Egyptian Vultures – Farasan Islands

I visited the Farasan Islands in summer and went to the rubbish dump area. Here I found a gathering of 28 Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus of various ages. This is one of the best locations in the Kingdom to see the species, especially in the summer months. The Egyptian Vulture is sharply declining throughout its range and is currently classified as globally endangered with a status in Saudi Arabia as a rare breeding resident, scarce passage migrant and scarce winter visitor. The western coast of Saudi Arabia is an important wintering site with a recent study (Shobrak et al 2020) showing an important congregation site (c 200 individuals) for the species in the southwest of Saudi Arabia around the area of Wadi Qanuna. This area has optimal habitat and food widely available with roosting sites discovered on high-voltage powerlines with a safe pylon design, located at the foothill. Birds still breed in very small numbers on the Farasan islands as can be seen from immature birds present during my visit.

 

Lilith Owl and more near Tabuk – Bird records by Viv Wilson

Lilith Owl is an uncommon but widespread species in Saudi Arabia and one I have personally not seen in the Kingdom yet. They favour escarpment edges and rock formations such as the one that Viv photographed a pair of birds at near Tabuk. This area is also good for birds of prey and Viv photographed Egyptian Vulture a species becoming less common and more difficult to see away from its stronghold on the Farasan Islands in the Red Sea I the extreme southwest of the country. He also saw both Bonelli's Eagle and Common Kestrel here recently. I thank Viv for allowing me to use his photos on my website.

Lilith Owl

Lilith Owl

Egyptian Vulture

Bonelli's Eagle

Common Kestrel

Egyptian Vulture – Farasan Islands

The Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus is the most common vulture of Saudi Arabia and is a widespread resident except the Empty Quarter and northern areas. Although it is widespread it is an uncommon but widespread breeding resident in the Tihama, Red Sea, Asir and Hejaz and scarce to rare breeder in the Northern Hejaz and Central Arabia. Records are rare in the Eastern Province, but recent sightings have come from near Riyadh and at Tabuk. Records suggest additional migrants arrive for the winter as numbers increase slightly during this period. The highest count recorded was up to 200 birds in a wetland in the south-west of Saudi Arabia in the 1990’s. Although little is known about the species in Saudi Arabia the population and range are both declining with the mainland population probably only about 10% of what it was 50 years ago. The Farasan Islands are a good site for seeing the species in Saudi Arabia with birds thinly scattered over the main two islands.

We saw quite a few birds in an afternoon out looking for the Arabian Gazelles with a pair in flight to the south of Farasan town near the coast. We saw additional birds at the Arabian Gazelle head office area and saw seven birds in total. The birds gave good views on occasions and they can be seen by driving around and looking for large birds in flight. Stopping and waiting Is then a good option in the hope that they fly over where you have parked.

Egyptian Vulture & Sinai Rosefinch (Bajda) – Bird records by Viv Wilson

Viv Wilson was out in the desert again last weekend at Bajda near Tabuk and found a number of good birds including Egyptian Vulture and Sinai Rosefinch. All the photographs below were kindly supplied by Viv Wilson and the copyright remains with him. I have not seen either of these species in Saudi Arabia as they are scarce or absent from the region I birdwatch. The Egyptian Vulture is a widespread breeding resident, migrant and winter visitor to Saudi Arabia. It is uncommon in the Eastern Province and does not occur in the large deserts of the Empty Quarter and Great Nafud. Its population and range are both declining in Saudi Arabia with the mainland population probably only about 10% of what it was 50 years ago.

Egyptian Vulture

Egyptian Vulture

Egyptian Vulture

Egyptian Vulture

The Sinai Rosefinch has a disjointed distribution with the nominate subspecies found in the northwest of Saudi Arabia. It can be locally common in its breeding range but is generally uncommon although widespread, with about 5000 pairs in total in Saudi Arabia. It is associated with Sandstone geology where it frequents gorges and cliff faces, although it can be found on the plains in small groups after the breeding season.

Sinai Rosefinch

Sinai Rosefinch

Sinai Rosefinch

Sinai Rosefinch