SANDGROUSE | Volume 24 (2) 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. ss eee An Annual General Meeting is held in London at which guest speakers provide new perspectives on ornithology in the region. There are also occasional special meetings, some taking place outside the UK. PROJECTS OSME organises field expeditions to collect data on birds in little-known parts of the region and in areas where OSME can assist by teaming up with local groups. The Conservation & Research Committee grants funds to valuable field projects and desk studies which further knowledge and conservation of birds in the region. Grants have been awarded to over 45 projects since the Conservation & Research Fund was set up in 1982. VICE PRESIDENTS: Imad Atrash Dr Saeed Mohamed Sherif Baha El Din Dr Omar Al-Saghier B. Behrouzi-Rad Dr YossiLeshem Dr Ghassan & Mrs Mona Ramadan-Jaradi COUNCIL AS AT AUGUST 2002: D. Balmer Publicity & Displays R. P. Martins Turkey Bird Report (co-opted) K. Betton - chairman@osme.org A. J. Morris - fundraiser@osme.org Chairman S. Parr - secretary@osme.org C. G. Bradshaw - c&r@osme.org Secretary Conservation & Research F. E. Warr - sales@osme.org S. Busuttil - iba@osme.org Sales & Distribution (co-opted) R. Daniel A. J. Warr - membership@osme.org Librarian Treasurer & Membership A. Grieve Advertising & Website I I I a I SE IE OL EEE © 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 2DL, UK OSME WEs sITE - http://www.osme.org Contents SANDGEROUSE iio Volume 24 (2) 84 NEWS AND INFORMATION 87 REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION Editor | PAPERS AND NOTES Guy M. Kirwan 88 Identification, plumages, taxonomy and biology of Arabian Warbler Sylvia leucomelaena HADORAM SHIRIHAI, GABRIEL GARGALLO, Features Editor Situation Vacant ANDREAS HELBIG, ALAN HARRIS AND DAVID COTTRIDGE 105 The discovery of a breeding colony of Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria Assistant Editor fallax on Socotra, Yemen NADIM MOHAMED ABDULLAH TALEB situation Vacant 109 Current state of the Great Bustard Otis tarda wintering tee lation i th Ukraine YURIY ANDRYUSHCHENKO Editorial Committee Pe as ae Michael Blair, 117. ~— Observations on the breeding biology and population of Socotra Paul Goriup, Cisticola Cisticola haesitatus KAREL STASTNY AND VLADIMIR BEJCEK Mike Jennings, 122 The captive origin of bird species in Kuwait GEORGE GREGORY Rodney Martins, Peter L. Meininger 130 Age at first breeding of Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus & Dr Stephen Newton STAVROS XIROUCHAKIS AND COSTAS GRIVAS Pio ie Tea 135 The first breeding record of Striated Heron Butorides striatus @. 08 UEBIIE Se GttOr, in Israel REUVEN YOSEF, MARTIN RYDBERG-HEDAEN, Paul Doherty LYNETTE MITCHELL AND HENK SMIT Design & Production 136 ‘The first records, including breeding, of Black-winged Kite Harry I. Scott Elanus caeruleus in Iraq MUDHAFAR A. SALIM Identification Consultants 138 Interspecific interaction between Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus CGB h and Black Vulture Aegypius monachus: predation or . G. Bradshaw, kleptoparasitism? ANTONI MARGALIDA AND RAFAEL HEREDIA Arnoud B. van den Berg & Steve Madge 140 Melanistic Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes in south-west Bulgaria Boris P. NIKOLOV 141 An unusual record of a European Bee-eater Merops apiaster from Eilat—inside a Tiger Shark Galeocerdo cuvier REUVEN YOSEF, DAVID ZAKAI, MARTIN RYDBERG-HEDAEN AND RUBEN NIKOLAJSEN 142 Second breeding record of Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius in Eilat IREUVEN YOSEF 144 The first Mongolian Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes mongolicus in Armenia ROY BEDDARD, VASIL ANANIAN AND MARK FINN 147 Further significant bird records from south-east Iran DAMIAN NowaK AND KONRAD ALI SACHANOWICZ 149 PHOTOSPOT Birds of Birecik Guy. M. KIRWAN 154 REVIEWS & RECENT LITERATURE 156 AROUND THE REGION DAWN BALMER AND KEITH BETTON Cover Photograph: Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna taken by Tim Loseby. om Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 OSME 3 AGM DATE AND VENUE The 2003 OSME Summer Meeting will be held on Saturday 19 July in central London. A new venue has been chosen for the event, the head office of the Association of British Travel Agents, 68-71 Newman Street, London W1P 3AH. This promises to be a special meeting as OSME celebrates its 25th anniversary; a full programme of speakers will be published in the spring. COUNCIL CHANGES There have been several changes on OSME’s Council. Firstly, after five years as Chairman, Andrew Grieve has been succeeded by Keith Betton (see Sandgrouse 24: 68). Andrew has been active in OSME since 1996, and apart from his arduous duties as Chairman he has found time to develop the Society’s website into a tremendous source of information on birding within the region. We are very grateful to him for his contribution to OSME’s profile in the Middle East—and more recently—Central Asia. After two years as Secretary, Owen Roberts has also stood down, and he is replaced by Steve Parr. Many people will have met Owen at our various events, particularly in his previous role as Membership Secretary. We are fortunate that both Andrew and Owen are not leaving Council, so we will still have access to their talents. Due to pressure of work, Derek Moore has found it necessary to resign from Council. Many people will know Derek from his successful initiatives to raise the profile of birding in Cyprus, particularly with his Birdwatchers guide to the birds of Cyprus, co- authored by Bill Oddie. Hopefully, we will see him return to Council when he is less busy. 82 NEW VICE PRESIDENTS OSME has appointed three new Vice Presidents. Each will serve a term of up to ten years. They are profiled below. Imad Al-Atrash is Executive Director of the Palestine Wildlife Society and is the BirdLife International representative in the Palestine region. He has been closely involved in many projects. These include monitoring Important Bird Areas, conserving the Wadi Gaza wetland, and the Migratory Birds Know No Boundaries project, to mention just a few. Dr Mona Ramadan-Jaradi is currently co- authoring an Arabic dictionary of bird names and a field guide to the birds of protected areas in Lebanon. She is an ornithological researcher at the Lebanon National Council for Scientific Research. Her fieldwork includes surveys in the UAE and Lebanon _ since 1984. She is also a bird tour organiser. Ghassan Ramadan-Jaradi is a professor at the Lebanese University of Natural Science and Secretary General of the National MAB Committee. He is also a Member of the Lebanon Biodiversity National Steering Committee and the Lebanon Coordinator of BirdLife International. He has been involved in bird projects and surveys in France, the UAE and Lebanon since 1972, and has published several key papers, together with his wife, including an updated checklist of the birds of Lebanon in 1999. PROPOSED OSME SURVEYS IN SYRIA With the rediscovery of a population of Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in spring 2002 (see News and Information, this issue), Syria is very much in the ornithological headlines. Preceding this exciting find, OSME was already planning field work in Syria in 2003 to study several aspects of this country’s relatively unknown avifauna. Recent visits by OSME members have revealed severe degradation of some IBAs and recent range expansions by Mesopotamian species such as Iraq Babbler Turdoides altirostris and White- cheeked Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys. In addition to collecting systematic data on those IBAs, identified by recently visiting birders as still being of ornithological value, the field work will aim to identify further areas of conservation value and assess the distributions of those species of conservation concern in the country. Data will be published in Sandgrouse and made available to those with an interest in the conservation of Syria’s wildlife. Visits are likely to take place in January—February 2003 and, later, in the spring. Part-funding arrangements are currently being investigated. Anyone interested in taking part or who wishes to contribute directly to funding this field work, or has ideas on available sources should contact Simon Busuttil at iba@osme.org. NEW OSME COUNTRY CONTACTS OSMiE“is* pleased. ‘to’ announce the appointment of Thomas Spencer as the Country Contact in Kuwait. Anyone visiting Kuwait is welcome to contact him for advice on local birding. Thomas Spencer, c/o New English School, P. O. Box 6156, Hawalli 32036, Kuwait. E-mail: stspencerkwt@yahoo.co.uk. BOOKS FOR YOUNG BIRDERS IN CYPRUS OSME has donated £200 for 20 copies of the new Turkish field guide (see Sandgrouse 24: 5—6) for use in schools in northern Cyprus. The field guides will be distributed by Kuskor (the North Cyprus Society for the Protection of Birds and Nature) as part of their schools education programme. Unfortunately, there are no young Turkish Cypriot birdwatchers, and, until now, a major difficulty in recruiting any has been the lack of a modern field guide _ in Turkish. The new field guide is published by DHKD and distribution of these books will be coordinated by OSME’s Country Contact, Peter Flint. OSME/ NHBS AWARDS ~ More awards have been made for active birders in countries where there is no access to good bird books. Through the generous sponsorship of the Natural History Book Service, OSME has been able to send books to Sadegh Sadeghi-Zadegan in Iran. Further requests for books have also been approved for Elena Kreuzberg-Mukhina in Uzbekistan and Tamer Albayrak in Turkey. CAN YOU TRANSLATE GERMAN INTO ENGLISH? In advance of OSME’s planned field work in Syria, we are currently translating into English the excellent book, Die Vogel Syriens: eine Ubersicht. If you are prepared to help us with this please contact Keith Betton on +44 (0) 1252 724068 or by e-mail: keith_betton@hotmail.com. OSME News SUMMER MEETING The 2002 OSME Summer Meeting and AGM was held on 13 July in London and was attended by around 50 people, including members from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and UAE. As well as leading the AGM, the retiting. Chairman,. Andrew - Grieve, presented his final quiz; a wonderful mix of Middle East trivia! Talks form the main part of the Summer Meeting. Andrew Lassey started by ‘Unravelling identification problems in the Middle East’, a talk that proved enthralling and highlighted the many difficulties of identifying ‘little brown jobs’ in the region. Use of biometrics has helped enormously to differentiate some of the many subspecies that occur in the region, but Andrew suggested that birders could also contribute to knowledge by taking detailed field notes. Bob Scott, dressed in local costume, followed by taking ‘The Silk Road to Uzbekistan’, introducing us to the diverse range of habitats and birds to be found in this under-watched country. As well as many interesting birds, Uzbekistan has a rich flora and Bob showed photos of the beautiful irises and orchids to be found there. OSME was particularly pleased to welcome Dr Can Bilgin from Turkey who spoke about a recently inaugurated ringing scheme. From a position where just a few ringers visited the country, a fully-fledged scheme now regularly operates at up to five sites. Much emphasis is being placed on the education and training of young people, which bodes well for the future of ringing in the country. Following the Turkish theme, Geoff and Hilary Welch concluded the meeting with a talk on their recent work in the same country. Geoff has been assisting research into woodland and bird communities. Through extensive field work, they have documented new breeding species (Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata) and range extensions (Pale Rock Sparrow Carpospiza brachydactyla). Hilary has been involved in a project in which birds are just one of many biological groups being studied—the scale of projected field work is impressive and will doubtless produce many further interesting observations. Dawn Balmer Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 OSME / OMANTRAVEL TOUR OF OMAN, MARCH 2003 As members will know from the extensive reports in Around the Region, Oman is rich in birds. Not only are there many exciting and little-known resident species, but this fascinating country lies on one of the most important routes for migratory birds between Eurasia and Africa, with March being at the peak of this migration. A visit to Oman is an unforgettable experience, set in ‘this wonderful corner of Arabia with its deserts, mountains and dramatic coastlines. Led by Richard Porter and supported by local guides, this special OSME / Omantravel itinerary provides the opportunity to experience many of the region’s specialities by visiting a variety of habitats and sites with their many species of herons, waders, raptors, sandgrouse, larks, wheatears and warblers. We will search for the rare Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreauxii, Hume’s Tawny Owl Strix butleri and Yemen Serin Serinus menachensis, and many other Middle East target species. NEWS 7 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 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 MEDMARAVIS Conference The Mediterranean Marine Bird Association (MEDMARAVIS) is holding its next conference, entitled ‘Oil pollution and conservation of biodiversity’, at Porto Torres, in Sardinia (Italy), on 17-22 October 2002. The conference is being run in cooperation with the International Fund for Animal Welfare and Asinara National Park. All those with an interest in this subject are 84 Accommodation throughout the tour is in comfortable hotels with half-board (except Muscat-buffet breakfast only), picnic lunches in the field, tax and all service charges included. Transport is by air-conditioned vehicles (generally minibus, with 4x4 Land Cruiser or equivalent as. nequmedh): Comprehensive information packs and a fully personalised support service will be provided in advance to all customers booking the tour. OSME’s Conservation Fund will benefit financially from every place booked on the tour, so apart from enjoying some great birding, you will be supporting Middle East bird conservation. The tour dates are 1-15 March 2003. Full details are available from Omantravel, 5 Mandeville Close, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 2BD. Tel: +44 (0) 1235 200444. Fax: +44 (0) 1235 200282. E-mail: birding@omantravel.uk.com. J INFORMATION compiled by Guy M. Kirwan welcome and there is no registration fee. For further information contact Xaver Monbailliu by fax (+33 494594738) or e-mail (medmaraxm@ wanadoo.fr). AZERBAIJAN The Azerbaijan Center for the Protection of Birds has recently established a web site: http://www.azeribirds.org /eng/e_o_nas.ht ml, which has pages devoted to the following topics: rare birds, birdwatching areas, ecological problems, general characteristics, and contacts. The site is in three languages: Russian, English and Azeri. (Source: Jevgeni Shergalin in litt. April 2002.) CYPRUS Threat to new Ramsar site Despite protests from the Cyprus government, environmen- talists and local people concerned by reports of microwave emissions, the British Ministry Guy M. Kirwan News & Information of Defence is proceeding with the construction of a huge new aerial on the edge of Akrotiri Salt Lake, an internationally important migration hotspot in the eastern Mediterranean (see Sandgrouse 23: 86). The 200-metre-wide array strung between 100-metre masts will complement an existing structure about one quarter of its size in an area already saturated by antenna and aerials of many types (the total surface covered by aerials on the western side of Akrotiri is more than 1 km’). Apart from the negative visual impact upon an extremely interesting habitat between the wetland of Phassouri reedbeds and meadows and Akrotiri reedbeds and lake, local ornithologists are concerned at the dangers posed by the extensive network of wires to migrating and roosting birds, mainly waders and wildfowl. The new site will block airspace between the salt lake and the Phassouri area, thus causing significant mortality to waterfowl moving between the two areas at night. New, inexpe- rienced, migrants arriving at the salt lake from the west, will be ‘welcomed’ by steel meshes of more than 300 metres in combined length (PLUTO I and II). Finally, the impact of the huge electromagnetic fields on bird movement and orientation is not fully understood but should not be under-estimated. Weekly counts of bird kills have been made since February by the Game Fund and the Sovereign Base Administration, but have been hampered by _ the limited time available. It is believed that the number of dead birds found does not truly reflect the kills. During the weeklong gap between the one-hour searches, foxes and other predators remove many carcasses. The area searched is a fraction of the entire antennae site, _ giving a very conservative estimate of the true totals. The refusal of the U. K. government to recognise the full environmental threat to this important wetland site does not assist the cause of those striving to stop the traditional, although illegal, liming and netting in the run- up to E. U. accession. The Sovereign Base Administration have proposed Akrotiri Salt Lake and Phassouri Marsh for Ramsar designation—as a site of international importance for waterbirds—making the impact of the aerials on birds of extreme concern. Although the Sovereign Base Administration wishes to exclude the aerial farm, and other significant areas, from the proposed Ramsar site, one wonders if the presence of these aerial towers is compatible with the site’s Ramsar designation. (Source: Judy Dawes and David Whaley in litt. August 2002.) Guy M. Kirwan IRAN Addition to the list of Middle East Birding Organisations We have been informed of an additional body working with birds in Iran, supplementing the information presented in the last Sandgrouse (24: 9-12). Dr Jamshid Mansoori, Ornithology Unit, Department of the Environment, P. O. Box 5181, Tehran 15875, Islamic Republic of Iran. Tel:/Fax: +98 21 8071665. E-mail: birdlife@morva.net. (Source: Mazyar Zagrosi in litt. June 2002.) SYRIA Discovery of a breeding colony of Bald Ibis A small colony of Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita (seven individuals) was detected within Palmyrean desertic steppe during spring 2002. Three pairs are presently engaged in raising their chicks. The finding was made within the framework of a project of interna- tional cooperation entitled Range rehabili- tation and establishment of a wildlife reserve in the Syrian steppe (GCP/SYR/009/ITA). The project, funded by Italian sources, is implemented by FAO to assist the efforts of the’ Syrian government Ministry © of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MAAR) to promote and implement natural resource and biodiversity conservation within the country. The discovery was made at the end of an extensive two-year programme of wildlife surveying and reconnaissance, aimed at producing a biodiversity inventory for Al Talila Reserve, the first Syrian protected area. The project technical group responsible for the surveys comprises Associate Professional Officer, Gianluca Serra and two nationals from MAAR, Ghazy Al-Qaim and Mahmoud Abdullah. The possible presence of Bald Ibis within the Palmyrean desertic steppe was suspected by Serra from information collected through standard questionnaires completed by Bedouin nomads and local hunters (an important contribution was made by a Palmyrean hunter, Adib Assad). A guard/ranger trainee has been appointed to guard the nesting site 24 hours a day and to collect data on the breeding cycle. (Source: Gianluca Serra in litt. May 2002.) TURKEY Giant leap in revising Turkish population estimates A first draft of revised Turkish breeding bird population estimates. and trends was presented for comment at the Fifth Turkish Bird Conference, in Samsun, on 19-23 85 a rie ee ca Oni eee TEES Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 = April 2002. Turkish ornithologists have reviewed a large body of recent information to provide draft revised population estimates of breeding birds for the BirdLife International Birds in Europe II (BiEII) project. These draft estimates were presented and circulated for comment at the conference. Much interest was generated among the 150 participants and many valuable comments were received. The revision will soon be accompanied by wintering population estimates, and is already a vast improvement on previous data, thus laying a firmer foundation for the conservation of Turkish birds. (Source: http://www. biodiversity.org/ simplify/ev.php?URL_ID= 2112&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION =201&reload=1022146683.) Witnessing the Monk Seal’s extinction in the Black Sea Along Turkey’s Black Sea coast, the existence of the Mediterranean Monk Seal Monachus monachus was but a myth to those of us interested in the species for many years. When Gékhan Tire informed me of a live animal captured near Eregli, I could only imagine the incredible scenes of local men trying to catch it inside a dark cave at the base of the cliffs. In 1988, during a long-term survey at EreSli, we found Siikri Aydin, a fishermen known locally as the ‘bear catcher’ because of the many seals he had sold to fairs, travelling shows and zoos. From his reminis- cences, we were able to trace two seals that had reached Ankara Zoo, in 1957 and 1961. Our interviews also indicated a substantial reduction in the frequency of seal sightings in the late 1980s. Another survey, in 1994, demonstrated that the species was extinct around Eresli. Despite this setback, we still wanted to know the species’ status along the rest of Turkey’s central Black Sea coast. Subsequent surveys, in 1993, 1995 and 1997, covered the coast between Akcakoca and Trabzon, and aimed to locate any viable seal population that might respond to urgent conservation efforts. Though we discovered c. 50 caves along unspoilt cliffs that appeared suitable for breeding or resting, over the course of several months we failed to find any trace of the seal. Apart from this, what shocked us most was the scarcity of fish observed during our periods underwater. It appeared unlikely that the disappearance of the seals and plunging fish stocks were unrelated. During interviews with 150 local people, mostly fishermen, we obtained information concerning over 200 reported seal sightings, between 1993 and 1997, but most fishermen had made only single observations during that five-year period! Indeed, from the information that we had gathered, it was clear that the Mediterranean Monk Seal had been reduced from relative abundance to virtual extinction within a human lifetime. Its distribution ranged from ISneada in the western Black Sea to Yakakent in the east (though its easternmost appearance was at Mersin village, Ordu). Older fishermen informed us of herds of monk seals emerging from caves when disturbed, and of males engaging in territorial disputes that occasionally lasted several hours. In contrast to the Aegean coast, our research in the Black Sea demonstrated that habitat destruction and disturbance by tourism had played a negligible role in the decline of the seal. The dominant factor was direct persecution. Historically, local people exploited seals for their blubber and skin, and the animals were also targeted by fishermen while bounty-hunting dolphins during the 1970s. Both dolphins and seals were regarded as the fisherman’s arch enemy, damaging nets and stealing fish. Between Akcakoca and Sinop, villagers reminisced as to how they or their forebears had boiled seals to produce lighting oil, sometimes also selling the pelts to companies in larger cities for leather manufacture. In neighbouring mountain villages, poverty during the 1940s and 1950s had driven inhabitants to hunt monk seals to produce ‘carik’, a primitive yet durable shoe made either of ox or seal skin. Seal skin was also processed to make harnesses for oxen used in ploughing. Live seal captures brought additional profit to a few enterprising fishermen. Before he died in 1996, Aydin reported capturing at least 21 seals, although I suspect it was many more. Another fisherman, Tunc, claimed that he and Aydin had captured dozens, and perhaps even as many as 100 seals between Igneada and Doganyurt, fulfilling orders received from fairs, zoos and showmen. between 1948 and 1973. Though our surveys failed to uncover any trace of the species, it was of some comfort to learn of fishermen sightings until 1997. In the years that followed we still expected to receive news of additional observations. As Guy M. Kirwan time passed, however, our disappointment and unease intensified: not a single seal observation was reported in the years following, even from the Cide, Doganyurt and Sinop coasts from where the majority of sightings had been obtained in 1993-1997. Finally, when I drove from Sinop to Akcakoca in July 2001 for a monk seal television documentary, a week of surveys among old friends confirmed the lack of sightings, no incidences of damage to the stationary nets of fishermen and no half-chewed turbot catch— simple but effective indications of the species’ presence—in short, no proof of a live monk seal in the last four years! The evidence at our disposal strongly suggests that the Mediterranean Monk Seal may have become extinct throughout the Black Sea. Given the scale of marine traffic through the Bosphorus, and the handful of seals in the Sea of Marmara (another sub- population that is teetering on the brink of extinction) natural recolonisation of the Black Sea appears doubtful. It is unlikely that the species’ loss from the Black Sea will be met with anything but silence or a brief shrug of regret. And yet, if only for the historical record, it is important to acknowledge how apathy, indifference, lack of judgement and ecological awareness all conspired to bring about its demise. During the late 1970s, the Ministry of Agriculture supplied fishermen with ammunition to hunt dolphins, despite knowledge that the already endangered monk seal was a common victims of these bullets. Despite numerous resolutions urging action, relevant government departments, univer- sities and NGOs did little or nothing to address the species’ alarming decline. When I first became acquainted with the species, | remember being impressed by expert opinion describing its ecological role in the marine environment. The monk seal was at the head of the food chain; it was an ‘indicator’ species, whose increase or decline would reveal the health of the marine ecosystem. Can it be that government officials and academics read such information but didn’t really believe it? Perhaps the ecologists were being alarmist again? If so, perhaps it is time they looked again. The monk seal in the Black Sea is gone. The marine ecosystem is collapsing. Fish stocks have hit rock bottom, unable to withstand the pressures of industrial fleets. Many artisanal fishermen are virtually destitute and many are desperate to Guy M. Kirwan News & Information sell their boats. The monk seal’s probable extinction in the Black Sea is a milestone in the history of the species yet the event, however tragic, calls for far more than sorrow or regret. The same events are now unfolding in the Marmara, the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean Seas. Is it not time that governments finally recognised that monk seals are true ecological indicators of the health of the sea upon which we all depend? (Source: Cem Orkun Kirac, abridged version of his editorial in The Monachus Guardian, November 2001.) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Corrections to Middle East Birding Contacts and Organisations The Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency’s telephone number is +971 2 6817171 (fax: 971 2 6810008). Those given in Sandgrouse 24 (9-12) only apply to the National Avian Research Center. The Emirates Natural History Group (Al Ain) is actually the Al Ain Natural History Group (and completely separate from the Emirates Natural History Group). The new contact for the Emirates Bird Records Committee is Simon Aspinall, Chairman EBRC, c/o P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, UAE. His e-mail is hudhud10@emirates.net.ae. (Source: Simon Aspinall in litt. June 2002.) REQUESTS #& sINFORMATION Jordan ringing scheme In September 2001, the Jordanian ringing scheme, using Jordanian rings, officially started. A permanent ringing station was established near Hashemite University. Numbers of passerines have been caught, including rarities such as Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris , as well as the more expected Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis, Cretzschmar’s Bunting Emberiza caesia and Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus. Volunteers are required for autumn 2002 and should be able to spend at least two weeks at the station, and have sufficient experience of ringing from at least one other country. Accommodation is free. For details contact Dr Fares Khoury, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Hashemite University, P. O. Box 150459, Zarga 13115, Jordan. E-mail: avijordan2000@yahoo.com. 87 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 88-104 2002 Identification, plumages, taxonomy and biology of Arabian Warbler Sylvia leucomelaena | HADORAM SHIRIHAI, GABRIEL GARGALLO, ANDREAS HELBIG, ALAN HARRIS AND DAVID COTTRIDGE The following text is reprinted (with minor edits for Sandgrouse style) from Sylvia warblers by Hadoram Shirihai, Gabriel Gargallo and Andreas Helbig, illustrated by Alan Harris, and photographic editing by David Cottridge, with permission of the publishers, Christopher Helm, London. In the book, the product of over 15 years extensive museum and field research, the authors advocate the recognition of several new ‘species’ of Sylvia, based on a comprehensive review of morphology, vocalisations and DNA research into the genus. The extract that appears here concerns Arabian Warbler; only the sections dealing with moult, age and sex are omitted. A review of the work appeared in Sandgrouse 23: 152. ENERAL. Formerly known as Red Sea Warbler due to its range, this species breeds in W and S Arabia, and N Somalia north through the Rift Valley and its margins to the southern end of the Dead Sea. It is virtually restricted to dense Acacia stands in savanna-like habitat, particularly of A. tortilis and A. raddiana, in park-like woodland formations with sparse lower scrub, chiefly in low-lying open desert and its fringes, semi-desert, or at higher elevations (even temperate summits above 3000 m in SW Saudi Arabia). Essentially resident, with some dispersal, throughout its range. Migrant and wintering Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia [hortensis] crassirostris and other Eurasian Sylvia occur within its range, but the breeding ranges of only two, Afrotropical, Sylvia partially overlap with Arabian Warbler, namely Yemen Warbler S. buryi, in SW Arabia, and apparently Brown Sylvia S. lugens, in SE Sudan. Systematics. The taxonomic position of Arabian Warbler has long been contro- versial; it being unclear whether it was best assigned to Parisoma or Sylvia. Recent DNA studies have demonstrated that the species is closely related to Eastern and Western Orphean S. [hortensis] hortensis and Yemen Warblers (Shirihai et al. submitted, Helbig et al. submitted). Although S. leucomelaena is not much more genetically divergent from Eastern and Western Orphean Warblers, than the latter are from each other, it does not belong to the same superspecies (contra Hall & Moreau 1970, Erard et al. 1997). It differs from both Orphean Warblers in numerous features: smaller size, dark iris, unique eye-ring with well-spaced, large white feathers, proportionately longer tail with distinct oval-shaped white tips to outer rectrices, tail-pumping action, poorly developed sexual dimorphism, distinct juvenile plumage and vocalisations. Four rather subtle subspecies are recognised, based on slight variation in upperparts coloration, amount of white in rectrices and size. S. I. leucomelaena (Hemprich and Ehrenberg, 1833)—W and S Arabia. S. I. negevensis Shirihai, 1988-—Arava Valley, Israel/Jordan. S. l. somaliensis (Sclater and Mackworth-Praed, 1918)—Djibouti and N Somalia. — S. 1. blanfordi Seebohm, 1878—Eritrea, Sudan and north to Gebel Elba, Egypt. 88 Hadoram Shirihai, Gabriel Gargallo, Andreas Helbig, Alan Harris and David Cottridge Identification, plumages, taxonomy and biology of Arabian Warbler Sylvia leucomelaena 2 FIELD IDENTIFICATION Overall-length: c.14.5 cm; Tail/wing ratio: c.96; primary projection: one third or less of tertial length. 2.1 Potential confusion species Main confusion risk is an Orphean Warbler with extensive blackish hood and dark iris, such as a Ist-summer male (juvenile plumages of both species also present a potential identification problem). Male Sardinian Warbler S. melanocephala is superficially similar, but only due to the black hood (see below). Yemen Warbler, given unfavourable observation conditions, could be confused with ‘brown’ Arabian Warblers, such as females of the nominate race. 2.2 Field characters and plumages Medium-sized, but large-looking and relatively robust. Sylvia. In. size, approaches slightly larger Orphean Warblers; clearly larger and bulkier than combination of short/blunt wings and very long tail gives it a strikingly bulky and long-tailed appearance; short primary projection, with only 5-6 evenly and closely spaced tips visible. Tail clearly graduated when seen from below. Typical Sylvia bill appears short, but obviously narrow and pointed (usually notably shorter than both Orphean Warblers, see below). Head distinctly rounded. Characteristically heavy and slow movements, recalling Orphean and Barred Warblers, but more deliberate with less frequent hops from perch to perch; lacks restless, swift, sprightly tail-cocking habits of smaller Sylvia. Tail typically held in line with body, or slightly drooping, diagnostically flopped repeatedly downwards (often flicked several times) after each hop (recalling Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida, or less so Blackstart Cercomela melanura, which breeds in same habitat). Sometimes shy and secretive, remaining in cover for Sardinian Warbler. Characteristic prolonged periods, but often easily Plate 1. Arabian Warbler S. leucomelaena (overleaf left) A rather large Sylvia with a strikingly long tail, enhanced by downward tail movements and very short primary projection. All have a uniform dark hood and tail that distinctly contrasts with paler brownish-grey upperparts. Tertials have well- defined whitish-grey fringes. Below mostly whitish with some cream-greyish hue on body-sides. Tail has small or very reduced white edges and tips. Male has more solid, blacker hood and prominent white eye-ring. Juv. browner above, extensively washed buffish-brown below, with distinctive small whitish patch in front of eye; wing- coverts fringed rufous-buff. Legs greyish. Iris mostly dark brown or greyish-brown. Orbital ring blackish. Eye-ring with whitish and blackish feathers. 1 Ad. male autumn. Nominate race (W and S Arabia). Pale greyish-brown above with dark or blackish-chocolate hood ill-defined at nape. White eye-ring usually complete. Pale fringes to wing. 2 Ad. male spring. Nominate race. As autumn. but more worn, with pale wing fringes partially lost. 3 Ad. female autumn. Nominate race. As male but with paler chocolate hood and eye-ring obviously broken and patchy. 4 1st-summer male. Nominate race. Approaches ad. female in hood colour. Eye-ring almost non-existent. The innermost and outermost tertial, and central tail feathers were replaced in winter. During post-juv. moult some replace the entire or large part of the plumage; often the only juv. feathers left unmoulted (e.g. outer secondaries and a few innermost primaries) are unseen when the wing is folded. 5 Ad. male autumn. Race negevensis (Arava Valley). Slightly greyer above than nominate with blacker hood. 6 Ad. male spring. Race negevensis. Pale feather edging to wing partially worn. 7 Ad. female autumn. Race negevensis. Paler and browner hood than male, merging into pale brownish-grey nape and mantle. Eye-ring rather broken. 8 Juv. Head dark brown, with paler lores and slightly darker ear-coverts. A distinctive small whitish patch in front of eye. Mostly medium brown above, tinged buffish-brown below. Rufous-buff fringing to wing. 9 Ad. male autumn. Race blandfordi (Eritrea and Sudan north to Egypt). Compared with nominate has more well-defined black hood at rear and paler greyish mantle. More white in tail. 10 Ad. male autumn. Race somaliensis (Djibouti and N Somalia). Similar to nominate, but with broader white edges to outermost rectrices. Plate 2 (overleaf right). Arabian Warbler S. /. negevensis. 1-2. male spring; Arava Valley, S Israel, March 1989 (D.Cottridge). Some males, especially younger birds, can have rather brownish heads, but still appear greyer above than females. Apparently all primaries were replaced the previous summer, but plumage evidence not definite ageing clue (head coloration suggests a 2nd-year). Hadoram Shirihai, Gabriel Gargallo, Andreas Helbig, Alan Harris and David Cottridge 59 oe ee lS eV Identification, plumages, taxonomy and biology of Arabian Warbler Sylvia leucomelaena Hadoram Shirthai, Gabriel Gargallo, Andreas Helbig, Alan Harris and David Cottridge Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 Fa eae oe a Se —_— s f 2) ee gP fos had - ° a ee Ps x : ae et \ - ry ee ae a. E- 5 fi fe — # ‘ Ye LT = a pe ~—-— 2 7 Se f. ae (2 ae ee Figure 1 Field sketches showing jizz and movement of Arabian Warbler. located by its habit of selecting a prominent lookout (very conspicuous when singing). Generally rather upright, somewhat resembling a bulbul Pycnonotus sp.; appearing longer legged due to it rarely adopting a more crouching posture. Often flies relatively high between treetops. Flight purposeful and fast, on slightly undulating path (not as whirring as might be expected from the long tail). Song is loud, slow and far carrying, with rather rich melodious, harsh or gurgling elements; call usually a quiet, soft ‘chack, chack’. Seasonal plumage variation limited to effects of wear, but more significant in relation to age and, to a lesser degree, sex. Geographical variation almost negligible for field identification purposes; description below refers to nominate, but slight differences between races are noted. Autumn (fresh) Ad. dd Rather uniform Sardinian Warbler-like brownish-black hood, sometimes with slightly blacker ear- coverts, and ill-defined rear crown merging into distinctly paler grey-brown upperparts and wing-coverts (in negevensis, upperparts clearly greyer and crown blacker). Entire underparts almost uniform white, with indistinct greyer body-sides (mainly vent and breast-sides), contrasting with whiter throat. Tail at least as black asecrown, similarly contrasting with upperparts, with white tips and thin white edge to outer web of outermost rectrices (indistinct narrow tips to next pair); in folded tail, white usually only visible from below. Entire plumage evenly fresh, with remiges and primary- coverts predominantly centred blackish and fringed much greyer, diagnostically having obvious pale grey primary tips; this plumage has largest number of white-flecked eye-ring feathers. 22 Very similar to adult male. The following features, in combination, can be useful for field identification: hood generally | browner, = eal covers marginally darker, at most, than crown, and crown typically merges more gradually into browner, less contrasting, upperparts. Mantle/scapulars and wing- coverts strongly suffused brownish; fringes to remiges much less grey. Underparts usually less pure white, with pale buffish suffusion, most noticeable on vent. Less prominent and narrower (clearly incomplete) white eye-ring. White in outer tail feathers as male or slightly reduced. Ist-winter 5d/2¢ Both sexes similar to respective adults, but sex differences are even less obvious. Both have browner crown and upperparts (notably Ist- winter females), and a reduced and 92 Hadoram Shirihai, Gabriel Gargallo, Andreas Helbig, Alan Harris and David Cottridge Identification, plumages, taxonomy and biology of Arabian Warbler Sylvia leucomelaena incomplete white eye-ring; some (again usually 1st-winter females) completely lack white in eye-ring. Male has either adult-like black hood, or a brownish one that approaches adult female. Some are separable from adults in having a variable number of retained juvenile (browner) remiges or primary-coverts (juvenile primaries lack obvious pale tips) creating clear moult-limits; however, this is very variable and those with a more extensive moult are probably largely inseparable from adults. Retained juvenile outer tail feathers have much-reduced, usually invisible, shallow white-buff tips and very narrow edges to outer web; most, however, replace all rectrices during post-juv. moult. Spring (worn) Ad. 366/22 Much as adult in autumn, though with wear and some bleaching blackish head of male becomes more intense and solidly patterned; upperparts, in both sexes, less uniform and browner. Most remiges faded browner with reduced and duller grey-brown fringes (pale primary tips virtually worn-off). White in outer tail and eye-ring is narrower and less obvious, and given stronger subsequent wear (towards summer) can disappear completely, especially in females. Ist-summer dd4/ 2° Much as Ist-winter, but distinctly worn; similar to adults of equivalent season, from which they are usually difficult to separate in the field. Intense bleaching makes general differences in wear between adults and ist-summers less reliable; moreover, moult limits, if any, scarcely visible in the field. Overall plumage usually appears more heavily bleached and untidy, while crown is duller and slightly browner. Eye- ring variable, but compared with adults the number of white feathers is reduced, or wholly lacking in 1st-summer females. Bare parts In the field, bill clearly short and pointed, almost always with a light bluish-grey tinge to the pale basal area of both mandibles contrasting with the extensively greyish-black tip and culmen ridge. Limited age- or sex-related variation: tarsus consistently dark bluish slate-grey (sometimes tinged pale brownish), and orbital ring largely blackish. Ageing by iris colour is largely impractical, as true colour difficult to judge even at short distances. Iris usually appears uniformly dark; however, in autumn, adults have some diffuse whitish-grey dots, sometimes appearing as pale patches or an ill-defined ring; 1st-winters invariably have dark brown irises. In spring, differences between lst-summers and adults are further reduced and obscured. Juvenile | Most resemble female, though reliably differentiated by having typical soft/fluffy feathering. Upperparts almost uniformly dark earth-brown (some have olive-buff tinge); head clearly darker (mainly sooty- brown) than adult, ear-coverts and lores slightly blacker; essentially lacks white in eye-ring, but has diagnostic small, bold white spot just above upper rear corner of lores (near eye). Wing-coverts and tertials characteristically fringed pale rusty buff- brown. Throat and belly clean white, while body-sides, principally vent, suffused light buffish-cream. Tail and bare parts as Ist-winter, but usually has greyish yellow-pink pale lower mandible and distinct yellow gape. 2.3 The major pitfalls Inexperienced observers should be aware of potential confusion risks with black- headed male Sardinian Warbler, which is distinctly smaller, with typical horizontal Sylvia carriage and raised or cocked tail; diagnostic reddish orbital ring, striking white tail pattern, reddish-brown tarsus, and vocalisations also separate it from Arabian Warbler. Only Eastern Orphean and Yemen Warblers should present significant, but easily manageable, identi- fication problems. Differences from S. [hortensis] are covered below; for separation from Yemen Warbler, see that species’ account. Hadoram Shirihai, Gabriel Gargallo, Andreas Helbig, Alan Harris and David Cottridge 93 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 is pet iy a eA Ped a evict Hadoram Shirihai, Gabriel Gargallo, Andreas Helbig, Alan Harris and David Cottridge Identification, plumages, taxonomy and biology of Arabian Warbler Sylvia leucomelaena a ae HH a a ai / il anit lh | Hadoram Shirihai, Gabriel Gargallo, Andreas Helbig, Alan Harris and David Cottridge 95 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 : Plate 3 (previous page, left). Arabian Warbler S. /. negevensis. 1. 1st-winter female; Arava Valley, S Israel, October 1986 (P.Doherty). Whitish flecking in front and behind eye typical of imm. females. Compared with male has distinctly browner head. 2. male; Arava Valley, S Israel, February 1996 (H.Shiriha/). Ad. tail feathers have the most extensive white edges and tips. Typical bulbul-like appearance, with loose, long-tailed impression. 3-4. male, probably 1st-summer; Arava Valley, S Israel, March 1987 (D.Cottridge). Short wing, primary projection and contrastingly long, graduated tail, which is usually held downwards. Large rounded head also distinctive. 5. S. /. leucomelaena, male, probably 1st-winter; Ain Hamran, Oman, January (H. & J. Eriksen). No juv. primaries or primary-coverts apparent, but uniform brown iris suggests a 1st-summer bird (although these features are insufficient for assured diagnosis). With wear, and particularly in young birds, white eye-ring feathers can be absent, even in males. 6. ad. male autumn; Arava Valley, S Israel, October 1986 (P.Doherty). Very typical ad. male negevensis, with rather pure grey upperparts and contrasting black hood. Distinctive ad. greyish spots on iris hardly visible. Plate 4 (previous page, right). Arabian Warbler S. /. negevensis. 1-2. ad. male autumn; Arava Valley, S Israel, December 1988. Ad. male of race negevensis has black hood and purer grey upperparts than nominate. Evenly fresh plumage and greyish dots on iris diagnostic of ads. Fresher, innermost, tertial (left wing) was replaced during pre-nuptial moult. 3. 1st-winter male; Eilat, S Israel, October 1985. Retained browner juvenile primaries and primary-coverts diagnostic of 1st-winter. Uniform brown iris. Sexed by distinctive black hood. 4. 1st-winter male; Arava Valley, S Israel, November 1986. Black hood and purer grey upperparts typical of this race. 5. 1st-winter male; Arava Valley, S Israel, November 1986. 1st-winter with complete post-juvenile moult. Uniform brown iris distinctive. (All photos H. Shirihai.) Separation from Orphean Warbler versus S. 1. negevensis, which also has As demonstrated, Arabian Warbler is greyish upperparts. — distinctive, making even Orphean Warbler (the species it resembles most) not readily confusable. The Orphean allospecies are most similar when they have a blackish hood and dark iris, most usual in 1st-summer males. Adult males are readily identified by their whitish iris, females by their obviously paler head and darker ear-coverts. The two are largely allopatric, and are only likely to 1 Structure and behaviour. Arabian Warbler has shorter wings and primary projection (one third of tertial length or less; one half of tertial length or more in Orphean), with usually fewer, more closely and evenly spaced, primary tips visible, but a distinctly longer tail than Orphean. Arabian diagnostically sits upright, frequently drooping (flicking) its tail below body-line, and has rather meet in Arabia, where Eastern Orphean lumbering, heavy movements occurs on passage. The following (deliberately interrupted by prolonged comparison focuses on S. [h.] crassirostris perching); Orphean, in contrast, is more Identification summary: Arabian Warbler S. leucomelaena A relatively large Sylvia with conspicuous structure and jizz, most notably its striking long tail, enhanced by downwards movements. Strictly associated with Acacia (usually tall). All | are uniformly dark-headed, with hood as dark as tail and both contrasting with paler upperparts; tail poorly patterned with white. Can have diagnostic white eye-ring but never whitish iris. Sexual and age-related dimorphism indistinct. Following characters largely serve to distinguish Arabian from potentially confusing Orphean Warbler allospecies plumages (mostly 1st-summer males). ® Male usually has contrasting and solid blackish-brown hood, most have white eye-ring. @ Female similar, but browner overall, with slightly darker ear-coverts and less complete white eye-ring. # All plumages (including juveniles and very worn individuals) distinguishable by the following: Tail held in line with body, or slihily below it, frequently performs diagnostic downward flopping (several times with each hop); a distinctive habit recalling Olivaceous Warbler. Contrasting blackish tail lacks obvious white from above, at most having shallow white tips to outer two pairs of rectrices and thin white fringe to outermost rectrices in adults. White only visible from below, forming two whitish oval patches near tail tip. Tertials have well-defined whitish fringes; short primary projection (one third or less of visible tertial length) with only 5-6 closely and evenly spaced visible primary tips. B Song loud and far-carrying (clearly different from other Sylvia); call a soft ‘chack, chack’. 96 Hadoram Shirihai, Gabriel Gargallo, Andreas Helbig, Alan Harris and David Cottridge Identification, plumages, taxonomy and biology of Arabian Warbler Sylvia leuacomelaena horizontal and undertakes much more powerful leaps and foraging actions; it lacks the tail-flicking typical of Arabian. Arabian’s bill is usually clearly shorter and more slender than Orphean, which has an evenly tapered bill that is smoothly and, often distinctly, decurved. 2 Tail shape and pattern. Arabian’s long tail is notably graded, usually blackish and contrasts sharply with the upperparts; it has white tips (only visible from below) to the outer two pairs of rectrices (indistinct in juveniles). In Orphean, the tail is generally grey- brown, more concolorous with upperparts; white on tips and outer webs of outer three pairs of feathers very obvious (duller in juveniles). 3 Head and eye. Arabian tends to have a rather uniform dark crown with less contrasting darker ear-coverts, creating almost complete hood (blackish in males); usually with obvious white eye- ring. Immature male Orphean has a paler head and obviously darker ear-coverts, usually without white in eye-ring; some Orphean in spring possess some white in the iris (never in Arabian). 4 Tertial pattern. Arabian Warbler has well-defined, broad whitish tertial fringes, whereas both Orphean allospecies have plain tertials with more diffuse and narrow greyish fringes. waa O85 1.0 Figure 2 Song. H. Shirihai, March 1986, Israel. 3 VOICE 3.1 Practical use Song is a short, rather thrush-like, loud, far-carrying warble, notably bubbling and musical. Recalls Upcher’s Warbler Hippolais languida, Blackcap, or even Blackbird Turdus merula, but notably different from Eastern Orphean Warbler (which see). Contact call a soft ‘chack, chack’, usually repeated up to three times and less harsh than Orphean. Alarm call mostly a prolonged nervous repetition of “chack’-like elements. 3.2 Main repertoire Song. Mostly male, rarely female; pattern and structure probably as male. Seasonal activity. Year-round, but largely January—June (mainly February—April; Shirihai 1988, Cramp 1992). Description. Loud, far-carrying short warble, resembling Upcher’s Warbler. Most phrases involve fluting whistles of Blackcap-like clarity, interspersed with more buzzy notes (Fig.2); usually rather stereotyped and repetitive. Bubbling and musical, phrases sometimes broken by drawn-out ‘pift’ Turdoides babbler-like notes (Hollom et al. 1988). Mean length 1.4 seconds (0.8-1.8; n=10). 15 Coen G O5 Figure 3 Calls. H. Shirihai, March 1986, Israel. Hadoram Shirthai, Gabriel Gargallo, Andreas Helbig, Alan Harris and David Cottridge 97 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 ¢ 0.0 0.5 1.0 Figure 4 Calls. H. Shirihai, March 1986, Israel. Subsong. Reported in late November (in Yemen: Brooks et al. 1987; Israel: Shirihai 1996). Common contact/alarm calls. Soft, quiet, thrush-like ‘chuck’ or ‘chack’ note, usually repeated 1-3 times. In alarm utters a rapid nervous series of loud ‘chuck’ notes (cf. four notes in Fig.3), also often given prior to, or during, song as single note, or more frequently in a short series. The same element can apparently be combined to produce a more rattling, but still relaxed, soft ‘tch-tch-tch-tch’ (Fig.3). Juvenile calls. Contact call is a nasal ‘Zul Zul’ or ‘Zwii zwii’, recalling Twite Carduelis flavirostris or Linnet C. cannabina (Fig.4). 4 IDENTIFICATION IN THE HAND 4.1 General A heavy and robust long-tailed warbler, with an obviously rounded head and blackish hood. Most closely resembles Orphean Warbler allospecies, but with characteristically rounded wings and shorter bill. Always has dark iris and orbital ring, as well as greyish legs, but some plumages possess a prominent, partially white eye-ring. Mostly greyish/brown above and whitish below. 4.2 Discussion of similar species Small Sylvia with a dark hood, such as 98 Hadoram Shirihai, Gabriel Gargallo, Andreas Helbig, Alan Harris and David Cottridge adult or lst-summer Ménétries’s Warbler S. mystacea and most Sardinian Warblers, are easily separated from Arabian by their reddish eye (iris, orbital ring and eye-ring), reddish flesh-brown legs and by having much more white in the tail (see tail patterns). Moreover, both are distinctly smaller, with shorter p10 and, especially in Ménétries’s, p9 closer to wingtip (some overlap; see wing formulae). Younger lst-winter or juvenile Sardinian Warblers, with darker legs and iris, are similar to Arabian in general appearance, but still readily separated by pale orange orbital ring and conspicuous uniform pale buff/orange eye-ring. Note that white is reduced in juvenile rectrices, but there is still more white than in most Arabian Warblers. Note, however, that the southern races of Arabian Warbler, somaliensis and blanfordi, have more white in tail. Riippell’s S. rueppelli and Cyprus Warblers S. melanothorax should never pose a problem, but if in doubt, note diagnostic pointed wing of these species (see wing formulae). Lesser Whitethroat S. curruca never has a hood, has less black in tail and different structure to Arabian, especially the more pointed wing. Orphean Warbler) (only -s2- | crassirostris occurs within Arabian Warbler’s range), often a problem in the field, is easily separated in the hand by the following features. 1. Tail pattern and Identification, plumages, taxonomy and biology of Arabian Warbler Sylvia leucomelaena DF. 0 7 8 50 80 100 10 9:8 ''7.2—12:0 p10 32.1 p9 8.2 ps 0.9 p7 0.1 ps6 0.0 29.0—35.0 6.0-11-0 O5=E5 0.0-0.5 0.0-0.5 0.0—-1.0 1.0-4.0 3.0-6.5 4.5-8.0 5:5=9:5 p5 0.3 p4 2.4 p3 4.4 p2 6.2 p1 7 hare 9p=2/ss 3-ss i if tf de ia Figure 5. Tail patterns of Arabian Warbler. colour: less black, more greyish-brown than Arabian and outer feathers extensively edged and tipped white, more than in any race of Arabian (see Fig.5). 2. Wing formula: Orphean has a noticeably pointed wing, with p9>p4 (equal or 1000 Figure 1. Distribution of wintering Great Bustard Otis tarda in December 1998 and January—February 1999. 11D Yuriy And ryushchenko Current state of the Great Bustard Otis tarda wintering population in south Ukraine Ze “i Sane) hs aos os | Am mms a8 supe ®@ A 6 Figure 2. Distribution of wintering Great Bustard Otis tarda in January 2000. The distribution of Great Bustard in south Ukraine appears to be determined by the abundance and availability of food, as well as lack of disturbance by people, including hunters. Thus, most occurred in areas where winter crops and perennial herbs were in the best condition, namely irrigated lands in south Kherson. Given the smaller extent of irrigated land in south-west Zaporizhzhia and on the Tarkhankut and Kerch peninsulas, numbers of Great Bustard were unsurprisingly lower. However, despite the availability of broad areas of irrigated land adjacent to the Syvash, Great Bustard was scarce there. This is apparently a consequence of high hunting pressure in this area, aS concentrations of wintering waterfowl (mainly geese and ducks) attract local hunters. In contrast to areas north of the Syvash, where the main game species are Grey Partridge Perdix perdix, European Hare Lepus europaeus and Red Fox Canis vulpes, hunting is more regular and involves larger numbers of people. This difference is also apparent in the birds’ behaviour. Great Bustard is shyer in the Prysyvashshia and Kerch peninsulas and can be approached no closer than 200-300 metres, while 20-30 km north of the Syvash this distance is reduced to 100-150 m in the case of an observer on foot and 50 metres when approached by car. When disturbed, they move to other parts of the same field or an adjacent one, continuing to forage or rest, and soon return to the original area. In.contrast, on the Syvash, in south-west Zaporizhzhia and on the Kerch peninsula, once disturbed, Great Bustards flew further and returned less rapidly. Small flocks of 2-10 or 14-47 birds predominated, forming 36.7% and 24.5% of total numbers. Larger flocks were recorded, with those ranging from 170 to 200 individuals containing 16.4% and those of 332-363 individuals 15.7% of the total. Approximately 15% were in a flock of c. 1000 individuals. Most (67.1%) Great Bustards were in 14 large flocks of 170-1000 individuals. Only 12 lone birds were recorded (Fig. 3). Sex was identified for 730 birds. Male-female ratio was 68:100 (229 males and 441 females). Fourteen flocks consisted only of males, two of females and six flocks were mixed. Sex ratios (male-female) among the latter were 7:11, 50:120, 2:5, 3:5, 20:13, 95:247, suggesting that most males form small flocks or are solitary. 7 Yurty Andryushchenko 113 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 HABITATS Wintering Great Bustards prefer fields of winter crops (28.6% of flocks and 15.5% of individuals), stubble of grasses (23.8% and 21.5%), lucerne (14.3% and 36.4%) and fallow lands (15.9% and 127%) (Fig. 4). But, disturbed birds more frequently use grass stubble (51% and 55.5%) (Fig. 5), appearing to be attracted mainly by the cover such areas provide, using the space between rows to hide. Moreover, in this way, the birds also reduce the wind-chill factor, which is likely to significantly affect energy budgets. In addition they may find fresh young growths of plants. During the counts even dandelion Taraxacum officnale was found, indicative of the warm weather in December 1999. Fallow lands without : crops for one season Virgin lands 16% 1.6% Fallow lands without crops for several seasons 15.9% Sunflower | 3.2% Stubble _ 23.8% Fallow lands without Virgin lands crops for one season 0.02% ~ 1.9% Fallow lands without crops for several seasons Sunflower 3.2% < 4 anaes. 21.5% Number of birds (n=5877) Vi a. Number of flocks (n=63) 40 35 30 98) 29 20 154 Number of flocks (n 10 1200 i Be BS 1000 3 oe Ss 8 $k AS oe ee a AA a BS Ss oe DS Ul o55 Ps ees “RE Cc fe RS ~— Se Ss Se 2) Se a SS Oo a $c Mam | Ss To) SR Po ra ed | Be oO Red | Bed © ea | BS c ioe Mm Sc = ea | Bes = se Sec Za eed | Bd 400 bee RS ss I os | SSS eB SS BR Sx on SR we as ss we ee BS $55 Ro et BN 958 se 2S RN SS: Ses Se ss Um 5 fe Se oo MM © > Mm Ss 200 Son iat WS Saas Sata’ Pa / ea ob ES ORS ORS 3 ea/ bea OB ORS ORO bo sees MN Sos: WM cs ON ck 22 D2 cs ss se ws SSR Se Re RR eee BSS oe bd ) 1 2 3 4 5 6 if 8 (e|(9) Size of flocks EB Number of flocks -®—Number of birds | Rape / 7.9% Maize ____ Soy bean 1.6% Winter crops 28.6% __ Lucerne 14.3% Rape [ 71% Soy bean 0.6% | Winter crops 15.5% Lucerne 36.4% Lucerne 167 ee Winter crops 21,7% Winter crops 21.4% Lucerne 143% Sunflower 4.8% Stubble 55.5% Number of flocks (n=14) Sunflower Woes Stubble 50.0% Number of birds (n=1444) Figure 3 (top). Flock size of Great Bustards Otis tarda wintering in southern Ukraine. 1: single birds, 2: 2-10 birds, 3: 14-47 birds, 4: 51-100 birds, 5: 110-135 birds, 6: 170-200 birds, 7: 250 birds, 8: 332-363 birds, 9: 410-422 birds and 10: c.1000 birds. Figure 4 (above left). Distribution of wintering Great Bustard Otis tarda in undisturbed habitats. Figure 5 (above right). Distribution of wintering Great Bustard Otis tarda in disturbed habitats. 114 Yuriy Andryushchenko Current state of the Great Bustard Otis tarda wintering population in south Ukraine Almost all of the fields with winter crops, lucerne and rape where Great Bustards occurred were irrigated. These possessed higher growth compared to non-irrigated land. Following snowfall, the vegetation was still above the snow and was therefore still available to the birds. Absence of Great Bustard from the virgin steppe of Askanya-Nova Biosphere Reserve merits explanation, as the largest concentrations were located just 4-16 km from it. The dense, high steppe vegetation, not subject to grazing, apparently presents a significant obstacle for large ground-dwelling birds. This also accounts for the absence of other steppe species such as Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo, Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax and Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus in the breeding season. LIMITING FACTORS Several factors negatively impact on Great Bustards. Due to a general decline in agriculture over the last decade, the area of winter crops has decreased dramatically, perhaps producing a shortage of available food, as it is mainly those fields adjacent to villages (where disturbance is generally higher) that are cropped. Deep snow cover capped by a thin crust of ice also reduces food availability. Abandoned fields often become overgrown by large weedy plants and within 4-8 years very dense, tall vegetation develops, unusable by Great Bustard. Disturbance by people (usually around villages or towns, and adjacent to roads with heavy traffic) and especially during hunting periods (for waterfowl near large wetlands, and throughout for Galliformes and mammals) are also factors. THREATS Mortality of Great Bustards wintering in south Ukraine is principally caused by collisions with electric powerlines. Less common are shooting by hunters and the catching of birds with ice-covered feathers that have lost the ability to fly. Some die through pesticide poisoning or starvation. During the survey 18 mortalities were recorded, of which 15 were due to collisions with electric powerlines, a cause of death which was also observed by S. Prokopenko and A. Grinchenko (pers. comm.). Remains of three other birds were found, which were likely killed by hunters. The species is apparently regularly hunted, but estimates concerning the extent of this problem, as well as the catching of weak individuals, are unavailable because both activities are illegal. The latter problem is apparently rare though regular, and occurs when frosts rapidly follow periods of rain. Wet feathers become frozen and the birds are incapable of flight until the ice melts. During periods of severe snowfall food plants are covered by deep snow cover and Great Bustards often occur near roads and villages where they may be more easily hunted. Mortalities also occur when birds forage on mice and mice baits poisoned with pesticides. In south Ukraine peasants commonly place small heaps of poisoned corn adjacent to mice burrows. Up to 15 dead birds are sometimes found around such baits (I. Belashkov pers. comm.). RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF WINTERING GREAT BUSTARDS Long-term monitoring of wintering Great Bustards in south Ukraine should be commenced. New reserves should be created and existing reserves and national parks extended, especially in south Kherson, which holds large numbers of wintering Great Bustard, e.g. in Chaplynski, Novotroitski and Ivanivski districts, as well as in east Crimea (Kerch peninsula). Habitat management is required in these areas to maintain vegetation height and cover at appropriate levels. Wildfowling should cease in late Yuriy Andryushchenko 115 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 November rather than late January in areas where irrigation is widespread. Landowners should be encouraged to extend areas of irrigated winter crops by granting compensation (e.g. through taxes) for the damage that Great Bustards may cause to such crops. FUTURE ACTION The following objectives exist for future field work and conservation management. Firstly, a more precise understanding of the species’ wintering population (numbers, distribution, main habitats, limiting factors and threats) is required, as January-February 1999 in particular was warmer than normal and snowless. Consequently many birds are likely to have relocated north and east of the species’ usual wintering areas in Ukraine. Other research should investigate Great Bustard movements using radio- and satellite-tracking (on autumn and spring migration, and its winter movements), inventory breeding and wintering areas in Ukraine and delimit such areas for further protection. It is essential that public awareness of the importance of Ukraine to wintering Great Bustards is heightened by distributing booklets, posters, videos and other publications. Experience with local people demonstrates that only a tiny minority understand the importance of the species’ conservation. It is a common misconception that Great Bustard must be as numerous elsewhere as it is in winter in south Ukraine, where it is considered a prestigious trophy not only by hunters but also among those who are aware of its conservation status. Finally, it may be necessary to restore the Ukrainian Great Bustard population using captive breeding and subsequent release into the wild. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My research was supported by BirdLife International, BirdLife/ Vogelbescherming Nederland (Netherlands Society for the Protection of Birds) and Forderverein ‘Grosstrappenschutz’ (Germany). Financial help was also provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries through the PIN/MATRA Funds of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (The Netherlands) and Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt. Assistance in financing this work was received from the coordinator of the Important Bird Areas project of the Ukrainian Society for Bird Protection, A. Mykytuk, while representatives of Forderverein ‘Grosstrappenschutz’, Dr H. Litzbarski and H. Watzke, and my co-workers in the field, M. Arsievich, P. Gorlov, M. Martynets, I. Stadnichenko and D. Oliynyk, are also thanked for their assistance. REFERENCES ANDRYUSHCHENKO, Y. A. (1996) Demoiselle Crane and other rare Gruiformes in the agricultural landscapes of the steppe zone of the left bank Ukraine and Crimea. Ph.D. dissertation, Moscow. [In Russian.] ANDRYUSHCHENKO, Y. A. (1999) National plan for the protection of Great Bustard and Stone Curlew in Ukraine. UTOP, Kiev. [In Ukrainian. ] ANDRYUSHCHENKO, Y. AND STADNICHENKO, I. (2000) Current state of Great Bustard, Little Bustard and Stone Curlew in the southern left bank of Ukraine. Transactions of Azov—Black Sea Ornithological Station, 1. Branta, Melitopol. [In Russian.] COLLAR, N. J., CRosBy, M. J. AND STATTERSFIELD, A. J. (1994) Birds to watch 2: the world list of threatened birds. BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No.4) Cambridge. GRINCHENKO, A. B. AND KupsHA, A. S. (1999) Extreme wintering of birds in the Crimean peninsula in 1984-1985. Astroprint, Odessa & Branta, Melitopol. [In Russian. ] GULUK, G. I. (ed.) (1978) Atlas of natural conditions and resources of the Ukrainian SSR. Ministerial Council of the USSR, Moscow. [In Russian. ] HEREDIA B., ROSE, L. AND PAINTER, M. (EDS.) (1996) Globally threatened birds in Europe. Council of Europe, Strasbourg. KosTIN, Y. V. (1983) Birds of Crimea. Nauka, Moscow. [In Russian.] SCHERBAK, M. M. (ed.) (1994) Red Data Book of Ukraine: animals. Ukrainian Encyclopedia, Kiev. [In Ukrainian. ] Yurty Andryushchenko, Azov-Black Sea Ornithological Station, Lenin str., 20, Melitopol, 72312, Ukraine. 116 Yuriy Andryushchenko Observations on the breeding biology and population of Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitatus Observations on the breeding biology and population of Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitatus KAREL STASTNY AND VLADIMIR BEJCEK Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitata is a comparatively little-known and globally threatened Socotran endemic. We present new information, obtained during surveys in 1999, 2000 and 2001, concerning its preferred habitat, which was previously considered restricted to coastal halophytic vegetation, but also occurs in dune areas with vegetation of Acacia, Croton and other species. Densities of 13.7 to 28.0 individuals per 10 ha were recorded in optimal vegetation, but were much lower in other areas, implying an overall population of 2000 to 4000 pairs based on the current extent of suitable habitat (c. 40 km’). The first nests of the species have only recently been found, indicating that it breeds both in spring and autumn/winter. Photographs of two nests are presented here, and data on feeding rates, parental care and site, based on observations at one of these, are also provided. INTRODUCTION ELATIVELY LITTLE INFORMATION EXISTS on the avifauna of the Socotra archipelago (Yemen) even for the endemic taxa. Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitatus is one such: Ripley & Bond (1966), Dymond & Porter (1996) and Stattersfield & Capper (2000) provide some data, but hitherto little has been published concerning its breeding biology and population. In 1999-2001, we made four visits to Socotra, each lasting approximately one month, in December 1999, February-March 2000, October-December 2000 and March-April 2001. New information on the species’ distribution and population size was collected, as well as additional data concerning its breeding biology. DISTRIBUTION Until recently Socotra Cisticola was not known to be very widespread. Only three localities where it was relatively numerous had been found, although Dymond & Porter (1996) noted that most of the island had still not been intensively worked, despite the OSME survey in spring 1993. Coastal areas with halophytic vegetation, which previously appeared to be its preferred habitat, had generally been somewhat neglected by visiting ornithologists. The distributions of Socotra Cisticola and Socotra Warbler Incana incana were considered to be mutually exclusive for unclear reasons (Dymond & Porter 1996). However, Socotra Cisticola has subsequently been discovered to be far more widespread than hitherto suspected, primarily in coastal lowlands, but also in the interior. All squares included within the projected Atlas of the breeding birds of Socotra (Porter et al. in prep.) were visited at least once during our surveys. Qualitative, quanti- tative and structural characteristics of the bird communities in all represented habitats were investigated. Fig. 1 maps the species’ breeding distribution based on all data collected since 1993. HABITAT All previous observations were made in similar habitats, namely low sand dunes and coastal plains with sparse, scrubby halophytic vegetation. Tamarisk was generally present on stabilised sandy hillocks. All sites were below five metres above sea level, Karel Stastny and Vladimir Bejcek felt Sandgrouse 24 (2): 117-121 2002 Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitata breeding distribution | Breeding confirmed Present in suitable breeding habitat Figure 1. The distribution of Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitata based on post-1993 surveys. (Copyright BirdLife International/Darwin Initiative) the only exception being the perhaps questionable observation of a family group by Forbes-Watson (Ripley & Bond 1966) in entirely atypical upland grassy meadows around Adho Dimellus, at 870 metres. Ogilvie-Grant & Forbes (1903) found it on stony ground with 60 cm-tall grassy thickets and scattered larger bushes. Our research has permitted revision of the preferred habitats described previously. Socotra Cisticola was not only found in areas with mainly halophytic vegetation (Limonium spp., Helichrysum rosulatum, Lycium socotranum, Atriplex griffitht, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum and additional species of Chenopodiaceae), but also on sand dunes with Tamarix and Suaeda spp., and on dunes with scattered Acacia edgeworthii. It was also found incidentally in sparse stands of Croton socotranus with scattered Ziziphus spina-cristi trees in Wadi Deksheten (Atlas square R6), in bushy stands of C. socotranus with an unidentified underbrush near Deksheten (S6) and at 230 metres at Baa (V5). Once a singing male was observed atop a mangrove Avicennia marina, adjoining a stand of sea lavender Limonium spp. | DENSITY Few data concerning the species’ breeding densities are available. The density calculated from transects made during the 1993 survey was 36.5/km’ (Davidson 1996), while Stattersfield & Capper (2000) suggested a figure of 35-45/km’, based — solely on provisional data collected in November 1999 by the BirdLife International/ Darwin Initiative survey (R. F. Porter in litt. 2002). 118 Karel Stastny and Vladimir Bejcek Observations on the breeding biology and population of Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitatus Karel Stastny and Vladimir Bejcek 119 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 (previous page) Plate 1 (top). Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitata, Socotra, November 1999. (FR. F. Porter) Plate 2. Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitata habitat; (a; middle left) Neet, (b; middle right) Hawlaf, and (c; bottom left) Shuab. (Kare/ Stastny and Vladimir Bejcek) Plate 3 (bottom right). Nest of Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitata, near Gobe, Socotra, October 2000. (Karel Stastny and Vladimir Bejcek) (opposite) Plate 4. Nest of Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitata, Socotra, November 1999. (R. F. Porter) Areas of apparently suitable breeding habitat for Socotra Cisticola were frequently very small. Densities were nonetheless expressed as number of birds per 10 ha, even if many sites, for example discrete clumps of tamarisk, were smaller. We used line transects to survey for the species, each covering at least 10 ha where possible. Numbers of territories were relatively easy to assess, as males possess a conspicuous undulating display-flight, coupled with a distinctive, far-carrying ‘clinking’ song. Densities reached 13.7—28.0/10 ha in optimal habitats of higher (up to one metre) bushy halophytic vegetation (mainly Limonium spp.). In comparison, densities were only 1-5/10 ha in sparser, lower halophytic vegetation (Limonium spp., Atriplex griffithi, Lycium socotranum and other species; cover 30-40%) on sand at Neet (06; Plate 2a) and on stony ground at Gobe (S5). A density of 3.5-7.2/10 ha (autumn 2000 and spring 2000) was found in sand dunes with scattered Acacia edgeworthi (U4). A high density, 33/10 ha, occurred in a stand of Tamarix sp. and Suaeda spp. on sand dunes near Mahfirhin (F7), although this concentration was present in just 3 ha of the total area. The highest recorded density was, surprisingly, in a dense stand of Croton socotranus near Deksheten (S6), where 40 males/10 ha were singing. Collar et al. (1994) treated Socotra Cisticola as Vulnerable, as its overall population was then considered to be fewer than 1000 individuals. The 1999 BirdLife/Darwin Initiative survey proved this estimate to be too low, thus Stattersfield & Capper (2000) suggested an overall population of 2500-10,000 individuals (the area of apparently suitable habitat was considered to be less than 100 km’). Our data suggest the existence of 2000-4000 pairs, i.e. similar to the overall findings of the BirdLife /Darwin Initiative team, which conducted further surveys in 2000 and 2001, and considered the — total population to number 3000 pairs, with territory densities ranging from 1.3 to 21.0/10 ha and suitable habitat perhaps covering 40 km’ (R. F. Porter in litt. 2002). 120 Karel Stastny and Vladimir Bejcek Observations on the breeding biology and population of Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitatus BREEDING BIOLOGY Almost nothing was previously known of the Socotra Cisticola’s breeding biology. Forbes-Watson observed a family consisting of two adults and three juveniles, 172 km west of Hadibu, on 16 April (Ripley & Bond 1966). We found a nest, on 31 October 2000, near Gobe ($5) within a mixed stand of Pulicaria stephanocarpa and Tephrosia spp., with some Cissus subaphylla and vegetation coverage of 30-40%. The nest was ovoid with an entrance at the top and was situated c. 30 cm above ground in a P. stephanocarpa. The three chicks were approximately three days old. They had a yellow gape with a black spot on the tongue. During 157 minutes of continuous observation at the nest, principally in wind and rain, the female fed the young 19 times, at a mean interval of 8.3 minutes (the male was singing nearby during this period). Each chick thus received a mean six feeds during the observation period. The female remained at the nest for extended periods on three occasions, for 30 seconds, 75 seconds and 18 minutes (when apparently brooding the chicks). Faeces were seen to be removed only once. An unidentified green grasshopper was the only food item clearly observed. The female flew approximately 100 metres from the nest to feed. As noted, the male sang while the chicks were being fed, always from the underbrush, rather than in display-flight, and at intervals of c. 4 minutes. Numbers of Socotra Cisticola at this locality were relatively low, 5/10 ha in spring 2000 and 4/10 ha in autumn 2000. The BirdLife/Darwin team found nests in November 1999 (R. F. Porter in litt. 2002), thus demonstrating that Socotra Cisticola nests both in spring and autumn/winter. Further observations of breeding behaviour concerned individuals carrying nest material, in dunes with semi-desert shrub vegetation at Handa (U7), on 12 December 1999, and just west of the airport (54) in halophytic vegetation (coverage 40-60%), on 14 December 1999. Recently fledged juveniles were observed being fed by adults at Noged I (U7), on 12 December 1999. Porter et al. found a nest with young at Halmee (U7), on 16 November 1999, in Indigofera scrub with co-dominant Cissus (30% cover of grass/annuals), and both a recently constructed nest and three fledged young in dunes with Tamarix and Indigofera at Hayf (U7), on 18 November 1999. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We acknowledge the help of Richard Porter and Simon Aspinall, on behalf of the BirdLife International/Darwin Initiative survey team. Our field work was supported by the Czech Republic Ministry of Agriculture. REFERENCES COLLAR, N. J., CRosBy, M. J. AND STATTERSFIELD, A. J. (1994) Birds to watch 2: the world list of threatened birds. BirdLife International (Conservation Series No. 4), Cambridge. DAVIDSON, P. (1996) Habitats and bird communication in southern Yemen and Socotra. Sandgrouse 17: 102-129. DYMOND, J. N. AND PorTER, R. F. (1996) The Socotra Cisticola Cisticola fiaesitata. Sandgrouse 17: 145-147. OGILVIE-GRANT, W. R. AND FORBES, H. O. (1903) Birds of Sokotra and ‘Abd al-Kuri. In: Forbes, H. O. (ed.) The natural history of Sokotra and ‘Abd al-Kuri. Porter, London. PORTER, R. F., FLUMM, D. S., ASPINALL, S. AND AL SAGHIER, O. (in prep.) Atlas of the breeding birds of the Socotra archipelago. RIPLEY, S. D. AND BOND, G. M. (1966) The birds of Socotra and Abd-el-Kuri. Smithsonian Misc. Coll. 151 (7): 1-37. STATTERSFIELD, A. J. AND CAPPER, D. R. (2000) Threatened birds of the world. BirdLife International, Cambridge & Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Karel Stastny and Vladimir Bejcek, Department of Ecology, Forestry Faculty, Czech University of Agriculture, Kamycka 129, Prague 6—Suchdol, Czech Republic. Karel Stastny and Vladimir Bejcek 121 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 122-129 2002 The captive origin of bird species in Kuwait GEORGE GREGORY The problem of exotic bird species in the Arabian Peninsula is a serious and increasing one, and this necessitates thorough evaluation of the origin and status of such species in each country. Many exotic and regionally occurring bird species have been released or escaped from captivity in Kuwait. Some have become established as breeding birds, and others could do so. Many species are on sale in bird markets, are kept in private collections or as pets, or are used for falconry. All bird species known or suspected to be of captive origin in Kuwait are listed together with notes on their status. INTRODUCTION NE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS of The Arabian Ornithological and Conservation Conference, Bahrain 2000, was to ‘Prevent the introduction of exotic species and to undertake to control or eradicate exotic species’. Before such measures can be taken, it is first necessary to evaluate the situation concerning exotic species in each country, and one of the purposes of this paper is to present such information for Kuwait. Not all released or escaped exotic species have the potential to become established as breeding birds. However, it is not always easy to predict which species could do so, and it is therefore preferable to maintain a complete record of all those believed to have been released or escaped. Not all species originating in captivity are exotics. Some regionally occurring species are imported, captured locally or even exported, creating an exchange among free-flying and captive populations in Kuwait and other countries. The natural spread of some species may be pre-dated, augmented or accelerated by individuals of captive origin. CAPTIVE BIRDS IN KUWAIT The main bird market in Kuwait is an annex to the Friday market in Rai district, east- central Kuwait City (see Fig. 1). A large number of bird species is on display there for sale as pets. There are many species of babblers and allies (Timalidae), parrots and allies (Psittacidae), bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) and waxbills (Estrildidae), and fewer mynahs and starlings (Sturnidae), pigeons and doves (Columbidae), larks (Alaudidae), galliformes (Phasianidae), finches (Fringillidae) and buntings (Emberizidae) permanently on sale. Occasionally displayed are various crows and allies (Corvidae), drongos (Dicruridae), sparrows (Ploceidae) and sandgrouse (Pteroclididae). Unexpected species have included Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum, Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus, Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus, Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla and Song Thrush Turdus philomelos. Much lower numbers and variety of bird species occur in other markets such as at Wafra and Qibla. Live poultry, mostly domestic fowls and quail (Phasianidae) and ducks and geese (Anatidae), is on sale for food or egg-laying in markets and shops in many areas of Kuwait, and is kept on many farms and even within urban areas. Some bird-hunters keep wounded birds in captivity, and such species have included various sandgrouse Pterocles sp., Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus, Lapwing 122 George Gregory The captive origin of bird species in Kuwait Figure 1. Map of Kuwait showing localities mentioned in the text. 1. Al-Abrag Al-Khabari 2. Dibdibah 3. National Park (includes Tulha) 4. Sabriya 5. Hujaijah 6. Jahra 7. Doha 8. Sulaibikhat 9. Kabd 10. Sabah Al-Salem 11. Abu Halifa 12. Ahmadi 13. Wafra 14. Al-Zour Dai’ya, Jabriya, Qibla, Rai, Rawda, Rumaithiya, Salmiya, Salwa, Shaab and Shuwaikh are districts of Kuwait City. SAUDI ARABIA Vanellus vanellus, doves Streptopelia sp., Quail Coturnix coturnix and Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus. The traditional sport of falconry has many practitioners in Kuwait. As well as the expected Saker Falco cherrug, Lanner F. biarmicus, Peregrine F. peregrinus and Barbary Falcons F. pelegrinoides, a variety of Accipitridae is known or suspected to be in private captivity in Kuwait and in nearby countries. The National Zoo, in southern Kuwait City, holds a variety of bird species. There are also various private collections of birds in outdoor aviaries, of known importance are several at Wafra and one at Sabriyah. Many thousands of families keep smaller numbers of caged birds as pets. Some exotic species have apparently arrived by ship in Kuwait, and some individuals may have been in captivity as pets prior to their reaching the country’s shores. There are many dovecotes, some very large and of elaborate design, for various types of Rock Dove Columba livia, mostly Tumbling Pigeons, and some Racing Pigeons are thought to be kept. With so many birds in captivity there is clearly a high chance of some escaping. LIST OF BIRD SPECIES OF CAPTIVE ORIGIN IN KUWAIT The following is intended to be a complete list of bird species, judged likely of captive origin but recorded as free-flying in Kuwait, excluding those that have not bred in the wild or been recorded in a wild state in the Middle East, as defined by OSME, or are species occurring naturally in Kuwait that were captured locally. Where given, the status of species is taken from Cramp et al. (1977-94), Porter et al. (1996) or Jennings (1995). Unless stated, individual records are personal communications to the Bird Monitoring and Protection Society or to GG, or are in the public domain. George Gregory 123 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor Vagrant to Oman (though origin perhaps suspect; M. C. Jennings in litt. 2002) and Yemen. Captive birds known in Bahrain (M. C. Jennings in litt. 2002) and possibly held in private collections elsewhere in Arabia, but not observed in captivity in Kuwait. One at Doha Port, on 6 April 1999, observed by H.-M. Busch, J. Rathgeber- Knan and W. Bindl, could have been of wild rather than of captive origin. However, no description was taken, so the record is moot. Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Some, or perhaps all, of the three known recent records may have involved escaped falconers’ birds, though wild origin is probably equally likely. An adult female, found dead in the National Park before it was effectively fenced, did not bear jesses. However, this does not prove that it had not been used in falconry. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos A second-year at Dibdibah on 2 March 1995 (GG et al.) was sional wild, but in plumage appeared closer to nominate chrysaetos than to the expected homeyeri, and thus may have been an escape from a private collection, possibly in Saudi Arabia. Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus It is possible that some records refer to escaped falconers’ birds, though wild origin is probably equally likely. Saker Falcon F. cherrug It is possible that some records refer to escaped falconers’ birds, though wild origin is probably equally likely, the species being a winter visitor to northern Arabia. Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus One that wintered around Jahra Pool in 1994-1995 had jesses (GG et al.). One of unknown origin, photographed by M. S. Al-Ahmed, has roosted on a tall bank building at Qibla during the last two years. While some records clearly relate to escapees, most are probably wild. Chukar Alectoris chukar The nearest wild populations are in the highlands of Iran, Musandam (Oman/UAE) and north-east Saudi Arabia; it is a resident that performs only local movements. Observed on several occasions for sale in the main bird market and in private collections, having been imported from Iran and Pakistan. Two singles, location and observers unstated, on 29 January 1959 and 22 March 1967 (Pilcher undated) are best regarded as escapes. See-see Partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis The nearest wild populations are in the highlands of Iraq and iran, and only limited winter dispersal is known. Observed several times for sale in the main bird market, usually in pairs, having been imported from Iran and Pakistan. One with damaged plumage at Kabd on 8 July 1999 (Cowan 2000) is best regarded as an escape. Quail Coturnix coturnix Common on passage in Kuwait with some winter records and has possibly bred. Occasionally recorded for sale in the main bird market, having been imported from various countries (also Japanese Quail C. japonica). Some Kuwait records may involve birds of captive origin. 124 George Gregory The captive origin of bird species in Kuwait Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus The nearest wild populations are in the lowlands of south-east Iraq; there are 2-3 records from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, probably of naturally occurring birds (Bundy et al. 1989), and the species has been introduced into UAE (Richardson 1992). Seen twice for sale in the main bird market. A male in the coastal section of the National Park on 14 March 2000 (O. & S. Schroeder and G. Ostero) was possibly a wild bird but captive origin cannot be eliminated. Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum Though not generally accepted as occurring in the Middle East, it is a deliberately introduced exotic with an established breeding population on Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE (D. Robinson in Anon. 1994). A free-flying bird in perfect condition was wounded and captured at Al-Zour, on the Gulf, in early September 2001, and was subsequently observed in captivity (GG, Khalid Al-Nasrallah et al.). It had presumably dispersed from the UAE breeding colony, unless there are others in collections within the Gulf area, raising the issue of which category of Kuwaiti, and therefore Western Palearctic, species this record belongs. : Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata Spotted Sandgrouse breeds in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse is a common winter visitor to this region. Nonetheless, it is worth remarking that some are imported into Kuwait from Iran and Pakistan, and a few injured local birds are occasionally for sale in the main bird market. Some injured local birds observed in private collections at Al-Abraq Al-Khabari, Al-Zour, Shuwaikh and Rawda. Rock Dove Columba livia No records of wild Rock Dove. Large populations of Feral Pigeon in most settled areas, and Tumbling Pigeons in dovecotes at many sites. Many of both types, including some imported pedigree Tumbling and Display Pigeons, for sale in bird markets. Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Rare winter visitor to the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Nearest breeding populations are in Iraq and Iran. Rare in Kuwait. Occasionally for sale in the main bird market, imported from ‘Czechoslovakia’ (sic). Some Kuwait records may involve birds of captive origin. African Collared Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea and Barbary Dove S. (r.) risoria African Collared Dove breeds in south-west Arabia, and is apparently spreading north and east. It has bred in the Riyadh area and has reached Bahrain and Israel, and therefore could eventually colonise Kuwait. Barbary Dove is a domesticated variety that is widely kept in captivity. Imported African Collared Doves occasionally, and Barbary Doves more regularly, are for sale in the main bird market. One free-flying African Collared Dove, best regarded as an escape, was observed in Salmiya in March 2001, and another was at Salwa on 1 January 2002 (GG). Up to seven were recently at Sabah Al-Salem and two (including one African Collared x Barbary Dove) at Abu Halifa (GG, A. Bailey et al.) but are presumed to be feral. Barbary Dove is occasionally seen free-flying in various parts of Kuwait, but such records are rarely reported. At Abdulfatai Marafie Farm, Wafra, on 31 May 2001, GG et al. observed nesting African Collared and Barbary Doves, together with apparent intergrades of various colorations, in a large outdoor aviary. Just outside was a pair of Barbary Dove nesting in a tree and nearby were c. 10 Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto, which were probably nesting. All could interbreed in the wild if escapes occur. There are many similar collections in Kuwait. George Gregory 125 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 Bruce’s Green Pigeon Treron waalia Resident in south and south-west Arabia, with numbers augmented by summer migrants from Africa, which could possibly overshoot. Not observed in the bird markets. Two shot dead and preserved at Al-Abraq Al-Khabari in spring 2001, subsequently identified and photographed (although photographs mislaid) by M. S. Al-Ahmed. The remoteness of the locality, in the western desert, suggests they might have been wild overshoots but captive origin is equally possible. Namaqua Dove Oena capensis Recorded increasingly in Kuwait, mostly in spring and autumn, and probably a breeding resident in small numbers. Batches of up to 30, usually in bad condition, for sale in the main bird market, perhaps indicate that some records may derive from escapes. Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri An exotic species that has become established and widespread in settled areas, though much commoner in winter than in summer and not proven to breed. Commonly noted for sale in the bird markets, having been mostly imported. Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria An exotic that may breed in various parts of Arabia (Jennings 1992). Occasionally noted for sale in the main bird market. Occasional records of free-flying birds are best considered to be of local captive origin. Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus An exotic that has occasionally bred in Arabia (Jennings 1986). Regularly noted for sale in the bird markets. Occasional records are best considered to be of local captive origin. Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata Mostly an uncommon passage migrant in Kuwait but has bred once. Occasionally on sale, in large batches, in the main bird market, having been imported from Iran and Pakistan, thus some of those recorded in Kuwait may be of captive origin. White-cheeked Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys Common breeding resident in settled areas, the original colonisation may have involved escapes. Many imports for sale in the bird markets, and at least one intentional large release, at Wafra in spring 2001, is known. Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos Resident in many parts of Arabia but not Kuwait. Recorded as a vagrant in Iraq (perhaps breeding) and could colonise Kuwait. Occasionally noted for sale in the main bird market. Two, location and observers unstated, on 6 April 1989 (Pilcher undated), and three at Dai’ya on 24 September 1998 (M. Chichester & J. Gaskell). These could be naturally occurring birds but captive origin is distinctly likely. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer An exotic species that is commonly for sale in the bird markets. Well established through escapes or deliberate releases from captivity, with an apparent recent increase in numbers in Kuwait, where proven or presumed to breed at Al-Zour, Ahmadi, Messila, Salwa, Rumaithiya, Salmiya, Shaab, Shuwaikh and Jahra. Probably occurs in suitable habitats in other areas. Up to 100 pairs are estimated to breed annually. 126 George Gregory The captive origin of bird species in Kuwait Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus Breeds in Iraq and Iran, occurring on passage and in winter in Kuwait. Occasional batches of up to 20 on sale in the main bird market, having been imported from Iran. Also held in private collections, for example at Sabriya. Some Kuwait records, including a single, increasingly vocal, male at Salwa in March 1996, may refer to escapes. Waxwing sp. Bombycilla sp. Waxwing B. garrulus is a vagrant in Turkey, Iran, Cyprus and Israel. Cedar Waxwing B. cedrorum has occasionally been observed for sale, in batches of up to 30, in the main bird market. One waxwing sp., captured at Sulaibikhat in June 2001, seen by M.S. Al-Ahmed, subsequently died and the specimen was discarded. Though not specifically identified, it is best considered to have been a Cedar Waxwing of captive origin, as Waxwing has not been observed for sale in the bird markets, and because of the unlikely date. Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus Breeds in Turkey and, recently, Syria (Tavares et al. 2000). Rare or irregular winter visitor to Iran, Cyprus and Israel. Occasional batches of up to 100 on sale in the main bird market, their origin stated, improbably, to be Iran. A pair at Jahra Pool on 11 February 1994 (Wright 1994) and a single there on 28 August 1999 (S. T. Spencer). These birds could have been wild but there is the distinct possibility that they were of local captive origin. Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Formerly bred in south-east Iran, rare in UAE and a vagrant in Oman. A single, location and observers unstated, on 24 December 1992 (Pilcher undated) was possibly wild but captive origin cannot be eliminated, as it has occasionally been seen for sale in the main bird market. Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus Breeds in Iraq and Iran. Not observed for sale in the bird markets, though the species could have been imported from India or Pakistan, as many other species of Timalidae have been. First recorded at Al-Zour on 14 August 1998 (M. Chichester, though could have been present before he lived there), and continuously observed there since. Four on 9 October 1998, and 1-2 subsequently. One carrying twigs on 21 April 2000. One at Jahra Pool in early 1999, including 25 February, was seen, and once filmed, by many observers. These could have dispersed from Iraq but were also possibly of captive origin. Magpie Pica pica Breeds in highlands of north Iraq and Iran, dispersing in winter to south Iraq. One, identified by an American horticulturalist (name mislaid) on 5 November 1988, was subsequently seen by many other observers and remained until 26 November 1989 in various parks in Kuwait City. It was perhaps wild but the possibility of captive origin cannot be eliminated, despite the species not having been seen for sale in the bird markets. House Crow Corvus splendens An exotic which has become established in many coastal cities, primarily arriving by ship. Once for sale in the main bird market. Occurs regularly at Shuwaikh (up to nine, breeds annually) and Ahmadi (up to 13, presumed to breed), less regularly at Salwa (up to four), Al-Zour (up to two) and Abu Halifa (up to two), and once at Jabriya. Established as a breeding species with a total population of c. 30 individuals. One at George Gregory 127 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 Salwa on 14 November 1996 was bearing two long leather cords around one leg, indicating that some records involve escapes, not just ship-borne birds. Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis Scarce resident that has bred and could become re-established in the National Park. Two for sale in the main bird market had reportedly been imported, indicating that some recent records may refer to individuals of captive origin. | Brahminy Mynah Sturnus pagodarum An exotic species that has bred in Dubai (M. Resa Khan in Anon. 1994). Singles at Jahra Farms on 5 February 1999 and at Hujaijah on 10 May 1999 (GG & P. Robertson, were clearly of captive origin, although the species has not been observed for sale in bird markets. Common Mynah Acridotheres tristis An exotic, long established as a breeding resident in settled areas of Kuwait. Regularly for sale in bird markets, having been imported from Pakistan and India. Bank Mynah Acridotheres ginginianus An exotic that has become established in Rear (Gregory & Al-Nasrallah 2001). Regularly for sale in bird markets, having been imported from India. Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus Occurs mostly on passage in Kuwait, with increased numbers in recent years. Occasionally for sale in the main bird market, apparently imported from India, thus some of these records may refer to individuals of captive origin. Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar In Arabia a scarce but widespread exotic, from south and south-east Asia, which has bred in Riyadh and probably in UAE (Jennings 1995). Singing males, either escapes originating from the main bird market or having spread from elsewhere, in reeds at Sabah Al-Salem in 1998 (S. T. Spencer) and 2002 (GG and A. Bailey) indicate possibility of breeding. Zebra Waxbill Amandava subflava Breeds in Yemen, where possibly introduced. Occasionally for sale in the main bird market. One at Salwa on 24 May 1999 (GG) was tame and obviously of captive origin. Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica Indigenous to eastern Arabia, but apparently spreading north-west naturally. Established in other parts of the Middle East, probably through escaped cagebirds. Regularly on sale in the main bird market, having been imported from India. Many records in Kuwait, especially recently, including up to 20 in Doha area and up to nine at Al-Zour, with smaller numbers at Jahra and Sabah Al-Salem. Not proven to breed but appears about to become established. Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Scarce winter visitor to Kuwait. Occasionally for sale in the main bird market, reportedly imported from Syria, Iraq and Iran. Some Kuwait records may involve individuals of captive origin. 128 George Gregory The captive origin of bird species in Kuwait Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps Several records, including an adult male photographed. However, regularly on sale in the main bird market, so at least some of these may involve individuals of captive origin. Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala More than ten recent records, with several photographed and one specimen, an adult female, now in the Natural History Museum, Tring, and thus considered to be a scarce passage migrant in Kuwait. However, regularly recorded for sale in the main bird market, making it possible that some of these records may involve individuals of captive origin. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Guy Kirwan (Sandgrouse Editor) and Mike Jennings (Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia coordinator) offered advice on the status of some species. Su’ad Al-Ahmadi helped with translation at the main bird market. REFERENCES ANON. (1994) New exotic breeding species. Phoenix 11: 4-5. BUNDY, G., CONNOR, R. J. AND HARRISON, C. J. O. (1989) Birds of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. H.F. & G. Witherby, London. CowaAN, P. J. (2000) A female See-see Partridge in Kuwait. Phoenix 17: 13. CRAMP, S., SIMMONS, K. E. L. AND PERRINS, C. M. (EDs.) (1977-1994) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vols. 1-9. Oxford University Press. GREGORY, G. AND AL-NASRALLAH, K. (2001) The establishment of Bank Mynah Acridotheres ginginianus as a breeding species in Kuwait. Sandgrouse 23: 134-138. JENNINGS, M. C. (1986) Breeding exotics. Phoenix 3: 2. JENNINGS, M. C. (1992) Alexandrine Parakeet, Arabia’s newest breeding parrot? Phoenix 9: 4. JENNINGS, M. C. (1995) An interim atlas of the breeding birds of Arabia. National Commission for Wildlife Conservation & Development, Riyadh. PILCHER, C. W. T. (undated) A checklist of the birds of Kuwait. Unpubl. ms. Porter, R. F., CHRISTENSEN, S. AND SCHIERMACKER-HANSEN, P. (1996) Field guide to the birds of the Middle East. T. & A. D. Poyser, London. RICHARDSON, C. (1992) Escapes and introductions in the United Arab Emirates. Phoenix 9: 13-15. TAVARES, J., SA PESSOA, P. AND BRITO E ABREU, F. (2000) The first breeding record of Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus in Syria. Sandgrouse 22: 145-146. WRIGHT, B. (1994) First record of Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus in Kuwait. Sandgrouse 16: 62-63. George Gregory, K. E. S., P. O. Box 8640, Salmiya, 22057, Kuwait. George Gregory #29 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 130-134 2002 Age at first breeding of Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus STAVROS XIROUCHAKIS AND COSTAS GRIVAS In the wild, Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus normally starts to breed no earlier than its eighth calendar year. We describe a very rare case of early breeding of Lammergeier on the island of Crete in 1999-2000. The pair consisted of a female (over six years old) and a male (aged five) whose fertile egg produced a chick. These circumstances probably arose from a combination of a scarcity of adult mates (caused by human persecution) and high food abundance (the result of an artificial feeding programme). INTRODUCTION HE LAMMERGEIER Gypaetus barbatus is a territorial large.scavenger widely distributed throughout major montane regions of Eurasia and Africa. The age of first breeding is regarded by the majority of authors as being the age that adult plumage is acquired, namely five calendar years, the assumption being that sexual maturity occurs at that time (Dementiev & Gladkov 1966, Glutz et al. 1971, Cramp & Simmons 1980). However, in the wild, observations have confirmed that Lammergeier usually starts to breed no earlier than its eighth calendar year, and often later (Heredia 1991a, Donazar 1993). In the Spanish Pyrenees, there is no recorded case of Lammergeier laying eggs before acquiring full-adult plumage (Heredia 1991a), although copulation and nest construction by pairs comprising birds of five and six years old have been observed (Heredia pers. comm.). In the Alps, following the release of captive-bred individuals in 1986, four pairs formed in winter 1993-1994, when the first copulations took place. All birds were in immature plumage (Frey & Liopis 1998), but the first nesting attempt that produced a fledgling was not observed until 1997 (Heuret & Rouilon 1998). For birds in captivity, the mean age of first reproduction is 8.27 calendar years for males and 7.77 for females, although again copulations may be observed 1-2 years prior to the first egg being laid (Frey et al. 1995). OBSERVATIONS Pair formation between a female Lammergeier in adult plumage and a younger male was observed in spring 1999 in a territory in central Crete. Four age classes have been recognised in Lammergeier (juvenile, immature, sub-adult and adult), although authors differ in the range of months they allot to each (Delibes et al. 1984, Parellada 1984, Brown 1989, Heredia & Heredia 1991, Forsman 1999). It is therefore better to refer to actual age than to age groups or plumage types. Up to three calendar years of age plumage is generally dark, the face being black, breast brownish and the entire body and wing feathers being dark, elongated and pointed, presenting a uniform appearance. In the fourth calendar year (i.e. three years old), the head becomes paler and white mottling emerges on the underwing-coverts and underparts. In the fourth year, the face becomes largely white and the proportion of white feathers on the underparts increases. When five years old, birds have a predominantly white head, dark feathers being retained on the neck and in a broad 130 Stavros Xirouchakis and Costas Grivas Age at first breeding of Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus band across the breast, while the underparts become a non-uniform or ‘dirty’ white. From the age of six years, the species has a white face and neck, silvery-black upperparts and pale ochre underparts. In 2000, the age of the young male was estimated at five years. A feeding station was established in this pair’s territory in January-March 1999 and November 1999-March 2000 (Xirouchakis 1998). During 1999-2000 the quantity of supplemental food (e.g. extremities of small ungulates) totalled 350 kg of bones, the estimated annual food requirement of a breeding pair (Hiraldo et al. 1979). The birds were observed soaring together, and defending a 60 metre-high vertical cliff against all raptors passing within 400 metres. Eventually a nest was constructed on the upper third of the cliff, on a ledge 80 cm deep and c. 150 cm long. The nest was 750 metres from the feeding station, at an altitude of 690 metres and faced south-east. It was estimated that the chick hatched by late March. During its first weeks, when fresh meat is essential for its survival (Margalida & Bertran 1997), the adults were provided with rabbit carcasses placed on a rocky outcrop 300 metres from the nest. This action attempted to minimise interspecific competition between the Lammergeiers and other avian scavengers. The pair was the first to exploit this source of food. Both adults not only chased all other large raptors such as Griffon Vulture Gyps fuluus and Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos that entered their nesting territory but also displaced small scavengers, such as Raven Corvus corax from the carcass. However, the young bird disappeared in late April or early May, when the nest was found to be empty, all trace of the chick having disappeared. It was most unlikely that the carcass would be found, because Griffon Vultures breed in the vicinity of the nest and might have already consumed it. A pair of Raven, whose territory included the nest area, could also have been responsible, but the reason for the nest failure is unclear. Species that exhibit deferred maturity are occasionally recorded breeding before acquiring full-adult plumage (Lawton & Lawton 1986). Vultures of the genus Gyps regularly breed as immatures. Griffons of 3-4 years old have been recorded breeding in South Africa (Mundy et al. 1992) while 25-28% of breeding Griffon Vultures in Spain comprise mixed pairs of adults and sub-adults (Blanco et al. 1997). Other large raptors that have been recorded breeding in sub-adult plumage include Golden Eagle and Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca. Many large birds are physiologically capable of breeding earlier than the bulk of the breeding population (Valverde 1960, Sanderman 1957, Bates 1976, Teresa 1980, Ferrer & Calderén 1990) but cases of Lammergeiers breeding prior to attaining full-adult plumage are very rare. This appears to be only the third record of a wild individual breeding before it is six calendar years old, when adult plumage is fully acquired. The other records are from South Africa (C. J. Brown in litt.) and the former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (Grubac 1991). In the latter case, pair formation occurred between two closely related birds, an adult male mated with a four-year-old female offspring, and successfully raised one young. Furthermore, it is also very rare for birds in captivity to breed prematurely, despite breeding centres and zoos creating optimum conditions for controlled reproduction. Only two cases have been recorded in aviaries, when a male and a female successfully reproduced in their fifth calendar year. Both were paired with older mates (Frey et al. 1995). Stavros Xirouchakis and Costas Grivas Lik Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 REASONS FOR PREMATURE BREEDING The phenomenon of premature breeding by Lammergeier might be linked to environ- mental conditions and to population stress. Favourable food supplies (including artificial feeding) do not alone explain the present case. The Lammergeier population in the Spanish Pyrenees also has ample food sources (Heredia 1991b, Margalida et al. 1997) but there is no record of any individual younger than six calendar years old breeding. Moreover, in the case of the premature breeding attempt in former Yugoslav Macedonia (Grubac 1991) food availability was not artificially increased. Population structure is more likely to play a part, and may be the governing factor for age distribution of breeding pairs and the formation of pair-bonds. In both of the above documented cases of Lammergeier premature breeding, the species faced demographic constraints, suffering high adult mortality inflicted by humans (Grubac 1991). In Crete the Lammergeier population numbered c.12 breeding pairs until the early 1980s (Handrinos 1985), whereas at present it consists of only four breeding pairs within an estimated total population of 24 individuals (Xirouchakis et al. 2001), including several adult ‘floaters’. The dramatic decline has been attributed to habitat alteration, disturbance, secondary poisoning and, above all, shooting. During the last decade, seven individuals have been shot and one poisoned. In stable Lammergeier populations, adult ‘floaters’ are few. Brown (1997) reports that in a three-year study in South Africa and Lesotho, almost five months elapsed before a replacement mate was obtained after the death of an adult in a pair, the replacement being a sub-adult (45-60 months). Moreover, five-year-old birds comprise just a small proportion (3.5-9.0%) of the Lammergeier population in different parts of its range (Brown 1977, Brown 1997, Antor 1999). These data, though few, indicate that premature breeding in Lammergeier is more probably related to a shortage of adults rather than a surplus of sub-adults. Most known cases supporting this hypothesis are from population studies of Golden Eagle, which is also a large territorial raptor heavily persecuted by man (Haller 1982, Love 1983, Palmer 1988, Marchant & Higgins 1993). In Scotland, the incidence of sub- adult eagles breeding is frequent only in areas where human persecution is severe. Normally, sub-adults are excluded from breeding by territorial adults (Watson et al. 1989). It has also been demonstrated that the incidence of sub-adult breeding is not correlated with food abundance nor with density of sub-adults in the previous winter, but is highest in years with low densities of adults. Territorial vacancies most probably are filled by sub-adults when adult ‘floaters’ are unavailable (Steenhof et al. 1983). In the case of the Cretan Lammergeier population, the ‘floaters’ that occupy a territory constitute 50% of the total number of adults. However, in 1996-2000, there was no documented record of a replacement of a dead adult from a breeding pair by a ‘floater’. Adult Lammergeiers are strongly territorial, exhibit sedentary behaviour and a high degree of site fidelity. The formation of a pair on a new territory or the restoration of a pair on an old territory appears to depend on wandering immature or sub-adult birds joining solitary adults already in occupation, rather than on the chance encounter of two adult ‘floaters’. The same pattern of dependence is also observed in the Alps where a newly established Lammergeier population is expanding (Zink 2000). Thus, for K-selected species, which are also poor colonisers, such as Lammergeier, the ultimate aim of any conservation action should be high adult survival rates and increased annual reproduction. ile Stavros Xirouchakis and Costas Grivas Age at first breeding of Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are very grateful to G. Roussopoulos and Dr C. Papazoglou for assisting our field work. We also thank R. Heredia and Dr H. Frey for providing their observations of premature breeding in the Spanish Pyrenees and Alps. This work was partially funded by a LIFE project of the European Union (B4-3200/98/444). REFERENCES ANTOR, R. (1999) Evoluci6n demografica de la poblacion: estiamacion de las tasa de supervivencia y el tamano de la poblaci6n preadulta de Quebrantahuesos en el Pirineo. 1a parte. Revista 2: 17-24. BATES, G. G. (1976) Breeding of sub-adult Golden Eagle. Bird Study 23: 284. BLANCO, G., MARTINEZ, M. AND TRAVERSO, J. M. (1997) Pair bond and age distribution of breeding Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus in relation to reproductive status and geographic area in Spain. [bis 139: 180-183. Brown, C. J. (1997) Population dynamics of the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in southern Africa. Afr. J. E¢ol=35: 93-63. BROWN, C. J. (1989) Plumage and measurements of the Bearded Vulture in Southern Africa. Ostrich 60: 165-171. GLUTZ VON BLOTZHEIM, U., BAUER, K. AND BEZZEL, E. (eds.) (1971) Handbuch der Vogel Mitteleuropas. Vol. 4. Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Frankfurt & Main. CRAMP, S. AND SIMMONS, K. E. L. (eds.) (1980) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 2. Oxford University Press. DEMENTIEV, G. P. AND GLADKOV, N. A. (1966) Birds of the Soviet Union. Vol. 1. Israel Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem. DELIBES, M., HIRALDO, F. AND CALDERON, J. (1984) Age and geographic variation in the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus (Linnaeus, 1758). Bonn. Zool. Beitr. 35: 71-90. DONAZAR, J. A. (1993) Los buitres Ibéricos, biologia y conservacion. Ed. Reyero, Madrid. FERRER, M. AND CALDERON, J. (1990) The Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti C. L. Brehm 1861, in Donana National Park (south west Spain): a study of population dynamics. Biol. Conserv. 51: 151-161. FREY, H., KNOTZINGER, O. AND LLopIs DELL, A. (1995) The breeding network—an analysis of the period 1978-1995. In: Frey, H., Schaden, G. and Bijleveld, M. (eds.) Bearded Vulture annual report 1995. Foundation of the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture, Wassenaar. Frey, H. AND LLopis DELL, A. (1998) Situacion actual del proyecto de reintroduccion del Quebrantahuesos Gypaetus barbatus en los Alpes. In: Chancellor, R. D., Meyburg, B.-U. and Ferrero, J. J. (eds.) Holarctic birds of prey. World Working Group for Birds of Prey and Owls & Asociacion para la Defensa de la Naturaleza y los recursos de Extremadura, Badajoz. FORSMAN, D. (1999) The raptors of Europe and the Middle East. T. & A. D. Poyser, London. GRUBAC, B. (1991) Status and biology of the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Macedonia. Birds of Prey Bull. 4: 101-117. HALLER, H. (1982) Raumorganisation und Dynamik einer Population des Steinadlers Aquila chrysaetos in den Zentralalpen. Orn. Beob. 79: 163-211. HANDRINOS, G. (1985) The status of vultures in Greece. In: Newton, I. and Chancellor, R. D. (eds.) Conservation studies in raptors. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge (ICBP Tech. Publ. No. 5). HEREDIA, R. (1991a) Distribucién y estatus poblaciénal en Espana. In: Heredia, R. and Heredia, B. (eds.) El Quebrantahuesos (Gypaetus barbatus) en los Pirineos. Caracteristicas ecologicas y biologia de la conservacion. ICONA, Madrid. HEREDIA, R. (1991b) Alimentacion y recursos alimenticios. In: Heredia, R. and Heredia, B. (eds.) El Quebrantahuesos (Gypaetus barbatus) en los Pirineos. Caracteristicas ecologicas y biologia de la conservacion. ICONA, Madrid. HEREDIA, R. AND B. HEREDIA, B. (EDS.) (1991) El Quebrantahuesos (Gypaetus barbatus) en los Pirineos. Caracteristicas ecologicas y biologia de la conservacion. ICONA. Madrid. HEURET, J. AND ROUILON, A. (1998) Premiere reproduction du Gypaete barbu dans les Alpes. Nos Oiseaux 45: 199-207. HIRALDO, F., DELIBES, M. AND CALDERON, J. (1979) El Quebrantahuesos Gypaetus barbatus (L.). Sistematica, taxonomia, biologia, distribucion y proteccion. |CONA, Madrid. MARGALIDA, A. AND BERTRAN, J. (1997) Dieta y seleccién del alimento de una pareja de Quebrantahuesos (Gypaetus barbatus) en los Pirineos durante la crianza. Ardeola 44: 191-197. MarGal.p~, A., GARCIA, D. AND HEREDIA, R. (1997) Estiamacion de la disponibilidad trofica para el Quebrantahuesos (Gypaetus barbatus) en Cataluna (NE Espana) e implicaciones sobre su conservacion. Donana Acta Vertebrata 24: 235-242. LAwTON, M. F. AND LAWTON, R. O. (1986) Heterochrony, deferred breeding and avian sociality. Current Orn. 3: 187-222. Love, J. A. (1983) The return of the Sea Eagle. Cambridge University Press. MARCHANT, S. AND HIGGINS, P. J. (EDS.) (1993) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds. Vol. 2. Oxford University Press. Stavros Xirouchakis and Costas Grivas 133 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 Munpy, P. J., BUTCHART, D., LEDGER, J. A. AND PIPER, S. (1992) The vultures of Africa. Academic Press, London. PALMER, R. (1988) Handbook of North American birds. Vol. 5. Yale University Press. PARELLADA, X. (1984) Contribuci6 a la identificacié del Trencalds (Gypaetus barbatus). Rapinyaires Mediterranis Ii. Centre de Recerca i Protecci6 de Rapinyaires, Barcelona. SANDERMAN, P. W. (1957) The breeding success of Golden Eagles in the southern Grampians. Scot. Nat. 69: 148-52. STEENHOF, K., KOCHERT, M. N. AND DOREMUS, J. H. (1983) Nesting of sub adult Golden Eagles in southwestern Idaho. Auk 100: 743-747. TERESA, S. (1980) Golden Eagles successfully breeding in sub-adult plumage. Raptor Res. 14: 86-87. VALVERDE, J. A. (1960) La population d’Aigles impérieux (Aguila heliaca adalberti) des Marismas du Guadalquivir; son évolution depuis un siecle. Alauda 28: 20-26. WATSON, J., PAYNE, S. AND RAE, R. (1989) Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos: land use and food in northern Scotland. [bis 131: 336-348. XIROUCHAKIS, S. (1998) Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in Greece. In: Frey, H., Schaden, G. and Bijleveld, M. (eds.) Bearded Vulture annual report 1997. Foundation of the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture, Wassenaar. XIROUCHAKIS, S., SAKOULIS, A. AND ANDREOU, G. (2001) The decline of the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Greece. Ardeola 48: 183-190. ZINK, R. (2000) Development of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) population i in the Alps with special focus on Austria. Buteo 11: 77-96. Stavros Xirouchakis and Costas Grivas, Natural History Museum of Crete, University of Crete, P. O. Box, 2208, Heraklion 71409, Crete, Greece. . Drowned fledgling Striated Heron Butorides striatus, Eilat, Israel, 15 April 2002. (Reuven Yosef?) se ee 2 re Notes The first breeding record of Striated Heron Butorides striatus in Israel REUVEN YOSEF, MARTIN RYDBERG-HEDAEN, LYNETTE MITCHELL AND HENK SMIT TRIATED HERON Butorides striatus is considered a rare non-breeding visitor to the northern Gulf of Eilat that occurs throughout the year (Shirihai 1996, Snow & Perrins 1998). Breeding has never been confirmed and only juveniles, considered to have dispersed from further south, reported. Breeding in the Middle East is considered limited to the coastal zone of the southern Persian Gulf, south Arabia and the Red Sea to 28°N (Porter et al. 1996). On 15 April 2002, staff of the mariculture farms notified us of a breeding pair of unidentified herons on one of their floating platforms located almost 1 km offshore. We visited the site and identified the birds as Striated Herons. The pair had constructed a nest of twigs within an abandoned plastic fruit box attached to the southernmost floating pen. According to the staff, three eggs were laid in early March and all three hatched successfully in late March. The young were observed out of the nest by mid-April, but the fishery staff did not record precise dates. Upon arrival, in the immediate vicinity of the nest, we found that two of the fledglings had drowned but observed the third juvenile on a causeway between the fish tanks. Both adults were present and were hunting fish. It appears that the two young drowned when attempting to fish in the sea and fell in. One of the carcasses was recovered (Plate 1). The observations are unique: not only is this the first confirmed nesting in Israel and further north than the previously suggested latitude for the species’ breeding range (Eilat is at 29°33’N 34°57’E), but also that breeding was at least one month earlier than the reported April-September (Shirihai 1996, Snow & Perrins 1998). It appears the species is capable of breeding along the entire length of the Red Sea coast given suitable environmental conditions. Further range expansion can perhaps be expected in similar areas where food abundance, such as at fish farms, and suitable nesting sites are available to the Striated Heron. REFERENCES Porter, R. F., CHRISTENSEN, S. AND SCHIERMACKER-HANSEN, P. (1996) Field guide to the birds of the Middle East. T. & A. D. Poyser, London. SHIRIHAL, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. / SNow, D. W. AND PERRINS, C. M. (EDS.) (1998) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise edition. Oxford University Press. Reuven Yosef, International Birding & Research Center in Eilat, P. O. Box 774, Eilat 88000, Israel. Martin Rydberg-Hedaen, Slogasvagen 31, 7194 Ludvika, Sweden. Lynette Mitchell, Murray Lodge, Burtons Lane, Chalfont St. Giles, Bucks HP& 4BL, U. K. Henk Smit, Vlinderbalg 7, 9976 VL Lauwersoog, The Netherlands. 135 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 The first records, including breeding, of Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus in Iraq MUDHABFAR A. SALIM N 3 OCTOBER 2000 I was at Al-Fajir, a riverine Acacia forest and thorn scrub covering more than 1500 ha, on the east side of the Third River, 70 km south of Kut (Fig. 1). While there, I met a local man who described a grey, red-eyed, small ‘falcon’ that had been hunted nearby a few days previously. Upon meeting the hunter with the bird, I was surprised to see a live adult Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus. Unfortunately, | was unable to purchase the bird due to the high price the hunter insisted on, but the following day was able to photograph it (Plate 1). In April 2001 a dead adult Black-winged Kite, which had been hunted near Khanageen, c.135 km north-east of Baghdad, earlier in the year, was brought to the Iraq Natural History Museum (Baghdad) for taxidermy. Following this, it was photographed and returned to the owner, but without being identified. It was only when I saw the photograph during a visit to the museum that the identity was confirmed. Khanaqeen lies within a montane area close to the Iraq-Iran border. On 14 June 2001 I acquired a live juvenile Black-winged Kite which had been taken from a nest near Taza, 18 km south of Kirkuk (Fig. 1). The person who brought it to me reported that the nest was in a Eucalyptus tree and contained three young in late May. At the time, the bird had brown-grey upperparts, a streaked pale and dark brown crown, pale sandy streaks on the scapulars, a dark brown mantle, white underparts with short dark streaks on the breast and flanks, and a brown iris with a slight olive- grey cast. The bird, which is still in captivity, is now acquiring adult plumage (Plate 2). Finally, on 28 January 2002, while driving between Seniyah and Muhannawiyah, 17 km north-west of Diwaniyah (Fig. 1), in an area of wheat fields and date-palm orchards, I noted a mid-sized, grey bird perched on an electricity cable beside the road. Due to its comparatively large head, grey upperparts, prominent black patch on the scapulars, and pale grey underparts, I immediately identified it as a Black-winged Kite. After less than a minute, the bird flew but I was able to observe it for approxi- mately five minutes, during which time it occasionally hovered over the low wheat fields, before disappearing from view. Discussion There appear to be no previous records of the Biack-winged Kite in Iraq (Allouse 1953, 1962, Porter et al. 1996) and the recent spate of records described above may further reflect the species’ apparent increase in Iberia (Cramp & Simmons 1980), Egypt (Meininger 1991) and recent records in southern Iran (Kirwan 1998, Balmer & Betton 2001). Elsewhere in the Middle East, Black-winged Kite perhaps breeds in Afghanistan (Htie & Etchécopar 1970, although the species is considered a vagrant by Madge & Kirwan in prep.), is rare in Arabia but has bred in the south-west (Jennings 1995), is accidental in UAE (eight records all since 1984, Richardson & Aspinall 1998) and has also occurred in Israel, Oman and Turkey as a vagrant (Porter et al. 1996). 136 Notes r ral L Be. Baghdad SS The Third River ee Figure 1. Map of Iraq showing the four recent records of Black-winged Kite _ Elanus caeruleus. mes eee ey Plate 1. Adult Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus, Al-Fajir, south of Kut, Iraq, 4 October 2000. (Mudhafar A. Salim) Plate 2. Near-adult Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus, taken from a nest near Taza, south of Kirkuk, Iraq, late 2001. (Mudhafar A. Salim) 37, Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful to C. Richardson, K. Y. Addabagh and R. F. Porter for their help and encouragement, and G. M. Kirwan for his editorial assistance. 3 REFERENCES ALLOUSE, B. E. (1953) The avifauna of Iraq. Iraq Nat. Hist. Mus. Publ. No. 3. ALLOUSE, B. E. (1962) Birds of Iraq. Alrabita Press, Baghdad. BALMER, D. AND BETTON, K. (compilers) (2001) Around the region. Sandgrouse 23: 156-160. CRAMP, S. AND SIMMONS, K. E. L. (EDS.) (1980) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 2. Oxford University Press. Hue, F. AND ETCHECOPAR, R. D. (1970) Les oiseaux du proche et du moyen orient. Editions Boubée, Paris. JENNINGS, M. C. (1995) An interim atlas of the breeding birds of Arabia. National Commission for Wildlife Conservation & Development, Riyadh. KIRWAN, G. M. (compiler) (1998) Around the region. Sandgrouse 23: 157-160. MADGE, S. C. AND KIRWAN, G. M. (in prep.) A checklist of the birds of Afghanistan. Sandgrouse. MEININGER, P. L. (1991) Range extension of Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus in northern Egypt. Sandgrouse 13: 98-101: PORTER, R. F., CHRISTENSEN, S. AND SCHIERMACKER-HANSEN, P. (1996) Field guide to the birds of the Middle East. T. & A. D. Poyser, London. ; RICHARDSON, C. AND ASPINALL, S. (1998) The Shell birdwatching guide to the United Arab Emirates. Hobby Publications, Liverpool & Dubai. 5 Mudhafar A. Salim, P. O. Box 545, Al-Qadissiya University, Al-Qadissiya, Iraq. ° Interspecific interaction between Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus and Black Vulture Aegypius monachus: predation or kleptoparasitism? ANTONI MARGALIDA AND RAFAEL HEREDIA AMMERGEIER Gypaetus barbatus is a cliff-nesting raptor that mainly feeds on the bones of wild and domestic ungulates (Hiraldo et al. 1997). As an opportunistic species, in addition to medium and large-sized mammals, its diet includes small mammals, the remains of birds and reptiles (Heredia 1991, Margalida & Bertran 1997, Margalida et al. 2001, Thibault et al. 1993). The remains on which this species feeds come from the carcasses it finds while foraging, and information on Lammergeier predatory behaviour is anecdotal and imprecise (see Elosegi 1989, Terrasse 2001). Unlike adults, non-breeders (between one and five years old) have extensive foraging areas and greatly depend on predictable sources of food such as feeding stations (Heredia 1991). Recently, Aykurt & Kirag (2001) documented an apparent predation attempt by a subadult Lammergeier on a nine-week old Black Vulture chick. These authors describe how, for little over an hour, the Lammergeier ‘... approached as close as 15-20 and once to within 5 metres, during which time the adult Black Vulture adopted a typical defence posture, with open wings shielding the chick [...] it abruptly and apparently fearlessly perched on the upper branches of the nest tree, whereupon the Black Vulture made a sudden wing clapping that chased the Lammergeier onto rocky ground c. 100 metres from the nest tree’. Following this, the Lammergeier departed the area, and a visit three days later recorded that the Black 138 Notes Vulture chick was still in the nest. The authors suggest that this observation perhaps constituted a predation attempt. However, the rarity of predation by this species, due to ecological and morphological features, suggests an alternative explanation for the behaviour observed by Aykurt & Kirag (2001). Because they are less skilful at obtaining food, non-breeding Lammergeiers may use kleptoparasitism as an alternative feeding strategy. Thus, non-breeders have been observed robbing food from the nests, bone-breaking sites and roosts of nesting Lammergeiers (Bertran & Margalida 1996). Adults may also use this strategy but opportunistically (pers. obs.). Breeding adults have also been observed stealing food from Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus nests (D. Garcia pers. comm.) and vice versa (GOmez 1999). Egyptian Vulture also uses this feeding strategy and steals remains of food from Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus nests (Pascual & Santiago 1991, pers. obs.) and Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos nests (pers. obs.), and was seen by Aykurt & Kirac (2001) in the same Black Vulture nest where the interaction was observed. Aykurt & Kirag’s (2001) description accords with behaviour we have observed in the Pyrenees and the strategy frequently used by non-breeders when they attempt to steal food from the nests of conspecifics and heterospecifics. Thus, attempted kleptopara- sitism is an alternative explanation for the Aykurt & Kirac¢ (2001) observation. REFERENCES AYKURT, A. AND KIRAG, C. O. (2001) Apparent predation attempt by Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus on Black Vulture Aegypius monachus chick in Turkey. Sandgrouse 23: 140. BERTRAN, J. AND MARGALIDA, A. (1996) Patron anual de observaciones de Quebrantahuesos (Gypaetus barbatus) de diferentes grupos de edad en los sectores de nidificaci6n. Alauda 64: 171-178. ELosEGI, I. (1989) Vautour fauve (Gyps fulvus), Gypaete barbu (Gypaetus barbatus), Percnoptere d’Egypte (Neophron percnopterus): synthese de ae et recherches. Acta Biologica Montana. Série documents de travail 3. CBEA, Pau. GOMEZ, D. (1999) Pajaro de barro. Prames Ediciones, Zaragoza. HEREDIA, R. (1991) Alimentacion y recursos alimenticios. In: Heredia, R. and Heredia, B. (eds.) El Quebrantahuesos (Gypaetus barbatus) en los Pirineos. (CONA, Coleccién Técnica, Madrid. HIRALDO, F., DELIBES, M. AND CALDERON, J. (1979) El Quebrantahuesos Gypaetus barbatus (L.). Monografias 22. ICONA, Madrid. MARGALIDA, A. AND BERTRAN, J. (1997) Dieta y selecci6n de alimento de una pareja de Quebrantahuesos (Gypaetus barbatus) en los Pirineos durante la crianza. Ardeola 44: 191-197. MARGALIDA, A., BERTRAN, J., HEREDIA, R., BOUDET, J. AND PELAYO, R. (2001) Study of the diet of Bearded Vultures (Gypaetus barbatus) during the nestling period: preliminary results and applications to conser- vation and management measures. In: Sakoulis, A., Probonas, M. and Xirouchakis, S. (eds.) Proc. Fourth Bearded Vulture Workshop, Crete. PASCUAL, J. AND SANTIAGO, J. M. (1991) Egyptian Vultures steal food from nestling Griffon Vultures. J. Raptor nes 252 96-97. THIBAULT, J. C., VIGNE, J. D. AND TorRE, J. (1993) The diet of young Lammergeiers Gypaetus barbatus in Corsica: its dependence on extensive grazing. [bis 135: 42-48. TERRASSE, J. F. (2001) Le Gypaete barbu. Delachaux & Niestlé, Lausanne. Antoni Margalida, Group for Study and Protection of the Bearded Vulture, Apdo. 43, E-25520 El Pont de Suert (Lleida), Spain. Rafael Heredia, Camino del Tiinel s/n. E-33203 Somio, Gijon, Spain. 139 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 Melanistic Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes in south-west Bulgaria BORIS P. NIKOLOV N BULGARIA, Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes inhabits lowlands and hill country to c. 700 metres (Simeonov et al. 1989). It is more frequent in the south of the country, though also locally common along the Black Sea Coast and Danube River (pers. obs.). On 28 May 2002 I observed a melanistic Levant Sparrowhawk in the northern part of the volcanic ridge of Kozhuh, near Rupite (south-west Bulgaria), within a small, rather open oak Quercus pubescens forest. At 09.20 a normal-plumaged female Levant Sparrowhawk alighted just 15 metres from me and commenced preening. Several minutes later the bird was disturbed and a melanistic Levant Sparrowhawk appeared on the same branch. Due to the close views I was able to obtain good views of both individuals, but present a description only of the dark individual. Entirely uniform dark chocolate-brown, with dark eyes (like normal-plumaged Levant Sparrowhawks) and yellow legs; both outer toes (the second and fourth) were almost equal in length, and the middle toe (the third) comparatively short, which is typical of the species. The bird soon departed and I was able to briefly observe that the bird lacked dark wingtips, and that the underside of the primaries and secondaries appeared somewhat paler than the rest of the plumage. Though size differences between sexes of Levant Sparrowhawk are much smaller than in Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus (Snow & Perrins 1998), the melanistic individual was considered to be male. Despite frequent visits to this area, this was my sole observation of the melanistic bird, although a normal-plumaged pair of Levant Sparrowhawks was frequently recorded during the breeding season. Among diurnal raptors pale and dark (melanistic), and occasionally rufous (erythristic) colour morphs are well known in several harriers and buzzards, as well as in some goshawks, small eagles and Neotropical kites. Variable Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae probably exhibits the greatest variability in adult plumage of any raptor (del Hoyo et al. 1994). However, this appears to the first reported instance of melanism in Levant Sparrowhawk. REFERENCES DEL Hoyo, J., ELLIOTT, A. AND SARGATAL, J. (EDS.) (1994) Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. SIMEONOV, S., MICHEV, T. AND NANKINOV, D. (1989) The fauna of Bulgaria. Vol. 20. Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia. [In Bulgarian. ] SNow, D. W. AND PERRINS, C. M. (EDS.) (1998) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise edition. Oxford University Press. Boris P. Nikolov, Bulgarian Ornithological Centre, Institute of Zoology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blod., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria. 140 Notes An unusual record of a European Bee-eater Merops apiaster from Eilat—inside a Tiger Shark Galeocerdo cuvier REUVEN YOSEF, DAVID ZAKAI, MARTIN RYDBERG-HEDAEN AND RUBEN NIKOLAJSEN N 4 MAY 2002, off the North Beach at Eilat, Israel, a fisherman caught a c. 4- metre long Tiger Shark Galeocerdo cuvier, a species which is cosmopolitan in tropical and temperate seas, and usually found from near the surface to depths of 140 metres (Smith 1997). It is considered a nocturnal feeder on other sharks, rays, bony fishes, marine mammals, tortoises, seabirds, sea snakes, squids, gastropods, crustaceans and detritus (Compagno & Niem 1998). The dead shark was taken to the Marine Inter-University Laboratory and dissected. The diversity of prey uncovered in the digestive tract was amazing and contained the remains of a Blue Macko Shark Isurus oxyrhyncus, the skeleton of a ram Ovis aries, two sealed jars of mayonnaise and adjacent to them the remains of a bird, which was taken to the International Birding & Research Center in Eilat for identification. The remains of the bird were still united, and included both legs, both wings and the entire torso, but the tail and head were missing. A large part of the rump was also missing but many of the feathers were attached. The appearance of the remains when wet was very dark greyish brown with paler under secondary-coverts. However, once dried the colour of the feathers revealed that the bird was a female European Bee-eater Merops apiaster. Obvious were the brown innerwing panel and white shafts to the underside of the wing. The legs were almost black and the wings elongated and pointed. The tarsus to toe was 43 mm in length and the wing chord 157 mm. The relative freshness of the carcass suggests the shark took the bird within 48 hours of the latter being caught by the fisherman. European Bee-eater is a very common passage migrant in the Red Sea region (Shirihai 1996). Spring migration occurs in late March—-late May when thousands migrate through the Eilat region. This unusual record of a European Bee-eater in the Red Sea suggests that the species attempts sea crossings between the African and Saudi Arabian or Jordanian coastlines during migration. It is obvious from this incident that weak individuals, unable to complete the crossing, which fall into the sea are prey for pelagic predators—in this case a Tiger Shark. REFERENCES COMPAGNO, L. J. V. AND NIEM, V. H. (1998) Carcharhinidae. Requiem sharks. In: Carpenter, K. E. and Niem, V. H. (eds.) FAO identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of the western central Pacific. FAO, Rome. SHIRIHAI, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. SMITH, C. L. (1997) National Audubon Society field guide to tropical marine fishes of the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Reuven Yosef, International Birding & Research Center in Eilat, P. O. Box 774, Eilat 88000, Israel. David Zakai, Israel Nature and Parks Authority, P. O. Box 667, Eilat 88106, Israel, and The Inter- 141 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 University Institute for Marine Sciences of Eilat, The H. Steinits Marine Biology Laboratory, P. O. Box 469, Eilat 58103, Israel. Martin Rydberg-Hedaen, Slogasvagen 31, 77194 Ludvika, Sweden. Ruben Nikolajsen, Bjergeve] 1, 5560 Aarup, Denmark. Second breeding record of Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius in Eilat REUVENSYOSEE HE EFFECTS OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS and subsequent changes to the environment are a well-documented phenomenon. Burgeoning populations have forced humans to establish settlements in suboptimal areas such as deserts, and some Middle Eastern desertic regions have been subject to pronounced human encroachment. In Israel many settlements have been established in the arid Negev and Judean deserts, and the Arava (Rift) Valley between the Dead and Red Seas (e.g. Yom-Tov & Iani 1987). Numerous changes to the environment are manifest, agriculture, exotic gardens and garbage tips have assisted human commensals to establish populations in arid areas to the detriment of endemic species (Shirihai 1996). Some examples from the Eilat region of invasive avian species that can adapt to human-induced changes are House Crow Corvus splendens (Shirihai 1986) and Namaqua Dove Oena capensis (Shirihai & Gellert 1989). Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius breeds from Iberia through southern France, western Italy, Turkey and Cyprus, east to north Iraq and west Iran. It also breeds further south in the Middle East to Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa to South Africa (del Hoyo et al. 1997). Virtually all of its populations winter in Africa, with small numbers in southern Spain. In Israel, it is considered a reasonably common passage migrant and the nominate subspecies is an uncommon breeding summer visitor to the north and centre of the country (Shirihai 1996). The Great Spotted Cuckoo is an obligatory brood-parasite and known hosts in Europe and Africa include Magpie Pica pica, European Roller Coracias garrulus, Pied Crow Corvus albus, Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus and Hoopoe Upupa epops (Cramp 1985). In Israel, Paz (1987) considered it to almost exclusively parasitise Hooded Crow Corvus corone cornix, but Shirihai (1996) reports that the species also parasitises Brown-necked Raven C. ruficollis and Jay Garrulus glandarius. In the Middle East, in Jordan, breeding is suspected only in the northern Jordan Valley (Andrews 1995). There are no nesting records from Sinai (Shirihai 1996) but elsewhere in Egypt, it has been reported along the Nile, where known to parasitise Hooded Crow, from Port Said south almost to the midpoint of the country’s Red Sea coast (Fry et al. 2000, Goodman & Meininger 1989). In Israel, the main breeding areas are the coastal and Judean Plains and the northern Jordan River, Jezreel and Hula Valleys, with a few sites in the north-west Negev and one report from the central Arava, in July 1974 (Shirihai 1996). Yosef (1997) reported the first breeding in Eilat, when an active House Crow nest was dislodged and a fully-feathered cuckoo nestling was found therein. The House Crow nestling died from the impact of the fall from the tree and the Great Spotted Cuckoo nestling broke its left wing. 142 Notes A second confirmed breeding record came on 27 June 2002, when I received a telephone call from a non-birdwatcher who had found a fledgling which had flown into his apartment window from a nearby tree containing an active nest of House Crow. I identified it as a juvenile, recently fledged Great Spotted Cuckoo. It was obviously a juvenile because of the yellowish gape, blackish crown, ochre-buff throat and breast (Plate 2), chestnut primaries with white tips, and blackish dorsal region with considerably smaller white spots that in adults (Plate 1; cf. Svensson ef al. 1999). The bird had a wing chord of 211 mm, tail 261 mm and body mass of 192 g, but did not survive the impact with the window and died within two hours. This observation not only provides the second confirmed breeding record of Great Spotted Cuckoo at Eilat, but also demonstrates that the species can parasitise a comparatively recent arrival in the region, the House Crow, enabling the cuckoo to expand its breeding range further south into the desert region, while the full-grown fledgling is c. 1 month earlier than previously reported in Israel (Shirihai 1996). This is only the second documented parasitic interaction between these species whose natural distributions do not overlap. | House Crow was first reported at Eilat in 1976 (Shirihai 1996), and its population has subsequently grown rapidly. Initially the species nested either in the palms near the Israel_-Jordan border, or in Aqaba. In recent years it has commenced breeding in Eilat, especially in areas of tall Tamarisk spp. The breeding population is now estimated at c. 50 pairs. This invasive species has spread from its original range in the Indian subcontinent (Cramp & Perrins 1994) west along Indian Ocean coasts and through Arabia, thence north along the Red Sea and south along the east coast of Africa (Meininger et al. 1980, Pilcher 1986). In Eilat, it is considered a pest because the species attacks humans that are eating in the open or near their nests during the breeding Plates 1-2. Juvenile Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius, Eilat, Israel, 27 June 2002. (Reuven Yosef) 143 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 - season. Because of its recent arrival, there are no data on the species’ ecology at Eilat and predators are mostly undocumented, although a migrant Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus has been observed to take a House Crow (Yosef 1996). In its native range, the House Crow is most frequently parasitized by the Koel Eudynamys scolopacea (Cramp & Perrins 1994). The spread of the two species—the Great Spotted Cuckoo south and the House Crow north and west—has almost certainly been facilitated by human settlement in the Arava and the development of large tracts of agricultural land. It will be interesting to observe whether Great Spotted Cuckoo exploits other eae not previously exposed to its parasitic behaviour. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank R. B. Payne and G. M. Kirwan for reviewing and improving an earlier draft of the manuscript. REFERENCES ANDREWS. I. J. (1995) The birds of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Andrews, Musselburgh. GOODMAN, S. M. AND MEININGER, P. L. (EDS.) (1989) The birds of Egypt. Oxford University Press. CRAMP, S. (ED.) (1985) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 4. Oxford University Press. CRAMP, S. AND PERRINS, C. M. (EDS.) (1994) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 8. Oxford University Press. Fry, C. H., KEITH, S. AND URBAN, E. K. (EDS.) (2000) The birds of Africa. Vol. 6. Academic Press, London. DEL Hoyo, J., ELLIoTT, A. AND J. SARGATAL (EDS.) (1997) Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 4. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. MEININGER, P. L., MULLIE, W. C. AND BRUUN, B. (1980) The spread of the House Crow Corvus SpleneeeS: with special reference to the occurrence in Egypt. Gerfaut 70: 245-250. Paz, U. (1987) The birds of Israel. Ministry of Defense Publishing, Tel Aviv. PILCHER, C. W. T. (1986) A breeding record of the House Crow in Kuwait with comments on the species’ status in the Arabian Gulf. Sandgrouse 8: 102-106. SHIRIHAIL, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. SHIRIHAI, H. AND GELLERT, M. (1989) Namaqua Doves breeding in Israel. Brit. Birds 82: 210-219. SVENSSON, L., GRANT, P. J. MULLARNEY, K. AND ZETTERSTROM, D. (1999) Collins bird guide. HarperCollins, London. Yom-Tov, Y. AND ILANI, G. (1989) The numerical status of Gazella dorcas and Gazella gazella in the southern Negev Desert, Israel. Biol. Conserv. 40: 245-253. YOSEF, R. (1996) Raptors feeding on migration at Elat, Israel: opportunistic behavior or migratory strategy? J. Raptor. Res. 30: 242-245. YOSEF, R. (1997) First record of Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) parasitizing Indian House Crow (Corvus splendens). Israel J. Zool. 43: 397-399. Reuven Yosef, International Birding and Research Center at Eilat, P. O. Box 774, Eilat 58106, Israel. The first Mongolian Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes mongolicus in Armenia ROY BEDDARD, VASIL ANANIAN AND MARK FINN N 30 MAY 2001, together with a group of birdwatchers, we visited a gorge 3 km north-west of the town of Vedi (at 39°94’N 44°75’E), which is c. 25 km south-east of Yerevan (the capital of Armenia) and close to a range of low hills. We discovered a party of 3-5 Mongolian Trumpeter Finches Bucanetes mongolicus shortly after arriving at the site and periodically watched them over the next two hours. Observations were made near a tiny pool adjacent to some mineral deposits, the birds visiting the pool 144 Notes area several times and feeding on nearby slopes. The gorge is arid and stony with loose rocky soil, and is 960 metres above sea level. Vegetation is sparse with several Artemisia and Euphorbia species, and occasional bushes of Rhamnus pallasi. Viewing conditions were excellent, with bright, strongly contrasting light, and observations were made through binoculars and telescopes at distances as close as less than ten metres. Description Three different plumages were noted, an adult male, another adult (presumably female) and juvenile. Appearance was of a typical medium-sized finch (approxi- mately Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus size) with well-camouflaged plumage that blended well with the colour of the local soil and rocks. Pale sandy-brown or pale buff, with contrasting long black and white wings, the tail was also black and white. At least two had varying degrees of pink in some areas (see below). The following description refers to the adult male (see also Plate 1). Plumage. Head plain sandy-brown with pink on fore supercilium, lower cheeks, chin and throat. Nape, mantle, scapulars and uppertail-coverts also plain sandy-brown, notably uniform with head. Rump bright pink (brighter than on head) and a well-defined square shape, contrasting with mantle and uppertail-coverts. Breast and flanks pale sandy-brown or sandy- buff, paler than crown or mantle, with obvious pink on flanks and breast-sides, meeting that on lower cheeks and throat. Belly, vent and undertail-coverts buffish off-white. Wings: brownish lesser coverts, darker than mantle/scapulars, and median coverts similar but with broad pinkish fringes, while greater coverts had dark brown centres and broad white fringes, which gradually became pinker at tips; tertials had diffuse dark brown centres and broad buffish- white fringes, while the secondaries were much as the greater coverts, but with narrower tips and less pink (on folded wing, greater coverts and secondaries formed two pinkish-white wing panels), and primary-coverts and primaries dark brown, almost blackish, with narrow pinkish- white fringes. One individual had broader tips to primaries. Long primary projection. Tail notched and of mid-length with dark brown/black feather centres and white fringes broad at the base (except central pair) and gradually narrowing at tips. When ruffling the crown and throat feathers, a habit typical of the species (Panov 1989), it had something of the appearance of a diminutive Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus. (Indeed, genetic studies by Panov & Bulatova (1972) revealed that Mongolian Trumpeter Finch is genetically closer to Common Rosefinch than to Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus.) Bare parts. Narrow whitish eye-ring and dark brown or black irides. Blunt, conical bill, compar- atively smaller and less deep-based than Trumpeter Finch, and yellowish-horn or yellowish- brown. Upper and lower edges slightly convex (in profile). Dull yellowish-flesh or yellowish- orange legs, which appeared much brighter and translucent when viewed against light. The presumed adult female was similar to the male but pink was only visible on the leading edge of the greater coverts (on the closed wing). The juvenile was slightly darker and much duller than both adults. On several occasions they were observed in moderately undulating flight, when they appeared pale below, lacking any contrast with the almost translucent remiges. Detailed descriptions are available of both other plumages on request from the first author. Behaviour When feeding the birds very actively foraged through the low vegetation, sometimes clambering through the centre of small plants. They fed on or close to the ground, on vegetative parts of Hymenocrater bituminosus and seeds of Allisum sp., as well as other 145 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 ; unidentified species. Stems of grasses were gripped in the bill and stripped until the seeds were reached. Occasionally, individuals would jump up and pull the stem downward before stripping the seeds. The male was observed briefly displaying and singing from a small rock, and ageressive behaviour was also noted (Panov & Bulatova 1972), the male ruffling the head and body feathers, bowing the body (described as ‘displaced pecking’ in Panov 1989) and flicking the closed wings while approaching its ‘competitor’ with short hops. Several vocalisations were noted, the birds not being ‘usually silent’ as reported by Clement et al. (1993). The song consisted of a series of variably high-pitched whistles with a slightly nasal quality, but lacking the buzzing trumpet-like notes of Trumpeter Finch, while calls comprised a soft but clear ‘pick’, ‘chik’ or ‘chip’, with a quality similar to Linnet Carduelis cannabina, and a two-note flight call, which when uttered just prior to flying consisted of a short first note followed by a longer upward- inflected second note, ‘tu...tweet’. a Sot a Plate 1. Colour sketch of adult a male Mongolian Trumpeter Finch =. A AN ANAM Bucanetes mongolicus, north- I NN fo en See ae west of Vedi, Armenia, May oe | 2001. (Vasil Ananian) 146 Notes Discussion This is the first documented record of Mongolian Trumpeter Finch in Armenia, although Clement et al. (1993) describe the species’ range as including Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Previous records from Armenia reported in earlier publications all refer either to eastern Turkey or to an isolated part of Azerbaijan— Nakhichevan (Clement et al. 1993, Cramp & Perrins 1994, Kirwan & Konrad 1995). We are unaware of any records from the main part of Azerbaijan. The species’ distribution in modern Turkey is now comparatively well known and it appears reasonably common within certain parts of the east of the country (Kirwan & Martins 2000). Vedi, at c. 960 metres, is at the lower end of the altitude range for breeding Mongolian Finch reported in Snow & Perrins (1998), and the presence of at least one juvenile is not confirmation that the species breeds in Armenia, although this appears likely. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Tigran Tadevosian identified the plant species present in the gorge. REFERENCES CLEMENT, P., HARRIS, A. AND Day, J. (1993) Finches and sparrows: an identification guide. A. & C. Black, London. CRAMP, S. AND PERRINS, C. M. (EDS.) (1994) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 8. Oxford University Press. KIRWAN, G. AND KONRAD, V. (1995) Little known Western Palearctic birds: Mongolian Trumpeter Finch. Birding World 8: 139-144. KIRWAN, G. M. AND MaRrrTINS, R. P. (2000) Turkey Bird Report 1992-1996. Sandgrouse 22: 13-35. PaNov, E. N. (1989) Natural hybridisation and ethological isolation in birds. Nauka, Moscow. [In Russian. ] PANOV, E. N. AND BULATOVA, N. S. (1972) On the common habitats and interrelations of Trumpeter Finches (Bucanetes githagineus Licht. and B. mongolicus Swinh.) in Transcaucasia. Bull. Moscowskogo Obschestva Ispytatelei Prirody, Otdel biologii 77 (4): 86-93. [In Russian.] SNow, D. W. AND PERRINS, C. M. (EDS.) (1998) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise edition. Oxford University Press. Roy Beddard, 43 Kenerne Drive, Barnet, Hertfordshire EN5 2NW, U. K. Vasil Ananian, 179 Bashinjaghian Street, Apt. 23, 375078, Yerevan, Armenia. Mark Finn, 26 School Lane, Herne, Kent CT6 7AL, U. K. Further significant bird records from south-east Iran DAMIAN NOWAK AND KONRAD ALI SACHANOWICZ BSERVATIONS PRESENTED HERE were made during a visit to Iran on 18 July—-12 August 2001 by DN. Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus An adult observed in flight at a distance of c. 50 metres, at Jask, on the Arabian Gulf, c. 200 km south-east of Bandar Abbas, on 22 July. Its size, shape and plumage recalled a non-breeding adult Black-headed Larus ridibundus or Slender-billed Gull L. genei, but with a distinct wing pattern. The wingtip was black with a single white mirror, the amount of black on the primaries decreasing towards the body. Between the black wingtip and grey upperwing there was a prominent white wedge, broadest at the 147 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 To a= Figure 1. Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus (Tomasz Cofta, drawn from field notes supplied by DN) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Derek Scott commented on DN’s observations. REFERENCES trailing edge and tapering near the wing bend (Fig. 1). Considered a vagrant in Iran (Porter et al. 1996) with only two previous records, both also in the south-east by Derek A. Scott (in litt. 2002): Single == imiiiattire seme cclit Chahbahar (Baluchistan) on 22 January and at Hamoun-i Puzak -(Seistam)s sont 25 ~ October 1975. Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica Male in a palm grove at Bam, on 20 July, is outside the range given in Porter et al. (1996) and may suggest further range expansion. The previous northernmost record was from Sabzevaran, c. 75 km south-west of Bam (D. A. Scott in litt. 2002). Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica Three in a garden planted with palms and Thuja spp. at Bam, on 20 July, were c. 370 km north-west of the species’ previous northernmost known site, at Nikshahr in Baluchistan (Sachanowicz et al. 2002), confirming its continued northward expansion in Iran. PORTER, R. F., CHRISTENSEN, S. AND SCHIERMACKER-HANSEN, P. (1996) Field guide to the birds of the Middle East. T. & A. D. Poyser, London. SACHANOWICZ, K. A., KARCZMARCZYK, P. AND OLSZEWSKI, A. (2002) Significant bird observations from Iran, August-September 1998. Sandgrouse 24: 48-51. Damian Nowak, Lotnicza 17, 42-300 Myszkéw, Poland. Konrad Ali Sachanowicz, Polish Society for the Protection of Birds, P. O. Box 335, 80-958 Gdansk 50, Poland (Corresponding author). 148 Birds of Birecik VME. has been written concerning the avifauna of Birecik, a small, unprepos- sessing town on the right bank of the Euphrates in south-east Turkey. Its fame among birdwatchers is assured due to the presence of several breeding species found almost nowhere else in Turkey and, in some cases, difficult to find elsewhere in the Western Palearctic; e.g. Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita, See- see Partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis, Striated Scops Owl Otus brucei, Little Swift Apus affinis, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus, Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti, Ménétries’s Warbler Sylvia mystacea and Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia xanthocoliis. In this photo essay, I concentrate on some of those species recorded in seasons other than Summer, when most birdwatchers visit, those with very few records from either Birecik (and sometimes Turkey as a whole) and describe several of the gains and losses in the region’s avifauna. Despite the vast increase in birdwatching activity in south- east Anatolia since the 1970s, there is ornithologically still much to be learned concerning this part of Turkey. Guy M. Kirwan, 74 Waddington Street, Norwich NR2 4JS, U. K. Guy M. Kirwan Photospot Plate 1. View of the town of Birecik, in May 1970. Ostensibly, its skyline has changed remarkably little over the years. (A. F. Porter) Plate 2. View over the Euphrates at Halfeti, north of Birecik, in 1996. In contrast to the previous scene, much has now changed. The cliffs were the former nest site of Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus and Little Swift Apus affinis, while the orchards held Ménétries’s Warbler Sylvia mystacea, Yellow-throated Petronia xanthocollis and Dead Sea Sparrows Passer moabiticus. However, as part of the ongoing GAP project to develop south-east Anatolia, much of the Halfeti area is now underwater, having been flooded to provide water for irrigation. (Guy M. Kirwan) Plate 3. Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita is perhaps the bird species most closely associated with Birecik. When this photograph was taken, in 1970, 36 pairs were nesting on the cliffs north of the town. Initially discovered in 1839, the species numbered at least 1000 individuals in the area in the early 20th century. However, with the advent of ‘modern’ techniques, namely DDT and dieldrin, to combat malaria, and use of prophylactic pesticide sprays to save recently reclaimed agricultural land from locusts, the Bald Ibis population declined drastically in the late 1950s: 600-700 birds were poisoned and reproductive success remained very low for over a decade. Despite conservation efforts, numbers never recovered and indeed the wild population became effectively extinct in 1989, when two of the last three returning migrants disappeared or died during a storm. Nonetheless, visitors to Birecik can still observe the species there, due to the presence of a semi-wild population (the result of conservation efforts in the latter part of the 20th century), which is free-flying in summer and numbered 60 birds in 2001 (see Sandgrouse 24: 7). (R. F. Porter) Plate 4. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis is a common sight over the Euphrates. (R. F. Porter) Plate 5. Small numbers of Radde’s Accentor Prunella ocularis winter in the Birecik region. Other high-altitude species that winter, at least occasionally, in the area include Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria. (Hadoram Shirihai) Plate 6. Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor has been irregularly observed in the Birecik region over the years. It may breed regularly in the area, but thus far observations are lacking to prove or disprove this surmise. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 7. The loud, grating advertising call of the Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus is now regularly heard in the Birecik region. However, the species appears to be only a recent arrival to the area, presumably as a result of the increasing amount of land under agriculture. (Mark Coller) Plate 8. Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti was first discovered in Turkey, from the Birecik region, as recently as 1983. There are still very few records in the country away from the dry plateau-like areas north of the town. (Paul Doherty) Plate 9. Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti is one of those species that is enigmatic in the Birecik region. Generally considered a vagrant in Turkey, a pair was found breeding at Birecik in 1985 and another seen in the same area, by the same observer, three years later. There have been no subsequent records. (Paul Doherty) Plate 10. White-tailed Plover Chettusia leucura has been recorded twice at Birecik, a group of eight in early April 1973 and one in display-flight in mid-May 1992. (Paul Doherty) Plate 11. With changing water levels on the Euphrates at Birecik, the large flocks of Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis (depicted here) and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse P. alchata are no more, their traditional morning drinking areas now being underwater. Only small numbers currently visit these sites. (Pau! Doherty) Plate 12. Perhaps only a vagrant to the region, Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus has been recorded twice in Turkey, in 1986 and 1999, both times at Birecik. (Paul Doherty) 149 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 149-151 2002 150 Guy M. Kirwan Guy M. Kirwan Photospot Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 Bird's eye The Victory Range 8x40 BT*/10x40 BT*, 8x56 BT*/10x56 BT* Zeiss Victory Range — shorter, lighter and displays a higher transmission to comparable binoculars in this class. Every pair is nitrogen filled to prevent fogging — internal focusing ensures optimum sealing against dust and water. See what you're missing with the new binocular generation from Zeiss. For further information visit our website: www.zeiss.co.uk or telephone 01707 871350 See the world in close up with binoculars from Carl Zeiss USP Advertisment Mist nets Calipers _-Wing rules - Pesola scales Wildlife sound recording Bird & bat boxes Radio tracking -Dataloggers Trail monitors GPS Binoculars Night vision Clinometers . Compasses _ Geology -. 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We supply the + full range of Pesola spring balances, from = * 10g capacity to -— | | u 3 a & 100kg, and a special bird-weighing cone attachment. > High accuracy of +/- 0.3% of the load over the whole scale > Metric or imperial scale >2 year warranty From £21.95 Also digital scales, mist nets, calipers, wing rules, radio tracking and wide range of field and laboratory equipment www.alanaecology.com ALANA SPECIALIST SUPPLIERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH EQUIPMENT e reputable colour Bulletin sent twice a year with African regional news, identification articles, site guides, photographic profiles, reviews and more African ornithology literature supplement each year you support ABC Conservation Fund projects e UK, Europe and Africa: £15, Rest of World: £17 e pay by sterling cheque, money order or VISA, Access, Mastercard or Eurocard (please send card number and type, cardholder's name and address, expiry date, signature and amount payable) Please write to: African Bird Club, c/o Birdlife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA, United Kingdom ‘UK charity 1053920 http://www.africanbirdclub.org 153 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 154-155 2002 Aspinall, S. (compiler) (2001) Birds of Abu Dhabi Checklist. Twitchers’ Guide Publications, P. O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, UAE pp 24 15 colour photographs and one map. UAE DH15. A simple list of the 400 bird species recorded in the emirate of Abu Dhabi with status codes and tick boxes. Two introductory pages are repeated in Arabic. Effie Warr del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) (2002) Handbook of the birds of the world Volume 7 Lyx Edictous, Barcelona. pp 613, 70 colour plates, 317 colour photographs, 408 distribution maps, £115. Birders whose sole focus is either the Middle East or Western Palearctic may wish to ‘skip’ this, the latest volume in a lavish series: it covers the jacamars, puffbirds, barbets, toucans, honeyguides and woodpeckers, families confined to or, in the latter case, which reach their greatest diversity in the tropics. There is also a foreword, devoted to extinct birds, by Errol Fuller. However, it is difficult to recommend such a parsimonious approach. Quite simply, every serious birder should own all of the volumes, finances permitting. There now seems no doubt that the series will not suddenly falter from its sumptuous appearance; why does every volume seem better than the last? Personal highlights of volume 7 include a photo of the recently discovered Scarlet-belted Barbet Capito wallacei, some of James Tanner’s legendary photos of Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis digitally coloured and many, many others. Those also investing in the Oxford University Press Bird Families series, who may have recently purchased the Toucans, barbets and honeyguides volume will find that the relevant sections of HBW have been authored by the same researchers, Lester 154 & Recent Literature Short and Jennifer Horne, who had the liberty of fewer space restraints in the OUP work. The woodpeckers in HBW have been authored by Hans Winkler and David Christie, who were responsible for a volume in the Pica Press series on the same family, permitting them to substantially update their earlier work. I was particularly impressed by their work in compiling accounts for those woodpeckers with which they presumably have little or no field experience; very few literature sources appear to have been missed. The series editors have been making steady improvements to the product with each passing volume, but one serious criticism that has recently been aired concerns the referencing format.. At least amene researchers (rather than birders) working with Neotropical birds, there is a strong desire to see individual facts referenced, rather than a bibliography at the close of each species account. Given the constraints of space, a superscript numeral system might be best employed, if the editors were to give this option a shake. Kasparek, M. & Kinzelbach, R. (eds.) (2001) Zoology in the Middle East Volume 23.. Kasparek Verlag” Pleidelberc. Kasparek, M. (ed.) (2001) Zoology in the Middle East Volume 24. Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg. Kasparek, M. & Kinzelbach, R. (eds.) (2002) Zoology in the Middle East Volume 25. Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg. The latest volumes, which bring the total number published in 2001 to three, are bereft of bird papers. The first is a normal issue of 120 pages devoted to eight orders, including several papers on mammals (which will arguably be of most interest to readers of Sandgrouse), while the 160-page Volume 24 is a special dealing with marine turtles in the eastern Mediterranean. The 15 papers are subdivided by theme: reproduction and monitoring of nesting populations, sea turtles at sea, pollution, morphology and Reviews & Recent Literature information management. Papers based on work in Egypt and Turkey comprise the bulk, and conservation prospects and management are important themes. The first issue of 2002 maintains the standard of previous volumes and includes a note documenting the second confirmed breeding record of Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii in UAE. All of these volumes can, as always, be ordered via OSME Sales. Scharlau, W. (1999) Beitrdge zur Vogelwelt der siidlichen Agiis (Griechenland). beniente aus. dem Arbeiiseebeit Entwicklungsforschung 31. Institut fur Geographie, Universitat Munster. DM29. This volume comprises a collection of papers, most by Scharlau and co-authors, devoted to the breeding avifauna of the southern Aegean islands belonging to Greece. Islands spotlighted here include Astipdalaia, Crete, Karpathos, Kasos and Naxos. The longest paper, that by Scharlau dealing with Crete, contains one-sentence summaries for each species, as does that for Naxos, and only one paper lacks an English summary. There is also an introduction to the geography of the region by Cay Lienau, which disappointingly lacks such a résumé. Detailed breeding-range maps are provided for several islands and new breeding species are added to several island lists. Closing the work is a paper, again sage: 210m Half page: 100mm tall x 135 wide £60 a Quarter page: 1 00mm tall x 61 wide £ 40 FULL-COLOUR ADVERT RATES Full page: 210mm tallx 135 wide £200 _ Back cover: 245mm tall x 170 wide £300 by Scharlau, discussing discrepancies among major works such as BWP and the EBCC atlas of European breeding birds in those species considered to breed on Crete. The author arrives at a number of interesting and largely well-supported conclusions, and even makes the bizarre offer to reward anyone finding incontrovertible evidence of breeding for seven named species with 100 Euros per species. Wedicated. mest finders could plausibly almost pay for their visit given such incentive! Guy M. Kirwan Yemen Times in cooperation with Millennium Environmental Services (2001) Wild Yemen: a guide to ecotourism Sites around Sanaa. pp 21, colour photographs and maps, one colour plate of Yemen’s 13 endemic birds. Available from Yemen Ornithological Society, P. O. Box 2002, Sana’a, Yemen. US$3. Descriptions of 12 recommended locations for observing wildlife with travel times from Sana’a, notes on access, and highlights of plants, animals and birds to look for. Useful addresses and a short list of books on natural history are included. Effie Warr | : Adver tisingin 5wide £100 — 155 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 156-160 2002 AVOUT. LE IS 91011 compiled by Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton Records in Around the Region are published for interest only; their inclusion does not imply acceptance by the records committee of the relevant country. All records relate to 2001 unless otherwise stated. Records and photographs for Sandgrouse 24 (2) should be sent by 15 July, to Around the Region, OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, U.K.; or aroundtheregion@osme.org , es [et gS ie Ue Pea ae 3 +1 isi (i Bee VEN t tt FAG PSG \ with nee. 3 1 Re TL ae thier? eas \ seas: I : SI i < \ 1 On / ee \ ae love ce =-_— -— =-_— _— ' hy Bee-eaters Merops apiaster by D. Powell 156 ARMENIA A male Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis in breeding plumage was at Armash Fish Ponds on 10 and 18 June, and will be the first record for Armenia if accepted. Also there were three Spur-winged Plover Hoplopterus spinosus on 3 and 10 June (second record if accepted). Four, possibly six, Mongolian Finch Bucanetes mongolicus were at Verdi on 29 May, and 2-3 were at the same site on 3 and 19 June, the second record. CYPRUS Garganey Anas querquedula was confirmed breeding for the first time since 1910 at Oroklini Marsh, Larnaca, with two broods of nine in late June. The first record of a Black Vulture Aegypius manachus since 1982 was a second-/third-year, first reported in December 2001 and present until at least 31 May. A Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius at K’pr, (Kouklia) reservoir on 23 April has been accepted as the first island record. A pair of Common Tern Sterna hirundo incubating at Larnaca Sewage Works in July was the first breeding record since 1905. At the same site, a pair of Little Tern S. albifrons was nesting in mid-July but had deserted by 18 July; the last breeding record was in June 1946 at Larnaca Salt Lake. A male Pin- tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata was at Oroklini Marsh, Larnaca on 6 July, the first record since 1820. About 60 territories of Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschii were found during the winter; the species is now wintering in greater numbers and over a larger area than recently reported. A late Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita was singing in the Troodos range on 18 May. EGYPT Two Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus (an adult and an immature) flew south past the golf course near El] Gouna on 6 April (the first record if accepted). GEORGIA At least 375 Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus were counted on 17 February and up to 420 on 26 February, at Jandari Lake, east Georgia. Five Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea at Kumisi Lake on 14 April was a late spring record. Twenty-eight White-tailed Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla were recorded in west Georgia and four in east Georgia, the highest concen- tration during the last three decades (January—March). Eight (five male, three female) Caucasian Biack Grouse Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi were recorded on 1 June in Trusco gorge, Kazbegi district; a high concentration at this season. A Pomarine Skua_ Stercorarius pomarinus at Batumi beach, on the Black Sea coast, on 30 April was a late record. Four nests of Yellow- legged Gull Larus c. cachinnans were found at Paleostomi Lake (no date); the last documented case of breeding here was in 1988. IRAN Seven pairs of Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus with nests were found at Parishan Lake, Fars province, in March. A Sooty Gull Larus hemprichti was in south-east Baluchistan on 21 March 2001. ISRAEL The highest count of Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea off the Mediterranean coast was made on 14 May when 211 flew past Haifa. The first Striated Heron Butorides striatus away from Eilat was at Sapir Park (north Negev) on 16-19 June. An Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus was at Be’er Sheva on 27 June. The second Israeli record, if accepted, of Yellow-billed Kite Milvus milvus parasitis involved one over the Eilat Mountains on 7 May. At the same site, a Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreauxil was noted on 30 April and an incredible 98 Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus -moved north between 26 April and 23 June, including 21 on 30 April. On 23 June, a Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio was at Tirat Zvi, Bet She’an Valley. A first-summer Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea at Eilat on 29 June is about the 23rd record in Israel. A Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis ringed at Nir David, Bet She’an Valley on 5 May was about the 12th record in Israel. Space prevents us from mentioning the large body of records recently accepted by the Israel Records and Distribution Committee; these can be viewed at: http://www. geocities.com/birdingisrael/RC/Ra rities_Committee.html Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton JORDAN A Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus north over Wadi Rum on 15 May was notable. A Black Bush Robin Cercotrichas podobe was at Nawatif, Wadi Dana on 7 May. The third Jordan record, if accepted, of a Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia was at Hashemite University ringing station, Dhleil, on 10 May; both previous records were at Azraq. A Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum was at the same site on 24 May; a first for Jordan if accepted. A Red- breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva on 20 April, also at Dhleil, was a rare spring record. Two Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus, one on 21 May and another on 23 May, both at Dhleil, are potentially the second and third country records. KUWAIT A new record count of Great White Egret Egretta alba (34) was made at Jahra Bay on 2 January. Two Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea at Sulaibikhat Bay on 15 March were recently accepted as the eighth record in Kuwait. A count of 208 Shelduck T. tadorna between Sulaibikhat Bay and Judailiyat on 1 January was the largest number to be recorded since 1983. A Black- winged Kite Elanus caeruleus was captured at Al Abraq on 28 February and will be the first record, if accepted. At Kabd, c. 770 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis were noted on 28 February, a new record count. A second-year female Red- footed Falcon Falco vespertinus was found dead at Hujaijah on 9 May, the first country record, if accepted. The first accepted record of Sooty Falcon F. concolor was of two at Jabriya on 21 April. An impressive count of 140 Black-crowned Finch Lark Eremopterix nigriceps was made at Wafra oilfield on 9 January. The 5-8th records of breeding by Bar-tailed Desert Lark Ammomanes cincturus involved birds at Salmi on 16 March 2001, two nests on 22 March and a nest with chicks on 29 March. At least seven Thick-billed Lark Rhamphocoris clotbey were near Salmi between 8 March and 4 April, the first records since February 1985, and the first breeding record was confirmed on 29 March, when a nest with four eggs was found. The first breeding record of Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella Around the Region rufescens was at Salmi on 22 March, where a nest with three eggs was discovered. Two Woodlark Lullula arborea on three dates in January was a Significant record of this scarce species. The third breeding occurrence of Temminck’s Horned Lark Eremophila bilopha was also at Salmi on 29 March. Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon and Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida were confirmed breeding for the first time in Kuwait this spring. An Icterine Warbler H. icterina near Jahra on 13 and 15 April was a notable record of this scarce species. The third accepted record of Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus was at Sabah Al Salem on 20 April 2000. A male Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus feeding a juvenile at.Salmi on 22 March was the third breeding record. A pre- roost gathering of 184 Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra at Jahra Pool on 24 February was a record count. Five trips to Bubiyan Island in March-June revealed breeding records of Swift Apus apus, Gull- billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica, Caspian Tern Sterna caspia, Crab Plover Dromas ardeola, Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea and Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis, most of which are the first nesting records for decades. LEBANON On 5 May, just south of Aammiq marsh, a juvenile Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreauxti was sighted, the second record in Lebanon. In the desert at Hermel, on 24 April, the second record of Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni was made. A return visit a week later produced the first country record of Bar- tailed Desert Lark Ammomanes cincturus. OMAN Single Sooty Shearwaters Puffinus griseus were observed at Khawr Taqah, on 2 April, and Ras al Hadd, on 22 April, the second and third records if accepted. A juvenile Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens present in the Salalah region on 24 January—10 February has been accepted as the first record. Two Crested Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhynchus at Khasab on 12 April will be the 5-6th records if accepted. A Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreauxti was at Ayn Hamran on 9 February. 157 Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 A Merlin Falco columbarius at Sohar Sun Farms on 27 January will be the fifth record if accepted. Three White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus at Hilf on 31 January is a new maximum count of this rare passage migrant/ winter visitor. A single Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata was again at East Khawr, Salalah, on 18 April. A count of 26 Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus at Seeb on 5 December 2001 was significant. A Great Stone Plover Esacus recurvirostris was at Shinas on 22 January and is the 15th record of this rare winter visitor to north Oman. Two Dotterel Charadrius morinellus were at Sohar Sun Farms on 27 January (one until 1 February), the fourth record. A Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus was at Ourm Park on 2 December 2001-20 January. The bird, which has wintered at Sohar Sun Farms since 1997/98, was again present on 7 December 2001 and 3 March. A Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris was reported from Qurm Park on 6 April and will be the seventh record if accepted. A Knot Calidris canutus at Barr al Hikman on 1 February will be the sixth record if accepted Three Long-toed Stint C. subminuta were at Qurayyat on 23 December 2001. A total of 136 Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus past Ras al Khabbah in three hours on 22 April iSma news record count am the country. Two Common Gull Larus canus at Khasab on 10 December 2001 and another two at Barka on 27 February bring the total number of records to ten, if accepted. A total of 2310 Great Black-headed Gull L. ichthyaetus from the central coast on 18 January is a new record. Similarly, records were also broken when 132 Little Tern Sterna albifrons were at Liwa on 4 April. A male Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata at Sohar Sun Farms on 28 December 2001-1 February was the first record, although the possibility of it being an escape must be considered. A single Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis was at Al Ansab Lagoons on 7-13 December 2001. Three were at Al Hi on 2 February and a single at Sohar Sun Farms on 8 April. A Red Turtle Dove S. tranquebarica at Sohar on 5 and 11 January has been accepted as the second record (the first was in October 1975). Although an escape, an 158 Alexandrine Parakeet Psitticula eupatria at Al Bustan Palalce Hotel one December —2001. was noteworthy. Koel Eudynamys scolopacea is a rare and irregular visitor: a female was at Muntasar on 1 December 2001, two males and two females at Hilf on 30-31 January, a male and a female at Al Hij on 2 February and an immature at Thumrait on 20 April. A Hume’s Tawny Owl Strix butleri was heard at Khawr al Maghsayl on 8 February; the species was only recently discovered in Oman and is thought to breed in small numbers. Singles of Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius were at Nizwa on 31 January and Al Ansab Lagoons on 7 March. There was a Little Swift Apus affinis at Sohar Sun Farms on 12 April—the species is stanely seeny sustiallllivas am October-December. Also at this site were four Small Skylark Alauda gulgula on 21 January. Three were still present on 27 January and a single on 8 February, the sixth record in the country. Another interesting find at Sohar was three Brown-throated Sand Martin Riparia paludicola on 26 January-1 February, with two on 8 February, and one at Al Ansab Lagoons on 16 May, bringing the number of records to four. A Sand Martin R. riparia of the eastern race diluta at Sohar Sun Farms on 8 February has been accepted as the first record of this form. Several Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis were present during the winter, with three at Sayh Plateau on 19 December and 24 January, a single at Sohar Sun Farms on 27 January, four at Sayh, Musandam, on 30 January and a single at Jabal Harim the same day. If accepted, these will bring the total number of records to nine. The first-ever reports of Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens were at Sur on 19 January and Sohar Sun Farms on 27 January—both await acceptance. Several Grey MHypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus were seen: two at Muntasar on 1 December, a single at Birkat Khaldiyah on 23 January, three at Rawdah Bowl on 25 January and one at Khasab on 9 April. These, if accepted, bring the number of records to ten. A Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia at Jabal Harim on 25 April is the seventh record and the first Black Bush Robin Cercotrichas podobe was ai Miugshime von 9% Agonilea Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens of the race persica at Rawdah Bowl on 25 January brings the number of records to six. An Eastern Pied Wheatear O. picata was at Wadi al Ag on 3 February. A male Black-eared Wheatear O. hispanica at Sayh on 26 April is the eighth record. Of note were 16 singing Sykes’s Warbler Hippolais (caligata) rama at Liwa on 31 March. An Icterine Warbler H. icterina at Wadi Rabkut on 7 April will be the ninth record, if accepted. Two Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca of the race halimodendri were at Rawdah Bowl on 25 January. The second Hume’s Lesser Whitethroat S. (curruca) althaea was at Ghabah Resthouse on 8 April. A Hume’s Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus humei at Hilf on 1 February is the first to be specif- ically identified as this species, though acceptance is pending. A Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva was at Al Bustan Palace Hotel on 1 March. The sixth Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus was at Sall Ala on 25 April, while the seventh record of Long-tailed Shrike L. schach was at Qurm Park on 2 December, 200157, Apr six Masked Shrike L. nubicus at Bukha on 17 Aprilsis ayrecord: count. Several Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea were reported: two at Sayh Plateau on 10-11 April, and singles at Khasab on 11 April and Sall Ala on 25 April, bringing the number of records to ten. A total of 107 Ortolan Bunting E. hortulana at Sayh Plateau on 10 April was a new record count, as was 115 Black-headed Bunting E. melanocephala at Bukha on 17 April. A male Red-headed Bunting E. bruniceps at Sohar Sun Farms on 26-27 January and (possibly the same) on 3 March was the second record (the first involved three in April 2001): There: were four Golden-winged Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus socotranus at Wadi Hanna on 7 February and two at Ayn Hamran the next day. PALESTINE A male Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans at Beit Sahour on 30 March was the first record in Palestine of this regular passage migrant in Israel. SAUDI ARABIA Records from Dhahran included a pair of Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus which raised two Dawn Balmer and Keith Belen young for the third successive year. The species had not bred in Arabia prior to 1999. A pair of Little - Bittern [xobrychus minutus was at Dhahran effluent lake on 27 June raising the possibility of breeding. A Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus flew north on 26 April. Two pairs of Hoopoe Upupa epops bred in Dhahran. Single Red-tailed Wheatears Oenanthe xanthoprymna were in the Dhahran Hills on four days in March. A Wryneck Jynx torquilla was an unusual winter visitor on 31 January and a male Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus was seen on 13 April. Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus has previously been reported breeding in Eastern Province, but the discovery of 1-2 pairs in Phragmites reeds at Dhahran effluent lake is the first breeding in this area. Single Basra Reed Warblers A. griseldis were seen on 26 and 28 April. A Moustached Warbler A: melanopogon at Dhahran effluent lake on 27 June raises the possibility of breeding, and another adult was seen at a different pool in Dhahran in May. SYRIA The most significant discovery—arguably the most significant in the Middle East in recent years—was of nesting Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in a remote valley in April. Up to seven have been seen in the area, and there is evidence that a significant colony of the species has existed here until c. 20 years ago. Fuller details appear in News & Information. The complete list of sightings from a visit on 24 February—8 March can be viewed on the OSME website. Most notable were further sightings of Iraq Babbler Turdoides altirostris on the’ Euphrates at Deir ez-Zor, north-east of Damascus. Other sightings from the trip included two Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus and c. 8 Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris, four Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca and a White- headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala at Mheimideh. A _ further ten Ferruginous Duck were at Sfeira Tahtani. A male Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola was at al-Zouwea on the Euphrates on 4 March. An interesting find was White-cheeked Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys, Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton which was recorded three times near the Euphrates at Deir ez-Zor (where the species was also seen in 2001). An Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus of the race phoenicuroides was at Mheimideh on 7 March. TURKEY An amazing record was of a White- breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis on the banks of the Kizilirmak River at Avanos-—Nevsehir in Central Anatolia, on 17 December 2001, at least 200 km north of the nearest coast! A Black Kite Milvus migrans at Kazan, Ankara on 18 December 2001 was very late. A White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla was on the banks of the Euphrates at Erzincan on 22 July 2001. Corncrake Crex crex was thought to have bred near Rize, also in July 2001. A Red Kite Milvus milvus was at Samsun on 2 December 2001. In late December 2001, an immature Gannet Sula bassana was at Rize harbour, the first record from the Black Sea in Turkey. Two Bean Geese Anser fabalis were at Kulu on 22 February. Two Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla were at Karatas on 6 January, and 52 Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus were at Nallihan Kuscenneti on 22 January. A second season's field work in south-east Anatolia, on 15 April-14 June, which covered the area from Kilis in the west to Beytiissebap in the east, continued to expand the documented range of many relatively familiar species, including Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia xanthocollis, Eastern Rock Nuthatch Sitta tephronota, See-see Partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis and Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus. An Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca was near Kutlu (south-east of Lice) on 21 May and an adult Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus near Pirincglik on 14 May. A female’ or immature Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus was hunting over steppe grassland near Goktas (east of Harran) on the rather late date of 18 April. An immature Goshawk Accipiter gentilis was near Cimenli (north-east of Gaziantep) on 2 May. An Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae and a Red-footed Falcon F. vespertinus were hunting over alpine meadows above Tut on 4 June. A Merlin F. columbarius was between Strtic and Akcakale on the Around the Region late dates of 19 and 21 April. A Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla was at Atattirk Baraji, at Akyatir, on 22 April, and a calling male near Yanak6y (east of Kilis) on 1 May. Single Corncrakes Crex crex were south of Kiziltepe on 9 May and north of Mazidagi on 12 May. Red- wattled Plovers Hoplopterus indicus included two between Cizre and Nusaybin on 9 May, one on the Idil Baraji on 13 May and three south- west of Silopi on 3 June. A flock of 31 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata flew north over Erler (west of Akcakale) on 19 April. A Pallid Swift Apus pallidus was in suitable breeding habitat at Cendre Kopriisti, north of Kahta, on 12 June, while breeding Little Swifts Apus affinis were along the Sabuncu river (west of Kilis) on 1 May, above Egil on 21 May, near Kozluk on 26 May, north of Idil on 6 June and south of Taskonak on 7 June. A River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis was south of Kiziltepe on 9 May. An important discovery was breeding Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata on Karacada§g, east of Siverek, in late May. This is a new breeding species for the country. An adult male Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus was at Sanliurfa on 16 April. A Tree Sparrow Passer montanus was near Uludere on 8 June—a significant southerly range extension. At least 15 Grey-necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani were singing on a rocky mountainside near Uludere on 8 June. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES A Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus was Off Kalba beach on 12 April and two off Ras Dibba on 10 May. A Brown Booby Sula leucogaster was off Fujeirah beach on 12 April. A single Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea was in Abu Dhabi on 23 March. More Crested Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhynchus bring the total of records to 28. A Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus was at Bateen Gardens, Abu Dhabi, on ‘19 January, while an Amur Falcon Falco amurensis near Shahama on 26 April was the fourth record. Single Merlins F. columbarius were at Bab oilfield, Western desert on 1 January, at Al Wathba on 11 January—8 March, at Fujeirah National Dairy Farm on 13 February and Ras al Khaimah airport on 26 February. A White- breasted Waterhen Amaurornis SY) Sandgrouse 24 (2): 2002 phoenicurus was at Wimpey pits, Dubai on 15 December and 10 January, and a Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio at Ramtha lagoons on 25 May, with another at Wimpey pits on 19 April—6 June. A Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata was at Wimpey pits from 14 June into July, the first record in UAE. Interestingly, the first UAE breeding record of Coot F. atra occurred at the same site in June. A Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo was at Khor Dubai on 21 March, and a Little Pratincole Glareola lactea at Wimpey pits on 3 December 2001-23 January. Single Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus were at Al Wathba on 21 January and 9 March, and one was at Khor Dubai on 20 March. A Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria remained at Al Wathba on 29 November 2001-10 April. A Knot Calidris canutus was at Umm al Quwain on 16-27 March, and the Pectoral Sandpiper C. melanotos which arrived on 1 December 2001 was present at Wimpey pits until 24 February, the second record. A Great Snipe Gallinago media was at Wimpey pits on 26 April. A record number of Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius involved 24 at Al Wathba on 23 February. A Koel Eudynamys scolopacea was at Al Mamzar Park, Dubai, on 13-18 April. A Little Swift Apus affinis was at Wimpey pits on 23 December 2001-1 January. More notable was a Pacific Swift A. pacificus at the Emirates golf course, Dubai, on 26 January, the second record in UAE and the Middle East (the first was in September 1999). An Alpine Swift A. melba was at Emirates golf course on 28 January. A Bar-tailed Desert Lark Ammomanes cincturus was near Ruwais on 3 April. A Brown- throated Sand Martin Riparia paludicola was at Al Wathba on 29 March-4 April, while a Sand Martin R. riparia of the race diluta (sometimes referred to as Pale Martin) was at Dubai pivot fields on 25 January-14 February, following which up to three were at Al Wathba on 29 March-7 April, and two in Mushref Palace Gardens on 12 May; there are fewer than ten accepted records. A Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens at Dubai pivot fields on 23-25 January was the fourth record. An Eversmann’s Redstart Phoenicurus erythronotus was at Fujeirah National Dairy Farm on 2-7 February, and a Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus was at Ghantoot plantation on 3 January, while a Blackbird T. merula was still present in Abu Dhabi, near the Intercontinental Hotel, until 4 February. Two Black-throated Thrush T. ruficollis were at Ras al Khaimah airport fields on 7 January. A White-crowned Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga was at Das Island on 5-7 April sand another there on 9-10 April. A River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis at Emirates golf course on 16 May was the sixth record, while two Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS dumetorum in Mushref Palace Gardens and two at Emirates golf course on 16 May brings the number of records to seven. Up to two Hume’s Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus humei were at Mushref Palace Gardens, Abu Dhabi, on 3 January—7 March. A Siskin Carduelis spinus was at the Intercontinental Hotel, Abu Dhabi, on 3 February and another at Mushref Palace Gardens on 6 February. A Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea was at Al Wathba on 29 March-11 April followed by one at Al Mamzar Park on 16 April and at least two at Das Island on 27 April. A male Red-headed Bunting E. bruniceps at Hamraniyah fields, Ras al Khaimah, on 23-30 March, was the fourth record. UZBEKISTAN Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus is an extremely rare migrant in Uzbekistan. Two were reported on 3-4 April with Common Cranes G. grus c. 30 km from Aydar Lake. Little Swift Apus affinis is also rare but five were near Uch-Kyzyl reservoir, close to Termez, on 28 April. YEMEN Two Crowned Sandgrouse Pterocles coronatus and a Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni were east of Al Ahwar on 4 July. There was a Wilson’s Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus north-west of Al Hodeidah on 9 July, and six were north-west of Al Salif on 11 July. The following assisted in the compilation of this review: Alexander Abuladze, Tamer Albayrak, Marc Almécija, Vasil Ananian, lan Andrews, Giinesin Aydemir, Mindy and Sherif Baha El Din, Murat Bogdocan, Judy Dawes, Barbaros Demirci, Majid Eb, Hanne & Jens Eriksen, Peter Flint, Daniel Gelbart, Jeff Gordon, Andrew Grieve, Haim Hovel, Fares Khoury, Elena Kreuzberg-Mukhina, Bahtiyar Kurt, Steve Lister, Graham Lobley, Brian Meadows, Lothar Miller, Damian Nowak, Yoav Perlman, Phil Roberts, Colin Richardson, Konrad Sachanowicz, Nir Sapir, Thomas Spencer, Andy Sprenger, David Stanton, Geoff & Hilary Welch, David Whaley, Reuven Yosef and Sadegh Sadeghi Zadegan. Dawn Balmer, 39 Station Road, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 1AW, U. K. Keith Betton, 8 Dukes Close, Folly Hill, Farnham, Surrey GU9 ODR, U. K. 160 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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