19 June 2015

Arabian Spotted Eagle Owl near Al Baha – Bird records by Khalifah Al Dhaheri

Khalifah Al Dhaheri sent me details of his trip last weekend to the Abha area where he managed to see an Arabian Spotted Eagle Owl. This is an endemic species to southwestern Arabia and although not rare is difficult to locate. Khalifah was given help by a local birdwatcher to see the bird and he then managed to get a few excellent photos of the bird that he has kindly allowed me to use on my website. Birds are resident near the Red Sea coast north to Jeddah and can be seen in the Tihamah and Asir areas including Najran and Hejaz north to Taif. Other birds have been seen in a wooded wadi eight kilometres east of Wadi Juwwah in April near Tanumah at various times of year. I have still to see this species but am going looking again in a couple of weeks time so will, hopefully, have better luck this time.
Arabian Spotted Eagle Owl

Arabian Spotted Eagle Owl

Arabian Spotted Eagle Owl