The beach at KAUST

Early Friday morning, Brian James  and I visited the beach at KAUST before anyone else arrived. There were plenty of birds along the shore line.

flamingo

The most eye-catching was the single flamingo. However the ones generating the most noise and commotion were a pair of Caspian tern. It took us a moment to realise why. Then we saw a  flightless Caspian tern chick which one of the adults was protecting while the other went off for food.

Caspian tern defending its chick

One of the adults would attack any bird that came close but it also flew 20 metres to us as a warning too. It seemed most concerned about the black headed gull and the odd Caspian gull which were around.

Grey heron

While this was going on a grey heron stood motionless on rocks going out into the sea.

Greater sand plover

Greater sand plover and a smaller number of ringed plover walked up the shore line.

In slightly deeper water and some way from us a large group of crab plover had assembled.

common kingfisher

A common kingfisher chose a prominent post to perch on before fishing and moving on.

Terek sandpiper

While there were several little stint, Temminck's stint and common sandpiper which were present, my eye was drawn to a Terek's sandpiper which is still a bit of a novelty to me. 

It was a good start to the day.