Bird watching in Jordan

Visitors can stay in the heart of Azraq Wetland Reserve, a unique oasis in the Arabian Desert, as the RSCN has built a lodge here which is a vital source of conservation funds to preserve this wetland in the desert; one that nearly dried out before the RSCN began a rescue mission in the 1990s. Rather aptly, the lodge is a converted 1940s British military field hospital; today it contributes towards a very different health mission. As you can imagine, this terrain is a beacon for migratory birds seeking their own oasis mid journey during autumn and early winter. This stop is as much about reproducing as it is about refreshing, however, with mating season in full flight, so to speak. So much for an oasis of calm, with a chance to see migratory species such as the Cetti's warbler, desert finch, marsh and Montagu’s harriers and the European honey buzzard. Let’s not forget Azraq’s important residents, however, which include the rufous-tailed scrub robin, hoopoe lark and white-eared bulbul.

One doesn’t really associate Jordan with forests but these two reserves, both in northwestern Jordan are beautiful woodland retreats. Dibeen boasts one of the largest Aleppo pine habitats as well as Palestinian oak, olive trees and orchids, and Ajloun a rich green landscape of evergreen oak. Indeed, only one percent of the country has woodland, and yet these areas have their own micro, Mediterranean style climates and attract birds such as Sardinian warbler, great and blue tits, Eurasian jay, greenfinch and turtle dove. Note that the Eurasian jay is actually a Middle East subspecies which is has a black cap. In Dibeen you may even hear the Syrian woodpecker doing its thing, with at risk birds such as the greater spotted eagle and the siskin enjoying these cooler parts too.

Aqaba is special in that it is Jordan’s only outlet into the Gulf of Aqaba which then leads into the Red Sea. It also has one special bird species in particular, the white-eyed gull, which is endemic to the Red Sea. As you can imagine, Aqaba has also become resort heaven for humans wanting to escape the desert heat, but this protected Observatory is a haven for migratory birds and you can see a map there showing their flight paths. Strangely enough, in most cases they fly overland not water, as flying over water takes more energy. And so by the time they get to Aqaba they are ready for a cold one. Be prepared for some unpleasant smells sometimes here, as the Observatory’s primary role was as a water treatment center which the birds soon spotted and squatted. Some of the treats in store include herons, egrets, greater flamingos, storks, pelicans, black winged stilts and Arabian babblers.