14/01/2011 at Wadi Umm Al Rimam, SAANR

I visited the site with Brian and Mike & Sylvie Newey. We tried  to see Red-tailed Wheatear in an other wadi but for vain. Later on we arrived to wadi Umm Al Rimam where we saw immediately male Finsch’s Wheatear. Soon Redtailed Wheatear was discovered further down in the wadi. Before leaving the wadi system Mike and Sylvie picked up Little Owl that we haven’t seen for almost three years. Birds of The Middle East, second edition, treats it as an independent species, Lilith Owl (Athene lilith) The bird is srikingly pale and definetely its habitat here is very much different than in Europe so for good reasons it may gain species status in the near future.

Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschii فَقَاقَةٌ قَنْفَاءُ
Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschii فَقَاقَةٌ قَنْفَاءُ
Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia فَقَاقَةٌ حَمْرَاءُ ذَنَبٍ
Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia فَقَاقَةٌ حَمْرَاءُ ذَنَبٍ
Little Owl Athene (noctua) lilith صَدَى صَحْرَاوِيٌّ
Little Owl Athene (noctua) lilith صَدَى صَحْرَاوِيٌّ