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21 November 2021

African Openbill - Malaki (Jizan) Dam Lake

A pair of African Openbill were found in Malaki (Jizan) Dam Lake on 3 September 2021 a new species for Saudi Arabia. Phil Roberts and I had planned a trip to this area for some time and went 12 November. We heard the birds were still around at end of October and went to the area where they had been seen, but initially failed to locate them. On moving around the lake and looking at suitable vantage points we eventually found a single bird. After looking at it for some time it was joined by a second that emerged from behind a large set of reeds. We moved around the lake slightly to try to get closer and then found a third bird.