Birding Sunbah Farms - Jizan

Whilst in the southwest of the Kingdom recently we visited Sunbah Farms, a large set of pivot irrigation fields that hold a lot of very good birds. We did nkt enter any of the fields as crops were growing but still saw a lot of good birds in the pivor irrigation tracks and surroundings. A pair of Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse were seen near a small amount of water where one seemed to be wettings its breast feathers. Small numbers were also seen flying over at different places. Western Cattle Egret were very common with one very large flock of several hundred birds following behind a tractor cutting the crops where they could easily catch the disturbed insects. A few White-winged Tern were catching insects next to the pivot spray bars and Singing Bush Lark were common around the field edges and in song flight. A pair of Arabian Green Bee-eater were sitting nicely to photograph next to one field and two Black-winged Kite, were seen one of which was a juvenile. Several Barn Swallow were seen catching insects over the fields suggesting they are breeding in the area and Ruppell’s Weaver were common with a few nests found.

Arabian Bee-eater

Barn Swallow

Black-winged Kite - juvenile

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

Ruppell's Weaver

Singing Bush Lark

Singing Bush Lark

Western Cattle Egret

Western Cattle Egret

White-winged Tern

White-winged Tern

Phil’s Fields - Sabya

Whilst birding the Sabya area in the summer we saw the normal range of good birds. Birds you are almost guaranteed to see in the pivot fields either on the overhead wires or the pivot irrigation sprayers themselves are Abyssinian Roller. This species is common in the southwest but these fields are one of the best places to see the birds. The only issue is that it is difficult to get photos of them on anything like a natural perch. Other common species building nests and raising young in the fields are Ruppell’s Weaver. These also use the pivot irrigation structures to rest on but drop down to the fields to collect nesting material and food. Western Cattle Egret are very common and often follow behind the water spray to take a shower, keep cool and catch prey. Common Myna can also be seen almost anywhere but mainly in the fields and fields behind where they are common.

Ruppell's Weaver

Ruppell's Weaver

Western Cattle Egret

Western Cattle Egret

Western Cattle Egret

Western Cattle Egret

Western Cattle Egret

Western Cattle Egret

Western Cattle Egret

Western Cattle Egret

Common Myna

Abyssinian Roller

Ruppell’s Weaver breeding – Dhahran Hills

A local nature enthusiast found three Weaver nests in his garden in Dhahran Hills in early March 2021. This species has only once been recorded in the Dhahran area with a single male seen. There were at least two birds seen this time with the bird building the nest presumably an immature male with the plumage and eye colour pointing to Ruppell’s Weaver. This is only the second time I am aware of, of the species breeding in the Eastern Province. The first records of breeding in the Eastern Province were found in Qatif in mid-March 2016 and the birds were seen nest building with the male building the nest and the female looking on. This species does not normally occur in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom so these birds may have been from escaped or released cage birds as is the case with the species in Riyadh the nearest area where they occur. In Saudi Arabia Ruppell’s Weaver is a common and widespread breeding resident species in the southwest of the Kingdom occurring north to south of Jeddah. These records suggest the species may be extending its range Eastwards or at least setting up breeding groups from escaped birds.

Raydah Escarpemnt - Abha

A winter visit to the bottom of the Raydah Escarpment early in the morning produced good views of a number of species. Arabian Babbler, Arabian Warbler and Shining Sunbird are common at most times of year here but Ruppell’s Weaver is less common. White-browed Coucal is seen with less frequency but are resident in small numbers in the valley. They are extremely difficult to photograph properly and the ones seen this trip were no exception. They are very good at disappearing into thick foliage or hiding in large trees making things difficult photography wise.

Arabian Babbler

Arabian Babbler

Arabian Babbler

Ruppell's Weaver

Shinning Sunbird 

Shinning Sunbird

White-browed Coucal

Breeding Rueppell’s Weaver in Southwest Saudi Arabia – Bird records by Jean-François Frey

Jean-François Frey sent me some e-mails and photos of birds he saw in southwest Saudi Arabia recently. He mentioned he is not equipped at all for the bird photography but was very lucky with the Rueppell’s Weavers as he has to stop because I receive a phone call whilst driving his car. After stopping he noticed the weavers only two meters away from him. He mentioned he had to hide nearby and observe and be ready when the bird was coming. This is a species that does not occur in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom where I do most of my birdwatching. In Saudi Arabia Rueppell’s Weaver is a common and widespread breeding resident species in the southwest of the Kingdom occurring north to south of Jeddah. Apparently it is only a summer breeding visitor to Hejaz and Asir mountains preferring to spend the winter at lower elevations and is not found on summits or in juniper and is less common here than in the lowlands. I thank Jean-François for allowing me to use his photos on my website.

Birding the Talea’a Valley - Abha

The Talea’a Valley near Abha is in the Asir mountains in southwest Saudi Arabia and is a large upland wadi with stony ground and acacia trees growing in the bottom. It has had some good birds seen in it in recent years including Arabian Magpie, although this species has not been seen there for many years. Recently Blandfords Lark has been seen there and on our last visit we also found the scarce African Pipit. A bird was seen song flighting over a rough area of short grass and stones and is some distance from any other sighting of the species. Other good birds seen in the area included very good numbers of Cinnamon-breasted Buntings. The valley is hot and dry and any area of water attracts a steady stream of birds in the summer coming down to dry so are worth looking at if found. Small numbers of the endemic Arabian Wheatear and Arabian Woodpecker have also been seen regularly in this valley making it an excellent birding site. Ruppell's Weaver is a common resident of this valley and can always been seen in good numbers at any time of year.

African Pipit

African Pipit

African Pipit 

Cinnamon-breasted Bunting

Ruppell's Weaver