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Request help id bird seen Sharm el Sheikh, 15 December 2023 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Earnest lad
- Start date
Earnest lad
Well-known member
I hadn't thought of that. I must say also your image does have a good resemblence. Thank you
Barred Wobbler
Well-known member
Can I ask how it was for birding access at Sharm for you? Were there any restrictions on taking optics through the airport and was there any access possible to the old favourite spots (for birders) to the big sewage pools 3km into the desert just opposite Naama Bay and the small pools further north near the airport?
I had some good birds at those spots in 2010, but times in the region have changed radically since shortly after my visit.
I had some good birds at those spots in 2010, but times in the region have changed radically since shortly after my visit.
Earnest lad
Well-known member
You are welcome. Access was good in general. I didnt bring a 'scope but there was for the most part, no problem with my camera and binoculars. Twice however, I had my camera checked by police, when they saw me and thought I might be taking pics of their buildings, . They were friendly about it though and it was I guess my fault for pointing it in the wrong direction. There is a police presence nearly everywhere The "small pools" referred to I found to be completely dried out, at least at that time of year, with no birds present. The big sewage pools referred to: well the main treatment installations there now seem to have limited access only. New plant is currently being built there. They have built a just small area for viewing birds with an observation tower that one can access, but that is all. I was not allowed to just wander round. They said it was not safe as it is an active construction site at present.
Just next door to the south east are some other pools and reedbeds. These have unrestricted access. You can just walk/drive in there. That area is great for birds and for raptors. There were literally hundreds of white stork roosting.
In general security in Sharm is tight as they are just getting off the ground again tourism wise following an incident a few years ago. Every hotel it seems, has security at the entrance, so one cannot just walk in and out. I hope this helps. I recommend a trip for birding for anyone. I seem to have about 18 lifers in four days. If you go again you will find lots of brand new high quality roads have sprung up too.
Earnest lad
Well-known member
I had a further consideration of your thought: could it be the bill is somewhat too long for Red throated Pipit?
Earnest lad
Well-known member
Thank you so much. I see there were no spots or streaks on the underside, which would also be good for Tawny. I had not thought of Tawny. The other gentleman was on the right track I think with pipits in mind. I will leave it as unidentified. Many thanks
Alexander Stöhr
Well-known member
Hello,
my first gut feeling was Yellow Wagtail or a (larger) Pipit too (and yes, wouldnt the word "bingo" pop up in your mind when seeing a Pipit with an uniform apricot, blend open face with an "standing out"= isolated dark eye among Mipits?
But there seems something wrong for these and then a Wheatear came into my mind. Yes, this bird lacks the short-tailed compact flight jizz of them, and I looked at my books. And there is a larger billed and longer tailed species, that I have yet to see in the wild. A Hooded Wheatear.
No offence you know (do I still have to write this? I think no?) and it might well be a Tawny Pipit. But I hope for a second look and more comments. Thanks!
my first gut feeling was Yellow Wagtail or a (larger) Pipit too (and yes, wouldnt the word "bingo" pop up in your mind when seeing a Pipit with an uniform apricot, blend open face with an "standing out"= isolated dark eye among Mipits?
But there seems something wrong for these and then a Wheatear came into my mind. Yes, this bird lacks the short-tailed compact flight jizz of them, and I looked at my books. And there is a larger billed and longer tailed species, that I have yet to see in the wild. A Hooded Wheatear.
No offence you know (do I still have to write this? I think no?) and it might well be a Tawny Pipit. But I hope for a second look and more comments. Thanks!
Harrybongo
Well-known member
Hi. Yeah, as mentioned by, Alexander, my first impression was a, female Hooded, too - long slender bill, long tail, slightly buffish colour etc?- a tawny's bill would look more robust/sturdy I think?
lou salomon
the birdonist
what about Long-billed Pipit? Not that I would be able to ID it as such from this pic but bill at least looks long (not so curved, though).
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Harrybongo
Well-known member
Hi. Could be, but I think you would see more prominent markings around the ear coverts, and even though the pic is not the clearest, signs of a supercilium/moustachial stripe.
Any records from Sharm? Don't know the status here. Seen LBP in Israel but certainly much scarcer in the Arava, and seen no records on eBird
Earnest lad
Well-known member
Thank you so much. It was interesting especially when Wheatear came to mind. I think the long bill would fit Hooded, which seemed to be the commonest species there. I saw several of them. I was also wondering whether there might be a possibility of it being Desert Wheatear please?
Earnest lad
Well-known member
Thank you so much. I guess that may well be the answer. Thank you so much. Would Desert Wheatear be a possibility at all please?
Harrybongo
Well-known member
Hi, again. I think the tail and bill length on a Desert, aren't quite long enough, so, looks pretty good for a Hooded, I think.
Ratal
Well-known member
I have to admit here the bird was pinging all my alarm bells - then as soon as I read that you said 'Hooded Wheatear' - I groaned with a 'yeah, lordy me, Hooded Wheatear'...
And I totally agree.
Earnest lad
Well-known member
Thank you so much. I think that settles it - Hooded Wheatear id achieved - a team effort - Thank you.