Sa,
Tae

BULLETIN 29
AUTUMN 1992

OSME Bulletin 29

Autumn 1992
Editor: Mark Boyd |

All records in this Bulletin are subject to acceptance by the
relevant records committees of the country concerned.

Any articles, announcements or requests to do with birds in the
Middle East are welcome, and may be published free of charge,
subject to the discretion of the Editor. Accompanying photographs
and line-drawings are welcome. Bird names generally follow those
of Birds of the Middle East and North Africa.

Contributions to the next Bulletin should be received by 15
February 1993. They should preferably be double-spaced
and typed. Articles on disk (3.5 or 5.25 inch only please ) are
welcome. Please include both formatted and ASCII files and
a paper copy as well.

Illustrations

We are grateful to the following artists for the illustrations
used in this Bulletin:

SM Andrews: Houbara Bustard 2; Little Rock Thrush 4;
Hoopoe 8; Yellow-vented Bulbul 10; herons 14; Barred
Warbler 16; Redpoll 45.

Mark Boyd: Short-toed Eagle 32.

Richard Thewlis: Radde's Accentor (Cover).

We are grateful to the RSPB for the use of the following
illustrations:

Kestrel, Darren Rees, 19; Little Owl, Mike Langman, 42;
Bewick's Swan, Rob Hume 44. .

Ornithological research at the
National Wildlife Research Center,
Taif, Saudi Arabia

Stephen F Newton

Introduction

The National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC), Taif, is an integral part
of the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development
(NCWCD), based in Riyadh. NWRC was established in winter 1985/86,
primarily as a Houbara Chlamydotis undulata captive breeding unit. The
remit of the Center was soon expanded to include breeding programmes
of Arabian Oryx, Ostrich, Ibex and gazelles. The current remit of NWRC
remains focused on the captive breeding of these species, but the task of
management of protected areas and reintroduction is now also an
integral part of its programme.

The Center is situated on the interior plateau at 1400m above sea level,
just inland of the northern Asir mountains, approximately 200km from
Jeddah and the Red Sea coast, and 800km from Riyadh. During summer
1991, the Center was expanded considerably. A new Field Research
Department was created to monitor wildlife in protected areas, to
undertake pre- and post-release surveys of introduced species and to
initiate and support other NCWCD projects and surveys on endangered
or poorly known species and habitats outwith the protected area network
in the Kingdom.

NWRC, Taif

A large breeding flock (200+ birds) of Houbara of both the North African
subspecies Chlamydotis undulata undulata and the Asian subspecies C u
macqueenti are maintained for research (former) and reintroduction
purposes (latter). The species is notoriously difficult to breed in captivity.
Only 121 chicks were reared in three breeding seasons (1989-91). After
considerable research and investment in artificial insemination and
artificial incubation and using the technique of egg-pulling, around 150
chicks were reared from 60 laying females in 1992. This level of production
enables the breeding stock to be maintained at current levels and frees
birds for reintroduction experiments. A small number of Red-necked
Ostriches Struthio camelus is maintained at the Center and in the near
future the breeding stock will be increased and a reintroduction
programme will be started.

1 RECYCLED & PAPER

The location of NWRC was not chosen on conservation grounds - the
initial area being intrinsically uninteresting, flat, overgrazed sandy semi-
desert. However, the exclusion of domestic livestock has resulted in
excellent recovery of the original vegetation and the site is now attractive
to a wide variety of migrants and winter visitors. The breeding densities
of resident species suchas Black-crowned Finch Larks Eremopterix nigriceps
are considerably greater than those recorded outside. However, in
spring and summer 1991, groups of up to 15 Bald Ibises Geronticus eremita
were regularly present in an area immediately adjacent to NWRC. The
birds foraged on rather degraded desert for beetles and roosted in
mature Acacia trees. The origin of these birds is rather puzzling, since
none bore rings of breeding programmes in Israel or Turkey, and it can
only be inferred that they are non-breeding subadults wandering about
their former range. Unfortunately, there has been no similar recurrence
to date in 1992, though up to two were seen briefly in early spring.

Harrat al-Harrah

This enormous reserve in the extreme north of the Kingdom, adjacent to
the Jordan border, is protected by a large vehicle-based ranger force
backed up by aerial reconnaissance. Bedu camps and their associated
flocks of sheep and goats are excluded, although camels are still allowed
to graze. The habitat comprises undulating black lava desert, including
abundant extinct volcanic cones, cut by very shallow, though better-
vegetated wadis. The site is renowned as the last stronghold of the
Houbara in Saudi Arabia, with a small, resident breeding population
‘which is augmented by overwintering birds from other breeding sites
farther to the north. Sand Gazelles are still present in reasonable
numbers. A long-term field research programme on the Houbara has
been started in which flock size, distribution, movements, habitat use
and feeding ecology will be examined. Ground and aerial surveys are

2

undertaken to assess population size, and future work should include
some telemetry, both conventional and satellite.

Mahazat as Said

This is a large fenced desert /semi-desert reserve (c. 2200km/?) on the
central plateau 200km northeast of Taif. Habitats are predominantly
sand and gravel plains, though in places the area now resembles African
savannah, with Acacia and Maerua trees, shrubs and grasses recovering
well after good rains and protection from domestic livestock. Mahazat is
the focal site in Saudi for the reintroduction of native ungulates - so far
both Arabian Oryx and Sand Gazelles have been re-established and are
breeding successfully in the reserve. The site has also been used for some
reintroduction trials with Houbara, though the habitat is not ideal and
only small numbers of birds have been used. However, the successful
breeding year at NWRC in spring 1992 means that more comprehensive
releases and follow-up work on Houbara will be undertaken from
summer 1992 onwards. The site will probably feature strongly in feasibility
studies and subsequent reintroduction of Red-necked Ostriches.

Perhaps the most important bird species utilizing Mahazat is the Lappet-
faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus. At least 100 have been recorded roosting
in the safety of the reserve, both in trees and on the ground, together with
smaller numbers of Griffon Gyps fuluus and Egyptian Vultures Neophron
percnopterus. They forage mostly on carrion (domestic livestock) outside
the reserve. About 10 pairs of Lappets breed in the reserve; in 1992 six
nests were monitored in detail, from which four chicks fledged. Eggs are
laid in December and fledging does not take place until June. A
postgraduate study has just begun on the feeding ecology and ranging
behaviour of the scavenging bird community (including Brown-necked
Raven Corvus ruficollis). Also, a monitoring programme of the small
passerine community is being established. Hoopoe Lark Alaemonalaudipes,
Dunn’s Eremalauda dunni and other typical “desert” larks breed in
considerable numbers.

Wadi Turabah/Jebel Ibrahim

The wadi and jebel are situated in the northern Asir mountains
approximately 100km south of NWRC. The site has no formal protection
as yet, but we hope this will be achieved soon. Wadi Turabah is a fairly
narrow valley approximately 55km long, witha fairly major, perennially
running, water course flowing inland. Thus, a wide variety of relatively
lush, well-vegetated habitats are present, including reedbeds, grassy
terraces, Acacia woodland and palm groves. Jebel Ibrahim is an area of
spectacular montane scenery, centred around a granite plateau rising to
2600m. The domes and cliffs are reminiscent of Yosemite and the
intervening slopes are relatively well wooded.

3

The overall area supports a high proportion of the Arabian endemics. It
is perhaps best known for its wetland birds, including breeding Hamerkop
Scopus umbretta and Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala, plus a
wintering flock of Black Storks Ciconia nigra, and as the first proven
breeding site for Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verrauxti in Arabia. The Acacia
woodlands also support a healthy population of Arabian Woodpeckers
Dendrocopos dorae, which is receiving special attention by NWRC. The
distribution, habitat selection and breeding status of all species is
monitored regularly and a draft management plan is being developed for
presentation to NCWCD and the Government for ratification.

Raydah
This is a small reserve (9km/7) situated approximately 20km west of the
city of Abha at the southern end of the Asir mountains. The site extends
from approximately 1200-2700m on the southwest facing escarpment,
and is probably the best-preserved area of montane juniper woodland in
Arabia. Virtually all the terrestrial endemic bird species occur in the
reserve (except the Accentor), together with other scarce species such as
the Shikra Accipiter badius. The ornithological monitoring at this critical
site is centred on gaining a much fuller understanding of distribution,
movements, habitat requirements, breeding ecology and survival rates
of relatively common forest species. Thus, the following are receiving
particular attention: Yemen Thrush Turdus menachensis, Yemen Linnet
Carduelis yemenensis, Arabian Serin Serinus rothschildi, Dusky Turtle
Dove Streptopelia lugens, Palestine
Sunbird Nectarinea osea, Little Rock
Thrush Monticola rufocinerea,
Yemen Warbler Parisoma buryi,
Brown Woodland Warbler
Phylloscopus umbrovirens and
White-breasted White-eye
Zosterops abyssinica. Methods used
include constant-effort mist-
netting, colour-ringing and point
counts; radio telemetry of some
species is planned for the future.
Recently, we have discovered a
healthy population § of the
Mountain Nightjar Caprimulgus
poliocephalus, a species new: for
Arabia. This African species is
probably resident and widespread
in the forests of southwestern Saudi
Arabia. It may have been
overlooked because it whistles
rather than churrs.

4

Tihama

The Tihama coastal plain is well developed in Saudia Arabia between
Jeddah and the Yemen border. Several species-specific NWRC projects
are underway at three fairly widely separated sites. The Arabian Bustard
Ardeotis arabs survives very tenuously and a protected area is being
established in the vicinty of Qunfudah. Given habitat protection, it is
hoped that the population may partially recover by recolonisation from
areas across the Red Sea where persecution is perhaps not so intense. The
breeding biology and feeding ecology of the Sooty Falcon Falco concolor
is studied on some small mangrove-fringed nearshore islands near Al
Lith, where approximately 35 pairs nest semi-colonially on the ground.
During summer /early autumn 1992 an attempt is being made to survey
most other islands in the Saudi sector of the Red Sea to estimate the
overall population of this species. Within Saudi Arabia, the Helmeted
Guineafowl Numida meleagris is confined to a single wadi system in the
extreme south west corner of the country. Although numbers have been
monitored irregularly over the last five years and almost certainly exceed
1,000, we are only now beginning to investigate their ecology and the
threats to this endangered population.

Other Surveys

Many projects could be listed in this section, but I will mention only three
briefly. Ithas long been known that the majority of the African wintering
population of the Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo probably passes
through Saudi Arabia on migration. However, almost nothing is known
of numbers involved, route taken and whether or not any staging posts
are used. In spring 1992 a survey team visited the Hail/Jebel Aja’ region
in north-central Saudi to investigate crane migration. In two weeks,
approximately 4,500 Demoiselle Cranes were counted. Preliminary
observations indicated that they probably pass through the Kingdom
rapidly without utilizing any feeding/staging posts although they do
descend at dusk and roost on the ground in the vicinity of the Nafud
Desert. More comprehensive coverage is planned from 1993. Casual
observations suggest that substantial numbers of raptors migrate through
the Kingdom. To date, only two sites have been covered systematically
for reasonable lengths of time: Al Hada escarpment near Taif in autumn
1991, and Hail in spring 1992. Future monitoring of these and other sites
is anticipated. Finally, recent events in the Arabian Gulf have shown how
important it is to have baseline waterfowl counts from coastal areas and
knowledge of seabird breeding sites. As yet, waterbird populations of
the Red Sea are very poorly known and over the last couple of years
NCWCD has been establishing a mid-winter survey protocol for the area
as part of the Asian Waterfowl Census. From 1993, NWRC will be fully
involved in this project.

Stephen F Newton, NCWCD/NWRC, PO Box 1086, Taif, Saudi Arabia
5

Some observations of birds in
northwestern Iraq, 1983

SA Rasmussen

Introduction

During the autumn of 1983, I spent three months in Iraq working at a
chemical plant, five kilometres south of the Euphrates and about 15
kilometres from the Syrian border near the village of Al Qaim. The
factory and the camp site covered an area of about 25 square kilometres.

I arrived in Baghdad on 9 September, and next day I drove to Al Qaim.
From 6-10 November, I visited Baghdad and surroundings and returned
to Al Qaim. Finally, I left Al Qaim on 2 December.

My observations were restricted to the camp and the plant itself and an
area of open land between them, crossed by roads passing a wadi. I
managed two short visits to the banks of the Euphrates, which offered
little habitat for bird life. lalso drove three times to Huseiba at the Syrian
border, and spent a week in Baghdad in the beginning of November, and
from there I travelled to Babylon and Kerbala.

Because of the war, I was notallowed to bring binoculars or photographic
equipment with me, and I could not explore the surroundings of the
plant. Further, because of an eye ailment, I had to use sunglasses all day
long.

It was obvious that most of the migration was directed towards east/
southeast, i.e towards the fertile parts of the country between the two
important rivers (the Euphrates and the Tigris), whereas migration of
swallows and other passerines was westward. It was also evident that
many smaller birds (nightjars, wheatears, shrikes etc) were quite exhausted
after having crossed maybe 200-300 kilometres of dry desert land.

Local Topography

During my stay in Baghdad and my four 450-kilometre drives from the
capital to the plant, I noticed the changing landscape between western
and southeastern Iraq. Iraq west of the Euphrates is an enormous flat
desert covered mostly by dusty clay over limestone. The south is
characterized by flat and fertile lowland and wetlands. As a result, the
birds at Al Qaim in the northwestern desert were quite different from
those around Baghdad and Babylon.

The camp had previously been occupied by around 7,000 people, but was
nearly empty. It was about five years old, and the company had planted
trees and bushes around the factory and the camp. The camp employees
had also grown gardens with lawns and flowers by importing fertile
earth from the banks of the Euphrates. Because of this, the camp and the
plant seemed to attract migratory birds. It was less good for breeding
birds. The plant itself seemed to attract migratory raptors, possibly
because the heat produced by the installations created thermal
updraughts.

Climate

During September, October and November, the sun shone each day from
7 o’clockin the morning to 7 o’clock in the evening. The temperature was
up to 50°C during the first half of September, and cooler, like a Danish
summer, until the beginning of December, when clouds began to appear.
No rain fell during my stay. Winds were mostly from the south or east,
occasionally from the westand rarely from the north, and were moderate.

Systematic List

White Stork Ciconia ciconia

On 11 November, at 1 pm, 25 White Storks headed southeast over the camp, and
on 26 November, at 11 amI saw a flock of 36 over the plant. In both cases, the birds
were clearly following the Euphrates.

Buzzard Buteo spp

I noted 107 observations of buzzards between 14 September and 30 November.
Of these, I recorded about 24 as Long-legged Buzzards Buteo rufinus (seven
during September, six during October, and 11 during November). The remaining
83 I noted as Steppe Buzzards Buteo buteo vulpinus (12 during September, 33
during October, and 38 during November).

Black Kite Milvus migrans

Isaw Black Kites daily. From the middle of October, [noticed 10 to 15 Black Kites
migrating daily.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

On 19 September, I found a dead Kestrel at the factory. The dead bird had no
head, and one of the wings was badly damaged. I saw Kestrels on various
occasions, hunting and sitting on poles at the plant, in the camp and along the
road from Baghdad to Babylon.

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni

From 9 September to 26 November, I observed one to three very noisy small
falcons within the plant area, where they flew around resting on chimneys,
towers or railings. They behaved as if they were a breeding pair with one
juvenile.

Quail Coturnix coturnix

On 21 September, I was told that a dead ‘chicken’ had been found on the ground
at the factory. I saw the bird and identified it as a Quail. On 8 October, I flushed
a Quail at the plant’s outdoor storage area.

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur

I saw big flocks of Turtle Doves over Baghdad on 10 September, in a palm-grove
at the Euphrates on 23 September, and again in the Baghdad area from 7 to 9
November, but in much smaller numbers.

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

Very common at my arrival at Baghdad and at the camp. A month later, only a
few were seen in the camp, but the species was still abundant in Baghdad in early
November.

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus

Only observed three times: one bird between Baghdad and Al Qaim on 10
September, 10-12 northeast of Baghdad on 7 November, and one near Baghdad
on 9 November.

Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus

On 28 September, a male and a female were found roosting at the plant.

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

Between Baghdad and Babylon on 9 November, I saw about 10 birds perching on
telephone wires along the road in the wetlands, and on 25 November I saw three
Pied Kingfishers noisily diving in the Euphrates.

Hoopoe Upupa epops

On 23 September, I saw two Hoopoes at the Euphrates, and on 9 October one
appeared in the camp.

Raven Corvus corax

This species was seen regularly over the camp, over the plant, at the Euphrates
and also during my trips to and from Baghdad.

Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis

I saw two to three Brown-necked Ravens almost daily at the plant, and on
November 30, two mobbed three Black Kites over the desert area between the
plant and the camp.

Rook Corvus frugilegus

When driving from Baghdad to Al Qaim on 10 September, I observed many
flocks of Rooks along the roadside. I was astonished to see so many juveniles:
none of the hundreds of birds observed then — and also later at Al Qain —had the
pale spotat the root of the beak. Allouse (1953) reported Rooks as arriving in large
flocks in the latter half of October and the first half of November (coming from
the south or southeast). It was not until 5 November that I again saw small flocks,
totalling 67 individuals, mostly juveniles, flying east-northeast over the camp.

8

Also during my trip to and from Baghdad and Babylon during the first week of
November I observed big flocks of Rooks. The migration of Rooks (always east-
northeast) continued daily in flocks around noon totalling 70-100 birds until [left
the plant.

Hooded Crow Corvus corone corvix

Only one was seen during my stay, at the Euphrates on 25 November.
Meopotamian Carrion Crow Corvus corone capellanus

Observed on five occasions near Baghdad, and I also saw six between Baghdad
and Babylon.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula

Only noticed three times, but might have been flocking with rooks, as on 16
November. Also observed at the Euphrates on 25 November and near Baghdad
on 2 December.

Magpie Pica pica

Observed on 10 September, 6 November and 10 (totally 12 specimens) near
Baghdad. Two were also seen at the Euphrates on 25 November.

Fieldfare Turdus pularis

On 3 November at 7 am, I saw and heard three at the fence of the plant.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

One seen and heard in the camp on 11 November.

Redwing Turdus iliacus

One seen and heard northeast of Baghdad on 7 November, and the following day
in a park in Baghdad. According to Ctyroky (1987), this record may be the third
for Iraq.

Blackbird Turdus merula

This species, which breeds and winters in Iraq, was observed only once, in
Baghdad on 8 November.

Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens

On 31 October, one was seen sitting on the fence of the factory storage area.
Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka

Seen at the storage area on 13 September and 13 NOSES

Stonechat Saxicola torquata

Observed on 22 October and 11 November (four individuals) in the desert area
between the camp and the plant.

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus

This migrant was seen14 times from October to 14 November in the gardens of
the camp.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

This species was seen15, at the plant, at the camp and in Baghdad.

Robin Erithacus rubecula

On 18 October in the evening I heard a Robin in one of the gardens of the camp.
On the morning on 1 December, one was seen on a factory windowsill.
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

Birds resembling this species were seen on four occasions from 26 September into
October at the plant.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

At the plant and in the gardens of the camp from 19 September to 22 November
I frequently observed eight to 12 Chiffchaff-like birds daily.

9

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata

Observed five times between 14 September and 27 October in the camp and on
the lawns at the head offices of the plant. |

Pied Flycatcher Muscicapa hypoleuca

One female at the plant on 1 October.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

This species winters in Iraq and was observed four times: 9 September and 25
November at the Euphrates; 9 November at Babylon; and 18 November in the
open area between the camp and the plant.

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis

A passage migrant in Iraq, the species was heard at the plant on 28 September and
16 October.

White Wagtail Motacilla alba

Seen frequently from 1 October to 2 December, in the camp, at the plant, on the
way to Baghdad, in Babylon and in Huseiba. The numbers peaked from the end
of October into November. Flocks were seen flying west on16 November and
south on 20 November.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava

Up to 10 were observed daily from 9 September to 11 October, on the lawns at the
plant's head office building.

Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus

On 12 September I saw either a female or juvenile at the plant. On 25, 27 and 28
September and 10 October I saw males also at the plant.

Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos

On 9 September, in the garden of the guest house in Baghdad, I watched several
Bulbuls with spectacular yellow undertail-coverts. On 7 October, I saw three
birds in a tree in the camp. I know Common Bulbuls Pycnonotus barbatus from
East Africa, Israel, Morocco and Tunisia very well, but the bulbuls I saw in Iraq
were definitely Yellow-vented Bulbuls.

x

x

[There is a possible record of Yellow-vented Bulbul from Feluja, just east of
Baghdad (J Bombay NHS 28: 271), but otherwise these seem to be the first records.
Eds]

10

White-cheeked Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys

This species was also observed in the garden in Baghdad on 9 September, where
a pair of these birds foraged on yellow dates, and from time to time mobbed the
Yellow-vented Bulbuls. On 7 November, two pairs were seen copulating in the
same garden. From 8 to 10 November, White-cheeked Bulbuls seemed rather
common in Baghdad and around Babylon.

Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Starlings wintering in Mesopotamia were seen from early November in small
flocks flying west. Small flocks were seen in Baghdad, and many flocks observed
between Baghdad and Babylon also in November. On 6 November, a large flock
was seen flying east from the plant, and on 25 November several flocks were seen
resting at the banks of the Euphrates. On my way to Baghdad on 2 December, I
observed very large flocks.

Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea semenowt

At dusk on 12 October I saw a flock of about 12-15 yellowish-greyish birds in
bushes at the camp. The following evening I saw five birds at the same place.

Acknowledgments

Iam indebted to Niels Hesselbjerb Christensen for good advice during conversa-
tions before and after my stay in Iraq. I should also like to thank Uffe Gjol
Sorensen most heartily for positive criticism of the manuscript.

References

Allouse, B.E. 1953. The avifauna of Iraq. Iraq Nat. Hist. Mus. Public. 3. Baghdad.
Benson, S. Vere 1970. Birds of Lebanon and the Jordan Area. London and New
York.

Christensen, N.H. 1958. Observations of Birds and Bird migration in Iraq, 1958.
Dansk ornith. Foren. Tidskrift, 56: 1962. p.56-81.

Conder, Peter 1979. Birds of the Azraq Wetland Reserve, Jordan: January and
February 1979. Sandgrouse 2: 22-32.

Ctyroky, Pavel 1987. Ornithological Observations in Iraq. Beitr. Vogelkd. 33 (3/
4): 141-204. .

Fitter, Richard, Parslow, John and Heinzel, Hermann 1972. Felthandbog over
Fuglene i Europa, Nord-afrika eg Mellemosten. Kobenhavn.

Marchant, S. 1963 Migration in Iraq. [bis: 369-398.

Porter, R.F., Willis, Ian, Christensen, Steen and Nielsen, Bent Pors 1974. Flight
Identification of European Raptors . Berkhamsted.

State Organisation for Tourism 1982. [rag - A Tourist Guide. Baghdad.
Sutherland, William J. and Brooks, Duncan J. 1976. The Autumn Migration of
raptors, storks, pelicans and spoonbills at the Belen Pass, Southern Turkey.
Sandgrouse 2: 1-11.

Vaurie, C. 1959. The Birds of the Palearctic Fauna. I. Passeriformes. London.
Vaurie, C. 1965. The Birds of the Palearctic Fauna. II. Non- Passeriformes. London.
Witherby, H.F., Jourdain, F.C.R., Ticehurst, Norman F and Tucker, Bernhard
W. 1947-48. The Handbook of British Birds. London.

SA Rasmussen, Kvoedevej 35, DK-2830, Virum, Denmark

1]

Notes on recent changes in the status
of breeding herons in the —
Egyptian Nile Valley and Delta

Sherif M Baha El Din

In recent years, there has been a noticeable change in the status of most
of the herons breeding in the Egyptian Nile Valley and Delta. This
change is probably partly due to increased ornithological coverage of
various areas of this region, particularly during the summer. However,
the rapidly altering ecology of the highly manipulated environment in
the Egyptian Nile Valley is certainly the main cause for these changes.

Fortunately, the recent changes have been increases innumbers,expansion
in rangeand establishment of new breeding colonies of all species known
to breed in the Nile Valley and Delta. This article reviews the most
notable recent observations reflecting these changes.

Met e/7INEOT 520 ie
3 — D

Bonctts Little Bittern Icxobrychus

minutus

There is some evidence of an
increase in the abundance of this
species. In recent years it has been
seen more regularly, even along
the smallest canals in cultivated
areas. Over 100 individuals were
counted from a train travelling
between Qena and Aswan during
the summer of 1991. Goodman
and Meininger (1989) state that the
species is known to breed only in
the Nile Delta and northern Valley.

4ON700
' 2 Bilbets

poe
4 F NX
Py \
Y \
F i
te Qena
Sern

Night Heron Nycticorax

nyticorax

Three small colonies containing a
total of over 150 nests were found
in the summer of 1992 in marshy
localities northeast of Bilbeis,
eastern Delta. On 4 August 1992,
the nests still contained young.

Locations mentioned in the text.
12

This is the first confirmed breeding of this species in Egypt since 1922,
when chicks were taken froma nest found at the Giza Zoological Gardens
(Goodman and Meininger 1989). These authors assessed the current
status of the species in Egypt as being ‘probably a rare breeding resident
in the Upper Nile Valley.’

Green Heron Butorides striatus

This species has quietly colonised the southern half of the Egyptian Nile
Valley. The first record from this region appears to be on 4 November
1982 at Aswan (Goodman and Meininger 1989). Today Green Herons are
recorded regularly in suitable habitats as far northas Asiut. Althoughno
nests have been found yet, birds of this species, including very young
juveniles, have been seen year round throughout its range. There is little
doubt that Green Herons breed in the Egyptian Nile Valley.

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides

The species was regarded as a ‘rare and local breeding resident in the
Upper Nile Valley’ (Goodman and Meininger 1989). The only known
breeding site for the species was a very small colony at Aswan.

On 18 July 1992, hundreds of Squacco Herons (probably over 1,000),
including recently fledged young, were noted around Damietta at the
western edge of Lake Manzala. The birds abounded in the rice fields in
this agricultural landscape. No such concentrations have been reported
elsewhere in Egypt, particularly during the summer. The birds must
have bred in nearby reed swamps, along with Little Egrets Egretta
garzetta (see below).

In July and August 1992, a total of about 100 nests were found in three
separate colonies to the northeast of Bilbeis. This is the first confirmed
record of breeding of the species in the Nile Delta. The nests found
contained chicks and nearly fledged young.

Cattle Egret Egretta ibis

There is clear evidence that the Cattle Egret’s numbers are now increasing
dramatically in the Nile Delta. The species suffered during the 1970s and
early 1980s, probably asa result of the heavy use of pesticides (Mullieand
Meininger 1985; Mullié et al 1992).

Pineau (1992) estimates that there has been a four-fold increase in the
numbers of egrets nesting at the infamous Giza Zoo colony between 1987
and 1990 (from 1,604 nests in 1987 to 7,269 nests in 1990). In 1992, the
colony must have grown even bigger because the birds extended their
activity (for the first time outside the zoo boundaries) toa ‘sub colony’ on
a group of trees shading the local police station, about 0.5 km farther

13

north. Similar expansions were noted at Shakshuk (Fayoum) and Suez.
Furthermore, three new large colonies, containing over 5,000 nests, were
discovered in the summer of 1992 northeast of Bilbeis. Cattle Egrets were
also noted as far north as Mansoura, in the northern Delta, where they
have been absent during the last two decades.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Considerable numbers of Little Egrets were seen in the west of Lake
Manzala during the summer of 1992. No breeding evidence was found,
but they appeared to be resident in the area, probably breeding in
association with Squacco Herons in the large reed swamps. Furthermore,
at least five nests were found containing half-grown chicks to the
northeast of Bilbeis, where the birds were nesting in association with
Cattle Egrets. This is the first verified breeding of the species in the Delta
since at least the 1950s.

New breeding colonies in the vicinity of Bilbeis

The new colonies were first noted by Mr John Tidy, in June 1992. The
colonies are about 15 km northeast of Bilbeis and include three major
colonies and several smaller ‘sub colonies’. They are all in Typha reed
swamps. These are the most diverse colonies known from Egypt,
including nests of all species
mentioned above (except for Green
Heron), and very possibly a small
breeding population of Glossy
Ibises Plegadis falcinellus. Some
Ibises were seen around one of the
colonies throughout most of the
summer (see details for other
species above). The landscape of
the area is dominated by rice fields
(in the summer) and fish farms.
Both of these contained many
amphibians, particularly the frog
Ptychadena mascareniensis and the
newly described toad Bufo kassasit.

The age of these colonies, which
are the largest of their kind known
in the Delta, is unknown; but they
are certainly a recent response to
improved environmental
conditions and perhaps a more
abundant food supply.

14

Discussion

Meininger (1991) and Pineau (1992) suggest that the recent increase in
Black-shouldered Kites Elanus caeruleus and Cattle Egrets is related toa
reduction in the use of pesticides in agricultural land in Egypt. According
to Dr Mohammed E Hamaki, general manager of pest Control at the
Ministry of Agriculture (in Lewnes 1992), the Egyptian Government has
reduced pesticide use by 40 percent over the last five years. Mullié et al
(1992), on the other hand, note that the recent increases coincided witha
shift in the type of pesticides used in Egypt, while Horner and Magalli
(1992) propose that changes in agricultural practices might have lead to
this increase (in the case of the Black-shouldered Kite). Thereis, however,
nothing but circumstantial evidence to supportany of the above scenarios.

It is most likely that a combination of factors have led to the current
apparent increase in some bird populations, in-depth studies relating
these rapid changes with shifts in agricultural practices (including
changes in pesticide use patterns) would be most useful, particularly to
ensure the future conservation of these birds.

Acknowledgments

Many thanks go to Mr John Tidy for pointing out his finding of the Bilbeis
colonies, and to my wife Mindy, Mr Ahmed Riad, Dr Gary Alport and Mr John
Hardwick who accompanied me during various visits to Bilbeis and other sites
in the Delta.

References

Goodman S.M. and Meininger, P.L. (eds) 1989. The Birds of Egypt. Oxford
University Press, Oxford.

Horner, K.O. and Megalli, M.D. 1992. Population changes of Black-shouldered
kites in the Nile Valley of Egypt. Courser 3: 5-15.

Lewnes, A. 1992. The Killing fields. Cairo Today, 13 (8): 64-66, 108-109.
Meininger, P.L. (in press) Range extension of Black-shouldered kites Elanus
caeruleus in northern Egypt. Sandgrouse.

Mullie, W.C.; Massi, A.; Focardi, S and Renzoni, A. 1992. Residue levels of
Organochlorines and Mercury in Cattle Egret, Bulbulcus ibis, eggs from the
Faiyum Oasis, Egypt. Bull Environ. Contam, Toxicol., 48: 739-746.

Mullié, W.C. and Meininger, P.L. 1985. The decline of birds of prey populations in
Egypt. ICPB Technical Publications, 5: 61-82.

Pineau, O. 1992. Status of the Cattle Egret colony of Giza in April 1990. Courser,
3: 43-47.

Sherif M Baha El Din, Executive Business Service, Cairo Marriott Hotel, PO
Box 33 Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt

15

Impressions of spring passerine
migration at Aksehir Golii, Turkey

Chris Bradshaw and Guy Kirwan

During a short survey of Aksehir Glu, conducted between 19 and 26
April and 3 and 8 May 1992, it became apparent that the area is important
for migrant passerines. This note summarises our observations.

When wearrived in thearea on 19 and 20 April, there were large numbers
of Lesser Short-toed Larks Calendrella rufescens, Whinchats Saxicola rubetra,
Sedge Warblers Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, Lesser Whitethroats Sylvia
curruca, Blackcaps S atricapilla, Wood Warblers Phylloscopus sibilatrix and
Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca. During the following week, there
were also falls of several other species: Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis,
Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos, Whitethroat Sylvia communis, Willow
Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, and Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis.
Although we could only estimate numbers because of the wide area of
habitat involved, the volume of migration was very impressive. For
instance, we calculated that perhaps as many as 10,000 Whinchats, 15,000
Blackcaps and 250 Collared Flycatchers were present on some days.
Smaller numbers of the following species werealso regularly encountered
throughout the first week of the survey period: Citrine Wagtail Motacilla
citreola (eight individuals), Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia, Barred
Warbler Sylvia nisoria, Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata and Wryneck
Jynx torguilla.

WN
SN

—
=

16

The migration was different by the time of the second survey period. The
number of birds had decreased, and the most common birds were now
Bee-eaters Merops apiaster, Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervinus, Willow
Warblers, Red-backed Shrikes Lanius collurioand Black-headed Buntings
Emberiza melanocephala. Of these, only Willow Warbler had previously
been recorded in significant numbers, while most of the others had been
present only in very small numbers. However, smaller numbers of the
birds that had made up the bulk of the passage during the earlier period
were still passing through.

Aksehir Golt, a large playa lake, linked to the nearby Eber Goli, is at the
extreme southwest edge of the Central Plateau, close to the industrial city
of Afyon. The two lakes, perhaps best thought of as a single closed
wetland system, are enclosed to the south by the Suitan Mountains and
to the north by the Emir Mountains. The lakes, especially Aksehir, are
surrounded on all but their northern shores by dense orchards, principally
of almonds, interspersed with cereal fields, which predominate on the
north side of the lakes. Thus, such a ‘green’ area, in a deep valley and
otherwise surrounded for a large distance by alternately cultivated and
barren steppe forms a natural resting and feeding area for passerines.
Bad weather in the Sultan Mountains (snow often still falls in late spring)
will further concentrate migrants into the basin around the lakes; such
adverse conditions prevailed throughout the second half of April 1992.

Passerine migration has been little studied in Turkey, although casual
data have been collected during two breeding bird surveys. One spring
census, largely concerned with Ruff Philomachus pugnax, was made at
Eber Golii (WIWO report 28). Mist-netting for passerines was conducted
on 16 days between 3 and 22 April 1988. For anyone searching for
something a little different from their holiday in Turkey, a visit to
Aksehir in either spring or autumn, the latter being even poorer known,
could be the answer. The possibility of seeing large numbers of migrants,
some in very incongruous situations, reminiscent of a classic British east
coast fall, and with the possibility of rarer migrants (we recorded River
Warbler Locustella fluviatilis, Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina and
Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea) should be sufficient incentive.

Acknowledgement
We should like to thank Neil Aston for participating in the first half of this survey.

Chris Bradshaw, 112 Lonsdale Drive, Rainham, Gillingham, Kent, UK; and
Guy Kirwan, 6 Connaught Road, Norwich NR2 3BP, UK

17

Mixed flocks of foraging Jackdaws
and Cattle Egrets

Henk K Mienis

The Jackdaw Corvus monedula is a rare resident in Israel, restricted to a
few colonies in caves (Bet Govrin) and quarries (Migdal Zedaq near
Petah Tiqwah) (Hovel, 1987; Paz, 1987). In recent years, the Jackdaw has
also bred in growing numbers in the quarry of 'Nesher-Ramla' and some
nearby caves.

Since May 1992, large mixed flocks of Jackdaws and Cattle Egrets
Bubulcus ibis have been seen hunting for insects and other prey in an
abandoned Avocada plantation between the quarry and the 'Nesher-
Ramla’ sewage-reservoir. The Jackdaws associate with the egrets among
the tall weeds, often flying up briefly to chase an escaping prey item. The
mixed flock moves systematically from one end of the plantation to the
other. Also during brief rests in the remaining avocado trees, this mixed
flock is maintained. At the end of the day, the jackdaws return to the
quarry, while the Cattle egrets move westwards to their roosting colonies
somewhere west of the line Ramla-Lod.

References

Hovel, H., 1987. Check-list of the birds of Israel. 196pp. Tel Aviv University and
Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.
Paz, U., 1987. he birds of Israel. 264 pp. The Stephen Greene Press, Lexington.

Zoological Museum, Dept. Evolution, systematics and Ecology, Berman
Building, Hebrew University, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel

Kestrels feeding on reptiles near
Ramla, Israel

Henk K Mienis

For the past three years, we have been using a number of large nestboxes
on tall poles near the 'Nesher-Ramla' sewage reservoir, Ramla, Israel.
Although placed initially to attract owls, so far the nestboxes have been
occupied only by Kestrels Falco tinnunculus and House Sparrows Passer
domesticus.

18

In 1990 and 1991, a nestbox fixed to an electricity pole near the entrance
of the reservoir was used successfully by a pair of Kestrels. In 1990, we
observed their diet, directly and indirectly by looking at pellets and other
debris. It comprised mainly large insects (grasshoppers, mole crickets,
beetles), small birds and a considerable number of Levantine voles.

During 1991, voles were scarce and so the Kestrels changed to eating
reptiles. At the end of the breeding season we found below the nestbox
the remains of eight Agama lizards Agama stellio and eight Chameleons
Chamaele chamaeleon. The heads and tails of both prey species had been
discarded.

Other available reptiles such as juvenile snakes (Coluber jugularis asianus
and Natrix tessellata), lizards (Ophisops elegans) and skinks (Chalcides
ocellatus and Mabuya vittata) were not taken.

Although it is well-known that Kestrels occasionally take reptiles, it is
unusual for them to be such a prominent part of the diet.

Zoological Museum Dept. Evolution, Systematics and Ecology, Berman
Building, Hebrew University, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel

19

The OSME Sites Register Scheme:
progress report

Mike Evans

The Sites Register Scheme was launched by OSME in 1983 so that
members could document important sites for birds in the Middle East
(OSME Bull. 10: 1-3). Members filled in forms on sites which they felt
were important and sent them in to the Co-ordinator, who carried out
this role in his spare time. The Scheme was rather open-ended and
archival. Its success in gathering information on a country-by-country
basis depended on the distributionand level of activity of OSME members.
Thus the Scheme has now largely been replaced by the ICBP/OSME
Important Bird Areas in the Middle East project launched in 1991.

To 'wrap things up’ in the Sites Register Scheme for the present, I report
here on results of the Scheme since the last report in 1988 (OSME Bull. 21:
12-14). During this period, nine further sites were added to the register,
including three which contributors wish to keep confidential. The other
six sites are listed below, with the form compiler’s name and using the
spelling given:

Egypt

Wadi Ambagi 26°07’N 34°13’E —_—-R Frost

Saudi Arabia

Jebel Humrah area - M C Jennings
Turkey

Tuzla Golu 37°N 27°E A F A Hawkins
Eregli Marshes 37°N 33°E P Willoughby
Halfeti 37°N 37°E P Willoughby
Deve Gecidi Baradjii 38°N 40°E P J Dubois

In summary, 38 participants have sent in 181 site forms in the nine years
of the scheme’s life, and have collectively made a major contribution to
bird conservation in the Middle East. These very valuable results are
being fed into the Middle East IBA project (Turkey and Cyprus by ICBP).
The analysis of the Sites Register Scheme data promised in the last

progress report was abandoned when it became clear that coverage was

too uneven between countries; however, such an analysis is planned for
the Middle East IBA project results.

M I Evans, ICBP, 32 Cambridge Road, Girton, Cambridge, CB3 OPJ, UK
20

Important Bird Areas in the Middle
East: an update

Mike Evans

This project was launched last year by OSME and the International
Council for Bird Preservation, with the aim of compiling essential
information on all sites in the region which are important for bird
conservation, to be published as a book in 1993. The book will be widely
distributed to governments and other decision makers in the area, with
the intention that it will promote further initiatives at these sites, eg
activity in education, monitoring, protection and legislation. Participation
by all interested individuals and organisations is most welcome and is
strongly encouraged; please write to the address at the end of this article
for details of the project, in English or Arabic.

Since the last progress report (OSME Bull. 28: 39-40), data collection has
begun in earnest, with data-sheets and associated instructions having
been sent out to numerous participants. A network of contacts continues
to be developed to cover all countries in the region, although current
events in Iraq and Afghanistan are making it difficult to find participants
in those countries. Data-collection is being undertaken primarily within
each country, by governmental wildlife conservation agencies, by NGOs
and by individual birders.

At the end of the project, groups within each country will have all the
collected national data at their disposal, and it is hoped that an impetus
of interest and concern will have been reached whereby the important
sites in each country will continue to be watched, the quality of information
on them will continue to be upgraded, their status will be monitored, and
ways will actively be sought to ensure their continued existence in the
face of any threats.

My job as co-ordinator is to provide help to all participants wherever
possible, eg by finding data, seeking out further contacts, putting people
in touch and so on, as well as compiling data-sheets myself from the
literature for any remaining areas which lack active participants, eg Iraq.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in participating;
I can assure you that any contribution will be worthwhile. An example
of a completed data sheet follows this article; the data-sheet is easy to fill
in, and you will be contributing towards conservation at the same time.

Mike Evans, Project Co-ordinator, IBAs in the Middle East, ICBP, 32 rig in
Road, Girton, Cambridge CB3 OP], UK

21

International Council for Bird Preservation
Omnithological Society of the Middle East

IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

DATA-SHEET

EXAMPLE OF A COMPLETED DATASHEET

1. Country: 2. Province:
Republic of Yemen Al Hudaydan Governorate
3. Name of site: 4. Date of compilation:
Wadi Rijat, Jabal Bura La Ina lege 9912.

(Wadi Hudayn; Sua as Sabt)

Name and address of compiler:

Ss

Mel Evans, ¢/o ICBP3232 Cambridge Road, Girton, Cambridge "GB3) ORs.
United Kingdom. Telephone: 44 223 277: 318. FAX: 44 223 277 200

6. General location:
60 km east of Al Hdudaydah

7. Geographical coordinates:

Centre = 14°53'N 43°26'E

8. Area: (in hectares) 9. Altitude

Circa 250 ha (see attached map) 300-1,000 m

10. Criteria used to select sites: see Guidelines for the selection of IBAs
Put an “X” in relevant box(es):

Globally threatened species
1% or more of a species’ population (List 2)
20,000 or more watertowl

is Migratory ‘bottleneck’ site

| Top 5 site: restricted range species

Top 5 site: regionally threatened species
Representauve bird community
Rare/threatened/unique bird community
Importance for education/research/tounsm
Other reasons (specify below)

List “Other reasons” here:

11. Ornithological importance: see Lists 1-3 in Guidelines for the selection of IBAs

No. of - LC
Name of species birds in igrati | oO
mid-winter d
(individuals) e
Micronisus gabar
Accipiter badius
Buteo buteo Daily max 2
200 Sep
Aquila nipalensis Daily max 2
200 Oct
Aquila heliaca Daily max | 2
Nov
Neophron percnopterus Max | 2 Daily mx 2
(OVApraAl 25
Sep
/Alectoris melanocephala Minimum 5 2
| Dendrocopos dorae May breed Min |! Nov 3
|Oenanthe (lugens) Max 5 D
lugentoides
Sylvia leucomelaena Min 3 Feb 2
Pycnonotus xanthopygos Min 50 3 {Max 240 Nov 3
Turdoides squamiceps Min’ 20 3
‘\Onychognathus tristramii Min 10 2 |Max 100 Nov 3
‘Estrilda rufibarba Max 20 Nov 3 |
Serinus rothschildi Max | Nov 3 |
Carduelis yemenensis Max | Nov 3
‘Other interesting species:
Numida meleagris Max 40 Feb 3
Not seen since
1985: presum.}
extinct. |
‘An unusually large number oF raptors breed (pr rare presumed [to breed) in
ithe IBA (or nearby on Jabal| Bura): Milvus| migrans, poe percnopterus,
‘Gyps fulvus, Micronisus gabar, Accipiter fbadius, Aquila c ei:
|\Aquila verreauxii, Hieraetus fasciatus, Flalcp tinnunculus,| Otus senegalensis,
‘Bubo africanus.

| Continue on separate sheet if necessary

Additional information: at least 80 spp. nave been recorded, including at least
46 spp. confirmed or presumed to breed within the 250 na or the [BA Doundary
(v.diverse). The latter include many Afrotropical spp.; Wadi Rijat represents
the most intact and representative Afrotropical forest/bushland bird community
remaining in Yemen. The volume of raptor migration in autumn is sure Co
exceed 3,000 birds. The site has been well-watched in autumn/winter, less so
in spring/summer.

A-2

12. Topography / climate / hydrology / soils / geology / tides: Jabal Bura is a granite

massif which rises very steeply from the Tihamah foothills to 2,200 m.
is one of two deep valleys on the mountain's west side.
800 mm p.a., falling mainly July - Sept.
15° - 40°C; humidity is high.
for up to

Rainfall guestimate =

Average annual temp. 30°C, range
After storms, continuously flowing water in Wadi
1 month; large rock pools hold water all year round.

13. Habitats / vegetation / flora and non-bird fauna:

Brief description of habitats/vegetation/flora: The best and most intact example of Afrotropical

'Sudanian'

vegetation in Yemen and perhaps Arabia; in valley bottom is riparian forest

up to 20 m high, dominated by Ficus spp. and Trichelia emetica at 400 m, by

Acacia abyssinica at 600 m, plus Combretum molle, Berchemia discolor, T.
Thicket on slopes above forest dominated by Acacia asak.

emetica.
Below 400 m is shrubland

of Anisotes trisulca, + Euphorbia spp. and Caralluma russelliana.

Habitats: give % cover of each

Marine environment
Non-marine wedands
Desert/desert fringe
Grassiand/steppe
Scrub/bushland

Woodland/forest
Agnriculture/cultivauon
‘Artificial’

Other (specify): ...
Other (specify): ...

Bare rock

Details of non-bird fauna: (especially rare/endemic) 9 large mammals in IBA incl. Hyaena hyaena,

Papio hamadryas, Ichneumia albicauda, Procavia capensis.
Varanus new to science (1988).
52 butterfly spp.

14. Threats: (give brief summary)
through the forest in
settlement,

Information up to

7 reptiles* inel—~a

At least 3 amphibian and ! fish spp. At least
including a Charaxes new to science (1982.

1986: a dirt road bulldozed
1983/4 is an erosional scar; it has led to increased
livestock ranging, cutting of vegetation for forage, collection of

firewood and timber, creation of banana plantations, diversion of wadi water to

irrigate these.

Greatest threat in future is anticipated to be unregulated

(commercial?) exploitation of forest products, i.e. fire-wood, timber, livestock
forage.

Classify threats as C (Critical), M (Major) or L (Local), where relevant. Potential, rather than actual, threats
should be bracketed:

M(C)

Baa:

Hl

Over-exploitation of birds/eggs (food, pets etc.)
Excessive or uresponsible hunung/falconry
Deliberate persecuuon of birds

Excessive disturbance of birds
Introducuon of non-indigenous fauna/flora
Deforestation/tree-cutung
Forestry/afforestation

Diversion of water/canalizauon

Drainage

Damming

Over-extraction of ground-water

Imngation

Drought

Fire

Built development/construction

Dredging

Land claim/landfill

Extraction industry (mines, quarmies etc.)
Destrucuon of desert crust

Conversion to agriculture/ploughing up
Agricultural intensification
Abandonment of traditional management
Over-grazing/over-browsing

Excessive soil erosion/degradauion

Oil poilution/exploraton

Toxic pollution

Eutropnication

Air pollution

Debmis/garbage polluuon

Other (specify):

Wadi Rijaf

15. Conservation measures taken: (protected areas/other measures) No aspect of the natural
environment at Wadi Rijaf is legally protected. However, the Local Council of the
Bura administrative district have taken steps to ban the commercial cutting of
wood.

16. Conservation measures proposed: the Directorate of Forestry of the Ministry
of Agriculture and Fisheries has drawn up plans for a protected forestry preserve,
not yet submitted to the government for approval. The Bura Local Council has
pointed out that local residents must be given access to cheap alternatives to
firewood, i.e. butane gas cylinders. One Local Council member has recommended
protection of trees and animals, and bans on hunting (Shu' 1989).

17. Land ownership:
The forest and surrounding bushland are owned by the local community; ao more
details are known at present. Livestock appear to be free-range in the IBA.

18. Economic, cultural and social values of site: The valley provides water for human
consumption and irrigation lower down on the Tihamah, timber for building, fire-
wood, forage for livestock. There is a lack of cultivation due to the steep
slopes. Local residents recognise and value the unusually intact nature of the
forest. A limited amount of foreign eco-tourism occurs at present (<5 bird-tours
per year) and could be carefully developed to the benefit of the local community.

Current land use(s): classify as P (Primary) or S (Secondary):

Agriculture/cultivation Urban/indusmial/utility

Rangeland (livestock) Tourism

Water supply Recreation

Fisheries/aquaculture Wildlife conservation/research

Forestry Other (specify): ...

Hunting Other (specify): ...
19. References: cite key references in full. ar et are |
Shu', A.M. 1989. Wahat al-majalis. In: al-Thawra Newspaper ‘sana a) -2 March.
Scholte and Evans (in prep.) The fauna of Wadi Rijat, Jabal Sura (?Fauna of Saud?
Arabia). Larsen, T.B. !982. Biol. Skr. Dan. Vidensk- 23'S) 1=85 (type
descrip. of Charaxes bernstorffi}. Wood, J.R.i. 1982. The Jabal 3ura valley

forest community. Unpubl. report cto GTZ.

20. Relevant maps available: list map(s) covering the site.
1:50,000 = Series Y.A-.R. 50. Sheet 1443A2. Edition i-D.0.S. !980. (attachea

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP

Please return to: M. I. Evans, ICBP, 32 Cambridge Road, Girton, Cambridge CB3 OPJ, U.K.
Telephone: 44 - (0)223 277318 Fax: 44 - (0)223 277200 Telex: 818794 ICBP G

A

Compiled by Simon Albrecht

News and Information

The aim of this section ts to inform readers about events in the OSME region. It
is not intended as a definitive report or write up of the projects concerned. Many
of the projects are sponsored; such support is appreciated but is not generally

given acknowledgement here.

New Magazine for Birdwatchers
OSME member Dominic Mitchell has
launched the new Birdwatch Magazine.
It covers a wide range of birdwatching
and conservation issues with articles
on bird identification, photography
and shooting. While the focus is on
Britain thereis much to interest birders
in other parts of the world including
the Middle East.

The first volume contains articles by
R P Morris on the Crab Plover breed-
ing season on Abu al Abyadh island in
Abu Dhabi, and an assessment of bird
conservation priorities in Turkey by
Richard Porter.

Individual subscription rates fora year
(12 issues) are: UK £23.50; Europe and
surface mail £34; Air mail (outside Eu-
rope) £75. The magazine is available
from Subscription Dept, Birdwatch
Magazine, PO Box 1786, London E17
7JG, UK. Enclose a sterling cheque
payable to Solo Publishing Ltd.

Israel

In August, the Society for the Protec-
tion of Nature in Israel called for inter-
national pressure to oppose the erec-
tion of a Voice of America transmitter
in the Negev Desert.

The project was initiated some two
anda halfyearsago butwas suspended
at the end of 1990 by the Israel High
court of Justice pending the results of
environmental impact surveys. The

26

partial findings of these surveys un-
derline the negative impact that the
transmitter will have. The site is on the
main migration route between Asia,
Europe and Africa and it is feared that
the transmitter, covering 8 square kilo-
metres with twenty 160 metre high net
antennae, will threaten hundreds of
thousands of individual birds. In addi-
tion, it will be an intrusion into one of
Israel’s few remaining natural savan-
nah landscapes.

The Israel Government has recently
renewed its commitment to build the
transmitter following pressure on
Prime Minister Rabin from the USA.
SPNI called on people to express their
concern and opposition both to the US
President and to Prime Minister Rabin.
The matter was due to be discussed in
late August by Israel’s National Plan-
ning Authority.

Turkey

Kizilirmak Delta breeding bird survey
This project was postponed for a year
as a result of the Gulf war, but took
place between 15 March and 15 June
1992. Preliminary results show that
the importance of this delta has been
seriously underestimated in recent
years. The delta is the last remaining
coastal wetland on the Black Sea coast
and of great importance to birds dur-
ing the winter, migration and breed-
ing periods.

A small breeding colony of the glo-
bally threatened Dalmatian Pelican
Pelecanus crispus was discovered (cf.
OSME Bull. 28:32). The area also sup-
ports extensive breeding colonies of
herons and egrets as well as some 50
pairs of Black Storks Ciconia nigra and
several breeding Cranes Grus grus.

During survey work, the digging of a
big drainage channel along the shores
of the lakes was discovered. This was
part of a new Kizilirmak Delta Irriga-
tion Scheme. DHKD intervened
quickly ata high level and the digging
was stopped on 25 April. DHKD also
immediately initiated a hydrological
survey whose preliminary report
clearly shows that the planned chan-
nel would threaten the marshes and
lakes. The report gives some alterna-
tives and recommendations for fur-
ther action.

Following the survey work DHKD has
started the 'Kizilirmak Delta Conser-
vation Project’ with an office in Bafra,
thenearest town, anda full time project
officer. The project will undertake con-
servation action based on the final re-
ports of the ornithological and hydro-
logical surveys.

Seyfe Golii

A visit by DHKD birdwatchers in June
established the breeding of several
species at this important wetland site.
Of particular note were White Pelicans
Pelecanus onocrotalus — the first con-
firmed breeding of this species in Tur-
key since the late 1970s — Greater Fla-
mingos Phoenicopterus ruber, Gull-
billed Terns Gelochelidon nilotica, Slen-
der-billed Gulls Larus genei and Mar-
bled Ducks Marmarnetta angustirostris.
[Information on this site up to 1984
was published in Birds of Turkey 2 -
Seyfe Golii ,available from OSME sales].

The fieldworkers discovered thata new
irrigation scheme for the area, planned

27

and already partially executed by DSI
(the State Waterworks) included drain-
ing the biggest part of the lake: the part
with the breeding bird islands. DHKD
is preparing a strategy for the manage-
ment of the site. Aerial photography
has been carried out and this confirms
the threat to the islands from the pro-
posed irrigation scheme.

Buyuk, Menderes Delta and Bafa Golii -
Integrated Management Plan

In the last Bulletin, we reported the
establishment of an Integrated Man-
agement Plan for the Menderes Delta.
On 2 June, HRH the Duke of Edin-
burgh officially opened the DHKD
Menderes Delta Nature Information
Centre. The project has employed a
warden to protect the Dalmatian Peli-
can Pelecanus crispus colony. An attrac-
tive leaflet in Turkish and English has
been produced for visitors to the Na-
ture Information Centre. There has also
been lobbying for the inclusion of the
area into the Dilek National Park and
against illegal reclamation of the re-
maining marshland.

Lesser Kestrel ‘nest boxes’ at Eregli
Marshes

Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni under
threat from increasing disturbanceand
predation near the Eregli Marshes,
Central Anatolia, have been helped by
DHKD, local authorities and volun-
tary groups. The Kestrels nest in heaps
of stones as well as crevices in walls
and buildings. People have fenced off
the stones and also builta special stone
wall with Lesser Kestrel crevices, mod-
elled on similar walls in France and
Spain. DHKD made a video film of the
activity which was shown on Turkey's
main evening news.

Ramsar Convention

During the spring, there werea number
of meetings in Ankara discussing the
possibility of Turkey signing the

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of
International Importance Especially as
Waterfowl Habitats. We understand
that useful progress was made. In view
of Turkey’s international importance
for wetlands and for both breeding
and wintering waterfowl we hope that
we shall shortly be able to report that
Turkey has signed this binding con-
vention.

Pakistan

Haleji Lake — fishing rights challenged
Fishing is supposed to be banned un-
der legislation at this lake, which is of
international importance for water-
fowl. The issuing of fishing rights in
August has been challenged in the
Sindh High Court by the Society for
Conservation and Protection of Envi-
ronment (SCOPE) and the Worldwide
Fund for Nature (WWE). We await the
outcome.

Houbara hunting by Dubai Sheikhs

The Houbara Chlamydotis undulata is
an endangered species whose hunting
is strictly banned in Sindh. A number
of Pakistanis have been arrested, fined
and punished for hunting and pos-
sessing the species. Nevertheless, last
autumn the Sindh Government issued
an order allotting the rulers of Dubai
an area of the district of Thatta for
hunting Houbara and training their
falcons until 1995. This was challenged
in the Sindh High Court by the Society
for Conservation and Protection of
Environment (SCOPE). The court sus-
pended the government order. In
March, the Sindh Government re-
turned to the High Court because the
continued suspension of the order'may
have adverse repercussions on the
country’s foreign policy.’ Again, we
await news of the outcome.

Yemen

School participates in International Gar-
den Bird Survey

We have learnt that the Mohamed Ali

28

Othman School in Taiz participated in
the International Garden Bird Survey
organised by the RSPB’s Young Orni-
thologists’ Club. We congratulate the
school on their work and look forward

to hearing of more surveys carried out -

both in Yemen and elsewhere in the
Middle East.

Slender-billed Curlew

Up to two individuals have been seen
in Oman in a recent winter but the
largest known wintering population is
of four birds at the Merja Zerga la-
goons and salt marsh on Morocco’s
Atlantic coast. This site is now threat-
ened by a road to be funded by aid
from the Italian Government. While
the main road from Rabat to Tangier
will skirt the marsh, a proposed slip
road from the junction for the coastal
resortof Moulay Bousselham willcross
the very area of salt marsh where the
Slender-billed Curlews spend the win-
ter. The area is also internationally im-
portant for waterfowl, with over 1,000
Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta and
10,000 Black-tailed Godwits Limosa
limosa wintering.

Letters of protest should be addressed
to the Italian Government Minister of
Foreign Affairs: On. Emilio Colombo,

-Ministro degli Affari Esteri, Farnesina,

Foro Italico, Roma, Italy.

Requests for reprints on owls
Authors of articles or publications deal-
ing with owls and wishing them to be
listed in the second edition of a work-
ing Bibliography of Owls of the World
are asked to send reprints to: Richard J
Clark, The Owl Bibliography, c/o De-
partment of Biology, York College of
Pennsylvania, York, PA USA 17405-
7199.

ee

OSME News

Retiring Chairman

This year's AGM saw the retirement from Council of Mike Rands after nine years
sterling service, first as a ‘member without portfolio’ and, since 1987, as Chair-
man of Council.

Mike’s commitment to OSME and ornithology in the Middle East has been
considerable. OSME’s first expedition, to North Yemen (as it was then) in
autumn 1985, was organised and lead by Mike (ably assisted by his wife, Gill) and
the thoroughness of the research carried out resulted in many new discoveries
about the endemic birds of southwest Arabia. The contacts made in 1985 have
stood OSME in good stead for its forthcoming expedition to southern Yemen.

Council meetings under Mike have always been full, business-like and often with
a fair degree of vision. Mike’s five years as Chairman have seen OSME’s
membership increase from 600 to 1,000 members; been marked by the highly
successful and enjoyable 10th Anniversary Event; and have seen a consistent
increase in the professionalism of the Society. Perhaps Mike’s greatest contribu-
tion to the long-term conservation of the region's birds was the launch of the
Middle Eastern Important Bird Areas project (jointly with ICBP, IWRB and
RSPB) which promises to be the reference document on areas of outstanding
ornithological importance for many years to come.

Mike’s good humour, and impressive list of contacts in conservation organisa-
tions throughout the world, will be missed at future Council meetings, but we
know we can continue to call on his support and experience as and when
necessary. In the meantime, Council (on behalf of the membership) express their
sincere thanks for everything Mike has done for OSME over the last nine years
and hope he will now havea little free time to actually look at some of the birds
he has done so much to conserve.

At his last council meeting Council presented Mike with a Turkish kilim
(purchased by DHKD) as a gesture of appreciation and thanks from Council for
his contribution as Chairman.

Geoff Welch

Thank you

Iwas sorry to miss the last AGM held under my chairmanship, particularly since
I was unable to thank Council, the Vice Presidents, DHKD and others for the
magnificent gifts given to me and my wife, Gill, at my last Council meeting. lam
very grateful to Lord Barber, who kindly stepped in to chair the AGM.

Chairing Council for the last five years has been most exciting and rewarding.
OSME is going from strength to strength, thanks to a growing and dedicated

29

membership, increasing participation from ornithologists throughout the Mid-
dle East and a dynamic, hard-working Council. I have greatly enjoyed playing a
small part in developing the Society and it has been a special pleasure to work
alongside such a good-humoured and committed group of individuals.

Your new Chairman, Geoff Welch, will help to strengthen, broaden and develop
OSME in many beneficial ways. He has been a tower of strength, serving as joint-
secretary and librarian with great skill and dedication. His quiet, authoritative
manner and knowledge of Middle Eastern birds and conservation issues will be
of enormous value to the Society.

Michael Rands

Forthcoming OSME meetings

The fifteenth and sixteenth OSME AGMs will be held on 17 July 1993 and 9 July
1994 respectively. OSME is also planning another joint meeting in the Nether-
lands in May 1993, and a further joint meeting with Birding World at Cley,
Norfolk on 2 May 1993. Further details and locations will be announced in
Bulletin 30.

OSME situations vacant

Would you like to contribute to the work of OSME? In July 1993, the roles of
Treasurer, Publicity Officer and Membership Secretary fall vacant. Useful
attributes for all these jobs are —a sense of humour, a commitment to OSME and
plenty of spare time!

The Treasurer: is required to provide accurate information on finances for the
day-to-day running of the Society and to ensure that Council’s ideas are not
beyond the Society’s means. Experience of accountancy would be an advantage.
Please contact the current Treasurer, Major David Counsell, for further informa-
tion (tel 0892 529110 or write c/o OSME). The post runs from July 1993 for five
years.

The Publicity Officer: organises events, deals with advertising, and devises
other promotional schemes. If you feel OSME could be promoted better and
would like to see more activities for members then this is the one for you - OSME
is what you make it! Contact Mark Andrews (tel 0533 834875 or write c/o OSME)
for details. The post runs from July 1993 for five years.

The Membership Secretary: organises mailings, membership renewals, and
deals with membership enquiries. Must be able to operate membership database
on own computer. Contact Chris Tucker (tel: 0234 742333 or write c/o OSME) for
details. |

These jobs must be filled at next year’s AGM. If you would like to help
with running OSME in other ways, please contact the Chairman, Geoff
Welch (tel 072 873 298 or write c/o OSME) for details of other roles for
which volunteers are required.

30

OSME’s Bankers

Lloyds Bank has move the processing of the OSME accounts from the Sandy
branch to Biggleswade and allotted new account numbers as follows:

The current account is now 0942610 vice 0110271
The deposit account is now 7422469 vice 7028430

All standing orders should be made into the former and credit transfers into the
latter account. The sort code for Biggleswade branch is 30-90-79.

The Treasurer will amend the current standing order forms as he receives them
before forwarding them to the relevant bank.

Photographs for Sandgrouse

If you can lend good photographs of any of the following for possible publication
in forthcoming Sandgrouse papers, please send details, or the photos themselves,
as soon as possible, to the Editor: Duncan Brooks, c/o British Museum (Natural
History), Akeman St, Tring, Herts HP23 6AP, UK (tel: 081-520 3943 home; 0442-
890125 office). Photos will be welcome in any format, though good quality black-
and-white prints or colour slides (originals, not copies) are best; all will be
returned. All material will be well cared for, though no responsibility can be
taken for loss or damage.

Houbara Chlamydotis undulata

Crab Plover Dromas ardeola

Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria

White-tailed Plover Chettusia leucura

Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola, adults

Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens, dark morph from basalt of Jordan/Syria
Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus

Dead Sea Sparrow Passer moabiticus

OSME and Sunbird in Egypt, April 1992
OSME’s first joint venture with Sunbird was a perfect example of why the
Middle East ts attracting more and more visiting birdwatchers. As well as the
birdwatching, the collaboration helped swell OSME’s Conservation Research
Fund. Co-leader of the trip, Mike Everett, explains.

This year’s Egypt trip was a delight: a group of seven, plus two leaders, made for
very comfortable birding. Sherif and Mindy Baha el Din joined us for the
excursions around Cairo, and thanks to them we saw a lot which we might
otherwise have missed.

We began with some good desert birdwatching near Suez. The Bryan Bland
Masterclass on lark identification was much appreciated here, and Short-toed
Calandrella brachydactyla, Desert Ammomanes deserti and Bar-tailed Desert Larks
Ammomanes cincturus all did us proud. At the coast south of Suez, we hit a good

31

spell of northward raptor passage, dominated by Steppe Buzzards Buteo buteo
vulpinus but with good numbers of Steppe Eagles Aquila nipalensis, a score of
Short-toed Eagles Circaetus gallicus, a few Imperials Aquila heliaca and assorted
others (including 26 Cranes Grus grus, honorary raptors in such situations)
keeping us on our toes. The intertidal mud at Suez is almost non-existent now,
with so much land-claim going on, but the wader pools just inland were ample
compensation. Terek Sandpipers Xenus cinereus and a Broad-billed Limicola
falcinellus among the Little Stints Calidris minuta and Purple Gallinules Porphyrio
porphyrio picked their way through the rubbish beside the degraded remnants of
a reedbed.

The Aswan area was perhaps a little disappointing, but the Abu Simbel trip
produced distant views of 20 orso African Skimmers Rynchops flavirostris on their
nesting island and - in the desert - stunning views of two Lappet-faced Vultures
Torgos tracheliotus grounded close to the road. This leg of the tour, like the next
at Luxor, included a goodly slice of Ancient Egypt. This dual-interest approach
by Sunbird is proving highly successful. Admittedly, it is not difficult to get
hooked on Egyptian temples and tombs; even the most single-minded birder is
guaranteed to succumb. There were birds too, of course. Our best session was a
couple of hours alongside a reed-fringed inlet at Crocodile Island. Here, we had
marvellous views of two Little Crakes Porzana parva, numerous Little Bitterns
Ixobrychus minutus, a pair of Rufous Bush Robins Cercotrichas galactotes and the
' inevitable Little Green Bee-eaters Merops orientalis.

Since my last visit to the Red Sea coast near Hurghada two years ago, a lot of
holiday development has started up. Some of the attractiveness may have gone
from the area, but there will eventually be much more cover for migrant birds.
The Red Sea boat trip turned up the anticipated Sooty Gulls Larus hemprichii,
White-cheeked Terns Sterna repressa, Swift Terns Sterna bergii, Brown Boobies
Sula leucogaster and Ospreys Pandion haliaetus; along the coast, White-eyed Gulls
Larus leucopthalmus were almost the commonest species. A good selection of
migrants included Quails Coturnix coturnix (with some amazingly good views)
and large numbers of Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervinus. At one point, a single
tiny bush held a Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus, a Whitethroat Sylvia communis, a
Lesser Whitethroat S curruca, a Subalpine Warbler S cantillans and a Bonelli’s
Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli.

A severe sandstorm blighted our visit to Wadi Natrun, but, not without some
discomfort, we managed to find a few Kittlitz’s Plovers Charadrius pecuarius.

32

Gebel Asfar was hard work, having deteriorated (in bird habitat terms at least)
since 1990, with fewer good wet bits, but we did well for Senegal Thick-knees
Burhinus senegalensis here (having somehow missed them elsewhere). We could
hardly miss Egypt’s only White-breasted Kingfishers Halcyon smyrnensis here,
and at one point were almost surrounded by Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters Merops
superciliosus. Sadly, only a few of our group glimpsed our one and only Painted
Snipe Rostratula benghalensis.

Assorted small events and chance encounters go to make up a good trip: one of
our Americans found a Wryneck Jynx torquilla sitting in the desert; we bumped
into RSPB warden and fellow OSME member Andrew Grieve at Suez; and we
spent the day of the UK general election in a small boat in the Red Sea. The one
I remember most was the expression on Sherif’s face when we saw an Osprey
over Gebel Asfar - it was a new species for that locality.

a Reviews

Bahrain Wader Study 1991 By Erik Hirschfeld, Saeed
Mohamed and Tadeusz Stawarczyk. WIWO report 42. 30pp.
Available from WIWO, c/o Dutch Society for the Protection of
Birds, Driebergseweg 16C, 3708 JB Zeist, the Netherlands.
DFL10, including postage. Add DFL 15 if paying in a foreign
currency.

The Bahrain Wader Study 1991 aimed to collect data to help define the region of
origin of waders passing through Bahrain, investigate their feeding efficiency,
the turnover of migrants, local movements and oil pollution. This study took
place over the period 12 September to 8 October 1991 and involved the trapping
of birds for ringing and marking, as well as high-tide counts. The trapping
activities produced claimed first records for Bahrain of Black-winged Pratincole
Glareola pratincola and Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura.

Altogether, 456 waders of nine species were ringed. These were mostly Curlew
Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea, Dunlins Calidris alpina and Little Stints Calidris
minuta. There were 22 retraps and 177 resightings at other parts of the island.
High-tide counts were made at five sites with a maximum count of 6,590 waders
at a single site on 23 September. The lowest site count was 428 on 7 October.

This report is complete with numerous tables and figures providing information
on the birds trapped. There is also a checklist of all the birds observed during the
study.

MC Jennings

Reisefiithrer Natur Tiirkei by Aygtin and Max Kasparek,
published by BLV Verlagsgesellschaft, 1990. 239 pages, col. &
b&w ills, maps. ISBN 3 405 14030 7

This book, together with one on Australia, is the first of a new series of Nature
Travel Guides. Itis beautifully illustrated with 165 colourand 61 black-and-white
photos.

A 12-page introduction treats Turkey in seven different regions, and highlights
the nature of the country’s rich fauna and flora, transitional between the Near
East and Europe, but also including Asian and African elements. There are, for
example, 9,000 plant species, of which an astonishing 3,000 are endemic. The
genus Verbascum (the mulleins) has 228 species in Turkey, 180 of them found
nowhere else! Mammalsare represented by 125 species, reptiles by 91 (only seven
of which also occur in central Europe), and there are about 240 species of regular
breeding birds. The introduction also tells us about the geology, climate, people
and land-use, which have shaped the landscape and its wildlife.

The bulk of the book comprises specific guides to good sites. A total of 31 main
sites are described in detail, with brief notes on a further 31. The main site guides
vary from four to seven pages, with lesser sites given just under a page each. Each
main locality is described; then characteristic plants and animals are noted, and
other nearby areas of interest listed. Finally, we are given practical hints on, for
example, how to get there, and where to stay and eat. In addition to the enticing
illustrations, every main site is mapped. These maps appear to be good, though
some are perhaps too general to be useful in the field.

The authors concentrate on Turkish specialities, though rarities are not included,
unless they can be seen without danger of disturbance. Scientific names are not
used in the text, but there is a complete list of all German common names used,
together with their scientific names at the end of the book, and an index in
German. Thus, even with a rudimentary command of German, the book is
usable, and the excellent photos can of course be enjoyed by anyone.

Finally, there is an eight-page section on planning a trip to Turkey, ranging from
things to do before going (visas, health, money), to travel and survival in the
country.

This is a nature guide in the broadest sense. For example, site 8, Pamukkale, is of
geological interest, famous for its calcium deposits and hot springs. The places
covered are well distributed throughout Turkey, from the Bosphorus in the
northwest to Nemrut volcano in the southeast. Turkey is a very large country,
and consequently a number of sites much visited by birders, suchas Cizre, arenot
in here. But as a general introduction to a fascinating country and its natural
wealth, it will prove most useful in planning a trip, provided you can read a little
German.

lan Dawson

34

Zoology in the Middle East, Volume 6. 1992. Edited by
Ragnar Kinzelbach and Max Kasparek. Heidelberg. DM27.

This volume contains 12 papers, but only three on birds, all of them in English.

‘Notes on some summer birds of Syria’, by Wolfgang Baumgart and Max
Kasparek will interest all those who visit its rather ornithologically better known
next-door neighbour. While the bulk of the observations were made during a
sea-turtle survey, even such apparently restricting circumstances allowed time
for some significant discoveries. Chief among these is that a relict population of
Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotis may persist in the Syrian deserts.

‘On the movements of the Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber, in Iran’
provides an interesting counterpoint to the situation in turkey. Behrouz Behrouzi-
Rad rather over-simplifies the breeding status in Turkey, but his short analysis
of the post-breeding wanderings of Iranian birds may have direct parallels for
Turkey. Two birds ringed in Western Europe were recently observed at Seyfe
Golu, on Turkey's Central Plateau.

“On the biometry of birds ringed in Turkey’ by Eyckerman, Louette and Becuwe
presents data collected as long ago as 1973. The paper includes details of the
trapping of the first Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta, the record's first
appearance in English.

Guy Kirwan

tio» Around the Region

Records in Around the Region are published for interest only, and theirinclusion
does not imply acceptance by the records committee of the relevant country. To
submit records for Bulletin 30, covering September 1992 to March 1993, please
write to: Around the Region, OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19
ZTE LK,

Compiled by Guy Kirwan
Records refer to single individuals seen in 1993, unless otherwise stated.

Bahrain

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Juvenile Hamalah farm, 11 March. Scarce, but
Hamalah farm, 14 February. First annual, migrant. E Hirschfeld

record for Bahrain. E Hirschfeld Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus
Corncrake Crex crex Hamalah farm,1 Male, 2-4 February. Records of males
May. Rare migrant. E Hirschfeld distinctly unusual (cf United Arab

Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus Emirates). E Hirschfeld, R Morris
Small influx, 5 March: five Qurrayah Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
and seven Hamalah farm. Three ASRY,5 March. Sixth record, most

35

recent in December 1989 (cf Bull 24:
37). E Hirschfeld

Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura
Janabiyah reeds, 1-8 May, followed
last autumn’s influx. E Hirschfeld
Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula
alexandrinus Now spread around
Manamaand Muharraqin single birds,
seems to be establishing itself.
Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur
Hamalah farm, 31 January. Winter
records very rare. E Hirschfeld, Land J
Andrews

Palm Dove Streptopelia senegalensis
Probably bred again at Riffa. E
Hirschfeld

Little Swift Apusaffinis Jasra, 29 March.
Fourth record. Julie McCarthy

Small Skylark Alauda gulgula Winter-
ing birds last seen in March. E Hirschfeld
Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaseelandiae
Wintering birds last recorded in March.
E Hirschfeld

Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus
ShU 37, early April. Unusually late,
also United Arab Emirates. E Hirschfeld
Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe
hispaniolensis Influx during March.
Normally a scarce migrant through
eastern Arabia. E Hirschfeld
Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus
The bird mentioned in the previous
report was last seen at Hamalah farm
11 February. E Hirschfeld, R King, R
Barrett

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
Male among Dead Sea Sparrows P
moabiticus Hamalah farm 4-18 Febru-
ary. First record for Bahrain. E
Hirschfeld, R Morris

Dead Sea Sparrow Passer moabiticus
The wintering flocks totalled at least
245 individuals and birds were last
seen 17 March. E Hirschfeld, R Morris,
I and J] Andrew et al

Egypt

_Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus
rufescens. Regularly recorded mid
April to early July at least, maximum
13, Abu Simbel, 14 April. Uncommon

36

but apparently regular visitor to this
part of Upper Egypt. A Brown et al
Goliath Heron Ardea goliath Aswan
High Dam, 11 April. Rare in Upper
Egypt. A Brown

Yellow-billed stork Mycteria ibis Regu-
larly recorded mid-April-early July at
least, mac 31, Abu Simbel, 1 July. Un-
common but regular visitor to this area.
I Delgado et al

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Pair,
10km west of Qusaima, 25 April. Rare
breeder in Sinai (Goodman and
Meininger 1989). S and M Baha el Din.
Crane Grus grus 1725 in four hours,
AinSukhna, 20 March. Unusuallyhigh
numbers for Red Sea coast. S and M
Baha el Din, ] Tidy

Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius
mongolicus Hurghada, 17 April. A
Brown. Lake Qarun, 7 May. S and M
Baha el Din, B Smith. Uncommon pas-
sage migrant, especially away from
Red Sea coast.

Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus
Sharm el Sheikh, 13 March Uncom-
mon passage migrant. Sand M Baha el
Din, J Tidy.

Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola
falcinellus Suez, 2 April. Rare passage
migrant (Goodman and Meininger
1989) S and M Baha el Din, J Tidy
Great Snipe Gallinago media Wadi
Natrun, 6 April. Scarce passage mi-
grant, perhaps overlooked. A Brown
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Two,
Suez, 2 April. Rare passage migrant
(Goodman and Meininger 1989) S and
M Baha el Din, ] Tidy

Armenian Gull Larus argentatus
armenicus Atleast 20, Great Bitter Lake,
5 April. Two to five previous records
(several lacking documentation), but
regular in Israel in winter. (Goodman
and Meininger 1989, Hoogendoom
1991). Sand M Baha el din, J] Tidy
Saunders’ Little Tern Sterna saunders
Two, Ras Mohammed, 10 May. Per-
haps only vagrant in Egypt (Goodman
and Meininger 1989). S and M Baha el
Din, B Smith.

African Collared Dove Streptopelia
roseogrisea Ten, Abu Simbel, late Janu-
ary; one, Abu Simbel, May 17. G
Armstrong, Sand M Baha el Din, B Smith
Third and fourth records away from
Gebel Elba region (cf Brit. Birds 84:7)
Hume’s Tawny Owl Strix butleri Two
heard, Santa Katherina Monastery,

5 April. Pair, Wadi Firan,5 April. First
confirmed records for Egyptsince 1986.
S and M Baha el Din, ] Tidy
White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon
smyrnensis Two pairs, Rafah, 26 April.
Status unclear in Sinai, breeds at Gebel
Asfar, Cairo (cf Baha el Din 1990). S
and M Baha el Din

Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni Pre-
sumed breeding. Six males display-
ing, 45 km south of El Arish, April 27.
Fourth record, and second instance of
presumed breeding (cf. Baha el Din
1990, BB 84:9, BB85:454). S and M Baha
el Din |
Short-toed Lark Calandrella
brachydactyla Recorded displaying,
Wadi El Arish, 27 April. Further evi-
dence of regular breeding (cf BB 84:9)
S and M Baha el Din

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola
Hurghada, 18 March. Rare passage
migrant (Goodman and Meininger
1989). Sand M Baha el Din, J Tidy
African Pied Wagtail Motacillaaguimp
Abu Simbel, 13 April. Rare visitor, all

records from recent years have been in
spring. A Brown

Cyprus Pied Wheatear Oenanthe
cypriaca Two, Abu Simbel, 23 January.
Uncommon winter visitor and pas-
sage migrant. G Armstrong

Redwing Turdus iliacus Gebel Asfar,
15 January. Scarce winter visitor. G
Armstrong

Upcher’s Warbler Hippolais languida.
Near Ras el Naqab, Sinai, 8 April. Sand
M Baha el Din, J Tidy. One Qusaima, 25
April. Sand M Baha el Din. Forth and
fifth records for Egypt, all have been in
Sinai, first was in 1990

Arabian Babbler Turdoides squamiceps
Eight, near Ras el Naqab, Sinai,

8 April. first record since 1982. Sand M
Baha el Din, ] Tidy

Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus. Six,
Suez, 20 March. Rare winter visitor. S
and M Baha el Din, J Tidy

Pale Rock Sparrow Petrontia
brachydactyla Sud Rawafah, 25 April.
Sixth record, fifth was in 1990 (cf
BB85:461) S and M Baha el Din

House Bunting Emberiza striolata Santa
Katherina Monastery 21 March. Un-
common in Egypt. Sand M Baha el Din,
J Tidy

Black-headed Bunting Emberiza
melanocephala Male, Wadi El Arish, 25
April. Rare passage migrant, mostly
to Sinai. S and M Baha el Din

vac : be
NS NS
WA N
Rag X
Ay SS Nv
Sway x \

Uy

Iran

All records: DA Scott

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena
Three, Miankaleh Wildlife Refuge,
Mazandaran, 26 January 1992.
Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus
Three, Miankaleh wildlife Refuge,
Mazandaran, 25 January 1992.
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo A sin-
gle flock of 15,000 coming offa rooston
Gorgan Bay, Miankaleh Wildlife Ref-
uge, Mazandaran, at dawn, 26 January
heey s

Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax
pygmaeus A total of atleast 237, Anzali
Mordab, 23 January 1992. This countis
comparable with counts in the same
area in the 1970s, when the total win-
tering population of this threatened
species in the southwest Caspian was
estimated at 700-1,000 birds.
Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus
Flocks totalling 355 in Miankaleh Wild-
life Refuge, Mazandaran, 25 January
1992.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus An unu-
sually large concentration of 445 in
Kamjan Marshes west of Lake
Bakhtegan /Lake Tashk, Fars, 29 Janu-
ary 1992. Also 190, Lake Parishan,
Fars, 31 January 1992.

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus Two
adults at the west end of Lake Tashk,
Fars, 29 January 1992. A rare straggler
to the wetlands of Fars. (Numbers in
the South Caspian were exceptionally
high in January 1992; eg 345 at Selke
Wildlife Refuge, Gilan, on 23 January).
Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser
erythropus A party of 11 at Fereydun
Kenar, Mazandara, 24 January 1992.
The flock of 4,000-6,000 which win-
tered in the southeast Caspian in the
early 1970s had disappeared by the
end of the 1970, and the species is now
rare in Iran.

White-headed Duck Oxyura
leucocephala Three, Gorgan Bay,
Miankaleh Wildlife Refuge,
Mazandaran, on 25 January 1992.
There have been very few records of

38

this species in the southeast Caspian
since the 1970s.

White-tailed Eagle Haliaetus albicilla
Atleast 23, Miankaleh wildlife Refuge,
Mazandaran, 25 January 1993, and 15
at Lake Bakhtegan/Lake Tashk, Fars,
29 January 1992. These counts are
scarcely any lower than comparable
counts in the early 1970s, when an
estimated 200-250 White-tailed Eagles
wintered in Iran.

Merlin Falco columbarius Male and
femaleat Lake Bakhtegan/Lake Tashk,
29 January 1992. Scarce this far south
in Iran.

Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio
At least 90 in the extensive reed-beds
at Lake Parishan near Kazerun, Fars,
30/31 January 1992. This species had
not been recorded in the wetlands of
Fars prior to 1980. According to orni-
thologists at the Iran Department of
Environment, the species colonized the
area in the 1980s, presumably from the
wetlands of Khuzestan near the Iraqi
border to the west.

Siberian Crane Grusleucogeranus Two
adults were located during a very brief
evening visit to the regular wintering
area near Fereydun Kenar, 24 January
1992. According to B. Behrouzi Rad
and colleagues of the Department of
Environment, 11 individuals were
present, including two immatures.
Thus the alarming rumours that four
or five cranes had been shot or cap-
tured for zoos in early 1991 are clearly
erroneous, as nine of the 10 birds
present in the winter of 1990/91 could
still be accounted for in the winter of
1991/92.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 52,
Miankaleh Peninsula, Mazandaran,
25 January 1992. A scarce but regular
winter visitor to the southeast Cas-
pian.

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
Dasht-e Arjannear shiraz, Fars, 30 Janu-
ary 1992, and one at Lake Parishan,
Fars, 31 January 1992. A scarce winter
visitor this far south in Iran.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Unusually large flocks of 5,000,
Fereydun Kenar, Mazandaran, on 24
January 1992, and 4,400, Kamjan
Marshes west of Lake Bakhtegan/Lake
Tashk, Fars, 29 January 1992.
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus
lobatus Two on Lake Tashk, Fars, 29
January 1992. although this species
sometimes occurs in huge numbers at
Lake Tashk and lake Bakhtegan dur-
ing the migration seasons, this is the
first winter record in central Fars, and
indeed the first winter record inland in
Iran.

Stock Dove Columba oenas Two near
Lake Parishan, Fars, 31 January 1992,
A very scarce winter visitor this far
south in Iran.

Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis A
pair on a stony hillside by Lake
Bakhtegan, Fars, 29 January 1993.
Scarce this far west in Iran.
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
In a garden in Zabol, Seistan/
Baluchiustan, on 21 January 1992. A
new species for Iran - long expected.
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca In
woodland near Bandar Anzali, Gilan,
23 C 1992. This constitutes only the
second wintering record of this spe-
cies in the south Caspian region.
Goldcrest Regulus regulus Two in
woodland near Bandar Anzali, Gilan,
23 January 1992. A scarce and irregu-
lar winter visitor to northern Iran.
Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus Two
in reedbeds at Lake Parishan, Fars, 31
January 1992. A scarce winter visitor
this far south in Iran.

Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta Many
hundreds of birds in large flocks, mov-
ing west in the morning and east again
in the evening, at Lake Bakhtegan/
Lake Tashk, Fars, 29 January 1992. The
weather was unusually severe at the
time, with heavy snow falls in the pre-
ceding days and deep snow cover
around the lakes. This was apparently
the first time that the area had been
under snow for many decades.

og

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes
In a garden in Zabol, Seistan/
Baluchistan, 21 January 1992. The first
record of this species in southern Iran,
although it is regular in winter in the
Tehran area and at oasis towns in the
northern deserts.

Israel

Streaked Shearwater Calonectris
leucomelas. From pelagic trip from Eilat,
June (exact date unavailable). First
record for Israel (cf Hollom et al 1988).
H Shirihai

Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis.
From pelagic trip from Eilat, June (ex-
act date unavailable). Second record
for Israel. H Shirihai

White Stork Ciconia ciconia Eight breed-
ing pairs this year in the Golan Heights.
cf. 11 breeding pairs in 1991. 22 nest-
lings were ringed. B ShaifWRG.
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
Six, Elrom fish ponds, Golan, March
mid April. Scarce passage and winter
visitor. B Shai

Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos
tracheliotis Sede Boquer, central Negev,
throughout April. Scarce away from
Yotvata, Arava valley. B Shai

Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes
Total of 22,000, Arava Valley, 20-30
April. Above average spring passage
(cf BB 85: 141-186). B Shai

Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreauxti Two
adults, Moon Valley, Eilat, 2 April at
least; perhaps one of the same, Mt
Yoash, 31 March - 3 April. Several
recent records most recently in Octo-
ber to November 1991 (cf. Birding
World 4:383). Bryan Bland/Sunbird, S
Pfiitzke.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus Pair, with
three young, En-Yhar dam, Arava,
April. First breeding record for Israel.
B Shai

Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis
En-Yhar dam, northern Arava, 23
April. occasional winter visitor, a late
date. B Shai

Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria
Yotvata, mid March. Scarce winter
visitor to western Neger. H. Shirihai
Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris Near
Tel Aviv, 6 November 1991. Seven
previous records for Western
Palaearctic, one in Israel, in October
1985 (cf BB85: 426-428). per S. Votie
South Polar Skua Stercorarius
maccormicki. From pelagic from Eilat,
June (exact date unavailable). Second
record for Israel (cf recent record in
Egypt BB85:452) H. Shirihai
White-eyed Gull Larus leucopthalmus
Four, Eilat, 3 May; two Eilat, 6 May.
Rarer in spring than autumn (cf high
numbers October/November 91
Birding World 4:383). W. van der Waal,
R.Sjouken, G.ran Duin

Sabine’s Gull Larus sabini Eilat, June
(exact date unavailable). Second record
for Israel. H. Shirihai

Swift Tern Sterna bergii Subadult, Eilat,
19 April; adult, Eilat, 2 May

Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris three
breeding pairs were found. B Shai/
IWRG

Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus
aegyptius Ein Yahav dam in the north-
ern Arava of israel. B Shai/JIWRG
Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax
pygmeus Bred in Kinnrot Valley (north-
ern Israel), five pairs were found (April
- July 1992). First breeding records for
52 years B Shai/[IWRG

Little Tern Hirundo albifrons 230 pairs
were bred in the Central Coastal Plain.
B Shai/IWRG

Striated Scops Owl Otus brucei. One,
Eilat, early March. Scarce winter visi-
tor. H Shirihai

Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens.
Three, Eilat, mid-late march. At least
one other winter record (cf Birding
World 2:71). H Shirihai

Black Bush Robin Cercotrichas podobe.
One, near Eilat, April - 1 May at least.

Approximately 22nd record (cf Birding

ti
RS

Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus, Eilat, Israel, March 1992. One of up to 18 in

the area. (Photograph Mark Boyd)

40

Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis, Eilat, Israel, March 1992. One of up to five in
the area. (Photograph Mark Boyd)

World : 357-8; Bull 25 : 44). W. van der
Waal, B Scheps et al

Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus
agricola Late record. Trapped, Eilat, 20
November 1991. Third record, previ-
ous two, also trapped, were in October
1990 (BB 84 : 233-4). H Shirihai
Radde’s Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi
Late record. Trapped, Sede Boquer, 7
October 1991. Second record for Israel
and Middle East. H Shirihai

Pallas’s Warbler Phylloscopus
proregulus Late record. Hazeva 24-25
November 1991. The first record for
Israel and Middle East per S. Votier

Jordan

Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedia
Loose flock of 50+ off beach at Agaba,
20 June 1992. Unusually high num-
bers, first record was only in 1989 (BB
832 222)DA Scott

Sooty Shearwater Puffinus puffinus At
least two with Cory’s shearwaters off

4]

beach at Aqaba, 20 June 1992. Second
record, first was in 1991 (cf BB 85: 6).
DA Scott

Wedge-tailed Shearwater = Puffinus
pacificus A loose party of six large all-
dark shearwaters off the beach at
Aqaba on the evening of 19 June 1992
were probably of this species. The
birds eventually flew off south down
the Gulf. Potentially third record for
Western palearctic. DA Scott
Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreauxi A
pair of adults displaying and an im-
mature over the cliffs at Wadi Rum on
19 June 1992 (cf breeding record Bull
25 : 44). DA Scott

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius
leschenaulti Fiveat fish pondsat Azraq
Oasis, 4 June 1992. DA Scott
Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarina
Immature with other skuas off beach
at Aqaba, 20 June 1992. DA Scott
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus A
loose flock of 75 off the beach at Agaba,
19 June 1992, and at least 20 there the

next day. Unusually large numbers.
DA Scott

Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius
longicaudus Adult patrolling back-
wards and forwards off the beach at
Aqaba for much of the morning of 20
June 1992. First record was in 1981 (BB
85 : 9). DA Scott

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata
Agitated male in low, thorny, roadside
scrub on the top of the escarpment 20
km north of Petra, 17 June 1992. DA
Scott

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus Atleast eight
in oak/ pistachio woodland in Zubiya
Wildlife Reserve north of Jarash, 29
November 1991. According to Hollom
et al (1988), Birds of the Middle East
and North Africa, there are few records
in the Levant. DA Scott

Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus At
least two in reed-beds at Azraq Oasis,
27 November and 2 December 1991.
DA Scott

Syrian Serin Serinus syriacus At least
20 in woodland near the top of the
escarpment in Dana Wildlife Reserve
(near Al Quadisiya), 28 November
1991; and at least four in bushy areas
on the top of the escarpment above the
reserve, 17 June 1992. DA Scott

Kuwait

Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis.
Female in summer plumage, off
Shuwakh. First record for the Gulf. A

- Ross

Oman

Red-brested Merganser Mergus
serrator Female, Sawadi, 10 January.
Second record. MAL Cummins
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus
Sun Farms, Sohar, 24 January. First
record. MAL Cummins

Shikra Accipiter badius Adult female,
21 June-10 July; adult male, 4 Septem-
ber - 17 October; 30 October - 1 No-
vember. All Masirah. First to third
records. ] Bryan, CM Greaves

42

Great Stone Plover Esacus recurvirostris
Daghmar, 13-14 February. Second
record. MAL Cummins, Hand J Eriksen,
G Horton

Arctic Term Sterna paradisaea Up to
three adults and three immatures,
Masirah, 18 July - 2 August. Third
record. J Bryan, CM Greaves

Black Tern Chlidonias niger In non-
breeding plumage, Masirah, 24-25 Sep-
tember; and another there, 27 Septem-
ber-3 October. Fourth and fifth records.
J] Bryan, CM Greaves

Namaqua Dove Oena capensis Dauka,
7-8 May. JS Ash, G Nikolaus

Koel Eudynamys scolopacea Pair, Dauka,
30 April. JS Ash, G Nikolaus

Little Owl Athene noctua Masirah, 28-
30 October 1991. First record for
Masirah. J Bryan, CM Greaves

Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus 53 on
the rocks at Mirbat, 19 May. JS Ash,
MD Gallagher, G Nikolaus

Little Swift Apus affinis Khawr Taqah,
21 November 1991. Seventh record.
WF Simpson

Roller Coracias garrulus 204,Sun Farms,
Salalah, 27 April. JS Ash, G Nikolaus

Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina Bait
Al Falaj, 11 May 1991; Masirah, 28
September 1991. MAL Cummins, CM
Greaves

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Bait Al
Falaj, 14 September 1991. MAL
Cummins

Saudi Arabia

Great crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Two adults in summer plumage, in the
sea off Al Khobar 15 March. G Ramsay
Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita Two, at
Ta’if, throughout March; one into April.
There are several records in south-
west Arabia since 1984, the most re-
cent in April 1991 (cf Birding World 4:
161) leading to continued surmise that
there may be undiscovered colon(ies)
in this region. P Symens

Ruddy Sheiduck Tadornis ferruginea
Male, Al-Farah Dam, Yanbu al-Nakl,
14 February. First in Yanbu area since
1986. B S Meadows

Steppe Eagle Aquila rapax ata rubbish
dump, Al Khobar, from November
1991 to April. G Ramsay

Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo
Total of at least 4,000, t/a’il, Central
Province, 19-31 March. P Symens
Caspian Plover Charadrusasiaticus 300,
near Riyadh, March. Unusually heavy
passage (cf first and second spring
records in UAE in 1992). P Symens
White-tailed Plover Chettusia leucura
Two pairs bred in Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus colony, Al
Khobar. Three young fully fledged by
13 June. G Ramsay

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus
himantopus About 30 pairs bred. Al
Khobar, young seen from 1 May. G
Ramsay

Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta
Jubay, 21-24 August. P Symens
Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse Pterocles
lichtensteinii Three, Hadeira, 16 April.
Second record for this locality. First
was three years ago. B S Meadows
Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles

senegallus Male, Rabigh, 8 May. First
recent record from this area. B S Mead-
ows

Short-toed Lark Calandrella
brachydactyla About 2,000, Yanbu al-
Bahr airport, attracted to recently well-
vegetated area following heavy win-
ter rainfall, 21-24 March; about 1,750
Yanbu al-Bahr barley store, 24 March.
Largest flocks at Yanbu since record-
ing started in 1979. B S Meadows
Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella
rufescens Singles at two sites about 100
km north of Medina along disused
Hejaz railway, 17 April. Possible breed-
ing area. B S Meadows

Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris Al
Khobar, 8 April. G Ramsay

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola Adult
male, Al Khobar, 25 March with Yel-
low Wagtail M. flava feldegg, Al Khobar.
G Ramsay

Little Tern Sterna albifrons At least two
pairs bred, Yanbu al-Bahr salt-pans,
fledging up to six young, June-Au-
gust. The salt-pans ceased to be used
two years ago. The water is brackish
and is overgrown with reeds, but there
are numerous patches of open water.
First evidence of breeding in Western
Arabia. B S Meadows. Eight pairs bred,
Al Khobar, young fledged from 18
June. G Ramsay

Shining Sunbird Nectarinia habessinica
Two males and a female, along Bader-
Mediwah highway, 13 March; male
there, 16 April. Significant northerly
range extension. B S Meadows

Pygmy Sunbird Anthreptes platurus
Two to three, Bir al Furaysh, 70 km
southwest of Medina, 17 April. New
locality for north of Tropic of Cancer. B
S Meadows

Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Pair
reared three young, Yanbual-Sinaiyah.
Second definite breeding record. B S
Meadows

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Ju-
venile, Yanbu al-Sinaiyah, 24 July - 6
August. Early migrant. B S Meadows

Turkey

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer
Dead individuals, Kizilirmak Delta,
19 March, 22 March. Only five previ-
ous records (Kasparek 1990). WIWO/
OSME/DHKD

Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritis In
summer plumage, Kizilirmak Delta,
20 April. Very rare winter visitor, last
recorded in 1972 in Thrace. WIWO/
OSME/DHKD

Dalmatian pelican Pelecanus crispus A
total of 629 recorded at seven sites
between 15 January - 2 February.
DHKD/L Dijksen. Six pairs breeding,
Kizilirmak Delta. DHKD/WIWO/
OSME

White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus
Colony, with 55 young, Seyfe Gélii
18June. Firstconfirmed nesting in Tur-
key for at least a decade. A Johnson, G
Magnin, M Yarar

Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus
Five, Burdur Godlt, 26 January; five,
Siileymanhaci G6lu, 22 January. Sec-
ond and third records (Kasparek 1990).
S. Demircan, G. Magnin, A. Sezer, M
Yarar

winter visitor recorded in unprec-
edented numbers.

Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis
Seven, Kizilirmak Delta, 29 December
1991. S Demircan et al.; three, GOksu
Delta, 31 January. V.v.d. Berk,
O.Gérgiin, K. Linders, W Ozesmi; also
four shot in Menderes Delta in Decem-
ber/January per S Baris. Rare winter
Visitor.

Red-crested Pochard Nettarufina 5,249,
total from 18 sites between 15 January
and 2 February. Usually counted in
hundreds in winter. DHKD
Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Female,
Bendimahi, 25 June. There are a
number of other recent records in sum-
mer from this locality (Turkey Bird
Report in prep). M Cocker/Nature trek
White-headed duck Oxyura
leucocephala 4,478 at nine wetlands
during mid-winter waterfowl count.
A low total. DHKD; Maximum 1246,
Kizllirmak Delta, 23 March. Highest
evercounthere. DHKD/OSME/WIWO
Red Kite Milvus milvus A total of 200
migrating north, Kizilirmak Delta, 21

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus A total
of 133 recorded at nine sites between
15 January - 2 February. Unusually
large numbers. DHKD |

Bean Goose. Anser fabalis Seyfe Golt,
20 January. D Demircan, G Magnin, A
Sezer, M Yarar; two, Menderes Delta,
26 January, 61, Marmara Gélii, 30 Janu-
ary. J-U Heins, G Sarigiil etal. Very rare

as

April-25 May. Previously unrecorded
on migration in such high numbers.
DHKD/OSME/WIWO

Corncrake Crex crex Middle East Tech-
nical University, Ankara, 30 April.
Scarce passage migrant. G Kirwan, U.
Ozesmi :

Little bustard Tetrax tetrax Two fe-
males, near Burhanli, southwest of

Ankara, 8 May. Tenth record since
1966 (cf Bull 28 : 58). G Kirwan
Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria One,
Kizilirmak Delta, 25-30 April. Scarce
passage migrant (Kasparek in press).
DHKD/OSME/WIWO

White-tailed Plover Chettusia leucura.
Displaying, Berecik, 18 May. First
record in Turkey since 1988 (Kasparek
in press). G Kirwan

Knot Calidris canutus Eight, Akyatan
Golti, 24 - 25 January. V.v.d. Berk, O
Gérgériin, K Linders, V Ozesmi; four,
Kizilirmak Delta, 20 March. S Baris et
al. Very rare passage migrant, former
is second winter record (cf Bull 28 : 58,
Kasparek 1990). Correction record last
reported (Bull 28 : 58) correct date
should be 8 September 1981.
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
Kizilirmak Delta, 6 October 1991; an-
other, 9 April. Scarce passage migrant,
first records for the locality. S Baris,.G
Kirwan

Long-tailed Skua_ Stercorarius
longicaudis. One mile south of Myia, 24
May 1992. Fourth record for Turkey,
third in spring. R Pahlplatz

Little Gull Larus minutus Maximum
10,000, Kizilirmak Delta, end of March.
Highest ever numbers in Turkey.
WIWO/DHKD/OSME

Great Black-backed Gull Larus
marinus Four to five, Kizilirmak Delta,
103 February; three, 22 March. Very
scarcein Turkey. S Baris, L. Dijksen, K.v
Dijken, K.v. Dijken

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Adult, Kuli
Golt, 27 April. Fifth record (cf Bull 28
: 58). G Kirwan

Palm Dove Streptopelia senegalensis
Range extension. Between 20-50 pairs
now nesting in Samsun, outnumber-
ing Collared doves S. decaocto. Samsun
Bird Group

Richard’s Pipit Antiius novaeseelandiae
Total of eight ornine, Kizilirmak Delta,
20 March - 29 April. Unprecedented
passage numbers. About 15 previous
records. WIWO/OSME/DHKD
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni

45

Kizilirmak Delta, 13 April. first or
second record. WIWO/OSME/DHKD
Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus
paludicola Kizilirmak Deta, 1 May.
About sixth record (cf Bull 28 : 18-19).
WIWO/OSME/DHKD

Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus
trochiloides Singing, Kizilirmak Delta,
29 April. fourth record (cf Bull 28 : 58).
WIWO/OSME/DHKD

Kriiper’s Nuthatch Sitta Krueperi
Kizilirmak Delta, 29 April. Unusual
locality. WIWO/OSME/DHKD
Redpoll Carduelis flammea 25,
Kizilirmak Delta, 26 March. Very rare
in Turkey. E. Koopman, R Lerjinck

Mongolian Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes
mongolicus Six, Dogubayazit 25-26 June.
Fourth record for Turkey and the West
Palearctic; 2-4 near lgdir,6 August. All
previous records are also from this
area of Turkey. M. Cocker/Naturetrek, ]
Hombuckle; 12, same locality, 3 July. R
Hotland. At least two other records
from July 1992 remain unreported per
R Webb

Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus
Three, Birecik, 17 May. Several recent
records from south-east and east (cf
Krieger 1988). G Kirwan

Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla One,
Kizilirmak Delta, 26 April. first verifi-
able record (cf Hollom et al 1988)
WIWO/OSME/DHKD

United Arab Emirates

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Nest
with four young found near the reeds
at the fish farm, Dubai 9 August. First
UAE breeding record.*

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Two,
Sharjah, 19 June. Uncommon in sum-
mer C Richardson

Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Six
were still at Khor Kalba 1 April.*
White Stork Ciconia ciconia Soaring
over gravel plain north of Al Ain 6
April, only spring record.*

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus One at
the fish farm, Dubai 8-18 March was
noteworthy.*

Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
Ramtha tip, Sharjah, mid June to mid
September, possibly a genuine vagrant
and a 3rd UAE record.*
Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos
tracheliotus Ten, of race negevensis,
north of Al Ain, 20 February. Largest
ever flock in UAE. MC Jennings, C
Richardson

Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus
Male, Al Habab, 27 July. FirsteverJuly
record of adult male. C Richardson
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus A
rare migrant, one was at the fish farm
14 March - 9 April.*

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni 10 were
hunting together. north of Al Ain on 6
April.*

Merlin Falco columbarius Male, Al Ain,
18 February -9 March. Third record (cf
Bull 26 : 63). R P Morris

Chukar Alectoris chukar A pair with
two young were seen 1,000m above
Wadi Bih (Musandam) on 19 June.*
Little Crake Porzana parva Dubai, 10-
19 March. C Richardson One, Dubai
fish-farm, 19-21 April. C Richardson
Second and third records (cf Bull 26:64).
Corncrake Crex crex Das Island, 29
April.* :
Crab Plover Dromas ardeola 365, Umm
alQuwain, 24January. Unusuallyhigh
numbers. C Richardson
Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius

46

cursor 31, of which 70% juveniles, Dubai
Creek, 23 May. Largest ever flock and
first breeding record for Dubai area. C
Richardson

Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus
Ten, Quwain, 28 February. R P Morris.
Al Wathba, 28 March A J Morris. First
and second spring records. Annual in
autumn in recent years.

Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria
Three, Ras al Khaimah, 24 January.
Third record, last was in 1986. C
Richardson

Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris 60,
Umm al Quwain, 30-31 March. Third
record, last was in 1990, cf recent
records in Bahrain (Hirschfeld 1991)
and eastern Saudi Arabia (Bull 28 : 57).
C Richardson

Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola
falcinellus 570, Dubai Creek, 25 Janu-
ary. Highest ever winter count. C
Richardson

Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura Four,
Emirates Golf Club, 4-24 January later
13 mid February. Fourth record (cf
recent records in Bahrain, bull 28 : 52).
C Richardson

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
Eight, Dubai Greek Golf Course, 1-30
June at least. Uncommon over sum-
mer. C Richardson

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias
leucopterus Three, Sharjah, mid-June.
Seven, Dubai, late June at least. Un-
common in summer. C Richardson
Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles
orientalis Six Abu al Abyadh, 9 Febru-
ary. First substantiated record. R P
Morris.

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Two
were reported at the Emirates golf
courseon 22 august. First UAE record.*
Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula
eupatria Young noted with adults 17
May, in area of Dubai where seen daily
since 1991. This species already may
be a regular feral breeder in the UAE.*
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus At least two
calling on highland plateau above

Small Skylark Alauda gulgula, Abual Abyadh, February 1992 (Photograph R P

Morris)

Wadi Bih on 20 March (also heard
calling in February), indicating breed-
ing activity, a first for Arabia.*

Scops Owl Otus scops Mushrif Park,
Dubai on 6 April.*

Striated Scops Owl Otus brucei Two,
heard, Wadi Bih, 1 March - 1 May.
Scarce, status uncertain, no confirmed
breeding records, cf recent records in
Bahrain (Bull 28:52) R P Morris, C
Richardson

Short-eared Owl Asio flammieus Abual
Abyadh, 23 March. Late record of an
uncommon winter visitor. R P Morris.
Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus
aegypius Ina Dubai garden, 30 April-3
May.* ‘

White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon
smyrnensis Ramtha tip in Sharjah from
28 August, still present mid Septem-
ber. Second UAE record.*

Alpine Swift Apus melba Dubai, mid
March. Fourth record. C Richardson
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops
superciliosus Mating seen in May, with
young in late July at Al Habab 50km
south-east of Dubai. UAE’s third con-
firmed breeding site.*

Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha

47

bimaculata Abu al Abyadh, 30 March.
Very rare passage migrant, first March
record. (Richardson 1990). R P Morris.
Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella
rufescens Seven, singing, Ras
Ghanadah, 3 February - early April.
Again raises possibility of breeding R
P Morris

Small Skylark Alauda gulgula Two
Abual Abyadh, 18-24 February. Three,
al Wathba, 18 March. First substanti-
ated record. R P Morris

Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae
Three remained at Al Habab, near
Dubai until 7 April and one was on
Das island on 19 April.*

Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis Insong
on plateau above Wadi Bih
(Musandam). 20 March. Extension of
known breeding range.*

Grey Hypocolius Hypocoliusampelinus.
Eight, Bida Zayed, 11 March. Three,
Abual Abyadh, 31 March. Scarce pas-
sage migrant, recent records in Saudi
Arabia (Bull 26:57). R P Morris.
Black Bush Robin Cercotrichas podobe
Male, Emirates Golf Club, 15-19 April.
First record for UAEand southern Gulf
region. C Richardson

Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia
Ina Dubai garden, 23 April, only spring
record.*

White-throated Robin I[rania
gutturalisFive, Ras Ghanadah, 27
March - 1 April. Dubai, 5-6 May. Un-
common passage migrant. C
Richardson

Eastern Pied Wheatear Oenanthe picata.
One returned to its known wintering
site at Qarn Nazwa, 3 September. Sev-
eral sites in Northern Emirates occu-
pied from 11 September. (Favoured
habitat is stony-gravel plains with
Acacia, adjacent to rocky foothills.*
Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens
Three, Jebel Dhanra, 10 February.
Scarce winter visitor. R P Morris.
Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha
Four males, Jebel Hafeet, 15 March.
Status unclear, few other records of
birds holding territory. R P Morris
Black-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis
Near Dubai, 16 January. Scarce and
irregular winter visitor, last signifi-
cant influx was in 1990 (cf Bull 26:65).
C Richardson

Hume’s Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia
curruca althaea Ras Ghanadah, 27
March. Fifth record since being treated
as separate in 1985 (cf Bull 26:65). P J
Morris, R P Morris. Singles at the fish
farm 21 and 23 March.*

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Heard in song in reeds at Dubai’s fish
farm from early March, with young
found 13 June and 5 August, suggest-
ing two broods fledged. A first breed-
ing record for UAE.*

Upcher’s Warbler Hippolais languida
12 (noteworthy numbers) were
counted on a gravel plain north of Al
Ain on 6 April.*

Yellow-browed Warbler Piiylloscopus
inornatus Possibly of race humei, Jebel
Ali village. Very scarce visitor, most
recent in April 1991 (Bull 27:47). R P
Morris. Das Island 5-16 April.*

Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus
neglectus Seven, Wadi Bih, 6 March.
Scarce winter visitor and perhaps pas-

48

sage migrant, recently recorded in Bah-
rain (Bull 28:53) R P Morris.
Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula
semitorquata Two, then four, Baheer
Wood, 26-28 March; one, Ras ghanada,
27 March,; three, Jebel Ali, 30 March.
Uncommon passage migrant R P Mor-
ris. 12in Dubai area, 25 March-11 April,
indicates good passage.*

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
46 counted in a field near Ras al
Khaimah on 1 May, and nesting sus-
pected nearby.*

Dead Sea Sparrow Passer moabiticus.
Up to four remained on Das Island
until 3 April (from 21 January), coin-
ciding with influx in other parts of
Gulf area. First UAE record.*
Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes
githagineusEight, Wadi Bih, 1 March.
Status unclear, this record comes from
a potential breeding area. R P Morris;
two, Jebel Faiyah on 4 April.*
Common Rosefinch Carpodacus
erythrinus Dubai Golf Course, 22 May,
another 6 June. Second and third re-
cent spring records (cf Bull 27:47). C
Richardson *

Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea
Of race semenowi, Dubai, 9 April.
Eighth UAE record.*

Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla Das
Island, 15 June. Fifth UAE record.*

*Observers: Colin Richardson, John

_ Bannon, Len Reaney, Mike Wood, Simon

Aspinall, Roy Green, Adrian Chapman,
Annika Forsten, Tapani Numminen

I should like to thank the following
for their assistance in producing
this review; S Baris/Samsun Bird
Group, Arnoud van den Berg
(Dutch Birding), Steve Gantlett
(Birding World), Gernant Magnin,
Rob Morris and Derek A Scott. Guy
Kirwan

ISSN 0959-6739

Omnithological Society of the Middle East
c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, UK

The Ornithological Society of the Middle East was formed in April 1978
as a successor to the Ornithological Society of
Turkey. Its aims are as follows:

To collect, collate and publish ornithological data on the birds of
the Middle East.

To encourage an interest in and conservation of birds of the Middle
East.

To develop a mutually beneficial working relationship with all
environmental and conservation bodies and natural history societies
in and concerned with the Middle East.

Membership is open to all and spans over 40 countries. Membership
subscriptions are: £10 individual, £15 family; airmail supplement £1.50
Europe, £3 rest of the world. Life membership £200.

Publications Sandgrouse is the Society's journal and contains scientific
papers on all aspects of the ornithology of the Middle East. The OSME
Bulletin, issued twice yearly to all members, covers all aspects of
birdwatching and conservation within the Middle East.

For further details, please write to:
The Secretary, OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL,
UK.

Charitable registration number 282938.

Beat subscription rises!
Until 31 December 1992, Life Membership remains at the current

cheap rate of £150. All subscriptions can be paid up to five years in
advance. Why not pay now and avoid future rate increases?

Advertising rates: Full page £60; half page £40; quarter page £25. Inserts
from £75.

Contents

1 Ornithological research at the National Wildlife Research Center,
Taif, Saudi Arabia Stephen F Newton
6 Some observations of birds in northwestern
Iraq, 1983 SA Rasmussen
12 Notes on recent changes in the status of breeding herons in
the Egyptian Nile Valley and Delta Sherif M Baha EI Din
16 Impressions of Spring Passerine Migration at
Aksehir Golt, Turkey Chris Bradshaw and Guy Kirwan
18 Mixed Flocks of Foraging Jackdaws and Cattle
Egrets Henk K Mienis
18 = Kestrels feeding on reptiles near Ramla, Israel Henk K Mienis
20 The OSME Sites Register Scheme: progress report Mike Evans
21. Important Bird Areas in the Middle East: an update Mike Evans
26 News and Information Compiled by Simon Albrecht
29 Qenhe News
Retiring Chairman
Thank you
Forthcoming OSME meetings
OSME situations vacant
OSME's bankers
Photographs for Sandgrouse
OSME and Sunbird in Egypt, April 1992 Mike Everett
33. Reviews
35 Around the Region Compiled by Guy Kirwan

OSME C/O THE LODGE, SANDY, BEDFORDSHIRE SG19 2DL, UK