Jordan Birdwatching Tour

Jordan Birdwatching Tour
When: Sat 14 Apr - Sun 29 Apr 2012
Leader: Chris Doughty

Jordan Birdwatching Tour
Melbourne/Melbourne (16 Days) $6,205
Single Room Supplement $450
Ground Content (ex Amman) $4,205

T he desert kingdom of Jordon has enjoyed a remarkable measure of stability and economic growth in recent decades, and is an oasis of peace, in the midst of Middle Eastern conflicts. It was once an important trading centre of the Roman Empire; straddling major caravan routes which linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria and the Mediterranean. On this unique and exciting tour we have combined the diverse archaeological heritage of Jordan with the very best areas for birds. You will follow in the footsteps of the legendary Lawrence of Arabia, go birding along the six thousand years old Kings Highway, float effortlessly on the lifeless Dead Sea, visit the ancient Roman ruins of Jerash, and explore the Crusader castle of Karak. You will experience the rose-red splendour of the 'lost city' of Petra and marvel at the genius of the ancient Nabateans, whose splendid rock-hewn city remained forgotten for centuries, until its dramatic rediscovery in the early 19th century. We will enjoy a traditional Bedouin feast under the palm trees at the desert oasis of Wadi Rum and search for migrating birds at the Aqaba Bird Observatory, on the Red Sea coast. The ornithological appeal of this little-known country derives from its position at the crossroads of three great land masses, Europe, Africa and Asia. The tour has been specifically timed to coincide with the peak of the spring migration; at this time of year Jordan's Great Rift Valley becomes a major flyway for literally hundreds of thousands of birds migrating from their wintering grounds in Africa, to breeding grounds in Europe and northern Asia. The mudflats of the Red Sea coast and the palm fringed wadis in the harsh desert provide welcome refuge for large numbers of migrating birds. The tour begins with a visit to the Dead Sea, where we should see our first typical desert birds, including the ground-dwelling Arabian Babbler and the range restricted Blackstart. We then go birding in the native pine woodland of Dibbin, where we will search for Lesser Whitethroat and the attractive Pied Flycatcher. Next we explore the well preserved Roman Ruins of Jerash, at ancient Gillead. Heading inland, we visit the stony wastes of the Eastern Desert before exploring the boulder-strewn, lunar landscape of the black Basalt Desert, where we shall search for a wealth of desert birdlife including Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Temminck's Horned Lark, Upcher's Warbler and Desert Finch. The following day we visit the extraordinary ruins of the 'lost city' of Petra, where we should see Tristram's Grackle and Sinai Rosefinch. We then travel to the red desert sands of Wadi Rum, and complete our tour in Aqaba, at the head of the Red Sea, where a couple of days of exciting migration-watching will conclude our comprehensive tour through the spectacular and ancient desert kingdom of Jordan.