Day Out: 11th Dec, 2010
Steve was guiding with some visiting birders today and is in Al Ain. He called me around 10:00 AM to inform me about the Eversmann's Redstart on the Crazy Golf ground at Jebel Hafeet (Mercure Hotel).
Started from home around 11:30. First went to Al Watbah to twitch for the Jack Snipe that was reported by Steve and Simon on Thursday. Spent a good hour or so trying to locate it. But luck was not with me. The Jack snipe is nowhere to be seen.
Saw Indian Silverbills (6 of them), Desert Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear and Crested Larks. There was also a unique looking Warbler. It never showed well to ID it or photograph.
A lot of butterflies where present including the Painted Lady.
Visited the pools near to the Camel Racetrack. There were a lot of waders and ducks present, including a Western Marsh Harrier. The ducks saw were Mallards and Teals. The Waders include one Green Sandpiper, Kentish Plovers, one Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Little Stints and Temminck's Stints.
Then headed straight to Jebel Hafeet to locate the Eversmann's Redstart. On reaching there found Huw Roberts and Dave Clarks. They saw the
bird in the same spot around 20 min back.
It just took 5 minutes to locate the femal Eversmann's Redstart. Its lifer #5 for the month of Dec, 2010. I was targeting on 14 new species in December. Five done and nine to go. Tough but possible.
She was showing well. I was able to get some decent photos of the bird. She was just moving from one tree to the other. She prefers shades. She dont like to come to the sun. When she does she returned quickly back to a shaded branch quickly.
Also present was a Hooded Wheatear and three White-spectacled Bulbul. The Hooded Wheatear was chasing the Evermann's Redstart at times. Both Hooded Wheatear and the White-spectacled Bulbul showed very well and posed for some nice shots.
Visited the labours buidling where the Ring Ouzel was found, to see whether the Blue Rock Thrush is still present. Saw a couple Ring Ouzels. Earlier
Huw and Dave has located 6 of them. There are no signs of the Blue Rock Thrush. I need a decent photo of it. Did not spent much time there as I wanted to visit the Green Mubazarah on my way back. So said good bye to Huw and Dave who where still birding there.
Visited Green Mubazarah on the way back. There is not much action apart from the Black Redstart. The place very
was crowded.
It was getting late so headed straight back to home.
Today is very cold and we started early in the morning (5:30) to Al Ain. I was accompanied by Sunny and his two friends. Mainly visited Green Mubazarah, Jebel Hafeet, Ain Al Faidah, Zaker Pools & Al Jimmi Oaisis. Nothing much apart from the two Pallid Scops Owl.
