with broods ranging between recently hatched to recently fledged 
young, were also counted during this survey. Grey Herons, Little 
Egrets Egretta garzetta, and Night Herons Nycticorax nycticorax were 
widespread along the lake shore, but no evidence of their breeding was 
obtained. 
On the same day, 12 pairs of African Skimmers Rhynchops flavirostris 
were found breeding on a low sandy island to the north of Abu Simbil 
(one additional pair was seen nesting on a nearby island farther north). 
Six pairs of Little Terns Sterna albifrons (perhaps S. a. guinea) were 
discovered breeding on the same island, representing the southern- 
most breeding record in Egypt. Around 20-30 pairs of Kittlitz's Plovers 
Charadrius pecuarius and a similar number of Spur-winged Plovers 
Hoplopterus spinosus were found in the vicinity with chicks and fledglings, 
along with two pairs of Senegal Thick-knees Burhinus senegalensis. 
In addition, during the summer visit (14-18 June 1990) an interesting 
number of late migrants were observed, including Spotted Flycatcher 
Muscicapa striata, Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica, Wheatear 
Oenantheoenanthe, Black-eared Wheatear O. hispanica, Isabelline Wheatear 
O. isabellina, European Bee-eater Merops apiaster and Masked Shrike 
Lanius nubicus. 
The non-aquatic breeding avifauna of Abu Simbil resembles, to a large 
extent, that of the Western Desert Oasis, described by Goodman et al 
(1986). The most common breeding birds are White-crowned Black 
Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga, Pale Crag Martin, Crested Lark Galerida 
cristata, Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida, Graceful Warbler Prinia 
gracilis. Palm Dove Streptopelia senegalensis, House Sparrow Passer 
domesticus. Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis and Black Kite. Rufous 
Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes, Hoopoe Upupa epops. Spotted 
Sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus, Eagle Owl Bubo bubo, Egyptian Vulture 
Neophron percnopterus, Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus and Sooty Falcon 
F. concolor were also found breeding in smaller numbers. 
Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis are seen at Abu Simbil all year round, but 
their breeding status is unknown. Ospreys Pandion haliaetus may nest 
in the area, as they are seen throughout the year and some courtship 
display was observed in November 1989 near Ostol, southeast of Abu 
Simbil. Lappet-faced Vultures Torgos tracheliotus are regularly seen on 
the road between Aswan and Abu Simbil. The vultures feed on camel 
carcases left behind by the camel trains from Sudan. The African Pied 
Wagtail Motacilla aguimp, considered by Goodman and Meininger 
(1989) to be a rare breeder along the shores of Lake Nasser, was not 
recorded during our visits to Abu Simbil, although there are recent 
records during other seasons, especially in winter and spring. 
4 
