Saud Randhava a local birdwatcher from Taif
recorded an adult Rose-coloured Starling Pastor
roseus whilst driving along the Taif to Riyadh road on 22 April approximately
500 kilometres from Riyadh. Rose-coloured Starling is a rare winter visitor to the
northern deserts and the Gulf region. It has been seen in the Harrat al Harrah
Reserve in May as well as in the North-west where one was seen at Yanbu
wastewater oasis 18 August 2000. Birds of Thumamah 1988-1994 state it is a scarce
early autumn migrant. Two juveniles in alfalfa fields 13 August 1989. Juvenile
11-14 September 1989. Two juveniles on dairy farm 20-22 August 1990. Six
juveniles in alfalfa fields 19-21 August 1993. The Birds of the Riyadh Region
(Stagg 1994) state is was a vagrant. 5 records only. 2 on 21 May and another on
28 May 1982 at Mansouriyah. 40 at the same location on 26 January 1990 (DM).
One was at Kharj fish and turf farm, Riyadh. In the Eastern Province it is a
rare migrant with less than twenty records. It has been seen from August to
October with a well marked peak in the second half of August almost all being
juveniles and single birds. There has only been on spring record at Abqaiq 1
May 1981. Records from the Eastern Province have
been from Abqaiq, Dhahran, Dammam and Haradh. I thank Saud for allowing me to use his details and photos my website.
