Join us on a visit based in Asir in SW Saudi Arabia. SW Saudi Arabia offers the only realistically accessible opportunity to see the endemic birds of Arabia and the Gulf of Aden coastal fringe with the possibility of a visit to the Farasan Islands (nesting Sooty Falcons). There are ten Arabian endemics that can be seen in SW Saudi Arabia and these are:- Arabian Partridge Alectoris melanocephala, Philby's Partridge Alectoris philbyi, Arabian Woodpecker Dendrocopos dorae, South Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides, Yemen Thrush Turdus menachensis, Yemen Warbler Sylvia buryi, and the finches: Arabian Waxbill Estrilda rufibarba, Arabian Serin Serinus rothschildi, Yemen Serin Serinus menachensis and Yemen Linnet Carduelis yemenensis. This tour concentrates on seeing these species. Palearctic wintering waders, raptors and passerines, the waterbird specialities of the Red Sea, and the indigenous desert birds of the Arabian peninsula will, of course, also capture your attention. SW Saudi Arabia is one of two 'Afrotropical' enclaves in Arabia and several species typical of the northeast African bushlands will further enliven the birding such as Hammerkop Scopus umbretta, Bruce's Green-Pigeon Treron waalia, Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus, African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus and African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis.

This is a rare opportunity to visit this marvellous country with a small team who have over 5 years experience of organising visits to Saudi Arabia. The following tours are planned for 2003

March 2003 - trip leader Mike Edgecombe
Late Autumn 2003 - trip leader Andrew Grieve

Cost and dates to be announced (Cost of 10 day autumn tour in 2002 was £1200 from Paris).

For further details please contact:
CFR Conseil
Truda Odor
424 route de Taconnaz
74310 Les Houches
France
Tel 00 33 4 50 54 43 53
Email Truda now