6th March 2020
White-crowned Wheatear are pretty common in the area
Yesterday morning first thing, the Red Sea greeted me and this morning it was the rugged Sinai Mountains. I got my breakfast down my neck, with noisy Tristram’s Starling nearby and then just before 09.00, I made the two minute drive to St Catherine’s Monastery. There were already coach loads of people when I arrived just before it opened. I was at the entry of the monastery with a large number of masked Chinese folk all around me. It didn’t concern me but did notice that most westerners quickly changed their direction when they saw them. It turned out that were Malaysian and not Chinese! Inside it was to crowded for me and I made my way out to see more Tristram’s Starling hanging out on the monastery. Lesser Whitethroat were in the Olive and Almond Trees and a White-crowned Wheatear was building a nest in the wall bordering the road up to the monastery. Up to 4 Scrub Warbler were in among the rocks and there were very obliging Desert Larks in the car park. It was here that heard a Sinai Rosefinch overhead only to watch a male come down and land at the back of the car park toilets. Ideal and I approached to the toilets and started to make my ways around the back. I had only got to the side of the small building when there was the high pitched sound of a whistle followed by shouting. I turned to where the noise was coming from and saw a policeman on top of the shop roof waving me to come away! Away from the back of the toilet? There are police, security guards and soldiers all over the shop watching every move you make. The rest of the day was spent relaxing at the digs and chatting to the Bedouins who own the hostel. Hopefully are get better views of the rosefinch tomorrow.
There were at least 15 Tristram’s Staling on the monastery building
A pair of White-crowned Wheatear were busy collecting nest material near to the monastery
Scrub Warbler
There were 4 Desert Lark in the car park
SCILLYSPIDER 2 