Abdaly Farms

Farmland in the desert - and almost next to the Iraqi frontier!  Birds from Iraq and Iran can sometimes be found here – and some of them are extreme rarities in the Western Palearctic. The whole area is worth scrutinising – as the first Asian Koel for the Western Palearctic at Ouda Al-Bathali Farm in February 2009 proved.  This is the only reliable area in Kuwait to see the Afghan Babbler; and perhaps the best site for the species in the Western Palearctic. This species has bred successfully on Yacoub Boodai’s Farm since 2007 and small groups are encountered in the scattered shrub on his farm. It is best to travel with a local birder as access to this private farm has been kindly granted by the owner. Abdaly is a good area to search for Shikra in Kuwait and the tree-lined Mohammed Al-Ajmi Farm (30.0149°N, 47.7503°E) hosts these rare hawks annually. Note that most Accipters in Kuwait are Sparrowhawks – so good views and preferably photographs, are needed to make a positive identification, particularly as the Shikras occurring in Kuwait are of the larger Iranian race (cenchroides). This area is also the most reliable site for Red-wattled Lapwing in Kuwait, mainly in winter and early spring, when flocks of up to 15 can sometimes be seen. Obviously with so much habitat on private farms, there may be other specials waiting to be discovered; the area is productive during passage, as well as winter and summer for some species that breed in and around the farmland. Lastly, because many of the farm areas are private, access is best sought through one of the resident Kuwaiti birders. Visiting birders must excersize extreme caution not to upset the privacy of these private land areas.