SANDGROUSE Volume 24 (1) 2002 ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST, CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST, CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA OSME OSME was founded in 1978 as the successor to the Ornithological Society of Turkey. Its primary 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 £15 (UK address) £20 (Europe) £20 (Surface mail outside Europe) £25 (Airmail outside Europe) Institutions — £30 (Add £5 for Airmail) Write to the Membership Secretary at the address below for a membership form detailing methods of payment and also rates for Family, Supporting and Life membership. For any other information on the Society, write to the Secretary at the same address. 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 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: Imad Atrash Sherif Baha El Din B. Behrouzi-Rad Dr Saeed Mohamed Dr Omar Al-Saghier Dr Yossi Leshem Dr Ghassan & Mrs Mona Ramadan-Jaradi COUNCIL AS AT APRIL 2002: D. Balmer K. Betton - information@osme.org Information Officer C. G. Bradshaw - c&r@osme.org Conservation & Research S. Busuttil - iba@osme.org R. Daniel Librarian A. Grieve - chairman@osme.org Chairman R. P. Martins Turkey Bird Report (co-opted) D. Moote - publicity@osme.org Publicity . A. J. Morris - fundraiser@osme.org S. Parr O. Roberts - secretary@osme.org Secretary H. I. Scott Publications Officer (co-opted) F. E. Warr - sales@osme.org Sales & Mailing (co-opted) A. J. Warr - membership@osme.org Treasurer & Membership a I ST © 2002 Ornithological Society of the Middle _ East, Caucasus and Central Asia ISSN 0260-4736 Registered charity no 282938 c/o THE LODGE, SANDY, BEDFORDSHIRE SG19 2D Eis OSME WEs sITE - http://uww.osme.org = — Contents SANDGROUSE Meese ae Volume 24 (1) 2 NEWS AND INFORMATION compiled by DEREK MOorRE AND Guy M. KIRWAN 8 REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION Editor Guy M. Kirwan 9 Middle East birding contacts and organisations EFFIE WARR Features Editor 13 The Turkmenian Kopet Dag M. CALDERBANK Situation Vacant iG). “Oeionesect : : Black-headed Heron JORN R. GUSTAD Assistant Editor Situation Vacant PAPERS AND NOTES 22 Decline in breeding Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria in the Editorial Committee steppes of Naurzum and Korgalzhyn, Kazakhstan Michael Blair, GOoTz EICHHORN AND VALERI V. KHROKOV Paul Goriup, 28 Lek-like behaviour by Chukar Alectoris chukar, a socially Mike Jennings, monogamous partridge SALIT KARK Rodney Martins, 33 Further notes on the breeding biology of some birds in Saudi Peter L. Meininger Arabia PETER CASTELL, JEFFORY COBURN, BERNARD PLEASANCE, & Dr Stephen Newton J TOM QUITTENDEN AND MOHAMMED SHOBRAK Photographic Editor 38 Birds of Gdksu Dam (Diyarbakir) and new records in south-east Paul Doherty Turkey RECEP KARAKAS AND AHMET KiLi¢ Design & Production 44 Bird notes from Lebanon, including two new species T. BARA Harry |. Scott 46 Recent observations of some rare breeding birds in Armenia ee VASIL ANANIAN, SIMON BUSUTTIL AND MARK FINN Identification Consultants C. G. Bradshaw, 48 Significant bird observations from Iran, August-September 1998 Arnoud B. van den Berg KONRAD ALI SACHANOWICZ, PIOTR KARCZMARCZYK & Steve Madge AND ADAM OLSZEWSKI oe The first breeding records of Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola and Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides in Armenia VASIL ANANIAN AND SIMON BUSUTTIL 53 The first Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica in Jordan GRAHAM TEBB AND NASHAT HAMIDAN 5D Biometric variation in three migratory Accipiter species at Eilat, Israel REUVEN YOSEF, JAN LONTKOWSKI, TADEUSZ STAWARCZYK AND PETER FEHERVARI 58 First record of Green Warbler Phylloscopus nitidus in western Saudi Arabia S. OSTROWSKI AND E. GUINARD 60 An unusual Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus at Eilat, Israel REUVEN YOSEF, WILLIAM S. CLARK AND STEVE HOFFMAN 63 First ringing record of Pied Stonechat Saxicola caprata in the Western Palearctic, at Eilat, Israel REUVEN YOSEF AND MARTIN RYDBERG-HEDAEN 65 The first Red-knobbed Coots Fulica cristata in Oman and Cover Photograph: the Middle East JoRN R. GUSTAD AND KOLBJORN SCHJOLBERG Pander’s Ground Jay Podoces panderi taken by Tim Loseby. 68 PROFILE Keith Betton DAWN BALMER 69 REVIEWS & RECENT LITERATURE 76 AROUND THE REGION DAWN BALMER AND KEITH BETTON Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 Oo he costs of producing Sandgrouse. This is very | important in permitting more of the Society’s OSME SURVEY IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN The uncertain situation in the Middle East forced OSME to postpone the proposed OSME survey in the Islamic Republic of Iran until spring 2003. Those participants selected for the survey have been informed and it is expected that most will be able to participate in 2003. Thanks are extended to all those who applied to join the survey and we hope that those OSME members not selected were not disappointed; the standard of applications was very high. OSME will continue to monitor the situation in Iran and will keep members informed of the progress of the survey. SITUATION VACANT Advertising Officer is perhaps not the most glamorous of roles but provides income to offset income to be allocated to research and conser- vation projects in the region. The Advertising Officer contacts existing and potential advertisers and co-ordinates the placing of adverts in Sandgrouse with the designer and editor. If you would like to contribute towards OSME’s objectives in this way please contact Andrew Grieve for more details at Rosemead, Grange Road, Adlingfleet, nr. Goole, East Yorkshire DN14 8HZ. E-mail: ag@osme.org. SPONSORSHIP Many individuals, groups and organisations help OSME in many ways and such assistance is tremendously important for a small society. During 2001 sponsorship for Sandgrouse, the AGM and the stand at the Bird Fair was generously provided by Alana Ecology, BirdGuides, Bird Images, Gilleard Bros, In Focus, Tim Loseby, Subbuteo, Viking Optical, Geoff & Hilary Welch, C. J. Wildbird Foods and WildSounds. A big thank-you from OSME. Andrew Grieve BRITISH BIRDWATCHING FAIR As usual, OSME will have a stand at this year’s British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water on Friday to Sunday, 16-18 August 2002 (see www .birdfair.org.uk). We would be pleased to see members and other visitors, especially any from overseas, who would like to visit or help out on our stand. Sales items will be available, including some back numbers of Sandgrouse at low prices. Donations of prizes for our tombola will be welcome. 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 in the OSME area please send it to News and Information, OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, U. K. This section is not intended as a definitive report 2 INFORMATION compiled by Derek Moore and Guy M. Kirwan or write-up of the projects concerned. Many of the projects are sponsored; such support is appreciated but is not generally given acknowledgement here. GENERAL Online bird-sound resource Over the past c. 20 years, Shaun Peters (recbirds@yahoo. co.uk) has been collecting bird-sound Derek Moore and Guy M. Kirwan recordings, mainly from published LPs/CDs and tapes. Currently his collection comprises 6900 species (based on Clements fifth edition, plus updates). He has recently established a website that lists all these recordings. There are two main purposes to this: firstly, to serve as a resource for travelling birders and secondly to spur additions to the collection. The URL is www.birrding.freeserve.co.uk (please note the double r in birding). The systematic list is broken down into four sections. Recordings are a little slow in downloading (2-3 minutes each), but once downloaded the information is then readily accessible. (Source: Shaun Peters in litt. September 2001.) New Bald Ibis newsletter We recently received a copy of the inaugural newsletter of the International Advisory Group for Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita. The electronic pamphlet seeks to provide a regular update on current projects involving wild and captive Bald Ibis, and the first issue includes articles dealing with the conser- vation of the wild population in south-west Wionocco, a behaviour and release methodology project (based in Austria), release trials in Israel, the planned release programme in Morocco, the status of the semi-wild population at Birecik, in Turkey, and recent genetic studies. There is also a review of recent publications on the species. (Source: Chris Bowden in litt. October 2001.) The Sixth World Conference on Birds of Prey and Owls will be held in Budapest, Hungary, on 18-25 May 2003. All those interested in either of these groups are invited to attend the conference, irrespective of whether they are members of the World Working Group on Birds of Prey (WWGBP). Details of the preliminary programme are presented on the .\WWGBP. website www.kRaptors-International.de, and any enquiries can be addressed to WWGBP, P.O. Box 52, Towcester NN12 7ZW, England. Tel. & fax: +44 (0)1604 862331, e-mail: WWGBP@aol.com or robin.chancellor @virgin.net. Abstracts for posters intended for the conference must be submitted by 1 March 2003. Suggestions concerning the meeting (themes, submission of papers, excursions etc.) can be made to any of the above. (Source: World Working Group on Binds of Prey in litt. to African’ Birding December 2001.) News & Information Recommendations for the White-headed Duck population in Central Asia The secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) has recently approved a Wetlands International project application entitled Status Overview and Recommendations for the White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) Central Asian Population. Very little information is available for the Central Asian wintering population of White-headed Duck, but it is potentially isolated and in rapid decline. This population eecurs in south , Russia, Kazakhstan, west Mongolia, west China, Uzbekistan, , Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan (rarely in India). The project will aim to establish a sound information base and identified network for effective conservation actions for the Central Asian population of the White-headed Duck, and will review the status of the Central Asian population to identify the species’ key range states, current conservation activities and provide recommendations for its preservation. A field survey was to be conducted in Pakistan in February 2002, which will provide information on the current status of the population in the main wintering area in South Asia. Pakistan is undertaking conser- vation efforts at the important wintering sites, however the population has declined in recent years due to unknown causes. The initiative will also assist in the development anc implementation of the Gentral Asian-Indian Flyway Action Plan that is currently being developed by the Wetlands International—Russia Programme. Wetlands International, through .its regional headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is responsible for the management and implementation of this project, which will conclude in December 2002. (Source: David Li, Waterbird Conservation Officer, Wetlands International, in litt. February 2002.) CYPRUS | Illegal killing and trading of birds The trapping and eating of small migrant birds, particularly Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla, European Bee-eaters Merops apiaster, Robins Erithacus rubecula and thrushes Turdus spp. has been a tradition in Cyprus for many decades. Birds were formerly trapped using lime-sticks but in recent years the use of mist- nets and tapes playing pre-recorded bird song has become widespread, resulting in a Derek Moore and Guy M. Kirwan Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 massive increase in the numbers caught and a significant increase in the amount of money that trappers can earn. The practice is driven by the many restaurants that continue to sell birds, openly and in large numbers, despite all trapping and sale being illegal under Cypriot law. The issue received widespread publicity in Cyprus and other countries following a visit to the island by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB; UK) staff in autumn 2000, when it was found that trapping was widespread on and around both Cape Greco in the Cyprus Republic and Cape Pyla within one of the British-controlled Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs). Estimates provided by the Cyprus Ornithological Society (COS) (1957) suggest that up to 12 million birds are caught and killed annually, nine million of which are trapped during autumn migration. More than 100 species listed on Annex II of the Bern Convention may be adversely affected, 42 of which, including the breeding endemics, Cyprus Pied ,Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca and Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax, have an unfavourable conservation status in Europe. A return visit to Cyprus by RSPB staff in October 2001 indicates that the authorities have stepped up enforcement activity and that trappers are becoming less open about their activities. The RSPB officials accompanied a joint patrol of both Cypriot Game Guards and SBA Police on an early- morning operation that resulted in the seizure of a number of nets, but unfortunately no trappers were apprehended. Many birds, mainly Blackcaps, were released. Despite this improved effort to prevent trapping, birds were still openly on sale within Cypriot restaurants away from the tourist areas. In one restaurant alone, openly advertising birds and frequented by middle-class Cypriots from Nicosia, almost 1000 birds at UK£1.50 each, were eaten in one evening. Cyprus is a signatory to the Bern Convention, which affords protection to wild birds, and a file detailing the illegal killing and trading of birds in Cyprus was submitted to the Standing Committee meeting in Strasbourg in November 2001. This was prepared by the Cyprus Conservation Foundation in cooperation with COS (1957) and BirdLife International, and provided the source for the facts surrounding the scale of the trade as outlined above. It is clear that the bird- 4 trapping problem in Cyprus will not be resolved until the Cypriot authorities can be persuaded to take direct action against those restaurants that continue to sell birds, and convince those people that encourage the trade by eating protected birds that the trapping and consumption of migrant birds is unacceptable. Please help prevent bird trapping in Cyprus by registering your concern by letter to: Mr I. Cassoulides, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dem. Severis Avenue, Nicosia, Cyprus. (Source: Graham Elliott in litt., RSPB, November 2001.) North Cyprus Bird Report 2000 is now available and includes a systematic list of birds seen in the north part of the island in 2000, a complete Cyprus checklist (up to December 2000) and a lepidoptera report. The booklet is a 46-page A4, ring-bound publication of Kuskor (North Cyprus Society for the Protection of Birds and Nature) and has been sponsored, thus all proceeds will help finance the society’s work. The price is UK£6, plus UK£2 airmail post & packing (or UKE£1 post & packing within North Cyprus and Turkey). Cheques can be accepted in Sterling or equivalent in DM, TL, US$ or Euros, to Kuskor, at PK 634, Girne, Mersin 10, Turkey. (Source; Peter Bling am litte November 2001.) EGYPT Heavy fines for importing protected species from Egypt Jesmond Grixti was arrested at Malta International Airport in February 1998 on his return from a hunting trip in Egypt. Customs officials became suspicious at the stuffing in a massive teddy bear in his luggage and discovered the skins of herons, egrets, storks, raptors (including Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides), owls, kingfishers and bee-eaters. The skin of a mongoose was also contained within the toy. Grixti was found guilty and handed a record fine. He was one of 24 people to be found guilty of breaching hunting and trapping regulations in Malta on the same day. (Source: David Camilleri in litt.) ISRAEL New group for young birders in Israel Efforts are being made to establish a new group for young birders in Israel. Under the umbrella of — the Israel Ornithological Center it will meet once a month at weekends on birding trips to various parts of the country. If you wish to be Derek Moore and Guy M. Kirwan involved and are between 15 and 18 years old comtact Nir Sapir, Department of Life seiences, The Ben Gurion University of Negev, P. O. Box 653, Be’er-Sheva 84105. His telephone numbers are: home 972 89472012, office 972 86472634, mobile 058 330954; e-mail nirsa@bgumail.bgu.ac.il. (Source: israbirdnet@yahoogroups.com.) KAZAKHSTAN Counts of White-headed Duck Recent knowledge indicates that large numbers of White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala breed in the northern steppes of Kazakhstan. The total population is unknown as the species occurs in small numbers on hundreds of small and medium-sized steppe lakes, and no large concentrations have been found in spring. In addition, no complete breeding survey of these lakes has been attempted. The discovery of a large autumn concentration in south Kazakhstan is of considerable interest. Lake Kyzylkol, 165 km north-west of Dzhambul in central-south Kazakhstan lies on the southern edge of the steppes and deserts, and was visited between 14 and 17 September 2001 when just under 75,000 wildfowl were counted. The lake is only c. 5 km x 2 km, making this a very dense concen- tration. Counts over the three days revealed a total of 2838 White-headed Duck. No sex/age ratio counts were undertaken but substantial numbers of young as well as males and females were present. Only small numbers of waders were present, and the lake appears to be more important for these species in spring and late summer (e.g. there is a count of 400+ Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus in July). Hunting appeared to be very light, though there is a series of shooting blinds on the lakeshore. Approximately three hunters per night were shooting along a small river with dense vegetation rather than from the blinds along the open shore, but appeared to take only c. 10 birds each night. The majority of wildfowl swam out of shooting range into the centre of the lake, and no boats were in evidence for waterborne wildfowling. The lake appears to be an important post- breeding area for White-headed Duck from the northern steppes of Kazakhstan. It is possible that small numbers breed in the area as a group of 12 White-headed Duck was found on the lake in May 2000, but there is no fringe vegetation at Kyzylkol. However, News & Information several other lakes in the area that have been surveyed, particularly a reed-fringed lake a few kilometres to the west and the larger lakes of Bylykok and Akkol, nearer Dzhambul, possess extensive reedbeds. Lake Kyzylkol freezes from about mid- October and it is likely that the wildfowl disperse before then, White-headed Ducks probably moving west to winter in the Caspian area or even Turkey. Another large concentration of wildfowl was also found on the lakes, marshes and reservoir at Sorbulak, near Almaty, in south- east Kazakhstan. Here c. 28,000 wildfowl included 15,100 Coot and 1420 Ruddy Shelduck, and there were also six White- headed Duck, a rare visitor to the area. (Source: Andrew Grieve in litt. October 2001.) OMAN Fires at IBA A series of fires has destroyed large areas of vegetation at Al Ansab lagoons on the outskirts of Muscat in Oman. The cause is something of a mystery, though opinion is focused on local goat herders who are believed to start fires in order to generate new and fresh vegetation for their animals. Some controlled burning as part of an overall management plan might be beneficial for this site, but these random and at times large fires could be damaging and are potentially dangerous for unsuspecting visiting birdwatchers. Al Ansab lagoons are part of the city sewerage works but a prime wetland site. Over 250 species have been recorded here including several ‘firsts’ for Oman. TURKEY New book provides key to saving Turkey’s threatened birds Dogal Hayati Koruma Dernegi (DHKD, the BirdLife partner in Turkey) has launched the first-ever bird field guide in the Turkish language. More than 300 species regularly breed in the country, of which a high proportion are threatened in Europe. Realising 2% : that the meed to protect | rove ve r Turkey’s internationally x ; . 6 y¥ Fs important -, birds is © not ie recognised by the Turkish ae: Crtasege siete people and = that ‘the commitment and involvement ; of local people is essential for * ¥ effective nature conservation, 4 Ee DHKD launched an ambitious Derek Moore and Guy M. Kirwan Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 national birdwatching and site monitoring programme to generate increased local respon- sibility for appreciating nature. Tansu Gtirpinar, DHKD general director, said that ‘This book is an essential tool that will help DHKD deliver many of the conservation objectives in its programme. I am expecting a boom in birdwatching activities in the country now’. Through a combination of organised birdwatching schools and courses, a special newsletter for birdwatchers, and e-mail birdwatching facilities, DHKD has established several birdwatching groups across the country. Many of these are now actively monitoring and studying key sites (IBAs) close to their base. DHKD estimates there are now more than 200 active birdwatchers in the country, and the number is constantly growing. The book will be sold throughout Turkey by DHKD and bookstores for c. USD21.50, but birdwatchers participating in the IBA caretaker network programme and DHKD members are entitled to a discount. Profits from the sale of the book will be used to develop further caretaker groups in eastern Turkey. (Source: Bahtiyar Kurt in litt. February 2002.) First steps towards a Turkish Breeding Bird Atlas DHKD and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have developed a proposal for a national breeding bird atlas to complement the national IBA (Important Bird Area) survey and caretaker network. Experience elsewhere has demonstrated that knowledge of bird distributions and populations is an important tool in detecting and monitoring changes in the quality of the environment. In many countries such information is available in the form of breeding bird atlases and, within Europe, Turkey is the major country from which such information is lacking. The increasing number of young Turkish birdwatchers and rising awareness of environmental issues in Turkey present a unique opportunity to involve a large number of people in a project of high conservation importance and to raise the profile of DHKD. While the proposal is being submitted to several potential donors, some activities have already taken place. Last year three two-day training workshops were operated for Turkish birdwatching groups in Istanbul, Samsun (Black Sea coast) and Kayseri (central Anatolia). As well as learning about methodology, paperwork and fieldwork techniques (the importance of vocalisations in field identification and surveys) for the forthcoming Breeding Bird Atlas of Turkey, participants were able to practice atlas work in their local areas. The three locations encompassed a broad geographic spread in western Turkey and presented a variety of different habitats, Istanbul being urban and densely populated with a high proportion of coast; Samsun having forested mountains with potential access difficulties; and Kayseri a combination of high montane areas (Erciyes Dag rises to.almost 4000 metres) and steppe. Over 80 birdwatchers attended the courses. Follow-up visits were made to each of the groups to obtain feedback concerning the survey work, evaluate any problems and collect ideas for improving the methodology and paperwork. Transport was the main problem for all of the groups, together with limited experience and timing of fieldwork—the majority of birdwatchers in Turkey are students and the peak breeding season coincides with exams. However, despite these difficulties, the three groups were unanimous in their support for the Breeding Bird Atlas project. (Source: J. Tavares in litt. February 2002.) Environmental education project A birdwatching club in Samsun has commenced an environmental education project at two pilot primary schools, with financial support from the Nando Peretti Foundation. The project is being coordinated by BirdLife International and DHKD. The main alm iS) to- imerease awareness among local school _ “*iag children and teachers of bird the | conservation. Samsun is near Oe ANDO two Important Bird Areas (IBAs). The pilot project will E ERETTI test methodologies and foundation responses. If successful, DHKD intends to expand such work and involve other local birdwatching groups in the execution of education projects that focus on bird conservation close to IBAs across the country. In Samsun, 18 local birdwatchers are implementing the project, visiting the two schools on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and organising games and sessions. The following topics are covered: ecology, water, air, soil, biodiversity and sustainable living. DHKD has produced a Volunteers guidebook for environ- — mental education to assist this work. (Source: J. Tavares in litt. February 2002.) Derek Moore and Guy M. Kirwan News & Information New Great Bustard Conservation Project Great Bustard Otis tarda is a globally threatened species, for which the Turkish breeding population has been estimated at 800-3000 pairs. Several Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been identified as breeding grounds for the species, but there are still large gaps in our knowledge of the species’ distribution, habitat selection and movements in the country. Notably, almost nothing is known about the presence or abundance of the species in eastern Anatolia. Further, dramatic alteration of vast areas of steppe and pseudo-steppe rangeland in Turkey are ongoing. An integrated plan for the species’ conservation is urgently required but, firstly, a better understanding of its distribution and requirements across Turkey must be obtained. Indeed, the international Action Plan for the Great Bustard considers such work in Turkey a priority. Great Bustard can also be used as a flagship species to increase public awareness of the international importance of steppes and dry grasslands in Turkey. Since 2000, DHKD has been coordinating an IBA Caretaker Network Project, in order to effectively monitor the conservation of birds throughout Turkey. More than ten newly established local birdwatching clubs are involved, and relevant monitoring and conser- vation actions are being undertaken in several regions. A Great Bustard project has been suggested by several such groups, and was prepared and will be conducted with the active participation of all. The project is being funded by BirdLife International and the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), and commenced in March 2002. Survey work (mainly in eastern Turkey) is planned for spring 2002, and there will also be several public awareness activities. The project seeks to achieve a better understanding of the conser- vation status and distribution of Great Bustard in Turkey, an increase in public awareness of the species’ conservation especially at key breeding sites, as well as the production of a national Action Plan for Great Bustard. (Source: J. Tavares in litt. February 2002.) Turkey's Bald Ibis colour-ringed in anticipation of second successful breeding season The Turkish Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita population became extinct in the wild in 1989 but a semi- wild population persists at Birecik, free-flying from March to July and breeding around the large aviaries where the birds are kept during Derek Moore and Guy M. Kirwan winter. The population has been managed by the Turkish Wildlife Service, which has developed a project proposal, together with the RSPB and DHKD, to ensure that the ibis are able to persist in a semi-wild state, and maintain options for restoring the species’ wild status. The project commenced in 2001, when a Turkish ornithologist, funded by the RSPB, monitored the colony. Following several years of failed breeding seasons (probably because toxins in the food provided for the birds killed the nestlings), the 2001 season was marked by 19 fledglings. In anticipation of the 2002 breeding season, all 60 birds have been colour- ringed. Individual marks are essential for the collection of data that will enable further management of this semi-wild population. (Source: J. Tavares in litt. February 2002.) White-headed Duck festival and workshop Burdur Golti is one of the most important wintering sites in the world for the globally threatened White-headed Duck: Oxyura leucocephala. During the last ten years DHKD has been working to achieve the effective protection of this very important wetland. In October 2001, DHKD and the local authorities organised a White-headed Duck festival and birdwatching fair, which proved a great success. Stands and games for children were organised in one of the town’s squares, where prizes for school competition winners and official speeches took place. A bird race near the lake kept all of the birdwatchers (from throughout Turkey) busy. On the final day a technical workshop on White-headed Duck monitoring techniques was undertaken. This was part of a larger project led by the Hellenic Ornithological Society (the BirdLife partner in Greece), and funded by the Greek government, designed to evaluate the species’ distribution in Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria. Representatives from all four countries attended the Burdur event, and the results of White-headed Duck counts were evaluated and future work discussed. (Source: J. Tavares in litt. February 2002.) Ankara vulture meeting The Third Annual Eastern European/Mediterranean Griffon Vulture Working Group Meeting and Symposium on Vultures of Eastern Europe and the Middle East will be held in Ankara, Turkey, in October 2002. For more details check www.gyps.org or contact the Raptor Research & Rehabilitation Center Turkey (RRRCT) via e-mail: rrrct@yahoo.co.uk. Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 REQUESTS fer INFORMATI Ruddy Shelduck monitoring programme In 1999, the Goose and Swan Study Group of east Europe and north Asia launched a project entitled ‘Investigation into the dynamics of the numbers and range of the Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea in the 20th century’. Initially the project was planned to cover only Russia, but was soon expanded to research the species’ entire range. All information is placed into a database (which is available free on request) and the group hopes to construct a website in the near future. They are interested to cooperate with anyone studying the species or who has any data on its occurrences. Ideally observers should complete the group’s Ruddy Shelduck questionnaire, which can be obtained from Anastasia Popovkina, Project Coordinator, Dept. Vertebrate Zoology, Biol. Faculty, Moscow State University, Moscow 119899, Russia. Tel. (095) 939 2757, tax (095) 952, 30077 one; mail: nastya@soil.msu.ru. Requests for information from the group’s database should also be made to Anastasia Popovkina. Caucasian Black Grouse under the spotlight The IUCN Grouse (Tetraonidae) Specialist Group (GSG) is seeking contacts among researchers working on and experienced with Caucasian Black Grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi, which is restricted to Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey. As the species is listed as Data Deficient in the 2000 IUCN Ked List of Threatened Species, the GSG is seeking to clarify its status and population trends, and — is planning a workshop on Caucasian Black Grouse at the Ninth International Grouse Symposium in Beijing, China, in August 2002. For more information, please contact the GSG’s leader Dr Use Storch at ilse.storch@gmx.de. Ringers required in Turkey Experienced ringers are urgently required for voluntary work at the recently founded ringing station in Kuscenneti National Park, where more than 255 bird species have been recorded. The site is located in Balikesir (north- west Turkey) and is a complex of woodland and reedbeds adjacent to a large lake. It 4 harbours large colonies of waterbirds, but the main focus will be on passerines. Passerine migration over Turkey is poorly known, so almost any work will add to our knowledge. Applications for the autumn season (September-November 2002) are welcomed. Accommodation will be provided by the national park administration, and the scheme is run jointly by the Turkish Bird Research Society (KAD), Middle East Technical University, and the National Parks and Wildlife Authority. Applications and requests for further information should be sent to Ms Ozge Kesapli Can (coordinator of the National Ringing Scheme) at ringing@kad.org.tr or faxed to +90 (312) 435 8645. Information required on Houbara Bustard in Iran and Yemen : The National Avian Research Center (NARC), in UAE, operates a captive-breeding programme to restock wild populations and prevent the smuggling of wild Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata for training falcons in UAE. The organisation’s main concern is to construct a global strategy for the conservation of the species in Central Asia and Middle East by studying its biology, distribution and movements, and population trends. Some of NARC’s studies have demonstrated that Houbara Bustards fitted with radio-transmitters on their breeding grounds in China winter in Iran. However, there are very few data on the species in Iran. In addition, NARC has learned that the species has been reportedly hunted recently in Yemen, and that breeding could occur there. Christophe Toureng is currently compiling all available data on the species for Iran and Yemen: numbers, distribution, behaviour and movements (breeding, migration, wintering), and would be interested to hear from anyone that can furnish him with unpublished data from these countries. All such assistance will be fully acknowledged in a forthcoming report by NARC that will be sent to each contributor. Please contact: Christophe Tourenq, Houbara Ecologist, NARC, Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency, P. O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Tel: +971 3 7347555. Fax: oi Il 8 7347607. E-mail: ctourenq@erwda.gov.ae or via http://www.erwda.gov.ae. Middle East birding contacts and organisations MIDDLE EAST BIRDING CONTACTS AND ORGANISATIONS COMPILED BY EFFIE WARR A previous compendium of such contacts and organisations was presented in Sandgrouse 18 (2): 10-13, and readers are requested to refer to the earlier publication for the background and basis to this list. The present listing substantially updates the 1996 publication, particularly with respect to regional recorders and the recently launched OSME Country Contacts network (See Sandgrouse 23: 84-85). REGIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, U.K. (This is an accommodation address only. Mail is routed to the relevant officers.) Tel: +44 1442 822108. Fax: +44 1442 822623. E-mail: ag@osme.org. Website: www.osme.org Publication: Sandgrouse (twice yearly) ISSN 0260-4736. AFRICAN BIRD CLUB c/o BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA, U. K. Website: www.africanbirdclub.org.uk Publication: Bull. Afr. Bird Club (includes material on Egypt, etc.) ISSN 1352-481X. ATLAS OF THE BREEDING BIRDS OF ARABIA (ABBA) Michael C. Jennings, Warners Farm House, Warners Drove, Somersham, Cambridgeshire PE28 3WD, U. K. Tel/Fax: +44 1487 841733. E-mail: arabian.birds@dial.pipex.com Website: http: / /dspace.dial.pipex.com/ arabian.birds Publication: The Phoenix (annual) ISSN 0268-487X BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL-MIDDLE EAST REGIONAL OFFICE P. O. Box 1215, Amman 11941, Jordan. Tel: +962 6 535-5446. Fax: +962 6 534-7411. E-mail: birdlife@nol.com.jo. Website: www.birdlifemed.org Publication: BirdLife Middle East [Newsletter] ARMENIA OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Vasil Ananian E-mail: vananian72@yahoo.com Effie Warr AZERBAIJAN OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Elchin Sultanov E-mail: sultanov@azdata-net BAHRAIN OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Howard King E-mail: howardk@batelco.com.bh BAHRAIN BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE Dr Saeed Mohamed, c/o Bahrain Natural History Society, P. O. Box 20336. BAHRAIN BIRD REPORT (website) www.geocities.com/ Yosemite /5267 /? BAHRAIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY P. O. Box 1858, Manama. Publication: Newsletter Meetings: Monthly CYPRUS OSME COUNTRY CONTACTS Judy Dawes & David Whaley E-mail: whaleydawes@spidernet.com.cy Jeff Gordon E-mail: j.gordon@cytanet.com.cy Peter Flint E-mail: prf@iecnc.org CYPRUS COS (57) BIRDLINE (up-to-date information on rare and unusual birds) Tel: +357 6 270447. CYPRUS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY (1957) Secretariat, P.O. Box 61090, 8130 Kato Paphos. Tel: +357 5 314754. E-mail:scraton@logos.cy.net Publications: Newsletter (monthly), Report (annual) and Yearly Checklist. Meetings: monthly field meetings CYPRUS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY (1970) 4 Kanaris Street, Strovolos 2059. Tel: +357 2 420703. Fax: +357 2 493689. Publication: Bird Report. Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 KUZEY KIBRIS KUSLARI VE DOGAYI KORUMA DERNEGI (KUSKOR) (North Cyprus Society for the Protection of Birds and Nature) P. O. Box 634, Girne, Mersin-10, Turkey. (Mersin-10 is the postcode for North Cyprus.) Tel: +90 392 815 7337. Fax +90 392 815 1819. E-mail: ncspb@iecnc.org. Websites: salamis.emu.edu.tr/~senturk/ ncyprus/kuskor.html or northcyprusbirds.iecnc.org/4.htm Publication: North Cyprus Bird Report (annual). EGYPT OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Mindy Baha El Din baha@internetegypt.com BIRDING EGYPT (website) www.birdingegypt.com E-mail: info@birdingegypt.com EGYPTIAN BIRD RECORDER & RARITIES COMMITTEE Sherif Baha El Din, 3 Abdalla El Katib Street, Apt.3, Dokki, Cairo. Tel/Fax: +20 2 3608160. E-mail: baha@internetegypt.com GEORGIA OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Alexander Abuladze E-mail: lesser7kestrel@yahoo.com THE BIRD CONSERVATION UNION OF GEORGIA institute of Zoology, Academy of Sciences of Georgia, Chavchavadze pr. 31, Tbilisi 380079. E-mail: bcugaa@hotmail.com IRAN OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Sadegh Sadeghi-Zadegan E-mail: sadeghizadegan@abedi.net IRAQ NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY OF BASRAH P-©-Box432. Basrale ISRAEL : OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Dr Reuven Yosef E-mail: ryosef@eilatcity.co.il BIRDING ISRAEL (website) www.geocities.com/birdinglsrael 10 INTERNATIONAL BIRDING & RESEARCH CENTRE UN EIEAT . P. O. Box 774, Eilat 88106. Tel: +9727 6335339. Fare +972 7 6369019) E-mail: ibrce@eilatcity.co.1l Website: www.arava.org /birds-eilat ISRAEL BIRD RINGING CENTER Atidim Industrial Park, P. O. Box 58020, Tel Aviv 61580. E-mail: ibrc@netvision.net.il Publication: Newsletter and Torgos (with other organisations). ISRAEL ORNITHOLOGICAL CENTRE (IOC) c/o SPNI—BirdLife in Israel, Atidim Industrial Park, P. O. Box 58020, Tel Aviv 61580. Tel: +972 3 6449622. Fax: +972 3 6449625. E-mail: ioc@netvision.net.il Website: www.birds.org.1l | Publication: Torgos (with other organisations). ISRAEL RARITIES AND DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE c/o James P. Smith, Kibbutz Lotan, D. N. Chevel Eilot, 88855. E-mail: jameslotan@yahoo.com JERUSALEM BIRD OBSERVATORY Fax: +972 08-9400850. E-mail: gidonp@md2.huji.ac.il Website: www.birds.org.i1/bulbul KIBBUTZ LOTAN CENTRE FOR BIRDWATCHING c/o James P. Smith, Kibbutz Lotan, D. N. Chevel Eilot, 88855. Website: www.birdingisrael.com RAMAT HANADIV RAPTOR REINTRO- DUCTION PROJECT P. O. Box 133, Binyamina 305501. SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION @F NATURE IN ISRAEL (U. K.) 25 Lyndale Avenue, London NW2 2QB, U. K. Tel: +44 171 4356803. Fax: +44 171 7940291. JORDAN OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Dr Fares Khoury E-mail: avijordan2000@yahoo.com ROYAL SOGIETY FOR THE €CONSERA VATION OF NATURE (RSCN) P. O. Box 6354, Amman 11183. Tel: +962 6 5337931/2. Fax: +962 6 5347411. E-mail: rscn@nets.com.jo. Website: www.rscn.org.jo Effie Warr Middle East birding contacts and organisations See also: www.andrewsi.freeserve.co.uk / birding-in-jordan.htm KAZAKHSTAN OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Dr Sergei Sklyarenko E-mail: sklyar@nursat.kz KUWAIT BIRD MONITORING AND PROTECTION SOCIETY (BMAPS) c/o George Gregory, KES, P. O. Box 8640, Salmiya 22057. Tel: +965 565 5216 (leave message). Fax: +965 562 9356 (to Mr G. Gregory). E-mail (George Gregory): ggoldie51@ hotmail.com. Website: www.kuwaitbirds.com and www.oskuwait.org Publication: Annual Report. KUWAIT ORNITHOLOGICAL RARITIES COMMITTEE Chairman: Professor Charles Pilcher, Dept. Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, P. O. Box 24923, Safat 13110. E-mail: charles@hsc.kuniv.edu.kw LEBANON OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Andy Sprenger E-mail: sprenger@inco.com.|b AAMMIQO PROJECT A Rocha Lebanon, P O Box 11-3092, Riad el Solh 1107-2120, Beirut. E-mail: csnaylor@destination.com.lb SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES IN © LEBANON (SPNL) P. O. Box 11-5665. E-mail: info@spnL.org Website: www.spnl.org OMAN OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Ian D. Harrison E-mail: ianmair@omantel.net.om OMAN BIRD GROUP c/o Oman Natural History Museum, P. O. Box 668, Muscat 113. Tel: +968 605400. Fax: +968 602735. Publication: Oman Bird News. THE OMAN BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE P. O. Box 246, Muscat 113. Tel: +968 693171. Fax: +968 693 883. Effie Warr E-mail: acedrc@omantel.net.om Publication: Oman Bird News. OMAN NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM P. O. Box 668, Muscat 113. Tel: +968 605400. Fax: +968 602735. PALESTINE OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Imad Atrash E-mail: wildlife@palnet.com CHILDREN FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURE (West Bank and Gaza) P. O. Box 14076, Jerusalem 91140. PALESTINE WILDLIFE SOCIETY (WILDLIFE PALESTINE) P. O. Box 89, Beit Sahour. : Tel/Fax: +972 2 22774373. E-mail: wildlife@ palnet.com. Website: www.wildlife-pal.org QATAR OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Jamie Buchan E-mail: jamie_buchan@yahoo.com QATAR NATURAL HISTORY GROUP Address currently unknown KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Abdullah Alsuhaibany E-mail: abdullah.alsuhaibany@persga.org KING KHALED WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTER, RIYADH c/o NCWCD, P. O. Box 61681, 11575 Riyadh. Tel: +966 1 404 4412. Fax: +966 1 401 1527. NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT, RIYADH P. O. Box 61681, 11575 Riyadh. Tel: +966 1 441 8700. Fax: +966 1 441 0797. NATIONAL WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTER, TAIF P ©. Box 1086, Tait. Tel: +966 2 745 5188. Fax: +966 2 645 5176. RIYADH NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY c/o Dr Lawrence Curtis (Chairman), P. O. Box 94510, Riyadh 11614. Publication: Desert Rambler. SAUDI ARABIAN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY c/o Jeddah Prep and Grammar School, P. O. Box 6316, Jeddah 21412. 11 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 Fax: +966 2 660-3289. Publication: Journal of the Saudi Arabian Natural History Society. SAUDI ARABIAN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY (BIRDING GROUP) c/o Mrs Maggie Devereux, Saudi Arabian Airlines, P. O. Box 167, C.C.910, Jeddah 21231. THE TRAVELLING NATURALISTS OF AL- KHOBAR Secretary (Carlos Maeztu), ARAMCO Box 5971, Dhahran 31311. Publication: Newsletter. WILDLIFE SANCTUARY FOR THE GULF REGION P. Oy Box 11071, Jubaili3196. : Tel: +966 3 341 1700. Fax: +966 3 341 2415. SYRIA OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Gianluca Serra E-mail: gianlu@ftbcc.it TURKEY OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Bahtiyar Kurt E-mail: bahtiyar.kurt@dhkd.org DOGAL HAYATI KORUMA DERNEGI (DHKD) (Turkish Society for the Conservation of Nature) Buiyuik Postane Caddesi 43-45, Kat 5-6, Bahcekapi-Sirkeci, Istanbul. Tel: +90 212 528 20 30. Fax: +90 212 528 20 40. KUS ARASTIRMA DERNEGI (KAD) (Bird Research Society) E-mail: kad@kad.org.tr Website: www.kad.org.tr Publication: [bibik TURKISH SOCIETY FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH & REHABILITATION OF DIURNAL AND NOCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY RAPTOR RESEARCH & REHABILITATION CENTER TURKEY (RRRCT) c/o Edwin W. A. M. Vaassen, Gimat 2 Sitesi, 679 Sokak, Blok 10-10, 06530 Cayyolu, Ankara. E-mail: rrrct@yahoo.co.uk UNITED ARAB EMIRATES OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Colin Richardson E-mail: colinR@emirates.net.ae DUBAI NATURAL HISTORY GROUP P. O. Box 9234, Dubai. Publication: Gazelle. Meetings: monthly. Also field trips. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND WILDLIFE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (incorporates the NATIONAL AVIAN RESEARCH CENTER) P. O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi. Tel: +971 3 747 555. Fax: +971 3 747 607. E-mail: narc@emirates.net.ae EMIRATES NATURAL HISTORY GROUP (ABU DHABI) P. O. Box 2380, Abu Dhabi. Publications: Tribulus and Newsletter. EMIRATES NATURAL HISTORY GROUP (AL AIN) P. O. Box 18057, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. Publication: Newsletter. EMIRATES BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE c/o Colin Richardson, P. O. Box 50394, Dubai. Tel (mobile): +971 (0) 50 6503398. E-mail: colinR@emirates.net.ae David Diskin (Secretary) e-mail: dadiskin@emirates.net.ae Publications: Emirates Bird Report and Monthly Bird Report. UZBEKISTAN OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Elena Kreuzberg-Mukhina E-mail: kreuz@comuz.uz REPUBLIC OF YEMEN OSME COUNTRY CONTACT Dr Omar A.S. Al-Saghier E-mail: omarbio@y.net.ye YEMEN ORNITHOLOGIGAE SOGIETY, c/o David Stanton (Chairman), P. O. Box 2002, Sana-a. Tel: +967 1 269 314. Fax: +967 1 234 438. E-mail: yos@y.net.ye Publication: Lammergeier. Meetings: monthly. 12 Effie Warr The Turkmenian Kopet Dag The Turkmenian Kopet Dag MARK CALDERBANK he Kopet Dag range in Central Asia forms the frontier between Iran and Turkmenistan over a distance of 400 km (see Fig. 1). Its meaning in the Turkmen language is ‘many mountains’. Until ten years ago the Turkmenian Kopet Dag was inaccessible to Westerners as it formed the southern frontier of the Soviet Union. In consequence, its bird and plant life is little known outside of the country. Considerable work has been undertaken by Russian ornithologists over the last 100 years, of whom the best known were Zarudny and Dementiev. The results of earlier research were incorporated into a field guide published in Russian (Flint et al. 1968). In 1984 this guide was translated into English as a Field guide to birds of the USSR, subsequently (1991) amended to Birds of Russia and adjacent territories. MC has found this guide to be very useful and generally very accurate, although the illustrations leave something to be desired. However, it is old and more up-to-date publications are available to those who can read Russian, namely the Conspectus of the ornithological fauna of the USSR (Stepanyan 1990) and Priroda tsentralnovo Kopetdaga (Sherbak 1986), a publication of the Turkmenian -Academy of Science which specifically covers the central Kopet Dag. The Kopet Dag is especially interesting in that shares avifaunal similarities with both the Caucasus to the west and the Pamirs to the east. Many birds found here also occur in the Caucasus but the dry steppe, for example, is a feature of Central Asia. GEOGRAPHY Specialists divide the Kopet Dag into four main areas. The area considered here is the Central Kopet Dag (see Fig. 2). Here, the mountains (which reach nearly 3000 metres) rise abruptly from the huge desert to the north. A humpy belt of grassland, a few kilometres wide, is all there is in the nature of a transitional Zone, Ashgabad, the. capital_of Turkmenistan, and more ancient cities are all contained within this narrow cultivated belt. This border area is unfortunately (still) largely strictly out of bounds, in part because the President’s favourite home lies at the foot of the mountains. However, there are substantial areas to the north which are open to visitors. These include Erek Dag (Doushak) which reaches 2462 metres. The mountains are steep but not difficult to climb or explore at any time of year. The foothills consist of steep slopes of dry grass (Plate 1) and sparse bushes interspersed with scree and escarpments. Plate 2 shows a dry valley in the nature Mark Calderbank reserve where the rock is tilted to form shallow slopes. The Erek Dag is less a mountain than an extensive high plateau, with areas of steppe or sparse juniper forest (Plate 3), its flanks scored by numerous ravines which eventually run into canyons up to 200 metres deep and several kilometres long (Plate 4). These provide interesting excursions—and exertions. There is no deciduous forest. CLIMATE The climate is fairly extreme and sudden changes in temperature are common. Winters are usually cold and wet, with snow on the mountains from December until March. Annual precipitation varies from 228 cm on the plain to 335 cm in the mountains. Spring, which is very short, is perhaps the most pleasant season; the slopes are briefly green with an abundance of flowers. By mid-May it is already very hot except at higher altitudes; in Ashgabad the temperature peaks at c. 50°C in mid-July. Rain rarely falls in May—October, but quite violent 13 KAZAKHSTAN e =< a Ba > » ee UZBEKISTAN \ Amu-Darya Reserve Kaplangyrsk Reserve Ss © Darvaza NY Balkan TURKMENISTAN sa) Karakum Desert Turkmenabat f “| \ 4 Easy, s \ ° se aah, K Caspian : > Gyzyiarbat Sea J y y : ™~ e -~ epete =a, Hasardag Desert | ite, 6 Reserve Reserve i | Kugitang Airahaha Nature Gis7n) Reserve we Cale C ee a Babadaihan ya? - Ler i Eloten 1 ee / : \ seam NTagtabazar.: £ AFGHANISTAN - Nature s \ Reserve IRAN ? = SS | ~, om < ; Figure 1. The position of the Kopet Dag in a | uae Turkmenistan. Figure 2 (inset). Topographical! map of the Turkmenian Kopet Dag. (| RAZARMSIAN * a The Turkmenian Kopet Dag flash floods do occur. By September the land appears parched; the air is very dry and water must always be carried with you during the hotter months. HABITATS Rocky habitats such as precipices, ravines, canyons, cliffs, scree and broken escarpments harbour 38 nesting species. The many ravines and canyons, at both high and low altitudes, provide what is arguably the most distinctive habitat of the region and ensures an interesting variety of cliff nesters, including several species of eagle and vulture, which roam widely for food and can thus be observed almost anywhere in the vicinity of high mountains. Cliffs on mountainsides or above dry wadis (Plate 5) are home to Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, Long- legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus, Great Rock Nuthatch Sitta tephronota and Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia while other species (e.g. Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus and Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus) prefer canyons and ravines. Typical inhabitants of scree and rocky slopes include Chukar Alectoris chukar, See-see Partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis, Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti, Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschit and Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus; and above 1500 metres the rare but often conspicuous Caspian Snowcock Tetraogallus caspius, which inhabits ledges above ravines. Areas of vegetation are chiefly limited to deciduous trees and bushes in river valleys, dry valleys, and on hillsides, and juniper Juniperus turcomanica forest. I have recorded 52 species in these habitats, with more, 38, in deciduous areas, than in juniper forests (20). In spring and early summer there is an abundance of plant life, especially near permanent or occasional streams. Bordering these are bramble Rubus caesius, willow Salix songarica and poplar trees Populus pruinose, and tamarisk Tamarix meyer. Celtis caucasica is found in canyons, and Turkmen Maple Acer turcomanicum is another prominent constituent of the local Mark Calderbank flora. The most important plants on hillsides or on valley floors are wild rose Rosa canina, barberry Berberis turcomanica, cherry .Cerasus. ‘microcarpa;’. Lycium kopetdaghi, Ephedra equisetina and Lonicera nummulariifolia. Birds include at least three species of warbler, flycatchers, shrikes, redstarts, and various finches, sparrows and buntings. Juniper only grows above 1000 metres and is abundant above 1700 metres. On Erek Dag and the main Kopet Dag it forms open forest; in ravines such woodland is slightly more dense. Birds nesting only in juniper forest are Black Kite Milvus migrans, Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, Black Vulture Aegypius monachus, Common Buzzard Buteo buteo, Wood Lark Lullula arborea, Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros, Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus, Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus, Coal Tit Parus ater, Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs and Red-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus. Open areas of steppe and dry grassland occur on the summit of Erek Dag, west of the meteorological station. A number of species common at lower altitudes breed here, especially larks, of which there are no less than five species: Skylark Alauda arvensis, Crested Galerida cristata, Short- toed Calandrella brachydactyla, Calandra Melanocorypha calandra and Bimaculated M. bimaculata. Other breeders are Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris, Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe, Stonechat Saxicola torquata and Rock Bunting Emberiza cia. Human-modified habitats include the town of Ashgabad, surrounding villages and many other areas. Ashgabad is only a few kilometres from the Kopet Dag. Increasing development of areas, previously purely natural, and greater human access to the region are bringing changes, especially since the declaration of the Turkmenistan republic in 1991, but generally there appears to be an increasing tendency for birds to utilise inhabited areas. An interesting example is Tree Sparrow 15 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 Passer montanus, which occurs only in Ashgabad while the local form of its close congener, House Sparrow P. domesticus indicus, is found only in rural areas. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus breeds near canals and in abandoned building sites, and Calandra Lark, Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus and Shikra Accipiter badius all occasionally nest in urban areas. Rubbish is dumped over wide areas and much litter is already accumulating at picnic sites. A late- February visit to Berzengi, an area of grassy hills on the outskirts of Ashgabad towards the Kopet Dag, which has a warren of the vole Rhombomis opimus and is also used to unofficially dump rubbish, revealed an umexpected= variety, @ol- species: Sparrowhawk, Black Vulture, Common and Long-legged Buzzards, Calandra and Crested Larks, Isabelline Wheatear (which nests in abandoned holes of the vole), Masked Wagtail Motacilla alba personata, Rook Corvus frugilegus, Starling Sturnus vulgaris, Rock Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis canteens andi, bimnmet ae, cannabina. AVIFAUNA THROUGH THE SEASONS The majority of the local avifauna are either residents or summer visitors. Of the former, eight are raptors, including four in the national Red Data Book: Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, and Peregrine Falco peregrinus and Saker Falcons Falco cherrug. Caspian Snowcock is among the specialties of the area and is also included within the national Red Data Book. Other residents include Short-toed Lark, Rock Bunting, Great Rock Nuthatch, Finsch’s Wheatear (some overwinter), Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta and Red-fronted Serin. Winter visitors are few: Hen Harrier Circus eyaneus, Eversmann’s Redstart Phoenicurus erythronotus, Brambling Fringilla montifringilla, and Rook in vast numbers. The latter has become such a nuisance in the botanical gardens of Ashgabad that at dusk they have to be scared away with gunfire. SITES AND ACCESS It follows that the best times to visit are spring or summer. March—May are especially productive months. From June to September the heat is off- putting. Autumn and winter are pleasant for walking, but birds are less numerous. The main sites are shown on Map 2. All place names from the Soviet period have been officially changed but still tend to be in more common usage than the new ones. The latter I have added in parentheses below: Firuza (Arcabil);-- Chuli (Geok*ssdere); Kurikhovdan, the Sekiz Yab River and Doushak Mountain (Erek Dag). The road to Firuza runs through a steep gorge. This is easily accessible and offers a number of opportunities to explore on both sides of the road. Further on is Chuli which lies at the foot of Erek Dag. There is a famous canyon here. In the valley shown in Plate 6, | observed ‘the tollovane passerines on 20 March 2001: Calandra and Short-toed Larks, Stonechat, Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus and Black Redstart, Finsch’s and Eastern Pied Wheatears Oenanthe picata, Black- throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis, Scrub Warbler, Great Rock Nuthatch, Red- fronted -Serin “and: Desert daimch Rhodospiza obseleta. The three most interesting sites are more difficult of access. Both the Sekiz Yab and Kurikhovdan are close to the border and permission to visit is required; this is only obtainable through a competent travel agency that will also arrange camping equipment and four-wheel- drivies= vehicles! (Seen Visitatme; Plates 1-6 (opposite). Views of the Kopet Dag, for details see the text. (Mark Calderbank) 16 Mark Calderbank The Turkmenian Kopet Dag Mark Calderbank 17 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 Turkmenistan below). Erek Dag can be climbed in one day but for worthwhile birding you require at least two. Kurikhovdan possesses a number of habitats: a small stream with swampy vegetation and dense foliage; grassy and rocky slopes with many bushes; and cliffs and scree. It is a nature reserve managed by the Ministry for the Protection of Nature and lies 30 km south of Ashgabad. An ornithologist, Nikolai Yefeemenko, frequently works here and is happy to act as a guide. The best time to visit is early May, when many species are breeding. Close to the river it is possible to at least hear a number of interesting species: Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos, Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis, Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata rama and Clamorous Reed Warbler. This area is home to Vipera lebetina, a highly venomous snake that feeds on frogs. In the watercourse shown in Plate 4 I have found nesting Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis, Rock Sparrow (which occupies old nests of Great Rock Nuthatch), Pale Rock Sparrow Carpospiza brachydactyla, Desert Finch and Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps. Other species near dry watercourses include Roller Coracias garrulus, Hoopoe Upupa epops, Rufous Scrub Robin Cercotrichas galactotes and Linnet. Black Stork Ciconia nigra also breeds on cliffs in this area. The avifauna encountered along the Sekiz Yab river is similar to that at Kurikhovdan. However, the river flows out of a deep canyon and is faster flowing. The Sekiz Yab is both spectacular and excellent for birds. The approach is along a stream bed where, in late May, I have observed Red- wattled Lapwing Hoplopterus indicus. Once the higher river is reached, there are many warblers in the surrounding trees, as well as Kingfisher Alcedo atthis. 18 Also here it is possible to see both Red- backed Lantus collurio and Isabelline Shrikes L. isabellina. The Sekiz Yab canyon issues from the western end of Erek Dag, thus a walk along its lip may provide, among others, Black Stork, Golden Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Alpine Swift Apus melba, Blue Rock Monticola solitarius and Rock Thrushes M. saxatilis, ~Chough —— Piyrepoconax pyrrhocorax, and Grey-necked Emberiza buchanani and Rock Buntings. Erek Dag has been described already; it is approached from Chuli and there is a meteorology cupola on the summit, where it is possible to sleep. In or around its numerous ravines it is possible to observe Lammergeier, Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca (migrant), Peregrine Falcon, Caspian Snowcock and Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus. VISITING TURKMENISTAN Tourism is poorly developed in Turkmenistan, although there are a number of tourist agencies. Two that have experience in arranging trips to the Kopet Dag are DN Tours and Ayan. The Lonely Planet guide to Central Asia provides up-to-date and accurate information on Turkmenistan. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I acknowledge the assistance of local ornithologist Nikolai Nikolaevich Yefeemenko. Mark Calderbank, c/o F. C. O. (Ashgabad), King Charles Street, London SW1A DAL UIA Mark Calderbank headed Heron -s mentioned in Gustad & Schjolberg (2002) there was a total of five Black- headed Herons Ardea melanocephala near Salalah, in Oman, in July 1999. On were at Sun Farms on 23-24 July and one at Khor Mughsayl on 25 _ July. These were accepted as the second record in Oman (Eriksen & Sargaent 2000). The Oman Bird Records Committee (OBRC) subsequently accepted several observations relating to the same individuals: it appears that there was an influx of at least five birds to coastal Dhotar, at Various sites between Khor Taqah and Khor Mughsayl, on 23 July 1999-15 April 2000, with a subsequent record of one at Khor Salalah on 8 September 2001. The first record in Oman was near Salalah in August—December 1978 Plate 1. Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala, Khor Mughsayl, Sultanate of Oman, July 1999. Same individual as in Plates 7-10. Rather tame, but poor light demanded use of tripods. (Kare Bent Sunde) Jorn R. Gustad Photospot (Eriksen & Sarcaent 2000). Ihe species is widespread in Africa south of the Sahara (Hancock & Kushlan 1984). I am unaware of any ageing summary for the species in the literature, but believe those at Sun Farms were immatures (three first-summer and one probably second-summer), while that at Khor Mughsayl was in full-adult/breeding plumage (probably fourth-calendar year or older). For further comments concerning ageing see the photo captions. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks to the Oman Bird Records Committee for the fast circulation and Dave Sargeant for detailed information concerning status. REFERENCES ERIKSEN, J. AND SARGAENT, D. (2000) Oman bird list. The official list of the birds of the Sultanate of Oman. Fifth edition. Muscat, Oman Bird Records Committee. GUSTAD, J. R. & SCHJOLBERG, K. (2002) The first Red- knobbed Coots Fulica cristata in Oman and the Middle East. Sandgrouse 24: 65-67. HANCOCK, J. AND KUSHLAN, J. (1984) The herons handbook. Croom Helm, London. Jorn R. Gustad, Sannergata 38, N-0557 Oslo, Norway. 19 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 19-21 2002 es a daee a bl i atch pial. 25 2 yet sro te te rat oa rt te : 1A a: a ; 4 yt i a J - f Lal hy IAT pA iP mgiss Plate 2 (top left). Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephal. , Sun Farms, Sultanate of Oman, July 1999. Same individual as in Plate 3. Note lack of white ‘commas’ on the inner primaries, unlike the bird in Plate 6. (Jarn R. Gustad) Plate 3 (top right). First-summer Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala, Sun Farms, Sultanate of Oman, July 1999. Note duller plumage, especially dark grey (not black) feathering on head and hindneck; also the legs appear greyer than on older birds. (Jorn R. Gustad) Plate 4 (middle). Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala, Sun Farms, Sultanate of Oman, July 1999. Same individual as in Plate 5, showing characteristic white underwing-coverts. (Jorn R. Gustad) Plate 5 (bottom). Black- headed Heron Ardea melanocephala, Sun Farms, Sultanate of Oman, July 1999. Same individual as in Plate 4. Note arrested moult, with unmoulted five outermost primaries on both wings. (Jorn R. Gustad) 20 Jorn R. Gustad Photospot 1999. Note dark mantle and partially yellow lower mandible, but lacking lanceolate plumes and sparse black and white markings on lower foreneck. Compare with that at Khor Mughsayl in Plates 1 and 7—10. (Jorn R. Gustad) Plate 7 (top left lower). Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala, Khor Mughsayl, Sultanate of Oman, July 1999. Same individual as in Plates 8--10, stretching and showing grey feathering on mantle, in contrast to those at Sun Farms. (Jorn R. Gustad) Plates 8-10. Adult Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala, Khor Mughsayl, Sultanate of Oman, July 1999 (probably a fourth- calendar-year bird or older). Note breeding plumage, consisting of lanceolate feathers on mantle and upper breast, and three elongated plumes on nape. (Jorn R. Gustad) Jorn R. Gustad 21 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 22-27 2002 Decline in breeding Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria in the steppes of Naurzum and Korgalzhyn, Kazakhstan GOTZ EICHHORN AND VALERI V. KHROKOV The steppes of Naurzum and Korgalzhyn, Kazakhstan, are well known as traditional breeding areas for Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria. But even at these well-documented sites, the most recent intensive surveys were conducted almost ten years ago. Results of a survey of these areas in 2001 are presented here and reveal an apparently ongoing decline, at least at these sites. Surveys to locate breeding areas in other parts of the species’ range are required. While the development of intensive agriculture was formerly perceived as a threat to the species, given the current economic crisis and a drastic reduction in livestock, a considerable contraction of its preferred habitat appears to be underway. Support for stockbreeding, accompanied by the introduction of ecologically sound grazing, is among the principal conser- vation measures that would favour Sociable Plover. INTRODUCTION OCIABLE PLOVER Chettusia gregaria is a globally threatened species (BirdLife International 2000) and may be at even greater risk than considered within the latter volume (Eichhorn & Heinicke 2000, Khrokov 2000). It appears to have all but disappeared from breeding grounds in European Russia (Morozov 1997, P. Tomkovich pers. comm.), although the majority breeds in the steppes of Kazakhstan. The districts of Naurzum (Kostanajskaya oblast = region) and Korgalzhyn (Akmolinskaya oblast) are well known as key breeding areas and many of the data accumulated on Sociable Plover in Kazakhstan originate from these sites. However, the most recent intensive breeding surveys in Naurzum reserve and adjacent areas, and in Korgalzhyn district, were conducted nearly ten years ago, and revealed an ongoing severe decline (Khrokov 1996a, 2000, Khrokov & Karpov 1999). Collecting basic data to acquire an overview of breeding distribution, numbers and possible threats to the species is an essential requirement for conservation planning. METHODS AND SURVEY AREA Korgalzhyn is located in the Tengiz depression, within the dry-steppe landscape of central Kazakhstan, while Naurzum district is 600 km to the north-west (Fig. 1). Protected areas exist in both regions, the Naurzum and Korgalzhyn zapovedniks (IUCN Category 1). Due to the presence of large waterbodies within a generally dry steppe environment the two zapovedniks are important, especially for waterbirds. As starting points for our surveys we used the central villages of Dokuchaevka (51°40’N 64°13’E) and Korgalzhyn (50°35’N 70°01’E; see Fig. 1). The area around Dokuchaevka was intensively surveyed on 8-10 June 2001 (by GE) and around Korgalzhyn on 13-18 June 2001 (by both authors). In addition one of us (GE) participated in a bird survey in the Kostanajskaya oblast, which includes Naurzum district, on 24 May-6 June 2001. (The objective was to collect general avifaunal data and no special effort was made to search for Sociable Plover nesting sites.) We concentrated our surveys mainly in the species’ known breeding areas (based on existing literature, pers. obs. from previous years and those known to local guides), but also carefully checked potential sites with apparently suitable habitat. Transport was by car, and we searched for birds using a telescope and binoculars during stops at points with a good overview. Observations were mapped using the help of a local guide and detailed maps (1:200.000). Number 22 Gétz Eichhorn and Valeri V. Khrokov Decline in breeding Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria in the steppes of Naurzum and Korgalzhyn of birds, sex ratio and status (breeding or non-breeding) were recorded. In many cases, breeding was revealed not only by behaviour (e.g. distraction display) but also by finding a nest or young. Figure 1. Areas surveyed for Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria in the steppes of Naurzum (1) and Korgalzhyn (2). Land between the marked settlements broadly approximates to the total area surveyed. All marked settlements were visited during the survey, except Shili and Novonaurzumskij (1). Those settlements marked by a dotted circle had breeding Sociable Plovers nearby in 2001. Kostanaj | Astana B KAZAKHSTAN 2000 km SS Karayegin Kumkol e Zhanteke © Majshukur @ Zhumaj eee _/@ \_Korgalzhyn Ne ‘\ Urkendeu NM ae ~ Karazhar ou . aa ie PU MRECMRO SINK SISA oben, Nygyman( . ae = ee Ushsart LACE, Aan vee - aie ew ea ie C j Aktubek 9 0 or ) © yo ; Kaskatau ee INS Sabyndy Gotz Eichhorn and Valeri V. Khrokov 23 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 Plate 1. Female Sociable Plover Chettusia Plate 3. Clutch of Sociable Plover ; Plate 2. Clutch of Sociable Plover gregaria, Naurzum district, Kazakhstan, 9 Chettusia gregaria eggs, Korgalzhyn Chettusia gregaria eggs, Naurzum district, June 2001. (Gétz Eichhorn) district, Kazakhstan, 14 June 2001. (Gotz ~ Kazakhstan, 10 June 2001. (Gotz Eichhorn) Eichhorn) Plate 4. Post-breeding flock of Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria, Korgalzhyn district, Kazakhstan, 15 July 1999. (Gotz Eichhorn) RESULTS Two observations, each of two individuals, were made during the general avifaunal survey of Kostanajskaya oblast. One pair flew over Lake Batbakol (51°25’N 62°39’E) on 27 May and another pair was observed north-east of Naurzum village on 29 May but didn’t show any breeding behaviour.. We located 3-4 broods of Sociable Plover in Naurzum district (around Dokuchaevka) and three broods near Korgalzhyn village (Table 1). In addition, at the latter site two clutches (each of four eggs) were discovered by T. Iskakov on 12 May, when a total of ten birds was present (1.5 km from the area we found nests in June). He recorded two families (pulli c. 3 days old) at the same site on 19 May and 22 May. But subsequently, in June, none was present at this place. Thus, at least 4-5 pairs bred near Korgalzhyn village in 2001. Observations from Korgalzhyn during the post-breeding period were reported to us by T. Iskakov, J. Ratayczak and A. Koshkin: several groups of 2-4 individuals were found between 29 July and 16 August 2001, with one flock of ten birds on 13August, 24 Gotz Eichhorn and Valeri V. Khrokov Decline in breeding Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria in the steppes of Naurzum and Korgalzhyn Table 1. Observations of Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria in Naurzum and Korgalzhyn districts during the 2001 survey. Breeding behaviour = alarm/distraction behaviour indicating presence of a brood. Date Location Observation 8-9 June north Dokuchevka 27 individuals (18 males, nine females), of which only 1-2 females exhibited breeding ae behaviour 9 June Yeginsaj. Five (three males, two females), of which one female exhibited breeding behaviour 10 June Karamajshi (Oktyabr) | One female with a clutch of three eggs 13-14and ~—_ Korgalzhyn Two females, each with four-egg clutches (separated by a distance of 300 metres), and one 16 June female with two recently fledged young 15 June Aktyubek Flock of 48 adults (70% males), no breeders at various sites within a 30-km radius of Korgalzhyn village. Most were adults. No such post-breeding information is available from Naurzum district in 2001. All observations of Sociable Plover were made close (0.2-1.0 km) to settlements where grazing and trampling by cattle, sheep and horses, and disturbance by human activities were very intensive. Within the nature reserves in both regions no Sociable Plovers were recorded. Nesting habitat varied from steppe with c. 10-15 cm tall but relatively sparse vegetation cover to almost barely soil with only sparse, short grasses or Artemisia plants (Plates 2-3). DISCUSSION Numbers of breeding Sociable Plovers in the steppes of Naurzum and Korgalzhyn in 2001 were remarkably low. Given the early appearance of large flocks of non-breeding adults, we conclude that many birds either did not attempt breeding or there was a widespread nest failure. Overall, most observed birds were adult males and a relatively low number of females was found among the non-breeders, but several broods accompanied by a female alone perhaps indicates that more females undertook chick-care outside the surveyed areas or simply went overlooked. This hypothesis is supported by Chekmenev (1961), who observed that males perhaps usually leave the colony 2-3 days prior to hatching and assemble in post-breeding flocks, though Khrokov (1977) and Dolgushin (1962) several times observed pair- bonds persist into the brood-rearing period. However, the number of Sociable Plover during the post-breeding period was also very low, e.g. compared to 1999 and 2000 when over 100 and over 150 individuals were recorded in the Korgalzhyn area (Eichhorn & Heinicke 2000; Plate 4), and near Dokuchaevka a flock of c. 150 was observed in late summer 2000 (A. Moiseyev pers. comm.). Many former breeding areas were apparently unoccupied in 2001. Not only colonies known in the 1970s—1980s (Gordienko 1991, Khrokov 1977) but also areas that hosted breeding birds in the 1990s (Bragin 1999, Khrokov 1996a,b) and even within the last few years had seemingly been abandoned. For instance, in 2000 2-3 pairs were present south of Dokuchaevka and 2-3 pairs between Dokuchaevka and Kiyevka (Fig. 1) in the breeding season (E. Bragin pers. comm.), but these sites were not occupied in 2001. Similarly, a breeding site north of Korgalzhyn, where 4-5 pairs were recorded in 1999 and 2000 (Eichhorn & Heinicke 2000), was not used in 2001. At almost all of these, it was obvious that the growth of tall vegetation had made the habitat unsuitable for Sociable Plover, which prefers short-grass areas, i.e. grazed land, for nesting and even occurs in heavily overgrazed areas very close to settlements that are subject to a high level of disturbance. None was seen at natural, ungrazed sites such as solonchaks (similar to saltmarshes), although these are sometimes described in the literature (Dolgushin 1962, Gordienko 1991, Khrokov 1977). Gotz Eichhorn and Valeri V. Khrokov D5 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 A drastic decline in numbers of livestock accompanied the economic collapse of the country, during the break-up of the former Soviet Union (in the late 1980s and early 1990s), and has resulted in a reduction in grazing levels. If Sociable Plover was formerly threatened by intensive agricultural use of the steppes and high livestock densities that resulted in damaged nests (Gordienko 1991)—it may now be suffering from a reduction in suitable habitat. Support for stockbreeding (rather than agriculture) and the introduction of sound grazing management would appear to be a key conservation measure for Sociable Plover. This may be best realised within protected zones where limited use is permitted, i.e. numbers of livestock are subject to strict control. Within the zapovedniks any use is usually forbidden. The creation of Biosphere Reserves after the model of the UNESCO’s “Man and Biosphere’ programme could further improve conservation of a strictly protected core (= zapovednik) zone but would also permit sound use and ecologically wise development of buffer zones, which are important breeding areas for Sociable Plover. Currently the German Federation for Nature Conservation (NABU) is advocating the creation of the Tengiz Lakes Biosphere Reserve as Kazakhstan’s first Biosphere Reserve (Aitzhanov 1998), within a network of up to 16 planned reserves (Démke & Succow 1998). | One direct threat to eggs and chicks is the very marked increase of Rook Corvus frugilegus (Bragin 1999, Gordienko 1991, Khrokov 1996b), a predator which has become much commoner, especially around Dokuchaevka, since the late 1980s (A. Moiseyev pers. comm.). Finally, the close vicinity to settlements makes breeding of the Sociable Plovers vulnerable to human disturbance and even destruction of nests (Khrokov 1977). Local people are usually unaware of this bird and its status as a threatened species; education of local people is therefore much needed. The data reported here and observations in 1999-2000 (Eichhorn & Heinicke 2000) together provide reasonably detailed knowledge of the species’ status in the steppes of Korgalzhyn and Naurzum. We conclude that the decline in Sociable Plover numbers in these regions, reported in the early 1990s (Khrokov 1996a, 2000, Khrokov & Karpov 1999), is apparently continuing. The current situation in other regions of Kazakhstan is virtually unknown. Data from elsewhere in the country are no more recent than 1989-1991 for the Uralsk region (Khrokov et al. 1993) and 1981-1993 for the Pavlodar region (Solomatin 1997). Summary information from several other areas is also presented by Kovshar (1991) but is based on 12-25 year-old data. Surveys to establish the species’ current populations in central, north and west Kazakhstan are urgently required in order to determine the overall status of Sociable Plover in the country. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The survey was kindly supported by a grant from OSME. For guidance in the field and valuable comments we thank A. Moiseyev, E. Bragin (Naurzum), T. Iskakov, A. Koshkin (Korgalzhyn) and J. Ratayczak (Germany). REFERENCES AITZHANOV, M. (1998) Creating a Biosphere Reserve: opportunities for the Tengiz Lakes in Kazakhstan. In: Démke, S. and Succow, M. (eds.) Cultural landscapes and nature conservation in northern Eurasia. Naturschutzbund Deutschland, Bonn. BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL (2000) Threatened birds of the world. BirdLife International, Cambridge & Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. BRAGIN, E. A. (1999) On the state of rare bird species in the northern Turgai region and Naurzum zapovednik. In: Bukreyev, S. A. (ed.) Territorial aspects of bird conservation in Central Asia and Kazakhstan. Moscow. [In Russian. ] 26 Gotz Eichhorn and Valeri V. Khrokov Decline in breeding Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria in the steppes of Naurzum and Korgalzhyn CHEKMENEV, D. I. (1961) The biology of Sociable Plover. Trudy Inst. Zool. Akad. Nauk, Kazakhstan 15: 143-146. [In Russian. ] DOLGUSHIN, I. A. (ED.) (1962) Birds of Kazakhstan. Vol. 2. Nauka, Alma-Ata. [In Russian. ]} DOMKE, S. AND Succow, M. (1998) NABU programs for the protection of Man and nature in northern Eurasia. In: Démke, S. and Succow, M. (eds.) Cultural landscapes and nature conservation in northern Eurasia. Naturschutzbund Deutschland, Bonn. EICHHORN, G. AND HEINICKE, T. (2000) Notable observations of the Sociable Plover Vanellus gregarius from the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn area—central Kazakhstan. Wader Study Group Bull. 93: 73-76. GORDIENKO, N. S. (1991) Biology and numbers of Sociable Plover in Kustanai steppes. Ornitologiya 25: 54-61. [In Russian. ] KHROKOV, V. V. (1977) Sociable Plover in Tengiz-Korgalzhyn Depression (central Kazakhstan). In: Sludsky, A. A. (ed.) Rare and vanishing mammals and birds of Kazakhstan. Inst. Zool. Akad. Nauk Kazakhstan, Alma- Ata. [In Russian. ] KHROKOV, V. V. (1996a) On the state of Sociable Plover populations in the steppes of Naurzum and Korgalzhyn. Ornitologiya 27: 308. [In Russian.] KHROKOV, V. V. (1996b) On the breeding biology of Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria in the Naurzum zapovednik (northern Kazakhstan). Russ. J. Orn. 4: 3-8. [In Russian. ] KHROKOV, V. V. AND BUKETOV, M. E. (2000) The Sociable Plover in Kazakhstan: the situation causes alarm. In: Waders of east Europe and north Asia at the turn of centuries: fifth meeting on issues concerning research and conservation of waders. Working Group on Waders (CIS), Moscow. [In Russian.] KHROKOV, V. V., BERYOZOVIKOV, N. N., KARPOV, F. F. AND KOVALENKO, A. V. (1993) Waders of the Utva—Ilek inter-stream area. Russ. J. Orn. 2: 191-199. [In Russian. ] KHROKOV, V. V. AND KARPOV, F. F. (1999) Numbers and behaviour of Sociable Plover and Little Bustard in Naurzum. Selevinia 1998-1999: 223-225. [In Russian. ] KOVSHAR, A. F. (ED.) (1991) Rare species of birds and animals of Kazakhstan. Gilim, Alma-Ata. [In Russian. ] Morozov, V. V. (1997) Some results of the ‘Surveys for breeding grounds of Slender-billed Curlew Numentius tenuirostris’, project of the Russian Bird Conservation Union. Inf. Materials Working Group on Waders (CIS) 10: 38-39. [In Russian. ] SOLOMATIN, A. O. (1997) Sociable Plover (Chettusia gregaria) near Irtysh river in Pavlodar region. Bull. Moscow Soc. Nat. 102 (4): 23-28. [In Russian. ] Gotz Eichhorn, University of Groningen, Zoological Laboratory, P. O. Box 14, 9750 AA Haren, The Netherlands. . Valeri V. Khrokov, Aksai-2, h. 25 fl. 21, 480031 Almaty, Kazakhstan. KAZAKHSTAN for birding with Asia Safari Service join us to discover untouchable nature of Central Asia in the one of the most politically stable country in the region Best time for birding is May-July. Tours duration 10-14 days. Regions for birdwatching holidays - Southern, South-Eastern, Central Kazakhstan: Tien-Shan, Sorbulak, Taukum & Saryesik Atyrau desert, Charyn, Astana, Alakol, Dzungaria, Altai. The camp facilities are always the best available. For tour operators with groups of 6 person and more - free of charge. For details contact: Ms. Svetlana Annenkova E-mail: sakir@nursat.kz, asia@safari.ricc.kz Gotz Eichhorn and Valeri V. Khrokov 27 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 28-32 2002 Lek-like behaviour by Chukar Alectoris chukar, a socially monogamous partridge SALIT KARK Lekking behaviour is known in various socially polygamous bird species, including phasianids. Lek-like behavior in socially monogamous birds has recently been reported in several colonial species. These cases support the Hidden Lek Hypothesis, which proposes that males cluster breeding territories in response to the pursuit of multiple copulations by females. Here, I report lek-like behaviour in Chukar Alectoris chukar in Israel. This provides primary evidence that lek-like behaviour can occur in a non-colonial, socially monogamous species. Further studies of the breeding behaviour of socially monogamous phasianid species may produce new insights into lekking aoe ae behaviour, its ecology and evolution. ae INTRODUCTION HE SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF LEKKING, which is described as an aggregation of displaying males visited by females primarily for copulation (Héglund & Alatalo 1995), is known in various animal groups, including birds, mammals, fish, amphibians and insects. Definitions of lek vary (see Héglund & Alatalo 1995). Bradbury (1981) presented four criteria for a ‘classical’ lek: male paternal care is not involved; an arena is used in an area not normally used for other activities such as feeding and roosting; a display site, which does not contain significant resources except for males, is used; and females have an opportunity to select males. While the first and last criteria are often debated, it is usually agreed that females visit leks solely to assess males and to mate (Westcott 1994). Males in a lek are more aggregated at the display habitat than would be expected by random distribution (Hdglund & Alatalo 1995). Lekking behavior has been widely studied both theoretically and empirically in many socially polygamous bird species (Héglund & Alatalo 1995, Loffredo & Borgia 1986), but has rarely been observed in socially monogamous taxa (Wagner 1997). Although sexual selection is considered stronger in polygamous species (Darwin 1874), it is also expected to occur in socially monogamous forms (Meller 1994, Trivers 1972). This prediction is especially relevant in relation to increasing evidence for extra-pair copulations (EPCs) in many avian species (Petrie & Kempenaers 1998), which suggests that social monogamy does not always reflect mating patterns. A recent theory, the Hidden Lek Hypothesis (Wagner 1997), proposes that males cluster breeding territories in response to the pursuit of multiple copulations by females. Lek-like behaviour in socially monogamous birds has only recently been reported. Wagner (1992, 1993) found that the socially monogamous Razorbill Alca torda pursues EPCs in lek-like mating arenas within the vicinity of the colony, but outside the breeding territory. These aggregations function as leks, exhibiting all of the criteria given above (Wagner 1997). The Hidden Lek Hypothesis is supported in two other birds, Purple Martin Progne subis (Morton et al. 1990, Wagner et al. 1996) and Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus (Hoi & Hoi-Leitner 1997), which display lekking behaviour inside their colony. Components of their breeding system suggest that a lek may be ‘hidden’ within a colony (Wagner 1997). In all these cases lekking behaviour was described in species and populations with colonial mating systems. 25 Salit Kark Lek-like behaviour by Chukar Alectoris chukar, a socially monogamous partridge Among birds, leks are common in various socially polygamous phasianid species, including the two best known, Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus (Gibson 1992) and Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix (Héglund & Alatalo 1995). Here, I report the first evidence for lek-like behaviour in Chukar Alectoris chukar, a non-colonial, socially monogamous phasianid (Alkon 1974, Shirihai 1996). The behaviour occurred outside the breeding territory of at least some of the participating individuals within an open area in Jerusalem, Israel. To my knowledge, such behaviour has not been previously reported in a non-colonial monogamous species. STUDY AREA Chukar inhabits open and semi-open areas of Eurasia (Alkon 1974, Shirihai 1996). In Jerusalem, rapid urbanisation in recent years has resulted in the development of many formerly open areas within the city limits. As a result, Chukar distribution in the city has become very patchy (pers. obs.), but a population persists around the Hebrew University Campus of Givat Ram, the Israel Museum and Monastery of the Cross, in open fields, olive groves and the University Botanical Gardens. This region of the city is open and relatively continuous, allowing several Chukar coveys to persist. West of the Israel Museum, a natural field (c. 500 metres x 100 metres) is maintained, with native Mediterranean garrigue vegetation. In this area, over three years (1995-8) I studied a Chukar covey, which varied in size from seven to nine adults and was continuously present. Members of the covey apparently failed to successfully reproduce, though I found evidence for several nesting attempts (a deserted nest of 14 eggs in May 1995 and a brood, c. 1 week old, which later disappeared). No other coveys were regularly observed in this field during the period, though coveys were found in adjacent areas. These observations accord with studies of the species’ social structure suggesting that in the non-breeding season (September—February inclusive in Mediterranean Israel; Alkon 1974) Chukar forms stable coveys with relatively fixed home ranges (Alkon 1974). In the breeding season, coveys disband into pairs, each establishing a nest site and maintaining a breeding territory (Shirihai 1996). In Mediterranean Israel pair formation and copulation usually commence in March (Alkon 1974), and egg-laying has been observed in March—August (Shirihai 1996). LEK-LIKE BEHAVIOUR IN CHUKAR At c. 10.00 on 4 May 1996 (during the breeding season), I observed lek-like behaviour by Chukar in the field described above. Early May marks the beginning of the dry season; the behaviour I observed occurred during a climatic event known as Hamsin, which is characterised by very hot, dry and windy weather. The lek-like behaviour occurred within a well-defined central area, located on a stone-built terrace of four large steps, each approximately one metre high and 20 metres long, comprising rectangular blocks c. 1-2 metres long and two metres wide. The location did not possess known significant resources such as nest sites, food or water. The behaviour was observed within a rectangular central area, c. 1 metre x 1.5 metres, and occurred repeatedly over a period of >15 minutes as follows: while several individuals were perched on adjacent steps, one would jump from an upper step at the south-east corner into the lower central area, where another individual was waiting. The two immediately clashed, flapping their wings and jumping into the air simultaneously, while facing each other. Those individuals in the central area would spin in the air to a height of c. 1 metre while clapping their wings, repeating this several times until one left the central area (usually at the upper north-east corner). The other remained while another individual entered the area from the south-east top corner and the next Salit Kark 29 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 confrontation commenced. This behaviour occurred repeatedly, different individuals entering and exiting the arena. In several cases two pairs of combatants were observed clashing simultaneously within the same central area. I did not notice mating following the display at the arena. No individuals in the area had been individually marked. Except size differences (male larger) and spurs (presence typical of adult males), male and female Chukar are not easily distinguishable (their coloration or feather patterns being similar). It was therefore difficult to determine the sexes reliably at a distance of c. 20 metres. Nevertheless, I managed to detect spurs on several individuals as they entered the central clashing area, thus confirming the participation of males in this behaviour. It was difficult to accurately estimate the total number of individuals present because they constantly changed positions around the central area. However, I observed at least 11 individuals among the total of c. 25 gathered within a few metres of the central area. Throughout the 15 minutes the birds uttered very high, sharp calls. Similar calls were defined by Alkon (1974) as aggressive-behaviour related calls. Twice I observed aggregations of more than nine individuals in the study area, and in both cases these were characterised by intense activity and loud calls. The first (in September 1996) involved at least 17 individuals and the second (in January 1998) at least 14 birds. Both were in the non-breeding season and in neither did I observe grouping around a central area or mid-air clashes. All three aggregations (including the behaviour detailed above) involved more individuals than in the local covey. DISCUSSION While aggregations of Chukar are known from elsewhere in Israel, none has been related to breeding behaviour. Alkon (1974) observed several cases of social aggregations of 40 to over 100 birds, especially in late summer when broods were present, but did not relate these to breeding behaviour. Aggregations of several dozens and up to c. 150 birds occur in the desert during the non-breeding season and near food- and water-rich resource areas (pers. obs.). Shirihai (1996) also reports foraging-related Chukar aggregations numbering dozens of birds. Alkon (1974) observed clashing behaviour among single Chukar males in north Israel. He related this to an intense form of mutual aggression, termed ‘frontal mid-air clashes’. He described this behaviour as one in which ‘the two combatants faced and then jumped towards each other to a height of 1.0-1.5 metres while flapping their wings and striking with their legs’ He regarded this as an encounter between highly motivated males of equal status and related it to aggressive behaviour, and differing from my observation in that it was not accompanied by aggregation around a central area. The timing of the behaviour also differed, as it occurred during the peak rather than at the end of the breeding season in the Mediterranean region (Alkon 1974). Based on the first criterion presented in Héglund & Alatalo (1995), Chukar would not be considered a classical lek species. Though males usually leave their mates shortly after egg-laying, male paternal care may take the form of nest guarding (Alkon 1974), although paternal care, according to Hoglund & Alatalo (1995), is not necessary for defining a lek. The remaining three criteria described for a lek, an arena within an area, which is not normally used for other activities, a display site that does not contain resources except for males and an opportunity for females to select mates, may well apply. Hypothetical explanations for the unusual behaviour observed include the following. The patchy environment in which the species occurs in Jerusalem and the resulting 30 Salit Kark Lek-like behaviour by Chukar Alectoris chukar, a socially monogamous partridge small size of local populations may enhance the need to gather with individuals from neighbouring coveys to form pairs and rebuild coveys. Aggregating within a central area and the mid-air clash confrontations may act as means to evaluate the quality of individuals from several coveys for mating or for creating new coveys. The behaviour occurred within the peak breeding season and may thus be related to nesting, covey building or evaluation of mates for future breeding seasons. Aggregation may also function as a meeting arena for first mating or for re-mating of males and females whose first breeding attempt failed, and finally Chukar may aggregate in one area to select mates but may copulate elsewhere. Alkon (1974) demonstrated that re-nesting during the breeding season was common in Chukar in the Lower Eastern Galilee of Israel, due to the failure of the majority of initial nesting attempts. The behaviour I observed may also serve as a means for post- fertile females to appraise males through EPC, in order to test their potential as mates or extra-pair fertilisers in the next breeding season, as suggested by Wagner (1992) for Razorbill. Females of the latter species incite competition in the form of combats between males, in order to evaluate them as future mates (Wagner 1992). It appears that EPC is unstudied in Chukar and may be unknown. Because, at least in some cases, males rebuild new coveys following the breeding season (Alkon 1974, pers. comm.), the lek-like behaviour, which was not followed by mating, may serve as a means of status determination among males for the purpose of covey creation, although this is speculation. Westcott (1997) demonstrated that in Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus male—male interactions might be important in determining lek structure. Further detailed studies of the behaviour of Chukar and other socially monogamous phasianid species may produce new insights into lekking behaviour, its evolution and ecology. CLOSING REMARKS Intensive human-related activity, including habitat fragmentation and game hunting are impacting Chukar in Israel, and appear to be modifying patterns of gene flow and the genetic structure of local populations (Kark et al. 1999). Loss of connectivity between Chukar populations may influence covey aggregation patterns and affect social behaviour and the genetic structure of populations. Chukar is an open-country species capable of persisting at the fringes of human-modified areas until disturbance levels become high. It may therefore be a good candidate for monitoring and evaluating the effects of reduced open areas and their wildlife populations, which are rapidly disappearing throughout Israel. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My thanks to P. U. Alkon, T. M. Blackburn, H. Slabbekoorn and R. Wagner for fruitful discussion and comments on the manuscript. ; REFERENCES ALKON, P. U. (1974) Social behavior of a population of Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) in Israel. Ph.D. dissertation. Cornell University, Ithaca. BRADBURY, J. (1981) The evolution of leks. In: Alexander, R and Tinkle, D. (eds.) Natural selection and social behavior. New York & Concord, Chiron Press. DARWIN, C. (1874) The descent of man and selection in relation to sex. John Murray, London. GIBSON, R. M. (1992) Lek formation in sage grouse: the effect of female choice on male territory: settlement. Animal Behav. 43: 443-450. HOGLUND, J. AND ALATALO, R. V. (1995) Leks. Princeton University Press. Hot, H. AND Ho!-LEITNer, M. (1997) An alternative route to coloniality in the Bearded Tit: females pursue extra-pair fertilizations. Behav. Ecol. 8: 113-119. Salit Kark 31 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 KarK, S., ALKON, P. U., SAFRIEL, U. N. AND RANDI, E. (1999) Conservation priorities for Chukar Partridge in Israel based on genetic diversity across an ecological gradient. Conserv. Biol. 13: 542-552. LOFFREDO, C. A. AND BorGIA, G. (1986) Sexual selection, mating systems, and the evolution of avian acoustical displays. Amer. Naturalist 128: 773-794. MOoLter, A. P. (1994) Sexual selection and the Barn Swallow. Oxford University Press. Morton, E. S., FORMAN, L. AND BRAUN, M. (1990) Extrapair fertilization and the evolution of colonial breeding in Purple Martins. Auk 107: 275-283. Petrie, M. AND KEMPENAERS, B. (1998) Extra-pair paternity in birds: explaining variation between species and populations. Trends in Ecol. and Evol. 13: 52-58. SHIRIHAI, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. TRIVERS, R. L. (1972) Parental investment and sexual selection. In: Campbell, B. (ed.) Sexual selection and the descent of man. Aldine, Chicago. WAGNER, R. H. (1992) The pursuit of extra-pair copulations by monogamous female Razorbills: how do females benefit? Behav. Ecol. and Sociobiol. 29: 455-464. WAGNER, R. H. (1993) The pursuit of extra-pair copulations by female birds: a new hypothesis of colony formation. J. Theoretical Biol. 163: 333-346. WAGNER, R. H. (1997) Hidden leks: Sexual selection and the clustering of avian territories. In: Parker, P. G. and Burley, N. (eds.) Avian reproductive tactics: female and male perspectives. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington D.C. WAGNER, R. H., ScHUG, M. D. AND Morton, E. S. (1996) Condition-dependent control of paternity by female Purple Martins: implications for coloniality. Behav. Ecol. and Sociobiol. 38: 379-389. Westcott, D. A. (1994) Leks of leks: a role for hotspots in lek evolution? Proc. Roy. Soc. London Ser. B Biol. Sci. 258: 281-286. Westcott, D. A. (1997) Neighbours, strangers and male—male aggression as a determinant of lek size. Behav. Ecol. and Sociobiol. 40: 235-242. Salit Kark, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 371 Serra Mall, Stanford University, Stanford, California. 94305-5020, U. S. A. Return fares from (correct at time of going to press) Turkey £139 Syria £345 Israel £179 Oman £319 Egypt £209 Kazakhstan £485 Yemen £355 Azerbaijan £450 Kuwait | £590, Uzbekistan £545 saudi Arabia £335 Kyrgyzstan £675 UAE £319 Armenia £395 lran £345 _ (includes pre-paid taxes) wildinfo@wildwings.co.uk 577-579 Fishponds Ra, Bristol. BS16 3AF.UK Reservations 0117 9658 333 e Brochureline 0117 9375 689 www.wildwings.co.uk 3 Salit Kark Further notes on the breeding biology of some birds in Saudi Arabia Further notes on the breeding biology of some birds in Saudi Arabia PETER CASTELL, JEFFORY COBURN, BERNARD PLEASANCE, TOM QUITTENDEN AND MOHAMMED SHOBRAK We present the first breeding record of Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar in Arabia, and make comparisons with studies of this species in Africa. The first descriptions of the nestlings of Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni, South Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides, Brown Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens and Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus are made. New, or additional details, are provided for the nests of South Arabian Wheatear and Brown Woodland Warbler; for the latter, new information is also included on breeding chronology (much earlier than previously reported), the role of the sexes in incubation and in tending young. HIS PAPER PRESENTS THE RESULTS of a three-week visit to western Saudi Arabia between 21 March and 10 April 2001 and, in the case of one species, includes information from a previous visit, in June 2000. Unless otherwise stated all dates relate to 2001. Details of the first nest of Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar found in Arabia are provided, along with the first descriptions of nestlings of four species (one of which, South Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides, is endemic to Arabia); and several additional details on aspects of breeding biology. Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar Apparently resident in south-west Arabia; courtship has been observed in January and there are records of pairs but no reports of confirmed breeding (Jennings 1995). While most aspects of breeding biology are known from studies in Africa (Brown et al. 1982), details of the first breeding record are included here because of minor differences compared to African data, and some additional information on the appearance of nestlings. The nest was found on 2 April near Abu Arish, Tihamah. Nest site and nest Dry woodland within a partially cultivated area. The nest was located in the fork of a Tamarind Tamarinda indicus at 7 m above ground. It was shallow, constructed of small twigs, and lined with finer twigs, rootlets, paper, grasses and tissue paper. Extremely small for the bird’s size, the outer diameter was 26.2 cm, maximum depth 20 cm, and the inner cup was 5.6 cm deep and 11.2 cm in diameter. Small quantities of down were attached to the outer twigs of the nest and on nearby branches. The female circled us and perched within 30 m while we examined the nest. Nests in Africa are normally covered by webs of colonial spiders (Brown et al. 1982), unlike the present nest. Eggs Smooth and non-glossy; white (Plate 1). Measurements: 39.5 x 30.5 mm, 39.6 x 30.4 mm, 39.6 x 31.2 mm, thus slightly smaller than those in Africa (41 x 31.5 mm; Brown ef al. 1982). Nestlings MS was able to return to the nest on 30 April, when it contained three nestlings c. 10-12 days old. Nestlings in Africa are described as having white down and the iris Peter Castell, Jeffory Coburn, Bernard Pleasance, Tom Quittenden and Mohammed Shobrak 33 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 33-37 2002 é X \ % 3 le ine Plate 1. Nest and eggs of Gabar Goshawk Micronisus Plate 2. Nestlings of Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar, gabar, Abu Ajvish, Tihamah, Saudi Arabia, March 2001. Abu Arish, Tihamah, Saudi Arabia, April 2001. (Vohammed a & (Peter Castell) Shobrak) A os, 7% : ; id ee = : : i ee Sa en eee $ : A, » Ry o Plate 3. Recently fledged young of South Arabian Wheatear Plate 4. Nest and eggs of Brown Woodland Warbler Oenanthe lugentoides, Tanumah, Saudi Arabia, March Phylloscopus umbrovirens, Tanumah, Saudi Arabia, June 2001. (Peter Castell) 2000. (Peter Castell) . Newly hatched young and eggs of Fan-tailed Plate 5. Recently fledged young of Brown Woodland ay Plate 6 Warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens, Tanumah, Saudi Raven Corvus rhipidurus, near Taif, Saudi Arabia, March Arabia, March 2001. (Peter Castell) 2001. (Jeffory Coburn) 34 Peter Castell, Jeffory Coburn, Bernard Pleasance, Tom Quittenden and Mohammed Shobrak Further notes on the breeding biology of some birds in Saudi Arabia dark brown (Brown et al. 1982); this presumably refers to recently hatched young in the first coat of down. Those here had clearly attained the second down coat, they being off-white, buff on the neck-sides and throat, with a grey cere, black bill, yellow legs and feet, and blue iris (Plate 2). Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni A detailed description of the nestling was previously unavailable. We found a nest containing three eggs at the Mahazat-as-Sayd Protected Area on 25 March but on 7 April it was empty, having been predated. Subsequently, Dr J. B. Williams, from Ohio State University, who is studying other larks in the reserve, photographed the newly hatched young of this species, and provided a colour transparency from which the following description was compiled. Altricial and downy, pale grey down long and dense on head and upperparts, mouth orange-yellow with two black spots at rear of tongue, one at tip, and one on inner tip of each mandible, and gape flanges whitish- yellow (see Fig. 1 for pattern of mouth and tongue markings). The five-spot pattern is typical of young larks in the Western Palearctic, but distinct differences in the size and shape of markings exist between species, as well as considerable inter-specific variation (Harrison & Castell 1998). Figure 1. Diagram showing the tongue and mouth markings of newly hatched nestling Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni (Steven Williams from a photograph by Dr J. B. Williams). South Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides Widespread and often common resident of highlands and rocky areas of south-west Arabia and Dhofar. The nest is placed within a crevice in rocks, a hole in a wall or similar (Jennings 1995). The recently fledged young was previously undescribed, while information on ‘decoration’ of the nest entrance and materials were also incomplete or lacking. Most other aspects of breeding are unknown; the eggs being undescribed, as is the role of the sexes in incubation and its period. Young are tended by both adults, but the fledging period is also unrecorded. In the last week of March, Peter Castell, Jeffory Coburn, Bernard Pleasance, Tom Quittenden and Mohammed Shobrak 35 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 near Taif and Tanumah, we observed three broods of flying young and found three nests containing young. At one of these nests we handled a recently fledged young, still incapable of proper flight. Nest and nest site 7 At one nest, sited in a crevice within a low cliff, we were able to observe the near rim of the nest, which was constructed of coarse grass, c. 30 cm from the entrance hole; the base of the tunnel leading to the nest was entirely lined with small flat pebbles. No pebbles were visible at the entrances to the other nests. Apparent ‘decoration’ with pebbles is a feature of the nests of several other species, including certain wheatears, Blackstart Cercomela melanura and Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea. It is unclear if this is intended to strengthen the nest structure, afford increased protection from predators or is a part of courtship. Recently fledged young Rump white, tail white with black band at tip, traces of long grey down on head and back, mouth yellow and gape flanges lemon-yellow (see also Plate 3). Brown Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens Resident in wetter, well-vegetated parts of the Western Escarpment and summits of highland south-west Arabia (Jennings 1995). The nestling was previously undescribed, and we also noted a much earlier start to the breeding season than previously reported, present a more detailed description of the nest and nest site than is currently available, and new information on the role of the sexes in incubation and tending young. On 5 June 2000, at Tanumah, we found a nest containing two eggs being incubated. In nearby areas, on the same visit, we commonly heard calling pairs, usually uttering a monosyllabic note, which is quite typical of the ‘off-nest’ or alarm call of Phylloscopus. The following year, on 23 March, we heard several singing in juniper Juniperus forest near Jarabah. On 28 March, at Tanumah, we discovered a nest containing two large nestlings, observed a brood of flying young, and heard several adults singing and alarm-calling. Breeding season Previously reported as May (eggs) to July (young) in Arabia (Jennings 1995), but our data from March 2001 demonstrate a much earlier start to the breeding season. Incubation and fledging periods are unknown, but are each typically c. 13 days among similar Phylloscopus, and incubation usually commences on completion of the clutch. The flying young seen on 28 March would, therefore, have been fresh eggs in early March, two months earlier than previously recorded. The breeding season is evidently protracted, with the distinct possibility that the species is double-brooded. Nest site and nest Both nests were in montane open Juniperus woodland, within slight hollows in banks on the ground, and concealed by overhanging vegetation. The nest is a rounded, domed structure with a large entrance hole at one side, and constructed of stems, leaves, dry grass and moss, and softly lined with feathers, plant down and a few hairs (Plate 4). Height was 14 cm, width 10 cm and the entrance hole 3.5 cm in diameter. Eggs Subelliptical and smooth, white spotted red and paler lavender grey, and more densely marked at the larger end (Plate 4). Measurements: 17 x 12.6 mm. Eggs in Kenya are 17-19 x 12-13 mm (mean 17.6 x 12.6 mm; Urban et al. 1997). 36 Peter Castell, Jeffory Coburn, Bernard Pleasance, Tom Quittenden and Mohammed Shobrak Further notes on the breeding biology of some birds in Saudi Arabia Incubation The role of the sexes and the period taken are unknown. An adult singing very close to the nest in June 2000 was (presumably) a male, while the (presumed) female was incubating. Nestlings and fledglings Nestlings are altricial and downy, with brownish-grey down on head and back, an unmarked orange-yellow mouth, and pale yellow gape flanges. Recently fledged young (see Plate 5) have the flight feathers noticeably fringed olive-green, with mainly yellowish-buff underparts (whitish in adults), greyish-pink legs and feet (bluish-grey or slate-grey in adults) and the narrow pale supercilium of adults is scarcely evident. Care of the young The role of the sexes in feeding young was previously unknown. We observed both adults feeding nestlings and both tending fledged young. Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus The nestling was previously undescribed and additional information is included on an aspect of incubation. On 22 March we found six nests within crevices of roadside cliffs, c. 50 km from Taif on the road to Beni Sa’ad. One of these contained three eggs and two newly hatched young, and, on the following day, there were two eggs and three young. Incubation must have commenced upon the laying of the second egg. Nestling Altricial and downy, with orange-pink skin, long but sparse brownish-grey down on central back and tuft on shoulders and flanks, pinkish-red mouth and tongue with prominent cream rear tongue spurs, and pale yellow gape flanges (Plate 6). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank Prof. A. Abuzinada, of the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development, Riyadh, for granting permission to and supporting our work, Abdulrahman Khoja, Patrick Paillat and Dr Jacky Judas, of the National Wildlife Research Centre, near Taif, for considerable advice, assistance and hospitality during our stay, and Dr J. B. Williams (Ohio State University) for supplying a colour transparency of the nestlings of Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni. REEERENCES BROWN, L. H., URBAN, E. K. AND NEWMAN, K. (EDS.) (1982) The birds of Africa. Vol. 1. Academic Press, London. HARRISON, C. AND CASTELL, P. (1998) Bird nests, eggs and nestlings of Britain and Europe. HarperCollins, London. JENNINGS, M. C. (1995) An interim atlas of the breeding birds of Arabia. National Commission for Wildlife Conservation & Development, Riyadh. URBAN, E. K., Fry, C. H. AND KEITH, S. (EDS.) (1997) The birds of Africa. Vol. 5. Academic Press, London. Peter Castell, 19 Berry Drive, Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH66 4JJ, U. K. Jeffory Coburn, 6 Ladwell Close, Wash Common, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 6P], U. K. Bernard Pleasance, Windhover, Wattisfield Road, Thelnetham, near Diss, Norfolk IP22 INN, U. K. Tom Quittenden, Pine Dene, Chalk Lane, Flishinghurst, near Cranbrook, Kent, U. K. Mohammed Shobrak, National Wildlife Research Centre, P. O. Box 1086, Taif, Saudi Arabia. Peter Castell, Jeffory Coburn, Bernard Pleasance, Tom Quittenden and Mohammed Shobrak 37 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 38-43 2002 Birds of Goksu Dam (Diyarbakir) and new records in south-east Turkey RECEP KARAKAS AND AHMET KILIC Goksu Dam (37°54’N 40°14’E), approximately 40 km south-east of Diyarbakir, was surveyed ornithologically between August 1998 and July 1999, as part of long-term studies which aim to monitor any changes in the south-east Turkish avifauna as a result of the South-east Anatolia Project (GAP). A total of 136 bird species was recorded including four that had not previously been observed in this region of the country: Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus, Scaup Aythya marila, Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor. Several other species for which very few previous were available from south-east Turkey were also recorded, including Smew Mergus albellus, Grey Partridge Perdix perdix, Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus and Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti. INTRODUCTION UCH OF ANATOLIA IS NOW ORNITHOLOGICALLY well known (e.g. Kumerloeve 1961, Kasparek 1992, Kirwan et al. 1999) but there have been very few systematic observations from south-east Turkey, principally due to recent security restrictions and the extreme climatic conditions (Magnin & Yarar 1997), although studies are available from two localities in the region (Biricik 1996, Kili¢g 2001). The developing South-east Anatolia Project (GAP) will increase the percentage of land underwater, probably causing some changes in the climate and flora of the region, and both positive and negative effects on the avifauna of the region have been predicted (Unlii et al. 1997). Local bird-population studies will assist in evaluating and comparing changes in the region’s avifauna, and in the preparation of ornithological maps for Turkey (e.g. Roselaar 1995). STUDY AREA G6ksu Dam (37°54’N 40°14’E) is approximately 40 km of south-east of Diyarbakir city and 5 km from the border of Cinar province. The region has a typical steppe climate with an annual mean temperature of 15°C, with the maximum being 42°C (July) and a minimum of —2.7°C (January). Precipitation primarily occurs in winter and spring, with a mean 491 mm (based on data over the last 61 years), and snowfall in winter, occasionally as early as November and as late as March. The dam on the Géksu River was constructed in 1993 for irrigation purposes. Four streams flow into the lake. Water level of the dam lake varies according to seasonal rains. The surface area is 3.5 km* and the maximum depth is 50 metres. Altitude at the study site is 682 metres and the capacity of the lake is 62 hm’. Prior to the dam’s construction, several fish species were identified in the river e.g. Leuciscus cephalus orientalis, Chondrostoma regium, Barbus plebejus lacerta, Capoeta capoeta umbla, Chalchalburnus mossulensis and Acantobrama marmid. Forty-seven species of zooplankton have been identified in the area (Bekleyen 2000). The study area consists of the reservoir shores, which parallel the Diyarbakir—Mardin (D-950) road in the east. Dry or irrigated agricultural areas, planted with grain, tobacco and cotton crops, occur beside the lake, and there is a wooded area, stretching for c. 500 metres, alongside one of the streams flowing into the reservoir from the north-east, as well as three islets in the lake and high rocky slopes in other areas of the 38 Recep Karakas and Ahmet Kilic, Birds of Goksu Dam (Diyarbakir) and new records in south-east Turkey hinterland. In addition, a garbage dump north of the wooded area is an important feeding area for some bird species. METHODS We made bird observations on foot throughout the study area between August 1998 and July 1999, from early morning to afternoon, once or twice per week. During the breeding seasons we endeavoured to visit the area on a more regular basis. Bird species were identified in the field or by reference to the standard ornithological literature. Courtship behaviour, eggs/chicks and/or nest observations were taken as proof of breeding in the study area (see Table 1). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION We identified 136 bird species in the study area (see Table 1) of which 15 were proven to breed. Three species of global conservation concern (Stattersfield & Capper 2000) were recorded: Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, and Greater Spotted Aquila clanga and Imperial Eagles A. heliaca. In addition, Murphy (1984) mentioned the globally threatened Great Bustard Otis tarda from east of Diyarbakir. Local people in Cinar also report that the species was occasionally present in the region until a few years ago but we did not record the species, presumably because it is declining as a result of the increasing use of steppe for arable farming. The following records are interesting as many concern species for which very few previous records are available from south-east Turkey (hereafter referred to as South- East in line with the Turkey Bird Report). Four species not previously known from this region of the country (based on reference to Turkey Bird Reports and Kasparek 1992) were also recorded. Table 1. Bird species recorded in the study area, with threatened status and maximum numbers counted each month. ( = probably breeds in the region; "= proven breeding species; + = not counted). Threat categories (BirdLife International 2000): VU = Vulnerable, and NT = Near Threatened. Months 1999 1998 | Species Status Jan Feb Mar Jun. Jul-Aug. Sep © Oct Podiceps cristatus” 18 3 2 2 | Podiceps auritus | Podiceps nigricollis 1 Phalacrocorax carbo | Bubulcus ibis Egretta garzetta : Egretta alba : Ardea cinerea Ardea purpurea Ciconia ciconia Anser albifrons Anser anser Tadorna ferruginea Anas penelope Anas strepera” | Anas platyrhynchos” Anas querquedula’ Anas clypeata Aythya ferina Aythya nyroca Aythya fuligula Aythya marila Mergus albellus Recep Karakas and Ahmet Kilig, 39 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 Species Milvus migrans Circus aeruginosus Circus cyaneus" Accipiter gentilis” Accipiter nisus” | Buteo buteo Buteo rufinus Aquila clanga Aquila heliaca | Aquila chrysaetos Hieraaetus pennatus" Pandion haliaetus Falco tinnunculus — Falco cherrug Perdix perdix Fulica atra’ Grus grus Himantopus himantopus Burhinus oedicnemus" Glareola pratincola Charadrius dubius Charadrius hiaticula’ Vanellus vanellus Calidris minuta Gallinago gallinago Actitis hypoleucos. Larus ichthyaetus Larus ridibundus" Larus canus | Larus argentatus” Gelochelidon nilotica” Sterna hirundo” Sterna albifrons” Chlidonias hybridus" Chlidonias leucopterus : Pterocles orientalis’ Columba livia Columba palumbus Streptopelia decaocto” Streptopelia turtur Otus scops Athena noctua Asio flammeus Caprimulgus europaeus Apus apus” Apus pallidus” Apus melba : Apus affinis Ceryle rudis Merops apiaster Coracias garrulus" Upupa epops” Dendrocopus minor Melanocorypha calandra ay Status VU VU Melanocorypha bimaculata Calandrella brachydactyla Calandrella rufescens" 40) 1999 Jan 23 213 Feb 38 67 38 19 21 46 58 16 37 Ud Uv 41 21 nyo —_— => — 24 34 22 30 hm Nh oOo — — YO © 13 1998 Jul Aug Sep Oct 3 3 3 2 10 14 6 3 6 17 5 14 35 3 1 4 2 1 5 2 1 3 2 15 i Recep Karakas and Ahmet Kulig, 42 16 ae Nov Dec i 1 2 42 80 1 1 12 2 8 1 3 6 8 Birds of Géksu Dam (Diyarbakir) and new records in south-east Turkey Months 1999 1998 Species Status Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Galerida cristata A E42 seed 22 185. 13 Ce asl OP enue (10) Alauda arvensis - US 5) 26 Eremophila alpestris 3 Hirundo rustica 46. 49° = 47-35 =. 30) “21 Anthus campestris” 7 2 5 Anthus trivialis 5 6 We Motacilla flava 1 t Motacilla cinerea 3 2 1 3 Motacilla alba 2 15 23 2 em Troglodytes troglodytes 1 Prunella modularis 2 Cercotrichas galactotes” 1 3 Erithacus rubecula 6 8 7 9 8 a Luscinia svecica’ 1 1 | /rania gutturalis 1 | Phoenicurus phoenicurus eae) Oenanthe isabellina’ 20m 22 2 3 ee Se Oenanthe deserti_ 3 Turdus merula 1 Turdus viscivorus 1 . Cettia cetti 1 Acrocephalus melanopogon 8 Acrocephalus scirpaceus 2 2 | Acrocephalus arundinaceus 3 4 2 1 2 Hippolais pallida" 4 ae eo | Hippolais languida’ 2 | Sylvia curruca 1 2 2 3 Sylvia communis” 7 3 | Sylvia borin” 3 2 Phylloscopus collybita" 6 4 2 Phylloscopus trochilus” us Regulus regulus 1 Muscicapa striata’ 6 Ficedula semitorquata 8 | Parus caeruleus 2 6 Parus major 6 2 4 | Oriolus oriolus” 1 | Lanius collurio’ ; 4 5 8 Lanius minor 1 Lanius senator 6 5 Pica pica Wael ne Te Ret TP te ee elon Gi age | Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax 1 Corvus monedula 1 Corvus frugilegus 1 22 ail | Sturnus vulgaris 10S! 238 / Passer domesticus — + + + + + + + + + + + + Passer hispaniolensis : 43 45 £65 7 Passer montanus 3 Fringilla coelebs 13° 25 6 2 Carduelis chloris 1 1 Carduelis carduelis Soe S 1 em le Carduelis cannabina 2 Bucanetes githagineus 2 Emberiza schoeniclus 38 5 2 Emberiza melanocephala 1385 365 7 Miliaria calandra — 44 ili, 4 Recep Karakas and Ahmet Kilic, 4] Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus One in breeding plumage on 22 April 1999 appears to be the first record for South- East Anatulia. There have been only two other records in Turkey since 1976 (Beaman 1986, Martins 1989, Kirwan & Martins 1994, 2000). White-fronted Anser albifrons and Greylag Geese A. anser In winter the reservoir appears to be an important feeding and resting place for both species. Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Records in six months between October 1998 and April 1999, with a maximum of 42 individuals observed in the latter month. Only two localities (occasionally harbouring small numbers) known in South-East (Kirwan 1997). Scaup Aythya marila Records in November 1998 and April 1999, with a peak count of five males and one female on 22 April 1999. Not previously recorded in South-East. Smew Mergus albellus Pair on 3 January 1999. Highly erratic and usually scarce winter visitor to Turkey. Beaman (1986) noted the occurrence of three at Horkum (west of Gevas, Van Golt), East, in June 1977, while Kirwan & Martins (1994) note a previous record from eeu East, a pair on the Tigris River at Diyarbakir on 17 April 1988. Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Martins (1989) considered the species a rather local winter visitor in fairly small numbers to wetlands in the western two-thirds of Turkey, slightly more widespread on passage, and to have been recorded in summer in the north and east. On 3 June 1999 two individuals were present in the study area with a single on 5 June 1999. Perhaps no previous records in South-East. Grey Partridge Perdix perdix A nest with ten eggs on a slope with thorny bushes (especially Astragalus sp.) on 16 May 1999 contained 19 eggs by 27 May. Beaman (1986) notes a record from Nemrut Dagi (near Tatvan), in June 1978, but none in South East, though Kirwan & Martins (1994) mention the species 30 km south of Gaziantep in May 1989. Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichythaetus Two observed both in flight and on the surface of the lake on 21 February 1999, with a group of 21 on 7 March 1999. There has been a substantial increase in winter records in the western two-thirds of Turkey in recent years (perhaps principally due to improved observer coverage at this season) but only one previous record from South- East (Kirwan & Martins 2000). Little Swift Apus affinis On 4 April 1999 a group of 14 individuals (perhaps migrants) was seen above the shore of the reservoir. Beaman (1986) mentions the species as a local and rather uncommon summer visitor in small numbers to a few localities in South East, where most common at Birecik and Halfeti (Martins 1989, Kirwan & Martins 1994). Twenty were seen 14 km south of Siirt in July 1986 (Martins 1989), while Kirwan & Martins (1994) note a June record for Hasankeyf, which is close to our study area. 42 Recep Karakas and Ahmet Kilig, Birds of Goksu Dam (Diyarbakir) and new records in south-east Turkey Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus minor One near the village of Bespinar (between Diyarbakir and Cinar), on 29 July 1999, appears to the first record for South East. Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti Three males observed on 1 April 1999. Recently reported breeding at Birecik in South- East (Peter 1994) but not observed at this locality subsequently, despite regular visits by birdwatchers, and very few records from elsewhere in Turkey. Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus We recorded two in April 1999. Kirwan & Martins (2000) consider it to be probably a rare summer visitor to Southern Coastlands, South-East and East. Records suggest that the species is probably most regular at Birecik and near Gaziantep (Kirwan 1995, Kirwan & Martins 2000). ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We thank Guy M. Kirwan for his help with the manuscript. REFERENCES BEAMAN, M. (1986) Turkey Bird Report 1976-81. Sandgrouse 8: 1-41. BEKLEYEN, A. (2000) An ecological study on zooplankton of Gdksu dam lake (Diyarbakir). Fifteenth Natl. Congr. Biol., 5-9 September 2000, Ankara. BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL (2000) Threatened birds of the world. BirdLife International, Cambridge. Biricik, M. (1996) Birds of Kabakli Reservoir, Diyarbakir. Tr. J. Zool. 20: 155-160. KASPAREK, M. (1992) Die Végel der Tiirket: eine Ubersicht. Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg. Kiic, A. (2001) Giineydogu Anadolu bélgesi avifaunasi tizerine bir lokalite calismasi. [V Ulusal Ekoloji ve Cevre Kongresi, 5-8 Ekim 2001, Bodrum, Turkey. KIRWAN, G. (1995) Recent records of rare birds in Turkey. Zool. Middle East 11: 37-46. KiRWAN, G. M. (1997) The status of the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca in Turkey. Bird Conserv. Intern. 7: 345-356. KIRWAN, G. M. AND MarTINS, R. P. (1994) Turkey Bird Report 1987-91. Sandgrouse 16: 76-117. KIRWAN, G. M. AND MARTINS, R. P. (2000) Turkey Bird Report 1992-1996. Sandgrouse 22: 13-35. KIRWAN, G. M., MARTINS, R. P., EKEN, G. AND DAVIDSON, P. (1999) A checklist of the birds of Turkey. Sandgrouse Suppl. 1: 1-32. KUMERLOEVE, H. (1961) Zur Kenntnis der Avifauna Kleinasiens. Bonn. Zool. Beitr. 12: 1-318. MAGNIN, G. AND YARAR, M. (1997) Important Bird Areas in Turkey. Dogal Hayati Koruma Derne@i, Istanbul. MarTINs, R. P. (1989) Turkey Bird Report 1982-86. Sandgrouse 11: 1-41. Murpny, C. (1984) Recent trips to eastern Turkey. Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 13: 8-12. PETER, H. (1994) The first breeding record of the Desert Wheatear, Oenanthe deserti, in Turkey. Zool. Middle East 10;-27-29. ROSELAAR, C. S. (1995) Songbirds of Turkey: an atlas of biodiversity of Turkish passerine birds. Pica Press, Robertsbridge. UNLU, E., OzBAy, C., Kitic, A., COSKUN, Y., & SESEN, R. (1997) GAP’in Faunaya Etkileri, GAP’n Ekolojiye ve Tarima Etkileri. Tiirkiye Cevre Vakfi Yayim, Ankara. Recep Karakas and Ahmet Kilic, Dicle University, Science Faculty, Biology Department, TR-21280 Diyarbakir, Turkey. Recep Karakas and Ahmet Kilic, 43 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 Bird notes from Lebanon, including two new species T. BARA RECENT UPDATED CHECKLIST of the birds of Lebanon (Ramadan-Jaradi & .Ramadan-Jaradi 1999) provided the first comprehensive review of the country’s avifauna and was based on both a review of the available literature and many unpublished observations. Here, I present a correction to the record of Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator and new records that supplement information presented in the checklist, particularly two new species for Lebanon: Scrub Warbler Scoiocerca inquieta and Common Mynah Acridotheres tristis. Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator The record of seven Goosander Mergus merganser off Tripoli on 7 March 1998 (T. Bara in Ramadan-Jaradi & Ramadan-Jaradi 1999) actually refers to Red-breasted Merganser. The observation was conclusive in respect of the identification, and the mistake emanates from a note I sent to G. Ramadan-Jaradi with the incorrect scientific name. Thus, Goosander should be deleted from the lst of species recorded in Lebanon, and Red-breasted Merganser added to that list. Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus The record of one at Cheikh Zennad on 15 December 1996 (T. Bara in Ramadan-Jaradi & Ramadan-Jaradi 1999) was followed by two on 31 January 1998 and three on 9 February 1998 at the same site. The species is considered a vagrant in Lebanon. Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata Ramadan-Jaradi & Ramadan-Jaradi (1999) mentioned its scarcity as a summer breeder and that it is an uncommon but regular and widespread passage migrant. A record of 120 feeding together above Hermel at c. 1700 metres, on 18 August 1996, is therefore noteworthy. Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens This species’ status in Lebanon is considered uncertain and there is only one recent record (Ramadan-Jaradi & Ramadan-Jaradi 1999). I discovered at least three (including a juvenile) in the Anti-Lebanon above Ras Baalbek, on 30 August 2001, at c. 1200 metres. The habitat in this area is composed of arid slopes with boulders and scattered tragacanth vegetation. Andrew Sprenger (pers. comm.) has a record of a pair from the same area, on 7 April 2001, which he suspected was breeding. There is also a record of a pair carrying nesting material, with a single male nearby, also in the Anti- Lebanon at El Qaa, on 17 March 2001 (Balmer & Betton 2001). Further east, there is a large area between Ras Baalbek, Aarsal and the Syrian border which appears suitable for this and other semi-desert species. Mourning Wheatear may prove to be not rare there, but it is a difficult area to survey at present due to an ongoing conflict between local inhabitants and the authorities concerning the cultivation of narcotics. Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta Not previously recorded in Lebanon. I noted two individuals above Ras Baalbek, on 30 August 2001, in the same area as the Mourning Wheatears. I was able to approach them to within 5-10 metres before they flushed a short distance. They usually kept within the shade of boulders or Astragalus, but were sometimes observed in the open, id Notes where they could be seen to exhibit all of the characteristic features of the species, namely its small ball-like shape, with grey-brown, long erect tail (similar to Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis) tipped whitish below, uniform pale grey-brown upperparts, faintly streaked mantle (much less than Graceful Prinia) and crown, pale grey supercilium contrasting with black eyestripe, grey, finely streaked breast and yellowish legs. Scrub Warbler is resident in Israel, where it is expanding northward; it reached Mount Hermon in the late 1970s (Shirihai 1996). Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita No previous records of breeding. I observed up to a dozen singing birds in Ehden Forest, in northern Lebanon (site 23 on Map 1 in Ramadan-Jaradi & Ramadan-Jaradi 1999) in the breeding seasons of 1998 and 1999, and one was seen several times carrying twigs, confirming breeding. Blue Tit Parus caeruleus No previous records of breeding. At least four pairs resident in Ehden Forest and four fledglings were observed being fed on 17 June 1998. Subsequently, a local inhabitant of the nearby village of Baslouquit reported that Blue Tits had nested in the wall of his house, and showed me the hole, which appeared too small for Great Tit P. major. This breeding record fills a gap between the populations in south Turkey (contiguous with the main range) and the isolated population of north-west Jordan (Andrews 1995). In addition, one at Jeita Caves in April 2000 was observed repeatedly flying from trees to the underside of a two-storey parking lot overlooking the river (A. Sprenger pers. comm.). Two nest boxes were sited in Ehden Forest in 1998, but have not been used by tits. Remarkably one was used by a Forest Dormouse Dryomys nitedula, a mammal not previously recorded in Lebanon (Harrison & Bates 1991). Common Mynah Acridotheres tristis No previous country records. Two in the Pine Forest of Beirut on 23 August and 30 November 1999. The park was being renovated and not open to public use. The birds were first recognised in flight by the white wing patches, and subsequently were found feeding on a lawn where I approached them to 15 metres. Compared with nearby Yellow-vented Bulbuls Pycnonotus xanthopygos, they were clearly larger, overall violet-brown, with conspicuous white wing patches, vent and outertail feathers, and yellow legs and ear-coverts. This species is often kept in captivity, but these individuals were neither ringed nor tame. Common Mynah appears to be currently expanding west, with recent records in Iraq (Salim 1998), Turkey (Boyla & Eken 1998, Kirwan & Martins 2000) and Egypt (Millington 2000). Captive origin, however, cannot be excluded. REFERENCES ANDREWS, I. J. (1995) The birds of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Andrews, Musselburgh. BALMER, D. AND BETTON, K. (COMPILERS) (2001) Around the region. Sandgrouse 23: 156-160. BOYLA, K. A. AND EKEN, G. (1998) Remarkable sightings. Turna 1: 35-40. HARRISON, D. L. AND BATES, P. J. (1991) The mammals of Arabia. Second edn. Harrison Zool. Mus., Sevenoaks. KIRWAN, G. M. AND MARTINS, R. (2000) Turkey bird report 1992-1996. Sandgrouse 22: 13-35. MILLINGTON, L. (2000) The first Common Mynah Acridotheres tristis in Egypt. Sandgrouse 22: 69-71. RAMADAN-JARADI, G. AND RAMADAN-JARADI, M. (1999) An updated checklist of the birds of Lebanon. Sandgrouse 21: 132-170. SALIM, M. A. (1998) The first Common Mynah Acridotheres tristis in Iraq. Sandgrouse 20: 148-149. SHIRIHAI, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. T. Bara, 255 rue Saint Jacques, 75005 Paris, France. 45 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 Recent observations of some rare breeding birds in Armenia VASIL ANANIAN, SIMON BUSUTTIL AND MARK FINN HE DATA PRESENTED HERE were collected during independent and co- operative field trips throughout Armenia in the period 1994-2001 and represent new information on the occurence, distribution and ecology of some rare breeding bird species in Armenia. Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni The first breeding site since 1928 (Adamian & Klem 1999, Leister & Sosnin 1942) was discovered on 30 May 2000 near Spandarian village (c. 39°62’N 45°91’E). A breeding colony of c. 15-20 pairs was discovered in the cornices of a derelict building within an area of highland steppe (SB). During subsequent visits to the site, Lesser Kestrel was recorded on 31 May 2000, 12 and 14 June 2000, 28 and 30 May 2001, and 11 and 13 June 2001. This is the only known breeding colony in the country. Hobby Falco subbuteo A summer visitor, though Adamian & Klem (1999) consider it to be a year-round resident based on two, perhaps erroneous, records on 9 February 1988 and 19 December 1995. Breeding in the Meghri region (c. 38°90’N 46°25’E) of south Armenia was confirmed on 31 May 2000, when a breeding pair was observed in lowland gardens, the nest being situated in a Black Poplar Populus nigra at c. 10-15 m above ground. A pair was breeding in the same tree on 29 May 2001. VA observed a migrating party of 11 Hobby within a flock of 40-50 Lesser Kestrel, circling over Gladzor village (c. 39°78’N 45°31’E) on 13 September 2000. Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus Extremly rare, breeding in the country has been confirmed on just two occasions—on 21 July 1940 (Dementiev & Gladkov 1951) and 6 April 1974 (Geilikman in Movsessian & Ayrumian 1987). Occasional individuals were recorded in 1995 (Adamian & Klem 1999). An adult was observed on 15 June 2000 near Amberd Fortress (c. 40°39’N 44°23’E) on the southern slopes of Mount Aragats. This is the only record since 1995. Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus In Armenia this species is restricted to the extreme south, in the Meghri region on the border with Iran, where it inhabits reed and shrub thickets along the Araks River. The few records refer mostly to single individuals. The species’ apparent rarity in Armenia is probably a function of the limited available habitat, to which access is strictly controlled by the military. In adjacent Azerbaijan—east along the Araks River to Kend-Horadiz village—the species is quite numerous in the broad river valley and extensive habitat of reed thickets, vineyards and lowland gardens (VA pers. obs.). The only confirmed breeding record in Armenia is a record of an adult with five juveniles near Meghri railway station, on 31 May 1995 (Adamian & Klem 1999). Three calling males were at the same site (c. 38°90’N 46°29’E) on 29 May 2001 (MF). Corncrake Crex crex Occurs in central and north Armenia south to 40°18’N in wet meadows in the montane steppe zone, and in montane forest glades to the upper treeline in the subalpine zone (Adamian & Klem 1999). A new locality for the species was found in south-east Armenia, between Saravan and Ooghedzor villages (c. 39°72’N 45°65’E), where two were heard on 28 May 2001 (MEF). 46 Notes White-tailed Plover Chettusia leucura The only records in Armenia are from Armash Fishponds (c. 39°75’N 44°78’E) in the Araks Valley where three were shot on 19 July 1989 and five were seen on 21-22 July 1989 (Adamian & Klem 1999). During a visit to the same site on 9 May 1999 VA observed a single on a shallow pool within saline mudflats. On subsequent visits to the site in 1999, White-tailed Plover was recorded on 31 May-1 June (five pairs apparently breeding) with c. 7 individuals there on 11 June. In 2000 at Armash c. 3 were observed on 23 May including one apparently on a nest, with a pair there on 6 June. In 2001 a pair was observed during regular visits between 18 May and 15 July. Breeding was confirmed on 9 June when adults were observed defending two downy young, behaving aggressively towards Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus, Lapwing Vanellus vanellus and terns Sterna spp. Of interest is an unusually late record of the species in Armenia. On 21 December 2001 VA observed an adult feeding on mudflats in a newly emptied pond together with Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago; air temperature was close to zero and puddles were frozen. The bird did not appear sick or injured and was observed in flight on several occasions. Tengmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereus Recorded for the first time in Armenia at Khosrov Grove (c. 40°02’N 44°92’E) in 1961 and breeding was proven in 1964, when a nest with three young was found (Adamian et al. 1966, Adamian & Klem 1999). The only records since 1964 were made by VA in Kaladibi Grove (c. 40°06’N 44°87’E) on 22-24 April 1994, when the characteristic calls of a male were heard nightly at the mouth of a lateral gorge of the Azat River with scattered trees and shrubs. The bird commenced singing at 21.00—22.00 and continued for several hours. It always called from isolated hollow willow Salix or walnut Juglans regia trees. On 19 August 1994 VA found a partially eaten juvenile in the same gorge c. 2 km north-east of the previous location. These data were mentioned by Adamian & Klem (1999), but the published details were incomplete and unreferenced. Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia Adamian & Klem (1999) list only three records of which two suggest breeding, both in the Pombak Mountains in the north of the country. We discovered two new localities, both in extreme south Armenia. At Agarakadzor village (c. 39°73’N 45°36’E) a singing male was observed on 29 May 2000 and 11 June 2001 in a wheat field. In the same habitat a singing male was recorded by MF near Sedegigyol Lake (c. 39°49’N 4632’E) on 30 May 2001. Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola Adamian & Klem (1999) list only three records for the country, one of which involved breeding (a nest found near Masees in the Araks Valley in 1995). At Armash Fishponds SB recorded 6-7 singing males on 23 May 2000, with presumably some of the same observed on 6 June 2000 and 14 September 2000 (VA), although at least one on the latter date was a first-winter. In 2001 at the same site Paddyfield Warbler was recorded singing on 18, 22 and 26 May, and 5, 9 and 14 June. Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria A new breeding site was found on 27 May 2001 in east Armenia on Mount Gazma (c. 39°84’N 49°39’E) at 2800 metres, where a pair was observed (Roger Millard). VA recorded an adult male on 5 April 2001 in the subalpine zone near Kaghsee village (c.40°48’N 44°74’E). Pale Rock Sparrow Carpospiza brachydactyla Prior to 1998 the species’ distribution in Armenia comprised five isolated localities in the south-centre of the country between 39°92’N to 40°30’N and 44°04’E to 44°87’E 47 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 (Adamian & Klem 1999). On 19 June 1998, singing males were recorded in hilly semi- desert further west, along the road between Ani (c. 40°46’N 43°65’E) and Armaveer (c. 40°15’N 44°04’E) (VA). On 13 June 1999 we recorded Pale Rock Sparrow in south Armenia near Yeghegnadzor (c. 39°76’N 45°34’E) and Gnisheek (c. 39°66’N 45°30’E), but at both sites birds were in small parties of 5-10, silent and their behaviour did not indicate breeding, although Adamian & Klem (1999) state that pair formation in the country is completed by late May. We recorded irruptive breeding in 2000 and 2001, with a noticeable increase in population density. In these years, Pale Rock Sparrow was common and occupied all suitable habitats from the outskirts of Yerevan (c. 40°18’N 44°50’E) south to Meghri, where it had never previously been recorded (Adamian & Klem 1999). On 8 June 2000 it was found in the north of the country near Hrazdan (c. 40°50’N 44°76’E) (MPF). In 2001, the species arrived on its breeding grounds in the Araks Valley on 17-18 May, as it was not obviously present on 16 May. Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus Only three localities, all in the south-centre of the country and close to one another, including a regular breeding site near Vedi (c. 39°92’N 44°73’E), which is probably the northernmost in the Western Palearctic (Adamian & Klem 1999). On 7 June 2000 we recorded three individuals on dry rocky hills 2.5 km north-east of Azat Reservoir at c. 40°07’N 44°60’E. REFERENCES ADAMIAN, M. S., GEILIKMAN, B. O., MARGARIAN, N. A. AND YUDIN, K. A. (1966) About the nesting of Tengmalm’s Owl, Aegolius funereus, in Armenia. Biol. J]. Armenia 19: 106-108. [In Russian. ] ADAMIAN, M. S. AND KLEM, D. (1999) Handbook of the birds of Armenia. American University of Armenia, Oakland. DEMENTIEV, G. P. AND GLADKOV, N. A. (EDS.) (1951) Birds of the Soviet Union. Vol. 1. Nauka, Moscow. [In Russian. | GEILIKMAN, B. O. (1987) Falco biarmicus. In: Movsessian, S. O. and Ayrumian, K. A. (eds.) Red Data Book of the Armenian SSR. Hayastan Publishing House, Yerevan. [In Russian. ] LEISTER, A. F. AND SOSNIN, G. V. (1942) Materials on ornithofauna of the Armenian SSR. ARMFAN, Yerevan. [In Russian. ] Vasil Ananian, 179 Bashinjaghian Street, Apt. 23, 375078, Yerevan, Armenia. Simon Busuttil, Dungeness RSPB Reserve, Boulderwall Farm, Dungeness Road, Lydd, Kent TN29 9PN, U. K. Mark Finn, 26 School Lane, Herne, Kent CT6 7AL, U. K. Significant bird observations from Iran, August-September 1998 KONRAD ALI SACHANOWICZ, PIOTR KARCZMARCZYK AND ADAM OLSZEWSKI ERE WE PRESENT INTERESTING bird observations made during a visit to Iran on 18 August-14 September 1998. More than 160 species were observed at several sites; a complete list of our observations is available, on request, from the corresponding author. Observation sites are shown in Fig. 1. Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena One adult on 20 August, off the beach at Mahmudabad, 8 km west of Babolsar, in the eastern part of the Iranian Caspian Sea. A very early record of this rather scarce winter visitor. D. A. Scott (in litt. 2001) reports his earliest observation to have been on 27 November. 48 Notes Cotton Teal Nettapus coromandelianus On 31 August a female/immature was near Pozum, c. 5 km west of Konarek (Cabahar region) in south-east Baluchistan. The bird was a Teal Anas crecca-sized, small, bicoloured duck: its head and neck appeared whitish, with a contrasting dark bill, eyestripe and dark crown, the wings and back were dark (and along with the crown were the darkest parts of the plumage), and the flanks and vent were greyish. Possibly only the second record for Iran, D. A. Scott (in litt. 2001) reports that there is a previous record of a fresh head procured from a hunter in Zabol (Seistan) by Lindon Cornwallis, in January 1973, which was thought to have been taken nearby. Cotton Teal regularly winters in Oman (Porter et al. 1996) and observations from south-east Iran are therefore to be expected. ae Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus by Dan Powell ae Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus On 8 September, a female was closely watched, foraging on small lagoon between the Arabian Gulf shore and bus station at Bandar Abbas. The diagnostic characters observed were: rather slim shape with narrow-based, tapering bill, wings projecting beyond tail tip, legs apparently longer than in other small plovers in flight, broad white supercilium, broad rather uniform brownish breast-band, and white wingbar in flight. Caspian Plover is a reasonably common passage migrant through northern and western Iran, but our record from Bandar Abbas is unprecedented, being the furthest south-east in Iran; the previous easternmost occurrence being from the Bushire area (D. A. Scott in litt. 2001). Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria On 8 September an adult in summer plumage (but lacking the bill) was found dead between the Arabian Gulf coast and bus station at Bandar Abbas (tail feathers collected, see Plate 1). On 12-13 September two in winter plumage were observed at length, on the ground and in flight, on the Caspian coast near the town of Kolvir, c. 3 km west of Bandar-e Anzali. Sociable Plover is a vagrant in Iran (Porter et al. 1996) and according to D. A. Scott (in Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria by Dan Powell 49 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 fe oe | ~)Caspian sea mee 1 | C Re 6 Arabian Sea | Figure 1. Map of Iran showing the localities mentioned in the text: 1. Kolvir; 2. Mahmudabad; 3. Dejgan; 4. Bandar Abbas; 5. Nikshahr; and 6. Pozum. 50 Notes litt. 2001) there have only been seven records since the 1950s, all in the South Caspian region (two records in 1963, singles in 1967, 1968 and 1969, and two in 1971). Three of these (singles on 2 April 1967 and 25 March 1968 and a party of eight on 25 April 1969) were also in the Bandar-e Anzali area. The most recent records were of a single on 29 October and two on 19 November 1971 at the Miankaleh Peninsula (south- east Caspian, D. A. Scott in litt. 2001). Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus by Dan Powell Plate 1. Tail feathers of Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria collected from a dead individual at Bandar Abbas, Iran, 8 September 1998. Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus On 12 September one and on 14 September two (one an immature) among other gulls on the Caspian coast near Kolvir. Mediterranean Gull is a rare vagrant to Iran. According to D. A. Scott (in litt. 2001), there had been three previous country records, from the Caspian coast in the 1970s and at Uromiyeh Lake in 2000. Given the eastward expansion of Mediterranean Gull in recent decades, it is probably now commoner in the Caspian region than formerly (D. A. Scott in litt. 2001). Indian Silverbill Evodice malabarica Small groups (2-5 individuals) observed on 25 August near cultivation at Nikshahr, in east-central Baluchistan. On 5 September at least three at Dejgan (by the River Mehran), c. 18 km south-west of Bandar Abbas. There has been a marked westward expansion of the species’ range in Iran since the 1970s and it is now common in the Bandar Abbas area (D. A. Scott in litt. 2001). Our records from Nikshahr suggest that there has also been a northward expansion of range. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Our visit to Iran was organised by the Student’s Ornithological Club of the University of Podlasie (Siedlce), with strong financial support from Marek Sawicki. We are grateful to Derek Scott for important comments on our observations and Tomek Cofta, who kindly produced the figures. REFERENCE PorTER, R. F., CHRISTENSEN, S. AND SCHIERMACKER-HANSEN, P. (1996) Field guide to the birds of the Middle East. T. & A. D. Poyser, London. Konrad Ali Sachanowicz, Polish Society for the Protection of Birds, P. O. Box 335, 80-958 Gdansk 50, Poland. (Corresponding author) Piotr Karczmarczyk, Oleksin 47, 05-122 Bojmie, Poland. Adam Olszewski, Gorki 77, 05-156 Gorki Kampinoskie, Poland. oil Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 The first breeding records of Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola and Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides in Armenia VASIL ANANIAN AND SIMON BUSUTTIL ITRINE WAGTAIL Motacilla citreola was first recorded in Armenia in April 1995 and all subsequent records have been in spring and autumn, leading Adamian & Klem (1999) to consider the species a migrant through the country. On a trip to Lake Arpi, in the highland steppe zone of north-west Armenia, on 19 June 1998, VA observed a breeding pair of Citrine Wagtails at Paghakn village (c. 41°06’N 43°66’E). The nest was within a fissure in a stone shed and its entrance was c. 50 cm above ground. Both male and female regularly visited the nest with insects, proving the presence of nestlings. Another (or possibly the same) pair was observed in the same place on 26 May 2000. The birds were observed feeding on mosquitoes above a small puddle near the shed and the female carried wool to the potential nest site, indicating that the pair was nest-building. The subspecific status of those Citrine Wagtails recorded in Armenia has not been determined (Adamian & Klem 1999). Thus it is of interest to remark that the plumage of the males (perhaps the same) resembled those of M. c. werae as described by Stepanyan (1990). The only record of Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides in Armenia was near Jirvez village where two singing birds were observed on 27 May 1990 (Adamian & Klem 1999). During a trip to Armash Fishponds (c. 39°75’N 44°78’E) in the Araks River valley, on 23 May 2000, c. 5 singing individuals were recorded. On subsequent visits to the site singing Savi’s Warblers were seen and heard on 6 and 10 June 2000, 18, 22, and 26 May 2001, 5,9 and 14 June 2001, and 15 July 2001. Once two birds were observed chasing each other. A breeding population of Savi’s Warbler is known in adjacent east Turkey (Cramp 1992) and the species is known to opportunistically colonise new habitats such as artificial wetlands and ponds (Cramp 1992). It appears obvious that the creation of extensive fishponds in the Araks Valley has offered favourable conditions for Savi’s Warbler to establish a breeding population at Armash (Busuttil & Ananian 2001), although direct signs of breeding (e.g. pairing, nest-building or fledglings) have not been observed. Whether our observations refer to L. |. sarmatica or L. |. fusca is unknown. Stepanyan (1990) states that sarmatica occurs in south-west Russia south to the northern foothills of the Greater (or northern) Caucasus, and fusca in Turkey to west Kazakhstan, but Porter et al. (1996) consider that fusca occurs in the Middle East only as a migrant. The latter ignore Roselaar (1995) who considered that the limited, but geographically widely scattered specimen material from Turkey agreed with fusca. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mark Finn made many of our trips possible and the owners of Armash Fishponds kindly provided opportunities for our studies. oZ Notes REFERENCES ADAMIAN, M. S. AND KLEM, D (1999) Handbook of the birds of Armenia. American University of Armenia, Oakland. BUSUTTIL, S. AND ANANIAN, V. (2001) Photospot: Armash Fishponds. Sandgrouse 23: 101-103. 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. ROSELAAR, C. S. (1995) Songbirds of Turkey: an atlas of biodiversity of Turkish passerine birds. Pica Press, Robertsbridge. STEPANYAN, L. S. (1990) Conspectus of the ornithological fauna of the USSR. Nauka, Moscow. [In Russian. ] Vasil Ananian, 179 Bashinjaghian Street, Apt. 23, 375078, Yerevan, Armenia. Simon Busuttil, Dungeness RSPB Reserve, Boulderwall Farm, Dungeness Road, Lydd, Kent TN29 9PN, U. K. The first Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica in Jordan GRAHAM TEBB AND NASHAT HAMIDAN N WINTER 1999-2000 the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature undertook a project to monitor waterfowl numbers in Jordan. Monthly counts were performed and the second of these, undertaken by Khaldoun Al-Omari, Anwar Halah, NH and GT, took place from 31 October to 16 November 2000. On the morning of 8 November we were at Aqaba sewage station. The sky was cloudless and lhght conditions excellent, with a fairly strong northerly wind. Having examined the large pools at the plant’s north end, we proceeded to the smaller pools, fringed by woodland, keeping the sun behind us. On reaching the third pool, around 09.30, we noticed a bird perched c. 10 metres distant, c. 3 metres above ground. After a minute or more it flew a short distance to the edge of the pool, where it landed, partially obscured by a small shrub. It soon hopped out, joining a Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus. It was clearly a bunting and remained feeding on the ground for 1-2 minutes before flying to the lower branches of another tree. It was watched there for approximately another minute before it was lost to view and not relocated. It was primarily observed with binoculars but was also studied (at 25 metres distance) for c. 20 seconds through a telescope. Description Immediately identified as a bunting, slightly smaller than Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus, with a noticeably peaked head, the crown feathers being slightly raised. Compared to Reed Bunting, the bill appeared long and somewhat pointed, and the tail was relatively short. The bird had a slightly rotund appearance and was c. 10% smaller than the adjacent Red-throated Pipit. It flew more directly than Reed Bunting, lacking the uneven flapping of this species. Throughout the observation it was not heard to call. The following details were also noted. Upper mandible appeared dark (at least at the tip; the basal colour could not be determined), with a straight culmen and paler lower mandible. Pink legs. Prominent supercilium, most noticeable behind eye. Lores and cheeks pale brown. Submoustachial stripe also prominent, cream coloured and bordered by dark (black?) stripes. White or buff-coloured spot on cheeks, behind ear-coverts, which were pale brown, bordered black. Rear crown peaked and pale in coloration. Narrow but distinct rufous- brown collar on nape. Brown mantle with black and buff streaks (as Reed Bunting). Underparts ground colour white, heavily marked with diffuse reddish-brown streaks on upper breast, extending onto flanks. Vent and undertail-coverts uniform white, with rufous-brown rump. White outertail feathers prominent in flight; tail shorter than in Reed Bunting. Two faint wingbars. Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 These details are all consistent with Rustic Bunting, most probably a first-winter. The two most similar species are Reed Bunting and Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla. The description above is sufficient to eliminate the possibility of confusion with either of these and thus to establish the bird’s identity (e.g. Shirihai et al. 1996, Beaman & Madge 1998). Rustic Bunting breeds from northern Scandinavia to Kamchatka, wintering mainly in Japan, Korea and China. Those breeding in the west of the range initially migrate east and only move south in east Siberia, although small numbers appear to migrate south- west, resulting in its relatively frequent appearance in western Europe (Cramp & Perrins 1994). In the Middle East the species is a vagrant to Turkey (Kasparek 1990), Syria (Baumgart et al. 1995), Egypt (Goodman & Meininger 1989), Oman (OBRC 1994) and UAE (Richardson 1990). Ramadan-Jaradi & Ramadan-Jaradi (1999) list it for Lebanon, citing Shirihai (1996), who mentions the species as a vagrant without providing further details, making one at Aammig marsh, on 4 November 1999, perhaps the first record in the country (Beale 2000). It is frequently recorded in Israel (Shirihai 1996), but has not previously been recorded in Jordan (Andrews 1995, Andrews et al. 1999). The Jordan Bird Records Committee has accepted this first record. The records from Israel are particularly relevant. Shirihai (1996) describes it as a “very rare to rare but regular autumn migrant at Eilat’ in the period 20 October—10 December, with most between 10 and 25 November. All those recorded at Eilat have been first-winters. Thus the Aqaba record, from immediately adjacent to the Israel border at Eilat, is unsurprising. Indeed, Andrews (1995) lists Rustic Bunting as a ‘species likely to occur in Jordan’. It is unfortunate that access to several key sites on the border with Israel is highly restricted. The Aqaba sewage station, for example, can only be visited with military permission. The lifting of such restrictions, together with an increase in birdwatchers visiting Jordan, should result in further additions to the national avifauna. REFERENCES ANDREWS, I. J. (1995) The birds of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Andrews, Musselburgh. ANDREWS, I. J., KHOURY, F. AND SHIRIHAI, H. (1999) Jordan bird report 1995-97. Sandgrouse 21: 10-35. BAUMGART, W., KASPAREK, M. AND STEPHAN, B. (1995) Die Végel Syriens: eine Ubersicht. Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg. BEALE, C. (2000) Notes on the birds of Lebanon, autumn—winter 1999. Sandgrouse 22: 122-124. BEAMAN, M. AND MADGE, S. (1998) The handbook of bird identification for Europe and the Western Palearctic. A. & C. Black, London. CRAMP, S. AND PERRINS, C. M. (EDS.) (1994) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 9. Oxford University Press. GOODMAN, S. M. AND MEININGER, P. L. (EDS.) (1989) The birds of Egypt. Oxford University Press. KASPAREK, M. (1990) Zum Vorkommen einiger in der Ttirkei seltener Vogelarten. Bonn. Zool. Beitr. 41: 181-202. OMAN BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE (OBRC) (EDS.) (1994) Oman bird list. The official list of the birds of the Sultanate of Oman. Fourth edn. OBRC, Muscat. RAMADAN-JARADI, G. AND RAMADAN-JARADI, M. (1999) An updated checklist of the birds of Lebanon. Sandgrouse 21: 132-170. RICHARDSON, C. (1990) The birds of the United Arab Emirates. Hobby Publications, Dubai & Warrington. SHIRIHAIL, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. SHIRIHAI, H., CHRISTIE, D. A. AND Harris, A. (1996) The Macmillan birder’s guide to European and Middle Eastern birds. Macmillan, London. Graham Tebb, Waaggasse 2/39, A-1040 Vienna, Austria. Nashat Hamidan, Royal Society for the Conervation of Nature, P.O. Box 6354, Amman 11183, Jordan. 54 Notes Biometric variation in three migratory Accipiter species at Eilat, Israel REUVEN YOSEF, JAN LONTKOWSKI, TADEUSZ STAWARCZYK AND PETER FEHERVARI URING THE PAST FEW YEARS we have handled a number of raptors that have defied the norm of those species known to migrate through the Middle East (eg. Yosef et al. 2001). Another such incident occurred on 16 April 2001, within the framework of the raptor ringing programme at Eilat, Israel. An unusual Accipiter sp. was ringed (no. E6960), photographed and released. Unfortunately, no blood samples were taken. The unusual coloration of the bird, biometrics and subsequent study of the slides permitted us to conclude that it was a Shikra A. badius. Additional help with the identification was sought from William S. Clark (U.S. A.) and Andrea Corso (Italy). We measured all primaries and secondaries of all Accipiter spp. trapped during the spring 2001 migration. These feathers were counted outwards from the innermost part of the wing. This facilitated a comparison of the wing shape of the mystery bird with those of other adult female Sparrowhawk A. nisus (N=6) and Levant Sparrowhawk A. brevipes (N=12) trapped the same week. We also compared the biometrics, i.e. wing chord length, tail length, culmen, hindclaw and body mass. The definitive characters on which we reached the conclusion that the bird was a Shikra are as follows. It had an emarginated p6 (Plate 1), in contrast to Levant Sparrowhawk, where only the four outermost, i.e., p7 outwards, are emarginated. The wing formula (visible in Plate 2) was distinctive, with p6—p8 almost the same length as p7 and the longest; p6 equal to p8 and just short of the tip (similar to Fig. 1. of Labinger et al. 1991), producing a more rounded wingtip than in Levant Sparrowhawk and closer to Sparrowhawk (Fig.1). The irides were orange-red, much paler than Levant Sparrowhawk (see Labinger et al. 1991). The gular stripe was very conspicuous, although it may be as prominent in some sub-adult Levant Sparrowhawks (see Plate 3). The neck-sides and nape were rusty, unlike in adult Levant Sparrowhawk. The upper mandible had a very conspicuous and long ‘tomial tooth’, unlike Levant Sparrowhawk which has a very small ‘tooth’, appearing as a slightly undulating line on the cutting edge (Plate 4). Finally, the upperparts were much paler than an adult female Levant Sparrowhawk. In comparison to the other two Accipiter spp., wing chord and tail lengths, and weight were at the high end of the range of Levant Sparrowhawk, with a larger culmen and hindclaw; but were in the range of smaller individuals of Sparrowhawk (Table 1). Table 1. Biometrics of adult female Shikra Accipiter badius (Ab N=1), Levant Sparrowhawk A. brevipes (LS; N=12) and Sparrowhawk A. nisus (ES; N=6) trapped at Eilat, Israel, in spring 2001. All data are presented mean + SD. Range is presented in parentheses. Biometrics Wing chord Tail length Body mass Culmen Hindclaw (mm) (mm) (9) (mm) (mm) Ab 231.0 173.0 236.0 15.6 16.3. LS 233.945.5 171.245.1 214.8421.2 14.1+0.7 14.8+0.6 (225-247) (163-181) (175-250) (13.1-15.4) (13.0-15.6) ES 245.4425.2 178.0+10.6 223.0+30.2 14.6+0.6 17.1+0.7 (230-290) (161-190) (202-276) (14.0-15.5) (16.2-18.1) }S) Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 ~—@— A. badius —-#— A. brevipes —f-—- A. nisus Pigs FIZ. P11 Pio | PS = Ps PG) PS” PA Pa Figure 1. Mean feather length of primaries of adult female Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes (N=12), Sparrowhawk A. nisus (N=6) and Shikra A. badius (N=1) ringed in spring 2001 at Eilat, Israel. We considered it to be an adult female because all of the upper flight feathers and the under- and upperwing-coverts were of the same generation; no juvenile feathers could be found on the body. Furthermore, it was sexed as a female because the primaries were barred (Plates 1-2), not uniform dark as in adult male Shikra. Wattel (1973) found that the culmen and hindclaw in Asian races of Shikra were larger than those of Levant Sparrowhawk, and this concurs with our measurements of the 2001 individual (Table 1). The prominent gular stripe further suggests that the individual possibly belonged to one of the Asian subspecies (e.g. cenchroides), and not one the African forms, which have a very weak stripe (if present). This accords with Shirihai (1996), Clark & Parslow (1991) and Labinger et al. (1991), who consider that the subspecies to have occurred in Israel is A. b. cenchroides, which breeds from south-west Iran, south-east Transcaucasia and south Kazakhstan to south-west Pakistan. Cramp & Simmons (1980) consider the species to be a migrant that winters in Pakistan and India. We suggest the vagrant status accorded to those individuals caught at Eilat be treated cautiously as more of the population may migrate to Africa than previously thought. There had previously been only one confirmed record in Israel, also at Eilat (Labinger et al. 1988, 1991), which was ringed on 20 April 1987, almost the same date as the 2001 individual. It too was an adult female and had the tail slightly longer in proportion to the wing—79.5% (Labinger et al. 1991). Our bird had a ratio of only 74.9%. The wing/tail ratio of the 1987 bird was 1.26, and was 1.36 in the 2001 individual. The ratios for adult female Levant Sparrowhawk and Sparrowhawk are 1.37+0.03 and 1.38+0.15. Labinger et al. (1991) mention that two Levant Sparrowhawk ringed in spring 1984 had orange and reddish-orange irides, and ratios within the range of Levant Sparrowhawk, but their identities were in doubt. Yosef et al. (2001) also trapped such individuals and following DNA analysis one was found to be a probable Shikra x Levant Sparrowhawk hybrid. Thus, any reddish/orange-eyed Accipiter sp. trapped in the Middle East in future should be carefully examined and, if possible, a blood sample taken for further analysis. 56 Figures 1—4. Adult female Shikra Accipiter badius, Eilat, Israel, 16 April 2001. (Peter Fehervari) REFERENCES CLARK, W. S. AND PARSLOW, R. (1991) A specimen record of Shikra Accipiter badius for Saudi Arabia. Sandgrouse 13: 4444. CRAMP, S. AND SIMMONS, K. E. L. (EDs.) (1980) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 2. Oxford University Press. LABINGER, Z., GORNEY, E. AND PARSLOW, R. (1988) A Shikra: new species for Israel. Torgos 7: 63-66. [In Hebrew with English summary.] LABINGER, Z., GORNEY, E. AND PARSLOW, R. (1991) First record of Shikra Accipiter badius in Israel. Sandgrouse 13: 46-49. SHIRIHAIL, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. WaTIEL, J. (1973) Geographical differentiation in the genus Accipiter. Publ. Nuttall Orn. Club 13. YOSEF, R., HELBIG, A. AND CLARK, W. S. (2001) An intrageneric Accipiter hybrid from Eilat, Israel. Sandgrouse 23: 141-14. Reuven Yosef, International Birding & Research Center at Eilat, P. O. Box 774, Eilat 88000, Israel. Jan Lontkowski and Tadeusz Stawarczyk, Museum of Natural Histery, Wroclaw University, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wroclaw, Poland. Peter Fehervari, 1037 Erdoalja ut 111, Budapest, Hungary. Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 First record of Green Warbler Phylloscopus nitidus in western Saudi Arabia S. OSTROWSKI AND E. GUINARD L-KHUNFAH PROTECTED AREA (20,450 km’), in north-west Saudi Arabia, consists of an immense sand/gravel plain with low sandstone hills on the western edge of the Great Nafud Desert. On 30 October 1997, we were at the main ranger camp in the reserve (28°18’N 38°36’E) when our attention was drawn to what we initially believed was a Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita. It moved rapidly on the ground and frequently hovered to catch flying insects. We soon realised it was not a Chiffchaff but a wing-barred Phylloscopus, and observed it for c. 20 minutes before it flew behind the ranger house. It was subsequently observed feeding in the rubbish dump in this area, both on the ground and in nearby Eucalyptus, and was still present next day, when several photographs were taken (Plate 1). Description Approximately the size of a Chiffchaff. Upperparts and rump bright green, particularly on the mantle. Broad and noticeable cream to yellowish greater covert wingbar and a fainter second wingbar on the median coverts. Also a broad, long yellowish supercilium reaching ear-coverts and meeting over bill. Underparts pale yellowish, with a lemon wash to the neck- and head- sides. Upper mandible dark brown, lower mandible pale flesh with a dark tip. Legs dark grey. No call heard. It was very active and moved constantly. Because of the presence of two wingbars we originally considered that it could be a Hume’s Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus humei or a worn Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus. However, it lacked white fringes and tips to the tertials, and Plate 1. Green Warbler Phylloscopus nitidus, Al-Khunfah Protected Area, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 30 October 1997. (S. Ostrowski) 58 Notes dark centres to the wing-coverts, and the bill was rather large and not all dark. It also had bright green upperparts, distinctly pale yellow underparts and dark grey legs. Arctic Warbler P. borealis can also have two wingbars, but the Saudi bird’s diminutive (not comparatively bulky) appearance, short bill, supercilia meeting above the bill, dark legs and bright green upperparts are inconsistent with borealis (Bradshaw & Riddington 1997). The features best matched Greenish Warbler P. trochiloides or one of its close relatives. Because of the pronounced greater covert wingbar, distinct upper wingbar, and yellowish tinged head- and neck-sides it was most likely Two-barred Greenish Warbler P. plumbeitarsus or Green Warbler P. nitidus (Baker 1997), both of which are variably treated as conspecific with, or specifically distinct from, P. trochiloides (see, e.g. Beaman 1994, Collinson 2001 and Helbig et al. 1995, for further discussion). Given the bright green upperparts, pale yellow underparts (not white) and distinctly lemon-yellow supercilium, head- and neck-sides, we believe the bird to have been nitidus (Baker 1997). The marked lemon coloration on the neck- and head- sides and prominent wingbars may indicate that it was a first-winter. P, nitidus breeds in north Turkey, north Iran, the Caucasus, Transcaucasus, Transcaspia and perhaps north-west Afghanistan, from where it departs in August—October, with stragglers usually present until mid-October. It migrates through Iran, Afghanistan and the north-west Himalayas to winter in south peninsular India and Sri Lanka (Cramp 1992). Elsewhere in the Middle East and Arabia, it is rare on migration. In Oman, there are 17 records between mid-August and mid-November and single winter and May occurrences (Eriksen & Sargeant 2000), a total of four has been noted in UAE, in April, May (twice) and October (Richardson & Aspinall 1998), two have been reported in Bahrain, in May 1975 and on 27 September 1991 (Hirschfeld 1992), two in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, on 21 April 1975, near Dhahran, and. on 6 May 1982, north of Hofuf (Bundy et al. 1989), and one was ringed at Eilat, Israel, on 27 October 1987 (Shirihai 1996). Our record is the first autumn occurrence in Saudi Arabia and the first outside Eastern Province. In view of its described autumn migration routes (Cramp 1992), further records of P. nitidus on northern and southern Arabian Gulf coasts appear likely and it is possible that it is overlooked in these areas. REFERENCES BAKER, K. (1997) Warblers of Europe, Asia and North Africa. A. & C. Black, London. BEAMAN, M. (1994) Palearctic birds. A checklist of the birds of Europe, North Africa and Asia north of the foothills of the Himalayas. Harrier Publications, Stonyhurst. BRADSHAW, C. AND RIDDINGTON, R. (1997) How certain are the separation features of Arctic and Greenish Warblers? Brit. Birds 90: 180-184. BuNby, G., CONNOR, R. J. AND HARRISON, C. J. O. (1989) Birds of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. H. F. & G. Witherby, London. ; COLLINSON, M. (2001) Greenish Warbler, ‘Two-barred Greenish Warbler’, and the speciation process. Brit. Birds 94: 278-283. CRAMP, S. (ED.) (1992) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 6. Oxford University Press. ERIKSEN, J. AND SARGAENT, D. (2000) Oman bird list. The official list of the birds of the Sultanate of Oman. Fifth edn. Muscat, Oman Bird Records Committee. HELBIG, A. J., SEIBOLD, I., MARTENS, J. AND WINK, M. (1995) Genetic differentiation and phylogenetic relationships of Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli and Green Warbler P. nitidus. J. Avian Biol. 26: 139-153. HIRSCHFELD, E. (1995) Birds in Bahrain: a study of their migration patterns 1990-1992. Hobby Publications, Dubai. RICHARDSON, C. AND ASPINALL, S. (1998) The Shell birdwatching guide to the United Arab Emirates. Hobby Publications, Liverpool & Dubai. SHIRIHAIL, H, (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. S. Ostrowski and E. Guinard, National Wildlife Research Center, P. O. Box 1086, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. og Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 An unusual Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus at Eilat, Israel REUVEN YOSEF, WILLIAM S. CLARK AND STEVE HOFFMAN TUDIES OF MIGRATORY BIRDS are interesting when the identity of the study species is obvious. Problems usually arise with individuals that do not conform to the norm and display unexplained characteristics. One such incident occurred on 26 March 1997, within the framework of the raptor ringing programme at Eilat, Israel. An unusual buzzard Buteo sp. was captured at 10.10 and initially identified as a Steppe Buzzard B. buteo vulpinus. It was ringed (no. H2608), photographed and released in good health. Unfortunately, no blood samples were taken. However, because of the unusually large tarsus (requiring an H-size ring, internal diameter 12 mm, in comparison to G, 11 mm, usually used for Steppe Buzzard), biometrics and description (carpal patch, tail-band) a re-evaluation was subsequently conducted. Comparisons of the slides forced us to the conclusion that the bird was a Long-legged Buzzard B. rufinus, but the biometrics were consistent with the data presented by Shirihai (1996) for the North African race cirtensis which had apparently not previously been recorded in the Middle East. Additional help was requested from A. Corso (Italy) and WSC, who studied a juvenile male specimen (an almost completely feathered nestling) of cirtensis at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), New York. The bill and talons of the mystery buzzard were horn-black, and the cere and feet were yellow (Plate 1). The eye colour was pale brown with a yellowish tinge in the lower part of the iris (Plate 1). Carpal feathers were dark black and gave the impression of a patch on release (Plates 1-2). The tail bars were regular, narrow and incomplete at the base (Plate 3). These characteristics are similar to those described for juveniles of the nominate race (Cramp & Simmons 1980). Plates 1-3. Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus cirtensis, Eilat, |srael, 26 March 1997. (Steve Hoffman) 60 Notes The individual studied by WSC at AMNH had similar plumage, including a rufous tail with banding like that of the mystery Buteo. Its culmen and hallux were cmatler than the Eilat individual, but that was possibly because they were in growth and due Loweit, beine . mate. However, our biometrics demonstrate that the March 1997 bird was too large for Steppe Buzzard but similar to the data for 37 Long-legged Buzzard ringed on migration at Eilat to date (see Table 1). All of the above lead us to conclude that the mystery buzzard was a juvenile female of the race cirtensis 6] Table 1. Mean (+SD, range) of all Common Buzzards Buteo buteo (N=345) ringed in spring 1997 at Eilat and morpho- metrics of the North African Long-legged Buzzard B. rufinus cirtensis. Also presented are data for all Long-legged ASY = older than Buzzards ringed at Eilat and data from some literature (Cramp & Simmons 1980, Shirihai 1996). second-year and SY = second-year. Species B. buteo B. rufinus cirtensis Wing chord (mm) 364.7414 329-409 393.0 Tail (mm) 188.0412 156-220 205.0 Migrant B. rufinus ringed at Eilat (1984-2001; N = 39) ASY (n=12) SY (n=18) Shirihai (1996): B. r. rufinus B. r. cirtensis Cramp & Simmons (1980): B. r. rufinus Male Female B. r. cirtensis Male Female 456.3+26.8 403-491 446.2+22.6 373-480 418-496 343-402 juvenile 418-450 442-488 364-374 368-394 239.44+17.8 ZAS=262 235.1413.5 204-259 207-289 188-201 223-242 227-260 Culmen (mm) 21.9+1.5 18.8-24.7 25.4 27.8+1.7 25.3-32.4 28.04+2.2 23.1—32.0 23.6—29.6 24.3-30.0 Z| Seals) 22.3-25.0 27.8+2.0 24.8-32.1 26.5+3.0 20.6-30.6 Body mass (9) 571.34+74.2 385-790 865 1181.94+139.2 955-1425 1046.7+170.4 635-1360 590-1281 945-1760 or possibly that it was a hybrid between Common and Long-legged Buzzards. There have been at least three recent records of hybrid pairs in Hungary. This explains the initial identification confusion, which is mentioned as possible by Cramp & Simmons (1980). Shirihai (1996), while acknowledging that some Israeli breeding birds approached cirtensis in coloration and measurements, suggested that all B. rufinus in the region be included within nominate B. r. rufinus (as did Cramp & Simmons 1980), unlike Goodman & Meininger (1989) who refer to B. r. cirtensis as breeding east as far as Sinai. At present, these two are the only races recognised in the West Palearctic. The biometrics of our mystery buzzard also conform to those biometric data presented by Shirihai (1996) for the two (Table 1), and it had a larger culmen, hallux and body mass than all Steppe Buzzards ringed in spring 1997. B. r. cirtensis is considered resident in North Africa, though extensive local dispersal is known (Cramp & Simmons 1980). We suggest, in contrast to Shirihai (1996), because this individual was caught in the spring and can be assumed to have been heading north with the hundreds of Steppe Buzzards, that the occurrence of B. r. cirtensis in Israel and adjacent areas should not be discounted, and greater attention be paid to captured Long-legged Buzzards in the future. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank Jennifer and Randy Speers and Hawkwatch International for their support of the spring 1997 raptor programme, as well as World Wide Fund for Nature—International for their help. The assistance of dedicated raptorphiles such as Al Hinde, Casey Lott, Carole Hallett and Bruce MacWhither made the season a success. 62 REFERENCES CRAMP, S. AND SIMMONS, K. E. L. (EDS.) (1980) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 2. Oxford University Press. GOODMAN, S. M. AND MEININGER, P. L. (EDS.) (1989) The birds of Egypt. Oxford University Press. SHIRIHAI, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. Reuven Yosef, International Birding & Research Center in Eilat, P. O. Box 774, Eilat 88000, Israel. William S. Clark, Raptours, 7500 Dassett Court, Apartment 101, Annanndale, VA 22003, U. S. A. Steve Hoffman, Hawkwatch International, P. O. Box 660, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110, U.S. A. First ringing record of Pied Stonechat Saxicola caprata in the Western Palearctic, at Eilat, Israel REUVEN YOSEF AND MARTIN RYDBERG-HEDAEN IED STONECHAT Saxicola caprata breeds across Central and south Asia, west to eastern Iran and, elsewhere in the Middle East, is accidental in west Iran, Iraq, parts of east Arabia, Israel, Oman and Cyprus. It also winters in south-east Iran and the plains of north-west Pakistan (Snow & Perrins 1998). In Israel, the only three published records are of one observed at Eilat in January 1979, another that was photographed in the western Negev in late October 1994 (Shirihai 1996) and one in November 1996 (Morgan & Shirihai 1997). The subspecies reported for Israel is S. c. rossorum which breeds in Transcaspia and Iran east to Central Asia and is known to migrate to the south of its breeding range (Shirihai 1996). Recently, a female Pied Stonechat overwintered in the parking lot of the Bird Sanctuary of the International Birding & Research Center in Eilat. It was first reported in early autumn 2001 and thereafter observed by many birdwatchers, its identity being confirmed as an adult female. During the winter we observed the Pied Stonechat hunting insect prey, either from the ground or during aerial pursuits. Hunting was conducted from an elevated perch using a sit-and-wait strategy, but it also walked on the ground taking terrestrial insects. It defended a territory comprising a rectangular area of c. 35 x 20 metres. Plates 1-2. Pied Stonechat Saxicola caprata, Eilat, Israel, 10 March 2002. (Martin Rydberg-Hedaen) 63 Plates 3-4. Pied Stonechat Saxicola caprata, Eilat, Israel, 22 March 2002. (Hadoram Shiriha)) Territorial disputes were observed with Bluethroat Luscinia svecica and White Wagtail Motacilla alba, and a male Stonechat Saxicola torquata, whose winter territory was adjacent to that of the female caprata, regularly appeared to court it. On 10 March 2002 we set a walk-in treadle trap, baited with a piece of fish, within the territory of the Pied Stonechat. It readily entered the trap and fed on the fish. It was ringed (W68693), biometrics taken—wing cord 74.0 mm, tail 62 mm, body mass 16.2 g—and a fat score of two (of three) and muscle three (of three). It was a very grey bird with the shape and structure of a Stonechat, with plumage similar to a female Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros, though closer inspection disclosed the white rump with rufous feathers on its upper part. The tail was completely black. The back and upperwings were slightly darker than the breast, and below there was a gradual change from the ash-grey breast to the pale, orange-tinged undertail-coverts. Eye very dark greyish brown. The only species that it could have been confused with was an unusually dark female Stonechat, if given a very brief view. The latter could be eliminated because of the completely dark upperwings. During handling the bird occasionally uttered alarm calls. A curt “chuk’ or brisk whistling ‘chek-chek-trweet’ or ‘chip-chepee-chewee’ are described in the literature (Porter et al. 1996, Snow & Perrins 1998, Grimmett et al. 1999) but what we heard was more like a very harsh ‘krerep’. We established that it was an adult, using the same criteria as for other female Saxicola, namely the wear and shape of the rectrices, and greater and median coverts (Svensson 1992). Further, we established that it was certainly a female because a male at this season would be all black (Snow & Perrins 1998, Grimmett ef al. 1999). Its good physical condition, accumulated fat and a well-developed muscle suggest that the bird was preparing to migrate to its Asian breeding grounds. This appears to be the sixth record in the Western Palearctic, the others are from Cyprus and Iraq (Snow and Perrins 1998), and we believe that it is the first ringing record of the species for the region. REFERENCES GRIMMETT, R., INSKIPP, C. AND INskiPP, T. (1999) The birds of the Indian subcontinent. A. & C. Black, London. MorGAn, J. H. AND SHIRIHAIL, H. (1997) Passerines and passerine migration in Eilat. International Birding & Research Center in Eilat. Porter, R. F., CHRISTENSEN, S. AND SCHIERMACKER-HANSEN, P. (1996) Field guide to the birds of the Middle East. T. & A. D. Poyser, London. SHIRIHAI, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. SNow, D. W. AND PERRINS, C. M. (1998) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise edition. Oxford University Press. SVENSSON, L. (1992) Identification guide to European passerines. Fourth edn. Svensson, Stockholm. Reuven Yosef, International Birding & Research Center in Eilat, P. O. Box 774, Eilat 88000, Israel. Martin Rydberg-Hedaen, Slogasvagen 31, 7194 Ludvika, Sweden. The first Red-knobbed Coots Fulica cristata in Oman and the Middle East JORN R. GUSTAD AND KOLBJORN SCHJOLBERG N JULY 1999, Eirik Gronningseeter, Kjetil Schjolberg, Kare Bent Sunde and JRG visited KS who was then resident in Oman. The morning of 23 July found us at the hotspot in the Middle East for Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis—East Khor, Salalah 65 ie Bee ate. Plates 1-2. Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata, East Khor, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman, 23 July 1999. (Kare Bent Sunde and Eirik Granningsaeter) (Eriksen & Eriksen 1999), which is connected by a tidal inlet to the sea and largely surrounded by reeds and Acacia trees. There where many birds including a long- staying Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia (present since the spring) and, after c. 30 minutes, JRG remarked that there were two Red-knobbed Coots Fulica cristata among the 40 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus in front of our observation point. KS was aware that this was the first record for Oman and the Middle East, and we thus obtained a full description and photographs (Plates 1—2) of the birds. Next day a third individual had joined the original two. Description Identification was straightforward. The following description was made at a distance of c. 50-75 metres using a telescope. Size, structure and coloration were much as Coot Fulica atra. All three were in summer plumage, with two red knobs atop the striking white bill shield on the forehead (though their coloration was difficult to discern at ranges above 50 metres). Head shape more angular than Coot, due to the pronounced knobs and slimmer head and neck. Bill appeared broader than Coot, especially at its midpoint. This has not previously been noted in the literature (e.g. Shirihai et al. 1996), but may be due to the species’ slimmer head/neck and smaller bill shield. The latter was milky white and the bill greyish (pinkish white in Coot). We were unable to obtain good frontal views of the biil shield. The pointed loral feathering— typical of Coot—was absent on all three individuals. One observed in flight lacked the white trailing edge characteristic of Coot. All had a different posture than Coot, the rear body being held higher above the water (Forsman 1991) and appeared thickset with a more attenuated rear than the latter. Discussions of these features and seasonal appearance can be found in Keijl et al. (1993) and Forsman (1993). Dave Sargeant (pers. comm.) and others observed all three until 11 August, after which two were present until 17 September and one was still present when Dick Forsman visited the area on 7-10 November 1999 (Birding World 12: 443). The record has been accepted by the Oman Bird Records Committee (OBRC). 66 It is worth noting that during the same period we located no fewer than five Black- headed Heron Ardea melanocephala at nearby Sun Farms and Khor Mughsayl. These records have also been accepted by the OBRC (see Photospot in this issue). Prevailing winds from north-east Africa at this season presumably explains the appearance and origin of these two rarities. Distribution Red-knobbed Coot occurs in Spain and Morocco, through much of north-east and East Africa, from Ethiopia and Eritrea south to Namibia and South Africa, and Madagascar (Taylor & van Perlo 1998). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank our excellent trip companions, the Oman Bird Records Committee for swiftly circulating the record, and Dave Sargeant for detailed information concerning status. Kjell Olav Boklepp provided information concerning the species’ distribution. REFERENCES ERIKSEN, H. AND ERIKSEN, J. (1999) The first records of Yellow Bittern [xobrychus sinensis in Oman and Arabia. Sandgrouse 21: 178-179. FoRSMAN, D. (1991) Aspects of identification of Crested Coot. Dutch Birding 13: 121-125. ForSMAN, D. (1993) [Comment on Keijl et al. (1993)]. Dutch Birding 15: 23. KEL, G. O., EGGENHUIZEN, A. H. V. AND RUITERS, P. S. (1993) Identification of Red-knobbed Coot. Dutch Birding 15: 22-23. SHIRIHAL, H., CHRISTIE, D. A. AND HARRIS, A. (1996) The Macmillan birder’s guide to European and Middle Eastern birds. Macmillan, London. TAYLOR, B. AND VAN PERLO, B. (1998) Rails: a guide to the rails, crakes, gallinules and coots of the world. Pica Press, Robertsbridge. Jorn R. Gustad, Sannergata 38, N-0557 Oslo, Norway. Kolbjorn Schjolberg, c/o CGG, P. O. Box 27246, Abu Dhabi, UAE. BLACK & WHITE ADVERT RATES Full page: 210mm tallx 135 wide £100 | Half page: 100mm tallx 135 wide £60 — Quarter page: 100mm tall x 61 wide £ 40 ee FULL-COLOUR ADVERT RATES Full page: 210mm tall x 135 wide £200 Back cover: 245mm tall x 170 wide £300 Flyers & Insert: Please call for details 67 PROFILE 68 ough a relative newcomer to OSME Council, Keith has been a supporter of the society for many years and a familiar face at meetings. Last year he took on the important task of establishing a network of Country Contacts with great success and as a result OSME now has 22 key people throughout the region who act as OSME’s ‘eyes and ears’ in their own locality. Keith has also been instrumental in researching the views of the membership so that OSME can make the right decisions on its behalf. Born in London in 1960, his childhood interest in birds developed in the Royal Parks and he was quick to become involved in projects and committees; by the age of 25 he had been the official bird recorder for Bushy Park, founded a local RSPB members group, become President of London Natural History Society and an active member of the British Trust for Ornithology Council. In addition he was travelling widely in the U. K. to lecture on bird sounds. For the first eight years of his working life Keith worked at Shell International, helping to run some of their worldwide public relations initiatives, but in 1986 he decided to join the travel industry. He is now Head of Corporate Affairs for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and as such is the UK spokesman on the travel industry. The job puts him right in the middle of negotiations with governments around the world and as the industry’s ‘face’ in the media he is regularly interviewed on television and radio. Keith says that his early experience in giving talks about birds prepared him for his high- profile career, which in turn has helped him travel widely. He has been birding in about 40 countries and has a particular fondness for Australia, though most of his recent travels have been to Africa and the Middle East, including Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Cyprus and UAE. Despite already being Vice- Chairman of the African Bird Club he is about to succeed Andrew Grieve as OSME’s Chairman for the next five years. Keith has great hopes for OSME. He says: “The Middle East and Central Asia is a fascinating and important region for birds. We must make sure that OSME acts as a focus for the region while supporting the experts on the ground in their own countries. Communication is vital if we are to achieve progress. Only by getting people to talk to each other can we find solutions to the problems birds face. OSME is key to that communication process. | want to make sure it builds on the successes of the last 25 years.” Dawn Balmer Dawn Balmer _& Recent Literature | Doherty, P. (2001) Gulls: all of the gulls of Europe, Asia and North America. Bird Images, Sherburn-in-Elmet. Double video set, narrated by Bill Oddie, £27.95 plus £2.50 post & packing. Available from: Bird Images Video Guides, 28 Carousel Walk, Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire LS25 6LP, U. K. These two videos are perhaps the most complete and comprehensive documentation of the plumages and identification of Northern Hemisphere gulls so far produced. Much thought has gone into the production, which breaks new ground in identification guides by attempting to give all forms, regardless of taxonomic status, and hybrids, equal treatment wherever possible. Further, all images are briefly captioned with the time and place that they were taken—frequently and annoyingly omitted from photographic bird guides. Most of the footage clearly illustrates the points being made, though some is not in the David Attenborough class but, one assumes, nor was the budget. Of course one can always nit-pic any production like this, but I will desist (except that they can’t spell Massachusetts). Bill Oddie’s matter-of-fact commentary style, Mita a compact scfipt, effectively communicates a large quantity of detailed information. Special video and audio editing is used to good effect, although the producer was unable to resist some lurid psychedelic distortions and inappropriate music to introduce the section on hybrid gulls. The joke works but it adds to the bad press that hybrids receive: it is not only divergent evolution but also hybridisation that played a large part in the production of the ‘pure’ gulls of today, and that also is one of the reasons that identifying these beasts is such an intriguing and enjoyable challenge (to some). Fifty-three forms are included—every known gull that has occurred wild in the Northern Hemisphere is here. Visitors to Asia will acquire a strong grounding in the basics of Slaty-backed Larus schistisagus, Vega L. (argentatus) vegae and Glaucous-winged Gull L. glaucescens, although just where the line is drawn between Mongolian L. (cachinnans) mongolicus and Vega (including birulai) Gulls is not really adequately answered. One is alerted to the subtle differences of Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla polycaris, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus sibiricus, Kamchatka (Common) Gull L. (canus) kamtschatschensis and Glaucous Gull L. hyperboreus barrovanius. There is footage of such enigmatic birds as Saunders’ Gull L. saundersi, a delightful young Relict Gull L. relictus on Beidaihe’s beach and Red-legged Kittiwake Rissa brevirostris. Americans receive a thorough grounding on the Thayer’s Larus thayeri, Kumlien’s L. glaucoides kumlieni, Iceland L. glaucoides complex and the thorny problem of Thayer’s x Kumlien’s intergrades. It even includes footage of the Thayer’s-like American Herring Gulls L. argentatus smithsonianus of Newfoundland. The west-coast hybrid scene is included as an entire section, alerting viewers to hybrids that appear like Thayer’s Gulls or like Vega Gulls. There is lovely footage of those stars of the north, Sabine’s L. (Xema) sabini and Ross’s Gull Rhodostethia rosea. | had hoped to see a comparison of California Gull Larus californicus albertensis— although mentioned, it is not here. After enjoying the sheer beauty of Audouin’s Larus audouini and Little Gulls L. minutus, European gull-watchers will probably dive for the latest hot topic: Yellow-legged L. michahellis and, particularly, Caspian Gulls L. cachinnans. There is sufficient here to get people started on these, but nothing will substitute for hours of patient field observation in getting to grips with these forms. Although atlantis is covered there is nothing on the forms of michahellis in Atlantic Iberia—these are even more difficult than michahellis in the Mediterranean. The differing moult strategy of Baltic Gull Larus (fuscus) fuscus is covered—hopefully giving western European gull-watchers a chance of finding one of these. 69 For the gull-watcher in the Middle East, there is plenty to savour. The subtle nuances of what an Armenian Gull L. armenicus really looks like—invaluable for anyone trying to find an extralimital in Europe—are covered. Most of what is currently understood about barabensis, heuglinit and cachinnans is here, although the differences between eastern and western forms of the latter are not explicitly dealt with. Having said this, there is much that is not yet understood about Middle East gulls. One needs to rewind and play again the adult Great Black-headed Gull L. ichthyaetus sequences—what a bird! (I am glad they have stuck with its proper name). There is much more in these videos than space permits in this review. Is it complete and is it the last word on gulls? It neither claims this nor is it, but it is a big step toward that unachievable goal. Anybody seriously interested in gulls should have the discipline to knuckle down, sit in front of their television screen and endure this work for its full five hours and 15 minites: It is a monumental production, and one looks forward to the time when it is possible to access such material in a browsing environment from digital media, making the ordeal of sitting through five hours of video less burdensome. The final scene makes an appeal for anyone with suitable stills or footage to submit them for future editions. Dick Newell Eriksen, H., Eriksen, J., Sargeant, P. & Sargeant, D. (2001) Birdwatching guide to Oman. Al Roya Publishing, Muscat. pp 260, 60 pp of colour maps, 86 colour photographs, two diagrams and 22 line drawings, £20. Many years ago as an avid bird book collector I purchased The birds of Oman by Gallagher & Woodcock. A fine book but of course I would never go to this unknown corner of Arabia. How wrong I was! I have now been three times, thanks to persuading my son that if his parents are going to fund his education he must end up in exotic places for birding. My most recent visit meant I could take this new guide with me and test it against sites | already knew and some I| had not visited before; a rare and exciting opportunity. 70 Oman is now becoming an international birding destination. This is largely due to a small band of Europeans living and working in this wonderful country. The authors are leaders in this effort and the Eriksen’s outstanding photographs have long drawn attention to the potential of the area: Equally impressive, the authors have visited all of the 60-plus sites described in the book. There are of course many birdwatching guides to most corners of the world but this new guide is surely among the best. The authors appear to have thought of just about everything, thus there is a valuable section on visiting arrangements with a list of hotels and other accommodation, as well as a compendium of useful Arabic phrases. | The production and layout of the guide is sumptuous. The book is liberally illustrated by Dave Sargeant’s line sketches and, of course, many lavish photographs. I was initially quite negative at the manner in which the latter are displayed. The pictures are given a 3D effect by framing them using a shadowed edge. Finally, I became used to the technique and decided this did not affect my enjoyment of the illustrations. Following a detailed section on climate and the birding calendar the book moves into an outstanding section on the sites to visit. This is perhaps the most exciting part with clear and attractive maps, as well as indications of which species are normally found. The sites are graded and a helpful feature is a recommendation as to whether a four-wheel- drive vehicle is required. Oman is developing so quickly that even a few months after the book’s publication new tarmac roads had been constructed. Such new roads now access two sites I visited where instructions indicated a rough track. Another feature that assists the visitor in prioritising their itinerary is the total number of species at each site. A series of tables usefully indicates the status of species by region. There is also a bird-finding section, which incorporates a full list of species, their status and at which sites they are likely to be seen. Finally, there is the up-to-date Oman Bird List and a complete list of references. How did I do? I found the directions precise — for my visit to Khatmat Milahah and Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus was positively dripping from the trees. I am ashamed to say my wife was first to find a splendid Eastern Pied Wheatear Oenanthe _ picata that was new for me. Even easier to find was Khawr Jirama, a truly beautiful site. The text stated that I should look left of the mangroves and right where my target species is usually more numerous. Nothing! Be prepared to walk over the mud it went on. I did, still nothing. I return in the afternoon when the tide is out and there is more mud. I trudge in bare feet through the ooze for about a mile and faith returns. There are 14 splendid Crab Plovers Dromas ardeola, which even let me photograph them. Finally I visit Shinas, a site | know too well. Wait for low tide the book states. I do, and contemplate that I have waited here for approximately 15 hours over the course of three visits. I even meet the crab fisherman from two years ago who still asks for ‘Johnny Walker’. I fail miserably—no White-collared Kingfisher Halcyon chloris. The book is fantastic credit to the authors. If you are searching for a new venue to go birding, then Oman could be next on your list. It is a wonderful safe country with friendly people, but you still have to work hard to find the birds. Derek Moore Ferguson-Lees, J. & Christie, D. A. (2001) Raptors of the world. Christopher Helm, London. pp 992, 112 colour plates, 312 colour maps (equal number in black and white), 60 line drawings, £49.00. One of the most popular groups of birds among birdwatchers and indeed the general public, raptors pose some of the most difficult identification problems of any group of birds. The need for an up-to-date and compre- hensive guide to supercede the excellent Eagles, hawks and falcons of the world by Dean Amadon and Leslie Brown (1968) has long been recognised. Ihe hefty tome under review has been in preparation since 1983 and following countless missed publication dates, resulting in doubts among many that it would ever be published, here at last is Raptors of the world. The basic format of the book is that we have become accustomed to in titles within the series. The introductory chapters include such varied topics as topography, measuring lengths and wingspans of raptors, sex and age differences in sizes and shapes of raptors, migration, moult patterns and age criteria, vision, hearing and olfaction, taxonomy, sequence and nomenclature. All offer fascinating reading. The text is authoritative and many species are treated in considerable detail. At the outset it was anticipated that each species account would average c. 550 words. This grew consid- erably and we are presented with compre- hensive accounts averaging 1600 words, and in some cases exceeding 6000. Each includes sections on distribution, field characters, confusion species, voice, food, socio-sexual behaviour, breeding, population, geographical variation, measurements and references. As with most other groups of birds, raptors pose a number of interesting taxonomic questions and the treatment of some genera is a matter of some debate. Among interesting ‘splits’ Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius of North America is treated as a separate species from Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus in Europe and Cinereous Harrier Circus cinereus in South America. On the more conservative side, forms considered as species by some recent authors remain as subspecies here (e.g. Black-eared Kite Milvus lineatus is ‘lumped’ with Black Kite Milous migrans). Given limited information on which to make some taxonomic decisions, it will not be until further study has been undertaken that relationships between some more complex forms are likely to be resolved. Thus, given comprehensive treatment of many subspecies in this guide, we have a book that will provide an important reference despite the almost inevitable changes in taxonomy that future studies will dictate. There are 112 very attractive and accurate colour plates. Most species with which I am familiar are depicted accurately, although I found some, especially among the genus Accipiter to be a little stylised and the jizz of others has not been captured as well as I hoped. The inclusion of birds with prey adds to the aesthetic interest of the plates, raising them above the level of the pure aid to identi- fiieation. rey, depicted in the plates is frequently identified and thus, for example, we have Western Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus complete with Spadefoot Frog Pelobates fuscus as prey. At least adult and iA Ve juvenile plumages are depicted, along with a selection of sub-adult plumages for those species that take longer to mature. Colour range maps are included on the facing pages to the plates, and an enlarged black- and-white version appears within the main text. This is an excellent innovation, permitting quick reference while perusing the plates, and more detailed examination while reading the text. In such a large work, there are inevitably a few errors, but those I did detect are minor and do not detract from the book’s overall excellence. In all, this is a very attractive and compre- hensive review of the world’s raptors. It will doubtless become the definitive reference work for this group of birds and I thoroughly recommend it. Chris Bradshaw Gavrilov, E. I. (2000) Guide to the birds of the Kazakhstan Republic. Almaty, privately published. pp 178. Available from OSME post free, £11.50. This is a much-needed checklist to the birds of Kazakhstan in English, French and German, as well as Russian. It is much more than a checklist as it provides status codes for each species, be they common or rare, breeding, wintering or passage visitors, subdivided into seven regions of the country. Such information permits one to easily identify new distribu- tional information. For example, on a recent visit to the south-east, around Almaty, our party found the first Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni for the area. The only drawback to the guide is that large parts comprise indexes and tables of names of each species in the various languages, but the status checklist is worth the money alone. For anyone intending a visit, this is an invaluable guide, with species like Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersit, Relict Gull Larus relictus and Panders’ Ground Jay Podoces panderi to whet the appetite. Andrew Grieve Holyoak, D.T. (2001) Nightjars and their allies. Oxford University Press. pp 774, 23 colour plates, £50 It would appear that books about the Caprimulgiformes are like buses—you wait a 72 century and then three arrive at once. The last detailed family accounts of the nightjars were Ernst Hartert’s monographs of 1892 and 1897. One hundred years later we have Cleere (1998), del Hoyo et al. (1999) and now Holyoak (2001). David Holyoak’s contribution is a scholarly yet accessible book. Like HBW 5, he recognises 118 species of Oilbird Steatornis caripensis, potoos, frogmouths, owlet-nightjars, nighthawks and nightjars. Preceding the species accounts are chapters dealing with evolution and classifi- cation; speciation and biogeography; habitats, migration and hibernation; food and feeding ecology; nocturnal signalling; breeding biology; and moult. There is much of interest here. Nightjars, due to their nocturnal habits and cryptic coloration, have long been the subjects of superstition. Holyoak dates this at least as far back to Aristotle in the fourth century BC. But two- and-a-half millennia later we still have much to learn about these birds. In our region there are seven species of nightjar: European Caprimulgus europaeus, Red-necked C. ruficollis, Egyptian C. aegyptius, Nubian C. nubicus, Sykes’s C. mahrattensis, Indian C. asiaticus and Plain C. inornatus. But an eighth may well breed on the easternmost fringe of the region. Vaurie’s Nightjar C. centralasicus is known from just one specimen, a female, collected in south- west Xinjiang (China) in 1929. This species is one of several nightjars known only from one specimen. Nightbirds, almost by definition, are enigmatic and—like owls—there may be new species of nightjar yet to be discovered. So how are these enigmatic, cryptic birds portrayed in the plates? The artist is Martin Woodcock whose style will be familiar to most birders with an interest in Asia or Africa who possess field guides or handbooks to those regional avifaunas. For me, Dave Nurney’s plates in Cleere—and in HBW 5— are better than the plates in this guide. I was very surprised that only four of the 118 species were depicted in flight in the colour plates—in Cleere every nighthawk and nightjar is shown in flight. There are some flight sketches within the text but these are in black and white. This book is not designed as an identification guide. In common with the other seven books in the Oxford University Press Bird Families of the World series, Nightjars and their allies is a handbook. Its strength is its detailed text—contrast the seven pages on Egyptian Nightjar in Holyoak (including an entire page of measurements for both C. a. aegyptius and C. a. saharae) with the two pages in Cleere. The other great strength of Holyoak’s book is its bibliography with possibly all the known references to the Caprimulgiformes (ten alone by Hartert). It runs to 64 pages (15 pages in Cleere). But to end where I began—do birders need all of these family monographs? HBW is already a monumental achievement with ten volumes still to go (and, of course, includes superb photographs alongside some very good paintings), the Helm powerhouse is churning out a constant stream of family guides, and Oxford University Press is making its occasional contributions too. Can our bookshelves/pockets sustain this over- abundance of guides to the world’s bird families? In the case of Nightjars and their allies, if you are a nightbird enthusiast, you will buy this book. If you want an identifi- cation guide with a succinct summary of present knowledge that costs £20 less, you will already possess Cleere—and will probably have spent that £20 on the accompanying CD sound guide to 107 species of nightjars. Adrian Pitches Shelton, N. (2001) Where to watch birds in Azerbaijan. pp 112, 8 colour photos and 27 line-drawn maps. Available from the author for £10 including postage at The American Embassy, Tirana, Albania, 9510 Tirana Place, Department of State, Washington, D, C. 20521-9510, U.S.A. ~ This work finally opens to the English- speaking world the prospect of some guidance to birdwatching in this ornithologically little- known Caucasian republic. It is a very personal book summarising the author’s experiences over two years in the country— indeed the original pencil lines are still visible beneath the printed pen-and-ink maps. Accustomed, as we are, to guides to locations until recently considered exotic, where the expected whereabouts of certain hard-to-find species are often detailed to the nearest tree, it is refreshing to read about an almost unknown area and obtain more general information concerning sites, whetting the appetite and pointing the way to new discoveries. The list of birds is mouth-watering and contains some surprises, e.g. apparently breeding Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca. The concentration on wetlands, which support hundreds of thousands of waterfowl, is unsurprising, given the requirement for easy access by road and desire to see birds. The range and scale of wetlands in the country is certainly eye opening and forced me to reconsider my preconceptions of Azerbaijan. A birdwatcher looking to use this book might be disappointed by the lack of information concerning the real specialities of the region— the high-altitude Caucasian species. There is very little information on where to find the two snowcocks Tetraogallus caspius and T. caucasicus nor Caucasian Black Grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi, Gildenstadt’s Redstart Phoenicurus erythrogaster or Great Rosefinch Carpodacus rubicilla. | assume this to be a direct result of the difficulties of access to those areas where they can be found. Nonetheless, this is an essential book for any birdwatcher planning a visit Azerbaijan and I look forward to using it for this purpose myself. Simon Bussutil ALSO RECEIVED van der Winden, J., Diadicheva, E. A., de Nobel, W. T. & van Roomen, M. W. J. (eds.) (2001) Counts and ecology of waterbirds in the Sivash, Ukraine, August 1998. WIWO, Zeist. pp 118, many black- and-white figures, tables and graphs, £130. van der Have, T. M., Keijl, G. O., Mansoori, J. & Morozov, V. V. (2001) Searching for Slender-billed Curlews in Iran, January-February 2000. WIWO, Zeist. pp 69, 26 black-and-white photographs and five figures, f120. The latest reports in the WIWO series of waterbird studies maintain the high standard set by previous such documents. Shorebird devotees and students will particularly benefit from these publications; the first- named in particular contains a veritable mass of data on the phenologies, biometrics and body masses of those species using the Sivash 73 region. The Iran expedition, as evidenced by the title of the report, was somewhat different, more exploratory and wide-ranging in natures Some of the more important observations from this survey were published in Sandgrouse 23: 44-48. Guy M. Kirwan RECENT LITERATURE compiled by Guy M. Kirwan & Effie Warr This review, which is produced annually, principally covers papers in the West European literature considered to be most relevant to birders resident in the region. All were published in 2001 unless otherwise stated. Regional D’Aloia, M. A. Studies on the population structure of the Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata in the Middle East with DNA analysis techniques. Zool. Middle East 22: 25-35. Chancellor, R. D. & Meyburg, B.-U. (eds.) (2000) Raptors at Risk. Proc. Fifth World Conference on Birds of Prey and Owls, 1998. World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls/Hancock House. Clement, P. & Holman, D. Passage records of Amur Falcon Falco amurensis from SE Asia to southern Africa including first records from Ethiopia. Bull, Brit. Orn, ‘Club 121: 222-230. Collinson, M. Greenish Warbler, “Two-barred Greenish Warbler, and the speciation process. Brit. Birds 94: 276-283. Collinson, M. Genetic relationships among the different races of Herring Gull, Yellow- legged Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull. Brit. Birds 94: 523-528. Conzemius, T. Die Superspezies Raubwtirger Lanius [excubitor] in der Westpaldarktis. Limicola 15: 185-227. Corso, A. Notes on the moult and plumages of Lesser Kestrel. Brit. Birds 94: 409-418. Corso, A. Identification of Black-winged Pratincole. Alula 7: 31. Galushin, V. M. Problems of birds of prey of eastern Europe and northern Asia in the 20th century. Newsletter World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls 29/32: 4-5. Gordon, J. Kislovodsk, land of raptors. [Russia] Cyprus Orn. Soc. (1957) Newsletter 2001 (6):5-13. Irwin, D. E. et al. Cryptic species in the genus Phylloscopus (Old World leaf warblers). Ibis 143: 233-247 [principally an examination of 74 the status of P. inornatus and the related taxa humeit and mandellii). : Liebers, D. et al. Genetic differentiation and phylogeography of gulls in the Larus cachinnans—fuscus group (Aves: Charadriiformes). Molecular Evol. 10: 2447-2462. Lindholm, A. Apparent hybrid redstarts in Finland resembling Black Redstart of eastern subspecies phoenicuroides. Brit. Birds 94: 542-545. Luijendijk, T. J. C. Calls compared: Hume’s Leaf Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler in autumn and winter in the Netherlands. Dutch Birding 23: 275-284. McCanch, N. V. Primary projection of Richard’s Pipits. Brit. Birds 94: 540-541. Pearson, D. J. et al. (2002) Eurasian Reed Warbler: the characters and variation associated with the Asian form fuscus. Brit. Birds 95: 42-61. Svensson, L. Identification of Western and Eastern Olivaceous, Booted and Sykes’s Warblers. Birding World 14: 192-219. Terrasse, M. (1999) Hunting of bustards by Arab falconers: the problem and proposed solutions. Newsletter World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls 29732: 19-22. van der Vliet, R. et al. Identification of Two- barred, Greenish, Bright-green and Arctic Warblers. Dutch Birding 23: 175-195. Wilson, J. D. et al. Identification of Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris and Reed Warblers A. scirpaceus on autumn migration through the eastern Mediterranean. Ringing & Migr. 20: 224-232. AZERBAIJAN Sultanov, E. H. Status of White-headed Duck in Azerbaijan. Threatened Waterfowl Research Group News 13: 44-45. CYPRUS Anon. Bird-killing in Cyprus. Scottish Bird News 61: 4. EGYPT Attum, O. (2001) White Storks face peril in the south Sinai. World Birdwatch 23 (1): 19-21. GEORGIA van Maanen, E. et al. Trapping and hunting of migratory raptors in western Georgia. Bird Conserc, Intem. 1157792, IRAN Buck, H. (2002) A visit to Iran September 2000. Cyprus Orn. Soc. (1957) Newsletter 2002 (10): 6-11. Zadegan, S. S. Flamingo ringing at Lake Uromiyeh. Cyprus Orn. Soc. (1957) Newsletter 2001 (6): 3-4. ISRAEL Anava, A. et al. Effect of group size on field metabolic rate of Arabian Babblers provisioning nestlings. Condor 103: 376-380. Anava, A. et al. Growth rate and energetics of Arabian Babbler (Turdoides squamiceps) nestlings. Auk 118: 519-524. Anava, A. et al. Does group size affect field metabolic rate of Arabian Babbler (Turdoides squamiceps) nestlings? Auk 118: 525-528. Anderson, M. D. (2000) Gamla Nature Reserve and Eurasian Griffons. Vulture News 42: 39. Ben Noon, G. Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus observed at Gamla Nature Reserve, Israel. Vulture News 44: 33. Bilbao, G. Soaring birds migration survey— Israel 2000. Roy. Air Force Orn. Soc. Newsletter 7 A\e PA 30, Ferro, M. (2000) Consumption of metal artefacts by Eurasian Griffons at Gamla Nature Reserve, Israel. Vulture News 43: 46-48. Gannes, L. Z. Comparative fuel use of migrating passerines: effects of fat stores, migration distance, and diet. Auk 118: 665-677. Gorney, E. & Yom Tov, Y. Molt during spring migration: a comparison of four species of Faptots. |. Field Orn. 72: 96-105. Yosef, R. Wader ringing at Eilat, Israel. Wader Study Group Bull. 96: 86-87. JORDAN Khoury, F. (2000) Status of vultures in Jordan. _ Vulture News 43: 30-36. Khoury, F. On the breeding bird community of Wadi Al-Kharrar, Jordan Valley. Zool. Middle East 22: 37-44. KAZAKHSTAN Eichhorn, G. & Heinicke, T. (2000) Notable observations of the Sociable Plover Vanellus gregarius from the Tengiz—Korgalzhyn area/central Kazakstan. Wader Study Group Bull. 93: 73-76. McGregor, R. Saker Falcons in northeast Kazakhstan: a new threat? Brit. Birds 94: 206-207. Sklyarenko, S. et al. The Birds of Prey survey 1998 in Kazakhstan. Newsletter World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls 29/32: 21-23. KUWAIT Cleere, N. et al. (2000) Results from a late autumn ringing project in Kuwait, 1995. Ringing & Migr. 20: 186-190. Kelly, D. et al. (2000) Notch factor—a technique for separating Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris from Reed Warblers A. scirpaceus on spring migration. Ringing & Migr20: 289-291. LEBANON Ramadan-Jaradi, G. & Ramadan-Jaradi, M. The avifauna of Palm Islands Nature Reserve in Lebanon 1893-2000. Lebanese Sci. J. 2: 17-35. LIBYA de Liedekerke, R. Precisions on the avifauna of western Libya. Alauda 69: 553-554. OMAN Nikander, P. J. Oman. Alula 7: 114-121. Polak, S. Description of nests, nestlings and breeding behaviour of a Yemen Serin Serinus menachensis population in Tawi Attair sinkhole, Sultanate of Oman. Acrocephalus 22 (104-105): 3-8. SAUDI ARABIA Stagg, A. Back of beyond. Roy. Air Force Orn. Soc. Newsletter 71: 46-47. SOCOTRA Aspinall, S. The Buteo population of Socotra. Falco 17: 8-9. TURKEY Blair, M. Alla Turca. Roy. Air Force Orn. Soc. Newsletter 71: 31-45. Kirwan, G. White-winged Lark status in ~ Turkey. Alula 7: 124. Occhiato, D. Nemrut Dagi, Adiyaman, Turkey. Birding World 14: 343-344. Vaassen, W. A. M. Status of the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus in the central Taurus region, southern Turkey—a population estimate. Vulture News 44: 3-17. UZBEKISTAN Kreuzberg-Mukhina, E. et al. Status and distribution of the White-headed Duck in Uzbekistan. Threatened Waterfowl Research Group News 13: 46-48. es) ARMENIA _— —_ Z Zz Z JL A belated record of three Velvet /\ TO U 17. { | 1. (2 Scoter Melanitta fusca on 19 June f j 2 | ? : | y 7 s\ Zo 1998 at Lake Arpi is the first record for 32 years. Counts of White- r fronted Goose Anser albifrons (51) and Shelduck Tadorna tadorna (213) ks (2 OT () AY at Armash Fishponds on 21 / j | / December are the highest for the - BEY 4 4 country, and a Smew Mergus wy) albellus there on the same date is a rare winter visitor. The earliest autumn record of Goosander M. merganser involved five at Lake compiled by _— Sevan in September. The highest Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton Cee LOU Anthropoides virgo, coraprising c. 4500, was made in September, Records in Around the Region are published for interest also around Lake Sevan. The seventh Grey Plover Pluvialis only; their GST. does not imply acceptance by the squatdrola was obsepredanenalichi records committee of the relevant country. All records in September. An unusual winter relate to 2001 unless otherwise stated. record involved a White-tailed Plover Chettusia leucura at Armash on 21 December. The fifth Records and photographs for Sandgrouse 24 (2) should Temminck’s © Stint Calidris be sent by 15 July, to Around the Region, OSME, temminckii was near Karchaghbyur c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, U.K.; in Septembey aid ees ; headed Gull Larus ichtiyaetus near or aroundtheregion@osme.org Lichk in September is the earliest autumn record. CYPRUS A Gannet Morus bassanus at Mandria on 5 December is a scarce winter visitor. An unprecedented ie influx of Mute Swan Cygnus olor Big igs ss occurred around Akrotiri from 24 7 Wabi and \ December, with a peak of 34 \ ier \ s aw vs XE < f ee present throughout January- ai G fit PODS February 2002; the most recent \ | influx was in 1995. A flock of seven J Bewick’s Swan C. columbianus at , Larnaca Salt Lake on 13 January 2002 and one at Coral Bay the next me day are the first Cypriot records. A \ Red-breasted Goose _ Branta ae , ruficollis at Kouklia Reservoir from ~ 16 December is the fifth record, 8 with another three at Larnaca Pools South in December and up to seven at Kouklia Reservoir on 10 January 2002. Three Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus at Bishop’s Pool on 22 September is the first record since 1998 and a Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes at the same site on 1 October is the first for two years. At least two Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria were observed throughout the winter (into 2002) at Kensington Cliffs and Akamas. The first Rook Corvus frugilegus since 1997 was at Mandria on 15-17 November. Bee-eaters Three Red-fronted Serin Serinus Merops apiaster pusillus at Ineia 1-2 November is by D. Powell the fifth record. Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton EGYPT A Namaqua Dove Oena capensis on the edge of the desert south-east of Luxor on 24 November is notable. At least two pairs of Nubian Nightjar Caprimulgus nubicus were at Gabel Elba in south-east Egypt on 21-24 November, constituting the fourth record; the species was last recorded in 1995. Up to ten Red- tailed Wheatear Oenanthe xantho- prymna chrysopygia were also there in November, the first record of this form. A pair of Hooded Crow Corvus corone cornix at Gifton Villages: = Elunghada, on. - 25 December, and two in the centre of Hurghada, on 3 January 2002, represent a southward range extension. An immature Rose- coloured Starling Sturnus roseus was at Safaga on 28 August. GEORGIA About 160 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus on the Black Sea coast near Kobuleti, Ajaria Autonomous Republic, on 30 March, is the largest spring concen- tration and one of the latest spring necords im Georgia. Three Slavonian Grebe P. auritus were between Gonio and Sarpi, near the Georgia-Turkey border, on 22 December; this species is a very rare winter visitor. Two flocks of Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus, comprising 460+ individuals, were at Jandari Lake, south-east Georgia, on 27 December. The largest flock of Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia since 1981, totalling c. 225 birds, was in flooded meadows between Paleostomi Lake and Supsa Fishponds on 26 September. Two Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus were observed on 1 September, one in the western environs of Gori and one near Agara, east Georgia, and are the earliest autumn records in the country. An _ Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus found at Rioni, near Vani (west Georgia), on 9 December 2000, . which subsequently died, is the third and farthest inland occurrence. A Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus was at Vartsikhe Reservoir on 1 February; this species is a vagrant to the country. Two Great Black- headed Gull L. ichthyaetus within a large mixed gull flock at the mouth of Chorokhi River in Ajaria, west Georgia, on 11 April is a very late record of a rare winter species. IRAN Approximately 20,000 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber were at Lake Uromiyeh on 10 July and at Anzali, on 26 July, 102 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus chicks were ringed. ISRAEL A Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata off Jaffa port on 2 December is the fourth record in Israel. The first Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis since 1984 was at Bnei-Yisrael Reservoir, Golan Heights, on 16 January. A Red-wattled Plover Hoplopterus indicus, the second in Israel, was at Eilat sewage ponds from 31 October into early March 2002 at least. The fourth Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura for Israel was at Kfar Ruppin on 12 October. At Eilat, two Sooty Gull Larus hemprichit were reported on 13 October. Two Dunn’s_ Lark Eremalauda dunni were south of Haifa on 27 February. A Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus was reported at Eilat on 4-8 september.) A. female. Pied Stonechat Saxicola caprata at Eilat between 20 November and late March 2002 is the fourth record in Israel. The second black morph Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens (Basalt Wheatear) in Israel was at km 33 north of Eilat on 6-21 December. A Tree Sparrow Passer montanus at Hula on 17 December is about the tenth record, while a Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia xanthocollis, at Lotan on 14 November has been accepted as the second Israeli record (and apparently remained into March 2002). JORDAN Further sightings of Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreauxti offer hope for this species’ status in Jordan; two adults were at Dana on 21 October and two adults at Wadi Rum on 24 October. A Sooty Falcon Falco concolor at Petra on 23 October is notable. Recent . ringing operations at Hashemiya, near Zarqu, produced the first autumn records of River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis, with singles trapped on 14 September, 6 October and 14 October, and a total of nine Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris on 5 September—15 October; there is only one previous record, in 1966. An Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina caught on 13 September is the sixth Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton record and the first away from Azraq. An immature Rose- coloured Starling Sturnus roseus was at Dana on 23 August. KAZAKHSTAN A total of 2833 White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala was on Lake Kyzylkol in southern Kazakhstan on 14-17 September. Just under 75,000 wildfowl were counted, but only small numbers of waders were found. Other notable counts included 852 Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis and 21,000 Coot Fulica atra. KUWAIT A Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva at Khor Al Mufateh on 31 August was -the first since November 2000. Three Lapwing Vanellus vanellus were at Sabah Al Salem on 15 November and one was by the Nuwaiseeb-Wafra road on 18 November; this species is an uncommon winter visitor. Single River Warblers Locustella fluviatilis near Jahra on 4 May and at Al Abragq on 11 May are notable records of a scarce passage migrant. A pair of Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia xanthocollis was at Ras Az Zor on 3-27 May, with the male attending a nest site. The species was also recorded there on 2 August and nine were present on 31 August. Elsewhere two males and a female were at Al Abraq on 11 May and four were near Jahra on 14 September. A Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus at Wafra oil- field on 16 June is an unusual summer record. Further to the statement in Sandgrouse 23: 158 that ten Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata in Kuwait was only the third record since 1992, we have been informed there have been hundreds of individuals and that the species has bred on at least three occasions since that year. The following records have recently been accepted by the Kuwait Ornithological Rarities Committee: the seventh Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (5 March), the first Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus.- (three . on .’ 21 September), the tenth Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes (five on 29 September 2000), the eighth Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius (9 March), the third Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula (25 December), a Yellow-browed Tf. Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus (26 January) and the sixth Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps (13 January). Confirmed breeding records involve the first to third White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis (20 May 1999, 4 May and 31 May-1 June), third Black- crowned Finch Lark Eremopterix nigriceps (15 April 1998), third and fourth Bar-tailed Desert Lark Ammomanes cincturus (29 May 1997 and 9 March), second Temminck’s Horned Lark Eremophila bilopha (30 March) and first and second Trumpeter Finch (16 February and 16 March). LEBANON The first Eastern Pied Wheatear Oenanthe picata for the country, a male at Hermel, northern Bekka, was reported on 2 December 2000. Other ‘late’ records include a large movement of Black Stork Ciconia nigra involving c. 600 at Cheikh Zennad on 15 October 2000. Single Barbary Falcons Falco pelegrinoides in the Fatima Gates area, on 28 May 2000, and at Kousba, on 21 October 2000, appear to be only the second and third country records. A female Lesser Kestrel F. naumanni also at Kousba on the same date was notable. Twelve Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus in the Hermel on 2 December 2000 was a large count for a species considered rare in Lebanon. Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus is also considered rare; a single was at El Mina, Tripoli, on 14 January 2000. At the same site there was a Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus on 20 February 2000. A Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica at El Mina, on 2 October 1999, was presumably an escape, although records exist for Iran and Oman. Two Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica at the same site, on 9 February 2000, were presumably also escapees. Several Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspic- illata were singing above Lake Qaroun from 13 March (a new location). Two Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni were at Aammiq Marshes, Bekaa Valley, on 13 April. A male Ménétries’ Warbler Sylvia mystacea was singing in suitable breeding habitat by the River Assi, northern Bekaa, on 7 April. A Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina over-summered around Aammigq. Two Cream- coloured Courser Cursorius cursor 78 were in the desert area of Hermel on 25 August, and later that day a pair with a juvenile were seen. A Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus on 24 August and four Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis on 28 August were at Aammiq. Two Heuglin’s Gull Larus heuglini were in Tripoli port on 2 April. Three Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica were among the tern flocks at El Mina on 14 January 2000, and 11 were at Cheikh Zennad on 31 March, with 13 there on 2 April. On 7 August in this area, a Long-eared Owl Asio otus was found dead (presumably shot), and on 21 December, the first record since 1998 of Short-eared Owl A. flammeus involved one in cultivated fields. A Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus was in the Anti-Lebanon range near Yanta on 29 August. Possibly the only winter record of Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis was 20 on 7 December in fields south of Qab Elias, in the Bekaa Valley. OMAN Two first records were a Cinnamon Bittern [xobrychus cinnamomeus at Khor Rawri on 21 November (only the second Middle East record) and a Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti at Al Ansab on 14 November. Second records involved a Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis (merulinus) passerinus at Khawr Sawli on 17 November (the first being in 1988) and an Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis at Ras el Hadd on 13 November (the first was in 1983). Three Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus and nine Sooty Falcon Falco concolor were on the Daynaiyat Islands on 1 November. An Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimti at Sum on 31 October. as the northernmost record in Arabia. Khawr Rawri hosted 1-2 Yellow Bittern [xobrychus sinensis, 1-2 Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta and a Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus on 3-8 November. Another Yellow Bittern was at Khawr al Magshayl on 7 October. Two Cotton Teal Nettapus coroman- delianus were at Khawr Sawli on 10 October. A Didric Cuckoo Ghrysococeyx. caprius and a Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreauxii were «at Ayn) Lamran ony 3 November, and an adult and a juvenile of the latter were at Ayn Razat on 10 November. A Lesser Spotted Eagle A. pomarina at Al Ansab on 1 November is the eighth record. A Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata at Khawr Dahariz on 9 November is only the fourth national record (the first was in 1999). A Little Pratincole Glareola lactea was at Salalah on 8-10 November and nine Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria were reported at Shanawt and Jarzeez Farms on 9 November. A Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis was at Qatbit on 5-6 November and a Spotted Eagle Owl Bubo africanus at Ayn Sahanawt on 4 November, along with 30 Yemen Serin Serinus menachensis. QATAR The first country record of Eagle Owl Bubo bubo (of the desert race ascalaphus) was on 13 August, at Mukainas, c. 60 km south of Doha and 40 km north of the Saudi Arabian border. The farm manager reported that it had been seen twice during the previous month. SAUDI ARABIA Field work around Gizan, South West Province on 18-24 July revealed a Common Mynah Acridotheres tristis (very scarce this far south), three Singing Bush Lark Mirafra cantillans, two Golden- winged Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus socotranus and 15 White-collared Kingfisher Halcyon chloris, plus singles of Plain Nightjar Caprimulgus inornatus, Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar, Sooty Falcon Falco concolor, Shikra Accipiter badius, Klaas’s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas and Black- winged Kite Elanus caeruleus. Much effort was put into bird- finding around Yanbu. The highlight was a Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum on 14 September (a first for Saudi Arabia if documented). Other records included (singles unless stated): Arabian Golden Sparrow Passer euchlorus on 29 August, Corncrake Crex- cre on 4 September, at least 50 White Stork Ciconia ciconia, and Goliath Heron Ardea goliath on 6 September, Short- toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus on 14 September and 18 October, Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha on 20 September, Bruce’s Green Pigeon Treron waalia on 20 September, three Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni on 22 September, Lapwing Vanellus vanellus on 1 November, Spotted Crake Porzana Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton porzana on 2 November, Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus on 11 November, Skylark Alauda arvensis ~ and three Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi on 11 November, two Tufted Duck Aythya fuliguia on 22 November, two Common Crane Grus grus on 23 November-6 December, and European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria on 23 and 28 November. Sightings at Dhahran included at least 5000 Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis on 19 December (on the Saudi side of the Saudi-Bahrain causeway), a Bittern Botaurus stellaris on 28 September (seventh record), a Lesser Spotted Eagle Aguila pomarina on 8 November (second record), two Greater Spotted Eagle A. clanga on 8 November, with four on 23 November and singles on 27 and 28 December, five Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor on 10 August, a Lapwing on 8 November, a Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis on 22 October, Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis on 27-28 December, 107 Blue-cheeked Bee- eater Merops persicus on 26 October (a very high count), a Robin Erithacus rubecula on 27 December and Spanish Sparrow Passer hispan- iolensis on 13 July. The only other significant record was a Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos at Jubail on 19 October. SYRIA A visit during 19 March to 1 April produced 171 species. The complete list of sightings can be viewed on the OSME website. The most notable discovery was of Iraq - Babbler Turdoides altirostris on the Euphrates at Muhaymiddah and Der es Zor, with several at each site; the species was thought restricted to the lower stretches of the river in east Iraq and south-west Iran, 900 km away. Further details of this discovery will appear in Sandgrouse in due course. Also at Der es Zor were three White-cheeked Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys. TURKEY A Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum at Tuzla, Adana on 19 May is only the second report in Turkey. Records from Nemrut Dagi, near Adiyaman, on 23 May included at least 30 singing Pale Rock Sparrow Petronia brachy- dactyla (north of their normal Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton range), at least three pairs of Red- tailed Wheatear Oenanthe xantho- Piyimng «wath, a. male Oe. chrysopygia there on 16 May) and at least five pairs of Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia xanthocollis. An impressive colony of c. 3000 Rose- coloured Starling Sturnus roseus was found near Diyarbakir on 24 May. At least ten singing male Pale Rock Sparrow were between Siverek and Bitlis (near Van Golii) on 24 May. Between 16 April and 15 June, survey work was undertaken in southzeast Turkey - (between Adiyaman and Cizre). A total of 203 species was recorded, 152 of which exhibited evidence of breeding. As much of the area has been little studied and inaccessible for many years, significant range extensions were noted for several species including See-see Partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis, Yellow- throated Sparrow, Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus, Eastern Rock Nuthatch Sitta tephronota, Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea and Pale Rock Sparrow. The latter was especially common and widespread but, being highly nomadic and eruptive, it is probable that 2001. was —an unusually good year for the species. At least 30 Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus were present on a flooded area between Birecik and the Syrian border on 5 May, and probably breeding. A male Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus was at Ceylanpinar on the rather late date Of 27 April, Single female/ immature Merlin Falco columbarius were at Ceylanpinar on 26 April and 30 April, also rather late dates. Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus was comparatively common along much of the Syrian border and a male was heard near Narliova, east of Ceylanpinar, on 1 May. A Corncrake Crex crex was flushed from. farmland at Ceylanpinar on 28 April and another was found dead nearby on 1 May. A flock of six Cream- coloured Courser Cursorius cursor was near Ovacik, north-east of Sanliurfa, on 14 June. At least five Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola were over flooded farmland (and potential breeding habitat) on the Syrian border east of Akcakale on 3 May. Single Red- wattled Lapwing Hoplopterus indicus were east of Ceylanpinar on 28-29 April and south of Bespinar on 15 May; both are new locations. Single Great Snipe Gallinago media were at Ceylanpinar on 28 and 30 April and near Bespinar on 15 May, with a total of five at Kurudere on 10 May. The only records of Pin- tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata were at Ceylanpinar, with 16 on 30 April and four on 1 May. One was heard «near. the state. farm guesthouse at Ceylanpinar on 25 April, a new site. Four Blue- cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus were near Koseler (Kahta) on 29 May in potential breeding habitat but could’ not be relocated. A Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti was in foothills north-west of Nusaybin on 2 June, a new site. A male Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka was in suitable breeding habitat south of Halfeti on 22 April (although it appears equally likely to have been a migrant at this season). Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta was common in pistachio groves in the Birecik—Adiyaman-Sanliurfa region. Smaller numbers were present around Ceylanpinar, and a male was west of Cizre on 10 June. A Grey-necked Bunting Emberiza buchanant in a rocky gorge near Toprakkale on 9 May was presumed to be a migrant. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES An Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia that remained at Dubai pivot fields on 25 June-27 July is the second country record. There was an unprecedented influx of White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons, with three at the Emirates golf course on 3-30 November, two at Khor Kalba on 7 November, four near Dubai sewage works on 19 November and one at Safa Park on 14 November; there are only six previous records, the most recent in 1997. Two Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea flew past Jebel Ali on 24 November and one was at Wimpey pits on 2 December. A Cotton Teal Nettapus coroman- delianus at Qurrayah pools, near Fujeirah, on 22-30 November, was the seventh record. The 25—-26th records of Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus involved one at Kharran, Ras al Khaimah, on 26 October—5 November and one over Abu Dhabi Island on 14 November. A Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus was on the latter on 11-31 October, constituting the 13th record. Another, or possibly the 79 Sandgrouse 24 (1): 2002 same was there on 23 December. A White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa at the Emirates golf course on 4 October and 13 December is the third record, but could be the bird that over-wintered last year. Sooty Falcon Falco concolor is rare inland, thus singles at Al Wathba camel track on 17 August and Fujeirah National Dairy Farm on 13 September are notable. An Amur Falcon F. amurensis near Asab, on 18 November, is the third record. A Corncrake Crex crex was at Khor Kalba mangroves on 13 September and another in Abu Dhabi on 21-24 October. A White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus at Wimpey pits on 15 December is the 15th record. The ninth record of Little Pratincole Glareola lactea was at Wimpey pits on 3-21 December at least. Single Sociable Plovers Chettusia gregaria at Emirates golf course, Dubai, on 10 November, and Al Wathba camel track on 29 November-21 December bring the number of records to 17. A Long- toed Stint Calidris subminuta at Wimpey pits on 28 June-30 July is the 19th record, while a Red- necked Stint C. ruficollis at Abu Dhabi on 6-10 September is the third record. The second Pectoral Sandpiper C. melanotos was at Wamipey- pits, Dubai one 171 December at least. A Woodcock Scolopax rusticola was near Mushref Palace Gardens, Abu Dhabi, on 26 November, constituting the 12th record. A Black Tern Chlidonias nigra at Al Wathba camel track on 5 October was the eighth record. A Namaqua Dove Oena capensis was at Al Wathba camel track on 1, 12 and 19-22 October. The ninth Long- eared Owl Asio otus was on Das Island on 13 December. Exceptional numbers of Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius were at Al Wathba camel track, with up to 15 present on 24 September—4 October. Sightings of Little Swift Apus affinis came from Wimpey pits, Dubai on 12 October, Abu Dhabi Golf & Equestrian Club on the same day, and then another at Wimpey pits on 23 December, bringing the number of records to 24. A White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis at Ras al Khaimah airport on 6 November is the seventh record. A Brown-throated Sand Martin Hirundo paludicola at Al Wathba camel track on 14-21 December is also the seventh record, while a Sand Martin Riparia riparia of the eastern race diluta (sometimes known as Pale Martin) there on 21 December is the fifth record. An Asiatic House Martin Delichon dasypus was at Wimpey pits on 25 November and is the second record. The 18th record of Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus was a single at Mushref Palace Gardens, Abu Dhabi, on 8 December. Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia is a rare migrant and sightings at Abu Dhabi breakwater on 20 September and Abu Dhabi clock tower on 30 October bring the number of records to 18. The ninth Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus was at Abu Dhabi (Elena Kreuzberg-Mukhina) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Plate 1. Common Cranes Grus grus, near Termez, Uzbekistan, late 2001. on 16 November. A Blackbird T. merula was at the Intercontinental Hotel gardens, Abu Dhabi, on 11-16 December, and is the 21st record. Just one Black-throated Thrush T. ruficollis was reported, at Fujeirah National: Dairy Bara on. 7 November. A Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis at Abu Dhabi on 24 October—28 November is only the fifth record. Single Little Buntings Emberiza pusilla were at Asab on 18 November and Al Wathba camel track on 7-21 December bringing the number of records to 18, while a Yellow-breasted Bunting E. aureola also there on 15-23 November is only the fourth record. UZBEKISTAN A new wintering site holding up to 10,000 Common Crane Grus grus was discovered in the south, in Surkhandarya region, near Termez, on the Amudarya River. This is a strictly protected military frontier zone on the Afghanistan border. The birds form flocks of up to 2000 in fields of winter cereals and rice crops close to the frontier (Plate 1). Flocks of up to 150 Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax were also found in the area, in green cereal fields. The following assisted in the compilation of this review: Alexander Abuladze, Abdolhamid Amirebrahimi, Marc Almécija, Vasil Ananian, Ian Andrews, Imad Atrash, Mindy & Sherif Baha El Din, Per-Anders Bertilsson, Birding World, Birdwatch, Gary Bletsch, Jamie Buchan, Steve Carter, Judy Dawes, Adrian Drummond-Hill, Peter Flint, Jeff Gordon, George Gregory, Andrew Grieve, Arzu Gurséy, Haim Hovel, Mike Jennings, Martin Kennewell, Nigel Kerwin, Fares Khoury, Elena Kreuzberg-Mukhina, Bahtiyar Kurt, Graham Lobley, Brian Meadows, Ian Merrill, Frank van de Meutter, H. Ray Millar, Ruth Motro, Tim Norris, Daniele Occhiato, Georges Olioso, Colin Richardson, Omar Al-Saghier, Yoav Perlman, Nir Sapir, James Smith, Jan Soors, Thomas Spencer, Andy Sprenger, David Stanton, Jim Walker, Geoff & Hilary Welch, David Whaley and Andy Wilson (Naturetrek). Dawn Balmer, 39 Station Road, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 1AW, U. K. Keith Betton, 8 Dukes Close, Folly Hill, Farnham, Surrey GU9 ODR, U. K. 80 Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton SANDGROUSE GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS The Editorial Committee of Sandgrouse will consider for publication original papers which contribute to knowledge on the birds of the Middle East and related zoogeographical regions: their distribution, breeding biology, behaviour, identification, conservation, etc. The Middle East for this purpose includes Turkey, Cyprus and Libya in the west to the Palearctic fringes of Pakistan and the western border of China in the east, including Afghanistan and to the southern border of Russia between the Black and Caspian Seas and between the Caspian Sea and Mongolia 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. 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Submissions should be sent to: Sandgrouse Editor, OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Beds SG19 2DL, UK. his year, misrate to Cilat. | Vou'll be in Sood company. €ach year, millions of migrating, birds pass through Cilat in for Further information contact: Spring and Autumn. Visit the International Birdwatching, Centre Wild Wings 01:7 965 8333. and experience the “highway in the sky” the busiest route in Superstar Holidays 08459 125 847. the world for birds migrating between Europe and Africa. Kibbutz Lotan Centre For Birdwatching, 00 972 8 6356935. Birdwatching Centre of the @ ILA 4 Jordan Valley 00 972 4 6068396. Jsrael Ornithological Centre Che top spot on the Red Sea. 00 972 3 6449622.