Whilst ringing in Jubail in November we
trapped and ringed a Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, a new ringing species for me. This was my 60 species ringed in Saudi Arabia. Birds are common in the area of our nets at the right time of year but as they
are generally high-flying birds we seldom if ever catch them. Blue-cheeked
Bee-eater is a common passage migrant seen in spring from March to May and in
autumn from mid-August to November. Small numbers can sometimes be seen in June
and December. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater is normally commoner than its close
relative the European Bee-eater in autumn but less common in spring.
