Khalifah Al Dhaheri sent me details
of his trip last weekend to the Abha area where he managed to see an Arabian
Spotted Eagle Owl. This is an endemic species to southwestern Arabia and
although not rare is difficult to locate. Khalifah was given help by a local
birdwatcher to see the bird and he then managed to get a few excellent photos
of the bird that he has kindly allowed me to use on my website. Birds are resident
near the Red Sea coast north to Jeddah and can be seen in the Tihamah and Asir areas
including Najran and Hejaz north to Taif. Other birds have been seen in a
wooded wadi eight kilometres east of Wadi Juwwah in April near Tanumah at
various times of year. I have still to see this species but am going looking
again in a couple of weeks time so will, hopefully, have better luck this time.
