Native Honey Bees – Abha area

Whilst birding a wadi near to a large dam near Abha we came across a wet area with hundreds of Honey Bee coming down to drink. I am not sure what Honey Bee it is but Apis mellifera jemenitica has been used in apiculture throughout the Arabian Peninsula since at least 2000 BC. Existing literature demonstrates that these populations are well adapted for the harsh extremes of the region with populations of A. m. jemenitica native to Saudi Arabia far more heat tolerant than the standard races from Europe. The indigenous race of Saudi Arabia differs from other subspecies in the region in some morphological, biological, and behavioural characteristics. Further taxonomic investigation, as well as molecular studies, is needed in order to confirm whether the Saudi indigenous bee populations represent a race distinct from A. m. jemenitica, or merely an ecotype of this subspecies.

Birding Deffi Park in winter

Deffi Park in the winter is an excellent place to see Crested Honey Buzzard that have been wintering there every winter for the past six years. The last couple of times I have been I have seen a Crested Honey Buzzard but they have not been very confiding. I also saw an active bee nest in the park, the food that the Crested Hone Buzzards prefer. The park is also one of the best places in the Eastern Province to see Masked Shrike in the winter where up to three birds spend the winter. Apart from a number of Common Chiffchaff the only other interesting species was Red-throated Pipit where up to seven birds were seen feeding on the grass along with two Water Pipits.

Crested Honey Buzzard

Honey Bee nest

Masked Shirke

Red-throated Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Honey Bee – Wadi Thee Ghazal

Whilst birding the Wadi Thee Ghazal area I found some permanent water with many wild Honey Bees Apis mellifera jemenitica. Honey Bee has been used in apiculture throughout the Arabian Peninsula since at least 2000 BC. Existing literature demonstrates that these populations are well adapted for the harsh extremes of the region. Populations of A. m. jemenitica native to Saudi Arabia are far more heat tolerant than the standard races often imported from Europe. Central Saudi Arabia has the highest summer temperatures for the Arabian Peninsula, and it is in this region where only A. m. jemenitica survives, while other subspecies fail to persist. The indigenous race of Saudi Arabia differs from other subspecies in the region in some morphological, biological, and behavioral characteristics. Further taxonomic investigation, as well as molecular studies, is needed in order to confirm whether the Saudi indigenous bee populations represent a race distinct from A. m. jemenitica, or merely an ecotype of this subspecies.

Beekeeping in Arabia – mainly Taif, Baha, and Asir mountain regions

Following on from yesterdays post I found a very interesting paper on Beekeeping in Saudi Arabia - Alqarni, A.S, Hannan, M.A, Owayss, A.A & Engel, M.S (2011). The indigenous honey bees of Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner): Their natural history and role in beekeeping. The below information is taken directly from this paper that is frrely available on the internet for download. Early Arabic literature reveals that Arabs in the Arabian Peninsula recognized and kept bees for honey production. They called beehives “kawarah”, which means a habitation made of stalks, mud, or a wooden cavity. They also named apiaries as “masane’a”, meaning “factories”, which were kept at isolated sites away from human habitation. The Arabs also recognized the individual castes of the colony such as the queen (termed “the prince”) and drones (“the biggest and darkest ones that stay in the nest, eat honey, and not produce it”. In addition, they made detailed descriptions of swarming behavior and the various developmental stages such as eggs and larvae as well as recognizing bee plants such as Schanginia hortensis, Blepharis ciliaris, Lavandula spp., Ziziphus spp. and Acacia asak. Faith and interest in honey and honey bees increased greatly in the Arabian Peninsula after one chapter in The Holy Quran was entitled “Al-Nahl – The Bees”, in which honey was mentioned as “a curative for mankind”. Since this time there have been many advances in bee-keeping that are employed widely in Saudi Arabia, although many traditional and often ancient bee-keeping practices are simultaneously in widespread use. Beekeeping in Saudi Arabia is a growing industry. The estimated numbers of beekeepers and bee hives are 4000 and 700,000, respectively, and they produce collectively about 3500 tons of honey per year, or about 26% of the required demand. Taif, Baha, and Asir mountain regions in the Southwest of the Kingdom are the most suitable areas for keeping bees in Saudi Arabia. These areas comprise 762,474 acres of forests with an altitude of 900–3700 metres. Temperatures in summer and winter in these regions range from 20°–28° C and 9°–14° C, respectively. During winter, beekeepers take their bees down to Tihama, a warm coastal region harbouring several rich pollen plants that help beekeepers to increase the number of their hives through uncontrolled swarming. Since beekeepers follow traditional beekeeping methods, swarming is allowed to occur freely and more than one swarm normally leaves the hive. Unfilled traditional hives (hollow logs) marked with beeswax are distributed in the vicinity to attract swarms. Other swarms are captured from trees and placed in empty hives. Most beekeepers in the Southwest perform traditional beekeeping methods, whereas Langstroth hives are used in other parts of the country.

Honey Bee - Photo by Viv Wilson

Honey Bee from Tabuk - record by Viv Wilson

Viv Wilson photographed a Honey Bee in Tabuk and sent me the photos for use on my website. I am not sure what Honey Bee it is but Apis mellifera jemenitica has been used in apiculture throughout the Arabian Peninsula since at least 2000 BC. Existing literature demonstrates that these populations are well adapted for the harsh extremes of the region with populations of A. m. jemenitica native to Saudi Arabia far more heat tolerant than the standard races often imported from Europe. Central Saudi Arabia has the highest summer temperatures for the Arabian Peninsula, and it is in this region where only A. m. jemenitica survives, while other subspecies fail to persist. The indigenous race of Saudi Arabia differs from other subspecies in the region in some morphological, biological, and behavioural characteristics. Further taxonomic investigation, as well as molecular studies, is needed in order to confirm whether the Saudi indigenous bee populations represent a race distinct from A. m. jemenitica, or merely an ecotype of this subspecies.