THE ORNITHOLOGICAL
SOCIETY OF THE
MIDDLE EAST

SANDGROUSE
No 5

PUBLISHED 1983 PRICE £5.00

The ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST was formed in April 1978 and
is a successor to the Ornithological Society of Turkey.

Aims:
1. To collect, collate and publish ornithological data on the birds of the Middle East.
2. To encourage an interest in and conservation of the birds of the Middle East.

3. 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.

Publications: Sandgrouse, an annual journal containing scientific papers on all aspects of
ornithology of the Middle East. A bulletin is issued biannually to all members.

Officers of the Society (as at June 1983)

Vice-Presidents: S. Cramp P. A. D. Hollom
Sir Hugh Elliott Dr. H. Kumerloeve
R. D. Etchécopar Prof. H. Mendelssohn
Dr. L. Hoffmann Dr. G. Tohmé
Council: J. S. M. Albrecht D. Parr
(Sales Officer) (Sandgrouse Editor)
Dr. N. J. Collar R. F. Porter (Chairman)
Dr. L. Cornwallis M. Rands
D. J. Fisher N. Redman (Treasurer)
(Bulletin Editor) AL Vittery
prea Mrs. F. E. Warr (Secretary)

For further details and current subscription
rates write to:-

The Secretary, O.S.M.E.,

c/o The Lodge, Sandy,

Beds., SG19 2DL, England.

Cover illustrations by Ian Willis

SANDGROUSE
NUMBER 5

ISSN 0260-4736

Editor:
Donald Parr

Editorial Committee:
Lindon Cornwallis, David Fisher, Chris Harbard,

Michael Jennings and Alan Vittery

Published by
THE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST

December 1983
Price £5.00

Further copies from:
The Secretary, O.S.M.E., c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Beds., SG19 2DL, England. |

CONTENTS

Page
FOLEWORG oc: fen eee eee OW ee Ae pve aA attic BA 1
Equitorial: oe ee er rae Ea ae ee ee OL ne, aeniee 2 cr a il
The Breeding Birds of the Azraq Oasis and its Desert Surround, Jordan,
in: the mid-1960s' by D. I Mi Wallacen 0. 2 eee : 1
The Migration of Raptors near Suez, Egypt, Autumn 1981 by
RG. Bijlsma : 3. ee ee 19
The Autumn Migration of Passerines and near-Passerines at the
Bosphorus, Turkey by R. F. Porter....... oy eleva si ede Meee aR eee 45
The Sequence of Plumage Change and Polymorphism in the Indian Reef
Heron by R. M. Naik and B. M. Parasharja.................... 75
A Contribution to the Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara
Depression, Egypt by S. M. Goodman and P. L. Ames .......... 82
Courtship Behaviour between Tree Sparrow and House Sparrow in the
wild —a possible case of Hybridization by J. S. M. Albrecht ...... 97
The Occurrence of Saunder’s Little Tern in the Upper Arabian Gulf by
C...J.: O. Harrison's). 29 tis ee AP aE ee OEE eae 100
The first identification of the Eastern Pied Wheatear in Jordan by
DigleeM Wallace sc io pai ope Ss ae sd so ee ieee ee ee ee 102

An Analysis of some Eagle Owl pellets from Turkey by D. Morgan.. 105

LIST OF PLATES (see centre pages)

Plate I & 2 The observation and census area at Kuguk Camlica, Bosphorus,
Turkey

Plate 3 & 4 Plumage colour polymosphism in the Indian Reef Heron
Plates 5 & 6 Long-legged Buzzards Buteo rufinus at Suez, Egypt

FOREWORD

This volume of Sandgrouse reflects both the wide range of study possible
in such a diverse geographical area as the Middle East and the inevitable
concentrations by bird-watchers on the more spectacular phenomena, such as
raptor migration.

With the exception of No. 1, each volume of Sandgrouse has contained a
major paper on raptors. This has undoubtedly helped to create a better
understanding of the migration patterns at the principal localities and the
numbers of birds involved, and systematic counting could, over the years,
provide valuable comparative data on which assessments of population trends
and breeding success could be based. But there is the danger that the present
uncoordinated approach could prove counter-productive. Already there are
indications of inexplicable inconsistencies in the records being submitted from
the same locality by different observers. Organised groups of observers can
generally be far more effective, and less error-prone, than individuals. For the
data to be of real value therefore, rather than merely ‘of interest’, a more
rigorous and a standardised approach to raptor counting is required. OSME is
however, in no position to vet observations submitted in papers and has taken
the view that its role is to publish, in the belief that inconsistencies will be
resolved by further research and evidence.

It would be a pity if the sheer spectacle of raptor migration were allowed
to distort the overall research effort. It is therefore encouraging to see the ‘spin-
off’ from the prolonged observations at the Bosphorus appearing in the form
of a paper on the migration of passerines and near-passerines.

Some readers may be concerned, in these days of sophisticated field
identification techniques, to see reference in the paper on Siwa and Qattara to
the collection of specimens. Apart from the exceptional need to substantiate a
species or race suspected to be new to science, OSME would not support the
taking of specimens from the purpose of identification. However, it is prepared
to consider publishing relevant data on specimens collected for bona fide
scientific research as long as the laws and regulations of the country in question
are fully respected.

Lindon Cornwallis
David Fisher
Chris Harbard
Michael Jennings
Alan Vittery

EDITORIAL

The Editorial Committee draws attention in the Foreword to certain
problems that it faces in selecting papers for publication. Notwithstanding these
questions we trust that prospective authors will continue to submit work freely
for consideration and for the first time we include in this volume, inside the back
cover, ‘notes for contributors’. If we are to maintain the high standard already
achieved in the first five volumes of Sandgrouse we do need a much higher rate
of submission that is forthcoming at present.

In this volume we are glad to welcome Ian Wallace’s further instalment of
the ‘Azraq papers’ together with his supporting evidence for the first records
of the occurrence of a race of Oenanthe picata in Jordan. Rob Bijlsma presents
a masterly account of his team’s impressive observations of raptors at Suez in
the autumn of 1981 while Richard Porter’s paper on passerine migration at the
Bosphorus helps to fill an obvious gap in such studies. We are pleased to publish
a contribution from India by Professor R. M. Naik and B. M. Parasharya on
the puzzling colour phases of the Indian (Western) Reef Heron. The paper on
the Siwa Oasis and the Qattara Depression by Steve Goodman and Peter Ames
brings together important records from a little known area in Egypt which is
threatened by a grandiose flooding project. Simon Albrecht presents evidence,
gleaned in Turkey, of the possible hybridization between Tree and House
Sparrow, an occurrence which is found only scarcely in the literature. Colin
Harrison’s note on the Saunder’s Little Tern will help to resolve difficulties
concerning the distribution and identification of that species is its Middle
Eastern range and finally David Morgan’s paper throws some light on the prey
of the Eagle Owl in Turkey. We are indebted to all these authors.

As in previous issues scientific nomenclature follows the List of Recent
Holarctic Bird Species by K. H. Vouss, B.O.U., London, 1977. In general the
English vernacular names also follow that work.

I have received help and advice from a number of people and in particular
I would like to record my appreciation of such to Steen Christensen, Mike
Everett, Tim Inskipp, Derek Lees-Smith, Richard Porter, all members of the
Editorial Committee and my wife, Joyce.

Donald Parr

THE BREEDING BIRDS OF THE AZRAQ OASIS AND ITS DESERT SURROUND,
JORDAN, IN THE MID-1960s

by
D. I. M. Wallace

INTRODUCTION

This is the second paper to examine in detail the ornithological data gathered at and around
Azraq in April and May, 1963, 1965 and 1966. In its attempt to clarify particularly the full variety
and habitat preferences of breeding birds, past records from 1922 and 1955, a few from other seasons
up to September 1965 and some from the basalt and brown soil desert north-east of Azraq are
included. Records from 1967 onwards are excluded, except in discussion.

Two earlier summaries of the mid-1960s breeding bird population, prepared largely by I. J.
Ferguson-Lees, appeared in Hemsley and George (1966) and Morton Boyd (1967). These accounts
listed 63 species, for which breeding had been proved or suspected. This paper lists 66 species, of
which 28 were proved to breed successfully, 20 almost certainly bred, 12 may have bred and 6
tantalised.

NATURE OF OBSERVATIONS ON BREEDING AND BEHAVIOUR

Exploration of the Azraq oasis and its desert surround continued throughout all periods of
observations. This behaviour prevented any standard, year-on-year survey of breeding birds. At
the oasis, the (then) prolific vegetation of the outfalls was difficult to penetrate, let alone search
effectively, and in the desert, even identically routed surveys of the same wadi could be thwarted
by the vagaries of temperature and weather, most notably afternoon duststorms. Nevertheless, after
the learning year of 1963, nearly all observations were disciplined against a standard register and
later analysed by habitat.

TABLE I displays the overall balance of observations within the basic divide of oasis and
steppe/desert habitats. It can be seen that the oasis attracted a level of observations quite out of
proportion to its part within the whole explored area of c. 1,250 sq. km. Nevertheless five desert
areas with substantial bird communities were surveyed in all three years and it is unlikely that any
regular breeding species was missed.

HABITATS OF BREEDING BIRDS

Detailed accounts of the wetland, degraded steppe and desert habitats at and around Azraq
can be found in Hemsley and George (1966) and Morton Boyd (1967). Unfortunately, their work
came too late to be set as a discipline but TABLE II restructures their classification of vegetation
to allow across-match of the observed breeding bird communities. Asa display of the habitat profiles
of breeding species, TABLE II is both incomplete and repetitious (with five species unassignable
to habitat type due to insufficient registrations and seven species occurring broadly across desert
habitats and two others) but it does demonstrate immediately the two dominant communities of
breeding birds: those of the freshwater marshes at Azrag and of the wadi systems of the limestone
hammada. No other habitats support such diverse communities though those of the seasonal
wetlands and the basalt edge were distinct.

The habitats at, and particularly around, Azraq did not support a constant bird community.
With hindsight, it has become clear that it was subject to alterations caused by short-term climatic
and vegetational fluctuations. These were evident in nearly all habitats but appeared most obvious
against the variable surface vegetation of the hammada and its intersperses. They undoubtedly
stemmed from the preceding winter climate, locally judged to be ‘normal’ in 1962/63, ‘wet’ in
1964/65 and ‘dry’ in 1965/66. The alterations included opportunistic breeding by aquatic species,
withdrawals or non-breeding behaviour in desert species and invasions by nomadic and migrant

1

Sandgrouse 5 Azragq — breeding birds

species. In this respect, the observations of Clarke (1980) at Shaumari from 1975 to 1977 provide
a fascinating extension of the mid-1960s work at and near that area. Against a potential of 15
breeding species (judged against habitat type), 12 were found in 1963, 1965 and 1966 but only 10
were present during the intensive survey of the next decade.

It remains to stress that essentially the Azrag community inhabits one huge drainage basin (see
Figure 1. Morton Boyd 1967), with water running or widely standing from December to April and
the continual redeposition of silt providing annual chances for plant regeneration and dispersal.
Though much of its surround appears to be so, the basin is not in any full ecological sense a true
desert. It should be particulary noted that the mid-1960s observations at the oasis were made in
a period of relative ecological stability. Although water extraction from the nothkern spring (at Azraq
Druz) began in 1932 and there was a peat fire in the western marshes in 1957, the oasis still appeared
at first and last sight to be Meinertzhagen’s ‘‘perfect paradise for birds’’. Its relatively water- and
plant-less state in 1979 (Conder 1981) could not be imagined by the 1960s expedition members and
the overall diversity of the mid-1960s breeding population, stemming from the conjoint occurrence
in a relatively small area of oasis, of seasonal floods and two abutting desert surfaces, was marked.
Indeed, compared to those of similar latitudes at Lake Huleh, Israel (Zahavi 1957) and around
Habbaniya, Iraq (Chapman & McGeogh 1956), the Azraq community appears to have been unique
in its complexity. The failure to sustain the full conservation measures envisaged in the management
plan of 1966 is a bitter harvest, the more so given the findings of Clarke (1980) which have
demonstrated the potential for recovery in the new reserve at Shaumari.

INCIDENCE OF BREEDING BIRDS IN THE MAIN HABITATS

In 1963, 1965 and 1966, the numbers of observed breeding birds were all logged or registered but
the final analysis does not allow any overall quantification of the oasis and desert communities.
In the case of the former, counts were made (and estimates revised) annually and these are given
individually in the systematic list and summarised in TABLE III. The numbers of breeding birds
within the numbers of all birds using the oasis in spring were noticeably low (and the presence of
at least 14 species apparently fickle). Overall they were continuously swamped by those of migrant
and unqualified birds, whose peak presence in the same month has been roughly measured by
Wallace (1982) at up to 20 times greater than that of even the interpolated breeding population in
TABLE III.

In the case of the steppe/desert communities, measured broad line counts were made in 52
widely scattered localities and the incidences of birds therein calculated against total count lengths.
These quotients are given in TABLE IV. It should be noted that the habitat types reflect the actual
character of the explored localities and do not fully match the basic classification given in TABLE
II. The numbers of breeding birds within the number of all birds varied markedly and overall they
were fewer in the 52 localities than migrants and unqualified birds, providing only 43% of all
disciplined registrations. This comment should not be taken to imply that such a balance was typical
of the entire steppe/desert surround at Azraq. The patchwork of habitats, with wadi systems, rocky
hilltops, basalt flow and limestone hammada dominant, invites no such event even in periods of
peak passage.

A PROFILE OF THE MID 1960s BREEDING SPECIES

Of the 66 species proved or suspected to be breeding, 33 were non-passerines and 33 were
passerines. Of the former, 21 were aquatic and 12 non-aquatic species; of the latter, seven were
aquatic and 26 non-aquatic species. Of the total of the 28 aquatic species, at least 21 were confined
to the Shishan and Druz freshwater outfalls, with their presence therein sustained fundamentally
by the underground aquifers. They formed no part of either the seasonal water or the steppe/desert
communities. Of the total of 38 non-aquatic species, one — the Rock Dove — was totally dependent
on the artificial habitat of ancient castles. Of the 37 others, eight exploited villages, marginal
cultivation and disturbed land but these niches were important only for three — the Short-toed Lark,

2

Sandgrouse 5 Azraq — breeding birds

the House Sparrow and the Goldfinch. In strict terms, the profile of the natural steppe/desert
community can be reduced to seven non-passerines exploiting impermanent water and steppe niches
and 11 non-passerines and 23 passerines exploiting mainly the limestone hammada, its wadi systems
and the edge of the basalt shield. Within the basalt shield, the profile contracted dramatically to
two non-passerines and four passerines or only six out of the 38 steppe/desert species.

Of the 66 breeding species, at least 19 and probably 26 were residents and at least 33 were
migrants. These assignments depend however on somewhat piecemeal data (other then Clarke’s
work at Shaumari) and seven species continue to defy any conclusion. Residence or the lack of total
withdrawal was most marked in the steppe/desert community, with 17 out of 38 species present
throughout the year. It was much less so in the aquatic community, with only nine out of 28 species
staying on to rub shoulders with the heavy winter immigration of other birds. Of the 33 migrants,
at least 16 were clearly dogged by the erratic state of their habitats or the tiny size of their potential
breeding groups.

KEY TO TREATMENT IN SYSTEMATIC LIST

Localities and habitats:

The best maps of the Azraq area are found in Hemsley and George (1966). They show
particularly well the divide between the limestone and basalt surface, the drainage basin and the
distribution of the major habitats. The best map of the Shishan out-fall — the most closely explored
of all aquatic habitats — is in Conder (1981). The location of 29 other areas and places was shown
by Wallace (1982). Good photographs of the hammada and a well vegetated wadi spread were
published by Clarke (1980). Figure / illustrates the essential topography of the area and locates the
main areas of the 1960s observations.

Assessment of breeding bird numbers

As already indicated, no standard measure was applied and only approximations, as in TABLE
III and IV, were made. In the case of the broad line counts in the desert, the width of the front
covered by the two main observers rarely exceed 100 metres in wadis or 200 metres in the most open
hammada. All comparable estimates, e.g. for larks, have been made strictly within the discipline
of the register.

Dating
Details of days, months and year are generally suppressed except where such appear significant
for an individual species or can be applied to the various stages of the breeding cycle.

Breeding status

In this paper, the bald categories of breeding status adopted by Ferguson-Lees — ‘proved’,
‘almost certain’, and ‘no direct evidence’ — have been revised and extended into five classes that
echo those now used in British breeding bird surveys. These are:

1 __ breeding proved by the finding of nests, nests with eggs, chicks and fledged young

1/2_ breeding virtually proved by the finding of apparent nests, sitting birds and persistent breeding
behaviour

2 breeding indicated by territorial, sexual or nest building activity

2/3 probable breeding indicated by territorial and sexual activity but perhaps subject to failure
or later departure

3 _ possible breeding indicated by pressure of paired birds, marked localisation and long duration
of presence but with supporting records not containing any pronounced breeding activity and
indicating later departure

Sandgrouse 5 Azragq — breeding birds

With the benefit of hindsight, particular attention has now been paid to the temporal pattern of
observations. All potentially breeding species with few or no May records have been particularly —
closely examined and relegated to class 3 or excluded.

In addition to the above classification, the capitals R and M are used to indicate respectively
whether the breeding species was in the mid-1960s a resident in, or a migrant to, the area. No assign-
ment is made in the case of problematic observations.

CLIMATE, PERIODS OF OBSERVATION AND MAIN OBSERVERS

These have already been detailed in Wallace (1982). It should be noted that the registered data
on breeding birds were acquired in 38 days of the 1963, 1965 and 1966 visits, with the second half
of April providing the bases of most comparisons between the years.

SYSTEMATIC LIST

Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe (2) R
Oasis, Shishan, secluded pools, 3-4 pairs trilling loudly.

Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern (2/3) M
Oasis, Shishan, rushy areas, up to 2 males (thumping in 1966) and 2 females.

Ardea purpurea Purple Heron (1) M
Oasis, Shishan, dense, tall reeds, numbers obscured within up to 40 migrants but nest building
seen on 3 May 1965 and two nests found on 10 May 1966, with clutches of 4 and 5.

Tadorna tadorna Shelduck (2/3) ?
Qa El Azraq, edges of outfalls and saline lake, 4-5 pairs courting in 1963 and 1965. None in
1966. Seen by Hollom in April 1955.

Anas platyrhynchos Mallard ()R
Oasis, Shishan, freshwater marshes, 9-15, perhaps 30 pairs. Duck flushed from small ducklings
on 19 April.

Anas querquedula Garganey (2/3) M
Oasis, Shishan, freshwater marshes, apparently 4-10 pairs, some in courtship flight.

Circus aeruginosus Marsh Harrier (2) R

Oasis, Shishan and Druz, dense reedbed, 2 males and up to 5 females, forming 3-4 pairs, with
regular entry points. Several seen by Hollom in April/May 1955. Two pairs in display seen by Conder
in February 1979.

Falco tinnunculus Kestrel ()R

Desert, Wadis Aseimir and Muheilan, relict mature Pistacia atlantica and (once) Qasr Amra,
up to 4 pairs. 8 nests inspected beween 24 April and 11 May contained a dead female, clutches of
1, 2, 3, 4 (twice) and broods of 2 (twice) and 4; of these, one clutch of four and ali the broods were
found in a remarkable colony of four nests set in two Pistacia only 80 metres apart on 11 May 1966.
All tree nests were formerly those of Corvus ruficollis.

4

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Azraq — breeding birds

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Sandgrouse 5

Sandgrouse 5 Azragq — breeding birds

Alectoris chukar Chukar ae (a) R

Desert, lower edges of basalt Jebel Uweinid and basalt ridge above Wadi Aseikhim, respectively
5 adults (including a hen with 8 eggs taken by villagers) and 12 adults (including parties of up to
6 and a pair with 7 flying juveniles). Closely associated with relatively rich flora of basalt edge (see
Hemsley and George 1966; Meinertzhagen 1924).

Ammoperdix heyi Sand Partridge (3) ?

Desert, basin of Wadi Rajil, a small partridge, 26 April 1965, silt dunes north of Qa El Azraq,
two others, 10 September 1965. Undoubtedly Ammoperdix. A. heyi identified near Qasr El
Kharanah on 24 October 1922 (Meinertzhagen 1924) and again at Shaumari from July to September
1977 (Clarke 1980). .

Coturnix coturnix Quail (2/3) M
Oasis, Shishan, bird fiushed from dense shrub, whence came cheeping calls, 22 September 1965.

Rallus aquaticus Water Rail (2)R
Oasis, Shishan, dense, lower marsh vegetation, 9-12, perhaps 20 pairs, very active and often
calling (including sharming).

Porzana pusilla Baillon’s Crake (1) M
Oasis, Shishan, dense but relatively open surround to reed and tamarisk complexes, 5-10 pairs.
Nest with clutch of 5 found 17 April 1963.

Gallinula chloropus Moorhen : (2/3) R
Oasis, Shishan, freshwater marsh, up to 33 birds, throughout all periods of observation, often
calling.

Fulica atra Coot (2/3) R
Oasis, Shishan, secluded pools, up to 4 birds (once an obvious pair), throughout even latest
period of observation, calling.

Chlamydotis undulata Houbara (3)? M

Surround to Qa El Azraq and desert, direct observation: fresh scapular, 17 April 1963, single
bird, 6 May 1965; indirect observation and hearsay: ‘‘present in the breeding season’’,‘‘ nests,’’
*‘one to three shot annually’’ (Shishan wildfowler), ‘‘November 1964’’. In late October 1922,
Meinertzhagen saw ‘‘occasional birds’’ in the western desert, ‘‘considerable numbers’’ near a basalt
area within it, ‘‘several’’ near the oasis and found it ‘‘well distributed’’ in the eastern desert. In
1955, Hollom saw one near Qasr Amra. In the mid 1960s, however, it was clearly very rare and
the previous suggestion that it almost certainly bred was unwarranted. From 1976 to 1979, it re-
appeared in small numbers (up to 9) and mostly beween May and October (Clarke 1982) but no
behaviour indicative of breeding was observed (J. E. Clarke, in Jitt).

Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt (1) M

Qa El Azragq, drying edges to and islands in saline water, 20-90, perhaps 50-100 pairs. 36 nests
found (in incomplete search), with clutches of 1(x3), 2(x3), 3, 4(x2), 5(x2) on 1 and 2 May 1965.
Breeding frustrated in 1966 due to low water level.

Recurvirostra avosetta Avocet (1) M

Qa El Azraq, habitat as last species, breeding on same islands in two places, 11-32 pairs. 17
nests, with clutches of 1(x5) and 2 on 17 April 1963 and 1(x2), 2(x2), 3(x2), 4(x3) and 5 on 1 and
2 May 1965. Breeding frustrated in 1966. Hollom saw about 100 on 23 April 1955 but noted that
apparently all had gone 11 days later.

Sandgrouse 5 Azraq — breeding birds

Burhinus oedicnemus Stone Curlew (1) M
_ Desert, grassy hammada, near Qasr Amra and junction of Wadis Aseimir and Butum, 1-2 pairs;
near Shishan and in Wadi Rajil, single birds or nocturnal calls. Clutch of 2 on 20 April.

Cursorius cursor Cream-coloured Courser (1) M

Desert, silted, shrub-covered and grassy hammada, and silted cultivation, west of oasis,
obvious, with 92 birds registered on 24 full days of desert observation; east of oasis, only one (west
of Wadi Rajil). Clutches of 2 on 16 and 19 April 1963 and one brood of two on 20 April 1965.
Although regarded as a classic desert bird, it was noticeably scarcer in the dry year of 1966 (only
24 seen, no evidence of breeding).

Glareola pratincola Collared Pratincole (2) M
Oasis, Shishan and Druz, drier areas of outfalls and adjacent edges of qa, 86-170 pairs, courting
and behaving territorially.

Charadrius dubius Little Ringed Plover . (2) M
Qa El Azraq, water-logged edges and Typha marsh, 1-2 pairs and odd birds; Qa Khanna, up
to 3 birds, April 1965. Courting and/or holding territories.

Charadrius alexandrinus Kentish Plover (1) R

Qa El Azraq, drying edges of saline water and mudpan, up to 70, perhaps in all 200 pairs. Burku
reservoir, at least two pairs, 30 April 1965. Desert qas: Qa Khanna, up to 3, perhaps up to 7 pairs,
El Hamda, 1 pair. Clutch of 3, 7 May, eight broods of 1-3 chicks from 16 April to 7 May.

Charadrius leschenaultii Greater Sand Plover (1) M

Qa El Azraq, up to c.100 birds, including 1-2, perhaps 7 pairs, behaving territorially. Desert qas:
Qa Khanna, up to 38 birds, including up to 4 pairs, with clutch of 3 on 28 April and seven broods
of 1, 2 (thrice) and 3 (thrice) from 20 to 28 April; near Jebel Uweinid, 1 pair; El Hamda, 1 nervous
pair and single male. The Azraq desert, over both its basalt and limestone surfaces, is dotted with
large and small qas and the breeding population is probably much larger than the above numbers of
pairs indicate. Southward range extension of c.600 km. from nearest Turkish population.

Hoplopterus spinosus Spur-winged Plover (1) M
Oasis, Druz, waterlogged and drying grass marsh, 5-9, perhaps 10 pairs. Clutches of 3, then
4 on 15, 17 April and 1 on 7 May.

Chettusia leucura White- tailed Lapwing (2/3) M

Oasis, Druz, habitat as last species, 1-2 pairs, behaving territorially but subject to constant
harrying by H. spinosus and unlikely to have nested. None in 1966. Prospecting c. 600 km. east
of western limit in Iraq.

Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern (3)

Qa El Azraq, habitat as H. himantopus and R. avosetta, two areas, up to 5 and 7 birds, perhaps
1 pair, localised, occasionally sitting on newly exposed mud isles. Qa Khanna, up to 4 birds, also
a single egg apparently of this species (but perhaps of R. avosetta). Hollom noted a few in 1955.

_ Pterocles senegallus Spotted Sandgrouse ) (2/3) M

Desert, silted, shrub-covered hammada west of Shishan, east of Druz and in Wadi Rajil, 12
birds, including 4 clearly bonded pairs. Brown soil desert, east of basalt, between H4 and Burku,
eight on 30 April 1965. No records south of the oasis and not even suspected at Shaumari in the
late 1970s (J. E. Clarke, in litt).

Sandgrouse 5 Azrag — breeding birds

Pterocles alchata Pintailed Sandgrouse (1) M

Desert, silted, shrub-covered hammada and wide basins near basalt, Wadis Butum and Esh ~
Shaumari. Brown soil desert east of basalt shield between H4 and Burku, 79 in several! flocks, 30
April 1965. Wadi Rajil and Qa El Fara, at least 29 birds, including at least 13 pairs. Basalt shield,
near HS, 50 in several flocks and parties, 30 April 1965. Three nests, all with clutches of three.

Columbia livia Rock Dove (1/2) ?

Desert castles, Qasrs Amra, el Hallabat, Hamman Es Sarkh and Aseikhim (not Druz or
Kharanah), up to nine birds at each. Nest material seen in two holes. Seen by Hollom at Qasrs Amra
and Kharanah in 1955. Entirely absent from desert in 1966.

Athene noctua Little Owl (1/2) R

Desert, basalt bluffs and (once) castle, 14 birds at 7 localities, entering nest holes and (once)
evidently sitting. Three nests inspected in 1965. Meinertzhagen (1954) noted that the local race /ilith,
although typically pale, threw up darker morphs. Two of the 14 were such. Dispersal of juveniles
away from basalt nest areas indicated by Shaumari records in late 1970’s (Clarke 1980).

Alcedo atthis Kingfisher (3) ?
Oasis, Shishan, edge of Tamarix complex, one carrying fish and another agitatedly attached
to island edge, 19 April 1965.

Merops superciliosus Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (2) M

Oasis, bare islands within reed and tamarisk complexes, edges of dry flat silt near such, 8-10,
perhaps 20 pairs, localised, chasing and calling; digging observed on 3 May 1966. Hollom saw three
on 4 May 1955.

Eremalauda dunni Dunn’s Lark (1) ?

Desert, status uncertain due to likely confusion with Ammomanes cincturus and a pale race
of Ammomanes deserti in 1963 and 1965. Definite identifications in Wadi Rajil, with two near track
from Umari to Tell Qorma on 26 April 1965 and one c. 3km. south of Tell Qorma on 6 May 1966,
and in Wadi Esh Shaumari, where an adult with young in a nest was found near the agricultural
research station in early May 1965. Basalt shield, silt pan, 27 km. west of H4, a pair and at least
three other birds, 30 April 1965. Identification confirmed by specimen taken at last locality and
both moving and still photographs of nesting adult.

Habitat invariably silty pans of wadi bottoms with thick shady shrublets, with the one chosen
to shelter the Shaumari nest being noticeably larger than other plants used by all other nesting larks.
Other observations already published in Round and Walsh (1981) except for song of bird creeping
about under shrubs: ‘more like sub-song of a scratchy-voiced warbler that a real lark —a sort of
‘screedle-screedle-scri-rit-tit-screedle-screedle. . .’ ad infinitum. North-westward range extension of
over 1000 km. from northern limit in Saudi Arabia but, in truth, presence long obscured by difficulty
of identification.

Ammomanes cincturus Bar-tailed Desert Lark (1/2) ?M
Desert, at least 158 birds at 37 localities in 1965 and 1966, with 93 at 22 places on hammada,
56 at 10 on wadi spreads and nine at five on silt pans within or along edges of basalt shield. On
hammada, undoubtedly the most ubiquitous lark (being present at 22 of 24 searched localities) and
apparently the commonest (proving 35% of all lark sightings), certainly so in the south-eastern sector
of the area. On wadi spreads, the third most ubiquitous and fourth commonest lark. Along measured
foot counts, apparent population density c. 2 birds/km. on hammada and c. 1 bird/km. in wadi
spreads, both figures reflecting the large territories of a long-legged, fast running species, showing
as Eremophila bilopha more shyness than in other larks. Newly begun nest found on 20 April.

8

—< aa

Sandgrouse 5 Azraq — breeding birds

Only one previous certain record (Hollom 1959) but presence probably long obscured by
difficulty of identification.

Preferred habitat sandy, flat grey—and brown—toned hammada, spreading into adjacent
sandy or silted wadi spreads with scattered (but never dense) shrublets; within such, most tolerant
of all larks of altitudinal variation. Distribution within habitat wide but in places noticeably uneven,
with loose assemblies of two or three pairs. Fringe habitats gravel slopes adjoining basalt, flat basalt
pebbles overlying hammada (once) and silt and gravel wadi within basalt shield (once). Distribution
extended to grassy, rocky uplands near Tel Ureimiba and brown soil desert near Burku.

Ammomanes deserti Desert Lark (1) ?R
Desert, at least 172 birds at 18 localities in 1965 and 1966, occuring in two morphs discussed

- separately:

Dark, blackish annae.

162 at 14 places near or within basalt shield, with 12 outliers at four places on dark hammada
north of Wadi Aseimir and in Wadi Mudeisisat. Within basalt shield, undoubtedly the nost
ubiquitous lark (occuring at 14 of 19 searched localities) and by far the commonest (79% of all lark
sightings). Along measured foot counts, population density c. 6 birds/km. along edge of basalt
shield and c. 3 birds/km. within it. Apparently absent from eastern section of basalt shield and
brown soil desert between Burku and H4. Collecting food on 16, 26 and 28 April; three juveniles
out of nest on 25 April and one on 2 May.

Preferred habitat summits, ridges and upper slopes of basalt shield, using ‘cairns’ and other
prominences as look-out and song posts and feeding between boulders (particularly where blown
silt accretes); ‘edge effect’ marked (as noted above). Fringe habitat isolated basalt mounds, lower
basalt areas adjoining limestone hammada (particularly when north-facing rocks bear lichens). On
ground, isolated from A. cincturus in these habitats though by as little as 20-30 metres; both species
may use same airspace when basalt and hammada abut.

Pale, dun-coloured: race unknown.

Status uncertain due to likely confusion with A. cincturus and probably E. dunni. Definite
identifications: north-east of Wadi Aseimir, where two on 16 April 1963, in Wadi Buttum, one on
16 April 1963, near Qa Rajil, two on 19 April 1963, at Faidhat Edh Dhahikiya, a pair on 26 April
1966, and in Wadi Mudeisisat, one on 9 May 1966. Hence at least eight birds at five places within
hammada and wadi spreads and near chalk cliffs. In song on 9 May, pair collecting food on 26
April. Listing of a pale form as ‘fairly common’ at Shaumari in the late 1970s thus largely
unprecedented and not free of possible confusion with E. dunni (J. E. Clarke, in litt).

Alaemon alaudipes Hoopoe Lark () R

Desert, 38 birds at nine localities in 1965 and 1966, with 34 at seven places on wadi spreads
and overgrown qa edge and only four at two places on hammada; apparently commoner in 1963,
when 22 birds seen at nine localities. Along measured foot counts, apparent population density c.2
birds/km. in wadispreads a low figure, reflecting large territories among taller shrublets. Clutch
of three on 18 April, two young in nest on 24 April and a dead fledgling on 20 April.

Preferred habitat wide, flat and sandy wadi spreads, with extensive, evenly spaced and in some
places fairly dense, shrublets of low to medium height. Fringe habitats as above but with higher
shrublets, well vegetated qa edges, grassy, pale, hammada near sandy wadi (twice) and even amongst
Retama (twice).

-Ramphocoris clotbey Thick-billed Lark ; (2)? M

Desert, 23 birds at seven western localities in 1965 and 1966, with 14 at four places on hammada
and nine at three on edges of adjacent wadi spreads; apparently no commoner in 1963, when seven
birds seen at three localities. Courtship noted on 18 April and 5 May, nervous female probably
flushed from nest on 24 April. Meinertzhagen (1954) listed no record for Jordan.

9

Sandgrouse 5 . Azraq — breeding birds

Preferred habitat uncertain but essentially associated with flat edges of hammada or adjacent
interspersed wadis, bearing either many perennial shrublets or patches of annual grasses and other
seed-bearing plants; food plants included Euphorbia kahirensis and Plantago oveta.

Calandrella brachydactyla Short-toed Lark = (1) M

Cultivation, in cereals on western edge of desert, 20 birds at three localities in 1965 and 1966.
Less widespread in such habitat than C. rufescens and Galerida cristata but clearly likely to invade
it when advantageous breeding conditions exist. Nest building on 21 April.

Desert, 42 birds at six localities, with 38 at three places in wadi spreads again pointing to local
but relatively dense colonisation and four at three places on hammada and overgrown qa edge clearly
outlliers among larger numbers of C. rufescens. Nest building on 20 April, clutch of three on 27
April, territorial males in song on 1 and 5 May. Breeding annually outside previously drawn limits
in Jordan.

Calandrella rufescens Lesser Short-toed Lark ()?R

All habitats except silt dunes, 736 birds at 43 localities in 1965 and 1966, the high figures
indicating respectively the highest overall count of all larks and the second most ubiquitous presence
after Crested Lark Galerida cristata.

Cultivation, 125 birds at six localities in1965 and 1966 and therein by far the commonest lark
(73 per cent of all sightings). Drier marsh, 35 birds at six localities and therein the second commonest
lark. Bare qa edges, 54 birds at three localities and along such by far the commonest lark (89 per
cent of all sightings). Overgrown qa edges, 214 birds at seven localities and along and within such
the commonest lark (56 per cent of all sightings), with apparent population density of c.nine
birds/km. Desert, at least 326 birds at 20 localities, with 230 at 13 places in wadi spreads, 79 at
four places on hammada but only 17 at three places within and along basalt shield. Within wadi
spreads, by far the commonest lark (66 per cent of all sightings) with apparent population density
of c.seven birds/km.. Within this habitat and overgrown qa edges, communities locally very dense
(with five estimated at 5-7 pairs per acre). On hammada, locally common in silted, grassy areas but
far less ubiquitous than A. cincturus and E. bilopha; since extent of suitable habitat clearly variable
from year to year, not a typical member of the hhmmada community. Within basalt shield, the most
local of six larks but once again exploiting isolated overgrown silt pans and wadis freely (and forming
16 per cent of all sightings therein). Apparently absent from eastern section of basalt shield and
brown soil desert beween Burku and H4.

Clutches of two, three (twice) and four (twice) from 20 to 28 April, one young in nest on 24
April, four fledglings leaving nest on 21 April and two fledglings out of nest on 8 May, several
juveniles throughout all periods of observation.

Preferred habitat within hammada sandy patches and silted wadi spreads, with good scatter
of low to medium shrublets and grasses. Avoids bare hammada at all heights.

Galerida cristata Crested Lark (1) R

All habitats, 455 birds at 61 localities in 1965 and 1966, the high figures indicating respectively
the second highest overall count of all larks after Calandrella rufescens and the most ubiquitous
presence (except in hammada).

Cultivation, 22 birds at six localities and therein the second commonest lark. Drier marsh, 103
birds at 15 localities and at such by far the commonest lark (73 per cent of all sightings). Bare qa
edges, four birds at two places. Overgrown qa edges, 143 birds at only four places but the second
commonest lark therein. Silt dunes, 65 birds at 12 localities, the only lark (except for one stray C.
rufescens).

10

Sandgrouse 5 Azraq — breeding birds

ee pean ee eee eee

Desert, at least 118 birds at 22 localities, with 88 at 16 places in wadi spreads, nine at five within
| or along edge of basalt shield and 21 at only two places in hammada. Within wadi spreads more
widespread than any other lark (occurring at 16 of 25 searched localities) and one of three common
species (26 per cent of all sightings). Occurrence in hammada dependent on variable factors, such
as presence of flood channels and clearly atypical. H4, one pair at rest house, 30 April 1965, but
apparently absent from surrounding desert. Along measured foot counts, apparent population
density c.7 birds/km. in cultivation, c.5 birds/km. in overgrown qa edges, c.3 birds/km. in silt dunes
and in drier marsh and c.2 birds/km in wadi spreads but these rough measurements more linear
than spatial, since G. cristata closely associated with narrow niches such as wadi channels or
disturbed areas of harder silted desert surfaces.
Clutch of five on 8 May, carrying food in late April, up to five young in three nests on 22 April,
. 24 April and 10 May, two broods of two on 3 May.
Preferred habitat within wadi spreads, flood-disturbed bottoms and edges, tolerating close
presence of large shrubs (providing these widely scattered).

Eremophilia bilopha Temminck’s Horned Lark (i) R

All habitats, 173 birds at 27 localities in 1965 and 1966; with C. rufescens and G. cristata, one
of three most ubiquitous larks but far less common than the other two; apparently commoner in
1963 when 84 birds seen at 13 localities and Calandrella larks less numerous.

Cultivation, five birds at one locality close to sandy hammada. Bare qa edges, eight birds at
one locality. Overgrown qa edges, 19 birds at two places. Clearly not a typical member of lark
communities in such habitats.

Desert, 140 birds at 22 localities, with 89 at eight places in wadi spreads, 46 at 10 on hammada
and five at four within or along the basalt shield. Within wadi spreads, marginally the second
commonest lark (26 per cent of all sightings) but only half as wide a spread as the almost equally
common G. cristata. On hammada, at least the third and probably in most years the second
commonest lark (14 per cent of all sightings and, by interpolation, 25 per cent of normal community);
apparently the commonest in the north-west sector of the area in 1963 and 1965; certainly the second
most ubiquitous, though less than half as widespread as A. cincturus (occurring at only 10 of 24
searched localities). Along measured foot counts, apparent population densities c.4 birds/km. in
wadi spreads and c.3 birds/km. on hammada, with quite marked concentration unlike A. cincturus
and these preventing true comparison of status. Apparently absent from eastern section of basalt
shield and only three seen on brown soil desert near Burku.

Clutches of three and four on 24 and 25 April, young in nest (? and 2) on 26 April and 9 May,
juveniles out of nest on 30 April and 9 May.

Preferred habitat within wadi spreads flat border areas with few shrublets; within hammada
sandy or silted areas with grasses.

Anthus campestris Tawny Pipit (2/3) M

Oasis, silt dunes south-east of Shishan, one pair 1965, one, probably two pairs, 1966. Desert,
Wadi Butum, male in song and another bird, 1965; grassy, silted hammada west of Shishan, one
pair, 1965 and 1966. The only observations indicative of breeding among records of 24 birds at 16
widely scattered localities; none dated later than 28 April.

Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail (1) M
Oasis, Shishan, wet and dry areas of low rushes on northern edge of outfalls, at least six pairs
in 1965, perhaps five pairs in 1966. Qa El Azraq, near marsh at Druz, salt pans with scattered
shrublets, about six pairs in 1965. Clutch of three.
Males most resembled f. flava, having pale blue/grey heads with variably defined white
supercilia; females puzzling, with dark and uniform heads and upper parts and very yellow
| underparts. Race clearly not any of the five migrant forms (see Wallace 1982.)

| 11

.

Sandgrouse 5 3 Azraq — breeding birds

Cercotrichas galactotes Rufous Bush Chat (2) M
Oasis, Shishan, edges of marsh, Nitraria clumps and (once) hedees up to 14 territorial males —
in song and display, at least one paired.
Desert, Wadis Aseimir and Butum and Umari depression, sone vegetation including Nitraria,
up to three birds at each place, including a male in song, two males displaying at each other anda pair.

Oenanthe hispanica Black-eared Wheatear (2/3) M

Oasis, Druz, dry marsh near basalt edge, male and female in loose association, 17 April 1965.
Desert, tall shrubs in silted hammada, Wadi Butum, apparently established pair, with male in song,
20 April 1965. Above records suggestive of breeding attempts but this species, O. isabellina and
O. oenanthe not seen later than 30 April, except for a tailless O. isabellina on 9 May.

Oenanthe deserti Desert Wheatear (1) R

Oasis, Shishan and Druz, dry rushy areas, Nitraria clumps and dry tamarisk areas, up to 10
territorial males. New nest 10cm. up in chenopod on 17 April 1963, eggs in nest within Juncus clump
in late April 1965. Qa El Azraq, chenopod zone particularly along eastern shores and silt dunes,
up to six territorial males (in incomplete search).

Desert, 12 wadis and adjacent ridges in both limestone and basalt areas (eight west of oasis),
obvious, 90 birds, of which 71 males and including loose concentrations of up to eight in 3km. Near
Burku, two males and a female, 30 April 1965. In limestone area, clutches of five on 6 May, one
on 9 May on 28 April, males collecting food on 28 April and 6 May, three juveniles on 9 May; in
basalt, sexual display on 29 and 30 April.

Oenanthe moesta Red-rumped Wheatear ; (2)?R

Desert, gently sloping or level, sandy or silty, shrublet-covered hammada, south edge of Jebel
E] Fuluk, 2-4 birds, including a pair with territory including stone cairn; Wadi Esh Shaumari, a
pair and a hen caught in mammal traps in late April and two others seen on 4 May 1966. The
significance of the captures is considerable, for this species nests in rodent holes (Meinertzhagen
1954).

Eastern Pied

Oenanthe picata opistholeuca (Strickland’s) Wheatear (2)? R

Desert, area of basalt shield where pipeline highway crosses northern defile of Wadi Rajil and
runs east towards H4, at least two pairs, a male and two unsexed birds, 29 and 30 April 1965. Males
conspicuous in hovering display flight and song, clearly holding territory. All birds within the area
of November 1976 roadside sightings mapped by Clarke (Figure ], 1981). That the species undertakes
a partial south-westward migration is suggested by Clarke’s records to the south of the basalt shield
and a report from Eilat in December 1982 (Y. Golan in litt).

Oenanthe lugens Mourning Wheatear (2) ?

Desert, bare chalk cliffs and shrubs of Faidhat Edh Dhakikiya, up to five sedentary birds,
including two males in song, 26 April and 4 May 1966. Niche similar to many occupied by O. /ugens
in the highlands which rise c.90 km. to the west.

Cisticola juncidis Fan-tailed Warbler (1/2) M

Oasis, outfalls of Shishan and Druz, areas of lower marsh vegetation, up to 42 males in song,
perhaps 30-60 pairs. Nest building from 15 April. Desert, within alfalfa at Shaumari and cereals
at Qasr Hamman Es Sarkh, males in song, respectively on 24 April and 1 May 1965.

Prinia gracilis Graceful Warbler (1) R

Oasis, outfalls of Shishan and Druz, areas of marsh vegetation, taller than that inhabited by
Cisticola juncidis, 35-40 males in song. Nest-building from 18 April, one egg in nest on 19 April,
newly fledged juvenile on 4 May.

12

CT cE _ EO

oe

Sandgrouse 5 Azraq — breeding birds

Scotocerca inquieta Scrub Warbler (i) R

Desert, broad wadis with medium to tall shrubs, 43 adults and 20 juveniles at seven scattered
localities, with densest populations in Wadis Aseimir, Butum and Esh Shaumari (at least seven pairs)
and Wadis Rajil and Aseikhim (five pairs). Juveniles seen only in1965, appearing between 20 April
and 2 May. Conder detected nest building on 28 February 1979.

Locustella luscinoides Savi’s Warbler (2) M
Oasis, Shishan and (once) Druz, edges and interior of reedbeds, up to three males in song, one
apparently paired on 29 April and a bird collecting nesting material on 16 April.

Acrocephalus melanopogon mimica Moustached Warbler (2) R

Oasis, Shishan, edge of tallest reeds, lower reed and sedge beds and dense tamarisk complexes,
along northern edge of outfall, up to 37 birds, including 11 males in song. Collecting food on 3
May. Conder estimated the 1978/79 winter population at 25-30 individuals.

Acrocephalus scirpaceus Reed Warbler (1) M

Oasis, Shishan, reedbeds, particulary those up to 2 metres high, and flooded tamarisks, at least
90, probably 300 and perhaps over 400 pairs. Population hard to estimate with density varying
according to habitat, e.g. one pair/20 metres along edges of reedbeds, through one pair/30 to 40
metres to one pair/70 metres in breaks and around pools, to one pair/100 to 120 metres in centre
of tallest reeds. Old nest, adult carrying food on 21 April, clutches of one and two on 29 April,
of four on 3 May. Mimicking of A. melanopogon heard.

Acrocephalus stentoreus Clamorous Reed Warbler (2) ?
Oasis, Shishan, tallest belts of southern reedbeds, 3-7 males in song from 17 April to 3 May.
Separated from A. arundinaceus on both appearances and voice (see Wallace 1973).

Acrocephalus arundinaceus Great Reed Warbler (2) M

Oasis, Shishan, tallest belts of central reedbeds, up to 22 males in song from 29 April and one
carrying nesting material on 10 May, all in 1966. This species and the last were in sight of each other
but their co-habitation is not unprecedented (see Zahavi 1957).

Sylvia melanocephala Sardinian Warbler (3)? R

Oasis, Shishan, in Nitraria clumps, and Druz, in Retama wadi, up to eight birds but an obvious
pair only once on 17 April 1965; none after 18 April. Males not in song. None in 1966. Conder
noted paired behaviour on 7 February 1979.

Lanius excubitor Great Grey Shrike ()R

Oasis, and Qa El Azraq, near Shishan and Druz, Nitraria clumps, 3-4, perhaps eight pairs.
Broods of two out of nests on 18 April and 3 May. Desert, more densely vegetated wadis in
hammada, Wadi Butum, 1-2 pairs, Wadi Rajil, at least one pair, Wadi Aseimir, one pair. Clutch
of three in nest among Pistacia foliage on 5 May, food carrying on 6 May.

Lanius nubicus . Masked Shrike (3) M
Oasis, Shisham, palm groves and sheltered cultivation, at least one bird present to end of all
periods of observation.

Corvus ruficollis Brown-necked Raven (i) R
Desert, Pistacia stands and cliffs in limestone hammada, Wadis Aseimir, Aseikihim, Butum

and Muheilan and Faidhat Edh Dhakikiya, at least 11 birds, out-numbered by 15 old and new nests.

Clutch of 40n 11 May. No other records free of confusion with next species. Hollom did not separate
the two species of raven in 1955 but noted two old nests on Qasr Amra and one in use on a palm
at Azraq.

13

Sandgrouse 5 Azraq — breeding birds

Corvus corax Raven (3) ?R-

Desert, northern basalt shield, Tell Uriemba, four birds, 29, between HS and Druz, probably
two birds, 30 April 1965. Also five unidentified ravens between HS and Druz. Localities of the six
identified birds 80— 100 km. east of normal range of C. corax.

Passer domesticus _House Sparrow ee (1) R

Oasis, Shishan and Druz, village houses and cultivation, no recorded count at Shishan actually
over 13, absent from Druz in 1966. Nests, Qa El Azraq, Ain El Beida, buildings at spring, five,
16 May 1966. Police post, near HS, three, 30 April 1965. Conder’s estimate of 250-300 in winter
of 1978/79 thus unprecedented and suggesting colonisation or immigration.

Carduelis carduelis Goldfinch. (2/3) M
Oasis, Druz, trees around village, male in song in 1965 and a pair in 1966. Hollom found none
in 1955 and Conder only one in 1979.

Bucanetes githaginesus Trumpeter Finch - (2) M

Desert, usually along edge of or within basalt shield and outcrops, 148 birds, of which 108 not
settled but 40 at five localities included 12 couples or clearly bonded pairs and two aggressive cocks.
None in 1963.

DISCUSSION

The particular character of the literature dealing with the birds of Azraq makes difficult the
review of the mid 1960s observations on their breeding status. We were privileged to see the main
oasis and its animal and human communities in what may be termed its ‘last charmed’ state.
Following the various disturbances noted by Conder (1981), it is likely that the wetland complex
will never return through a relatively normal water cycle to the near-climax vegetation (and the
variety of niches) that were so attractive to aquatic species in the 1960s. Thus the final remarks in
this paper cannot escape the character of a tombstone inscription.

Aquatic species

Meinertzhagen (1924) surmised that 13 aquatic species bred at Azraq but in the 1960s, their
diversity extended to 28 species, almost equalling that of the wetland community at Lake Huleh,
Israel in the 1950s (Zahavi 1957) and over twice that of the marshes around Habbinaya, Iraq in
1953 and 1954 (Chapman & McGeogh 1956). In particular, our observations produced the most
southerly breeding records in the Western Palearctic for the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos and the
Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla and indicated (at least in some years) breeding attempts by up to
nine other water birds whose breeding ranges normally lie mainly to the north. The opportunities
presented by the astonishing spring flush of invertebrate food in both the freshwater outfalls and
the saline qas were clearly too good to ignore. Whether they ever lasted long enough to sustain
breeding success is a question that still begs. The evidence of our‘dry’ year in 1966 is negative and
human activity appears now to have removed all chance of further study of what must be a
widespread phenomenon in steppe/desert communities.

Steppic and Desertic Species

Meinertzhagen considered that 13 non-aquatic species bred in Azraq’s desert surround,
restricting the Kestrel Falco tinnunculus and a raven Corvus to castles and 11 other birds to natural
habitats. Sadly other data on breeding bird distribution for the area is insufficient to set a fuller
historical potential for the desert community or to allow its comparison with other areas at similar
latitudes. In the 1960s, 38 species occurred primarily in desert habitats but then their populations
varied markedly in size. In terms of observed numbers, 18 species mustered under 10 pairs and only

14

ey

Most significant discoveries from the record of breeding species

Sandgrouse 5 Azraq — breeding birds

five larks (in four genera), one chat, and one finch could be described as common, with their
registrations reaching three figures. Habitat scarcity was clearly the factor controlling the presence
of six species. These included the Kestrel and the Brown-necked Raven, whose nests in our time
were nearly all in the few remaining Pistacia trees. Overall, however, it seems likely that annual
fluctuations in the biomass of the whole ecosystem — shifting from degraded but briefly fertile steppe
to quasi-desert and back again— were directly influencing the occurrence of all species and their
commitment to nesting. As with the aquatic species, a degree of opportunism was apparent. This
was most evident along the basalt edge after the wet winter of 1964/65. It may well be that as few
as 16 species breed regularly in Azraq’s arid regions.

All Species

On balance, the total Azraq community exhibited in the 1960s over twice as many breeding
species as prior research had led us to expect. In particular, there was a greater incidence of
Turkestanian and Mediterranean faunal types than normally inhabit desert areas. This argues that
the community’s ecological ancestry was essentially steppic and not as so often implied, desertic.
It is interesting to compare the profile of Azraq’s non-aquatic species with that established for the
flatter and more arid habitats of central Arabia near Riyadh (Jennings 1980), where rainfall averages
only about a quarter of that at Azraq. The two areas support together about 30 species but only
16 are present at both ends of the 1,400 km. NW/SE axis between them. The species that live within
Azraq’s steppic community alone include the Chukar Alectoris chukar, the Stone Curlew Burhinus
oedicnemus, two Charadrius plovers, at least one Prerocles sandgrouse, the Short-toed Lark
Calandrella brachydactyla, the Thick-billed Lark Rhamphocoris clotbey and four Oenanthe chats.

DISCREPANCIES IN THE RECORD OF AZRAQ’S BREEDING SPECIES

In the rather repetitious treatments of Azraq’s breeding birds, there are confusions. The
following notes attempt to remove these:

Species published as breeding but not doing so in 1963, 1965 and 1966
Black-bellied Sandgrouse Prerocles orientalis (Nelson 1973, Clarke 1980).
Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida (Meinertzhagen 1924)

Species mapped as breeding but not doing so in 1963, 1965 and 1966
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (Cramp & Simmons 1977)

Hoopoe Upupa epops

Pale Crag Martin Hirundo obsoleta

Swallow Hirundo rustica

Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina

Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta

(Last five above, Harrison 1981)

Species reported as possible breeding birds in the 1960s but now considered very unlikely to be so
Pintail Anas acuta

Teal A. crecca

Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata

Stonechat Saxicola torquata

/

Chief among these were the certain or potential range extensions of the White-tailed Lapwing
Chettusia leucura, the Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii, the Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda
dunni and, most surprising of all, the Eastern Pied Wheatear Oenanthe picata, in the phase
opistholeoca. Less dramatic but still important discoveries featured an unknown race of Motacilla

15

Sandgrouse 5 Azragq — breeding birds

flava, an isolated population of the Mourning Wheater Oenanthe lugens, the co-habitation of the
two large Acrocephalus warblers (in 1966), the presence of the Raven Corvus corax in the northern
basalt, and the wide occurrence of three largely unsuspected larks, namely the Thick-billed
Ramphocoris clotbey, the Short-toed Calandrella cinerea and the Bar-tailed Desert Ammomanes
cincturus.

All the finds noted in the last section deserved fuller study and it is sad that no initiative towards
such research has come from a Jordanian scientist conscious of the diverse ecology of Azraq and
able to revive Nelson’s ill-fated programme. The reservation of a steppe patch at Shaumari is much
to be welcomed but looked at from the wide context of the 1960s observations, this act only protects
a small part of one lower wadi system in the limestone hammada. The much fuller need for
conservation that lay behind our work beckons still. If it is not met, the prospects for the whole
avian community at Azraq are bleak. The possible gains of such birds as the Spanish Sparrow Passer
hispaniolensis and the Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta, hinted by Conder (1981), and any others
that may follow the increased human traffic form no bulwark against the loss of the hard won and
energetically sustained diversity of breeding birds that so thrilled us in the mid 1960s.

SUMMARY

The records of 66 species that bred or may have bred at and around the Azraq Oasis, Jordan
between August 1922 and April 1966 are listed. The overall diversity of both the aquatic and non-
aquatic communities was remarkably wide, apparently exceeding that of any other like-sized area
at similar latitudes in the Middle East and certainly twice as great as that previously indicated in
the scattered literature. In the areas actually explored, breeding birds were outnumbered by migrants
and only four aquatic and six non-aquatic species were at all common. The steppic/desertic
community harboured more resident species than the aquatic community. The significance of many
discoveries appeared little short of dramatic but the piecemeal nature of past observations allowed
few conclusions about them. Past and recent confusions over breeding species are clarified. A plea
for the resumption of wide conservation measures at Azraq ends the paper.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To those already given in Wallace (1982), I must add special thanks to James Ferguson-Lees,
for his care of the data and much discussion of it, and to John Clarke, for answering my questions
on his observations at Shaumari.

REFERENCES

CHAPMAN, E. A. and McGEOGH, J. A. 1956. Recent field observations from Iraq. Ibis
98:577-594.

CLARKE, J. E. 1980. The avifauna of Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, Jordan. Sandgrouse, 1:50-70.

CLARKE, J. E. :1981. The occurrence of Strickland’s Wheatear in Jordan. Sandgrouse, 2:98-99.

CLARKE, J. E. 1982. The Houbara Bustard in Jordan. Sandgrouse 4:111-113.

CONDER, P. 1981 Birds of the Azraq Wetland Reserve, Jordan: January and February 1979.
Sandgrouse 2:22-32.

CRAMP, S. and SIMMONS, K. E. L. 1977, 1980 and 1982. The Birds of The Western Palearctic,
Vol. I, I and III. Oxford.

HARRISON, C. 1981. An Atlas of the Birds of the Western Palearctic. London.

HEMSLEY, J. H. and GEORGE, M. 1966. Azraq Desert National Park: Draft Management Plan.
IBP/NCC, London. Including FERGUSON-LEES, I. J.: Fauna (4) Birds, 51-63.

HOLLOM, P. A. D. 1959. Notes from Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Antioch. Jbis, 101:183-200.

JENNINGS, M. C. 1980. Breeding birds in Central Arabia. Sandgrouse, 1:71-81.

MEINERTZHAGEN, R. 1924. An account of a jouney across the Southern Syrian desert from
Amman in Transjordania to Ramadi on the Euphrates. [bis 6:87-100.

MEINERTZHAGEN, R. 1954. The Birds of Arabia. Edinburgh.

16

Sandgrouse 5 Azraq — breeding birds

MORTON BOYD, J. 1967. International Jordan Expedition 1966. IBP/NCC. London. Including
FERGUSON-LEES, I. J. and WALLACE, D. I. M.: Ornithology, 42-55.

NELSON, J. B. 1973. Azraq: Desert Oasis. London.

ROUND, P. D., and WALSH, T. A. 1981. The field identification and status of Dunn’s Lark.
Sandgrouse, 3:78-83.

WALLACE, D. I. M. 1982. Observations on Migrant Birds at Azraq in North-east Jordan, up to
April 1967. Sandgrouse, 4:77-99.

WALLACE, D. I. M. 1973. Identification of some scarce or difficult west Palearctic species in Iran.
British Birds, 66:376-390.

ZAHAVI, A. 1957. The breeding birds of the Huleh Swamp and Lake (Northern Israel). Jbis,
99:600-607.

TABLE I. BASIC HABITAT DIVIDE OF BREEDING BIRD OBSERVATIONS
AT AND AROUND AZRAQ, 1963, 1965 AND 1966

All searches/days: Disciplined searches Extent of

15 April to 11 May registered diciplined searches
Oasis 40/22 37 within 120 sq. km.
Desert 72/30 52 along 104.6 km.

TABLE II. MAIN AZRAQ HABITATS AND THEIR AVIAN INHABITANTS

Class ex Hemsley and Re-interpretation to fit Particular habitat No. of breeding
George (1966) ornithological survey types bird species
Minimum/Maximum
(a) Open water and wetlands Aquatic—fresh water, 1. Reedbeds, Tamarix 7/2)
spring-fed complexes and other
tall plants
2. Outfall marshes 2/3
(b) Saline mud flats and other Aquatic—brackish/saline 3. Outfall edge and 8/11
seasonally flooded water, spring and rain-fed seasonable qas
depressions with standing
water |
(c) Nitraria-Tamarix Alluvial—saline with 4. Silt dunes, with 2/4
communities on saline soil accretion by wind bushy crowns
alluvial soils
(d) Wadi systems Steppic/desertic plain— 5. Pistacia trees 2/2
limestone hammada 6. High shrubs and 8/14
shrublets
7. Shrublets 2/2
(e) Open scattered shrub 8. Intersperses of sand 4/4
perennial herb associations _ and silt, with shrublets
and grasses
(f) Rocky, stony terrain with Steppic upland—limestone 9. Jebel ridges and 1/3
annual plants (or perennial summits
plants not conspicuous) Desertic fault—abutting 10. Chalk cliffs 1/2
limestone
(g) Vegetation of rocky or Desertic upland—basalt 11. Bluffs and edges, with 4/5
stony basalt spreads seasonable run-off and
seed bearing plants
12. Interior shield 1/1
Cultivation 13. Crops 3/3
Artificial { 14. Trees 0/2
Habitation 15. Houses 212
16. Castles 3/4
17

Sandgrouse 5 Azragq — breeding birds

TABLE II. APPROXIMATE POPULATIONS OF BREEDING BIRDS AT AZRAQ
SHISHAN AND DRUZ, 1963, 1965 AND 1966

Habitat Numbers of breeding birds
class per Habitat description Minimal estimate Interpolated population
TABLE II (from all counts) (from 40 full searches)
(a) 1 Pools and marsh surrounds 36 120
Reed and tamarisk complexes 381 1,130
(a) 2 Outfalls, marshes with short 584 1,420
(b) 3 vegetation and qa edge
(c) Nitraria dunes 36 70
none Village buildings and gardens aaa 24

TABLE IV. INCIDENCES OF BREEDING BIRDS IN STEPPIC/DESERTIC
HABITATS AROUND AZRAQ, 1963, 1965 AND 1966

Habitat Total km. Mean incidence of birds
class per Habitat description counted per km.
TABLE II All Breeding
(% of all)
(b) 3 Wet playas with shrublet surround 4.0 95 19 (20)
(c) 4 Saline depression with thickets 4.0 45 6 (13)
(d) 6 Wadis with shrubs near oasis 3.8 By 19 (33)
6 Wadis with shrubs 19.6 34 21 (62)
5/6 Wadis with shrubs, trees and water 9.6 59 8 (14)
8 Silt fans with shrubs De 2 27 (100)
8 Broad wadi fans with shrublets and grasses 22.8 15 10 (66)
(f) 10 Chalk-cliffed depression with shrubs 322 21 3 (14)
(g) 11 Lower slopes and edges of basalt 18.4 ji 10 (59)
11/12 Gullies and small basins in basalt 3.6 15 10 (66)
13/14 Irrigated cultivation with trees Bp) 127 35 (28)
13 Dry cultivation 2.8 24 23 (96)

D. I. M. Wallace, 68 Selby Road, Holme on Spalding Moor by York. YO4 4EU, ENGLAND

18

THE MIGRATION OF RAPTORS NEAR SUEZ, EGYPT, AUTUMN 1981*
by
Rob G. Bijlsma

INTRODUCTION

Whereas the migration of European and Asian raptors through Turkey (Porter & Willis 1968,
O.S.T. 1977, Beaman et a/. in Newton 1979; Sutherland & Brooks 1981) and Israel (Safriel 1968;
Christensen et a/. 1981; Davidovitz & Leshem 1981; Sherihai 1981; Dovrat 1982) is thoroughly
‘documented by means of systematic counts, the continuation of the migration through Egypt is
much less understood. Fragmented observations during short periods were made by Marchant
(1941), Goodwin (1947), Mackintosh (1949), Goodwin (1949), Simmons (1951) and Tennent (1967);
that is in an era in which the identification of raptors was far more problematical than it is nowdays
with the help of field guides such as Porter ef a/. (1981), and in which the making of systematic
observations was not as en vogue as it is today. However, those records, greatly supplemented by
those of Meininger, Baha el Din and Mullié (1981) and Baha el Din and Bruun (1981), made it clear
that the surroundings of Suez are the scene of massive raptor migration both in autumn and in spring.

This paper describes the migration of raptors over Suez from 4 September up to and including
5 November 1981.

TOPOGRAPHY AND WEATHER

The Sinai peninsula is flanked by the Gulf of Aqaba in the east and the Gulf of Suez in the
west. It consists of sandy desert and high mountain ridges. The width of the Sinai between Suez
and Eilat is 230 km. West of Suez lies Ataga mountain (Gebel Ataqa) which nearly reaches the shore
of the Gulf of Suez at Adabiya, a village some 20 km. south of Suez. The Gebel Ataqa is severely
eroded and reaches its maximum height of 871 metres approximately 20 km. west of Suez. Between
the mountain ridge and the Gulf of Suez stretches a flatland of semi-desert with low bushes. This
area is in the process of being industrialised. The shortest possible crossing over the Gulf of Suez
measures 10 km. between Port Tewfik, the harbour of Suez, and Ras Adabiya, a flat headland
extending several km. into the Gulf of Suez (cf. Figures I] and 2). The surroundings of Suez are
flat, sandy, and, except for bushes and some date-palm groves, without vegetation. The city itself
is divided in two parts, viz. the city and the harbour of Port Tewfik. The harbour is situated at
the entrance of the Suez Canal. Just north of Suez and alongside the road to Port Tewfik several
small artifical lakes can be found, partly in use as open-air sewage and partly containing brackish
water.

The weather was very consistent throughout the observation period, with hardly any cloud
formation except during the.last few days of October and during November. A really good view
was usually prevented by a haze, although both Gebel el Raha in the Sinai and Gebel Ataqa could
be seen from the top of a ten storey building in Port Tewfik. The daily temperatures fluctuated
between 28 and 35°C. The wind direction shifted between N.W. and N.E. (81 per cent of 57 days)
and usually there was hardly any change in wind direction within an observation day. Winds from
the south were exceptional. Wind forces of 2-4 (Beaufort scale) were the rule, but especially in the

‘latter part of the observation period, stronger winds occasionally occurred. There was no
precipitation during the entire observation period.

*This is an expanded and revised version of a paper by the same author published in 1982 Vogeljaar
30:141-151.—Ed.

19

Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

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Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

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21

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

METHODS

During the period 4 September up to and including 5 November 1981 422 hours on 57 days
were spent watching raptor migration near Suez (Figure 1, TABLE 1), and, when possible, the
migration of passerines as well (Bijlsma 1982). Because Goodwin (1949), Simmons (1951) and
Meininger, Baha el Din and Mullié (1981) observed from the shore of the Gulf of Suez near Ataqa
(a few kilometres north of Adabiya, cf. Figure /), it was decided to start the observations at the
same spot. When crossing the Gulf of Suez, the raptors usually reached the shore close to observation
site 1. However, on 25 September a southerly wind was blowing and hardly any migrating raptors |
were seen that day near Ataqa. Simultaneous counts at Ataga and in Suez at observation sites 2
and 3 (Figure 1) during the following days proved that each day substantial numbers of raptors
passed over the Suez area, irrespective of wind direction or wind speed. However, the wind direction
had a profound effect on the flight path taken by the raptors after leaving the Sinai (Figure /). With
southerly winds, the birds passed several kilometres north of Suez (maybe even further north as
well, but this was impossible to prove without suitable transport), hardly visible from the
northernmost outskirts of the city. These birds disappeared in a W.-S.W. direction into the Gebel
Ataqa and were invisible from the Ataqa observation site even with strong telescopes. Under these
conditions the raptors passed over Suez during the afternoon (flight-line 5 in Figure /).

Normally a moderate wind came from a northerly quarter, which resulted in a gradual
southward shift of the soaring raptors. During the morning hours this drift was corrected by the
birds gliding down in a N.E. direction until the head of the Gulf of Suez was reached. The Bay
of Suez was then rounded and the flight-line was continued in a S.W. direction, thus entering the
Ataga mountain approximately 5 km. north of observation site 1 (Figure 1). The greater part of
this morning migration was impossible to see from the Ataqa observation site. In the course of the
day the migration path gradually shifted westwards (from c to d to e; Figure 1), probably as a
response to improved soaring conditions in the Sinai which resulted in the birds gaining more height
than in the morning hours. In the late afternoon most raptors were able to make the shortest possible
crossing of the Bay of Suez from several kilometres S.E. of Port Tewfik to Adabiya or Ataqa. During
days with strong N. or N.E. winds, the birds of prey were drifted even further south in the Sinai
than usual, but they never attempted to cross the Gulf of Suez under those conditions. They were
then obliged to struggle back north along the Gulf of Suez. On those days circling was frequently
alternated with laborious flapping in the preferred direction, and although the rounding of the Bay
of Suez took much more time and trouble, the migration never ceased.

Based on these observations, a new observation site was chosen in Port Tewfik from the last
ten days of September onwards, every now and then replaced by observation site 3 when southerly
winds drifted the raptors out of sight for observers at the Port Tewfik site during the morning hours.
Port Tewfik had an additional advantage in that the observations were made from the top of a ten
storey building, which provided an excellent view of the Sinai, the Bay of Suez and the Gebel Ataqa.
From this site, reasonable to good counts could be made from the start of migration up to 1500
hrs. local time. In the late afternoon most raptors adopted flight line e (Figure 1), hence were difficult
to detect and usually impossible to identify because of bad light conditions. Anyway, this site
provided the most realiable census results for a small number of observers with no opportunities
to carry out simultaneous counts.

The observations were carried out by 12 observers, staying several days up to several weeks.
Usually two to four observers present simultaneously; Three weeks were covered by the author alone,
mainly in the latter part of the observation period when the passage was at its maximum and
sometimes up to three parallel streams of raptors passed the observation site. In order to perform
a realiable census, many observers are needed at Suez and it must be stressed that our findings do
not necessarily depict the complete migration pattern. Simultaneous counts between Suez and the
Bitter Lakes, as well as at several spots in the Sinai and around Suez are urgently needed.
Furthermore, as can be seen from Figure 3, the migration of raptors started relatively late, namely
mid-September, reached a peak at the end of October and evidently continued far into November.
The observations were broken off on 5 November, and the important tail end of the migration was,

22

Me

9
| Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981
therefore, missed. According to Sherihai (1981) the pasage of Steppe Eagles Aquila nipalensis*
continues up to the end of November at Eilat, and our findings at Suez makes it plausible that the
same applies to Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus, Long-legged Buzzards Buteo rufinus and Imperial
Eagles Aquila heliaca.

The use of telescopes during September and part of October proved to be very helpful in
identifying distant flying raptors.

Usually the observations were started at 0900 hrs. local time. Nearly all raptors passed in the
period 1000-1600 hrs. (Figure 4), only preceded by very small number of low flying Egyptian
Vultures Neophron percnopterus, Short-toed Eagles Circaetus gallicus, Long-legged Buzzards and
falcons Falco spp. Hardly any raptors were seen after 1630 hrs.

The height of migration varied according to the time of day. Before 0900 hrs. many eagles could
be seen from the Port of Tewfik observation site, sitting widely scattered in the Sinai and sometimes
gathering around pools of salt water just north of the Bay of Suez and east of the Suez Canal. As
the air warmed up, these birds started circling with heavy wing flaps. With considerable difficulty
they gained height, but after the air became warmer and warmer, flapping changed to soaring. At
several places thermal currents developed, thus attracting raptors from surrounding areas. Most
raptors spent a great deal of time soaring especially during the morning. After having reached the
top of the thermal, they glided down in the preferred direction, often accompanying their glide with
occasional wing flapping. Up to midday these downward glides were frequently interrupted by
soaring up again. In the course of the day the height at which the birds arrived at Port Tewfik
increased and they seemed able to ascend effortlessly. At midday and during the afternoon long
lines of raptors passed over at considerable height, sometimes hardly detectable without binoculars,
especially when the migration shifted away from the observation site. Even in the late afternoon
very high incoming raptors could be seen at Ataqa, disappearing over the Gebel Ataga. According
to Mackintosh (1949) individual birds were tracked by radar at 4,000 feet (1,300 metres) and his
claim that some go much higher when the opportunity occurs, can be readily agreed. It is, therefore,
not impossible that many raptors passed unseen.

Mackintosh (1949) registered average speeds between 39 and 45 m.p.h. by radar (62-72 km.
per hour). Particularly in the afternoon, when the raptors peeled off at the top of a thermal current,
they developed a considerable speed when gliding down on stretched or partly folded wings
(dependent on direction and speed of the wind) and using short flapping sequences. Furthermore,
they seemed to be able to maintain height by doing so. Nevertheless, raptors flying below 50 metres
were frequently noted, mainly in the early morning hours and during the late afternoon. This
involved mainly Long-legged Buzzards and Short-toed Eagles, probably fatigued birds in view of
the fact that they sometimes landed on ships in the Bay of Suez, on the ground in Port Tewfik or
along the shore. According to Abd-el-Salam Gad, a worker at the Ataqa observation site, fatigued
raptors sometimes landed en masse on the shore near Ataga in October, and could be killed by
throwing stones! This is probably exceptional for we did not notice such events whereas by far the
majority of raptors passed overhead at considerable heights (cf. Wimpfheimer ef a/. 1983).

SYSTEMATIC LIST

Observations were made over the period 4 September up to and including 5 November 1981
on 57 days with a total of 422 observation hours. Most watches were kept between 0900 and 1700
hrs. The daily totals of the commoner species are listed in TABLE 1.
| Nearly 134,000 raptors were counted, but due to problems in choosing the right observation
Site, the great height of passing raptors, the fact that no counts were madé after 5 November and
the possibility of considerable passage between Suez and the Bitter Lakes (Boyd 1917; Simmons
| 1951), the total number of migrating raptors could have been more than 200,000 in the autumn of
1981.

| *See comment on the nomenclature of this species in previous volumes of Sandgrouse. — Ed.

| 23

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

mee

Total
n= 133 982

4

20000-

10000

September October

Figure 3. The total migration of raptors near Suez, 4 September-5 November 1981 in five day periods.

30000
Total
n= 133962
20000
10000
0
9 11 13 15 17

Figure 4. The total migration of raptors near Suez, 4 September-5 November 1981 per hour.

24

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

Besides raptors other soaring birds were seen and counted, such as: 8 Storks Ciconia ciconia,
9 Black Storks Circonia nigra, 5 Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia, 28 White Pelicans Pelecanus
onocrotalus, 4,694 Cranes Grus grus and 2 Demoiselle Cranes Anthropoides virgo.

Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard

Recorded between 13 September and 27 October with only 79 birds (TABLE 1). Of 17 birds
aged only three were adult. Partial and complete counts at Suez suggest that migration in spring
is more impressive than in autumn (Maininger & Dielissen 1979; Baha el Din & Bruun 1981;
Wimpfheimer ef a/. 1983), although not as striking as near Eilat (Christensen et a/ 1981). The
majority of European and Asian Honey Buzzards ends up along the coast of Israel (Dovrat 1982)
and at Eilat (Krabbe 1980) in autumn, so that most birds fly south between the Gulf of Aqaba and
‘the Gulf of Suez. The Gulf of Suez is probably crossed between El Tair and Ras Mohammed, so
that the birds enter Africa in the neighbourhood of Hurghada.

Milvus migrans Black Kite

Recorded between 13 September and 3 November, the total of 106 birds being scattered over
the entire observation period without peaks. The Black Kite can be considered a scarce migrant at
Suez, at least compared to Eilat where regular passage in considerable numbers takes place in autumn
(Safriel 1969) and spring (Christensen ef a/. 1981). Probably, the Black Kite follows the same route
as the Honey Buzzard, thus avoiding Suez. In spring, the Black Kite is much more numerous at
Suez (Wimpfheimer ef a/. 1983).

Milvus milvus Red Kite

On 27 and 28 September and 2, 3, 4 and 7 October respectively four, one, one, one, two and
two individuals were clearly observed and identified on account of the reddish colouration, long
and angled wings with pronounced white patches on the hand and the long, flexible and deeply
forked tail. Six birds were juvenile; the age of the others remaining unknown.

The southernmost wintering area in Eastern Europe can be found in S.E. Turkey and records
from the Levant are scarce (Meinertzhagen 1920; Hollom 1959). In Egypt this species occurs
accidentally; several collected specimens are known and there are some recent observations (P. L.
Meininger in /itt.). Wimpfheimer et a/. (1983) observed five birds between 19 March and 17 April
1982 near Suez. Several hundreds of Red Kites enter North Africa via Gibraltar (Thiollay & Perthuis
1975), with return passage as far east as Cap Bon in Tunisia (Dejonghe 1980) and maybe Libya as
well, where the Red Kite is an accidental visitor (Bundy 1976). The origin of the birds at Suez is
obscure but possibly small numbers enter Africa via the Middle East. In this respect the recent
observations in South Africa and East Africa are interesting (Brown, Urban & Newman 1982).

Gypaetus barbatus Lammergeyer

A single, possibly as immature was seen on 10 October, migrating W.N.W. in the company
of several Griffon Vultures.

Basically this species is a resident throughout its breeding range (Cramp & Simmons 1980); small
scale dispersion can occur. Simmons (1951) for example saw an immature apparently migrating into
the Sinai on 8 March 1950 near Suez. However, according to Mullié & Meininger (in press) the
Lammergeyer still breeds in the southern Sinai and possibly also in the Gebel Gallala southwest of
Suez.

Neophron percnopterus Egyptian Vulture
A total of 437 birds was recorded between 4 September and 31 October with a pronounced
peak of passage during the last 10 days of September. Probably small numbers did pass the Suez
area before the count was started. Of 437 migrants, 280 birds were identified according to age: 85
| per cent adult, 4 per cent sub-adult and 13 per cent juvenile. This result agrees with the findings
of Sutherland and Brooks (1981) in S. Turkey. Under-recording of dark-plumaged birds presumably
did not occur at Suez. No segregation in timing of migration between the different age classes could
| be established.

| 25

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981]

150
Neophron percnopterus
n=437
| :

9 17 13 15 17
Figure 5. Egyptian Vulture—Neophron percnopterus. Birds per hour, autumn 1981.

Gyps fulvus
n=1284

z) 11 13 15 17

Figure 6. Griffon Vulture—Gyps fulvus. Birds per hour, autumn 1981.

26

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 198]

ee

Egyptian Vultures preferred to migrate in the morning hours (Figure 5). Laborious flapping was
sometimes necessary to maintain height during the period 0800-1000 hrs. Many Egyptian Vultures
passed singly (31 per cent) or in small flocks of two-six birds (50 per cent, n= 289). Flocks larger
than six birds were occasionally seen and contained nine, 11, 12 and 23 birds. Except for the flock
| of 23 birds, all Egyptian Vultures freely mixed with other migrating raptors.

| Compared to the results at the Bosphorus (Beaman ef a/. in Newton 1979) and the Belen Pass
in S. Turkey (Sutherland & Brooks 1981), the Egyptian Vulture is scarce at Suez. In spring, this
species is more than twice as numerous as in autumn (Wimpfheimer ef a/. 1983).

Gyps fulvus Griffon Vulture

From 23 September to 5 November 1,284 Griffon Vultures were recorded. Notable migration
started in the first 10 days of October with maxima at the end of October (123 birds on 25 October).
During the first five days of November, each day 15-50 birds were counted at Suez, indicating that
migration continued far into November. The majority of the birds consisted of juveniles and
immatures (97 per cent, n= 816), although some mistakes in ageings cannot be excluded.

Griffon Vultures typically migrated during the warmest part of the day, i.e. 1000-1500 hrs.

| (Figure 6). Separate flocks of Griffons were never seen; they freely mixed with the stream of eagles
in which they were easy to identify because of their size.

According to Brown, Urban and Newman (1982) breeding Griffon Vultures on the African
continent are confined to Northwest Africa and Egypt, but Mullié and Meininger (in press) put
forward convincing evidence that the Griffon Vulture probably never bred in Egypt. At the
Bosphorus it is scarce and at Eilat a fairly common migrant in autumn (Cramp & Simmons 1980,
Krabbe 1980). Both the origin and the destination of the birds at Suez is obscure.

This species has probably seriously declined during the last few decades, for Goodwin (1949)
estimated 19.5 per cent of c. 20,000 raptors in the period 4-12 October 1947 at Suez to have been
Griffon Vultures. When it is kept in mind that the majority of Griffons pass at the end of October,
it is clear that this species has declined disastrously.

Aegypius monachus Black Vulture

Three juveniles were identified on 17, 25 and 27 October respectively. Basically a resident or
dispersive species (Cramp & Simmons 1980), it has been noted in small numbers at Eilat and the
Gulf of Aqaba from late September to early November (Safriel 1968). Singles were seen in the Sinai
and Egypt (Meinertzhagen 1930) and stragglers were seen in Sudan (Moreau 1972). Obviously this
species has become extremely rare in the Middle East in recent years; it was for example rarely
observed near Eilat in the period 1966-1979 (Krabbe 1980).

Circaetus gallicus Short-toed Eagle
A total of 9,447 Short-toed Eagles was recorded between 6 September and 5 November, which
probably spans the entire migration period at Suez. The majority passed during the last five days
of September and the first half of October (maximum of 929 birds on 29 September).
| Of the larger raptor species the Short-toed Eagles was one of the first to start migrating, viz.
from 0900 hrs. onwards with a definite morning peak (Figure 7). Short-toed Eagles never formed
single species flocks; usually each stream of eagles was accompanied by scattered Short-toeds.
Hardly any Short-toed Eagle tried to cross the Bay of Suez during the morning hours. Instead the
birds followed the rounding of the Bay of Suez and entered the Gebel Ataqa far north of the Ataqa
observation site. Therefore, hundreds if not thousands of Short-toed Eagles were missed when
counting was performed from the Ataqa site, and the actual number of migrants can be estimated
at 10,000-12,000 birds. The diagnostic flight silhouette enabled us to identify distant flying Short-
toed Eagles among non-descript eagles. Most or all of the 31,000 unidentified eagles therefore
belonged to one or another of the Aquila eagle species.
Except for the Bosphorus with 2,342 birds in 1971 (Cramp & Simmons 1980) and Kafer Kasem,
| 18 km. east of Tel Aviv, with 3,744 birds from 30 August to 15 October 1981 (Dovrat 1982), the

| 27

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981 —

2000

Circaetus gallicus
n= 9447

1000

9 11 13 5 17.

Figure 7. Short-toed Eagle—Circaetus gallicus. Birds per hour, autumn 1981.

Short-toed Eagle is a scarce migrant in the Middle East. Hardly any migrants are seen near Eilat
either in spring (Christensen et a/. 1981) or autumn (Safriel 1968; Krabbe 1980), which suggests a
southward migration through Israel along the coast and the entering of Africa via Suez only. This
is also in accordance with Goodwin (1949), who estimated 30 per cent of c. 20,000 raptors at Suez
in 1947 to have been Short-toed Eagles, whereas Meininger, Baha el Din and Mullié (1981) counted
2,476 birds from 6-12 October 1980 near Suez.

Circus spp. Harriers

A total of 65 harriers was recorded. Thirty-five Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus were seen
between 13 September and 2 October with a maximum of 12 birds on 24 September. Sixty-nine per
cent of the birds passed before 1200 hrs. The age composition was established in 24 birds, of which
71 per cent were juveniles. Five Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus were seen on 23 and 26 October and
4 and 5 November, viz. two adult males and three ring-tails. Eleven Pallid Harriers Circus macrourus
occurred between 27 September and 3 November. Six adult males were identified, the remaining
being adult females or juveniles. Only three Montagu’s Harriers Circus pygargus were identified
with certainty, viz. on 17, 15 and 22 October; the last two were adult males. Eleven unidentified
harriers Circus spp. belonged to the Pallid/Montagu’s Harrier-group.

Being exceptionally good fliers with a low wing loading (Brown & Amadon 1968), harriers easily
cross large stretches of open water and are therefore less inclined to use narrow sea-crossings.

Accipiter gentilis Goshawk

A single specimen was seen on 18 September, following the Bay of Suez in a W. direction. It
is a rare bird in the Middle East with occasional records in and around Eilat (Krabbe 1980) and
several winter observations in Egypt (Meinertzhagen 1930). This species is, however, not mentioned
for Egypt by Brown, Urban and Newman (1982).

28

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

Accipiter nisus Sparrowhawk
Twenty-three birds were seen between 23 September and 4 November. Most birds passed in
the latter part of October, all of them solitary.

Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk

Remarkably scarce with only 41 migrants between 27 September and 24 October, of which 25
occurred on 14 and 15 October. Most of the 66 unidentified sparrowhawks Accipiter spp. probably
belonged to this species since 68 per cent passed in small flocks (up to 27 birds in one flock), a feature
typical of Levant Sparrowhawks (Porter ef a/. 1981).

The small numbers at Suez and at Eilat (Safriel 1968, Krabbe 1980) indicate that probably the
entire Eurasian population migrates via Kafer Kasem in Israel, where from 30 August to 15 October
1981 16,479 Levant Sparrowhawks were counted (Dovrat 1982). These birds evidently maintained
a predominantly southerly course through the Sinai because of the nearly complete absence at Suez.
Although Levant Sparrowhawks readily make use of thermal currents and are more or less
dependent on narrow sea-crossings, they probably have no difficulty in crossing the mouth of the
Gulf of Suez.

Buteo buteo Buzzard

A total of 640 birds passed between 13 September and 4 November, but mainly before 20
October and with a maximum of 66 birds on 9 October. All birds properly seen belonged to the
vulpinus-subspecies, of which 579 were of the red-fox variety and seven of the grey-brown variety
(cf. Christensen et a/. 1981).

Like the eagles, Buzzards preferred to migrate in the period 1000-1600 hrs.; one specimen was
seen migrating before 0800 hrs. (Figure 8).

Whereas the Steppe Buzzard can be considered as by far the most common trans-African
migrant among the Palearctic raptors (Moreau 1972), it is surprising that this species is decidedly
scarce in the Middle East during the autumn migration. The greatest numbers were recorded at the
eastern end of the Black Sea, with a total of 204,959 Steppe Buzzards in the period 18 August-10
October 1976 (Cramp & Simmons 1980). Much smaller numbers are known from the Bosphorus
(Cramp & Simmons 1980) and Eilat (Safriel 1968), and passage near Kafer Kasem (Dovrat 1982)
and Suez (this study) is negligible. In spring, the Steppe Buzzard is the commonest migrant at Suez
(Wimpfheimer et a/. 1983), although less numerous than at Eilat (Christensen eft a/. 1981).

Buteo rufinus Long-legged Buzzard

A total of 1,816 Long-legged Buzzards was recorded. Odd Long-legged Buzzards were
identified from 18 September onwards, but the migration essentially started on 15 October,
culminated in the last 10 days of October and probably continued far into November since 40-70
birds were seen daily during the first five days of November.

Compared to most other raptor species, the Long-legged Buzzard was an early morning migrant
(Figure 9). Early birds usually passed below 50 metres in a powerful, elegant flight interspersed with
long glides on slightly upheld, V-shaped wings in which the hand was held level. Many Long-legged
Buzzards migrated singly, or otherwise in small, irregular flocks of two-eight birds. During peak
migration, from 1000-1600 hrs. the birds passed scattered among eagles and vultures.

At places with concentrated migrations of raptors, the Long-legged Buzzard is surprisingly
scarce: for example at the Bosphorus (Porter & Willis 1968), at the Belen Pass (Sutherland & Brooks
1981), in Lebanon (Cameron et al. 1967, Nielsen & Christensen 1969, 1970) and in Israel (Safriel

| 1968, Dovrat 1982). Most of the above-mentioned counts however, ceased at a time when migration
of Long-legged Buzzards could be expected to start. Only from northeastern Turkey moderate or
even strong passage of Long-legged Buzzards has been reported (Jahme 1965, Kumerloeve 1968).
However, their identifications were doubted by Cramp and Simmons (1980). This doubt is probably
justified with respect to the data of Jahme (1965), who observed 435 Long-legged Buzzards in the
period 15-21 September (plus 2,600-2,900 Steppe Buzzards). In contrast to this Beaman ef al. (in

| 29

pen ee ee a

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

200
Buteo: buteo
n=639
100
0
9 11 13 15 17

Figure 8. Buzzard—Buteo buteo. Birds per hour, autumn 1981.

500

Buteo rufinus
400 n= 1816

ge aa 13 15 17

Figure 9. Long-legged Buzzard—Buteo rufinus. Birds per hour, autumn 1981.

30

er

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 198]

Newton 1979) reported less than 10 Long-legged Buzzards among 380,000 migrating raptors from
17 August to 10 October 1976 at the Eastern Black Sea. The statement by Kumerloeve (1967) of
moderate passage of Long-legged Buzzards during the third 10 day period of October and the first
10 days of November near Erzurum may be a reliable indication of the origin of at least part of
the migration through the Middle East during the second of October and during November. In the
light of the recent observations at Suez there can be no doubt that considerable numbers of Long-
legged Buzzards pass into Africa via Suez, probably even more than 2,000 birds each autumn.

Even at great distances Long-legged Buzzards were easily distinguished from Steppe Buzzards,
mainly based on differences in proportions and flight silhouette. In general, Long-legged Buzzards
appeared larger and more eagle-like than Steppe Buzzards. This feature was the result of noticeably
longer and broader wings with a straight rear edge and an almost straight leading edge. When
soaring, the wings were raised and slightly pressed forward, especially the hand. Gliding was
invariably performed with V-shaped wings in which the hand was held flat. Active flight resembled
that of the Honey Buzzard: elastic wing beats, deep down strokes and a clear bend between arm
and hand. The colouration of most adult Long-legged Buzzards was diagnostic. The whitish head,
the pale cinnamon, hardly barred and translucent tail, the pronounced white patch at the base of
the hand on the upperwing, the translucent white patch on the hand of the underwing, the dark
rufous-brown belly patch and the light breast were unmistakable when combined with silhouette
characteristics. Some adult Long-legged Buzzards were much darker with a clear terminal tail-band,
but even these birds showed prominent white patches on upper and underwing. Juvenile birds were
less diagnostic: both head and tail were browner because of brown streaks and barrings respectively.
The white patches on the wings were also less striking than in adult birds.

Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle

Nearly 22,000 birds were observed from 10 September up to and including 31 October, which
spans the complete autumn migration period. Maxima were seen on 29 September and 9 October
with respectively 2,708 and 3,193 birds (and respectively 3,251 and 1,498 unidentified eagles, mostly
belonging to Aquila pomarina when the ratio Lesser Spotted/Steppe Eagle is taken into account).
The migration was more or less restricted to the period of 24 September to 20 October. It is estimated
that 45 per cent of the more than 31,000 unidentified eagles belonged to this species (based on the
daily ratio Aquila pomerina/nipalensis) and that at least 5,000-10,000 birds were overlooked in the
in the earlier part of the migration period because of absence of observers or wrong location of
the observation site. This results in a tentative total of 40,000-45,000 birds. At Kafer Kasem, 18
kms east of Tel Aviv, nearly 41,000 Lesser Spotted Eagles were counted in the period 30 August
to 15 October 1981 (Dovrat 1982). When the daily totals of Kafer Kasem (Dovret 1982) are compared
with those of Suez (this study), it is remarkable that the passage at Suez is more evenly spaced in
time. It is fairly safe to assume that the entire population of Lesser Spotted Eagles migrates via Kafer
Kasem and enters Africa via Suez for in the autumn of 1982 nearly 90,000 Lesser Spotted Eagles
were counted at Kafer Kasem (Horin & Dovrat1983) despite the fact that substantial numbers may
have been missed.

The diurnal migration pattern was bimodal with a peak in the late morning and a second peak
in the afternoon (Figure 10). Lesser Spotted Eagles typically congregated in flocks up to 200 birds,
ofted mixed with Short-toed Eagles and Steppe Eagles. The composition of these flocks remained
inconsistent, with one spiral partly or wholly mixing with others during migration. Flocks larger
than 400 birds were exceptional. With respect to age, small samples were taken throughout the
migration period, resulting in 45 per cent adults and 55 per cent juveniles and immatures (n= 211).
This sample may be too small to be significant.
Aquila clanga Spotted Eagle

Eighty-six birds were seen from 16 September to 1 November with a maximum of twelve birds
on 9 October. It is estimated that more than a hundred birds passed Suez. Fifty-nine birds were
identified according to age: 12 per cent adult and 88 per cent juvenile/immature, indicating that

31

Raptors at Suez, Autumn 198]

Sandgrouse 5

Aquila pomarina

n

21,552

17

15

B

11

Figure 10. Lesser Spotted Eagle—Aquila pomarina. Birds per hour, autumn 1981.

1310

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September

Figure 11. Age-composition of Steppe Eagles—Aquila nipalensis in autumn 1981.

In five day periods.

34

a

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

probably many adults were missed among the numerous Steppe Eagles in the latter part of October
and/or that adults are partly migratory or winter further north than juveniles and immatures.

This species is considered a very scarce migrant at the Bosphorus (Porter & Willis 1968), the
Lebanon (Nielsen & Christensen 1970) and Israel (Krabbe 1980, Dovrat 1982). According to Brown,
Urban and Newman (1982) the Spotted Eagle declined by 50-75 per cent in the period 1900-1950
and may be much rarer now (cf. Mullié & Meininger in press).

Aquila nipalensis Steppe Eagle

By far the most numerous species migrating over Suez, probably amounting 100,000 or more
birds when it is considered approximately 55 per cent of the unidentified eagles may have belonged
to this species (based on the daily ratio Aquila pomarina/nipalensis) that many birds were missed
because of the shift in migration in the course of the day and the fact that migration continued in
to November after the fifth (Sherihai 1981). The first Steppe Eagles were seen from the middle of
September onwards. Large scale migration started mid-October with the highest totals during the
last week of October. On 25, 26 and 27 October respectively 8,240, 6,268 and 5,758 Steppe Eagles
were identified, together with respectively 1,246, 1,230 and 1,689 unidentified eagles, probably all
of them Steppe Eagles.

As was described by Christensen ef a/. (1981) and Sherihai (1981) the Steppe Eagles were
classified into three groups, viz.birds in juvenile, immature and adult plumages, using the same
criteria as Brooke et a/. (1972) and Porter ef a/ (1981). In sum, 16,725 birds (26 per cent) could be
identified according to age, of which 34 per cent were juvenile, 26 per cent immature and 40 per
cent adult (Figure 11). Juveniles started the migration and made up the majority until the first ten
days of October, to be successively replaced by immatures and adults. Hardly any juvenile birds
were seen after 21 November and the mass migration of Steppe Eagles in the last week of October
consisted mainly of adult birds. With regard to the continued migration of Steppe Eagles after 5
November, it should be kept in mind that the proportion of adult birds is under-recorded. Exactly
the same migration pattern was found by Sherihai (1981) near Eilat in the autumn of 1980. In spring
the adults leave the wintering areas before respectively immatures and juveniles (Christensen ef al
1981).

Like the Lesser Spotted Eagle, the Steppe Eagle had a bimodal occurrence over the day, with
by far the strongest passage from 1000-1200 hrs. (Figure 12)), even when the unidentified eagles
are considered (Figure 14). It is possible that soaring conditions deteriorated in the course of the
season, especially in the afternoon. This is illustrated by the fact that the migration period contracted
from 1000-1600 hrs. to 1000-1400 hrs. after approximately 25 October. Steppe Eagles dominated
the scene of raptor migration at Suez from the middle of October onwards. Flocks of 30-800 birds
were coming over at regular intervals. Especially at the end of October long lines of gliding Steppe
Eagles could be seen, emerging from the haze in the Sinai and disappearing behind the Gebal Ataqa
on the other side of the Bay of Suez without interruptions in flight-lines. It is remarkable that such
an impressive migration remained unknown for so long a period. Cramp and Simmons (1980) for

example, were not able to mention the Steppe Eagle as a migrant for Suez and therefore hypothesized
that most Steppe Eagles probably crossed the Gulf of Suez itself. Only recently Meininger, Baha
el Din and Mullié (1981) detected considerable passage of Steppe Eagles near Suez, viz. 1,137 birds
in the period 6-12 October 1980. Up to that time notable migration was known only from Eilat,
where Sherihai (1981) counted 24,246 birds during 55 days in the period 24 September to 29
November 1980. Everywhere else in the Middle East it is a scarce migrant (Cramp & Simmons 1980),
| maybe partly due to premature finishing of counts, as for example at the Eastern Black Sea (17
August to 10 October 1976, cf. Beaman ef al. in Newton 1979). Nevertheless, in Africa it is an
: -abundant winter visitor on open plains (Brooke et a/. 1972, Brown, Urban & Newman 1982).

Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle
A total of 556 birds was recorded, the first on 20 September. From 9 October onwards daily
| increasing numbers were counted, culminating in the last week on October (maximum of 97 birds

33
|

Sandgrouse 5 ; Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

20000
Aguila nipalensis
n= 64,880
1oo00
(8)

Figure 12. Steppe Eagle—Aquila nipalensis. Birds per hour, autumn 1981,

200

Aquila heliaca
n= 556

9 11 13 15 17

Figure 13. Imperial Eagle—Aquila heliaca. Birds per hour, autumn 1981.

34

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

on 27 October) and still continuing with 10-40 birds per day during the first five days of November.
Bearing in mind that the identification of adult and immature birds presented some problems,
especially when flying far away in the afternoon, and the migration evidently continued after 5
November, the actual number of Imperial Eagles may exceed 1,000 birds per autumn.

The distribution of Imperial Eagles over the day, as presented in Figure 13 may not be entirely
reliable since most eagles passed the Bay of Suez during the late afternoon under bad light conditions.
Probably the same pattern as found in the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Figure 9) and the Steppe Eagle
(Figure 12) applies for the Imperial Eagle.

The age-distribution of 511 Imperial Eagles was as follows: 11 per cent adult, 25 per cent
immature and 64 per cent juvenile. Although juveniles were relatively common throughout the
migration period, immature and adult birds were seen more frequently towards November (and were
certainly under-recorded), thus roughly duplicating the pattern found in the Steppe Eagle (Figure
11).

The Imperial Eagle is rarely seen at other watch points of concentrated migration in Eastern
Europe and the Middle East. Appreciable numbers are only known from Eilat in spring (Christensen
et al. 1981). It is possible that the Imperial Eagles use the same ‘route’ as Steppe Eagles, which,
despite their high numbers manage to fly from the breeding areas to Suez largely undetected. The
statement of Brown, Urban and Newman (1982) that the Imperial Eagles at Suez migrate from late
September to mid-October, is evidently incorrect.

Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle
Only five birds seen, viz. two immatures on 18 September, one juvenile and one immature on
16 October and one on 25 October.

Aquila spp. Unidentified eagles

More than 31,000 eagles could not be identified. Identifying eagles was particularly a problem
at the start of the count when the most rewarding observation site had still to be discovered, during
southerly winds when the birds were passing north of Suez and during the late afternoon when the
birds were crossing the Bay of Suez directly south of Port Tewfik to Ataqa. It is thought that the
flight-silhouette of the Short-toed Eagle was characteristic enough to find the odd Short-toeds
among the Aquila-eagles. Based on the ratio Lesser Spotted Eagle/Steppe Eagle per day it is
reasonable to assume that some 45 per cent of the unidentified birds belonged to the Lesser Spotted
Eagle, the remaining 55 per cent being Steppe Eagles with several hundreds of Imperial Eagles and
odd Spotted Eagles.

Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle

Betweenl3 September and 5 November 761 Booted Eagles passed Suez, with the majority in
the second half of September (maximum of 88 birds on 27 September), and only occasionally after
16 October. The ratio of light to dark phase birds was established in 487 birds (64 per cent): 65 per
cent light and 35 per cent dark dark. Booted Eagles preferred to migrate between 1000-1500 hrs.
mainly solitary or in small, irregular flocks, sometimes among other raptor species (Figure 15).

Less than 1,000 Booted Eagles can be seen at other watch points in Eastern Europe and the
Middle East. Surprisingly, Dovrat (1982) counted 743 Booted Eagles from 30 August to 15 October
1981 at Kafer Kasem, 18 kms east of Tel Aviv. These birds probably take the route via Suez where
approximately the same number of migrants was noted.

Hieraaetus fasciatus Bonelli’s Eagle

Only six birds were identified with certainty, viz. one immature on 18 September, one immature
on 20 September, two immatures on 27 September, one juvenile on 6 October and one juvenile on
7 October.

Pandion haliaetus Osprey
Nine migrants were observed between 16 September and 30 October, with singles on 16, 17,
18, 19 and 30 September and 15 and 30 October, as well as two birds on 28 September.

35

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

6000
Aquila sp
n= 3143

4000

3000

2000

Figure 14. Unidentified eagles—Aquila spp. Birds per hour, autumn 1981.

150

Hieraaetus pennatus .
n= 761

9 11 13 15 17

Figure 15. Booted Eagle—Hieraaetus pennatus. Birds per hour, autumn 1981.

36

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

Falco naumanni Lesser Kestral
Between 5 September and 31 October 26 Lesser Kestrels were noted at Suez. Except for two
birds on 26 October, all of them were solitary and occurred mainly after 27 September.

Falco tinnunculus Kestrel
Between 20 September and 5 November 24 Kestrels were identified, all single and mainly during
the last ten days of September.

Falco naumanni/tinnunculus Unidentified Kestrels

Between 29 September and 4 November 26 unidentified kestrels were observed, mainly during
the first ten days of October. Small falcons were most often seen before 1000 hrs. thereafter they
were probably flying too high to be detected other than by chance.

Falco vespertinus
n=462

9 11 13 15 17

Figure 16. Red-footed Falcon—Falco vespertinus. Birds per hour, autumn 1981.

Falco vespertinus Red-footed Falcon

Between 17 September and 3 November 462 Red-footed Falcons were recorded, scattered over
the entire observation period: Only 6 per cent of the birds occurred singly; the remaining birds
congregated in flocks of 2-61 birds (k=12, n=433). The age composition in flocks in which all
birds were properly seen, was as follows: 17 per cent adult male, 24 per cent adult female and 59
per cent juvenile or immature (n=219).

The Red-footed Falcon was mainly seen during the morning hours (Figure. 16), although high
flying birds were easily overlooked and passage around noon and in the afternoon probably took
place at very great heights and was therefore missed. This can be illustrated by the flock of 61 birds
which was detected by chance with binoculars, circling at great heights on 18 October at 1440 hrs.

All Red-footed Falcons followed a strictly southerly course, mainly along the western shore
of the Gulf of Suez. No doubt considerable numbers were overlooked, especially after the Ataqa
observation site was left in favour of Port Tewfik (Figure.1).

37

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

This species is nowhere common at watch points of concentrated raptor migration in Europe
and the Middle East. However, large concentrations are known in Autumn north of the Black Sea
(Lohman 1962) and under favourable conditions in Northern Europe as well (Bijlsma 1980,
Waldenstr6m ef a/. 1981). The majority of these birds probably fly due south along the western
coast of the Black Sea (Lohman 1962, K6nigstedt & Robel 1982), passing Crete and Cyprus on the
way (Bourne 1960, S. Christensen in /itt.) and entering Africa in Libya and Egypt. This species is
notoriously elusive during migration, both in Europe and in Africa (Brown, Urban & Newman.
1982).

Falco columbarius Merlin
Three females/juveniles were observed, i.e. on 27.and 29 October and on 2 November.
According to Meinertzhagen (1922) this species is fairly common in Spring in the Nile delta,
indicating that there must be some influx in autumn.

Falco subbuteo Hobby

Thirty-one birds were recorded from 14 September to 30 October, the majority during
September and the first ten days of October. :

The Hobby evidently crosses the Mediterranean Sea on a broad front, for it is a scarce migrant
at other points of concentrated passage in East Europe and the Middle East (Cramp & Simmons
1980). Consequently, this species is not a prominent migrating raptor at Suez (contra Brown, Urban
& Newman 1982).

Falco eleonorae Eleonora’s Falcon

One, five, three and 18 birds were recorded on respectively 26, 27 and 31 October and 2
November, flying due south at great heights along the Suez Canal towards the Gulf of Suez. No
doubt the number of migrants would have been much higher had the observations continued after
5 November, bearing in mind the late breeding season of this species (Walter 1979). Of these 27
birds, 17 proved to be juveniles, the remainder both dark and light phase adults.

Walter (1979) suggested departure from the breeding quarters via the eastern Mediterranean
and the Red Sea to Somalia and Madagascar, but there are hardly any observations to prove this
hypothesis. The records of migrating Eleonora’s Falcons at Kafer Kasem (Dovrat 1982) and at Suez
may support the idea that at least part of the population leaves the breeding area via the Middle
East, probably at great heights as was observed at Suez.

Falco peregrinus Peregrine
Only one record, viz. on 4 October: one adult flying south.

Falco pelegrioides Barbary Falcon
One adult flying south on 3 November, probably migrating, although suspected of being a
resident in the Gebel Ataqa (pers. comm. P. L. Meininger).

Faico spp. Large Falcon
Solitary large falcons were seen on 30 September (probably Barbary Falcon), 12 October, 26
October and 5 November (last three Falco biarmicus/cherrug).

DISCUSSION

The large number of migrating raptors at Suez in autumn was not wholly surprising. Authors
such as Goodwin (1947), Cramp and Simmons (1980) and Brown, Urban and Newman (1982) had
already speculated about the importance of the Suez area for migrating raptors. However, the fact
that 96 per cent of 133,982 migrants were eagles (including Short-toed Eagle and Booted Eagle) poses
several questions with regards to origin and destination of the respective species and the routes they
take from the Eurasian breeding areas to Africa and vice versa.

38

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

The route taken by raptors from East-Europe and West-Russia to Africa is now relatively well
described. Most birds cross the Bosphorus area (Porter & Willis 1968), fly in a S.E. direction to
the Belen Pass in South Turkey (Sutherland & Brooks 1981), and follow the eastern coast of the
Mediterranean Sea via Syria (Pyman 1953), the Lebanon (Cameron ef a/. 1967; Nielsen &
Christensen 1969, 1970) and Israel (Dovrat 1982). This route is mainly used by Honey Buzzards,
Short-toed Eagles, Levant Sparrowhawks and Lesser Spotted Eagles and, to a lesser extent, by
Egyptian Vultures and Booted Eagles. Based on the census results at Kafer Kasem in Israel (Dovrat
1982) and at Suez in the same year (this study), it is likely that the majority of Short-toed Eagles,
Lesser Spotted Eagles, Egyptian Vultures and Booted Eagles seen at Kafer Kasem alter their flight
parallel to the Israelian Coast into a southwesterly course after reaching the Sinai, thus ending up
near Suez. Apparently part of this stream passes between Suez and the Bitter Lakes, thus escaping
attention of observers at Suez, especially with southerly winds (this study). Boyd (1917) and
Simmons (1951) noted Buzzards, Long-legged Buzzards, Egyptian Vultures and unidentified eagles
between the Bitter Lakes and Suez in autumn and spring, but were unable to estimate numbers.
The other raptor species seen at Kafer Kasem, such as Honey Buzzards and Levant Sparrowhawks,
probably continue their predominantly southerly course and migrate through the Sinai to its
southernmost tip where they cross the mouth of the Gulf of Suez.

It is evident that, apart from the Lesser Spotted Eagles and a minority of Short-toed Eagles,
all eagles seen at Suez must have a more easterly origin than the raptors which follow the coast of
the Mediterranean Sea. Whereas hardly any eagles were observed from 17 August to 10 October
1976 at the Eastern Black Sea (Beaman et al. in Newton 1979), the origin of most eagles should
be traced even further east. However, hardly anything is known about the migration (routes,
numbers) of raptors from Russian breeding areas around the Caspian Sea. Most probably, this
migration takes place at great heights and without concentration in ‘straits’. This idea is consistent
with the scattered observations in Iran (Mackintosh 1949, Nielsen 1969), Iraq (Marchant 1963), Syria
(Meinertzhagen 1924, 1935) and Jordan (Bourne 1959, Cameron & Cornwallis 1966). Most of these
observers hardly noticed any migration of vultures and/or eagles unless under unusual
circumstances such as a sandstorm which forced many eagles to the ground in Jordan (Mackintosh
1949). Also, in spring only casual encounters with small numbers of migrating raptors are described
for Jordan (Flaxman 1982), Iraq (Christensen 1958, Passburg 1959) and Iran (Gyllin 1974).
Probably, the topography in these countries does not necessarily favour concentrated raptor
migration, whereas the development of strong thermals in desert-like areas (Pennycuick 1972) can
be responsible for migration at extremely great heights, thus escaping attention of even competent
observers. .

It is reasonable to assume that most Griffon Vultures, Long-legged Buzzards, Steppe Eagles
and Imperial Eagles enter Israel via the Wadi Araba, cross the Sinai in a western or southwestern
course and avoid the Gulf of Suez by rounding the Bay of Suez over land. Except for the Steppe
Eagle, none of these species is recorded in notable numbers at Eilat in autumn (Krabbe 1980, Sherihai
1981), and even in the case of the Steppe Eagle, it is remarkable that the numbers at Eilat are much
| smaller than at Suez, viz. respectively 25,000 and 65,000 (100,000) (Sherihai 1981, this paper). The

birds seen at Eilat fly due west and turn south after having passed the mountains northwest of Eilat.
In the Moon Valley however, Steppe Eagles were flying north-south and east-west; the latter flight
line might take the eagles in the direction of Suez. The absence of reliable, systematic observations
from the Sinai makes it hard to explain the behaviour and flight lines of Steppe Eagles after having
| passed the Eilat area. It is improbable that many Steppe Eagles cross the Gulf of Suez at its
southernmost tip in autumn, although more data are needed than published by Marchant (1941),
Meininger, Baha el Din and Mullié (1981) and De Roder (1982). Having regard to the tendency of
| eagles to avoid water crossings, combined with the fact that the birds probably are not in a hurry
to reach the wintering areas, it is likely that the majority of the Steppe Eagles, after having left the
| Eilat area, fly in a western or southwestern course through the Sinai (maybe supported by the local
topography), reach the eastern shore-line of the Gulf of Suez and fly north until they reach Suez
where the African mainland is entered. Observations of Mackintosh (1949) at Sudr, some 50 kms.

39
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Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

south of Suez along the eastern shore of the Gulf of Suez, seem to endorse this theory ; the migrating
raptors there were heading north along the coast and this phenomenon was seen on a number of
different days,leaving the suggestion of a well-frequented path. Also during our observations in
1981, we frequently detected flocks coming in from the southeast. It seems therefore probable that
most, if not all eagles and vultures enter Africa via Suez whereas most smaller raptor species make
the crossing to the African mainland via the southernmost tip of the Sinai. The detailed observations
of Christensen et a/. (1981) near Eilat and Wimpfheimer ef a/. (1982) near Suez, supplemented by
scattered observations along the coast of the Gulf of Suez (Borman 1929; Marchant 1941; Elliott
& Monk 1952; de Roever 1980; Christensen ef a/. 1981; Sgrensen 1982) suggest a completely different
picture in spring. Many more systematic observations will be needed before the puzzling pattern
of raptor migration through the Middle East will be unravelled.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Without the financial help of the European Committee for the Prevention of Mass Destruction
of Migratory Birds, the Van Tienhoven Foundation and the Van der Hucht Fund this study would
not have been possible. Valuable help during the preparation of the expedition was given by Prof.
Dr. M. F. Morzer Bruyns, Peter Meininger and Wim Mullié. Dr. Hassan Hafez (Ministry of
Agriculture, Cairo), was helpful in obtaining permits for travelling in Egypt. Furthermore, I am
grateful to Stephanie Sagebiel (American Embassy, Cairo), Dr. Y. Leshem (Jerusalem), Abd-el-
Salam Gad (Suez), Alan C. Kemp (Pretoria), Donald Parr (Malvern), Uffe Gjgl Sgrensen
(Copenhagen) and Steen Christensen (Copenhagen) for various kinds of help. My special thanks
go to M. Nael Abu-Zeid, Karsten Andresen, Carol Bennett, Ib Petersen, Bob van Poelgeest, Theo
Postma, Frank de Roder, Renske Schulting, Uffe Gjgl Sgrensen, Richard Stouthamer and Jan
Visser. Their excellent companionship made difficult and trying circumstances bearable.

SUMMARY

From 4 September to 5 November 1981, 133,982 raptors were counted at Suez (Egypt) during
422 observation hours on 57 days. The most common species were Short-toed Eagle Circaetus
gallicus (9,447), Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina (21,552), Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis
(64,880) and unidentified eagles Aquila spp. (31,436). Relatively numerous were Griffon Vulture
Gyps fulvus (1,284), Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus (1,816), Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
(556) and Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus (761). Thirty-two migrating raptor species were
recorded, of which 19 species passed with totals less than 75. Eagles (including Short-toed Eagle
and Booted Eagle) accounted for 96 per cent of the total migration. It is thought that each autumn
more than 200,000 raptors must pass over Suez.

Based on the literature it is argued that, except for the Lesser Spotted Eagle and a minority
of the Short-toed Eagle, all abundant raptors at Suez originate from Russia around and east of the
Caspian Sea. Migration from Russia to Africa takes place at great heights on a broad front. After
having reached the Sinai, the eagles and vultures fly around the Bay of Suez whereas the smaller
species leave the Sinai at its southernmost tip, thus crossing the Gulf of Suez.

REFERENCES

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1(3): 22-24

BIJLSMA, R. G. 1980. De Boomvalk. Amsterdam.

BIJLSMA, R. G. 1982. The visible migration of pipits (Anthus) and wagtails (Motacilla) near Suez
(Egypt), Autumn 1981. Vogelwarte 31: 423-427.

40

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

BORMAN, F. W. 1929. An ornithological trip in the Gulf of Suez and Red Sea. Ibis 12(5): 639-650.

BOURNE, W. R. P. 1959. Notes on the autumn migration in the Middle East. Jbis 101:170-176.

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BOYD, A. W. 1917. Birds of the Suez Canal and Sinai Peninsula. [bis 10(4): 539-557.

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CAMERON, R. A. D., CORNWALLIS, L., PERCIVAL, M. L. J. & SINCLAIR, A. R. E. 1967.
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GYULLIN, R. 1974. Spring migration of raptors over East Turkey and Northwest Iran. Vogelwarte
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HOLLOM, P. A. D. 1959. Notes from Jordan, Syria and Antioch. /bis 101: 183-200.

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JAHME, W. 1965. Einige Beobachtungsnotizen vom Greifvogelzug an der kaukasischen
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KONIGSTEDT, D. & ROBEL, D. 1982. Ueber den herbstlichen Greifvogelzug an der bulgarischen
Schwarzmeerkiste. Faun. Abh. Mus. Tierk. Dresden 9: 153-178.

KRABBE, N. 1980. Checklist of the Birds of Eilat. Cyclostyled manuscript. Copenhagen.

KUMERLOEVE, H. 1967. Starker Durchzug von Greifvogeln, Saatkrahen und Dohlen in NE-
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LOHMN, M. 1962. Zug und Verbreitung des Rotfussfalken (Falco v. vespertinus) in Mitteleuropa.
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MACKINTOSH, D. R. 1949. The use of thermal currents by birds on migration. [bis 91: 55-59.

MARCHANT, S. 1941. Notes on the birds of the Gulf of Suez. bis 14(5): 265-295, 378-396.

MARCHANT, S. 1963. Migration in Iraq. [bis 105: 369-398.

MEINERTZHAGEN, R. 1920. Notes on the Birds of Southern Palestine. [bis 10 (2): 195-259.

MEINERTZHAGEN, R. 1922. Notes on some birds from the Near East and from Tropical East
Africa. [bis 11(4): 1-74.

41

Sandgrouse 5 Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

MEINERTZHAGEN, R. 1924. An account of a journey across the Southern Syrian Desert from
Amman in Transjordania to Ramadi on the Euphrates. /bis 11(6): 87-101.

MEINERTZHAGEN, R. 1930. Nicoll’s birds of Egypt. London.

MEINERTZHAGEN, R. 1935. Ornithological results of a trip to Syria and adjacent countries in
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MEININGER, P. L., BAHAEL DIN, S. M. & MULLIE, W. C. 1981. Some notes on bird migration
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MEININGER, P. L. & DIELISSEN, B. 1979. Ornithological observations in Egypt in 1977 and
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MOREAU, R. E. 1972. The Palaearctic-African Bird Migration Systems. London.

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NEWTON, I. 1979. Population Ecology of Raptors. Berkhamsted.

NIELSEN, B. P. 1969. Further spring observations on the birds of Gilan, North Iran. Dansk orn.
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PASSBURG, R. 1959. Bird notes from Northern Iran. /bis 101: 153-165.

PENNYCUICK, C. J. 1972. Soaring behaviour and performances of some East African birds,
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SUTHERLAND, W. J. & BROOKS, D. J. 1981. Autumn migration of raptors, storks, pelicans
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TENNENT, J. R. M. 1967. Spring migration of birds of prey near Suez. [bis 109: 273-274.

THIOLLAY, J.-M. & PERTHUIS, A. 1975. La migration d’automne a Gibraltar (ler au 20 Octobre
1974): analyse et interpretation. Ardeola 21, Suppl.: 595-614.

WALDENSTROM, A., PEDERSEN, K., RASMUSSEN, E. V. & DEJONGHE, J.-F. 1981.
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Fagevarld 40: 297-310.

WALTER, H. 1979. Elenora’s Falcon. Adaptations to prey and Habitat in a Social Raptor.
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WIMPFHEIMER, D., BRUUN, B., BAHA EL DIN, S. M. & JENNINGS, M. C. 1983. The

migration of birds of prey in the northern Red Sea area. New York.

Rob G. Bijlsma, Bovenweg 36, 6721 HZ Bennekom, THE NETHERLANDS.

42

Raptors at Suez, Autumn 1981

Sandgrouse 5

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THE AUTUMN MIGRATION OF PASSERINES AND NEAR-PASSERINES
AT THE BOSPHORUS, TURKEY

by
R. F. Porter

INTRODUCTION

During the autumn of 1966, for a period of nearly four months, M. J. Helps, A. R. Kitson,
I. R. Willis and I carried out observations at the hill of Kucuk Camlica at the southern end of the
Bosphorus in north-west Turkey for the purpose of studying bird migration. The main emphasis
was on soaring birds (Storks Ciconia sp, raptors and Cranes Grus grus) and the results of these
observations have been published (Porter & Willis 1968).

The opportunity was also taken to study passerine and near-passerine migration, a subject on
which little systematic work for a defined area has been published or undertaken in south-east
Europe and Turkey.

Although many of the observations included in this paper have been summarised in the Bira
Report of the Ornithological Society of Turkey (OST 1979) this paper considers the migration
patterns in greater detail and, where relevant, makes comparisons with the previous brief systematic
counts of Nisbet and Smout (1957) and Ballance and Lee (1961) who watched at the Camlica hills
from 14 September to 1 October 1956 and 20 August to 8 September 1959 respectively. The paper
also attempts modestly to provide a base-line pattern for those small diurnal and nocturnal migrants
that pass in autumn over the southern end of the Bosphorus and the Camlica hills in particular.
In the case of nocturnal migrants the habitats used by the commonest species occurring on Kucu ©
Camlica are also considered; it should, however, be noted that these species in turn are probably
a reflection of the habitats available.

Except for very few species no attempt has been made to consider the observations in the wider
context of migration through Turkey and the Near East. This was considered inappropriate because
of the lack of systematic work elsewhere. The general migratory pattern for most species is broadly
known and contained in the Bird Reports of the Ornithological Society of Turkey (see OST 1969.
1972 and especially 1975 and 1978).

THE OBSERVATION AREA

A daily watch for visible migration was maintained at 225 metres above sea level from the top
of Kucuk Camlica, the slightly smaller of two hills — Buyuk and Kucuk Camlica situated at the
southern end of the Bosphorus on the Asian side (Figure ]). These hills stand approximately 4 km.
from the ancient town of Uskudar and command an excellent view. We chose the Camlica hills
because previous workers had used them as their base and had found their strategic position ideal
for watching migration over the southern part of the Bosphorus.

In addition, daily counts of all species were made in a standard census area of approximately
10-15 hectares on the summit of the hill, Kuguk Camlica. This comprised a number of habitats and
was surrounded by a low wall thus making it readily identifiable. The top of the hill was flat and
dominated by grass, falling away on all sides to well vegetated slopes. In places the vegetation was
thick and bushy with much Holly Oak Quercus coccifera, Juniper Juniper oxycedrus and Blackberry
Rubus fruticosus and taller stands of conifers, especially Pine Pinus sp, Firs Abies sp, Cypress
Cypressus sp, and Cedar Cedrus sp. In other areas the aspect was open with a herb-rich ground
cover including Rock Rose Cistus incanus, Heather Erica carnea, Flat-topped Carline Thistle
Carlina corymbosa, Chicory Cichorium intybus and Greek Spiney Spurge Euphorbia

45

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

acanthothamnos. Plate I depicts an area near the top of the hill where open herb-rich areas merged
into scrub and taller conifers. There was a small mature deciduous wood in the north western quarter
of the area comprised mostly of oaks Quercus robur and Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa. At the
edge of the wood the habitat was park-like with the trees well spaced and ground cover poor (see
Plate 2).

PERIOD OF OBSERVATION

Observations commenced on 14 July 1966 and continued until 8 November, with gaps on 16
to 18 July and 2 November. Observations were thus made on a total of 114 days. Each day, watching
began at approximately 0700 hrs. (local Turkish time) and continued until the late afternoon or dusk.
In addition each day a count was made by one observer (with back-up by others) of birds in the
census area.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Most days during the autumn of 1966 were hot and sunny, though becoming slightly cooler
towards the end of October. Visibility was normally very good though there were frequent early
morning mists over the Bosphorus and low ground to the east. Cloud coverage was generally between
2 and 4 okta but the frequency of cloudy days increased as the autumn progressed. Rain occurred
on only six days and then, with the exception of two days, just for a short period. The prevailing
wind was from the north-east, being from this direction on 74 days out of the 114 on which
observations were made. After fairly calm mornings the wind usually increased in strength at around
midday to become force 3 or 4 (Beaufort scale) by mid-afternoon. Thus the observations were made
during an autumn of fairly settled and predictable weather — at least locally.

THE OBSERVATIONS AND KEY TO THE FIGURES

During the study period a total of 103 passerines or near-passerines was recorded in or over
the census area of Kusuk Camlica; of these species 29-31 bred or probably did so. A summary of
the observations follows and records refer to the census area unless otherwise stated.

The length and peaks of the passage of the most commonly recorded species are represented
in the histograms and graphs appearing in the Figures. They show in the case of (a) histograms:
10 day aggregates of daily counts of birds in the census area, and (b) graphs: 10 day aggregates of
daily counts of birds observed flying in an easterly direction over the census area. For Swift Apus |
apus and Alpine Swift Apus melba (where histograms have been produced) no attempt has been
made to distinguish between apparent migrants passing over the area and feeding birds which
frequently used the air space above the Camlica hills. Where relevant, comments on the observation
are also given and comparisons made with the observations of other workers.

46

Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

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47

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

SYSTEMATIC LIST

Columba oenas Stock Dove
Between 18 September and 25 October 226 flew E., the peaks being 66 on 17 October and 60
on 18 October (see Figure below).

150 STOCK DOVE

passage
100

50
Jul Aug sept Oct Nov

Columba palumbus Wood Pigeon
4,001 flew E. between 30 September and 24 October nearly all movement being in the morning
(see Figure below). Up to 20 in census area in early October but normally not more than four present.

2000
WOOD PIGEON

passage

1000

Jul Aug sept Oct Nov

Streptopelia decaocto Collared Dove
Up to two seen almost daily throughout autumn but breeding not proven. Breeds in Istanbul
but in autumn numbers greatly reduced, birds appearing to move out to the surrounding countryside.

Streptopelia turtur Turtle Dove

Seen regularly between 23 July and 3 October with largest numbers in early September when
up to eight present. Probably bred. Ten flew E. on 16 and eight on 18 September. The peak
movements at the Belen Pass, Southern Turkey were in the first half of September (Sutherland &
Brooks 1981).

48

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Cuculus canorus Cuckoo
Recorded on seventeen dates between 24 July and 18 September. No more than three on any
one date, and most regularly seen in September.

Otus scops Scops Owl
The only record was one on 19 August.

Athene noctua Little Owl

Three present on 19 July; thereafter one or two seen almost daily through to November.
Probably bred.

Strix aluco Tawny Owl
One or two recorded on five dates during autumn; two calling 1 km. east. of Kuguk Camlica
on 24 October. Probably bred locally

Caprimulgus europaeus Nightjar
Single on 15 August and on four dates between 7 and 15 September.

Apus apus Swift

Large numbers in July when there appeared to be a general S./E. passage across the southern
end of the Bosphorus; up to about 1,000 recorded on several dates during the month and similar
numbers over Istanbul. Small numbers seen in August and on nine dates in September up to 27th |
(see Figure below; also Alpine Swift Apus melba for full discussion of Swift Apus sp. movements).

86
200 t z

SWIFT

over census area
100

Jul Aug Sept Cet Nov

Apus pallidus Pallid Swift
Singles flew E. on 6 August and 18 September. Several others suspected but only these seen
well enough to identify.

Apus melba Alpine Swift

Large numbers over Istanbul in July, August and September, up to about 2,000+ being
estimated at times over the harbour area. Similar numbers, and occasionally up to about 3,000,
over the census area during the same period were probably both passage and feeding birds from
Istanbul. True migration confused by early morning feeding movements: birds at first thought to
be on passage apparently returning to Istanbul later in the day. There was, however, a clear tendency
for an easterly movement during July to September. By the end of October only small numbers
present and the last seen were three on 5 November (see Figure below).

49

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

While the movements of the two commonest swifts Apus sp were obscured to some extent by
local feeding movements, it was apparent that the majority of Swifts Apus apus had moved through
by 10 September, at which time the passage of the later migrating Alpine Swifts Apus melba was
at its peak. At the Belen Pass in southern Turkey, Sutherland and Brooks (1981) found the Swift
Apus apus passage highest during 9-29 August; although in a different year (1976), this accords
well with our observations for the more northerly Bosphorus where a major peak occurred between
10 and 20 August. Similarly with Alpine Swift Apus melba most were seen at Belen between 7 and
23 September, whereas the Bosphorus peak was predictably earlier: 1-10 September.

In 1959 Ballance and Lee (1961) also noted very few Swifts Apus apus in early September.
However they observed very many Alpine Swifts Apus melba (up to 4,000 in a day) in late August
and early September but, like us, had difficulty in interpreting the movements due to the presence
of the large local breeding population in Istanbul, many of which remain until October; indeed they
considered these movements unlikely to represent true migration.

2000

ALPINE SWIFT

over census area
1,000

Jul Aug : Sept Oct ' Nov

Merops apiaster Bee-eater

Recorded between 13 August and 24 September, a total of 150 only, passing east. Many other
parties heard but not seen. It appears that the main passage of this species in Turkey is in the second
half of August and throughout September (Sutherland & Brooks 1981; OST 1972). Whilst this is
supported by the observations of Ballance and Lee (1981) and Nisbet and Smout (1957), the latter
concluded because of the small numbers observed at the Bosphorus that the species passes to the
west of Istanbul.

Coracias garrulus Roller 7

Up to two seen on twelve days between 23 July and 16 September; in addition nine passed E.
or S.E. in ones and twos. Probably bred locally. Ballance and Lee (1961) and Nisbet and Smout
(1957) also saw few Rollers, but the latter observed them more commonly on the Evros Delta, Greece,
this again suggesting that passage is mainly to the west of the Bosphorus. —

Upupa epops Hoopoe
Seen regularly from 25 July to 19 September with up to four present. Most recorded in second
half of August. Probably bred.

Jynx torquilla Wryneck
Singles on 4 and 26 September and 8 October.

50

ee ge gee

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Dendrocopos major Great Spotted Woodpecker
One on three dates in July and September. On all these occasions the bird was seen well enough
to distinguish it from the similar Dendrocopos syriacus.

Dendrocopos syriacus Syrian Woodpecker
One to three present from July to November. Bred.

Dendrocopos medius Middle Spotted Woodpecker
One fairly regularly between 5 August and 17 October.

Dendrocopos minor Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Up to four regularly throughout the autumn. An adult and juvenile present on 22 July almost
certainly indicated breeding.

Calandrella brachydactyla Short-toed Lark
About 50 passed E./S.E. between 22 August and 25 September; in addition parties heard
passing over on several dates.

Galerida cristata Crested Lark
A common breeding resident of the open country to the northeast and east of the census area,
and occasional birds ventured into it.

Lullula arborea Woodlark
Thirty two passed S.E. between 24 September and 25 October. A party of seven in the census
area on 8 November.

Alauda arvensis Skylark
About 200 passed over mainly in an easterly direction between 5 October and 5 November;
the largest daily total being 33 on 25 October (see Figure below).

150 SKYLARK

passage

100

50

51

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Riparia riparia Sand Martin
An E./S.E. movement totalling 281 from 14 August to 27 October, most passing at the end
of September (see Figure below). Nisbet and Smout (1957) similarly recorded small numbers.

SAND MARTIN

150
passage

100

50

Jul Aug sept Oct Nov

Hirundo rustica Swallow

1,494 passed E./S.E. from 14 July-17 October, most during 10-30 September (see Figure
below). The Swallow was the commonest hirundine as it was in September 1956 (Nisbet & Smout
1957). In that year, however, there was a much greater movement of hirundines with thousands
recorded per hour on some days. Their observations indicated that the birds were passing on a broad-
front and they suggested that the numbers crossing the Bosphorus ran into millions. They also
observed a vast movement across the Dardanelles. At the Belen Pass in Southern Turkey the Swallow
was also found to be the commonest hirundine in 1976 (Sutherland & Brooks 1981).

800
SWALLOW

passage

00

Jul Aug sept Oct Nov

Delichon urbica House Martin
About 200 passed E./S.E. between 21 July and 19 September, most in September. Nisbet and
Smout (1957) and Ballance and Lee (1961), similarly recorded small numbers.

Anthus campestris Tawny Pipit

Between 26 July and 26 September there was a small, predominantly easterly movement: 35
flew east and 21 in other directions mainly northerly. In late July a pair with one young were present
on the slopes of Kucuk Camlica outside the census area.

52

Plate 1.

Plate 2. : | ? ae . j

Plate 1. Kuguk Camlica, Bosphorus, Turkey showing typical habitats in the census area:
herb rich ground cover merging into scrub and the background dominated by mixed conifers.
Photograph: R. F. Porter.

Plate 2. Kuguk Camlica, Bosphorus, Turkey showing the park-like habitat at the edge of the
small deciduous wood which formed part of the census area. Photograph: R. F. Porter

YX KKXX
AWK
Wi

C

ANY 3 Wi
SC NNXIKN i

i ~*~ ie

ae
63%

: Cn

WN
WY

Wi

$97 NaN X Ly Ki \ ’

XN

Plate 3. Plumage colour polymorphism in the Indian Reef Heron. All the birds illustrated here
are in juvenile plumage. The white morph ranges from an almost pure white (A) to white
dappled with a varying amount of grey (B, C). The grey morph has a plumage in varying tones
of grey (D, E, F). In the adults (not shown here), the white morph has no dapples and the grey
morph has uniformly grey underparts, except the chin and throat which are white.

SEE,

Plate 4. Top and Middle. A closer view of the left wing of bird A and C shown in Plate 3,
illustrating that the white morph in a juvenile plumage has some grey either in the form of faint
streaks (Top) or dapple (Middle) on some of the feathers.

Bottom. the wings of a grey morph in juvenile plumage spread out to illustrate the white
wing-patch which occurs in some birds. Note an asymmetry in number of the white upper
greater primary coverts in two (3 in left and 5 in right) wings.

Plate 5

Plate 6

Plates 5 & 6. Adult Long-legged Buzzards Buteo Rufinus in October 1981 at Suez, Egypt.
Photographs: R. G. Bijsema

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Anthus trivialis Tree Pipit

A small steady easterly movement totalling c.300 between 29 July and 12 October, most in early
October (see Figure below). Birds present in the census area on most days during this period with
a peak of 15 on 25 September. This was a much smaller movement than expected and may have
been due to birds passing over very high and thus being missed altogether, a view also of Nisbet
and Smout (1957).

TREE PIPIT

passage

100

50

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

Anthus pratensis Meadow Pipit
Small movement between 9 October and 5 November with 86 flying east.

Anthus cervinus Red-throated Pipit
Forty one flew east between 28 September and 17 October.

Anthus spinoletta spinoletta/petrosus Water/Rock Pipit
Only one record: a single bird on 22 October.

Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail

Seen on passage between 11 August and 9 October with 231 passing E. or S.E. and 172 passing
W. or in other directions (see Figure below). This too was a much smaller movement than expected.
Nisbet and Smout (1957) and Ballance and Lee (1961) similarly saw relatively few but the former
saw many moving S.E. over the Dardanelles and Sea of Marmara and thus drew the conclusion
that most move to the west of the Bosphorus.

200
FLAVA WAGTAIL

passage

100

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

53

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail
Two hundred and eighty five birds passed east between 14 August and 27 October, the peak
being at the end of September/beginning of October (see Figure below).

100
GREY WAGTAIL
passage
50
Jul Aug sept Oct Nov
Motacilla alba White Wagtail

Singles in July and August were probably breeding birds from Istanbul. Between 15 September
and 27 October a total of 1,944 flew east with a peak of 1,400 between 2 and 7 October (see Figure
below). On 7 November several seen along the shores of the Bosphorus at Kadikoy. Nisbet and
Smout (1957) saw a broad-fronted movement over the Dardanelles and Marmara Sea in late
September 1956 but otherwise saw few in the Bosphorus area. Steinfatt (1932) saw only 140 at the
Camlica hills in autumn 1931. While this tends to suggest there may be annual variations in migration
pattern at the the Bosphorus it is clear that this is a common migrant over western Turkey which
probably passes on a broad front.

14004 atBA WAGTAIL

passage

700

Jul Aug sept Oct Nov

Troglodytes troglodytes Wren

Present through the autumn. In late July up to ten, many of which juveniles; in August up
to seven; September up to five; October up to eight and one on several dates in early November.
Little to suggest migration.

54

ee Ee

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Prunella modularis Dunnock

Small numbers seen on five days between 17 and 29 October with a maximum of three on 24th.
On 22nd, three calling loudly on the scrub-covered slopes flew up and after circling departed east
high (1300-1400 hrs.).

Erithacus rubecula Robin

None recorded until 24 September; from then to early November increasing in numbers with
a maximum of 90 on 25 October (see Figure below).

00
H ROBIN

in census area

200

Luscinia luscinia Thrush Nightingale
Singles on seven dates between 1 and 24 September were well seen.

Luscinia megarhynchos Nightingale

Present between 15 July and 27 September. In July a juvenile was seen, indicating breeding
in the area. Largest numbers in late July and early August when up to 12 present (on 4th, 7th and
9th); on eleven days in September with a maximum of three on 7th. The possibility of some of these
records referring to Luscinia luscinia cannot be ruled out (see Figure below).

80

NIGHTINGALE

in census area

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

55

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Phoenicurus ochruros Black Redstart
Small numbers between 22 October and 1 November, the most being ten on 24 October.

Phoenicurus phoenicurus Redstart

Present in small to moderate numbers throughout the autumn fon 15 July to 25 October. In
late July two juvenile birds were present indicating that the species bred locally, probably in the
census area. Monthly maxima: July (11 dates) three; August (26 dates) eight; September (28 dates)
25 on 25th; October (22 dates) 12; (see Figure below). Nisbet and Smout (1957) and Ballance and
Lee (1961) also found this to be a fairly common nocturnal migrant.

120
REDSTART

in census area

60

Jul Aug sept Oct Nov

Saxicola rubetra Whinchat

Small numbers between 14 August and 4 October: in August on three dates, with a maximum
of three; in September on 19 dates— maximum of eight; in October on two dates — maximum of
two (see Figure below). Very small numbers were also recorded by Nisbet and Smout (1957) and
Ballance and Lee (1961).

7
WHINCHAT

20 1n census area

10

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

Saxicola torquata Stonechat
Two or three family parties totalling c.14 birds throughout the autumn indicating breeding.
There appeared to be no indication of migration through the area.

56

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Oenanthe oenanthe Wheatear

Small numbers on the slopes of Kucuk Camlica, outside the census area between 20 July and
10 October. Highest number recorded was eight on 12 September. In July, a recently fledged juvenile
(obviously locally bred) was seen.

Turdus torquatus Ring Ouzel

Recorded in the census area on twenty-nine dates between 8 September and 22 October the most
being 26 on 23 September and 20 on 3 October. Visible migration occurred between 22 September
and 21 October when 372 flew east; all flying quite low, often below top of hill. Occasionally birds
settled in the trees but soon continued. The most seen was 147 E. on 3 October (see Figure below).

RING OUZEL

passage (b) - 200

(a) in census area

100

Turdus merula Blackbird

Large numbers in July and early August suggested a high local breeding population. A gradual
‘decrease in numbers in September and then an increase in October. Monthly maxima: 70 in July;
30in August; 22 in September; 25 in October; 3 in November (see Figure below). 73 flew east between
25 September and 24 October. Heard overhead on nights of 24 October and 2 November.

BLACKBIRD

100 in census area

50

Jul Aug Sept Get Nov

57

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Turdus pilaris Fieldfare
Forty two flew E. on six dates between 9 October and 7 November including a party of 35 on
7 November. Two heard calling at 2200 hrs. on the night of 24 October.

Turdus philomelos Song Thrush

Very few recorded until early October. Large numbers in the middle two weeks of October and
thereafter small numberrs. Monthly maxima: July (two dates) two; August (two dates) one;
September (three dates) five; October (24 dates) 50 on 9th and 19th; November (two dates) two (see
Figure below). Visible migration noted on several mornings between 30 September and 16 October
when groups often seen flying in a N. or E. direction after a nocturnal arrival. Largest movement
on 9 October when 100 scattered north soon after dawn and 65 flew east between dawn and 0930
hrs. Heard on the nights of 17, 24, 26, 30 and 31 October. :

200 -
SONG THRUSH

in census area

100

Jul Aug sept Oct Nov

Turdus iliacus Redwing
Recorded on eight nights between 8 October and 5 November; usually only one or two heard
calling but 12 on 30 October. Two flew east on 24 October at 1100 hrs.

Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush

Up to seven in late July and no doubt bred. In August up to three on four dates to the 15th;
none then until 17 September and from then to 5 November, small numbers (maximum eight) on
many days. Visible migration observed between 22 September and 3 November when 442 flew east,
the most being 94 on 17 October and 91 on 22 October (see Figure below).

200

MISTLE THRUSH

passage

100

58

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Sedge Warbler
Singles on 30 August, 16 and 29 September.

Acrocephalus sp. ‘Unstreaked Acrocephalus’
Singles on 18 August, 3 and 7 September were almost certainly A. scirpaceus (Reed Warbler).

Hippolais pallida Olivaceous Warbler
About eight pairs with young present in July (up to 35 counted) and early August (up to 16);
most had left by 18 August; thereafter seen on six dates to 22 September (see Figure below).

OLIVACEOUS WARBLER
200

in census area

100

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

Hippolais olivetorum Olive-tree Warbler
None recorded in the census area, but a single bird at Buyuk Camlica on 16 August.

Hippolais icterina Icterine Warbler
One on 10 and 11 September was the only record.

Sylvia melanocephala Sardinian Warbler

This and Hippolais pallida were the commonest breeding warblers. Present from mid-July to
early November, with most (up to 35) in late July many of which were juveniles; the breeding
population was estimated at about eight pairs. Smaller numbers in August-November when 10-15
present, though because of its secretive behaviour the true figure was probably higher.

Sylvia curruca Lesser Whitethroat

Small numbers almost daily between 3 August and 5 October with a single on 24 October. No
more than four on any one day in August; peaks in September were eight on the Ist, nine on the
10th, and twelve on the 23rd and 24th; in October no more than three on any day (see Figure below).

LESSER WHITETHROAT

in census area

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Sylvia communis Whitethroat

Small numbers between 15 July and 4 October. In late July up to 12 recorded, including several
juveniles indicating that the species bred in the area. In August recorded almost daily with a
maximum of six on Ist and 4th; on sixteen dates in September, most during the first half witha ©
maximum of six on 3rd; in October one on 4th was the only record (see Figure below).

WHITETHROAT

in census area

20

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

Sylvia borin Garden Warbler
Very few records: two on 21 July and then singles on 14 dates to 25 September.

Sylvia atricapilla Blackcap

A small passage, most being in mid-September. Monthly summary: one on 19 July; single birds
in August on six dates; on 18 days in September with peaks of 20 on 16th and 10 on 24th; on 17
days in October up to 27th with a maximum of eight on the Ist (see Figure below).

BLACKCAP

in census area

Lo

20

Jul Aug Sept Wet Nov

60

ee

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Phylloscopus bonelli Bonelli’s Warbler
Present from 24 July to 28 August with a single nearly a month later, on 22 September. Highest
numbers in late July with 18 on 25th; 14 on 26th and 12 on 30th and 31st. In August one to six

recorded (see Figure below).

BONELLI'S WARBLER

in census area

Phylloscopus sibilatrix Wood Warbler
Small numbers from 4-30 August (maximum 10 on 18th) and again from 13-28 September

(maximum 3); a single on 2 and 5 October (see Figure below).

WOOD WARBLER

in census area

61

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Phylloscopus collybita Chiffchaff

Bred and up to nine present during July; up to 15 in August, eight in September, 12 in October
and three in November probably indicated a small to moderate passage but this was almost certainly
confused by resident birds and the problem of distinguishing from P. trochilus (see Figure below;
see also P. trochilus/collybita and P. trochilus).

CHIFFCHAFF

in census area

Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler

None until 6 August; thereafter until mid-October the commonest warbler, and on many days
the commonest migrant. Last recorded on 29 October. Much daily fluctuation with peaks of 70 (14
August), 40 (28 August) and 40 (S September). Thereafter no more than 12 seen on any one day
and very few in the last three weeks of October (see Figure below; also P. trochilus/collybita).
Ballance and Lee (1961) and Nisbet and Smout (1957) also found this to be the commonest nocturnal
migrant.

200

WILLOW WARBLER
in census area

100

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

62

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Phylloscopus collybita/trochilus Chiffchaff/Willow Warbler

Phylloscopus warblers were present throughout the whole autumn, frochilus was the
predominant species on passage, but collybita bred (whereas trochilus did not). The large numbers
in August and September often prevented specific identification but most were clearly trochilus (see
Figure below; see also P. trochilus and P. collybita).

300
CHIFFCHAFF/WILLOW WARBLER

in census area

150

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

Regulus regulus Goldcrest
None until 8 October and then in increasing numbers to 8 November. Peak October count was
15 on 17th, and in November, 20 on Sth (see Figure below).

GOLDCREST

in census area

a+
— uv

Jul Aug Sept Oc

Nev

Regulus ignicapillus Firecrest
Small numbers on ten dates between 3 and 29 October with maximum of five on 3rd and 29th.

Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher

Singles on 15 and 29 July; then present in moderate numbers from 4 August to 15 October.
In August peaked at 35 on 14th and 50 on 18th with over ten on most days; in September numbers
were higher with 10-20 present on most days and peaks of 35 on Ist and 40 on 24th; in early

63

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

October up to ten present (see Figure below). Ballance and Lee (1961) and Nisbet and Smout (1957)
also found this to be a common nocturnal migrant occurring in numbers similar to those we
observed.

2004
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER

in census area

100

Jul Aug sept Oct Nov

Ficedula parva Red-breasted Flycatcher

Recorded on nine dates between 9 and 31 August with a maximum of three on 18th; in
September seen almost daily with peaks of 25 on 16th, 50 on 24th and 55 on 25th; in October present
on most days up to 18th with a maximum of 15 on 7th (see Figure below). Nisbet and Smout (1957)
also found this to be a relatively common nocturnal migrant, with a peak at the end of September.

200
RED--BREASTED FLYCATCHER

in census area

100

Ficedula semitorquata/ Semi-collared/Collared/
albicollis/hypoleuca Pied Flycatcher

Small numbers from 19 July to 27 September. In July singles on three dates; in August present
on most days with a maximum of 11 on 11th, ten on 12th and 12 on 15th; in September one to six
recorded. Most identified were a/bicollis but on ten days birds considered to be hypoleuca were seen. |
Stresemann (1943) states that hypoleuca passes west of Crete in autumn and thus only small numbers
would be expected at the Bosphorus. However, in view of the difficulty of differentiating between
these two species in autumn and the possibility of confusion of hypoleuca with semitorquata all

64

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

these records have been presented under one heading (see Figure below). Nisbet and Smout (1957)
witnessed a fall at the end of September 1956 when our passage had terminated.

SEMI-COLLARED/COLLARED/PIED FLYCATCHER

in census area

Aegithalos caudatus Long-tailed Tit
In late July a family party of eight was observed and apparently the same birds were present
through the autumn to early November.

Parus caeruleus Blue Tit

Numbers were much lower than those of Parus major. Recorded almost daily with up to eight
present in July, August and early September, up to 15 in late September and a peak of 20 in early
October (Sth and 6th). Thereafter a decline with only five in late October and early November (see
Figure below). From 24 September to 31 October, parties passed from bush to bush over the hill
and on reaching the eastern side, departed high to east; this movement totalled 220 birds, the largest
number being on 4 October when 27 were counted passing east.

100
BLUE TIT

in census area

50

Jul Aug Sept Oor Nev

Parus major Great Tit

One of the commonest birds. In mid-July up to 30 juveniles present indicating a fairly large
breeding population. Numbers throughout autumn did not vary greatly from day to day, being
normally 30-40; peak 75 on 9 August. j

65

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Certhia brachydactyla Short-toed Treecreeper
Present in the oakwood throughout the autumn. Five in July were probably a family party.
Thereafter up to 15 in August (post breeding dispersal?), ten in September and three in November.

Oriolus oriolus Golden Oriole ,
Recorded on nineteen dates between 5 August and 17 September, the peak occurring at the
end of August/beginning of September with 18 on 1 September (see Figure below).

GOLDEN ORIOLE

in census area
20

Jul Aug sept Oct Nov

Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike

A pair with at least one young in July. The first arrival was on 29 July when six birds present.
Then seen on most dates through August until 8 September: usually six but eight on 15 August.

Singles on 16, 20, 23 and 29 September (see Figure below).

RED-BACKED SHRIKE

in census area

20

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

Lanius minor Lesser Grey Shrike .
Three on 15 August and two on 18th; then single birds on nine dates to 9 September.

= | | 66 ‘

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Lanius nubicus Masked Shrike

A pair nested raising six young, the first of which were seen out of the nest on 23 July and
all six juveniles were being fed by the adults up to at least 4 August. The young were fully fledged
by 16 August and venturing up to about 800 metres from the nesting site. The adults disappeared
completely at this time but two juveniles remained in the area to 26 September.

Garrulus glandarius Jay

Recorded daily, numbers increasing from four in July and August (probably a pair and young)
to seven in September and ten in October. Visible movement observed on three days: nine flew
E.N.E. high on 13 October, one likewise on 22 October and five E. on 29 October.

Pica pica Magpie
Recorded daily with maximum of 14 in August and September. Probably bred.

Corvus monedula Jackdaw
A common bird of the Istanbul/Uskudar area. Large roosting movements were observed daily
in the census area, the maximum being about 700 in late October and November.

Corvus frugilegus Rook

First recorded on 7 October when 39 passed east; thereafter seen almost daily until 8 November.
During this period 168 passed east and in late October and early November up to 300 were present
in the census area and neighbouring areas of Kucuk Camlica (see Figure below).

ROOK

in census area
600

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

Corvus corone cornix Hooded Crow
Up to 25 recorded daily; probably bred.

Corvus corax Raven
Four flew S.E. on 23 July and then up to three recorded between 27 and 30 July. None seen
then until 12 October when one flew east, and 15 October when three flew east.

Sturnus vulgaris Starling

Although present as a breeding bird in small numbers in Istanbul, none was seen in census area
in July and only two singles in August. Small numbers appeared in September with flocks of up
to five in the first half and up to 60 in the second half of the month. In October and early November
flocks increased in size and over 100 were seen on several days; highest count was 200 on 4 October.

67

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Sturnus roseus Rose-coloured Starling
An adult on 24 July was the only record.

Passer domesticus House Sparrow
Small numbers throughout autumn with no more than 40 on any one date. Bred in local village
of Bulgurlu.

Passer hispaniolensis Spanish Sparrow
The only record was a male on 29 July.

Passer montanus Tree Sparrow
One to three on four dates in October. Three flew east on 18 October.

Fringilla coelebs ; Chaffinch

This was the commonest finch and present throughout the autumn. Largest numbers were in
late July when up to 35 present probably representing a small to moderate breeding population as
several were singing and many juveniles were seen. Between 24 September and 8 November a total
of 8,865 flew east. Peak days were 8 October (1,730), 17th (1,832) and 6-13 October when there
were six days with over 400 passing. Observations elsewhere on the Bosphorus showed that the
movement was broad-fronted and as the majority were passing low many would have been missed
from the top of Kucuk Camlica (see Figure below).

100
CHAFFINCH
200 passage
Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov
Fringilla montifringilla Brambling

Twenty eight flew east between 12 and 29 October.

Serinus serinus Serin

One or two pairs with young in late July and one carrying nesting material on 21st; highest
July count was 15. Thereafter present throughout autumn with peaks of 15 on 8 and 11 October
and small movement between 3-11 October when 25 flew east.

68

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Carduelis chloris Greenfinch
Two hundred and sixty eight flew east between 25 September and 29 October, most in the last
half of October, the peak day being 17th when 60 flew east (see Figure below).

GREENFINCH

100 passage

50

Jul Aug sept Behe Nov

Carduelis carduelis Goldfinch

Small numbers (up to five) in late July suggested the species bred locally. Thereafter 524 flew
east between 14 August and 31 October most in the last half of October with peaks of 68 (21st)
and 80 (22nd) (see Figure below).

300]

GOLDFINCH

: passage
150

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

69

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Carduelis spinus Siskin

The second commonest migrant finch (after Fringilla coelebs), a total of 2,810 flying east
between 26 September and 6 November. A steady movement with a moderate passage each day and
no marked peaks (see Figure below).

SISKIN

passage
500

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

Carduelis cannabina Linnet
Up to seven birds in July suggested local breeding. Thereafter between 11 August and 27
October 190 flew E./N.E., most during the last two weeks of October (see Figure below).

10

LINNET

passage

50.

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov

70

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Loxia curvirostra Crossbill

Small numbers present from 23 July to 27 October with peak at end of September/early October
when 12-15 present on three dates. In addition between 23 July and 15 October 86 flew east. Visible
migration and ‘falls’ were in two small peaks: the first at end of July/early August and the second
at end of September/early October (see Figure below).

CROSSBILL

(a) in census area (a) passage (b)

Coccothraustes coccothraustes Hawfinch
One on 26 July. In October there was a small easterly movement: 11 (4th), 11 (9th) and two
(18th).

Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer
Thirty nine flew east between 17 and 25 October.

Emberiza cirlus Cirl Bunting

Present throughout autumn in decreasing numbers. Up to 35 in July when the local breeding
population was estimated at 3-5 pairs. From August to November recorded almost daily with up
to ten present.

Emberiza hortulana Ortolan Bunting
Small numbers between 14 August and 16 September with a maximum of six on 24 August.
Between 31 July and 7 September 13 flew E. or S.E.

Emberiza melanocephala Black-headed Bunting
Only recorded in July when up to seven (including one adult male) present between 15 and 26:
probably a family party.

Miliaria calandra Corn Bunting
One or two on four dates from late July to early September. A small movement between 3 and
24 October when 66 flew east.

71

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

DISCUSSION

Numbers passing: diurnal migration

Apart from three species of swift Apus sp, 41 passerines or near-passerines were observed
passing over Kucuk Camlica in an easterly direction during the autumn of 1966. Numbers varied |
considerably between species but the overall impression clearly gained was that the southern end
of the Bosphorus was a place where the visible migration of small birds could be easily observed
and where perhaps for some species there was a concentration.. The peak of the visible migration
occurred in October with Wood Pigeons, White Wagtails, thrushes and finches (especially
Chaffinch), forming the bulk of the passage.

With the exception of swifts (for which species see the systematic list) the species most
commonly observed migrating overhead at Kucguk Camlica are listed below under order of
magnitude of the passage.

Numbers

observed moving Species

Over 1000: Wood Pigeon, Swallow, White Wagtail, Chaffinch, Siskin.

200-500: Sand Martin, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Ring Ouzel, Mistle
Thrush, Goldfinch, Greenfinch.

50-200: Bee-eater, Short-toed Lark, Skylark, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Song
Thrush, Rook, Linnet, Crossbill, Corn Bunting.

Less than 50: Turtle Dove, Roller, Woodlark, Tawny Pipit, Red-throated Pipit,

Fieldfare, Redwing, Brambling, Hawfinch, Yellowhammer.

It is probable that little or no migration had been missed before we commenced observations
on 14 July. When we terminated our observations on 8 November there was little migration in -
progress and we felt that no significant passage was likely to occur later in the month.

Sporadic observations carried out elsewhere on the Bosphorus to the north of Kuguk Camlica
indicated that the movement of, at least, the commoner species was fairly broad-fronted. However, —
as no observations were made from adjacent areas of the Sea of Marmara, it was not possible to
ascertain whether these passerines and near-passerines were being concentrated by the Bosphorus
‘land-bridge’ as was the case with soaring birds. (Porter & Willis 1968).

Nisbet and Smout (1957) believed that the Bosphorus (and Dardanelles) attracts an important
concentration of at least some northern passerines in autumn. While our observations would tend
to support that general view it is surprising that Steinfatt (1932) noted very little migration of
passerines at the Camlica Hills and that Mauve (1938) came to the conclusion that the Bosphorus
is of no importance for species other than soaring birds.

Time of migration: diurnal and nocturnal migrants

The systematic list and more particularly the histograms and graphs indicate that most
migratory species had a peak of movement when the highest numbers were recorded either in the
census area (nocturnal migrants) or passing over (diurnal migrants). Analysis reveals the following
monthly migratory weightings for the commoner species recorded at Kucuk Camlica during the
autumn of 1966. For ease of presentation ‘peaks’ have been ignored.

July and August: Swift, Nightingale, Olivaceous Warbler, Bonelli’s Warbler.

August: Hoopoe, Red-backed Shrike.

August and September: Alpine Swift, Bee-eater, Roller, Whitethroat, Wood Warbler, Willow
Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied/Collared Flycatcher, Golden

Oriole.
September: Turtle Dove, Short-toed Lark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin,
Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat, Red-breasted
Flycatcher. ;

September and October: Tree Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Blackcap, Blue Tit.

72

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

October: Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Woodlark, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Red-
throated Pipit, White Wagtail, Dunnock, Black Redstart, Song Thrush,
Mistle Thrush, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin
Linnet, Hawfinch, Corn Bunting.

October and November: Robin, Fieldfare, Redwing, Goldcrest, Rook, Starling.

Throughout autumn: Chiffchaff, Crossbill.

Nocturnal migrants in the census area

Of the 50 or so migrant passerines and near-passerines recorded in the census area, twenty-three
could be described as common or fairly common. These are listed below, in approximate descending
order of abundance, together with the habitat they most frequently (and often exclusively) occupied

and the period when their migration was at its peak.

Species

Robin

Song Thrush

Willow Warbler
Olivaceous Warbler
Red-breasted Flycatcher
Spotted Flycatcher
Redstart

Blue Tit

Goldcrest

Nightingale

Ring Ouzel

Bonelli’s Warbler
Collared/Pied Flycatcher
Blackbird

Crossbill

Lesser Whitethroat
Blackcap
Whitethroat
Chiffchaff
Red-backed Shrike
Wood Warbler
Golden Oriole
Whinchat

Habitat
Deciduous and coniferous woodland

Deciduous and coniferous woodland; scrub
Deciduous and coniferous woodland; scrub

Deciduous woodland and scrub
Deciduous and coniferous woodland
Deciduous and coniferous woodland
Deciduous and coniferous woodland
Deciduous and coniferous woodland
Coniferous woodland

Deciduous woodland and scrub
Scrub

Deciduous and coniferous woodland
Deciduous woodland

Deciduous and coniferous woodland; scrub

Coniferous woodland

Scrub

Deciduous woodland; scrub

Scrub

Deciduous and coniferous woodland
Scrub

Deciduous and coniferous woodland
Deciduous woodland

Scrub

Peak Passage

Late October

Mid-October

August and early September
Late July

Late September

August and September

Late September

Early October

Early November

Early August

Late September/early October
Late July
Mid-August

Early October; but also
post-breeding dispersal
Early October

September

Early October

August and early September
Throughout

August

Mid-August

Early September
Mid-September

The actual composition of the northern migrants in the census area warrants a brief comment.
Because of the lack of suitable habitat it was obvious that certain species would be absent. Thus
it was not surprising there were no records of Locustella, Oenanthe or Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
and only a few of Acrocephalus species. However, it was surprising that a few wood and scrub
dwelling species which are relatively common northern migrants were absent or rare. For example,
there were very few records of Garden Warbler, none of Barred Warbler Sy/via nisoria and Icterine
Warbler was very rare. Lesser Grey Shrikes and Wrynecks were only occasionally observed.

The woodland component of the census plot, occupying less than 20 per cent of the area seemed
the most important feeding habitat for the commonest nocturnal migrants. Although the scrub-
covered slopes appeared suitable for migrants observations showed that most species quickly
gravitated towards the trees, especially those in the deciduous wood.

Unfortunately there was not time to make comparative observations at areas around the census
area of Kucuk Camlica or at other patches of deciduous woodland adjacent to the Bosphorus so
as to put these observations into context. It is therefore not possible to say whether this small
deciduous woodland area acts as a focus for certain nocturnal migrants because of its comparative
scarcity as a habitat or perhaps its elevated position on Kucguk Camlica. Alternatively it could be
that the migrants present on the hill can be found in similar densities and relative abundance
throughout any suitable habitat in north-west Turkey.

J

73

Sandgrouse 5 Migrant Passerines at the Bosphorus

Whilst this would repay further study it is obvious that woodland, especially deciduous
woodland, is an important habitat for several species of northern birds that pass through the Camlica
hills on migration.

SUMMARY

From July to November 1966 the migration of passerines and near-passerines was studied at
Kucuk Camlica at the Bosphorus, Southern Turkey. A total of 103 species in these groups was
observed of which 82 showed migratory behaviour. Counts were made of diurnal migrants passing
in easterly directions of which the commonest were Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus, Swallow
Hirundo rustica, White Wagtail Motacilla alba, Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs and Siskin Carduelis
spinus; the large passage of Swifts Apus apus and Alpine Swifts Apus melba was obscured by
confusion with local feeding movements. Counts of nocturnal migrants were made in a standard
census area: the commonest were Robin Erithacus rubecula, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos.
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida, Red-breasted
Flycatcher Ficedula parva and Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata, but 16 other species could also
be described as common. Counts are summarised in a systematic list and, for the commoner species,
presented in graphs (for diurnal migrants) and histograms (census area counts) in 10 day aggregates.
Details of favoured habitats for species recorded in the census area are also given.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank M. J. Helps, A. R. Kitson and I. R. Willis who helped in the collection
of data on which this paper is based. I am also grateful to Jayne Samels and Elaine McHugh who

typed the manuscript, Lynn Clayton who helped in preparing the histograms and graphs and M. |

J. Helps who drew the map which is reproduced with kind permission of the Editor of Ibis, the
journal of the British Ornithologists’ Union.

REFERENCES

BALLANCE, D. K. & LEE, S. L. B. 1961. Notes on autumn migration at the Bosphorus and in
the Aegean. Ibis 103a: 195-204.

MAUVE, L. 1938. Der Vogelzug am Bosphorus. J. Orn. 86: 261-301.

NISBET, I. C. T. & SMOUT, T. C. 1957. Autumn observations on the Bosphorus and Dardanelles.
Ibis 99: 483-499.

ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF TURKEY (O.S.T.) 1969. Bird Report No. I (1966-1967).
Sandy.

ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF TURKEY (O.S.T.) 1972. Bird Report No. 2 (1968-1969).
Sandy.

ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF TURKEY (O.S.T.) 1975. Bird Report No. 3 (1970-1973).
Sandy. .

ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF TURKEY (0O.S.T.) 1978. Bird Report No. 4 (1974-1975).
Sandy.

PORTER, R. & WILLIS, I. 1968. The autumn migration of soaring birds at the Bosphorus. /bis
110: 520-536.

STEINFATT, O. 1932. Der Bosphorus als Landbriiche fur den Vogelzug zwischen Europa und
Kleinasien. J. Orn. 80: 354-383.

STRESEMANN, E. 1943. Ueberblick uber die Vogel Kretas und den Vogelzug in Der Aegaesis J.
Orn. 91: 448-514.

SUTHERLAND, W. J. & BROOKS, D. J. 1981. The visible migration of Passerines and Near-
Passerines at the Belen Pass, Southern Turkey in Autumn. Sandgrouse 3: 87-90.

R. F. Porter, c/o RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, ENGLAND.

74

SEQUENCE OF PLUMAGE CHANGES AND POLYMORPHISM IN THE
INDIAN REEF HERON EGRETTA GULARIS

by
R. M. Naik and B. M. Parasharya

INTRODUCTION

The Indian Reef Heron, also called the Western Reef Heron, Egretta gularis has two basic
colour phases, white and grey, in both sexes. In India the bird was considered to be migratory by
Ali and Ripley (1968) because few known breeding sites of this bird were located at the two ends
of its range on the western coast of the Indian region. Recently, however, we have found a series
of breeding sites of this bird distributed on the sea coast and mouth of the large rivers of Gujarat.
(Naik et a/.1981; Naik & Parasharya, unpublished).

The bird is an ideal subject for a detailed investigation on polymorphism for several reasons.
The series of populations of this bird on the coast of Gujarat live in a wide variety of habitats and
the proportion of morphs in these populations tends to differ. The nesting season spans a period
from February to August-September at the Gogha and Bhavnagar New Port colonies (Naik er al.
1981; Naik & Parasharya, unpublished); in these colonies, different morphs interbreed (Naik ef al.
1981) so that data on a variety of families can be collected and pooled for genetic studies.

This paper is an attempt to analyse the plumage variations and to identify different morphs
of the Indian Reef Heron. Some authors (see Amadon 1953, for example) have described plumage
colour variations in museum specimens of Egretta gularis. However, a detailed study of the plumage
variations and frequency and sequence of plumage changes in different forms has so far not been
made. The notable lacunae in our knowledge are that (1) the sequence of plumages in the grey phase
has not been definitely established (Ali & Ripley 1968), and that (2) ‘intermediate’ forms between
grey and white (Ali & Ripley 1968), lavender coloured forms (Hancock & Elliot 1978) and grey forms
with white wing-patch (Abdulali 1968; Ali & Ripley 1968; Hancock & Elliot 1978) have only been
casually referred to in the literature without any definite reference to their status in the sequence
of plumage changes or frequency in a population. The present investigation was undertaken to fill
this gap in our knowledge, and to provide a basis for studies into the genetics and biological functions
of polymorphism that are being carried out at present.

METHODS

The present study was made at the recently discovered (Naik et a/. 1981) breeding colonies at
Gogha (21° 41’ N, 72° 16’ E), Bhavnagar New Port (21° 45’ N, 72° 11’ E) and Bhavnagar City
(21° 46’ N, 72° 11’ E). A number of nests at these breeding colonies were marked with numbered
plates during the incubation period in 1981. The chicks in these nests were banded with numbered
aluminium rings and a record of their physical features was maintained. Thirteen of such chicks
whose parentage was known and several others of unknown parentage were transported to the
University campus and housed in an out-door aviary. The physical features of these birds were noted
at periodic intervals for a period of about twelve months (May 1981 to April 1982).

The characteristics of adult plumage were noted and the frequencies of juveniles and adults
in different phases were determined by observing the birds at the breeding colonies, roosting sites
and nearby sea coast during 1980.

STAGES AND TYPES

Natal down |

The natal down is white in most of the feather tracts. It is subject to some colour variation ranging
from light grey to grey in the dorsal tract. The variations, however, do not seem to correlate with
the colour variations in the subsequent plumages.

AS

Sandgrouse 5 Plumage and Polymorphism — Indian Reef Heron
Juvenile plumage
The juvenile plumage is categorised into white and grey, though there are considerable

variations in the plumages of both the categories.

White

Juvenile white plumage is never pure white; a variable amount of grey pigment is always present.

Depending upon the amount of grey pigments, the white juveniles can be arbitrarily iiavieg into
(1) almost pure white, and (2) white dappled with grey.

(1) Almost pure white. Only a few white feathers on the back, neck, trunk and wings are lightly
streaked or splashed with grey, whereas the rest of the feathers are pure white (bird A in Plate 3
and Plate 4 top). On the body feathers, the grey streaks or splashes being usually restricted to the
distal end of the outer vane, tend to wear out in course of time. These birds are difficult to distinguish
from the adult white ones when they are viewed in the field from a distance; this fact provides ES
basis for separating the almost pure white birds from those of the next category.

(2) White dappled with grey. In general appearance these birds are white but distinctly splashed .

with grey; the conspicuousness of the grey splashes vary from individual to individual (B and C
in Plate 3). Entirely pure white feathers are only present on the breast and abdomen; most of the
feathers elsewhere including remiges and rectrices (Plate 4 middle) are dappled. The grey dapples
on individual feathers vary in size, so that feathers ranging from almost entirely grey to pure white
may be found in the same region. A few juvenile birds with the dapples much more numerous and
conspicuous than those on bird C illustrated in Plate 3, have been observed in the field.

Grey
Overall appearance of the bird in this juvenile plumage is grey, but it is distinctly light coloured

ventrally. Depending on the intensity of grey, a majority of birds in the grey juvenile plumage can -

be arbitrarily separated into (1) light grey and (2) dark grey.

(1) Light grey (D and E in Plate 3). The chin, midventral part of the neck, abdomen and breast
are white while the feathers on the rest of the body are light grey. _

(2) Dark grey (F in Plate 3). The chin and midventral part of the neck are light grey instead of
white, the abdomen is white but the breast is light grey, and the feathers elsewhere are dark grey.
This plumage, not having conspicuously white underparts, can be confused with the adult grey
plumage under field conditions.

The juveniles, whether light or dark grey, can be divided into (1) those without a wing-patch,
and (2) the others with wing-patch.

(1) Grey without a wing-patch. Characteristically, the bird does not have any of the primaries or
upper greater primary coverts white. The upper greater primary coverts in some birds, however,
may have very light coloured outer margins forming a light grey strip on the manus.

(2) Grey with wing-patch/ Outer 1 to 5 (occasionally up to 7) upper greater primary coverts
are white forming a white wing-patch on the dorsal side of the wing. A few outer primaries may
also be white, thus enlarging the wing-patch in some exceptional cases. The wing-patch may be
present on any one of the wings or both the wings (Plate 4 bottom). Among the grey chicks with
the wing-patch only on one wing, left (4) or right (15), handled by us in the breeding colonies, the
incidence of wing-patch being on the right wing has a relatively higher frequency; the difference
was Statistically significant (P<0.025). Usually several consecutive upper greater primary coverts
may be white, but in some birds one or two grey coverts may appear in the middle of the series
of white. The wing-patch even when present on both the wings may not be symmetrical (Plate 4
bottom).

We saw ‘lavender coloured’ juvenile birds at various places from about October to May. Grey
feathers in the juvenile birds kept in our aviary, gradually acquired a lavender tinge by the time
they grew to between five and seven months old. In these birds, the ‘lavender’ feathers were replaced
by the grey feathers during the post-juvenile moult. Obviously, the guvenite grey plumage turns
lavender with wear.

76

Sandgrouse 5 Plumage and Polymorphism — Indian Reef Heron

The birds in juvenile grey plumage can be clearly distinguished from those in the adult grey
plumage by the white belly. These white-bellied birds were in the study area almost throughout the
year, because the young herons kept on fledging from April to September and the post-juvenile
moult was not synchronised in the population. A count of the birds made periodically at the roosts
throughout the nesting season (TABLE 1) revealed that the white-bellied ones constituted about
one to two per cent of the grey form throughout the year, though they were more numerous at the
end of the nesting season.

We saw the white-bellied birds among the breeding birds at heronries throughout the nesting
season (TABLE 1). The soft part colour changes, namely, turning of the yellow facial skin and feet
into crimson, during the early (pair formation) stage of the nesting cycle occurred in these birds
as in the others. Once, a white-bellied bird paired with one in adult plumage and successfully raised
a chick. The white-bellied grey birds lacked the nuchal crest in all the cases described above,
indicating that these birds were still in the juvenile plumage and had started breeding before
acquiring the adult plumage. Breeding attempts by subadults or birds still in non-breeding plumage,
are noted in the Nycticorax group of herons (Hancock & Elliot 1978; Serrao 1981; Personal
observation), Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius (Hancock & Elliot 1978), Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias (Pratt 1973) and Cattle Egret Bulbulcus ibis (personal observation).

Adult plumage

The adult plumage may be white or grey. It is well known that two or exceptionally three
lanceolate feathers on the head and the filamentous feathers on the breast and back develop during
the breeding season.

White
White adult plumage is always pure white and there is no grey pigment on any of the feathers.

Grey

The adult grey plumage is grey to dark grey in colour, with breast and abdomen of the same
colour as the back. The adult grey may have a wing-patch on one or both the wings as in the juvenile
grey plumage. Among the grey adults with wing-patch only on one wing, left (2) or right (14),
observed by us in the breeding colonies, the incidence of wing-patch being on the right wing had
a relatively higher frequency; the difference was statistically significant (P <0.005). A variable
number of the upper greater primary coverts, or the primaries and coverts, form the wing-patch.

Intermediate

During our three years observations on the breeding colonies of Gogha and Bhavnagar New
Port, we have come across only a single bird which could be considered to be an intermediate between
the grey and white forms. This bird in its full breeding plumage was in the heronry on 10 February
1981. Its head and face were pure white, the neck back and breast were light grey, the abdomen
was lighter than the back or breast, and there was a white wing-patch consisting of several distal
upper greater primary coverts and a few primaries on both the wings.

Plumage succession

The juvenile white plumage, whether almost pure white or dappled with grey, is replaced by
the adult white plumage during the post-juvenile moult. This is indicated by the observations that
all the four white juvenile birds, ranging from an almost pure white one to the one heavily dappled
with grey, acquired adult white plumage by the post-juvenile moult in our aviary, and also that no
bird in the adult white plumage (clearly distinguished in the field during the breeding seson) has
even been found to have grey dapples. (see Figure 1.)

The juvenile grey plumage is replaced by the adult grey plumage. The intensity of grey is
variable, as we have seen, in both the juvenile as well as adult plumages, but, these variations being
almost continuous, cannot be accurately quantified. Consequently, we do not know whether the
successive plumages of a dark grey juvenile always tend to have a darker shade of grey and those
of the light grey juveniles a lighter one.

th)

a

Plumage and Polymorphism — Indian Reef Heron

Sandgrouse 5

| ABYO_Linay |

ABuO STINSANe

SLIHM ria

SMM ATINZAar

78

Sandgrouse 5 Plumage and Polymorphism — Indian Reef Heron

TABLE 1. PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS IN JUVENILE GREY PLUMAGE
(P.G.J.) AMONG TOTAL NUMBER OF GREY PHASE OF INDIAN REEF HERON
OBSERVED AT BREEDING COLONIES AND ROOSTS

MONTH BREEDING COLONIES ROOSTS
Total No. No. of Total No. No. of
of grey birds of grey birds
birds in birds in
observed P.Gie observed P.G.J.
% %
February 222 0.9 249 1.6
March 31) 17 613 2.0
April 1,090 0.4 488 0.4
May 318 0.3 339 L2
July 522 1.0 pA 1.1
September 68 5.9 73 9.6
December — _ 80 3.8

TABLE 2. FREQUENCY OF GREY PLUMAGE WITHOUT WING-PATCH
AND WITH WING-PATCH ON RIGHT, LEFT, OR BOTH WINGS IN
PARENTS AND CHICKS IN INDIAN REEF HERON

STATION STATUS NO.OF WING-PATCH
OF GREY
BIRDS BIRDS Absent OnRight OnLeft On Both
OBSERVED Wing Wing the Wings
% % % %
Gogha Chicks 16 50.0 31.3 12.5 6.3
Adults 32 75.0 1223 6.3 6.3
Bhavnagar — Chicks 94 74.5 10.6 21 12.8
New Port Adults 83 83.1 10.8 0.0 4.8
Two stations Chicks 110 70.9 13.6 3.6 11.8
Combined Adults 115 80.9 12.2 17 D2

Significance of difference between the frequencies for chicks and adults:

Gogha — : Not significant; p>0.25
Bhavnagar New Port : Not significant; p>0.10
Two stations combined : Not significant; p>0.10

79

Sandgrouse 5 Plumage and Polymorphism — Indian Reef Heron

The juvenile grey plumage with wing-patch is probably replaced by the adult grey plumage with
wing-patch. This is indicated by the observations that the wing-patch has about the same frequency
for the juvenile and adult grey plumages (TABLE 2).

DISCUSSION

The white and grey forms in the Indian Reef Heron are discretely different at any stage of the
plumage development except at the earliest, natal down, stage. Since these two forms are now known
to interbreed (Naik ef a/. 1981) and the frequency of the grey-white pairing in our study colonies
was as high as 27 per cent (unpublished), we would like to identify the heterozygotes if they can
be recognised from the plumage colour.

Some authors have used the term ‘intermediate’ to refer to the grey birds with a white or lightly —
coloured belly. This term is not precise and the birds for which it is commonly used are, in any case,
the grey forms in juvenile plumage. Similarly, the birds in ‘lavender’ plumage are the juvenile grey
ones whose plumage colour is modified by wear and tear or mere fading of pigments. If the term
‘intermediate’ form is meant to imply that the phenotypic expressions of the grev as well as white
are about equally represented in this form, then such a form was seen only once (with a frequency
of one in several thousand birds seen) and may be considered a freak. On the other hand, if one
is trying to identify a heterozygote by looking for an intermediate form, we have the grey birds with
white wing-patch; the white wing-patch has about the same range of variability and frequency in
the juvenile and adult grey forms and this indicates that the feature may have a genetic basis. These
birds could be heterozygotes that resemble more the grey (without wing-patch) than the white. If
this is so, the fact that the white wing-patch is highly variable (involving only a few upper greater
primary coverts to a series of coverts and several primaries as well) feature and has a relatively low
frequency, would indicate that the resemblance of the heterozygote to the homozygote grey may
range from ‘more closely’ to ‘completely’. The pooled data of many heron families studied by us
(Naik & Parasharya, unpublished) indicate that the polymorphism appears to be determined by a
single pair of alleles and the gene for grey (G) has an incomplete dominance over the gene for white
(g). The grey chicks (Gg) of grey x white parents, may or may not have a wing-patch.

The range of variations in the juvenile plumage is profound even among the birds in fresh
plumage, and it is further increased when the progressive changes in plumage colour by wear and
tear, are set in. Since the post-juvenile moult is not synchronised in the population, the birds of
the year and first-year birds display a wide spectrum of almost continuous variations ranging from
the pure white to dark grey, during a greater part of the year. The situation is further complicated
by the fact that these birds also frequent the breeding colonies and some of them may even actually
breed.

The variations in the plumage colour, whether genetic (such as by modifier genes),
environmental or both, are reduced after the post-juvenile moult. Some genetic homeostatic
mechanism is clearly operative; the plumage colour variation in adults is limited in the grey and
totally eliminated in the white morphs in all the seasons, so that the adult grey and white morphs
are always discrete. The obvious conclusion is that while the selective forces operative on the juvenile
plumage permit or even favour a wide range of plumage colour variations, those operative on the
adult plumage favour only the grey or white.

It is generally conceded that white and dark morphs in herons (Ardeidae) are maintained in
populations because each has a selective advantage under certain conditions; the selective advantage
may be related to foraging conditions in the habitat, or thermoregulatory capacity of a morph under
certain physical environmental conditions (Recher 1972; Recher & Recher 1972; Kushlan 1977; Ellis
1980; Mock 1980), though conclusive evidence for, or against, either of these hypotheses is still not
available.

80

Sandgrouse 5 Plumage and Polymorphism — Indian Reef Heron

SUMMARY

The distinction between the grey and white forms of the Indian (or Western) Reef Heron,
Egretta gularis, can be made at every stage of the development from juvenile to adult plumage. The
juvenile white plumage ranges from an almost pure white to a heavily dappled with grey. The juvenile
grey is light grey or white ventrally, and the grey turns into lavender with wear. Occasionally, the
birds in juvenile plumage have been known to breed. The adult white plumage is pure white and
the adult grey is also grey ventrally. Both the juvenile grey and adult grey plumages may, or may
not, have wing-patch of variable size on one (more frequently on the right) or both the wings.

It is concluded that the selective forces operative on plumage colouration favour a wide range
of colour variations in the juveniles and discrete morphs in the adults.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

- Oneofus(B.M.P.) is grateful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research for providing
the Junior Research Fellowship. Thanks are due to Prof. S. C. Pandeya, for his help and criticism,
to Messrs. C. K. Yagnik, P. H. Bhatt and Ajit Govindan for their technical help in photography,
to Mr. A. K. Banerjee in assisting us in maintaining the aviary and to the Port Officer, Bhavnagar,
for permitting us to work in the Port areas.

REFERENCES

ABDULALI, H. 1968. A catalogue of the birds in the collection of the Bombay Natural History
Society. I. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 65: 182-199. .

ALI, S. & RIPLEY, S. D. 1968. Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan. Vol. 1. Bombay.

AMADON, D. 1953. Avian systematics and evolution in the Gulf of Guinea. Bull. Amer. Mus.
Nat. Hist. 100: 393-452.

ELLIS, H. I. 1980. Metabolism and solar radiation in dark and white herons in hot climates. Physiol.
Zool. 53: 358-372.

HANCOCK, J. & ELLIOT, H. 1978. The Herons of the World. London.

KUSHLAND, J. A. 1977. The significance of plumage colour in the formation of feeding
aggregations of Ciconiiformes. /bis. 119: 361-363.

MOCK, D. W. 1980. White-dark polymorphism in herons. Proc. of the First Welder Wildlife
Foundation Symposium: 145-161.

NAIK, R. M., PARASHARYA, B. M., PATEL, B. H. & MANSURI, A. P. 1981. The timing of
breeding season and interbreeding between the phases in the Indian Reef Heron, Egretta gularis
(Bosc). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 78: 494-497.

PRATT, H. M. 1973. Breeding attempts by juvenile Great Blue Herons. Auk 90: 897-899.

RECHER, H. F. 1972. Colour dimorphism and the ecology of herons. Jbis 114: 552-555.

RECHER, H. F. & RECHER, J. A. 1972. The foraging behaviour of the Reef Heron. Emu 72:
85-90.

SERRAO, S. J. 1981. Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (Linnaeus) breeding in sub-adult
plumage. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 78: 166-167.

Professor R. M. Naik and B. M. Parasharya, Department of Biosciences, Saurashtra University,
Rajkot 360 005, (Gujarat State), INDIA.

81

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY OF THE SIWA OASIS
AND QATTARA DEPRESSION, EGYPT

by

Steven M. Goodman and Peter L. Ames |

INTRODUCTION

In 1976 Peter L. Ames (PLA) and Ibrahim Helmy visited the western portion of the Qattara
Depression (see Figure 1) from 4 to 9 March, working principally in the vicinity of Qara. The
following year PLA returned under the auspices of the Qattara Project Authority, with Drs. Dale
J. Osborn and Jana Kosinova. The 1977 work was carried out between 12 and 20 April and centred
primarily near El Moghra, but a trip was made to the east central portion of the Depression. While
on these expeditions PLA was able to observe and make a small collection of birds. These specimens
were preserved in fluid and are housed in the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago. The
purpose of his collecting birds was primarily to obtain anatomical material for systematic studies.
All of the bird sightings reported in the annotated list under ‘Observation(s)’ are PLA’s.

PLA’s itinerary was as follows:

4 March 1976 arrived at western edge of Qattara Depression and set up camp 2 km. N.
of Qara.
5 March 1976 day trip from Qara camp to fresh water springs near Qaneitra Crossing.

On the way back stopped at another well with reed beds.
6 and 7 March 1976 brief trips (one each day) south from Qara camp to Roman well.

8 March 1976 day trip to area just east of Qara.

9 March 1976 dismantled Qara camp and travelled to the Siwa Re stopping at El
Zeitun.

10 March 1976 drove from the Siva Oasis to Mersa Matruh.

2 April 1977 reconaissance aerial survey of the Qattara Depression. Flew from
Alexandria to the areas surrounding El Moghra, Ras el Qattara and Qara.

12 April 1977 arrived at extreme eastern end of Qattara Depression and set up base camp
on open gravel desert near El Moghra.

13-17 April 1977 worked in the vicinity of El Moghra and made trips to the nearby lake and
Bir Nahid.

18 April 1977 travelled from El Moghra to acacia groves north of Cicely Hill and spent
the night at French Camp No. 2.

19 April 1977 explored the area near Cicely Hill along the edge of the Depression and

made camp in acacia grove approximately 10 km. N.W. of Cicely Hill.
Several local acacia groves visited.

20 April 1977 returned to El Moghra camp via Minqar Abu Dweiss.

21 April 1977 left for Cairo.

The second collection reported here was obtained by expeditions under the direction of Dr.
Harry Hoogstraal, Medical Zoology Department, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3
(NAMRU-3). In August 1964, and May 1965 and 1975 expeditions from NAMRU-3 made bird
collections in the vicinity of El Moghra, Qattara Depression. The 1975 collection was prepared by
Sherif Tewfik and forms an important contribution to this paper. In March 1964 and February 1974
NAMRU-3 expeditions visited the Siwa Oasis (see Figure 1) and obtained further bird material. The
1974 birds were collected and prepared by Ibrahim Helmy and Hassan Touhamy. All NAMRU-3
specimens described herein are housed in the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago and some
are part of the Conover Collection. For over two decades Dr. Hoogstraal and his colleagues have
been studying the transmission of arboviruses, particularly the relationship between ticks and their
vertebrate hosts. As part of their research programme it was necessary to collect birds in order to
obtain material and/or document the identity of the hosts. A detailed itinerary of the NAMRU-3
expeditions is not available.

82

Sandgrouse 5 Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

DESCRIPTION OF THE AREAS AND SUMMARY OF PREVIOUS ORNITHOLOGICAL
WORK

The Siwa Oasis lies between 29° 6’ to 29° 21’N and 25° 16’ to 26° 8’E in a depression
approximately 1,100 km.’ with the lowest point at 30 metres below sea-level. Ornithologically it is
one of the better known oases of the Egyptian Western Desert. The more important works on Siwan
birds include Meinertzhagen (1922, 1930); Moreau (1928, 1934, 1941); Almond (1937) and Al-
Hussaini (1939, 1959). To date the most extensive bird collection from the Siwa Oasis was obtained
between 15 April and 11 September 1935 by an expedition from Armstrong College (sometimes
referred to as the Omer-Cooper Expedition) and is housed in the British Museum (Natural History),
Tring. Although the main focus of the Armstrong College Expedition was hydrobiological (Omer-
Cooper 1937, 1947), both notes and collections were made of local Siwan birds (reported and
reviewed by Moreau 1941). For more information of the history, inhabitants and physical features
of the Siwa Oasis see Fakhry (1973), and for its ecology see Zahran (1972).

The Qattara Depression lies north-east of the Siwa Oasis and approximately between 28° 55’
to 30° 28’N and 26° 24’ to 28° 55’E. The lowest point is 134 metres below sea-level (near Qara)
but more than two-thirds of the Depression lies at least at 50 metres below sea-level (Abu Al-Izz
1971). Its total area is in excess of 19,000 km.’, making it one of the largest and deepest
depressions in the world. Zoologically the Qattara Depression is virtually unknown. Hitherto no
systematic list has been published on the birds of the Qattara Depression. The available material
from the area on reptiles and amphibians has been reviewed by Marx (1968), as have the mammals
by Osborn and Helmy (1980). Botanically it is better known, particularly at El Moghra, a fresh water
oasis in the north-east corner of the Depression (Girgis ef a/. 1971).

INTRODUCTION TO ANNOTATED LIST

Wherever possible the gazetteers of Osborn and Helmy (1980) and United States Board on
Geographic Names (1959) have been used for Egyptian locality spellings and coordinates (see list
under map for the coordinates of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression localities mentioned in
text). As is used here, the area ‘Western Desert’ is meant to include all the region of Egypt west
of the Nile Valley and Delta except the Faiyum, Wadi Natroun and the coastal zone along the
Mediterranean Sea. Unless otherwise stated all specimens are in adult plumage. The PLA specimens
were checked for moult, and only when this condition was found, is it mentioned. The wing
measurement is the arc (flattened wing), and the tail and tarsus were measured in the standard
manner. Measurements (in mm.) and trinomial names are only given for forms that are known or
presumed breeding residents in the Siwa-Qattara area. All fat deposit and skull-ossification notes
from the HH specimens were taken directly from the specimen labels. The systematic order and
English names follow Voous (1977).

CC=Conover Collection (housed in FMNH)

FMNH = Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago

HH = field catalogue numbers of Dr. Harry Hoogstraal
PLA = Peter L. Ames, also reference to his field catalogue numbers.
UMMZ= The University of Michigan Museum of Zoology

ANNOTATED LIST

Nycticorax nycticorax Night Heron
Material. El Moghra—1 male (FMNH 296995, HH 8293), 20 May 1975, fat:heavy.

Comments. This species has not been previously recorded from the Siwa-Qattara area. Records
during spring migration from the Western Desert include birds on 23 April in the Kharga Oasis and
28 April in the Bahariya Oasis (Meininger, Mullié and Goodman; pers. obs.1981).

J

83

Sandgrouse 5 Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

Ardeola ralloides Squacco Heron

Material. El Moghra—two females (FMNH 296993, HH 8283; FMNH 296994, HH 8284), 16 May
1975 (both, fat: medium, light (respectively).

Comments. Hitherto, there were no published records of this species from the Western Desert,

although Meininger, Mullié and Goodman (pers. obs., 1981) observed 15 individuals on 23 April -

in the Kharga Oasis and two on 28 April in the Bahariya Oasis. It has been found on spring migration
in the Libyan Desert on several occasions (Moreau 1934; Cramp and Conder 1970; Bundy 1976),
indicating that it moves across the Sahara along a broad front.

Egretta garzetta Little Egret

Observation. El Moghra, 14 April 1977, five or six individuals.

Comments. This species has been recorded on several occasions during migration in the area. The
Armstrong College expedition observed or collected individuals on 17 April, 21 April and 31 May
in the Siwa Oasis (Moreau 1941). Al-Hussaini (1939) observed between 7 and 13 February a flock
of four pairs at Lake Aghurmi, in the Siwa Casis, of which ‘‘one of these was shot.’’

Ardea cinerea Grey Heron

Observation. SE of El Moghra, 13 April 1977, one individual.

Comments. Al-Hussaini (1959) implied that this species is a possible breeding resident in the Siwa
Oasis. However, there is no evidence to suggest this. It has previously been recorded in the Siwa
Oasis between 7 and 13 February (Al-Hussaini 1939) and on 17 April (Moreau 1941).

Ciconia ciconia White Stork

Observation. Near Ras el Qattara, 2 April 1977, one individual.

Comments. At least on occasions White Storks move north from the African wintering grounds
across the Western Desert rather than along the Nile Valley corridor. The Armstrong College
expedition observed two on 8 May, one on 9 May and one on 1 June in the Siwa Oasis (Moreau
1941). Moreau (1934) found White Stork corpses in the desert halfway between the Dakhla Oasis
and Gebel Uweinat, further indicating a trans-Saharan movement.

Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis

Material. El Moghra-—two females (FMNH 296996, HH 8272; FMNH 296997, HH 8278), 13 May
1975, 15 May 1975, fat: light, medium (respectively). Qara — one female (FMNH 284690, HH 8175),
17 May 1965.

Comments. Moreau (1941) reported that the Armstrong College expedition observed eight
individuals on 25 April, six on 4 May and one on 13 May in the Siwa Oasis. This species is strictly
a Palearctic migrant through the area.

Phoenicopterus ruber Greater Flamingo

Material. Siwa Oasis—one female (FMNH 296927, HH 8230), 1 February 1974.

Comments. The Flamingo is an occasional passage visitor to the Siwa Oasis. Belgrave (1923)
noticed it on the salt lakes during an unspecified time, as did Kiepenheuer and Linsenmair (1965)
between 14 and 15 May and 19 and 27 September.

Milvus migrans migrans Black Kite

Material. El Moghra—one female, one male (FMNH 296998, HH 8292; FMNH 296999,
HH 8291), 19 May 1975 (both), fat: light (both).

Comments. These birds appear to be the first specimen records of the Black Kite in the Western
Desert, where it is strictly a migrant. The black bills of these specimens distinguish them from the
Nile Valley and Delta breeding form, M. m. aegyptius.

84

Sandgrouse 5 Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

Circus aeruginosus Marsh Harrier

Material. El Moghra—one male (FMNH 297000, HH 8289), 18 May 1975, fat: medium.
Observation. El Moghra, 17 April 1977, one female.

Comments. This species has been noted on several occasions during spring migration in the
Western Desert: Moreau (1927) reported one on 23 March in the Bahariya Oasis and one on 11 April
in the Dakhla Oasis; and (1928) two on 25 March in the Siwa Oasis.

Circus cyaneus Hen Harrier

Observations. El Moghra area, 13 and 14 April 1977, single birds and 17 April 1977, one pair.
Comments. Al-Hussaini (1938) found this species in the Bahariya Oasis during February. Winter
visitors and migrants begin to move out of and through Egypt in early April (Meinertzhagen 1930).

Pandion haliaetus Osprey

Observation. S.E. of El] Moghra, 13 April 1977, two-three individuals.

Comments. These observations appear to be the first of this species from the Western Desert. The
birds were probably migrating, but seemed to be flying south-east.

Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel

Material. El Moghra—one male (FMNH 297001, HH 8276), 15 May 1975, fat: light.
Comments. The Lesser Kestrel has previously been recorded in the Western Desert on spring
passage in the Bahariya Oasis between 22 and 23 March (Moreau 1927). Meinertzhagen (1930)
described it as passing over the Kharga and Dakhla Oases in great numbers but did not specify the
season. Cramp and Conder (1970) found it to be the most common avian predator in the Kufra
Oasis, Libyan Desert, Libya, between 31 March and 4 April.

Falco tinnunculus Kestrel

Observations. Qaret Nanous, 8 km. E. of El Moghra, 13 April 1977, several out in desert. El
Moghra area, i3 and 14 April 1977, one dead female, two live males.

Comments. Moreau (1928) observed a few Kestrels between 24 and 28 March in the Siwa Oasis.
The Armstrong College Expedition collected one bird on 8 May in the Siwa Oasis which Moreau
(1941) listed as the nominate form. Al-Hussaini (1939, 1959) obtained specimens in the Siwa Oasis
which he identified as rupicolaeformis. Thus, these sight records could be of nominate tinnumculus
which is a winter visitor and migrant in Egypt and/or rupicolaeformis, which is a breeding resident
in portions of the country.

Falco biarmicus tanypterus Lanner

Material. 70 metres S. of El Moghra— one male (FMNH 276070, HH 8120), 27 August 1964, wing:
352, tail: 194.

Comments. The Lanner has been recorded on several occasions in the Western Desert: a pair was
observed between 10 and 13 April in the Dakhla Oasis (Moreau 1927); an egg and foot of this species
or Barbary Falcon F. pelegrinoides were found south of the Farafra Oasis (Moreau 1934); and an
individual was collected on 20 May in the Siwa Oasis (Moreau 1941), where it is thought to nest
(Cramp & Simmons 1980). PLA observed a large, pale falcon on 6 March 1976, 8 km. north of
Qara chasing six shorebirds Tringa sp. Based on size and colour it could have been either a Lanner
or Saker F. cherrug.

Rallus aquaticus Water Rail

Observation. El Moghra, 15 April 1977, one bird.

Comments. The present breeding status of this species in Egypt is not clear, but all the records
from the Western Desert are almost certainly of migrants or winter visitors rather than breeding
residents. Although never actually observing one, Moreau (1927) tentatively identified a bird
vocalizing in a reed bed in the Bahariya Oasis as a Water Rail. Scharlau (1963) observed this species
in the Dakhla Oasis between 2 and 4 October.

85

Sandgrouse 5 Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

Fulica atra Coot

Material. El Moghra—one unsexed (FMNH 284688, HH 8218), 18 December 1967.
Comments. The breeding status of this species in the Western Desert is uncertain. Meinertzhagen
(1930) observed one carrying nest material in the Dakhla Oasis, where it was recently observed on

24 April (Meininger, Mullié and Goodman, pers. obs., 1981). Moreau (1927) learned that the native .

Bahariyans “vere familiar with this species. Abdel Rahim ef a/. (1980) found it in the Farafra Oasis
between 29 March and 10 April. It is possible that this species may breed in the Western Desert
and at El Moghra, but this needs to be substantiated. :

Grus grus Common Crane

Material. El Moghra—one female (FMNH CC 25556, HH 8265), 12 May 1975, fat: light.
Observation. Near Qaret Nanous, 8 km. E. of El Moghra, 13 April 1977, one bird out in desert.
Comments. Cranes have been observed near the Siwa Oasis in the late winter and spring on the
following occasions: between 7 and 13 February six pairs at Lake Aghurmi (Al-Hussaini 1939); in
the middle of March (Almond 1937); and a flock on 27 March (Moreau 1928).

Cursorius cursor Cream-coloured Courser

Observations. Qdaneitra Crossing, 7 March 1976, one bird. One km. S. of El Moghra, 15 April
1977, two individuals.

Comments. The present breeding status of this species in the Western Desert is unclear. The above
observations appear to represent the first from the Siwa-Qattara area. Al-Hussaini (1959) listed this
species as a breeding resident in the Kharga and Dakhla Oases. Abdel Rahim et a/. (1980) found
it in the Farafra Oasis some time between 29 March and 10 April.

Glareola pratincola Pratincole

Material. El Moghra—one female (FMNH CC 25560, HH 8268), 13 May 1975, fat: medium.

Comments. The Armstrong College Expedition observed this species in the Siwa Oasis on 29 April
and 10 May, and collected it on 14 May (Moreau 1941). It is strictly a migrant through the region.

The El Moghra specimen was taken from a group of six.

Charadrius hiaticula Ringed Piover

Observation. Bir Nahid, 4.5 km. E. of El Moghra, 14 April 1977, one bird.

Comments. Theonly published record of this species in the Egyptian Western Desert is of Scharlau
(1963) who observed it in the Dakhla Oasis in early October.

Charadrius alexandrinus Kentish Plover

Observation. Bir Nahid, 4.5 km. E. of El Moghra, 14 April 1977, one bird.

Comments. This observation appears to be the first published record for this species from the
Egyptian Western Desert. This is somewhat surprising, for it is known to cross the Sahara while
in transit to or from the sub-Saharan wintering grounds (Heim de Balsac & Mayaud 1962; Moreau
1966). Cramp and Conder (1970) observed one bird on 31 March in the Kufra Oasis, Libyan Desert,
Libya.

Vanellus vanellus Lapwing
Observation. Bir Nahid, 4.5 km. E. of El Moghra, 14 April 1977, one dead.
Comments. Meinertzhagen (1930) considered this species a winter visitor to the Siwa Oasis.

Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper

Material. El Moghra—one male, one female (FMNH CC 25552, HH 8287; FMNH CC 25551,
HH 8290), 17 May 1975, 19 May 1975 (respectively), fat: medium (both).

Comments. This species has been previously recorded on passage in the Western Desert only in
the Dakhla Oasis between 2 and 4 October (Scharlau 1963) and on 24 April (Meininger, Mullié and
Goodman; pers. obs., 1981).

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Sandgrouse 5 Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

Philomachus pugnax Ruff

Material. El Moghra-—three females (FMNH CC 25557, HH 8274; FMNH CC 25558, HH 8273;
FMNH CC 25559, HH 8275), 13 May 1975 (all), fat: medium, medium, light (respectively). 30 km.
N. of Qara—one male (FMNH 291465, PLA 142), 6 March 1976, testes: not enlarged.
Observations. Near Qaneitra Crossing, 5 March 1976, six birds.

Comments. The Ruff is a not uncommon spring migrant in the Western Desert. Individuals have
been previously collected on 17 and 21 April in the Siwa Oasis (Moreau 1941).

Gallinago gallinago Common Snipe

Observation. Bir Nahid 4.5 km. E. of El Moghra, 14 April 1977, one bird.

Comments. Spring passage records from this area include: one on 26 March in the Siwa Oasis
(Moreau 1941); a ‘‘few’’ in the Bahariya Oasis between 20 and 24 March (Moreau 1927); and in
the Dakhla Oasis in mid-March (Meinertzhagen 1930). It may on occasion winter in the area, for
Al-Hussaini (1938) found it ‘‘common’’ in the Bahariya Oasis during February.

Tringa nebularia Greenshank

Observations. South edge of El Moghra, 14 April 1977, three dead.

Comments. Spring records of this species in the Western Desert include: birds observed by Moreau
(1927) in the Bahariya Oasis between 20 and 24 March; and in the Dakhla Oasis on 24 April by
Meininger, Mullié and Goodman (pers. obs., 1981). Unidentified Tringa sp. were observed by PLA
near Qaneitra Crossing on 5 March 1976, and 3 km. south of Qara on 7 March 1976.

Tringa ochropus Green Sandpiper

Material. El Moghra—one male (FMNH CC 25553, HH 8267), 12 May 1975, fat: light.
Comments. The Green Sandpiper has been recorded on spring migration in the Kharga, Dakhla
and Bahariya Oases (Moreau 1927). Al-Hussaini (1938) found it common around pools during
February in the Bahariya Oasis.

Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper

Material. El Moghra—one female, one male (FMNH CC 25554, HH 8270; FMNH CC 25555,
HH 8271), 13 May 1975 (both), fat: light (both).

Comments. The only record that we are aware of for this species from the Siwa-Qattara area is
two individuals recorded on 26 March in the Siwa Oasis (Moreau 1941).

Pterocles coronatus coronatus Coronetted Sandgrouse

Material. Qara—one male (FMNH 291466, PLA 141), 6 March 1976, testes: not enlarged.
Comments. Hitherto the only records of this species from Egypt west of the Nile have been from
Wadi Natroun and the Mediterranean coastal region (Meinertzhagen 1930: 521-522), although
Meinertzhagen (1930, Appendix A) considered it a resident of the Western Desert. The size of the
specimen’s gonads indicates that the bird was not in breeding condition. The bird was taken from
a flock of approximately 12.

Otus scops Scops Owl

Material. El Moghra, 15 April 1977, one bird netted, photographed and released by PLA.
Comments. A small owl was flushed on 13 April 1977 from a clump of date palms Phoenix
dactylifera at El Moghra, that may have been the same individual captured two days later. As far
as we can determine this is the first published record of this species from the Egyptian Western Desert
oases. This form is known to winter in sub-Saharan Africa (Moreau 1966) and would presumably
pass through the area with greater frequency than this single record indicates. Cramp and Conder
(1970) found a recently dead Scops Owl during the spring in the Kufra Oasis, Libyan Desert, Libya.

/

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Sandgrouse 5 Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

Bubo bubo ascalaphus Eagle Owl

Material. 15 metres E. of Siwa Oasis — one male (FMNH 246578, HH 8104), 7 March 1964, wing:
335;-tail: 173:

Comments. This species is widely distributed in the Western Desert. It has been recorded breeding
15 km. south-east of Baris in the Kharga Oasis (Al-Hussaini 1959), observed in the Farafra Oasis -
(Abdel Rahim ef a/. 1980), and recorded in the Dakhla Oasis (Meinertzhagen 1930). Even though
the specimen is very pale and fits the description of Bubo bubo desertorum, we agree with Vaurie
(1965) in treating ascalaphus and desertorum, as synonyms. A-note on the data tag reads, ‘‘shot
at night in rocky sandy area.”’

Apus apus Swift

Observation. El Moghra, 12 to 15 April 1977, dozens.

Comments. Moreau (1927) saw a large migration of this species in the Bahariya Oasis on 22 March
and the Armstrong College Expedition observed one bird in the Siwa Oasis on 29 May (Moreau
1941). It is possible that these sight records could be of the very similar-looking European breeding
forms of A. pallidus.

Merops apiaster Bee-eater

Material. El Moghra—one female (FMNH 297012, HH 8277), 15 May 1975, fat: medium.
Observation. El Moghra, 17 April 1977, flock moving NE.

Comments. This species is a common migrant in the Western Desert. The Armstrong College
Expedition observed ‘‘many’’ up until 14 May in the Siwa Oasis, some of which were collected
(Moreau 1941). Other spring records include a flock in the Dakhla Oasis between 10 and 13 April
and in the Kharga Oasis on 16 April (Moreau 1927).

Coracias garrulus Roller

Material. El Moghra—one female (FMNH 297013, HH 8266), 12 May 1975, fat: heavy.
Comments. Meinertzhagen (1922, 1930) pointed out that this species is less common in Egypt
during the spring than the autumn passage. Spring records from the Western Desert include birds
in the Dakhla Oasis on 25 April and in the Farafra Oasis on 26 April (Meininger, Mullié and
Goodman, pers. obs., 1981).

Upupa epops Hoopoe

Observations. El Moghra, 16 April 1977, one bird. 10 km. NW. of Cicely Hill, 19 April 1977,
one bird. |
Comments. Meinertzhagen (1922) considered this species to be common on spring passage from
March to early April in the Siwa Oasis. It has also been recorded during the spring in the Dakhla,
Kharga and the Bahariya Oases (Moreau 1927). |

Jynx torquilla Wryneck
Observation. S. edge of El Moghra, 14 April 1977, one dead.

Comments. The Wryneck moves across a broad front while pasing through Egypt on migration.
It has been recorded in spring in the Siwa, Dakhla (Meinertzhagen 1930), Kharga and Farafra Oases
(Meininger, Mullié & Goodman, pers. obs., 1981).

Ammomanes cincturus arenicolor Bar-tailed Desert Lark

Material. El Moghra—one female (FMNH 297016, HH 8260), 11 May 1975, wing: 86, tail: 47,
fat: none, skull: ossified.

Comments. Meinertzhagen (1930) considered this species a resident in the Siwa Oasis and in the
desert around the Faiyum and Wadi Natroun.

Alaemon alaudipes alaudipes Hoopoe Lark
Material. El Moghra—two males (FMNH 297018, HH 8264; FMNH 297019, HH 8263), 11 May
1975 (both), wing: 123, 130, tail: 82, 88, fat: heavy, medium, skull: ossified (both). Mingar Abu

88

oe |

Sandgrouse 5 Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

Dweiss — one male (FMNH 297020, HH 8285), 17 May 1975, wing: 120, tail: 78, fat: light, skull:
ossified. Qaneitra Crossing, in acacia grove, 100 km. N.E. of Qara — one male (FMNH 291467, PLA
150), 7 March 1976, wing: 130, tail: 90, testes: left — 4x3, right — 2x1.

Comments. On the basis of gonad size of the Qaneitra Crossing specimen, this species may be a
breeding resident in the Qattara Depression. Al-Hussaini (1939) observed one bird north of the Siwa
Oasis on 6 February. Meinertzhagen (1930, Appendix A) considered this species a resident in the
Kharga, Dakhla, Bahariya and Siwa Oases.

Calandrella brachydactyla Short-toed Lark
Material. 1km.S.of El Moghra— one female (FMNH 291535, PLA 177), 14 April 1977, ovary: not
enlarged.

Observation. El Moghra, 15 April 1977.

Comments. Short-toed Larks were recorded on spring passage in the Siwa Oasis by Moreau (1928)
each day from 24 to 28 March and by Almond (1937) during the middle of March ‘‘in good numbers.’’
Unidentified Calandrella sp. were observed by PLA at Bir Nahid, 4.5 km. east of El Moghra on 14
April 1977.

Calandrella rufescens Lesser Short-toed Lark

Material. 3 km. S. of Qara—two males (FMNH 291471, PLA 155; FMNH 291469, PLA 148), 6
March 1976, 7 March 1976, wing: 93, 97, tail: 57, 61, testes: not enlarged (both). El Zeitun — two
females (FMNH 291470, PLA 161; FMNH 291472, PLA 162), 9 March 1976 (both), wing: 87, 83, tail:
51, 53 ovary: not enlarged, slightly enlarged (respectively).

Observation. Between Qaneitra Crossing and Qara, 5 March 1976, near well.

Comments. Two subspecies of Lesser Short-toed Larks are known from Egypt. C. r. nicolli is a
breeding resident of the Nile Delta (Vaurie 1959) and C. r. minor breeds in portions of central and
western North Africa and has been reported from scattered localities in northern Egypt
(Meinertzhagen 1930). Although these records appear to be the first from the Western Desert it could
conceivably breed there. The specimens cannot be confidently assigned to either form.

Galerida cristata Crested Lark

Observation. 2km.N. of Qara, 4 March 1976.

Comments. Excluding Wadi Natroun, the Faiyum and Mediterranean coastal area, this
observation appears to be the first for this species in the northern portion of the Western Desert. It is
possible that it may be a breeding resident in the region.

Eremophila bilopha Temminck’s Horned Lark

Material. Siwa Oasis — one male (FMNH 296933, HH 8233), 27 February 1974, wing: 98, tail: 63.
Comments. Meinertzhagen (1930) and Al-Hussaini (1959) listed this form as a resident in the Siwa
Oasis. It has also been recorded in the Farafra Oasis between 29 March and 10 April (Abdel Rahim et
al. 1980).

Riparia riparia Sand Martin

Material. El Moghra— one male (FMNH 297028, HH 8286), 17 May 1975, fat: medium, skull
ossified.

Observation. Bir Nahid, 4.5 km. E. of El Moghra, 14 April 1977, scarce.

Comments. This species is a not uncommon migrant through the Western Desert. Moreau (1928)
observed a ‘‘small flock’’on 25 March in the Siwa Oasis. It has been recorded in the Dakhla, Kharga
and Bahariya Oases on spring passage (Moreau 1927).

Hirundo rustica Swallow

Material. El Moghra—one female (FMNH 297030, HH 8288), 18 May 1975, fat: light, skull:
ossified. 1km. S. of Moghra— one female (FMNH 291543, PLA 178), 14 April 1977, ovary: not
enlarged.

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Sandgrouse 5 Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

Observations. Bir Nahid, 4.5 km. E. of El Moghra, 14 April 1977, numerous. Acacia groves, in
area E. of Cicely Hill, 19 April 1977. El Moghra, 20 April 1977.

Comments. This species has been recorded on numerous occasions on spring passage in the Siwa
Oasis (Almond 1937; Moreau 1928, 1941) and may at least on occasion winter in the area

(Meinertzhagen 1922). It is also very common in the Kharga, Dakhla and Bahariya Oases in spring -

(Moreau 1927).

Delichon urbica House Martin

Material. El Moghra—one male (FMNH 297031, HH 8281), 16 May 1975, fat: light, skull:
ossified.

Observations. Bir Nahid, 4.5 km. E of El Moghra, 14 April 1977, numerous. El Moghra, 20 April
1977.

Comments. This species has been recorded on spring passage in the Kharga, Dakhla, Bahriya
(Moreau 1927), Siwa (Moreau 1941) and Farafra Oases (Meininger, Mullié and Goodman; pers.
obs. 1981).

Anthus trivialis Tree Pipit

Observation. 2 km. N. of Qara, 5 March 1976, one bird.

Comments. The Tree Pipit isa common migrant in Egypt and has been recorded in the Siwa Oasis
during both the spring (Moreau 1941) and autumn (Kiepenheuer and Linsenmair 1965; Steinbacher
1965) passages.

Anthus spinoletta Water Pipit

Material. 3 km. S. of Qara—one male (FMNH 291479, PLA 149), 7 March 1976, testes: not

enlarged.

Comments. This species is a widely distributed migrant and winter visitor in Egypt. It has been
recorded in the Bahariya Oasis between 20 and 24 March and in the Kharga Oasis during the first
half of April (Moreau 1927). The Qara specimen was undergoing extensive moult of the crown,
breast, back, flanks, central and outer pairs of rectrices, and upper and lower tail-coverts.

Motacilla flava feldegg Black-headed Wagtail

Material. 30km.N. of Qara—one male (FMNH 291473, PLA 144), 6 March 1976, testes: slightly
enlarged. Qara— one male (FMNH 291474, PLA 145), 6 March 1976, testes: slightly enlarged. 3
km. S. of Qara — one male (FMNH 291475, PLA 158), 8 March 1976, testes: left — 3x2, right — 2x1.
1 km. S. of El Moghra— one female (FMNH 291536, PLA 183), 16 April 1977, ovary slightly
enlarged (subspecies indeterminable).

Observations. Qdaneitra Crossing, and between Qaneitra Crossing and Qara, 5 March 1976. 3 km.
S. of Qara, 7 March 1976. Southern edge of El Moghra, 14 April 1977, five dead. El Moghra, 20
April 1977, flock of 20+ (subspecies unknown).

Comments. WM. f. feldeggisacommon spring migrant in the Western Desert. Almond (1937) found
JSeldegg ‘everywhere in the fields’ during the middle of March in the Siwa Oasis. The Armstrong
College Expedition also found this race abundant in the Siwa Oasis until the end of April with
stragglers occurring until 22 May (Moreau 1941).

Motacilla alba White Wagtail

Material. 30 km. N. of Qara—one male (FMNH 291476, PLA 143), 6 March 1976, testes: not
enlarged. 3 km. of Qara— two males (FMNH 291477, PLA 156; FMNH 291478, PLA 157), 8 March
1976 (both), testes: not enlarged (both).

Observations. 2 km. of Qara, 4 March 1976, one bird. Near Qaneitra Crossing, and between
Qaneitra Crossing and Qara, 5 March 1976. El Moghra, 20 April 1977, two-three birds.
Comments. PLA found this species to be extremely common throughout the Qattara Depression,
especially around water sources and vegetation. One of the birds at El Moghra was so fearless that

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Sandgrouse 5 Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

it entered a tent on one occasion. According to Al-Hussaini (1959) this species is a common winter
visitor in all of the Western Desert oases, as it is throughout most of the country (Meintzhagen 1930).
In the Siwa Oasis spring movements have been noted in mid-March (Almond 1937) and from 24
to 28 March (Moreau 1928), with birds remaining until 17 May (Moreau 1941). All three specimens
were undergoing extensive moult. PLA 143 had fresh tail feathers and tertials, while the upper tail-
coverts, back, breast and head were in moult. PLA 156 had the tertials and upper tail-coverts in
moult. PLA 157 had the inner pair of rectrices, upper tail-coverts, secondary number seven
(descendant ordering), proximal greater secondary wing-coverts, crown and breast in moult.

Luscinia megarhynchos Nightingale

Material. 1 km. S. of El Moghra—one female (FMNH 291542, PLA 179), 16 April 1977, ovary:
not enlarged.

Observations. El Moghra, 13 April 1977. Acacia groves, in area E. of Cicely Hill, 19 April 1977,
one bird.

Comments. Nightingales have been previously recorded on spring passage in the Western Desert
in the Siwa Oasis on 18 April (Moreau 1941) and in the Dakhla Oasis on 10 and 11 April (Moreau
1927).

Phoenicurus phoenicurus Redstart

Material. 1 km. S. of El Moghra—one male (FMNH 291546, PLA 180), 16 April 1977, testes:
slightly enlarged.

Observation. El Moghra, 20 April 1977, one female.

Comments. Records of this species on spring migration in the Siwa Oasis include: birds collected
on 18 and 29 April (Moreau 1941); and single birds at El Zeitun and Bir Hassunah between 24 and
28 March (Moreau 1928).

Saxicola rubetra Whinchat

Material. El Moghra—one male (FMNH 291547, PLA 200), 17 April 1977, testes: not enlarged.
Comments. This species has been recorded on passage on a few occasions in the Western Desert
oases. In the Siwa Oasis it has been collected between 18 and 19 April (Moreau 1941) and on 23
September (Steinbacher 1965). In the Dakhla Oasis one bird was observed on 3 October and 12 on
4 October (Scharlau 1963).

Saxicola torquata Stonechat

Observation. 3 km. S. of Qara, 7 March 1976, two-three at well.

Comments. Inthe Siwa Oasis this species is both a passage and winter visitor. It has been recorded
as common in January (Meinertzhagen 1922) and between 24 and 28 March (Moreau 1928) and
collected between 7 and 13 February (Al-Hussaini 1939).

Oenanthe isabellina Isabelline Wheatear

Material. Qara—one male (FMNH 291480, PLA 146), 6 March 1976, testes: slightly enlarged.
Comments. This species has been previously collected in the Siwa Oasis on 25 March (Moreau
1941) and between 7 and 13 February (Al-Hussaini 1939). The Isabelline Wheatear is both a winter
visitor and migrant in the Western Desert oases (Al-Hussaini 1959).

Oenanthe oenanthe Wheatear

Observations. Area around El Moghra, 13 and 14 April 1977. Bir Nahid, 4.5 km. E. of El Moghra,
14 April 1977, one dead in well.

Comments. Moreau (1928) considered this species fairly common in the Siwa Oasis during spring
passage. The Armstrong College Expedition found it there between 26 April and 15 May (Moreau
1941).

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Sandgrouse 5 Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

Oenanthe deserti homochroa Desert Wheatear

Material. 3km.S. of Qara—one male (FMNH 291481, PLA 159), 8 March 1976, wing: 89, tail: 61
testes: not enlarged.

Comments. This sub-species is an ‘‘abundant’’ winter visitor in the desert around the Siwa Oasis
(Meinertzhagen 1930).

Oenanthe finschii finschii Finsch’s Wheatear

Material. El Moghra-— one female[ = male by plumage] (FMNH 297038, HH 8261), 11 May 1975,
fat: light, skull: ossified.

Comments. This sub-species is a winter visitor in the Nile Delta and northern Valley eastwards to
the Sinai Peninsula (Meinertzhagen 1930). It has not been previously recorded from the Western
Desert. The completely white upper-parts, belly and under tail-coverts distinguish this specimen
from other Oenanthe species.

Oenanthe leucopyga leucopyga White-crowned Black Wheatear

Material. Siwa Oasis — one female (FMNH 296936, HH 8231), 1 February 1974, wing: 92, tail: 59.
Qara— one male (FMNH 291482, PLA 147), 6 March 1976, wing: 101, tail: 67, testes: left — 4x3,
right — 2x1.3 km. S. of Qara — 2 males (291483, PLA 153; FMNH 291484, PLA 154), 6 March 1976,
wing; 103, 99, tail: 68, 69, testes; left — 6x4, 4x3, right — 3x2, 2x1 (respectively).

Observations. 2km.N. of Qara, 4 March 1976, 5 March 1976, one individual each day.
Comments. This sub-species is a widely distributed breeding resident throughout most of Egypt.
In the Siwa Oasis it has been described as the ‘‘commonest resident’’ (Almond 1937), ‘‘characteristic
bird’’ (Moreau 1928), and ‘‘very common resident... , where it is most confiding, breeding in houses
and mud walls’’ (Meinertzhagen 1922). The specimens PLA 153 and 154 have black crowns,
indicative of first year birds (Heim de Balsac & Mayaud 1962). However, based on gonad size these -
two birds were in or approaching breeding condition. Enlarged gonads of birds in sub-adult plumage
has been previously reported for this species (e.g. Bannerman 1927), and a male with a black crown
and greatly enlarged gonads, collected on 21 February 1951 at Beni Abbes, Algeria (FMNH 209588),
is another example.

Turdus merula Blackbird

Material. El Moghra— one female (FMNH 296938, HH 8232), 10 February 1974.

Observation. 10km. E. of El Zeitun, 9 March 1976, one bird.

Comments. Theserecords appear to be the first of this species in the Western Desert. The Blackbird
is a migrant and winter visitor in Egypt, predominantly in the north.

Acrocephalus scirpaceus Reed Warbler

Observation. S. edge of El Moghra, 14 April 1977, one dead.

Comments. The only other published record that we are aware of for this species in the Western
Desert is a male obtained by Al-Hussaini (1938) in February at El Qasr, Bahariya Oasis. Unidentified
Acrocephalus sp. were observed by PLA 2 km. N. of Qara on 4 March 1976.

Sylvia cantillans Subalpine Warbler

Material. Qaneitra Crossing, 100 km. N.E. of Qara, in acacia grove — one male (FMNH 291486,
PLA 151), 7 March 1976, testes: slightly enlarged. 1 km. S. of El Moghra— one female (FMNH
291549, PLA 181), 16 April 1977, ovary: slightly enlarged.

Comments. Other records of this species on spring migration in the Western Desert include: one
male taken on 25 March at Bir Hassunah, Siwa Oasis (Moreau 1928); and another on 24 March in |
the Bahariya Oasis (Moreau 1927).

Sylvia rueppelli Riippell’s Warbler
Material. Qaneitra Crossing, 100 km NE of Qara, in acacia grove—one male (FMNH 291485, |
PLA 152), 7 March 1976, testes: slightly enlarged.

92

nea

Sandgrouse 5 Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

Comments. This species is strictly a passage migrant in Egypt. Moreau (1927, 1928) observed three
Ruppell’s Warblers between 20 and 24 March in the Bahariya Oasis and one each day on 25 and
27 March at Bir Hassunah, Siwa Oasis. The only other record of which we are aware from the
Western Desert is one bird observed by Scharlau (1963) in the Dakhla Oasis between 2 and 4 October.

Sylvia communis Whitethroat

Material. 1 km. S. of El Moghra—one male (FMNH 291550, PLA 182), 16 April 1977, testes:
slightly enlarged. El] Moghra— one male, one female (FMNH 291551, PLA 194; FMNH 291552,
PLA 203), 17 April 1977, 18 April 1977, testes: slightly enlarged, ovary: not enlarged (respectively).
Comments. Hitherto the only records of this species from the Western Desert are from 80 km.
N.E. of Kharga in mid-August and in the Siwa Oasis in mid-late September (Kiepenheuer and
Linsenmair 1965); in the Farafra Oasis on 27 April (Meininger, Mulli¢é & Goodman; pers. obs..,
1981); and a partially decomposed specimen was picked up at the resthouse approximately halfway
between the Bahariya Oasis and Cairo on 29 April 1981 (UMMZ 204, 282). All of these records
are of migrants.

Phylloscopus collybita Chiffchaff

Material. El Zeitun — one female (FMNH 291487, PLA 160), 9 March 1976, ovary: not enlarged.
Comments. Al-Hussaini (1959) considered this species a common winter visitor to all of the
Western Desert oases. Both nominate collybita and abietinus have been found in Egypt (Vaurie
1959). Meinertzhagen (1922) and Al-Hussaini (1939) listed the winter visitors to the Siwa Oasis as
nominate collybita. On the basis of vocalization, Moreau (1928) identified abietinus in late March
in the Siwa Oasis. The specimen cannot be confidently assigned to either form.

Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher ;
Material. El Moghra—one male (FMNH 297045, HH 8262), 11 May 1975, fat: none, skull
ossified.

Observations. 1km.S. of El Moghra, 13 April 1977, one bird. El Moghra, 20 April 1977, several.
Comments. This species has been noted several times during spring migration near the Siwa Oasis.
The Armstrong College Expedition collected birds on 27 April and 11 May (Moreau 1941), and
Kiepenheuer and Linsenmair (1965) observed many there between 14 and 15 May.

Ficedula hypoleuca Pied Flycatcher

Material. El Moghra—1 male, 2 females (FMNH 297044, HH 8282; FMNH 291555, PLA 195;
FMNH 291556, PLA 201), 16 May 1975, 17 April 1977 (both females), ovary: not enlarged (both
female), fat: medium (male). 1 km. S. of El Moghra — 1 male (FMNH 291554, PLA 179), 14 April
1977, testes: not enlarged.

Observations. Qaret Nanous, 8 km. E. of El Moghra, 13 April 1977, one dying in acacia grove.
N.W. of Cicely Hill, 19 April 1977.

Comments. The only other published record that we know of for the Pied Flycatcher on spring
migration in the Western Desert is a male found between 10 and 13 April in the Dakhla Oasis (Moreau
1927).

Oriolus oriolus Golden Oriole

Material. El Moghra—one female, one male (FMNH 297032, HH 8269; FMNH 297033, HH
8279), 13 May 1975, 15 May 1975, fat: medium, heavy (respectively), skull: ossified (both).
Observations. Acacia grove, near Qaret Nanous, 8km.E. of El Moghra, 13 April 1977, four birds.
El] Moghra, 17 April 1977, four birds.

Comments. Meinertzhagen (1930) knew of no spring passage records from the Western Desert
excluding the Faiyum and Wadi Natroun. Since then it has been recorded on several occasions: on
14 and 15 May in the Siwa Oasis (Kiepenheuer & Linsenmair 1965); and in the Bahariya Oasis on
28 April where it was a pest to the ripening mulberry Morus sp. crop and consequently was hunted
(Meininger, Mullié & Goodman, pers. obs., 1981).

93

Sandgrouse 5 Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

Lanius senator Woodchat Shrike

Material. El Moghra— one female (FMNH 297047, HH 8280), 16 May 1975, fat: medium, skull:
ossified.

Observations: Bir Nahid, 4.5 km. E. of El Moghra, 14 April 1977, one in marsh. El Moghra, 15
April 1977, one perched in tamarisk. E] Moghra, 17 April 1977, one bird. Mingar Abu Dweiss, 20 .
April 1977, one bird. El Moghra, 20 April 1977.

Comments. This species has been recorded on spring passage throughout the Western Desert
oases. Specimens were collected by the Armstrong College Expedition in the Siwa Oasis on 17 and
18 April (Moreau 1941).

Corvus ruficollis Brown-necked Raven

Observations. 3km.S. of Qara, 7 March 1976, several at well. Ras el Qattara, 2 April 1977, several
along base of cliffs. Minqar Abu Dweiss, 14 April 1977, two in acacia grove. El Moghra, 14 April
1977, pair attending nest in acacia tree.

Comments. According to Al-Hussaini (1959) this species is a resident in all of the Western Desert
oases. In the Siwa Oasis, Almond (1937) saw flocks of 10-20 individuals in mid-March and
Meinertzhagen (1930) found them nesting in palm trees and on cliffs.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The contribution throughout the years of Dr. Hoogstraal and the Medical Zoology staff of
NAMRU-3 to the ornithology of Egypt has been of major importance. We are grateful to them
for the services and hospitality they have provided to the authors. We would like to thank Drs. John
W. Fitzpatrick and David Willard of the FMNH, and Ian C. J. Galbraith of the British Museum
(Natural History) for allowing access to and loaning material. Dr. Robert W. Storer has been
extremely helpful in allowing material under his care to be examined and in encouraging SMG’s
Egyptian studies. SMG would also like to thank Peter L. Meininger and Wim C. Mullié for allowing
him to accompany them on an expedition to the Western Desert and allowing unpublished sightings
to be reported herein and the Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund, American Museum of Natural
History, for partially financing the trip. Dr. Robert W. Storer and Peter L. Meininger and Wim
C. Mullié provided very useful comments on an earlier draft.

SUMMARY

This paper is a summation of bird collections and observations obtained in the Siwa Oasis and
Qattara Depression, Western Desert, Egypt. A total of 69 species is reported, of which 45 have
specimen documentation. The majority of the material was obtained during spring migration. Of
the 69 species, about 12 (17.4%) are possible or known breeding residents and 57 (82.6%) are strictly
Palearctic migrants and/or winter visitors. Information is also summarized for spring migration
in some of the other Western Desert oases for species reported herein. Species that hitherto had
not been recorded from the area include: Pandion haliaetus, Milvus m. migrans, Charadrius
alexandrinus, Otus scops, Oenanthe finschii finschii and Turdus merula.

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Sandgrouse 5 Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

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Gazetteer no. 45. Washington, D.C.

VAURIE, C. 1959. Birds of the Palearctic Fauna. Passeriformes. London.

VAURIE, C. 1965. Birds of the Palearctic Fauna. Non-passeriformes. London.

VOOUS, K. H. 1977. List of recent Holarctic bird species. B.O.U., London.

ZAHRAN, M. A. 1972. On the ecology of Siwa Oasis. U.A.R. Journal of Botany 15: 223-242.

Steven M. Goodman, Bird Division, Museum of Zoology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
48109, U.S.A.
Peter L. Ames, Harza Engineering Company, 150 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago, Illinois 60606, U.S.A.

95

Sandgrouse 5

26

Sidi Barrani

Ornithology of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression

Mersa Matruh -
Mediterranean

Sea

El Moghra.

Ras el Qattara

Qaneitra

Siwa
Oasis»

Birket )

Crossing

Aghurmi
Qattara
Bir =
_fessunan Depession

29 El Zeitun

kmO 10 2030 4050 60 7080 90km

Figure 1. Map of the Siwa Oasis and Qattara Depression, Western Desert, Egypt.
(N.B. the contour line represents sea level)

COORDINATES OF THE SIWA OASIS
AND QATTARA DEPRESSION LOCALITIES MENTIONED IN THE TEXT..:

Lecality N. Latitude E. Longitude

C562) CG ahd
Bir Hassunah, Siwa Oasis 295, lil 2530
Bir Nahid, Qattara Depression 30 14 Fase Sys)
Cicely Hill, Qattara Depression 29 sit 27 34
El Moghra’, Qattara Depression 30 14 28 56
El Zeitun, Siwa Oasis 29° DST TaS
Lake (Birket) Aghurmi, Siwa Oasis Vd ae POD 98))
Mingar Abu Dweiss , Qattara Depression 30 24 28 32
Qaneitra Crossing, Qattara Depression 29 42 ZF Ol
Qara, Qattara Depression 29° 36 26° 31
Ras el Qattara, Qattara Depression B07 10 refit) WGI

‘All localities in Matruh Governorate

*Also spelt El Magrha, El Maghrah, El Magrah and El Maghara

“Also spelt Mingar Abu Duways

96

a

COURTSHIP BEHAVIOUR BETWEEN TREE SPARROW AND HOUSE SPARROW
IN THE WILD — A POSSIBLE CASE OF HYBRIDIZATION

by
J. S. M. Albrecht

INTRODUCTION

There are a number of reports of House Sparrow Passer domesticus x Tree Sparrow P.
montanus hybrids in the literature (e.g. Nichols (1919); Meise (1934 and 1951); Richardson (1957);
Roocke (1957) and Arnott (1981)) but little information as to how these might have arisen. Cheke
(1969) reported a cross-fostering experiment he performed in which House Sparrows were induced
to rear young Tree Sparrows and vice versa. In the following season he found hybrids produced
- which appeared to have been fathered by a cross-fostered House Sparrow. He suggested that the
House Sparrow had learnt from its foster parents and had thus mated with a female Tree Sparrow.
Cheke further suggested that this could provide a mechanism for the production of hybrids in the
wild. If one species usurped the other from its nest after it had laid, then natural egg transfer could
occur and Tree Sparrows rear House Sparrows or vice versa. When the fostered nestlings bred the
following season natural hybrids could result. However, although both species apparently do usurp
each other’s nests, there are no records of cross-fostering or hybrids resulting in nature. The
observation described here suggests an alternative and simpler mechanism for the production of
hybrids in the wild.

OBSERVATION

The observation took place between 0750 hrs. and 0900 hrs. on 22 June 1978 at Eregli in
Zonguldak province on the Black Sea Coast of Turkey. The Tree sparrow was first noticed displaying
on a building next to a road with fields on one side and a steep, bush-covered hill on the other.
After about 15 minutes a female House Sparrow appeared carrying food (possibly a small
grasshopper). There was extensive display between the two for about 4 minutes, after which the
female left the food in a possible nest site (under the eaves by a gutter pipe) and departed almost
at once. The male (Tree Sparrow) then went to the site, and appeared to eat the food. He remained
by the site, alert and looking round as if expecting something else to happen. About 7 minutes later,
the female House Sparrow returned and the Tree Sparrow immediately attempted to mount and
copulate with her. There was much ‘flying in a ball in the air’, but mounting was not achieved. About
5 minutes later, however, there was more display and this was concluded by apparently successful
mounting and copulation. That these two sparrows were paired was further suggested by their
response to other sparrcws. When other House Sparrows (male or female) approached the pair the
Tree Sparrow gave extensive alarm calls and threat display (he cocked his tail and stretched his neck
up).

Unfortunately I had to leave Turkey within a few days of the observation and so was unable
to follow the outcome. Twelve months later I visited the site again but saw only House Sparrows
with no sign of Tree Sparrows or hybrids.

DISCUSSION

The Tree Sparrow is very rare in this part of Turkey. What was probably the same bird was
seen in the same place on 30 May 1978 and this had been the first sighting of the species at the locality
in 18 months. It seems likely, therefore, that this particular Tree Sparrow had arrived in the area
in May and then paired with a female House Sparrow and it is unlikely that either of the sparrows
had been fostered by the other species. (Similarly the hybridization reported by Meise (1951)

vf

97

Sandgrouse 5 Possible hybridization, Tree and House Sparrow

occurred in an aviary where there was no report of cross-fostering. A male House Sparrow paired
with a female Tree Sparrow and produced 31 eggs and 7 young over 2 years.)

While it is impossible to know how this Turkish pair became established, it seems likely that
the presence of a single Tree Sparrow in a flock of House Sparrows combined with the similarity

of the two species’ plumage may have been sufficient for pairing. It is well known that, at least

in Britain, the range and density of Tree Sparrows can fluctuate markedly over short periods of
time (Sharrock 1976) and that even after years of expansion the species can still be only local (Hughes
& Dougharty 1975). The combination of fluctuations and local distribution could well produce a
single Tree Sparrow amongst House Sparrows and this may well have been responsible for the
production of the various wild hybrids reported. The situation on Fair Isle, an island midway

between the Orkney Isles and the Shetland Isles to the north of Scotland, is of relevance in this

respect. On Fair Isle Tree Sparrows occur most frequently on spring migration in May and early
June. Sometimes up to six Tree Sparrows remain on the island throughout the summer and these
occasionally breed. There is a resident population of House Sparrows on Fair Isle of 50-100 pairs
and these therefore greatly outnumber any Tree Sparrows that occur. Consequently, the same
situation occurs as that observed at Eregli in 1978; namely an odd Tree Sparrow amongst a colony
of House Sparrows. Furthermore, hybrid House x Tree Sparrows have been reported in three of
the last 20 years: a probably hybrid in 1962 (Davis 1963), a hybrid in 1977 (Waterston 1978) and
up to five in 1980 (Arnott 1981). Again, it seems highly improbable that either parent had been cross-
fostered. Instead, a mechanism involving the presence of a single Tree Sparrow ina colony of House
Sparrows seems more likely to have produced the observed hybrids.

In conclusion, it seems that the presence of a single member of one species in a flock of a related
species may be responsible for many of the wild hybrids reported e.g. Cox.& Inskipp (1978) for
wagtails and Taverner (1970 a, 1970 b) for gulls. Further field observations of inter-specific
behaviour would not only help our understanding of the mechanism of hybridization but might also
elucidate the problem of speciation. The author would be pleased to hear from anyone with relevant
information.

SUMMARY

1. Courtship behaviour leading to copulation between a male Tree Sparrow and a female House
Sparrow is described.

2. It is unlikely that either bird had been fostered by the other species.

3. Similarity in plumage together with the lack of other Tree Sparrows is thought to have led to
pairing.

4. This observation may be relevant to the production of many of the wild hybrids that have been
reported.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am grateful to Dr. D. T. Parkin of Nottingham University for drawing my attention to the
Fair Isle records and for helpful comments on an earlier draft.

REFERENCES

ARNOTT, J. (1981) ed. Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report No. 33, 1980.

CHEKE, A. S. (1969) Mechanism and Consequence of Hybridization in Sparrows (Passer). Nature.
222: 209-213.

COX, S. and INSKIPP, T. (1978) Male Citrine Wagtail Feeding Young Wagtails in Essex. Brit.
Birds. 71: 209-213. .

DAVIS, P. E. (1963) ed. Fair isle Bird Observatory Bull. 5: (1) 24.

98

Sandgrouse 5 Possible hybridization, Tree and House Sparrow

HUGHES, S. W. M. and DOUGHARTY, F. W. (1975) The Recolonisation of Sussex by the Tree
Sparrow. Sussex Bird Report. 27: 67-71.

MEISE, W. (1934) Uber Artkreuzungen bei paladarktischen Sperlingen. Orn. Monatsber. 42: 9-15.

MEISE, W. (1951) Hampes Mischzucht von Haus- und Feldsperling. Bonn. Zool. Beitr. 2: 85-98.

NICHOLS, J. B. (1919) Wild Hybrid between House Sparrow and Tree Sparrow. Brit. Birds. 13:
136.

RICHARDSON, R. A. (1957) Hybrid Tree x House Sparrow in Norfolk. Brit. Birds. 50: 80-81.

ROOCKE, K. B. (1957) Hybrid Tree x House Sparrow in Dorset. Brit. Birds. 50: 79-80.

SHARROCK, J. T. R. (1976) The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland. BTO Tring.

TAVERNER, J. H. (1970 a) Mediterranean Gulls Nesting in Hampshire. Brit. Birds. 63: 67-79.

TAVERNER, J. H. (1970 b) Mediterranean x Black-headed Gull in Hampshire. Brit. Birds. 63:
380-382.

WATERSTON, G. (1978) ed. Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report No. 30, 1977.

J. S. M. Albrecht, 9 Romsey Terrace, Cambridge CB] 3NH, ENGLAND.

99

THE OCCURRENCE OF SAUNDER’S LITTLE TERN IN THE UPPER ARABIAN GULF
by
C. J. O. Harrison

I recently examined the specimens of small terns in the collection of the British Museum (Natural
History), to determine the likelihood of the occurrence of Saunder’s Little Tern Sterna saundersi
in the upper part of the Arabian Gulf, and also to check the plumage characters used for
identification.

The Little Tern S. a/bifrons, with which the previous species can be confused, often has a pale
grey rump in newly-moulted plumage. This is a little paler than the grey of the back, and fades to
white. Saunder’s Little Tern has a more definite grey rump and a pale grey back. In good plumage
in good light a bird which has a grey rump apparently concolorous with the back would be more
likely to be Saunder’s Little Tern than a Little Tern, but the variability of this character in the latter
should be taken into account. The so-called intermediate form from the head of the Gulf,
praetermissa Baker 1928, is based on grey-rumped Little Terns.

Examining the bird in the hand or in the museum, Saunder’s Little Tern has the upper surface
of the three outermost primaries black or dark blackish-grey. In the Little Tern the upper surface
of the two outermost primaries is blackish, often but not invariably suffused with grey. The white
forehead patch in Saunder’s Little Tern has lateral extensions that tend to terminate abruptly, level
with the anterior edge of the orbit; whereas in the Little Tern these taper away over the eyes as narrow
wedges. There is some variation in this character in museum skins but this may be due to distortion
of the skin during preparation. The head patterns of the two terns are illustrated in Figure I.

Leg colour is not a good character in museum specimens. In the field the Little Terns of the
Gulf have orange legs and feet, although those of European birds are yellow. Saunder’s Little Tern
has the legs and feet darker, more variable and often reddish-brown. ©

Using the above plumage characters it is possible to separate museum specimens from the upper
part of the Arabian Gulf into the two species. Ticehurst et a/. (1922) were in error in stating that
these were all referable to the Little Tern. Both species were present at Fao when W. D. Cummings
collected specimens there in 1886. Of his specimens, No. 1886.12.6.114 collected 20 August 1886,
No. 1886.12.6.115 collected 22 August 1886, and No. 1895.21.15.33 are all Saunder’s Little Tern;
as are also No. 1886.7.1.38 collected by A. J. V. Palmer in Feburary 1885 at Bushire on the south-
west coast of Iran, and No. 1853.1.6.74 collected by K. Loftus at Mohammerah (now
Khoramshahr), south-west Iran. Two come from well inland. No. 1933.2.16.669 was collected by
P. A. Buxton on 2 September 1918 at Amara, Iraq about 150 miles up the Tigris. A bird collected
by A. C. Trott on 5 May 1946 five miles north of Ahwaz, south-west Iran, No. 1947.59.36, is also
Saunder’s Little Tern, although the rump is distinctly white. The locality is about 100 miles up the
Karun River. It has the testes enlarged and a note on the label states ‘‘common on islands in
temporary lagoons — preparing to lay.’’

The specimens indicate that at a period when birds were being collected Saunder’s Little Tern
was present and possibly breeding in the upper part of the Arabian Gulf, but was confused with
Little Terns that were also present. The lack of subsequent information coincides with the cessation
of collecting as a means of identification.

Unless diagnostic characters can be clearly studied it is difficult to be certain of the specific
identify of individual birds of these two species seen in the field. Increasing knowledge of the
characters of the species should enable us to clarify the present situation to some degree, although
in many instances observers in the field may have to satisfy themselves with the knowledge that what
they have seen was a small tern that might have been referable to either species.

100

Sandgrouse 5 Occurrence of Saunder’s Little Tern

REFERENCES

TICEHURST, C. B., BUXTON, P.A. and CHEESEMAN, R. E. 1922 Birds of Mesopotamia. Part
2. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 28: 250-315.
BAKER, E. C. S. 1928 [note on the races of Sterna albifrons| Bull. Br. Orn. Cl. 49: 37-39.

Figure 1 Head patterns of (top) Little Tern and (bottom) Saunder’s Little Tern.

C. J. O. HARRISON. British Museum (Natural History) Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 6AP,
ENGLAND.

101

THE FIRST IDENTIFICATION OF THE EASTERN PIED WHEATEAR IN JORDAN
by
D. I. M. Wallace

INTRODUCTION

On 29 April 1965, I. J. Ferguson-Lees and I travelled along the pipeline highway which crosses
the basalt shield from north-west of Azraq to the H4 pumping station, Jordan. At the point where
the road crossed Wadi Rajil and to the east of there, we saw seven ‘black wheatears’ which fitted
neither the Black Oenanthe leucura nor the White-crowned Black Oenanthe leucopyga. Very
puzzled, we watched at least five birds (four in pairs) closely on foot and ascertained that the other
two were clearly of the same species. On 30 April, a more hurried return journey took us back
through the same community and we saw three birds. Notes and sketches made of the birds on the
29th were fully confirmed. This material was taken to the British Museum of Natural History and
compared to the Oenanthe skins there on 12 May and 8 June. Our conviction that the birds were
not of any species of ‘black wheatear’ then known to us (the two named above and the southern
Arabian and northeast African forms of Oenanthe lugens) was confirmed and eventually we
identified them as belonging to the black phase opistholeuca of the Eastern Pied (Strickland’s)
Wheatear Oenanthe picata. The reasons why we ara § so are given below in an account of the
observations.

CIRCUMSTANCES OF OBSERVATIONS

Unhurried on 29 April, with the birds clearly on territory in the natural defile of Wadi Rajil
and along the artificial one of the pipeline highway; range from 150 down to 30 metres; watched
in full sunlight through 9 x 35 and 12 x 50 binoculars. Hurried on 30th, with observations made
merely to confirm description taken on 29th.

HABITAT AND AVIAN COMMUNITY

Higher levels of basalt shield, particularly in defiles and along cleared boulders beside road,
with birds perched on both boulders and telegraph wires, on ground between boulders, and flying
over both sloping and level shield. Occurring in such habitat with Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti
(annae) and, where silt pans exist, occasional pairs or groups of Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni,
Bar-tailed Desert Lark Ammonanes cincturus, Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens,
Crested Lark Galerida cristata, Temminck’s Horned Lark Eremophila bilopha, Desert Wheatear
Oenanthe deserti and Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githaginea.

DESCRIPTION

Size: no direct comparison with other Oenanthe possible; noticeably smaller and more slightly
built than Oenanthe leucura (absent from Jordan but well known to both observers) and Oenanthe
leucopyga (present in southern Jordan and fully observed by both observers in April 1963).
Structure: smaller-headed, shorter-billed and shorter-tailed than Oenanthe leucopyga; head quite
rounded in shape, bill quite small and not long, as in Oenanthe oenanthe. Bare part colours: bill
and legs black. Plumage colours: black except for blackish (folded) primaries and sharply contrast-
ing white rump, upper tail coverts, vent, under tail coverts and basal outer sections of tail; plumage
of males slightly glossed; in flight primaries appeared pale grey, particularly from below, and
contrasted markedly with black under and upper wing coverts (in same way as those of Mourning
Wheatear Oenanthe lugens and Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha but not as sharply); tail
showed broad terminal band of black with short central extension towards rump, this pattern recal-
ling that of Oenanthe oenanthe (not that of Oenanthe leucopyga) and creating prominent inverted T.

102

Sandgrouse 5 Eastern Pied Wheatear in Jordan

BEHAVIOUR AND VOICE

All birds quite shy (and difficult to approach); when undisturbed, males very active and
behaving territorially, performing hovering flights, and noisy (but unfortunately no notation of calls
or song made).

IDENTIFICATION

Although size and structure were against both Oenanthe leucura and black-crowned Oenanthe
leucopyga and known distribution and habitat data virtually excluded both, the birds were not
identified in the field. Their final separation rested on underwing pattern, which excluded Soth
Oenanthe leucura and Oenanthe leucopyga and tail pattern, which further excluded Oenanthe
leucopyga. The patterns were matched in skins of Oenanthe picata and all other characters fitted
that species, in its black phase opistholeuca. Habitat within range of that described by Ali and Ripley
(1973). Field sketches are reproduced in Figure 1.

It was intended to collect a specimen of the species in April 1966 but this proved impossible.
In the spring of 1972, however, I was able to watch many Oenanthe picata, in the white phase picata,
in south-eastern Iran. Although very different in general appearance, with their underpart pattern
making them close in looks to Hume’s Wheatear Oenanthe alboniger, their size, structure and
behaviour seemed identical to those of the Jordan birds.

DISCUSSION

It is surprising that Oenanthe picata could exist in the Jebel Druz’s southern shield without
discovery until 1965. Meinertzhagen’s classic journey east from Amman in October 1922 did,
however, pass well south of the pipeline and I can find no reference elsewhere to even a suspicion
of the bird. Clarke (1981) has confirmed its presence between HS and the eastern edge of the basalt
shield in November 1976 and February and June 1979 and added records of birds to the south of
the presumed breeding area in June and September and to the south west in February. I have also
examined a description of a ‘black wheatear’ at Eilat, Israel in December 1982 which strongly
recalled O. picata. It looks as if the bird’s population in Jordan is mainly resident or subject only
to local movement, as is that in southern Iran, and Pakistan (Ali & Ripley 1973: Harrison 1981).

REFERENCES

ALI, SALIM, and RIPLEY, S. DILLON. 1973. Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan.
Oxford.

CLARKE, J. E. 1981. The Occurrence of Strickland’s Wheatear in Jordan. Sandgrouse, 2: 98-99.

HARRISON, C. 1981. An Atlas of the Birds of the Western Palaearctic.London.

D. I. M. Wallace, 68 Selby Road, Holme on Spalding Moor, by York, YO4 4EU, ENGLAND.

103

Sandgrouse 5 Eastern Pied Wheatear in Jordan

Aimw 33

Figure 1. Copies of field sketches of Strickland’s Wheatear, made at Wadi Rajil on 29 April 1965.
Left: perched; right: under and upper wing patterns.

104

AN ANALYSIS OF SOME EAGLE OWL PELLETS FROM TURKEY
by
David Morgan

INTRODUCTION

On 15 April 1981, whilst on the ICBP Middle East Bustard Survey (Part 1), Don Parr and Paul
Goriup collected a number of Eagle Owl Bubo bubo pellets from a roost on a rocky hillock on the
northern shores of Lake Van (Eastern Turkey). The surrounding habitat was fairly open with many
rocky outcrops, some fallow pasture and some cereal cultivation; the altitude was 1,700 metres above
sea level. The owl had been heard during the previous evening and the roost was discovered shortly
after dawn when the bird was flushed from a rocky cleft. At Don Parr’s request I have analysed
the pellets with the following results.

METHODS

The pellets were dissected dry and the skeletal contents identified with assistance from several
sources. The results are shown in TABLE I. The number of individuals of each species present was
determined by taking the maximum figure from a count of the skulls, lower right and lower left
mandibles. Thus the figure shown is the minimum number of individuals taken. The weights of two
of the birds were estimated by a calculation given by Morris in Yalden (1977) using the length of
the humerus. The other bird had no humeri present but from bill shape was adjudged to be a small
finch or sparrow. In order to prevent distortion being caused by the weight difference of the prey
species, the percentage of the diet was calculated for each species by multiplying the number of
individuals caught by their average weight and expressing this as a percentage of the total weight
of victims caught.

TABLE I. CONTENTS OF CIRCA 20 EAGLE OWL Bubo bubo PELLETS
COLLECTED FROM A ROOST ON THE NORTHERN SHORE OF
LAKE VAN, TURKEY ON 15 APRIL 1981

Species No. of Average Percentage
individuals weight by weight
Golden Hamster Mesocricetus auratus 19 115 gm. 73.0
Common Vole Microtus arvalis fi 20 gm. 4.7
Grey Hamster Cricetulus migratorius 35 gm. Zs3

2
House Mouse Mus musculus 3 20 gm. 20
Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Z 20gm. 1.3
Birds (unidentified) (228 + 250+ 20gm) 3 total 498 gm. 16.7

36 100.0

DISCUSSION

The number of pellets present at the roost was unfortunately not sufficient for a very accurate
assessment of the bird’s diet, especially in view of the large size of some of the items taken. The
dominance of the Golden Hamster Mesocricetus auratus was considerable and it seems unlikely that
this was entirely due to chance; however these pellets are likely to represent only a short period of
time and the diets of Eagle Owls Bubo bubo can vary seasonally as shown by Forstel (1977). With
large prey items being taken there is no guarantee that the whole of each victim has been eaten and

105

Sandgrouse 5 Eagle Owl pellets from Turkey

this should be borne in mind when considering the percentage by weight figures. No previous
published analysis of Turkish Eagie Owl diets could be found but there are published studies from
other areas. The Eagle Owl has a wide geographical distribution and is found in a great variety of
habitats (Harrison 1982). The diet can vary considerably, both from year to year in the same territory
and between territories in the same habitat in the same year (Bezzel et a/ 1976). The general
impression from the available literature was that the Eagle Owl is a very adaptable species and its
diet can be extremely variable. The only paper consulted that.showed Golden Hamsters M. auratus
to be taken was Baumgart (1975). He showed that at various sites in Bulgaria where this prey species
did occur, it always formed an important part of the diet. Birds are often taken by Eagle Owls and
a very wide variety has been recorded as shown by Baumgart (1975), Bezzel et ai (1976), Forstel
(1977), Piechocki et al (1977) and Schumacher ef a/ (1975). Two of the birds taken in this study
were quite large and even though small in number, birds accounted for 16.7 per cent of the diet
by weight, this again emphasizing the problem of a small pellet sample size. It is also not clear
whether both of the large birds were eaten completely. The results shown here give some idea of
the sort of food that may be taken by the Eagle Owl in Turkey but further sampling would be needed
to obtain an accurate picture of the diet.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank David L. Harrison of the Harrison Zoological Museum and P. D. Jenkins
of the British Museum (Natural History) for their invaluable help in identifying some of the skeletal
remains.

REFERENCES

BAUMGART, W. 1975. An Horsten des Uhus (Bubo bubo) in Bulgaria II. Der Uhu in
Nordostbulgarian. Zool Abh. 33: 251-275.

BEZZEL, E., OBST, J. & WICKL, K. 1976. Zur Ernahrung und Nahrungswahl des Uhus (Bubo
bubo). J. Ornithol. 117: 210-238.

FORSTEL, A. 1977. Der Uhu (Bubo bubo) im Frankenwald und im Bayerischen Vogtland. Anz.
Ornithol. Ges. Bayern 16: 115-131.

HARRISON, C. 1982. An Atlas of the Birds of the Western Palaearctic. London.

PIECHOCKI, R., STUBBE, M., UHLENHAUT, K. & DAWKA, N. 1977. The Food Ecology of
the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) inthe Mongolian People’s Republic. Zool. Jahrb. Abt. Syst. Oekel,
Geog. Tiere 104: 539-559.

SCHUMACHER, E. & LUPS, P. 1975. Angaben zur Ernabrung des Uhus (Bubo bubo) in der
Provence (Stidfrankreich). Naturhist. Mus. Stadt. Berne. Jahrb. 5: 217-222.

YALDEN, D. W. 1977. The Identification of Remains in Owl Pelletts. Mammal Society, Reading.

David Morgan, Whitmore, Umberleigh, N. Devon, ENGLAND.

106

NOTES TO CONTRIBUTORS

The Editorial Committee of Sandgrouse will consider for publication
Original papers in the English language which contribute to the body of
knowledge of the birds of the Middle East, their distribution, breeding biology,
identification, conservation etc. The Middle East for this purpose includes
Turkey and Libya in the west to Afghanistan and the Palearctic fringe of
Pakistan in the east, the southern shores of the Black and Caspian Seas in the
north to the Arabian peninsula and the Palearctic limits in the Sudan and
Ethiopia in the south.

Submissions will be considered on the understanding that the work has not
been previously published or offered for publication to any other journal.

Submissions should be in duplicate and must be typewritten on one side
of the paper only and with double spacing. The approximate position of figures
and tables should be indicated in the margin. Authors should consult a recent
copy of Sandgrouse and follow the conventions in use for section headings,
tables, captions, references, dates, abbreviations etc. A full length paper should
include a summary not exceeding 5 per cent of the total length.

The English vernacular name and the scientific name of birds mentioned
should follow Voous, K. H. 1977. List of Recent Holarctic Bird Species B.O.U.,
London.

Figures and diagrams should be drawn in black ink on white paper or board.
Good quality colour or black and white photographs may be included, subject
to cost.

Authors will normally receive galley proofs of their papers; these should
be corrected and returned to the Editor without delay. Textual changes cannot
be made at proof stage under any circumstances.

It is regretted that offprints of papers published in Sandgrouse will not be
provided. However, authors of full length papers may request up to 5 free copies
of the relevant issue of Sandgrouse (6 in the case of two or more authors) and
authors of short papers may request one free copy.

All manuscripts should be addressed to the Editor, Sandgrouse, O.S.M.E.,
c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Beds.

CORRIGENDA

Sandgrouse 4, 1982

Observations on migrant birds at Azraq and North-East Jordan, up to April
1967 by D. I. M. Wallace. pp 77-113:

p.94 line 29 amend species names to ‘‘Ficedula hypoleuca Pied Flycatcher’”’
' Contents (second page): -
Amend page numbers as follows:

107 The Autumn Migration of Steppe Eagles.................... to 108
109 The Houbara Bustard in Jordan ............... eon eh ee to 111
111 A Breeding Record of the Lappet-faced Vulture...... seen Ny to 114

bis) “A Small Ostrich Ege from Egypt... <2. 3 26004 oe ee a Se ee to 116

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