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B i r d   W a t c h i n g " 2 "

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Birds of Jordan

For the keen bird watcher there is a pleasing variety of species present in Jordan. The habitats change from the open desert and its inhospitable wadis to the pine and oak forests of the hills and down into the sub-tropical Jordan Valley. In each place there are birds that are adapted to their environment. As well as the resident species, the spring and autumn brings large numbers of birds that migrate along one of the major routes between Europe and Africa.

In this tour we will visit the different habitats, each set in impressive scenery as well as to visit some of the most memorable of the historic sites for which Jordan is famous for. There will also be time to relax and unwind including a swim in the Dead Sea.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival
Upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport our representative will meet and assist you upon your disembarkation from aircraft holding a sign with your name on it. Proceed through customs and immigration. Transfer in private car to your hotel in Amman.

Day 2: Amman, Azraq, Shaumari and Wetland Reserves
An hour and a half drive east take us to Azraq. This is the most important oasis in the region, where birds of many species can be seen, particularly during the migration seasons. The Shaumari Reserve is the first wildlife reserve established in the area and is famous for its captive-breeding programme of the Arabian oryx. As well as these beautiful creatures we will see onager and ostriches. The afternoon will be spent in the ancient marshlands, which have always been used by both migrating and resident birds. During the winter there is a large seasonal lake that is home to many waterfowl and birds of prey.

Today we would expect to see large numbers of ducks such as garganey, mallards, pintails, shelduck, and teal. Waders for instance, black-winged stilts, plovers, redshanks and sandpipers as well as storks, cranes and egrets make use of the waters edge. Amongst the trees and shrubs there may be golden orioles, rollers, grey shrikes with buzzards, marsh harriers, and kestrels overhead.

At Shaumari you can find the most climax vegetation ever in the eastern desert dominated by Atriplex halimus.
Dinner and overnight in RSCN Lodge in Azraq.

Day 3: Azraq, Amra and the Surrounding Wadi el Butum
Today is devoted to birding in the semi-desert to spot birds adapted to arid environments, such as hoopoe larks, thick-billed larks and cream-colored coursers. This is an area of low hills with sparse vegetation cut through by occasional wadis that have bushes and pistachio trees. Among the usual residents are wheatears, crested larks, scrub and graceful warblers and we may be lucky and see some trumpeter finches or the little known black morph of the mourning wheatear.
At Wadi el Butum Where you can see the last group of the Atlantic wild pistachio (Pistacia atlantica) in the desert which are the last group of old trees in the area.
At Azraq the only big water and saline vegetation in the eastern desert, it comprises more than 136 species of plants, some are rare, endemic and even newly recorded to Jordan's flora & to science.
Dinner and overnight at RSCN Lodge in Azraq.

Day 4: Azraq farmlands, Eagles Rest, Amman
In the extensive farms where olives and vines grow by irrigation, we can see varieties of doves, shrikes and possibly some owls and of course many smaller birds. An afternoon loop around the area brings us to the Eagles Rest, an area of beautiful cliffs which provide excellent nesting where we should be able to spot some golden eagles, before returning back to Amman.

Day 5: Amman, Jerash, Ajlun Forest, Zubia Nature Reserve, Amman
An hour’s drive north of Amman brings us into the hills of Gilead for a visit to the impressive Roman city of Jerash where one can catch a glimpse of the Palestinian sunbird amongst the other residents in the ruins. In contrast to the desert of the first days, the afternoon is spent in an area of oak forest offering excellent shelter for many birds. Some of these will be very familiar species like blue tits, jays, sparrows, blackbirds, redstart and wrens. Other birds will include warblers (blackcap, Cetti’s, graceful, lesser whitethroat, olivaceous, Sardinian, spectacled), blackstart, Calandra lark, hoopoe, palm dove, Syrian woodpecker, pipits and wheatears.
At Jerash, Dibbin forest is located near by which represent the last remaining pure Aleppo pine forest in the region. It is dominated by the Aleppo pine pinus haleppensis, arbuts and rachne, Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum), as well as some rarespecies such as different species of orchids and the pistcia lentiscus shrub.
The area represents the best evergreen Oak Forest in Jordan with more than 160 species of plants. The evergreen oak (Quercus Calliprinos) Palestine (Pistacia atlantica) dominates it. Cyclamen (Cyclamen Persicum and some other Mediterranean species, which of some are newly recorded in Jordan.

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