11 December 2013

Spanish Sparrows at Sabkhat Al Fasl – Bird records by Andre Marais


Spanish Sparrow is an uncommon bird at Sabkhat Al Fasl. I have seen birds there twice in previous winters but it is always good to see.  Andre Marais found a small flock near the golf course and took a few photos of them that he kindly sent to me and allowed me to publish. Birds are not common in the Eastern Province although large groups have been seen near Haradh. In Saudi Arabia as a whole they are much more common in the north and west with regular sightings in the Riyadh area. They breed in Saudi Arabia but larger numbers are seen in the winter so presumably they are a winter visitor as well.