SANDGROUSE Volume 19 (1) 1997 ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST OSME OSME was founded in 1978 as the successor to the Ornithological Society of Turkey. Its priniary aims are: ® To collect, collate, and publish data on all aspects of the birds of the Middle East. _& To promote an interest in ornithology and bird conservation throughout _ the Middle East. # To develop productive working relationships with other governmental and non-governmental organisations with an interest in conservation and/or natural history in the region. MEMBERSHIP OSME is open to all, and its membership spans over 40 countries. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP Individual £12 (£15 air mail outside Europe) Family £15 (£18 air mail) for two, plus £3 for each additional family member. Supporting £24 Cover the subscription of a national birdwatcher in the region (£27 air mail). LIFE MEMBERSHIP Individual £225 (£100 if 60 or over) Family £300 for 2 members. Please add £3 if payment is made in non-sterling currency. For details of payment by banker’s order, and for any other information on the Society, write to the Secretary at the address below. PUBLICATIONS OSME publishes a scientific journal, Sandgrouse, containing papers, news and features on all aspects of Middle Eastern ornithology. Published twice yearly, it is issued free to members. Further copies are available for sale from OSME. MEETINGS 2.208 eee An Annual General Meeting is held in London at which guest speakers provide new perspectives on ornithology in the region. There are also occasional special meetings, some taking place outside the UK. PROJECTS OSME organises field expeditions to collect data on birds in little-known parts of the region and in areas where OSME can assist by teaming up with local groups. The Conservation & Research Committee grants funds to valuable field projects and desk studies which further knowledge and conservation of birds in the region. Grants have been awarded to over 30 projects since the Conservation & Research Fund was set up in 1982. VICE PRESIDENTS: Prof. Abdulaziz H. Abuzinada, B. Behrouzi-Rad, Sherif Baha El Din, Prof. W. Biittiker, Shaika Noora Bint Major M. D. Gallagher, MBE Isa Bin Sulman Al Khalifa, Dr Saeed Mohamed, Lord Barber of Tewkesbury, — N. Yazgan COUNCIL AS AT MARCH 1997: Dr G. Allport R. P. Martins (co-opted) Conservation & Research Turkey Bird Report A. Colston R. Parslow Treasurer Membership P. Davidson H. Scott (co-opted) Information Officer Publications Officer A. Grieve F. E. Warr (co-opted) Publicity Officer Sales Dr D. Harvey G. R. Welch Features Editor Chairman A. J. Morris H. J. Welch (co-opted) Secretary Librarian cio THE LODGE, SANDY, BEDEORDSHIRE SG19 21) tia OSME Wes site - http://www.netlink.co.uk/users/ag/osme/osmehome.html Contents SANDGROUSE Volume 19 (1) Editor Guy M. Kirwan Features Editor Derek Harvey Assistant Editor lan J. Andrews Editorial Committee Duncan J. Brooks, Mike Evans, Ben Hoare, Mike Jennings, Rodney Martins & Dr Stephen Newton Photographic Editor Paul Doherty Design & Production Harry |. Scott Identification Consultants C. G. Bradshaw, Arnoud B. van den Berg & Steve Madge COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Sooty Falcon Falco concolor, Hawar Island, Bahrain taken by Dr. Mike Hill OSME is grateful for sponsorship from Julian Francis towards the cost of printing the colour photographs inside this issue. N OSME News 3 NEWS AND INFORMATION 22 30 39 45 31 56 63 65 68 68 REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION FEATURES Observations of Dunn’s Larks Eremalauda dunni in the Ramlat al-Sab’atayn, Republic of Yemen C. D. R. HEARD AND Guy M. KIRWAN, ON BEHALF OF THE OSME SOUTH YEMEN EXPEDITION Birding in the Goksu Delta, south Turkey HILARY WELCH PROFILE Major Michael Gallagher MBE DEREK HARVEY PHOTOSPOT White-eyed and Sooty Gulls on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia Dr. GRAHAM R. LOBLEY PAPERS AND NOTES The birds of the islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Suez, Egyptian Red Sea RICHARD HOATH, DR DEREK RUSSELL, RAFIK KHALIL AND DINA KHALIL A list of bird specimens held in the Robert’s College, Bebek (Istanbul, Turkey) collection, with some comments on Mathey-Dupraz (1920-24) Guy M. KIRWAN Five new bird species in Bahrain MICHAL SKAKUJ AND TADEUSZ STAWARCZYK Breeding birds of the Taurus foothills bordering the Goksu Delta, south Turkey JAN VAN DER WINDEN AND VINCENT VAN DEN BERK Preliminary observations of the incubation and covey behaviour of Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata macqueenit FREDERIC LAUNAY, RONALD A. LOUGHLAND AND ELENA MUKHINA Birds new to Qatar BoB NATION, HELEN NATION AND ANDREW HOOPER The second-calendar year plumage of Crab Plover Dromas ardeola MICHAL SKAKUJ, ERIK HIRSCHFELD, JAN LONTKOWSKI AND TADEUSZ STAWARCZYK Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis colonisation of Kuwait C. W. T. PILCHER, W. A, STUART AND S. T. SPENCER The first Red-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus in Jordan FARES KHOURY New information on the breeding biology of Cretzschmar’s Bunting Emberiza caesia PETER CASTELL 70 REVIEWS & RECENT LITERATURE 76 AROUND THE REGION P. DAVIDSON AND G. M. KIRWAN Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 RECORDS OF RARE BIRDS The most recent (October 1996) newsletter of the Association of European Rarities Committees (AERC) contains details of the 1997 meeting, to be held imjthe Slovak Republic on 18-22 July. It also provides euidelines to magazines and journals, such as Sandgrouse, which publish details of recent rarity sightings. Four points are raised by the AERC: records of rare birds are being published without prior substantiation; faulty records (e.¢. records later rejected by the responsible Rarities Committee) are subsequently not being rectified; details of rare birds appearing in a birding magazine very often do not reach the appropriate national Rarities Committee; secondary citations of news section reports are being more and more often used without being checked. OSME fully supports the AERC in taking this strong line, the compilers of Around the Region already make every effort to follow similar guidelines and to this end work in co-operation with a number of national committees. We would like to urge any similar bodies, operational in the OSME region, to forward accepted records for publication in Around the Region, in order that this feature can be as complete and accurate as possible. Photographs substan- tiating such records are also welcome. Anyone with knowledge of records, previously published in Sandgrouse but subsequently rejected by the relevant national body, are also invited to contact the compilers as soon as possible. OSME AT THE BIRDFAIR OSME once again manned a successful stand at the 1996 British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water, Leics: 33 new members were recruited, sales items especially the new, multi-colour sandgrouse tee-shirt proved popular and visiting luminaries included former society chairman Richard Porter and Israeli birder par excellence Hadoram Shirihai. OSME would like to extend its warm thanks to Paul Doherty of Bird Images Videoguides for the use of his excellent video footage from a recent trip to Turkey, which was a popular feature of the displays. Li ll “itd set Cle Z iid Plate 1. The OSME stand at the British Birdwatching Fair, Rutland Water, Leics., August 1996 with from left to right: Lilly Shirihai, Hadoram Shirihai, Richard Porter and Geoff Welch. (Geoff & Hilary Welch) joining OSME? Enjoy a year’s membership for only £12! OSME & promotes the study and conservation of birds throughout the Middle East encourages the standardised recording of bird observations brings together knowledge of the region’s birdlife maintains a conservation and research fund to support small-scale projects by members publishes Sandgrouse twice a year, sent to all members To join, write to: Membership Secretary, OSME c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL U.K. News and Information The aim of this section is to inform readers about events in the OSME region. It relies on members and others supplying relevant news and information. If you have anything concerning birds, conservation or development issues in the OSME area please send it to News and information, OSME, cjo The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, U.K. This section is not intended as a definitive report or write up of the projects concerned. Many of the projects are sponsored; such support 1s appreciated but is not generally given acknowledgement here. CYPRUS Birding information The Cyprus Ornithological Society (1957) has provided an Information Centre and telephone ‘Birdline’ service. This is continuing but with the following alterations: the Information Centre (open daily from 10.00 to 12.30) has moved from the Apollo Hotel, Katopaphos to the adjacent taverna on the Lighthouse Road. The Cyprus Birdline has a new number: Paphos 233707. These services are provided free of charge to visitors but please send in your sightings, preferably before you leave Cyprus to Jeff Gordon, Director Information Centre, PO Box 1129, 8131 Kato Paphos, Cyprus. EGYPT Sinai Wildlife Projects have been campaigning for the protection of White Storks Ciconia ciconia on migration through Egypt. They have produced a leaflet in English, Arabic, German and Italian explaining the interna- tional importance of the White Stork and what people can do to protect them. A rehabilitation centre to treat sick and injured birds has been established in Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai. ISRAEL The Hula Valley in Israel, of international importance for its wildlife, is threatened by IN FORMATION ~ compiled by Simon Albrecht ie iin = GO 77 Ns Bie PE a i De ee proposals for tourism and development in the area. The wetland complex is most notable for its breeding population of herons, ibises, egrets and wildfowl, including the globally threatened Marbled Teal Marmoronetta angustirostris. It also supports vast migratory and wintering populations of pelicans, wildfowl, storks and birds of prey. Current plans include provision for intensive boating and commercial activities with the aim of bringing up to 14,000 visitors a day to the area. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel has requested that the planning authorities relocate commercial activities away from the Valley and to limit the number of tourists that visit the areas of wildlife conservation importance. BirdLife has written to the Israeli Ministry of Tourism in support of the SPNI request. (Source: Network News 4 (3).) SAUDI ARABIA Houbara Bustard A draft agreement for the conservation and management of the Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata has been approved by the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development and is to be distrubuted to the species’ Range States through diplomatic channels. The agreement, which relates to the Asiatic subspecies C. u. macqueentii, was developed as an initiative by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the auspices of the Bonn Convention, in which the Houbara Bustard is listed as requiring special attention to restore its population to a more favourable state. This international agreement is based on the need for increased international cooperation for the conservation and management of the bustards. (Source: Network News 4 (3).) Saudi Arabia joins CITES Saudi Arabia acceded to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on 12 March 1996 (effective on 10 June 1996). The total number of parties to CITES is now 131. (Source: Traffic USA 19 in Oryx 30 (4).) Simon Albrecht Oo A ee : /— we Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 TURKEY Global 500 awards Congratulations to Mrs Nergis Yazgan, OSME Vice-President and General Director of DHKD and to Dr Tansu Gurpinar, DHKD’s Ankara representative as well as to the Garanti Bank, who are DHKD’s main spousor, on their 1996 Global 500 Awards {rom ihe (Umited, Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). New Turkish reserve 6787 ha of the Ereghi marshes have been designated a Strict Nature Reserve following campaigning by conserva- tionists. The marshes have suffered many years of degradation from pollution and decreased freshwater input. The area provides an important stop-over and breeding habitat for many species of water bind. imcudime “Evemy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus, White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus and White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala. (Source: BirdLife in Europe May 1996, 6 in Oryx 30 (4).) Turkish bird names standardised At a meeting held in Ankara on 4—5 November 1995, an agreed list of Turkish bird names for species recorded within the country was formally adopted, with the support and under the auspices of DHKD and the Ankara Bird Group (AKGT). Six representatives attended the meeting, including the Director-General of the National Parks network, Serhan Goksu, as well as several of the authors of the six lists of Turkish bird names previously in circulation. The new, standardised list was published in August 1996 by AKGT and DHKD and is available from the latter: DHKD, P. K. 18. 80810 Bebek-Istanbul, Turkey. (Contributed by DHKD) Sustainable bulb harvest Flora and Fauna International (FFI) saw the fruition of their Indigenous Propagation Project in May 1996. Over 200 villagers at Dumlugoze in the Taurus Mountains celebrated their first harvest of propagated bulbs. The harvest followed five years of collaboration between FFI and DHKD to stem the trade in wild bulbs from Turkey. The villagers used to collect wild bulbs in the mountains but have now been shown how to propagate their own bulbs. This has relieved the pressure on wild populations as well as providing the villagers with a higher, and sustainable, income. It is hoped that other villages will be encouraged to follow Dumlugoze’s success. It was hoped + that the harvest of snopdrops and winter aconites would be on sale in the UK in autumn 1996 which saw the publication of the third edition of FFI’s The Good Bulb Guide, which lists bulb retailers and exporters who show a responsible attitude towards wild- collected bulbs. Companies who sign up either pledge “Never to knowingly sell wild- collected bulbs” or to label such bulbs as “From wild source”. For the first time there is now a US version of The Good Bulb Guide in collaboration: with =the American Horticultural Society. (Source: Fauna and Flora News 6, October 1996.) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES The Federal Environment Agency (reported in Sandgrouse 18 (1)) is known as the UAE Environment and Wildlife Research and Development Agency and is based in Abu Dhabi with branches throughout the Emirates. The agency will monitor the natural environment and its biodiversity, and conduct scientific =seseanch tom tire improvement and protection of the environment. It will also conduct environ- mental impact assessments for industrial and economic projects in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. A further role will be to propose protected areas for wildlife and manage areas once they are established. Education and spreading awareness about wildlife is also high on the new agency’s agenda. IBA updates About 20 large signs appeared round the roadside lagoon at Ramtha Tip (a UAE Important Bird Area) in August 1996. The signs read “Sharjah Municipality, Bird Protection Area. Anyone found shooting or disturbing birds wall pe prosecuted.” Management of this area is an issue that BirdLife has pursued with the Ruler of Sharjah. The outlook for Huylayla Island, part of an extensive area of mangroves, coastal dunes and marshes, is not so good. There has been a recent announcement to construct an industrial and commercial free zone on the island. The island has some of the declining number of lagoons that remain along the coast and is one of the few areas where mangroves flourish in the UAE. (Source: Network News 4 (3).) Simon Albrecht News and Information Five Nature Reserves proposed After three months of research in the UAE mountains by Chris and Tilde Stuart of the African Arabian Wildlife Research Centre the following have been proposed as nature reserves: Rus al Jebel Gimportant “for .Arabian..\Leopards), Shimaliyyah (important for Arabian Leopard and Arabian Tahr), Khor Kalba (important for birds and now approved as a nature reserve by HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed al Qasimi), Khor al Baydah (coral reefs, seagrass beds and wildlife area of Siniya island), near Jebel Ali in Dubai (gazelles need protecting from ongoing development). (Source: Gazelle 11 (10) October 1996.) ABBA SURVEYS 13-16: TO SAUDI ABABIA AND OMAN, 1992-4 The OSME library has received the following ABBA report: Results of four ornithological surveys to the Southern Tihama of Saudi Arabia, North Eastern Saudi Arabia, Northern Oman and North Western Saudi Arabia during the period December 1992 to April 1994. The report presents information collected during ABBA Surveys 13 to 16 and is published by the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development, Riyadh as their Technical Report No. 36. Copies are available (price £12.00 including postage) from Michael Jennings, 1 Warners Farm, Warners Drove, Somersham, Cambridgeshire PEW SEIW, U.K. A similar report on ABBA surveys 17 to 19 to Saudi Arabia and Oman in March 1995 to April 1996 is in preparation. WORLD CONFERENCE ON BIRDS OF PREY AND OWLS —- AUGUST 1998 The World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls will be holding a World Conference from 4 to 11 August 1998 in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa,” Further information from: Mr Robin Chancellor, 15b Bolton Gardens, London SW5 OAL, U.K. Fax: Int+44-171-370-1896, or Dr Bernd-U. Meyburg, Wangenheimstrasse 32, 14193 Berlin, Germany. Fax: Int+30-892-8067, or Dr Gerhard. EH. “Verdoorn.:2O..Box 72155; Parkview 2122, Johannesburg, South Africa. Fax: Int+27-11-646-4631. BARCELONA CONVENTION Mediterranean action plan The contracting parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution have adopted a number of amendments to the Mediterranean; Plan: of -Action,. The convention now includes the concept of sustainable development and a new protocol on specially protected areas and biological diverstiy in the Mediterranean. (Source: Naturopa Newsletter No. 96-1,2 in Oryx 30 (4).) ARABIAN PLANT SPECIALIST GROUP An Arabian Plant Specialist Group (APSG) has been established to promote plant conser- vation in the Arabian peninsula. Judging by the report we have seen on the workshop that founded the group, this is clearly an important development for plant conser- vation in the area. Unfortunately we have no contact address for anyone wishing to contact the APSG but hope to publish one in the future if it is sent to us. Abdulaziz Abuzinada is Chair of the APSG and one of the Vice- Chairs is Dr. A. Miller of the Edinburgh Botanical Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. (Source: Species 26—27.) BALD IBIS In the last issue we reported on the death of 38 Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in Morocco. We have still not heard of any definite cause of death. Viruses have been ruled out but post- mortems have given no clear indications. We have not yet heard the the final results of pesticide analysis but early results gave no clear answer. When we have further information we shall report it. In the meantime if anyone has any reports or sightings from anywhere in the Middle East region, will they please send a report to OSME. Simon Albrecht 4 1 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 UBBUTEN NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS LTD The dependable, experienced, worldwide mail order book service. Specialists in all aspects of the natural sciences, birdlife and wildlife, plus travel books, guides and maps. Including all books in print as advertised in SANDGROUSE. PISTYLL FARM, NERCWYS, Nr. MOLD, FLINTSHIRE eee FREE TEL: +44 (0)1352 756551 FAX: +44 (0)1352 756004 1997 CATALOGUE E-mail: sales@subbooks.demon.co.uk. ON REQUEST posees A ae en # Requests for Information Hashemite Kingdom of : le Fi 5 i | JORD | | by Ian J. Andrews ~ 4 ¥ Jordan is the first comprehensive | summary of the status and distribution of all 374 bird species recorded in Jordan. ® Foreword by His Majesty King Hussein | ® Description to ail habitat types accompanied by 30 photographs ; ® 160 bird photographs by the author, ‘Tim Roseby and others ~ ® Detailed species accounts, giving up-to-date information on where and when each species occurs ® Greeding distribution maps ® Migration timing charts ® §=6Detailed birdwatching sites guide, with maps @® Full Jordan checklist 6 Illustrations by John Busby £13.50 (plus £1.50 P&P UK, £2.50 Europe, £4.35 elsewhere} Enquiries and orders to the author / publisher: IJ. Andrews, 39 Clayknowes Drive, | Musselburgh, Midlothian EH21 6UW, | Scotland Full page: Half page: — 100mm tall x 135 wide £40 - Quarter page: 100mm tall x 61 wide £30 FULL-COLOUR ADVERT RATES | Full page: 210mm tall x 135 wide £370 Back cover: 245mm tall x 170 wide £420 Flyers & Insert: Please call for details RATES 210mm tall x 135 wide £80 - REQUESTS ?® Che Birds of the Hashemite Kingdom of :. Arabic bird names Dr Omar Al-Saghier, BirdLife International’s representative for Yemen is currently working on a list of Arabic bird names that can be universally agreed. He will be consulting with all leading ornithologists in the Arabic- speaking world but in the meantime if anyone wishes to contact him in respect of this issue his address is: Dr Omar Al-Saghier, P. O. Box 13330, Sana’a, Republic of Yemen; fax. + 967 1 205299. Bird lore and bird mythology Mark. Cocker: ts “currently collecting information for a book on the mythology and lore associated with birds from around the world. He is interested in the cultural associ- _ations that birds have acquired both in an historical and contemporary context and is especially keen to gather information on the significance birds have had for pre-industrial peoples. He is also interested in examining the cultural importance and exploitation of birds. Two examples are the pre-Colombian Aztec feather art and use of birds-of-paradise in Papua New Guinea ceremonial dress. Any data on these themes would be gratefully received and fully acknowledged in any publication. Please contact: Mark Cocker, 9 Primrose Road, Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich NR1 4AT, Norfolk, U. K. tel./fax. +44 (0)1603 611797. Photographs wanted To illustrate forthcoming articles in Sandgrouse we are in need of good quality photographs (preferably slides) of Black Vulture, Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers, all species of sandgrouse occurring in the region, and Radde’s and Arabian Accentors. We would also welcome shots of any Middle Eastern birds for possible front covers or inside Sandgrouse. Please ensure that all slides show the photographer’s name, the species and ideally where and when it was taken. Submissions should be sent to Paul Doherty, 28 Carousel Walk, Sherburn in Elmet, North Yorks LS25 6LP, U.K. Simon Albrecht nN Sandgrouse 19 (1): 8-11 1997 Observations of Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni in the Ramlat al-Sab’atayn, Republic of Yemen CUD. R. HEARD AND GUY M_ KIKWAN, ON _BEHALE OF THE OSME SOUTH YEMEN EXPEDITION unn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni inhabits desert areas along the southern edge of the Sahara, from Mauritania east through Mali, Niger and Chad to Sudan and north-east to Arabia (Sibley & Monroe 1990) where it is apparently largely nomadic and most widespread in north and central Saudi Arabia (Jennings 1995). Its identifi- cation, poorly understood until the late 1980s, was discussed by Round & Walsh (1981), Tye (1988), Shirihai et al. (1990) and Shirihai (1994). In Yemen there are seven records: singles collected at Sheikh Othman near Aden on 15 January 1922 (Meinertzhagen 1923), Umm al Samr, east of Mushainiga by Philby on 5 August 1936 (Bates 1938, specimen in BMNH, Tring) and Zumukh, Hadramawt on 31 October 1950 (Guichard & Goodwin 1952) with sight records of one near Marib dam on 2 December 1985 (Brooks et al. 1987), 25 between Shabwah and Marib on 6 May 1993, three 30 km south of al-’Abr on 13 January 1994 (Martins et al. 1996) and at least six in the Empty Quarter on 5 November 1996 (D. Farrow pers. comm.). THE 1993 OBSERVATIONS On 6 May 1993 the OSME expedition crossed the Ramlat al-Sab’atayn from Shabwah to the tarmac road connecting the Safir oilfields and Marib (c. 80 km). This route was through increasingly arid and virtually treeless, pure sand desert apart from the occasional Sodom’s Apple Solanum sp. bush. However, the first third of the journey crossed rolling sand dunes covered with a fresh green growth of ephemeral grasses, doubtless the result of exceptional rains during the previous six weeks (reputedly the first rain in this area for four years). Remarkably few bird species were encountered but, soon after entering the grass-covered dunes, the first of many Dunn’s Larks was spotted from the vehicles and c. seven apparently territorial birds were soon located in an area of c. three km’. Although only brief bursts of song and display flight were noted, they were clearly unwilling to leave the area. When disturbed they flew a short distance and then ran on the bare sand between grass tufts, before invariably taking shelter in the shade of one of the thicker plants (usually quickly making a scrape to nestle in). The area in which the first Dunn’s Larks were observed was part of a vast system of mobile sand dunes (c. 1000 5 metres a.s.].) with an extensive covering of annual grasses e.g. Aristida sp. and Cyperus conglomeratus with abundant herbs, including Indigofera sp. and Tribulus sp.; the lowest- lying areas aiso had perennials such as Panicum turgidum (a grass) and Dipterygium glaucum (a low bushy herb). Midway across the desert stretch the dunes became less undulating and the grasses sparser, interspersed with spiny succulents. A further 18 Dunn’s Larks were identified from the road in these areas. The last Dunn’s Larks were seen in the final dry grass area, with none in the open desert beyond this point. If seems reasonable to assume that the species vacates areas where the vegetation has died back and that their apparent close association with this ephemeral habitat may be the key factor in Dunn’s Lark’s nomadic breeding distribution. The only other bird species seen during the crossing of the Ramlat al-Sab’atayn were Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes (four), Black-crowned Finch Lark Eremopterix nigriceps (four in area of tor-like, rocky outcrops close to the former border between North and South Yemen), a female Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis, a Whitethroat Sylvia communis, seven Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor and a House Bunting Emberiza striolata. C. D. R. Heard and Guy M. Kirwan Observations of Dunn’s Larks in the Ramlat al-Sab’atayn, Republic of Yemen NOTES ON IDENTIFICATION Dunn's Lark proved to have a more distinctive jizz than expected. In flight the legs were characteristically drooped and the tail was clearly shorter than Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti (prompting an analogy with Woodlark Lullula arborea).The spread wings were warm buffy-brown with darker tips to the primaries clearly visible, especially from below; there was also a variable greyish ‘shawl’ on the hindneck/sides of the breast (as noted by Round & Walsh, 1981 and clearly illustrated in Jonsson, 1992) but this may have been an artefact as no grey tone to the hindneck was noticeable at rest. The blackish wedges on the outer halves of the tail were striking when the tail was fanned (when banking or immediately prior to landing) but hard to see in direct flight. At rest the 3-4 individuals closely watched were much less well marked than the description in Shirihai et al. (1990) based on observations of fresh-plumaged birds. Shirihai (1994) notes that seasonal variation exists; from March most birds appear relatively worn, generally sandy-grey with the rust-coloured feather centres less noticeable, although spring (March and May) individuals in Israel, described by Round & Walsh (1981), exhibited noticeably streaked pale rufous upperparts, including crown in the May bird. Notable were the plain wing- coverts and heavily worn, unmarked tertials - with slightly warmer centres. The rest of the upperparts were warm sandy-brown with a lightly streaked appearance to the mantle and scapulars. The rather short primary extension (less than a !/, of the exposed tertials) was relatively easy to determine at close range because of the dark-tipped primaries. Unlike the illustrations in Shirthai et al. (1990) and Jonsson (1992) but in common with the observations of Round & Walsh (1981), there was no obvious streaking on the sides of the neck or the ear-coverts. A caveat in Shirihai (1994) states that this is not always present. The crown did show fine streaking at close range. The most prominent feature of the head was a broad, buff-white eyering (making the eyes appear ‘staring’) which was complete and uninterrupted by the short, dark post-orbital eyestripe. Plate 1. Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni, Ramlat al-Sab’atayan (Republic of Yemen), May 1993. (Pieter Bison) VOCALISATIONS several different calls were heard (and recorded) but it is uncertain how many of these are only used in conjunction with the relatively melodic song. Two call types appear worthy of description: 1) a single flight call, remarkably reminiscent of Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi and thus rendered “pscheep” and:.“peessh” with a variant “pscheeoo” or similar, but all were distinctly shorter than Richard’s Pipit call; presumably the strident but soft “wazz” mentioned by Shirihai (1994) and the “Ziup” er “chiup” by: Round & Walsh (1981) but apparently different from the flight call described by Walker (1981) as “tree-chup” or two-weep” 2 — a double call resembling Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla flight call, rendered “tchup-tchup”, “schwit-schwit” or “wit-wit” and often followed by a short trill “krrrp” and then a snatch of (sub?) song. C. D. R. Heard and Guy M. Kirwan Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 Plate 2. Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni, Ramlat al-Sab’atayan (Republic of Yemen), May 1993. (Richard Porter) STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST Dunn’s Lark is a widespread but scarce breeding bird throughout much of northern and central Saudi Arabia where it is probably largely nomadic, although apparently resident on the Gulf of Aqaba coast (Stagg & Walker 1982); eggs have been recorded in March and April, fledglings in May (Warr unpubl. ms.) and unfledged young in September (Jennings 1995). Elsewhere in Arabia there are records from Kuwait in March 1987 (Pilcher et al. 1990), Qatar in March 1993 (Nation et al. 1997), interior Omani Dhofar where it is a resident breeder performing local movements (OBRC 1994), south-west Saudi on the coast at Jeddah (Meinertzhagen 1954) and a pair in coastal © desert near Qunfudah in March 1985 (M. C. Jennings), and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, where breeding was recorded in 1976 and 1984 (Bundy ef al. 1989). There is an, as yet, unconfirmed record from UAE, at Umm al Quwain on 27 March 1996 (Davidson & Kirwan 1996). 10 fe De Plate 3. Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni, 45 km north-west of Shabwah, Ramlat al-Sab’atayan (Republic of Yemen), May 1993. (Richard Porter) Outside Arabia the species’ status is most precisely understood in Israel. Prior to November 1988, when there was an influx of 500-1000 birds into the southern Arava valley of which eight pairs bred in April 1989, there were only six records in Israel, all since 1978 and between October and May (Shirihai 1991). Since the influx smaller numbers have been regularly recorded in the southern Arava valley; Shirihai (1996) describes the species as a partial migrant or nomadic visitor to this region, most usual in winter and early spring. Elsewhere, Vere Benson (1970) states that there is “at least one certain record from Lebanon” without providing details, whilst in Jordan a nest was found in Wadi ash Shaumari in 1965 when there were also birds in Wadi Rajil and at a silt pan 27 km west of Ar Ruwayshid. More recently, up to ten were in Wadi Abu Dubana (Fidan) in 1990 and 1994 (Andrews 1995) with one near Azraq on 23 April 1990, two near Qasr Kharana on 24 April 1990 (Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 26: 61) and nine in Wadi Araba on 23 October 1994 (Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull: 34: 36). Your singing Dunn’s Lark and several others defending territories and food-carrying were 35 km south-west of El Arish, north Sinai on 8 May 1990; at the same locality there was at least ten birds on 1 January 1991 (Baha el Din 1990) and six displaying males on 27 April 1992 (Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 29: 37) whilst three were at Wadi Gerafi on 21 December 1994 (Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 34: 34). The only previous record from Egypt was one just north of Nekhal on 17 March 1981 (Goodman & Meininger 1989). C. D. R. Heard and Guy M. Kirwan Observations of Dunn's Larks in the Ramlat al-Sab’atayn, Republic of Yemen ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This short paper is based on the field observations of CDRH, supplemented by reference to a number of identification papers published in recent years, most notably Round & Walsh (1981), Shirihai et al. (1990) and Shirihai (1994) and is an output of the OSME survey of southern Yemen and Socotra in March—May 1993. Full details of, and acknowledgements for, the expedition appear in Sandgrouse 17 (Porter, R. F. & Martins, R. P. (1996) Southern Yemen and Socotra: the report of the OSME survey in spring 1993). Dave Showler commented on the text. REFERENCES ANDREWS, I. J. (1995) The birds of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Andrews, Musselburgh. BAHA EL DIN, S. M. (1990) Dunn’s Lark breeding in Egypt. Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 25: 27-28. BATES, G. L. (1938) On birds from Hadhramaut. [bis (14) 2: 437-462. Brooks, D. J., EVANS, M. I., MARTINS, R. P. AND PORTER, R. F. (1987) The status of birds in North Yemen and the records of the OSME expedition in autumn 1985. Sandgrouse 9: 4-66. BUNDY, G., CONNOR, R. J. AND HARRISON, C. J. O. (1989) Birds of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Witherby, London. DAVIDSON, P. AND KIRWAN, G. M. (compilers) (1996) Around the region. Sandgrouse 18 (2): 76-80. GOODMAN, S. M. AND MEININGER, P. L. (1989) The birds of Egypt. Oxford University Press. GUICHARD, K. M. AND GoopwiIn, D. (1952) Notes on birds collected and observed in Oman and Hadhramaut. Ibis 94: 294-305. JENNINGS, M. C. (1995) An interim atlas of the breeding birds of Arabia. NCWCD, Riyadh. JONSSON, L. (1992) Birds of Europe with North Africa and the Middle East. Helm, London. Mar TINs, R. P., BRADSHAW, C. G., BROWN, A., KIRWAN, G. M. AND Porter, R. F. (1996) The status of passerines in southern Yemen and the records of the OSME survey in spring 1993. Sandgrouse 17: 54-72. MEINERTZHAGEN, R. (1923) New species and subspecies: exhibited and described. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 43: 156-159. MEINERTZHAGEN, R. (1954) Birds of Arabia. Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh & London. NATION, B., NATION, H. AND HOOPER, A. (1997) Birds new to Qatar. Sandgrouse 19 (1): 56-62. OMAN BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE (OBRC) (1994) Oman bird list. The official list of the birds of the Sultanate of Oman. 4th edn. OBRC, Muscat. PILCHER, C., TyE, A. AND AHMED, M. S. (1990) Additions to the country list produced by the Kuwait Avifaunal Survey, 1985-7. Sandgrouse 12: 31-36. PorTER, R. F., CHRISTENSEN, S. AND SCHIERMACKER-HANSEN, P. (1996) Field guide to the birds of the Middle East. T.& A. D. Poyser, London. ROUND, P. D. AND WALSH, T. A. (1981) The field identification of Dunn’s Lark. Sandgrouse 3: 78-83. SHIRIHAI, H. (1991) The invasion and breeding of Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni in the Arava valley, Israel. Sandgrouse 13 (1): 7-13. SHiRIHAL, H. (1994) Field identification of Dunn’s, Bar-tailed Desert and Desert Larks. Dutch Birding 16 (1): 1-9. SHIRIHAI, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. SHIRIHAL H., MULLARNEY, K. AND GRANT, P. (1990) Identification of Dunn’s, Bar-tailed & Desert Larks. Birding World 3 (1): 15-21. SIBLEY, C. G. AND MONROE, B. L., JNR. (1990) Distribution and taxonomy of the birds of the world. Yale University Press, New Haven & London. STAGG, A. J. AND WALKER, F. J. (1982) A checklist of the birds of Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Privately published. Tye, A. (1988) Mystery photographs 129: Dunn’s Lark. Brit. Birds 81 (3): 134-137. VERE BENSON, S. (1970) Birds of Lebanon and the Jordan area. CBP, Cambridge. WALKER, F. J. (1981) Notes on the birds of Dhofar, Oman. Sandgrouse 2: 56-85. C. D. R. Heard, 3 Waterside Lodge, Ray Mead Road, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 SNP, U.K. Guy M. Kirwan, 6 Connaught Road, Norwich NR2 3BP, U.K. C. D. R. Heard and Guy M. Kirwan 11 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 12-15 1997 Birding in the Géksu Delta, south Turkey — HILARY WELCH ying on the Mediterranean coast, immediately south of Silifke, the 15,000 ha. Goksu delta is one of the most exciting birdwatching sites in Turkey, as well as one of the most important bird areas in Europe and the Middle East. The delta is a wonderful mix of fresh- and saltwater marshes, lagoons and scrub-covered dunes, and although parts of the delta have been lost to development, farming has created extensive areas of rice cultivation which are especially good for birds. As a result of the diversity of habitats and its location, the Goksu boasts an impressive bird list of over 330 species (the highest number at any Turkish site) including Great Northern Diver Gavia immer, Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis, Crab Plover Dromas ardeola, Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia and Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola. In 1990, the delta was declared a Specially Protected Area (SPA), recognising its natural importance and making hunting and new building developments illegal. OVERVIEW OF THE SITE The western half of the delta is dominated by two lagoons. Akgol with its extensive fringing reedbeds is rich in birds: Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus, egrets and herons, Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris (easiest to see from late Jume), Wurple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio, a variety of waders and marsh terns — but all can be frustratingly difficult to gain views of through the reeds. The scrub-covered dunes, south-west of Akgol are excellent for migrants as well as resident Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus and Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis. Paradeniz Golu is more saline and has fewer birds. It usually holds gulls and a different range of waders to Akgol. In early spring Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultit and Slender-billed Gull Larus 1991. (Geoff & Hilary Welch) genel are present; in winter hundreds of Common Cranes Grus grus occur. North of the lakes the rice paddies can be excellent, in September Spotted Porzana porzana, Little P. parva and Baillon’s Crakes P. pusilla all occur with Water Rail Rallus aquaticus and Kingfisher Alcedo atthis abundant. Regular specialities include Great Snipe Gallinago media, Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus and Cyprus Pied Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca (seemingly a regular overshoot in March and early April). Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis, Great Otis tarda and Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax and Great Black-headed Plate 2. Dalyan, Goksu Delta, April 1995. (Geoff and Hilary Gull Larus ichthyaetus have been recorded in Welch) winter. 7 Hilary Welch Birding in the Goksu Delta, south Turkey Shell a Seka oO Vip paper Jo factory be Wg oO Incekum Figure 1. Map of the Gdksu Delta, south Turkey CLIMATE AND TIMING Throughout the year there is high humidity and frequent strong winds with winters wet and mild and summers hot and: dry. Mosquitoes can be a problem at any time of year. In addition to those species previously mentioned, summer produces occasional records of Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus; but autumn tends to be the most spectacular period with White Pelican P. onocrotalus, White Stork Ciconia ciconia (max. 20,000 at roost) and some raptor migration. Winter is dominated by large numbers of waterfowl, which in turn attract the attention of many raptors, including White-tailed Haliaeetus albicilla, Greater Spotted Aquila clanga and Imperial Eagles A. heliaca. Spring, particularly March and April, should not be ignored: Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus can { Kocakum \\\_ Golu 1 km 2km 3 km Pree Braz fx Water tower Building T Mosque “—~ Dunes oe “1 8 Drainpipe — Surfaced road s'< Viewpoint _--- Unsurfaced road/track + + Marsh Footpath occur in thousands and other regular migrants include Broad-billed Limicola falcinellus and Marsh Sandpipers Tringa stagnatilis, Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius, Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus and Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus. ACCESS At least two days are necessary to do justice to the area and ideally you need your own transport (a bicycle will do). Tasucu makes a good base with several hotels and restaurants but SPA tegulations do not permit camping in the delta. TASUCU The DHKD project office — located in an old building opposite the harbour and next to the Cyprus ferry bookings office — is open from 8-10 am daily and worth visiting before setting off into the delta. Staff are usually Hilary Welch Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 able to tell you what birds have been seen recently and provide you with up-to-date access details. Check the harbour for roosting Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinu. Plate 3. Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris. (Paul _Doherty/Bird Images) AKGOL 2.2 km east of Tasucu turn right beyond the Seka paper factory, following signs to Liman. After 2.6 km the road crosses a drainage canal, turn right to the beach, skirting Denizkent holiday village and take the well- marked coastal track. Beyond the houses the track widens and the dunes begin. These bold =breeding Kufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes and many migrants in season, as well as providing useful vantage points from which to view Akgol. In April and May, male Black Francolins call loudly from convenient hillocks. Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon breeds in the reeds surrounding the lake but can be very difficult to observe. It is easy to lose ones bearings in the delta so landmarks are important. On the south-east side of Akgol there is a series of tall pipes, spaced at regular intervals beside the stone track from Denizkent to the pumping station on Incekum. Counting from the south-east end of the coastal track, the second pipe is adjacent to the largest dune, providing the best view of the lake and marks a left-hand track which leads around the southern tip of. Akgol to a more open area where Purple Gallinules can be seen — early morning or evening is best — although their low ‘moaning’ calls can be heard throughout the day anywhere around the lake. The track continues to a small lagoon, Kugu Golu, and also provides views of the south-west end of Paradeniz Golu. If water levels are low it may be possible to cross to Paradeniz Golti and continue to Hurma. If time permits and the weather is conducive, seawatching from the-lighthouse or Incekum spit can occasionally be rewarding with Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea, Gannet Sula bassana and Pomarine Stercorarius pomarinus, Arctic S. parasiticus and Long-tailed Skuas 5, longicaudus possible. NORTH OF AKGOL From Denizkent it is possible to bear left at the bridge, then right along a farm track following a major canal. This passes through cultivated fields and connects with a network of tracks and dykes providing access to the rice paddies which lie between Akgol and the main track. In autumn it is worth searching the paddies for crakes, wagtails and warblers including Fan-tailed Cisticola Cisticola juncidis, but for this you either need waterproof footwear or to go barefoot. This area is the best in Turkey for Cattle Beret Bubulcus ibis, flocks of over 100 have been recorded here. In spring, common passage waders such as Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola and Little Stint Calidris minuta may include something more interesting, this area produced Turkey’s only American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica in May 1993. After 3.9 km there is a crossroads, turn right and drive slowly to the reedbeds which mark the north edge of Akgol. A lefthand track just before a small building leads to some tall trees and a fisherman’s hut. This can be a good area for Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola and Sput-winged llover Hanne & Jens Plate 6. Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio. ( Eriksen) 14 Hilary Welch Hoplopterus spinosus. In summer this is a good area for Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae, which can be common throughout the area, even occurring in Tasucu, whilst on passage Red-footed Falcon F. vespertinus hunt the swarms of hirundines. DALYAN, GOKSU RIVER MOUTH AND PARADENIZ GOLU Return along the track to the crossroads and turn right, following it as straight as possible until reaching the metalled road at Kurtulus. Turn right through the village, cross a canal, and the pools and wet fields between here and Dalyan can be excellent for passage waders, plus thousands of roosting storks in autumn. At Dalyan fishing village a gate across the road will usually be opened by the locals, if not you will have to walk but beware of the dogs! From here there is a view of the entire length of Paradeniz Golu and it is possible to access the beach where more waders frequent the shoreline. A walk east along the beach from here to the Géksu River mouth takes c. 45 minutes. The beach and a series of neighbouring pools are used by a variety of waders, terns and gulls, including Greater Sand Plover; Audouin’s Gulls are regularly seen at the river mouth along with Nile Soft-shelled Turtles Trionyx triunguis. Great Black-headed Gull has occurred in recent winters. -Paradeniz Golu can also be viewed from the north by following a track through Hurma fishing village along the lake’s north-east shore towards Kugu Golu. Proceed with caution as this track deteriorates and can be impassable after rain. THE EASTERN DELTA East of the Goksu River the delta is more heavily cultivated and access considerably more difficult and confusing. Many tracks are deeply rutted and often impassable by ordinary vehicles. However, if you have time and a good sense of direction, the easiest access is via the bridge just east of Sokun. White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis can be found near the river. Another area for White-breasted Kingfisher is on the edge of Silifke. Take the Mersin road out of town and 2 km beyond the bridge and just west of a Shell garage, turn right to the river. As many as three pairs breed along the river between here and the bridge in Silifke. Hilary Welch Birding in the Goksu Delta, south Turkey SILIFKE CASTLE The castle in Silifke provides a distant overview of the delta, useful for getting your bearings. Overhead, occasional Griffon Vulture Gyps fulous, drift over, whilst Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala and Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria are both winter visitors. Finally, and in contrast to the flatness of the delta, the hillsides just east of Tasucu hold an interesting variety of species. Opposite the turning to the delta by the Seka paper factory, a small road leads north into a gorge where birds such as Eagle Owl Bubo bubo, Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos, Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius, Upcher’s Warbler Hippolais languida and Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer can usually be found. Plate 5. Eagle Owl Bubo bubo. (Dr Mike Hill) Hilary Welch, Minsmere RSPB reserve, Westleton, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 3BY, U.K. For more information on birdwatching sites in Turkey, see Welch, H., Rose, L., Moore, D., Oddie, B. and Sigg, H. (1996) Where to watch birds in Turkey, Greece and Cyprus. Hamlyn, London. mem On Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 FALE 16 ichael Gallagher has been resident in Arabia since 1959, during which time he has become a much respected doyen of the region’s ornithology. His contribution to Arabian wildlife conservation was publically recognised in 1994 when he was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE). - An enthusiastic naturalist since childhood, he continued to study all aspects of natural history during a professional career in the army which took him to many parts of the world. Secretary of the Pacific Ghristmas Island NHS and co-founder of the Reindahlen Birdwatching Society of the British Army of the Rhine, he arrived in the Middle East with considerable experience’ as a tteld ornithologist, as well as being a keen botanist and mammologist. His numerous published studies of the birds of this region culminated in The birds of Oman, which appeared in 1980 and the Arabic edition in 1985, but he has also published papers on botany (he established the Oman National Herbarium), entomology (he founded Oman’s insect study collection), reptiles and cetaceans. In 1985 he set up the Oman Natural History Museum, where he is — still the curator. As a field naturalist he has lead two expeditions in the United Arab Emirates, two in Oman and participated in others to Jebel Akhdar and Wahiba Sands, and Zaire. Michael is a very private and modest man, uncompromising in his insistence on the most meticulous observation and recording standards,, and encyclopaedic im his knowledge of Middle Eastern wildlife. He has contributed immensely to the development of a mational pride in, and concern for the protection of Oman’s natural heritage. This contribution was first acknowledged in 1983 when he received the Stamford Raffles award for “contributions to ornithology, particularly Arabian ornithology . As a senior vice president of OSME, he is respected and admired as a guardian of the highest standards of professional behaviour, and as an unsurpassed authority on the birds of the region. Derek Harvey Derek Harvey and others @ full screen illustrations, metiy Alan hae from the Larousse Field Guide ® entertaining commentaries explaining how to identify each bird » brand new, up-to-date maps showing bird distributions in relation to topography and country boundaries These CD’s also include the following NEW FEATURES: * detailed text on each species giving authoritative information on identification, ageing, sexing, population sizes and trends, diet, habitat breeding behaviour, migration, best places to find it and lots more * interactive quizzes to test and improve your identification skills * a special program to help you put a name to any mystery bird Acsuves ene HANG RisGla * species lists which you can modify for your own record-keeping state whether you require MAC or WINDOWS format. New Videos for Birdwatchers 3 more titles have been added to this series of videos featuring expeditions with Dave Gosney to exciting destinations. The series now includes Gosney in Turkey, Gosney in Spain, Gosney in Morocco, Gosney in Eastern Europe, Gosney in the Arctic, Gosney in Israel, Gosney in Mallorca all of which feature superb nod footage of the best birds. PRICE: £19 OFFERS The images shown below are taken directly from the moving footage which appears in the video Gosney in Turkey. Most of these species are also featured on the CD-ROM Guide to All the Birds of Europe. 6 Blue a-che ...plus Great Rock Nuthatch, Yellow-throated Sparrow, White-throated Robin, Pale Rock Sparrow, Radde’s Accentor, Desert Finch, Green Warbler, Upcher’s Warbler, Menetries Warbler, Red-fronted Serin, White-headed Duck etc. Want to see more birds on your next foreign holiday? ig; > IN EUROPE BOOKS cover almost a whole of Europe. Each booklet provides precise up-to-date maps with agai of exactly where to go to find the . best birds in each country. Available in this Series: Mallorca, S’ Portugal, S. Spain, N. Spain, S. France, N. France, Cyprus, N. Greece, W. Turkey, Central Turkey, E. Turkey, Israel, Egypt, N. Morocco,S. Morocco, E. Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, E. Austria, Sweden, Finland, Canaries. JAVE G iOSNEY’S FINDIE Gosney iw Morocc) ‘ " atl Wy a » & each post free (£6 3) Special offers: any 5 for £20, any 10 er £35 0 or rall 23 fon £15 (save £40). HOW TO ORBEA: UK customers can call our FREE Credit Card Hotline 0800 91 93 91 from outside the UK you can order by Credit Card by phoning +114 283 1002 To pay by cheque (payable to BirdGuides) please write to Jack House, Ewden, Sheffield, $30 5ZA All our products have a full money back guarantee Sanagrouce 19, (1)216 27 1997 The inclusion of colour in this Photospot has been subsidised by Julian Francis HOT SDPO White-eyed and Sooty Gulls on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia hite-eyed Larus leucophthalmus and Sooty Gulls L. hemprichii have been regarded as confusion species. Both are dark- plumaged gulls: field separation of adults is relatively easy but sub-adults and juveniles can present some problems. White-eyed Gull is vartualily endemic to the Red Sea, its breeding range extends into the Gulf of Aden and north to the Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez. Stragglers have reached the east Mediterranean, north to the coast of southern Turkey (Kirwan & Martins, Turkey bird report 1987-91) — Sandgrouse 16 (1994). 76-117.), east to the United Arab Emirates (Richardson & Aspinall, A checklist of the birds of the United Arab Emirates. — (1996), Hobby Publications) and the Maldives (Ash & Shafeeg, The birds of the Maldives. — Forktail 10 (1995): 3-31) and south to Kenya (Lewis & Pomeroy, A bird ailas‘of Kenya — (1989), Balkema). Sooty Gull has a more extensive range, from north-east African coasts, the Red Sea and southern Arabian Gulf, east to Baluchistan. The photographs presented here were all taken on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, between Jeddah and Jizan. In the central and southern Red Sea, White-eyed Gull is resident but reportedly performs short-distance 18 movements to northern breeding areas. Breeding plumage adults are unmistakeable at close range. Characteristic features of summer adult White-eyed Gull (plates 1 & 2) are: (i) contrasting head and neck, due to the jet black hood and gorget highlighted by a prominent broken white eyering and white collar, (ii) relatively long bill, slender and slightly decurved at tip, deep coral-red with a distinct black tip, (iii) legs bright lemon-yellow. The broken white eyering comprises broad crescent-shaped marks above and below the eye. Mantle and wings dark grey. Close views in good light reveal a red orbit around the dark brown iris. Excepting the grey upper breast band, the underparts are white. Plate 1. White-eyed Gull Larus leucophthalmus, adult summer showing red orbital ring around iris, Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), early June 1996. (Dr Graham R. Lobley) Non-breeding adults have a darker bill, lacking the distinct black tip, and yellow legs, but the white eyering remains bold and prominent (plate 3). Some have the head flecked with white but this is variable. Juvenile plumage is dark grey-brown above, flecked with white on head with an obvious buffy-white eye ring; these and first-winters have a black bill and back, and wing coverts show pale margins (plate 4). White-eyed Gull can be relatively confiding when scavenging, on Jeddah’s North Corniche they feed on discarded picnic waste and at overfilled litter bins. In north Jeddah, it easily outnumbers the Sooty Gull, but the introduced House Crow Corvus splendens also exploits this feeding opportunity. Sooty Gull is apparently a more accomplished scavenger around fishing ports, although I have encountered many White-eyed Gulls around Dr. Graham R. Lobley The inclusion of colour in this Photospot has been subsidised by Julian Francis Jizan fish market, on the south Red Sea coast. Away from the breeding grounds, White- eyed Gull’s call is usually simple but sometimes, close to breeding, a longer call is delivered, culminating in a head throwback position (see plate 5), similar to Yellow- legged Gull L. cachinnans. This call, which may represent courtship, antagonistic or territorial behaviour, is apparently much more common on its offshore island breeding grounds (Dr S. Newton). Adults leave the Jeddah coast between late June and late August, consistent with breeding from mid- June onwards (Dr S. Newton). Sooty Gull is larger and more robust-looking than White-eyed Gull, with a thicker bill, which in adult plumage is greyish-yellow with a black subterminal band and small orange-red tip (plate 6). Juvenile and immature birds have slate-blue bills with a black tip, becoming orange-red in the second year (plate 7). Sooty has a narrower, less prominent white mark above the eye, occasionally a faint white mark below the eye. Overall, adult summer Sooty is 1" e-eyed Gull Larus leucophtha Dr. Graham R. Lobley ee! he summer, Jeddah Photo Spot distinctly browner-grey with a dark brown hood and incomplete white collar, separating the hood and grey-brown breast (plate 8). The white half-collar is greyer, more diffuse and indistinct in winter (plates 6 & 7). The legs and feet of adults are dirty yellow-green. In my experience, Sooty Gulls are the less confiding of the two species, even around small fishing ports, such as Amq. In flight, both species show dark underwings with a white trailing edge (plate 8) but Sooty’s darker leg colour is evident. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I am grateful for the comments and information of Dr. S. Newton, who undertook a Breeding Seabird Survey in the Red Sea during summer 1996, whilst working for the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation & Development (NCWCD). Dr. Graham R. Lobley, c/o Saudi Aramco, P. O. Box 6291, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia. Sandgrouse 19 (1) The inclusion of colour in this Photospot has been subsidised by Julian Francis Plate 3. White-eyed Gull Larus leucophthalmus, adult, Jizan Plate 4. White-eyed Gull Larus leucophthalmus, first-winter, (Saudi Arabia), late September 1995. (Dr Graham R. Lobley) Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), November 1994. (Dr Graham R. Lobley) Plate 5. Whit (Dr Graham R. Lobley) 20 Dr. Graham R. Lobley ee The inclusion of colour in this Photospot has been subsidised by Julian Francis Photo Spot aS) ie | Po eave Plate 8. Sooty Gull Larus hemprichii, adult summer, in flight Plate 7. Sooty Gull Larus hemprichii, second-winter, Amq (Saudi showing broken white collar and white trailing edge to wing, Arabia), late September 1993. (Dr Graham R. Lobley) Shoiba (Saudi Arabia), July 1993. (Dr Graham R. Lobley) Dr. Graham R. Lobley | | Zl Sandgrouse 19 (1): 22-29 1997 The birds of the islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Suez, Egyptian Red Sea RICHARD HOATH, DR DEREK RUSSELL, RAFIK KHALIL AND DINA KHALIL In summer 1994, two ornithological surveys were undertaken of some of the islands north of Hurghada, at the Gulf of Suez mouth in the Egyptian Red Sea. Their primary objective was to ascertain the number and species of breeding seabirds, in comparison with Jennings et al. (1985). Notes on non- breeding birds were also taken. With respect to the islands visited in 1994, comparisons with Jennings et al. (1985) show few changes in species composition and in the cases of Brown Booby Sula leucogaster and Osprey Pandion haliaetus, for which the islands are important breeding areas, no decline in numbers. However, oil and other pollutants were widespread, and this, combined with a dramatic growth in tourism, pose significant problems for the future. Tourist pressure has already had a negative impact on breeding terns on inshore islands. A comprehensive survey of the area in the near future is recommended. INTRODUCTION HE NORTHERN EGYPTIAN Red Sea supports a number of bird species either rare or found nowhere else in the Western Palearctic and is thus an area of ornithological importance. The islands near Hurghada at the Gulf of Suez mouth support significant breeding seabird populations and are stopover points for migrants in spring and autumn. Several species e.g. Brown Booby Sula leucogaster, Swift Tern Sterna bergii and Striated Heron Butorides striatus breed nowhere else in the Western Palearctic, whilst White-eyed Gull Larus leucophthalmus is endemic to the Red Sea, the breeding population of this region representing an important percentage of the world population (Cramp & Simmons 1983). Some inshore islands, e.g. Giftun Kebir, Abu Mingar and Umm Agawish el Kebir, are easily accessible and frequently visited by tourists. Many other islands north of Hurghada are more difficult to visit because of the distances involved, the variety of permits required and a lack of mooring points. The islands were extensively surveyed (28 of the 29 islands being covered) in spring 1983 and autumn 1984 (Jennings ef al. 1985). Our survey was more limited in scope owing to time considerations and accessibility: fringing reefs require that a Zodiac or similar craft is necessary in order to land on, or survey at close quarters, most of the islands. The islands discussed in this paper share a common topography. Formed of fossil reef, they are largely low-lying, excepting North Geisum, where two parallel ridges, divided by a wadi, run through the island’s centre. Their surfaces are almost entirely stony with sand accumulating in wadis and depressions. On Tawila, in particular, there are saltwater lagoons. Shorelines are generally low to moderate cliffs with sheltered coves, sand or shingle spits and beaches. With the exception of mangrove Avicennia marina and other salt-resistant plant species along restricted areas of coastline, the islands are largely unvegetated and surrounded by extensive fringing reefs. Distance from the mainland ranges from two km (Umm Agawish Kebir) to 17 km (Tawila). THE 1994 SURVEYS Two surveys were mounted by the authors in summer 1994. The first, during 10-14 June 1994, visited Tawila, South Geisum and North Geisum islands. Southern Tawila DD, Richard Hoath, Dr. Derek Russell, Rafik Khalil and Dina Khalil Papers and South Geisum, and all of North Geisum were covered on foot; all bird species present being recorded. Additionally, a cursory survey of the eastern shore of Umm el Heimat Saghira, was performed by boat. A second survey undertaken by Rafik and Dina Khalil to Umm Agawish el Kebir during 22-24 August 1994, was designed primarily to photograph breeding White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa. Proven or possible breeding was assessed according to the criteria in Goodman & Meininger (1989); non-breeding species were also recorded. With the exception of Brown Booby, the number of proven breeding records during the first trip was low, due to the time of year and the fact that only limited areas were covered. The second survey, restricted to a single island, found more extensive evidence of breeding. Note was taken of the extent of oil pollution, the western shores of all islands being heavily polluted. On Umm Agawish el Kebir, near Hurghada, the impact of tourism and local fishing activities was recorded. The systematic list of species proven or suspected to breed on the islands visited is compared with the observations of Jennings et al. (1985) and significant records discussed. BREEDING SPECIES Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus None were seen and no evidence of their nesting found in 1994. Jennings et al. (1985) found no evidence of active nests but noted old tropicbird feathers on West Ashrafi and old feathers and skulls in crevices on the north coast of South Geisum, which was was not visited by us. The species is described as a “rare breeding resident on the islands of the Red Sea” (Goodman & Meininger 1989). Brown Booby Sula leucogaster Present off all islands visited and at sea between them and Hurghada in June 1994; usually singles, although breeding pairs were noted on Umm el Heimat Saghira and North Geisum. The former was surveyed by boat, three pairs were noted on the eastern cliffs. A more thorough survey was undertaken on foot on North Geisum, where there were 29 active nests on the eastern cliffs. The figure of 32 pairs in 1994 should be regarded as an absolute minimum, since nesting adults were not approached closely to avoid disturbance and nests on the lower cliffs may have been missed as a result. Furthermore, there was at least one active nest on a small inaccessible islet off the north-east cliffs, others may have been nesting on its eastern side, invisible from the main island. A large number of unoccupied nest sites — ‘guano rings’ — were seen, indicating a larger breeding population. Richard Hoath, Dr. Derek Russell, Rafik Khalil and Dina Khalil bo Oo Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 Jennings et al. (1985) found the species breeding on Middle Ashrafi, North Geisum and Umm el Heimat Saghira; 46 breeding pairs in spring 1983 and a further 15 active nests in autumn 1984. The observations of Jennings et al. (1985) show birds still nesting in late September, by which time all the June chicks would have fledged (fledging period is approximately 100 days). By reasonable extrapolation it appears the breeding population is probably stable at c. 50 pairs. In 1994, most active nests held chicks at various stages of development, ranging from very recently hatched to almost fledged. The most advanced chick was developing chocolate- coloured adult plumage on the secondaries. No fledged immatures were noticed with the adults, suggesting that it was early in their breeding season. Some nests held eggs — usually one, although at least one nest had two. Fresh eggs were chalky white, the chalky layer wearing off to reveal a smooth, pale blue base colour in older eggs. Nests were shallow, whitened with guano and sparsely decorated with twigs, rope, string and other flotsam. Striated Heron Butorides striatus Along with small numbers in the mangroves of South Sinai, the islands hold the only breeding population in the Western Palearctic. An adult flew north off the south tip of South Geisum (11 June), probably heading towards the mangrove channel on the island’s west side. On both 11 and 12 June, a juvenile was in these mangroves. Three separate adults on 13 June were along the rocky shores and shallow reefs of the south tip of North Geisum. A juvenile was on the south-west tip of Umm Agawish el Kebir (23 August). Jennings et al. (1985) found it breeding on South Geisum and possibly North Geisum but no evidence of breeding on Umm Agawish el Kebir. North Geisum lacks suitable breeding habitat but has ideal feeding areas. It appears likely that those breeding on South Geisum feed further afield. Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis Recorded on all islands visited in 1994. A single dark-phase on Tawila on 11 June. Common on southern South Geisum with at least four nests in mangroves on the east side of the island. None were active, although a white-phase bird was standing on an empty nest. Eggshell fragments were found in two nests. In this area six birds were noted, four white-phase and two dark-phase. In the mangrove channel on the west side of the island a further seven were noted, five white-phase and two intermediate. On North Geisum a single white-phase flew north past the west side of the island (12 June). A possible nest was found at the northern tip but, after comparison with a plate in Jennings et al. (1985), Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia could not be discounted. Two nests on north-east Umm Agawish el Kebir in August. One contained a single ege — surprisingly late for this species — while the other contained two almost fully fledged dark-phase juveniles. Jennings et al. (1985) recorded definite breeding on all three islands but noted no intermediate birds. The overall ratio of white: intermediate: dark phase birds in 1994 was 10: 2: 5. Jennings et al. (1985) found a ratio of 6:1, white: dark phase birds. Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Not recorded in 1994. As stated above, a single nest on North Geisum may have been of this species. Jennings et al. (1985) found old nests on Umm Agawish el Kebir and Tawila, as well as four birds on Tawila. Goodman & Meininger (1989) describe it as a “rare and local breeding resident” along the Egyptian Red Sea with a total population of 30-50 pairs. Osprey Pandion haliaetus Breeding noted on all three islands visited in June 1994 and also seen flying between islands and perching on oil installations at sea. On Tawila six nests were found at the south tip, one with a single chick, one with two young and another with three fledged young still returning to the nest to be fed. Seven were counted in this relatively small area, with others present on an offshore oil installation. On southern South Geisum four nests were found, one with three fledged young, and at least seven individuals noted. Three of the nests were on the mangrove edge, the fourth along the coastal edge. On North Geisum three nests were found, two of which were active, and ten birds counted. At the north tip, where the two active nests were on a beach, there was a total of six birds including immatures. In August, two on Umm Agawish el Kebir but no evidence of breeding. 24 Richard Hoath, Dr. Derek Russell, Rafik Khalil and Dina Khalil Wy Ye Plate 2. Osprey Pandion haliaetus nest with chick, Tawila island, Red Sea, June 1994. (Richard Hoath) Jennings et al. (1985) recorded breeding on 23 islands, including all those visited by us in 1994. From the numbers of birds seen, the statement that “the islands of the Red Sea probably hold the densest population of this species anywhere in its range” (Jennings ef al. 1985) appears well founded. In 1994, all were ground nests. While some were barely raised above the level of the ground, others, probably older nests, were raised mounds of accumulated debris up to 1.5 metres tall and three metres across. Nest materials included sticks (flotsam and mangrove twigs), shells and debris. Food remains included skulls and jaws of parrotfish (Scarus sp.?), pigeon, gull and tern wings, whilst a Western Reef Heron skull was found in one nest on South Geisum but it is likely that this was nest material rather than food. In four nests on Tawila, a long dead chick was found in one and a head in another. Of three nests examined on South Geisum, one half- grown chick was found dead. Sooty Falcon Falco concolor Recorded on Tawila (one) and North Geisum (two). Jennings ef al. (1985) found it breeding on South Geisum and possibly North Geisum and Tawila, but no evidence of breeding found by us. This was unsurprising as the species breeds in autumn, preying on southbound migrating passerines. None of these islands are mountainous or possess the rugged habitat favoured by this species for nesting. Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides Not recorded in 1994. Jennings et al. (1985) found two on Giftun Kebir but no evidence of breeding. Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor Pair on southern Tawila on 13 June in suitable breeding habitat. No nest or young found but the species may breed on the islands. Jennings et al. (1985) recorded an agitated pair on South Geisum in 1983. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Recorded on South Geisum (one on south-east shore, 11 June) and Tawila, where there was one, possibly two breeding pairs at the south end. Although no nest, eggs or young were found, the broken wing display was observed on two occasions in suitable breeding habitat. Jennings ef al. (1985) found two pairs on Tawila in April-May 1983. Pe) On Richard Hoath, Dr. Derek Russell, Rafik Khalil and Dina Khalil Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 Sooty Gull Larus hemprichi Present on all three islands visited in June but no evidence of breeding, although it presumably does so. No evidence of breeding on Umm Agawish el Kebir in August 1994 but adult White- eyed Gull were defending their chicks from a small number of marauding Sooty Gulls. It is interesting to note that, although Jennings et al. (1985) recorded a number of juveniles, the only chick found was a desiccated individual on Umm el Heimat Saghira. The fact that Jennings et al. (1985) found the largest concentration of this species on the Ashrafi islands, where there were only small numbers of White-eyed Gull (50 pairs), implies that the latter species out- competes it for nesting sites. White-eyed Gull Larus leucophthalmus Common on all islands visited. Individuals and small flocks noted at sea and on the mainland coast, even in Hurghada. All breeding evidence in June was from Tawila: a scrape with a single ege in the shade of an overhanging boulder on the south of the island, a pair mating on the south-east shoreline and nest scrapes with old regurgitated food and feathers by an enclosed saline lagoon in the south of the island, where over 100 agitated birds were present. Courtship display was observed between two birds in a flock on south-east Tawila: a male and female rubbing bills then dipping them in the water in unison. Common and widespread on the other two islands and breeding doubtless occurs. A possible mating approach by a pair observed on North Geisum. On Umm Agawish el Kebir on 23 August, c. 100 pairs of White-eyed Gull were defending a creche of 90 fledged young against Sooty Gulls. Jennings et al. (1985) recorded 905 pairs and several hundred adults on Tawila, North Geisum, South Geisum and Giftun Kebir in April-May 1983 and around 5000, of which 70% were juveniles, on the same islands in September—October 1984. The records of Jennings et al. (1985) for Umm Agawish el Kebir were: 312 adults and 519 individuals (60% juveniles). The virtual lack of breeding records in June 1994 was unexpected. However, as many hundreds of the species were seen there is every indication that breeding takes place, especially as, excepting North Geisum, only small portions of each island were visited. Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Present on all islands visited and patrolling reefs along other islands. On South Geisum, a pair was calling incessantly. Although at least ten were in the small area of South Geisum visited, no nests were found there. Widespread on Tawila where an active nest was found with one egg (13 June), in a shallow scrape by a small boulder. At least three similar scrapes were found in the same area of southern Tawila; the species is known to breed in small loose colonies as well as alone (Cramp & Simmons 1983). It seems probable that, whilst still paired, the species had largely finished nesting. At least one pair on the north shore of North Geisum. On 23 August a single was off Umm Agawish el Kebir. Jennings et al. (1985) recorded breeding on Tawila (four pairs) and Giftun Kebir (three pairs) in April-May 1983 but no breeding in autumn 1984. Swift Tern Sterna bergti No evidence of breeding found but small numbers on North and South Geisum. At the former, four on a shoal at the south tip of the island with White-cheeked and Lesser Crested Terns S. bengalensis. On South Geisum (11 June), six with White-cheeked (eight), Lesser Crested (c. 20), Caspian (two) and Common Terns S. hirundo (one). Goodman & Meininger (1989) found no definite evidence of the species breeding in Egyptian waters. Jennings et al. (1985) found only “circumstantial evidence” of breeding on Ashrafi and South Geisum. However, there is suitable breeding habitat (low sandbars) and the area is little disturbed, so the presence of the species during the summer breeding season is encouraging. We agree with Jennings ef al. (1985) that oil pollution may pose a threat to this species. Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis Common on all islands visited and often seen at sea. No breeding noted but this was unsurprising as Jennings et al. (1985) state that breeding probably commences in mid-summer. 26 Richard Hoath, Dr. Derek Russell, Rafik Khalil and Dina Khalil Papers White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa Present on North and South Geisum, breeding suspected on the former. On northern North Geisum at least 12 nest scrapes found (12 June). On approach the terns became very agitated and it is probable that the scrapes were of this species. Large flocks on sandbars at the south tip of the island with Lesser Crested and Swift Terns. On southern South Geisum, White-cheeked Terns flocked with Lesser Crested, Swift, Caspian and Common Terns. On 23 August, 30-40 nest scrapes on the west side of Umm Agawish el Kebir on cliffs of elevated fossil reef, interspersed with sheltered bays. In these bays, 10-15 fledged young were being fed, possibly taking advantage of shade and protection from predators. Jennings et al. (1985) recorded the species breeding on 15 islands, including South Geisum and Umm Agawish el Kebir. The absence of active nests in June 1994 was unsurprising as Jennings et al. (1985) found none in May 1983 but noted 500 with chicks and juveniles in autumn 1984. The timing of fledged young in August 1994 agrees with Jennings et al. (1985). Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus Recorded from all islands visited, breeding suspected on Tawila, North Geisum and Umm Agawish el Kebir. Individuals and loose flocks at sea. On Tawila, 20 feeding over the island’s west side, frequently alighting and apparently agitated. Numerous on North Geisum where eight exhibited similar behaviour, on a beach on the island’s west side which was heavily oil- polluted. The lack of conclusive breeding evidence was unsurprising as Bridled Tern has a similar breeding pattern to White-cheeked Tern. On Umm Agawish el Kebir, 40 pairs on the island’s north-east side on 23 August. All birds perched in low bushes, two to four per bush. Courtship was observed, males regurgitating food for females. They appeared agitated, gathering overhead and approaching to within one metre, but no eggs or chicks were found beneath the bushes where they might have been expected. Jennings et al. (1985) noted breeding or evidence of breeding on ten islands, including all those visited in 1994. Goodman & Meininger (1989) considered it to be a fairly common migrant breeder in this area. Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis A single on South Geisum on 12 June but no evidence of breeding. Jennings et al. (1985) found it breeding on South Geisum and estimated that the population on the islands was two or three pairs. NON-BREEDING BIRDS In addition to those species proven to breed or possibly breeding on the islands, a number of other species were observed. For comparison, the status of each bird in the region is recorded (see Goodman & Meininger 1989). Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber Single photographed on 10 and 11 June on a saline lagoon on southern Tawila. No previous summer Red Sea record from Egypt. Buzzard sp. Buteo sp. A flock of ¢. 20 buzzards from the boat south-west of South Geisum on 13 June were flying east. It was impossible to assign them to either Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus or Steppe Buzzard B. buteo vulpinus. Probably unusually late spring migrants. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultu Single in summer plumage on south Tawila in the same area as breeding Kentish Plovers (13 June). Occasional breeding resident along the Egyptian Red Sea. Redshank Tvinga totanus Four on 11-12 June in the mangrove channel on south-west South Geisum. Small numbers summer along the Red Sea coast. Richard Hoath, Dr. Derek Russell, Rafik Khalil and Dina Khalil 27 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 Curlew Numenius arquata Single near the jetty on South Geisum on 11 June. Rare summer visitor in the area. Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus Two first-summers in the bay on the west side of North Geisum. Rare in summer. Common Tern Sterna hirundo One photographed with Lesser Crested, White-cheeked and Swift Terns on a sandbar on southern South Geisum (12 June). Scarce non-breeding summer visitor to the northern Red Sea. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Single light-breasted (i.e. not H. r. savignii) individual over mangroves on west side of South Geisum. Probably a late spring migrant. Common Terns Sterna hirundo by J. P. Smith OIL POLLUTION The islands are situated amongst some of Egypt’s most productive oil fields. Being en route to the Suez Canal, shipping activity is heavy. Given these facts, it is unsurprising that oil pollution levels are high. Surveys of pollution and its potential effects on the birds of the islands was reviewed by Jennings ef al. (1985) and Rosenzweig (1988). We made two main observations regarding the location of polluted areas and the nature of the pollution. Each of the three islands visited in June was heavily polluted on its western and, in the case of North Geisum, northern shore — with sheltered bays being particularly affected by an accumulation of oil and related pollution, presumably due to prevailing currents. Eastern shores were much less affected. The seaward side of the mangrove channel on west South Geisum was badly affected, placing marine life in the mangrove ecosystem at risk; mangroves are the nursery of the coral reef with many juvenile fish and invertebrates there. Breeding terns are also at risk from oil pollution, as they frequently favour low-lying sandbars. Probable nest sites of Bridled and White-cheeked Terns on North Geisum appeared especially vulnerable. Most of the oil pollution on the western coasts and beaches was accumulated and not fresh, perhaps indicating improvements in oil pollution control. Oil companies operating in the area and the Egyptian General Petroleum Company (EGPC) maintain that pollution control standards are subject to constant revision, which may mean that pollution is now less of a threat to the region’s breeding avifauna. However, other forms of pollution were prevalent. Plastic bags, bottles and sheeting were widespread on beaches and bays, in addition to oil drums, sections of pipe and 28 Richard Hoath, Dr. Derek Russell, Rafik Khalil and Dina Khalil Papers more degradable flotsam such as wooden pallets. Plastic safety helmets were an unusually common item. The west shores of North Geisum and South Geisum were badly affected, being closest to offshore oil platforms. ‘DISCUSSION Access to the northern islands is restricted, thus the non-coastal parts of the islands, with the exception of areas in the immediate vicinity of the Tawila and South Geisum jetties, were largely free of garbage. However, restrictions are currently being lifted, leaving the islands increasingly open to tourist activity. Rubbish will probably accumulate rapidly, as on Giftun Kebir. Here, tourist trips from the large hotels in Hurghada hold beach barbecues with rubbish being dumped in the dunes behind the barbecue sites. A 1990 clean-up operation by the American University in Cairo collected 499 kilograms of garbage in just one day. Umm Agawish el Kebir is the only island we visited, regularly visited by tourists, being close to Hurghada and easily accessible. Tourists swim and snorkel from the beaches, bringing potential disturbance, especially to breeding terns. Additional disturbance comes fom local fishermen, both offshore and on land, several of whom were seen searching for eggs on the island’s beaches. Whilst Jennings et al. (1985) found breeding White-cheeked, Bridled, Caspian and Lesser Crested Terns, we only found the first-named species nesting, despite visiting the island at the peak of the breeding season. It is interesting to note that our boatman in June reported that terns no longer breed on Umm Agawish el Kebir, as a direct result of tourism. CONCLUSION The islands are important for a number of breeding seabirds, some at the northernmost limit of their range and only Western Palearctic breeding sites, including globally important numbers of White-eyed Gulls. Despite our trips being limited in scope, both in number of islands visited and time in the field, 13 of the 16 species proven or thought to breed by Jennings et al. (1985) were found by us, of which eight were breeding or showed indications of breeding. The three species not found by us were either autumn breeders, bred on islands not visited in 1994, or, in the case of Red-billed Tropicbird, were not found first-hand by Jennings et al. (1985). Insufficient data is available to formulate current estimates of breeding bird numbers in the area, excepting Brown Booby. A comprehensive survey is therefore recommended. Whilst the islands’ physical and bureaucratic remoteness has favoured many breeding bird populations, the alarming rate of tourist development and massive hotel construction programme underway along the Red Sea coast around Hurghada may adversely affect the avifauna. Tourism is probably now a much more serious threat than the oil industry, although non-oil related pollution and garbage is unsightly and may affect species dependant on the shoreline for breeding or feeding. REFERENCES CRAMP, S. AND SIMMONS, K. E. L. (eds.) (1983) The birds of the Western Palearctic Vol 3. Oxford University Press. GOODMAN, S. M. AND P. L. MEININGER (eds.) (1989) The birds of Egypt. Oxford University Press. JENNINGS, M. C., HEATHCOTE, P. C., PARR, D. AND BAHA EL Din, S. M. (1985) Ornithological survey of the Ras Dib area and the islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Oil Pollution Research Unit, Pembroke. ROSENZWEIG, M. (1988) A 1988 status report of the Red Sea islands off the coast of Hurghada. Courser 2: 39-43. Richard Hoath, Dr Derek Russell, Rafik Khalil and Dina Khalil, c/o The American University in Cairo, 113 Kasr el Aint, Cairo, Egypt. Richard Hoath, Dr. Derek Russell, Rafik Khalil and Dina Khalil 29 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 30-38 1997 A list of bird specimens held in the Robert's College, Bebek (Istanbul, Turkey) collection, with some comments on Mathey-Dupraz (1920-24) GUY M. KIRWAN Full details are presented of the 266 specimens (of 174 species) currently held in the Robert’s College collection, Istanbul. Approximately half of the collection has been lost or destroyed in the past 70 years, a total of 91 species and at least 265 skins are unaccounted for. These include several extreme rarities, some for which no other documented records in Turkey exist e.g. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis. The identification of several important specimens is either confirmed or questioned, and important and previously undocumented records of Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris and Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica are established. INTRODUCTION N 13-14 FEBRUARY 1996, together with Kerem Boyla, I prepared a full inventory of what remains of the Robert’s College, Bebek collection of bird specimens. The collection presently contains 266 specimens of 174 species with waterbirds and raptors being relatively well represented, but many items have been lost during periodic moves, whilst others were apparently irreparably damaged due to damp and other accidents, resulting in their destruction. The Bebek collection came into being when the American college authorities purchased the private collection of T. Robson (an Englishman resident in Istanbul between 1861 and 1871 who also provided Dresser and several other leading European ornithologists with bird specimens). Some of the most valuable skins have been presumably lost due to one or other of these events. In 1989, Max Kasparek (in litt.) was also unable to discover the following specimens mentioned by Mathey-Dupraz (1920-24) and Sclater & Taylor (1876): Knot Calidris canutus, Terek Xenus cinereus and Spotted Sandpipers Actitis macularia, Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius, Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis and Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi. A total of 91 species mentioned by Mathey-Dupraz or Sclater & Taylor are no longer represented (see appendix 1), whilst a total of at least 265 specimens have been lost (see list below and appendix 1). From the recent German literature I was expecting these to be arranged in cabinets (e.g. Kasparek 1990 describes a specimen as “Balg” — the German for skin) but all are stuffed and usually mounted, many are now in very poor condition (some probably beyond repair). Due to limited time I was unable to completely sort what remained. Thus specimens were not labelled in taxonomic order and no attempt was made to salvage damaged skins. It is now impossible to check the provenance of the assembled material, as in all but two cases the original labels have been lost. LIST OF BIRDS HELD IN THE COLLECTION [Notes: Specimens 01-33 are labelled with white stickers; 34-74 with yellow stickers; 75-111 with blue stickers, and 112-248 with green stickers. Specimens 01-108 and 239-248 are currently housed on the third floor; 109-197 on the second floor and 198-238 on the ground 30 Guy M. Kirwan Papers floor. Species labelled (*) are not mentioned as being present in the collection by Mathey- Dupraz (1920-24) — the principal source of information on the Robert’s College collection. The following species were apparently represented at one time (in the relatively recent past), there being a photograph and numbered key relating to a specially cased display tucked away on the third floor: Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (Mathey-Dupraz, 1921 lists two specimens held in the Robert's College collection under P. graculus), European Bee-eater Merops apiaster*, Black- headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala (a male is mentioned by Mathey-Dupraz, 1922), Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis (Mathey-Dupraz, 1922 records that a pair were retained in the collection), Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus (the Robert’s College collection apparently held three specimens according to Mathey-Dupraz, 1921) and Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (Mathey-Dupraz, 1923 records that the species was present in the Robert’s College collection). In addition, in 1992 KB noted a Mute Swan Cygnus olor in the collection; this is apparently no longer present. | The list is presented in conventional taxonomic order, with the specimen numbers in [ | after the species name. No number 247 was labelled but a Greylag Goose Anser anser currently suspended from the third floor ceiling remains unnumbered. ——— Species No. of additional specimens mentioned by Mathey-Dupraz (1920-24) Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata [104, 200] ! Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica [199] 2 * Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis [164] two Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus [165, 205] SIX Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis [163] * Mediterranean Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan [82, 83, 157] Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo [ 202, 241-243 inclusive, 245 not in a case] Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus [69, 155, 240 not in a case] White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus [140 specimen not under glass] two Bittern Botaurus stellaris [196, 204] two Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides [111] one Grey Heron Ardea cinerea [110, 112] * Purple Heron Ardea purpurea [114, 197, 244 not in a case] * Black Stork Ciconia nigra [109] * Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus [113] Biack Swan Cygnus atratus [203] * Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus [184 not in a case]* Shelduck Tadorna tadorna [172] one Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata [162, 174] * Wigeon Anas penelope [169] Gadwall Anas strepera [170] Mallard Anas platyrhynchos [166] Shoveler Anas clypeata [167, 168] one Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina [178-180 inclusive] Pochard Aythya ferina [175 — three specimens on a single mount, 176] * Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca [177] * Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula [181] Goldeneye Bucephala clangula [182] Smew Mergus albellus [171] / two Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator [183] White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala [173] * Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus [52, 230] one Red Kite Milvus milvus [208] White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla [238 not in a case] _ Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus [237] Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus [246 not in a case] * Black Vulture Aegypius monachus [198 not in a case] one Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus (232, 233] Guy M. Kirwan at Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 Species Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus [216] Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus [223, 231] * Goshawk Acciviter gentilis (226, 236] Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus [218] Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes (214, 219, 225] * Common Buzzard Buteo buteo [207, 209, 217, 222, 229, 235] Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus [206] Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina [227, 228] Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus [234] Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni [213] Kestrel Falco tinnunculus [212, 220] Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus [215] Merlin Falco columbarius [210, 211] Saker Falcon Falco cherrug [224] Peregrine Falco peregrinus [221] Caspian Snowcock Tetraogallus caspius [73, 139] * Chukar Alectoris chukar [135 — three specimens on a single mount] Quail Coturnix coturnix [133, 137] Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera* [138] Pheasant Phasianus colchicus [136] Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus [134] * Water Rail Ral/us aquaticus [120] Spotted Crake Porzana porzana [117] Corncrake Crex crex [124] Moorhen Gallinula chloropus [128, 129] Coot Fulica atra[103, 130, 156] Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax [195] Great Bustard Otis tarda [193] Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus [149] Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus [106, 144] Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius [14] Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula [127 — four specimens on a single mount] Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola [151] Spur-winged Plover Hoplopterus spinosus [132] Little Stint Calidris minuta [122 — three specimens on a single mount] Dunlin Calidris alpina [119 — two specimens on a single mount] Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus [125] Ruff Philomachus pugnax [116, 118 — a juvenile incorrectly labelled as a Knot, 146 ]3 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago [121 — two specimens on a single mount} Great Snipe Gallinago media [147] 4 Woodcock Scolopax rusticola [131] Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris [142, 143] 5 * Curlew Numenius arquata [141, 194] Redshank Tringa totanus [123, 150] Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis [145] Greenshank Tringa nebularia [148] Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos [126] Turnstone Arenaria interpres [115 — two collected at Buylkcekmece on 23 May 1919] Slender-billed Gull Larus genei{105, 158 — labelled as Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus] * Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus [239 not in a case] Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans [152, 153 — juvenile, 154 immature, 160] Common Tern Sterna hirundo [159 — collected at Marmara 27 May 1919] Black Tern Chlidonias niger [161] Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis [68] Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur [79] Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius [101] Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus [84] No. of additiona! specimens mentioned by Mathey-Dupraz (1920-24) two one three two two two one one one one two two one two three three one four three one one two one one oy Guy M. Kirwan Papers Species European Scops Owl Otus scops [188] Eagle Owl Bubo bubo [185, 190, 192] Little Owl Athene noctua [186 — two specimens on a single mount} Tawny Owl Strix aluco [187, 1891 Long-eared Owl Asio otus [191] Common Swift Apus apus [34, 41] Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis [85] European Roller Coracias garrulus [74] Hoopoe Upupa epops [91] Wryneck Jynx torquilla [45] Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus [90] © Green Woodpecker Picus viridis [75, 102] Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major [76] Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius [86] White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos [77] Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra [04, 08] White-winged Lark Melanocorypha leucoptera [27] ’ Crested Lark Galerida cristata [28] Woodlark Lullula arborea [20, 24, 35] House Martin Delichon urbica [43] Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris [42] ® Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis [54] Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis [13] Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus [18, 50] Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava [30] Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla f. feldegg [40] Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea [32] White Wagtail Motacilla alba (12, 25, 38] Wren Troglodytes troglodytes [26] Robin Erithacus rubecula [31 — two specimens on one mount] Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos [23 — mislabelled ‘Redstart’] Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus [15] Whinchat Saxicola rubetra [33] Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius [81] Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus [56 — two specimens on a single mount, 95] Fieldfare Turdus pilaris [44] Song Thrush Turdus philomelos [80] Redwing Turdus iliacus [64, 67] Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala [55] Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria [21] Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla [22] Goldcrest Regulus regulus [47] Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis [51] Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca [29] Nuthatch Sitta europaea [16, 49] Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus [66] Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio [46, 65 — two specimens on a single mount] * Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor [100] Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor [61] Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator [17] Jay Garrulus glandarius [48, 63] Magpie Pica pica [89] Jackdaw Corvus monedula [92, 96] Rook Corvus frugilegus [98, 99] Hooded Crow Corvus corone cornix [71] Raven Corvus corax [70] No. of additional specimens mentioned by Mathey-Dupraz (1920-24) one two one one one one two two males one three one two one seven two females four three one four one three males one one two two two two three one one three two 9 Guy M. Kirwan Oo Oo Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 2 3 4 5 Species : No. of additional specimens mentioned by Mathey-Dupraz (1920-24) Starling Sturnus vulgaris [59, 62, 78] one of the race purpurascens, known from extreme eastern Turkey west to Erzurum (Roselaar 1995) Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus [72] House Sparrow Passer domesticus [60 — two specimens on a single mount, 94] one Tree Sparrow Passer montanus [97] three Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs [88] three Brambling Fringilla montifringilla [10, 11] one European Serin Serinus serinus [93] one Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis [57, 248] two Siskin Carduelis spinus |37] three Linnet Carduelis cannabina [19] two males Redpoll Carduelis flammea [36] 19 Crossbill Loxia curvirostra [39] Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula [58] Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis [01] "' Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos [06, 87] 12 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella [02] * Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus [107 — pair on single mount] Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana [03] Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica [07 — the specimen was labelled as a Pine Bunting] '$ Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus [108] Corn Bunting Milaria calandra [05, 09, 53] The two specimens found would appear to be those mentioned by Mathey-Dupraz (1924) and Kasparek (1990). We could not find the specimen of Great Northern Diver G. immer mentioned by Kasparek (1990), who photographed the skin in 1986 (Kasparek in litt. 1996). It is unclear whether this has been lost or destroyed or was the result of a misidentification with the Black-throated Diver. Mathey-Dupraz (1924) does not record there being any specimens of the latter species being held in the Robert’s College collection. It is unclear whether the specimen (recently) labelled as a Knot Calidris canutus, although actually an immature Ruff, is that aged as a male by Mathey-Dupraz (1923) and collected at Kucuk Cekmece (Kutchuk Tchekmedjé) on 31 July 1914. Kasparek (in litt. 1996) was unable to find the latter specimen. Given the evidence currently available the provenance of the latter record (the first available from Turkey — although Mathey-Dupraz (1923) also mentions the species as a rare passage migrant) can no longer be regarded as watertight. This is the female specimen mentioned by Mathey-Dupraz (1923) and Kirwan (1992b). Gretton (1991) mentions just four specimen records from Turkey: three at Buyukcekmece and one from the Meric Delta, quoting Kumerloeve (1970). However this appears erroneous as the latter author regarded the species’ occurrence in Turkey as unproven. The records quoted by Gretton: two on 30 March 1946 and singles on 6 March 1947 and 31 March 1951 all at Buyukcekmece, and a further record of two on 27 February 1959 in the Merig Delta were all claimed by Zeyneb Halim and Abbas Celaloglu (often unreliable correspondents). In the absence of the specimens, these records were regarded as unproven by Kumerloeve (1961). Neither author quotes the evidence provided by the more reliable Mathey-Dupraz (1923), who, although he did not mention any specimens held at the Robert’s College, recorded the species as not uncommon on passage in both spring and autumn at the Bosphorus. These two specimens have not previously been documented in the literature. Their provenance remains unclear, although in common with most species in the collection it seems probable that they were taken within the environs of Istanbul. It is worth remarking that another record listed by Gretton (1991) at Tuzla (39°34’N 26°11’E, coordinates given in Gretton are incorrect), just south-east of Istanbul on 15 September 1985 is referrable to a Curlew of the eastern subspecies orientalis as noted by Konrad (1994 and in litt. 1995), who originally reported this re-identification to Gretton. 34 Guy M. Kirwan Papers = — Mathey-Dupraz (1921) regarded this species as rare in the vicinity of Istanbul, mentioning observations from four localities, and recorded that two specimens were lodged in the Robert’s College collection. Only one (a male) remains, although both Green Woodpeckers noted in the collection by the latter author are still present. The specimen is a male. Mathey-Dupraz (1922) records that the species (under the latin Melanocorypha sibirica) was regular at the Bosphorus in the late nineteenth century and that the Robert’s College collection originally possessed two specimens of this species. Elwes & Buckley (1870) record that Robson possessed the species in his collection, which was purchased by the Robert’s College, and that the species was occasionally recorded in hard winters. Both Kasparek (1990) and Mathey-Dupraz (1922) mention a specimen of Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi held in the Robert’s College collection, and the former speculates that this may be the unidentified large pipit taken by Mathey-Dupraz (1922) at Kagithane, near Istanbul on 25 March 1894. It is impossible to say whether the specimen we located (and identified as a Tawny Pipit) is referrable to that mentioned by either of the aforementioned authors, although it is worth noting that Mathey-Dupraz (1922) does not mention any specimens of A. campestris having been held in the collection. Mathey-Dupraz (1921) mentions a specimen of Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis held in the Robert’s College collection and describes the species as rare, listing no other records from Turkey. No details of the specimen are provided. Following the elevation to species status of the meridionalis complex (see e.g. Clement 1995, Grant & Mackworth-Praed 1952, Isenmann & Bouchet 1993, Panow 1983), this record acquires new significance. However, in the absence of further details the record cannot be accepted onto the Turkish list. Mathey-Dupraz (1922) records that in winter 1890-91 there were considerable numbers of Redpolls at Scutari on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus. One individual (presumably the same as that we found) was retained in the Robert’s College collection. This is presumably the specimen detailed by Mathey-Dupraz (1922) and Kasparek (1990), which was examined by the latter in 1986. The former reported the species as irregular at the Bosphorus in winter. Although there are just two acceptable modern records, both from the Kazilirmak Delta (see Dijksen & Klenmann 1992 and Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 30: 46), the presence of this specimen may give credence to Mathey-Dupraz’s comments. Two specimens, a male and female, are obviously the same as those detailed by Kasparek (1986) and presumably the latter is that mentioned by Mathey-Dupraz (1922). These two, and a male specimen retained in the British Museum (Natural History), Tring, give credence to statements in the nineteenth century literature (e.g. Elwes & Buckley 1870) that the species was an uncommon winter visitor or passage migrant at the Bosphorus. In the light of this and recent occurrences in northern and central Israel, where the species is regarded as a local but not uncommon winter visitor (Shirihai 1996), it appears strange that there has been only one modern record in Turkey, in March 1974 (Kasparek 1986). The specimen (probably an immature male) was mislabelled (as a Pine Bunting). It is currently unclear where the mistake emanated. A full account of this record has already appeared (Kirwan 1996): this specimen is probably the fourth confirmed record for Turkey, although the original label is missing. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful to Gernant Magnin (DHKD) and the staff at the Robert’s College for their invaluable assistance in arranging access to the collection, Kerem Boyla for accompanying me and providing information from his previous visit to the college, Ruth Bimson for her understanding and patience, Volker Konrad for bringing to my attention his note on Slender-billed Curlew identification, Effie Warr for assistance with references and Max Kasparek who provided some information concerning his own visit to the museum and also helped with references. Rosamund Taylor kindly assisted with translation of some French texts. REFERENCES BRUIN, S. DE (1989) Spotted Sandpiper in Turkey in August 1988. Dutch Birding 11: 121-122. CLEMENT, P. (1995) Southern and eastern Great Grey Shrikes in northwest Europe. Birding World 8 (8): 300-309. Guy M. Kirwan Oo Or Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 Ewes, H. J. AND BUCKLEY, T. E. (1870) A list of the birds of Turkey. [bis (new series) 6: 188-201. DIJKSEN, L. AND KLEMANN, M. (1992) The Snow Bunting in Turkey. Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 28: 21. GRANT, C. H. B. AND MACKWORTH-PRAED, C. W. (1952) On the relationship of the European and African Great Grey Shrikes. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 72: 94. GRETTON, A (1991) The ecology and conservation of the Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenutrostris. I. C. B. P. Monograph No.6, Cambridge. HARRAP, S. AND QUINN, D. (1996) Tits, nuthatches and treecreepers. Helm, London. ISENMANN, P. AND BOUCHET, M.-A. (1993) L’aire de Distribution Francaise et le Statut Taxinomique de la Pie-Grieche Grise Meriodionale Lantus elegans meridionalis. Alauda 61 (4): 223-249. KASPAREK, M. (1986) On records of the Pine Bunting, Emberiza leucocephalos, in Turkey from the last century. Zool. Middle East 1: 56-59. KasPAREK, M. (1990) Zum Vorkommen in der Turkei einiger seltener Vogelarten. Bonn. Zool. Beitr. 41: 181-202. KIRWAN, G. (1992a) A record of Aquatic Warbler from Turkey. Bull. Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 28: 18-19. KiRWAN, G. (1992b) The migration of the Great Snipe, Gallinago media, through Turkey. Zool. Middle East 7: 11-19. KIRWAN, G. (1995) Recent records of rare birds in Turkey. Zool. Middle East 11: 37-46. KIRWAN, G. (1996) A new specimen record of Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica from Turkey. Sandgrouse 18 (2): 70-71. KONRAD, V. (1994) Kennzeichen des Dunnschnabelbrachvogels (Numenius tenuirostris). Orn. Mitt. 46 (11): 291-295: KUMERLOEVE, H. (1961) Zur Kenntnis der Avifauna Kleinasiens. Bonn. Zool. Beitr., Sonderheft. KUMERLOEVE, H. (1970) Zur Kenntnis der Avifauna Kleinasiens und der europaischen Turkei. Istanbul Fen. Fak. Mecm. Ser. B 35 (3-4): 85-160. KUMERLOEVE, H. (1975) The history of ornithology in Turkey. Orn. Soc. Turkey Bird Report 1970-1973: 289-319. MATHEY-DUPRAZ, A. (1920-24) Notes ornithologiques de la région du Bosphore. Orn. Beob. 17 (1920): 25-29, 208-1 107.18 C921): 25-27, 38-41, 95-08, 101-104, 137-139) 157-158;.183-187,.19 (922) 5222.5) Alo 58-61, 116-119, 156-159; 20 (1923): 9-12, 24-27, 118-120, 135-137, 155-158; 21 (1924): 21-24, 43, 56-58, 103-105, 118-120, 189-191; 22 (1924): 6-8, 43-44. PANOW, E. N. (1983) Die Wiirger der Paldarktis. Wittenberg, Lutherstadt. ROSELAAR, C. S. (1995) Songbirds of Turkey. An atlas of biodiversity of Turkish passerine birds. Ger Meesters Boekprodukties, Haarlem & Pica Press, Mountfield. SCLATER, P. L. AND TAYLOR, E. C. (1876) Ornithological notes from Constantinople. [bis 6: 60-65. SHIRIHAI, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. APPENDIX 1 Species mentioned by Mathey-Dupraz (1920-24) as held in the Robert’s College collection but which are no longer represented. Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus two males and a female. Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax a male. Little Egret Egretta garzetia Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Teal Anas crecca Scaup Aythya marila Goosander Mergus merganser Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus Osprey Pandion haliaetus Hobby Falco subbuteo Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus Little Crake Porzana parva Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Dotterel Charadrius morinellus European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 36 two. a pair. a pair. a female. a male. two males and a female. adult male. Mathey-Dupraz (1921) mentioned its occurrence at the Bosphorus but there are no modern records. adult male. two males and a female. two. Mathey-Dupraz (1921) recorded finding two specimens in the Robert's College collection but does not mention the presence of a Saker there. a female. a male. a male and two females. a male. a male, three females and an immature male. immature male and a female. Guy M. Kirwan Papers Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus Common Gull Larus canus Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea White-winged Black Tern Chiidonias leucopterus Rock Dove Columba livia Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Indian Rolier Coracias benghalensis Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius Lesser Spotied Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor Alpine Swift Apus melba Black Lark Melanocorypha yeltoniensis Short-toed Lark Calandella brachydactyla Skylark Alauda arvensis Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Richard’s Pipit Anthus richarai Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta Dipper Cinclus cinclus Dunnock Prunella modularis Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Stonechat Saxicola torquata Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis Blackbird Turdus merula Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Whitethroat Sylvia communis Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Willow Warbler Phylioscopus trochilus Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata three including a male. two. two males and a female. three males and a female. two taken in summer 1875 were mentioned by Sclater & Taylor (1876) but not by Mathey-Dupraz (1920-24). three. The only Turkish records until one at the Goksu Delta in August 1988 (Bruin 1989). a female was presumably that taken by Robson on the Bosphorus (Elwes & Buckley 1870). one male. two males. adult male. two immatures. two. two adults taken in Sea of Marmara on 27 May 1915. male. a pair. a pair. one male and one female. male. Mathey-Dupraz (1921) mentioned the presence of two birds in 1893/94. There are no modern-day records at the Bosphorus. one shot in 1875 between Izmit and Haydarpasa was mentioned by Sclater & Taylor (1876) but not by Mathey-Dupraz (1920-24). a pair. pair. two males. a female taken at Kucukcekmece on 14 October 1914. The only Turkish record. one male and one female. five. one taken at Kucukgekmece on 8 March 1912. one. one male and a juvenile. see note 8. three including one taken at Kugukgekmece on 8 March 1912. Mathey-Dupraz (1921) mentioned that the species was represented in the Robert’s College collection and also a sight record in March 1892. three. two males and four females. a pair. a pair and an immature male. three males and an immature female. one male. a pair. a pair. two. No subsequent records from the Bosphorus. one. There is just one documented modern-day record in Turkey (see Kirwan 1992a, Kirwan 1995). two. ; two. five. one male and two females. two. one. four. a pair. two males and a female. Guy M. Kirwan Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Marsh Tit Parus palustris Coal Tit Parus ater Blue Tit Parus caeruleus Great Tit Parus major Kruper’s Nuthatch Sitta krueperi Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla immature male and four females. In addition Sclater & Taylor (1876) mention several adult males being present in the Bebek collection in 1875. three of the race tephronotus. Mathey-Dupraz (1921) mentioned a specimen of the nominate (white-headed) race. Neither Harrap & Quinn (1996) or Roselaar (1995) mention the occurrence of this race in the Middle East, and these records may be referrable to intergrades between caudatus and one of the europaeus subspecies group. two. three. three. two. two. Mathey-Dupraz (1921) mentioned the species as being present in the Robert’s College collection but does not record the number of specimens retained therein. two. a pair. male. a pair. two. Only two modern-day records (Kirwan 1995). Guy M. Kirwan, 6 Connaught Road, Norwich NR2 3BP, U.K. Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus by J. P. 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To order or for further information contact: ye * | e Wildlife Computing i Dept D16, 6 Fiddiers Lane, East Bergholt, ie Colchester CO7 6SJ , UK. a Tel/Fax +44 (0}1206 298345 / Tel 0850 658966 E-mail wildlife@cix.compulink.co.uk SEE OUR WEB PAGE AT http:/www.compulink.co.uk/~wildlife/ 38 Guy M. Kirwan Papers Five new bird species in Bahrain MICHAL SKAKUJ AND TADEUSZ STAWARCZYK Five new species to the island of Bahrain are documented — Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii, Sooty Tern S. fuscata, Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewskii, Olive- backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni and Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola. In addition full details are presented for the second records of Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola and Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia xantho- collis. All were recorded in August-September 1993 or November-December 1995 and have been accepted by the Bahrain Bird Records Committee. INTRODUCTION HE AVIFAUNA OF Bahrain is well known in comparison to some other Arabian Gulf states (Nightingale & Hill 1993, Hirschfeld 1995). Nonetheless much remains to be discovered (see e.g. Hirschfeld 1992). During our two visits to Bahrain, in August-September 1993 (MS, TS) and in November—December 1995 (MS) we recorded five new species to the island — Roseate Sterna dougallii and Sooty Terns S. fuscata, Blyth’s Anthus godlweskit and Olive-backed Pipits A. hodgsoni, and Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola. Here we present descriptions of these as well as details of their occurrence in neighbouring countries. Additionally the second records of Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola and Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia xanthocollis are documented here. All have been accepted by the Bahrain Bird Records Committee. FIRST RECORDS Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii On 11 September 1993 MS and TS were at Al Janabiya, on the west coast of Bahrain island where a wader, gull and tern roost was located. Among some Slender-billed Gulls Larus genei and Saunders’s Terns Sterna saundersi we found a tern which was identified after 5 minutes observation through telescopes, as an adult Roseate Tern moulting into winter plumage. General appearance. Medium-sized tern, general jizz reminiscent of Common Tern S. hirundo. Head relatively large, less rounded than in Common. In flight the bird exhibited narrow wings with a relatively short ‘hand’, relatively protruding head, long, deeply forked tail and transluscent white secondaries. The bird was in moult and lacked 2-3 inner primaries. Plumage. Cap black except for white forehead. Mantle, scapulars and wing-coverts pale grey, similar to Slender-billed Gull Larus genei in tone. On upperwing 3-4 outer primaries grey forming a dark wedge. During preening the bird several times held its wings up: underwing largely whitish, two outermost primaries greyish, the rest very pale without dark tips forming dark trailing edge to the outerwing as in Common Tern. Outer rectrices white and distinctly longer than primaries when at rest. Bare parts. Bill black with very small red spot at the base, slightly shorter than head, strong in basal part and pointed at the tip. Bill shape more reminiscent of White-cheeked Tern than Common Tern. Legs dark red, relatively long, tibia clearly visible. Roseate Tern is very rare visitor to the Arabian Gulf, although the nearest breeding Michal Skakuj and Tadeusz Stawarczyk 39 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 39-44 1997 grounds are along the east coast of Oman (Hollom et al. 1988). This is the first record in Bahrain; there are only two records in the UAE: in October 1986 and in May 1989 (Richardson & Aspinall 1996). Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata On 26 August 1993 MS, TS and Howard King were driving along King Fahad Causeway, which connects Bahrain with Saudi Arabia. Between Bahrain island and Umm Nassan, we noticed three dark-looking terns flying parallel to the causeway. We immediately stopped the car and watched the birds pass low over the road, from 25-30 metres. Their identity as Sooty Terns — two adults and a juvenile — was confirmed. General appearance. Medium-sized terns, larger than nearby White-cheecked Tern S. repressa with proportionally longer, narrower and more pointed wings, and more deeply forked tail. Plumage. Adults largely black-and-white. Entire upperparts uniformly black without pale collar on neck. Cap black except for white forehead, not extending beyond eye. Underparts and underwing coverts off-white. Secondaries almost black, primaries blackish, slightly paler on basal part and contrasting with white underwing. Juvenile very dark. Head, neck and breast brownish-black with whitish belly and vent. Upperwing and mantle brown-black with whitish markings. Rump blackish. Underwing pattern similar to adults. Bare parts. Bill black on both adults and juvenile. Sooty Tern is extremely rare in the inner Arabian Gulf, although it breeds on islands off Musandam, Oman. There are three UAE records (Aspinall 1995, Richardson & Aspinall 1996) and this is the first record in Bahrain. Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewski On 17 November 1995 at Badan Farm, on the west coast of Bahrain island a Blyth’s Pipit was found. The unfamiliar call first drew our attention to the bird. It remained until 30 November and was observed many times by MS, Paul Castle and Howard King, in the south-east part of the farm, in sorghum fields (c.30 cm high) and on the nearby sand track. A few Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi and many Tawny Pipit A. campestris were also present, greatly facilitating its identification. The bird was observed through telescopes on the ground from 30-100 metres, occasionally from c. 25 metres or even at 6-8 metres in flight. General appearance and behaviour. Fractionally larger than Tawny Pipit and distinctly smaller than Richard’s Pipit. In comparison to the latter the tail was shorter, especially obvious in flight. Because of the relatively slender and pointed bill, it did not exhibit a Richard’s Pipit thrush-like jizz. In addition, when walking or running it had a more horizontal posture, unlike the usually more vertical Richard’s Pipit. Not observed to hover before landing or in flight, as Richard’s Pipit often does. Plumage. General coloration very like Richard’s Pipit and much darker than any Tawny Pipit in the observers experience. Upperparts greyish-brown with wide, diffuse streaks becoming narrower and less pronounced on lower back and rump. Tail dark brownish, marginally darker than mantle. From a distance, relatively distinctive pale buff bars on the folded wing, formed by the tips to the greater and median coverts, were noticeable. A few median coverts were absent from one wing. At close quarters median covert pattern distinctly different from that of adult Richard’s. The dark blackish-brown centres had a small ‘bib’, the pale buff fringe being much wider at the tip. Tertials dark centred with buffish fringes. Cap brownish with dark streaks. Pronounced supercilium, less distinct in front of the eye due to the pale lores. Noticeable moustachial, contrasting with pale buff area around the eye. Ear-coverts browner. Dark malar distinctive, but less heavy than in Richard’s Pipit. Some spotting and streaking on the breast with a few diffuse streaks on the upper flanks. Ground colour of underparts creamy, with distinctive buff flanks (appearing orange-buff in 40 Michal Skakuj and Tadeusz Stawarczyk Papers bright light) and lower belly. Bare parts. Bill much more slender and less strong than in Richard’s Pipit. Legs shorter than in Richard’s Pipit with distinctly shorter hind claw. Voice. Unlike any other large pipit call in our experience, variously described as ‘pstitip’ or ‘tseep’. Also gave a call relatively similar to Tawny Pipit — ‘chep’ or ‘chtip’ but shorter and distinctly monosyllabic. Blyth’s Pipit breeds in central Asia, Mongolia and China, wintering in the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka (Cramp 1988). There were no records from the Arabian Gulf region until autumn 1993 when at least seven were found in the UAE (James 1994). A further 13 records had been accepted by the end of 1995 (Richardson & Aspinall 1996). This long staying individual, as well as the scarce but regular passage in the UAE, suggests that Blyth’s Pipit may overwinter in eastern Arabia. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni During a visit to Badan Farm on 2 December 1995 MS noticed a small pipit perched on a wire 300 metres away. Through his telescope the relatively unstreaked olive upperparts and distinct head pattern were noticed, suggesting Olive-backed Pipit. Subsequently it landed on a bush and was observed at 10-18 metres for 10 minutes, allowing him to compile a detailed description and photograph the bird (Plate 1). Despite searching it was not relocated in the days following. General appearance. A little smaller than Tree Pipit A. frivialis, in silhouette closer to Meadow Pipit A. pratensis, which was observed nearby. Plumage. Olive upperparts with some greyish tones in some light conditions. Mantle and scapulars lightly streaked, but streaking distinctly less obvious than on Tree or even Water Pipit A. spinoletta. Rump unstreaked. Dark Olive-brownish tertials clearly fringed whitish-yellow. Greater and median coverts fringed pale yellow forming two distinct wing-bars. Olive cap streaked blackish, with dark border above rear part of supercilium. Broad supercilium, clearly whitish behind the eye and yellowish with some warmer shades near bill base. Lores blackish. Ear-coverts relatively pale centred with distinct dark border. At rear lower part of ear-coverts a black spot and smaller white spot just above it noted. Striking dark malar widest at base. Breast distinctly spotted with black, on upper part spots and malar bases formed almost continuous band across breast. Flank streaking more diffuse, fainter and less distinct. Breast, flanks and submoustachial warm yellowish, but base colour to rest of underparts pure white. Tail dark olive- blackish with whitish outermost rectrices. Bare parts. Bill shorter and higher compared to Meadow Pipit, yellowish-pink with slightly darker tip. Legs pinkish- yellow with short hind claw. Voice. Call very similar to ‘Tree Pipit, ‘dzeep’ or ‘zeet’. Plate 1. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni, Bahrain, 2 December 1995. (Michal Skaku/) Michal Skakuj and Tadeusz Stawarczyk 4] Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 Olive-backed Pipit breeds in the taiga zone of northern Siberia, wintering principally in south-east Asia (Cramp 1988). In the Middle East most records are from Israel, where it a regular but rare migrant and winter visitor in October—April (Shirihai 1996), UAE — 15 records by the end of 1995 (Richardson & Aspinall 1996) and eastern Saudi Arabia (Bundy et al. 1989). It is a scarce winter visitor to Masirah island, Oman (OBRC 1994), there are at least two recent records in Kuwait (see Sandgrouse 18 (2): 78) and single records in Turkey (Kirwan 1993) and Iran (Scott 1994). Most Arabian records are in autumn. The December record from Bahrain is the first for the country and suggests overwintering. Nevertheless because of its secretive behaviour it could have been overlooked in the region. Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola 7 During a visit to the restricted access, southernmost part of Bahrain on 22 September 1993 MS, TS and Howard King stopped near the police station on the east coast of the main island. The police post is surrounded by a fence and sparse vegetation. Amongst a large flock of House Sparrows Passer domesticus were two Ortolan Buntings Emberiza hortulana, two immature Common Rosefinches Carpodacus erythrinus and an odd bunting with a striking head pattern. After careful observation through telescopes from 20-25 metres we identified it as a first-winter male Yellow-breasted Bunting (Fig. 1). General appearance. Slightly smaller and less bulky than Ortolan Bunting. Plumage. Head pattern distinct: pale greyish median crown-stripe, prominent blackish lateral crown-stripes, broad, yellowish supercilium from bill base to rear of ear-coverts, pale brown ear-coverts bordered dark and with whitish spot in rear part. Malar narrow and faint. Underparts from throat to belly yellowish with sparsely streaked breast, undertail coverts whitish. Nape brown faintly streaked. Mantle heavily streaked with pale yellowish-buff stripes. Rump greyish-brown, streaked dark. Double wing-bar, whitish tips to median coverts being more prominent. Bare parts. Bill pinkish-grey, legs brownish-pink. Figure 1. Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola, Bahrain, September 1993. (Michal Skakuj). - Yellow-breasted Bunting breeds from north-east Europe through Siberia to Korea and Japan, wintering in the Indian subcontinent and south-east Asia (Byers et al. 1995). It is a rare vagrant to the Arabian Gulf region. Singles were seen in September 1979 in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia (Bundy & Warr 1980) and in December 1980 at Ras al Khaimah, UAE (Richardson & Aspinall 1996). It has been recorded on three occasions in mainland Oman (August 1977 (four), October 1982, November 1987) and is listed as a scarce autumn visitor to Masirah island between mid-September and mid-December with a specimen held in the British Museum (Natural History), Tring (OBRC 1994). In Israel it is an extremely rare vagrant, recorded in September to November, and once in May (Shirihai 1996). 42 Michal Skakuj and Tadeusz Stawarczyk Papers SECOND RECORDS Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola On 27 September 1993 MS and TS were birding in reedbeds at Janabiya on the west coast of Bahrain, when a small Acrocephalus warbler drew our attention because of its striking supercilium. It was observed several times for about 15 minutes at a distance of c. eight metres and identified as a Paddyfield Warbler. General appearance and behaviour. Size similar to Reed Warbler A. scirpaceus. It fed low in the reeds, occasionally higher. Tail held slightly fanned and often cocked. Plumage. Head pattern relatively distinct with whitish, long and comparatively broad supercilium reaching rear of ear-coverts, narrowly bordered with dark lines. Upperparts warm brown, rump more rufous. Wings browner with dark alula and dark brown tertials with paler fringes. Wings relatively short, primary projection approximately 1/3 of exposed tertials. Tail dark brown, rounded with very worn tips. Underparts whitish with buffish breast sides and flanks. Undertail-coverts typically long, as in other Acrocephalus. Bare parts. Bill dark with paler base to lower mandible; legs pinkish. Although the nearest breeding grounds of this species are in north-east Iran (Hollom et al. 1988) and eastern Turkey (Kasparek 1992), it is an extremely rare visitor to Arabia. This is the second record in Bahrain, the other was on Muharraq island in September 1991 (Hirschfeld & Stawarczyk 1991). There are two records in Oman: in November 1979 and October 1984 (OBRC 1990, 1994). Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia xanthocollis On 6 September 1993 MS and TS during birding in a neglected garden at Hamalah Farm near Dumistan, western coast of Bahrain island, found a sparrow-like bird with black bill among a large flock of House Sparrow Passer domesticus. Although it was elusive and difficult to detect among sparrows we were able to relocate it several times until 8th. It was a male in advanced moult and its plumage was in rather poor condition, especially on the head. General appearance. A little smaller and less bulky than House Sparrow. Plumage. Head greyish, supercilium virtually invisible as crown and sides of head were in active moult, but despite this dark lores clearly visible. Upperparts to rump uniform buffish- erey. Wing: chestnut lesser coverts and whitish bar on median coverts. Underparts paler, greyish on breast and flanks. Tail dark grey. Bare parts. Bill black, rather long and more slender than in House Sparrow. Yellow-throated Sparrow breeds in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, east Afghanistan and north- east India, as well as in the UAE and eastern Oman (Clement et al. 1993). It is a widespread summer visitor and passage migrant in eastern Arabia (Hollom et al. 1988, Richardson 1990). This is the second record in Bahrain, the first was in April 1975 (Nightingale & Hill 1993). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are grateful to Erik Hirschfeld for confirming our identifications and providing valuable comments on an earlier draft of this paper, and Dr. Saeed Mohamad and Howard King for their generous help and support. Our visit would have been impossible without the financial and material support of Sheikh Hamed bin Ibrahim Mohammed al Kahlifa, BAPCO Company and the Bahrain Center for Study and Reasearch. REFERENCES ASPINALL, S. (1995) Status and conservation of the breeding birds of the United Arab Emirates. Hobby Publications, Dubai. BuNDY,.G. AND WARR, E. (1980) A check-list of the birds of the Arabian Gulf States. Sandgrouse 1: 449. Michal Skakuj and Tadeusz Stawarczyk 43 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 BuNby, G., CONNOR, R. J. AND HARRISON, C. J. O. (1989) Birds of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Witherby, London. Byers, C., OLSSON, U. AND CURSON, J. (1995) Buntings and Sparrows. A guide to the buntings and North American sparrows. Pica Press, Sussex. : CLEMENT, P., HARRIS, A., AND DAVIS, J. (1993) Finches and Sparrows. An identification guide. Helm, London. CRAMP, S. (ed.) (1988) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 5. Oxford University Press. HIRSCHFELD, E. (1992) Birds new to Bahrain 1989-92. Sandgrouse 14: 112-116. HIRSCHFELD, E. (1995) Birds in Bahrain, a study of their migration patterns 1990-1992. Hobby Publications, Dubai. HIRSCHFELD, E. AND STAWARCZYK, T. (1991) First record of Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola in Bahrain. Sandgrouse 13: 110-112. HoLiom, P. A. D., PORTER, R. F., CHRISTENSEN, S. AND WILLIS, I. (1988) Birds of the Middle East and North Africa. T. & A. D. Poyser, Calton. JAMES, S. (1994) The Blyth’s Pipit story. Emirates Bird Report 18: 110-112. KasPAreK, M. (1992) Die Vogel der Tiirkei: eine Ubersicht. Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg. KIRWAN, G. (1993) Olive-backed Pipit, Anthus hodgsoni, new to Turkey. Zool. Middle East 9: 45-47. NIGHTINGALE, T. AND HILL, M. (1993) Birds of Bahrain. Immel, London. OMAN BIRD RECORDS COMMITEE (OBRC) (1990) Oman bird list 3rd edn. OBRC, Muscat. OMAN BIRD RECORDS COMMITEE (OBRC) (1994) Oman bird list.The official list of the birds of the Sultanate of Oman. 4th edn. OBRC, Muscat. RICHARDSON, C. (1990) The birds of the United Arab Emirates. Hobby Publication, Dubai & Warrington. RICHARDSON, C. AND ASPINALL, S. (1996) A checklist of the birds of the United Arab Emirates. Emirates Bird Records Committee, Dubai. Scott, D. A. (1994) First record of Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni in Iran. Sandgrouse 16 (1): 59-61. SHIRIHAL, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. Michal Skakuj, Dept. of Vertebrate Ecology & Zoology, Gdansk University, Al. Legionow 9, PL - 80-441 Gdarisk, Poland. Tadeusz Stawarczyk, Museum of Natural History, Wroclaw University, Sienkiewicza 21, PL - 50-335 Wroclaw, Poland. Turkish Lake District |2th-26th May 1997 Kovada National Park, Dedegol Dagi, Aksehir Golu and Cavuscu Golu White-throated Robins, Crimson-winged Finches and White Pelicans. Superb flora and butterflies. Tien Shan 8th-24th June 1997 Himalayan Snowcock, various Accentors and Rosefinches. Stunning flora, also Bears, Boars, Wolves and Marco Polo Sheep. Dalyan 6th-20th October 1997 Excellent autumn migration through $ W Turkey Full 1997 programme includes: limbabwe © Andalucia * Romania © Costa Rica Iceland Poland © Brazil ¢ Kerala * Sri Lanka For a free brochure please contact: 01260 272837 2°" Wee The Pines Farm, Biddulph Park, Biddulph, y Ss Vi a LY Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST8 7SH CSS—e gate itineraries Retail agent for ATOL 2181 b. > < a | O L > a 3 O = dd L al < ia =) - < Zz 44 Michal Skakuj and Tadeusz Stawarczyk Papers Breeding birds of the Taurus foothills bordering the Goksu Delta, south Turkey JAN VAN DER WINDEN AND VINCENT VAN DEN BERK Breeding birds in the Taurus foothills (to 200 metres) bordering the Géksu Delta on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast were studied in 1991. Three habitats: canyons, bare garrigue hills and forested areas were included in the survey. Breeding was confirmed or considered probable for 48 species. Two others possibly bred. The densities of some raptors and Eagle Owl Bubo bubo were relatively high. Species composition within the study area is typically (eastern) Mediterranean e.g. Riippell’s Warbler Sylvia rueppelli and Yellow- vented Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos. Species of a predominantly European or Pontic distribution e.g. Blackbird Turdus merula, Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea and Dipper Cinclus cinclus were absent, although they occur at higher altitudes in the Taurus. INTRODUCTION NLIKE EUROPEAN TURKEY (Thrace), Asian Turkey (Anatolia) is not covered by the Breeding Bird Atlas of Europe (Bekhuis 1989, Bekhuis & Tucker 1992) but in recent years an increasing number of detailed studies of Turkish breeding bird populations at study sites have been published. This process began in the early 1980s (e.g. Kasparek 1985), but has gained impetus since 1987 (e.g. van der Have et al. 1988, Schepers et al. 1989, Brinkmann et al. 1990, Hustings & van Dijk 1992). In 1991 the Turkish Society for the Protection of Nature (DHKD) initiated a campaign to update information on Important Bird Areas (IBA’s), by coordinating surveys of priority areas (Magnin & Yarar 1993, Yarar & Magnin 1993). Most studies have focused on wetland IBA’s. Studies of non-wetland areas are scarce (e.g. Baris et al. 1984, Albrecht 1986, Parr & Yarar 1993). This paper summarises the results of a breeding bird census of 80 km’ in the Taurus mountain foothills, bordering the Goksu Delta in south Turkey (figure 1) in 1991. STUDY AREA The Goksu Delta is situated on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, 80 km west of Mersin. The area censused lies immediately north of the delta, bordered to the south by the main coastal road (Antalya—Adana) at 10-15 metres above sea level. Its northern border lies 3 km into the hills and 200 metres above sea level. The whole area is approximately 80 km’ (figure 1). A narrow strip of settlements centred on the town of Silifke (population c. 50,000) is concentrated along the northern edge of the delta. Calcareous white rocks and porous grey limestones comprise most of the hills. Soils are usually very thin or absent and thick soils are found only in the valleys. The area can be broadly divided into three habitats: stream valleys or canyons, bare garrigue and forested areas. Dry valleys dissect the hills in a north-south direction in several places, sometimes with steep walls (canyons). These are typically well vegetated with maquis and woodland, more occasionally orchards and open areas. Streams flow only in winter. The Goksu River passes through the central part of the study area through a 150-200 metres deep canyon. The sparse vegetation surrounding human settlements in the hills consists of herbaceous garrigue. As distance from settlements increases, maquis scrubs replace garrigue and in remote areas more or less closed coniferous forest plantations (Pinus brutia) with limited deciduous trees occurs. These were planted in the late 1960s and early 1970s and are managed by the State Forestry Jan van der Winden and Vincent van den Berk 45 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 45-50 1997 Service. Harvesting by local people, although illegal, is practised on an small scale. Throughout the area small cereal fields and orchards (olive and fig) are found. Most of the area is grazed intensively. Irrigated rootcrops are grown in fields around villages. For a more detailed description of the eeology, surface hydrology and agricultural systems of the study site see DHKD (1992): [7] Mountains (E Cities/Villages MEDITERRANEAN SEA Figure 1. Location of the study area, bordering the Goksu Delta, Turkey. METHODS The bird census was conducted concurrently with a herpetological study of the Goksu Delta and adjacent hills between 31 March and 1 September 1991. For this reason the study area was divided into 20 squares of 2.5 x 2.5 km. 27 visits were made to the study area, each square being visited at least once. Bird numbers were established using the combined territory-mapping method (see e.g. Tomialoc 1979). All scarce and rare breeders were counted whilst common breeding birds were counted in two study plots. For a detailed description of a similar methodology see Hustings & van Dik (1994). Scarce and rare breeders All records of scarce and rare bird species e.g. raptors, Eagle Owl Bubo bubo and Raven Corvus corax were mapped and any territorial behaviour noted. For these species all evidence of nesting or territorial behaviour at least five km apart was interpreted as indicating breeding pairs. Only occupied nests of White Stork Ciconia ciconia and European Bee-eater Merops apiaster were counted. Minimum totals for all scarce breeding birds were assessed. Total populations were estimated, taking into account suitable areas which were unvisited. Common breeders Qualitative information for common species was gathered on an irregular basis. In addition to the distribution study, two representative sites (2-5 ha) were each visited five times between late March and early August from sunrise to sunset. These sites were: a largely cleared garrigue valley and a forested hill. Territorial behaviour of all bird species was recorded throughout the period at these two sites, enabling population densities of common species to be estimated. Such estimates were extrap- olated to generate an overall estimate for the entire study area. All breeding observations were recorded using the European Atlas of Breeding Birds (EOAC) 46 Jan van der Winden and Vincent van den Berk Papers Table 1. Breeding birds of the Taurus foothills bordering the Goksu Delta, Turkey. Species composition, numbers and status. Area = 80 km’. EOAC = Breeding evidence (see Appendix 1). Species marked * breed exclusively in the mountains and not in the delta. Density = pairs breeding in study plots (p/10 ha.). Counted = total number counted. Estimated = (A = 1-50; B = 51 - 250; C = 251 - 1000; D = > 1000 pairs). Habitat: 1 = Canyons, 2 = woodlands, 3 = open garrigue, 4 = urban areas Species Density Counted Estimated Habitat EOAC White Stork Ciconia ciconia 10 10 4 16 Honey Buzzard* Pernis apivorus 1 Egyptian Vulture* Neophron percnopterus 2-3 2-5 1 13 Short-toed Eagle* Circaetus gallicus 4-5 4-7 1 13 Common Buzzard* Buteo buteo 2-3 2-5 152 14? Long-legged Buzzard" B. rufinus 4 5-7 V2 12 Kestrel* Falco tinnunculus 3 3-10 Mf if Hobboy* F. subbuteo 2 2-10 1,2 3 Peregrine Falcon* F. peregrinus 4-5 5-7 1 13 Rock Dove* Columba livia 4 A 1 13 Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto B 4 5 Turtle Dove S. turtur 1 B 122 4 Common Cuckoo* Cuculus canorus 1 A Me 4 Barn Owl Tyto alba 1 A 4 13 European Scops Owl* Otus scops A 12 4 Eagle Owl* Bubo bubo 3-4 5-15 | 16 Little Owl Athene noctua B 1,2,3,4 12 Alpine Swift* Apus melba B 1 13 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster 50-80 50-? 3 13 European Roller Coracias garrulus 1-2 1-10 2,3 13 Hoopoe* Upupa epops 1 A 23 4 Syrian Woodpecker* Dendrocopus syriacus 1 B 12 4 Crested Lark Galerida cristata 1 C 1,3,4 i Crag Martin* Ptyonoprogne rupestris 3-4 A 1 3 Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica B is 13 House Martin* Delichon urbica B 1,4 13 Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos 1 A 1,2,3,4 3 Rufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes 2 C 1,2,3 7 Black-eared Wheatear* Oenanthe hispanica 1 C 1.3 13 Blue Rock Thrush* Monticola solitarius 1 B 1,3,4 12 Cetti’s Warbler* Cettia cetti 1 1-10 1 4 Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida 2 D 1,2,3,4 4 Upcher’s Warbler H. languida 1 S) A 1,2,4 4 Ruppell’s Warbler* Sylvia rueppelli 3 C 12:3 7 Orphean Warbler* S. hortensis 2 Long-tailed Tit* Aegithalos caudatus 1 A 2 12 Sombre Tit* Parus lugubris 1 B 12 3 Great Tit* P. major B 152 12 Western Rock Nuthatch* Sitta neumayer 1 C 1,3,4 13 Masked Shrike* Lanius nubicus 1 2 A 1,2 12 Jay Garrulus glandarius B 1,2 3 Hooded Crow* Corvus corone cornix A te? 3 Raven* C. corax 5 5-10 1 13 House Sparrow Passer domesticus D 4 13 Spanish Sparrow P. hispaniolensis A 4 13 European Serin* Serinus serinus B 1,2 4 Greenfinch Carduelis chloris 2 C 4 12 Goldfinch C. carduelis C 4 12 Cretzschmar’s Bunting* Emberiza caesia 2 C fee 12 Black-headed Bunting* E. melanocephala 2 C 1;2 4 Jan van der Winden and Vincent van den Berk 47 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 codes (see Appendix 1). During several visits to higher altitudes, additional data were gathered which revealed some differences with the lower study area. RESULTS Breeding bird diversity and numbers Breeding was proven for 46 species. Table 1 shows species composition, numbers, breeding status and habitat preference within the study area. Data relating to study plots or for scarce species, within the total area, are presented. An estimation of numbers in the entire area, derived through extrapolation, is given. For two species: Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus and Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis breeding was not proved. Most species, including raptors, were concentrated in the canyons. Several species were only found at higher altitudes, outside the study area. Table 2 lists some of these. 32 species (noted in Table 1) which bred in the study area did not breed in the nearby delta. | Table 2. Some scarce species found between 500-1500 metres outside the study area but not found breeding at lower altitudes bordering the Goksu Delta. Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus Woodlark Lullula arborea Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus White Wagtail Motacilia alba Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Dipper Cinclus cinclus Chukar Alectoris chukar White-throated: Robin /rania gutturalis Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Blackbird Turdus merula Tawny Owl Strix aluco Kruper’s Nuthatch Sitta krueperi European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus SPECIES ACCOUNTS Here we present comments on the breeding status of selected species. White Stork Ciconia ciconia Ten nests were found in human settlements in lower parts of the study area. Nine were in Silifke. Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus A Honey Buzzard soaring low over a pine plantation on 16 June indicates possible breeding in the area, perhaps at higher altitudes. Breeding in Turkish Mediterranean coastal areas has not been recorded (Kasparek 1992). Common Buzzard Buteo buteo No breeding records have been reported from the Turkish Mediterranean coast (Cramp & Simmons 1980). As the species was present throughout the breeding season, nesting appears likely. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus All breeding pairs nested on steep cliffs Bordering canyons. Single pairs were located at four suitable breeding sites not less than 5 km apart. Three pairs were observed in courtship display and a total of four or five pairs are considered to breed as there were other observations of single birds in the vicinity of potential breeding habitat. One pair appears to be present per 20 km/* of suitable habitat. The density is comparable to that in Central Europe where nests are usually spaced 2.7—-8.5 km apart but much higher than in eastern France (one nest per 160 km’) (Cramp & Simmons 1980). 48 Jan van der Winden and Vincent van den Berk Papers Eagle Owl Bubo bubo In Turkey, Eagle Owl is considered to be a widespread but patchy breeder and there are few records from the south-east Mediterranean coast hinterland (Kasparek 1992, Kirwan & Martins 1994). However, survey results indicate that every valley north of the Delta held at least one pair and the total population of the study area is therefore perhaps 15 pairs. Upcher’s Warbler Hippolais languida This species arrived in late April occurring in orchards and open pine forests. A singing male just north of Mut (2000 metres) on 3 July suggests that the species breeding range in the south- east Taurus is larger than previously supposed. Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis During early April Orphean Warblers were regularly recorded singing in the foothills. There were no further records and breeding therefore appears unlikely. DISCUSSION Several parts of the study area were visited only once. Therefore estimates are conser- vative and totals should be regarded as minima. For conspicuous species e.g. large raptors or Raven numbers are probably accurate. Inconspicuous (e.g. nocturnal) species totals are certainly less accurate. The comparatively high densities of some raptors and Eagle Owl are particularly noteworthy. Several species (including most raptors, Eagle Owl and White Stork) were regularly observed in the delta and the high densities recorded are presumably attributable to the proximity of this rich feeding area. The foothills have their own bird community with typical eastern Mediterranean species such as Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos and Ruppell’s Warbler Sylvia rueppelli which do not occur at higher elevations. Several species typical of the plains and marshes of the delta do not occur in the foothills (e.g. Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus, Short- toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla and Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis). Others extend into suitable delta habitats from the montane zone (e.g. Rufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes). Because many species breeding in the adjacent mountains (but not in the delta) use the delta to feed, the montane zone should be incorporated into conservation strategies for the area. Albrecht (1986) undertook a similar study at Eregli on the western Black Sea coast. The Eregli study area is larger but the number of breeding species was comparable to that found during this survey, especially when breeding birds of the higher mountains are included. Species composition is, however, completely different. The Goksu Delta hinterland breeding bird avifauna has an (eastern) Mediterranean composition with species such as Rufous Bush Robin, Black-eared Wheatear Oenarthe hispanica and Yellow-vented Bulbul being common. At Eregli species with a Pontic or central European distribution dominate (e.g. Wryneck Jynx torquilla, Wren Troglodytes troglodytes, Dunnock Prunella modularis, Robin Erithacus rubecula and Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos) which are absent at lower elevations in our study area. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This survey was part of the Feasibility Study Phase toward the development of an integrated management plan for the Goksu Delta. The project is operated by the Turkish Society for the Protection of Nature (DHKD) with technical and logistical assistance from the Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat (France) and the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries. Most data were collected during a herpetofauna project made possible by a grant from the Van Tienhoven Foundation (The Netherlands). Mark Bakker assisted with some fieldwork and Guy Kirwan and Steve Newton provided comments on the text and improved the English language. Jan van der Winden and Vincent van den Berk 49 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 REFERENCES ALBRECHT, J. S. M. (1986) Notes on the birds of Eregli, Black Sea coastlands, Turkey 1976-1978. Sandgrouse 8: 74-92. Baris, S., AKCAKAYA, R. AND BILGIN, C. (1984) The birds of Kizilcahamam. Birds of Turkey 3. Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg. : BEKHUIS, J. (1989) The European Atlas. Bird Census News 2(1): 2-9. BEKHUIS, J. AND TUCKER, G. (1992) A progress report on the EOAC Breeding Bird Atlas of Europe and ICBP Dispersed Species Project. Bird Census News 5(1): 6-15. BRINKMANN, R., HEINS, J-U., KOHLER, B. AND ROSLER, S. (1990) Menderes Delta. Hannover. CRAMP, S. AND SIMMONS, K. E. L. (eds.) (1980). The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 2. Oxford University Press. DHKD (1992) Towards integrated management in the Goksu delta, a Protected Special Area in Turkey, Feasibility Report. DHKD, Istanbul, Turkey. HAVE, T. M. VAN DER, BERK, V. VAN DEN, CRONAU, J. P. AND LANGEVELD, M. J. (eds.) (1988) South Turkey Project, 1987. WIWO report 22, Zeist. HUSTINGS, F. AND DyK K. VAN (eds.) (1994) Bird census in the Kizilirmak Delta, Turkey, in spring 1992. WIWO report 45, Zeist. KASPAREK, M. (1985) Die Sultanssumpfe. Naturgeschichte eines Vogelparadieses in Anatolien. Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg. KasparsK, M. (1992) Die Vogel der Tiirkei: eine Ubersicht. Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg. KIRWAN, G. M. AND MARTINS, R. P. (1994) Turkey bird report 1987-1991. Sandgrouse 14 (2): 76-117. MAGNIN, G. AND YARAR, M. (1993) Turkish bird sites needing research during 1994. Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull Bly 5—7. PARR, S. AND YARAR, M. (1993) Preliminary results from a Lesser Kestrel survey of Turkey, Spring 1993. Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 31: 8-10. SCHEPERS, F. J., STUART, J .J. AND MEININGER, P. L. (1989) Breeding birds of the Goksu Delta 1989. Preliminary Report. DHKD, Istanbul. TOMIALOC, L. (1979) The combined version of the mapping method. In: Oelke, H. Bird census work and nature conservation. Oelke, Guttingen. YARAR, M. AND MAGNIN, G. (1993) Bird sites in Turkey requiring research during 1993. Orn Soc. Middle East Bull. 30: 10-17. Jan van der Winden, Leidsekade 118 bis, 3531 HD Utrecht, The Netherlands. Vincent van den Berk, Noordereind 3a, 4012 BT Kerk-Avezaath, The Netherlands. APPENDIX 1 European Atlas of Breeding Birds (E.O.A.C.) Breeding evidence codes. A possible breeding Species observed in breeding season in possible nesting habitat Singing male(s) present (or breeding calls heard) in breeding season Pair observed in suitable nesting habitat in breeding season Permanent territory presumed through registration of territorial behaviour (song, etc.) on at least two different days a week or more apart at same place 5 Courtship and display 6 Visiting probable nest-site 7 Agitated behaviour or anxiety calls from adults 8 g 1 2 B probable breeding 3 4 Brood patch on adult examined in the hand Nest-building or excavating of nest-hole C confirmed breeding 10 Distraction-display or injury-feigning 11 Used nest or eggshells found (occupied or laid within period of survey) 12 Recently fledged young (nidicolous species) or downy young (nidifugous species) 13 Adults entering or leaving nest-site in circumstances indicating occupied nest (including high nests or nest-holes, the contents of which cannot be seen) or adult seen incubating 14 Adult carrying faecal sac or food for the young 15 Nest containing eggs 16 Nest with young seen or heard 50 Jan van der Winden and Vincent van den Berk Papers Preliminary observations of the incubation and covey behaviour of Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata macqueenti FREDERIC LAUNAY, RONALD A. LOUGHLAND AND ELENA MUKHINA The incubation and parental behaviour of non-captive Houbara Bustards Chlamydotis undulata macqueeni are virtually unknown. During an expedition to Uzbekistan in April-May 1994 observations of an incubating female and a covey of three young chicks were made for five days using radio telemetry. Additional observations of an incubating female in Kazakhstan are also presented here. INTRODUCTION HE BREEDING AND parental behaviour of the Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata in the wild are virtually unknown. Its low population density, shy behaviour and cryptic plumage make field observation very difficult. Only fragmentary observations on its behaviour in the wild are available (see Johnsgard 1991). This lack of information prevents any serious attempt to study population parameters such as recruitment, survival rate and predation risk. The only discussion of Houbara Bustard survival rates is in Lavee (1985). BACKGROUND In 1994, a team from the National Avian Research Center in Abu Dhabi undertook a two month expedition in Central Asia (Launay & Loughland 1994), during which the authors were able to observe an incubating female Houbara Bustard and later, radio track a covey of three chicks. This paper reports the observations made between 20 April and 15 May 1994 in the Uch Kuduk region of Uzbekistan. This is an extensive plain (approximately 200 km east to west and 80 km north to south) bordered to the north by the foothills of the Uch Kuduk range. It is slightly undulating and contains many salty depressions (takyr). Soils are a mixture of sand and gravel. Numerous ravines produced by water erosion occur. The area is seasonally grazed by camels and sheep. The most common plant genera are Artemisia, Salsola, Haloxylon, Ceratocephalus, Remeria, Carex, Arnebia and Strigosella. Vegetation cover is low, percentage cover typically falling within the range 5-25%. The height of the shrubs is between 30-64 cm; however, in some places Haloxylon grows to two or three metres in height. BEHAVIOUR OF THE COVEY Three Houbara Bustard chicks were trapped and marked on 21 April 1994. They were between 7-10 days old according with a laying date in late March. Catching the chicks was not difficult. Initially the female and her chicks attempted to run away but as the distance between ourselves and the covey shortened (to under 50 metres), the female increased its:speed and started to run erratically. The chicks then took refuge under small shrubs where they remained motionless and consequently difficult to find. Frédéric Launay, Ronald A. Loughland and Elena Mukhina 51 sandgrouse 19\(1)vol= 55 1997 Small radio transmitters (Biotrack, 4g) were glued to the back feathers (plate 2). When caught the mean weight of the three was 85g. During the weighing procedure the female remained less than 100 metres away calling to the chicks. The chicks did not appear to be affected by the transmitters, immediately following the female upon release. The covey’s movements were monitored for seven days. The distances walked by the female and chicks during different periods are presented in Table 1. The results demonstrate high chick mobility, as previously mentioned by Alekseev (1985). Longer distances were typically covered in the morning. Distances travelled at night were small. The female and chicks were in an area occupied by several displaying males (Launay & Loughland 1995). On two occasions a male was seen displaying to the female, first following her, performing the precopulation display (see Launay & Paillat 1990). The female then flew a short distance (5-10 metres), starting to run, followed closely by the male. She then took flight and the male ceased display and found cover. After 15 minutes the female reappeared and precopulation behaviour recommenced before the two disappeared from view. The chicks remained stationary and hidden throughout. | During five days of observations the chicks always remained together and the female adopted several types of behaviour to prevent the chicks being detected. The first was the one previously described during the capture of the chicks. The second involved the female in attempting to lure the source of danger away from the chicks, by flying in the opposite direction. This occurred when the authors approached within 300-400 metres. The third consisted of the female running quickly away and the chicks separating and fleeing in different directions to hide. After five days the transmitters fell off when the chicks undertook their first moult. These observations proved that it is possible to radio track young birds without any serious effects. Such studies should allow estimation of the survival and recruitment rates of young Houbara Bustards. Table 1. Distances walked by a covey of three Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata chicks in Uzbekistan over a five day period. a * Time Distance (km) Travel time (hours) Dist/hours (metres) 17.00 hrs 21.30 hrs 12 4 hrs 0.30 08.00 hrs 0.2 10.5 hrs 0.02 09.11 hrs 0.0 1.17 hrs 0.00 10.30 hrs 1.1 1.3 hrs 0:92 11.30 hrs 1.0 1 hr 1.00 19.30 hrs 0.8. 8 hrs 0.10 18.30 hrs 523 23 hrs 0.10 _ 08.00 hrs 27, 13.5 hrs 0.20 15.05 hrs 0.7 — 7.08 hrs 0.10 09.00 hrs 23 13.92 hrs 0.16 1 2 3 4 5 6 1, 8 9 0) 1 —_>~ —- INCUBATION Two incubating Houbara Bustards were studied. The first was in Uch Kuduk, Uzbekistan on 23 April. The vegetation around the nest site was composed of Artemisia, Astragalus, Salsola, Carex, Ceratocephalus, Romaria and Alium. Percentage ground cover exceeded 15%, the substrate in the area was sand and gravel and the surrounding topography was flat. Two eggs had been laid (see table 2) and the female had already commenced incubation. The approximate date of laying was estimated by buoyancy in warm water (see Sauveur 1988) to have occurred between 10-15 April. Two females with three week-old chicks were observed at the same location at iy Frédéric Launay, Ronald A. Loughland and Elena Mukhina Papers this time. It is possible that the measured clutch was a replacement or that the laying period is long and depends on individual females. ‘The second nest was found in Kazakhstan on 15 May. The surrounding vegetation was composed of Artemisia, Salsola, Nanophyton, Vicea, Tulipa, Alium, Ranunculus and Poa. Ground cover exceeded 25% on a flat sand and gravel substrate. Three eggs had been laid (see table 2),and the female had commenced incubation at the time of the nest’s discovery. The nest was 28 mm deep and measured 220 x 210 mm. The laying date was estimated at approximately 10 May. It is possible that this clutch was also a replacement. Table 2. Comparative data for two clutches of Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata eggs found in spring 1994. Nest 1 was found in the Uch Kuduk region of Uzbekistan in late April (the two eggs were not weighed). Nest 2 was found in Kazakhstan in mid-May. Length (cm.) Breadth (cm.) _ Weight (grammes) 6.18 ee cher 5 3.86 6538. 4.24 2 6.56 | 4.27 a 8 6.53 1 409: oe - = se ee ep SIP os rape lesen Plate 1. Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata nest scrape with two eggs, Uzbekistan, Plate 2. Houbara Bustard Chiamydotis 1994. (F. Launay) undulta chick, Uzbekistan 1994. (F. Launay) He: a Uo Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 Observations were made on the nesting female in Uzbekistan (Uch Kuduk region) over four days, from a distance of 80 metres (see table 3). The female often left the nest for long periods. It is possible that both the percentage of time spent away from the nest, which increased from 20.17% on day one to 37.87% on day four (see Table 3) and duration of absence changed during the period of incubation but further observations are required to substantiate this. The distance from this nest to the nearest displaying male was 0.74 km. On 25 April a male approached the nest and started to display approximately 20 metres away. The female left the nest but shortly after returned and settled on the nest whilst the male continued to display. After two minutes the female stood and performed the distraction display (Launay & Paillat 1990) towards the male. Then the female ‘jumped’, flew away and started running. The male followed, displaying for a short distance but remaining near the nest. The female returned after 10 minutes, flew off again briefly before returning again. The male continued displaying for five minutes before ceasing and moving away. The female returned to the nest 15 minutes later. It was not possible to determine if the male was paired to the nesting female but it is interesting to note that an incubating female could be in the immediate proximity of a displaying male. Observations at the nest ceased when a monitor lizard Varanus griseus consumed the eges and destroyed the nest. At this time the female again performed the distraction display but the lizard attempted to strike the female with its tail and attacked her when she approached the nest. The female finally conceded and left the nest. Table 3. Time spent away from the nest by a nesting female Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata in Uzbekistan during 15-18 May 1994. Observation (min.) %time away Mean duration (min.) Time depart. Duration (min.) 828 20.17 21 27 06.45 hrs L 09.18 hrs AL 09.55 hrs 23 11.39 hrs 1 13.54 hrs 16.41 hrs 18.27 hrs 19.00 hrs 08.05 hrs 09.53 hrs 14.00 hrs 14.09 hrs 15.36 hrs 18.22 hrs 18.40 hrs 06.00 hrs 07.15 hrs 09.12 hrs 10.29 hrs 14.33 hrs 15.35 hrs 18.39 hrs 06.00 hrs 07.40 hrs 08.50 hrs 09.14 hrs 11.07 hrs 54 Frédéric Launay, Ronald A. Loughland and Elena Mukhina Papers CONCLUSION The behaviour of the three chicks was apparently unaffected by the transmitters and the covey showed a high degree of daytime mobility. Distances travelled at night were considerably less than during daylight, perhaps reflecting the thermoregulatory needs of the chicks. The presence of displaying males in the vicinity of the nest was obviously a disturbing factor for the female. This is possibly one reason why Houbara Bustards usually nest some distance from the main display areas, as has been observed in Kazakhstan (Launay 1995). Further studies of this type are urgently required to further evaluate the population dynamics of this species if appropriate measures are to be taken to ensure its conservation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are grateful to HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and President of the National Avian Research Center, and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board for supporting this study. Mr. Mohammed AI Bowardi was also constantly supportive. All the staff of the National Avian Research Center in Abu Dhabi, U. A. E. are thanked for their help during the expedition. Prof. John Cooper and Paul Goriup kindly commented on the manuscript. REFERENCES ALEKSEEV, A. F. (1985) The Houbara Bustard in the North West Kyzylkum. Bustard Studies 3: 87-92. JOHNSGARD, P. A. (1991) Bustards, hemipodes, and sandgrouse. Birds of dry places. Oxford University Press. LAUNAY, F. (1995) NARC expedition to Kazakhstan. Scientific Report 1995. NARC Internal Research Report. LAUNAY, F. AND LOUGHLAND, R. (1994) Report of the Houbara Bustard expedition to Central Asia and Kazakhstan (9 April to 13 June 1994) Part I. NARC Internal Research Report. LAUNAY, F. AND LOUGHLAND, R. (1995) Breeding system of Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata macqueeni: preliminary observations. Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 35: 14-17. LAUNAY, F. AND PAILLAT, P. (1990) A behavioural repertoire of the adult Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata macqueeni1). Rev. Ecol. (Terre Vie) 45: 65-88. LAVEE, D. (1985) The influence of grazing and intensive cultivation on the population size of the Houbara Bustard in the northern Negev, Israel. Bustard Studies 3: 103-107. SAUVEUR, B. (1988) Reproduction des volailles et production d’oeufs. Institut National de La Recherche Agronomique, Paris. Frédéric Launay and Ronald Loughland, National Avian Research Center, P. O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Elena Mukhina, Institute of Zoology, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan. % Ne ~ ‘ Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata by D Powell J (er } 1 Frédéric Launay, Ronald A. Loughland and Elena Mukhina Sandgrouse 19 (1): 56-62 1997 Birds new to Qatar BOB NATION, HELEN NATION AND ANDREW HOOPER EAR eo 22 - Twelve new species, Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus, Great Skua y Cr 4oe Lee Catharacta skua or South Polar Skua C. maccormicki, White-breasted Ae ae a NG Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis, Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni, African Rock FS pe IS See Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula, Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi, Long-billed | ree x ( oe oa Pipit A. similis, Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer, Graceful Prinia Prinia | / 1 Bete ae ee ee | gracilis, House Crow Corvus splendens, Common Mynah Acridotheres tristis, a > < Ace aS | Siskin Carduelis spinus, four the result of escapes or introductions, added to | es =) 2 Si the Qatar bird list between 1986 and 1996 are listed and the most remarkable x Gs || occurrences documented. Significant range extensions or status changes in ye Ne \ five other species, Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto, Laughing Dove S. | J — \ senegalensis, Namaqua Dove Oena capensis, Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius Pe y | ampelinus, Pale Rock Sparrow Petronia brachydactyla, are detailed. During the 11 year period treated no species have shown a major decline in numbers. INTRODUCTION The most recent published checklist of the birds of Qatar (Warr 1986) contains 252 species, including 19 residents. Updated copies of this list have been circulated privately (Warr 1993). This article documents the principal changes to Qatar’s avifauna since the publication of the former list. Twelve new species have been recorded. Three of these are former introductions or escapes, which are now established residents, another may become established, while the remainder are vagrants or scarce passage migrants. An additional five species, formerly listed as scarce or rare, have been proven to be much more common. During the same period, no species have shown evidence of a substantial decline. Environmental factors appear to be assisting some changes. New breeding species have taken advantage of increased numbers of trees and gardens in populated areas. The increase in observer activity, especially during 1992-95, has doubtlessly also had an effect. Descriptions are presented for some of the more remarkable occurrences. SPECIES ACCOUNTS Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus Recorded in farm and village areas from 1986 (Warr 1993). Since 1988, it has become common and widespread in both urban and non-urban locations where there are trees, substantial ground cover and minimal disturbance, in addition to adjacent desert areas. For example, there are records near Khursa’ah on 25 December 1992 and in Ras Abrug (western Qatar) in April 1994. Adults with young were observed near a farm on the road to Al Khor in March 1993 and in Khor Gardens in April 1994 (pers. obs.). Eight chicks were in Doha in April 1993 (M. Fearns). It has also become common and widespread in Bahrain and the UAE (Hirschfeld & King 1992, Richardson 1990). Many, if not all, populations have been introduced; the species is only doubtfully native to eastern Arabia (Aspinall 1996). The first record in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia was in 1991 (Hirschfeld 1995). Great Skua Catharacta skua or South Polar Skua C. maccormicki On 17 January 1992, a skua was seen flying south close along the shore at the Fuweirit sandspit (north-west Qatar). It flew low, between the observers and the water’s edge. 56 Bob Nation, Helen Nation and Andrew Hooper A oi Bob Nation, Helen Nation and Andrew Hooper 5; Papers Description. Approximately Herring Gull Larus argenteus size, but bulkier. Plumage medium brown with a pale wing patch at the base of the primaries (although this was not as strongly contrasting as shown in field guides). Plumage of head, upper- and underparts was mottled; colour-warm, medium brown. Steady flapping and direct flight; the wings appearing more bowed than a gull’s. From its size, shape and plumage the bird was clearly a Catharacta skua and identification as Great Skua (rather than South Polar Skua) was based on the uniformity of the head and body plumage (see Harrison 1983). The warm brown, rather than grey brown, plumage may also tend to support the identification as Great Skua. However identification of these large skuas is notoriously problematic and a review of all such claims in the Arabian Gulf region is clearly warranted, see Porter et al. (1996). Great Skua is a vagrant to the Arabian Gulf with one confirmed observation in the UAE (Richardson 1992) and either this species or South Polar Skua is a scarce visitor between July and January in Oman (OBRC 1994). A record of Antarctic Skua C. antarctica at Ras Abu Rassas, Masirah Island, Oman in late October 1991(OBRC 1994) is probably referrable to South Polar Skua and has been withdrawn from the national list (R. F. Porter pers. comm. to G. M. Kirwan 1996). White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis On 28 November 1991, a White-breasted Kingfisher was in the inner harbour basin at Wakrah (east Qatar). It was perched ten metres from the observer (AH), facing away. It flew across the water and perched on the far shore about 100 metres away against a dark background. Description. A kingfisher, noticeably larger than Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis with long heavy bill and upright posture when perched. Flight fast, direct and low on rapid wingbeats. Plumage largely turquoise with cinnamon brown wing coverts and upper back/head, white patches in wings and small area of very conspicuous turquoise electric-blue on lower back and tail. Facing side-on to the observer. Loud, short, piercing call given about five times when first disturbed. No white breast was visible, presumably because it never faced the observer. The species breeds in Iraq and Iran on the north and north-east side of the Arabian Gulf, but is rare on the west shore. In eastern Saudi Arabia there were records in October 1984 and November 1985 (Bundy et al. 1989). There are no records in Bahrain or Oman. It is a vagrant in UAE (two in November 1990, and singles in August 1992 to February 1993 and December 1995, Richardson & Aspinall 1996). Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni Three Dunn’s Larks were seen on a track north of Ghanliya (north-east Qatar) on 16 March 1993 (J. & C. Oldfield). The birds were in desert scrub near a saline marsh, and were observed for about ten minutes at a distance of three metres. Description. sandy-coloured larks, separated from Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti by chunky yellow bill, upright stance and eye ring. In flight the birds showed a very contrasting black undertail. Gallagher & Woodcock (1980) describes and illustrates the tail of Dunn’s Lark as appearing black from below. African Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula Two African Rock Martins were seen at close range on a high-rise hotel in Doha at about midday on 10 November 1995. They were observed through the window of the top floor restaurant, sitting on a ledge less than a metre from BN and HN. One was 0.5-1 cm shorter, with “fluffier” back feathers. The smaller bird appeared to solicit food (opening its beak and turning towards the other) when the larger bird flew off and returned to the ledge. R. J. Shepherd reported a “large flock of African Rock Martins” at the same site in March/April 1991 with “at least one” still present in June and again at least one during summer 1992. No description is available. Occasional sightings of pale hirundines around the same building, e.g. 5 June 1992 (BN) could also have been this species. In UAE the species is a common resident breeder in foothills and mountains with pairs now colonising high-rise buildings in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah (Richardson & Aspinall 1996). Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 Nesting is from February to April (Richardson 1991) but double-brooding is apparently typical with first young often fledging by early April (Aspinall 1996). The nearest breeding records to Doha listed by Jennings (1995) are in eastern Saudi Arabia. There it breeds from March, locally in rocky outcrops and escarpments; small numbers disperse between October and March but not usually as far as the coast (Bundy et al. 1989). In Oman it breeds from February to July and is also a winter visitor between August and February. Jennings (1995) gives the breeding season as January to April but has records of nesting in July-August (twice in northern Oman) and November—December (single records in south Oman and south-west Saudi Arabia). Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi Four Richard’s Pipits were seen in Qatar in 1993-94. The first was observed at 10-20 metres range on open, wet ground near long grass at Mukeinis Farm (east-central Qatar) on 26 November 1993. On 1 April 1994, two were in Traina Gardens, a small, tree-lined, irrigated farm in southern Qatar. They were feeding on sparsely grassed ground among date palms and small shrubs. On 15 April 1994, a single Richard’s Pipit was ina large grove of Acacia and Lycium trees in the Abruq Peninsula (east Qatar). It foraged systematically over the thinly vegetated ground for more than two hours, sometimes allowing a close approach. In neighbouring UAE, Richard’s Pipits are uncommon and irregular passage migrants until early May (Richardson 1990). It is a regular winter visitor in small numbers to Bahrain (Hirschfeld 1995) and Bundy et al. (1989) list four records in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia during November and December with one in October, one remaining until March and another in October. Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis On 27 March 1992, many migrants including wagtails, wheatears and shrikes were present at a small, tree-edged farm near Khursa’ah (south Qatar). One lighter-plumaged bird feeding with Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervinus was identified as a Long-billed Pipit. It was about ten metres from the authors for more than five minutes. Description. shape and general plumage of relatively large pipit. Generally pale below, with light streaking on chest. Longish bill, compared to the Red-throated Pipits. Upperparts plain brown, with few markings. Pale, flesh-coloured legs. Outer tail feathers buff (rather than white) eliminating the commoner Tawny Pipit A. campestris. Subsequently, Long-billed Pipits have been recorded in Qatar as follows: one near Doha in October 1992, three at Al Kharrarah in February 1993 and two at Mukeinis Lake in March 1993 (all J. Oldfield). In neighbouring UAE, Richardson (1990) lists Long-billed Pipit as a scarce winter visitor to coastal plains and scrub until April. The Qatar birds could be members of this same population, which may breed in Iran. There are no records in Bahrain or eastern Saudi Arabia (Hirschfeld 1995, Bundy et al. 1989). Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Listed by Warr (1986) solely as an escape, first recorded in 1971. By 1990, it was s well established in suburban gardens. In the southern town of Umm Said it outnumbers the White-cheeked Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys, while in Doha it remains the less common of the two species. There are at least two inland records (c.30 km from the coast): at Wabrah Farm, near Shahaniyah in May 1992 and a farm near Kharrarah in March 1995. Nests and young birds have been noted in the warmer months in Doha e.g. three young on 2 May 1990, followed by a second brood in June, nesting on 8 May 1992 and unfledged young in August 1993. Breeding was also reported in Umm Said in August 1991 (J. Thomas). The birds sometimes associate with White-cheeked Bulbuls and individuals with intermediate vent coloration suggest that the two occasionally interbreed (Warr 1993 and pers. obs.). 58 Bob Nation, Helen Nation and Andrew Hooper i) _—- ) ; Papers The population in Qatar has probably been supplemented by further escapes and introductions. The species is listed for the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia (Bundy et al. 1989) and a few survive in Bahrain (Hirschfeld & King 1992). In UAE, it breeds as far east as Ras al Khaimah and has also been recorded around Muscat, Oman (Aspinall 1996). Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis One was observed on 9 November (BN, HN) and 1 December 1995 (AH) in the gardens of the new Sealine Beach Resort Hotel, south of Messai’eed (Umm Said) in south-east Qatar. It was readily identified by its small size, prinia jizz and cocked, graduated tail, marked black and white on the underside. The observers are familiar with the species through visits to Oman and UAE. In UAE the Graceful Prinia is a common resident breeder which “is spreading in proportion to the increase in irrigated gardens and agriculture” (Richardson & Aspinall 1996). In the coastal zone of eastern Saudi Arabia it is a common resident in reedbeds and tamarisk scrub adjacent to water, and there is a late autumn post-juvenile dispersion from the breeding areas (Bundy et al. 1989). It is also a common and widespread resident breeder in Oman (Gallagher & Woodcock 1980). House Crow Corvus splendens Three were identified on 13 April 1994 in Ras Abu Abboud, a district of Doha with large buildings, barren areas and built-up coastline. The birds remained for at least three hours in the middle of the day but were not seen subsequently. An article in the English language newspaper on 23 April 1994 triggered further reports of a total of 30-40 birds in the preceding seven months from four distinct sites on the east coast and offshore. Identification was only confirmed in the first record but the other reported birds were clearly corvids and all associated with human settlement. Halul Island (main station for offshore oil production and shipping): four birds from January-April 1994; three birds remaining until mid-April. Suspected to be robbing nests of domestic pigeons. Ras Laffan (new industrial town under construction on coast 60 km north of Doha): flock of 26 from October 1993 to the end of March 1994 (when a favoured perching site was dismantled). Beach villa compound south of Ras Laffan: five in October 1994, two in July 1995 and nine in December 1995. Al Khor (town 40 km north of Doha): up to 13 on the edge of the town from c. February to April 1994. Umm Said (industrial town 15 km south of Doha): single bird seen several times in residential area from mid-April to mid-June 1994. Two in mid-May and three additional birds were with the original individual on 15 June. The species is an abundant resident in some cities and town along the Gulf of Oman (Gallagher & Woodcock 1980). Smaller numbers have colonised coastal areas of UAE as far west as Ruwais (Aspinall 1996). Bahrain has possessed a small but stable population since the early 1970s (Hirschfeld 1995), while Bundy et al. (1989) note three colonies at Ras Tanura in eastern Saudi Arabia. Richardson (1990) states that they may colonise new areas in March when nest prospecting. Common Mynah Acridotheres tristis Listed as an escape by Warr (1986). Breeding was noted at the Doha Zoo in 1985 and a flock of 50-100 was seen there in 1988. Singles and small groups now occur in various parts of Doha and adjacent Rayyan, often in large gardens, roundabouts or areas of flooded trees. Larger Bob Nation, Helen Nation and Andrew Hooper 59 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 flocks form in winter: in 1993, 40-60 at a flooded date farm from mid-February to April and in 1994, 10-25 from late February to end of April. It was also recorded in Umm Said in October 1993: Bundy et al. (1989) list very few records of Common Mynah in eastern Saudi Arabia but it is well-established in Bahrain and the UAE, where it was first reported in the mid-1970s, and has recently reached Muscat, Oman where it is increasing rapidly (Aspinall 1996). It is commonest in the UAE, where roosts of over 1000 have been reported in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (Richardson 1992), Siskin Carduelis spinus A flock of c.15 Siskins, including several males, was discovered in the grounds of the Ramada Renaissance Inn, Doha between 25-27 February 1994 (D. A: Scott). They gathered in the mornings in Casuarina trees. This occurrence is consistent with sightings in adjacent UAE, where the species is an irregular winter visitor, sometimes in flocks, remaining into February. It favours parkland, gardens and cultivation (Richardson 1990). Elsewhere in the eastern Gulf states it is a rare winter visitor to Bahrain (Hirschfeld 1995) and only occurs as a vagrant in eastern Saudi Arabia with all sightings in November (Bundy et al. 1989). STATUS CHANGES Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Although listed as “very scarce, status uncertain” in Warr (1986), this species is now a widespread resident in Qatar with flocks of up to 50 found wherever there are trees; over 200 were at an inland farm near Umm Qarn on 8 December 1995. It initially colonised the farms and suburbs where there are tall trees but has increasingly occurred in urban areas. Nesting was first attempted in a Doha residential area in 1986 (Warr 1993). Subsequently, at a site on the south-west edge of the city, pairs have nested on a window ledge, in eucalyptus trees and on a TV aerial in most months of the year (M. Fearns). The usuai clutch was two eggs and nests were typically re-used for a second brood. This population increased to about 40 birds between 1991 and 1994. The increase in Qatar is consistent with the general spread of this species in Arabia, e.g. it was scarce in UAE prior to 1977 but has since spread rapidly and the population is currently estimated at 25,000-50,000 pairs (Aspinall 1996). Hirschfeld & King (1992) mention the introduction and breeding of this species in both Qatar and Bahrain in the 1960s, and suggest that the increase in Arabia could arise from introductions rather than as part of the species’ natural expansion through Europe. Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Listed in Warr (1986) as “scarce” and restricted to Doha. By 1990, it was still seen only occasionally, but was recorded in nearby Umm Salal Mohammed in October 1990. Since then, it has become regular in small numbers in parts of Doha and other municipalities, including Umm Said. This spread corresponds to an increase in the extent of urban gardens and parks. In May 1993, it was noted as abundant in an irrigated farm near Umm al Ghab (east-central Qatar) which has thick undergrowth and many trees. Smaller numbers have been recorded at other farms, where it was often outnumbered by Collared Doves, i.e. near Khursa’ah (1992-93), Traina (February 1993) and Mukeinis (from March 1993). Nests were observed in lime trees and date palms in Doha at the same site as for Collared Dove (see above). In July 1993, one chick survived from two eggs; in August 1993, both chicks survived (M. Fearns). An immature was found dead in late April 1993 (pers. obs.). In April 1996, two chicks fledged from a nest in a Ziziphus tree in a Doha garden (BN, HN). 60 Bob Nation, Helen Nation and Andrew Hooper Papers In UAE, Laughing Dove is abundant and widespread, favouring cultivation but also found in remote areas (Richardson 1990). Richardson (1992) states that the Common Mynah appears to be replacing it; this has not been observed in Qatar, where both species occur in smaller numbers. It remains scarce in Bahrain but was increasing in the early 1990s (Hirschfeld 1995). Namaqua Dove Oena capensis Listed as “vagrant” by Warr (1986) with a single breeding record in November 1985, the species is now reported regularly in small numbers. It has been observed since 1993 in small numbers on the outskirts of Doha in June, July, August, October, November and January. A group of 13 including five adult males was seen at Mukeinis farm on 3 November 1995. Jennings (1995) states that Namaqua Dove has expanded its range north and east since 1975 into eastern Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Omani Dhofar and is continuing to spread. Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus Formerly regarded as rare but now considered to be a regular spring migrant. Warr (1986) lists three records at different localities in 1983 and 1984 in March-April and December-January. Between 1991-96, it has been regularly recorded on a farm at Traina (south-central Qatar). Early and late dates are as follows with maximum numbers in parentheses:. 1991: 22 March (1) 1992: 20 March-17 April (4) 1993: 19 February—17 March (14) 1994: 25 February—1 April (20) 22 December (one female) 1995: 22 February, at a grove 40 km north of Traina (25) 5 March-3 April (10) 1996: 1 March (5) This pattern could have been overlooked in previous years, as the site was not regularly visited prior to 1991. The species breeds in Iraq and Iran, wintering in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain (Hollom et al. 1988). In UAE, it is a very scarce passage migrant, although it may winter on islands near Qatar. Pale Rock Sparrow Petronia brachydactyla Listed as a scarce passage migrant by Warr (1986). There were no further records until 1993-94 when observations suggested that it was locally numerous and had therefore been overlooked in the past. On 1 April 1993, two were in the low hills near Kharrah (J. Oldfield); in February 1994 at least two were near Mukeinis irrigated farm (D. A. Scott); on 4 March 1994, 15-20 were at Traina Gardens (pers. obs.) and on 1 April 1994 over 50 were seen in dry fields at Kharrarah farm (pers. obs.). Bundy et al. (1989) record its equally erratic status in eastern Saudi Arabia, it being recorded in flocks of up to 200 in some years but absent in others. Richardson (1990) lists it as an irregular spring passage migrant in adjacent areas of UAE. REFERENCES ASPINALL, S. (1996) Status and conservation of the breeding birds of the United Arab Emirates. Hobby Publications, Dubai & Warrington. BUNDY, G., CONNOR, R.J. AND HARRISON, C.J.O. (1989) Birds of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Witherby, London. GALLAGHER, M. AND Woopcock, M.W. (1980) The birds of Oman. Quartet Books, London. HARRISON, P. (1983) Seabirds: an identification guide. Croom Helm, Beckenham. HIRSCHFELD, E. (1995) Birds in Bahrain: a study of their migration patterns 1990-1992. Hobby Publications, Dubai. HIRSCHFELD, E. AND KING, R. (1992) The status of some escaped species of birds in Bahrain. Phoenix 9: 11-13. Ho Lio, P.A.D., PORTER, R.F., CHRISTENSEN, S. AND WILLIS, I. (1988) Birds of the Middle East and North Africa. T. & A. D. Poyser, Calton. Bob Nation, Helen Nation and Andrew Hooper 61 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 JENNINGS, M. C. (1995) An interim atlas of the breeding birds of Arabia. NCWCD, Riyadh. OMAN BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE (OBRC) (1994) Oman bird list. The official list of the birds of the Sultanate of Oman. 4th edition. OBRC, Muscat. RICHARDSON, C. (1990) The birds of the United Arab Emirates. Hobby Publications, Warrington & Dubai. RICHARDSON, C. (1992) Escapes and introductions in the United Arab Emirates. Phoenix 9: 13-15. RICHARDSON, C. AND ASPINALL, S. (1996) A checklist of the birds of the United Arab Emirates. Emirates Bird Records Committee, Dubai. Wak, FE. (1986) A list of Qatar’s birds. J. Qatar Natural History Group 1983-86: 38-51: republished in VINE, P. AND Casey, P. (1992) The heritage of Qatar. Immel, London pp. 90-93. WARR, F.E. (1993) A List of Qatar’s birds. Privately distributed. Boo Nation and Helen Nation, c/o ICS Department, Qatar General Petroleum Corporation, P.O. Box 3212, Doha, State of Qatar. Andrew Hooper, c/o Legal and Contacts, QGPC, P.O.Box 47, Doha, State of Qatar. THE HADORAM EXPERIENCE ‘Middle-Eastern specialities for bird clubs, self organised birdwatching groups and _private birders, guided by Hadoram Shirihai = An evening excursion from Eilat in search of Hume’s - Tawny Owl or Nubian and Egyptian Nightjars. m Single day or two day trips to Negev, searching for desert species, including four species of sandgrouse and, during migration season, many species of raptors, larks and wheatears. @ A three to five day trip to Northern and Eastern _ Israel, visiting the Arava valley, the Dead Sea Depression and Bet She’an Valley as well as the Hula Valley, the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon, and/or ial agan Mikhael on the Mediterranean coast. U.K. participants, should book Israeli tours through: Sunbird, P.O. Box 76, Sandy, Beds. SG19 1DF. Tel: 01767 682969, Fax: 01767 692481. Note that for two day and longer trips, accommodation in kibbutz guest houses is included. In Eilat, accommodation on a daily basis is available. Trips to Eastern Turkey are also available. All the specialities of the country at easy to visit, trouble-free locations in a ten to twelve day trip. _ For additional options and information _ contact: Hadoram or Lilly Shirihai, P.O. Box 4168, Eilat 88102 Israel. Tel/Fax: 972-7-6379326. 7 62 Bob Nation, Helen Nation and Andrew Hooper Notes The second-calendar year plumage of Crab Plover Dromas ardeola MICHAL SKAKUJ, ERIK HIRSCHFELD, JAN LONTKOWSKI AND TADEUSZ STAWARCZYK URING THE ABU Dhabi Shorebirds Project, undertaken in late August-late September 1994 in the United Arab Emirates, 14 Crab Plovers Dromas ardeola were caught on Merawah island, Arabian Gulf. Between 23 and 315 birds were present there in this period. They were believed to have dispersed from the nearby breeding colony at Abu al Abyadh island (Morris 1992), although it cannot be excluded that they, at least in part, stem from an undiscovered colony in the Arabian Gulf. Of the 14 birds ringed, nine were adults, three juveniles and one second-year. The second-year plumage is briefly described in BWP (Cramp & Simmons 1985) but neither Prater et al. (1977) or Hayman et al. (1986) illustrate this plumage or mention it in their texts. Second-year birds are in fact relatively easy to identify in the field, at least prior to autumn moult (December according to Cramp & Simmons 1985). A description of the second-year bird caught on 5 September 1994 is therefore presented. Description. Entire underparts, neck and head off-white with noticeable, dark-greyish streaks on crown and hindneck. Forehead white. Mantle distinctly dark, blackish-grey, but not uniformly coloured (Plate 1). The wing feathers were moulted with three old outermost primaries, very bleached and faded as well as with almost no distal part of webs. The remaining primaries were fully grown and blackish, their coverts were also new. All secondaries except for the outermost one were old. Half of the greater secondary coverts were new and blackish, the rest being old and heavily worn (Plate 2). Some outer median coverts were also new. All rectrices were buffish-grey and very worn. Lower back and rump white. Bill and legs black. Bill length within the range of adults. Plates 1 and 2. Second-calendar year Crab Plover Dromas ardeola, Merawah island (UAE), September 1994. (Jan Lontkowski) Second-calendar year plumage is intermediate between adult and juvenile plumage. At long distance it appears similar to adult plumage, but the lack of contrast in the upperparts and pure white upperwing coverts, as well as the grey-streaked head and hindneck are helpful in correct ageing. Second-calendar year individuals are distinguished from juveniles by having a blackish-grey back whilst the scapulars and upperwing coverts are pale grey as in juvenile plumage. Juveniles, lacking any black patches, appear very uniform. Some exhibit a darker mantle than the scapulars but never to the extent where they could be confused with adult or second-year birds. Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 Plate eave Crab Plover Dromas” : ardeola, Merawah island, UAE, September 1994. (Jan Lontkowski) Plate 3. Adult Crab Plover Dromas ardeola, Merawah island, UAE, September 1994. Plate 5. Adult Crab Plover Dromas (Jan Lontkowski) ardeola. (D. Robinson) REFERENCES > CRAMP, S. AND SIMMONS, K. E. L. (eds.)(1985) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 3. Oxford University Press. HAYMAN, P., MARCHANT, J.H. AND PRATER, T. (1986). Shorebirds. An identification guide to the waders of the world. Croom Helm, Beckenham. Morris, R. P. (1992) Observations on a colony of Crab Plovers Dromas ardeola in Abu Dhabi. Sandgrouse 14: 34-47. PRATER, A. J., MARCHANT, J. H. AND VOURINEN, J. (1977) Guide to the identification and ageing of Holarctic waders. BTO Guide 17, Tring. Michal Skakuj, Dept. of Vertebrate Ecology & Zoology, Gdarisk University, Al. Legionow 9, PL - 80-441 Gdansk, Poland. Erik Hirschfeld, Sédra Forstadsgatan 62, S-211 43 Malm, Sweden. Jan Lontkowski and Tadeusz Stawarczyk, Museum of Natural History, Wroclaw University, Sienkiewicza 21, PL - 50-335 Wroclaw, Poland. 64 Notes Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis colonisation of Kuwait CUW i? RILCHER;.W: A: STUART AND:*S: ‘TF. SPENCER RACEFUL PRINIA Prinia gracilis occurs from Egypt and the Middle East, north to southern Turkey and east to Pakistan, Assam and extreme north-east India. It is resident throughout its range, generally assumed to be sedentary and, in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, common, occurring in much of southern Iran, southern Iraq, the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Oman (Porter ef al.1996). It had been somewhat surprising that, despite the availability of apparently suitable habitats, Kuwait was the only Gulf State where the species had gone unrecorded. 1990-1991: the first records For several decades a desert area adjacent to the north-east Kuwait—Iraq border has been cultivated using brackish well-water for irrigation. Land on the Iraqi side is farmed in a similar manner. Anticipating new sightings of species from southern Iraq in the area, known locally as Abdali Farms, we regularly visited it during autumn, winter and spring each year from c. 1974 until the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The first sighting and confirmed breeding of Graceful Prinia occurred here. Abdali Farms occupy c. 22 km? of flat sandy desert centred on 48° 05’ E 30° 00’ N. Individual farms are typically surrounded by a sand bund 2-3 metres high and protected by windbreaks of tamarisk Tamarix aphylla trees, which can grow to more than 8 metres tall. Crops, including alfalfa, tomato, garlic, onion, radish, dill and aubergine, are usually grown on small plots, sometimes smaller than 180 metres’, water being directed to them in open channels. Plots are frequently left fallow, permitting a wide variety of weed species to flourish. The first sighting was a brief view of a bird foraging under a tamarisk hedge on 16 January 1990 (WAS). The initial impression was of a very small, long-tailed prinia, considered to be either Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta or Graceful Prinia. Just over a month later, two similar birds were singing in tamarisk trees and identified as the latter species (CWTP). On 5 March, a group of five, the largest single count, was present and were frequently observed until 18 June. Size. Very small, the tail accounting for c. half its total length. Head. Crown and nape grey-brown with narrow dark streaks. Whitish inconspicuous supercilium; lower cheeks whitish. Upperparts. Mantle and back grey-brown with narrow, distinct dark striations, similar to crown. Tail brownish-black above, graduated. Rufous tone to uppertail evident when flying directly away. Tails of all adults rather ragged and that of two even appeared deeply forked as feathers widely separated. At close range, fine black barring on upperside of tail discernable. Underparts. Throat white, breast and remainder of underparts white with greyish wash, marginally darker flanks. Underside of tail noticeably pale with dark and pale bars but not clearly marked: only two birds showed relatively well-defined black bars. Bare parts. Bill fine, blackish and slightly decurved. Inside of gape black. Iris brown. Legs pale brownish-pink. Plate 1. Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis, Jahra Pool, Kuwait. (C.W.T. Pilcher) 65 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 Voice. Song a continuous trilling, sometimes grasshopper-like, often uttered from near the top of tallish plants, also in flight. : Behaviour. In early spring birds tended to remain ina group, foraging on the ground under bushes and up to three metres in small patches of reed Phragmites australis and tamarisks. On the ground they hopped holding the tail erect. Usually found in a fairly restricted location, later two sang from favoured perches, in one instance the topmost point of the tallest tamarisk in the hedge, c. six metres high. Short flights rather jerky but long flights much more direct. On 27 April, two adults were frequenting a radish bed, where a juvenile subsequently emerged briefly, climbing 30-40 cm up a dill stem before descending again. It appeared strikingly pale with grey-brown upperparts, creamy white or buff-white underparts and a long-tailed and long-legged appearance. The bill was yellow and appeared conical, the legs were pale flesh pink. Previously, an adult had been foraging in sparse reeds, from which it flew, carrying food in the opposite direction to the juvenile’s location. The possibility of a second brood in the vicinity cannot be eliminated. In May 1991, during a survey of war damage to the environment, a brief visit to Abdali Farms failed to locate any Graceful Prinias but rising dust made visibility very poor. However, from August 1990 the farmland suffered a lack of irrigation and trees and shrubs were destroyed by Iraqi forces. Moreover, with the onset of Western Coalition Forces’ air strikes in January 1991, Iraqi farms were also abandoned resulting in badly degraded habitats there during the following spring and summer. Much of the Abdali farmland is in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ; a border strip, five km wide in Kuwait and ten km in Iraq) which was left untended until late 1993. Although the Graceful Prinia site is just outside the prohibited DMZ, the authorities have discouraged travel to the area for security reasons. The fate of this newly established species was the subject of speculation until 1994, when it was found in north-central Kuwait. 1994-1996: colonisation On 1 April 1994, two birds were at Jahra Pool Reserve (A. Ross and STS). During the following weeks up to five were present on the north-east side of the reserve, where sabkha is bordered by high reeds and scattered bushes of Nitraria retusa. From January 1995, birds were seen on the west side of the reserve, 0.6 km distant, with a total of nine on 27 January. On 26 February, a nest was found in a dead saltbush (STS). The nest was extremely difficult to discern, being the same grey colour as the dead bush, flask-shaped, suspended c. 75 cm above the ground, and had an entrance hole near the top. The inside wall of the nest was bright orange and appeared to be constructed of grasses with spiders’ web on the outside; it contained one egg, finely streaked pink-orange on a whitish ground. By 9 March, three eggs were present but on 24 March the top of the nest had been removed and just one egg remained. On 21 April, birds were carrying nesting materials into a live bush and a second nest was found c. 100 metres from the first. It was in the early stages of construction, closer to the ground than the first and had much green material in it. By 5 May, the nest appeared complete, being similar in size and shape to the first. Three weeks later (26 May) the nest contained at least four eggs, but no adults were seen during prolonged observation and it was thought to have been deserted. Graceful Prinia appears to have become well established in the Jahra Pool Reserve and is expanding into the surrounding area. Since spring 1996, birds have been heard singing in reeds c. 1.5 km east of the reserve. On 11 October 1996, we made our first visit since May 1991 to the Abdali Farms. This, and an adjacent holding, were partly rehabilitated 18 months previously and the species now appears well established there. Comments Habitat similar to that at Abdali has existed for many years in north Kuwait; it is unclear what has influenced the timing of the species’ colonisation. It has the ability to swiftly colonise newly created habitat (Richardson 1990) but dispersal is usually over extremely short ranges, suggesting that its population density in adjacent Iraq had not hitherto reached a level sufficient to precipitate further movement south. Early winter 1989-90 was wetter than in the previous 66 Notes four years (A. N. Al-Asfour, Directorate of Kuwait Meteorological Office pers. comm.), promoting more extensive vegetation. This, combined with some extensions to farmed areas during the period may have contributed to the species’ appearance but this habitat was extensively damaged almost immediately afterwards and remained seriously degraded for the next three years. Neighbouring Iraqi farmland also deteriorated and this widespread environ- mental degradation may have prompted a range expansion. Jahra Pool is 65 km south of Abdali Farms, open desert occupies the intervening area. Winter 1990-91 was relatively wet (exact rainfall data unavailable) and desert areas were relatively well vegetated the following spring which, given the species’ weak flight, may have encouraged dispersal. Adults appear to be highly sedentary, based on the behaviour of one ringed on the Jahra Pool Reserve on 11 April 1995 during a project funded by a Kuwait Environment Protection Council grant to CTWP. What is assumed to be this individual was still present in May 1996, always within 50 metres of the trap site. Graceful Prinia is polytypic, at least twelve races having been described, but we are unable to identify that occurring in Kuwait: the poorly-defined tail bars suggest P. g. irakensis (Cramp 1992). REFERENCES CRAMP, S. (ed.) (1992) The birds of the Western Palearctic Vol. 6. Oxford University Press. PorTER, R. F., CHRISTENSEN, S. AND SCHIERMACKER-HANSEN, P. (1996) Field guide to the birds of the Middle East. T. & A. D. Poyser, London RICHARDSON, C. (1990) The birds of the United Arab Emirates. Hobby Publications, Warrington & Dubai C. W. T. Pilcher, Faculty of Medicine, P. O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait. W. A. Stuart, 10 Ashley Road, Okehampton, Devon EX20 1PX, U.K. S.T. Spencer, New English School, P. O. Box 6156, Hawally 32036, Kuwait. RETURN FLIGHTS FROM; | Turkey £119 Saudi £365 Kuwait £265 | Israel £155 UAE £286 Oman £367 Jordan £216 Iran £335 Egypt £215 Syria Subject to taxes Polish Bird Festival 10th May 1997 ~ @ 0117 984 8040 OR 01603 767757. INTERNATIONAL HOUSE, BANK ROAD, BRISTOL BS15 2LX 67 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 The first Red-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus in Jordan FARES KHOURY URING FIELDWORK on 21 February 1996 near Mansoura village in the Sharrah Highlands, south-west Jordan at c. 1100 metres, I observed a foraging group of up to 40 Syrian Serin Serinus syriacus. Upon approach, they flew to a Juniper Juniperus sp., whereupon a bird with a rather dark head and upper breast contrasting with the pale lower breast was noticed. I waited until the flock resumed foraging and watched from c. 30 metres for several minutes. The bird, which had a black head and striking red patch on the forecrown, was an adult Red-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus. Other species present included Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti, Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens, Scrub Warbler Scotocera inquieta, Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata, Linnet Carduelis cannabina and Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis. Description. Approximately the same size and structure as the Syrian Serins with which it appeared to be associated. Sooty-black, rather worn head plumage, extending from upper nape to upper breast. Orange-red patch on forehead extending onto crown. It was originally presumed to be an adult male due to the extensive black hood, including the hindcrown and the upper nape, and the large red patch, but adult females can have similar plumage (Svensson 1992) and sexing in the field is thus impossible. Rest of plumage rather pale yellow streaked dark, upperparts brownish. Iris and bill very dark. This is the first record of the species in Jordan; it winters in small numbers in neighbouring Syria, Lebanon and Israel, principally in montane areas. It breeds from Turkey east to north- west China at high altitudes and in similar but less arid habitat. In winter, it descends to lower altitudes and valleys with some apparently migrating south according to climatic conditions (Cramp & Perrins 1994). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful to the staff of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, Jordan, for their support during my fieldwork. REFERENCES CRAMP, S. AND C. M. PERRINS (eds.) (1994) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 8. Oxford University Press. SVENSSON, L. (1992) Identification guide to European passerines. 4th edn. Stockholm. Fares Khoury, Department of Ornithology, Zoological Research Institute and Museum Koenig (ZFMK), Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany. New information on the breeding biology of Cretzschmar’s Bunting Emberiza caesia PETER CASEI WP (Cramp & Perrins 1994) states that Cretzschmar’s Buntings Emberiza caesia nest on sloping ground, often in a slight depression and sheltered by rocks or vegetation, most commonly rock-rose but occasionally between the roots of another shrub. Adults are largely terrestial, occasionally calling from low bushes and perching when alarmed. They will also sing from more elevated perches, including trees but neither Cramp & Perrins (1994) or Byers et al. (1995) make any mention of height involved. Further, BWP offers no information on description 68 Plate 1. Cretzschmar’s Bunting Emberiza caesia. (Paul Doherty/Bird Images) of nestlings and states that the young are apparently fed by both parents, whilst the fledging period is given as 12-13 days. In southern Turkey in late May and early June 1993 I found two nests of this species. The first, found on 22 May was on the ground in a flat cornfield (c. 20 cm high and comparatively sparse), contained five nestlings all two or three days old. The young had thick grey down with flesh coloured skin; the gape flanges were pale yellow and the mouth and tongue were pink. Two light marks were present at the base of the tongue and one at the tip. Both adults were attending the nest, bringing food by flying to within a metre of the scrape and then walking to their young. On both occasions that the nest was visited the female was brooding. The nest was apparently successful, it being empty on 31 May and there being no sign of the adults in the immediate vicinity. BWP does not mention crop nesting for Cretzschmar’s Bunting. The second nest was found on 7 June and contained three young, approximately six or seven days old as well as an unhatched egg. It was situated on the ground on a rocky hillside with sparse vegetation and scattered patches of low scrub. Both adults were feeding the young. During both spring 1992 and 1993 I found at least 20 male Cretzschmar’s Buntings singing from tall trees in a steep narrow valley approximately 20 km north of Silifke, Southern Coastlands, Turkey. REFERENCES BYERS, C., OLSSON, U. AND CURSON, J. (1995) Buntings and sparrows: A guide to the buntings and North American sparrows. Pica Press, Mountfield, U.K. CRAMP, S. AND PERRINS, C. M. (1994) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 9. Oxford University Press. Peter Castell, Fairlawn, 679 Chester Rd, Great Sutton, South Wirral L66 2LN, U.K. 69 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 & Recent Literature Aspinall, S. (1996) Status and conservation of the breeding birds of the United Arab Emirates. Hobby Publications. Liverpool & Dubai. pp 177, 66 colour photographs, numerous maps, £14.99. This is another well produced edition from Hobby Publications. 10% is devoted to introductory material on habitats, definitions, a summary of conservation activities and an articulate proposal for a protected area network to adequately conserve UAE’s varied breeding avifauna. As expected, the bulk (80%) comprises the species accounts (usually a page per species) which are usefully subsec- tioned, including a general introduction, summary of “present knowledge” in the Middle East, . estimated breeding Ppepulation~ in UAE, eazetted sites important for the species and “threats and action proposed”. A two-colour spot map (possible, probable and proven) based on ABBA squares 1s also provided. Ihe remaining 10% is an exceedingly useful set of appendices including all gazetted sites with their ABBA square, populations of priority species, and a summary table of national population estimates. How does this book compare with the recently published Interim atlas of the breeding birds of Arabia Jennings 1995)? Although the UAE book acknowledges the supply of breeding distributional data from the ABBA project, those with an eye for detail will notice discrepancies between the two. More breeding dots, especially proven ones, appear in the UAE work; one presumes NARC- sponsored fieldwork has supplied additional data. Such dependance on ABBA’s database is the largest disappointment of the new book; essentially it is an in-depth review rather than an Outlet for original work. [Fhe title emphasises that it covers status and conser- vation of breeding birds but little new data on breeding ecology (clutch and brood sizes, laying dates and breeding success) appear here, although breeding season information 70 and nesting habitat can be gleaned for most species. This book’s most useful contribution are the population estimates (number of breeding pairs) for all species. One hopes that other conservation organisations in the Middle East will do likewise; regional population sizes are only sufficiently well documented for colonial waterbird species. As such, I was particularly impressed with the inclusion of much new data on breeding seabirds, terns and Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis, in island-by-island tabulations and pie diagrams mapping breeding species compositions On the multitude of UAE Gulf islands. I thoroughly recommend this book to those interested in Arabian ornithology. In years to come | hope that UAE sS authorities implement the clearly presented strategy proposed by the author to conserve the country’s breeding birds. Stephen F. Newton Byers, C., Olsson U. & Curson, J. (1995) Buntings and Sparrows: a guide to the buntings and North American sparrows. Pica Press, Mountfield, Sussex. pp 334, 39 colour plates, 111 range maps, £28. The format for this style of book is now well established; this, the third family monograph from Pica Press, covers the Holarctic buntings and North American sparrows and towhees. Although related species in the subfamily Emberizinae are included, it will probably appeal to distinct audiences on either side of the Atlantic. Here, I concentrate on the book’s relevance to the Middle East ornithologist — a— detailed review from a North American viewpoint has been published (Birding World 9. 150 16) Each species is dealt with on 2-3 pages with fhe main plumages and distinctive subspecies, illustrated by colour paintings (grouped separately from the text). Reed Reviews & Recent Literature Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus, with its many races, receives the most attention with 4!/, pages of text and 12 illustrations. Occasional line drawings depict tail feather or crown feather details. The text is dominated by the identification/description sections, other sub- headings. discuss sexing, geographical variation, moult and ageing, measurements, voice, habits, distribution and movements (with a map) and references. The colour plates by Clive Byers are excellent, maintaining the high standards set by other modern field guides. His contribution to the book is overwhelming. A wide variety of plumages are depicted, e.g. ten individual House Bunting E. striolata and a total of 19 Yellowhammer E. citrinella, Pine Bunting E. leucocephalus and their hybrids. However, I don’t think the separation of first-year Ortolan E. hortulana and Cretzschmar s Buntings E. caesia will ever be made easy! The similarity between first-year Cinereous E. cineracea and Black-headed Buntings E. melanocephala is mentioned as a potential pitfall. Only a couple of years ago, when BWP’s completion was eagerly awaited, information on buntings was hard to find —- especially between two covers. In 1994, BWP Volume 9 finally reached our shelves, and this monograph follows soon after. Although the - geographic scope of the two volumes is very different, it seems natural to compare them. This is especially true in the Middle East context, as only three species do not occur in the BWP area (i.e. Socotra E. socotrana, White- capped E. stewarti and African Rock Buntings E. tahapisi). Byers et al. follow the species order of Sibley & Monroe (Distribution and taxonomy of the birds of the world. Yale University Press,1990), whereas BWP uses the more traditional sequence. In BWP, the art of Trevor Boyer benefits from the brighter and crisper image of glossy paper, but only Personal choice can regard’ one-set of illustrations as superior to the other. BWP does include flight illustrations as well as more detail on food, social pattern, behaviour, voice (including sonograms), breeding details and weights and measurements. Even a cursory comparison of the maps between this volume and BWP reveals some Slienificant differences — surprising considering that they appeared a year apart. However, the lack of references precludes a detailed assessment as to which is the more up-to-date or better-researched. I would have preferred the use of political boundaries on the maps in order to locate myself, and I found the different shades of the grey used on the maps rather too subtle. In the Middle East context, it is unfortunate that this volume appeared so soon after the relevant volume of BWP, which contains considerably more information on the species it covers. Byers et al., on the other hand, concentrate on the needs of a birder interested in identification and travel and, of course, covers all the Holarctic buntings and North American sparrows. lan J. Andrews The CD-ROM guide to all the birds of Europe by Bird Guides. £149.95. Available from Bird Guides Ltd., P. O. Box 471, Sheffield S6 2YT. CD-ROMs are without doubt the most exciting development in the publishing arena, the world of birdwatching is one where they come into their own. This five CD-ROM set covers 490 European species and with true multi-media magic it combines illustrations, moving images, text and sound to provide a wealth of information. The clear illustrations, by Alan Harris and Norman Arlott, come from a printed guide and are enhanced by moving images of varying quality, often very good. Their captions point to special identifi- cation points; pictures of similar species can be compared side-by-side; song and calls listened to and distribution maps checked. A particularly novel addition is Dave Gosney’s commentary which highlights the main features, cleverly matching the illustrations to give, in effect, a short illustrated talk. The latest edition contains a fun quiz facility, using images and sound, a species checklist, and extensive text pages. While of interest to anyone with a CD-ROM drive, it may be of less use to the more experienced birder than to someone still getting to know European birds. A large proportion of Turkish species are included and the guide would provide a brilliant introduction for anyone from the Middle East planning to visit Europe. How long before there is a Middle East supplement? One word of warning — ensure your PC is of ample size to run the programs as using the bare 71 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 minimum specifications will often mean an inferior image or sound. I tested the product on a DX66, 8MB RAM machine with a 16-bit sound card which worked perfectly well except for a slight sound hiccup during the commentary. Chris Harbard Ertan, K.-T. (1996) The birds of Kocacay delta. Birds of Turkey 12. Max Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg, pp 44, £5 from OSME Sales including postage & packing. The latest in this handy series sports a colour photograph on the cover but otherwise the format follows that of previous volumes. Introductory sections cover a general description of the area, its climate, vegetation, ornithological importance, other fauna and conservation issues. Birdwatchers are directed to the most productive areas via a short chapter and map. Much of our avifaunal data comes from a breeding bird survey performed by the author between April and August 1993: 243 species have been recorded in the area of which at least 79 are known to breed. Key species from a conser- vation viewpoint include: Bittern Botaurus stellaris, Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca (the second largest breeding population in Turkey), White-tailed Haliaeetus albicilla and Imperial Eagles Aguila heliaca, and Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola. Other species, of interest to visiting birders, recorded in the area include: Little Crake Porzana parva (one record), Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria (one record), Black Dryocopus martius (one record), Middle Spotted Dendrocopos medius and White-backed Woodpeckers D. leucotos (the latter two possibly breeding), Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum (breeds) and Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva (probably breeds). Despite its location, on the southern shore of the Sea of Marmara, in close proximity to popular birding sites such as Uludag and Manyas and Uluabat lakes, the area has received comparatively little attention from foreign birdwatchers. Hopefully the publication of this modest booklet should help to rectify the situation. Guy M. Kirwan Stagg, A. J. (1991) Birds of the Riyadh region: an annotated checklist. 2nd edn. NCWCD, Riyadh, £6 from OSME sales including postage & packing. 7 : The first edition of this checklist, produced in 1987, has been an essential reference for all who have watched birds in the Riyadh area. Much has. changed in agricultural developments and conservation perceptions, and there has been an impressive increase in the number of species recorded, 36 being added in the four years since the first edition. The book contains a brief introduction to the area, recent changes which have affected its avifauna, a sketch map of the Riyadh watercourse, followed by the systematic list of all accepted records and a supplementary list of unacceptable sightings. A compre- hensive index completes the work whilst a selection of colour photographs complement the text. Along with the recent paper by Rietkerk & Wacher (Sandgrouse 18 (1): 24-52), which confines its attention to Thumamah estate, this guide provides a comprehensive review of the current knowledge of the birds of central Saudi Arabia. At the recent rate of change, a third edition will be needed soon; future updates will prove more than welcome. Derek Harvey Wheatley, N. (1996) Where to watch birds in Asia. A. & C. Black, London, pp 463, £14.99. The third of Nigel Wheatley’s ‘where to watch’ guides (the others have covered South America and Africa) again seeks to provide basic information for those contemplating a trip to a country with which they have little or no personal field experience. 39 countries are covered, from Turkey east to Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia (except Irian Jaya). All Middle Eastern countries are treated in the second part of the book, although readers planning to mount the mini-expedition required to reach Socotra will need to consult the author’s Where to watch birds in Africa. The book’s outline will be familar to owners of the latter; basic introductory sections covering, e.g. conservation, general tips, glossary and map legends, with the individual country chapters being sub-divided into: ‘summary’, ‘size’, ‘getting around’, ‘accommodation and Reviews & Recent Literature food’, ‘health and safety’, ‘climate and miming, conservation’, -bird:. species’, sendemics: and ‘expectations’. These are followed by the site acounts which feature lists of the endemics, specialities and other species, along with other wildlife recorded at each -site:.As the author states in. his introduction, this book should be used only as a guiding light, it does not seek to be comprehensive and is not a cheap substitute for a thorough up-to-date trip report. Given this, its usefulness to those not planning to visit areas east of the OSME region is severely limited. Popular destinations such as Turkey, Israel and the United Arab Emirates already possess _ more. detailed birdfinding information, whilst Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia are all unlikely to feature in most birders plans. Nonetheless this guide, in common with its predecessors, provides excellent value for money and has clearly been compiled with the assistance of many acknowledged local experts. Lengthier lists of further reading would be welcome, several references are incorrectly presented and if allowed a very personal gripe, I found the use of James Clements’ nomenclature irritating. The use of, e.g. Spot-throated Accentor for Radde’s Accentor Prunella ocularis and Iranian Ground-Jay for Pleske’s Ground Jay Podoces pleskei should be consigned to history’s dustbin not perpetuated in guides such as this. Guy M. Kirwan RECENT LITERATURE Compiled by Guy M. Kirwan & Effie Warr This review, which will be produced annually, principally covers papers published in the West European literature considered to be most relevant to birders resident in the region. All were published in 1996 unless otherwise stated. Papers dealing with aspects of the following topics are usually included: status and distribution, breeding biology, taxonomy and identification. Papers co- written by more than two authors are referenced only to the lead author’s name. The compilers would welcome the submission of material for potential inclusion, preferably by sending a reprint, alternatively the citation and a summary of the contents. These should be sent via the Society’s address: OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Beds SG19 21D, U-K. Regional Alstrom, P. & Mild, K. The identification of Rock, Water and Buff-bellied Pipits. Alula 2 (4): 161-175. Bourne, W. R. P. The larger white-headed culls wintering around the southern coasts of Asia. Sea Swallow 45: 86-91. Bretagnolle, V. & Attié, C. Coloration and biometrics of fledgling. Audubon’s Shearwaters Puffinus lherminieri from Réunion Island. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 116 (3): 194-197 [new information on the subspecies bailloni may raise doubts as to the identity of two birds described by Shirthai et al. (1995) as a new species, atrodorsalis]. Christensen, J. H. & Bunch, M. J. Feltbestemmelse af Humes Sanger. Dansk orn. Foren. Tidsskr. 90 (1): 1-6 [identification of Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler, illustrated with six photographs and two colour plates, in Danish]. Christie, D. A. et al. Field identification of Little and Baillon’s Crakes. Brit. Birds 89 (2): 54-59 [features illustrations of Israeli birds]. Clark,: W. S. Die /Unterschiedung des Rotelfalken Falco naumanni vom Turmfalken F. tinnunculus (mit Bemerkungen zum Buntfalken F. sparverius). Limicola 10 (2): 57-78 [comprehensive discussion of separation of Lesser Kestrel from Kestrel, illustrated with two colour plates and 22 photographs, most in colour). Clark, W. S. Ageing Steppe Eagles. Birding World 9 (7): 268-274 [illustrated with 14 colour photographs]. Conzemius, T. Hinweise zur Bestimmung des Zwergadlers Hieraaetus pennatus. Limicola 10 (4): 153-171 [notes on the identification of Booted Eagle, illustrated with 18 photographs, most in colour). Ecsedi, Z. Great Black-headed Gulls in Europe. Birding World 9 (8): 303-312 [some notes on identification and 17 colour photographs, many taken in Israel, Oman and Yemen|. Forsman, D. Kiljukotka: Spotted Eagle. Alula 241): 16-19. Forsman, D. Pikkukiljukotka: Lesser Spotted Eagle. Alula 2 (2): 64-67. Forsman, D. Nuorten ja naaraspukuisten sini-, niitty- ja arosuohaukkojen tunnistaminen. Alula 2 (4): 152-159 [how to separate ringtail Hen Circus cyaneus, Montagu’s C. pygargus and Pallid Harriers C. macrourus]. Gaucher, P. et al. Taxonomy of the Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata subspecies considered on the basis of sexual display and genetic divergence. [bis 138 (2): 273-282 [the authors recommend that the subspecies macqueenii and undulata be considered separate species, and fuertaventurae Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 be retained as a subspecies of the nominate race pending further investigation). Helbig, A. J. et al. Phylogeny and species limits m=the- Palaearctic ehutichatit Phylloscopus collybita complex: mitochondrial genetic differentiation and bioacoustic evidence. [bis 138 (4): 650-666 [new classification recognises four species including Mountain Chiffchaff P. sindianus whilst P. c. brevirostris is retained within P. collybita]. Hockey, P. & Aspinall, S. J. The Crab Plover, enigmatic wader of the desert coasts. Africa — Birds & Birding 1 (1): 60-67 [discussion of Crab Plover ecology based on research in Arabian Gulf and East Africa]. Jannes, H. (1995) Idanturturikyyhky. Alula 1 (2): 56-65 [Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis identification). Kapanen, MV. Suuntana Suomi — Ylankotylli. Alula 2 (1): 28-33 [excellent discussion of sand plover identification with seven colour photographs and English summary]. King, J. Identification of nightingales. Birding World 9 (5): 179-189 [illustrated with a colour plate and 11 colour photographs}. King, J. & Shirihai, H. Identification and ageing of Audouin’s Gull. Birding World 9 (2): 52-61 photographs]. Kryukov, A. P. (1995) Systematics of small Palearctic shrikes of the “cristatus group”. Proc. West. Found. Vertebrate Zool. 6 (1): 22—25 [discussion of taxonomic treatment of Red-tailed Shrike Lanius phoenicuroides; it is argued that it should be regarded as a separate species from Isabelline Shrike L. isabellinus; see also Panov, E.]. [useful summary illustrated with 16 colour Lontkowski, J. Dead ringers. Birdwatch 47: 23-29 [effectively a resumé in English of the author's original paper in Limicola, see Sandgrouse 18 (1): 74]. Madge, S. Races apart. Birdwatch 49: 28-33 [identification problems posed by the Herring Gull Larus argenteus group]. Nicolai, N. et al. Gefiedermerkmale, Mafe und Alterskennzeichen des Hausrotschwanzes Phoenicurus ochruros. Limicola 10 (1): 1-41 [phunages, biometrics and ageing of Black Redstart illustrated with three colour plates and 39 colour photographs; hybrids between this species and Common Redstart are very similar to Black Redstarts of the phoeni- curoides subspecies group]. Olsen, K. M. & Larsen, H. (1995) Field identi fication of Little and Saunders’s Tern. Bull. African Bird Club 2 (2): 81-85 [two colour plates and four black-and-white photographs]. Ortlieb, R. -Die Kleider. immaturer Schwarzmilane Milvus migrans. Limicola 10 (3): 105-113 [immature Black Kite plumages illustrated 74 with seven colour photographs]. Panov, E. N. (1995) Superspecies of shrikes in the former USsk) Proc. West, rornd Vertebrate Zool. 6 (1): 26-33 [see also Krykov, A.1. Sangster, G. Trends in systematics: Stonechat systematics based on molecular distance data. Dutch Birding 18 (3): 133-136 [discussion in English of Wittmann et al. — see below). Shirihai, H. & Christie, D. A. A new taxon of small shearwater from the Indian Ocean. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 116 (3): 180-186 {as a follow- up to Shirihat’s previous work on Indian Ocean Puffinus, the authors describe the Aldabran poputation of Audubon’s Shearwater as a separate taxon — Puffinus lherminieri colstoni]. Shirihai, H. et al. Identification of Hippolais warblers. Brit. Birds 89 (3): 114-138 [some new information based on studies in Israel is presented). Wittmann, U. et al. (1995) Speciation in the Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) inferred from nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome-b gene. J. zool. Syst. Evol. Research 33: 116-122 [mtDNA sequences of the axillaris (in fact nominate torquata of east Africa), rubicola, hibernans (both Europe) and maura (Siberia and central Asia) subspecies suggest that three monophyletic groups are involved (African, European and Siberian), and that these should be recognised as separate species]. Egypt Baha el Din, S. M. et al. Trapping and shooting of Corncrakes Crex crex on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. Bird Conserv. International 6 (3): 213-227. Robel, D. Some ornithological observations from Southern Sinai. Zool. Middle East 12: 25-28 [key observations include records of Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi, Upcher’s Hippolais languida and Cyprus Warblers Sylvia melanothorax, and the nest of a weaver sp. Ploceus]. Simpson, D. M. Bird observations in the Gulf of Suez. Sea Swallow 45: 111-113 [records from a platform vessel in June—Sept. 1995). Jordan Bashford, R. An autumn in Jordan. The Hobby 24: 10-12. Israel Ashkenazi, S. & Yom-Tov, Y. Herons and fish farming in the Hula Valley, Israel: conflict or mutual benefit. Colonial Waterbirds 19: 143-151, Special Publ. 1 Hallchurch, T. T. Army Ornithological Society expedition to southern Israel 17-31 March 1996. Adjutant 25: 21-32. Reviews & Recent Literature Leshem, Y. & Yom-Tov, Y. The magnitude and timing of migration of soaring raptors, _ pelicans and storks over Israel. [bis 138 (2): 188-203. Leshem, Y & Yom-Tov, Y. The use of thermals by soaring migrants. [bis 138 (4): 667-674 [based on studies of White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus, White Stork Ciconia ciconia, Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus and Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina in Israel]. McMinn, S. & Shirihai, H. Birding in Israel. Birding World 9 (3): 98-107 [introduction to birding in Israel with 20 colour photographs}. Yogef, A. et al. Determination of clutch size and the breeding biology of the Spur- winged Plover (Vanellus spinosus) in Israel. Auk 113 (1): 68—73. Yosef, R. (1995) Spring 1994 raptor migration at Falat, Israel.-|. Raptor Research. 29 (2): 127-134. Saudi Arabia Green, G. From desert sand to coral sea. World Birdwatch 18 (1): 12-15 [conservation initiatives in Saudi Arabia}. Meadows, B. S. First record of Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes in the Arabian Peninsula. Zool. Middle East 12: 21-23. Newton, 5S. Wintering range. of Palaearctic-African migrants includes southwest Arabia. Ibis 138 (2): 335-336 [draws attention to the small, yet important Afrotropical enclave in south-west Arabia]. Newton, S. F. & Newton, A. V. Breeding biology and seasonal abundance of Lappet- faced Vultures Torgos tracheliotus in western Saudi Arabia. [bis 138 (4): 675-683. Newton, S. F. & Newton, A. V. Seasonal changes in the abundance and diversity of birds in threatened juniper forest in the southern Asir mountains, Saudi Arabia. Bird Conserv. International 6 (4): 371-392. Newton, S. F. & Symens, P. The status of the Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) and the Great White Pelican (P. onocrotalus) in the Red Sea: the importance of Saudi - Arabia. Colonial Waterbirds 19 (1): 56-64 [results of aerial surveys in Jan. and Feb. 1992-95]. Seddon, P. J. & van Heezik, Y. Seasonal changes in Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata macqueenil numbers in Harrat al Harrah, Saudi Arabia: implications for managing a remnant population. Biol. Conserv. 75: 139-146. Symens, P. First record of Red-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus in Arabian Peninsula. Zool. Middle East 12: 29-31. Symens, P. et al. Crested Honey-buzzards in Saudi Arabia in October 1994. Dutch Birding 18 (3): 126-129 [the first two Crested Honey Buzzards in Saudi Arabia are documented with detailed descriptions and eight colour photographs). Winkler, H. et al. On the ecology and behaviour of the Arabian Woodpecker Picoides dorae. Zool. Middle East 12: 33-45 [based on observations in south-west Saudi Arabia the authors discuss the species’s habitat, foraging, voalisations and breeding ecology]. Turkey Biricik, M. Birds of Kabakli Reservoir, Diyarbalkar. Tr..J: Zool. 20: 155-160. van den Bossche, W. & Lens, L. (1994) Soaring bird migration at the Bosphorus (Turkey): the need for a multi-station survey. Gerfaut 84: 51-62 [observations in September—October 19858}. Castell, P. Nestlings of Bimaculated Lark. Brit. Birds 89 (8): 363 [updates information presented in BWP based on observations in central Turkey}. Castell, P. Notes on the nesting of Green Warbler in northern Turkey. Brit. Birds 89 (8): 363-365 [updates information presented in BWP]. Hales, S. Observations of seabirds on the Black Sea coast of Turkey 9-13 May 1995. Sea Swallow 45: 105-106. Laine, L. J. The ‘Borcka Puzzle’ — the first Western Palearctic Crested Honey Buzzard. Birding World 9 (8): 324-325 [described and illustrated with two colour photographs taken by the author in September 1979]. Madge, S. The problem with Chiffhaffs. Birdwatch 48: 23-25 [popular approach to some of the identification problems posed by the distinctive forms of Western Palearctic Chiffchaffs, including both Mountain Chiffchaff P. lorenzii and P. collybita brevirostris]. Peja, N. ef al. The Dalmatian Pelican, Pelecanus crispus, nesting in Mediterranean lagoons in Albania and Turkey. Colonial Waterbirds 19: 184-189. Special Publ. 1. Wirth, H. Breeding record of the Imperial Eagle, Aquila heliaca, in Turkey. Zool. Middle Bast 12: 47—52 lan eyrie discovered in 1989 in Bolu province is described and a list of prey items presented; the record is contextualised in the light of other confirmed instances of breeding reported within Turkey). United Arab Emirates Richardson, C. The United Arab Emirates. Brit. Birds 89 (5): 219-231 [introduction to birding in this fascinating country illustrated with 17 colour photographs]. Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 AKO) compiled by Pete Davidson and Guy M. Kirwan Records in Around the Region are published for interest only; their inclusion does not imply acceptance by the records committee of the relevant country. Some records have been authenticated, including all those from Cyprus, and these are indicated. All dates refer to 1996 unless otherwise stated. Records and photographs for Sandgrouse 19 (2) should be sent, by July 15, to Around the Region, OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, U.K. Three Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena flew past Paphos, Cyprus on 13 April. A pelagic off al-Mukalla, southern Yemen on 2 November produced 125 Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax and nine Pale-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes, the latter being the only record excepting those of Bailey in late July—October (see Porter et al. 1996) and Redman in late October 1993 (see Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 32: 47). A flock of 204 Persian Shearwater P. (lherminier1) persicus off Aqqah on 13 June was the second largest group ever recorded in the UAE. Re-analysis of earlier studies which appeared in Vogelwelt (114: 226-232) and J. Ornithol. (135: 73-80) with respect to Manx Puffinus puffinus and Mediterranean Shearwaters P. yelkouan, as well as Yellow-legged Larus cachinnans, Herring L. argentatus and Lesser Black-backed Gulls L. fuscus has confirmed the orginal results. The former species pair are genetically distinct (Balearic Shearwater P. maurenticus was not included in the study), whilst Herring Gull is much more closely related to Lesser Black-backed than Yellow- legged Gull. However, the genetic distances reported in the new study (J. Ornithol. 137: 281-294) are consid- erably less than those originally obtained. A Sooty Shearwater P. griseus was off Aqaba on 9 April, a rarity in Jordan although regular off adjacent Eilat. On 9 March, a Gannet Sula bassana was off Cape Andreas, Cyprus. Seven Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus were north of Abu Simbel on 27 October, the first record here for two years. In Turkey at least 150 White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus were at Seyfe Golu on 26 May, the only regular breeding locality in the 1990s. Five Pink-backed Pelican P. rufescens were at the usual site of Abu Simbel, Egypt on 9-11 September, along with seven adult Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis on the first date only. Eight Black Stork Ciconia nigra were noted in the Yemeni Tihamah between Zabid and Hudayah on 12 March; details are awaited of the fifth record in UAE near Fujeirah airport on 4 April. Up to five adult Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus were at Al Khobar, near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia on 13-14 September. There are two previous records of this species in eastern Saudi (Bundy et al. 1989) but escape from a free-flying population at Al-Areen, Bahrain, where there were ten birds in Bee-eaters Merops apiaster by D. Powell Pete Davidson and Guy M. Kirwan 1989 (Nightingale & Hill 1993) is possible. A Sacred Ibis was at Aden marshes, southern Yemen on 30 October, about the seventh record but perhaps one of the same birds as present in spring 1996 (see Sancgrouse 18 (2): 76) as were two Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala at the same site on the same day. A pair of Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides in breeding plumage at a small reedbed at Sahl as Suwwan, Jordan on 14 June may have indicated local breeding. Plate 1. Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus, Borcka (Turkey), 25 September 1979. (Lasse J. Laine) Biricik (1996) repotts the first occurrence of both Whooper Cygnus cygnus (one in February 1993) and Bewick’s Swans C. bewickii (three in March 1993) in South-east Anatolia, Turkey at Kabakli reservoir, near Diyarbakir. The latter constitutes the fifth country record, pre-dating that at Kulu Golu in April 1993 and brings the total number of records to ten (see Sandgrouse 18 (2): 77). Accepted wildfowl records from UAE included the first Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus at Umm al Quwain on 20 November, three White-fronted Geese A. albifrons at Emirates Golf Course on 14 November with one at Al Ghar lake on the same day (the sixth and seventh records), the fifth Cotton Teal Nettapus coromandelianus at Al Ghar from 14 November for several weeks and the seventh Red- crested Pochard Netta rufina at Khatt on 25 November for several days. In southern Turkey a drake Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca on the sea off Tuzla, Cukurova on 8 January was noteworthy. On 22 May two Marbled Around the Region Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris were at Alexandria, Egypt, a scarce record. On 3 May the largest ever single day count of Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus in Jordan was made, when 6500 passed over Wadi Dana and at least 500 were over Wadi Dahal. In addition, 12,500 on 7 May, 20 km north of Eilat, Israel were also passing into Jordan. A total of 268,000 were counted passing south over the northern Israeli valleys between late August and mid-October (along with 56,000 Lesser Spotted Eagles Aquila pomarina). Laine (1996) retrospectively documents the first record of Crested Honey Buzzard P. ptilorhynchus in Turkey and the Western Palearctic, at Borcka on 27 September 1979 (see plate 1). Given the large numbers of Honey Buzzards which migrate through this area in autumn (maximum c. 138,000 in 1976), future researchers at this site should be conscious of the possibility of this species occurring again. Israel produced its second or third — a record at Lotan in May 1995 (Sandgrouse 18 (1): 77) remains under consideration — a flyby near Nizzana on 10 November; just how many have gone overlooked in the past? At least three Red Kite Milvus milvus were between Oatrana and Husseniyeh on 14 March, it is a very rare migrant in Jordan. A Black Vulture Aegypius monachus in coastal hillsides above the Goksu delta, south Turkey on 26 March was the first record for this well-watched area (DHKD 1992). Adult pairs of Egyptian Vulture Percnopterus aegyptius in Mujib Nature Reserve — (late February—mid-March) and Wadi Rum (Turkey), summer 1995. (Akif Aykurt) RENE Plate 2. Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca nest with two well-grown chicks, Beynam Forest (16 June) suggests that the species still breeds in Jordan, although there have been no confirmed records since the 1960s. Further evidence of Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus wintering in Jordan was provided by a single near Safi on 3 January. A pair of Montagu’s Harrier C. pygargus remained in the Moab highlands in late April and early May; there are no breeding records in Jordan. In Turkey an adult male Pallid Harrier C. macrourus was seen food- passing with a female Montagu’s Harrier at Esmekaya marsh, north-east of Konya on 2 June, where it had been present since at least 11 May; pure pairs of the former species have bred twice before at this locality, the only confirmed breeding records in the country. In Egypt, 670 Levant Sparrowhawk Accipter brevipes flew south to south-west out into the Red Sea over Ras Mohamed on 5 October with 35 the next day. This is the first evidence of a substantial autumn passage and possible autumn route through Egypt; 56,400 passed south over the northern Israel valleys in autumn 1996. The first Shikra A. badius previously mentioned in these reports (Sandgrouse 18 (2): 77) at Zabeel, Dubai, UAE from 9 April—10 July has been accepted, whilst the ninth Lesser Spotted Eagle at Ramtha lagoons from 25 October has also been accepted. A single Lesser Spotted Eagle at Wadi Sirbah, Yemen on 3 October would be the first country record if deemed acceptable (The Lammergeier 2 (2): 6) In 1995, two pairs of Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca raised two and one young respectively in the Beynam Forest, south-east of Ankara, Turkey (see plate 2). xf 4 4, * : ae 4 Pete Davidson and Guy M. Kirwan Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 In Jordan, there was a Quail Coturnix coturnix at Ghor Mazra’a on 2 July, the first summer record. A Water Rail Rallus aquaticus was at Ramtha reedbeds, UAE on 15 August, there is only one previous breeding record in the country — at Ruwais reedbed in May 1995 (Richardson & Aspinall 1996) and the fifth White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus at the Emirates Golf Course on 1 January has been accepted. There was a Corncrake Crex crex at Sultan marshes on 30 March, the second record from this much visited locality (Kasparek 1985) but more significant was the first proven breeding of this species in Turkey, 11 km east of Savsat on 3 August (Green in prep.). The fifth Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio in the UAE was at Ramtha on 10 September, the fourth, previously unmentioned in these reports, was at Zabeel fish ponds on 23 September—16 October 1995 (Richardson & Aspinall 1996). This species is now very scarce in Israel where one was at Shifdan, near Tel Aviv on 6-12 September and 1-2 were reported at a sewage pond 19 km north of Eilat in mid- November. A total of 7280 Common Crane Grus grus which passed over 30 km west of Za’farana, on the Gulf of Suez during two hours on 14 March was the highest ever count in Egypt. Four at Al Ain camel track, UAE on 14 October until the end of November were the seventh record but a Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo at Khor Dubai on 9 November was only the fourth record; both have been accepted. A Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata was in central Wadi Araba in early May and one was reported by local people near Baqwiah in October; there have been very few recent records in Jordan. An adult winter Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus in Wadi Hajr on 1 November was the third Yemeni record, others were in December 1950 (Porter et al. 1996) and November 1985 (Brooks et al. 1987). Other interesting wader reports from the same country included six Cream- coloured Courser Cursorius cursor in the Empty Quarter on 5 November and single Black-winged Pratincoles Glareola nordmanni at Ta’izz on 29 October and Aden marshes the next day, the second and third records in Yemen (Heard 1994). In UAE, the fourth accepted Black-winged Pratincole was at Dibba on 23 October. The first record of Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus in 78 Libya reported by Meininger et al. (1996) has subsequently been withdrawn by the observers (P. L. Meininger & Pim A. Wolf in litt.). Up to three Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus were at Aden in late March-early April, the first record in the Yemeni southern governates whilst a White-tailed Plover Chettusia leucura at the same locality on 30 October was the second such record (Porter et al. 1996). A Knot Calidris canutus in Israel was at Shifdan on 6-13. September (but has been - erroneously reported as a Great Knot C. tenuirostris elsewhere e.g. Birding World 9 (10): 404) and three Long-toed Stints C. subminuta at Mafraq sewage works on 24 October with another at Al Ain on 29 November were the tenth and 11th accepted UAE records. A Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura at Ta‘izz on 29 October was the fifth Yemeni record, the most recent being in November 1993 (Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 32: 48) and 200 Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus were at sea off al-Mukalla on 2 November. In Jordan the first summer record of Curlew Numenius arquata was at Ghor Mazra’a on 27 June. A probable Great Skua Catharacta skua reported off Kalba, UAE on 11 September (see Birding World 9 (9): 350) has been withdrawn. With only c. 15 records im Beypt up to 1994, Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii is now known to be an autumn visitor in small numbers to Zaranik; there was a peak of 13 on 14 September with up to seven between 28 August and 3 October. Approximately 30 White- eyed Gulls L. leucophthalmus were at Aqaba on 25 March, a significant count in Jordan. The second accepted Little Gull L. minutus in UAE was near Sila harbour on 3 May. Two Black Terns Chilidonias niger near Tawila on 17 July were the second July record in Egypt, whilst further south, 15 African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris were at Abu Simbel in early September. Up to 100 Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus at Sila, UAE from 9 August to the month’s end have been accepted (only about three previous records — none recent). At the Goksu delta, south Turkey a Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis on 21 April was distinctly unseasonal, the species is only known as a winter visitor to the area (DHKD 1992). The thirteenth accepted Namaqua Dove Oena capensis in UAE was also at Sila on 9 August, the 12th record was a male at Ras al Khaimah on 31 May, all have been since 1988 (Richardson & Aspinall 1996); in Egypt one at El Tor on 7 October was c. fifth Sinai record. The third Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis in Israel, an adult at Hula on 21 October, follows previous records in September 1984 and April 1995. Up to three Striated Scops Owl Otus brucei were overwin- tering at Eilat, Israel from 7 November. Hadoram Shirihai (in litt. to Steve Gantlett) considers the Eagle Owl Bubo bubo population in south- east Turkey, €.¢ at Birecik, to represent an intergrade between interpositus and ascaphalus, the so- called ‘Desert Eagle Owl’. Further research is required. A daytime roost of at least 50 Long-eared Owls Asio otus was discovered at Dhup Shumali, North West Frontier Province Pakistan on 18 February. Roberts (1992) describes it as scarce and this is the largest known roost count. In the UAE details are awaited of one at Jebel Ali on 22 November (sixth record) and there was an Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius at Khatt on 23 July, there is only one other July record of this rare passage migrant, at Bateen wood co-inciden- tially on 23 July 1989. A Little Swift Apus affinis was at Platres, Cyprus on 24 May, this species is now almost annual. Six pairs of Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops superciliosus were in the Safi—Fifa area, Jordan on 2 July, the first record away from Azraq and first suspected breeding since 1969. In Yemen, three Didric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius were at Al Mahwit on 27 September and an immature Klaas’s Cuckoo C. klaas at Wadi Sirbah on 3 October (The Lammergeier 2 (2): 5-6). Details of the fourth Koel Eudynamys scolopacea in UAE, at Safa Park on 1 March, are still awaited. The seventh Yemeni record of Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni involved at least six in the Empty Quarter on 5 November. A pair of Bar-tailed Desert Lark Ammomanes cincturus were holding territory near Ghantoot on 4 July, the species’ status in UAE is uncertain and there are no confirmed breeding records. Two were also at Sila on 6 September. Five Small Skylark Alauda gulgula were at Eilat from the final week of October into November with two more at Kefar Rupin, three at Sede Boquer in late October-November and one at Shifdan on 25 October; better still was Pete Davidson and Guy M. Kirwan Israel's third Brown-throated Sand Martin Riparia paludicola at km 19 north of Eilat on 16 November. A Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris on Das Island on 12 October was only the third autumn record in UAE, ail have been at the same locality, whilst the first Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii in UAE (previously reported in Sandgrouse 18 (2): 78) has now been accepted. 35 House Martin Delichon urbica were in Wadi Hasa on 28 June, the first summer record in Jordan. Richard’s Pipits Anthus richardi in Egypt involved one at Taba, south Sinai, on 4 October and a peak of six at Sharm el Sheikh on 5 October with 2-3 there between 4-6 October. Long- billed Pipit A. similis has not previously been recorded in Eygpt: two on Giftun Kebir, off Hurghada, on 26 September awaits a full description. In northern Israel there was a single Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens at Quetura sewage farm on 27-29 February and two at Mizpe Ramon on 22 March; an Olive-backed Pipit A. hodgsoni was at the latter locality on 17 October. Now regular in UAE, four (Hadoram Shirihai) Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewski were at Abu Dhabi on 13 October with two at Al Wathba camel track on 25 October. In Egypt there were eight African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp at Abu Simbel on 11 September and a first Plate 3. Pied Stonechat Saxicola caprata, Eilat Pete Davidson and Guy M. Kirwan winter Citrine Wagtail M. citreola there on 9 September. There was a Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus in Kuwait City in March and a pair at Marib on 6 November was the fourth record in Yemen and second in the northern governates (Brooks et al. 1987, Martins et al. 1996). A White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis on Berghelam Island, UAE on 23 January constituted the first winter record of a species which is otherwise known as an elusive spring and scarce autumn migrant. Totals of seven Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka and one male Cyprus Pied Wheatear O. cypriaca were recorded in the Goksu delta, south Turkey on 15-16 April, in recent years the latter has been proven to be a much commoner spring overshoot at this locality than the former species. A Red-tailed Wheatear O. xanthoprymna was at Eilat, Israel on 7 November, the c. 14th record, whilst the same locality also claimed the third Pied Stonechat Saxicola caprata (see plate 3), near the Jordanian border on 5~7 November SS (Israel), November 1996. j (previous records were in January 1979 and October 1994) and first Eye- browed Thrush Turdus obscurus, trapped and ringed on 17 October. The third accepted Pied Stonechat in UAE was at Al Wathba on.4 April. In Around the Region Egypt there was a River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis at Abu Simbel on 11 September, the species is scarce on passage through the country. Single Upcher’s Warblers Hippolais languida were at Al Yarut on 26 June and Ghor Safi on 2 July, significant records of this very local breeding species in Jordan. An Olive-tree Warbler H. olivetorum was at Paphos, Cyprus on 27 April and a male Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala was “obviously nesting” at Coral Bay on 1-31 May (COS (1957) November 1996 Newsletter Supp.). The second or third Ménétries’s Warbler S. mystacea in Israel, a male at Yotvata on 29 March 1984 has recently been accepted (Brit. Birds 89 (6): 262) and one at the Goksu delta, south Turkey on 20 March was the first locality record (DHKD 1992) and one of only a handful of records away from south-east and east Anatolia. The same locality produced a Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides on 29 April 1995 (Balch & Maybank 1996), but no records of this species in Turkey appear watertight (Kirwan 1995) and full descriptive details of this most recent claim are unavailable. The third Greenish Warbler in UAE was at the Emirates golf course on 4 October, whilst an early Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus was on Das Island on 22 August-16 September (all previous occurrences come from the period 8 September-30 April); another (the 24th country record) had been in the same place on 13 January (Richardson & Aspinall 1996). Later, there was a Hume’s Yellow-browed Warbler P. humei at the Emirates Golf Course on 22 November. Four Palestine Sunbird Nectarinia osea flew west at Zaranik, Egypt on 18 September, the first site record and most westerly occurrence in north Sinai; three were at St. Katherine’s Monastery on 23 September, where it was reported to breed for the first time in summer 1996, a range extension south from Wadi Feiran. Further Jordanian records of Raven Corvus corax were in Mujib Nature Reserve, one on 25 March and an adult feeding a begging juvenile on 6 May which was the first breeding record since the 1960s. An immature Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus was at Sharm el Sheikh on 22 September, a rare visitor to Egypt. A pair of Brahminy Starling Sturnus pagodarum fledged three young in Zabeel garden in early July, the first confirmed breeding record in the UAE. A Spanish Sparrow Passer 79 Sandgrouse 19 (1): 1997 hispaniolensis in Abu Dhabi on 2 February (see Birding World 9 (2): 51) has been rejected whilst at least 130 nests of this species in Wadi Rum on 14 June was a southerly breeding range extension in Jordan. A pair of Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia xanthocollis video-taped at Isikh, Turkey on 15-16 June was the first record west of the Euphrates. A single Rock Sparrow P. petronia at Shizzafon sewage ponds on 10 November was only the second record for southern Israel, the previous occurrence being at Eilat in November 1984 (Shirihai 1996). Two male Brambling Fringilla montifringilla also at Shizzafon on 10 November were significant. In Jordan, a flock of 40 Sinai Rosefinch Carpodacus synoicus in the Radass area of Mujib Nature Reserve during January was only the second record from this far north in the country. A Common Rosefinch C. erythrinus in Abu Dhabi, UAE on 19 January was the first January record in the country. An Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana in the Omani enclave of Madha on 19 February was a very early spring migrant and up to two Pine Bunting E. leucocephalus were at Hamraniyah; UAE on 12-13 November, accepted. Three Cinereous Bunting E. cineracea were at the Dana reserve on 25 March, the species is a scarce passage migrant through Jordan. Neighbouring Israel produced a REFERENCES the second record if — Rustic Bunting E. rustica at Eilat on 16-17 November. A Little Bunting E. pusilla was on Das Island on 6-15 October, -the tenth UAE (and seventh locality) record, whilst a Red-headed Bunting E. bruniceps there on 31 July was the third record, the previous records were in April 1991 and 1995. The sixth UAE Rustic Bunting E. rustica at the Emirates Golf Course on 22 November has been accepted. BALCH, L. AND MAYBANK, B. (eds.) (1996) The 1995 big day report and the 1995 list report. Birding Supplement 28 (3). Biricik, M. (1996) Birds of Kabakli Reservoir, Diyarbakir. Tr. J. Zool. 20: 155-160. BROOKS, D. J., EVANS, M. I., MARTINS, R. P. AND PORTER, R. F. (1987) The status of birds in North Yemen and the records of the OSME expedition in autumn 1985. Sandgrouse 9: 4-66. BUNDY, G., CONNOR, R. J. AND HARRISON, C. J. O. (1989) Birds of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Witherby, London. DogaL HAYAT1 KORUMA DERNESI (DHKD) (1992) Towards integrated management in the Gdksu Delta a Protected Special Area in Turkey. DHKD, Istanbul. GREEN, I. A. (in prep.) Corncrake Crex crex breeding in north-east Turkey. Sandgrouse. HEARD, C. D. R. (1994) First record of Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni in Yemen. Sandgrouse 16 (1): 57-58. KASPAREK, M. (1985) Die Sultanssiimpfe. Naturgeschichte eines Vogelparadieses in Anatolien. Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg. KIRWAN, G. (1995) Recent records of rare birds in Turkey. Zool. Middle East 11: 37-46. LAINE, L. J. (1996) The ‘Borcka puzzle’ — the first Western Paleartic Crested Honey Buzzard. Birding World 9 (8): 324-325. MARTINS, R. P., BRADSHAW, C. G., BROWN, A., KIRWAN, G. M. AND PORTER, R. F. (1996) The status of passerines in southern Yemen and the records of the OSME survey in spring 1993. Sandgrouse 17: 54-72. MEININGER, P. L., WOLF, P. A., HADOUD, D. A. AND ESSAGHAIER, M. F. A. (1996) Notes on the coastal birds of Libya, July 1993. Sandgrouse 18 (1): 53-60. NIGHTINGALE, T. AND HILL, M. (1993) Birds of Bahrain. Immel, London. PORTER, R. F., MARTINS, R. P., SHAW, K. D. AND SORENSEN, U. (1996) The status of non-passerines in southern Yemen and the records of the OSME survey in spring 1993. Sandgrouse 17: 22-53. RICHARDSON, C. AND ASPINALL, S. (1996) A checklist of the birds of the United Arab Emirates. Emirates Bird Records Committee, Dubai. Roperts, T. J. (1992) The birds of Pakistan. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press, Karachi. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The following have assisted in the preparation of this review: Akif Aykurt, Michael Bayldon, Arnoud B. van den Berg (Dutch Birding), A. Budieri, David Counsell, Paul Doherty (Bird Images), M. I. Evans, Dave Farrow /Birdquest, Steve Gantlett (Birding World), lan A. Green (Greentours), Andrew & Stella Grieve, Tim Harris, H. Al-Hassasis, Fares Khoury, Dr Graham Lobley, S. Al-Mashaqbah, Peter L. Meininger, Linda Millington, Adrian Royle, Colin Richardson (on behalf of the Emirates Bird Records Committee), Hadoram Shirihai, James P. Smith (Lotan Tours), David Stanton (Yemen Ornithological Society), Pim A. Wolf and M. Youssef. Pete Davidson, 24 Christchurch Road, Norwich NR2 2AE, U.K. Guy M. Kirwan, 6 Connaught Road, Norwich NR2 3BP, U.K. 80 Pete Davidson and Guy M. Kirwan © 1997 Ornithological Society of the Middle East ISSN 0260-4736 Registered charity no 282938 SANDGROUSE GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS The Editorial Committee of Sandgrouse will consider for publication original papers which contribute to the body of knowledge on the birds of the Middle East: their distribution, breeding biology, behaviour, identifi- cation, conservation, etc. The Middle East for this purpose includes Turkey, Cyprus, 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, and the Arabian peninsula and the Palearctic limits in Sudan and Ethiopia in the south. Submissions are considered on the understanding that the work has not been previously published and is not being offered for publication elsewhere. Papers should be in English, but non-English-speaking authors who are unable to obtain translations of their work may apply to the Editor for help. 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