Update to 1/1/2009 at Abraq Al Habari

While chasing Hume’s Leaf  Warbler on New Year’s day Mike and myself independently saw a raptor approaching fields. We both photographed that bird from different positions. Later on we looked at our pictures just to see Honey Buzzard type of  hawk not noticing possibility of Crested Honey Buzzard. Only when Dirk Colin sent an e-mail to me pointing out 6 primaries I woke up. Now we are confident that the bird is indeed Crested Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) known also as Oriental Honey Buzzard. It has been seen since 2001  almost annually in Kuwait. Most probably this species is overlooked still today as our case clearly shows.

Crested Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) photographed by Pekka Fågel

Crested Honey Buzzard photographed by Mike Pope