Saturday, November 27, 2010

Eversmann's Redstart and Five Eurasian Nightjars

Day: 26th Nov, 2010


Was busy making my pond at home when Khalifa ringed to say that they found a Evermann's Redstart at Emirates Palace Hotel. UAE has very limitednumber of sightings of Evermann's Redstart. They are considered as rare in UAE. Khalifa also said Oscar is speaking to the Emirates Palace Hotel manager to arrange a birders walk inside the Emirates Palace Hotel. He then confirmed that the walk starts at 3:30PM. Oscar Campell, Mark S, Huw Roberts and Steve James is going to be there.

Met Oscar, Mark and Huw at the gate we parked the car and started walking around the Emirates Palace Hotel grounds to locate the Evermann's

Redstart. Steve joined us later. There was also a report about spotting a Hume's Warbler at the same place. Spend almost three hours looking for the birds. We could not find both. All the effort was going on vain when Mark found 5 Eurasian Nightjars. Two of them roosting on the same tree! It was a feast for the camera. Both Huw and me were trying to get the best shot out of it.

The main attraction of the trip for me was not the European Nightjar but a Tree Pipit which is a common species in UAE. I have seen a lot of Tree Pipits, but never photographed any. So it was my turn to tick Tree Pipit as photographed. Now it is 235 species photographed in UAE. Not bad... Isn't it?


Apart from the common birds, there was one Chiffchaff and a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling.

I would like to thank Andy and Clare at the beach club, Khalifa, my friend and brother for letting me know about the bird and Oscar. And during the walk I have gained some important knowledge about the Swifts from Mark. Thank you Mark.

All photos in this blog is copyrighted to Shah Jahan. Please do not use it without written permission. For more information please contact sjahanmi@gmail.com.

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