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[edit] Overview

Situated in the centre of the southern Sinai Peninsula, this well-known tourist attraction is famous among birders as one of the very few reliable sites for the very local Sinai or Pale Rosefinch.

The monastery lies on the slopes of Mt Sinai and its gardens attract many migrants. Wadis and hills in this area hold a good selection of typical Sinai birds and part of the surrounding area has now been designated a national park.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

The rosefinch is fairly common here and often to be seen around the souvenir stalls near the car-park. Tristram's Starling is another desert speciality that occurs here and one the most sought-after Western Palearctic birds, Hume's Owl, may be found in the mountains around the monastery. This species has been found in this area but it may not be present every year.

Other typical Sinai species include Sand Partridge and Chukar Partridge and passerines such as Desert Lark and Bar-tailed Desert Lark, Rock Martin and Hooded Wheatear and White-tailed Wheatear. Palestine Sunbird has been recorded and may now be established in the area.

[edit] Rarities

A major Western Palearctic rarity has been seen here, a Thick-billed Warbler in November 1991.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Chukar Partridge, Sand Partridge, Rock Dove, Laughing Dove, Hume's Owl, Desert Lark, Crested Lark, Rock Martin, Pied Wagtail, Hooded Wheatear, White-tailed Wheatear, Streaked Scrub Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Palestine Sunbird, Tristram's Starling, Greenfinch, Sinai Rosefinch

[edit] Other Wildlife

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[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

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[edit] Areas of Interest

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[edit] Access and Facilities

Santa Katharina Monastery can be reached by road from Cairo, Suez or Sharm el Sheik, and can be visited in a day from Eilat in Israel.

There is a holiday village nearby providing accommodation. Basic accomodation is available on site by booking ahead of time.

[edit] Contact Details

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[edit] External Links

• Santa Katharina Monastery

• St Katharina on Googlemaps

Content and images originally posted by Steve