Tuesday 2 October 2012

Birding Egypt - Crocodile Island revisited

23rd-25th September
Following a visit to the Temples of Abu Simnel we sent the evening looking for Egyptian Nightjars. There was no sign of them, several bats but no Nightjars. The next day involved another long journey as we turned back north to Luxor via Aswan. We stayed at a hotel I had stayed at in February on Crocodile Island on the Nile. It was much quieter,in terms, of visitors as their 'season' doesn't really start until the winter months. There didnt seem so many species either with fewer migrants around the lush gardens and reedbeds of the island. The speciality birds: Red Avadavat and Nile valley Sunbird were there but not so easy to see as in February.
'Egyptian' Swallow 
Senegal Thick-knee
Black shouldered Kite
Little Green Bee-eater
Little Green Bee-eater
Whinchat
Other birds seen on Crocodile island included; Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Black winged Stilt, Masked Shrike, Isabelline Wheatear, Zitting Cisticola, Glossy Ibis, Pied Kingfisher and Pallid Swift.


5 comments:

  1. Stunning Birds Bob,excellent photography,looks like a great place to visit,must add to our list.
    John.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks John,I would strongly recommend the trip.Opportunites for photography are excellent particularly the Red Sea area.

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  2. Bob, really enjoyed that, When we went some years ago and did a Nile Cruise we weren't so keen on birding, makes me want to go back again!

    Sri Lanka was great but the majority of birds only came 'alive' when the light wasn't so good so photography was difficult

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