Back in Abu Dhabi

[ijwilki]

Been back in Abu Dhabi a few days now. Unfortunately as Peter mentioned the timings of our respective trips meant we didn't get to meet.

It was great to spend some time back home but had little opportunity for birding activities. Highlight was a late afternoon visit to Leighton Moss. Had repeated splendid views of a Marsh Harrier over the reed beds and Little Egrets coming into roost; then saw the spectacular sight of 60,000 Starlings performing prior to dropping into the reeds to roost.

Birdlife in my garden was not so spectacular - it's a blank canvas at the moment so not attractive to the birds yet. Magpies, Crows, Starlings and a couple of Pied Wagtails were the only visitors I saw. However in the hedgerow across the field at the rear of the house there were plenty of Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches and at least 6 Bullfinches, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Long-tailed Tits. Plenty of Corvids and Pheasants in the fields. Several flyovers of Geese and Swans. Enjoyed watching a couple of Crows harrassing a Sparrowhawk over the field also. Nearly forgot - also spotted a flock of about 10 Redwings in one of the trees in the hedgerow.

Lowlight of the trip was that I managed to prang the car whilst reversing out of my cousin's driveway - clipped a lamp post with the front wing as I turned the steering wheel and the whole moulded bumper sprung out.

Back in AD the selection of birds on the site shoreline was pretty much business as usual - Reef Egrets, Plovers, Turnstones and what I think are Dunlins.

[ijwilki]

Few more pics attached.

[ijwilki]

Common Sandpiper showing well today. The Plovers, Egrets, Turnstones and Dunlins still feeding in the same areas. Several LittleTerns about and lots of BH Gulls.

[ijwilki]

No sign of the Common Sandpiper today; otherwise it was same again. Attempts to capture pics of the Little Terns fishing failed miserably.

[Little Sparrow]

A great selection of images!

Glad you enjoyed a good trip home and a safe trip back to Abu Dhabi. How lovely your visit to Leighton Moss sounds, especially the Starling Roost! Hope your car is soon better though.

[ijwilki]

Originally Posted by Little Sparrow

A great selection of images!

Glad you enjoyed a good trip home and a safe trip back to Abu Dhabi. How lovely your visit to Leighton Moss sounds, especially the Starling Roost! Hope your car is soon better though.

Car is back, my wife reports that they've done an excellent repair. I'll never live it down, H&S Consultant reverses into lamp post - most embarrassing. I was concentrating on the traffic of course!

Not much activity along the site shoreline the last few days due to the wind and sandstorms. A bit brighter today but still windy - less sand as it was blowing off the sea. A few pics attached.

[Little Sparrow]

Originally Posted by ijwilki

Car is back, my wife reports that they've done an excellent repair. I'll never live it down, H&S Consultant reverses into lamp post - most embarrassing. I was concentrating on the traffic of course!

Not much activity along the site shoreline the last few days due to the wind and sandstorms. A bit brighter today but still windy - less sand as it was blowing off the sea. A few pics attached.

Not to worry Ian, it happens to the best of us! Super images you have posted!