Just after first light we were in place at our viewing point in one of our favourite wadis, overlooking a nice habitat of rocky hills, scrub, Junipers and small pools. We spent the next hour watching a constant stream of activity beginning with a nearby Arabian Wheatear, followed by several Eurasian Hoopoes, a cracking little Scrub Warbler (buryi), 4 Grey-headed Kingfishers (one pair watched nest-building in a sandy bank), flyover Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, a close Arabian Woodpecker, stunning African Paradise-Flycatcher, Arabian Warbler, and several Violet-backed Starlings.
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| Arabian Wheatear |
A short walk into the wadi gave us a close Long-billed Pipit, Sand Martin, closer Violet-backed Starlings, Yemen Thrush, even closer Yemen Warbler, Gambaga Flycatcher, more Arabian Waxbills, Arabian Serins, Yemen Linnet and some Cinnamon-breasted Buntings.
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| Long-billed Pipit |
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| One of many Violet-backed Starlings this morning |
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| Yemen Warbler |
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| Cracking views of Scrub Warbler this morning |
Moving on to Mahfar Park we well and truly nailed African Pipit with stunning views, whilst some raptor watching proved to be successful with at least 5 Eurasian Griffon Vultures, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Verreaux’s Eagle for Jonathan and a female Western Marsh Harrier. Other species included a large flock of European Bee-eaters flying around constantly during our visit, and all the usual commoner species.
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| African Pipit |
Leaving here we returned to our nice hotel, collected our luggage and drove 90 minutes to Abha where we went straight to Habala for Rufous-capped Lark, many of which were seen amidst the rocky plateau. They just weren't around on my January visit and it seems they undertake an altitudinal migration during the winter months and no-one knows where they go. So I was very pleased to finally catch up with this species.
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| Buff-breasted Wheatear |
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| A few Red-backed Shrikes were sen this afternoon |
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| Rufous-capped Lark is a key target for any Saudi trip |
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| The rocky Habala plateau is the place to find the larks... |
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| We looked for Yemen Serin at the cliff tops - but no joy.... |
We also saw a few Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrikes here, as well as a pair of cracking Buff-breasted Wheatears. So not a bad day at all. We enjoyed a fine and lavish Arabian dinner tonight in a good restaurant right next to our hotel to round off the day’s events in fine style!
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| Dinner - Saudi style.... |
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