Viv Wilson sent photos form
his weekend birding at Tabuk, which he has kindly allowed me to use on my
website, and it included a surprise with photo of a male Cretzcshmar’s
Bunting. This is a rare bird in most of Saudi Arabia although where Viv lives
in the northwest they are uncommon migrants with some occasionally overwintering. This is a bird I
would truly love to find on my local ‘patch’ but the chances are very small as
there have only been a couple of records from the Eastern Province. I would not
mind seeing it anywhere in Saudi Arabia if the truth was told, as I have never
seen one anywhere. Other birds Viv photographed on his outing included Glossy
Ibis, European Bee-eaters, Spotted Flycathcers, Western Marsh Harriers and
Purple Heron.
Cretzschmar's Bunting - male |
European Bee-eaters |
Glossy Ibis |
Glossy Ibis |
Glossy Ibis |
Glossy Ibis |
Purple Heron |