Spring is in the air

Week 09, 27 February 2013 - Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City (Click to enlarge image)

This week I explored the desert area to the south of Khiran town where development of the next phase of the project continues. There is a definite feeling of Spring in the air and this was confirmed by a number of returning migrants seen during the course of the morning. I had a Tawny Pipit on the side of Road 290 after exiting the 30, with legs backlit against the sun.

Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris)

A couple of Daurian Shrikes were seen closer to Khiran town

Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)

Exploring the Jebels, I found at a male Blue Rock Thrush, stunning in summer plumage

Male Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius)

And a Pied Wheatear

A buffy looking Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka)

There is an area where old building rubble has been dumped and this was pretty good for Pied Wheatear's which have recently arrived

Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka)

The one-legged Red-tailed Wheatear was still around in the same area where I saw it last month

Red-tailed Wheatear (Oenanthe chrysopygia)

And the 2nd of 3 male Blue Rock Thrushes that I found during the morning in a pensive pose

Male Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius)

A single Eurasian Hoopoe was seen foraging around some of the rocky areas with habitat

Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

Libyan Jirds were pretty active earlier in the morning

Libyan Jird (Meriones libycus)

Here are a few of the Spring flowers that are attracting insects which are attracting birds...and adding some in the sand

Overladen Honey Bee