Nile Cruise birding (1 Viewer)

Will be going to Egypt and Jordan in early February 2020, prolly only birder in our small, private group but want to take advantage of every minute I'm there. First time in Egypt so any and all advice gratefully welcomed!


I know we'll be doing the obligatory Giza desert, Nile Cruise, not sure if we'll get down as far as the Delta area, and a side trip to Jordan (Petra area).



More important, what's the best birding book to get now so I can start studying? I have my old worn copy of the Mullarney, Svenson et al Birds of Europe which might be helpful for wintering birds but not sure it'll be sufficient for non-migratory spp.


Thanks in advance!

The field guide should be sufficient, except for rarities.

If you go to the vacation report part of the forum, you should have access to several reports for Egypt -- even if many of them are old: https://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=244
From my own experience, there are worse things than sitting on the upper deck of such a boat with a drink in your hand and a telescope next to you for seeing birds while the boat meanders down the river.

Niels

Is Egypt currently restricting optics at the borders or have I grossly misremembered hearing something?

I live in Egypt. I use the hotspots on eBird to see what has been spotted where and at what time.

https://ebird.org/hotspots?hs=L4302422&yr=all&m=

njlarsen said:

The field guide should be sufficient, except for rarities.

If you go to the vacation report part of the forum, you should have access to several reports for Egypt -- even if many of them are old: https://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=244
From my own experience, there are worse things than sitting on the upper deck of such a boat with a drink in your hand and a telescope next to you for seeing birds while the boat meanders down the river.

Niels

Click to expand...

LOL, no kidding! Thanks for that, Niels. No scope this trip, just bins.

GeorginaEgypt said:

I live in Egypt. I use the hotspots on eBird to see what has been spotted where and at what time.

https://ebird.org/hotspots?hs=L4302422&yr=all&m=

Click to expand...

Thanks, Georgina, will bookmark this and check when the time gets closer.