17 March 2016

Wintering Masked Shrike still present – Deffi Park

I found a wintering Masked Shrike a few weeks ago in Deffi Park, Jubail that has been seen every weekend since by various birders and photographers. The bird has kept faithful to a very small area of the park, and is also very vocal, making it easier to see. The Masked Shrike is an uncommon but regular passage migrant and increasingly regular winter visitor to Saudi Arabia. Winter records have come from all areas of the Kingdom but are more common in the southwest and the Eastern Province although they remain scarce at this time of year in both areas. Birds pass mainly in April to May and September although there are records from all months of the year and during this period they are much commoner than they are in winter.
Masked Shrike

Masked Shrike