Springtime - Quraish

May in the Asir is great for birding as most if not all the African breeding species have returned and additional passage migrants can be seen as well as the resident highland birds. We saw a few passage birds including an Olive-tree Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Red-backed Shrike, Turkestan Shrike, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Whinchat. African breeders included African Paradise Flycatcher, Violet-backed Starling, Gambaga Flycatcher and African Pipit. Resident species photographed were Arabian Wheatear & Crested Lark. The weather at this time of year is very variable and goes from clear blue skys to thunderstorms in a short period of time. Luckily we made it back to the car just before the rain set in a few hours at lunchtime and where not able to get back out to early evening.

African Paradise Flycatcher - male

African Paradise Flycatcher - male

Arabian Wheatear

Arabian Wheatear

Arabian Wheatear 

Arabian Wheatear

Crested Lark