Whilst in Abha I went to the Raydah
Escarpment a designated nature reserve run by the Saudi Wildlife Authority
(SWA). This is a well-vegetated section of escarpment dropping down steeply
from the top near the ranger’s station to a small village and a large wadi at
the bottom. Most of the endemics occur in the reserve and I saw Arabian
Waxbill, Arabian Partridge, Arabian Serin, Yemen Thrush and Yemen Linnet around
the farm area near the top of the reserve. Other good birds seen include Dusky
Turtle Doves, Palestine Sunbirds, Little Rock Thrushes, Little Swifts and
Abyssinian White-eyes. At the bottom of the reserve near the village Shinning
Sunbirds, Blackstart’s and Green Bee-eaters were all seen in good numbers. One
of the rangers mentioned he had seen an Arabian Magpie in the reserve the day
before near the mosque on the side of the main road. This is the first time I
know of one being seen here since 2010. I failed to find Olive Pigeon, however,
despite walking up and down many kilometres of road looking. This species is
sometimes seen at this location but I am still yet to see it in Saudi Arabia. A
few Fan-tailed Ravens and a Himalayan Griffon Vulture were flying over as were
a couple of Common Kestrels.
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| African Stonechat |
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| Arabian Partridge |
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| Arabian Serin |
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| Brown Woodland Warbler |
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| Dusky Turtle Dove |
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| Fan-tailed Raven |
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| Palestine Sunbird |
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| Red-breasted Whearear |
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| Shining Sunbird |
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| Violet-backed Starlings |
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| Yemen Linnet - male |
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| Yemen Linnet - male |
