The Kuwait
Bird Report
2006
THE YEAR 2006
The year 2006 was a remarkable one for recording birds in Kuwait.
The Kuwaiti and expatriate members of the Bird Monitoring and
Protection Team (BMAPT) of the Kuwait Environmental Protection
Society (KEPS) and of the Voluntary Work Centre (VWC), worked hard
during the year to provide bird records and photographs from many
areas of Kuwait.
Employees of the
Environment Public Authority (EPA) and of the Kuwait Institute for
Scientific Research (KISR) continued their coverage of protected
areas of Kuwait producing valuable records and photographs.
Members of the
Photography Group of the VWC developed an interest in bird
photography and conservation through their field work at Sulaibikhat
Nature Reserve and the Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve.
Brian Foster,
brian_foster_uk@yahoo.co.uk, continued as the Country
Correspondent for the Ornithological Society of the Middle East (OSME).
The VWC continued its
work of managing the Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve, which continued
to regenerate its ground cover of vegetation. Additionally, it was
involved in a number of environmental clean-up operations.
Mike Jennings, the Coordinator of the Atlas of Breeding Birds of
Arabia (ABBA) and George Gregory visited Kuwait to carry out the 37th
ABBA Breeding Bird Survey from 15 to 31 March. They recorded much
new breeding data from different parts of the state. The Atlas, due
to be published in the next year or so, will include a number of
species that have bred in Kuwait and nowhere else in the Arabian
peninsula.
A group of three
birders from Finland covered many sites from 5 to 15 April. Their
visit overlapped with that of a group of four birders from Denmark
from 8 to 18 April. These groups provided many valuable records,
including the first Great Tit for Kuwait and several highest daily
counts ever in the state. In view of the success of the visits of
these groups from Europe, and of the increasing realisation that
Kuwait hosts a number of Western Palearctic bird species that are
difficult to see elsewhere in the region, planning for a number of
future visits by such groups was begun.
Several other
expatriate bird-watchers visited Kuwait during the year and
contributed valuable bird records and photographs.
As a result of this
greatly increased coverage, there was a corresponding increase in
the amount of bird data, including both field observations and
breeding records. Four species were added to the Kuwait Bird List:
Armenian Gull, Pallid Scops Owl, Forest Wagtail and Great Tit. Also,
there were new highest daily counts for many species.
Status reference, given after the scientific name, for each species
recorded in 2006
Abundant:
occurs annually in very large numbers (10,000+)
Very Common:
occurs annually in large numbers (1,000 - 9,999)
Common:
occurs annually in moderate numbers (100 - 999)
Uncommon:
occurs annually in small numbers (10 - 99)
Scarce:
occurs annually in very small numbers (1 - 9)
Rare:
does not occur annually but has occurred more than 10 times in total
Vagrant:
has occurred less than 10 times in total
Irregular:
occurs, not necessarily every year, in very variable numbers
Migrant:
passage through Kuwait in spring and autumn
Winter:
present in Kuwait from
November 1st to February 29th
Resident:
present in
Kuwait all year
Breeds:
breeds every year or most years
Has Bred:
breeding proved in the past but not recently
The 2006 report
contains a full list of all species seen in Kuwait and their status.
Contributing Observers during 2006
Kuwait-based for all or part of the year
Khalid Al-Ghanim KAG
Mishal Al-Jeriwi
MAJ
Khalid Al-Nasrallah
KAN
Hussain Al-Qallaf HAQ
Abdulrahman
Al-Sirhan AAS
AbdulMuhsen Al-Suraye’a
AMS
Gary Brown
GB
Edgardo Delima
ED
Pekka Fågel
PF
Brian Foster BF
George Gregory GG
Mohammed Kandari MK
Paul Lascelles PL
Mike Ling ML
Rosemary Ling ML
Mike Pope MP
Essa Ramadan ER
Mahmoud Shehab MS
Visitors
Simon Aspinall SA
David Bradford DB
Peter Cowan PC
Danish Group (Tommy
Frandsen, Andreas Hagerman, Jens Søgaard Hansen, Martin Poulsen)
DG
Finnish Group (Rami
Lindroos, Keijo Wahlroos, Illka Sahi) FG
Mike Jennings MCJ
Graham Langley GL
Charlie Moores CM
David White DW
Kay White KW
Initials are given for
the observers of all vagrant and rare species, and also for most of
the breeding records and highest daily counts for 2006.
Selected records of all species recorded during
2006
Greylag Goose (Anser
anser)
Rare winter visitor
A single bird was at
South Doha Nature Reserve (SDNR) on 6 February (BF, CM).
Common Shelduck
(Tadorna tadorna)
Common migrant and winter visitor
At least 100 were
present at Sulaibikhat Nature Reserve (SNR) on 15 December, and up
to 200, the highest count, were present further east in Sulaibikhat
Bay in late December.
Eurasian Wigeon
(Anas penelope)
Uncommon migrant and winter visitor
Small groups were
recorded in winter months at Jahra East Outfall (JEO) and Doha Spit.
Teal (Anas
crecca)
Common winter visitor
The highest counts
were 156 at the warm water outflow at North Doha Nature Reserve (NDNR)
on 6 February and 150 there on 8 December.
Mallard (Anas
platyrhynchos)
Common winter visitor
The highest ever count
for Kuwait was126 at NDNR on 6 February (BF, PF) 120 were there on 8
December. Other records were three at Sabah Al-Salem (SAS) on 23 May
and one at JEO on 10 November.
Garganey (Anas
querquedula)
Uncommon migrant
Birds were recorded at
JEO and SDNR only, with a highest count of two at the former site on
5 March.
Northern Pintail
(Anas acuta)
Uncommon migrant and winter visitor
The highest count was
8 at NDNR on 6 February and 8 December. The only other record was of
at least three at JEO on 18 March.
Northern Shoveler
(Anas clypeata)
Uncommon migrant and winter visitor
The highest winter
counts were 56 at NDNR on 6 February and 18 there on 8 December. In
spring birds seen at the Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve (SAANR),
Sulaibikhat Bay and JEO, peaking at the latter site at 25+ on 18
March. Also, in December two were at SNR on 15th.
Common Pochard (Aythya
farina)
Rare migrant and winter visitor
One was observed at
JPR on 7 December (KAG).
Ferruginous Duck
(Aythya nyroca)
Vagrant
One female/immature at
SAS pool from 14 to 24 December (PF, BF, MP, GG) was at least the
third record.
Common Quail (Coturnix
coturnix)
Common migrant; has
bred
12 in the SAANR on 17
March were the highest ever daily count (MCJ, GG). Others migrant
birds were seen at Pipeline Beach, SNR and JEO.
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus
ruficollis)
Uncommon migrant and winter visitor
There was confirmed
breeding at JPR in July, with an adult and four chicks observed on
23 July (KAG).
Black-necked Grebe
(Podiceps auritus)
Uncommon migrant and winter visitor
Single birds were
recorded at Abdali Farms on 14 December, and at SAS on 23 December.
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Very common winter visitor
This species was seen at most coastal sites with a highest count of
at least 2000 at Doha Spit on 8 December.
Socotra
Cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis)
Uncommon disperser
The highest count was
eight on a platform off Pipeline Beach on 16 April, and one was off
Fahaheel next day.
White Pelican
(Pelecanus onocrotalus)
Rare disperser; has bred
A single bird was seen
at JEO on 11 March (AAS).
Little Bittern
(Ixobrychus minutus)
Uncommon migrant; scarce breeder
The highest count was
a flock of nine migrating north along the Wadi Al-Batin sand berm,
100 kilometres inland across dry desert, an unusual sight at midday
on 14 April. Other inland records were in the SAANR on 27 April and
at Al-Abraq Al-Khabari (AAAK) on 14 May. At JEO up to seven birds
were present in June and July, and a juvenile present there on 5
June was confirmed breeding.
Black-crowned Night
Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Scarce migrant; has bred
Eight roosting adult
birds, the highest count, were shot by hunters at AAAK, an oasis
farm 100 kilometres inland, on 14 April. One to two were seen on
various dates in spring and autumn at SNR, SDNR and Shuwaikh.
Squacco Heron (Ardeola
ralloides)
Uncommon migrant; possible breeder
Birds were seen at all
wetland sites with a highest count of 69 around JEO on 6 March.
Cattle Egret
(Bubulcus ibis)
Uncommon disperser in autumn, winter and
spring
The two highest ever
daily counts for Kuwait were 200+ at Sulaibiya Pivot Fields on 21
March (GG, MCJ) and 50 at Wafra Farms on 25 March (GG, MCJ).
Western Reef Egret
(Egretta gularis)
Very common resident; breeds
Pairs were nesting in
mixed colonies on one metre high sand ridges within five metres of
the high tide mark on Bubiyan Island. Nest with eggs were present on
24 March.
Little Egret
(Egretta garzetta)
Uncommon migrant and winter visitor
Birds were recorded at
all wetland sites, with a highest count of four at JEO on 18 May and
25 November.
Great Egret
(Egretta albus)
Uncommon migrant and winter visitor
This species was
recorded only at JEO with the highest count there of seven on 8
October.
Grey Heron
(Ardea cinerea)
Common resident; breeds
Pairs were nesting in
mixed colonies on one metre high sand ridges within five metres of
the high tide mark on Bubiyan Island. Nest with eggs and young were
present on 24 March.
Purple Heron (Ardea
purpurea)
Uncommon migrant; rare winter visitor
The highest daily
count was seven at JEO on 20 September. Others were seen at SDNR,
Qaisat, Sewer Plant Reeds and Sulaibikhat Bay.
Black Stork (Ciconia
nigra)
Vagrant
The fifth record for
Kuwait was a single photographed by HAQ at SNR on 29 September, and
the sixth record was a single photographed by AAS at JEO on 3
December.
White Stork (Ciconia
ciconia)
Scarce migrant
Single birds were seen
at SDNR on 10 April and at JEO on 10 September.
Glossy Ibis
(Plegadis falcinellus)
Uncommon migrant
The highest count was
eight at JEO on 21 March. Others were seen at SAS and Doha South
Nature Reserve.
Eurasian Spoonbill
(Platalea leucorodia)
Uncommon resident; breeds
A highest count of 30
birds was recorded on Bubiyan Island on 24 March. Small numbers were
recorded in Jahra Bay in spring.
Greater Flamingo
(Phoenicopterus roseus)
Very common winter visitor
Birds were seen
regularly around Kuwait and Sulaibikhat Bays, with a highest count
of 3000+ at SNR on 15 December.
Black-shouldered
Kite (Elanus caeruleus)
Vagrant
One was seen by the
Abdali Road by PL, then presumably the same bird was photographed at
JPR by KAG, on 14 November (5th record).
Black Kite (Milvus
migrans)
Common migrant and winter visitor
This species was
recorded at many sites on passage and in winter, with a highest
count of 50+ at Sulaibiya Pivot Fields on 21 March.
Eurasian Griffon
Vulture (Gyps fulvus)
Scarce disperser
One was observed on a
dubh (Spiny-tailed Agamid) carcass near Khabari Al-Awazah in north
Kuwait on 28 March. Other singles were seen in the SAANR on 6 April,
near Subiya Power Station on 10 April, and in the SAANR on 9
November.
Short-toed Eagle
(Circaetus gallicus)
Uncommon migrant; rare winter visitor
A juvenile bird at
AAAK on 18 June presumably hatched in a nearby country. Small
numbers were also recorded at SAANR, Khiran and JEO.
Western Marsh
Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
Uncommon migrant and winter
The highest count was
five at JEO on 5 November. Others were recorded at SAANR, Wafra
Farms, SDNR, AAAK, Khiran, Jal Az-Zor and SNR, in winter, spring and
summer.
Pallid Harrier
(Circus macrourus)
Common migrant
Migrants were seen at
many sites in both spring and autumn, with a highest count of five
at Jal Az-Zor on 17 April.
Montagu's Harrier
(Circus pygargus)
Uncommon migrant
There was a good
spring passage with a new highest ever daily count of six over Jal
Az-Zor escarpment above Qaisat on 15 April (DG). Others were
recorded at Doha East, SAANR and Khiran.
Eurasian
Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
Common migrant; uncommon in winter
A total of 29
migrating birds at JEO and Jal Az-Zor on 15 April was a new highest
daily count for Kuwait (DG). Other migrants and wintering birds were
seen at many sites.
Shikra
(Accipiter badius)
Scarce migrant and winter visitor
The only records were
one at the drinking pool at Tulha in the SAANR on 3 to 6 June, and
one juvenile at Abdali Farms on 31 December.
Levant Sparrowhawk
(Accipiter brevipes)
Rare migrant
One was observed at
Kabd on 12 April (SA).
Common Buzzard (Buteo
buteo)
Common migrant; scarce winter visitor
Surprisingly, only low
daily counts were achieved, with a peak of three in the SAANR on 9
April. Most of the passage was obviously missed.
Long-legged Buzzard
(Buteo rufinus)
Scarce migrant; uncommon winter visitor
Single birds were seen
on various dates at East Doha, SAANR, JEO, and near AAAK.
Greater Spotted
Eagle (Aquila clanga)
Uncommon migrant; scarce winter visitor
Wintering birds were
at JEO, East Doha, Sulaibikhat Bay and SAANR, and only one passage
bird, at Kuwait Airport on 8 April, was recorded.
Steppe Eagle
(Aquila nipalensis)
Common migrant; scarce winter visitor
Clearly, most passage
was missed since the highest count was only five in the SAANR on 9
April. Smaller numbers of migrants were seen at a number of other
sites.
Imperial Eagle
(Aquila heliaca)
Uncommon migrant; scarce winter visitor
Small numbers were
recorded at JEO, north-west Kuwait, SAANR and Sulaibikhat Bay in
spring and autumn.
Golden Eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos)
Vagrant
A second-year bird
photographed in the SAANR on 25 May was the 6th Kuwait
record (MAJ).
Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus
pennatus)
Scarce migrant
There was a good
spring passage with a new highest daily count of six over Qaisat on
9 April (DG). On 15 April three were over JEO and two were over the
Jal Az-Zor escarpment, while next day one was at Khiran.
Osprey (Pandion
haliaetus)
Scarce migrant; rare winter visitor
Single birds were
recorded at Qaisat, JEO and Jal Az-Zor in April, May and December.
Lesser Kestrel (Falco
naumanni)
Common migrant
A total of 100+ over
Subiya on 14 April represented the highest daily count for years.
Much smaller numbers were seen at many other sites, mostly in April.
Common Kestrel (Falco
tinnunculus)
Uncommon migrant; breeding resident
A total of 83 birds
recorded on 16 April from Pipeline Beach to Khiran was the highest
daily count for many years. Other birds were regularly seen at many
other sites.
Sooty Falcon (Falco
concolor)
Rare disperser
A single adult was
seen over Khiran Resort on 11 April and a second year bird over the
Jal Az-Zor escarpment on 15 April (DG). This species is now being
recorded increasingly in Kuwait.
Hobby
(Falco subbuteo)
Uncommon migrant
One to two birds were
seen in April at SAS, Khiran, Jal Az-Zor and Jahra Farms, while one
at JPR on 14 November was very late.
Merlin (Falco
columbarius)
Rare winter visitor
Single birds were seen
at Doha Spit on 16 February (BF) and 8 December (GG, BF, PF, MP) and
at JEO on 28 October and 24 and 25 November (AAS).
Saker (Falco
cherrug)
Rare passage migrant; has wintered
An approachable bird
at Sulaibikhat Bay on 16 March did not have jesses (GG, MCJ).
Peregrine (Falco
peregrinus)
Scarce disperser
One was observed on
Bubiyan Island on 24 March and another over Qaisat on 17 April. A
bird flew off the tower at Qaroh Island in the Arabian Gulf on 26
April, and the feathers and wings of various passerines were found
under the tower. Up to two birds were repeatedly seen in central
Kuwait City from mid November into 2007.
Water Rail (Rallus
aquaticus)
Uncommon migrant and resident; has bred
Single birds were
heard at most wetland sites in spring, autumn and winter.
Spotted Crake (Porzana
porzana)
Uncommon migrant and resident
Obvious migrants were
at Tulha in the SAANR on 4 May (two) and 7 May (one). Other birds
were seen or heard at SAS, SNR and JEO, the highest count being
eight at SAS on 13 April.
Little Crake (Porzana
parva)
Uncommon migrant and resident; breeds
There were
surprisingly few records this year, with singles recorded at SDNR
and SAS in March and April.
Baillon’s Crake
(Porzana pusilla)
Scarce migrant
One was seen at
Pipeline Beach on 12 April (DG).
Corn Crake (Crex
crex)
Uncommon migrant; rare winter
visitor
Single birds were seen
at Tulha in the SAANR on 29 April and 4, 6 and 14 May.
Common Moorhen (Gallinula
chloropus)
Uncommon resident; breeds
Birds were recorded at
most wetland sites, with highest counts of 24+ at SAS on 12 April
and at JEO on 13 April. Breeding was confirmed by a juvenile seen
with two adults at SAS on 23 May.
Purple Swamp-Hen
(Porphyrio porphyrio)
Scarce resident; has bred
Birds continued to be
resident at South Doha, with six individuals calling from late
February. However, breeding was still not confirmed.
Eurasian Coot (Fulica
atra) Uncommon
migrant and resident
Small numbers were
recorded at most wetland sites in most months.
Macqueen's Bustard
(Chlamydotis macqueeni)
Irregular winter visitor; has
bred
There were three
confirmed records. Single birds were seen flying over Power Plant
Reeds near Zour Port on 20 November (PF), in the
SAANR on 23
November (KAN), and at Liyah on 24 November.
Unsubstantiated
reports of many birds being shot or pursued by falconers are
worrying and there has been evidence of illegal entrance into
restricted areas in pursuit of this species.
Eurasian
Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)
Common migrant and
winter
A total of 64 birds at
JEO on 9 July was the highest count. Otherwise, birds were seen at
numerous coastal sites in winter, spring and autumn.
Black-winged Stilt
(Himantopus himantopus)
Common; small numbers breed
One pair bred in
Burgan Oil Field, with chicks observed in mid March (ED). The
highest count was 106 in the SAANR on 27 April.
Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra
avosetta)
Uncommon migrant and winter visitor
Up to 14 were present
on pools at the old Municipal Rubbish Tip during November and
December. Otherwise small numbers were seen at several coastal and
inland sites.
Crab Plover (Dromas
ardeola)
Common resident; breeds
Several pre-breeding
flocks totalling 2600 birds were seen on a visit to Bubiyan Island
on 13 April. The highest winter count was 332 in Sulaibikhat Bay on
5 January.
Stone-Curlew (Burhinus
oedicnemus)
Uncommon migrant; rare winter visitor
One was captured by
hunters for use with falcons near Khabari Al-Awazah on 27 March.
Single birds were seen at JEO on 28 May and at Sulaibikhat Bay on 21
October.
Cream-coloured
Courser (Cursorius cursor)
Common disperser; breeds
Fairly low numbers
were observed near AAAK, JEO, Salmi/Wadi Al-Batin and Shuwaikh in
winter, spring and autumn.
Collared Pratincole
(Glareola pratincola)
Common migrant; scarce in summer
A total of 200+ around
a flooded area in the SAANR on 27 April was the highest ever daily
count (BF). Lower counts were obtained at numerous other sites in
spring, while five in the SAANR on 2 November were a late record.
Black-winged
Pratincole (Glareola nordmanni)
Uncommon passage migrant
A highest ever daily
count of at least 74 birds were positively identified amongst the
Collared Pratincoles on 27 April after flooding in the SAANR (BF)
Other birds were seen at SDNR, JEO, Bubiyan Island, AAAK and from
several motorways in spring.
Little Ringed
Plover (Charadrius dubius)
Uncommon migrant
The highest count was
10+ at Shuwaikh Free Zone on 26 August (AAS). Birds were repeatedly
seen at JEO in June and July, indicating possible breeding (AAS).
Common Ringed
Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)
Common migrant and in winter
The highest count was
300 at JEO on 15 April. Otherwise birds were frequently recorded at
coastal and wetland sites.
Kentish Plover (Charadrius
alexandrinus)
Very common resident; breeds
Pairs bred far inland
in Burgan Oil Field and in the SAANR, with chicks observed in mid
March (ED, KAN, MCJ, GG). Eggshells were found about one kilometre
inland on Failaka Island on 26 March (MCJ, GG). The highest count
was of 120 in the Doha Spit high tide roost on 2 February.
Lesser Sand Plover
(Charadrius mongolus)
Common migrant and winter visitor
Birds were seen at
many wetland and coastal sites. The highest ever count was of 1400
in the Doha Spit high tide roost on 2 February (BF, PF).
Greater Sand Plover
(Charadrius leschenaultii)
Uncommon migrant and winter
Fairly small groups
were recorded at many coastal sites. The highest count was 30 at JEO
on 8 July.
Caspian Plover (Charadrius
asiaticus)
Uncommon migrant
The second highest
ever daily count was 12 in the SAANR on 16 March. The only other
record was 11 at Ratqa on 26 March.
Eurasian Dotterel
(Charadrius
morinellus)
Rare winter visitor
Three were observed
near AAAK on 11 November (AAS).
Grey Plover (Pluvialis
squatarola)
Common migrant and winter visitor
Birds were present for
most of the year at coastal sites, peaking at 95 at Doha Spit on 15
April.
Pacific Golden
Plover
(Pluvialis fulva)
A single bird
was at Sulaibikhat Bay on 6 October (BF, DW, KW).
Northern Lapwing
(Vanellus vanellus)
Scarce migrant and winter visitor
One was seen at JEO on
17 November.
Red-wattled Lapwing
(Hoplopterus indicus)
Scarce disperser; has bred
Several birds were
present at Abdali Farms for most of the year. Breeding was confirmed
there with the discovery of adult birds and 3 nests with nought, two
and three eggs on 10 April. Unfortunately a visit on 27 April only
found a dead adult bird near to the nest which had contained three
eggs. This bird was probably shot by hunters, a major problem facing
breeding and migrating birds in Kuwait even though it is supposed to
be illegal. The highest count was 10 elsewhere at Abdali Farms on 31
December. Other birds were seen at Qaisat, JPR, JEO and Rawdatain in
various months
White-tailed
Lapwing (Vanellus leucurus)
Uncommon migrant
Three birds were
present at JEO on 3 March, and singles were there on 25 March, 5, 7
and 12 June, and 16 September, then four on 18 September, two on 23
September, one on 30 September and two on 28 November.
Sanderling (Calidris
alba) Common
migrant and winter visitor
Birds were recorded in
generally low numbers at several coastal sites on passage and in
winter. The highest count was of 58 in the Doha Spit high tide roost
on 2 February.
Little Stint (Calidris
minutus)
Very common migrant and winter visitor
The highest daily
counts were 1000 in the Doha Spit high tide roost on 2 February, and
500 at JEO and Doha Spit on 17 and 21 April. Many other birds were
recorded at coastal and wetland sites in winter, spring and autumn.
Temminck's Stint
(Calidris temminckii)
Uncommon migrant and winter visitor
The highest count was
five at JEO on 17 April. Smaller numbers were observed at SAS and
Sulaibikhat Bay on several occasions.
Curlew Sandpiper
(Calidris ferruginea)
Common migrant
A total of 700 at Doha
Spit on 12 April was the highest ever daily count (BF, PF, MP). Many
other birds were observed at coastal and wetland sites on passage.
Dunlin (Calidris
alpina)
Abundant migrant and winter visitor
Regularly seen at
coastal and wetland sites in most months, peaking at 20000+ at Doha
Spit high tide roost on 2 February.
Broad-billed
Sandpiper (Limicola falcinella)
Common migrant and winter
visitor
The highest counts
were 500+ at Doha Spit on 2 February and 21 April. Others were
recorded at JEO, Sulaibikhat Bay, SNR and Shuwaikh in winter, spring
and autumn.
Ruff (Philomachus
pugnax)
Common passage migrant and winter visitor
Birds were commonly
recorded at wetland and coastal sites mostly on passage, with a
highest count of 156 on a flooded area in the SAANR on 27 April.
Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes
minimus)
Scarce migrant and winter visitor
The only records were
single birds at JEO on 18 March, and on 1 and 13 April.
Common Snipe (Gallinago
gallinago)
Common
passage migrant and winter
visitor
Generally low numbers
were recorded at wetland sites in winter, spring and autumn.
Black-tailed Godwit
(Limosa limosa)
Uncommon migrant; rare winter visitor
A single bird was
present on 27 April in the SAANR after the flood. A group of 14
photographed at JEO on 10 September was the highest ever daily count
in Kuwait (AAS). Four were at Shuwaikh Port on 26 August.
Bar-tailed Godwit
(Limosa lapponica)
Common migrant and winter visitor
The highest counts
were 164 at Doha Spit high tide roost on 2 February and 150 there on
15 April. Smaller numbers were seen at sites in Jahra and
Sulaibikhat Bays.
Whimbrel (Numenius
phaeopus)
Common migrant; rare winter visitor
Passage birds were
seen in generally low numbers at coastal sites. One at SNR on 15
December was wintering. The highest count of 14 in the Doha Spit
high tide roost on 2 February was a good winter record.
Eurasian Curlew
(Numenius arquata)
Very common migrant and winter visitor
The highest count was
320 at Doha Spit on 24 October. Otherwise, birds were seen at
coastal and wetland sites in most months.
Spotted Redshank
(Tringa erythropus)
Scarce migrant; rare winter visitor
One was observed at
Sulaibikhat Bay on 14 April, and a breeding-plumaged bird was
present on 27 April in the SAANR after the flood.
Common Redshank
(Tringa totanus)
Very common migrant and winter visitor
Birds were present in
most months at wetland and coastal sites. The highest count was 400
in the Doha Spit high tide roost on 2 February.
Marsh Sandpiper
(Tringa stagnatilis)
Common migrant; uncommon winter
Generally low numbers
were recorded at many coastal and wetland sites in most months. The
highest count was 25 at JEO on 21 April.
Common Greenshank
(Tringa nebularia)
Common migrant; uncommon winter
The highest count was
10 at JEO on 21 April. Birds were frequently observed at most
wetland and coastal sites, mostly on passage.
Green Sandpiper
(Tringa ochropus)
Uncommon migrant and winter visitor
Birds were seen in
generally low numbers at wetland and coastal sites in most months.
Wood Sandpiper (Tringa
glareola)
Common migrant; rare winter visitor
The highest count was
120 in the SAANR on 27 April. Two birds at JEO as late as 3 December
were clearly wintering.
Terek
Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus)
Common migrant and winter visitor
Birds were recorded at
coastal and wetland sites on many occasions. The highest count was
400 on Bubiyan Island on 13 April.
Common Sandpiper
(Actitis hypoleucos)
Uncommon migrant; scarce in winter
The highest count was
50 at SNR on 3 July. Otherwise, generally small numbers were
observed at wetland and coastal sites in most months.
Ruddy Turnstone
(Arenaria interpres)
Common passage and winter visitor
The highest count was
200+ at JEO and Doha Spit on 21 April. Birds were recorded at mostly
coastal sites on many occasions.
Red-necked
Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)
Uncommon migrant
An exceptionally large
flock of 83 at JEO on 21 April was the highest ever daily count (BF
et al). Remnants of this flock remained until 14 June.
Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius
pomarinus)
Uncommon migrant
One flew north
offshore from Fahaheel marina on 29 March with two Arctic Skuas, and
one was photographed at JEO on 13 and 17 July.
Arctic Skua (Stercorarius
parasiticus)
Uncommon migrant
Three were seen from
the ferry to Failaka Island on 26 March. From Fahaheel marina two
were observed on 29 March, and a single on 16 April, all moving
north.
Pallas’s Gull (Larus
ichthyaetus)
Uncommon winter visitor
Birds wintered at Doha
Spit from 1 January to 16 March with a high count of 18 on several
dates.
Black-headed Gull
(Larus ridibundus)
Abundant winter; uncommon summer
Birds were commonly
seen at many sites in most months. The highest daily count was 1000
Doha Spit on 2 February.
Little Gull (Larus
minutus)
Vagrant
A first winter bird,
the fourth record for Kuwait, was present and photographed at JEO on
23 February (BF, DW, KW).
Slender-billed Gull
(Larus genei) | 