Phil Roberts was birding near Taif recently in the west of the Kingdom
and saw and photographed Yemen Linnet. This is close to the northernmost extent
of the species range where they are restricted to the Hejaz and Asir mountains.
Yemen Linnet Carduelis yemenensis is
a common resident of the southwest highlands, where their habitat preference is
for subtropical to tropical dry shrubland. They often frequent weedy terraced
fields that have been harvested, where it can be seen in flocks of up to 200
birds and can be seen to 3100 metres on the top of Jebal Soudah. It is also
recorded on the Raydah escarpment along the Raydah Pipeline Road, Al Jarrah and
Al Azah. In 1987 it was also common and widespread so there appears to have
been no change in its status during the last thirty years. Flocks have been
seen in the Baha area in the Golden Tulip valley where they frequent cultivated
areas and allotments. The species is also a common breeding resident, but
rather local, occurring in cultivated areas and juniper of the Hejaz and Asir
mountains.
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