Mid March at Dowkah

On Friday, this time Dowkah farm was the least exciting of the desert stops. However it was still worthwhile.

One highlight was a single European turtle dove of the local sub-species. Indeed Dowkah is where I have come across this species most regularly.

European turtle dove

Both laughing dove and European collared dove were plentiful as always there.

Desert wheatear numbers are obviously dropping in Dhofar as they return north for the summer.

desert wheatear

Soon tawny pipit numbers will drop too though at Dowkah there was no sign yet of this.

tawny pipit

spotted sandgrouse and a lone rock dove

Like Al Beed farm, there were both crowned sandgrouse and spotted sandgrouse present.

Abdim's stork

Both the single Abdim's stork and the six western reef egret were still there. I had seen them all a week before. All these birds are arguably out of range and the Abdim's stork didn't look in good condition.

two western reef heron

On the other hand the western reef heron looked healthy enough even without fish in their diet.

western reef heron

Some birds were conspicuous by their absence. I only saw one yellow wagtail.

marsh harrier

There were two marsh harrier over flying the fields and at least one kestrel otherwise the birds of prey numbers were a little light too.

After leaving Dowkah, the late afternoon stops at Qatbeet and at Muntasar Oasis were arguably the best birding of all on Friday. I will blog about them next.