Male Dead Sea Sparrow, Eilat, Israel, December 1987. Photographed from car 
window as the bird came to drink at a leaky irrigation pipe (Photograph Paul Doherty) 
Water 
The Middle East is an arid region, and standing water is a scarcity. One 
consequence of this is that wherever water is found, birds will not be far 
away. Sandgrouse are well known for their daily flights to suitable 
drinking pools, but a wide range of spedes are possible. Man-made 
water holes are always worth looking out for; agricultural developments, 
fish farms, sewage ponds and reservoirs are all likely spots, but be 
prepared to ask for permission. You should also be prepared to do some 
careful gardening to ensure that the photographs are not spoiled by 
obtrusive vegetation or unsightly rubbish. 
Politics 
No OSME member needs reminding of the political sensitivity of the 
Middle East. There are many areas where anyone wandering around 
with binoculars will be suspect, and anyone with binoculars and a 
camera will be doubly suspect. Some potential problems should be 
obvious (such as borders and military installations), but having once had 
my tripod mistaken for a portable drilling machine (and therefore being 
suspected of illegal mineral extraction), some are more difficult to 
foresee. 
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