Suez Bay 
Exploration of both Suez Bay and the marshes is quite straightforward by 
car. The Bay is bordered by a 'comiche' road, and other roads run directly 
past the marshes. Parking on the hard shoulder or in the little entries and 
access points shown on the map will allow good views over the water; 
but a telescope is useful. 
Short walks into garden areas around the Blue Huts and along the Old 
and New Causeways may reveal migrant passerines such as Red- 
throated Pipits Anthus cervinus, Isabelline Whea tears Oenanthe isabellim 
and Masked Shrikes Lanius nubicus. 
At some times of the day, glare from the sun can be considerable at this 
site. The tidal range of the Bay is 2.1 m. High tides concentrate birds into 
less accessible areas which may change according to disturbance, so 
visits on a rising or falling tide are best. 
The army has a considerable presence in this area, but their reaction to 
birdwatchers is usually friendly. It is, however, best not to watch the bay 
at dusk, since the army seems particularly vigilant then. Landmines are 
not a danger in the area shown, but are farther south along the road to Ain 
Sukhna. In that area, do not stray from the road except along obviously 
well-used tracks. 
Herons and egrets are quite well-represented, with Goliath Heron Ardea 
goliath reported in April, September and October. Grebes and wildfowl 
are generally uncommon. Raptors are outside the scope of this article. 
There is quite a variety of wader species, though apparently not in the 
great concentrations recorded by the Birds of Egypt Project in the 1970s, 
probably because of increased landclaim and disturbance. 
On 26 February, 27 Lesser Sand Plovers Charadrius mongolus and 20 Bar- 
tailed God wits Limosa lapponica were recorded, both the largest 
concentrations counted in Egypt. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius 
leschenaultii is a regular passage and winter visitor in low numbers, and 
Spur-winged Plovers Hoplopterus spinosus are common residents. Broad- 
billed Sandpipers Limicolafalcinellus and Terek Sandpipers Xenus cinereus 
are scarce passage migrants, with the latter recorded mostly in autumn. 
Marsh Sandpipers Tringa stagnatilis are regular on passage and in winter 
in low numbers. 
The proximity of the Red Sea breeding grounds influences the records of 
gulls and terns. Sooty Gulls Larus hemprichii have occurred outside the 
breeding season; White-eyed Gulls Larus leucopthalmus are regular in low 
numbers in spring and summer; Great Black-headed Gulls Larus 
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