I found a wintering Masked Shrike a few weeks ago in Deffi Park, Jubail
that has been seen every weekend since by various birders and photographers.
The bird has kept faithful to a very small area of the park, and is also very
vocal, making it easier to see. The Masked Shrike is an uncommon but regular
passage migrant and increasingly regular winter visitor to Saudi Arabia. Winter
records have come from all areas of the Kingdom but are more common in the
southwest and the Eastern Province although they remain scarce at this time of
year in both areas. Birds pass mainly in April to May and September although
there are records from all months of the year and during this period they are
much commoner than they are in winter.
