Turtle dove carrying nesting material in Abu Simbel

From its nest in an African Mahagony (Thaya senegallensis) a European Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia turtur) flies over our heads to an acacia tree. There she obviously finds dead small, fine twigs and stalks. When it flies back practically the same way for the third time – this time with a fine twig in its beak –… Continue reading Turtle dove carrying nesting material in Abu Simbel

Egypt- a birding trip in spring migration time

INTRODUCTION With the lifting of the corona restrictions, “normal” trips are now possible again. From the end of 2022, I was planning a vacation in April next year. The aim was to visit Egypt again after a long time, on the one hand to round off the West Palearctic bird list and on the other… Continue reading Egypt- a birding trip in spring migration time

Moewenpick-Garden: a Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin

Promoted as a secluded oasis set in beautiful gardens on Elephantine Island, the  5-star Mövenpick Aswan resort is located on an island in the middle of the Nile in Aswan city right next to the Sahara desert. A vegetable garden, tall trees in the middle of an otherwise densely populated Egyptian city. Here, the Möwenpick… Continue reading Moewenpick-Garden: a Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin

Plain Martin Riparia paludicola, new to Egypt birdlist

Shortly, after we have left the jetty in Abu Simbel, we drive along high reeds. The reed seems impenetrable. Nevertheless, the tall stalks of reeds are full of life. Filled with the sonorous rattling of the Clamorous Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus), buzzed around by masses of Sand Martins (Riparia riparia) and Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica), all… Continue reading Plain Martin Riparia paludicola, new to Egypt birdlist

Egyptian Nightjar in a wadi in Egypt

Orginally we wanted to stretch our legs at a wadi. We boot a little on the sandy ground. Depending on where you step, you step deep. The remains of the loamy layer lie on the ground like tiles after drying out. So the wadi has water at times. Some of the bushes are still green,… Continue reading Egyptian Nightjar in a wadi in Egypt

Amun Tot Fish Ponds as home for Three-banded Plover in Aswan

Amun Tot Fish Ponds were unfortunately out of bound. The gate to the described area was closed when we arrived the first time. It’s a holiday. But the rest of the area looks good too. At the last – the most productive because the most muddy area – we actually see a Plover. A contrastingly… Continue reading Amun Tot Fish Ponds as home for Three-banded Plover in Aswan

Yellow-billed Stork: a special for the western Palearctic

As if they had swallowed a stick, two individuals of a species known from Africa are standing on the banks of a chanal ot the Toshka Project. Between many Gray Herons (Ardea cinerea) two Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) stand upright with hanging beaks. The colors are beautiful to see in the morning sun. I was… Continue reading Yellow-billed Stork: a special for the western Palearctic