Phil and I went to Wadi Waj, a site
near the center of Taif. This site is a wastewater runoff stream that
permanently flows and has good growth of reeds and sedges nearby. It is a place
where Waxbill has been seen and where we saw two last summer. We went on the
hope of seeing the species again as they are not easy to locate and managed to
see the Waxbills soon after we arrive. They were in some sedges near the water
but flew off and than we saw a flock of about fifteen birds fly in and join
them. There were plenty of other birds about including Graceful Prinia’s and
plenty of Green Bee-eaters. On our return we located a Bruce’s Green Pigeon and
as it was getting dark we saw a Plain Nightjar fly over and saw it again a few
times over a filed across the stream from us. This site appears to a good one
for Plain Nightjar as well as we saw one here last summer. The nightjar rounded
off a good selection of birds at this site in the centre of Taif.
 |
| Arabian Waxbill |
 |
| Arabian Waxbill |
 |
| Bruce's Green Pigeon |
 |
| Green Bee-eater |