Jordan

Black Irises

A Greentours Tour Report

March 26th – April 8th 2010

Led by Ian Green & Chris Gardner

Tour report by Chris Gardner ( list supplied by Ian Green)

Day 1 March 26th UK/Turkey to

We all arrived at Amman and transferred to our hotel in Madaba arriving quite late (except me as I’d flown in from Istanbul a few hours earlier).

Day 2 March 27th Madaba and Dibbin

The morning was essentially a cultural one dividing our time between the ornate (inside at least) Greek orthodox church with it mosaic of the holy land and then another museum with many more superb old mosaics depicting Roman life and featuring a number of recognisable birds and mammals from the time from lions to partridges. Wildlife was restricted to Greenfinches, Blackbirds, Chiffchaff and Laughing Dove whilst Peter drew our attention to the pretty grass Lamarkia aurea and there were various stork’s-bills, sandworts and pelitories.

From Madaba we drove north around the outskirts of Amman and through rather foggy conditions but after a time the air cleared and we could finally see the wide valley views with many olive fields and flat-roofed houses. We saw our first drifts of deep red Ranunculus asiaticus that lined the roadsides and filled the olive groves. Many more flowers were mixed in and we spent some time here combining lunch with botanising and finding many good including the lilac-blue stork’s-bill Erodium gruinum, rounded ‘bushes’ of rest-harrow Ononis natrix, bluish- pink Alkanna strigosa, the robust blue-flowered and bristly Anchusa strigosa and then a rather rare orchid Ophrys bornmuelleri. A few other orchids were scattered around and we managed to find Ophrys umbilicata and Orchis tridentata too. There were also many new legumes with some striking seedpods between them.

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Entering the Dibbin forest reserve (mainly pine and scrub oak with lots of strawberry trees and vast tracts of Cistus spp) we hadn’t gone very far when a very tall and pristine Violet Limodore Limodorum abortivum was seen and soon after this we also found three very fine Ophrys sphegodes ssp transhyrcana. Jays were common as we climbed higher finally reaching an open area at the top with a large deer enclosure to our left. Inside were a number of Fallow Deer that were being reared with the intention of reintroducing them to the wild. A Hoopoe was probing the turf nearby and across the road in some fallow fields were many finished Bongardia chrysogonum, pretty yellow Hypecoum pendulum, Silene aegyptiaca and more legumes, but sadly the field had been ploughed not long ago and there was no sign of last years Fritillaria persica.

We all wandered back downhill seeing Cyclamen persicum flowering in rock crevices, Allium neopolitanum on the roadside and the lovely smooth tan to sunburnt English tourist-red trunks of Arbutus andrachne. There were also more Violet Limodores and quite a bit further down a population of Sword-leaved Helleborine Cephalanthera longifolia. There was one more stop on the way back to try and find the frits but there were none on the cold windy site although we did see two Short-toed Larks and Linnets. It was on to the Olive Branch Hotel perched high about the valley with superb views of the hills and olive swathed valley below. The owner liked her flowers and in the grounds she had even planted a few stunning dark-purplish brown nigricans that were apparently very common around her home in Amman!

Day 3 March 28th Wadi Rajib and Jerash

What a change in the weather! It was a beautiful sunny morning as the last of the clouds slipped from the hilltops and we headed out into the countryside with clear and expansive views across the valley speckled with olive trees with wooded areas and interesting looking dryer slopes. Our destination for the morning was an area below some craggy cliffs that was very flowery and alive with butterflies. Seconds after we started walking there was a Woodchat Shrike and a Scrub Warbler as Cretzschmar’s Bunting called. We followed a wide track uphill finding many attractive flowers with masses of pale yellow Scabiosa prolifera and deeper yellow spiny Centaurea hyalolepis, the thistle Notobasis syriaca and the white umbellifer Artedia squamata. Butterflies were everywhere with dozens of Marbled Whites (two species, one probably hylata), Clouded Yellows, Lesser Spotted Fritillaries, Melitaea punica and Small Coppers, together with the odd Mazarine Blue and Brown Argus. A Spur-thighed Tortoise followed and close by was the pretty shrubby Kickxia aegyptiaca with delicate little yellowish flowers.

Long-legged and Common (Steppe) Buzzards were amazingly common with some in the air almost the whole time and clearly some sort of migration going on. Crested Larks called from atop boulders and there was a Great Grey Shrike in a hawthorn. Our main floral quarry of the day seemed to be over and we had all but given up finding any when Rosie shrieked “Iris” and there they were three fine flowers of our first of the flamboyant Oncocyclus irises, the flowers very dark purplish-brown. A bit further up the track were Lesser Kestrel and Lesser Whitethroat and higher on the slopes in some scree was another fine plant the pale blue flowered borage

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Trichodesma boissieri with thick grey leaves that seemed appetising to the fritillary caterpillars feeding on them. Coming down from here we also saw a purplish scabious, a pair of Blackstarts and then two Long-billed Pipits. Driving on a short way we were heading for our lunch spot but still found time to quickly stop for the superb displays of tall hollyhocks Alcea setosa that lined the road. At the lunch site itself there were some delicate Venus’s Looking Glass Legousia falcata and across the road a couple of decent specimens of the impressive squill Scilla hyacinthoides with soft-lilac flowers in elegant whorled spires. Continuing we stopped to investigate a promising-looking north-facing hillside and quickly found the very fine pea Lathyrus spathulatus along with some large Tessellated Skippers and the odd Eastern Festoon. Higher up on a loose bank were some big Sword-leaved Helleborine Cephalanthera longifolia one with a pair of Small Whites mating on it. The adjacent olive grove had some large Ornithogalum divergens and various buttercups, and fields further along has lots of deepest purple Gladiolus atroviolaceus and both Orchis anatolica and Orchis tridentata. From here we split in two, one bus heading for cultural delights at the Roman ruins at Jerash, the other continued with the wildlife.

Bus two didn’t drive too far before turning off and following a track just about wide enough for the bus that took us right into the patchwork of fields and olive groves. Walking on there was an attractive brick-red pea Lathyrus blepharicarpos and a superb clump of Ranunculus asiaticus, more Orchis tridentata (very dark) whilst Oron caught a beautiful male Green Lizard allowing us to see his exquisite pattern close up. Plant of the day followed when we came across a simply stunning specimen of the remarkable Salvia indica whose whorls of soft lilac-blue flowers had lips of black marbled with white or brown, making them appear to have bees or beetles hanging from the flowers, quite extraordinary!

The sun set gently across the hills with a clear sky promising another fine day tomorrow.

Day 4 March 29th Syrian border

Today was a day of two halves, with a somewhat frustrating morning followed by a fabulous afternoon. It was another very fine day as we set off north towards the Syrian border area heading for a small village where we hoped to find more irises. After a few wrong turns and asking the locals we ended up on a road out of the village heading through arable fields directly for the border where we stopped at a guard post. There appeared to be some good habitat only a kilometre away, but we were refused permission to go any further and instead parked up and decided to check some other promising areas not too far away on foot. There were many Crested Larks and a few Corn Buntings as we walked also hearing a number of Quail calling and two of these were flushed from cover soon after.

Unfortunately we appeared to have drawn a blank with the irises eventually finding a few plants with spent flowers, although the were a couple of slightly jaded Eminium spicatum as compensation and also three pretty pheasant-eyes with Adonis dentata (pale orange), annua (scarlet) and larger flowered palaestina (red). John then managed to collect a stunning mantis, green with

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white marbling, which posed well for pictures on plants and humans alike. Wandering back there was a fallow field with good Hyoscyamus reticulatus and Legousia speculum-veneris as Fan-tailed Warblers bounced through the air and a male Marsh Harrier coursed over the fields. After a short delay our second bus arrived with a tasty lunch of flatbreads pasted with oregano and sesame. A couple of Calandra Larks put in a brief appearance before we moved on.

A lengthy detour because of roadworks meant it took longer than planned to reach the next stop although we saw Pallid Harrier along the way and even when we arrived it looked a bit dry and unpromising. However, with a bit of searching two specimens of Iris bostrensis were found together with a few slender flowered Muscari deserticola and blue-mauve Allium hierochunticum, whilst Phil picked out Isabelline and Northern Wheatears. A bit of bus trouble delayed us a while as we watched Laughing Doves and very close by was a field with many Gladiolus atroviolaceous. We stopped once again beside a power station where despite all the industrialised surroundings on the opposite side of the road were many superb Irises with a variety of colour forms from reddish to deepest black-purple. A bit further along a simply magnificent clump was found with eighteen open blooms on. These appear to be an intergrade population – somewhere between Iris bostrensis and in character with plants that could easily be described as one or the other and all morphs in-between! A Black-eared Wheatear was a temporary distraction from this floral splendour, but even better was to follow not more than a mile away where another area was peppered with ‘black’ flowers, with one substantial clump (which looked like a bin liner in the grass from a distance) containing over a dozen flowers that seemed to form one huge iris! The light was perfect for photography and we spent some time making the most of these splendid plants before driving back to the hotel.

Day 5 March 30th Amman and Aljun

Clear blue skies again and who’s complaining? We began the day with a visit to the home of our hostess on the outskirts of Amman who happened to not only live in a nice house with a flower- filled garden, but the rocky field opposite was full of Iris nigricans. We had a look around the garden with many self-seeded poppies, fruit trees and a scrambling mass of red-flowered Lotus bertoli (Australian). Then we went across to the field which was swathed in Anthemis sp and peppered with fine clumps of the deep-black purple Iris nigricans their silky standards fluttering in the breeze. Alongside these were quite a few Ornithogalum neurostegium and the odd divergens together with several different papaveraceae including Papaver syriaca (typical poppy), purple Roemeria hybrida, orange-red Glaucium grandiflorum and the delicate little yellow Hypecoum imperbe. Bird life was quiet although two Tree Pipits were seen as was a Glanville Fritillary.

Naturally all this botany made us thirsty and we refreshed with a cup of mint tea at the house. Moving on to to our lunch stop beside a river we saw two Stripe-necked Terrapins were hauled out and the water frogs Rana bedriagae were calling loudly. The bird action improved greatly with many calling Graceful Prinia, Olivaceous and Cetti’s Warblers and a stunning male Palestine Sunbird that was feeding on the flowers of Nicotiana glauca. Two Spectacled Bulbuls posed well in

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a nearby tamarisk and there were also various fritillaries on the wing including Melitaea punica and large Emperor Dragonflies patrolled the riverside.

As we ate lunch there were White Wagtails and a few Rock Martins gathering mud for their nests and Ian saw Greenish Black-tip. Our last stop of the day was at the forest reserve at Ajlun where a tract of Kermes Oak woodland is preserved although the trees were hardly towering in stature. Some fine spikes of Acanthus syriacus lined the road and following the small path through the woodland we saw Toothed Orchid, a few Anatolian Orchids, many Linum pubescens and then a couple of plants of the creamy-white Bellevalia eigii. Great swathes of Star Clover seedheads filled the open areas as we wandered finding a large centipede under a rock and then an altogether bigger boulder which turned out to be an old rock-carved wine press and Oron explained how it worked then fished out some extraordinary fairy shrimps and giant daphnia from a small pool. Ian also found European Worm Snake.

Hot tea was waiting by the bus when we got back although the botany wasn’t over as a second plant of the splendid Salvia indica was found along with Ajuga orientalis before it was time to return to base via the ever-confusing roads of Jordan, but at least the drivers knew where they were going.

Day 6 March 31st To Dana via the

The landscape of rolling hills and olive groves quickly gave way to something drier and more dramatic as we descended quickly to the Dead Sea and an altogether more arid region. Lying four hundred metres below sea level the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth and the almost lifeless blue waters are ringed by dry reddish hills on both the Jordanian and Israeli sides. There was the opportunity for those that wanted to have a dip in the ultra-salty waters where it’s very hard to keep your legs from floating or to relax onshore and watch others endure/enjoy. Lunch was a tasty buffet affair and after we’d fed we drove south towards the other end of the sea stopping occasionally for views or to try and find Epipactis veratrifolia, which we managed but sadly the flowers had all finished in this early season. Tristram’s Grackles and Fan-tailed Ravens were constant companions as we moved along and then climbing to another high viewpoint over the blue waters we saw many migrating Steppe Buzzards and a Desert Lark.

A different dry area held a number of interesting plants with Kickxia aegyptiaca, Centaurea crocodylium, pretty pink Fagonia mollis and an Asteriscus pygmaeus that studded the ground with golden flowers. Higher still and there were big stands of Fritillaria persica (libanotica) but again the earlier season meant they were over for this year. However, the plant hunting ended on a high when we found our first Iris petrana, perhaps the loveliest of all the forms we’d seen with lustrous purple flowers. A few more we seen as we descended into the dramatic Wadi Dana reaching our decidedly rustic hotel with a superb view across the eroded sandstone of the wadi with hues of red, orange and beige as the sun set.

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The dinner was very good and afterwards a few of us went on a night walk in the reserve, which proved to be very quiet save for calling Scops Owls and Golden Jackals. It was full moon and it illuminated the rocky landscape remarkably well and we scarcely needed a torch to walk with. As we drove back Ian did see a jackal and then we were all able to watch a Red Fox (which are actually sandy-coloured here) walking across a hillside.

Day 7 April 1st Dana and to

Early birdwatching within the reserve was productive with good views of Scrub Warbler and Chukar, also Syrian Serin, Cretzschmar’s and Ortolan Buntings and perched views of Black Kite and Buzzard. Ian and I walked a little further and were rewarded with outstanding views of a curious Golden Jackal that was watching us from a cliff top.

Before we returned to the same area after breakfast some of us spent time watching the wadi seeing male Blue Rock Thrush and Black-eared Wheatears. At the reserve we again walked slowly down and finding many fine plants including the lovely pink rockrose Helianthemum vesicarium, purple and cream spikes of Muscari bicolor, squat Alcea acaulis, an Empusa praying mantis and Stephen found a scorpion under a rock, this Leiurus quinquestriatus. Most of us went across to another good viewpoint seeing Tristram’s Grackles and many Rock Martins along with new flowers such as Polygala sinaica, Ononis natrix and then the handsome pea Onobrychis wettsteinii with beautifully veined flowers and leaves. This same flower had also been found by the rest of the group.

Tea was being brewed by our guide and driver, meanwhile we looked around the area some more, the two Annes tracking down a pair of Syrian Serins, the rest of us content with Palestine Sunbird, Spectacled Bulbul and fleeting views of Nightingales. Various new flowers were also about with reddish-pink Chorispora purpurascens, fine shrublets of Helianthemum sancti-antonii, the white broom Retusa raetam and Iris edomensis although the latter had long finished flowering.

Another huge lunch followed and then we departed Dana stopping on the way out for a superb population of Iris petrana that grew near the road with some wonderful multi-flower clumps of purple flowers, together with bushy Onosma frutescens and the pretty purplish-pink Astragalus callichrous and reddish cretaceous. Thirty five kilometres before Petra we took a diversion to Shawbak Castle, perched on a rocky outcrop where we found a compact form of Hyoscyamus lutea, tall golden spires of Asphodeline lutea and Desert Larks amongst other things.

We arrived into the very touristy town of Petra to find we weren’t alone!

Day 8 April 2nd Petra

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Today was all about the huge and impressive ancient site of Petra. That didn’t mean that natural history was absent, indeed we picked up both Lesser Whitethroat and two very visible Nightingales near the entrance the latter posing in the open for superb views and then above us. As we waited for our tickets we noted Pallid Swift, Rock and Crag Martins. Essentially we were free to wander as we wished although a guide explained facets of the site during the morning session. Horse rides to the entrance of the famed Siq were taken by the Annes the rest of us walked. There was another Pallid Swift near the entrance and Rock Doves were common as we wandered through the narrow sinuous defile of the Siq with gorgeous reddish-ochre walls that in places were only a few metres apart with the sky just visible above. Of course the Siq leads to the famous Treasury building with glimpses appearing between the narrow walls of the magnificent structure. Blue Rock Thrush were flying about the cliffs but what really made the site was watching the migration of maybe three hundred (and eleven) Steppe Buzzards that passed directly overhead as we stood in front of the Treasury.

From here lay a multitude of tombs and rock cut structures carved into the stunningly patterned rock and then a technicolour theatre with purple and red steps! Strung out across the area were also a colonnaded street, a monastery building and some absolutely superb mosaics housed in a covered area where a Mourning Wheatear was hanging around. We all met for lunch which took a while to arrive, but at least we were cool in the shade. Afterwards some of us went for a tea/coffee and as we sat to drink a staggering second wave of the migration took place straight above us with several hundred Steppe Buzzards plus a few Black Kites cruising over and rising in kettles of dozens of birds. At one point the birds were coming over at more than one a second! On the walls of the café were fine hanging masses of Hyoscyamus aureus and Podonosma orientalis. The afternoon was spent exploring all the other bits we’d missed or revisiting parts in better light for photos, the afternoon sun really bringing out the superb colours of the rock.

Ian went on to the heights of the monastery in the afternoon seeing a superb blue male Sinai Agama and the local endemic figwort Scrophularia nabataeorum. Up near the monastery the raptors continued to stream over and including a Short-toed Eagle. A fine pair of Sand Partridges were seen and some great close-up encounters with around a dozen Sinai Rosefinches. On the way back an Egyptian Fruit Bat cruised up through the Siq just as dusk descended.

Day 9 April 3rd Little Petra to Wadi Araba

There were overviews of Petra as we drove into the dry hills to the north and a remarkable landscape of rounded eroded hills pockmarked with holes and a million hiding places for wildlife. Our first stop near a water treatment plant produced more rising kettles of Common (Steppe) Buzzard, which had with them a Steppe Eagle, a Lesser Spotted Eagle and a Short-toed Eagle. Pallid Swifts and Rock Martins were zipping past along with a few much larger Alpine Swifts and in the planted bottle brushes were many Blackcaps, a Redstart and Lesser Whitethroats. We walked across an area of easier terrain finding an impressive green and silver beetle, Small Spotted Desert Racer and then a huge gathering of Painted Ladies that were also preparing to migrate

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north. Mourning Wheatear, Chiffchaff and Scrub Warblers added to the bird tally which was rounded off with a second Steppe Eagle as we returned to the bus moving on only a very short distance to look at the colony of dark purple Orobanche cernua that Ann had found.

We stopped in another wadi to look for birds finding Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat, whilst in among the nearby rocks was a mini-Siq and some interesting flora including pretty Dianthus striatus and the spiny brassica Zilla spinosa. Ian had found a couple of superb lizards and after lunch some of went in search of these finding first the Ptyodactylus guttatus Gecko, which allowed reasonable approach for photos and then the dazzling bright blue Sinai Agama, which was far more lively.

From here we descended via a spectacular road to the desert proper and spent some time looking around the scattered scrub for birds finding Bonelli’s Warbler, Arabian Babbler, Blackstart and Redstart and Hoopoe Lark for those that went to the dunes area. Common to both was a pretty toadflax Linaria haelava. We had to return the same way and stopped by a viewpoint where we found the unusual succulent Caralluma negevensis in flower.

Our night walk was initially plagued by barking dogs and we only managed to find a Red Fox.

Day 10 April 4th To Wadi Rum/north to Madaba via Wadi Mujib

After goodbyes and waiting for two huge coach loads of Gallic tourists to finally set off we went our separate ways with half the party returning to Madaba with Ian via the wonderful irises (see below) and Wadi Mujid whilst my elite team carryied on down into the amazing desert landscapes of Wadi Rum. We stopped only once on the way for a viewpoint, but frankly that was nothing compared to what awaited us once we had descended to the true desert lowlands where majestic flat-topped sandstone mountains rising directly from the sands like desert tepuis. There were Brown-necked Ravens as we drove on towards our very pleasant ‘camp’ outside the reserve, the buildings constructed in mud and thatch style with lots of comfy seating and shady areas to sit and relax, which is what we did for a couple of hours before a very good barbeque lunch. Shortly after we went to the visitor centre a few miles down the road, but dramatic landscape aside this was a big disappointment with only a short film with the ridiculous verbose narration and some over priced shops on offer. No doubt designed for the coach inhabiting hoards that descended here shortly after! By way of compensation there was a very good view of White-crowned Black Wheatear and a Desert Lark.

We returned to the camp for another cuppa before a late afternoon walk into the desert. Scattered across the windblown sands were many fine pink stocks Erucaria boveana, the peculiar Neurada procumbens and occasional Linaria haelava. We made our way across the flat plain with both migrating Swallows and Painted Ladies for company, arriving after twenty minutes at one of the large rocky outcrops where we could see the battered, eroded rocks close up, the sand having scoured and polished the surfaces and produced extraordinary erosion patterns. There were more plants here too with bushes of pink Fagonia mollis, silvery leaved and pale pink Stachys aegyptiaca.

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The tracks of a cat were found (but this could have been a domestic moggy – they roam far and wide from the settlement), whilst further along was a spent inflorescence of Cistanche salsa. However, five minutes further along and we found two superb flowering examples of this striking parasitic plant with deep violet-purple rims to the white tubular flowers and bright yellow lips. On top of the rocky outcrop we could get a feel for the amazing landscape here with the sandstone islands rising in all directions from the sea of sand. On the reaching our camp once again there was a mixed flock of Red-rumped Swallow, Barn Swallow and Sand Martin as well as both Chiffchaff and Lesser Whitethroat in the bushes.

Ian's half of the group headed north on their last day of the tour. Our route took us north out of Wadi Musa into the high country that rises above the town, some of the highest parts of Jordan. Though barren looking from a distance it was actually very flowery on the slopes here, however we needed to move on so we only stopped once a large clump of Iris petrana was spotted as we entered the eastern desert regions. It seemed odd to find such a huge flower amidst the desolate landscape all around! Others were still to come and also flowering here was the elegant Muscari (Leopoldia) eburnea with long greenish flowers tipped dark violet, and recently finished was a very dark allium. A Short-snouted Desert Racer posed for the cameras.

Now we headed down to the Desert Highway and a two hour steady pull up to the Karak Junction through uniformly arid terrain. Mourning Wheatears had now been replaced by Finsch's and Isabelline Wheatears and we also noted Brown-necked Raven and a superb male Pallid Harrier. Heading back towards the hills north of Karak we came across a splendid stand of irises and, at the same time, an equally splendid stand of Acanthus syriacus! The latter formed a swathe several metres long and a metre or so wide, thick with the dark bracted spires, the creamy flowers just poking out from the . The irises were Iris nigricans and there were, quite literally thousands of flowers. Concentrated in spots along field edges or on remnant steppe patches, they formed great clumps, some with thirty or so flowers, and in place there must have been four hundred blooms in a ten square metre patch. As usual this species produced often very large flowers on quite high stems amongst the tightly coiled glaucous leaves. This site held something we hadn't seen in other iris populations, namely a number of pale forms. These were some of the finest irises we saw on the trip and included a small group of orange-peach blooms, two exquisite pale pink ones, and best of the bunch some perfect butterscotch, apricot and pink ones! The many Adonis, some fine Onosmas with prickly hairs and orange stems and small yellow flowers, large flowered reddish Hyoscyamus reticulatus and Asperula arvensis all got rather ignored amongst all this finery. The Crested and Calandra Larks also got only a brief look-in!

Then it was on a few miles to Wadi Mujib. En route we passed numerous irises, though never as numerous as that site! The Trajan welcomed us to its busy restaurant. We were soon eating yet another fine Jordanian buffet outside on the verandah overlooking the impressively huge Wadi Mujib. The German parties soon left and we were left in quietude to enjoy the magnificent landscape. After lunch we took a walk along the wadi rim. Mourning Wheatears braved the now strong breeze. Ixiolirions were in good bloom but the Tulipa systola was well over this year. Some Iris nigricans was found in a valley back of the wadi. Fine clumps of (large, hispid, bracts numerous and ovate and same length as calyx) decorated the edge of the jumbled basalt cliffs that

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made up the top of the 'canyon'. A large flock of Short-toed Larks was in the fields and the last highlight of the day as we motored up the other side of the canyon came as a Blue-cheeked Bee- eater made a brief appearance! Then on to Madaba for the evening before departing for the UK early the next morning.

Day 11 April 5th Wadi Rum

Our pre-dawn start saw us driving across the desert with the shadowy outlines of mountains gradually taking form and detail. We arrived at an area of cliffs and boulder scree where almost immediately we saw an immaculate White-crowned Black Wheatear singing from on top of a boulder. A male Sinai Rosefinch briefly appeared on another boulder and then as we approached to find him again a Sand Partridge scuttled up the hillside eventually stopping for good scope views. In the meantime the Sinai Rosefinch had returned to his boulder along with a female and we had outstanding close views of this beautiful bird. The sun was beginning to light the distant mountains bursting through from behind a closer peak to illuminate a classic desert landscape complete with Bedouin tent.

A solitary small acacia was alive with Lesser Whitethroats whilst on top was a stunning male Woodchat Shrike. We watched him for a while before noticing a movement beneath the canopy that turned out to a Wryneck and we all managed scope views of this peculiar cryptic woodpecker relative. Not much further on a shallow wadi was noticeably greener and swathed in masses of pink Erucaria boveana along with the fragrant stock Matthiola livida, spiny bushes of Zilla spinosa smothered in pink flowers, little Asphodelus viscidulus, pretty yellow-flowered Hyoscyamus pusillus and the alkanet Anchusa milleri and watching us enjoying this from a bush was a lovely male Masked Shrike.

We arrived at a fence which is part of the huge enclosure for Jordan’s Arabian Oryx reintroduction programme and met the ranger who then tried to arrange a permit. A lack of radio reception meant a slight delay during which time we enjoyed the bright yellow daisy Picris radicata whose flowers illuminated the sands. A closer look at the ground also revealed lots of purple Linaria haelava and the diminutive Fagonia latifolia against a background of ochre mountains and blue sky. Finally entering the protected area we drove across the desert stopping first in an area of interesting flora including Ranunculus asiaticus in a less than typical habitat. There was also a pretty pink form of Centaurea pallescens and Scabiosa porphyroneura. On the other side of the wadi was a herd of eighteen animals, (tracked using GPS) and despite the visible yellow GPS collars they were still strikingly beautiful mammals with white coats, long slender horns and distinctive black faces. Apparently twenty more animals are to arrive soon from Oman and in the near future these animals will once again roam truly wild here. We had already overrun out tour time and the temperature was starting to climb so we drove straight back to the camp for a late breakfast after a very enjoyable morning in the desert.

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The rest of the morning and afternoon until 4.30 was time to relax during the hottest period of the day and then we set off again in a jeep, this time heading to areas outside the reserve where we soon encountered a single Little Ringed Plover by a shallow pool and then flock of dazzling Euopean Bee-eaters and a male Marsh Harrier. We drove across sand flats and up onto the dunes in time to scale an outcrop and witness a fine sunset. We were not alone of course with many others scattered about the area having arrived by jeep or camel. However, whilst they all returned to their hotels or Bedouin tent camps we went back to the farm and drove to an area where we hoped to find sandgrouse. It didn’t seem ideal but we were told they were there and proceeded to check out the fields where we flushed two Quail but no sandgrouse. By now it was dark so we drove back spotlighting along the way. A set of eyes flashed briefly and then disappeared, but I checked closely although the fox had gone there was a huge scorpion with a very thick tail and sting (Androctonus crassicauda), quite a beast. Our only other encounter was a domestic cat!

Day 12 April 6th Aqaba

The omens were good as we left the camp and drove towards Aqaba, Jordan’s coastal city, seeing a Ruppell’s Fox in broad daylight and watching it scamper swiftly up a mountain slope. It didn’t take long to reach the coast and we met up with someone who was to arrange the permits we needed for the Aqaba Bird Observatory, but sadly we were dogged by Jordanian bureaucracy after that and had to wait before we finally arrived at the station! However, we did spend some time by a small beach where in the small vegetable plots behind were several handsome Red-throated Pipits and two races of Yellow Wagtails as Sandwich and Common Terns patrolled the waters.

At the observatory we were guided around the various ponds and acacia woodland seeing our first real waterbirds of the trip with Shoveler, Garganey and both Black-headed and a solitary Slender-billed Gull. In the tall Arundo donax stands there was a Bluethroat and many Chiffchaff, before a flock of Bee-eaters showed well. A shallower pool held Marsh Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Black-winged Stilt and there was a single White Stork and all too brief view of two Levant Sparrowhawks. A large shrub of Zilla spinosa proved very attractive to a dozen or more lovely Salmon Arab butterflies.

Lunch was taken back in town and then we drove out to the southern beach to drop off Stephen for his snorkelling trip on the onshore reef and seeing a now familiar kettle of Steppe Buzzards spiralling upwards as we drove. Shopping in town for delicious coffee with cardamoms and then back to the beach to pick up Stephen and we were soon driving back through the rugged granitic hills to Wadi rum arriving in time for a last sunset.

Day 13 April 7th To Madaba via Wadi Mujib

A day of striking contrasts that began in the dramatic deserts of Wadi Rum and finished in the green and flowering highlands that in turn were bisected by a vast dry gorge. Leaving the very

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pleasant environs of Bait Ali Camp we followed the desert highway seeing little of interest save for Desert Larks and Steppe Buzzards, stopping for a coffee break before turning inland. Until now the scenery had been relentlessly dry with flat uninspiring tracts of stony desert punctuated by potash mines. However, as soon as we began to climb the land became greener with fields and flowery roadsides.

After collecting lunch in Karak we had a bit of a run around until we finally located the site we were after and what a fabulously flowery one it was. There were many handsome Iris nigricans emerging from a pink carpet of Malva sylvatica. Plenty of time was spent exploring the area as Calandra Larks sang and flew about the nearby arable fields joined by a few Short-toed and Crested Larks and a pair of Ortolan Buntings. It wasn’t all about irises as there were many other lovely plants including Glaucium corniculatum, Gynandiris sisyrinchium, Adonis annua and tall Salvia sclarea. The sun began to dip a bit and this only made the irises more stunning with wonderful backlit colours of sumptuous purple, although there was considerable variation in flower colour with some very dark forms and one pale pink variant. Some stands numbered dozens of flowers and it was a great way to finish our botany…or nearly.

We hadn’t moved on far when two prominent spikes in a field brought us to a halt. They were Acanthus syriacus in full flower along with a fair smattering of blue Ixiolirion tartaricum. There was a stop for a view of the huge Wadi Mujid canyon that sliced through the rolling hills so dramatically and we saw Mourning Wheatear as we climbed back up the other side. All that was left was to continue onto our hotel in Madaba and a final tasty dinner and a drop of red.

Day 14 April 8th To UK

A pre-dawn start saw us at the airport, through immigration and waiting for the straightforward onward flight to Heathrow.

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Systematic List Number 1 Flowers

Notes - Edom refers to the whole area of hills from Karak southwards to Petra on the east side of the Araba Valley.

ACANTHACEAE Acanthus syriacus wine-red foliage with creamy corolla. Scattered, some fine populations near Rabba

ADIANTACEAE Adiantum capillus-veneris Maidenhair Fern. Hot springs and associated flushes along Dead Sea coast

AIZOACEAE Aizoon canariense squat white flowered herb. Dry area in Edom Aizoon hispanicum another squat white-flowered fleshy herb. Between DeadSea and Karak Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum cream fl feshy mesem. Between Dead Sea and Karak

AMARYLLIDACEAE blue lily-like flowers, weed of cornfields. Scattered throughout

ANACARDIACEAE Pistacia atlantica Scattered in the north Pistacia lentiscus locally common in oak woods etc in north Pistacia palaestina Terebrinth-like species. Scattered throughout Rhus coriaria noted in Rijab area

APOCYNACEAE Nerium oleander widespread

ARACEAE Arum dioscoridis leaves seen in Rijab area Eminium spiculatum divided leaves and spathes opening out flat, deep purple and rumpled looking. Flowering plants seen at al-Turra on the Syrian border and near al-Sharat Power Station

ARECACEAE Phoenix dactylifera Date Palm. Noted along the Dead Sea shore

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE Aristolochia bottae long hastate lves in 'columns'. Largish flowers yellowish mottled brown-purple. Scattered, mostly not in flower though some blooming above Dibben Aristolochia maurorum Leaves only noted near Syrian border

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ASCLEPIADACEAE Calotropis procera large fleshy plant with round leaves, mauve-purple heads of flowers. Along Dead Sea route Caralluma negevensis small cactus like plants nestling amongst rocks. Flowers star- shaped, these with purple tips and purple lines across corolla. Last pass below Little Petra en route to Araba Valley Gomphocarpus fruticosus medium herb with corymb of greenish starry flowers, pods vase shaped,fully of fluffy seeds. Scattered in Petra area

ASPLENIACEAE Asplenium ceterach Rustyback Fern. Scarce in the north

BERBERIDACEAE Bongardia chrysogonum buttercup-like flowers, odd strongly pinnate and dentate leaves. Common in the north

BORAGINACEAE Alkanna strigosa prostrate sky-blue flowered alkannet. Common in the north Alkanna tinctoria prostrate deep blue fl alkanet. Common in Dana and Edom Anchusa aegyptiaca prostrate, pale yellow fls, strigose, white speckled lves. Widespread Anchusa italica medium herb with pale or blue fls. Scarce in the north Anchusa milleri scattered in the north, also noted at Wadi Rum Anchusa strigosa medium blue herb alkannet with strongly spiny hairs all over. Widespread and very common Anchusa undulata tubular purple fl borage. Scarce in the north Buglossoides arvensis scattered Buglossoides tenuiflora scattered Cynoglossum creticum blue-grey fl houndstongue. Scattered in the north Echium judaeum pink and blue fl bugloss. Widespread and common in north Heliotropium spp several noted, none identified Lappula barbata like large forget-me-not with rather strong jizz and spiky seeds. Scattered in the north Lappula sessiliflora small strict herb with tiny fls on stem and spiky fruit. Dibben Myosotis discolor noted near Syrian border Nonea melanocarpa dark purple fls, large, hirsute clayxes, columns of leaves. Scattered Onosma frutescens yellow golden-drop. Wadi Dana Onosma sp small yellow flowers, very hispid and orange stems. Near Rabba Podonosma orientalis white/blue 'golden drop'. Common on cliffs throughout Symphytum brachycalyx white comfrey. Common in north Trichodesma boissieri lovely large flat blue borage fls and grey felted foliage. Abundant on screes near Rijab

CAMPANULACEAE Campanula phrygia annual bellflower, small. Scattered Rijab Campanula rapunculus medium strict, hard stemmed bellowflower. Sessile flowers arranged evenly up stem. Scattered throughout north Campanula retrosa hispid annual bellflower. Between Dead Sea and Karak

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Campanula strigosa hispid annual bellflower. Common in the north Legousia falcata small fl venus's looking glass with sessile flowers, narrow leaves. Rijab Legousia speculum-veneris Venus's Looking-Glass. Amman

CAPPARACEAE Capparis spp quite common in south. Not sure of species?

CAPRIFOLIACEAE Lonicera etrusca only honeysuckle in Jordan. Common in north

CARYOPHYLLACEAE Cerastium dichotomum Scattered in north Dianthus strictus pretty 'pink' with lined flowers. Route from Petra to Wadi Araba Herniaria hirsuta rupture-wort – hariy. Scattered Holosteum umbellatum mouse-ear with umbel of fls, somepedicals reflexed. Wadi Dana Minuartia meyeri Sandwort with fls hardly visible in pointy bracts. Wadi Dana Minuartia picta pretty pink sandwort with red anthers. Scattered throughout Paronychia arabica from Petra to Wadi Araba Paronychia argentea widespread Paronychia capitata Wadi Dana Paronychia palaestina Wadi Dana Pteranthus dichotomus white flowers, knobbly fruits. Wadi Dana Silene aegyptiaca saponaria-like pink fls with teeth at base of petals. Red calyxes. Common in north Silene arabica nominate form c.12cm tall with one-sided infl of night/early am opening pale pink fls, flowers rolling in by mid-morning. Common at Wadi Dana. Subspecies nabathean taller, sticky and with white fls noted at Petra Silene behen glabrous sl inflated calyxes with coloured nerves, small bifid pink petals. Scattered in north Silene colorata white fl form rather tall dichotoma-like. Scattered in north Silene coniflora small pink fls calyxes narrow rapidly inflating. Common in norths Silene conoidea small pink fls, calyxes sl inflated, leaves hard, dark and pointed. Common throughout Silene longipetala straggly, tall, perennial with white fls, petals long-divided Silene nocturna one-sided infl of pale pink fls. Dibbin Silene palaestina rather like elegant red campion! Common in north Silene swertiifolia medium per with large-ish pale pink flowers and very long calyxes. By ranger station at Barra, Wadi Dana Silene vulgaris inflated calyxes with white petals. Scattered in north Spergula spp Petra area Spergularia rubra river gravels, Petra Vaccaria pyramidata open corymbs of pink flowers. Glabrous. Widespread in crops

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CHENOPODIACEAE Atriplex halimus ?possibly this species Araba Valley Haloxylon persicum sparse bush. Araba Valley

CISTACEAE Cistus creticus large pink fls. Common in the north Cistus salvifolius medium white fls. Common in north Fumana arabica orange-yellow rock-rose with small hard leaves. Wadi Dana Fumana thymifolia orange-yellow rock-rose with tiny leaves. Scattered Helianthemum ledifolium small yellow fl rockrose, petals not (hardly) larger than . Wadi Dana Helianthemum sancti-antonii subshrub with mid sized yellow rockrose fls. Common at Wadi Dana and scattered in Petra area Helianthemum sessiliflorum small subshrub with spike-like infl with sessile smallish yellow rockrose fls. Between Little Petra and Wadi Araba Helianthemum vesicarium subshrub with large pink fls. Scattered at Wadi Dana

COMPOSITAE Aaronsohnia factorovskyi cotula-like yellow button fls. Desert in Wadi-Araba Achillea biebersteinii largish yellow milfoil heads of bright yellow fls. Common in north Achillea santolina rather smaller milfoil heads of yellow fls. Common in Edom Asteriscus pygmaeus stemless yellow fls surrounded by leafy bracts, squat. Scattered in Edom Calendula arvensis typical orange often black-centred small marigold of fields. Widespread Centaurea eryngioides elegant chasmophyte with purple-pink fls atop straw coloured phyllaries, these with strong side spines. Widespread in Edom etc Centaurea hyalolepis spikey strongly branched knapweed with bright yellow fls set between braches. Common in the north Centaurea pallescens rather similar to hyalolepis but with pale creamy fls Centaurea procurrens similar to procurrens. Noted near al-Turra on the Syria border Chardinia orientalis yellowish (pink in Turkey!) flowers set amid upright phyllaries – an 'everlasting'. Widespread Chrysanthemum segetum yellow crown daisy. Roadsides near Mujib Cichorium itybus chicory. Scattered in the north Cnicus benedictus nearltystemless yellow thistle with large involucral bracts. Scattered in Edom Crupina crupinastrum purple fl 'saw-wort'. Widespread and common in the north polyceras small headed globe thistle. Scattered in Edom Geropogon hybridus pink fl salsify with one row of ligules. Scattered in north Gundelia tournefortii greeny-yellow-brown fl thistle. Scattered throughout Gymnarrhena micrantha very strange stemless plant of sandy areas with almost cyperus looking fls half between lanceolate lves. Often placed in its own family Gymnarrhenaceae. Scattered in Edom and Araba Valley. Helichrysum sanguineum red flowered pussytoes. Scattered in the north Lactuca serriola noted by hotel in Wadi Musa

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Lasiopogon muscoides strange paronychia-like asteracean, bundles of silvery pompoms on the sand! Wadi Dana and Petra area Leysera leyseroides Phagnalon-like spreading plant. Between Little Petra and Wadi Araba Notobasis syriaca Med thistle with red-purple infl surrounded by long spikey bracts Onopordum carduiforme typical Onopordum. Roadsides in the north Pallenis spinosa small-medium yellow daisy with large subtending bracts with spines at tips. Scattered in the north Phagnalon rupestre yellow button fls on top of brown phyllaries. Rocks and rocky places in north Picris radicata wadi rum Reichardia tingitana Tolpis-like dandelion. Widespread Rhagadiolus edulis yellow hawkbit with spikey curved fruit. Near Karak Rhagadiolus stellatus yellow hawkbit with curved fruit. Widespread Scorzonera multiscapa white fl large-ish salsify. Scattered in the north Scorzonera papposa large pink fl salsify. Widespread particularly in the north Senecio vernalis yellow groundsel with rayed flowers. Widespread Silybum marianum med thistle with purple fls and milky marbled leaves. Widespread, common in the north Tragopogon coelesyriacus small pinky salsify with very long pointy bracts. Scattered in north Tragopogon collinus larger salsify. Wadi Dana

CONVULVULACEAE Convolvulus althaeoides scrambling pink bindweed, leaves divided. Widespread Convolvulus siculus tiny blue white-cenred bindweed. Rajib area Cuscuta spp several species noted, mosttlysmall white ones!

CRASSULACEAE Sedum rubens tiny reddish flowered and pink lves. Scatteredin north Umbilicus intermedius navelwort. Common in north

CRUCIFERAE Arabis nova purple cress. Scattered in the north Arabis verna purple cress. Widespread in the north Biscutella didyma widespread and very common. In fruit Brassica nigra widespread Capsella bursa-pastoris shepherd's purse. Scattered throughout Chorispora purpurascens shiny purple flowers, calyx saccate. Under trees at Wadi Dana Crambe orientalis large white crucifer, bushy. Roadsides Descurainia sophia flixweed. Scattered Eruca sativa raddish. Veined yellowish flowers. Widespread Erucaria boveana pink stock, frequent in Wadi Rum area Fibigia clypeata yellow fl med crucifer, seeds oval discs, hairy. Scattered, mostly Edom Hesperis pendula matthiola-like, pinkish fls, pendulous fruits. Rajib area Isatis lusitanica woad. Hanging fruits. Wadi Dana Malcolmia africana straggly, small pink fls, long fruits. Scattered Matthiola livida Wadi Rum

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Matthiola longipetala greeny-brown fls, fragrant at night. Widespread Matthiola tricuspidata pink or white fls. Common in Edom, especially Wadi Dana Ricotia lunaria pretty pink or white low growing scree dweller. Scattered, commonest in Rajib Sinapis arvensis scattered along roadsides Sisymbrium officinale scattered along roadsides Thlaspi perfoliatum widespread Torularia torulosa straggly small white fl crucifer with distinctive fruits Zilla spinosa spikey glaucous shrub with purple fls. Near Sewage Farm at Little Petra

CUCURBITACEAE Bryonia cretica widespread, not in flower Citrullus colocynthis melon-like fruit, sprawling plant with dissect leaves. Sandy deserts, Wadi Araba Ecballium elaterium Squirting Cucumber. Noted between Little Petra and Wadi Araba

CUPRESSACEAE Cupressus sempervirens Tree of Life. Scattered, planted Juniperus phoenicea juniper. Locally dominant in Barra Forest at Wadi Dana

CYPERACEAE Carex pachystylis locally common in Edom

DIPSACACEAE Knautia bidens blue scabious. Ajloun Pterocephalus brevis another blue scabious. Near Sewage Farm, near Little Petra Scabiosa palaestina white scabious. Locally common in the north Scabiosa porphyroneura creamy scabious. Great fruits! Scattered in Edom Scabiosa prolifera creamy scabious. Rijab area

EPHEDRACEAE Ephedra foemina climbing joint pine. Scattered in the north. Also a shrubby species present

EQUISETACEAE Equisetum ramosissimum Wadi Dana

ERICACEAE Arbutus andrachne Strawberry Tree. Locally common in the north

EUPHORBIACEAE Euphorbia chamaepeplus tiny often purplish species. Dry areas. Scattered Euphorbia densa subshrub with b right green flowering heads topping low (spiny?) bushes. Common in Edom Euphorbia helioscopia ruderal. Scattered Euphorbia hierosolymitana Rajib Euphorbia peplus small annual ruderal. Scattered

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Mercurialis annua dogs mercury. scattered Ricinus communis castor oil plant. Naturalized along roadsides

FAGACEAE Quercus coccifera spikey evergreen oak. Locally dominant in higher areas of the north Quercus ithaburensis deciduous oak, rather small, scattered in northern hills

FUMARIACEAE Fumaria densiflora Ajloun Fumaria parviflora Rajib. Fumitories were not really dealt with on this trip!

GERANIACEAE Erodium cicutarium scattered Erodium gruinum large bluish fl. Widespread and common in the north Erodium hirtum fine rich pink fls with dark centre. Sewage Farm near Little Petra Erodium laciniatum Sewage Farm near Little Petra Erodium malacoides pinnate leaves, at least at bases. Weedy. Widespread Geranium lucidum Shining Cranesbill. Widespread, particularly in the north Geranium purpureum Little Robin.small pink flowers, Herb Robert-like foliage. Scattered throughout Geranium rotundifolium small pink flowers, rounded leaves. Scattered Geranium tuberosum largish pink darker veined fls. Widespread, esp drier areas

GLOBULARIACEAE Globularia arabica Sewage Farm near Little Petra

GRAMINEAE Aegilops sp widespread Arundo donax locally common! Briza maxima Ajloun Cynosurus elegans widespread in north Dactylis glomerata Ajloun Cynodon dactylon Sewage Farm near Little Petra Lagurus ovatus Dibbin Lamarckia aurea Widespread

IRIDACEAE Gladiolus atroviolaceus dark purple gladioli. Scattered throughout in crops Gladiolus italicus pink gladioli. Scattered, mostly in crops Gynandriris sisyrinchium barbary nut. Small blue iris opening in the afternoon. Widespread Iris bostrensis true 'bostrensis' was only seen near al-Hamra close to the Syrian border. This species has a very narrow distribution being found only here and for around a hundred km or so on the Syrian side of the border. The population at As-Sahat Power Station looked to be an intergrade between this species and Iris nigricans. Iris edomensis a juno iris. Not seen in flower, already well in seed. Scattered in Edom Iris germanica large blue-purple iris, mostly in gardens or naturalized

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Iris haynei a black iris. Just one or two left in flower at Rajib. Formerly this population was included in Iris atrofusca and it has also been given specific status as 'gileadensis' etc. Iris nigricans Black Iris. The Jordanian National Flower. Spectacular populations of this usually very black (shot with pink/purple) iris seen on the outskirts of Amman and near Rabba. The latter population included orange, peachy and pale pink variants! Iris petrana another black iris. Very fine populations seen near Wadi Dana with good variation, the tall stems with large flowers above small curved glaucous leaves. Also seen near al-Tafila and between Petra and the Desert Highway

LABIATAE Acinos rotundifolius small pink-purple fls. Scattered Ajuga chia ground pine. Widespread Ajuga orientalis architectural spires covered in white hairs and with very small blue fls. Ajloun Ballota undulata clumps of pale lime-green spikes(the calyxes). Scattered throughout Eremostachys laciniata tall spikes of white brown-tipped fls, deeply laciniate dark green leaves. Scattered Lallemantia iberica small spike of tiny purple-pink fls. Widespread Lamium amplexicaule Rajib Lamium moschatum local white dead nettle. Scattered Marrubium vulgare whorls of small white flowers. Scattered Micromeria nervosa small spikes of tiny pink flowers in globose whorls all covered in long hairs. Scattered, common in the north Phlomis platystegia whorls of large yellow flowers. Wide quite long bracts. Wadi Dana Phlomis sp whorls of large yellow flowers. Wide bracts as long as calyx. Hispid hairy. Wadi Mujib Phlomis syriaca fewer fl whorls of yellow flowers, sparser taller infl. Wadi Dana Phlomis viscosa whorls of large yellow flowers. Viscid. Rajib Prasium majus scattered in the north Salvia ceratophylla white fls, creamy yellow lip. Leaves pinnatisect. Between Little Petra and Araba Valley Salvia dominica white flowers with yellow lip. Basal leaves entire. Scattered in northern hills Salvia hierosolymitana beautiful medium salvia with red and white, or just wine-red fls. Widespread in the north Salvia indica stunning large salvia with blue fls these with brown and white lips looking like bees gone to roost. Noted near Ajlun and ?????? Salvia lanigera pretty small very white hairy sage with blue flowers. Scattered in Edom Salvia multicaulis clump forming sage with expanded wine red calyxes. Scattered in Edom Salvia pinardii large lime green infl calyxes, fls blue wit white spotting on lip, sub- shrubby. Scattered iin Edom Salvia palaestina white fl branched sage. Widespread Salvia fruticosa med branched sage with purple-blue fls. Hills in north

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Salvia verbenaca small blue and white fl sage. Wadi Dana Salvia viridis small blue fl sage with topknot of bright purple-blue bracts. Scattered Stachys aegyptiaca Wadi Rum Stachys cretica sparse white/grey hairy plant with pink fls. Ajloun Stachys neurocalycina small, pretty, pinky-red stachys. Scattered in hills Teucrium polium scattered Ziziphora capitata small square headed plant with pink/purple fls. Scattered throughout

LEGUMINOSAE Acacia raddiana small flat topped acacia with obvious trunk. Wadi Araba Acacia tortilis small acacia with many trunks coming from base. Wadi Araba Alhagi maurorum camel thorn. Not in flower. scattered Anagyris foetida big shrub with trifoliate lves. Not in fl. Scattered in north Astragalus asterias prostrate with small pale mauve heads, turning to obvious star shaped fruit, four or five armed Astragalus callichrous tallish purple. Wadi Dana Astragalus cretaceus fine deep red spikes coming from a base where grey flety pinnate leaflets emerge too. Wadi Dana Astragalus epiglottis sp with tiny pale mauve fls and spikey (starry) fruit in axils of leaves. Dibben Astragalus macrocephalus ?large sp with yellow flowers in heads below tall arcing pinnate leaves, this year in seed. In fields above Dibben Astragalus platyraphus acaulescent sp with bright yellow fls at base of pinnate leafs, these with orange rachis. Shawbak Castle area Astragalus sanctus purple/pink/white rather long flsin sparse infl. Common in Wadi Dana Astragalus spinosus very spiny subshrub with inflated pink fruits. Widespread Astragalus tribuloides prostrate with small white fls. Widespread in Edom Calycotome villosa yellow spiny broom. Scattered in Edom Cassia italica herb with large pinnate leaves, leaflets ovate, large 'open' yellow fls. Desert in Wadi Araba Coronilla scorpioides widespread, especially in the north Hippocrepis bicontorta horseshoe vetch with amazing 'double contorted' fruits almost forming a ball. Desert in Wadi Araba Hippocrepis unisiliquosa small horseshoe vetch with single yellow fls. Widespread Hymenocarpos circinnatus disc fruits. Widespread Lathyrus annus orange fls- large-ish. Noted near Syrian border. Lathyrus aphaca large amplexicaule lves, small single yellow fls. Ajloun Lathyrus blepharicarpus large—ish orange-red fls. Scattered in the north Lathyrus cicera large brick fls, pod with wavy raised suture along the side. Between Sewage Farm and Wadi Araba Lathyrus hierosolymitanus medium orange fls with strong veining.Widespread, especially in the north Lathyrus spatulatus pretty blue fls in a lax spike. Scattered in the north Lotus collinus scattered in the north Lotus halophilus desert sands in Wadi Araba

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Lotus peregrinus scattered in the north Medicago intertexta Dibben Medicago laciniata Wadi Araba Medicago orbicularis scattered, mostly in the north Medicago polymorpha Dibben Medicago rotata scattered throughout Medicago sativa scattered Medicago turbinata Dibben Melilotus indicus small yellow melilot. Scattered in the north Onobrychis aequidentata small prostrate pea with single pink fls. Widespread Onobrychis kotschyana pretty pink fls in a spike. Scattered, mostly in the north Onobrychis squarrosa scattered throughout Onobrychis wettsteinii pretty large pale fls veined orange, ovate lfts often strongly patterned. Scattered throughout Ononis biflora small white fls the standard pink tipped. Scattered in the north Ononis natrix the largish yellow fl restharrow around Petra seemed to be a form of this widespread species Ononis ornithopodioides leafy restharrow with small yellow fls. Scattered throughout Ononis pubescens the common largish yellow fl restharrow in the north Ononis reclinata small white fls the keel tipped pink. Common in Edom Ononis serrata pink fls. Noted near the Syrian border Phsyanthyllis tetraphylla was Anthyllis tetraphylla. In seed, the inflated seedpods distinctive Pisum fulvum dusky pink/brown fls. Syrian border area Pisum sativum pink and blue rather large fls. Scattered throughout Pisum syriacum Syrian border area Psoralea bituminosa foetid. Hard stemmed, purple fls. Scattered in north Psoralea flaccida more compact, lilac fls. Common in Edom Retama raetam broom with tiny white fls, mostly over. Scattered throughout Scorpiurus muricata small yell fls, distinctive elliptical leaves Tetragonolobus requienii small yellow fls. Ajloun Trifolium campestre small yellow heads. Common in north Trifolium clypeatum clavate heads of creamy fls, turning to starry fruit. Widespread, especially in the north Trifolium eriosphaerum small pinkish heads, furry rounded heads in fruit. Ajloun Trifolium palaestina white clover sp. Dibben Trifolium pilulare in fruit spherical furry fruits! Scattered in the north Trifolium purpureum pretty long pinky-purple headed clover. Very common in the north Trifolium resupinatum small pink heads. Very common in the north Trifolium stellatum small creamy heads, fruit turning starry. Scattered in the north Trifolium tomentosum small pink heads, spherical fluffy fruits, scattered in the north Trigonella arabica white fenugreek. Common in dry areas near Syrian border Trigonella cylindracea small yellow fenugreek. Wadi Dana Trigonella kotschyi medium yellow floriferous fenugreek. Very common in the north Trigonella monspeliaca scattered in the north Trigonella stellata small yellow fenugreek. Between Sewage Farm and Wadi Araba Vicia hybrida pale yellow single flowers with hairy back to standard. Widespread, especially in the north Vicia narbonensis solid leafy vetch with dark fls. Scattered

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Vicia palaestina small tare with purple and white fls. Widespread Vicia peregrina I've put the common blue and white fl vetch under this species though it looked more like bithynica! Vicia sativa pink/red flowered vetch. Widespread

LILIACEAE Allium erdelii pale yellow rather open fl sp. Noted near al-Hamra near Syrian border Allium hierochunticum very fine small blue fl sp. Noted near al-Hamra near Syrian border Allium neapolitanum white fl sp. Scattered in sheltered areas Allium orientale dark fls. Near al-Sharat Power Station Allium stamineum in bud. Near al-Hamra near Syrian border Allium trifoliatum white fl sp. Common in wooded areas in north Androcymbium palaestinum noted in fruit at several localities Asparagus acutifolius scattered in north Asphodeline brevicaulis branches buffy-yellow fl asphodel. Ajloun Asphodeline lutea Tall yellow/orange unbranched asphodel. Shawbak Castle & near Rabba Asphodelus aestivus in leaf. Common in north Asphodelus fistulosus small tufted white fl asphodel. Scattered in north Asphodelus tenuior very small white fl asphodel. Wadi Araba Asphodelus viscidulus small. Wadi Rum Bellevalia eigii small dirty-white fl hyacinth. Very common in the north, mostly over Fritillaria libanotica probably just a form of Fritillaria persica. Large populations of recently gone-over fls near Karak Fritillaria persica in fruit in various places in the north Gagea commutata very long-acuminate . Widespread, all in seed except near Shawbak Castle Gagea reticulata shorter less acute tepals, fibrous sheath around stem rises to ground level. Scattered, in flower still at Barra Forest Hyacinthella nervosa in seed on approach to Wadi Araba from Little Petra Leopoldia bicolor good population in flower at Barra Forest Leopoldia deserticola several in flower at al-Hamra Leopoldia eburenea long greenish flowers tipped dark violet. Presumably this species east of Wadi Musa in semi-desert Muscari comosum only noted below Dibben Muscari pulchellum grape-hyacinth type with perianth lobes not white tipped. Al- Hamra Ornithogalum divergens typical white star-of-bethlehem with narrow lves. Scattered in the north Ornithogalum narbonense medium spicate star-of-bethlehem. Widespread in the north Ornithogalum neurostegium star-of-bethlehem with hairy leaves (except large-leaved subsp eigii noted at Barra Forest), nominate scattered throughout Scilla hyacinthoides Rajib area Tulipa agenensis noted in seed at Ajloun Tulipa systola noted in seed at Wadi Mujib Urginea maritima leaves noted abundantly throughout

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LINACEAE Linum mucronatum yellow flax. Below Dibben Linum pubescens pink flax. Quite common in the north

LORANTHACEAE Loranthus acaciae startling reddish fl parasite on acacias. Wadi Araba Viscum cruciatum red-berried mistletoe. Above Dana Village

MALVACEAE Alcea acaulis stemless pink hollyhock. Barra and near Rabba Alcea setosa pink hollyhock with palmate leaves. Scattered almost throughout Lavatera cretica scattered. Looks like Malva sylvestris but 3 epicalyx lobes united at base, in latter 1-3 free epicalyx lobes Lavatera punctata Madaba Malva neglecta small mallow with petals around 1cm. Scattered in the north Malva parviflora tiny prostrate mallow with pale pink 5mm petals. Little Petra area Malva sylvestris widespread and locally abundant

MORACEAE Ficus carica fig. locally common, especially in the north Ficus pseudo-sycomorus or Ficus sycomorus? – gorges at and around Petra

NEURADACEAE Neurada procumbens strange prostrate plant with distinctive radial drum like fruits. In fruit in Wadi Araba. Also Wadi Rum

OLEACEAE Fraxinus syriacus Rajib area Olea europaea widespread as cultivated Olive

ORCHIDACEAE Cephalanthera longifolia sword-leaved helleborine. Scattered throughout in the north Epipactis veratrifolia eastern marsh helleborine. Tall with orange, chocolate and butterscotch fls. On seepages on cliffs along shores of Dead Sea where this year had gone over Limodorum abortivum violet limodore. Tall saprophyte with large purple and white fls. Dibben and Rajib areas Ophrys bornmuelleri green and brown bee orchid with square fls. Below Dibben Ophrys transhyracana large dark elliptical flwrd bee orchid similar to mammosa. Dibben Ophrys umbilicata small pale many-fl bee orchid. Dibben Orchis anatolica long spurred pink fl orchid. Scattered in the north Orchis papilionacea a small fl subspecies. Just about over below Dibben – leader only in flower (IG)! Orchis tridentata scattered in the north including some large-flowered commutata-like forms

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OROBANCHACEAE Cistanche salsa in bud in Wadi Araba. Also Wadi Rum Orobanche aegyptiaca As-Sahat power station Orobanche cernua bluish-mauve rather dark branched broomrape. Scattered, particularly in the Edom area Orobanche ramosa blue branched broomrape. Scattered in the north

PAPAVERACEAE Glaucium arabicum orange-fl poppy. Rajib Glaucium corniculatum yellow-orange fl poppy. Scattered Glaucium grandiflorum red fl and long fr poppy. Locally common in the north Hypecoum imberbe rather small fl hypecoum, scattered in the north Hypecoum pendulum similar, but fruits obviously pendulus. Scattered in south Hypecoum procumbens large bright fl hypecoum. Widespread Papaver argemone bristly fruited med red fl poppy. Barra Forest Papaver humile neat shining red fl poppy. Haia’s garden near Amman Papaver polytrichum largish red-mauve fl poppy. Near Little Petra Papaver syriacum med-large red fl poppy. Widespread in north Roemeria hybrida small purple fl poppy. Widespread

PINACEAE Pinus halepensis throughout

PLANTAGINACEAE Plantago afra a many-headed plantain. Widespread in north Plantago cretica a squat many-headed plantain. Scattered Plantago notata short, elliptical leaves, darkish head. Little Petra area

PLATANACEAE Platanus orientalis Dibben

POLYGALACEAE Polygala monspeliaca small annual milkwort. Rajib Polygala sinaica shrubby milkwort with purple and off white fls. Barra Forest & Little Petra area

POLYGONACEAE Rumex cyprius Rajib Rumex vesicarius infl red frs. Barra Forest

PRIMULACEAE Anagallis arvensis scarlet (blue) pimpernel. Widespread Cyclamen persicum widespread in the north

RAFFLESIACEAE (CYTINACEAE) Cytinus hypocistis acaulecent parasitic herb. Dibben

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RANUNCULACEAE Adonis aestivalis small scarlet fls with black centre. Scattered throughout Adonis annua smaller orange-red fls. Scattered Adonis dentata yellow-orange fl pheasant’s-eye. Widespread Adonis microcarpa small scarlet fls with black centre. Locally common in north Adonis palaestina med scarlet fls. Scattered in north. The larger fl Adonis aleppica apparently not flowering much this year! Anemone coronoria scarlet fls, no sepals. Widespread, esp in north, but hardly any still in flower Ceratocephalus falcatus small buttercup-like fls, seedheads of many falcate achenes. Litytle Petra area Clematis cirrhosa in leaf only, scattered in the north Delphinium peregrinum in leaf only, scattered in the north Ranunculus arvensis small annual buttercup, achenes spikey. Rajib Ranunculus asiaticus large red flowered buttercup. Widespread, locally dominant in the north Ranunculus damascenus med yellow buttercup, leaves hairy and trisect. Locally common in the north Ranunculus ficaria leaves noted at Rajib Ranunculus macrorhyncus similar to damascenus, frs much longer beaked. Barra Forest Ranunculus marginatus small yellow fl, annual buttercup, achenes knobbly. Rajib Ranunculus millefolius finely dissect almost pinnate lfts. Widespread in the north

RESEDACEAE Ochradenus baccatus near Al-Karak Reseda alba Ajloun Reseda decurvisa near Al-Karak Reseda lutea widespread

ROSACEAE Amygdalus korschinskyi shrubby almond. Rajib Crataegus aronia hawthorn with downy leaves. Scattered in the north Sanguisorba minor salad burnet. Dibben Sarcopoterium spinosum thick spiny sub-shrub, locally dominant throughout

RUBIACEAE Asperula arvensis blue fls. Scattered Callipeltis cucullaria tiny with ‘hanging’ fls. Scattered Cruciata articulata a crossword. ?Probably this species near Little Petra Galium aparine goosegrass, cleavers. Sticky. Scattered Rubia peregrine a madder. Scattered throughout Valantia hispida Rajib

SANTALACEAE Osyris alba ephedra-like shrub, 3-parted fls. Barra Forest

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SCROPHULARIACEAE Kickxia aegyptiaca branched yellow-fl fluellen. Rajib and al-Karak Linaria haelava very pretty dwarf blue or white fl toadflax with compact infl. Sands in Wadi Araba. Also Wadi Rum Linaria simplex strict toadflax with tiny yellow fls. Scattered Parentucellia flaviflora probably just a form of latifolia? Common in the north Scrophularia nabataeorum greeny-yellow fl scroph. Rocks around Petra Scrophularia rubricaulis Rajib Scrophularia xylorrhiza woody-based chasmophyte with typical scroph fls. Barra Forest Verbascum sinuatum leaves only – al-Hamra area Veronica anagallis-aquatica pinkish water forget-me-not. Rajib Veronica cymbalaria sprawling white forget-me-not. Scattered Veronica syriaca pretty bright blue and white forget-me-not with unequal petals. Widespread, especially in the north

SINOPTERIDACEAE Cheilanthes pteridioides tiny fern. Rocks in the north

SMILACACEAE Smilax aspera clambering thorny vine. Dibben

SOLANACEAE Hyoscyamus aureus golden henbane. Chasmophyte. Widespread, especially in Edom Hyoscyamus pusillus small yellow and purple fl henbane. Wadi Araba Hyoscyamus reticulates henbane with creamy reticulate veined fls. Scattered Lycium sp pretty purple fl sp in Wadi Araba Nicotiana glauca tall glaucous lvd, tubular yellow fl shrub. Zarqa river near Amman Solanum sinaicum white fl. Petra

STYRACACEAE Styrax officinalis scattered in the north

TAMARICACEAE Tamarix aphylla Zarqa river near Amman. Other species certainly present, especially in the south

THYMELAEACEAE Daphne linearifolia scattered in Edom – in leaf Thymelaea hirsuta locally common in Edom

UMBELLIFERAE Ainsworthia cordata flat-topped white fl corymbs with outer petals enlarged. Ajloun Ainsworthia trachycarpa flat-topped white fl corymbs with outer petals much enlarged. Widespread in the north Artedia squamata flat-topped white fl corymbs with central steel-blue ‘fly’! Rajib Astoma seselifolium white-pink fls, finely divided leaves, small. Widespread, especially in the north

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Bupleurum lancifolium long elliptical lves, yellowish fl heads. Scattered Chaetosciadium trichospermum dwarf umbel with very bristly-hairy frs. Syrian border areas and Rabba Falcaria vulgaris scattered – in leaf only Ferula sp at least one species seen Lagoecia cuminoides ‘fluffy’ flowerheads! Rajib Lecockia cretica in leaf, common in the north Malabaila secacul yellow-fl umbel with pinnasect leaves. Common in Edom Prangos goniocarpa large fruited big umbel with finely dissect foliage. Rajib Scandix stellata long ting frs in star-like head. Barra Forest Tordylium syriacum flat-topped white fl corymbs with outer petals enlarged. Ajloun Torilis leptophylla Ajloun Turgenia latifolia widespread in north Zosima absinthifolia large flat topped heads of white fls, main plant stemless, corymb pedicels coming from the ground. Scattered in Edom and Barra

URTICACEAE Urtica pilulifera widespread

VALERIANACEAE Valeriana sisymbriifolia in seed at Ajloun Valerianella sp noted!

ZYGOPHYLLACEAE Fagonia glutinosa small spikey fagonia, sticky. Wadi Araba Fagonia latifolia wadi rum! Fagonia mollis large fl fagonia, sub-shrub. Al-Karak. Also Wadi Rum Nitraria retusa bush with glaucous glabrous leaves wider near tip than base. Al- Karak area Peganum harmala smelly green foliage, white fls. Common in dry parts of Edom Tribulus longipetalus yellow fls, star-shaped seeds. Wadi Araba – in fruit Zygophyllum simplex succulent sp with small yellow fls. Wadi Araba

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Systematic List Number 2 Birds

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis One at Aqaba Bird Observatory Little Egret Egretta garzetta Aqaba Bird Observatory Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Aqaba Bird Observatory White Stork Ciconia ciconia Aqaba Bird Observatory and one near Kerak Shoveler Anas clypeata Quite a few at Aqaba Bird Observatory Garganey Anas querquedula Four at Aqaba Bird Observatory Black Kite Milvus migrans Widespread Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus One near Syrian border and a male east of Wadi Musa Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Widespread at times well away from water on passage Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus One near Rabba Common/Steppe Buteo buteo Huge numbers on migration including spiraling Buzzard kettles of 100s birds, maybe 3000 went over at Petra! Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus A few at Wadi Rajib Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus Scattered and widespread Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina One near Petra Steppe Eagle Aqula nipalensis Two near Petra Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus A pair near Petra Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Scattered, pale phase bird at Wadi Rum Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes Two at Aqaba Bird Observatory Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Widespread Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Widespread Chukar Alectoris chukar One at Dana Sand Partridge Ammoperdix heyi One at Wadi Rum (also Petra IOB) Quail Coturnix coturnix A few flushed near Syrian Border, also two at Wadi Rum Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Calling at Aqaba Bird Observatory Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Aqaba Bird Observatory Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Wadi Rum by a shallow pool Spur-winged Plover Vanellus Aqaba Bird Observatory Ruff Philomachus pugnax One at Aqaba Bird Observatory Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Aqaba Bird Observatory Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Aqaba Bird Observatory. More slender and pale than previous species Lesser Black-backed Larus fuscus Aqaba Gull Slender-billed Gull Larus genei Aqaba Bird Observatory Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Aqaba Bird Observatory Common Tern Sterna hirundo Aqaba Sandwich Tern Sterna Aqaba Rock Dove Columba livia Widespread, with some ‘real’ birds in rocky areas

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Collared Dove Streptopelia decaoto Widespread Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Abundant Cuckoo Cuculus canorus One at Dana, heard occasionally elsewhere Scops Owl Otus scops Heard at Dana Common Swift Apus apus Near Syrian Border Pallid Swift Apus pallidus Petra Alpine Swift Apus melba Petra European Bee-eater Merops apiaster Many on migration at Wadi Rum, also Aqaba Bird Observatory Blue-cheeked Bee- Merops superciliosus 1 north side of Wadi Mujib eater Hoopoe Upupa epops Widespread Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus Dibben Wryneck Jynx torquilla Wadi Rum Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra Syrian border and Rabba Short-toed Lark Calandrella Rabba and Wadi Mujib where a flock of 50+ brachydactyla Crested Lark Galerida cristata Widespread Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes Wadi Araba Desert Lark Eremophila alpestris Common in desert areas Sand Martin Riparia riparia Scattered on migration Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne Common and widespread in south Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris A few among the former species near Petra Swallow Hirundo rustica Very common Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Scattered and widespread Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus A few at Aqaba Long-billed Pipit Anthus similes Widespread Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla (flava) feldegg Aqaba Grey-heaeded Wagtail Motacilla (flava) Aqaba White Wagtail Motacilla alba Widespread Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Great views at Petra, also Dana Bluethroat Luscinia svecica One at Aqaba Bird Observatory Blackstart Cercomela melnura Rocky areas, e.g. Petra, Dead Sea Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus A couple of migration near Petra White-crowned Black Oenanthe leucopyga Wadi Rum Wheatear Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina Scattered Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Scattered Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica Dana Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschii A male east of Wadi Musa Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens Widespread in drier areas e.g. Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib, Petra Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius Widespread e.g. Petra, Dana Blackbird Turdus merula Common in the northern woodlands Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti Near Amman Graceful Warbler Prinia gracilis Near Amman and Aqaba Bird Observatory

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Scrub Warbler Scotocera inquieta Dana, Petra, etc Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida Widespread on passage Upcher’s Warbler Hippolais languida Wadi Araba Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala A few in the north Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis Scattered on passage Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Very common on passage Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Widespread Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Widespread Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Wadi Rum Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli Wadi Araba and Wadi Rum Arabian Babbler Turdoides squamiceps 1 Wadi Araba Palestine Sunbird Nectarinia osea Widespread in scrubby dry areas e.g. Dana Blue Tit Parus caeruleus Scattered Great Tit Parus major Northern areas Spectacled (Yellow- Pycnonotus xanthopygos Widespread vented) Bulbul Great Grey Shrike Lanius collurio Near Wadi Rajib Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor Near Wadi Rajib Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator Widespread on passage Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus One at Wadi Rum Jay Garrulus glandarius Common in northern woods Indian House Crow Corvus splendens Aqaba Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis Wadi Rum and east of Wadi Musa Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus Dead Sea, Petra Hooded Crow Corvus (corone) cornix Tristram’s Grackle Onychognathus tristramii Dead Sea and other dry areas House Sparrow Passer domesticus Abundant Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia Heard in places Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Syrian Serin Serinus syriacus A few at Dana Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Scattered Linnet Carduelis cannabina Widespread Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Widespread Sinai Rosefinch Carpodacus synoicus Seen very well at Wadi Rum, also Petra (c.12, IG only) and Little Petra Sewage Works (1) Cretzschmar’s Bunting Emberiza cineracea Dana Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana Dana, Rabba, etc Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra Common in northern arable areas

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Systematic List Number 3 Mammals

Rueppell’s Fox Vulpes rueppellii One seen at night one in broad daylight at Wadi Rum Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Night walks at Dana and Petra Golden Jackal Canis aureus Glimpsed at night and two seen in daylight at Dana Egyptian Fruit Bat Rousettus aegyptiacus one seen flying above the Siq at Petra after dusk (IG only) Desert Hedgehog Hemiechinus aethiopicus a roadkill noted north of Jerash

Systematic List Number 4 Reptiles & Amphibians

Levantine Frog Rana bedriagae local vicariant of Marsh Frog. Zarqa River

Spur-thighed Tortoise Testudo graeca scattered throughout Stripe-necked Terrapin Mauremys caspia Zarqa River Spotted Fan-footed Gecko Ptyodactylus guttatus 1 near Little Petra Levant Fan-footed Gecko Ptyodactylus puiseuxi 1 Wadi Mujib (IG only) Starred Agama Laudakia stellio widespread and common Sinai Agama Pseudotrapelus sinaitus spectacular bright blue males seen at Petra (IG only) and near Litrle Petra where a female also seen Daudin’s Spiny-footed Lizard Acanthodacylus boskianus Little Petra area Acanthodacylus opheodurus Wadi Araba in sand dunes Kulzer’s Rock Lizard Lacerta kulzeri common in Edom Lacerta laevis scattered in the north Levant Green Lizard Lacerta media Oron caught a male near Ajloun Short-snouted Desert Racer Mesalina brevirostris 1 east of Wadi Musa Small-spotted Desert Racer Mesalina guttulata locally common in Edom Snake-eyed Lizard Ophisops elegans common throughout Rueppell’s Snake-eyed Skink Ablepharus rueppellii Ajloun where several Worm Snake Typhlops vermicularis one under stones at Ajloun Jan’s Desert Racer Coluber rhodoachis dead one seen near Little Petra

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Systematic List Number 5 Butterflies

Identifications are based on knowledge of Turkish butterflies, we don’t have any literature on what is actually present in Jordan.

Swallowtail sp Papilio sp probably machaon. 1 at Rajib ‘Eastern Festoon’ Zerynthia sp maybe cerisyi? Rajib Large White Pieris brassicae scattered Pieris sp widespread Eastern Bath White Pontia edusa widespread Small Bath White Pontia chlorodice noted near Syrian border Green-striped White Euchloe belemia 1 noted near Syrian border Eastern Greenish Black-tip Elphinstonia penia scattered throughout, locally common Clouded Yellow Colias crocea widespread Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas scattered Long-tailed Blue Lampides boeticus 1 at Petra Eastern Short-tailed Blue Cupido decoloratus 1 at Petra Brown Argus Aricia agestis Rajib Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Scattered, commonest in the north Mazarine Blue Cyaniris semiargus Rajib Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus Amman Public Beach Painted Lady Vanessa cardui widespread, common, locally abundant Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta scattered in the north Queen of Spain Fritillary Issoria lathonia Rajib Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia 1 near al-Hamra Spotted fritillary sp Melitaea ssp Dibben & Rajib Lesser Spotted Fritillary Melitaea trivia Rajib and Syrian border area Melitaea punica scattered throughout African Ringlet Ypthima asterope Dibben Large Wall Brown Lasiommata maera 1 Rajib Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina common at Rajib Melanargia sp possibly hylata? common at Rajib Melanargia a more typical species. A few at Rajib Lulworth Skipper Thymelicus acteon Rajib Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola Rajib Pyrgus sp Rajib Pygmy Skipper Gegenes pumilio Rajib

Other invertebrates

Scorpions

Scorpion sp Leiurus quinquestriatus most common scorpion in Jordan ... highly toxic. Stephen found it under a rock at Barra Forest Scorpion sp Androctonus crassicauda an enormous beast found a night in Wadi Rum

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