The last full day in Oman with @naturetrek.bsky.social & hoping for flight home tomorrow. Returned to Muscat via Wadi Fanja, a wet wadi with 5 Greater Spotted, 2 Steppe & Booted Eagles. Also found Arabian & Sand Partridge plus Long-billed Pipit. Isabelline Shrike was a crowd pleaser too

Day 10 in Oman with @naturetrek.bsky.social & we spent the day around Jebel Shams. We arrived at our first wadi just in time to watch 7 Lappet-faced Vultures leave their roost. A pair of Bonelli's Eagles & LL Buzzard joined them on the thermals. We finally caught up with the striolated buntings too.

Day 8&9 in Oman with @naturetrek.bsky.social .We crossed. Wahiba sands & headed into the Hadjar Mtns. Dramatic landscapes & some special birds inc Lappet-faced Vulture & Plain Leaf Warblers. Persian & Hume's Wheatears, Dhofar Toads and Semaphore Geckos added to the mix

Day 6&7 in Oman with @naturetrek.bsky.social With Salalah out of reach now, we spent our time in the Empty Quarter looking for desert species. Hoopoe Lark showed well. At Muntasar we watched Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse come to drink. Asian Desert warblers and the vagrant White-breasted Waterhens too

Day 5 in Oman with @naturetrek.bsky.social started with a Sociable Lapwing next to our hotel - amazing views. The mixture of desert & coast gave us the chance to connect with wild Asses, Black crowned Sparrow-larks, Green Turtles and Red-billed Tropicbirds for a varied day around Ras Al Khabah.

Day 4 in Oman with @naturetrek.bsky.social We left Muscat with many Egyptian Vultures being seen as we headed SE. We stopped at estuaries with Spoonbill & the main target of Crab Plover secured. We spent the evening with the nesting Green Turtles, 2 females & 3 hatchlings returned to the sea. Magic

Day 3 in Oman with @naturetrek.bsky.social & everything here seems normal. We headed out on a boat trip off Muscat finding Loggerhead Turtle, Common Dolphin and hundreds of Red-necked Phalaropes. Few seabirds though. We then headed into the mountains for more Hume's Wheatear and Arabian Babblers

Day 2 in Oman with @naturetrek.bsky.social & we tried the stoney desert and mountains around Nakhal west of Muscat. Persian Wheatears, Arabian Babblers & Egyptian Vulture were all key finds in this dramatic landscape. The spring at Tawarah attracted Indian Rollers & lots of dragonflies.

Day 1 in Oman -Arabia's Finest Birding with @naturetrek.bsky.social focused on the coast west of Muscat. Plenty of waders, gulls & terns to keep us busy with great views of Sooty and Pallas's & 7 species of tern Inc both crested. Even had a visit from a friendly Desert Wheatear.

The last day in Tunisia with @naturetrek.bsky.social was a full circuit of Djerba island. Shorebirds were the target & we found a few new species for the trip. Red-throated Pipit & Ferruginous duck were key species - however flamingos, spoonbills & gulls were plentiful esp Slender-billed & Med

Day 3 in Tunisia with @naturetrek.bsky.social is always one of transition from desert to coast. Started at Ksar Hallouf with its many House Buntings, found more Marmora's Warblers in a rocky wadi, before heading to Boughrara with Spoonbills waders and Flamingos. Also treated with Eagle Owl at nest.

Day 2 in Tunisian Desert with @naturetrek.bsky.social was all about Larks. We found the iconic Hoopoe Lark, charismatic Thick-billed, Desert, Bar-tailed and Temminck's. Ably supported by CC Courser, Desert Sparrow & Pharaoh Eagle-Owl. Magic stuff

Day 1 Winter Sun birding in Tunisia with @naturetrek.bsky.social found us south of Tataouine in the desert. A day of Wheatears, with 5 species Red rumped, Desert, Maghreb, White-crowned all in song. Moussier's Redstarts & Marmora's Warblers at a new site. Atlas Buzzard & ST eagle good finds.

A full day in Massa with @naturetrek.bsky.social Morocco winter sun. Started with Stone Curlew, Little Owl & cont... with Tchagra, Plain Martin & Red-,necked Nightjar at roost. Not only about birds, Green striped Whites & Greenish Black tips, Lesser Emperors & lots of flowers inc. Brownbells. Magic

Travelled up the coast to Tamri with @naturetrek.bsky.social on Morocco winter sun. Flock of 74 Bald Ibis foraging on the short turf & a few birds at the nest site. Audouin's Gulls are plentiful on this stretch, a migration north included Whimbrel. Gannets & Gt Skua. Yellow Cistanche in full flower

Today we transferred from Guelmim to Agadir on Morocco winter sun with @naturetrek.bsky.social . We stopped at the park & the landscape was green and blooming as the winter rains have done their magic. Addax, Dorcas Gazelle & Red-necked Ostrich were at their best.

Our second day in the desert on the @naturetrek.bsky.social Morocco winter sun. We found more classic species top of the list were the 3 Cream-colored Coursers, Trumpeter Finches and more Hoopoe Larks. The Tristram's warbler is another regional endemic.

Winter sun in Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social & our first day in the desert. Great views of Temminck's & displaying Hoopoe Lark. Party of Fulvous Babblers enlivened our lunch stop. Singing Desert & Red-rumped Wheatears showed spring is coming as were migrant Quail & Northern Wheatear

Another great day birding in Kuwait with @naturetrek.bsky.social. Last night we sought Pallid Scops Owl in the local park. Today, we started at dawn at Al Jahra with 4sp of Eagle plus PGP & Swamphen. Other sightings kept us going through the day in calm warm conditions

Day 6 in Kuwait with @naturetrek.bsky.social & another action packed day started with Hypocolius and Oriental Honey-buzzard, moved on to a dozen or so Purple Sunbirds. Picked up more Shikra & Red-vented Bulbuls before 6 sp of Wheatear inc Persian. Finished with sunset & a Lesser Flamingo. Magic!

Day 5 in Kuwait with @naturetrek.bsky.social & after dawn at Al Jahra Reserve we concentrated on some of the scarcest birds in the Western Pal. Kurdish Wheatear, Afghan Babbler, Indian Roller and Rufous-backed Redstart were all found. Good mix of supporting species especially raptors too

Day 4 in Kuwait with @naturetrek.bsky.social started in Kabd with desert species adding the much desired CC Courser & Hoopoe Lark. Red-wattled Lapwing were also present near the experimental fields. We headed to the coast for high tide. Crab Plovers were the highlight but exception numbers of birds

Day 3 in Kuwait with @naturetrek.bsky.social and we focused on the desert species with Pharaoh Eagle Owl and Mourning Wheatear on the Al Mutla cliffs. Steppe Eagle, Shikra, LL Buzzard & Pallid Harriers gave raptors a strong showing. We finished the day with mythical Sand Cat nr the Iraqi border

Day 2 in Kuwait with @naturetrek.bsky.social with the focus on Hypocolius - a dozen birds seen well. Shorebirds really came to the fore, with '000s seen along the gulf coast Terek and Broad b Sands amongst the teeming Sandplovers to a backdrop of Flamingos & herons. Indian Roller completed the day

Day 1 of Kuwait -Winter Sun birding with @naturetrek.bsky.social started in the park with great views of Masked Shrikes, Clam Reed Warbler, White-eared Bulbul & Bluethroats. We then headed south. Lots of desert species Inc the eponymous Warbler, Wheatear & Finch. Finished with 2 crested tern sp.

The last full day in Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social & we headed into the High Atlas. A few new species inc 3 Golden Eagles and a pair of Rock Buntings. Atlas LL Buzzards were behaving as if they were a pair already. The roads were a little tortuous at times but the scenery was great.

A great day in Oued Massa, Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social with lots of variety & numbers of birds. Highlights many but inc BW Kite, Bonelli's Eagle, Glossy & Bald Ibis, 2 RN Nightjars, Marbled Duck, Slender-billed Gull, Plain Martin, ducks, waders and so much more.

Day 4 Morocco Winter Birding with @naturetrek.bsky.social was spent on the coast north of Agadir. Blue Rock Thrush & Black Wheatear at Cap Rhir, a few prospecting Bald Ibis near their nest ledges, then Gulls & Waders at Asif N'Srou inc Audouin's Gulls, Kentish & a lone Golden Plover

Day 3 in Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social transferred us from Desert to Coast. Had to wait for the Bald Ibis to fly in but over 300 in the end! 77 Stone Curlew was a decent count too. Visited the Souss-Massa NP for Addax, Gazelle & Ostrich, although the Wild Boar was a surprise

Day 2 Winter Sun birding Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social & we tried the Fask area to the east of Guelmim. The arid conditions make it tough going but plenty of interest with Thick-billed Lark the highlight. Med ST & Hoopoe Larks and a large flock of Black-bellied Sandgrouse.

The 1st full day of Dec Winter Sun birding in Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social South of Guelmim we connected with many targets esp. the iconic species. Bar-tailed & Hoopoe Lark; Desert, Red-rumped & White crowned Wheatears; Scrub, African Desert, Tristram's & Spectacled Warblers in the sunshine

The final day of Tunisia Winter Sun with @naturetrek.bsky.social where we circumnavigated Djerba Island. Thousands of Flamingos, Slender-billed Gulls, Spoonbills, & waders call this theirwinter home. We had good views of all & found plenty of Caspian Terns plus the good numbers of Ferruginous duck

Day 3 in Tunisia with @naturetrek.bsky.social & we left the mountains, but not before we succeeded with wintering Marmora's warbler. We headed to the coast at the Roman port of Boughrara, being shown Pharaoh Eagle Owl on the way & then watching large numbers of shorebirds Inc Flamingos & Spoonbills

Day 2 in the Tunisian desert with @naturetrek.bsky.social larks were the main target Thk billed, Hoopoe Temminck's, Med Short-toed all seen at close range. Desert Sparrows were feeding on dates in the Oasis & a Tristram's warbler was finally cooperative - we head back to the coast tomorrow

1st Day of Tunisia -Winter Sun Birding with @naturetrek.bsky.social was in Edkouk NP south of Djerba. Lots of Oryx, Ouadad and Dorcas Gazelles. Wheatears inc Maghreb, Black-crowned & Red-Rumped. Larks Inc Thk-billed, Bar-tailed & Desert. Found our first Fulvous Babblers - Great start in the desert

The last morning in Morocco on Winter Sun Birding with @naturetrek.bsky.social found us at Oued Souss estuary. High tide and cloud made viewing difficult. As always a good mix of waders and the flamingos were good value. A juv Barbary falcon was annoying the local Maghreb Magpies before fleeing.

A day in Oued Massa on Morocco winter sun with @naturetrek.bsky.social & as always the area delivered on variety. Started with 78 Stone Curlew & moved on with Tchagra, Melodious Warbler, Blue Rock Thrush, lots of waders. Fly throughs of Merlin & Barbary Falcon. A Red Necked Nightjar at roost etc etc

Today was spent around Tamri on Morocco Winter Sun Birding with @naturetrek.bsky.social. A mix of Herons inc 2 Squaccos, Great White & 'goat egret'. Plentiful Gulls with lots of Audouin's, many of them were ringed, & they were joined by Slender-billed and Mediterranean. Moussier's as usual!

We left the desert and headed back north on Morocco - winter sun with @naturetrek.bsky.social. we stopped in the Souss-Massa NP for a blizzard of Bald Ibis at Iferiane & then North African Ostrich, Dorcas Gazelles and Addax at the reserve centre.

One of the most wanted species in Morocco on the @naturetrek.bsky.social tours is the Greater Hoopoe Lark. Before we left the desert we needed to see well - mission accomplished. We saw other species - Tristram's Warbler & lots of Moussiers Redstarts down to their winter areas plus a stunning Lanner

The 1st full day of Morocco Winter Sun birding with @naturetrek.bsky.social found us South of Guelmim areas around "Tan-tan 100". Plenty to kick off our desert species with Scrub-warbler, Wheatears inc Desert, Red-rumped, White-crowned & Larks inc Hoopoe, Bar-tailed, Temmincks, & Fulvous Babbler.

The last full day in Southern Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social on the coast at Massa. Started with a field of 206 Stone Curlew & ended with 160+ Bald Ibis in a single flock. Am Golden Plover & Plain Swift were local rarities whilst Moussiers Redstarts are perennial crowd pleasers

For a desert Birding trip we see lots of others in Southern Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social including dragonflies. Dropwings, Skimmers, Bluetails & Emperors (Vagrant & Lesser so far) despite the lack of water

Day in the desert nr Erg Chebbi is the highlight of the Southern Morocco trip with @naturetrek.bsky.social & we connected with a long list of specials. Egyptian Nightjar, Hoopoe & Bar tailed Larks, Spotted & Crowned Sandgrouse, Fulvous Babbler, Desert Sparrow. We even had time for a few migrants

Southern Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social & we have spent the last couple of days heading east on the high arid steppe. A mix of Larks and Wheatears has been our primary focus The Pharaoh Eagle Owl showed well. Migrants inc Black Storks sharing a thermal with ST Eagles & a LL Buzzard

1st Day back in Southern Morocco with @naturetrek.bsky.social & headed to the High Atlas. Levaillants Woodpecker & Atlas Wheatear good start to our specials list. Day Gecko kicked off the herps as well.

A family break near Dubrovnik. Great weather if tricky to find much in the heat. The dolphins offshore were not unexpected. The long snouted rock lizards are localised. 2tailed pasha plentiful but avoiding the camera. Southern White Admiral & Schmidt's Marbled Bush cricket on the dry hill sides

A visit to Burnt Common was predominantly for dragonflies - but only four individuals were found in the desiccated heathland. Fortunately, one was the sought after Black Darter, this being one of the very few sites left in North Hampshire. Common and Ruddy meant it was a three darter morning.

A welcome return to Thursley NNR for dragonflies found plenty on the wing & a healthy number of Black Darters. The boardwalk was buzzing with activity & inc sunning lizards. The surrounding heaths were relatively quiet but alarming Dartfords suggested they had a good breeding season.

A day trip in the New Forest for Dragonflies with @naturetrek.bsky.social yielded 17 species inc the desired Southern Damselflies in good numbers. It has been a good year for dragonflies & numbers were high even if water levels were low. Good to see that Small Red-eyed Damsels have now colonised