22 September 2014

Cretzcshmar’s Bunting and more at Tabuk – Bird records by Viv Wilson

Viv Wilson sent photos form his weekend birding at Tabuk, which he has kindly allowed me to use on my website, and it included a surprise with photo of a male Cretzcshmar’s Bunting. This is a rare bird in most of Saudi Arabia although where Viv lives in the northwest they are uncommon migrants with some occasionally overwintering. This is a bird I would truly love to find on my local ‘patch’ but the chances are very small as there have only been a couple of records from the Eastern Province. I would not mind seeing it anywhere in Saudi Arabia if the truth was told, as I have never seen one anywhere. Other birds Viv photographed on his outing included Glossy Ibis, European Bee-eaters, Spotted Flycathcers, Western Marsh Harriers and Purple Heron.
Cretzschmar's Bunting - male
European Bee-eaters
Glossy Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Purple Heron