22nd May After saying our goodbyes to Ali Safak, we headed further east to the town of Birecik on the River Euphrates. The first year tick we had hear was a Pygmy Cormorant flying over the road bridge crossing the river, a good start. We then headed to the local tea gardens, not for
refreshment but for owls, particularly Pale Scops Owl. This was a traditional site for the species right on the western edge of its range. Last year, we had quickly found our quarry so we were confident of success again. But sadly our plans went awry as despite extensive searching
no owl could be found. We decided to return after dark to try again, and in the meantime headed off to the gravel pits just north of the town. Here our luck returned and we quickly racked up new species: Iraq Babbler, Menetries Warbler, Dead Sea Sparrow, and a species that we
couldn't count for our list, Bald Ibis. As dusk fell we returned to the tea gardens and searched again for the owl. But once again, luck was against us. This was a festival day and the locals were celebrating with drums, loud music, dancing and fireworks, far from ideal owl-seeking
conditions.