Egypt - Red Sea Specialities

This last week I have been guiding a few friends (Eric Alblas, Keith & Lynn Youngs) around the Egytian Red Sea coastline, a trip I have done several times now and always produced a surprise or two. The first half of the week is spent in the up-market coastal resort of El Gouna, with the last 3 nights at the excellent and tranquil Red Sea Diving Centre at Wadi Lahami about 120 Kms north of the Disputed Area, which borders Egypt and Sudan. This is very much a quality more than quantity holiday concentrating on the key species of Lappet faced Vulture, Goliath & Striated Herons, Greater Sandplover, Sooty & White eyed Gulls, Crested Tern, Crowned Sandgrouse, Nile Valley Sunbird and Pharoah Eagle Owl, all of which we managed to see. However we also found 2 potential Egyptian rarities with a cracking male Red tailed (Kurdish) Wheatear and a 1st winter Grey Hypocolius (pictured here) plus Egyptian Nightjar, Lesser Crested Tern, adult summer Pallas's Gull and a Dorcas Gazelle (great spot Lynn). We all had a great time and a full trip report will posted on the website in the near future. If anyone is interested in joining me on one of these weeks (possibly in September) please feel free to contact me.