02/11/2008 visit to Green Island and update of WP-specialities

Green Island has been relatively reliable site for Red-vented Bulbul and Grey Hypocolius in winter and so it was also today. To my surprise I found a flock of 30+ Dead Sea Sparrows too. In recent days we have seen Red-tailed Wheatears (in several sites) and first Shikra was seen by Mike Pope at Jahra Farms on 1. Nov.  where we have had Indian Roller and Bank Mynas too. We can say that winter has arrived. However, resident Common Babbler has not yet seen in it’s breeding site in Abdaly so far but one bird was present in Sulaibikhat N.R. on 30. Oct. 9 Red-wattled Lapwings were at Yacoub Boodai’s Farm in Abdaly on 20. Oct. Green Island is very popular picknick site and people bring their pet birds with them and we see quite commonly escapees there.

Green Island today: Dead Sea Sparrow 30+, Grey Hypocolius 3, Red-vented Bulbul 2, White-cheeked Bulbul 8, White-throated Kingfisher 1, Barred Warbler 1.

Dead Sea Sparrow (Passer moabiticus)

Dead Sea Sparrow Passer moabiticus عُصْفُورٌ فِلَسْطِينِيٌّ

Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix an escapee

Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix

Red-tailed Wheatear (same individual)

Red-tailed Wheatear (Oenanthe chrysopygia) in Wadi Umm Al Rimam (SAANR) on 1. Nov.

Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia فَقَاقَةٌ حَمْرَاءُ ذَنَبٍ
Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia فَقَاقَةٌ حَمْرَاءُ ذَنَبٍ