I have
recently received a few photographs from both Mansur Al Fahd and Viv
Wilson of various Wheatears from the north of the Kingdom. Manusr sent me
photos of a Finsch's Wheatear a species that is an
uncommon winter visitor to Northern Hejaz, Tabuk, Northern Deserts, Summan
Plateau and the northern Eastern Province where they have been recorded in all
months between late September and late March with late birds sometimes
occurring in early April. Viv has sent me photos of Eastern Mourning
Wheatear a species that is an uncommon winter visitor to the deserts and rock
outcrops of Central Arabia and the Gulf, that have also been seen rarely in the
Empty Quarter open desert. They are resident in northern and north central
areas of the country and occur mainly from October to March elsewhere, although
a few birds may stay until April. Viv also sent some photos of White-crowned
Wheatear a species that is a locally common breeding resident in dry rocky
areas that occurs in the Hejaz north from Taif,and the Asir south of Soudah and
Najran. The status in the south of the Kingdom is unclear as they were a fairly common breeding
resident at base of the escarpment until 1990 but now numbers have dropped
significantly, They also occur in the Tuwaiq escarpment
and locally in the Gulf especially around the Shedgum escarpment. Records from
the north of the country have come from Jauf, Hail, Harrat al Harrah Reserve
and Dawadimi. In the Riyadh are birds are a locally common breeding resident
with some movement within the region post-breeding and during the winter
months. I would like to thank both Mansur and Viv for allowing me to use their
photographs on my website.
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| Finsch's Wheatear |
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| Finsch's Wheatear |
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| Eastern Morning Wheatear |
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| White-crowned Wheatear |