3 (one chick), Greenshank 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Wood Sandpiper 2, Siberian Stonechat 1, Common Kingfisher 1, Great Reed Warbler 1, Eurasian Coot 2, Moorhen 5.

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca chicks

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca adult

Turkestan Shrike Lanius phoenicuroides

Turkestan/Red-backed Shrike hybrid