Birds and Wildlife in Taba heights, Egypt

[exeter_uk]

Hi everyone,

I am lucky enough to be going on holiday to Taba Heights in Egypt in a few months time, and was hoping to see some wildlife whilst i am out there.

Does anyone have any tips on where to go and what i will be able to see, i will have the missus with me so the closer to the resort the better!

Thanks for any advice,

James

[Odonate]

Hi

If you can be more specific with the dates, I could probably tell you what migrants (if any) to expect. Otherwise, resident birds expect things like:

Yellow vented Bulbul
Tristrams Grackle
Blackstart
Sand Partridge
possibly Sandgrouse
Desert and Bar tailed Desert Larks
Laughing Dove
Little Green Bee eater
Graceful Prinia
Scrub Warbler
Hooded and Mourning Wheatear
Arabian Babbler

A few sea birds including possible White-eyed Gulls and some passing raptors as well as Barbary Falcon.

I'm not sure of specific sites for Taba but general Middle Eastern rules of looking for fresh water, wadis and grassy or scrubby areas (hotel gardens are usually best!) should find you a few birds.

O

[Colin Key]

Hi James,

Off to do some "posh birding" I see!

Odonate has given a mouth-watering list of possibilities, but you might try contacting (via PM) Jacqueline Burrell, a forum member who lives in the Middle East and, if I remember correctly, has done some birding in Egypt. She might be able to be more precise on locations.

Can't help directly I'm afraid - all I know (and remember) about Egypt is President Nasser, Anthony Eden (British PM at the time) and the Suez Crisis in 1956 :eek:

Colin

[exeter_uk]

Odonate, i am going in the first half of July. Thanks for the list, i will get a pocket book or something so that i can have a hope of I.Ding some of the birds i see, but i will probably have a lot of photo's to post up on here when i return!

The hotel has large grounds, and is also next to a new golf course so there should be plenty of greenery around.

Thanks Colin, i may do that, i know there are some national parks near buy, but i don't know if they will be worth visiting.

Thanks guys,

James

[Colin Key]

If your hotel is next to a new golf course then Jacqueline is definitely the person to contact (golfing photo-journalism is her business).

Colin

[Odonate]

Hmmm July is not exactly the best time for birds and, I would imagine, pretty hot! I think that there will be very few migrants at that time despite being little more than a stones throw from Eilat. There are a few trip reports from Sharm El Sheik in June/July on the web (for instance, have a look at Rich Bonsers website (http://www.freewebs.com/richbonser/)) which might give you some more ideas.

Most good bird books (like Collins/Lars Johnsson) have nearly all of the species that you are likely to encounter.

O

[exeter_uk]

Thanks for the link, i have had a quick look, and i will have a proper read when i have some more time.

Collins book is on my list of things to buy, so i will make sure i have it before i leave, thanks :)

James

[Stephen W]

I am also in Egypt for a holiday but late Dec into early Jan. Doing a week long Nile cruise, then a few days each in Luxor and Cario. Any advise on what I might expect to see, and any places worth visiting?

Thanks

[Dipper]

I went on a Nile Cruise myself a few years ago and I found a book on Amazon called, Pharaoh`s Birds, by John Miles which was very helpful.
Hope you have as good a trip as we did (probably one of my best holidays).
There is a small park on the way to the Cattaract Hotel in Aswan which holds good veiws of Nile Valley Sunbird.
Good luck Roger.

[Jacqueline Burrell]

I am also in Egypt for a holiday but late Dec into early Jan. Doing a week long Nile cruise, then a few days each in Luxor and Cario. Any advise on what I might expect to see, and any places worth visiting?

Thanks

I've been in Beirut for the last few days so have only just seen this thread.

I will compile some facts when I get my breath back.

Where are you staying in Luxor? How long will you be in Cairo and again where are you staying, so I can advise you where to go as its such an enormous you could spend the majority of your time in a taxi!!:laugh:

Jacqueline

[Stephen W]

It will be 3 nights in Luxor in the Nile Palace, and 4 nights in Cario. As of yet, we don't have a hotel booked there, but definately don't want to stay near the pyramids. Any suggestions??

[Jacqueline Burrell]

Hi

If you can be more specific with the dates, I could probably tell you what migrants (if any) to expect. Otherwise, resident birds expect things like:

Yellow vented Bulbul
Tristrams Grackle
Blackstart
Sand Partridge
possibly Sandgrouse
Desert and Bar tailed Desert Larks
Laughing Dove
Little Green Bee eater
Graceful Prinia
Scrub Warbler
Hooded and Mourning Wheatear
Arabian Babbler

A few sea birds including possible White-eyed Gulls and some passing raptors as well as Barbary Falcon.

I'm not sure of specific sites for Taba but general Middle Eastern rules of looking for fresh water, wadis and
grassy or scrubby areas (hotel gardens are usually best!) should find you a few birds.

O

And

Palestine Sunbird
Sinai Rosefinch
Rock Martin
Sand Martin
Barn Swallow
White-cheeked Tern
Spur-winged Plover
Spanish Sparrow
House Sparrow
Kestrel
Common Sandpiper

There is a resident owl in the garden of the Marriott which I suspect from the description is a Little Owl but I've never been lucky enough to see it.

Jacqueline

[peteraley]

...I'm going to Taba Heights next month and would be very grateful for any birding info....

Pete

[exeter_uk]

Hi Peter, I just got back yesterday and don't have a lot of info for you i'm afraid. We were staying at the Marriott, and didn't venture outside of the resort (way too hot to walk anywhere and we were on a bit of a budget).

Within the hotel Gardens there were lots of (i think) Yellow vented Bulbul and House Sparrow, as well as Laughing Dove and Collared Dove, and i think a hooded crow (although it looked a bit dark). There were what i suspect were Rock Martin over head, and White eyed gulls on the beach. I saw other gull species flying along the coast but couldn't photograph them or I.D them (as you can tell from my lack of confidence in I.Ding, my knowledge isn't very good). I am going to post a thread in the I.D section for the birds i am not sure about.

I did take a short walk along some of the golf course but i didn't see anything, and couldn't stay out for long due to the heat!

Hope you enjoy your stay in Taba Heights, its a lovely place and the whether is amazing, and snorkalling in the Red Sea i would highly recommend! I assume you are flying to Taba international, which is... interesting, its absolutely tiny! i saw bigger houses out there :laugh: .

James

[Stephen W]

Just back from a 2 week holiday in Egypt including a 1 week Nile cruise. Must say, some amazing birds about, but as it was not a birding trip only managed to see 30 odd birds. But 4 types of Heron and 3 types of Egret were great. Amazing to see so many Pied Kingfisher everywhere.

Can only imagine what you would see on a proper birding trip to Egypt.

Of course ther were a few things I was not sure about. Can anyone help?

At most of the temples I seen some Martins. They looked to be a dusty grey colour, with no obvious markings on them. I think they might have been Rock Martin, but not sure. I saw them mostly at Hatshepsut's temple.

I also seen some Terns along the nile. They had a shallow forked tail, black bill and a black smudge behind the eye, although some did have a full black cap. I never saw them plunge dive, but they did seem to be catching insects above the surface of the water.

Finally I saw what I think was a Bulbul in Luxor. Looking at a few guides, it most resembled the Yellow Vented Bulbul, but I could not see anu yellow on the bird, so was it a common Bulbul?

[MichaelF]

Finally I saw what I think was a Bulbul in Luxor. Looking at a few guides, it most resembled the Yellow Vented Bulbul, but I could not see anu yellow on the bird, so was it a common Bulbul?
Common Bulbul. The dividing line is the Gulf of Suez, with Common to the west and Spectacled (Yellow-vented) to the east.

[Stephen W]

Thanks, still a new bird for me anyhow.