There have been good numbers
of European Rollers in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia this autumn but
they seem to be moving across the country on a broad front as Viv Wilson also
saw good numbers in Tabuk in the northwest of the Kingdom last weekend. Viv had
a minimum of six birds on his local patch which was a good count for there
including what he thought may have been a family party of three birds, two
adults and a juvenile. Phil and I saw the largest numbers we have ever seen on
4 September at Ash Shargiyah Development Company Farm, near Jubail in the
Eastern Province with a minimum of 17 birds found including ten on a single
large pivot irrigation spray bar. Some birds were very approachable, which is
unusual for this species indicating they may have been very tiered new
migrants. The approachable nature allowed for some close up photographs to be taken
some of which are shown below. The species is an uncommon passage migrant to
Saudi Arabia with adults in spring and less commonly juveniles with the odd
adult in autumn.
