Mansur was back in his native Zulfi
area mid-November and managed to see some very good birds including two species
of Owl of which one would be new for me if I saw one. The first was a
Short-eared Owl that is a scarce winter visitor to all areas north of Jeddah,
Riyadh and Hofuf. This species is seldom seen in the Eastern Province and I
have not managed to locate one myself yet. The second was a Pharaoh Eagle Owl a
scarce but widespread breeding resident from Abqaiq, Hofuf, northern Hejaz,
Tabuk, Hail and Riyadh, nortwards. Not yet confirmed from Hejaz, Asir and
Tihamah. This species is much more regularly seen than Short-eared Owl but are
still great birds to see and make a good days birding when one is located. I
thank Mansur for sending me his beautiful photographs and for allowing me to
use them on my website, two of which are shown below.
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| Short-eared Owl |
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| Pharaoh Eagle Owl |