Twitching a Gull

The Ross’s Gull was refound and a phone call from Martin had us booked to go across to Vlissingham to try and see this bird. A minor problem with an alarm meant we were a little late getting to Folkestone but it gave us time to get a bacon muffin and a cup of tea before boarding the train. We followed the Satnav’s directions and parked in a car park near the harbour. A quick scan saw some birders standing on a grass bank so we headed towards them, negotiating the various movable walkways across the  exit channels from the port. The gull had been seen about an hour before but had flown across the port and down channel. We spent some time scanning across the Scheldte checking out small gulls when David suddenly called it behind the Breskens ferry. It made it’s way into the port area, landed on the sea about 500 yds away and then flew over the sea wall and out of sight. Photographs were useless as it was just too far away for anything reasonable.

We spent most of the rest of the day checking out gulls flying up and down the river with several sightings but all distant and unphotographable. It did come in and land with some other gulls on the opposite side of the river but then flew back over the trees and disappeared from sight. We did have a break for a cup of tea and a cone of delicious Dutch Frites, some of the best in the world! There were also sightings of Buzzard, Merganzer, Coot, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Sanderling and two very tame Turnstones.

Eventually the light began to fade and it was time to head back to the ferry. The distance back to Calais is now much further since they built the Terneuzan tunnel and changed the Bresken ferry to foot passengers only. We arrived at the terminal with plenty of time to get something to eat before the train but the pressure of traffic through the passport controls on both sides meant it took over an hour to get through and we only just managed to catch our train. A very pleasant day and thanks to Martin for doing all the driving.

Day 6 - Al Abraq, Sulaibaikhet and Doha Spit

The usual early start with Pekka arriving early, having time to partake of a coffee and a bun because of lack of traffic, collecting and stowing our luggage and still out before 7.15. heading out on highway 70 towards Saudi Arabia. The drive was very interesting and gave us a chance to see a different part of the country. The roads were dual carriageway most of the way with trees planted on both sides. About 85 kms out of Kuwait there was what looked like a large town which Pekka told us was a breakers yard. It was massive with shacks and piles of bits. We turned right at the junction on to the Al Dubdiba road towards Iraq and drove another 25 kms before turning off onto a dirt track across the desert. There were some rubbish bags near the road and there was the almost guaranteed Desert Wheatear flitting around.  Another 10 kms brought us to Al Abraq, with the palms and trees appearing in the distance and getting closer as we approached - giving us an idea of how welcome the sight of an oasis was for travellers in the past.

Pekka parked the car and we walked around checking the trees and grassy areas. As we walked up to a water tank we found a new dragonfly for the trip and one we hadn't seen before. Later identification found it was a Slender Skimmer. There were the usual Vagrant Emperors and Eastern Scarlet Skimmers We all spread out and but there wasn't a lot of activity apart from a few Chiffchaffs and Song thrushes and a Sparrowhawk that flew over, proving not to be a Saker. I joined Pekka and David for a while as they followed a strange call but lost them among the trees so decided to walk through to the other end. I was half way there when David called to say he had seen a Redstart and had a Red-breasted Flycatcher calling. I called for Brenda and Alan, alerted Pekka who went to look for the others and walked rapidly back to find David. We followed the calls of the bird around the trees but had no sightings other than fleeting views of a Blackbird.

We drove back to Sulaibaikhet car park where there were lots of gulls including Armenian and lots of waders as yesterday but quite distant and no Crab Plovers. There were at least 10 Reef Herons standing on a line of posts out to sea and using them as fishing spots. We drove round to Manchester where there were more flamingos but no still no Crab Plovers.

Last call was to Doha spit where we walked the desert area first locating a Desert Wheatear then Pekka called us over for a desert warbler – seen flying and diving into a bush. Eventually we refound it and followed it carefully for a while till it flew away over the bushes.

Pekka drove us to airport where we sorted our luggage, had a Pasta meal with Pekka and then said our goodbyes and sat in the airport until time to check in and head for home. It had been a brilliant week in the desert 

Day 5 - Jahra Pools and coast

The usual 6.30 breakfast for 7.00 am start. We drove to Jahra Pools for a morning session at this lovely reserve. We parked by the first hide and walked along the reed track to the end. There were several 'squeaky' chiffchaffs but nothing that looked like a Mountain chiff. We could hear Little Grebes chattering and several Marsh Harriers floated about over the reeds with two or three Greater Spotted Eagles flying around and diving into the reed beds. There was a bit of excitement as two Great Black Headed Gulls flew around in lazy circles giving good views and of some of the plumage details. We drove back to the track for the second and third hides and parked up to try and get better views of the Graceful Prinias. Scanning the bushes near the road there were several Prinias flicking about and some singing as they went. They gave brilliant views as they searched through the dried seed heads. David followed an interesting looking Stonechat that turned out to be a Caspian Stonechat, showing the white in the tail. We checked out a singing Clamorous Reed Warbler, which showed very briefly and then was just seen moving in the reeds. While we were waiting the Osprey with the damaged wing flew over and a Red-spotted Bluethroat dropped into the ditch and hopped about among the reeds. There was another Clamorous singing at the back of a small clearing which Alan managed to get views of so we waited until it decided to climb some reed stems giving some nice views and allowing some photos.

We made our way to the third hide where Pekka came to fetch us as there were moustached warblers calling in front of the hide. We spent some time looking round when David found a Little Bittern hiding in the reeds, nearly impossible to see. We spent some time trying to decipher the bits of the bird before it flew out right and disappeared round the reeds. A Purple Gallinule appeared near a channel through the reeds and one or two Moustached Warblers flew about and chacked in the reeds.


We drove back past the second pool where we counted 76 Feruginous ducks, a possible Kuwaiti record. Other ducks included Pochard, Teal and Tufted. As we got there a White-winged  Black Tern flew over but didn't stop.

We then drove round to the beach in front of the Maternity Hospital and scanned for Les flamingo among the 1000s of flamingos plus other waders flying around giving an amazing flight like a starling murmuration. We moved to a beach area but the tide was very high so we went for lunch, returning when the tide was lower. There were only a few terns but more waders appeared as tide went down ,including Lesser and Greater Sand plover, Ringed plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, and Wimbrel. We spent the afternoon scanning and doing some rock pooling, picking out shells and coral.
man in canoe
As Pekka lived just round the corner he arranged for us to get a taxi back to the hotel where we ate in again. As we went back to the rooms we discovered we were locked out, a problem with the way the bill had been paid, but eventually it was all sorted and we went to our rooms, semi packed and turned in.