Whilst birdwatching Jubail in late February I came across a single male Blue Rock Thrush located next to a workers camp on the side of a road. This species is an uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor throughout Saudi Arabia mainly between March and May and again September to October. It is also a widespread but scarce winter visitor between October and March occurring throughout the kingdom except the sand seas and northern plains although it is generally not seen on the coast, with most birds moving well inland before settling as this bird did. This record is quite early as they are not normally seen until March and was seen on the ground as well as perched on the compound surround and buildings. I see this species every year but only in very small numbers, mainly on passage with my sightings more common in spring than autumn.
