Aqaba Bird Observatory

Well, I am thrilled to report that the Aqaba Bird Observatory is every bit the masterpiece that their website claims. It is, of course, connected to, or even contained within, a wastewater treatment facility, but they have created special pools just for migrating waders and erected viewing blinds to help us enjoy seeing them while disturbing them less.

Even better, the facility attracts more than just migrating water birds, and this first bird is our very first blue-cheeked bee-eater (Merops persicus). Once again WordPress is providing you with a subpar rendering, so do yourself a favor by clicking on the image so you can zoom in.

One of the main attractions was a flock of about 70 greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus), which you may certainly have seen before, or at least their cousins, the American or Caribbean flamingo, but was a first for me.

Some of the youngsters even got rambunctious.

Another first for me, and on the smaller side, was this killdeer-esque common ringed plover
(Charadrius hiaticula).

This wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola) was slightly taller and larger.

Finally, at least for today, was this spur-winged lapwing (Vanellus spinosus), who looks like it is wearing a tuxedo and is one of the few birds that have “wing” in its name twice.

Finally, that fresh water attracts more than birds, and this is one of probably hundreds of small butterflies that were flitting around, a blue-spotted Arab (Colotis phisadia).

On a side note, GPS signals are being jammed or spoofed in this area, so some of the tools I use, such as Google Maps, the eBird app, and the Merlin Bird ID app were all discombobulated this morning. Thank goodness Anne does not require an accurate GPS signal to function well, and she was able to help me navigate the chaos.

Tomorrow we’re off to visit Wadi Rum to see where all those films were shot.