The Walk Through KAUST series aim to raise the community awareness and curiosity about the richness and the diversity of the campus environment.

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2 The Walk Through KAUST series aim to raise the community awareness and curiosity about the richness and the diversity of the campus environment. This booklet is brought to you as part of the KAUST Office of Enrichment Programs, where science, technology, innovation, creativity and culture come together for the benefit and education of our whole community and the Kingdom through three annual programs the Spring Enrichment Program, the Fall Enrichment Program and the Winter Enrichment Program (WEP). ACKNOWLEDGEMENT "KAUST, An Oasis for Birds" booklet is the result of a collaboration between Brian James and Marios Mantzourogiannis, KAUST community members, and Marie-Laure Boulot, manager of the Office of Enrichment Programs, with the assistance of Yao Wu, WEP designer, Faustine Verger and Sydney Turnbull, WEP event producers. The Health Safety and Environment HSE Department monitors the bird life of KAUST as part of its biodiversity program, and is the custodial of KAUST birds official records. This work includes maintaining records of the birds seen at KAUST, reports on the latest sightings and the organization of regular guided bird walks around KAUST. For more information, please visit the HSE website at hse.kaust.edu.sa. All photographs, images and texts are copyright protected. For copy and use permissions, contactwep@kaust.edu.sa enrichment.kaust.edu.sa

3 Foreword Did you know that more than 240 different species of birds have been recorded here at KAUST? One hundred and fifty species can be commonly spotted either as residents or as regular migrants while new, rarer species continue to visit us throughout the year. This booklet features more than 50 photographs and showcases 45 species. Produced by passionate bird-watcher Brian James and talented bird-photographer Marios Mantzourogiannis, this work is an invitation to discover more about birding at KAUST. Whether you are an admirer of nature or photography, we are sure that you will find something to love in this booklet. Birds are part of the rich biodiversity that we are proud to have here at KAUST. We encourage you to continue to respect their natural habitats. We wish you a pleasant journey in the company of the birds of KAUST. Prof. James Calvin Vice President for Academic Affairs - KAUST

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5 KAUST AS BIRDS' HABITAT [1] Community Parks Mangroves [5] Safaa Golf Lakes Safaa Golf Green space Since its construction, KAUST has become an important stop over for migrant birds and has quickly attracted a good number of resident species. [3] [4] [6] [8] With its location on the shores of the Red Sea and its variety of terrain and flora, our campus is an ideal home for many kinds of birds. More than 240 species have been recorded since 2009, including 150 regular visitors or residents. Every year, new birds are being sighted and recorded. [2] [7] The key birding areas include the community parks at the King Abdullah Monument [1] and on the Island [2]; the Mangroves in the Island [3] and Gardens [4 & 5]; the Safaa Golf Lakes [6 & 7]; the Golf Green Space [8] and the South Beach [9]. South Beach [9]

6 Community Parks The open wooded parks around KAUST are ideal places for a number of species. The trees provide vantage points from which birds, such as shrikes, can hunt insects. The grassy areas are ideal for wagtails, pipits and a number of wader species. The regular watering brings insects and nutrients to the surfaces while the wooded areas are frequented by nesting Rupell s Weavers, sunbirds and Black Scrub Robbins who settle here. Unfortunately, invasive species such as mynas, crows, sparrows and egrets have made these parks their home too. Crested Lark Galerida cristata Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus

7 Ruppell s Weaver Ploceus galbula

8 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava African Silverbill Lonchura cantans White Wagtail Motacilla alba Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata

9 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster

10 South Beach Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinerus The South Beach is home to a wide variety of water birds including both waders and terns. The best viewing spot is from the beach car park, but the area near the tent is also a good lookout spot. The most suitable time to view birds is in the morning while the sun is still behind you, which is best for photos. Ideally, the tide will rise and the birds will move towards you as you watch. You can also take the water taxi from the Yacht Club to the South Beach, which passes sand banks just offshore where many birds often gather. Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

11 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

12 Osprey Pandio haliaeetus Striated Heron Butorides striata Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis

13 Sooty Gull Larus hemprichii

14 Safaa Golf - Lakes There are two bodies of water located on the golf course. The first, located in the end of the practice area, is a popular spot for various herons and other large water birds. The lake is full of fish, which the birds happily take advantage of. Ducks, waders, terns and kingfishers are also regularly seen. The second body of water alongside the 4th Hole has a small area of reeds growing near the green. Spotted Crakes and Corncrakes can be seen during peek migration periods, but are usually hard to observe. Stunningly colorful bee-eaters frequent the lake for a drink right before dusk. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidonon nilotica Gadwall Anas Strepera Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis

15 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidonon nilotica

16 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Black-Crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Spotted Crake Porzana porzana

17 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

18 Golf Course - Green Space The golf course, with its wooded areas and open grassed fairways, is an oasis for many migrant species and home to several local birds. During migration periods, many birds stop for short layovers at KAUST. The insects, grasses and flowers provide food; the patches of cover enable tired birds to rest before moving on, and the lakes supply drinking water. During the evenings, the floodlights are on, allowing for longer feeding times. The variety of birds at the golf course changes constantly and it is here that most of KAUST s rare visitors can be seen. Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

19 Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

20 Ruff Philomachus pugnax Black Scrub Robin Cercotrichas podobe Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola

21 Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops

22 Mangroves [left] Common Redshank Tringa totanus [right] Crab Plover Dromas ardeola Several areas of the mangroves are great sites for bird watching. In addition to the mangroves, the accompanying mudflats are an excellent place for viewing birds. Many of the species found at South Beach also frequent this area. However, there are several birds that stay exclusively in the mangrove area, including Little Bitterns, and both Mangrove and Clamorous Reed Warblers. Early morning is the best time to visit because the birds are most active at this time. Listen carefully for their calls and try to find them! Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

23 Crab Plover - Dromas ardeola Crab Plover Dromas ardeola

24 Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti Common Redshank Tringa totanus Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpes Siberian Stonechat Saxicola Maurus Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpes

25 Clamorous Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreous

26 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo CLOSE-UPS & ACTION The biggest challenge in bird photography is getting close to your subject or capturing the action. But when achieved, the results are very much rewarding.

27 Sooty Gull Larus hemprichii Ruppell s Weaver Ploceus galbula Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis

28 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

29 Sooty Gull Larus hemprichii

30 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster

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