08 February 2015

More birds from Tabuk – Bird records by Viv Wilson

Viv has sent me a few batches of bird photographs seen in the Tabuk area in recent weeks. He has photographed a number of species that are rare or not recorded in the Eastern Province where I do my birding including Sinai Rosefinch. This species is restricted to the northwest corner of Saudi Arabia from around Al Ula towards the Jordon boarder. They are really beautiful birds to see and have very loud calls, but I have never managed to get good photographs of them as they were always on the move. Wintering Black Kites are not seen in the Eastern Province either but many hundreds winter in the Tabuk area. Although Desert Larks are relatively common in the right habitat of jebals and escarpments in the Eastern Province I do not often see them as my birding is not in these areas very often. I thank Viv for sending me his images and allowing me to use them on my website.
Sinai Rosefinch
Sinai Rosefinch
Sinai Rosefinch
Sinai Rosefinch
Black Kite
Black Kite
Black Kite
Black Kite
Black Kite
Black Kite
Desert Lark
Desert Lark
Lesser Kestrel
Lesser Kestrel
Steppe Eagle
Steppe Eagle
Western Marsh Harrier
Western Marsh Harrier