Saudi Arabia' Arabian Wildlife

The first pMl of this article appeared in lhe previous iss ue of Arabian Wildl ife.

The unique blend of Palearctic and Ethiopian birds to be found in the west of the Kingdom provides compelling interest throughout the year. It is possible to see around 250 bird species annually in this region of Saudi Arabia, from Jeddah southwards. The breath-· taking scenery, historical interest, superb quiet roads and personal safety are further incentives to explore and document this little­ known area. Abyssinian Roller THETIHAMA and Ferruginous Duck. This area is excellent for migrants, The !'xtensive sandy Tihama plains hold Hoopoe Lark and including Olivaceous ilnd Olive-tree Warbler, Collilred Black-crowned Finch Lark, with wintering Desert Whea tear, Pratincole, Golden Oriole, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater and Tsabelline Shrike and Long-legged Buzzard. Furth er inland, possibly Caspian Plover. In addition to Desert Wheatear Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse is the characteristic Tihama and possible Trumpeter Finch, the drier side wadis in this bird. Large flocks come in for their morning drink between area hold wintering Red-rumped, Red-tailed and White­ 8.00 and 9.00 a.m. at favoured locations in certain wadis and crowned Black Wheatears. seasonal ponds. This behaviour is one of the most Wadis in the foothills closer to the base of th e escarpment spectacular birding sights anywhere - it is amazing to hold further interest, with Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting witness large numbers of birds suddenly appear from and Grey Hornbill as new possibilities. In Dhi-Ain, a t th e various directions of the surrounding, seemingly barren Baha ascent of the escarpmen t, a permanent stream irriga tes plains and hills. Creanl-coloured Courser and Steppe a mature banana and palm plantation. The cultiva ted area Ea gles also occur in winter, whilst the areas around boulder and immediate surroundings below the uninhabited hill outcrops are good for typical residents, such ilS Blackstart, village are lush and tropical and hold a number of exotic Sand Partridge and even Little Green Bee-eater. and colourful birds, including Shining Sunbird, Bruce's Further south, in the Asir Tihamil a round Sabya Green Pigeon, Grey HornbiJI, Amethyst Starling and Grey­ especiillly, Arabian Golden Sparrow, Dark Chanting headed Kingfisher. The latter two species are summer Goshawk and Abyssinian Roller are additional possibilities. visitors. Such bird species are mainly African in their distri­ Small flo cks of the delightful golden-yellow sparrows can bution and this emphasizes the strong faunal links of this sometimes be seen on acaciCls and in adjacent cropfields. The part of western Arabia with Africa. La sting images are of a beautiful White-throClted Bee-eater is a breeding summer fl ock of the beautiful green and yellow pigeons fl ying visitor to th e Asir Tihama. A reliable place to search for this around against the vivid blue sky of early morning or a species is around MuhayL In nearby villClges, bee-eaters CCln kingfisher, with its iridescent cobillt blue wings and tail, sometimes be seen perching on telegraph wires, flashing by to seize its prey, of mainly li za rd s and large Drainage fr om th e Sarawat mountains runs predomi­ insects. The top quality bird-watching Clnd the sheer beauty nantly westwards, but most wadis are dry for much of the of this outstanding location will draw you back time and year. The larger ones, such as Wadi Al Lith, maintain a good time Clgain. flow in their upper reaches for long periods throughout the Desert year. These wadis have resident Hamerkop a nd a ttract Wheatear migrating Black Stork. Birds such as Masked Shrike may over-winter and ArClbian Warblers are filirly common. One of the most intersting wadis of all, from a bird­ watching viewpoint, is Wadi Uranah. This carries treated wClste water from Makkah and is consequently no longer seasonal over much of its length. The wadi is accessible 80 km from Jedda h along the Makkah bypass road to Taif. There is significant branching and fl ooding in the flatter sections of some parts of the wadi and these wetlands have created an excellent yea r-round habitat. White-tailed Plover and M a rsh Harrier over-winter a nd both Spur-winged Plover Clnd Black-winged Stilt are breeding residents, with Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse guaranteed all year. Ducks include wintering Teal and Pintail and migrant Garganey 12 ife Arabian Wildlife Saudi Arabia

Just south of Tanuma, between Baha and Abha, the Gm) Hornbill waterfall of Al Dahna ilnd th e lush small valley are perfect compact places to bird, conveniently located just over a 100 metres from the main road. Amethyst Starling, Little Rock Thrush, Yemen Thrush, Alpine Swift and White-breasted White-eye all occur. The premium birds here are Spotted Eagle Owl and Asir Magpie. Restricted entire ly to th e mountains of south-western Saudi Arabia, the Asir Magpie (Pica pica asirensis) is a separate race from its northern relative and has a distinctive call and heavier bill. Even the endangered Bald Ibis has been recently reported in winter from this loca ti on. Wadi Turaba h is one of the few larger wadis draining in eastwards. The upper reaches of this wadi are breath­ lit takingly beautiful with permanent water and resident Hamerkop. Typical birds include Palestine sunbird and in THE ESCARPMENT South Arabian Wheatear; Verreaux's Eagle occur here and h- ' Wadis on the escarpment itself should also be investigated. the Grey-headed Kingfisher is a breeding summer visitor. lal A superb wadi is located 7 km from the check point up the e­ Taif escarpment road A walk up tbis wadi of about 1 km from the road in tersection revea Is a rich, well preserved habitat comprising a semi-permanent stream, extensive old acacias and some mature fi g trees, tbe latter dotted along nts, the boulder-strewn valley floor. Arabian Woodpecker and .red Arabian Serin immediately capture interest as endemics and and th e area holds an excellent selection of other birds. In tear January, male Cinnamon-breasted Rock Buntings have been this noted singing from prominent song-perches, suggesting 1ite­ imminent breeding. The ancient camel caravan route up the escarpment is well-preserved in this va lley. Built as-well as nent a Roman road with jointed slabs of granite and retaining lting side-walls an d stee ped in millennia of virtually the unchronicIed history, it is interesting to compare this old ;ates camel track with the nearby modern road. area There are dramatic scenic overhanging cliff-faces from bill the escarpment rim all the way south from Taif to Abha and acacia trees and milkweed Vuitllre istri­ fro m both above and below. shrubs. this Some of the birds of the juniper woodlands on th e During winter months, this of a escarpment rim zone have already been mentioned . gentl y s loping high plateau yin g Elsewhere, the highlands, with attractive walled terraces receives some rainfall. Several or a around rich fertile field s, have been extensively cultivated seasonal wadis such as Wadi tail , for around 2500 years. Surrounding areas are home to Red­ Bishyan, east of Taif, drai n arge breasted and South Arabian Wheatear. The clement eastwards from the mountai ns. 'auty year-round wea ther in these highlands is similar to the The area around Wadi Bishyan and Mediterranean summer and this image is completed with supports a grea ter density of breeding Red-rumped Swallow and Hoopoe. The endemic fairly tall acaci a trees, Philby's Rock Partridge also occurs in the wilder sections. producing striking visual The Jebel Souda section of the Asir National Park, near images reminiscent of the more Abha, will greatly repay investigation. At least five bird arid areas of East Africa. In this species endemic to the Arabian peninsula can be seen kind of habitat, la rge raptors during a couple of hours of early morning bird-watching on such as wintering Imperial Souda. These include Yemen Linnet and Yemen Thrush, Eagles a nd perhaps even which are both quite common in the junipers on the plateau Lappet-faced Vultures may be near the rim. By visiting the main overlook close to the car seen. A rubbish dump down park just after s unrise, the shyer Arabian Red-legged the Haden road is a good place Partridge can normally be seen feeding on the ground close to look for these majestic birds to the rim. Small coveys of these birds occasiona ll y fly and other commoner raptors, across the rim zone. From a spectacular cliff overlook close such as Egyptian Vulture and to the luxury hotel on Souda, one can also expect good Steppe Eagle. views of the diminutive Yemen Serin picking around the vegetation clinging to the precipitous rock faces in its search Dr. Graham R. Lobley fo r seeds.

Iber 2 Volume 2, Number 2 13