Meet the Saudi Birding Team
At Saudi Birding, we’re more than guides—we’re passionate birders, conservation advocates, and cultural ambassadors. Our team brings decades of combined experience birding across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, from coastal wetlands to the highland forests of Asir. We specialize in connecting travelers with the Kingdom’s rich avifauna, including Arabia’s endemics, while offering insight into the region’s landscapes, history, and hospitality. Whether you're chasing lifers, learning bird calls, or exploring archaeological wonders between birding stops, the Saudi Birding team is here to make your journey unforgettable.
Founder and Lead Guide
Gregory Askew
Gregory has spent over fifteen years exploring the birdlife of the Arabian Peninsula, including nearly five years living and working in Saudi Arabia. He specializes in birding by ear and has contributed some of the first publicly available sound recordings of several Arabian endemics.
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With a strong footing in Arabic and a deep appreciation for the region’s culture, Gregory designs tours that connect birding with meaningful cultural experiences. He also serves as the eBird co-reviewer for Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and offers guidance to travelers planning birding trips in the Middle East.
Now based in Wichita Falls, Texas, he teaches English to Royal Saudi Air Force cadets while staying active in both local and Middle Eastern birding.
Guide
Ibrahim Al Shwamin
Ibrahim is a passionate birdwatcher and wildlife photographer with over eight years of experience documenting bird species across Saudi Arabia. A dedicated member of the Bird Protection Society in Saudi Arabia, he is deeply committed to avian conservation.
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He has led and participated in expeditions across all seasons and regions of the country, developing strong expertise in both resident and migratory species. Ibrahim also values cultural exchange and enjoys connecting with people from diverse backgrounds through shared experiences in nature and conservation.
Guide
James Conder
James has been a birder since growing up among the hills and wetlands of the West Country of England.
As well as Saudi Arabia, his career has taken him to Peru, Vietnam, Borneo, Egypt and southern Africa, and he is currently based in the UAE, where he works for Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority. He is a trained safari guide, and besides birding in Arabia, has a passion for exploring Africa by foot and vehicle.
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James is a keen nature photographer, and in his free time enjoys songwriting. A bird appears in almost every song.
Guide
Licia Calabrese
Originally from Italy, Licia brings over 15 years of field experience in bird research and conservation to her guiding. She spent six years in the Seychelles leading island-wide monitoring of seabirds, land birds, and other wildlife, later completing a PhD on shearwater ecology at Pierre et Marie Curie University. She has managed recovery projects for endangered species such as the Seychelles Magpie Robin and led conservation programs on remote atolls. Since 2020 she has been based in Saudi Arabia, where she serves as Bird Science Manager for the Red Sea Development Company, overseeing surveys, monitoring, and habitat management across the Al Wajh archipelago. Her deep regional knowledge and seabird expertise make her an exceptional guide for exploring Saudi Arabia’s unique birdlife.