Large gathering of Hypocolius - Uqair
Hypocolius is a species that many birdwatchers would like to see as it is a family on its own. They are quite difficult to see as they occur in regions that are not so easy to access like Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Hypocolius is a short-distance migrant. Small numbers remain in western Iran throughout year but the majority migrate south and east to their main wintering areas in southern Iran, Pakistan, western India, west and central Saudi Arabia, and Arabian Gulf States (notably Bahrain). Departure from the breeding areas mainly occurs in August with birds arriving back in April. In Saudi Arabia as a whole, they are an uncommon, but may be a locally common winter visitor to Central Arabia, Northern Hejaz, Hejaz and Northern Red Sea. Flocks of over 100 birds have been recorded in Riyadh each winter. This winter more than 150 birds are present near Uqair fort and I managed to take a few photos of the birds despite them being very flighty and n
syria crossed over the border and tried to carry out a violent assault on the israeli border. israeli officials said that syria was directly responsible for doing that and there is a possibility of syria feels more cornered that it could try and lash out again at israel or encourage others to lash out. and richard, also in that region today, there are dramatic new developments in yemen. what more do you know about what is taking place there? in syria, we have a situation where bashar al assad is absolutely refusing to go. there are no real negotiations to get him to step down and there are international sanctions now that are going to increase to try and force him out of power. in yemen, a very different situation. there are international negotiations under way, mostly being led by the gcc, the gulf cooperation council, the network of arabian gulf states to try and get him to step down.