Zin Desert

Modern English translations make a distinction, but it is not easily evident from the Septuagint and the Vulgate which, apart from a couple of instances,[1] render both Hebrew ṣīn and sîn as "Sin".

As of 1899, most scholars, as well as traditional sources, identified the Wilderness of Zin as being part of the Arabah.

[2] Modern Israel has adopted the name for a specific southern desert area, which might or might not be identical with the biblical Wilderness of Zin.

A 25,000 ha (62,000-acre) tract of Israel's "Zin Desert" area near Sede Boqer, 50 km (30 mi) south of Be'er Sheva and some 300–600 m (1,000–2,000 ft) above sea-level, has been recognised as the Cliffs of Zin and Negev Highlands Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.

Significant bird populations for which the IBA was designated include sand partridges, common cranes, MacQueen's bustards, black and white storks, pallid scops owls, desert tawny owls, Egyptian and griffon vultures, sooty and lanner falcons, Arabian babblers, hooded wheatears and Sinai rosefinches.