The Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius is an uncommon
bird in Arabia although since 2006 additional birds have been located in the
Eastern province of Saudi Arabia near Jubail in August with the highest count
being ten birds together on 22 August 2008. Birds have been seen every year in
August near Jubail since 2006 with birds also seen in July from 2011 to date with
the earliest record on the 27 June 2014. On 1 July 2016, in the desert near
Jubail, Phil Roberts and I found 14 birds in two groups at different sites. Six
were at the first site and eight at the second. This is the second highest
count of the species for the country as 15 were seen in August 2015. The birds
are normally seen sitting in the shade under small bushes but some of the ones
we saw were alongside a track and out in the open. Many of these birds have
remained in the area until late July at least. Below are a number of photos of
some of the birds, many of which were in wing moult, possibly a reason for them being around?
