09/05/2008 at Abraq Al Habari

by · Published · Updated

Several of us (Brian, Rick, Pekka (non-stop from Cyprus to Al-Abraq!), Ina and myself) enjoyed a trip to Al-Abraq, which was full of migrants. Thankfully, there was only little shooting, but the hunters were using bee-eaters and martins as target practice. Shrikes were having a field day catching exhausted migrants, and one impaled bird turned out to be a White-throated Robin.

Bird highlights included a River Warbler (seen by Brian, Rick and Pekka), Syke’s Warbler (found by Brian), a  Shikra (probable subadult male), ca. 5 Crag Martins and 3 Corncrakes.

Shikra. Photo by Pekka Fagel. The bird has yellow eyes, and Pekka thinks it is probably a subadult male. 

Male Asian Shikra Accipiter (badius) cenchroides on a branch
Asian Shikra Accipiter (badius) cenchroides بَيْدَقٌ آسيَوِيٌّ

 Marsh Warbler – discovered by Brian, it flew over to me and conveniently hopped around in the tree directly above my head.

Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris on a tree
Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris دَخْنَاءُ مُسْتَنْقَعِيَّةٌ

Corncrake posing.

Corncrake Crex crex portrait
Corncrake Crex crex سَلْوَى

Corncrake running, photograph by Pekka

Corncrake Crex crex on ground
Corncrake Crex crex سَلْوَى