23-28.3.2011 in Kuwait

A Finnish team of birdwatchers (Tapani Numminen, Jari Kårlund, Jarno Suni & Heikki Assinen) visited Kuwait 23-28.4.2011. This is to highlight some records during the trip.

Traditional place for Afgan Babbler (Common Babbler) Turdoides caudatus huttoni, is Abdaly farms where the species has bred for several years. However, this time I had serious problems to relocate them. Finally I heard a weak call from the remote corner of the farm where I have never seen them before. After hearing the birds it is relatively easy to see them. Same goes with Hypocolius which we saw in Jahra Farms.  Some trees seem to atract them.  In Al Abraq, which we visited twice, we had Shikra, White-throated Robin and Hume’s Leaf Warbler.  SAANR we visited three times + one in night time. First trip produced 28 Caspian Plovers. The last one yeldied 2 Pale Rock Sparrows and Cinereous Bunting which we saw also in our second trip to Al Abraq.  Night trip to SAANR seaside was targeted for Egyptian Nightjar which we found but not without hardship. We saw a nightjar flying over loudspeaker not realizing that the battery of our car was rapidly wearing down. Finally with a kind help of the staff of SAANR we were  resqued. As a brave people we continued seeking nightjars after that incident with a good result. Next stop produced nice views of Egyptian Nightjar flying over atrap (engine was running).