From Damascus

One of the world’s most ancient and continuously inhabited towns, its oldest heart surely deserves (at least) a half-day visit - the Great Mosque is a must-see. Two birding trips are recommended from Damascus:

One-day excursion to the Yarmuk River at the border with Jordan. The site is reachable in about 2 hrs drive from Damascus. Impressive landscape made up by deep drainages and gorges. The bird targets of this excursion will be:

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus
White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis
Palestine Sunbird Nectarinia osea

One-day excursion to Bloudan, on the mountain range between Syria and Lebanon, to see

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris bicornis
Syrian Serin

Also possibly occurring in this area, but not yet proven, are Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata (in spring and summer, or during migration), Hill Sparrow (Pale Rockfinch) Carpospiza brachydactyla and Crimson-winged Finch Rhodopechys sanguinea.