Autumn Tour Kuwait 12-18/11/2018

All photographs in this report were supplied by Daniel Mauras ©2018.

Day 1: 12/11/2018

Kuwait had experienced heavy rain just two weeks before the tour starts. This had its toll on bird numbers and diversity. Rain was expected during the tour, of which it is expected to be very severe. We did have two rainy days during the trip, but the heavy rain started at night, which at the next morning all roads to Jahra were closed, we had to find alternative birding sites, so decided to go to parks in the city. In the afternoon the road to Jahra was open so we went to Jahra Farms.

It was again a successful trip. We had an Indian Roller, Pallid Scops Owl and Egyptian Nightjar, but no Crested Hoeny Buzzard or Shikra. However, with this unexpected weather, it was a success to have found 160 species.

We started at Fintas Park for the Ruppell’s Weaver. I was quiet but we had the bird quickly and also seen a Humes’s Leaf Warbler.

Fintas Park

6:40 AM – 7:32 AM

5 species

Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 12, Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri 1, Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus humei 1, House Sparrow Passer domesticus 12, Rüppell’s Weaver Ploceus galbula 1.

Abu Al-Hasaniya is the best place to see the two crested terns. Our next stop was Abu Al-Hasaniya, it was very low tide, but we managed to see them in flight and also had a number of lesser and Greater Sand plovers.

Abu Al-Hasaniya

7:40 AM – 9:40 AM

21 species +2 other taxa.

Rock Dove Columba livia 20, Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 1, Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus 3, Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii 17, Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 2, Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 23, Sanderling Calidris alba 4, Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 2, Common Redshank Tringa totanus 2, Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei 6, Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 1, Heuglin’s Gull Larus fuscus heuglini1, Steppe Gull Larus fuscus barabensis1, Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 1, Great Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii 1, Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis 3, Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 13, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1, White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 1, European Robin Erithacus rubecula 1, Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 8, Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 1.

As usual Green Island comes next after Abu Al-Hasaniya which opens doors at 9 am. There were no Hypocoliuses but we saw another Ruppell’s Weaver and a Pied Kingfisher.

Green Island

10:02 AM – 11:20 AM

13 species

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 2, Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 8, Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei 4, Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 17, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1, Indian Reef-Heron Egretta gularis schistacea 1, Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 1, Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 1, Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus 1, White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 7, Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 1, White Wagtail Motacilla alba 1, Rüppell’s Weaver Ploceus galbula 1.

Jahra Pools Natural Reserve

12:23 PM – 4:58 PM

49 species

Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope 2, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 6, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca 6, Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus 16, Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 2, Pallid Swift Apus pallidus 3, Water Rail Rallus aquaticus 1, Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 3, Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 4, Grey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio poliocephalus 1, Little Crake Zapornia parva 1, Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 6, Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 3, White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus 21 , Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 5, Ruff Calidris pugnax 2, Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 10, Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus, Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 3, Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 12, Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 240, Armenian Gull Larus armenicus 1, White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 2, Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus 1, Great White Egret Ardea alba 7, Little Egret Egretta garzetta 6, Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 2, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 6, Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga 6, Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis 4, Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca 1, Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 2, Black-eared Kite Milvus migrans lineatus 25, Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 3, White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 3, Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 3, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus 32, Daurian Shrike Lanius isabellinus 2, Mauryan Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor pallidirostris 1, Sand Martin Riparia riparia 1, Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 5, Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis 3, Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana 1, Bluethroat Luscinia svecica 2, Western Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 2, White Wagtail Motacilla alba 14, Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus 1, Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 1, Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis 24.

Day 2: 13/11/2018

We birded from outside the fence. AbdulRahman has arranged with Neil Tovey, an expat living in Kuwait who has access to the site to get us inside the Pivot Fields at 8 AM.

Sulaybiya Pivot Fields – Northern Section

6:41 AM – 7:49 AM

21 species

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 12, Common Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 8, Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 6, White Stork Ciconia ciconia 1, Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 70, Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 1, Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca 1, Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 2, Black-eared Kite Milvus migrans lineatus 2, Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 6, White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 1, Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1, Daurian Shrike Lanius isabellinus 1, Mauryan Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor pallidirostris 1, Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 2, Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis 1, European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola 2, Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina 1, Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 1, Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 1, White Wagtail Motacilla alba 23.

Neil arrived at 8 AM and took us in his car inside. The Indian Roller which is the main target species for all of us was seen inside a week before, so we were hoping to find it. We searched both sections of Pivot Fields without any success, but we managed to see the wintering Sociable Lapwing, Indian Silverbill, Rufous Turtle Dove, and a Black-winged Pratincole.

Sulaybiya Pivot Fields

8:05 AM – 12:10 PM

30 species

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 80, Eurasian Teal Anas crecca 2, Common Quail Coturnix coturnix 1, Common Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 1, Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 1, Namaqua Dove Oena capensis 21, Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 11, Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 100, Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius 3 , White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus 30, Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 2, Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni 1, Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus1, Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga 11, Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca 1, Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 2, Black-eared Kite Milvus migrans lineatus 11, Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus 2, Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus 5, Daurian Shrike Lanius isabellinus 15, Mauryan Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor pallidirostris 2, Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 4, Crested Lark Galerida cristata 10, Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti 2, Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina 4, Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola 2, White Wagtail Motacilla alba 100, Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris 3, Caucasian Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta coutellii 50, Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica 6.

Mutla’a Ranch was quite as usual, but again we flushed a Black-throated Thrush. We where hoping to see a rarity there, but nothing was interesting except for the Black-throated Thrush.

Mutla’a Ranch

1:11 PM – 2:06 PM

9 species

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 12, Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 1, White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 41, Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 3, Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 1, Western Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 1, Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis 1, White Wagtail Motacilla alba 1, Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis 7.

Liyah Reserve is the easiest site to find a Bar-tailed Lark, we went there and saw an Asian Desert Warbler as well.

Liyah Reserve – Northern Section

2:56 PM – 3:35 PM

9 species

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus 1, Bar-tailed Lark Ammomanes cinctura 3, Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 2, Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus 2, Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana 1, Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 1, Western Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 1, Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti 2, Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 2, Greater Hoopoe-Lark Alaemon alaudipes.

Liyah Reserve – Southern Section

3:40 PM – 4:45 PM

6 species

Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis 1, Mauryan Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor pallidirostris 1, Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 2, Crested Lark Galerida cristata 4, Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 3, Western Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 2.

Day 3: 14/11/2018

There was intermittent light rain in the early morning. Later the rain started to get heavy. We started at Sulaibikhat Bay – Next to KISR which is a good roosting place for the Hypocolius in winter, so it was our first stop of the third day. We managed to see more than 20 of them together with a Yellow-faced Parrot, an escapee bird of course.

Sulaibikhat Bay – Next to KISR

6:11 AM – 6:28 AM

8 species

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus 20, Rock Dove Columba livia 26, Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 6, Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 26, Yellow-faced Parrot Alipiopsitta xanthops (Cat E) 1, White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 5, Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 3, Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus 21.

Moving forward along Sulaibikhat Road towards our next stop, it is the best area to see waders at close range at high tide. The tide was low, but we managed to see a Terek Sandpiper and a Lesser Sand Plover.

Sulaibikhat Bay – Beach west of Nature Reserve

6:49 AM – 7:10 AM

12 species

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 5, Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus 1, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 4, Little Stint Calidris minuta 2, Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 2, Common Redshank Tringa totanus 24, Crab-Plover Dromas ardeola 1, Little Tern Sternula albifrons 1, Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 8, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 7, Indian Reef-Heron Egretta gularis schistacea 4, Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1.

Kabd Reserve is the best place to see the Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark. On our way to the reserve the rain started to get heavy, but at times it becomes light allowing birding. We managed to see our lark, but also, we had our first Red-tailed Wheatear of which offered prolonged good view.

Kabd Reserve

7:44 AM – 9:35 AM

11 species

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 7, Pallid Swift Apus pallidus 12, Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus 1, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix nigriceps 17, Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 5, Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia 1, Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina 7, Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 2, White Wagtail Motacilla alba 1, Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 1, House Sparrow Passer domesticus 6.

Rain is becoming heavy around the City of Jahra, in an effort to allow for birding we decided to go north where rain is expected o be less. We drived an hour north to Abdally. Upon arrival there was no rain so we managed to see the babblers, a family of 6 birds and a flock of Hypocoliuses of 26. We then went the site of the Red-wattled Lapwing, it started to rain, but we dipped this bird. Also, we searched for the Indian Roller in the place where it had been seen for a couple of years back but again our efforts were not successful.

Abdally Farms

11:01 AM – 1:48 PM

12 species

Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 15, Namaqua Dove Oena capensis 11, Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1, White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 1, Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1, Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 2, Crested Lark Galerida cristata 9, White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 15, Afghan Babbler Turdoides huttoni 6, White Wagtail Motacilla alba 11, Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris 1, Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus 26

We decided to end the day at Jahra Farms early today as it was rainy and at 3 pm we were losing light. We spent only 15 minutes at Jahra Farms as we realized it is impossible to continue and we called a day.

Jahra Farms

2:54 PM – 3:09 PM

6 species

Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 4, White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 2, Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus 1, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1, Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 4, Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus 3.

Day 4: 15/11/2018

Because the night before had 80mm of rain, there were road blocks everywhere preventing ud from going north to Jahra. We decided to visit the parks in Kuwait City starting with Shuwaikh Park.

Shuwaikh Park

6:59 AM – 8:40 AM

15 species

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 10, Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1, White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 1, Mauryan Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor pallidirostris 1, Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus 5, House Crow Corvus splendens 1, Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 1, White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 15, Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 2, Bluethroat Luscinia svecica 1, Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 6, Javan Myna Acridotheres javanicus 3 (Cat. E), White Wagtail Motacilla alba 1, Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus 5, House Sparrow Passer domesticus 25.

Al-Shaheed Park was our next destination. At the eastern corner where reeds grow, we managed to get prolonged good views of the Moustached Warbler, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, and a Thrush Nightingale

Al-Shaheed Park

9:06 AM – 11:01 AM

20 species

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 5, Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 8, White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 1, Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1, Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri 2, Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 4, Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon 1, Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 2, Indian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens 1, Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis 2, Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 11, Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria 3, Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 5, Menetries’s Warbler Sylvia mystacea 1, Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 3, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas galactotes 1, Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia 1, Bluethroat Luscinia svecica 2, Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1, Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus 18.

Al-Shallal’s Farm was the place where the Eversmann’s Redstart was seen a couple of years back. It was our next destination in search of this species.

Al-Shallal’s Farm

12:20 PM – 1:49 PM

12 species

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 1, White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 1, White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 2, Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 4, Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus 1, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas galactotes 1, European Robin Erithacus rubecula 1, Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 1, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 2, Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus 4, Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 1, House Sparrow Passer domesticus 31.

Outside of SAANR

2:03 PM – 2:20 PM

4 species

Daurian Shrike Lanius isabellinus 1, Crested Lark Galerida cristata 1, Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti 5, Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina 2.

Because the road blocks the government decided to make today as a holiday. We arrived at Jal Al Zor to find many people having their picnic there, again birding was limited, but we managed to see our second Red-tailed Wheatear.

Jal Al Zor

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia 1, Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti 1.

This is our third visit to this site.

Mutla’a Ranch

3:31 PM – 4:38 PM

11 species

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 21, Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 5, Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 3, Daurian Shrike Lanius isabellinus 1, White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 5, Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 5, Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 1, European Robin Erithacus rubecula 1, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 2, Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis 1, Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 12.

Day 5: 16/11/2018

We drove for an hour to reach this desert oasis Al-Abraq, where we had very good views of Richard’s Pipit.

Abraq Al-Habari,

7:42 AM 11:05 AM

26 Species

Eurasian Teal Anas crecca 1, Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis 1, Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 3, Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus 3, Daurian Shrike Lanius isabellinus 2, Lesser Short-toed Lark Alaudala rufescens 26, Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 1, Crested Lark Galerida cristata 3, Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 21, Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus 1, Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria 1, Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 1, Menetries’s Warbler Sylvia mystacea 4, Bluethroat Luscinia svecica 1, Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 3, Central Asian Black Redstart Phoenicurus (ochruros) phoenicuroides  1, Caspian Stonechat Saxicola maurus hemprichii 1, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1, White Wagtail Motacilla alba 3, Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 1, Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 1, Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 5, Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus 1, Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 5, Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis 1.

We searched the desert north of Al Abraq for larks, but we had wheatears including our third Red-tailed Wheatear.

North of Al Abraq

11:41 AM – 12:43 PM

5 species

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1, Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana 1, Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina 2, Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris 1, Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 1, Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia 1.

We received a message on WhatsApp that a Pallid Scops Owl was seen in the morning at Rumaithiya Park. AbdulRahman our guide spoke to Sajan Raju, an Indian birder, who decided to mark the tree for us in order to help us find the owl. From the desert we headed to Rumaithiya Park where we managed to see the bird.

Rumaithiya Park

2:02 PM – 2:12 PM

Pallid Scops Owl Otus brucei 1

We decided to end the day at Sulaibikhat Bay to see the waders. We had some good views of the Broad-billed Sandpiper and a Lesser Sand Plover.

Sulaibikhat Bay – Beach west of Nature Reserve

2:43 PM – 5:08 PM

25 species +1 other taxa

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 5, Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 4, Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 4, Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus 6, Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii 71, Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 110, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 21, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 3, Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus 94, Dunlin Calidris alpina 250, Little Stint Calidris minuta 20, Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 7, Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 5, Common Redshank Tringa totanus 295, Crab-Plover Dromas ardeola 71, Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 120, Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans 2, Heuglin’s Gull Larus fuscus heuglini2, Steppe Gull Larus fuscus barabensis1, Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 2, Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 2, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 15, Indian Reef-Heron Egretta gularis 12, White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 2, European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola 1, Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina 1.

Day 6: 17/11/2018

In the evening our guide AbdulRahman received the news that an Indian birder that an Indian Roller was seen in the evening at Adan Park. It was our first destination, where we managed to see the bird and had a chance to get some good photographs.

Adan Park

6:53 AM – 7:48 AM

Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis 1, Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 1

We then headed again to Rumaithiya Park in search of the Red-vented Bulbul that was seen yesterday. We dipped it but saw a Red-whisked Bulbul and a Southern Red Bishop both of which are escapees.

Rumaithiya Park

8:36 AM – 9:22 AM

9 species

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 11, Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 9, Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1, Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus 1 (Cat. E), White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 8, Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 1, Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 5, Rüppell’s Weaver Ploceus galbula 1, Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix 1 (Cat. E).

Jahra Farms was our next destination, in search of any rarity that might have turned up.

Jahra Farms

10:04 AM – 11:54 AM

21 species

Common Quail Coturnix coturnix 1, Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 2, Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 12, Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 1, Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 1, Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis 21, White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 1, Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1, Daurian Shrike Lanius isabellinus 2, Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus 4, White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 5, Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus 1, Menetries’s Warbler Sylvia mystacea 1, Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva 1, European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola 2, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 8, Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 5, Javan Myna Acridotheres javanicus 1 (Cat. E), White Wagtail Motacilla alba 14, Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus 18, House Sparrow Passer domesticus 24

Heading to Jahra Pools Reserve where we had the Caucasian Chiffchaff the highlight of the day. We had a close view of the Caucasian Chiffchaff up to two metres at times. We also, had good views of Eastern Imperial Eagle

Jahra Pools Natural Reserve

12:03 PM – 2:38 PM

38 species

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 3, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca 3, Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 7, Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 14, Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 15, Grey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio poliocephalus 1, Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 5, White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus 5, Ruff Calidris pugnax 1, Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 31, Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 3, Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 1, Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 2, Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 22, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 4, Great White Egret Ardea alba 3, Little Egret Egretta garzetta 18, Indian Reef-Heron Egretta gularis 2, Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 1, Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga 3, Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca 1, Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 2, Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1, White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 5, Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 8, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus 21, Daurian Shrike Lanius isabellinus 2, Sand Martin Riparia riparia 1, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 2, Caucasian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus sindianus lorenzii 1, European Robin Erithacus rubecula 1, Bluethroat Luscinia svecica 1, Western Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 1, European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola 6, Caspian Stonechat Saxicola maurus hemprichii 1, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1, White Wagtail Motacilla alba 6, Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 3

This is our third visit for this birding site. Again nothing was special was there.

Mutla’a Ranch

3:10 PM – 4:15 PM

8 species

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 4, Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 3, Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 3, Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1, White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 5, Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 3, European Robin Erithacus rubecula 3, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1.

Day 7: 18/11/2018

We decided to go to Jahra Farms early in the morning to find the Bank Myna, but unfortunately we were not successful to relocate them.

Jahra Farms

6:45 AM – 8:01 AM

15 species

Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 4, Pallid Swift Apus pallidus 2, White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 1, Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri 3, Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus 1, White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 10, Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria 1, Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 1, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 3, Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 10, Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 11, Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus 2 (Cat. E), White Wagtail Motacilla alba 6, Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus 18, Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis 7.

We received the news that two Crested Honey Buzzard were seen today, so it was our next destination. We searched for one hour but dipped this bird.

Fintas Park

9:18 AM – 10:17 AM

3 species

Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 8, White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 12, Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 4

Since Abu Al-Hasaniya is along our way south, we decided to stop there in order to have better views of the two terns Greater and Lesser Crested Terns. The tide was higher this time and we managed to see both species next to each other, which gave us good size comparison between the two.

Abu Al-Hasaniya

10:30 AM – 10:48 AM

7 species

Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 6, Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii 4, Baltic Gull Larus fuscus fuscus 1, Great Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii 22, Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis 52, Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 12, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1.

We went to Souq Sharq Seaport which was on our way, it added the Sandwich tern to our list.

Souq Sharq Seaport

11:29 AM – 11:45 AM

4 species

Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 22, Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis 2, Western Reef-Heron Egretta gularis 1, Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 1.

Our second visit to Al-Shaheed Park. It added Woodchat Shrike to our list list.

Al-Shaheed Park

12:18 PM – 3:04 PM

19 species

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 16, Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 4, Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius 1, Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1, Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 3, Daurian Shrike Lanius isabellinus 1, Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus 4, Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator 1, White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 15, Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 1, Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 2, Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria 5, Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 5, Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 2, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas galactotes , Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1, Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 8, Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus 1, Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica 2.

We decided to end the tour at Jahra East Outfall. We flushed a Jack Snipe and two Spotted Crakes which were new addition to our tour list.

Jahra East Outfall

3:44 PM – 4:43 PM

12 species

Spotted Crake Porzana porzana 2, Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 5, Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus 1, Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 200, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 12, Great White Egret Ardea alba 25, Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga 1, Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis 1, Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 1, Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1, White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 2, Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 13.

Total: 160 species

Highest Count for a Species (sample size)

Species Name	Nov 12	Nov 13	Nov 14	Nov 15	Nov 16	Nov 17	Nov 18
Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope)	2 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)	6 (1)	80 (2)	—	—	5 (1)	3 (1)	—
Eurasian/Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)	—	2 (1)	—	—	1 (1)	—	—
Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca)	6 (1)	—	—	—	—	3 (1)	—
Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix)	—	1 (1)	—	—	—	1 (1)	—
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)	16 (1)	—	20 (1)	—	—	—	—
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)	2 (1)	—	—	—	—	7 (1)	—
Rock Dove (Columba livia)	20 (1)	—	26 (1)	—	—	—	—
Common Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)	—	8 (2)	—	—	—	—	—
Rufous Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis)	—	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	—
Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)	2 (1)	12 (2)	7 (3)	21 (3)	—	11 (3)	16 (1)
Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis)	12 (2)	—	15 (2)	8 (2)	—	12 (3)	8 (4)
Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis)	—	21 (1)	11 (1)	—	—	—	—
Egyptian Nightjar (Caprimulgus aegyptius)	—	—	—	—	—	—	1 (1)
Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus)	3 (1)	—	12 (1)	—	—	—	2 (1)
Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana)	—	—	—	—	—	—	2 (1)
Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)	3 (1)	—	—	—	—	14 (1)	5 (1)
Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)	4 (1)	—	—	—	—	15 (1)	—
Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus)	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—
Little Crake (Zapornia parva)	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)	6 (1)	11 (1)	—	—	—	5 (1)	—
Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)	3 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)	—	—	—	—	4 (1)	—	—
Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)	1 (1)	—	—	—	4 (1)	—	—
Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)	—	100 (1)	—	—	—	—	—
Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius)	—	3 (1)	—	—	—	—	—
White-tailed Lapwing (Vanellus leucurus)	21 (1)	30 (1)	—	—	—	5 (1)	—
Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus)	3 (1)	—	1 (1)	—	6 (1)	—	—
Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaultii)	17 (1)	—	—	—	71 (1)	—	4 (1)
Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)	2 (1)	—	—	—	110 (1)	—	—
Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)	23 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)	5 (1)	—	4 (1)	—	21 (1)	—	—
Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)	—	—	—	—	3 (1)	—	—
Ruff (Calidris pugnax)	2 (1)	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—
Broad-billed Sandpiper (Calidris falcinellus)	—	—	—	—	94 (1)	—	—
Sanderling (Calidris alba)	4 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Dunlin (Calidris alpina)	—	—	—	—	250 (1)	—	—
Little Stint (Calidris minuta)	—	—	2 (1)	—	20 (1)	—	—
Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus)	—	—	—	—	—	—	1 (1)
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)	10 (1)	—	—	—	—	31 (1)	—
Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus)	1 (1)	—	2 (1)	—	—	—	—
Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)	3 (1)	—	—	—	—	3 (1)	—
Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus)	2 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)	—	—	—	—	7 (1)	—	—
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)	12 (1)	2 (1)	—	—	5 (1)	—	—
Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)	—	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—
Common Redshank (Tringa totanus)	2 (1)	—	24 (1)	—	295 (1)	—	—
Crab-Plover (Dromas ardeola)	—	—	1 (1)	—	71 (1)	—	—
Black-winged Pratincole (Glareola nordmanni)	—	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	—
Slender-billed Gull (Chroicocephalus genei)	6 (2)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)	240 (2)	—	26 (1)	—	120 (1)	—	200 (2)
Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans)	1 (1)	—	—	—	2 (1)	—	—
Armenian Gull (Larus armenicus)	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)	1 (3)	—	—	—	2 (2)	—	1 (1)
Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)	—	—	1 (1)	—	—	—	—
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)	1 (1)	—	8 (1)	—	2 (1)	2 (1)	—
White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)	2 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida)	—	—	—	—	2 (1)	—	—
Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii)	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	22 (1)
Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis)	—	—	—	—	—	—	2 (1)
Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis)	3 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	52 (1)
White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)	—	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	—
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)	13 (1)	—	—	—	—	22 (1)	12 (1)
Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus)	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)	1 (2)	—	7 (1)	—	15 (1)	4 (1)	12 (2)
Great White Egret (Ardea alba)	7 (1)	—	—	—	—	3 (1)	25 (1)
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)	6 (1)	—	1 (1)	—	—	18 (1)	—
Western Reef-Heron (Egretta gularis)	1 (1)	—	4 (1)	—	12 (1)	2 (1)	1 (1)
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)	—	70 (1)	—	—	—	—	—
Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)	2 (1)	—	—	—	—	1 (2)	—
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)	—	—	1 (1)	—	—	—	—
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)	6 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus)	—	1 (2)	—	—	—	—	—
Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)	—	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—
Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga)	6 (1)	11 (1)	—	—	—	3 (1)	1 (1)
Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis)	4 (1)	1 (1)	—	—	1 (1)	21 (1)	1 (1)
Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)	1 (1)	1 (2)	—	—	—	1 (1)	—
Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)	2 (1)	2 (1)	—	—	—	2 (1)	1 (1)
Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)	—	2 (2)	—	3 (2)	3 (1)	3 (1)	—
Black Kite (Milvus migrans)	25 (1)	11 (2)	—	—	—	—	—
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)	—	2 (1)	—	—	—	—	—
Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)	—	5 (2)	1 (1)	—	—	—	—
Pallid Scops Owl (Otus brucei)	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—	—
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops)	—	6 (1)	—	1 (1)	1 (1)	1 (1)	—
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)	3 (1)	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	1 (1)
White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)	3 (2)	1 (1)	2 (2)	1 (3)	2 (1)	5 (2)	2 (2)
Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)	3 (2)	—	—	—	—	8 (1)	1 (1)
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus)	32 (1)	—	—	—	3 (1)	21 (1)	—
Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)	—	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)	—	1 (1)	1 (1)	1 (1)	1 (1)	1 (2)	—
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)	—	—	—	—	—	—	1 (1)
Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)	1 (1)	—	—	2 (1)	—	—	3 (1)
Yellow-faced Parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops)	—	—	1 (1)	—	—	—	—
Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)	1 (1)	—	—	4 (1)	—	—	3 (1)
Isabelline Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)	2 (2)	15 (2)	—	1 (2)	2 (1)	2 (2)	1 (1)
Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor)	1 (1)	2 (3)	—	1 (1)	—	—	—
Masked Shrike (Lanius nubicus)	—	—	1 (1)	5 (1)	—	4 (1)	4 (2)
Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator)	—	—	—	—	—	—	1 (1)
House Crow (Corvus splendens)	—	—	—	1 (1)	—	—	—
Greater Hoopoe-Lark (Alaemon alaudipes)	—	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	—
Bar-tailed Lark (Ammomanes cinctura)	—	3 (1)	—	—	—	—	—
Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix nigriceps)	—	—	17 (1)	—	—	—	—
Lesser Short-toed Lark (Alaudala rufescens)	—	—	—	—	26 (1)	—	—
Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis)	—	4 (4)	5 (2)	1 (1)	1 (1)	—	—
Crested Lark (Galerida cristata)	—	10 (2)	9 (1)	1 (1)	3 (1)	—	—
Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)	—	—	—	—	—	2 (1)	—
Eurasian Penduline Tit (Remiz pendulinus)	—	2 (1)	—	—	—	—	—
Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)	—	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—
White-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucotis)	7 (1)	41 (1)	15 (2)	15 (3)	—	8 (3)	15 (3)
Hume’s Warbler (Phylloscopus humei)	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Mountain Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus sindianus)	—	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—
Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)	5 (1)	3 (2)	—	5 (3)	21 (1)	3 (3)	—
Moustached Warbler (Acrocephalus melanopogon)	—	—	—	1 (1)	—	—	—
Eurasian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)	—	—	—	2 (1)	—	—	1 (1)
Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)	—	—	—	1 (1)	1 (1)	1 (1)	—
Clamorous Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus)	—	—	—	1 (1)	—	—	—
Graceful Prinia (Prinia gracilis)	3 (1)	1 (1)	—	2 (1)	—	—	—
Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)	—	—	—	11 (1)	—	—	2 (1)
Asian Desert Warbler (Sylvia nana)	1 (1)	1 (1)	—	—	1 (1)	—	—
Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria)	—	—	—	3 (1)	1 (1)	—	5 (2)
Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)	—	1 (1)	—	5 (2)	1 (1)	—	5 (1)
Menetries’s Warbler (Sylvia mystacea)	—	—	—	1 (1)	4 (1)	1 (1)	—
Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)	—	—	—	3 (1)	—	—	2 (2)
Afghan Babbler (Turdoides huttoni)	—	—	6 (1)	—	—	—	—
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas galactotes)	—	—	—	1 (2)	—	—	1 (1)
European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)	1 (1)	—	—	1 (2)	—	3 (2)	—
Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia)	—	—	—	1 (1)	—	—	—
Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)	2 (1)	—	—	2 (2)	1 (1)	1 (1)	—
Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva)	—	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—
Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)	—	1 (1)	—	1 (1)	3 (1)	—	—
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)	2 (1)	2 (3)	—	—	1 (1)	1 (1)	—
European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)	—	2 (1)	—	—	1 (1)	6 (2)	—
Siberian Stonechat (Saxicola maurus)	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	1 (1)	—
Red-tailed Wheatear (Oenanthe xanthoprymna)	—	—	1 (1)	1 (1)	1 (1)	—	—
Desert Wheatear (Oenanthe deserti)	—	2 (2)	—	5 (2)	—	—	—
Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina)	—	4 (2)	7 (1)	2 (1)	2 (2)	—	—
Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)	—	—	1 (1)	2 (2)	1 (1)	8 (3)	3 (2)
Black-throated Thrush (Turdus atrogularis)	—	1 (1)	—	1 (1)	—	—	—
Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)	1 (1)	1 (1)	2 (1)	12 (1)	—	—	13 (2)
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)	8 (1)	—	4 (2)	6 (1)	—	5 (2)	11 (3)
Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus)	—	—	—	3 (1)	—	1 (1)	2 (1)
Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)	—	—	—	1 (1)	—	—	—
Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)	1 (1)	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	—
Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola)	—	2 (1)	—	—	—	—	—
Pied Wagtail/White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)	14 (2)	100 (3)	11 (2)	1 (1)	3 (1)	14 (2)	6 (1)
Richard’s Pipit (Anthus richardi)	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—	—
Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris)	—	3 (1)	1 (1)	—	1 (1)	—	—
Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis)	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—	—
Red-throated Pipit (Anthus cervinus)	1 (1)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta)	1 (1)	50 (2)	1 (1)	—	5 (1)	3 (1)	—
Hypocolius (Hypocolius ampelinus)	—	—	26 (3)	18 (3)	1 (1)	18 (1)	18 (2)
Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)	—	—	—	1 (1)	—	—	—
Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra)	—	—	—	—	5 (2)	—	—
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)	12 (1)	—	6 (1)	31 (2)	—	24 (1)	—
Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis)	24 (1)	7 (1)	—	—	1 (1)	—	7 (1)
Rüppell’s Weaver (Ploceus galbula)	1 (2)	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—
Southern Red Bishop (Euplectes orix)	—	—	—	—	—	1 (1)	—
Indian Silverbill (Euodice malabarica)	—	6 (1)	—	—	—	—	2 (1)

Acknowledgement:

I am very thankful to the tour participant Daniel Mauras for sharing his photographs in this trip report.