New footage of a rare Black Heron has been captured in Bahrain by an avid twitcher who has been monitoring the bird for the past year.
Prejul Prakash, who is believed to be the first person to record the bird in Bahrain or across the Gulf region, recently spotted it hunting in Buhair Valley.
The beautiful creature is rarely spotted due to its limited migration patterns and the region’s relatively small wetland areas.
Bahrain’s coastal habitat does not provide enough extensive shallow waters or large fish populations that attract these herons during their migratory journeys. In addition, habitat loss and disturbances in the region further contribute to the bird’s infrequent sightings.
“I first spotted it in Tubli Bay back in 2023 but I was not 100 per cent certain it was a Black Heron,” the 36-year-old Indian national told the GDN. “After forwarding photographs I had taken to more experienced people in the field, I received confirmation and posted the news on my Instagram account.
I was also identified as the first person to record the bird in the Gulf. I really couldn’t believe it because I only started this hobby around four years ago so it is a massive accomplishment.”
He used a SONY ILCE-7M3 to take the photographs.
Mr Prakash, who has been working as a technician in Bahrain for around nine years, said that his urge to record more footage of the medium-sized bird did not stop with the first photographs; he also wanted to film its famous hunting approach.
When hunting for small fish, the black heron uses its wings like an umbrella to create a patch of shade beneath it.
Scientists believe that this behaviour, known as ‘canopy’ feeding, helps the birds hunt by making their prey easier to see.
“I began monitoring where it was first discovered in Tubli Bay and was later documented by several observers,” Mr Prakash added.
“We believe it remained there until the end of February last year. It was found again in Buhair Valley ponds under the rim-rock of East Riffa.
“I then spent quite a bit of time in Buhair Valley and was fortunate to record the footage of the Black Heron hunting; it was truly amazing to witness.”
The bird is usually found around Sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Sudan to South Africa, but most commonly in the continent’s eastern half and Madagascar.
The reason for the Black Heron’s presence in Bahrain is still unknown but Mr Prakash believes it may be the same creature.
“It might be lost. One possibility is that it was on a boat and wound up in this area, but we don’t know for sure,” Mr Prakash suggested.
In the four years since he began this hobby, he has spotted 190 species of Bahrain’s more than 300 species of feathered inhabitants and visitors.
Some of the common local birds in Bahrain include the Socotra Cormorant, white-cheeked bulbul, greater flamingos, crested lark, western reef heron, black-crowned night heron, Kentish plover, namaqua dove, moorhen and swamphen. Common migratory birds include terns, gulls, wheatears and godwits among others.
The Black Heron is a medium-sized bird with a typical height range of 42.5cm to 66cm. It weighs from 0.27 to 0.39kg, and is known for its black plumage, black bill and yellow feet.
It prefers shallow open waters, such as edges of freshwater lakes and ponds but may also be found in marshes, river edges, rice fields and seasonally flooded grasslands. In coastal areas, it may be spotted feeding along tidal rivers and creeks, in alkaline lakes and tidal flats.
- Check out more of Mr Prakash’s photographs on Instagram @prejul_t_prakash and watch the video on the GDN’s electronic flip edition on www.gdnonline.com
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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