The Talea’a
Valley near Abha is in the Asir mountains in southwest Saudi Arabia and is a
large upland wadi with stony ground and acacia trees growing in the bottom. It
has had some good birds seen in it in recent years including Arabian Magpie,
although this species has not been seen there for many years. Recently
Blandfords Lark has been seen there and on our last visit we also found the
scarce African Pipit. A bird was seen song flighting over a rough area of short
grass and stones and is some distance from any other sighting of the species.
Other good birds seen in the area included very good numbers of Cinnamon-breasted
Buntings. The valley is hot and dry and any area of water attracts a steady
stream of birds in the summer coming down to dry so are worth looking at if
found. Small numbers of the endemic Arabian Wheatear and Arabian Woodpecker
have also been seen regularly in this valley making it an excellent birding
site. Ruppell's Weaver is a common resident of this valley and can always been seen in good numbers at any time of year.
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| African Pipit |
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| African Pipit |
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| African Pipit |
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| Cinnamon-breasted Bunting |
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| Ruppell's Weaver |