19 March 2024

Socotra Cormorant – Al Uqair

Whilst birding the Al Uqair area in March we found a number of Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis sitting next to the waters edge at very close range. The birds included both adults and juveniles. This is probably the best place in the local area to see the species at close range but only if you remain in the car. They breed on islands in the Arabian Gulf where they are common. Small numbers can be seen close to the mainland coast especially from April to August but from October to March it is generally outnumbered by great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. Huge gatherings sometimes occur from December to May with more than 25,000 birds on the sea or flying in formation. There are no inland records of this species in the Kingdom.













17 March 2024

Abu Sarrah Palaces - Abha

The Abu Sarrah Palace is one of the most important heritage palaces in Asir region. This palace is located in the village of Al-Aziza in Al-Soudah. ​​It dates back to more than 200 years old, and was built in 1836 B.C. / 1252. This palace stands tall at the top of the Al-Soudah Mountains, with a stunning view of the green agricultural terraces surrounding it. Its gigantic unique design suggests its mission of defending the surrounding villages and homes. The palaces were built in the Asiri architectural style and consist of two buildings, each with 6 floors, and Al-Musalla Fort, which consists of 3 floors. The palaces are owned by Lahiq bin Ahmed Abu Sarrah, one of the most distinguished people in Aseer, and its most famous merchant at that time. In 2018, his grandchildren took over the task of restoring it to be a historical destination that expresses the region’s heritage.






15 March 2024

Residents and migrants – Abha Area

Apart from the endemics the area also held resident African Stonechat, Dusky Turtle Dove, Pale Crag Martin, Fan-tailed Raven, Graceful Prinia, Hamerkop and Long-billed Pipit. Migrants had just started passing through with a few Barn Swallow and lots of Common Chiffchaff seen. Two White-winged Tern in full breeding plumage were seen on one lake visited.

African Stonechat

Barn Swallow


Common Chiffchaff

Common Chiffchaff

Dusky Turtle Dove

Fan-tailed Raven

Graceful Prinia

Graceful Prinia

Hamerkop

Long-billed Pipit

Pale Crag Martin

White-winged Tern

White-winged Tern


13 March 2024

Greater Spotted Cuckoo – Al Uqair

Whilst birding Al Uqair 8 March Phil Roberts saw an unusual bird flying low over the scrubby desert area. It quickly became apparent that the bird in question was an adult Greater Spotted Cuckoo a species nother of us had previously seen in Saudi Arabia. This species is a scarce passage migrant, particularly in early spring (February and March) most often in western regions, from the Tihamah north to Tabuk. It has parasitized nests of House Crow in the Gulf of Aqaba at the head of the Red Sea very close to Saudi Arabia’s border, so breeding could occur in the northwest and has been suspected (but has not been confirmed) in the ‘Asir foothills. There are only three previous records from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia that I know of, one Abqaiq, 17 February 1976, One Haradh, 1-3 March 1981 and one Abqaiq 11 March 1983.






11 March 2024

A few endemics – Abha area

Whilst birding the Abha area recently I managed to photograph a few of the endemics. We saw a number of groups of Arabian Waxbill with up to thirty birds in a group. They never allowed close approach as we were on foot, with the below photo the best I could get. Arabian Wheatears were quite common with both males and females seen. Good numbers of Yemen Linnet and Yemen Thrush were in the large trees but only a single Yemen Warbler could be found

Arabian Waxbill

Arabian Wheatear - female

Arabian Wheatear - male

Yemen Linnet

Yemen Thrush

Yemen Warbler


09 March 2024

Arabian Green Bee-eater – Tendaha Dam

Whilst birding at Tendaha Dam, near Khamis Mushait, Southwest Saudi Arabia I came across some Arabian Green Bee-eaters. It has a status as a common breeding resident in central and western areas of the Kingdom. This species is widely spread from the Riyadh area and central Saudi Arabia across to the Red Sea coast in the west of the Kingdom. There are two subspecies Merops cyanophrys cyanophrys southern Israel, western Jordan and western & southern Arabia and Merops cyanophrys muscatensis central Saudi Arabia, eastern Yemen, United Arab Emirates and Oman. The differences between the two subspecies are very subtle with the following the main points. 

Merops cyanophrys cyanophrys

Green colours less bronzy and more blue-tinged

Forehead, eyebrow and throat blue

Gorget deep and less well defined

Tail streamers short and pointed

Merops cyanophrys muscatensis

Paler

More yellowish and less blueish above and below

Breast band narrower

 





07 March 2024

Record numbers of Red-knobbed Coot – Khamis Mushait area

The first Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata for Saudi Arabia at Sabkhat Al Fasl on 22 May 2015 and since then a handful of records have been recorded at Al Bahah and Abha in Saudi Arabia. I found a group of 26 birds near Abha 8 - 12 July 2022 which was easily the largest gathering of birds seen in Saudi Arabia with all birds apparently adults. Winter 2023-2024 has produced the largest counts ever with high counts of 112 birds at Tendaha Lake and a further 39 birds nearby at Atwad Dam, both locations near Khamis Mushait. We saw 143 birds in a day at these two locations with a few young birds seen at Tendaha Dam where chicks have also been noted this winter showing breeding is now occurring. The species appears to now be a scarce resident breeder in Saudi Arabia.