ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST, CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA OSME OSME was founded in 1978 as the successor to the Ornithological Society of Turkey. Its primary aims are: @ To collect, collate, and publish data on all aspects of the birds of the Middle East. # To promote an interest in ornithology and bird conservation throughout the Middle East. ® To develop productive working relationships with other governmental and non-governmental organisations with an interest in conservation and/or natural history in the region. MEMBERSHIP OSME is open to all, and its membership spans over 40 countries. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP Individual £15 (UK address) £20 (Europe) £20 (Surface mail outside Europe) £25 (Airmail outside Europe) Institutions £30 (Add £5 for Airmail) Write to the Membership Secretary at the address below for a membership form detailing methods of payment and also rates for Family, Supporting and Life membership. For any other information on the Society, write to the Secretary at the same address. PUBLICATIONS OSME publishes a scientific journal, Sandgrouse, containing papers, news and features on all aspects of Middle Eastern ornithology. Published twice yearly, it is issued free to members. Further copies are available for sale from OSME. MEETINGS An Annual General Meeting is held in London at which guest speakers provide new perspectives on ornithology in the region. There are also occasional special meetings, some taking place outside the UK. PROJECTS OSME organises field expeditions to collect data on birds in little-known parts of the region and in areas where OSME can assist by teaming up with local groups. The Conservation & Research Committee grants funds to valuable field projects and desk studies which further knowledge and conservation of birds in the region. Grants have been awarded to over 45 projects since the Conservation & Research Fund was set up in 1982. ) VICE PRESIDENTS: Imad Atrash Sherif Baha El Din B. Behrouzi-Rad Dr Ghassan & Mrs Mona Ramadan-Jaradi Dr Saeed Mohamed Dr Omar Al-Saghier Dr Yossi Leshem COUNCIL AS AT FEBRUARY 2003: Dawn Balmer Publicity & Displays John Bartley - secretary@osme.org Acting Secretary Pat Bartley (co-opted) - Keith Betton - chairman@osme.org Chairman Chris Bradshaw - c&r@osme.org Conservation & Research Ray Daniel Librarian Andrew Grieve Advertising & Website Chris Harbard (co-opted) Rod Martins Turkey Bird Report (co-opted) Tony Morris - fundraiser@osme.org Fundraising David Murdoch (co-opted) Effie Warr - sales@osme.org Sales & Distribution (co-opted) John Warr - membership@osme.org Treasurer & Membership © 2003 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 SANDGROUSE oe Volume 25 (1) 4 NEWS AND INFORMATION 8 Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001 EbITED By Guy M. KIRWAN, Editor METEHAN OZEN, BAHTIYAR Kurt AND R. P. MARTINS Guy M. Kirwan 32 How much do we know about the Caucasian Black Grouse Features Editor Tetrao mlokosiewiczi? RAMAZ GOKHELASHVILI, KERRY P. REESE Situation Vacant AND LEXO GAVASHELISHVILI Assistant Editor Al The current breeding status of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Dawn Balmer in Azerbaijan ELCHIN SULTANOV AND NIGAR AGAYEVA Editorial Committee 49 The spatial and temporal behaviour of a Common Swift Apus apus Michael Blair, colony in Tel Aviv ULRICH TIGGES Paul Goriup, Mike Jennings 3) Observations on birds in Tajikistan, April-May 1997 DavibD MURDOCH Rodney Martins, GO : 59 Some unusual patterns of bird migration in Uzbekistan, spring 2002 Peter L. Meininger ELENA KREUZBERG-MUKHINA & Dr Stephen Newton 63 The first Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis in Bulgaria DIMITAR N. RAGYOV, LUDMILLA G. POPOVA-WIGHTMAN, KONSTANTIN S. PoPpov, SVETLA Y. DALAKCHIEVA, BORIS P. NIKOLOV AND IVAILO P. NIKOLOV Photographic Editor Paul Doherty Design & Production Harry |. Scott 65 The first Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis in Armenia lent ifica ha Consultants VASIL ANANIAN AND PETER DE ROUW eo Diadshiaw, 67 The first records of Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus in Egypt Arnoud B. van den Berg JOHAN ELMBERG AND LOTHAR MULLER & Steve Madge 69 _—s*The first Radde’s Accentor Prunella ocularis in Lebanon THIERRY BARA 70 REVIEWS & RECENT LITERATURE 76 AROUND THE REGION DAWN BALMER AND KEITH BETTON Front and back cover photographs: Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus taken by Hadoram Shirihai at Gamla Gorge Nature Reserve, Israel, autumn 2002. Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2-4 2003 ~ OSME’S 25TH BIRTHDAY The 27 April 1978 was a significant day for Middle Eastern ornithology—it was the date when OSME was born! So now, after a quarter of a century, it is time to look back and remember some of the events that happened along the way. However, we should not forget that OSME was born from the Ornithological Society of Turkey (OST). During its ten years, OST brought together enthusiasts from many corners of Europe to focus on Turkey’s impressive birdlife. A committee, chaired by the late William Wilkinson, with a number of familiar names including Alan Kitson, Richard Porter, Mike Harrison, Mark Beaman and the late Don Parr, decided OST’s destiny. As OST decided to widen its interests and change to OSME, it also launched Sandgrouse, and with it came our logo—designed by Ian Willis. The new organisation attracted a larger membership, and while William Wilkinson remained in the chair it also had the support of an impressive cast of international vice presidents. When Richard Porter took over as Chairman in 1982 work started on the OSME Sites Register, and the Conservation & Research Committee was formed to make grants to. worthy projects. 1985 saw the first OSME Expedition—nine weeks of field work in North Yemen during which 13 species were added to the country checklist. As OSME entered its tenth year, Mike Rands assumed the chair and the Society was benefiting from great support from its members, with over 100 people attending the AGM that year. 1990 saw the first (and so far only) overseas meeting of the Society—in the 2 Netherlands for two days in September. Sadly plans for an expedition to Turkey had to be abandoned. As Geoff Welch took over the chair in 1992 plans were in an advanced stage for another expedition—again to Yemen, in March—May 1993. 1996 saw the merging of the OSME Bulletin and Sandgrouse and a dramatic change in publishing style. The OSME website was created, giving the Society the opportunity to reach new members and potential grant recipients within the Middle East and elsewhere. Andrew Grieve became Chairman in 1997 and shortly after the OSME/NHBS Book Award was announced, which provides much-needed literature to field workers in the region. With the huge growth in the use of e-mail, 1999 saw the creation of MEBirdNet—a discussion group on Middle Eastern birding, moderated by OSME. As we entered the new millennium, OSME decided to ‘expand’ further east, into the Caucasus and Central Asia, and to incorporate some of the newly created countries that were formerly part of Russia. As the region expanded, a team of 22 Country Contacts was appointed to help the Society communicate better with field workers in each country. However, plans to mount an expedition to Iran were placed on hold as a result of the worldwide tension following the terrorist attacks in the U. S. A. in September 2001. It is now 35 years since the foundation of OST, and 25 years after its conversion to OSME. Many people have helped the Society reach this stage, and I have mentioned only a few in the paragraphs above. I want to take this opportunity to warmly thank all of them—vice presidents, chairmen, secretaries, treasurers, editors and council members—for their huge amount of work and what they have achieved for the region’s ornithology. As for the future, your Council is not short of enthusiasm and we have just undertaken a review of the opportunities that lie ahead. If I have one frustration as your new Chairman it is that too often I meet birdwatchers that regularly visit the Middle East but have never joined OSME. This is a situation that we must work hard to change. Similarly, I want to ensure that we manage to make contact with nationals in the Middle East and Central Asia who are working at the forefront of bird conservation and field work. In particular, we must support the work already being done by BirdLife Middle East. There is much for OSME to do, and all of us on Council welcome feedback and input. You will find our names and contact details on the inside cover. Keith Betton OSME SUMMER MEETING 19 JULY 2003 With this copy of Sandgrouse you will have received details of the 2003 Summer Meeting and AGM. This will be held on Saturday 19 July. As it 1s our 25th birthday, we are delighted that speakers will include Richard Porter, Ian Wallace and David Murdoch. We are also delighted that a number of Middle Eastern birders will attend the event, including Adnan Budieri of BirdLife Middle East. The event commences at 11.00 and will be held at the offices of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), 68-71 Newman Street, London WIT 3AH. This is a new venue, being mid-way between three underground stations: Goodge Street, Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus. Car parking can be found in Clipstone Street and Berners Street. OSME COUNTRY CONTACTS Please note the following changes of e-mail and/or postal address: Cyprus Peter Flint prf@sunnycyprus.net Kuwait Tom Spencer stspencerkwt@yahoo.co.uk KES, P. O. Box 8640 Salmiya, 22057, Kuwait. Syria Gianluca Serra gianlu@scs-net.org Uzbekistan Elena Kreuzberg-Mukhina iucn_uz@bcc.com.uz BIRDS OF SYRIA NOW AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH In 1995 Wolfgang Baumgart finished his excellent work on the birds of Syria. Published in German, it reviewed the current and past status of each species, and presented valuable information concerning the geography and ecological conditions within OSME News the country. With the recent upsurge of interest in Syria’s birdlife, OSME has translated the book into English. Wolfgang Baumgart has also added some extra notes from recently published papers. Our grateful thanks go to him and to Max Kasparek for their cooperation, and to OSME members Tony Bannister, Gary Bletsch, Brian Hillcoat and Christian Neumann for translating a total of 50,000 words! Copies of the English version are available from OSME Sales for £10/€15.50 including postage. OSME SUPPORTS BALD IBIS SEARCH IN SYRIA Final plans are underway for important field work to search the remote gorges of central Syria in the hope of finding additional breeding colonies of Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in 2004. No observations of the species had been documented from Syria since 1928 until the discovery last April that at least one colony persists in the Palmyra region, at which three young were reared in 2002, and three pairs had returned to the area in early 2003. This was perhaps the most significant ornithological discovery in the Middle East during the last 30 years, and OSME is pleased to announce that it is supporting the important field work being coordinated by BirdLife Middle East. OSME has donated £1000 from its Conservation & Research Fund to help cover the local expenses of four European volunteer birders who will join the Syrians in searching for more colonies. Five potential areas with cliffs of a sufficient height to support ibis colonies have been identified. All five will be visited so that they can be checked. The search teams will be accompanied by an experienced ranger who will interview local people with the aid of a questionnaire. Areas where indications of ibis colonies are promising will be revisited when any breeding activity should be underway. OSME SUPPORTS FIELD WORKERS IN ARMENIA OSME has awarded a grant of $700 from its Conservation & Research Fund to support vital work at the Armash Fish Farm in Armenia. Vasil Ananian, the recipient of the award, will coordinate monthly bird counts at the site, focusing on globally threatened species such as Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris and White-headed 3 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 4-7 2003 Duck Oxyura leucocephala, and will identify those habitats of greatest importance to birds. One of the most important aspects of the project is to train local enthusiasts and amateurs in the basics of bird identification, and encourage them to assist the survey. BRITISH BIRDWATCHING FAIR Once again OSME had a high profile at the British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland in August 2002. Many members visited the Society’s stand including Middle East birdwatchers Imad Atrash from Palestine, Yossi Leshem, Dan Alon and Reuven Yosef from Israel, Hanne & Jens Eriksen from Oman, Colin Richardson from Dubai and Sharif Al-Jbour NEWS 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 For birds and people in the Jordan Valley A new BirdLife International-European Commission initiative was recently launched to promote ecologically sustainable development in the Conservation areas will be established to promote land management, local education, tourism and research programmes, and birdwatching monitoring centres, to the benefit of local people and the environment in an area that has experienced widespread habitat loss and rapid industrialisation, with associated high levels of pollution from pesticides, herbicides, factory and sewerage waste. The programme will focus on birds, which are excellent indicators of the state of + INFORMATION compiled by Dawn Balmer & Guy M. Kirwan Jordan Valley. from Jordan. This is a very important event in the OSME calendar, and our grateful thanks go to all the volunteers who gave freely of their time to help on the stand. We also greatly appreciate the financial assistance given by Carl Zeiss to offset a significant part of our stand costs. Thanks are also due to those companies that provided prizes for the stand: In Focus, Bird Guides, Mondell, Clive Byers, Mark Chester, Bird Images, Subbuteo, Biota, Alana Ecology, Alula, the Wildlife Trusts, Gilleard Brothers, Birdwatch, Wildsounds, Tim Loseby and CJ Wildbird Foods. The 2003 British Birdwatching Fair will be held at Rutland Water on 15-17 August. OSME will be there in force! the environment. Each year millions of migrants pass through the valley, mainly to and from their European breeding and African wintering grounds, including significant numbers of Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina and White Stork Ciconia ciconia. The project will be co-ordinated by the BirdLife International Middle East Division and implemented by BirdLife partners in the region, the Palestine Wildlife Society (PWS), the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSCN) and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI). The European Commission is providing financial backing for two years. (Source: World Birdwatch 24 (2): 9.) Vulture decline in southern Asia In recent years there have been a massive population declines of Gyps vultures in southern Asia, with probably more than 100,000 vultures having died. Various organisations are presently studying vultures in the Indian subcontinent in order to determine the reasons for these events. Other studies are focusing on monitoring breeding populations, as in Pakistan nesting success is apparently lower than sustainable. Though the cause of the mortalities has not yet been determined, various reasons have been proposed, including an infectious disease and exposure Dawn Balmer & Guy M. Kirwan News & Information to toxins. What is known is that many (>75%) of the dead vultures examined possessed visceral gout, which in birds is due to either primary or secondary renal insufficiency. To date no proximate cause for the visceral gout has been identified. Dr Lindsay Oaks, from Washington State University, is working with The Peregrine Fund on the Asian Vulture Crisis project and is seeking to monitor the causes of death of Gyps vultures in Europe, Africa and Asia. In particular, he is very interested in the prevalence of visceral gout, or if there is an associated increase in mortality. He has compiled a simple questionnaire that can be completed for all dead vultures that are found. For participants at veterinary institutions and/or diagnosis facilities, more detailed information about the results of necropsy findings and laboratory testing would be very helpful. It would also be desirable if the veterinary/diagnosis facilities could retain certain samples, outlined in the document, for potential future testing. Dr Oaks will collate and periodically distribute the information to all participants. If you are able to participate, please contact Dr Lindsay Oaks (loaks@vetmed.wsu.edu) or Mark Anderson (manderson@grand. neape.gov.za), who will e-mail the questionnaire. (Source: Mark Anderson in litt. October 2002.) Bird road casualties Johannes Erritzoe has produced a synthesis dealing with this subject, entitled ‘Bird traffic casualties and road quality for breeding birds—a summary of existing papers with a bibliography’, which i available. from his: -website, www.birdresearch.dk. This appears to be the first complete summary of ornithological - papers on this serious problem. The Zoological Record has never presented papers concerning traffic accidents. Nevertheless, c. 300 articles in many languages have been accessed by the author. Some of the important works are in Danish and Swedish with little or no English abstract, and therefore virtually unknown to the. English-speaking. world. (Source: Johannes Erritzoe in litt. December 2002.) IRAN Threats to Hamun Lake region The Iranian government is requesting the authorities in Afghanistan help restore the Seistan Basin lakes in eastern Iran, which are dry following four years of drought since the Helmand River was dammed by the Taliban. The Hamun lake region is now in crisis, with acute political and social problems, impacting on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in both countries. This once vibrant area, known for its abundant wetlands, biodiversity and natural productivity has been lost. The region, which comprises three interconnected lakes in south-east Iran and south-west Afghanistan, once covered 4000 km’. At its peak, the area was an ecologically important area with 150 bird species and 140 fish species recorded. Being one of the only sources of fresh water for thousands of km, it was a principal staging area for migrant birds. Agricultural lands have been devastated by desertification, while entire villages have been deserted and populations displaced as pressure on local resources intensifies. Tehran has pledged. US$560 million of reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan, yet until now this money has not been released, in part due to mistrust between the two governments. (Source: Oxfam.) Zoology in the Middle East One of the most recent issues of Zoology in the Middle East (26) is dedicated wholly to Iran’s wildlife, and contains a unique collection of papers prepared by both Iranian and foreign scientists. The compilation was largely handled by Prof. Dr Bahram Kiabi (Shaheed Beheshti University, Tehran) and Prof. Dr C. Naumann (Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn) who served as guest editors. For further details visit www.kasparek-verlag.de or contact Kasparek Verlag (e-mail: Kasparek@t- online.de). (Source: Kasparek Verlag.) Siberian Crane news A regional GEF project, Development of a Wetland Site and Flyway Network for Conservation of the Siberian Crane and Other Migratory Waterbirds in Asia, is due to commence in March 2003. Led by the International Crane Foundation, the project was designed in collaboration with represen- tatives from the governments of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation, China, and Kazakhstan, with full support from UNEP/GEF. The proposal will contribute to a major international initiative for the conservation of the Siberian White Crane Grus leucogeranus as a flagship for the preservation of wetland sites and their biodiversity. The project seeks to protect a network of globally significant wetlands along two flyways, used by many threatened migratory waterbirds including Siberian White Crane, in eastern Dawn Balmer & Guy M. Kirwan 5 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 and western Asia. During the successful PDF Block B phase of the GEF grant, U. S. $350,000 was provided to the four countries to undertake an analysis of the threats faced by these wetlands. Strategies to manage these threats, while balancing human and wildlife needs, were carefully designed at site, national, and international levels. Key stakeholder groups, including federal government, local governments and local user groups, were involved in crafting the proposal. The steering committee has endorsed a proposal requesting U. S. $10 million in GEF funding for the four partici- pating countries over a six-year period, from 2003 to 2008. Iran will receive U. 5. $1 million to execute activities at the wetlands identified during the project-design phase. In late 2002, three Siberian White Cranes arrived at their traditional wintering grounds in the southern Caspian Sea, an adult pair and one other individual, and were accompanied by a Common Crane Grus grus chick. In order to increase this fragile population, three captive-bred Siberian White Cranes from Russia have been brought to Iran and are due to be released to hopefully join the wild population. (Source: Sadegh Sadeghi Zadegan in litt. January 2003.) New website Information on birdwatching in northern Iran with some _ practical information, including maps, can be found at: www.medlem.spray.se/davidgorgan/excursi ons.html. (Source: Middle East BirdNet.) TURKEY Great Bustard population in Turkey much smaller than previously thought The Great Bustard Otis tarda is a globally threatened species, facing threats such as habitat loss, hunting, collision with powerlines and human disturbance. In Turkey the breeding population had been estimated at 800-3000 pairs, but large gaps exist in our knowledge of the species’ in-country distribution, habitat selection and movements. Notably, almost nothing was known about the presence or absence of this species in Eastern Anatolia. The species’ international action plan lists as a priority a national survey in Turkey. Further, given dramatic alterations to the vast areas of steppe and pseudo- steppe rangeland in Turkey, an integrated plan for the conservation of the Great Bustard is urgently needed. In 2002 the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), BirdLife International and the Dutch government Ministry of Agriculture funded a survey of the species in eastern Turkey. This produced a better understanding of the species’ conservation status and distri- bution in this part of the country. Unfortunately, the results were not encouraging. Only 251 bustards were counted in eastern Anatolia, giving a minimum total estimate for the country of only 500 birds. The survey team covered nearly all primary plain steppes and agricultural areas associated with such areas in eastern Turkey, as well as some montane steppes. The largest group of birds, 145 in the Bulanik Important Bird Area (IBA), was in a site that is threatened by a dam. In general, the team noted widespread agricultural intensification, with many irrigation schemes completed or being constructed in the Bulanik Plain. Overgrazing appears to be general, and hunting and disturbance by humans are also significant problems. A reedbed with breeding Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus and Great White Egret Egretta alba (the last remaining breeding colony in Anatolia) was also discovered in the area. An extension to the boundaries of the Bulanik IBA is required following this discovery. The second-most important area for Great Bustard, near Mus, is a government-owned agricultural estate of 70,000 ha, where at least 46 were counted. This is a superb area for the birds, with good breeding and feeding habitats, a mosaic of crops, and little or no human disturbance, hunting or grazing. Following this discovery, the adjacent Mus Plain IBA needs to be enlarged to cover this important part of the plain. Throughout the autumn and winter of 2002-03, several public awareness activities at the most important sites for the Great Bustard in eastern Turkey took place, and in early 2003 the Great Bustard project officer will produce a draft national action plan for the species. (Source: José Tavares in litt. September 2002.) White-headed Duck monitoring in Turkey The White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala is a globally threatened species that has undergone a rapid decline during the last 100 years. The main causes of decline are hunting and destruction of its habitats. Turkey is of global importance for the species in winter. In the early 1990s more than two-thirds of its world population wintered in Turkey, and Burdur Golti is perhaps the most important Dawn Balmer & Guy M. Kirwan wintering site for the species in the world. Turkey also holds a breeding population estimated at 200-300 pairs. As part of a project led and funded by the Hellenic Ornithological Society (the BirdLife International. partner in Greece), the movements, wintering and breeding of the species were simultaneously monitored in four countries (Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria) during the last year. In Turkey, more than 80 volunteers from several birdwatching clubs participated in the fieldwork, which was organised by DHKD (the Turkish BirdLife partner). They found that Burdur held no more than 1200 wintering White-headed Duck, many fewer than the record counts of the past (peak of 11,000). The Kizilirmak Delta (Black Sea Coastlands) produced high numbers (over 120) in November—December and March, as the species migrates through the area. The survey also demonstrated an alarming decrease in the number of breeding pairs in the Central Anatolian lakes. While 2001 was a very dry year in Turkey, the general destruction of wetlands and the unsustainable use of water are thought to be the main causes of the decline. The most important breeding site for the species in Turkey is now Kulu Gélt, south of Ankara. During the 2001 breeding season 120 birds were regularly observed there. (Source: José Tavares in litt. September 2002.) Gediz Delta threatened by developers The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is working with the Turkish BirdLife partner (DHKD) to secure the protection of part of the Gediz Delta, one of the most -important coastal wetlands in _ the Mediterranean. The site, close to Izmir, the third-largest Turkish city, has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) for its populations of Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus, Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni and Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea, and wintering Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis, all of which are globally threatened species. The conservation importance of the area has also been recognised by the Turkish authorities, and the wetland is partially protected as a Ramsar Site (by the Ministry of Environment), as a Game Reserve (by the Ministry of Forestry) and as a combination of First and Second Degree Protection Areas (by the Culture Ministry). A News & Information complete survey of bird populations in the delta was completed in spring 2002, and as a result DHKD has written to all of the above- mentioned authorities requesting an extension of the protected area to some important mud islands and to the course of a former river bed. However, some developers have recently lobbied for the downgrading of some areas in the reserve, which prompted DHKD and others to launch a campaign to secure the area’s protected status. (Source: José Tavares in litt. September 2002.) Bald Ibis enjoys successful breeding season in Turkey The Turkish Bald Ibis population became extinct in the wild in 1989, but a semi- wild population persists at Birecik, free-flying from March to July, and breeding around specially constructed large aviaries. The population had reduced to 42 birds by 2000, but partly due to intensive monitoring by a Turkish ornithologist, funded by the RSPB, the 2002 breeding season was extremely successful, with 17 young surviving to date. A project to ensure that the ibis persist in a semi-wild state, and maintain options for restoring their wild status, is being undertaken by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), DHKD (the Turkish BirdLife partner) and the Ministry of Forestry, which owns the site. (Source: José Tavares in litt. September 2002.) YEMEN The Yemen Society for the Protection of Wildlife or Wildlife Yemen was established in January 2002. The aims of the society are: to work with people towards conserving Yemen wildlife; promote sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity; work towards conserving Yemen birds and their habitats; raise awareness among communities towards sustainable use of natural resources; monitor site biodiversity for productivity and biological values; and strive to build-up national’ capacity in conservation and sustainable use of natural and biological resources. Membership stands at 150 and is open to all. Members from outside Yemen are encouraged to visit and take part in projects. For further details contact: Yemen Society for the Protection of Wildlife, Sana’a, P. O. Box 197597 “Republic “of “Yemen: ~E-maul: wildlife.yemen@y.net.ye or omarbio@ y-net.ye. (Source: Omar Al-Saghier, Director and Chief Executive.) Dawn Balmer & Guy M. Kirwan Sandgrouse 25 (1): 8-31 2003 Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001 EDITED BY GUY M. KIRWAN, METEHAN OZEN, BAHTIYAR KURT AND R. P. MARTINS HIS REPORT, COVERING THE YEARS 1997-2001, has been compiled jointly by GMK, MO, BK and RPM, with assistance from Tim Marlow. Regular readers of these reports will immediately notice that this compilation is the first to be co-edited by an Anglo-Turkish team, welcome reflection of the rapid growth in the numbers of active Turkish birdwatchers, which hopefully will be further fuelled by the recent publication of a well-illustrated and accurate field guide in Turkish (see Sandgrouse 24: 5-6). A vast increase in the number of in-country birdwatchers submitting records to this report is a particularly heartening illustration of this development. A number of changes to the current report, in comparison to recent compilations, are worthy of comment. Several species not included in the most recent or, in some cases, a number of previous reports, e.g. Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, Velvet Scoter Melaniita fusca, Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus, Spotted Aquila clanga and Imperial Eagles A. heliaca, Black Dryocopus martius and White-backed Woodpeckers Dendrocopos leucotos, and Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea, are included here. These ‘readoptions’ chiefly reflect gsrowing concern for these species at either national or global levels, but in a smaller number have been prompted by the availability of novel and sometimes surprising information concerning their status and distribution, garnered during the period. Other changes have been more cosmetic. In the list of observers that closes the main report, we have elected to include years for which observations were submitted only for non-Turkish residents. An ornithological survey of the Konya Basin, organised by DHKD in spring/summer 1998, was successful not only in acquiring a significant body of information on the threatened species for which the region is important, but also in elucidating the range and status of many species that were previously poorly known on the Central Plateau. Records from the survey are listed according to the relevant 10-km square code (see Fig. 2) for two reasons: in the interests of space and to nominally protect the whereabouts of several very rare breeding species in the country. This project was one of several conducted during the period, others being in the South-East and Southern Coastlands, that substantially contributed to our knowledge of bird distributions in Turkey. Highlights of the present report include a new species for Turkey, Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes (already mentioned by Kirwan et al. 1999) and possibly two others, Relict Gull Larus relictus and Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor, as well as the fourth record of Eider Somateria mollisima, the largest numbers for many years of Smew Mergus albellus (in both 1996 and 1999), the first record for well over a decade of Black- winged Kite Elanus caeruleus, the second and third definite records of Sooty Falcon Falco concolor, a spate of new records and two apparent breeding localities for the poorly known Little Bustard Tetrao tetrix, the second records of Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus and Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocepahlus dumetorum, several records of Tengmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereus, the first Desert Wheatears Oenanthe deserti for over a decade, the first European record of Upcher’s Warbler Hippolais languida, the fourth and fifth records of Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax, and the first record for over 20 years of Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos. 8 Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001 The next report will cover the period 2002-2006 and records are now requested. Photographs for inclusion would be most welcome. Contributors may either send photographs with records or list those species for which they are available so that they may be requested at a later date. Material should be sent to any one of the four editors, at any of the addresses at the foot of this report, or preferably to: Turkey Bird Report, OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, U. K., or by e-mail to: turkishbirdreport@osme.org. Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins 9 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Figure 1 (opposite). Map of Turkey showing the regional subdivisions employed in the Turkey Bird Report. | Black Sea Coastlands: (a) Western Coastal; (b) Western Inland; (c) Eastern Coastal; (d) Eastern Inland. ll Thrace. Ill Western Anatolia: (a) Marmara; (b) Bergama; (c) Izmir. IV Southern Coastlands: (a) Western Taurus; (b) Main Taurus; (c) Seyhan Lowland; (d) Anti-Taurus. V Central Piateau: (a) Sakarya; (b) Enclosed Basins; (c) Kizilirmak. VI South-East: (a) Middle Euphrates; (b) Mesopotamian Rise; (c) Upper Tigris; (d) Montane South-East. Vil East: (a) Upper Euphrates; (b) Van; (c) Upper Aras. | @ 94K § Figure 2 (above). Map of the Konya Basin showing the 10-km square system employed during the 1998 survey and in this report for records made during the relevant field work. Each of the larger squares, indicated by a two-letter code, covers 100km x 100km, with smaller squares being of 10km x 10km. Each of the latter is numbered west to east, and north to south. Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata ; Previously considered a very rare winter visitor to Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Recent observations suggest it may be regular but uncommon in winter along Black Sea coast (Hales 1996, Welch & Welch 1998a). Has occurred inland in East. Black Sea Coastlands: 16 along extent of Black Sea coast 16 Jan—7 Feb 97 (Welch & Welch 1998a). Kizilirmak Delta 19 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). Thrace: Mert Gol, Igsneada: 2, 3 Feb 01 (KB); 20 Jan 01 (IKGT). Western Anatolia: Oren, Burhaniye 29 Jan 97 (ONK). 2, Gediz Delta 14 Feb 97 (GE). Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus Vagrant or very scarce winter visitor. No records in 1974—90. Western Anatolia: 4, Oren, Burhaniye 29 Jan 97 (KB). Southern Coastlands: Goéksu Delta Feb 89 (A. Akin; Bradshaw & Kirwan 2000) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. South-East: Cinar-Goksu Dam, Diyarbakir 22 Apr 99 (Karakas & Kilig 2002). 10 Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001 Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea Fairly widespread and locally not uncommon summer visitor to Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. Occasionally recorded from Sea of Marmara and from Black Sea coast. Probably remains under-recorded; perhaps breeds but conclusive evidence lacking. Thrace: Saros K6rfezi: 2, 12 May 01 (AA); 3, 13 Aug 01 (SBa). Canakkale Bogaz1: 10, 11 Mar 01 (BA); 9 Aug 97 (AIT). Western Anatolia: 10, Dilek Yarimadasi, Kusadasi 26 Jul 97 (YT). Resadiye Peninsula 16-17 Aug 01 (AC et al.). Southern Coastlands: Géksu Delta: 16 Jun 99 (GMK et al.); 4, 21 May 00 (KH); 2, 14 Apr 01 (BB); 6, 19 Apr 01 (EF); 4, 1 May 01 (GP). Alanya: 20, 26 Apr 97 (GP); 4, 9 May 98 (MU). 2, Kizilot, east of Manavgat 8 May 97 (GP). Yumurtalik: 10+, 9 May 00; 3, 10 May 00 (PC et al.). 15, Akyatan Golu 25 May 00 (Ozen & Kurt 2001). 8, Karatas, Adana 15 Apr 01 (EF). Anamur 29 Apr 01 (GP). 2, Aydincik 10 May 01 (GP). Gannet Sula bassana Scarce and irregular visitor offshore along Mediterranean coast in winter and spring. Recently recorded in the Black Sea in winter. The species is apparently severely under-recorded. Almost all records involve immatures. Black Sea Coastlands: Rize 31 Dec 01 (SE). First record from this region. Southern Coastlands: Géksu Delta: 1 Apr 99 (LJD); 3 Apr 99 (LJD); 2, 17 Feb 00 (DMW); 2, 5 Apr 01 (DB, RS); 24 Apr 01 (BB). 2, Anamur 11 Mar 01 (BK, KB). 2, Tarsus 11 Feb 97 (NS). Karatas 29 Apr 98 (MU). Tuzla G6élii, Cukurova: 23 Feb 97 (NS); 12 Apr 98 (AJ). Samandag1, Hatay 9 Mar 01 (AA). Latter is first record from Hatay. Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus First recorded in 1983 and now apparently regular winter visitor, usually in very small numbers, in the western two-thirds of Turkey. Recently recorded in East. Black Sea Coastlands: Kizilirmak Delta 12 Dec 99 (Bradshaw & Kirwan 2000). Thrace: Meric Delta: 50, 25 Jan 97 (BGU); 25, 27 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). Southern Coastlands: G6ksu Delta: 2, 17 Feb 00; 6, 19 Feb 98 (DMW). 10, Burdur G6lti 30 Jan 00 (UG). Central Plateau: 2, Eber Golii 19 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). 6, Cavuscu Golii 19 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). Balikdami 20 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). 2, Kulu Gélti Nov 99 (IR). Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus Vagrant. About the seventh modern record in Turkey (OST 1967, Kasparek 1988, Kirwan & Martins 1994, 2000). Southern Coastlands: 2, Gdksu Delta 29 Dec 97 (Kirwan 1998b). Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis Rare winter visitor to western two-thirds of Turkey. Thrace: 6, Karaburun 5 Feb 97 (Welch & Welch 1998a). 8, Yedikir Baraji 15 Jan 97 (Kirwan 1997b). Dead, Terkos Golti 1 Jan 97 (GE). 2, Mert Golti, Igneada 20 Jan 01 (IKGT). Western Anatolia: 94, Gediz Delta 30 Dec 01 (EKGT). Southern Coastlands: 5, Burdur G6lti 30 Dec 01 (TA). Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris Local breeder in moderate numbers in lowland wetlands of Southern Coastlands, and in small numbers, but perhaps declining, in some wetlands on Central Plateau and in East. Mainly a summer visitor but has overwintered. Status uncertain in peripheral localities. Southern Coastlands: Gdksu Delta: 12, 27 May 96 (S. Mawby) has not previously been mentioned in these reports; 8 Feb 97 (MF); 5, 27 Apr 97 (MH et al.); 4, 8 May 97 (GP); 10, 18 Jul 97 (ET); 10, 7 Apr 98 (AJ); 3, 27 Apr 98; 5, 7 May 98 (MU); 10, 28 May 98 (GA); 8, 13 Jun 99; 14 Jun 99 (GMK et al.); 12 including 10 young, 17 Jun 99 (ABK); 6, 15 Apr 00 (KH); 10, 30 Apr 00 (GP); 6, 2 Jun 00 (M & PM); 7, 13 Sep 00 (MB, SB); 10, 14 Apr 01 (BB); 2, 19 Apr 01 (EF); 5, 21 Apr 01 (BB); 2, 24 Apr 01 (BB); 20, 30 Apr 01 (GP); 45, 18 Sep 01 (BAk). 35, Cukurova Delta 9 Feb 97 (MF). Akyatan Golti 29 Apr 98 (MU). Tuzla Golti 13 Apr 98 (AJ). Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins tf Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Central Plateau: 4, Hotamis 1 Jun 98 (GE). 4, Eregli Marshes 1 Jun 98 (GE). Kulu Golu: 4, 1 Jun 98 (GE); adult with 1 young 12 Jun 98 (GMK, GM, TM). Sultan Marshes: 6, 1 May 97 (CP VAY 22 Sep 97 (AIT); 8 Jun 98 (GA); 7, 1 May 01; 2, 4 May 01 (GP). South-East: Birecik 26 Jun 00 (Birding World 13: 373). East: 2, Ahlat Marshes 10 Jul 01 (IR). Van Golti 12 Jul 01 (JA). Bendimahi 22 Jun 99 (GMK et al.). Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Local and uncommon breeder in all regions of Turkey, with strongholds in the central Black Sea Coastlands, Western Anatolia, Southern Coastlands and Central Plateau, with smaller numbers in East, and very local in Thrace and South-East. Population recently estimated at 500-600 pairs (Kirwan 1997a). Formerly wintered in substantial numbers, but many fewer recorded in 1980s and first half of the 1990s. Only records from the latter season are presented here. Black Sea Coastlands: 4, Yesilirmak Delta 20 Jan 97 (Welch & Welch 1998a). Kizilirmak Delta: 1 Dec 01; 5, 30 Dec 01 (SKGT). 17, Sarikum Golt 17 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). Thrace: 2, Isneada 20 Jan 01 (IKGT). Gala Goélt: 4, 27 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999); 50, Meric¢ Delta 18 Nov 01 (IKGT). Western Anatolia: 3, Demirképrti Baraji 17 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). Karakuyu Marshes 20 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). 6, Uluabat Golii 4 Nov 01 (Ulukus). Gilliik Marsh 5 Dec 01 (GKA). Southern Coastlands: Goksu Delta: 20, 17 Feb 98 (DMW); 1 Feb 99 (DHKD 1999); 6, 17 Feb 00 (DMW). Burdur Golu: 3, 12 Nov 00; 22, 26 Nov 00 (Toygar); 10, 18 Nov 01 (AUKGT). Tuzla Goli, Cukurova: 17, 18 Nov 01; 40, 16 Dec 01; 20, 26 Dec 01 (GKA). 3, Karamik Marshes 20 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). 4, Salda G6élti 18 Nov 00 (TA). Central Plateau: Kizilirmak River, near Karakecili 15 Feb 99 (EvdB, RH). Mogan Goliu: 26 Jan 00; 4,27 Jan 00; 12 Feb 00; 7 Nov 00; 10, 27 Dec 00; 7, 20-21 Jan 01 (BA). Scaup Aythya marila Uncommon winter visitor, principally to coasts, in western two-thirds of the country. Rarely inland, but recently recorded in East in late spring. Black Sea Coastlands: 3 females, Ordu 19 Jan 97. 1 male and 3 females, Yesilirmak Delta 21 Jan 97. Female, Samsun 22 Jan (Welch & Welch 1998a). Thrace: Kiuictk Cekmece GO6lti 17 Jan 99 (KB). Central Plateau: 2, Mogan Golti 29 Dec 01 (BDe, EU). South-East: Cinar-Goksu Dam, Diyarbakir: 5, Nov 98; 6, 22 Apr 99 (Karakas & Kilicg 2002). Eider Somateria mollissima Vagrant. Fourth record in Turkey. All records have been since 1975, when the species first bred on the Ukrainian Black Sea coast; the population reached over 1000 pairs in the mid-1990s and was still increasing and expanding in 2000 (Dutch Birding 23: 354). Black Sea Coastlands: First-winter male and 2 females, Kefken 1 Feb 97 (Welch & Welch 1998a); description published. Common Scoter Melanitta nigra Very rare winter visitor along Black Sea coast. Occasional in Sea of Marmara and perhaps elsewhere. Black Sea Coastlands: Male and 2 females, Kizilirmak Delta 23 Jan 97. 2 females, Limankoy 6 Feb 97 (Welch & Welch 1998a). 12, Yesilirmak Delta 29 Dec 95 (SD). Thrace: Rumeli Feneri, north of Istanbul 27 Sep 99 (KB) Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca Very local summer visitor, occasionally in large numbers, to East. Perhaps mostly a non- breeder, but known to breed on 2-3 high-altitude lakes. Otherwise, a winter visitor, usually in small or moderate numbers, to Black Sea coast and Sea of Marmara. Recorded inland on Central Plateau and in Southern Coastlands in winter, and occasionally in summer on Black Sea coast. Black Sea Coastlands: Kizilirmak Delta: 29 Jan 95 (SBa); 75, 10 Dec 95 (SD); 97, 14 Jan 96 (SD) have not previously been mentioned in these reports; 2, 28 Jan 01 (SBa). Yesilirmak Delta: 57, 23 Jan 95 (MY); 870, 29 Dec 95 (SD); 485, 12 Jan 96 (SD) have not previously been mentioned in these reports; 21 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). 438 between the Georgian border and Sinop, with a max. 371 at Yesilirmak Delta, 16 Jan—7 Feb 97 (Welch & Welch 1998a). 12 Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001 Southern Coastlands: Tuzla Gélti, Cukurova 12 Jan 96 (G & HW). East: 5, Cildir Golti 29 Jun 95 (MY) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. 725, Aktas Golii 14 Jul 95 (Yarar 1995) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. 32, Aygir Golii 03 Jul 01 (MP). Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Uncommon winter visitor to wetlands and, more normally, coastal areas in the western two- thirds of the country. Occasional summer records in East but none during the period. Only inland and summer records are presented. Black Sea Coastlands: Kizilirmak Delta 27 Apr 98 (DB, MR). Smew Mergus albellus Generally, local and scarce winter visitor to wetlands and coastal areas in the western two- thirds of the country. Rarely occurs in considerable numbers. Black Sea Coastlands: Sarikum G6li: 18, 2 Jan 96 (SD) has not previously been mentioned in these reports; 12, 17 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). 2, Sarp 16 Jan 97. Arhavi 16 Jan 97. 2, Ordu 19 Jan 97. 2 Yesilirmak Delta 21 Jan 97. Male and three females/immatures, Kizilirmak Delta 24 Jan 97 (Welch & Welch 1998a). Thrace: Btiytikcekmece: 30, 11 Feb 96 (MF); 60, 27 Jan 96 (MF); 33, 13 Jan 96 (MF) have not previously been mentioned in these reports; 224, 17 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999); 16, 30 Dec 01 (IKGT); 48, 30 Dec 01 (MU et al.). Western Anatolia: Manyas Golti: 70, 18 Jan 96 (SD) has not previously been mentioned in these reports; 12 Mar 00 (Ozen & Kurt 2001). 4, Kocacgay Delta 20 Jan 96 (SD) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. 14, Sapanca Golii 22 Jan 96 (SD) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. 14, Uluabat Golti 19 Jan 96 (SD) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. 9, Terkos Golti 16 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). Southern Coastlands: Salda G6lti 28 Jan 96 (SK). Central Plateau: 3, Esmekaya Marshes 1 Jan 96 (GM) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Mogan Goll: 21 Jan 96 (OA) has not previously been mentioned in these reports; female, 15 Feb 99 (EvdB, RH); 20 Feb 00 (OKGT); 2, 11 Feb 01 (ANKA, KB). Sariyer Baraji: 5, 30 Jan 96 (OA) has not previously been mentioned in these reports; 123, 17 Jan 99. 25, Beysehir Golti 27 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). South-East: Pair, Cinar-Goksu Dam, Diyarbakir 3 Jan 99 (Karakas & Kilic¢ 2002). Goosander Mergus merganser Rare winter visitor in very small numbers to wetlands in the western two-thirds of Turkey. Has been recorded in spring and early summer in East but no evidence of breeding. Black Sea Coastlands: Kizilirmak Delta 29 Apr 98 (DB, MR). Yesilirmak Delta 18 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus Vagrant, with 11 previous records (Shirihai et al. 2000), the most recent in 1984 (Martins 1989). The species has apparently recently colonised widespread parts of Iraq (Salim 2002) and this record may reflect the same expansion. South-East: Diyarbakir 6 May 99 (RK). Red Kite Milvus milvus Apparently a rare passage migrant and winter visitor throughout Turkey. Recorded in summer in north and east but no evidence of breeding. Confusion has often occurred with pale (especially immature) Black Kites M. migrans and undoubtedly many published records from Turkey are erroneous. Black Sea Coastlands: 6, Kizilirmak Delta 1 May 98 (DB, MR). 3, Borcka 7 Sep 01 (HW). Samsun 2 Dec 01 (SBa). White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Until recently a local resident in small numbers in wetland areas in Black Sea Coastlands, Thrace, Western Anatolia, Southern Coastlands and probably Central Plateau and East. Now Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins 13 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 seriously endangered and exact status as a breeding species unclear. A few pairs persist in Western Anatolia, and perhaps in adjacent areas of Southern Coastlands and Central Plateau. More widespread across Turkey outside the breeding season, suggesting some immigration. Black Sea Coastlands: 2 imm, Gerze 17 May 99 (PC et al.). Kizilirmak Delta: ad, 23 Jan 97 (G & HW), 19 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999); 26 Nov 00 (SKGT). Hopa 8 Aug 00 (BK). Thrace: Bosphorus 21 Mar 01 (KB). Igneada 11 Mar 00 (BA). Meric Delta: 2, 13 Oct 01; 3, 10 Nov 01; 2, 18 Nov 01 (IKGT). Western Anatolia: K6ycegiz Golti, Dalyan: 18 May 93 (K. Fahy et al.) has not previously been mentioned in these reports; 15 Apr 97 (NS); pair, 26 May 01 (CC, JD). Adult, Isikli G6lt 21 Jan 99 (G & HW). Bafa Golii 24 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999). Southern Coastlands: Goksu Delta: 17 Feb 00 (DMW); 24 Dec 01 (EV). Burdur Gélti: 26 Nov 00 (Ozen 2001); 18 Nov 01 (AKUK). Central Plateau: Konya Basin: UG68 24 May 98 (GE); UG67 23 May 98 (AKK). Sariyar Baraji 16 Jan 99 (G & HW). Eymir Gélti 5 Mar 00 (OKGT). Nallihan: 19 Nov 00 (ANKA); 17 Jan 99 (DHKD 1999); 16 Mar 97 (OC). Kizilcahamam 6 May 83 (GP) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. East: Erzincan 22 Jul 01 (BDe). Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus Declining breeder; population possibly numbering as few as 150-500 pairs (Vaassen 2001). Resident or partial migrant, most widespread (in both summer and winter) in Southern Coastlands, adjacent areas of Central Plateau, eastern areas of Black Sea Coastlands and East. Very local or possibly extinct as a breeder in western areas of the country; in Western Anatolia and especially Thrace, but also relatively uncommon in much of South-east. Generally recorded in high mountainous, more occasionally well-forested areas. Black Sea Coastlands: Ispir: 15, 27 Jul 97 (ET); 12, 7 Aug 98 (ET, BMZ). 5, 24 Jun 99 (GMK et al.). Sivrikaya 5 Aug 98 (ET, BMZ). 2, Pinarkapan, near Askale 16 Jun 01 (GP). Thrace: Bosphorus 28 Sep 00 (MRu). Southern Coastlands: Sertavul Gecidi, Mut Dag: 3, 31 Mar 00 (LJD); 21 May 00 (KH). Aladaglar: 2 Jan 00 (JdB); 16 Aug 00 (A & KG). 2, 5 km east of Aydincik 8 May 97 (GP). 2, Uzuncaburg 23 Feb 98 (DMW). Kandil Sirti 30 Apr 98 (MU). 8, Pozanti, 1 May 00 (GP). Belen: 5, 14 Oct 00 (KAD): 2, 23 Apr 01 (EF). 2, K6prulu Canyon 27 May 00 (KH). Central Plateau: Konya Basin: WJ23 11 Jun 98 (TM, GM) ; possible breeding, WE28 2 Jun 98; 2, WG20 3 Jun 98; 4, XG02 22 Jun 98; 2, XGO3 22 Jun 98 (TT). Kizilcahamam 14 Oct 01 (EKGT). South-East: Birecik: 28 Feb 00 (DMW); 2, 27 Apr 01 (EF). 4, Atalay, east of Hasankeyf 16 May 01. Ilisu 21 May 01. East of Giizelsu 26 May 01. Between Cizre and Giiclukonak 11 Jun 01(G&HWetal.). East: Ahlat Marshes 20 Jul 01 (IR). Ishakpasa, Dogubayazit 10 Jul 01 (IR). Ani Harabeleri 30 Aug 01 (UO). 20 breeding, ISdir 4 Jul 01 (MP). 14, Sarikamis, Kars 10 Jul 97 (AIT). Van, 2 Sep 01 (HW). Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Fairly widespread and relatively common passage migrant, principally through the eastern two-thirds of Turkey. Has bred twice (Pleasance 1997) with a mixed pair, involving an adult male Pallid Harrier and female Montagu’s Harrier C. pygargus, at the same locality in May-June 1996 (Davidson & Kirwan 1997). Only possible breeding records are noted. Central Anatolia: Konya Basin WHO07 23 Jun 98 (GMK et al.) Levant Sparrowhawk Accipter brevipes Status uncertain. Apparently a local summer visitor in very small numbers in north-west, north- east, Southern Coastlands, South-East, and perhaps also adjacent areas of the Central Plateau. Otherwise uncommon on passage across Turkey, except locally in considerable numbers in Bosphorus area and around Gulf of Iskenderun, and in moderate numbers, in spring, in eastern Black Sea Coastlands. Breeding distribution requires clarification. Thrace: Pair photographed with fledged young, Edirne, 27 Jun 00; 15 Jul 01 (MB; Bozdogan & Ozen 2001). Black Sea Coastlands: 2, Ispir 27 Jul 97 (ET). Western Anatolia: Pair and displaying male, Koycegiz 15 May (G & HW et al.) East: Daglica, near Ytiksekova 9 Jul 82 (M. Bechtolsheim) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. 14 Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001 Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus Rare winter visitor in very small numbers to Black Sea Coastlands, Thrace, Western Anatolia and Central Plateau. Recently recorded in Southern Coastlands. Black Sea Coastlands: 2, Kizilirmak Delta 24 Jan 97 (G & HW). Thrace: 2, Bosphorus 2 Jan 00 (MO). Western Anatolia: Manyas Golti 30 Mar 96 (R. L. Norton) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Southern Coastlands: Burdur Gol: 9 Jan 99 (KB); 25 Jan 99 (G & HW). Central Plateau: Gerede—Ankara highway 21 Mar 01 (AO). Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca Rather local resident or partial migrant in small numbers in all regions except perhaps South- East (and probably very local in East). Generally in wooded lowland or hilly areas at moderate altitudes during breeding season, more rarely in virtually treeless areas. More widespread across Turkey on passage; in winter largely in west and south, and on Central Plateau. Black Sea Coastlands: Yenicaga Gol: 2, 28 Jun 99 (GMK et al.); 2, 19 Jun 00 (JT). 2, south of Ispir 31 May 98 (GA). Thrace: Tekirdag 6 Jul 00 (SB). Bosphorus 1 Mar 01 (KB). Terkos Golii 29 Apr 01 (IKGT). Western Anatolia: Gediz Delta: 5 Oct 00 (SB); 2, 17 Dec 00 (EKGT). 2, Altintas Ovasi 30 Oct 01 (MP). Southern Coastlands: Goksu Delta: 21 Apr 01 (JdB); 3, 24 Dec 01 (EV). Subasi K6yti, Hatay 12 Mar 00 (AA). Central Plateau: Konya Basin: 3, WJ41 23 Apr 98 (TT); 2, VG23 22 May 98 (GAy); VG63 14 May 98; VG43 15 May 98; VG85 8 Jun 98 (GAy); 2, WH65 18 Jun 98; WH84 19 Jun 98; WJ10 23 Jun 98; 2, VH68 26 Jun 98 (GMK et al.). Mogan Golti 16 Dec 00 (ANKA). Eymir Golti 7 Feb 01 (KB). Beynam Forest 5 Aug 01 (ANKA). Kizilcahamam 2 Sep 01 (OKGT). Ovagay, Ankara 9 Sep 01 (BDe). Karapinar Apr 95 (Kilig 1999) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. South-East: 3, Cinar-Goksu Dam, Diyarbakir 29 Apr 99 (RK, MBi). East: 6, Erzurum Ovasi 5 Jun 00 (BDe). 2, Bayburt Ovasi 5 Jun 00 (BD). 3, Tortum Vadisi 6 Jun 00 (BD). Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Passage migrant in moderate numbers through the eastern third of the country; rarer further west. Has been recorded in summer on Central Plateau, where has been suspected to breed (and, given recent records, clarification of its current status at this season is required) and in East, and in winter in Thrace, Southern Coastlands and on Central Plateau. Only two latter categories of record are presented. Southern Coastlands: Goksu Delta 24 Dec 01 (EV). Central Plateau: Konya Basin: WG18 3 Jun 98 (TT); WH53 8 Jun 98; WH54 10 Jun 98 (TM, GM); 4, WH65 18 Jun 98 (GMK et al.). Hafik Gol 29 Jun 01 (MP). Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Localised winter visitor in small numbers to wetland areas in western two-thirds of Turkey, slightly more widespread on passage. Occasionally recorded in summer in north and east. Black Sea Coastlands: Kizilirmak Delta: 12 Dec 00 (SKGT); 9 Feb 00 (SKGT); 9 Feb 01 (SBa). Thrace: Bosphorus: 21 Mar 01 (KB); 29 Mar 01 (KB); 2, 12 Apr 01 (MO). Southern Coastlands: Gdksu Delta: imm, 28 Mar 99 (RF, KH); 2, 17 Feb 00 (DMW); up to 7, 12-18 Mar 00 (EV); 29 Mar 00 (LJD); 6-8, 15 Dec 00 (MU); 2, 21 Apr 01 (JdB); 24 Apr 01 (JdB); 9, 24 Dec 01 (EV). Akyatan Golti, Cukurova: 10 Dec 00 (CKGT); 1 Jan 00 (CKGT). Central Plateau: Mogan Golii: 27 Jan 01 (ANKA); 28 Jan 01 (ANKA). Ankara 12 Feb 01 (TG). Eymir G6lii 7 Feb 01 (KB). Sultan Marshes 3 Jan 00 (JdB). South-East: Cinar-Gé6ksu Dam, Diyarbakir: 2, 3 Jun 99; 5 Jun 99 (Karakas & Kalig 2002). Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus Status uncertain. Apparently a rare and local resident in Western Anatolia, Southern Coastlands, South-East and adjacent areas of Central Plateau. Recently recorded in East. Past confusion between this species and other raptors, especially immature Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus, has generated many possibly erroneous published records. Records excepting those from well-known site at Halfeti (South-East) are presented. Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins 15 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Thrace: 2, Cilingoz Forest, Istanbul 15 Jun 99 (BK). Western Anatolia: Gediz Delta: 15 Mar 01; 3, 15 Apr 01 (EKGT). K6ycegiz Golti 15 Mays 97 (MRi). Bafa G6lii 11 May 97 (AIT). Southern Coastlands: 2, Goksu Delta 9 Feb 97; imm, 15 Mar 00 (EV). Central Plateau: Subadult, Hotamis 23 May 00 (M & PM). East: 2, Erzurum Plain 25 Oct 00 (UO). Tatvan 13 Jul 97 (AIT). Sooty Falcon Falco concolor Vagrant, with one certain (1973) and one possible (1976) record, both from Birecik (Beaman 1986, Martens 1974). South East: Birecik, 15 Jun 99 (GE); 6 Jul 01 (MO). Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae Breeds locally on islands in Sea of Marmara and of south-west coast, perhaps elsewhere. Regularly recorded along west and south coasts and inland from these areas on passage or as a non-breeding visitor. Less regularly observed inland in Black Sea Coastlands, Western Anatolia, Central Plateau, South-East and East. Only records suggestive of breeding are presented here. Western Anatolia: 8 probably breeding, Canakkale, 17 Jul 00 (MO). Red-footed Falcon Falce vespertinus Fairly widespread passage migrant across Turkey in reeulan occasionally huge, numbers, usually at high altitude. Occasionally recorded from many parts of the country in summer, but no evidence of breeding. Only records suggestive of breeding are presented here. Central Plateau: Konya Basin: UG87 1 Jun 98; WG40 4 Jun 98; WG32 5 Jun 98 (TT). Southern Coastlands: Markiz Dagi, Antalya 4 Jun 00 (G & HW). East: Male, Bendimahi 21 Jun 99 (GMK et al.). Caucasian Black Grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi A locally scarce or not uncommon resident at subalpine elevations in the Pontic mountains, eastern Black Sea Coastlands. Apparently most common on, and perhaps primarily restricted to, the northern slopes of the north ridge (which receives most precipitation). Distribution is centred on slopes with substantial dwarf Rhododendron scrub cover below alpine herb zone (Atkinson et al. 1995). Western limits of range unclear although recently slightly extended (Atkinson et al. 1995).. The Turkish population is impacted, and perhaps threatened, by habitat degradation and cover reduction through grazing. There is insufficient historical information to assess whether the population is stable. Records away from well-known site of Sivrikaya are presented. Black Sea Coastlands: Kavron Yaylasi, Rize 22 Jul 01 (SE, AE). Caspian Snowcock Tetraogallus caspius Not uncommon but localised resident in montane areas (generally above 2400 m in summer) in eastern third of Turkey, west to main Taurus, but precise western limits unclear. Only records away from regularly visited Sivrikaya (Black Sea Coastlands) and Demirkazik/Aladaglar (Southern Coastlands) areas are presented. East: 60, Munzur Dagi 18-23 Oct 00 (EG). East of Van 28 Apr 83 (GP) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Spotted Crake Porzana porzana Status uncertain. Rarely but widely recorded on passage throughout; probably more common than records suggest. May breed very locally in small numbers. Western Anatolia: K6ycegiz Gélti 25 Apr 97 (KP). Southern Coastlands: Tuzla Gélti, Cukurova 29 Apr 97 (MH et al.). Gdksu Delta: 30 Apr 00 (GP); 19 Apr 01 (EF). Central Plateau: Seyfe Golii 8 Apr 00 (KH). Mogan Golii 30 Sep 01 (GG). East: 2, Cenge Golui, 29 Aug 00 (A & KG). 16 Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001 Little Crake Porzana parva Status uncertain. Rarely but widely recorded on passage throughout, almost certainly more common than records suggest. Probably breeds locally in small numbers (proven at least once in Southern Coastlands). Thrace: Biiyiikcekmece Golti 18 Apr 97 (BGU). 3, Terkos Golti 20 Apr 97 (GE). Western Anatolia: Bityiik Menderes Delta 17 May 97 (TH). Southern Coastlands: Goksu Delta: 3 Apr 99; 2 males, 30 Mar 00 (LJD et al.). Tuzla Golti, Cukurova 29 Apr 97 (MH e¢ al.). Egridir Golti 25 Apr 00 (JdB). Akyatan Golii, Cukurova 20 Apr 01 (JdB). Central Plateau: Sultan Marshes: 2, 1 May 97 (GP); 2, 2 May 98 (MU). Mogan Gélii 1 Apr 00 (ANKA). South-East: Either this species or P. pusillus, Bespinar 15 May 01 (G & HW). East: 2 singing males, Cenge Gélii 8-9 Jun 97 (GMK). Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla Status uncertain. Rarely but widely recorded on passage throughout and probably more common than records suggest. Recorded in winter from Western Anatolia. May breed very locaily in small numbers. Southern Coastlands: Akyatan Golt, Cukurova 25 Mar 00 (LJD). 2, Gdksu Delta 30 Mar 00 (LJD). Antalya 27 Apr 00 (JdB). East: Cenge Golti, 29 Aug 00 (A & KG). South Van Marshes, 1 May 83 (CP) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Corncrake Crex crex Status uncertain. Breeding recently proven in extreme north-east (Green 1997) and suspected on Central Plateau. Rarely but widely recorded on passage throughout; probably more common than records suggest. Black Sea Coastlands: Yukari Fener, Rize: 2, 28 Sep 00 (SE); 8 Mar 01 (SE); 2 food-carrying, Rize 10 Jul 01 (AE). Thrace: Terkos Golii 20 Apr 97 (GE). Polonezkéy 8 May 97 (GM). Southern Coastlands: Burdur Golti 8 Aug 97 (OC). Akyatan Goll, Cukurova 12 Sep 00 (MB). Goksu Delta: 13 Sep 00 (SB); 18 Sep 01 (JDy). Central Plateau: Singing, Esmekaya, 19 May 98 (TQ). South-East: Ceylanpinar: 28 Apr 01; dead, 1 May 01 (G & HW). Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo Rare and very local summer visitor to East. On passage occurs in larger numbers in East, occasionally west as far as Sea of Marmara. Records away from well-known breeding site in the Bulanik area are presented. Southern Coastlands: 2, G6ksu Delta 9 Feb 97 (Waasen 1998). Central Plateau: Kulu Golt: 2, 8 Apr 00 (KH); 3, 14 Oct 01 (ZA). East: 10, Malazgirt Ovasi 24 Jul 00 (DHKD). 4 photographed, Yoncali 11 Jul 97 (Birding World 10: 293, Dutch Birding 19: 202-203). 20, Hagli Golti 10 Aug 01 (JC, RA). Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax Status uncertain. A rare and localised resident or summer visitor on Central Plateau (where two small breeding populations were discovered in 1998) and perhaps adjacent parts of Southern Coastlands. Recorded in late autumn in East and spring in South-East (where it is reported to winter), and recently recorded in Western Anatolia and Southern Coastlands in winter. For review of historical and current status and distribution in Turkey, see Kasparek (1989). Black Sea Coastlands: Female, Kizilirmak Delta 26 Nov 00 (SKGT). Southern Coastlands: Burdur Golti 9 Jan 99 (KB, OA). 2, Gdksu Delta 25 Dec 97 (Davidson & Kirwan 1998). Central Plateau: Konya Basin WH53: 9, 8 Jun 98 (GE et al.); male, 20 Jun 98 (GMK et al.); 2, 18 Jul 98 (GM); male, 16 Jun 99; female, 17 Jun 99 (GMK et al.); male displaying, WH26 23 Jun 98 (GMK et al.). Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins 17 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Great Bustard Otis tarda Local resident and partial migrant (movements remain only partially understood) on Central Plateau and adjacent parts of Western Anatolia and Southern Coastlands, apparently in small numbers, and in South-East and East where, at least formerly, locally more common. Recorded more widely in Western Anatolia and on south coast from autumn to spring. Considerable numbers still wintered in South-East in early 1980s but no recent data from this region. Such concentrations appear too large to originate entirely from breeders in this region and may comprise birds from elsewhere in Turkey (breeding areas are largely vacated in winter) and/or outside it; there is evidence for latter possibility. Despite survey by Goriup & Parr (1985) that indicated short-term prospects for the species’ survival might be less dire than previously believed and that Turkey may be one of the more important centres of distribution, recent data (e.g. Eken & Magnin in prep., Heunks et al. 2001) suggest that the species has declined signifi- cantly during the last two or three decades. The first survey of populations in the eastern third of the country for over 20 years was undertaken in 2002 and also revealed many fewer birds than earlier estimates (see News & Information, this issue). Western Anatolia: 4, Manyas Golti 31 Mar 96 (R. L. Norton) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Central Plateau: Konya Basin: VJ86 9 May 98; VJ85 10 May 98; 2, VJ95 10 May 98 (BGii); 3, WH53 8 Jun 98; WH54 10 Jun 98; 9, WH53 16 Jun 99; 11, WH53 17 Jun 99 (GE et al.); 5 males, WH45 21 Jun 98; male, WH26 23 Jun 98; 2 females, VH96 25 Jun 98 (GMK et.al.); 3, WH53 18 Jul 98 (GM). 83, mostly on display grounds, in four areas around Tuz Golti, 8-29 Apr 00 (Heunks et al. 2001). Kulu Goélu: 8, 17 Mar 01 (OKGT); 8, 8 Apr 01 (ANKA); 14 Apr 01 (IR). 2, Uyuz Golti 25 Mar 01 (ANKA). South-East: Reported by local people as breeding in vicinity of Doruk and Kurudere, near Batman (per G & HW). Apparently recently extirpated from region around Cinar-Goksu Dam, Diyarbakir (Karakas & Kilig 2002). : East: Malazgirt Ovasi 24 Jul 00 (GE, GAy, BK). Bulanik 26 May 93 (K. Fahy et al.) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Yuksekova 9 Jul 82 (M. Bechtolsheim) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor : Scarce summer visitor (breeding status unclear) to South-East and parts of Southern Coastlands. Recorded in autumn in East. Southern Coastlands: Tuzla Golii, Cukurova 24 May 97 (Székely 1998). South-East: 6, near Ovacik, north-east of Sanliurfa 14 Jun 01 (G & HW). Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni Generally uncommon and local on passage, principally in eastern two-thirds of Turkey. Occasionally in considerable numbers, usually in autumn. Until recently, regularly recorded in summer, largely in East, where probably breeds locally although insufficient breeding records are available for the emergence of any pattern. Recent discovery of Collared Pratincole G. pratincola apparently breeding at Bulanik (East) may cast doubt on some previous claims of G. nordmanni from this locality. Black Sea Coastlands: Kizilirmak Delta: 28 Apr 98; 2, 3 May 98 (DB, MR). East: 189 photographed, Van Golii 15 Sep 00 (Birding World 13: 406, Dutch Birding 22: 296, 23: 44). South Van Marshes 1 May 83 (GP) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Dotterel Charadrius morinellus Passage migrant, found locally in considerable numbers on Central Plateau, occasionally in smaller numbers elsewhere. Has occurred in summer on Central Plateau but no evidence of breeding, and in early winter on Central Plateau and South-East. Central Plateau: Eregli Marshes: 50, 6 May 97; 103, 7 May 97 (MH et al.). 9, Sultan Marshes 12 Nov 00 (Erkus; Ozbagdathi 2001). Kulu Golii: 3, 25 Sep 97 (BK); 15 Sep 01 (IR); 20 Oct 01 (IR). 18 Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001 Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus Vagrant. The first records since 1991 (Kirwan & Martins 1994). Black Sea Coastlands: Kizilirmak Delta 17 Oct 99 (AG). Southern Coastlands: Photographed, Tuzla Gélti, Cukurova 8 Jun 99 (RFP; see Sandgrouse 22: 72). Central Plateau: Kulu Gélu 29 July 98 (Kirwan 1999b). White-tailed Plover Chettusia leucura Status uncertain. Has bred Southern Coastlands and Central Plateau, but few confirmed breeding records since 1986 and many suitable sites now drained. Occasionally recorded between spring and autumn, usually in very small numbers, principally from Southern Coastlands, Central Plateau, South-East and East. For review of status and distribution see Kasparek (1992b). Black Sea Coastlands: Kizilirmak Delta 2 Apr 00 (GAy). Thrace: 4, Igneada 29 Apr 00 (LS). First record in Thrace. Western Anatolia: Biyytik Menderes Delta, 3 Apr 97 (PW). Southern Coastlands: Up to 6 in courtship and showing territorial behaviour, Gdksu Delta 12 May-11 Jun 97 (Kirwan 1997). Central Plateau: 6, including at least two pairs apparently breeding, Karatepe, west of Tuz Golti 19-20 May 00 (Brugiére 2002). This record coincided with unprecedented numbers in north- west Europe and breeding in Romania (Dutch Birding 22: 166). East: Taslicay, east of Agri 8 Jun 97 (GMK). Ercek Golti, 29 Aug 00 (A & KG). Van Gélti 11 Sep 00 (Birding World 13: 406). Only two previous records from the region (Kasparek 1992). Great Snipe Gallinago media Probably not uncommon passage migrant in wetlands across Turkey, though very few reports from the period. Recorded in winter on Central Plateau and in south. For discussion of status and distribution see Kirwan (1992). Black Sea Coastlands: Kizilirmak Delta 16 May 97 (DB, BT). Central Plateau: Karapinar Apr 95 (Kilic 1999) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. South-East: Ceylanpinar 28 Apr 01; 30 Apr 01 (G & HW). 5, Kurudere 10 May 01 (G & HW). Bespinar 15 May 01 (G & HW). East: 3, Bulanik, 26 May 93 (K. Fahy et al.) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus Vagrant. Observers are requested to provide full details for records of all skua species, except Arctic Skua. Black Sea Coastlands: 2, Kizilirmak Delta 14 May 97 (DB, BT). 6, Trabzon harbour, 9 Jun 00 (BD); some details provided. Southern Coastlands: 2, Yumurtalik 27 Mar 99 (LJD). Probable, Gdksu Delta 27 May 96 (S. Mawby) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus Scarce but regular passage migrant along Black Sea coast, and through Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara. Probably also regular on Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Recorded inland in several regions. Perhaps also regular in winter in the Black Sea. Black Sea Coastlands: Sarp 16 Jan 97. Trabzon 17 Jan 97.’ Giresun 18 Jan 97. Unye 19 Jan 97. Kazilirmak Delta 23 Jan 97. 2, east of Sinop 25 Jan 97 (Welch & Welch 1998a). Thrace: Bosphorus 11 Apr 01 (TT). Southern Coastlands: Karatas, Adana: 29 Apr 98 (MU); 2, 15 Apr 01 (EF). 4, Mellec 26 Apr 98 (MU). Géksu Delta: 22 Apr 83 (GP) has not previously been mentioned in these reports; 29 Jun 99 (JO). 2, Akyatan Golti, Cukurova 20 Apr 01 (JdB). Central Plateau: Kulu Golti 3 May 99 (PC et al.). Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus Vagrant. The eighth record in Turkey. Southern Coastlands: Second-summer, Yumurtalik 8 May 99 (PC et al.) is supported by a description. Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins 19 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus Uncommon. A recent substantial increase in winter records is perhaps more likely to reflect true status during this season than an increase in observer coverage. Records during other seasons presumably reflect the movements of non-breeding or immature birds. Recorded in wetlands and coastal areas in all regions, but few records from Thrace, Western Anatolia, South-East and East. Black Sea Coastlands: 219, Yedikir Baraji 14 Jan 97 (Kirwan 1997, Welch & Welch 1998a); the highest single-day total in Turkey. Kizilirmak Delta: 10, 22 Jan 97 (Welch & Welch 1998a); 4, 26 Nov 00 (SKGT); 9 Feb 00 (SKGT). Total of 9 between Kemalpasa and Yenikéy, 16 Jan—4 Feb 97 (Welch & Welch 1998a). Thrace: 2, Bityiikgcekmece 30 Dec 01 (IKGT; MU et al.). Bosphorus: 18 Jan 00 (SD); 11 Apr 01 (MO). Western Anatolia: Imm, Manyas Gélti 7 Mar 99 (KH). 2, Uluabat Gélti 10 Feb 01 (AA). Southern Coastlands: Cukurova: 8, 12 Feb 99; 13 Feb 99 (EvdB, RH). 2, Yumurtalik 27 Mar 99 (LJD). Akyatan Gol, Cukurova: 22 Feb 00 (DMW); 3, 12 Dec 00 (MU). 12, Deveciusag1, Cukurova 13 Dec 00 (MU). Central Plateau: 2, Beysehir Gélii 27 Dec 00 (MO, BK). South-East: Cinar-Géksu Dam, Diyarbakir: 2, 21 Feb 99; 21, 7 Mar 99 (Karakas & Kili¢ 2002). East: 10, Karakaya Baraji 23 Dec 01 (MO). Relict Gull Larus relictus Not certainly recorded in Turkey. Two possible recent Western Palearctic records (the other in Bulgaria, in March 1978) based on ring recoveries, but neither specimen was retained. Southern Coastlands: Adana 30 Mar 1990 (Gavrilov & Gavrilov 2000); has not previously been mentioned in these reports. The bird had been ringed at Lake Alakol, Kazakhstan, on 22 Jun 1979. Neither the ring nor the bird was returned to Moscow Ringing Centre, only the ring number. Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Vagrant or scarce winter visitor. Occasionally recorded in late spring. Black Sea Coastlands: Kizilirmak Delta 29 Jan 95 (SBa) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Southern Coastlands: Géksu Delta: first-year, 5 Dec 84 (GP) has not previously been mentioned in these reports; 11 Feb 97 (EV); 2 Nov 97 (Davidson & Kirwan 1998); 16 Mar 00 (EV). 4, Tuzla Golu, Cukurova 22 Apr 97 (TS). Central Anatolia: Hirfanli Baraji 14 May 97 (NO). Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Formerly considered vagrant, but post-1996 records suggest it may be an uncommon, but regular, winter visitor in small numbers to Black Sea Coastlands and Thrace. Comparatively few records from other regions. Most records refer to first-winters. Black Sea Coastlands: Total of 20, all first-winters, along entire length of Black Sea coast 16 Jan—7 Feb 97, including 11 between Sarp and Kemalpasa 16 Jan (Welch & Welch 1998a). Izmit Korfezi 11 Jan 97 (BGU). Thrace: Bosphorus 26 Sep 98 (GVD). First-winter, Isneada 3 Feb 01 (KB). Western Anatolia: Foca harbour 10 Feb 97 (GE). Southern Coastlands: First-summer, Manavgat, 10-11 May 99 (Birding World 12: 190). First- winter, Karatas 14 Apr 01 (DB, RS). Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus Vagrant. The second record in Turkey; the first was in July 1986 (Martins 1989). South-East: Pair, Birecik 20 Jun 99 (Kirwan 2000). Striated Scops Owl Otus brucei Status uncertain. Apparently rare summer visitor (first recorded in 1982) to several localities in Euphrates Valley in South-East (one of which has recently been flooded) and probably elsewhere in this region. Only records away from well-known localities at Birecik are presented here. South-East: Heard, State Farm guesthouse, Ceylanpinar 25 Apr 01 (G & HW). 20 Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001 Tengmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereus Fifth and sixth records. Details of a seventh record, from the south of the country in February 2001, are awaited. Western Anatolia: Kocacay Delta 13 Mar 00 (MO, BK, SB). Central Plateau: 2, Giizeller, Yugluk Dagi, Taurus Mountains 15 May 98 (Kirwan 1998b). Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri Introduced. Since the first records in the mid-1970s (Kasparek & Bilgin 1996, Boyla et al. 1998) has become established in several cities in western and central Turkey. Status recently reviewed by Boyla et al. (1998) and only information that updates the latter source is presented here. Western Anatolia: Uluabat Golti 6 Jun 98 (Welch & Welch 1998b). New locality. South East: Recently recorded east to Cizre (ET). Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius Local and uncommon resident in montane coniferous forest in Black Sea Coastlands, Thrace, north Western Anatolia, extreme north and south of Central Plateau and Southern Coastlands. Black Sea Coastiands: Karagol, east of Savsat 9 Sep 93 (D. Ristow) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Thrace: [gneada 3 Feb 01 (KB). Western Anatolia: Uludag 10 Feb 01 (Ulukus). Termal Park, Yalova 26 May 01 (CG). South-west of Yenikoy, near Kocacay Delta, 18 Apr 93 (Ertan 1996) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Central Plateau: 2, Konya Basin UG73 22 May 98 (TT, CO). Kizilcahamam: 16 Feb 99 (EvdB, RH); Dec 99 (IR); 30 Mar 01 (ANKA). 2, Yedigéller, Bolu 07 Jul 01 (BK). Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus Apparently widespread but local resident in the north of the country. Rare and local resident in the Taurus mountains. Black Sea Coastlands: Siiliikliigdl, near Diizce 29 Jun 99 (GMK et al.). Thrace: Igneada: heard, 6 Feb 97 (G & HW); 20 Jan 01 (IKGT); 3 Feb 01 (KB). Belgrade Forest, Istanbul: 12 Apr 97; 2, 20 Sep 97 (BGii, MF). Southern Coastlands: Akseki 5 Aug 98 (Kirwan 1999b). White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopus leucotos Status uncertain. Apparently rare and very local resident in Black Sea Coastlands, Thrace, Western Anatolia and Southern Coastlands. Black Sea Coastlands: Female, Siiliikliig6l, near Diizce 29 Jun 99 (GMK et al.). Thrace: [gneada: 3, 3 Feb 01 (KB); 2, 20 Jan 01 (IKGT). Southern Coastlands: Akseki: 19 May 93 (K. Fahy et al.); 28 May 96 (S. Mawby) have not previously been mentioned in these reports; 10 Jun 98 (GA); 19 Jun 99 (ABK); 2, Stltkli Gol Dalyan 27 Apr 96 (MP) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Giinltiklu, Mugla 1 May 97 (TP). 2, Karacaéren Baraji, Antalya 15 Jun 00 (G & HW). Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti Presumably resident (although no winter records) at one locality (Birecik) in South-East, where discovered in 1983. Presumably more widespread than currently understood. Confusion with Bar-tailed Desert Lark A. cincturus in this region (see Orn. Soc. Turkey Bull. 13: 4) clouds understanding of the status of A. deserti, and it is currently unclear whether A. cincturus also very locally occurs in this region. South-East: Foothills north-west of Nusyabin 2 Jun 01 (G & HW); first confirmed record away from Birecik. Bar-tailed Desert Lark Ammomanes cincturus Vagrant, with one previous claim from the same locality in May 1987, supported by a description (Kirwan & Martins 2000). Southern Coastlands: 2, Gdksu Delta 27 Apr 00 (BG; Birding World 13: 231). Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and BR. P. Martins 21 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes Vagrant. The first record in Turkey. Southern Coastlands: Géksu Delta 2 May 97 (Shelton 1997); description Socce Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi Vagrant, perhaps regular passage migrant in very small numbers in all regions except South-East. Black Sea Coastlands: Kizilirmak Delta 29 Apr 98 (DB, MR). Southern Coastlands: Goksu Delta 27 Apr 97 (MH et al.). Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola Not uncommon summer visitor to eastern Black Sea Coastlands, East (see Kasparek 1992a) and Central Plateau. Apparently increasing and spreading, and breeding expected in other regions in the near future. Widespread and fairly common on passage, although scarcer in western third of the country. Only records suggestive of breeding are presented below. Black Sea Coastlands: Abant Gdli: singing male, 30 May 97 (PM); 2 territorial males, 19 May 98 (KB). 2, Kizilirmak Delta 27 Jun 99 (GMK et al.). Southern Coastlands: Male, Gdksu Delta 22 May 97 (PM). Central Plateau: Konya Basin: WG05 27 May 98 (TT); WH43 9 Jun 98 (TM, GM); WH84 19 Jun 98; 3, WH83 19 Jun 98; male with 3 young, WHO07 21 Jun 98; 2, WH45 21 Jun 98 (GMK et al.); WH16 22 Jun 98 (TT); 5 including several young, WH06 22 Jun 98; VH98 24 Jun 98; 12 including several young, VH97 25 Jun 98; 8, VH96 25 Jun 98 (GMK et al.). Pair probably breeding, Akkaya Baraji, Nigde 26-27 May 97 (PM). 2 pairs, Eregli Marshes 4 May 99 (PC et al.). 6, Esmekaya Marshes 17 Jun 99 (GMK et al.). 2, Kulu Golti 17 Jun 99 (GMK et al.). Present, Karapinar Jun 95 (Kalig 1999) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. South-East: Hasankeyf 7 May 00 (MB). East: Ardahan Jul 99 (PB). Dogubayazit area: pair, 22 Jun 00 (Birding World 13: 373); female nest- building and male in attendance, 8 Jun 01 (PCa et al.); 3, 10 Jun 01 (per PCa). South Van Marshes: 2 males, 12 Jun 99 (ABK); juvenile, 31 Jul 00 (KH); 3 nests with eggs or young, 11 Jun 01 (PCa et al.). Female, Ahlat Marshes 21 Jun 99 (GMK et al.). Juv, Ercek G6lt 31 Jul 00 (KH). Pair carrying insects, 10 km north of Dogubayazit 17 Jun 81 (M. Bechtolsheim) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka Status uncertain. Formerly believed to be primarily an uncommon passage migrant, mainly through eastern two-thirds of Turkey. However, several records at coastal localities in Southern Coastlands of definite cypriaca (see Cyprus Pied Wheatear below) demonstrating unsurprising occurrence of this form as an apparently regular overshooting spring migrant on south coast confuse this assessment. Thus many previous records of ‘Pied Wheatear’ particularly in central southern Turkey, are probably attributable to cypriaca. Status of cypriaca and the continental form pleschanka can only be clarified if observers supply detailed field descriptions for future records. Records listed were submitted as pleschanka, but some at least, on the basis of the evidence presented, could equally refer to cypriaca. Southern Coastlands: Gdksu Delta: male, 7 Apr 98 (AJ); 5,3 Apr 99; 2, 29 Mar 00; 31 Mar 00;5;4 Apr 00 (LJD et al.); 8, 21 Apr 01; 22 Apr 01; 2, 24 Apr 01 JdB). Cukurova: 2, 25 Mar 00; 27 Mar 00; 2, 28 Mar 00 (LJD et al.); 17 Apr 01; 2, 20 Apr 01 JjdB). 3, Mut 2 Apr 99 (LJD et al.). Central Plateau: Male, Todurge Gélii 23 Aug 00 (A & KG). Harabele 30 Aug 01 (UO). South-East: 2, Yesilce, Gaziantep 25 Jul 98 (Kirwan 1999b). Male, south of Halfeti 22 Apr 01 (G & HW). Birecik: 2, 24 Jun 01 (IR); 23 Jul 01 (AAt). East: Male, Tatvan 25 Jul 97 (ET). 2 males, Cobandede, 50 km east of Erzurum 28 Jul 00 (KH). First-winter male, Nemrut Dagi 13 Sep 00 (Birding World 13: 407). Horasan 18 Jul 01 (CS). Singing male, Van castle 1 May 83 (GP) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Cyprus Pied Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca Regular passage migrant (overshooting breeding range in Cyprus) to coastal localities in Southern Coastlands and recently southern Western Anatolia (see Pied Wheatear). Western Anatolia: Kéycegiz Gélti 16 Apr 97 (NB, KP). Southern Coastlands: Goksu Delta: 6 Apr 98; 2, 7 Apr 98 (AJ); c. 10, 28 Mar 99; male 29-30 Mar 99 (RF, KH); 12, 1 Apr 99; 31 Mar 00; 1 Apr 00 (LJD et al.); 14 Apr 01 (JdB). Male, Karatas 1 Apr 99 (KH). 22 Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001 Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti Status uncertain; perhaps only a vagrant but has reportedly bred at Birecik (Peter 1994). The first records since 1988 (Kirwan & Martins 1994). South-East: 3, Cinar-Gdksu Dam, Diyarbakir 1 Apr 99 (Karakas & Kili¢g 2002). Cizre 13 Jun 99 (GE, COr). Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna An uncommon, sparsely distributed summer visitor in small numbers to South-East and East. Recorded on passage in Southern Coastlands. For detailed review of status, distribution and early records see Kasparek (1986). South-East: Male of the form chrysopygia, Nemrut Dagi, Kahta 16 May 01 (Birding World 15: 29). No description published. There are apparently no previous records of this form (which breeds from Transcaucasia east to Afghanistan) in Turkey and the relationship between it and nominate xanthoprymna merit additional study. Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia Status uncertain. Apparently scarce/rare passage migrant through western two-thirds of Turkey. No recent evidence of breeding (see Kumerloeve 1967). , Southern Coastlands: Singing, Gdksu Delta 27 Apr 97. 2 singing, Cukurova 29 Apr 97 (MH et al.). Central Plateau: Singing, Esmekaya 19 May 98 (TQ). Sultan Marshes 5 Jul 01 (Erkus). South-East: Singing, Birecik 3 May 97 (MH et al.). River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis Rare passage migrant in small numbers across Turkey. Probably more widespread and frequent than records suggest. A recent June record from Black Sea Coastlands suggests that the species may occasionally breed in Turkey. Western Anatolia: Singing, Kocacgay, 22 May 99 (KH, Bradshaw & Kirwan 2000, where date incorrectly given as 2000). Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Vagrant with one previous record (Kirwan & Martins 1994). Southern Coastlands: Tuzla Gélti, Cukurova 19 May 01 (Balmer & Betton 2002). Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola Very rare summer visitor to at least two sites in East; elsewhere a very scarce passage migrant, although two recent records from the Central Plateau in summer are suggestive of breeding. Central Plateau: Konya Basin: 2, UG68 24 May 98 (GE); 2, UG88 29 Jun 98 (AKK). East: South Van Marshes: 24 May 93 (K. Fahy et al.) has not previously been mentioned in these reports; 2, 2 Jun 98 (GA); 11 Jun 99 (FB et al.); 2, 22 Jun 99 (GMK et al.); 3, 6 Jul 01 (JA); 9 Aug 01 (AC et al.). Cenge Gol: 16, 9 Jun 97 (GMK); 2, 21 Jun 99; 4, 22 Jun 99 (GMK et al.); 3, 29 Aug 00 (A & KG). — Upcher’s Warbler Hippolais languida Fairly common summer visitor to rocky hills and montane areas in South-East, adjacent areas of Southern Coastlands and much of Central Plateau. Slightly more widespread on passage. Thrace: Tape-recorded, Holiday Inn marina, Istanbul 24 May 98 (LS). The first European record. Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata Vagrant, or perhaps regular passage migrant in very small numbers through eastern third of the country. Central Anatolia: Beysehir Golti 25 May 98 (GE). East: Between Muradiye and Caldiran, 9 Aug 01 (AC ef al.). Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax Vagrant. The fourth and fifth records in Turkey. Southern Coastlands: Goksu Delta: male, 30 Mar 99 (RH); male, 29 Mar 00 (LJD et al.). Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins 23 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor Scarce winter visitor to the western two-thirds of Turkey. Given recent proposals to recognise several species within the Palearctic L. excubitor complex (Clement 1995, Grant & Mackworth- Praed 1952, Isenmann & Bouchet 1993, Panow 1983), observers are requested to make detailed field notes in order to establish the form/s occurring in Turkey. There is at least one (now untraceable) specimen apparently attributable to L. [e.] meridionalis (Kirwan 1999a). Thrace: Uzunkopru 12 Feb 01 (UNB). Western Anatolia: Izmir 1 Apr 96 (R. L. Norton) has not previously been mentioned in these reports. Southern Coastlands: Akyatan Goll, Cukurova 25 Mar 00 (LJD). Central Plateau: Ovacay, Ankara 18 Dec 01 (BDe). Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus Vagrant: the first records since 1991 (Kirwan & Martins 1994). Black Sea Coastlands: Male (race phoenicuroides) trapped and Protograpned Kazilirmak Delta, 2 May 98 (DB, MR). Central Plateau: 2, Mogan Gol 15 Apr 01 (BDe). Common Mynah Acridotheres tristis Status uncertain. As a variety of escaped species have been noted from Ankara and environs, the records below are assumed to originate from escapees rather than reflecting westward range expansion. Central Plateau: Bred at ODTU campus, Ankara between 1997 and 2000. Thrace: Sirapinar, Istanbul: 2, 22 Jun 97; 6, 1 Jul 97 (GM). Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor Status uncertain, perhaps vagrant, although two late-19th and one early-20th century claims are insufficiently documented (Kirwan et al. 1999). South-East: Photographed, Harran, near Sanliurfa 5 May (MB; Bradshaw & Kirwan 2000). The bird showed several features of S. unicolor but the identification must be regarded as unconfirmed. Pale Rock Sparrow Carpospiza brachydactyla Local and usually rather uncommon summer visitor (occasionally in large numbers) to parts of South-East and immediately adjacent parts of Southern Coastlands and East. Recorded twice in south-east Black Sea Coastlands. Found in both open grassland and on partially scrub-covered, rocky slopes, or in vineyards and other crops. Usually a rather late migrant, apparently in variable numbers. Evidence suggests that breeding range may vary, to some extent, with seasonal conditions and / or vagaries of apparently irruptive or semi-nomadic movements, although some core areas are certainly occupied in all years (Kirwan 1998a). Status and distri- bution have come under closer scrutiny in recent years with the advent of intensive survey work within its main range in Turkey, but are still subject to clarification. The species was apparently unusually widespread in the years 2000 and, particularly, 2001. Only records away from well-known localities are presented here. Black Sea Coastlands: 22 singing, 2 km north of Pirnakapan, near Askale 16 Jun 01 (GP). Southern Coastlands: 2, near Sariz, north of Kahramanmaras 15 Jun 01 (G & HW). South-East: 30 singing, Nemrut Dag, near Adiyaman 23 May 01 (Ochiatto 2001). East: 5, 10 km south of Dogubayazit 24 Jun 00 (Birding World 13: 373). 10, between Siverek and Bitlis 24 May 01 (Birding World 14: 246). 3 singing, Cilli Gecidi, between Dogubayazit and Igdir 14 Jun 01 (GP). 5, Erzurum Ovasi 10 Jun 01 (ZA et al.). 5, Nemrut Dagi 8 Jul 01 (JA, JK). PAGE 25: Pilate 1 (top left). Dalmatian Pelicans Pelecanus crispus at nests, Karine Gola, Buyuk Menderes Delta, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 2 (top right). White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala, Ergek Gol, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 3 (middle left). Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca at nest, near Ankara, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 4 (middle right). Armenian Gull Larus armenicus, Van Goll, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 5 (bottom left). Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata, near Ankara, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 6 (bottom right). Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra, Cél Gélu, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) 24 Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001 one L i pee Sy i ee Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus Probably rare summer visitor, recorded from Southern Coastlands, South-East and East. Occurrence perhaps due more to nomadic rather than strictly seasonal movements. Has bred. Recent confirmation that it, at least occasionally, occurs at same sites as Mongolian Trumpeter Finch B. mongolicus is less surprising given finding of Panov & Bulatova (1972) that the former is taxonomically closer to Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus than B. githagineus. Southern Coastlands: 2 males, Gdksu Delta 13 Jun 99 (GMK et al.). South-East: Isikli: male, 18 May 97 (PM); 3 males and 1 female, early May 99 (Birding World 12: 190); pair, 5 May 00 (GP); 2, 25 May 00 (KH). 2, Cinar-Gé6ksu Dam, Diyarbakir 29 Apr 99 (Karakas & Kilig 2002). East: Ishakpasa Saray1, Dogubayazit: 8 Jul 97 (Birding World 10: 293); 2, 31 Jul-2 Aug 98 (ET, BMZ). Mongolian Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes mongolicus Many recent (and two old and poorly-documented) records from extreme East indicate that the species is a local but well-established resident breeder. For a recent review of the species’ status in Turkey see Kirwan & Konrad (1995). Recently recorded in the eastern Pontics. Black Sea Coastlands: Female/juvenile, Sivrikaya 25 Jun 99 (Kirwan et al. 2000). East: Dogubayazit: 20, 7-8 Jun 97 (GMK, PD); 4, 8 Jul 97 (Birding World 10: 293); c. 10, 1 Jun 98 (GA); 5, 31-Jul 98; 7, 2 Aug 98 (ET, BMZ); female, 11 Jun 99\(FB ef al.); male, 5 Jul-99 J@); 5, 30 May 00 (Birding World 13: 231); 5, 11 Jun 00 (Birding World 13: 273); 3 and_a nest containing 3 young, 23 Jun 00 (Birding World 13: 373); 29 Jul 00 (KH); 5, 14 Jun 01 (GP); 2, 9 Aug 01 (AC et al.). Van: 9 Jun 97 (GMKk); 4, 21 Jun 99; 10, 22 Jun 99 (GMK et al.). 9, north of Caldiran 2 Jun 99 (GAy). 6, Somkaya, south-west of Dogubayazit 12 Sep 00 (Birding World 13: 407). Male, between Dogubayazit and Bendimahi 30 Jul 00 (KH). 3 pairs, Gulizar Jun 01 (Birding World 14: 282). 8, Serpmentas Jun 01 (Birding World 14: 282). Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos Vagrant, with one recent (1974) and about six 19th-century specimen records. Central Anatolia: 5 (including 1 male), ODTU campus, Ankara 2 Feb 97 (EU). Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cinarecea Local and relatively uncommon summer visitor to scub-covered slopes in eplandan in Western Anatoha, southern fringe of Central Plateau, Southern Coastlands, South-East and East. Recorded in spring on south coast. Recently discovered to be much more widespread than heretofore realised in South-East. For recent review of status in Turkey and elsewhere see Albayrak et al. (2002). Only records away from South-East are presented. Western Anatolia: Assos 14 Jun 97 (GMK). Cesme Baraji, Izmir 4 Aug 97 (EU). Southern Coastlands: Ceyhan, Adana 8 Jul 97 (BGU, MF). Central Plateau: Konya Basin: 20, VGO1 20 May 98 (GAy); VG04 19 May 98 (GAy). East: 2, Kemah, Erzincan 21 Jul 00 (DHKD). Dogubayazit 6 Jul 01 JA). 2, Nemrut Dagi 8 Jul 01 (JA, Ji). Dotterel by Richard Thewlis 26 Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001 LIST OF OBSERVERS Thanks are due to the following who contributed records for 1997-2001. Years for which records have been submitted are presented for those observers not resident in Turkey. T. & A. Akoglu B. Akyildirim (BAk) Akdeniz University Birdwatching Club (AUKGT) Z. Alagéz T. Albayrak G. Altstedt (1998) Ankara Birdwatching Club (ANKA) M. Argeloo (2001) O. Arnthan B. Arik R. Armada J. Arras A. Atahan (AAt) G. Aydemir (GAy) A. Aykurt S. Baris (SBa) U.N. Basaran A. Baytas (1999) S. Bekir P. Benstead (1999) M. Biricik (MBi) Bird Research Society (KAD) J. Blanchemain (2000) A. Bonan Barfull (1998) M. Bozdogan K. Boyla F. Brammer (1999) N. Brown (1997) J. der Brugge (2000-2001) E. van der Burg (1999) D. Budworth (1997-98) D. Butcher (2001) C. Cameron (2001) A. Carabella (1998) P. Cardy (1997-98) P. Castell (PCa) (2001) K. Clow (1998) A. Comas (2001) J. Copete (2001) P. Combridge (1999) O. Can Cukurova Birdwatching Club (CKGT) J. Dawson (2001) B. Delprat S. Demircan B. Demirci (BDe) P. Doherty (1997) J. Dyckows (JDy) (2001) L. J. Dijksen (1999-2000) P. J. Edwards (2001) Ege Birdwatching Club (EKGT) G. Eken A. Eksioglu S. Eksioglu M. Ellison (1998) Erciyes Birdwatching Club (Erkus) R. Faus Colomer (1998) P. Feliu (2001) P. Forsberg (1998) E. Franjse (2001) R. Franklin M. Freedman (1997) A. & K. Gancz (2000) C. Geyik D. Giralt Jonama (1998) Gokkusagi Club (GKA) U. Gdkduman B. Gordin (2000) O. Gorgun I. Green (1997-98) E. Giindogdu B. Giines (BG) T. Guirpmar A. Giirsoy G. Gliven K. Haataja (1999-2000) A. Hagermann (1999) M. Hemprich (1997) T. Hestnes (1997) C. Hewson (2001) R. Hofland (1999-2000) Istanbul Birdwatching Club (IKGT) International Waterfowl Counts 99 (IWC 99) A. Jordi (1998) S. Karauz R. Karakas O.N. Kesaph J. Kelchtermans (2001) G. M. Kirwan (1997-1999) A. B. Kristensen (1999) A. Kristensen (1999) A. K. Kullberg (1998) B. Kurt G. Magnin (1997-1998) T. Marlow (1998) R. P. Martins (2001) M. & P. McGough (2000) P. Morris (1997) A. Ofner C. Oguztiiziin METU Birdwatching Club (OKGT) J. Olah (1999) O. Onmus N. Orbay C. Orhun (COr) J. Overfield (1997-1998) N. Ozbagdath (NO) M. Ozen U. Ozesmi M. Panayaotopoulou (2001) K. Patrick (1997) H. Perxacs (2001) G. Pettersson (1997, 2000-2001) T. Poyser (1997) A. Prasad (1997) T. Quittenden (1998) M. Reed (1997-1998) I. Richardson M. Rustenburg (MRu) (2000) M. Rigg (MRi) (1997) Samsun Birdwatching Club (SKGT) O. Saygun (2001) R. Schofield (2001) N. Shelton (1997) D. Smallshire (2000) O. Soler Ferrer (1998) L. Svensson (1998, 2000) B. Swann (2001) T. Székely (1997) C. Sekercioglu E. Tamas (1997-98) J. Tavares T. Teu T. Tilman (TTi) (2001) A. I. Tireli Toygar e-mail list group (Toygar) B. Trevis (1997) Y. Tsougrakis E. Ugar M. Ullman (1998, 2000-2001) Uludag Birdwatching Club (Ulukus) E. Vaassen G. & H. Welch (1996-2001) D. M. Wichards (1998, 2000) H. Wierda (2001) P. Willoughby (1997) S. de Win (1998) M. Yarar B. Yesiladali (1999) U. Zeydanli (2001) B. M. Zold (1998) Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and Rk. P. Martins 2003 Sandgrouse 25 (1) = ©) Turkey Bird Report 1997-2001 Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins 29 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 PAGE 28: Plate 7 (top left). Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris penicillata, Nemrut Dagi, Van Gold, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 8 (top right). Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta coutellii, Sivrikaya, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 9 (middle left). Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris, Bulluk Golu, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 10 (middle right). Male White-throated Robin lrania gutturalis, Nemrut Dagi, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 11 (bottom left). Rose- coloured Starling Sturnus roseus, Mount Ararat, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 12 (bottom right). Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis leucura, Aladag, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) PAGE 29: Plate 13 (top left). Red-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus, Aladag, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 14 (top right). Twite Carduelis flavirostris brevirostris, Sivrikaya, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 15 (middle left). Male Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta, near Birecik, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 16 (middle right). Cretzschmar’s Bunting Emberiza caesia, Alahan Monastery, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 17 (bottom left). Grey- necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani, Van, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) Plate 18 (bottom right). Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea, Durnalik, Turkey, June 2002. (Hanne & Jens Eriksen) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We gratefully acknowledge Hanne & Jens Eriksen and Hadoram Shirihai who provided photographs. This report is dedicated to the memory of Simon Albrecht, in recognition of his many contributions to OSME and Turkish ornithology. REFERENCES ALBAYRAK, T., GURSOY, A. AND KIRWAN, G. M. (2002) International Species Action Plan for the Cinereous Bunting (Emberiza cineracea). 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(1972) On the common habits 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. ] PaANow, E. N. (1983) Die Wiirger der Palaarktis. Wittenberg, Lutherstadt. PETER, H. (1994) The first breeding record of the Desert Wheatear, Oenanthe deserti, in Turkey. Zool. Middle idgte WWe27 29: PLEASANCE, B. (1997) Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus breeding in central Turkey. Sandgrouse 19: 144-145. SALIM, M. A. (2002) The first records, including breeding, of Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus in Iraq. Sandgrouse 24: 136-138. SHELTON, N. (1997) The first Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes in Turkey. Sandgrouse 19: 149-150. SHIRIHAL, H., YOSEF, R., ALON, D., KIRWAN, G. M. AND SPAAR, R. (2000) Raptor migration in Israel and the Middle East: a summary of 30 years of field research. International Birding & Research Center, Eilat. SZEKELY, T. (1998) The significance of Tuzla Gélti, Cukurova Delta, for shorebirds: a concise progress report. Turna 1: 28-30. VAASSEN, E. W. A. M. (1998) A February record of Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo in south Turkey. Sandgrouse 20: 144. VAASSEN, E. W. A. M. (2001) Status of the Griffon Vulture, Gyps fulvus in the central Taurus region, southern Turkey—a population estimate. Vulture News 44: 3-17. WELCH, G. AND WELCH, H. (1998a) Results of a survey of wintering waterbirds along the Turkish Black Sea coast—16 January to 7 February 1997. Turna 1: 16-23. WELCH, G. AND WELCH, H. (1998b) Breeding bird survey of Uluabat G6liti Ramsar site—15 May to 20 June 1998. Unpublished report. YaRAR, M. (1995) Aktas Golii: a new pelican breeding site on the Turkish-Georgian border. Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 35: 46-48. Guy M. Kirwan, 74 Waddington Street, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 4JS, U. K. Metehan Ozen, Hacettepe Universitesi Tip Fakiiltesi, Ihsan Dogramact Cocuk Hastanesi, Cocuk Enfeksiyon Hastaliklari Boliimti, 6 Kat, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. Bahtiyar Kurt, Dogal Hayati Koruma Dernegi, Anafartalar Cad. 17/5 Ulus, Ankara, Turkey. RK. P. Martins, 6 Connaught Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 3BP, U. K. Guy M. Kirwan, Metehan Ozen, Bahtiyar Kurt and R. P. Martins 31 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 32-40 2003 Plate 1. Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix (upper four birds, all nominate race) and Caucasian Black Grouse T. mlokosiewiczi (lower three birds). Black Grouse adult male (top left) and in display (right), with female (lower bird) and in flight (top right). Caucasian Black Grouse adult males (lower two birds, in display on left) and female (upper right). Plate by Carl D'Silva and reproduced (with kind permission of the publishers, A. & C. Black/Christopher Helm, London) from Pheasants, partridges and grouse by Steve Madge and Phil McGowan. 32 Ramaz Gokhelashvili, Kerry P. Reese and Lexo Gavashelishvili How much do we know about the Caucasian Black Grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi? How much do we know about the Caucasian Black Grouse Tetrao mlokositewicz1? RAMAZ GOKHELASHVILI, KERRY P. REESE AND LEXO GAVASHELISHVILI The Caucasian Black Grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi was listed by BirdLife International as a Species of European Concern, category 2, its status being deemed Insufficiently Known (Tucker & Heath 1994), and was included on the 1996 IUCN Red List as Lower Risk—Near Threatened (Baillie & Groombridge 1996) but was not considered sufficiently endangered to merit inclusion in the most recent list of globally threatened birds (BirdLife International 2000). It is among the most poorly studied of the Tetraonidae (del Hoyo et al. 1994) due to its limited range (c. 12,000 km’), difficult-to-access high-montane habitat and relatively small population (Kuz’mina 1992). Better understanding of biology and ecology is essential for the species’ conservation (Tucker & Heath 1994, Baillie & Groombridge 1996). The majority of studies of Caucasian Black Grouse biology were conducted in the 19th or early-20th centuries, and comparatively little research has been undertaken in recent decades. We reviewed existing data on Caucasian Black Grouse, from the English, French, Georgian, German, Russian and Arabic literature, dealing with: taxonomy, description and measurements, distribution (incorporating recent data from Georgia), habitat, food, reproductive biology, behaviour, population size and trends, and conservation. Based on these data, we propose crucial future studies required for the species’ management and conservation. TAXONOMY Considered monotypic, Caucasian Black Grouse forms a superspecies with the Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix of Eurasia. It was Originally described, in 1875, as Tetrao mlokosiewiczt (Taczanowski 1875) and subsequently by Radde (1885) as Tetrao acatoptricus, but the former has 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1994), although there are some notable exceptions (e.g. King 1997, Madge & McGowan 2002). We consider it a Tetrao, following Birdlife International and IUCN (Tucker & Heath 1994, Baillie & Groombridge 1996). Fossils of Caucasian Black Grouse from nomenclatural precedence. Thereafter, Ogilvie-Grant (1893) named it Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi. Currently, no consensus exists as to whether Caucasian Black Grouse (and Black Grouse) should be placed 1m Tetrao’ or -Lyrurus.In“the Russian literature it is generally considered a Lyrurus (Ivanov et al. 1951, Beme 1958, Dementiev & Gladkov 1967, Stepanyan 1975, Potapov 1978a,b, 1982b, 1985, Flint et al. 1984, Kuz’mina 1992), while English-language literature usually places both in Tetrao (Cramp & Simmons 1980, Johnsgard 1983, Sibley & Ahlquist the Upper Pleistocene suggest that the species was isolated from others by at least the Middle Pleistocene, 500,000—700,000 years ago (Burchak-Abramovich 1974, Janossy 1976, Potapov 1985). DESCRIPTION The majority of plumage descriptions refer to populations from the Greater (or northern) Caucasus (Noska & Tschusi 1895, Ogilvie-Grant 1896, Dresser 1903, Averin & Nasimovich 1938, Ivanov et al. 1951, Kutubidze 1961, Dementiev & Gladkov 1967, Fjeldsa 1977, Cramp & Ramaz Gokhelashvili, Kerry P. Reese and Lexo Gavashelishvili 33 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 “y Russia Caspian Sea Georgia Armenia > Map 1. Distribution map of Caucasian Black Grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi. Azerbaijan Simmons 1980, Flint et al. 1984, Potapov 1985). Males in their first plumage are similar to females: the upperparts are ochre, with fine dark vermiculations, the neck is finely speckled, and the underparts, scapulars, posterior upperparts and flanks are ochre, tinged greyish and narrowly vermiculated darker. The mid-belly is dark brown and the rectrices russet-brown with pale vermiculations. Second-year males are like adults, i.e. black with a pale yellowish-blue metallic gloss on the head, neck, breast and mantle, the remiges dark brown and axillaries white. The rectrices are black, curving outwards and downwards at the tip. Bill black, and the red superciliary wattles are the most noticeable feature of the head at close range. Females have the crown and body feathers narrowly barred dark ochre, sometimes appearing vermiculated. The neck is streaked darker and the throat ochre, barred darker. The breast, fore- belly and flanks are vermiculated, the mid-belly dark brown, and the rectrices dark brown with ochre barring. Caucasian Black Grouse differs from Black Grouse in lacking white on the upper surface of the wing, having black undertail-coverts, a longer tail with the tip depressed and curved slightly outwards, and shorter outertail feathers. The young are warm buffish-yellow above with a ferruginous-crown cap, diffusely demarcated fuscous-black, and a ferruginous shoulder. Otherwise generally pale hazel-brown with some fuscous mottling on the mid-back, rump, scapulars and thighs, the face is marked with fuscous-black spots and bands, as in Black Grouse, and the underparts are straw-yellow. Newly hatched young are slightly smaller than same-age Tetrao tetrix. DISTRIBUTION Taczanowski (1875) described the species on the basis of birds collected at Lagodekhi, south-east Georgia. Subsequently, it was discovered in subalpine and alpine zones throughout the Greater Caucasus (Mlokosiewicz 1879, Lorents 1884, Dinnik 1886, Lorenz 1887, Rossikov 1888, Bilkevich 1893, Menzbier 1900, Dinnik 1902, Kudashev 1916, Serebrovskii 1925, Beme 1926, Markov & Mlokosiewicz 1935, Averin 1938, Averin & Nasimovich, 1938, Puzanov 1938, Chkhikvishvili 1939, 1941, Khanmamedov 1954, 1965, Kutubidze 1955, Potapov 1985, Vitovic 1986) and more sparsely in the Lesser (or southern) Caucasus (Deriugin 1886, Bilkevich 1893, Zarudnyi 1896, Vilkonskii 1897, Kobylin 1908, Nesterov 1910, 1911, Bankovskii 1913, Dombrovskii 1913, Satunin 1914, Bobrinskii .1915, Beme —1925a, Chkhikvishvili 1930, Buturlin 1935, Averin 1938, Leister & Sosnin 1942, Kutubidze 1961, Gharamani 1971, Eftecar 1973, OST 1975, Scott et al. 1975, Beaman 1986, Vitovic 1986, Klaus et al. 1990, Atkinson et al. 1995). Its total range is approximately 12,000 km’ and straddles six, Ccountries:, Kussia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Iran. Approximately 50% of the range is in Georgia (Table 1, Map 1). In the Greater Caucasus, the distribution is limited in the west by the Beloi River basin and in the east by the Samur River basin. In this region, Caucasian Black Grouse occurs at 1300-3000 metres, but does not descend below 1800 metres in summer. In the Lesser Caucasus, it occurs from the Chorokhi River, in the west, to the Karabakh Mountains in the east, and 34 Ramaz Gokhelashvili, Kerry P. Reese and Lexo Gavashelishoili How much do we know about the Caucasian Black Grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi? in summer the species occurs solely above 1500 metres. Caucasian Black Grouse apparently occurs in the Surami/Likhi Range (Chkhikvishvili 1930, Kutubidze 1961), which links the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, but existing data are insufficient to evaluate its current status and distribution in this region. Only in the 1970s was Caucasian Black Grouse discovered in Iran, and it was very poorly known in Turkey until the 1980s (Gharamani 1971, Eftecar 1973, OST 1975, Scott et al. 1975, Beaman 1986). The range in Iran lies very close to the Karabakh Mountains and may meet the Armenian population, while that in north-east Turkey appears more isolated than that in Iran, although this is almost certainly a function of the relative lack of ornithological activity at relevant altitudes in this region, as evidenced by the findings of Atkinson et al. (1995). FOOD Plants are the principal food, the species taken varying according to season and among different-age birds. Principal winter foods are the buds and catkins of birches Betula, needles and berries of juniper Juniperus, fruits of dog rose Rosa canina, and shoots and buds of willow Salix. Green leaves and shoots are more important in spring, but increased use of animal prey prior to breeding, as occurs in other grouse, is unknown. From late May, they consume stalks, flowers, unripe seeds and pods of alpine vegetation. In early August they mainly take ripe seeds of alpine plants, and from mid-August throughout autumn, berries of Ribes, Rubus, Vaccinium, and seeds of alpine plants are taken. For 10-15 days after hatching, the young almost exclusively feed on insects, mainly beetles (Carabidae and Curculionidae), but also sawflies (Acrididae), flies (Coleoptera), moths (Heteroptera), butterflies (Lepidoptera), snails (Palmonata) and spiders (Arachnida). Adults rarely consume insects and spiders. Detailed dietary information is Ramaz Gokhelashvili, Kerry P. Reese and Lexo Gavashelishvili OW) provided by Averin (1938), Kutubidze (1961), Kuz’mina (1961), Dementiev & Gladkov (1967), Sikharulidze (1974), Vitovic (1986) and Klaus et al. (1990). BREEDING BIOLOGY Males establish and advertise their territories during spring and autumn. Some may display from mid-April, but the peak period is the first three weeks of May. Depending on weather, some may continue to display until late June, but warmer weather brings a cessation (see Behaviour). Display areas are situated on south-facing grassy slopes, in trough-like depressions, or in the upper part of ravines. Typically, the same areas are used annually. Nesting commences in May or early June (Kutubidze 1961, Vitovic 1986, Klaus et al. 1990). The nest is usually a shallow scrape, c. 21 cm in diameter, lined with grasses and feathers, and constructed by the female within thickets of Rhododendron, juniper or other subalpine vegetation. The male does not participate in reproduction after fertilisation. Reported clutch sizes vary considerably at 2-10, mean 6.0 (Dementiev & Gladkov 1967) and 5-13, mean 6.1 (Vitovic 1977b, Vitovic 1986, Klaus et al. 1990). The eggs are very similar in coloration to those of Black Grouse, but slightly smaller (49.3 x 36.0 mm, 33.8 g; Kutubidze 1961). The incubation period has been indirectly estimated at 20-25 days (Averin 1938, Kutubidze 1961, Flint 1978, Vitovic 1986, Klaus et al. 1990). Data on egg loss are very limited, but is c. 25-30% as a result of chilling and predation (Vitovic 1977b, Vitovic 1986), while information on nesting success and re-nesting is unavailable. Chick mortality is probably 50% during the first month. Young are capable of flight at 10-14 days and are full grown at c. 2 months. Females become sexually mature in their first year, but males probably not until at least two years old (Kutubidze 1961, Kuz’mina 1992). Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 BEHAVIOUR Detailed descriptions were presented by Lorenz (1887), Noska & Tschusi (1895), Beme (1925b), Averin (1938), Kutubidze (1961), Kuz’mina (1962), Tkachenko (1966), Dementiev & Gladkov (1967), Hjorth (1970, 1976), Potapov (1974, 1982a, 1985) Potapov & Pavlova (1977), Vitovic 1986, Klaus et al. (1987, 1990), Kuz’mina (1992) and Adamian & Klem (1999). Males gather at display grounds (arena) early in the second half of April and display until early June. Up to 30 males congregate at such arenas (Lorenz 1887), but numbers are usually 10-15 (Noska & Tschusi 1895) or 6-10 (Averin 1938). Arenas may be used continuously for up to ten years (Potapov 1985) and mean size is 50 x 80 metres (Potapov 1985). Averin (1938) distinguished two types of display grounds: one small, with males occupying closely spaced, permanent sites near to forest, thus birds more frequently emerge from the trees onto the display grounds by walking than flying; and secondly large arenas, not associated with woodland, over which males disperse in small groups and move between groups, rather than occupying permanent domains. Kutubidze (1961) stated that male social organisation may fluctuate non-randomly between the two types, with the first being used in mornings and evenings, and the second only in daytime. Three categories of territorial occupation are distinguishable. First-year males, not in adult plumage, often wander the arena and may indulge in low-frequency displays, but do not defend specific sites. Two-year-old males, in adult plumage, also lack clearly defined territories but display more intensely. Older males are dominant and occupy clear territories, from which they usually exclude other males, displaying longest and most intensely. However, they will tolerate younger males, especially those lacking adult plumage, and sometimes permit them to enter their territories (Potapov & Pavlova 1977). The function of territory occupancy in relation to mating success is unknown, but we suspect that, as in other grouse, dominant males achieve most copulations. Males display intensely in morning and evening in spring, but only during mornings in autumn. While display in the former season usually ceases in May, some individuals continue until late June, if spring is late (Kutubidze 1961, Tkachenko 1966). During the first half of the mating period, when such activity peaks, males begin displaying in darkness and cease around dawn. Subsequently, display peaks soon after sunrise, declining steadily until mid- morning. Evening display is most intense between 18.00 and 19.00. (Potapov & Pavlova 1977). Females appear at arenas both in mornings and evenings, but mating has been observed only in the former (Potapov 1985). They walk to an arena, select a mate and thereafter the pair copulates in nearby cover. The male returns to the territory 5-7 minutes later, but females do not reappear at the arena. Some questions remain: how close are arenas to one another? Do females visit more than one lek? Do adult females breed earlier than first-years? Courtship behaviour differs from Black Grouse in that males either wait quietly or jump up c. 1 m with characteristic wing-flapping, and do not vocalise. Frequency of jumps is evidence of the bird’s degree of excitement. As new females appear, jumping frequency increases, only to decline as they depart. Jumps by one male are swiftly emulated by others, but rarely occur simulta- neously. Jumping frequency is also affected by weather (particularly wind), time of day and month (Kutubidze 1961, Dementiev & Gladkov 1967, Potapov & Pavlova 1977, Klaus et al. 1987, 1990). POPULATION SIZE AND TRENDS Population size is very poorly known, with only indirect estimates possible. In preferred habitats within the Georgian Greater Caucasus, densities reach 10 36 Ramaz Gokhelashvilt, Kerry P. Reese and Lexo Gavashelishvil1 How much do we know about the Caucasian Black Grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi? Table 1. The range and population size of Caucasian Black Grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi by country (indirect estimations, based on mean densities and extent of habitat). Country Species range (km?) Armenia 600 Azerbaijan 700 Georgia 6000 Iran 100 Russia 4000 Turkey 600 Total 12,000 birds/km’. The density of the Greater Caucasus population appears to be approximately twice that of the Lesser Caucasus. Based on up to 20-year-old information concerning known sites, and extrapolation over the entire Georgian range, the population may number c. 50,000 individuals (Table 1). There appears to have been a significant decline in recent decades, and in some places the species has disappeared (Vitovic 1977a, Potapov 1985, Tucker & Heath 1994). Population structure and dynamics have not been studied. Based on small samples, Potapov (1985) reported that the percentage of yearling males varied from 3.6 to 4.4, according to reproductive success. The sex ratio on hatching is c. 1:1 (Averin 1938, Potapov 1985). THREATS AND CONSERVATION STATUS Caucasian Black Grouse is listed in the Red Data books of all range states as rare with declining populations. Hunting has been declared illegal, and the species is included in several international listings: as a Species of European Concern, category 2, its status considered Insufficiently Known (Tucker & Heath 1994), the 1996 IUCN Red List of Animals, its status Lower Risk—Near Threatened (Baillie & Groombridge 1996), and the list of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), appendix 2. Hunting is probably not a significant threat to Caucasian Black Grouse because Approximate breeding population (individuals) 300-500 1500-2000 40,000—50,000 200-300 25,000-—30,000 1000-1500 68,000—84,300 Source Johnsgard (1983) del Hoyo et al. (1994) Our estimation Scott (1976) Kuz’mina (1992) G. Eken in litt. to G. Kirwan (2002) it is sporadic and irregular. In the Greater Caucasus, people traditionally hunt wild ungulates (Western Caucasian Tur Capra caucasica, Eastern Caucasian Tur C. cylindricornis, Bezoar C. aegagrus, Chamois Rupicapra rupicapra and Red Deer Cervus elaphus), which overlap with the grouse. Hunters avoid shooting birds in order not to scare away such more desirable targets. However, in Georgia and Turkey, the species is specifically hunted in some areas. Such mortality probably has an insignificant effect on grouse populations, but the problem requires future study. Grouse hunting is generally unpopular in the Caucasus due to the remoteness of the species’ habitat, which is only very sparsely populated (Scott 1976). The main threat is overgrazing. For example, most of its habitat in Georgia is exposed to such use. Livestock are not present in grouse habitat until late May, when the birds are still attending arenas, and usually leave for lowland pastures from September. The Rhododendron- Betula cover upon which the birds depend has been’ dramatically diminished within the last 30 years due to erosion caused by overgrazing. Shepherds, herdsmen and their dogs regularly disturb grouse, and dogs may also destroy eggs (Vitovic 1977a, Potapov 1978b, Vitovic 1986). Recent political changes in Georgia (i.e. the break-up of the Soviet Union and subsequent political, economic and social problems) have caused a considerable decline in the size and intensity of the livestock industry, and in some areas such Ramaz Gokhelashvili, Kerry P. Reese and Lexo Gavashelishvili 37 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 practices have completely ceased. This situation will possibly benefit the grouse. Caucasian Black Grouse reportedly host a number of intestinal parasites (Kutubidze 1961). Carriers may include the numbers of domestic sheep and cattle grazing within the species’ range in summer. These parasites may contribute to mortality, but no studies of this have been conducted, or to compare parasite loads between grazed and ungrazed habitats. Research is needed to clarify this issue. Only c. 5-7% of the species’ total range is protected (in Georgia just 3-4% and in Turkey none). However, the establishment of new national parks in Georgia is underway and appears very promising for grouse conservation, because those planned will be much larger than existing reserves. To date, only one national park, Borjomi-Kharagauli, in the Lesser Caucasus, has been established, while another is being created in the eastern Greater Caucasus. No other special management plans have been implemented on behalf of the species. Captive breeding as a conservation tool may prove useful. Averin (1938) reported successful experiments using domestic hens to hatch grouse eggs. Chicks had to be force-fed for only the first 1-3 days, after which they commenced self- feeding. Adults adapt to domestic conditions very easily (Mlokosiewicz 1925), but no information exists on reproductive success in this state. FUTURE STUDIES Effective conservation of the species is dependent on the following research. # Documenting the species’ current distribution, movements and meta- population structure @ Evaluating the population size and structure @ Developing a monitoring plan @ Studying habitat requirements, preferences and the impacts of change @ Detailed studies of breeding biology, fecundity, longevity, mortality and survival rates in stages and habitats m Experimental captive breeding. Most of these can be determined through field studies at various spatial scales and many could be achieved through use of radio-telemetry. Appropriate samples of birds from populations in different areas and habitats (within and outside protected areas, the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, and core and peripheral populations) should be radio-tagged and monitored. 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Yale University Press, New Haven & London. SIKHARULIDZE, Z. D. (1974) On the biology of Caucasian Black Grouse. Orn. Digest 11: 410-415. [in Russian]. STEPANYAN, L. S. (1975) Composition and distribution of birds in the fauna of the Soviet Union—non-passeriformes. Nauka, Moscow. [In Russian. ] TACZANOWSKI, L. (1875) Description d’une nouvelle espece de Cog de Bruyere (Tetrao mlokosiewicz1). Proc. Zool. Soc. London: 267. TKACHENKO, V. I. (1966) Ecology of galliformes in alpine regions of the northwestern Caucasus. Teberda Nature Reserve, Stavropol 6: 5-144. [In Russian. ] TUCKER, G. M. AND HEATH, M. F. (1994) Birds in Europe: their conservation status. BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 3), Cambridge. VILKONSKI, F. V. (1897) Ornithological fauna of Adjaria, Guria and north-west Lazistan. In: On the fauna and flora of Russian impair. Moscow. [In Russian.] Vitovic, O. A. (1977a) Recovery of Caucasian Black Grouse in overgrazed areas. Eighth Natl. Orn. Conf., Kiev: 199. [In Russian. ] Vitovic, O. A. (1977b) Embryo death in populations of Caucasian Black Grouse. Eighth Natl. Orn. Conf., Kiev: 199-201. [In Russian. ] Vitovic, O. A. (1986) Ecology of the Caucasian Black Grouse. Teberda State Reserve, Stavropol 10: 165-309. [In Russian. ] ZARUDNYI, N. A. (1896) Avian fauna of the Trans-Caspian region (northern Persia, Transcaucasian districts, Khivinsk oasis, and plains of Bukhara). In: Materials for understanding the fauna and flora of the Russian Empire. Dept. Zoology, Moscow. [In Russian.] Ramaz Gokhelashvili and Lexo Gavashelishvili, Georgian Center for the Conservation of Wildlife, Ambrolaury Str. 4/2, Tbilisi, Georgia. Kerry P. Reese, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844- USO, UL So Ale 40 Ramaz Gokhelashvili, Kerry P. Reese and Lexo Gavashelishvili The current breeding status of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca in Azerbaijan The current breeding status of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca in Azerbaijan ELCHIN SULTANOV AND NIGAR AGAYEVA On 26 days between 24 May and 22 July 1998 and 6 and 29 November 1998, we surveyed the five largest lakes of Azerbaijan for the globally Near Threatened Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, estimating the total population at these lakes to be 1400-1640 breeding pairs. The main factors limiting the species’ breeding-season distribution in Azerbaijan are disturbance from fishing at small wetlands and habitat modification and disturbance. In winter, when hunting is permitted, this is the most significant threat to the species. Many Ferruginous Duck that have been hunted are sold in the vicinity of Hajigabul Lake. The breeding population in Azerbaijan is at least partially sedentary, but numbers and provenance of wintering birds are not fully known. INTRODUCTION ZERBAIJAN IS AMONG the most important regions for waterbirds in Eurasia: more than one million winter in the country, while hundreds of thousands breed there and several millions pause at wetlands on migration (Sultanov & Mustafayev 1994, Sultanov 1997, Sultanov & Haddow 1997). One of these, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, which is currently considered Near Threatened (BirdLife International 2000) has been quite well studied in Azerbaijan, where it occurs on montane lakes to 1800 metres, although the majority of the population is in valleys. It feeds on both animal matter (benthos; Ivanov & Kozlova 1951, Tuayev 1967, 1976) and plant materials (Isakov 1952). As noted by Tuayev (1967) pair formation usually occurs in early April and by mid- April eggs have been laid, with incubation occupying 28 days. Large young are present by mid-July (and can fly at two months) but dependent young, incapable of flight, may occur until early August (Tuayev 1970). Moult occurs from late July to late August, and the immatures replace their feathers in winter. From late August, the first migrants occur at Agzybir Lake (the main site for migrant waterbirds in the country) en route for elsewhere. Wintering individuals arrive in late November and depart from late February, with migration peaking in March (Tuayev 1965, 1976, 1996). The global population is estimated at 49,000 (Green 1992, Scott & Rose 1996, Rose & Scott 1997). Three flyways/populations are recognised: the West Mediterranean—West African (estimated to number 10,000 individuals; the east European/Black Sea/east Mediterranean (10,000-50,000, usually c. 30,000 individuals); and the south-west Asian-north-east African population, which includes those from south-east Europe and the Caucasus region (5000 individuals or nearly 1700 breeding pairs; Scott & Rose 1996). The latter suppose Azerbaijan to hold c. 10% of the breeding and 40% of the wintering populations in this region (Scott & Rose 1996). Up-to-date estimates at most of the important sites for the species in Azerbaijan are unavailable (Grimmet & Jones 1989), but in three of these the total number of breeders is 1500 individuals or c. 750 pairs (see Table 1). M. Patrikeyev (in Scott & Rose 1996) mentions that 3000-5000 birds winter in Azerbaijan, based on data from the 1960s. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our objectives in this and future studies were to estimate the numbers of breeding and non-breeding Ferruginous Duck present at the principal localities in Azerbaijan for the species; investigate its distribution, migratory status and habitat requirements; Elchin Sultanov and Nigar Agayeva 41 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 41-49 2003 Stove. bs TAS Mingsce ae : pare: e Ming evr ed oe ee @e pode huraab a * samaxi Ssu Sump navi Ka radag “4 Baku’ ~~ azimammad . ¢& ilasuvar’ Caspian —{eklilabad Sea “Co ytapa zoe Wasalli 5 1 @lort lig inkara n@ 40 Miles R | - : | < | 40 Bilometers Figure 1. Map of Azerbaijan showing the relative postion ai the five study sites: 1 = Lake GDL 2 = Lake Hajigabul, 3 = Lake Sarysu, 4 = Varvara Water Reservoir, and 5 = Lake Makhmudchala. identify the main threats to the species; identify Important Bird Areas (IBAs); raise awareness of the species; and define a conservation strategy and national species action plan for the Ferruginous Duck. Five large lakes—Hajigabul, Sarysu, Mahmudchala, Varvara Reservoir and Agzybir— were surveyed over 26 days (20 in the breeding season, between 24 May and 22 July 1998, and six in the non-breeding season, between 6 and 29 November 1998, see Table 3). Counts were made from boats, on foot and from a vehicle: 49 km were surveyed by boat and 153 km from a car or on foot. During the non-breeding season, counts were made solely from a car or on foot because most ducks concentrate on open water at this season (except when moulting), generally permitting complete counts to be made, but in the breeding season and at Hajigabul fishponds, where reed growth is very tall and dense, we extrapolated our counts. We considered a 1-km transect by boat equivalent to 10 ha, because we were usually able to effectively survey 100 metres either side of the boat. When approached by boat, Ferruginous Duck usually Table 1. Estimates of the numbers (individuals) of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca at five lakes in Azerbaijan. * = Scott & Rose (1996); ** = Tuayev (1965); *** = Tuayev (1975); and **** = pers. obs. Site Breeding Passage Wintering Aggyol 500* 840* Agzybir 500* 500* Mahmudchala 500* unknown Varvara occurs* unknown Sarysu - OCCUISa ++ unknown 5000s, Totals >1500 >1340 5525 42 Elchin Sultanov and Nigar Agayeva The current breeding status of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca in Azerbaijan immediately flew away low, with both members of the pair together. Only occasionally did we record lone males; we counted these as pairs, assuming that the female was on eggs, although there may have been a male-biased sex ratio within the different populations. We did not record any young on 24 May-5 July, suggesting that most hatched rather later than usual. HYDROBIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SURVEY SITES Agzybir Lake (Divichi Lagoon) is near the Caspian Sea, 120 km north of Baku, and is drained by three small rivers: Shabranchay, Divichichay and Tahtachay. Three large plots were surveyed: Karakashly, Sarvan and Hanlar. Thirteen species of higher plants occur, including Phragmites communis, as well as Scirpus littoralis, S. lacustris, Typha angustifolia, Potamogeton crispus, P. sectionals, Najas marina, Utricularia vulgaris, Hydrocharis morsus and Myriophyllum spicatum. One hundred and seventeen species of benthic organisms occur, including maggots (29 species), Chironomidae (26 species) and dragonflies (eight species). Hajigabul Lake is c. 100 km south-west of Baku and is drained by the Kura River. Three hundred and two species of algae, with biomass of 0.006-6.84 g/m’, and 11 species of higher plants, mostly the same as at Agzybir Lake, occur. More than 50% of the benthic biomass consists of Chironomidae and prawns. Varvara Reservoir was constructed in 1956, 300 km west of Baku on the River Kura. Fifty-six species of phytoplankton have been identified at the site, and 17 species of higher plants, the majority the same as at the other lakes, with Phragmites and Typha dominant. Benthos consists of 100 species, with three groups dominant, bugs, dragonflies and Chironomidae. Mollusca are a significant feature. There is a strong flow in the high part of the reservoir, but in the central and low parts this is restricted to a narrow area. Sarysu Lake includes five large survey plots: Nahalygchala, Halfa (or Agchala), Babure, Ayri and Sherbet. At Nahalygchala, one of the largest of these, 262 algae spe- cies with a biomass of 0.11-4.46 g/m? occur, while higher plant species are the same as those found at the other lakes, and of 114 species of benthos, the majority are Chironomidae, dragonflies and Olygochetes. All of the sites are similar in several respects: water depth is usually 2-5 metres (being deeper only in Varvara), water temperatures are 6.0-30.5'C, and pH 6.7—7.6. Open water usually comprises 30-60% of the total area of these lakes. Plant biomass usually reaches a maximum of 7-8 kg/m’, and only Hagigabul has a different prawn composition to the others. Annual biomass of benthos, however, does differ: Hajigabul and Sarysu have the highest, 50.8 and 46.1 g/m’, but Varvara and Agzybir only 11.1 and 3.02 g/m’, while Varvara Reservoir also differs in the flow of water through the site (see above). The literature concerning Mahmudchala Lake is very sparse but its hydrobiological charac- teristics are probably reasonably similar to those of Sarysu. | Table 2. Hydrobiological characteristics of four of the survey sites (after Kasymov 1972, 1981). Site - Phytomass Biomass of benthos (g/m*): kg/m? annual spring summer autumn winter Hajigabul ; 1.8-3.6 50.8 80.2 128.2 40.2 9.7 Sarysu (at Nahalygchala) 8.0 46.17». 49.8 2500 10.2 13:3 Varvara Reservoir 8.6 a 16.3 14.4 10.1 4.2 Agzybir 8.6 3.02 4.81 3.79 2.34 1.81 Elchin Sultanov and Nigar Agayeva 43 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 RESULTS Breeding season Hajigabul. Compared to the other lakes, Hajigabul has very few reeds (less than 20% of the total area) so few birds breed on the lake itself, but a series of fishponds adjoins the lake, of which the north-west part has some very dense reedbeds, and is utilised by many breeding birds, including Ferruginous Duck. The best habitat occurs at ponds 1 and 2, and all 11 pairs of Ferruginous Duck at this site were observed there. Thirty-three species were recorded, of which 15 are of conservation importance and two are globally threatened (see Appendix). As at all sites, the number of species and individuals is not reflective of total numbers because most were recorded only in passing. Counts were made by car and, rarely, on foot due to the small area of the ponds, which made the birds rather wary. Mahmudchala. Water levels and the overall extent of water are highly variable at this lake. The highest density of Ferruginous Duck was noted here, with 24 pairs being counted by boat. Land-based counts produced White-tailed Plover Chettusia leucura (which is included in the Azerbaijan Red Data Book), as well as Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris and Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina. A large mixed breeding colony involving eight species and nearly 2500 pairs was located, as well as three colonies of Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus, also totalling 2500 pairs. Sarysu. The largest of the areas surveyed, boat transects produced 24 pairs (see Table 3), a density of 0.7 pairs/ha. An evening count from the peninsula revealed a concen- tration of 83 Ferruginous Duck. A mixed colony of Ciconiiformes and Pelecaniformes is almost certainly present, but due to the size of the lake we were unable to locate it; neither were we able to find the colony of Whiskered Tern that is undoubtedly present. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus, Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea and Coot Fulica atra were noted with young. Varvara Reservoir. Varvara differs from other sites in that the River Kura flows through it, casuing a definite flow and deeper water in its central part. Reed growth is developing and will soon be significant for breeding birds. Boat surveys revealed large numbers of Red-crested Pochard but no Ferruginous Duck. However, we subsequently observed 11 pairs of the latter on the shallow-water area adjoining the dam to the south. Ten species of conservation concern were recorded. The numbers of herons and Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus suggest the presence of a large colony. Due to the concentration of Ferruginous Duck in one area, it is difficult to extrapolate across the entire site. The small size of the reservoir and the species’ absence from the main waterbody Sue the presence of relatively small numbers (estimated at 80-100 pairs). Agzybir. Situated north-west of the other sites, Agzybir is famed for the large numbers of migrants that use the area, but its importance for breeding birds was unknown. Six pairs of Ferruginous Duck were noted at Sarvan and between there and Karakashly, but it was not recorded at Hanlar. Density was very low (0.4 pairs/km‘’) and the total population was estimated at 70-80 breeding pairs. We again recorded many Red-crested Pochard but no Marbled Teal. A mixed breeding colony of herons, ibises and Pygmy Cormorant was located, and Whiskered and White-winged Black Terns probably also nest. 44 Elchin Sultanov and Nigar Agayeva The current breeding status of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca in Azerbaijan total (estimated number) Extrapolated 52 (70-80) 220 (800-350) 640 (600-700) 770 (600-700) 2640-3080 1668 (lake) 1235 (ponds) 4000-8000 11,000 9 pairs, 83 birds Density of pairs/10 ha dp) ox = — — © 12) Ko} o) S <= =) O x2) Cab) " > — c)) i?) -Q o) (km) five three Table 3. Counts of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca at the study localities: b 24, 26, 28, 29 May, 22 July 6 and 21-22 November — 31 May—4 June © 11-14 June 27-29 November Hajigabul breeding season non-breeding season Mahmudchala Sarysu breeding season ~ non-breeding season Elchin Sultanov and Nigar Agayeva 19-21 June Varvara Reservoir Non-breeding season November 1998 visits to Hajigabul and Sarysu (see Table 3) proved the presence of Ferruginous Duck at these sites at this season, and in considerably greater numbers than in the breeding period. At Hagigabul, only 12 of a total of 47 birds were on the lake, the rest being on the fishponds. Of hunted birds, which we observed on sale by the roadside near Hajigabul, approximately 10-15% were Ferruginous Duck, along with many Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax (which is listed in the Azerbaijan Red Data Book). At Sarysu we recorded an even larger concentration of Ferruginous Duck from the small peninsula in the evening, suggesting that the population is at least partially sedentary in Azerbaijan. Large numbers of Coot and ducks were present, but most breeding species were absent. DISCUSSION None of the survey sites has any conser- vation status, but all are hunting preserves. Totals of 61 pairs and 327 individuals of Ferruginous Duck were recorded during the field work. By a process of extrapolation, between 62 and 770 pairs could be present at each of the five sites. However, taking into account the sometimes local distri- bution of Ferruginous Ducks (e.g. at Varvara) and regional conditions we estimate that 50-60 pairs may use Agzybir Lake and 600-700 pairs at both Sarysu and Mahmudchala Lakes, with a total of 1400-1640 pairs (2800-3280 adults) at all five sites. It is probable that significant numbers also breed at Aggyol, Lake and at Shorgyol (Gushgyol) Lake, in Shirvan and Gyzylagach reserves. Thus, the species’ total population in Azerbaijan is possibly in the region of 3000 pairs. It is possible that Ferruginous Duck does not merit continued inclusion in the Azerbaijan Red Data Book, and could even still be sustainably hunted, provided that its habitat is protected. Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Table 4. Comparative counts of three duck species: Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris, Red- crested Pochard Netta rufina and Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca. Site Ferruginous Duck Red-crested Pochard Marbled Teal (pairs/10 ha and overall estimate) (individuals) (individuals) Hajigabul 6 Mahmudchala : 25 Sarysu : 3 Varvara : 108 Agzybir : 210 Hunting preserves in the country were demonstrated to be very important for breeding birds, including Ferruginous Duck, because waterfowl hunting in Azerbaijan is permitted only in November-February and, for other species, only from August. A comparison of the hydrobiological characteristics of the study sites revealed a similarity between them in most aspects, although the benthos biomass at Sarysu (in Nahalygchala) and Hajigabul was significantly higher than in the other lakes for which detailed information is available. The lower densities of Ferruginous Duck at Varvara and Agzybir may be a result of the low benthos biomass in these lakes, and at Hajigabul presumably results from high disturbance levels by fisheries. REFERENCES BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL (2000) Threatened birds of the world. BirdLife International, Cambridge & Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. GRIMMETT, R. F. A. AND JONES, T. A. (1989) Important Bird Areas in Europe. International Council for Bird Preservation (Tech. Publ. No. 9), Cambridge. GREEN, A. J. (1992) Wildfowl at risk. Wildfowl 43: 160-184. IVANOV, A. I. AND KozLova, Y. I. (1951) Anatidae. In: Dementiev, G. P. and Gladkov, N. A. (eds.) Birds of the USSR. Vol. 1. Nauka, Moscow. [In Russian.] IsAkov, Y. A. (1952) Anatidae. In: Dementiev, G. P. and Gladkov, N. A. (eds.) Birds of the Soviet Union. Vol. 4. Nauka, Moscow. [In Russian. ] KasyMov, A. G. (1972) Freshwater fauna of the Caucasus. Elm, Baku. KasyMov, A. G. (1981) Fish farm development of lakes in Azerbaijan SSR. Elm, Baku. Rose, P. M. AND Scott, D. A. (1997) Waterfowl population estimates. Second edn. Wetlands International (Publ. No. 44), Wageningen. Scott, D. A. AND RosE, P. M. (1996) Atlas of Anatidae populations in Africa and western Eurasia. Wetlands International (Publ. No. 41), Wageningen. SULTANOV, E. H. AND MusTAFAYEV, G. T. (1994) The main results of the winter aerial count of birds in Azerbaijan. In: First International Scientific-Practice Conf., Birds of the Caucasus, Stavropol: 38-40. [In Russian. ] SULTANOV, E. H. (1997) The main results of the aerial count of waterbirds in Azerbaijan in 1996. In: Scientific heritage of N. Y. Dinnic and his role in the development of modern natural history. Stavropol. [In Russian.] SULTANOV, E. AND HADpow, C. (1997) A IOC ornithological survey in Azerbaijan. December 1995 to February 1997. Proc. Fourth Baku Intern. Congr. Energy, Ecol. and Economy, Baku: 134-141. TuAYEV, D. G. (1965) Materials on the fauna and ecology of waterfowl and marsh birds of the Samur-Divichi Valley, Azerbaijan. In: Fauna and ecology of terrestrial vertebrates of Azerbaijan. Academy of Sciences Azerbaijan SSR, Baku. [In Russian.] TUAYEV, D. G. (1967) On the question of summer occurrences of Ferruginous Duck and Red-crested Pochard in Azerbaijan. Izv. Azerbaijan Acad. Sci., Ser. Biol. 3-4: 95-99. [In Russian. ] TUAYEV, D. G. (1970) Analysis of the fauna and ecology of waterfowl in Azerbaijan. Izv. Azerbaijan Acad. Sci., Ser. Biol. 3: 61-67. [In Russian. ] TUAYEV, D. G. (1975) Materials on the fauna and ecology of waterfowl in the Kura—Araz Valley in the modern age. In: Materials on the fauna and ecology of terrestrial vertebrates in Azerbaijan. Elm, Baku. [In Russian.] TUAYEV, D. G. (1976) Anseriformes. In: Fauna of Azerbaijan. Vol. 6. Elm, Baku. [In Azeri.] TUAYEV, D. G. (1996) The catalogue of Azerbaijan birds. Shure, Baku. [In Azeri and Russian. ] TUCKER, G. M. AND HEATH, M. F. (1994) Birds in Europe: their conservation status. BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 3), Cambridge. Elchin Sultanov and Nigar Agayeva, Institute of Zoology of Azerbaijan, National Academy of Sciences and Azerbaijan Ornithological Society, Mukhtarov Street 13, apartment 16, Baku 370073, Azerbaijan Republic. 46 Elchin Sultanov and Nigar Agayeva The current breeding status of Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca in Azerbaijan Appendix. Total counts of birds at the survey sites. Conservation status is based on Tucker & Heath (1994) as © being Species of European Conservation Concern: Dec = Declining; En = Endanagered; Loc = Local; RD = included in the Azerbaijan Red Data Book (1989); Vul = Vulnerable. Globally threatened species are labelled G (based on BirdLife International 2000): En = Endangered; Vu = Vulnerable; NT = Near Threatened. 1. Hajigabul Lake. Species Podiceps cristatus Podiceps nigricollis Phalacrocorax pygmeus Egretta garzetta Egretta alba Ardea cinerea Ardea purpurea Plegadis falcinellus Phoenicopterus ruber Tadorna ferruginea Tadorna tadorna Anas crecca Anas platyrhynchos Anas clypeata Marmaronetta angustirostris Netta rufina Aythya nyroca Oxyura leucocephala Neophron percnopterus Circus aeruginosus Gallinula chloropus — Porphyrio porphyrio Fulica atra Himantopus himantopus Recurvirostra avosetta Glareola pratincola Vanellus vanellus Limosa limosa Larus ridibundus Larus cachinnans Sterna hirundo Sterna albifrons Chlidonias hybridus Chlidonias leucopterus | -Unidentified ducks Totals 2. Mahmudchala Lake. Species Tachybaptus ruficollis Podiceps cristatus Phalacrocorax carbo Phalacrocorax pygmeus Ixobrychus minutus Nycticorax nycticorax Ardeola ralloides Bubulcus ibis Egretta garzetta Egretia alba Ardea cinerea Ardea purpurea Plegadis falcinellus Platalea leucorodia Marmaronetta angustirostris Netta rufina Aythya nyroca Circus aeruginosus Gallinula chloropus Porphyrio porphyrio Fulica atra Himantopus himantopus - Chettusia leucura Vanellus vanellus Larus ridibundus Sterna albifrons Chlidonias hybridus Aicedo atthis Totals Dependent young 8 14 Numbers 2 6 42 Number in breeding period 4 Elchin Sultanov and Nigar Agayeva 65 4 ——— COONWDOYGwMoOO ean (oe) =oNo colony 2500 Number in non- Conservation breeding period status 5 310 Vul 15 35 Vul Dec RD, Loc Vul 205 100 430 9250 G (Vu), RD, En Dec 47 G (NT),Vul 280 G (En), En En RD, Rare 5 Loc 2 Vul Dec Dec 4350 15,034 15 Conservation status Vul (Vul) Dec Vul Vul Dec RD, En G (Vu), RD,En Dec G (NT), Vul RD, Rare RD Dec Dec Dec 15 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 3. Sarysu Lake. Species Tachybaptus ruficollis Podiceps cristatus Podiceps nigricollis Phalacrocorax pygmeus Nycticorax nycticorax Ardeola ralloides Bubulcus ibis Egretta garzetta Ardea cinerea Ardea purpurea Plegadis falcinellus Tadorna ferruginea Marmaronetta angustirostris Netta rufina Aythya nyroca Circus aeruginosus Porphyrio porphyrio Fulica atra Himantopus himantopus Burhinus oedicnemus Glareola pratincola Chettusia leucura Vanellus vanellus Tringa totanus Larus ridibundus Larus cachinnans Sterna albifrons Chlidonias hybridus Totals 4. Varvara Reservoir. Species Tachybaptus ruficollis Podiceps cristatus Phalacrocorax pygmeus Nycticorax nycticorax Ardeola ralloides Bubulcus ibis Egretta garzetta Ardea cinerea Ardea purpurea Plegadis falcinellus Anas platyrhynchos Netta rufina Aythya nyroca Circus aeruginosus Gallinula chloropus Porphyrio porphyrio Fulica atra Larus minutus Sterna hirundo Chlidonias hybridus Totals 5. Agzybir Lake. Species Podiceps cristatus Ardeola ralloides Bubulcus ibis Egretta garzetta Egretta alba Ardea cinerea Ardea purpurea Plegadis falcinellus Anas querguedula Netta rufina Aythya nyroca Circus aeruginosus Dependent young 2 2 12 19 Numbers (y=young) 3 2+5y 348 3 8 105 144 3 6 123 3 108+30y 22 1 37 = 73+13y 3 5 100 1006+48y Numbers 30 6 8 20 55 75 95 85 480 210 12 15 Number in breeding period 4 26 28 166 8 10 5 95 3 18 130 12 Number in non- breeding period 6 80 186 15,000 15,281 Conservation status Vul ‘Dec Vul Vul Dec Dec G (NT), Vul RD, Rare Dec Dec 10 Conservation status Vul Vul Dec Vul Dec G (NT), Vul ~ Conservation status Vul Dec Vul Vul Dec Vul G (Vu), RD, En Dec G (NT), Vul RD, Rare Elchin Sultanov and Nigar Agayeva The spatial and temporal behaviour of a Common Swift Apus apus colony in Tel Aviv Porphyrio porphyrio RD, Rare Fulica atra Himantopus himantopus Recurvirostra avosetta Loc Glareola pratincola En Vanellus vanellus Tringa totanus Tringa ochropus Sterna hirundo Chlidonias hybridus Chlidonias leucopterus Alcedo atthis Totals The spatial and temporal behaviour of a Common Swift Apus apus colony in Tel Aviv ULRICH TIGGES Studies at a colony of Common Swifts Apus apus in Tel Aviv, Israel, revealed the presence of a territorial colony breeding system and regular daily timetable, corresponding well with the species’ behaviour in central Europe. With respect to the species’ time budgets in Tel Aviv, it appears that Common Swifts spend more time feeding than engaged in social flights. INTRODUCTION URING FEBRUARY-APRIL 2000 I studied a colony of Common Swift Apus apus in Tel Aviv, Israel, especially their spatial and temporal behaviour. Urban Common Swifts in central Europe exhibit a colony territory (Tigges 1995, 1999) and follow a rather precise daily timetable (Tigges 2000). I sought to observe this particular behaviour, as the Tel Aviv colony is very different from that in Berlin, Germany, which I had studied earlier, and my objective was to discover whether the species’ social organisation in the former breeding area was similar or different. Both groups inhabit urban areas, but otherwise exhibit wholly different structure and conditions: that in central Europe consists of a small colony with 15 members and only 1-2 breeding pairs, the Middle Eastern group consists of nearly 100 breeding pairs (Shirihai 1996). The colony in Berlin is situated centrally within a built-up area and surrounded by other colonies—the Tel Aviv colony is established on the edge of the city in a lone building with much open space around it. Due to its geographical location, the duration of twilight is much shorter in the Middle East, which may influence behaviour. STUDY SITE Nesting places of the colony in Tel Aviv are sited exclusively on a building, c. 30 m high, standing alone (hereafter referred to as the ‘colony building’). The nearest houses are 100-175 metres distant and these surround the colony building on three sides. On the fourth side, in the west, is an open area. The majority of the nests are placed under overhanging walls, between 20 metres and 30 metres above ground. Ulrich Tigges 49 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 49-52 2003 [__] Fringe, shared with neighbours [-—] Colony territory ® Colony building 0 100 Lene metres Figure 1. Map showing the colony building and territory on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, adapted from the Tel Aviv Map and Guide (1997). TERRITORY The first breeders arrived in Tel Aviv on 23 February (Tigges 2001). During these early stages the birds flew above neighbouring houses to the east, and were not observed to enter the space around the colony building until 27 February, when several arrived from the west at c. 16:45. They flew above it and the surrounding open space. Further east they mixed with others of the species. In total, 40 Common Swifts circled the colony building and at least 16 were observed to enter it. Six did not enter the central building, instead flying around the nearest adjacent house to the north until 17:47 (dusk was at 17:36). Over the following days, birds arrived around 17.00 over the colony building, always from the east, while those swifts over neighbouring houses appeared more than 10 minutes earlier. 50 Ulrich Tigges The spatial and temporal behaviour of a Common Swift Apus apus colony in Tel Aviv After the first eggs were laid (20-26 March), those swifts in the study colony flew almost exclusively around the colony building and the surrounding open space between the street in the west and the houses to the north, south and east, which delimited the colony territory. Colony members shared the latter vector with swifts from colonies to the east, which entered the colony up to approximately 40 metres west of the street. The limit of their occurrence within the colony territory was difficult to determine because there was no topographical feature useful in delimiting the extent of their flights. TIMETABLE During late February until the first week of April, the birds returned to the colony in the afternoon from c. 2 hours before sunset, but principally at 16.50-17.20. From the last week of March, flights were as follows: the swifts arrived between c. 16.00 and 17:15 and this period lasted 15-20 minutes. During this time swifts passed the observation point both east-west and vice versa. These birds headed straight over the colony area and did not circle or join in the group flights of the colony members. On 28 March, at 17.10, I witnessed some interesting behaviour, in which two birds that were seeking suitable nesting sites, including by touching the walls of a house within the border of the colony to the east. For c. 2.5 minutes they were observed circling the area before they disappeared above the houses of the latter colony’s territory. This observation agrees with my thesis (Tigges 1999) that birds search for a nest site only within their colony’s own territory. RESULTS As observed, the swifts followed a definite timetable and spent the morning and evening within a defined territory. They left the territory in the morning and returned in the afternoon, 15-90 minutes before sunset. The territory of the colony was delimited by houses and roads, and was divided into a centre (or core area), used almost exclusively by colony members, and a fringe that was also used by birds from neighbouring colonies. According to the topography the territory was nearly square, with extensions into the open areas in the south-west and north-east, where there was a one-storey house. The colony territory measured c. 90,000 m’. These findings correspond with my findings in Berlin, where swifts also exhibited a definite timetable and territorial behaviour. The only difference is in the duration of time spent in the territory in the evenings. While swifts in Berlin returned to spend 2-4 hours within the colony territory, those in Tel Aviv did so for only 15-90 minutes in the early breeding season. This difference is certainly due to the shorter twilight period in Israel. Given that we assume that swifts feed during the day, while outside the colony territory, and only take additional food in the territory, it appears that the intake of food during the day is more important than engaging in social flights within the territory. DISCUSSION lt is well known that Common Swift orients the borders of its territories according to topography and that the fringes of territories are used by neighbours (Tigges 1999). Fringes are broader above open places. Given that in Tel Aviv almost the entire territory consists of open areas, some problems were encountered in attempting to ascertain its borders in the east and west. To determine the territory of the colony, the birds flights were closely observed for approximately 40 hours. The colony airspace was also crossed by non-members of the colony, but, as mentioned, the latter were easily identified, as their flight was direct, not circling. The main part of the colony Ulrich Tigges 51 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 territory, in the north and south, was easy to delimit, because no other colonies abutted it in these vectors. To the west, the birds mostly flew only as far as the nearest streets (or the trees) but occasionally entered the large adjacent territory, sometimes to some distance. However, as this area was not regularly flown over, it is not considered part of the colony’s territory. Only in the east was the situation complicated, due to the presence of two neighbouring colonies and much open space over which the birds had poor lines of orientation, such as a line of houses or trees, to determine territory boundaries. Members from the colony to the east exhibited varied daily behaviour, sometimes hardly crossing the street, at other times flying 30-40 metres beyond it before returning to their colony. At 90,000 m’ the size of the colony territory is smaller than that in Berlin by 120,000 m’, although the number of members is several times larger. This demonstrates that territory borders are not determined by the number of colony members, but according to the presence of orientation points, such as lines of houses or trees. In Tel Aviv, the unclear border in the east and—but much less so—in the west underline this conclusion, because open spaces become areas of common usage. That space around the colony building is exclusively used by colony members clearly demonstrates the strong advantages of a true territory. That birds from neighbouring colonies will overfly the territory is obviously less of a negative result than the benefits of a defined colony territory, which reduces levels of disturbance during breeding and intraspecific aggression (Tigges 1999). The geographical conditions in Tel Aviv reduced the daily period of social flights above the colony territory sometimes to just 15 minutes. Unlike central Europe, where swifts fly over the territory for at least 90 minutes, this phase is much shorter in the Middle East because of the shorter days and shorter twilight period. Swifts in downtown Tel Aviv were absent from the city until 09.00 (i.e. much later than at the study colony). During the early breeding season, those birds not on nests were absent 8-9 hours from the colonies, usually outside the city. On average this is approximately the same time as in central Europe. Of course, in the latter region, these periods away from the colony were measured throughout the complete duration of the species’ presence on the breeding grounds, and includes the greater part of the non-breeders, who only arrive about halfway through the nesting season but play a major role in the social dynamics of the population. It is unknown when non-breeders arrive in Tel Aviv. During the observations, there were never more than c. 40 individuals in the colony territory, suggesting that the number of breeders was probably many fewer than 100 pairs. Ringing and a census of the colony in April 2002 by Allon Bear et al. confirmed this impression: the number of breeding pairs has decreased from c. 100 in 1990 to approximately 35 in 2002. REFERENCES SHIRIHAI, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. TicGEs, U. (1995) Kann man Mauersegler gezielt ansiedeln? Falke 42: 250-252. TiGGES, U. (1999) Spatial behaviour of the Common Swift (Apus apus). APUSlife 0061 (http://www.swift.utigges.il.eu.org) Ticces, U, (2000) On the breeding phenology of the Common Swift (Apus apus)—the last diurnal return to nest with reference to environmental and social factors. APUSlife 2340 (1438-2261, http://www.swift.utigges.il.eu.org) TiccEs, U. (2001) Departure and arrival of the Common Swift Apus apus in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1999-2000. Sandgrouse 23: 59. Ulrich Tigges, Erlanger Strafse 11, 12053 Berlin, Germany. p2 Ulrich Tigges Observations on birds in Tajikistan, April-May 1997 Observations on birds in Tajikistan, April-May 1997 DAVID MURDOCH ajikistan is a small country in Central Asia that became independent following the disintegration of the USSR in 1991; since then, it has suffered recurrent episodes of civil war and access has been restricted. During a visit to the south-west from 12 April to 4 May 1997, observations were made in the capital, Dushanbe, the city of Qurghonteppa, 100 km to the south, the town of Moskva, 100 km to the east, and on journeys between them. Frequent trips were made from Moskva to the town of Kulob, 50 km to the north. Selected The borders of Tajikistan are wholly artificial, except to the south, where the boundary with Afghanistan is the River Pyandzh, which becomes the Amudarya (the Oxus of Alexander the Great). The eastern half of the country comprises the Pamirs, one of the highest mountain ranges in the world; beyond lies China. To the north and west are two other ‘new’ Central Asian states, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. A spur of the Pamirs, the Alai Dag, runs east to west through the centre of the country and reaches over 4000 metres; the passes linking the south of the country to the northern third are closed for eight months per year. Dushanbe is on the _ south slopes of the Alai Dag while a major | ss KAZAKHSTAN-<- { | UZBEKISTAN ) “Gann : g@ DUSHANBE TURKM./ - . . Ua ily fee Guighonteppa )- David Murdoch observations and comments on the ranges of birds are presented. Valley f roy Murghob, ( Kulob, ( oT } _~ AEGHANISTAN _ highway runs north from the capital along the valley of the River Varzob, providing access to the mountains. On brief visits, mainly along the highway, I located White-capped River Chat Chaimarrornis leucocephala and Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasi on the river, Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, Saker Falcon Falco cherrug, Chukar Alectoris chukar, Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka, Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius, Rock Bunting Emberiza cia and White-capped Bunting E. stewarti at lower levels and, near the snowline, Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus, Blue Whistling-thrush Myophonus caeruleus, Dipper Cinclus cinclus and Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. Grey Wagtail Map 1. Map of Tajikistan showing the localities mentioned in the text. me Vaan KYRGYZSTAN Ts we? ~~ PP ed ™ =~) Feteemn i 1 PP Sy. yan BONY at Sandgrouse 25 (1): 53-58 2003 Motacilla cinerea and Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos appeared to be holding territories in early May. HABITATS Qurghonteppa lies south of Dushanbe in the fertile valley of the River Vakhsh, with Moskva and Kulob in a similar, parallel valley to the east. These were swamps before their drainage in the 20th century; huge quantities of insecticides were applied in the 1960s to eliminate malaria. The lowlands are now densely populated, agricultural prairie with neat villages, many ditches and very little natural vegetation; they held few birds, even on passage. Characteristic species were Crested Lark Galerida cristata, White Wagtail Motacilla alba, Common Mynah Acridotheres tristis, Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis and Magpie Pica pica. Common Swift Apus apus, Alpine Swift A. melba, Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica, Red- rumped Swallow H. daurica and House Martin Delichon urbica were all widespread; a Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii at Moskva on 27 April was at the edge of its range. Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis was present throughout April, but a large passage developed from 24 April, with flocks of hundreds moving north. House Sparrow P. domesticus was first noted only at the very end of April but soon became common; it was not seen around houses but occurred in a variety of open habitats, forming dense colonies in holes in sandy banks—a very different environment from that utilised in Europe. Overall, the diversity of village birds was very limited, though trees had been planted to provide shade against the midsummer heat, and some houses, particularly in Qurghonteppa, had pleasant gardens. The commonest birds were Common Mynah, Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis, Collared Dove S. decaocto, White Wagtail and Tree Sparrow Passer montanus; the absence of smaller, resident insectivores such as tits Parus spp., Wren Troglodytes troglodytes or Dunnock Prunella modularis was striking. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach arrived in mid-April and became very common, with Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus and Willow Phylloscopus trochilus and many Hume’s Yellow-browed Warblers P. humei appearing in late April. The road from Qurghonteppa to Moskva crosses ranges of hills reaching 2000 metres; the lower slopes were grass- covered and held few birds except Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra. Telegraph wires were favoured by European Bee-eater Merops apiaster, European Roller Coracias garrulus and, in late April, Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps. Higher, some lightly wooded valleys and pistachio groves were less intensively cultivated with scrub on the crags; access was difficult, but White-crowned Penduline Tit Remiz coronatus, Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis (presumably on passage) and breeding Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschtt were located. Turkestan Tit Parus bokharensis was also present; this was the only habitat in which any Parus was found. The ridges held Raven Corvus corax and many raptors, including Egyptian Neophron percnopterus and Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus, but most were too distant to identify. One exceptional site, the ‘Salt Hill’ near Moskva, was covered in hawthorn and pistachio scrub and a dense carpet of wild flowers; it held Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis, Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus, nesting Eastern Rock Nuthatch Sitta tephronota, Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros, White-crowned Penduline Tit and Eastern Pied Wheatear Oenanthe picata. Several species of raptor including Black Aegypius monachus, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures were seen soaring overhead. There were few wetlands. Access to rivers was limited; Sand Martin Riparia riparia was common, several Common Tern Sterna hirundo and a single Whiskered 54 David Murdoch Observations on birds in Tajikistan, April-May 1997 Tern Chlidonias hybrida were observed. The ditches held few birds: Common : Kingfisher Alcedo atthis was fairly ot common but Moorhen Gallinula chloropus S scarce. Passage waders such as Common 1 4 2 7h 17 2 10 3 300 Sandpiper, Green Tringa ochropus and ras - S 8 7 nee Wood Sandpipers T. glareola fed in them. = ‘ South of Kulob, two small fishponds (<1 é ha each) fringed by bulrushes Typha sp. a< amarkand | > . { a suNDouxu eKarsh er i RANCE TAJIKISTAN = ~_ coe oD BR Du sh anb , IRAN _—~ | 0 100 200 min a —— J > (Vf | eh 0° 150 300km “AFGHARIST AR Figure 1. Map of Uzbekistan showing the relative position of the study sites (outlined). 60 Notes Common Crane Grus grus is a common migrant that was recently discovered wintering in the country (see Sandgrouse 24: 80, Lanovenko & Kreuzberg 2002). In 2002, as usual, spring migration occurred in the second half of March and April, though only small numbers were recorded. On 8-9 April, in the arid grasslands between the Nuratau range and Aydar Lake there were 21 and, on 19-20 April, there was just one in the same area. The last record was on 27 April, at wetlands near Djarkurgan town, southern Surkhandarya. See also Siberian White Crane G. leucogeranus. Siberian White Crane Grus leucogeranus is an extremely rare migrant in Uzbekistan. Following distribution of an Uzbek-language questionnaire by the Crane Working Group of Uzbekistan, I received information from Djumakul Sultanov, a state ranger for the Aydar region, who observed two on 3-4 April grazing the arid grasslands with 150 Common Cranes, c. 30 km from Aydar Lake. The two G. leucogeranus fed with a subgroup of 15 G. grus. Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo is a common migrant through Uzbekistan, for which spring migration peaks in late March/early April (Ostapenko 1987). Large numbers were observed in 2000 and 2001 on the arid grasslands between the Nuratau range and Aydar Lake (Kreuzberg 2002). In 2002, mass migration was observed on 8-9 April, when along ac. 100 km-stretch of road in the same region there were 10,786 individuals grazing wild cereals in the low hills. Flocks varied in size from those with 12-30 to 1500-2000 individuals. On the morning of 9 April, they began to depart after 10.00. In flight, flocks ranged from 10-30 to 100-150 individuals. None was present in the same region on 19-20 April. Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus is a late migrant through Uzbekistan (Fotteler 1990) and was first observed in spring 2002 on 30 April in southern Surkhandarya. Alpine Swift Apus melba was observed on 27-28 April over desert close to Termez, where 17 were recorded together with Common Swifts A. apus and House Martins Delichon urbica. Migration through Uzbekistan occurs from late March to early May (Meklenburtsev 1990). Little Swift Apus affinis is rare in Uzbekistan and its migration pattern unclear (Meklenburtsev 1990); five were recorded near Uch-Kyzyl Reservoir, by Termez, on 28 April. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus was initially recorded as late as 28—29 April in the south of the country. In desert areas near Termez there were 35, and on the road through the Baysun Mountains a further 12. This species is more widespread in the plains of Uzbekistan in summer than European Bee-eater M. apiaster, but it arrives later in spring (Sagitov 1990). European Bee-eater Merops apiaster appeared on 19-20 April, when migrant flocks were noted in the foothills and grasslands of the Nuratau range. In late April, migration continued through southern Uzbekistan, with the largest numbers at the Djizak pass, on 26-30 April. Other small flocks were observed elsewhere in the south. European Roller Coracias garrulus arrives rather late in Uzbekistan, usually in late April/early May (Sagitov 1990). In 2002 it appeared on 26-27 April, with the largest numbers at Djizak Pass (52) and Amankutan Pass (76). House Martin Delichon urbica migrates through the country in late April-late May (Lanovenko 1995). On 28 April 2002, 870 were counted in several flocks on migration near Termez, and 650 were perched on powerlines at Djizak pass on 30 April. 61 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus was principally recorded in the south, in dry montane areas and near reservoirs. . Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach is a late migrant in Uzbekistan (Sagitov 1990), and in 2002 it appeared in late April in the south of the country. The first records were near Termez on 28-29 April, in gardens on the plains. Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus appears in late April or May in Uzbekistan (Shernazarov 1995). It was first observed in the south of the country on 27 April, when the plains and foothills of the Surkhandarya region held huge flocks containing 5000+. They were attracted to gardens by fruiting mulberry trees. Subsequently, the species appeared in central Uzbekistan, where it was registered in much smaller flocks at Amankutan and Djizak Passes. House Sparrow Passer domesticus indicus was recorded in significant numbers in wheat and other cereal fields in the Surkhandarya region, on 27-30 April. Huge flocks of 1500-3000 to 5000 were observed slowly moving north ae valleys in the Baysun Mountains and in the plains near Termez.. Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus was recorded in large numbers around Termez on 27-28 April. Flocks consisting of several tens to several hundreds, and even thousands, were noted; more than 7700 individuals were involved. Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps appeared in the second half of April, being recorded in small numbers near Aydar Lake and in the Nuratau range, on 19-20 April. Large flocks were noted at the Djizak Pass on 30 April (663 individuals). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Iam very grateful to Prof. Victor Fet (Marshall University of Huntington, U.S. A.) and Alexander Gromov (Institute of Zoology, Kazakhstan), the entomologists who organized the visit to southern Uzbekistan in 2002. I thank my colleague, Elena Bykova, for joining me at Aydar Lake and G. M. Kirwan for his assistance with the manuscript. REFERENCES FOTTELER, E. R. (1990) Order Cuculiformes. In: Matchanov, N. M. and Sagitov, A. K. (eds.) Birds of Uzbekistan. Vol. 2. Tashkent. KREUZBERG, E. A. (2002) On crane migration in Uzbekistan. In: Morozov, V. and Ilyashenko, E. (eds.) Cranes of Eurasia. Moscow. LANOVENKO, E. N. (1995) Family Hirundidae. In: Azimov, J. A. and Sagitov, A. K. (eds.) Birds of Uzbekistan. Vol. 3. Tashkent. LANOVENKO, E. N. AND KREUZBERG, E. A. (2002) On the status of Common Crane in Uzbekistan. In: Cranes of Eurasia. Moscow. MEKLENBURTSEV, R. N. (1990) Family Columbidae. In: Matchanov, N. M. and Sagitov, A. K. (eds.) Birds of Uzbekistan. Vol. 2. Tashkent. MITROPOLSKY, O. V., FOTTELER, E. R. AND IRETARO, G. P. (1987) Order Falconiformes. In: Matchanov, N. M. and Sagitov, A. K. (eds.) Birds of Uzbekistan. Vol. 1. Tashkent. OSTAPENKO, M. M. (1987) Family Gruidae. In: Matchanov, N. M. and Sagitov, A. K. (eds.) Birds of Uzbekistan. Vol. 1. Tashkent. SAGITOV, A. K. (1990) Order Coraciiformes. In: Matchanov, N. M. and Sagitov, A. K. (eds.) Birds of Uzbekistan. Vol. 2. Tashkent. SAGITOV, A. K. (1995) Families Laniidae and Oriolidae. In: Azimov, J. A. and Sagitov, A. K. (eds.) Birds of Uzbekistan. Vol. 3. Tashkent. SALIKHBAEV, K. S., KASHKAROV, D. Y. AND SHARIPOV, A. (1970) Birds. In: Sultanov, G. S. (ed.) Ecology of the vertebrate animals of Nuratau range. Tashkent. SHERNAZAROV, E. (1995) Family Sturnidae. In: Azimov, J. A. and Sagitov, A. K. (eds.) Birds of Uzbekistan. Vol. 3. Tashkent. Elena A. Kreuzberg-Mukhina, Institute of Zoology, Niyasov str. 1, 700095, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan. 62 Notes The first Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis in Bulgaria DIMITAR N. RAGYOV, LUDMILLA G. POPOVA-WIGHTMAN, KONSTANTIN S. POPOV, SVETLA Y. DALAKCHIEVA, BORIS P. NIKOLOV AND IVAILO P. NIKOLOV ELLOW-BILLED STORK Mycteria ibis has not previously been observed in Bulgaria (Nankinov 1992, 1998). It breeds in sub-Saharan Africa and on Madagascar, and vagrants have been recorded in Morocco, Tunisia, Israel, Turkey (Snow & Perrins 1998) and Qatar (Hellyer 2000). The species has been observed many times in the northern Mediterranean region, but these records are all believed to relate to escapes from zoos or private collections (Kumerloeve 1989, Brichetti et al. 1996, Alessandria et al. 1997, de Juana 1998). On 24 June 2002 an immature Yellow-billed Stork was observed in flight and subsequently on the ground in a flooded area (known as Azmakdere) near Atanasovsko Lake Reserve, in the Bourgas region of south-east Bulgaria. It remained there until at least until 16 July, during which time it was repeatedly observed by many ornithologists and birdwatchers, and was also video-taped (Plate 1). We concluded that it was in its second calendar year, based on the dark orange face mask, yellow bill, grey-green legs, and overall plumage, which was sullied grey-brown, with off-white belly and rump, and black flight feathers and tail. Much of the time, the stork rested and fed in the flooded area between extensive reedbeds and pastures. It was frequently observed foraging, throwing its prey (Marsh Frogs Rana ridibunda and perhaps small fish) slightly upward to position them more conveniently in the bill for swallowing. In addition to slow stalking, it also foraged by two other means: (1) sometimes it ran 2-3 steps and attempted to catch prey in the water, and (2) occasionally it slowly stirred the water with its feet, presumably to disturb potential prey and bring them to the surface. The species is known to principally take frogs and small fish (del Hoyo et al. 1992). When not feeding, the bird spent its time resting and frequently preened its obviously moulting plumage. The stork was usually accompanied by Grey Herons Ardea cinerea, Little Egrets E gretta garzetta, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus and, less frequently, by several species of waders, usually Wood Sandpipers Tringa glareola and once by a Little Stint Calidris minuta. When suspecting danger (usually an approaching human) the Grey Herons were first to depart (followed by the ibises) but the stork permitted approach to within 50-70 metres before taking flight. On 28 June, an adult Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, breeding in the nearby pastures, was observed to harry the stork at least three times while flying low over the area. When undisturbed, the stork roosted in the flooded area. However, it was occasionally observed at dusk flying towards the northern part of Atanasovsko Lake (1.5-2.0 km distant), where it apparently spent the night, before returning to the flooded area between 10.00 and 11.00 next day. The bird was considered to be probably of wild origin, given that it was not ringed and it is known that most birds (of various species) in zoos/private collections are individually marked (pers. obs.). Yellow-billed Stork is a spring/summer vagrant to the Near East, although the Qatar record was in November (Hellyer 2000). Most records in Israel involved juveniles/immatures (Shirihai 1996). There is only one previous mention of the species in the Balkans, from Greece in the 19th century 63 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Plate 1. Immature Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis, Azmakdere area, near Atanasovsko Lake Reserve, Bulgaria, July 2002. (Boris Nikolov and Iva Hristova) (Reiser 1905). However, Handrinos & Akriotis (1997) did not include the species in the Greek checklist because of the lack of reliable data. Therefore, our observation may be the first European record of a wild Yellow-billed Stork. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS G. M. Kirwan is thanked for reviewing and improving an earlier draft of the manuscript. Iva Hristova, Kostadin Valchev, Ivan Hristov and Nader Hamuy made contributions to the paper. Dr Stefano Volponi (Italy) and Dr Reuven Yosef (Israel) provided published data on Yellow-billed Stork records in Europe and the Middle East. REFERENCES ALESSANDRIA, G., DELLA TOFFOLA, M. AND PULCHER, C. (EDS.) (1997) Resoconto ornitologico per la regione Piemonte—Valle d’Aosta, anno 1996. Riv. Piem. St. Nat. 18: 255-288. BRICHETTI, P., ARCAMONE, E. AND C. O. I. (1996) Comitato Omologazione Italiano 11. Riv. ital. Orn. 66: 171-174. DE JUANA, A. E. (1998) Observaciones de aves raras en Espana, ano 1996. Ardeola 45: 97-116. DEL Hoyo, J., ELLIOTT, A. AND SARGATAL, J. (EDS.) (1992) Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 1. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. HANDRINOS, G. AND AKRIOTIS, T. (1997) The birds of Greece. A. & C. Black, London. HELLYER, P. (2000) The first Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis in Qatar. Sandgrouse 22: 125-126. KUMERLOEVE, H. (1989) Zum Vorkommen des Nimmersatts (Mycteria ibis) im Vorderen/Mittleren Orient. Orn. Mitt. 41: 22. NANKINOV, D. (1992) Check list of bird species and subspecies in Bulgaria. Avocetta 16: 1-17. NANKINOV, D. (1998) First addition to the list of birds in Bulgaria. Riv. ital. Orn. 68: 183-187. REISER, O. (1905) Ornis Balcanica. III. Griechenland und die Griechischen Inseln (Mit Ausnahme von Kreta). Wien. 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. Dimitar N. Ragyou, Vrazhdebna, 3 Str., No. 17, 1839 Sofia, Bulgaria. Ludmilla G. Popova-Wightman, 16 Balsam Lane, Princeton, NJ 08540, U. S. A. Konstantin S. Popov, Svetla Y. Dalakchieva, Boris P. Nikolov and Ivailo P. Nikolov, Bulgarian Ornithological Centre (Institute of Zoology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences), 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blod., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria. 64 Notes Long-tailed Ducks by Dan Powell The first Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis in Armenia VASIL ANANIAN AND PETER DE ROUW N 10 JUNE 2002, together with Han Buckx, Jaap Eerdmans and Rienk Geene, we visited Armash Fishponds in the Araks Valley. At c. 13.30 hours JE spotted a male Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis on ac. 1 metre-deep pond surrounded by reeds. It was observed by all five of us. Species available for comparison included Pochard Aythya ferina, Ferruginous Duck A. nyroca, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina and White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala. On 18 June 2002, when VA returned to the site with Richard Schaefer and John Bloss, the bird was still present on the same pond. On both occasions, viewing conditions were excellent with bright light, and observations were made through binoculars and telescopes at various distances of 40-70 metres. Total observation time was c. 2 hours. Field description Structure and bare parts: Small compact black-and-white duck with thick short neck and rounded head which, in all but side-on views, exhibited a distinctly conical crown. Bill short and stubby, black with clear pale (pinkish at close range) band across middle third of upper mandible. Legs not seen. Plumage: Head, neck and breast black, tinged brown. ie whitish patch at side of head around dark eye, more greyish and diffuse in front of eye. Mid-dorsal band, running from base of neck to tail tip, black, contrasting with comparatively paler rest of upperparts. Upper neck separated from mantle by paler brown crescent. Lower mantle and scapulars had black feather centres and rufous-brown fringes. Scapulars rather pointed. Underparts, flanks and undertail whitish. Division between brown-black breast and whitish flanks and belly was sharp. Wings rather pointed, uniformly dark (distinctly brown in direct sunlight) on both surfaces with slightly paler remiges. Tail short (see below), white with black central rectrices. Behaviour: Remained quite separate from other ducks, it appeared to be fit and actively foraged, with frequent dives of 5-20 seconds, sometimes emerging at surface 7-10 metres from dive position. Regularly observed wing-flapping, but not observed in flight, nor were vocalizations or interactions with other species noted. 65 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Ageing and sexing Identification was straightforward. Accounts of moults and plumages in Cramp & Simmons (1977) were used for ageing and sexing. The pink bill band indicates that it was a male. In juvenile males the pink band develops from October. That it was an adult male in ‘transitional summer plumage’, rather than a first-year male in ‘summer’ plumage, is suggested by the brown-black breast sharply demarcated from the whitish flanks and belly. First-summer males also have white underparts but lack the dark breast. The ‘transitional summer plumage’ of adult males is an advanced eclipse plumage and is acquired in approximately May or June through a partial ‘spring’ moult in late April/early May, during which only the scapular, head, neck, breast and upper mantle feathers are replaced. Other plumage features of the Armenian bird, in addition to the breast, are also consistent with adult male summer plumage, namely the rufous-fringed, black-centred scapulars, the paler brown crescent dividing the upper neck and mantle, and the brown-black neck and head. Spring moult in immature males follows that of adults but is usually less complete. Parts of the winter plumage and juvenile wing, underparts and outer tail (or entire tail) feathers are retained. They tend to resemble adult males, but the abraded wing and outer tail feathers are juvenile and the underparts (even if fresh) are entirely pale. Usually a variable number of juvenile/immature feathers are retained on the upperparts, giving such an individual a more variegated appearance than the Armenian bird, which apparently lacked the elongated central rectrices. These should have been retained from the previous summer moult, but may have been broken or lost through other circumstances. Records in western Asia This is the first record of Long-tailed Duck in Armenia, and one of the few summer records in the Caucasus, Middle East or Central Asia. It is considered a vagrant to northern Iran, Turkey, the Gulf of Agaba (Eilat) and Kuwait (Porter et al. 1996) and a winter straggler to Pakistan and northern India, and a vagrant in Nepal (Inskipp & Inskipp 1991, Grimmett et al. 1998). In Israel, the species is accidental in midwinter: all five records are from Eilat during 12 December to 12 January, in 1979-1986 (Shirihai 1996). Recently, seven were reported off Haifa on 24 September 2002 (Birding World 15: 374), although this record awaits acceptance by the Israeli Records and Distribution Committee. Distribution in the Palearctic Long-tailed Duck is an Arctic breeder, which winters at sea in northern areas of the Palearctic, generally as far south as the U. K. in the west and Korea in the east. The principal migration routes follow coasts. It occurs almost annually in small numbers on lakes in central Europe, the Black Sea, Caspian Sea (more rarely) and inland in Kazakhstan, and also migrates overland along the Irtysh, Tobol and Ural rivers. An important wintering area in the Western Palearctic, the Baltic, is also reached overland. Return movement from the North Sea and Baltic is from mid- March, with major overland passage to the White Sea in May; its arrival on the breeding grounds is dependent on the thaw, but is usually in mid-May to mid-June on Palearctic tundra (Dementiev & Gladkov 1952, Cramp & Simmons 1977). Dementiev & Gladkov (1952) consider overland migration to central Europe, the Black and Caspian Seas, and Kazakhstan to be somewhat unusual, and state that the majority of these migrants are immatures. | 66 Notes ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank all of our co-observers for their company in the field. Jaap Eerdmans and Han Buckx also provided some of the references. REFERENCES CRAMP, S. AND SIMMONS, K. E. L. (EDs.) (1977) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. DEMENTIEV, G. P. AND GLADKOV, N. A. (EDS.) (1952) Birds of the Soviet Union. Vol. 4. Nauka, Moscow. [In Russian. ] GRIMMETT, R., INSKIPP, C. AND INskIpP, T. (1998) Birds of the Indian subcontinent. A. & C. Black, London. INSKIPP, C. AND INSKIPP, T. (1991) A guide to the birds of Nepal. Second edn. A. & C. Black, London. 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. Vasil Ananian, 179 Bashinjaghian Street, Apt. 23, 375078, Yerevan, Armenia. Peter de Rouw, Schoolstraat 3 bis, 3581 PM Utrecht, The Netherlands. The first records of Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus in Egypt JOHAN ELMBERG AND LOTHAR MULLER N 7 FEBRUARY 1999 JE and Mikael Edelstam identified a Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus south of the mangrove stands at Nabq Nature Reserve (on the east coast of Sinai, c. 15 km north of Sharm el Sheikh). It was seen in good light at a distance of c. 100 metres, at 11.30, as it flew leisurely along the beach heading south. The first impression was of a large-billed, over-sized Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus with broad, parallel-edged wings and a peculiar flight, alternating between shallow stiff wingbeats and prolonged glides. The upperwings were dark greyish with a Figure 1. Field sketch of Grey- headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus, El Gouna, Egypt, 6 April 2002. (Lothar Mtiller) 67 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 contrasting white leading edge broadening on the ‘hand’. Distally there was a large black primary patch, broadly separated from the greyish inner primaries by the white leading edge curving in slightly on the outer primaries. Underwings appeared uniformly darkish, approaching the underwing colour of adult winter Little Gull L. minutus. The greyish hood was visible but faint, somewhat darker posteriorly and delimited by a darker, rather distinct but narrow neck band. The mantle appeared concolorous with the upperwings, while the tail and rump were white. Although bare-parts colorations were not noted, the plumage was charac- teristic of an adult Grey-headed Gull. JE considered the bird to be approximately as large as, but definitely less bulky and less deep-chested than the Sooty Gulls L. hemprichit present nearby. On 6 April 2002, LM observed, at a distance of c. 100 metres, two gulls that he identified as Grey-headed Gulls at a golf course near El Gouna, on Egypt’s Red Sea coast (33°43’N 27909’E). El Gouna is 30 km north of Hurghada. The birds (one adult and one immature) were located, at 17.30, flying south over the golf course, which contains several small lakes, and LM noted the following features: smaller than the accompanying Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus and close to Black- headed Gull in size, both individuals had deep red bills, largely pale grey upperparts, except the black wingtips with two white spots on the primaries and a white band bordering the black primaries, and white rumps and tails. The adult had a pale grey hood (see Fig. 1) while the immature was mottled on the crown and nape. Grey-headed Gull is reasonably widespread in suitable areas of the Afrotropics. Apart from a tiny and apparently declining breeding population in Mauritania (Snow & Perrins 1998), there are the following observations in the Western Palearctic (all of them comparatively recent): an adult in the Marismas de Guadalquivir, Spain, on 30 June, 1 July and 15 August 1971 (Ree 1973); an adult at El Golea, Algeria, on 18-20 April 1981 (Johnson et al. 1990); two at Debkha Sedjoumi, Tunisia, on 28 July and 12 August 1988; an adult at Agadir, Morocco, on 17 November 1988 (Shirihai 1992); a second-summer at Eilat, Israel, on 15 March—10 April 1989 (which was also seen in Jordan); a first-summer in the same place, on 28 April-15 May 1989; and a second-winter also there on 4 August-19 September 1989 (Shirihai 1999). Elsewhere, in the Red Sea, a first- or second-summer was well watched and photographed at Hodeidah sewage ponds on 16 April 1998, the only record in Yemen (Kirwan 1998). REFERENCES JOHNSON, E. D. H., MONK, J. F. AND ROBERTSON, J. C. M. (1990) Grey-headed Gull in Algeria in April 1981. Dutch Birding 12: TAP KIRWAN, G. M. (COMPILER) (1998) Around the region. Sandgrouse 20: 157-160. REE, V. (1973) Larus cirrocephalus, nueva especie de gaviota para Espana y Europa. Ardeola 19: 22-23. SHIRIHAI, H. (1992) Grey-headed Gulls in Israel and their identification. Dutch Birding 14: 1-6. SHIRIHAIL, H. (1999) Fifty species new to Israel, 1979-1998: their discovery and documentation, with tips on identification. Sandgrouse 21: 45-105. SNOw, D. W. AND PERRINS, C. M. (EDS.) (1998) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise edition. Oxford University Press. Johan Elmberg, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Kristianstad University, SE-291 88, Sweden. Lothar Muiiller, Jacobstrafve 01, D-06110 Halle (Saale), Germany. 68 Notes The first Radde’s Accentor Prunella ocularis in Lebanon THIERRY BARA N THE EARLY MORNING OF 16 August 2002, between Bcharré and Ayoun Orgouch, Mount Lebanon, at c. 2500 metres, I had stopped to watch a Chukar Alectoris chukar when I noticed several passerines nearby. These included some Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe, Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros, Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata, Syrian Serin Serinus syriacus and Crimson-winged Finch Rhodopechys sanguinea. My attention was then attracted to a small bird on the ground, with the initial appearance of a Dunnock Prunella modularis but with a very conspicuous white supercilium and black ear-coverts. It soon disappeared behind a bush and I consulted my field guide (Porter et al. 1996) to study the different accentors. Five minutes later, the bird reappeared, perched on a bush, permitting clear observation of the black crown, pure white supercilium (lacking any buffish or creamy elements), solidly black ear-coverts and white throat. There was a rather faint moustachial stripe. The body coloration was generally similar to Dunnock but I had no time to note any specifics before it went out of sight. It was not relocated subsequently. I identified the bird as a Radde’s Accentor Prunella ocularis, which would constitute a new record for Lebanon. Given the relatively recent reidentification of the first Arabian record of Radde’s Accentor as a Black-throated Accentor P. atrogularis, which occasionally lacks conspicuous black throat feathering (Alstr6m 1991), it is as well to consider the possibility of the Lebanon individual appertaining to the latter species. The date is somewhat remarkable for either species, given that Shirihai (1996) in discussing the status of P. ocularis in Israel remarks that migration and winter records cover the period 25 October-15 March. It is generally quite a regular but local winter visitor to specific sites in the north of the country, but numbers are subject to comparatively broad fluctuations and the species is absent in some years. However, there is a record from Hermon, at 2000 metres, on 12-14 August 1978. Previous Western Palearctic records of P. atrogularis, most of which are from Scandinavia, are in January—March, June, September and October-December (Alstr6m 1991, Luoto ef al. 2002). Given the previous August record in Israel and the proximity of Lebanon to the species’ breeding range in Turkey, the identification as a Radde’s Accentor is clearly more likely. In addition, the white supercilium, lacking any hint of buffish, and the solidly black ear-coverts, also strongly suggest P. ocularis (see Alstr6m 1991). There is a single record of Radde’s Accentor from Jordan, near Dana village, on 31 December 1997 (Hansson et al. 1998) and this species is considered an occasional winter visitor to Syria (Baumgart et al. 1995). REFERENCES ALSTROM, P. (1991) A Radde’s Accentor Prunella ocularis from Oman reidentified as Black-throated Accentor P. atrogularis. Sandgrouse 13: 106-108. BAUMGaRT, W., KasPAREK, M. AND STEPHAN, B. (1995) Die Végel Syriens: eine Ubersicht. Heidelberg, Kasparek Verlag. HANSSON, E., MAGNUSSON, A. AND ERIKSSON, P. (1998) The first Mute Swan Cygnus olor and Radde’s Accentor Prunella ocularis in Jordan. Sandgrouse 20: 46-47. Luoto, H., LINDHOLM, A., LINDROOS, T. AND RAUSTE, V. (2002) Rare birds in Finland in 2000. Alula 8: 2-19. Porter, R. F., CHRISTENSEN, S. AND SCHIERMACKER-HANSEN, P. (1996) Field guide to the birds of the Middle East. T. & A. D. Poyser, London. SHIRIHA!, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. Thierry Bara, 255 rue Saint Jacques, 75005 Paris, France. 69 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 70-74 2003 This book covers the same geographical area as that in Birds of Britain and Europe by Heinzel et al., that is from the Arctic to the northern edge of the Sahara, from Iceland and Spitsbergen to the Azores, Madeira and the Canaries (but excluding the Cape Verdes) and east to the Urals and the Aral Sea. In our region, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, most of Egypt, Iraq and western Iran are included, but not the Arabian Peninsula, apart from extreme northern Saudi Arabia. The total number of species covered is 620; expansion into Arabia would add a further 76, and will hopefully be a target for the next edition. Through continued field work and investi- gation, the first edition of 1975 has been revised to such an extent that this version is virtually a new book. Acquiring the information is obviously an ongoing project for the authors and many of the gaps in the earlier volume have now been filled; the few that remain tend to be incubation periods (involving possibly prolonged periods in the field), hole nesters (where the contents present few opportunities for description) or species that are simply difficult to locate (e.g. Nubian Nightjar Caprimulgus nubicus for which nothing is available on incubation, the nestling or nestling period, and I believe only one clutch of eggs has ever been described). Opportunities still exist for the devoted field worker. New interpretations of taxonomy and distri- bution have led to the removal of ten species and the inclusion of 39 others. Generally the most recent taxonomic innovations have been followed. This edition, especially, contains much new information relating to nestlings and their development, perhaps correcting an imbalance in their earlier edition towards eggs, when the field work relating to the post- hatching period had not been completed in 70 “& Recent Harrison, C. & Castell, P. (2002) Field guide to birds’ nests, eggs and nestlings. HarperCollins, London. pp 473, 65 colour plates and various line drawings, £19.99. Eitérature detail. There are, for example, c. 100 species with descriptions in this book that are not covered in BWP. The opening pages immediately comment on the problem and futility of egg collecting, and set out a code of practice of basic good behaviour for nest finding and examination. The legal requirements of British law are also outlined. Anyone contemplating buying this book can be very assured from reading the introduction; there is nothing in it that will place it on an egg collector’s wish list. It does not, for instance, include any techniques for locating nests nor give any information relating to sites for rare species. A comprehensive and _ well-written introduction explains in greater detail the headings used in the species accounts, dealing with habitat, nest and nest building, breeding season, eggs, incubation, nestling and nestling period. Technical terms are clearly explained with the aid of line drawings. I found this a fascinating section and good preparation for tackling the main text. It concludes with David Glue contributing a compelling request for readers to take part in the british Irust for Ornithology’s Nest Record Scheme, started in 1939 and the largest currently operating system in the world involving nest records. It is an absolutely vital tool in conservation and almost a duty for anyone interested in nests. The main text comprises a systematic list. Each family commences with general information common to the family or genus. Individual species are then treated, beginning with typical habitat and on through to fledging. Original work in this edition details the changes in colours of bills, legs, feet and irides during their development in precocial young. Thousands of colour field photographs have been scrutinized, safeguarding a high standard of accuracy for all descriptions throughout the breeding cycle. Within the sections dealing with larks and warblers are several pages of mouth marking drawings of young to assist species identification. Warblers apparently have two, occasionally three, tongue spots of differing shapes and configurations. Twenty-nine species of warbler are illustrated and 15 young larks, which each have an assortment of five mouth markings. Finding a nest in my local fen recently, the three tongue spots on the newly hatched chicks immediately confirmed their identity as Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia, the only pair at the site. My experience may indicate the market for this book. I would expect it to be of only marginal use for the recreational birder but essential for reference libraries, field biologists, ringers, atlas workers and nest recorders. With such a comprehensive work now available, perhaps breeding information may even contribute more significantly to current taxonomic debates. The colour plates are of high quality and generally accurate; the egg plates from divers to larks are very good representations, especially the waders. However, the pipits appear too red and the eggs of Dunnock Prunella modularis, Whitethroat Sylvia communis, Stonechat Saxicola torquata, Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe and Song Thrush Turdus philomelos lack their blue component, but these are just 3% of the total of 672 eggs illustrated. The nestling plates depict their subjects side-on and are comple- mented by various line drawings. They are originals from 1975 and do not indicate the latest data on colour changes in chicks, for which reference needs to be made to the text. _A departure from previous editions is the inclusion of a new colour plate of the second author’s own photographs of young and nests, a striking glimpse of bird biology unseen by most observers and an indication of how much quality, in situ, photographs can add to accuracy. Could the publishers not find more space for such depictions, for instance by removing the line drawings of nests and eggs, which I am not convinced of the significant need. There are many good photographs of nests, eggs and chicks of Palearctic species, but only in larger, more expensive books published outside the U. K. It would be well worth the effort to see a comprehensive selection of the authors own photographs in field guide format, backed-up by the excellent text. Reviews & Recent Literature This book is, without doubt, a monumental accumulation of information assembled with care and an eye for detail. Clearly, for the authors, it represents lifetimes of field work and for the user it will be an indispensable tool, and superb value at £20. Bernard Pleasance Kasparek, M. & Kinzelbach, R. (eds.) (2002) Zoology in the Middle East Volume 27. Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg. The most recent volume received contains a useful and interesting contribution, complete with photographs, on the distribution and diet of Blanford’s Fox Vulpes cana in the United Arab Emirates, as well as a historical discussion of the role of the German naturalists Wilhelm Hemprich, Christian Ehrenberg and Eduard Rippell. There is also an obituary of one-time OSME member John Gasperetti, main papers covering six disciplines and a newly introduced short communications section. Guy M. Kirwan RECENT LITERATURE Compiled by Adrian Pitches & Effie Warr This review, which is produced annually, principally covers papers in the West European literature considered to be most relevant to birders resident in the region. All were published in 2002 unless otherwise stated. Regional Abuladze, A. & Shergalin, J. The Golden Eagle in North Caucasia and Transcaucasia. J. Raptor Research 36 (Suppl.): 10-17. Ash, J. S. & Pearson, D. J. Hippolais warblers apparently breeding on the north Somalia coast. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 122: 222-228. Belik, V. P. (2001) History and current state of east European populations of the Little Bustard. Orn. 29: 212-222. [In Russian. ] Berezovikov, N. N. (2002) Notes on autumn passage of birds over the Caspian Sea. Russian J. Orn. 11 (175): 103-106. [In Russian. ] Bonaccorsi, G. Les laridés (Larus, Rhodostethia, Pagophila, Xema, Rissa) remarquables en val Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Méditerranée: une synthése. Alauda 70: 327-339. Breider, J.-M. (2001) Rosenstaren—en karismatisk vagabond. Var Fagelvéirld 60 (7): 12-14. Buzun, V. A. Descriptive update on gull taxonomy: ‘West Siberian Gull’. Brit. Birds 95: 216-232. Chernoskutov, I. A. & Badamishin, B. I. The Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber concen- tration sites in the Caspian Sea. Russian J. Orn. 11 (180): 263-264. [In Russian. ] Corso, A. Separation of Black Kite from Red Kite: the pitfall of the eastern form and rufous variants. Birding World 15: 248-252. Eastham, C. P. et al. Morphological variation of the Saker (Falco cherrug) and the implications for conservation. Biodiv. & Conserv. 11: 305-325. Ebels, E. B. Brown Fish Owl in the Western Palearctic. Dutch Birding 24: 157-161. Ecsedi, Z. & Olah, J. (2001) In focus: Cretzschmar’s Bunting (Emberiza caesia). Tuzok 6: 142-143. [In Hungarian. ] Fisher, P. R. et al. (2001) The status and breeding biology of the Osprey Pandion haliaetus in the Middle East. Vogelwelt 122: 191-204. Fokin, S. et al. (2000) The Garganey in the former USSR. Wetlands Intern. Global Ser. 7. Gallo-Orsi, U. & Boere, G. C. (2001) The Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris: threats and conservation. Acta Orn. 36: 73-77. Garner, M. Identification of eastern Reed Buntings. Birding World 15: 74-86. Gilissen, N. et al. Numbers and distribution of wintering waterbirds in the Western Palearctic and southwest Asia in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Wetlands Intern. Global Ser. 11. Lindroos, T. & Tenovuo, O. Black Lark—its identification in the field and distribution in Europe. Alula 8: 22-28. Pearson, D. J. et al. (2002) Eurasian Reed Warbler: the characters and variation associated with the Asian form fuscus. Brit. Birds 95: 42-61. Red’kin, Y. A. (2001) A new subspecies of Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus (Temminck, 1820) (Regulidae, Passeriformes) from the mountains of Crimea. Orn. 29: 98-104. [In Russian; migrates to the Black Sea and Caucasus. | Ryall, C. Further records of range extension in the House Crow Corvus splendens. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 122: 231-240. Sangster, G et al. The specific status of Balearic and Yelkouan Shearwaters. Brit. Birds 72 95: 636-639. : Small, B. Bill shapes of Booted and Sykes’s Warblers. Birding World 15: 170. Sushkin, P. P. (2002) Notes on Caucasian birds. Russian J. Orn. 11 (185): 431-452. [In Russian. | Svensson, L. (2001) Dvargsangaren—antligen fangad. [Phylloscopus neglectus.| Var Fagelvarld 60 (4): 19. Svensson, L. (2001) Identifiering av sma gra Hippolais-sangare. Var Fagelvdrld 60 (5): 16-30. Svensson, L. Bergsangarens ivilling. [Phylloscopus] Var Fagelvirld 61 (4): 7-14. Svensson, L. Separating Eastern & Western Bonelli’s Warblers. Birdwatch 119: 26-30. Svensson, L. & Millington, R. Field identifi- cation of Sykes’s Warbler. Birding World 15: 381-382. Ullman, M. Aquila-ornar. Var Fagelvdrld 61 (5): 14-21. : van Heezik, Y. et al. Temperature and ege- laying experience influence breeding performance of captive female Houbara Bustards. J. Avian Biol. 33: 63-70. Yésou, P. Trends in systematics. Systematics of Larus argentatus-cachinnans—fuscus complex revisited. Dutch Birding 24: 271-298. AZERBAIJAN Talybov, T. G. (2001) New species in ornithofauna of Nakhichevan’ Autonomic District, Azerbaijan. Orn. 29: 309. [In Russian. ] CYPRUS Lindell, L. & Wirdheim, A. (2001) Killing fields. [Cyprus & Malta; in Swedish.] Var Fagelvarld 60 (5): 6-11. Stagg, A. et al. (2001) Akamas ‘99—the RAFOS expedition to Cyprus. Osprey 1: 29-40. EGYPT Baha el Din, M. Frontiers of birding—the Halaib triangle. Birdwatch 122: 25-28. Baha el Din, M. Egypt: further south open for birding. Birding World 15: 298-299. Baha el Din, S. & Baha el Din, M. (2001) Status and distribution of Hume’s (Tawny) Owl Strix butleri in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 8: 18-20. Castell, P. (2001) Clamorous Reed Warblers Acrocephalus stentoreus nesting in maize. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 8: 56. Meyburg, B.-U. et al. Satellite-tracked Lesser Spotted Eagle avoids crossing water at the Gulf of Suez. Brit. Birds 95: 372-376. Pedersen, H. Sharm el-Sheikh—endestation for Hvide Storke. Fugle i felten 8 (2): 5-7. Ullman, M. Verreaux’s Eagles rediscovered in Sinai. Birding World 15: 299. GEORGIA Abuladze, A. Griffon Vulture at Black Sea. Vulture News 46: 37. IRAN Buck, H. Iran (2)—the Caspian in winter. Cyprus Orn. Soc. (1957) Newsletter 2002 (2): 5-10. van der Have, T. M. et al. Waterbirds in coastal wetlands along the Persian Gulf coast of Iran, January—February 2000. Zool. Middle East 26: 71-88. Kanai, Y. et al. Discovery of breeding grounds of a Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus flock that winters in Iran, via satellite telemetry. Bird Conserv. Intern. 12: 327-333. ISRAEL Komenda-Zehnder, S. et al. Is reverse migration a common feature of nocturnal bird migration?—an analysis of radar data from Israel. Ardea 90: 325-334. Shmueli, M. et al. (2000) The energetic demand of the Great White Pelican during migration in Israel and its implication to the conflict between fish industry and pelicans. Ostrich 71: 1. : Winkel, E. Zomer 2001: de Negev op z’n heetst. Het Vogeljaar 50: 9-16. Zilberman, R. et al. (2001) Survival of the Orange-tufted Sunbird, Nectarinia osea. Ostrich T2Od 126. KAZAKHSTAN Berezovikov, N. N. The record of the Tundra Swan Cygnus bewickii in Alakol depression, southeastern Kazakhstan. Russian J. Orn. 11 (181): 306-307. [In Russian. ] Berezovikov, N. N. & Anissimov, E. A. Mass destruction of Swallows Hirundo rustica in the Alakol Depression (southeastern Kazakhstan) in autumn 2000. Russian J. Orn. 11 (180): 258-261. [In Russian.] Berezovikov, N. N. & Erokhov, S. N. About mass concentrations of Ruffs Philomachus pugnax in northern Kazakhstan during spring migration. Russian J. Orn. 11 (182): 342-345. [In Russian. } Berezovikov, N. N. & Zhatkanbaev, A. Z. Distribution and number of waterfow! and marsh birds in the lower reaches and delta of li, southeastern Kazakhstan. Russian J. Orn. 11 (181): 287-297. [In Russian.] Reviews & Recent Literature Helm, B. & Gwinner, E. (2001) Nestling growth and post-juvenile moult under a tight seasonal schedule in Stonechats Saxicola torquata maura from Kazakhstan. Avian Sci. 1: 31-42. Kovalenko, A. V. Summer specimen of the Swinhoe’s Snape [sic] Gallinago megala from the Zailiski Ala Tau. Russian J. Orn. 11 (175): 107. [In Russian. ] Lopatin, V. V. & Sibgatullin, R. R. (2001) Discovery of the Kizilkum subspecies of Chuckar [sic] Partridge (Alectoris chukar) in Kazakhstan. Orn. 29: 299. [In Russian. ] Rohwer, S. et al. (2001) Bird specimens in the Burke Museum from Russia and Kazakhstan. Orn. 29: 260-281. Starikov, S. V. On avifauna of north-eastern part of Alakol Basin (eastern Kazakhstan). Russian J. Orn. 11 (178): 187-213. [In Russian. ] Zavjalov, E. V. et al. The birds of northern part of Caspian depression: some notes on species composition, rare and new birds. Russian J. Orn. 11 (182): 333-341. [In Russian. ] KYRGYZSTAN Ahlmann, F. Photospot: White-bellied Dipper in Kyrgyzstan. Birding World 15: 40. LEBANON Ramadan-Jaradi, G. & Ramadan-Jaradi, M. Population size of the Syrian Serin Serinus syriacus and other ornithological records from Lebanon. Lebanese Sci. J. 3: 27-35 [including the first Lebanese breeding records of Temminck’s Horned Lark Eremophila bilopha and Ménétries’s Warbler Sylvia mystacea]. OMAN Easterbrook, M. Cyprus Ornithological Society (1957) birdwatching in Oman. Cyprus Orn. Soc. (1957) Newsletter 2002 (8): [2-15]. van Swelm, N. D. Geographical differences in young Kentish Plover. Alula 8: 68-69. Russia (CAUCASUS) Fertikova, E. P. (2001) On the ecology of the Whitethroat (Sylvia communis icterops Menet.) at the eastern coast of the Black Sea. Orn. 29: 241-249. [In Russian. ] Muratov, I. V. & Friedmann, V. S. (2001) Feeding of terrestrial molluscs by Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius) in Karbardino-Balkaria Republic, north Caucasus. Orn. 29: 333-334. [In Russian. ] Stepanova, L. V. Social behaviour of Dippers Cinclus cinclus on wintering places in Ciscaucasia. Russian J. Orn. 11 (180): 276-280. [In Russian. ] 73 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 SAUDI ARABIA Fisher, P. R. et al. (2001) Variation in the diet of Ospreys Pandion haliaetus, Farasan Islands, southern Red Sea—preliminary observations. Vogelwelt 122: 205-218. Judas, J. Réintroduction de l’Outarde houbara Chlamydotis [undulata] macqueenti en Arabie Saoudite. Alauda 70: 180-181. Maloney, R. F. (2001) Sexing Houbara Bustards, Chlamydotis (undulata) macqueentii, using footprint measurements. Ostrich 73: 216-218. SYRIA Murdoch, D. Birding the Syrian Euphrates. Birding World 15: 297-298. TURKEY Aslan, A. & Kiziroglu, I. (2003) A study on the ornithofauna of Sakaryabasi/Eminekin pond and its vicinity. Turk. J. Zool. 27: 19-26. Brugiere, D. Un nouveau cas de nidification du Vanneau a queue blanche Vanellus leucurus en Turquie. Alauda 70: 202. Pegoraro, K. et al. (2001) First evidence of mtDNA sequence differences between Northern Bald Ibises (Geronticus eremita) of Moroccan and Turkish origin. J. Orn. 142: 425-428. TURKMENISTAN : Gul’, I. R. & Shcherbatko, O. F. (2001) The event of bigamy in francolin (Francolinus francolinus) in western Kopetdagh Mountain, Turkmenistan. Orn. 29: 326. [In Russian. ] Kerimov, A. B. & Formozov, N. A. (2001) Spatial and ethological structure of a settlement of Great Tit Parus major intermedius in Kopetdagh Mountains. 1. Size, overlap and functional differentiation of home ranges. Orn. 29: 137-145. [In Russian. ] Kerimov, A. B. & Formozov, N. A. (2001) Spatial and ethological structure of a settlement of Great Tit Parus major intermedius in Kopetdagh Mountains. 2. Peculiarities of acoustic communication. Orn. 29: 146-154. [In Russian. ] | Simakin, L. V. (2001) Winter fauna and population of birds of Badghiz (south-eastern Turkmenistan). Orn. 29: 87-92. [In Russian. | UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Cunningham, P. Confirmed breeding of the Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse, Pterocles lichten- steinil, from the United Arab Emirates. Zool. Middle East 25: 15-18. Cunningham, P. L. Vultures declining in the United Arab Emirates. Vulture News 46: 8-10. 2 Advertising in Full page: 210mm tall x 135 wide £200 Back cover: 245mm tall x 170 wide £300 74 Advertisement Pesola Scales These Swiss precision scales are widely used by ornithologists and zoologists al! over the world. 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SSEE Membership benefits. 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 Annual subscriptions: AN e UK, Europe and Africa: £15, Rest of World: £17 Wy, in . ° NN e pay by sterling cheque, money order or VISA, AO 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 75 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 76-80 2003 —_ —_ Around the 201011 ~ 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 2002 unless otherwise stated. Please note that records in Sandgrouse 24 (2) referred to 2002 unless otherwise stated, not to 2001, as incorrectly mentioned therein. Records and photographs for Sandgrouse 25 (2) should be sent by 15 July 2003, to Around the Region, OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, UK; or atr@osme.org ayes ‘w ws Wwe 97 fa eS > | ~—l = wr ees ee) Nope g Jones 76 Bee-eaters Merops apiaster by D. Powell ARMENIA A Spotted Crake Porzana porzana in the Araks Valley on 27 August was the first since 1995. Two adult and a juvenile Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo were at Lake Sevan on 7 September. Sightings of two adult Temminck’s Stint Calidris temmincki at Lake Sevan on 6 August and one (possibly two) on 10 September in the Araks Valley were the 6—7th country records. Also at Lake Sevan, a Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus was present on 7 September, the sixth Armenian record. Seven adult and an immature Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus at Lake Sevan on 6 August was the earliest autumn record, and were followed by 30 on 6-7 September. The latest autumn record of White-throated Robin I[rania gutturalis involved five in the foothills of the Vardensis Mountains on 6 August. On 5 September, in the foothills of the Aragats Mountains, two Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka were seen, the fourth record. BAHRAIN The third Green Heron Butorides striatus was on Hawar Island on 23 November. CYPRUS A Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis at Phassouri reedbeds on 12 August was unusual and 15 Mute Swan at Zakaki Marsh on 13 December was a significant count of this infrequent winter visitor. Also at Zakaki Marsh, two (an adult and first-year) Goldeneye Bucephala clangula on 14 December was the seventh island record. The pair of Common Tern Sterna hirundo successfully nested at Larnaca sewage works; three juveniles were seen on 24 August. The largest flock of Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis for over 25 years involved c. 50 east of Famagusta on 24 November. The Pin-tailed Sandgrouse P. alchata reported in Sandgrouse 24. (2) has been accepted as the second Cypriot record. A Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka claimed at Protaras on 24 Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton September would constitute the second record if accepted. A - Grasshopper Warbler Locustella fluviatilis at Asprokremnos Dam pools on 8 April has been accepted as the second island record (the first was in 1968). An unusually late Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus was at Evretou Dam on 22 November. An Upcher’s Warbler Hippoiais languida at Xylophagou on 4 September has been accepted as the first in Cyprus. A Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca at Smyies (Akamas) on 15 October was an unusual autumn record, and an adult female Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio in the DitiarrzosValley~.on 12 November was unusually late. EGYPT An immature Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca was north-west of Naama Bay on 13 November and a White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis was at El Gouna on 6 April. Much more unusual and potentially the first Egyptian and Middle Eastern record was a report of a Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler Locustella certhiola at Crocodile Island, Luxor on 18 October. Two Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis and a first-winter Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva were at Giftun Village, Hurghada, on 30 December, a late date. The pair of Hooded Crow Corvus corone cornix reported in Sandgrouse 24 (1) were in the same territory at -Giftun Village, Hurghada, and five together were presumed to be a family party with the previous year’s young. Around the Region GEORGIA Field work in south-east Georgia (at the southern edge of the lori tableland, Shiraqi semi-desert and around Chachuna Game Reserve) revealed several large flocks of Chukar Alectoris chukar totalling 125-130 birds, between 19 and 24 November. The most exciting discovery was a male Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus on the lori River floodplain on 20 November and another male 1.5 km from the first next day, the first records since December 1986. Local people claim that during the last two years approximately ten individuals have been present in the area and that young have been seen in summer. Black Francolin has been considered extinct as a regular breeder since the mid-1980s, making this a significant find. IRAN Twenty Black-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis were seen in the British Embassy compound, at Gholhak, on 1 January 2003 and a further —six- in Ferdowsi compound, in central Tehran, the next day. Records from 2001 include an Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis, a Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica and three Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica at Bam, representing northerly range extensions for these species in Iran. ISRAEL A Leach’s’ Storm Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa at Jaffa port on 20-21 December was significant. Seven Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis off Haifa on 24 September was the sixth autumn 2002. (Hadoram Shirihai) Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton Plate 1. Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina, northern Israel, Plate 2. ed-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus, northern Israel, autumn 2002. (Hadoram Shirihal) record in Israel, and two Red- breasted Merganser Mergus serrator in the same place on 12 December were unusual. A White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala at Revadim Reservoirs on 18 August was early. An impressive 106,000 Lesser Spotted Eagle Aguila pomarina were counted over the northern valleys during the autumn survey, with a maximum of 35,500 on 8 October; this is the highest-ever total for the region. Also over the northern valleys, 14,000 Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus were counted (highest-ever total) with a maximum of 7400 on 30 September, and two Eleonora’s Falcon F. eleonorae were seen, singles on 15 and 28 September. A Saker Falcon F. cherrug over the northern valleys on 29 September was unusual, as this is a very rare passage migrant. The first definite breeding of Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio in Israel involved a pair (of the form madagascariensis) feeding a chick at Yeruham Lake, in the northern Negev, during late October. At Revadim, a Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo was observed on 15 October and two Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria were at Kfar Ruppin on 10-19 October, both are rare in the country. The fifth Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura in Israel was at Kfar Ruppin on 12-16 October, and the third Sabine’s Gull Larus sabini, a juvenile, was off Jaffa on 20 December. There was also a Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla off Haifa and at least three more off Jaffa in December. After several TK Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 years absence, up to five Crowned Sandgrouse Pterocles coronatus were regular throughout the summer at a traditional drinking pool near Nizzana. A spate of records of Rufous Turtle Dove _ Streptopelia orientalis involved one in Eilat on 16 October and another on 27 October, with one seen again on 2 November (6—7th records). A Hume’s’~ Short-toed Lark Calandrella acutirostris watched in Eilat on 27-30 October will be the second record if accepted. At Jerusalem Bird Observatory a first-winter White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis was trapped. There was a Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus at Sede Boker on 13 November, the species is an irregular visitor to Israel. Records of rare migrants included an Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum north of Beer Sheva on 8 August, an Icterine Warbler H. icterina at Tirat Zvi, Bet She’an Valley on 29 September and a Hume’s Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus humei at Shizzafon on 4 November. Away from Mount Hermon Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer is unusual, making one at Mount Arbel significant. There were two Steppe Grey Shrike Lantus excubitor pallidrostris at Kfar Ruppin on 13-14 October and one on 19 October, with one in Eilat on 18 November into December and another at km 33 north of the town on 18 November. At Kfar Ruppin there was a Rose- coloured Starling Sturnus roseus on 16 October. Single Common Rosefinches Carpodacus erythrinus were at Jerusalem _ Bird Observatory on 2 October and Sede Boker on 10 October. Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla is a rare winter visitor, making three at Kfar Ruppin on 14 October noteworthy. Space prevents us from mentioning the large number of records recently accepted by the Israel Records and Distribution Committee; these can be viewed at: http://www. geocities.com/ birdingisrael/RC/Rarities Comm ittee.html. 78 JORDAN A count of 110 Black Stork Ciconia nigra over Yarmouk Reservoir on 8 October was significant and 7075 Steppe Buzzard Buteo vulpinus migrated south over Mujib on 10-14 October, the largest autumn passage ever recorded. Few accepted records of Spotted Eagle Aguila clanga exist for Jordan, making one at Raddas, Mujib, on 10 October notable. Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus was recorded at Raddas (Sahela) and Aqaba on 1 October and at Mujib on 12 and 14 October. An adult Sooty Falcon F. concolor was at Aqaba sewage works on 4 September, threes at), Naddads on) 77, September, five at Mujib on 10 October and one at Aqaba sewage works on 25 October. Also at the latter there were three Little Crake Porzana parva on 29-30 september, three Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus on 8-9 September, with two on 28 September, and a Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos on 10-11 September. Two Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii at Wadi Araba on 30 September was the second record in Jordan. Cuckoo Cuculus canorus was confirmed breeding in Wadi Dana in April, when a juvenile was discovered being fed by a pair of Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta. A Thick-billed Lark Rhamphocoris clotbey north-east of Wadi Dana on 11 April was in an unusual location: ~There were an incredible 900 Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata together near Shaumari on 3 April (with 250 next day) and one at As Safawi on 20 October. Numerous pairs of Temminck’s Horned Lark Eremophila bilopha were in the Sharra Mountains and two nests were found in April; this represents a range extension. A Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica was at Petra on the late date of 4 November. A Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae was at Aqaba sewage works on 30 September—1 October and two Tree Pipit A. trivialis were at Aqaba as late as 6 November. The first winter record of Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus for Jordan, a female, was at Wadi Araba on 21 December. An _ Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina at Yarmouk Reservoir on 6 October was the earliest autumn record, while a Pied Wheatear O. pleschanka at Aqaba in April 2002 will be the first in Jordan, if accepted. Cyprus Pied Wheatear O. cypriaca is a rare autumn visitor, making one at Wadi Shaq al Barid (Yarmouk River) on 4 October notable. Four Finsch’s Wheatear O. finschii at Wadi Shallaleh (Yarmouk River) on 7 October were unusually early, as was a Song Thrush Turdus philomelos at Dana on 4 November. A juvenile Rose- coloured Starling Sturnus roseus was at Aqaba on 3 September. Four Bank Mynah Acridotheres ginginianus at Suwayma Resthouse (Dead Sea) on 2 April was the first record of this species. A Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea was near Aqaba on 11 September and two Black-headed Bunting E. melanocephala at Shaumari on 25 September were late. KUWAIT To correct Sandgrouse 24 (2), Swift Tern Sterna bergii was found breeding on Bubiyab Island in March-June, not Swift Apus apus as stated. LEBANON Common Mynah Acridotheres tristis has only recently been reported in Lebanon, making a record of a pair feeding two juveniles at the French Embassy in Beirut, on 19 September, partic- ularly interesting. Most colonies in the Middle East are believed to have originated from escapes. On 28 September, waders at Cheikh Zennad, in the north of the country, included nine Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis, 50 Ruff Philomachus pugnax and 250 Little Stint Calidris minuta. Of | particular note were single Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola and Turnstone Arenaria interpres, both of which are rare, and a Red- Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus, which is the second record. At Laqlouq there were five Common Crane Grus grus on 5 October. OMAN On 15 November a total of 126 species was seen in a day—a new record—of which 101 were at one site. Many of the records below await acceptance by the national committee. A total of 441 Jouanin’s Petrels Bulweria fallax was off Ras Janjari on 1 August, and on 8 August there were 25 off Ras al Khabbah. Several unidentified frigatebirds Eregata sp. were seen:_on 21 September at Ash Shuwaymiyyah, on 11 October at Sohar Sun Farms, and (two) on 13 November at Ras Madrakah. Masked Booby Sula dactylatra is common on the southern coast but a total of 700 at Ras Janjari on 1 August was significant. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis is expanding in many countries, but the first nesting attempt in Oman was thwarted when House Crows Corvus splendens predated eggs laid in ten nests at Sohar. Two Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina at Dhofar Mountains on 11 October would be the eighth record if accepted. An impressive count of Crab Plover Dromas ardeola was of 147 at Ras al Hadd on 4 October. A_ Dotterel Charadrius morinellus at Sohar Sun Farms on 20 November-10 December would be the fourth record, and a Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria at the same site on 22 November would be the eighth record, if accepted. Single Great Snipes Gallinago media were at Al Ansab Lagoons on 29 November and at Qatbit on 3 December, bringing the total number of records to 11, if both are accepted. The familiar Long- billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus reappeared at Sohar Sun Farms for its sixth winter in Oman. Two Common Gull Larus canus -at- QOurayyat on? 15 November will be the 11th record if accepted. An impressive count of White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa was made on 6 September Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton when 2100 were at Ras al Hadd. A White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis at Qatbit on 26 October will be the second record if accepted, as will a Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis (merulinus) passerinus at Dawkah on 3 November. Five Koel Eudynamys scolopacea were at Hilf on 14-15 November, and a single at Khawr Rouri on 4 December. Three Hume’s Tawny Owl Strix butleri were. at Al Muehsayl on 7 October. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis is known to move into Oman in autumn but 460 at Sohar Sun Farms on 8 September was exceptional. Records of Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula came from Sohar Sun Farms with a single on 1 November and five on 22 November, bringing the number of records to seven if accepted. Also there, on 2 December, were three Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewskui, the second record. Two Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia were at Al Beed Farm on 25 September, while a single was at Hilf on 8 November, followed by another at Qatbit two days later, bringing the total number of records to eight if accepted. A first-winter male Pied Stonechat Saxicola caprata at Sall Ala on 19 September would be the third record if accepted. Eastern Pied Wheatear Oenanthe picata is an expected migrant, but 13 at Sayh on 27 September was exceptional. A female Black-eared Wheatear O. hispanica at Dawkah on 10 November would be the eighth record and a Little Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis in the same place on 3 November the first record if accepted. A Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni at Qatbit on 27 November-6 December would be the third record, A Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti at Mabr Farm on 23 September would be a national first and a Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola at Oatbit the fourth record. A Hume’s Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia (althaea) curruca at Sall Ala on 26 September would be the third record. A Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach at Al Qurm Park on 11 October-11 November would be the eighth record. Counts of Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia Around the Region xanthocollis included 140 and 200 at Ras al Hamra on 27 August and 1 September. SAUDI ARABIA Although Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis is resident in the south-west of the Kingdom, one at Jubail on the north coast on 22 February was unusual, although small numbers winter in UAE c. 600 km to the east. For the eighth consecutive winter, a Robin Erithacus rubecula was found in Jubail. A flock of 27 Dead Sea Sparrow Passer moabiticus was at Khatiah Marsh near Jubail on 25 January; thereafter 12 were again seen on 8 February. There is only one previous record, in November 1991, involving a flock of 70 in Jubail. The nearest population is c. 400 km away on the Iran/Iraq border. A male Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus was at Jubail on 16 March, the second spring record. A reccé to the south-west of the kingdom in advance of the proposed OSME tour to the area in 2003 resulted in several interesting records. Eight Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga were at Malaki Dam Lake on 28 October. A Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis was in mangroves at Al Haraidah on 31 October, apparently an unusual sighting this far south in Saudi Atabia.” A group -of four Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata were south of Al Birk the same day; the species 1s rather scarce this far south in the country. Seven pairs of Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus, including a pair with six juveniles, were between Al- Khobar and Dammam, south of Kine, Abdul-Aziz; port on) 1 November. Records from Dhahran included a Robin Enihnacus.-ruvecula:* on: 20 November, a Short-toed Eagle @ireaetus, gallicus. ont 19-27 December, a Corncrake Crex crex on 26 September, a Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia on 20 September and two different Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata oni 3264 and. 27 December: Sightings from the sewage effluent lake included an adult 79 Sandgrouse 25 (1): 2003 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus on 1 September, which is partic- ularly unusual in Eastern Province, “an . adult male Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca on 25 October, single juvenile Greater Spotted Eagles on 25 October, 6, 28 and 29 November, and a juvenile Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor on 19 and 25 July. Lapwing Vanellus vanellus is scarce and irregular this far south in the Kingdom, making five on 15 November and eight on 29 November notable. A rarity in the region was a White- breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis on 6 September. A flock of c. 50 Blue-cheeked Bee- eater Merops persicus on 25 October was notable and a Wryneck Jynx torquilla on 4 October was a late migrant. Interestingly, another was seen in the same area in January 2001. Most notable was an adult Brown-throated Sand Martin Riparia paludicola seen in flight at close range on 18-19 July; there is only one previous record from the country, at nearby Abgaiq. A male Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros of the race semirufus was observed on 10 November, this is a scarce but regular winter visitor. Two Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis were present on 11 October. TURKEY Additional records from the first half of 2002 included counts of 224 Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus at Bitytik Menderes Delta, on 2 February, 273 at Lake Marmara, on 3 February, and 665 at Gediz Delta, on 5 February. Totals of 9524 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber were at Biiytik Menderes Delta on 2 February and 19/656 at Gediz Delta on 95 February. On 20 January there were 715 Mute Swan Cygnus olor, 96 Whooper Swan C. cygnus and a Bewick’s Swan C. bewickti at Lake Gala, and Red-breasted Geese Branta ruficollis included 39 at Goksu Delta on 5 January, nine at Lake Tuzla on the same day, an exceptional 80 at Bitytikcekmece on 19 January, and 57 at Nallihan Kuscenneti on 27 January. An Osprey Pandion haliaetus at Lake Tuzla on 5 January was present on an unusual date and ‘dozens’ of Little Crake Porzana parva at Lake Mogan in March-April perhaps suggests unusually heavy passage. A flock of 200 Knot Calidris canutus at Lake Tuzla on 2 February was also exceptional, as was a report of a Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus at Goksu Delta on 5 January. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Two Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus seen from Ras Dibba on 8 December were the first mainland report since recent records commenced in 1987. A Bittern Botaurus stellaris was at Wimpey pits on 7 November. Also there were three immature Mute Swan Cygnus olor on 24 December, the fourth record, and a White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons on 17-19 December. An Amur Falcon Falco amurensis at Fujeirah National Dairy Farm, Dibba, on 14 November was the sixth record. A Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio at Wimpey pits on 27 September was the eighth record. The Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata which arrived on 14 June was present until the year end. A Little Pratincole Glareola lactea at Wimpey pits on 29 November-15 December was the tenth record, a Black-winged ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Pratincole G. nordmanni at Al Wathba camel track on 22-27 October was the eighth record, and an Oriental Pratincole G. maldivarum there on 3 November was the third record. A Knot Calidris canutus at Khor al Beidah on 7 November was the eighth record. A Woodcock Scolopax rusticola was in Safa Park on 4 December. Single White-eyed Gulls Larus leucophthalmus at Fujeirah on 13 September and 9 November were the second and third records. Singles of Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris were at Ras Dibba on 11 and 28 October, also the second and third records. A Common Noddy A. stolidus was also at Ras Dibba on 28 October and another was off Fujeirah on 13 December, the third and fourth records. A Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus japonicus at Dubai pivot fields on 13-19 December was the fifth record and an Eversmann’s Redstart Phoenicurus erythronotus in Dubai’s Safa Park on 16 November was the first record since December 2000. An Eye-browed Thrush Turdus obscurus at Ghantoot on 16 December was the second record and a Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus at Dibba on 20 September was the tenth. A Brown Shrike L. cristata was found at Al Wathba camel track on 12 November, the first country record. A Wattled Starling Creatophora cineracea at Al Wathba on 30 August was the fourth record. UZBEKISTAN The only report received was of a Brown Shrike Lanius cristata near Bukhara in September, which is apparently an uncommon passage migrant. The following assisted in the compilation of this review: Konrad Ali, Marc Almécija, Vasil Ananian, Ian Andrews, Simon Aspinall, Imad Atrash, Gavin Baptie, Roy Beddard, BirdLife International, Chris Bradshaw, Judy Dawes, Barbaros Demirci, Adrian Drummond-Hill, Hugues Dufourny, Marc Duquet, Laith El-Moghrabi, Hanne & Jens Eriksen, Marcin Faber, David Fairhurst, Jeff Gordon, Chris Gregory, George Gregory, Andrew Grieve, Robert Jones, Fares Khoury, Howard King, Daniel Klem, Alan Leitch, Graham Lobley, Brian Meadows, Lothar Miller, Truda Odor, Yoav Perlman, Ian Philip, Yvon Princen, Colin Richardson, Dave Sargeant, Axel Smets, Andy Smith (Naturetrek), James Smith, Thomas Spencer, Andy Sprenger, Chris Thorp, Julienne Turnbull and David Whaley. Dawn Balmer, 39 Station Road, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 1AW, U. K. Keith Betton, 8 Dukes Close, Folly Hill, Farnham, Surrey GU9 ODR, U. K. 80 Dawn Balmer and Keith Betton SANDGROUSE GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS The Editorial Committee of Sandgrouse will consider for publication original papers which contribute to knowledge on the birds of the Middle East and related zoogeographical regions: their distribution, breeding biology, behaviour, identification, conservation, etc. The Middle East for this purpose includes Turkey, Cyprus and Libya in the west to the Palearctic fringes of Pakistan and the western border of China in the east, including Afghanistan and to the southern border of Russia between the Black and Caspian Seas and between the Caspian Sea and Mongolia in the north, and the Arabian Peninsula and the Palearctic limits in Sudan and Ethiopia in the south. Submissions are considered on the understanding that the work has not been previously published and is not being offered for publication elsewhere. 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