Last Tuesday, Pekka Fagel, a local Birder was nice enough to take me on a birding trip.
We first went to the pivot fields, usually a place for Birds of Prey in abundance.
That day whatsoever, they had gotten the warning that I was coming ;-)
We saw some Hen Harriers and Greater spotted Eagle though - both Lifers for me -
so you don't hear me complaining ;-)
Another Lifer for the day were the Skylarks, which showed up in a huge flock and
were to be found all over the fields.
Lapwings and Water Pipits were there in abundance as well.
And some Namaqua Doves (the most I've ever seen together in one spot)
And a bunch of busybees Spanish sparrows
Whereas the Starlings and Crested Larks were taking a break.
One peculiar thing about the Pivot fields is probably the Crocodile pond.
There was a Moorhenn hiding somewhere and some Cattle Egrets took off when we came,
Chiffchaffs were singing in the trees.
Yes. With crocodiles.
The fields belong to the Amir's son and so do these crocs.
There were also sheep and some camels.
To enter the fields you need a permission, but you can drive along the fence line
and see some of the birds, especially during migration.
Be aware of hunters though.
I enjoyed my day very much - a great Thanks to Pekka for taking me!
Birdcount
Pivot fields
3 Hen Harrier (2 fem / 1 male) (Lifer)
2+ Greater spotted Eagle (Lifer)
4+ Isabelline Shrike
7+ Namaqua dove
60+ Spanish Sparrows
55+ Lapwing
80+ Skylark (Lifer)
10+ Crested Lark
20+ Water Pipit
30+ White Wagtail
Moorhenn (sound)
Chiffchaff (sound)
6+ Cattle Egret
16+ Starling
2 Common Kestrel
---------------------------------------------------
For more birds from around the Globe,
hop on over to World Bird Wednesday
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| From Kuwait |
That day whatsoever, they had gotten the warning that I was coming ;-)
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| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
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| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
so you don't hear me complaining ;-)
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| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
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| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
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| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
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| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
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| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
Another Lifer for the day were the Skylarks, which showed up in a huge flock and
were to be found all over the fields.
| ||
| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
Lapwings and Water Pipits were there in abundance as well.
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| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
| ||
| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
And some Namaqua Doves (the most I've ever seen together in one spot)
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| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
And a bunch of busy
| ||
| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
| ||
| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
| ||
| From Birds Kuwait 2012 |
There was a Moorhenn hiding somewhere and some Cattle Egrets took off when we came,
Chiffchaffs were singing in the trees.
| ||
| From Kuwait |
Yes. With crocodiles.
| ||
| From Kuwait |
There were also sheep and some camels.
 |
| From Kuwait |
 |
| From Kuwait |
To enter the fields you need a permission, but you can drive along the fence line
and see some of the birds, especially during migration.
Be aware of hunters though.
| ||
| From Kuwait |
I enjoyed my day very much - a great Thanks to Pekka for taking me!
Birdcount
Pivot fields
3 Hen Harrier (2 fem / 1 male) (Lifer)
2+ Greater spotted Eagle (Lifer)
4+ Isabelline Shrike
7+ Namaqua dove
60+ Spanish Sparrows
55+ Lapwing
80+ Skylark (Lifer)
10+ Crested Lark
20+ Water Pipit
30+ White Wagtail
Moorhenn (sound)
Chiffchaff (sound)
6+ Cattle Egret
16+ Starling
2 Common Kestrel
---------------------------------------------------
For more birds from around the Globe,
hop on over to World Bird Wednesday
that's awesome to get a private invitation! love those crested larks. you can keep the crocs, though! :)
ReplyDeleteSeeing those crocs up close was pretty, uhm, weird :-)
DeleteBtw. there is a fence around the croc pond!
Delete:-)
What a day.......3 lifers, and crocs!
ReplyDeleteThe Hen Harrier is a beautiful bird to see.
A Spanish Sparrow has recently turned up over here, and causing great excitement amongst the twitchers lol
There's actually more to come :-)
DeleteNot much, but too much for me today, was too lazy for posting anyway, but then I thought, missing a 'WBW'?! ;-)
Wish I could have gotten closer to the HH (His Highness?), maybe next time.
I love these Spanish Sparrows, too cute :)
A wonderful post Nocole it sounds like you had a fantastic day.
ReplyDeleteI was amazed to see all the greenery in your images.
Thh birds are all lovely to see and as Keith has already said one little Spanish Sparrow caused a lot of fuss last week and even made the national press
Guess he figured he get himself into the Limelight a bit, hehe :-D
DeleteOr the birds simply are a s confused as the weather, who knows.
:-)
The greenery looks confusing to my usual posts, no?
:D
Wow, Nicole, such a fantastic trip!
ReplyDeleteIt was :-)
DeleteWe have the Namaqua doves, Namaqualand is just a little further north. The migrating birds get hunted? As they do in Malta.
ReplyDeleteI need to look up Namaqualand, never heard that before (should have thought about it though :-))
DeleteYes, sadly, migrators get shot just for fun, as bad as in Malta, I think :(
Great sequence and love the crocodiles,and camels!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a very interesting place to visit and you got a good list of birds and some great photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mick! I hope I get the chance to go there during migration!
Delete(And maybe jump over my shadow and borrow the 80-400mm from a friend :))
Great shots! I especially like the camels and the water pipit.
ReplyDeleteThanks, the Pipits made a show of being shy ;-)
DeleteAnd the camels were driveby shootings :D
Great day of birding! It is the first time I have seen an eagle on a lamp. :) And the camel baby is soo sweet. :)
ReplyDelete:D The Steppe Buzzards in Egypt were often sitting on Lampposts :)
DeleteEasy to spot :D
The croc pond would put me off a little as would the shooters but the birdlife you experienced would probably make up for it.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful day our indeed.
There are some quirks one has to live with when in this country.
DeleteShow offs and trash are two of them :(
Stupidity of shooters is a whole other ballgame :(
You had a really successful day of birding! I see why the area would be popular for birds of prey - all that open space.
ReplyDeleteI love the baby camel!
There are some really great areas here, hopefully they'll get better and bigger in the coming years. Plans are there, we shall see.
DeleteGreat shots! I never knew this existed- Thank you
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome :-)
DeleteAnd I thought there was only desert in Kuwait! It must take a lot of irrigation to maintain those green fields. Nice birding. Northern Lapwings are one of my favorites in Germany - a pity you couldn't get any closer, Nicole. Love your image of the baby camel!
ReplyDeleteThey are quite a few big farms in the North and in the South actually.
DeleteAnd I guess, yes, they take a lot of water. Some places have wells though.
Yes, would have loved to get closer (or use a longer lens), sigh :)
You got a zillion birds -- if I got two lifers, I wouldn't complain if I didn't see another one all day! And the interesting animals. Crocodile with his eyes checking you out (the better to .... my dear ;>)) ... hard to tell him apart from our 'gators I think even if I saw them both together.
ReplyDeleteThey might be the same gators, guess they are imported from somewhere...
DeleteHi Nicole,
ReplyDeleteSome great birds there! Look forward to see what`s up next!
J
Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES
Thanks, John!
Delete