ID required for a couple of birds from Sharjah Corniche Island

[ajmal]

Hi All,

Could anyone pls. help me id these two birds from one of the Sharjah Corniche islands from March, 2011. Much appreciated.

The bird with webbed feet was injured. Nothing much I could do except inform the Sharjah Municipality, who in turn informed me that I shouldn't have gotten onto the island in the first place, ouch ;) Hope it recovered.......

Rgds,

[andrew]

Black headed gull and whimbrel.

How did you get on to that island Ajmal?
I used to live there on Buheira Corniche and the derelict bridge and locked gates always put me off.

[ajmal]

Hi Andrew, thx for the ids.

Actually getting onto this island is pretty easy with the only dangers involving crossing the damaged bridge/boardwalk (you gotta ensure you hold onto the side railings for support just in case) ;) and once onto the island - getting past a large colony of nesting house crows (worst part, believe me). The gate part is easiest, just jump across ;) Birding wise, there are some WR egrets (?Resident) that I always find here and a huge nest in the trees (def. not a crows), not sure which bird. Also saw an Indian Roller twice on this island along with many sparrows (didnt look like common house sparrows to me). Herping wise, there are loads of rough tailed bow foot geckos on this island.

Ajmal

[drrezakhan]

Hi Ajmal
The gull is a sick one. Possibly suffering from Botulism- a bacterial infection due to eating deacying food material.
Best wishes
reza Khan

[ajmal]

Thanks a lot, Dr. Reza.

Rgds,

Ajmal