HI Paul et al.:
As for a field guide I recommend Birds of Middle East (2nd edition). You
can read about it at my blog here:

http://birdbookerreport.blogspot.com/2010/11/featured-title.html

sincerely
--

Ian Paulsen
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
Visit my BIRDBOOKER REPORT blog here:
http://birdbookerreport.blogspot.com/