Finally, to add insult to injury, Jurdab pool, one of the few remaining 
brackish pools on the island was filled in, leaving Little Bitterns, 
Water Rails, Uoorhens, assorted ducks, and Bluethroats to seek alternative 
accommodation. 
On a more cheerful note, the Government has made available to the Natural 
History Society a sewage stream adjacent to the United Building Factory. 
This small site has declined in recent years through human interference. 
It is hoped with careful management that new life can be given to the 
dying reed beds, and that, once water levels are restored and access 
restricted, the UBF stream can regain its former modest glory, continuing 
to provide a home for the majority of our breeding population of no or hens 
and the few little bitterns that have stuck it out in the diminishing 
reedbeds come hell or low water. 
An extensive programme of tree planting, and a continuing trend towari= 
converting barren land to agriculture on this small, crowded island, 
augurs well for the long term, and should provide welcome habitat for many 
migrant birds in spring and autumn. Loss of wintering habitat, which is 
however at a premium should be the cause of some concern. 
Nevertheless, Bahrain continues to provide splendid birdwatching in all 
seasons. Personal highlight of year must be accorded to a flock of L3 
Dotterels which spent Boxing Day and the remaining days of 1988 on 
farmland belonging, appropriately enough, to the President of Bahrain's 
Natural History Society. 
