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BULLETIN . 21
AUTUMN 1988

OSME BULLETIN 2i Pee AUTUMN 1988
EDITOR: D. J. Fisher

All records in this bulletin are subject to acceptance by the

relevant records committee of the country concerned.

Please note that details of expeditions, availability of expedition
reports, news of members, other societies and ornithological events
are welcomed and may be printed in the bulletin free of charge

subject to the discretion of the Bulletin Editor. Contributions for

the next bulletin should be sent to the Editor by 15 February 1989.

Illustrations

We are grateful to the following artists for the illustrations used

in this bulletin:

S. M. Andrews: Arabian Accentor (p.6), Golden-winged Grosbeak (p.8)

and Houbara Bustard (p.42).

P. J. Powell: Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse (front cover).

APRIL BIRD OBSERVATIONS IN THE YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC (NORTH YEMEN) ,

1987

Rod Martins

This note documents selected observations of 50 species in the YAR
made by myself and others, mainly during a natural history tour,
from 3 to 22 April 1987. The status and distribution of birds in
the YAR (and south-west Arabia in general) was, until recently,
poorly known and documented. The subject has, however, now
undergone exhaustive review (Brooks, Evans, Martins and Porter 1987)
and most comments refer to the state of knowledge as presented
there. Records detailed expand knowledge of breeding biology, the
dates of trans-Arabian peninsula passage and provide additional
records of species for which there are few published observations or
where status and distribution is still inadequately understood. New
information is included on several of south-west Arabia's
poorly-known endemics.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

One on pools below Ma'rib new dam, 15th. The first record from the
Interior desert.

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides

Up to three at Ta'izz lagoons, 7-8th. No previous observations in
April of this passage migrant.

Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii

Six pairs with nests atop huts in a village 5km north-east of Al
Midman (perhaps Al Mighlaf) and seven soaring over Zabid on llth.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Six at Ma'rib new dam, 15th, were clearly on passage. Apparently
the first record from the Interior desert.

Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita

Brooks et al (1987) highlighted the need for further information to
fully clarify the status of species in the YAR. A search of all
short-turf grazing marshland areas (the areas of which have
decreased by about 30% since the same time last year, as a result of
deep-ploughing) in the immediate vicinity of Ta'izz, where the
species has been seen in recent years, failed to locate any birds,
as with a similar search in 1986 (Martins 1986). The view that
records from the YAR relate to wintering birds, returning to their
breeding grounds, (presumed to be Birecik in south-east Turkey)
before April, is thus reinforced. It is suggested that the
possibility that recent records from the YAR could arise from the

existence of a separate population resident in south-west Arabia
should now be discarded.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber

One at Ta'izz sewage lagoons on 7th and one at Ma'rib dam on 14th.
Both birds were sub-adults and had departed the following day. The
bird at Ma'rib is the first record for the Interior desert.

Pintail Anas acuta

Five: at. Ta'izz sewage lagoons, /th-8th; six at Ma'*rib, V3if — ene
second record from the Interior desert. Apparently the first April
records.

Garganey Anas querquedula

About 100 at Ta'izz sewage lagoons on 6th, 30 remaining on 7th; five
at Ma'rib on 14th,.six on 15th. .The.Ta*izz flock is. the taegece
recorded and the Ma'rib records are the first for the Interior
desert, extending the latest known spring passage date by three
days.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

Two at Ta'izz sewage lagoons on 6th. Apparently the first April
record.

Pochard Aythya ferina

Four at Ta'izz sewage lagoons, 6th-7th.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

One at Ta'izz sewage lagoons, 7th; six (three pairs) at Ma'rib 15th
- the second record from the Interior desert. Previously unrecorded
in spring after February.

Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus

Three on the Tihamah near Al Mukayminiyah on 11th were clearly birds
on passage. Additionally, six distant slim ring-tailed harriers
were almost certainly this species. These are the first records
which clearly demonstrate spring passage (one previous record in
February could conceivably have been a wintering bird).

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis

A migrant moving northward north of Qa'Bakil (near Ma'bar) on 6th is
the first record for the YAR. The bird was seen very well and
identified by RM and Gunter Groh on the following features: large
size (significantly larger than a female Sparrowhawk) , rather long

wings with distinct S-shape to trailing edge of wing formed by
“bulging” secondaries, (hence ‘arm' of wing rather broad), entire
underside of wings appearing white at distance (but indistinct
barring on all of underside of wings visible when directly overhead
at close range) and distinct broad dark ear-covert patch.

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

One arriving off the sea, Mocha, 9th.

Shikra Accipiter badius

A pair regularly calling with at least one individual collecting
sticks and adding them to a partially constructed nest in woodland
near Hajja, 13th. The first recorded nest in the YAR, though there
are two previous firm indications that breeding occurs.

Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax

An active nest, with a bird incubating and its mate in close
attendance, in a large tree in Wadi Sharas, near Hajja (per

N.J. Redman) is only the second proven breeding record. Brooks et
al. (1987) made no mention of its occurrence on the Tihamah though
observations on its eastern fringe in spring are mentioned by
Cornwallis and Porter (1982) and it has been recorded in the drier
western section, both in spring - a pair observed by RM - and autumn
(OSME Expedition data).

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni

A flock of seven between Az Zaydiyah and Al Qanawis, 12th; two at
Ma'rib, 16th, (G. Groh, P. Rathbone).

Saker Falco cherrug

One at Ta'izz marsh, 7th. The first April record.

Philby's Rock Partridge Alectoris philbyi

Three (including a pair) near Qaratil (between Sana'a and Shibam) on
4th, five at the summit (3,666 metres) and 15 lower down (c.2,/750
metres) on Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb, 5th. Intermittent territorial
calling noted between 0800 and 0815 hours at the first locality and
between 1240 and 1310 hours at the second. Two different alarm
calls (the second perhaps a normal flight call also) were noted when
birds were flushed - a hysterical “cha-cha-cha-cha-...°, very
rapidly repeated 15-20 times and a loud squealing “wheee” with a
strong emphasis on the last part of the note, lasting about a
second, but followed by the same note repeated almost immediately.
This call recalled the screaming of a falcon or a captured hare
Lepus sp. Both calls were delivered in flight, the second
continuously for the duration of a long downward flight.

Occasionally they were combined as in “whee-whee, cha-cha-cha-cha-
cha-cha-". Territorial calls were as previously described, (Martins
1986) an alternative description being “cha-ku-ku-ku-ku", sometimes
with the latter "ku" notes speeded up to produce a sound reminiscent
of the “gobbling” call of a domestic Turkey.

Arabian Red-legged Partridge Alectoris melanocephala

Seven at Kawkaban, 4th; two in mixed low bushes and Euphorbia scrub
near Ta'izz sewage lagoons, /7th; five at Hajja and six near As Sugq
(east of Hajja) on 12th. A call uttered by foraging birds at
Kawkaban was “qwick, qwick, qwick”, sounding like a distant Rock
Nuthatch, Sitta neumayer and an alarm call delivered in flight when
flushed was “choouw, choouw...', repeated eight times.

Little Button Quail Turnix sylvatica

Two in crops on the Tihamah about 10km south-east of Al Qanawis,
12th - the second record for the YAR. The small size, rather
uniform pale brown upperparts, extremely short rounded wings, short
tail, whitish underparts with broad orange patch on flanks (observed
on one bird only), yellow iris and rapidly “whirring” flight were
noted.

Water Rail

One heard at Ta'izz marsh on 8th. One previous spring (April)
record from the same locality.

Little Crake Porzana parva

One at Ma'rib on 14th and at least eight on 15th, though these could
have been present on 14th also. The second (mid) April record and
the first for the Interior desert.

Coot Fulica atra

Four at Ma'rib on 14th, one remaining on 15th, indicating active
passage on these dates. The first record for the Interior desert.

Avocet Recurvirostra avocetta

Eighteen at Ta'izz sewage lagoons on 7th and 8th; two at Ma'rib on
14th and three on 15th - the first record for the Interior desert.

Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis

One in poor croplands and degraded Euphorbia scrub near Ta'izz
marsh, 7th; a pair in a small patch of Acacia tortilis woodland 15km
east of Al Qutay, 10th and a pair in climax Acacia/Euphorbia
woodland 5km north-east of Al Midman, lith. They must surely breed,
though proof is still awaited.

Snipe Gallinago gallinago

One at Ma'rib on 15th, the first record for the Interior desert,
extending the dates of spring passage by two days.

Redshank Tringa totanus

One at Ma'rib on 15th, the first record for the Interior desert.
Slender-billed Gull Larus genei

Two at Ma'rib on 15th - the first record from the Interior desert
(all previous records are from the Red Sea coast).

African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis

A pair calling, occasionally dueting, in mixed groves of Walnut,
Apricot and Almond trees at Hadda between 1845 and 2000 hours on the
nights of 18th and 19th. From the location of the calls it appeared
that the birds normally kept 50-100 metres apart, though a bird was
joined by its mate on the same branch for about 30 seconds, on one
occasion. The first definite record from the Highland plateau.
(There is one probable spring record from Wadi Dahr.)

Nubian Nightjar Caprimulgus nubicus

One seen well and heard singing plus another, heard only, in climax
Acacia/Euphorbia woodland c.5km north-east of Al Midman, llth. Song
a loud emphatic two-note “whow-whow” with most emphasis on the
“=<ho-" part of the note. This song was sometimes followed by a
lower pitched four-note “whow-whow-whow-whow-" and a low note like a
broody domestic chicken “bruur-bruuur-bruuur~bruuur-", typically
repeated about eight times.

Bee-eater Merops apiaster

Twenty-nine at Ta'izz sewage lagoons 7th; 46 near Al Midman on llth.
Both flocks were at high altitude, on an easterly heading and were
clearly migrating. Perhaps not as uncommon on spring passage as
previously thought.

Wryneck Jynx torquilla

One at Kawkaban, 4th, (D. Coutts, P. Rathbone); one at Walah,
Highland plateau, (D. Hosking), 6th.

Arabian Woodpecker Dendrocopus dorae

Seven in riparian woodland, (mainly dominant species Cordia
abyssinica) 2km north of Hajja, LOth-llth, including a pair
repeatedly bringing food items to a nesting hole at about 25 metres
height ina large, dead tree-trunk, (ten visits in 30 minutes -

G. Groh). It is presumed that the nest contained unfledged young
and this is the first recorded breeding in spring. Birds were seen
to feed by gleaning from the uppermost twigs in the canopy of figs
as well as foraging in the usual way. The species is clearly less
closely associated with Acacia than the literature suggests.

Black-crowned Finch Lark Eremopterix nigriceps

Remarkably scarce on the Tinama compared to autumn (c.f. OSME
Expedition data) and spring 1986, (Martins 1986) thus movements must
occur and breeding may be irregular, opportunistic and non-annual.
An apparently tired individual, presumably forced to ground by an
intense rain storm at Ta’izz sewage lagoons (P. Rathbone) where the
Species is normally absent, is further evidence of movements.

Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes
Two in song and displaying (song-flights) near Ma'rib on 16th

indicate breeding in the Interior desert. Previously thought to
occur on the western Tihama only.

Arabian Accentor Prunella fagani
A nest with two eggs at Kawkaban, 4th, is the second observed.
Further details will appear elsewhere (Martins and Groh in prep.).

The first recorded nest, at the same site and probably built by the
Same pair, contained three pulli on 9th April 1986 (Martins 1986).

Black Bush Robin Cercotrichas podobe

Pairs and singing birds at Ma'rib, 15th, indicate breeding in the
Interior desert.

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

One at Ta'izz sewage lagoons, 7th.

Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina

None seen, confirming the apparent scarcity of this species in
spring/April. (A common autumn passage migrant.)

Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha

A male on a lava flow 5km north-west of Ma'rib on 14th appeared to
be holding territory (two conflicts with a Desert Lark Ammomanes
deserti observed). The seventh record, the second in spring
(previously March). There is one other post-1936 record and the
status of this poorly known species remains unclear. It has perhaps
been overlooked as, with one exception, all previous records are
from the seldom-visited eastern regions.

Yemen Thrush Turdus menachensis

Two at Kawkaban, 4th; six at Wadi Maytam south of Ibb, 8th; four 2km
north of Hajja, 13th. A three-note song heard at Kawkaban
(1130-1230) and Wadi Maytam (0930), where a pair were clearly
occupying a territory comprising an area of scattered Acacia over
agricultural fields. Song was usually a simple “bu, preek-boo”, the
first note sometimes omitted, sometimes followed by “prrruck”,

recalling Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthropygos, though less
liquid.

Yemen Warbler Parisoma buryi

One at Kawkaban, 4th; seven in Wadi Maytam, south of Ibb, where,
apparently, the second recorded nest containing three pulli, was
found. Further details will appear elsewhere (Martins and Groh in

prep.).

Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria

Recorded 4th-l6th; one at Kawkaban, 4th, is the second record from
highland regions; remarkably abundant at Wadi Siham near Jabal Bura
where 150 on 10th and near Al Midman, where 500 on llth,
corresponding closely to April observations in 1986 (Martins 1986)
and demonstrating that this must be one of the commonest spring
passage migrants in lowland regions.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata

One in Wadi Siham near Jabal Bura, 10th.

Gambaga Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa gambagae

One singing 16.4km by road south-west of Ma'bar, 6th; one near

Ta'izz sewage lagoons, 7th; five (including two pairs) in Wadi
Maytam, south of Ibb, 8th; up to five, including a pair, at Hadda

(2,500 metres) 17th-18th. The last locality is on the Highland
plateau, where the species has been recorded from few localities.

Shining Sunbird Necterinia habbessinica
Absent from climax Acacia/Euphorbia woodland 5km south-east of Al

Midman, where common in pairs in autumn (OSME Expedition data).
Clearly, seasonal movements associated with breeding occur.

Golden-winged Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus socotranus

Eleven, including seven juveniles in agricultural fields near Ta'izz
sewage lagoons, /th.

Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus

Up to 15 in the Ma'rib area, 14th-15th. Pairs and display flight
noted. The fifth record - status previously considered unclear,
though it now appears likely that the species does breed in the
Interior desert.

House Bunting Emberiza striolata

One near Naqil Bin Ghaylan, 14th; up to 15 (including pairs) at
several localities around Ma'rib, 14th-15th. Though very local
elsewhere in the YAR, it is now clear that this species is not
uncommon in the Interior desert.

Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana

One at Shibam, 4th; two in Wadi Maytam, south of Ibb, seemed
extremely tired and are presumed to be birds on active passage
grounded by torrential rain.

References

Brooks, D. J., M. I. Evans, R. P. Martins & R. F. Porter (1987).
Tne Status of Birds in North Yemen and the Records of the OSME
Expedition in Autumn 1985. Sandgrouse 9: 4-66.

Martins, R. (1986). Spring observations on the birds of North
Yemen. OSME Bull. 17: 2-13.

6 Connaught Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 3BT, Great Britain.

SELECTED BIRD OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FARASAN ISLANDS Tony Juniper

The Farasan Islands lie at the southern end of the Red Sea in Saudi
Arabian waters. The main archipelago is situated in the southern
portion of the Farasan bank between 16°20'N and 17°10'N and 41°30'E
and 42°30'E. There are about 40 named islands the largest of which
is Farasan Kebir.

During March and April 1988 a team from the Saudi Arabian National
Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD) and the
Ecology and Conservation Unit of University College London undertook
fieldwork to collect information for conservation management plans.
Three sites were visited one of which was the Farasan Islands.

Apart from holding an important population of Arabian Gazelle
Gazella gazella the main features of conservation interest are
related to the marine and littoral environments. Coral ecosystems,
Rhizophora mangrove stands, populations of marine reptiles and
mammals and colonies of breeding seabirds are important in either a
national or international context. Most of the seabirds nest
outside the time of our visit and it is not possible to comment on
these; however, Jennings (1988) has dealt with the status of these
species and there is little to add. Another ornithological feature
which may be of importance in conservation terms are numbers of
visiting shorebirds and terrestrial migrants but at this stage it is
impossible to estimate their numbers or to assign significance.

Although little systematic ornithological work took place our
observations revealed five “new” species of terrestrial bird which
are possibly breeding. Breeding of the Kentish Plover Charadrius
alexandrinus was also proved. The five “new” possible breeders are
as follows:

Black Kite Milvus migrans A pair (not of the arabs race) were
observed carrying nest material into a palm on Segid which is the
second largest island.

Namaqua Dove Oena capensis Several individuals, including at
least one pair, were observed around the date palm plantation in a
settled part of Segid. This species is currently showing range
expansion and suitable habitat conditions exist for breeding.

White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus A pair were seen in
the Acacia/Commiphora/Salvadora scrub in the north-eastern portion
of Farasan Kebir. They are known to occupy similar habitat and
breed on the nearby mainland, however there is little freshwater
here and this is thought to be a preferred habitat feature (Hollom
ef al. 1988).

Little Owl Athene noctua One individual was seen emerging from
a hole in a tree on Farasan Kebir.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus A female was seen in the port
area of Farasan Kebir and a male in a village some distance away.
When this species is present breeding is thought likely to occur.

Jennings lists only 11 other land birds breeding here and remarks
that he considers this a low number. The fact that a further
possible five were added through our observations emphasises the
paucity of data which exist concerning this area.

Several of the mainland birds which have a predominantly
Afrotropical distribution have been observed on the islands. As
well as White-browed Coucal we noted Bruce's Green Pigeon Treron
waalia, and Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinica has been noted
previously (Jennings 1988). This might suggest that such species
are still in contact with “parent” populations. Bruce's Green
Pigeons are absent from Arabian breeding areas during the winter and
observations from the Farasans (especially in spring) would indicate
a migration to Africa. There is also the possibility that breeding
may occur.

Recommendations for the management of a national park or nature
reserve of some kind will include the initiation of detailed
research which will help to quantify the importance of the islands.
On the island of Qummah a large scale bird trapping operation was
found to be in progress. This activity provides an example of how
research may be dovetailed with conservation in a proposal for
management. The island lacks any tall or dense vegetation, all of
the trees having been incorporated in bird traps. Piles of sticks
and branches are covered with old fishing nets to form something
similar to a Heligoland trap. Some are substantial constructions
and measure ten metres in length and four metres in height. The
island is permanently settled and a large portion of the subsistence
economy is based upon wild animals; fish, supplemented with turtle
and bird eggs, forms a large part of the diet. The only source of
animal fat for cooking is derived from migrant passerines. Shrikes
Lanius sp., because of their large size, are the most popular and
the most frequently caught birds but the islanders estimated that

10 |

they take between 50 and 60 different kinds. It became apparent
that trapping during the spring forms an integral part of the
cultural life of the island and to totally ban this activity may be
counter-productive in terms of the good will lost. Some mutilation
of birds was observed, mostly by removing flight feathers to provide
playthings for children, but otherwise birds were seen to be
expertly handled. It has been suggested by Peter Symens of the
Saudi Arabian Taif Wildlife Research Centre that ringing be
established during passage periods. Locals could be paid a small
bounty for each bird presented for ringing. The islanders were
found to have a deep knowledge and appreciation of birds and it is
felt that this would be a viable proposition. Such a scheme would
contribute to research and conservation whilst minimising cultural
interference, this is a particularly important consideration in the
management of wildlife which forms part of the economic welfare of
local people.

This work was undertaken as part of a contract commissioned by the
NCWCD whose authorisation and financial assistance we gratefully
acknowledge.

References

Jennings, M. C. (1988). A Note on the Birds of the Farasan Islands,
Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. Fauna of Saudi Arabia 9: 457-467.

Bottom, ©. A. D., Porter, R. F., Christensen, S., Willis, I. (1988).

The Birds of the Middle East and North Africa. Calton.

Flat 2, 7 St Stephens Gardens, Twickenham, Middlesex TWl 2LT, Great
Britain.

A NEST OF THE YEMEN WARBLER Christian Brduning

On 29 March 1988 during a birdwatching trip in the Yemen Arab
Republic I visited Wadi Maytam about one kilometre south of [bb in
the hope of finding the Yemen Warbler Parisoma buryi. There, ina
plantation with some rows of large trunked trees, I saw one Yemen
Warbler fly into an acacia and perch ona branch. The bill of the
bird was full of food. After a short period, it flew into a
blackberry bush growing at the foot of the tree. When I approached
the bush, the male and the female were flitting through the dense
branches of the tree giving a loud warning call. The male even
began to sing. I carefully inspected the bush and found a nest
positioned about one metre above the ground. It held three
nestlings about three or four days old. According to the paper by
D. J. Brooks ( Sandgrouse 9: 90-93), this is the first nest of the
Yemen Warbler to be found in the Yemen Arab Republic.

Alte Rathausstrasse 6, D 3014 Laatzen 1, West Germany.

OSME SITES REGISTER SCHEME Mee ETc

Progress Report Ne.3

The Sites Register Scheme was launched by OSME in 1983 as a way in
which members could document important sites for birds in the Middle
East. For further details about how the scheme operates readers
should refer to Bulletin 10: 1-3 or write to the Honorary Secretary
for details.

In the three years since the last progress report (Collar 1986), 57
"new' site forms have been sent in by 14 contributors, taking the
total number of site forms held by the scheme to 172. - The new forms
cover seven countries (number of new forms in brackets): Egypt (11),
Jordan (1), Lebanon (1), Qatar (4), Saudi Arabia (4), Turkey (26)
and United Arab Emirates (10). As in the previous progress report,
the scheme has still not received any site forms for the following
countries: Bahrain, L[ran, Kuwait, Libya, Oman and South Yemen. The
individual sites are listed below country by country, arranged from
south to north with latitude/longitude co-ordinates where these were

given, and with the form compiler's name(s).

Egypt

Umm Agawish el-Kebir 277240 "N- 33°53) f——D. Parr

Giftun el-Saghir 2/7 12 EN SOB G Ee. i Di. Past

Abu Mingar ZI LSEN. SOc oo. by Pace

Giftun Kebir 27 4G Ne39 55! Ber De Pacr

Shadwan 27730" NP34,00,E. a) De Parr

Tawila 24.35" N, 335,.46) © oD. Page

Umm el-Heimat Saghira 27°38:N_33240'E) .DsPanre

Umm el-Heimat 27° 40: N33 238. Ee a D.PaEe

South Qeisum 27°41 'N. 3343" E. De Pare

North Qeisum 27°42'N 33°41 'E* -DePare

Ashrafi Islands 2/1 UN 3S Gi ePare

Jordan

Petra and surroundings 30°20'N 35°27'E J.Wittenberg

Lebanon

Nahr el Hasbani = B.Meling

Qatar

Sand Plant Pools 29°06" SD LSER ot. on .Gardner
Abu Nakhala New Ponds 25 10°N 51 23 * Rea etree .Gardner
Wadi as Sameer Old Ponds 25 LAN OL SSORE c,h Mtieks .Gardner
Bir Al Husayn Oasis A Dae 8 ay 9 a <= .Gardner

Saudi Arabia
Khaybar Salt Marsh 25°42'N 39°59'E M.C.Jennings
Harrat al Harrah Reserve 31°00'N 38°50'E M.C.Jennings
Jebels Aja and Selma = M.C.Jennings
Wabbah Crater = M.C.Jennings
Turkey
L5km W. of Finike 46 oN SOs B Major D.J.R.Counsell
G6ksu Delta : 36°20'N 34°00'E D.J.Wood
Goksu Delta = R.J.Safford
Metruk Tuzla 37°10'N 27°36'E Major D.J.R.Counsell
Bafa Golii Sa sO" 27°25*8 D.J.Wood
Bafa Golii rs J.K.R.Melrose
Salda Gélii 37 35 N29 GO. E D.J.Wood
Beysehir Golii 37°40'N 31°40'E D.J.Wood
Acigél 37,50"N.29-50'E.. :D.J.Waod
Acigél = J.K.R.Melrose
Egridir Goli 38°00'N 30°50'E D.J.Wood
Aksehir Golii a0. S0°N 31,29". Ded Wood
Marmara Golii 38°35'N 28°O0'E D.J.Wood
Ercek Golii 38°40'N 43°35'E D.J.Wood
Nemrut Dag (incl. G6lii) = P.S.A.Allday
Apolyont Golii = J.K.R.Melrose
Erdek = J.K.R.Melrose
Unnamed Golii = R.J.Safford
Sazlipinar Marsh = R.J.Safford
Demirkazik = R.J.Safford
Hills W. of Gaziantep ea R.J.Safford
Eregli Marshes = R.J.Safford
Akkaya = R.J.Safford
Birecik = R.J.Safford
Kulu Goli - R.J.Saf ford
Central Plateau

(four small sites) = R.J.Saf ford

United Arab Emirates

94°59'N .55°01'E C.Richardson
75° 12 N 55°18 Ue C.Richardson

Jebel Ali Hotel Grounds
Settlement Ponds/Fish Farn
Dubai Creek Mudflats

(Khor Dubai) 25°13'N 55°20'E C.Richardson
Mina Khalid (Sharjah Main

Port) Sih bE GS ph te Captain D.M.Simpson
Siniya (Siniyyah) Island 25°39'N 55°39'E C.Richardson
Digdaga Agricultural

Research Station = S.J.Tyler
Dhayah Creek and nearby

Sandspit - S.J.Tyler
Ras al Khaimah Gravel

Plain and Mountains — $.J..Lyser

Khawr Khalba = Scale
Marid, Ras al Khaimah 7 Soe

The large number of forms for Turkey is particularly pleasing; the
scheme also received from I. Green details ona further il Turkish
sites in the form of ICBP ‘Important Bird Areas in Europe' forms,
plus annotated maps for two further sites. The latter information
has been transferred to Site Register forms.

I would like to thank all the people who have contributed to the
scheme over the past three years. Their hard work is much
appreciated; many little-known areas have been documented, often in
great detail. An analysis of the site information held by the
scheme is now in progress, to appear in the next bulletin, and in
view of this I would like to encourage all members who are thinking
of contributing to do so before the end of the year. The Sites
Register Scheme is an excellent way of turning your local or holiday
birdwatching into something of great use for conservation.

Reference

Collar, N. J. (1986). OSME Sites Register Scheme. Progress Report
Noo 2. OSME Bull v6:>6—11.

LIBRARY REPORT Geoff and Hilary Welch

The following items were amongst the literature received in the OSME
Library during the last few months and may be of interest to
members.

The Cyprus Ornithological Society (1970) Fourteenth Bird Report
covering 1983 edited by C. Charalambides, M. Charalambides and

P. Neophytou. This contains a systematic list detailing the 245
species recorded during the year; a Ringing Report; an account of
the Royal Air Force Lyneham Ornithological Group Expedition of 1983;
and a summary of the year's weather. The Society can be contacted
via the Honorary Secretary P. Neophytou, 4 Kanaris Street, Strovolos
154, Cyprus.

Summary Report of an Ornithological Survey to Northern Saudi Arabia

- 2/7 February to 26 March 1988 by M. C. Jennings. A privately
published report giving brief details of a visit made to the

northern border area with Kuwait, Iraq and Jordan; the Harrat al
Harrah reserve; and the west and southern areas of the Nafud Desert.
This trip, sponsored by the National Commission for Wildlife
Conservation and Development, was part of the ongoing Atlas of the
Breeding Birds of Arabia project (ABBA) of which Mike Jennings is
the Co-ordinator. A more detailed report on the birds of the Harrat
al Harrah reserve is in preparation. More details of the ABBA
project are available from Mike - 1 Eastcourt, Burbage, Wiltshire
SN8 3AG, Great Britain.

OSME would also like to take this opportunity to thank

Mr. J. R. Neighbour for his generous donation to the Library of
copies of the Cyprus Ornithological Society (1957) Annual Reports
covering the period 1969-1985 and 'A Guide to the Birds of Bahrain'
by M. J. Strickland and M. D. Gallagher (1969).

RECENT LITERATURE Compiled by Mrs. F. E. Warr
Anon (1985). Conservation programme (UAE). World Birdwatch 7(1):
10-11.

Anon (1985). Ibis project in Turkey hits snags (Geronticus
eremita). World Birdwatch 7(1): 5.

Anon (1985). L'Ibis chauve (Geronticus eremita), une espéce en
constant déclin depuis des siécles. Aves 22: 114.

Anon (1987). Dancing displays (Cranes). Newsletter, UK Society for
the Protection of Nature in Israel 1: 4.

Bnew 196/). *6B* — Sunbird trip to, Cyprus, April 1987... British
Birds 80: 441-442.

Anon (1987). Imperial Eagle from Czechoslovakia (ringed bird
captured in Israel). Israel Land and Nature 13(1): 32-33.

Anon (1987). Israel's World Raptor Conference. Gabar 2: 55-65.

Anon (1987). DHKD tackles conservation in Turkey (short note).
World Birdwatch 9(2): 4.

Anon (1988). Investigation of the magnitude of shooting and
catching of birds in Turkey. World Birdwatch 10(1): 4.

Anon (1988). European News (includes some Middle East notes).
British Birds 81( 7): 330-340.

Abdulali, H. (1987). A catalogue of the birds in the collection of
Bombay Natural History Society. Part 32. (Some specimens from

Iraq, Arabia). Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 84(1): 105-125.

Adar, M. (1987). Watching fall bird migration in the southern
Sharon. Israel Land & Nature 13(1): 19-22.

Adar, M. (1988). Outskirts of Jerusalem: Malha to Har Gilo
(includes birds). Israel Land & Nature 13(3): 132-136.

Al-Ba'Dani, J. A. (1987). Saving Yemen's endemic birds.

International Centre for Conservation Education (Guiting Power,
Glos., U. K.).

Alfia, H. (1988). The influence of nocturnal birds of prey on the
abundance pattern of the desert snail (Trochoidea seetzenni) in the
area of Sede-Boker (Negev, southern Israel). Torgos 14: 21-23.
English summary p. 106.

Al-Khalili, A. D. & I. A. Nader (1984). Nature Conservation in
Saudi Arabia. An ecological study of the Asir National Park with a
check-list of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna of the park and its
surroundings. Fauna Saudi Arabia 6: 11-31.

Alon, D. (1987). Third survey of wintering raptors in Israel, 1987.
Torgos 13: 25-35. English summary pp. P71.

Aschenbrenner, H. (1984). Das Kaukasische Birkhuhn (Lyrurus
mlokosiewiczi Taczanowski, 1875). Gefied. Welt 108: 75-79.

Ash, J. S. & J. E. Miskell (1988). Observations on birds in Somalia
in 1978-1982, together with a bibliography of recent literature.
Scopus 11 (3/4): 57-78.

Atlas der Verbreitung Palaearktischer Vogel (1987)... iet <a
Akademie der Wissenschaften der DDR (includes Chersophilus duponti,

Parus hyrcanus, Limnodromus semipalmatus & Alectoris barbara).

Auburn, J. (1988). Do some African Lesser Kestrels migrate from the
Far East across the Indian Ocean? Gabar 3(1): 5-7.

Backhurst, G. C. (1988). East Africa Ringing Report 1981-87.
Scopus 12 (1/2). (Some Middle Eastern material.)

Bahat, O. (1986). Raptor nesting in the Judean desert - past,
present and future trends. Torgos 12: 8-24. English summary pp.
119-120.

Bahat, O. (1986). Country-wide survey of wintering birds of prey in
Israel, 1986. Torgos 12: 36-48. English summary p. 117.

Bahat, O. (1987). Raptor nesting in Israel. Israel Land & Nature
12(3): 100-104.

Bahat, O. & R. Lipid (1988). Merlins - acrobats in the air. Israel
Land & Nature 13(3): 116-119.

Bahat, O. (1988). Tracking Golden Eagles with radio telemetry in

the Negev Desert, Israel. Torgos 14: 5-20. English summary pp.
106-108.

Baker, K. (1988). Identification of Siberian and other forms of
Lesser Whitethroat. British Birds 81(8): 382-390.

Baker, N. E. (1987). Prey-capture techniques of Peregrine (Libya).
British Birds 80: 424-425. .

Baumgart, W. & B. Stephan (1986). Ergebnisse ornithologischer
Beobachtungen in der Syrischen Arabischen Republik (results of
ornithological observations in Syria). Teil 2: Passeriformes.
Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin 63 Suppl.: Ann. Orn. 11: 57-95.

Bazar, Y. (1986). A survey of wintering raptors in the western
Negev - January 1986. Torgos 12: 49-60. English summary pp.
Ll6~117,

Bennett, C. J. L. Geduh ieee.) . Svyatematlic List: Cyprus Orn. Soc.
C1957) Annual Report 32 (for 1985): 1-82.

Bertault, Y., P. J. Dubois & J.-Y. Fremont (1988). Some comments on
the Armenian Gull in Turkey. OSME Bull. 20: 20-21.

Best, J. (1985). Observations on breeding Spectacled Warblers on
coastal flats east of Akrotiri Salt Lake. Journ. RAF Orn. Soc. 15:
G7.

Best, J. (1986). Observations on breeding Spectacled Warblers on
coastal flats east of Akrotiri Salt Lake. Cyprus Orn. Soc. Bird
Rept. 13: 56-57.

Bezzel, E. (1986). Lesser Sandplover, Charadrius mongolus, in
Turkey. Zoology Middle East 1: 24-26.

Bezzel, E. (1987). Puffinus pacificus in Egypt: a “new” species for
the Western Palearctic? Vogelwelt 108: 71-72. English summary.

Biebach, H. (1985). Sahara stopover in migratory flycatchers: fat
and food affect the time program. Experientia 41(5): 695-697.

Biebach, H. et al. (1986). Interaction of body mass, fat, foraging
and stopover period in trans-Sahara migrating passerine birds.

Oecologia 69(3): 370-379.

Bijlsma, R. G. (1985). Foraging and hunting efficiency of Caspian
Tern (Egypt). British Birds 78(3): 146-147.

Bijlsma, R. (1987). Bottleneck areas for migratory birds in the
Mediterranean Region. ICBP Study Report 18. 135 pp.

Bijlsma, R. G. & F. E. de Roder (1986). Notes on the birds of some
wetlands in Turkey. WIWO Report 12.

Blot, J. (1985). Contribution a la connaissance de la biologie et

de l'ecologie de Francolinus ochropectus Dorst et Jouanin
(Djibouti). Alauda 53(4): 244-256. English summary.

Bochenski, Z. (1985). Nesting of the Sylvia warblers (Iran). Acta
Zool. Cracov. 29(12): 241-328.

Boessneck, J. (1985). Zum Vorkommen des Schreiseeadlers Haliaeetus
vocifer (Daudin 1800) im alten Agypten. Spixiana 8: 1/-23.

Boessneck, J. (1987). Early bronze age bones of the Siberian White
Crane (Gyps leucogeranus) in south-east Turkey. Okol. Vogel 9(2):
127-129. English summary.

Boling, R. (1986). Battered birds of Lebanon. Audubon 88(1): 36,
38-39.

Bottema, S. (1985). (Observations on birds in the Syrian Djezireh.)
Vogeljaar 33(2): 82-87. In Dutch.

Bourne, W. R. P. (1988). The status of deep-sea birds off the
Emirates. Gazelle 3(4): /-8.

Bourne, W. R. P. (1988). Ornithological observations at sea around
Arabia. OSME Bull. 20: 7-11.

Bourne, W. R. P. (1988). R. E. Moreau,- the Bald Ibis, and the
conservation situation in its winter quarters. OSME Bull. 20: 26.

Bowden, C. G. R. (1987). The Yemen Thrush in North Yemen.
Sandgrouse 9: 8/-89.

Bowden, C. G. R. (1987). The Arabian Golden Sparrow in North Yemen.
Sandgrouse 9: 94-97.

Bowden, C. G. R. & D. J. Brooks (1987). The Yemen Linnet in North
Yemen. Sandgrouse 9: 111-114.

British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (1988). Suggested
changes to the English names of some Western Palearctic birds.
British Birds 81(8): 355-377.

Brooks, D. J. (1987). The Yemen Warbler in North Yemen. Sandgrouse

ses 0 2

Brooks, D. J. (1987). Feeding observations on birds in North Yemen.

Sandgrouse 9° 15-120.

Brooks, D.. J«,.M. I. Evans, R. P. Martins & R. F. Porter (198%) .
The status of birds in North Yemen and the records of the OSME
expedition in autumn 1985. Sandgrouse 9: 4-66.

Bruun, B. (1986). “Urgency” in the migration of European raptors
with.special emphasis on the Middle East. Gerfaut 76: 271-279.

Bruun, B. (1986). Conservation efforts in the Middle East.

Supplemento alle Ricerche di Biologia della Selvaggina 10(1):
47=51.

Campbell, C. & B. (1985). A birdwatching holiday in Jordan.
Newsletter Hampshire Orn. Soc. 27: 5-6.

Carmi-Winkler, N. et al. (1987). Seasonal time-energy budgets of
free-living Chukars in the Negev desert. Condor 89(3): 594-601.

Charalambides, M. A. (1987). Ringing Report. Cyprus Orn. Soc. Bird
Report 14 (for 1983): 42-46.

Chaver, Y. (1987). Birds in Byzantine mosaic pavements in Israel.
Israel Land & Nature 12(3): 110-14.

Chaver, Y. (1987). III World Conference on Birds of Prey: Eilat on
the birdwatching map. Israel Land & Nature 13(1): 29-31.

Christensen, S. & R. F. Porter (1987) The Arabian Waxbill in North
Yemen. Sandgrouse 9: 98-101.

Clark, B. (1988). Migratory birds and the VoA radio transmitter.
Israel Land & Nature 13(3): 137..

Clark, W. S. (1987). Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) with charred back
and head feathers. Torgos 13: 96-98. English summary p. 116.

Clark, W. S. (1988). Mystery photographs 132. Montagu's Harrier
Cterael). caritish Birds 81(6): 278-281.

Cowan, P. J. (1987). Birds in the deserts of Pakistan and India: a
preliminary review. OSME Bull. 19: 4-16.

Crivelli, A. J. (1987). A wetland of international importance
(Camalti Tuzlasi, Turkey). World Birdwatch 9(4): 8.

Ctyroky, P. (1987). Ornithological observations in Iraq. Beitr.
Vogelkd. 33( 3/4): 141-204.

Cyprus Ornithological Society (1987). Bird Report 14 (for 1983)
entitled Birds of Cyprus. Eds. C. Charalambides, M. Charalambides &
P. Neophytou.

Cyprus Ornithological Society (1957) (1988?). Amnual Report 32 (for
1985). Editor C. J. L. Bennett. pp. 83.

Dayani, A. (1986). Fall food items utilised by Chukars in central
Alborz protected region, Iran. Linzer Biol. Beitr. 18(1): 95-99.

de Grissac, P. (1987). Voyage Ornithologique Egypte - fevrier 1987

in Groupe Ornithologique de Loire Atlantique, Bulletin 8: 77-88.

Dijksen, L. J. & P. Van Der Wolf (1987). Mid-winter waterfowl
census Turkey, January 1987. WIWO Report 18. 47pp.

Disi, A. M. & A. H. Bouran (1987). A Check-list of the Birds of the

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Publication of the University of
Jordan.

Dovrat, E. (1986). Kfar Qasem - cross-Samaria raptor migration
survey, autumn 1985. Torgos 12: 63-88. English summary p. 116.

Dowsett, R. J., G. C. Backhurst & T. B. Oatley (1988)=.. Afrotropical
ringing recoveries of Palearctic migrants. 1. Passerines (Turdidae
to Orioladac)...= Tauraco..: 29-63.

Dubai Bird Report (1987). N° 1 (July-Sept. 1987) in Gazelle 2(10):
8-16. Subsequent numbers issued separately by Dubai Natural History

Group. Compiled by C. Richardson.

Dubois, P. J. (ed.) (1987). Voyage LPO en Turquie 16 au 28 (30)
avril 1987 28pp. Ligue Francaise pour la Protection des Oiseaux
(La Corderie Royale, BP 263, 17305 Rochefort Cedex, France.)

Eldoy, S. (1985). (Bird capture on Cyprus.) Var Fuglefauna 8(3):
204-205. In Norwegian.

Evans, D. L. (1987). Dolphins as beaters for gulls? (Lebanon)
Bird Behaviour 7(1): 47-48.

Evans, M. (1986). Wadi Boglar, Yemen Arab Republic. Phoenix 3: 4.
Evans, M. 1..(1987).:. Jebel Nabi. Shavayb, Y. A... Phoeeade Se Se

Evans, M. (1988). Observations on the behaviour of the Crab Plover.
OSME Bull...20:.5-/.

Evans, M. I., S. Christensen & D. J. Brooks (1987). The South
Arabian Wheatear in North Yemen. Sandgrouse 9: 82-86.

Everett, M. J. (1987). The Arabian Woodpecker in North Yemen.
Sandgrouse 9: /4-77.

Everett, M. J. (1987). The Arabian and Yemen Serins in North Yemen.

Sandgrouse 9: 102-105.

Everett, M. (1988). Selected spring observations from the Suez
Canal and the Gulf of Suez. OSME Bull. 20: 3-5.

Farina, A. (ed.) (1986). First conference on birds wintering in the
Mediterranean region. lst. Naz. Biol. Selvaggina, V. Stradelli
Guelfi, 23/A Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.

Flaxman, T. (1987). Cranes in Egypt. OSME Bull. 19: 16-17.

Foster, D. J. (1987). First breeding record of Black-winged Stilt
in Oman. Phoenix 4: 6,

Frumkin, R. (1988). Biology and identification of the Sooty Falcon
(Falco concolor). Limicola 2(3): 83-109. English summary.

Gaasbeek, H. A. (1985). (Israel in October of 1983.) Vogeljaar
S501) 2 29-32. In Dutch.

Gallagher, M. (1986). Oman Wahiba Sands Project 1985/86. Phoenix
ae 7-8,

Glas, L. & D. Porper (1986). (Nesting of Storks on the Golden
Plateau.) Tzufit 4: 6-15. In Hebrew.

Glimmerveen, U. & H. Hols (1986). Red-rumped Wheatear, Oenanthe

moesta, in Turkey. Zoology in the Middle East 1: 26-28.

Goldstein, H. et al. (1986). Infanticide in the Palestine Sunbird
(Israel). Condor 88(4): 528-529.

Goldstein, H. et al. (1987). Sunbirds prefer to feed in the sun.
Ardea 75(2): 293-295.

Goodman, S. M. (1984). The validity and relationships of Prinia
gracilis natronensis (Aves: Sylviidae) (Egypt). Proc. Biol. Soc.
Washington 97(1): 1-11.

Goodman, S. M. & S. A. Tewfik (1983). A specimen record of the
Firecrest, Regulus ignicapillus, from north-western Egypt. Gerfaut
73: 201-204.

Goodman, S. M. & G. A. Mowla Atta (1987). The birds of
south-eastern Egypt. Gerfaut 77(1): 3-41.

Goodman, S. M. & R. W. Storer (1987). The seabirds of the Egyptian
Red Sea and adjacent waters, with notes on selected Ciconiiformes.
Gerfaut 77(2): 109-145.

Goodman, S. M. & R. W. Storer (1988). Food habits of the White-eyed

Gull Larus leucophthalmus and the Sooty Gull Larus hemprichii in the
Egyptian Red Sea. Ostrich 59(1): 42-44.

Goriup, P. (1988). Desert birds seeking shelter beside a vehicle
(Saudi Arabia). OSME Bull. 20: 22.

Gorney, E. (1987). Ringing raptors in Elat. Israel Land & Nature
Bets): Li5-116.

Gorney, E. & Z. Labinger (1988). Trapping and ringing migrating
birds of prey Elat, Israel - spring 1987. Torgos 14: 54-62.
English summary p. 102.

Gregory, G. (1987). Recent birdwatching in Kuwait Part |.
Twitching 1(11): 350-351.

Groh, G. (1985). Mass migration of the Red-necked Phalarope,
Phalaropus lobatus, in Eastern Turkey. Zoology Middle East 1:
ZB=29

Gurpinar, T. (1986). Kuscenneti (National Park, Turkey). Naturopa
53 25=26:

Hadad, E. (1985). Raptor migration survey in the Bet Shemesn area —-
autumn 1985. Torgos 12: 96-105. English summary p. 115.

Harrap, S. (1987). Comments on historical records of the Siberian
White Crane in Turkey. OSME Bull. 19: 18-19.

Hatzoff, O. (1988). A nesting colony of Lesser Kestrels Falco
naumanni in Mussrara, Jerusalem, spring 1987. Torgos 14: 24-30.
English summary pp. 105-106.

Hirsch, U. (1984). Nationalpark fur Waldrappen. WWF Report
ISBEC3) =~ to-17.

Hofshi,. H. .et als €198/) <—_A. case of infanticide among Tristram's
Grackles Onychognathus tristramii (Israel). Ibis 129(3): 389-390.

Hofshi, H. et al. (1987). Urban nesting of Tristram's Grackles
Onychognathus tristramii in Israel. Ostrich 58(4): 156-159.

Hollom, P. A. D., R. F. Porter, S. Christensen & I. Willis (1988).

Birds of the Middle East and North Africa. A companion guide.
Poyser, Calton.

Hoppe, N. (1986). Pellet contents of the Barn Owl, Tyto alba, near
Samandag, Turkey. Zoology Middle East 1: 29-32.

Horin, 0. & M. Adar (1986). Survey of White Stork migration,
Israel, spring 1984. Tzufit 4: 17-38. English summary p. 128.

Hoter, E. (1986). The Birds of Bet Tsaida. Tzufit 4: 84-102.
English summary p. 126.

Hoter, E. (1987). Birdwatching in the Bethsaida Valley and southern
Golan Heights. Israel Land & Nature 12(3): 119-123.

Houlihan, P. F. with S. M. Goodman (1986). The Birds of Ancient
Egypt. Aris & Phillips 1986. (Includes a checklist of birds of
Egypt with Egyptian Arabic names.)

Hovel, H. (1987). Check-list of the Birds of Israel. Societvw for
the Protection of Nature in Israel, Tel-Aviv. pp. 196.

Howe, S. (1987). The Nile Valley Sunbird in Egypt. OSME Bull. 18:
10.

Dt a=. o

Ilani, G. (1987 & 1988). Wildlife News (contains bird notes).

Israel Land & Nature 13(2): 88-94; 13(3): 140-146; 13(4): 194-199.

International Bird Identification (1987). Proceedings of the 4th
International Identification Meeting Eilat lst-8th November 1986
(International Birdwatching Center Eilat, P. 0. Box 774, Eilat
88000, Israel).

Alstrom, P. & U. Olsson. Field identification of Arctic and
Greenish Warblers. pp. 54-59.

Clark, W. S. The rufous morph of the Booted Eagle. pp. 21-24.

Dunn, J. L., J. Morlan & C. P. Wilds. Field identification of
forms of Lesser Golden Plover. pp. 28-33.

Grant, P. J. Notes on Armenian Herring Gull. p. 43.

Olsen, K. M. Identifying juveniles of the smaller skuas. pp.
34-40.

Olsson, U. The identification o£ snipes. , pp..25-2/.

Sharrock, J. T. R. Formation of West Palearctic List Committee.
De Bilis

Shirihai, H. Field characters of the Negev Lappet-faced Vulture.
pp. 8-ll.

Shirihai, H. Field characters of Mountain Chiffchaff. pp.
60-63.

Shirihai, H. & M. Gellert. Field characters of Sykes's Yellow
Wagtail. pp. 49-53.

Svensson, L. Underwing pattern of Steppe, Spotted and Lesser
Spotted Eagles. pp. 12-14.

Taylor, B. P. Field Identification of Greater and Lesser
Sandplovers. pp. 15-20.

Izhaki, I. & U. N. Safriel (1985). Why do fleshy-fruit plants of
the Mediterranean scrub intercept fall but not spring-passage of
seed-dispersing migratory birds? Oecologia 67(1): 40-43.

Jakobsen, 0. (1986). Occurrence of Brown-necked Raven, Corvus

ruficollis, at Cizre in Eastern Turkey. Zoology Middle East 1:

g2-33..

Jannes. H. (1987). Syysmuuttoa Punaisella merella (Eilat).

Lintumies 5: 210-212. In Finnish.

Jannes, H. & P. Nikander (1987). Lintumatkat Israel. Helsinki.
pee 2h.

Jenkins, P. G. (1985). Notes on Akrotiri Salt Lake colony of Dead
Sea Sparrow (Passer moabiticus). Journ. RAF Orn. Soc. 15: 5.

Jenkins, P. G. (1986). Note on Akrotiri Salt Lake colony of Dead
Sea Sparrow (Passer moabiticus). Cyprus Orn. Soc. Bird Rept. 13:
56.

Jenkins, P. G. (1985). Observation of breeding - Akrotiri Salt Lake
- 1982. Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus). Journ. RAF Orn.
SOCn 15 6).

Jenkins, P. G. (1986). Observation of breeding - Akrotiri Salt Lake
- 1982 Great Crested Grebe. Cyprus Orn. Soc. Bird Rept. 13: 56.

Jennings, M. C. (1985 onwards). (Numerous short articles on
Arabian breeding species, sites of interest in Arabia, etc.)
Phoenix 1 onwards.

Jennings, M. C. (1986). Occurrence of White-eyed Gull, Larus

leucopthalmus on Masirah Island. Journal RAF Orn. Soc. 16: 107.

Jennings, M. C. (1987). Highlights of an ornithological expedition
to Saudi Arabia: March 1986. Journ. Saudi Arabian Nat. Hist. Soc.
2G7 in 0=36'¢

Jennings, M. C. (1988). Report on an ornithological survey of the
Asir National Park, Saudi Arabia, 29 June to 18 July 1987. National

Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development Technical

Report N 4. pp. 76 & plates.

Jennings, M. C. (1988). A note on the birds of the Farasan Islands,
Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. Fauna of Saudi Arabia 9: 457-467.

Jennings, M. (1988). The occurrence of White-eyed Gull and House
Sparrow on Masirah Island 1979. Journ. RAF Orn. Soc. 18: 100-102.

Jiad, J. H. & M. Buni (1985). Pair-formation and courtship in the
scrub sparrow, Passer moabiticus Tristram (Iran). Journ. Biol. Sci.
Res. Baghdad 16(1): 5-15. In Farsi, English summary.

Juliusburger, R. (1986). Notes on the identification of some
Buntings. Tzufit 4: 119-122. English summary p. 126.

Kadhim, A. H. H. et al. (1987). The annual cycle of male house
Sparrow Passer domesticus in central Iraq. Journal Biol. Sci. Res.

Baghdad 18(1): 1-9.

Kam, M. et al. (1987). Seasonal energy, water and food consumption
of Negev Chukars and Sand Partridges. Ecology 68(4): 1029-1037.

rn ia

Karpin, T. (1988). Hushaniya, the Barn Owl Village - two years
after “Vole Year”. Torgos 14: 31-36. English summary p. 104.

Kasparek, M. (1984). On the occurrence of the Greater Flamingo

(Phoenicopterus ruber roseus) in the Sultan Marshes (Turkey).
ICBP-IWRB Flamingo Working Group Newsletter 2: 24-26.

Kasparek, M. (1986). On the occurrence of the Bittern, Botaurus
stellaris, in Turkey. Zoology Middle East 1: 33-41.

Kasparek, M. (1986). On the age of the colony of the Bald Ibis,
Geronticus eremita, at Birecik, Turkey. Zoology Middle East 1:
42-43.

Kasparek, M. (1986). On the distribution and systematic: position of
the Barn Owl, Tyto alba, in Turkey and adjacent areas. Zoology
Middle East 1: 44-51.

Kasparek, M. (1986). New records of the Red-tailed Wheatear,
Oenanthe xanthoprymna, in Turkey. Zoology Middle East 1: 51-54.

Kasparek, M. (1986). The Cyprus Warbler, Sylvia melanothorax,
recorded in Turkey. Zoology Middle East 1: 54-56.

Kasparek, M. (1986). On records of the Pine Bunting, Emberiza
leucocephalos, in Turkey from the last century. Zoology Middle East
be 56-59.

Kasparek, M. (1987). The birds of Lake Kulu (Kulu Gélii). Birds of
Turkey 5. 42 pp.

Kasparek, M. & D. Ristow (1986). On the occurrence of Eleonora's
Falcon, Falco eleonorae, in Turkey. Zoology Middle East 1: 60-69.

Kilic, A. & M. Kasparek (1987). The birds of Yenicaga Gdlii. Birds
of Turkey 6. pp. 32.

Kiziroglu, I. (1986). Turkiye Kuslari. Die Vogelarten der Tiirkei.
Eigener Verlag, Beytepe/Ankara.

Kiziroglu, I. (1987). Die gefahrdeten Vogelarten (Nonpasseres) der
Turkei. (English summary.) Verh. Orn. Ges. Bayern 24: 533-540.

Klapste, J. (1987). Bird-watching in Israel. Bird Observer
(Australia) 666: 73-74.

Kumerloeve, H. (1987). Some comments on Turkish bird sanctuaries.
OSME Bull. 18: 11-15.

Labinger, Z., E. Gorney & R. Parslow (1988). A Shikra - new species
for Israel. Torgos 14: 63-66. English summary p. 101.

Lavee, D. (1985). The influence of grazing and intensive
cultivation on the population size of the Houbara Bustard in the
northern Negev in Israel. Bustard Studies 3: 103-107.

Linsink, R. (1987). Notes on the birds of some wetlands in
north-east Greece and Turkey, 6th July-6th August i987.- WIWO Report
Oy Giepp 2. 5Ule

Mansoori, J. (1985). The status of the Houbara Bustard in Iran.
Bustara Studies 32° 97-99:

Martins, R. & C. Robson (1988). Selected bird observations from
Turkey: spring and summer 1983. OSME Bull. 20: 11-20.

Meininger, P. & Bijlsma. R. (1988). Mass movements of Alpine
Swifts.) 7 OSME Bu lds. 220: 24-25%

Meir, B. (1986). The secret of the survival of Short-—toed Eagles.
Torgos 12: 25-34. English summary pp. 118-119.

Meroz, A. & E. Eyal (1986). Ramat Hasharon raptor migration survey,
autumn 1985. Torgos 12: 89-95. English summary p. 115.

Milchteich, Y. (1988). Daily movements of the migration azis of
Honey Buzzards in south-western Samaria. Torgos 14: 3/-45. English
summary pp. 103-104.

Mitsch, H. (1988). Wo lebt der Nachtschattenesser (Hypocolius
ampelinus)? Orn. Mitt. 40(3): 68-70.

Mullie, W. C. (1988). Catching of Common Terns by children in
Egypt. ~ .OSME. Bull ...20:, 22-23.

Nir, Y. (1986). Documentation of an Osprey nest on the Island of
Snapir by an Austrian expedition (1896) and an Israeli geological
expedition (1974). Torgos 12: 5-7. English summary p. 120.

Oreel, G. J. (1988). Recent West Palearctic reports. Dutch Birding
LOCS)@ LOLs

Pearson, D. J. & G. C. Backhurst (1988). Characters and taxonomic
position of Basra Reed Warbler. British Birds 81: 171-178.

Phillips, D. (1988). Asian midwinter waterfowl census (Bahrain

LOth-25th January 1988). Newsletter Bahrain Nat. Hist. Soc.
ESG6C2Z) 3. 7.

Platt, J. B. (1985). Houbara Bustard research in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates. Bustard Studies 3: 101-102.

Pompert, W. (1988). Graceful Warbler in Cyprus in October 1987.
Dutch Birding 10(1): 29,

oe a

79 |
Prytherch, R. & M. Everett (1988). Djibouti ILI (short note).
BEDeLen Birds 81(4).: 197.

Richardson, C. (1988). A study of the birds of the Masafi area -
3rd-4th March 1988. Gazelle 3(3): 7-11.

Rogers, T. D. (1988). A new list of the birds of Masirah Island
Sultanate of Oman. Oman Bird Records Committee. pp. 48.

Royal Air Force Lyneham Ornithological Group Expedition, Cyprus 83

(1987). Cyprus Orn. Soc. Bird Report 14: 51-72.

Royal Air Force Ornithological Society Expedition to Cyprus
April-May 1986 (1988). Journ. RAF Orn. Soc. 18: 64-82.

Schluter, P. (1987). The Brown Fish Owl (Ketupa zeylonensis) in
Israel. Torgos 13: 5-16. English summary pp. 118-119.

Schluter, P. (1988). The Brown Fish Owl in Israel. Israel Land &
Nature 13(4): 168-176.

Sere, D. (1986). Recoveries: Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
(Egypt). Acrocephalus 7(29): 25-27.

Shirihai, H. (1987). An Intercontinental Highway for migrating
raptors. Torgos 13: 36-95. English summary pp. 116-117.

Shirihai, H. (1988). Pintail Snipe in Israel in November 1984 and
its identification. Dutch Birding 10: 1-ll.

Shirihai, H. (1988). Raptor migration in Eilat - spring 1987.
Torgos 14: 46-53. English summary pp. 102-103.

Shirihai, H. (1988). Iris colour of Sylvia Warblers. British Birds
Baty) 6325-328.

Shirihai, H. (1988). A new subspecies of Arabian Warbler Sylvia
leucomelaena from Israel. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 108(2): 64-68.

Shirihai, H. (1988). PhotoSpot 26. Lappet-faced Vulture. British
Birds 81(9): 444-446.

Simpson, D. M. (1987). Observations of birds in the Persian Gulf
July-November 1985. Sea Swallow 36: 15-19.

Singer, R. & Y. Yom-Tov (1988). The breeding biology of the House
Sparrow Passer domesticus in Israel. Ornis Scandinavica 192):
139-144,

Steiof, K. (1987). (Very large numbers of White Stork (Ciconia
ciconia) over Hurghada/Egypt.) Vogelwarte 34(2): 100-106. English
summary.

Summers-Smith, D. S. (19887). Notes on Dead Sea Sparrow (Passer
moabiticus) colonies in Cyprus. Cyprus Orn. Soc. (1957) Ann. Rept.
VAR ehSie Se uae

Theide, W. (1988). A Swift over Istanbul in October. OSME Bull.
ZOD Die

Tye, A. (1983). Mystery photographs - Dunn's Lark (Saudi Arabia).
British Birds 81(3): 134-137.

Van Den Berg, A. B. & G. J. Oreel (1983). Recent western Palearctic
reports. Dutch Birding 10(1): 34-35.

Van Der Have, T. & V. Van Den Berk (1988). Waders and waterfowl in
Southern Turkey, spring 1987. OSME Bull. 20: 2-3.

Welch, G. R. & H. J. (1988). A new subspecies of Pytilia melba from
Djibouti, East Africa.. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 108(2): 68-70:

Welch, G. & H. (1988). Djibouti III - Preliminary Report. OSME
Billie ZO 1-2

Whitehouse, S. (1987). Wallcreepers and where to look for them
(includes Turkey). TIwitching 1(11): 352-355.

Yosef, R. (1988). Kleptoparasitism in birds of prey. Torgos 14:
67-77. English summary pp. 100-101.

Zonfrillo, B. (1988). Notes and comments on the taxonomy of
Jouanin's Petrel Bulweria fallax and Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria
bulwerii., Bull. Breit. Orne Club. l08Q2)=) 71-75 -

Journals containing notes on birds, from which individual bird
articles have not necessarily been listed:

Bahrain Natural History Society Bird Lists. Currently issued at
six~monthly intervals and compiled by T. Nightingale. (BNHS, P. 0.

Box 20336, Manama, Bahrain.)

Bahrain Natural History Society Newsletter. Short bird notes in

some monthly issues. (BNHS, P. O. Box 20336, Manama, Bahrain.)

Cyprus Ornithological Society (1957) Newsletter. Issued monthly.

(COS (1957), P.O. Box 4319, Nicosia, Gyprus.)

Emirates Natural History Group (Abu Dhabi) Newsletter. Bird notes

in most issues. (ENHG, P. 0. Box 303, Abu Dhabi, United Arab
Emirates.)

Gazelle - Dubai Natural History Group Newsletter. Bird notes in

most monthly issues. (DNHG, P. 0. Box 9292, Dubai, United Arab
Emirates.)

Oman Bird News. (Oman Bird Records Committee, c/o P. 0. Box 246,
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.)

Nature & Ornithological Society of North Yemen Newsletter.
Contains bird notes. (NOSY, c/o Mrs. Margaret Higgins, c/o British

Vecerinary Project (Sana’a, Y. A. Rs), F. C..0. Bagroom Sana'a, 14
King Charles Street, London SWLA 2AH.)

Phoenix. (A newsletter compiled and distributed by M. ©. Jennings
for contributors to the Atlas of the breeding birds of Arabia in
prep.). (M. C. Jennings, Moonraker Cottage, 1 Eastcourt, Burbage,
Marlborough, Wilts.)

LETTERS
Dear Sir

As one of the most remote and out-of-touch members, I can only sit
back and wholeheartedly applaud the splendid and exciting
contributions that others are making to the ornithology of the
Middle East, at the same time envying them their opportunities of
visiting and living in that enchanting part of the world.

However, not all records are as original as claimed. For instance,
in OSME Bulletin 20: 42 the first record of the Fieldfare Turdus
pilaris is given for Iraq, admittedly at second-hand. In fact, the
species is quite well known for that country and there ought to be a
specimen in the Iraqi Natural History Museum. References are in the
Bulletins of the INHM Vol. 1(49) and Vol. 2(1 & 3) and in Ardea 51:
237-43. A similar over-optimistic claim for the occurrence of the
Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola in Iraq was made in Sandgrouse 4:
66, overlooking records published in Bull. INHM 1(4): 34. Likewise,
there has been an omission regarding the occurrence of the Shore
Lark Eremophila alpestris in the southern Iraqi deserts (see Bull.
INHM 1(4): 27).

One might go even a little further and suggest that the discovery of
the spectacular migration of raptors at Eilat and along the Gulf of
Aqaba was foreshadowed in Ibis 14(5): 277-8 for 1941 by observations
near Hurghada in Egypt, almost opposite the entrance to the Gulf.

S. Marchant, Box 123, Moruya, NSW 2587, Australia.

REVIEWS

A New List of the Birds of Masirah Island, Sultanate of Oman b
T. D. Rogers. 1988. 48 pages. The Oman Bird Records Committee,
P. 0. Box 246, Sultanate of Oman.

Although long recognised for its importance to breeding seabirds and

as a migration stop-over for many waders and passerines - the island

boasts a list of over 260 species - Masirah has been a difficult
place on which to obtain detailed information. However, this has
now been remedied in this very well compiled and presented booklet
which provides all of the necessary information required by anyone
birdwatching on the island. Besides the comprehensive systematic
list, covering records up to November 1987, there are short sections
on Masirah's climate am vegetation; a birdwatcher's calendar of
ornithological events; a useful list of sites to visit with
recommendations for timing; breeding birds; and five Appendices
covering Species Not at Present Accepted, List of Observers, Wader
Counts, Rainfall and Temperature (1966-75) and a Bibliography.

There is also an Addendum with details of a further four species
added to the island's list since the main text was compiled. This
is a valuable addition to the literature of this region and
thoroughly recommended - at £2.00 plus postage it is excellent value
for money.

Geoff Welch

Birds of Turkey /, Acigol by Lieuwe J. Di jksen and Max Kasparek.
1988. Price €2.00 including postage from OSME Sales.

Acigol is a saline lake adjacent to the E24 road from Izmir to Afyon
in south-west Anatolia (the publication states E25 but on my map the
road is labelled E24). The lake is the most westerly of a group of
large lakes of which the best known is perhaps Burdur Golii, which
will be covered in the next number in the Birds of Turkey series.
Birds of Turkey 7 also includes Calti G6lii, a small lake to the
south-west of Acigol.

The booklet follows the now familiar layout of a general description
of the lake and its surrounding area followed by its ornithological
importance, other fauna, human activity and nature conservation,
birdwatching and hints for birdwatchers. The bulk of the booklet
(21 pages) gives the status of the 203 bird species recorded in the
area. There is a Turkish summary and reference list at the end.

Most birdwatching activity has been in the spring (April/May) but
only 22 species have been confirmed as breeding. The most important
of these are Common Crane Grus grus, whose population appears to
have been stable at about 12 pairs since the last century, and Great
Bustard Otis tarda which appears to be declining markedly. The area
is also important for breeding White Stork Ciconia ciconia, Ruddy
Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, Shelduck T. tadorna, Egyptian Vulture
Neophron percnopterus, Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus,
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus, Avocet Recurvirostra
avosetta and Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus but there is
still much to clarify and discover. Greater Flamingos
Phoenicopterus ruber might breed and confirmation is needed for
Eagle Owl Bubo bubo, White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis and
Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis. The status of Lammergeier

Gypaetus barbatus and Griffon Gyps fulvus and Black Aegypius

monachus Vultures in the surrounding mountains, which apparently
have never been visited by birdwatchers, needs checking. Evidence
suggests a marked decline in recent decades.

The area is also important in the post breeding period for waders,
gulls and terns and systematic counts between July and September
would add greatly to our knowledge of the importance of the site.

Threats to the area appear to have been mainly from drainage with
hectares in 1981. The lake held up to 3,230 Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufina, /0,000 Pochard Aythya ferina and 40,000 Coot Fulica
atra in winter so the drainage has been particularly detrimental for
these species.

A NATO airbase is currently under construction and planes will fly
low over Acigol at take-off and landing. The current hunting
practices are unknown although a Common Crane was reported trapped
some 20 years ago.

Many of the previous sites in the Birds of Turkey series have been
away from the main tourist areas of Turkey. Acigol, however, is in
easy reach of tourist centres. It is hoped that this publication
will stimulate visits to Acigol am establish its importance
particularly in the post-breeding summer period.

Simon Albrecht

Der Bafasee: Natur und Geschichte in der tiirkischen Agdis by

Max Kasparek. 1988. Heidelberg: Max Kasparek Verlag. 1/74
erback, DM 34-50 (obtainable from the author, Bleich Str. 1, 6900

Heidelberg, West Germany) .

This is a study of both history and natural history at Bafa Gdli in
south-west Turkey. It is a somewhat curious combination, but
clearly a powerful one for the tourist. Bafa G6lii has an enormously
rich cultural heritage, and Kasparek's photographs, plans and
sketches of ancient buildings and their features flesh out over 40
pages of text devoted to the long history of the area. Another 27
pages go on plants (24 of them being a mere list of species), five
On mammals, 32 on birds and 12 on other animals.

The bird list records 256 species for the lake and its shores, with
an average of around three lines of annotation per species; much the
longest entries are for the waterbirds. It is very largely these
“waterbirds” that make Bafa G6lU of major international importance
for conservation (the numbers in brackets indicate estimated pairs):

Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus (10), Little Bittern
Ixobrychus minutus (10), Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (10-20),
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (5-10), Little Egret Egretta

garzetta (100), Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (5-10), White Stork
Ciconia ciconia (<25), Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (20-30),

White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (2-3), Short-toed Eagle
Circaetus gallicus (>5), Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus (1-2),
Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus (<5), Lesser Kestrel Falco
naumanni (<25), Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (>10),
White-breasted Halcyon smyrnensis (1-2) am Pied Kingfishers Ceryle
rudis (1-2). Great concentrations of wintering waterfowl occur with
an astonishing 400,000 Coot Fulica atra recorded in December 1986.

The natural history in this book is a labour of accumulation rather
than of synthesis. More empnasis on describing and napping
habitats, and integrating animal species distributions accordingly,
would have made a more user-friendly guide. Nevertheless, it
remains an indispensable conpanion to the area, and a powerful
stimulus to its conservation.

NE dence lela

Report on an Ornithological Survey of the Asir National Park
Saudi Arabia, 29 June to 18 July 1987 by M. C. Jennings
M. I. al Salama and H. M. Felemban. /6pp. Technical Report N° 4

National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development,
Riyadh.

The last three years have been a period of remarkable progress for
wildlife conservation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Hitherto,
only Oman had any track record of note in this field, but the
creation of the NCWCD in 1986 by Royal Decree has quickly
established a leading role for the Kingdom in the conservation of
the peninsula's flora and fauna. This report is one of a rapidly
growing series of policy documents, research papers and survey
reports resulting from work being sponsored by NCWCD. A
particularly welcome aspect is the emphasis given to participation
by Saudi biologists so they can receive training in field skills.

Asir National Park and its environs constitute one of the most
Spectacular and important areas for wildlife in the Kingdom. Just
high enough to condense water from clouds and to catch the tip of
the south-west monsoon to grow juniper forest and plunging down the
Asir scarp to the torrid heat of the coastal desert in the Tihama
plain, the area is a microcosm of the peninsula's habitats. The
authors, who worked principally around Jebel Sooda, found 41 bird
species definitely breeding here, with a total of 83 species
possibly breeding, including all of the nine truly endemic landbirds
of the region. The report includes much useful information on the
geomorphology, climate and ecology of the Park, and appendices
provide a systematic list of all birds observed, biometric and moult
data on birds caught and a summary of the breeding status of the
birds present. One chapter deals with the environmental problems of
Jebel Sooda which, unusually for Arabia, include pressure froa
tourist development. The report also sets out some helpful
recommendations for further survey and conservation measures.

Paul Gor iup

Wea

A Check-list of the Birds of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: an
Ecological Outlook by A. M. Disi and A. H. Bouran. 1987. 152
pages. Paperback. Department of Biological Sciences, University of
Jordan, Amman. No price given.

This is the first annotated list of the birds of Jordan that has
ever been published. Distribution, habitats, feeding and breeding
details are given for each species. However, only the data on
distribution refers specifically to Jordan. Although published in
an Arabian country, this check-list is in English. This may account
for a number of misprints, but not for a certain lack of up-to-date
information. For example, data from the very important
contributions by Wallace (Sandgrouse 4: 77-99 and 5: 1-18) are not
incorporated.

Unfortunately, a considerable number of factual errors diminish the
value of this check-list. The supposedly systematic sequence of
species has beer mixed up completely, Apodiformes, for instance,
appear between Anseriformes and Charadriiformes. The Water Rail
Rallus aquaticus is presented twice, as number 73 and number 173
with different texts! Several species mentioned in the literature
for Jordan are missing; Ostrich Struthio camelus (extinct), Brown
Booby Sula leucogaster (vagrant Aqaba), Marbled Duck Marmaronetta
angustirostris (vagrant Azraq), Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula
krameri (introduced Aqaba, Amman) and House Crow Corvus splendens
(introduced Aqaba). Other species, however, have been included only
on the authority of the small distribution maps in Heinzel et al.
(1972) or of vague citations from literature (e.g. Delacour), for
instance Dotterel Charadrius morinellus (incorrectly “summer
visitor") , Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo and Lesser
White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (both wrongly “in all parts of
Jordan") as well as Little Gull Larus minutus, Stock Dove Columba
oenas and Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus. Some of the species
mentioned for the Jordan valley do in fact occur there but have been
observed, it seems, only outside the boundaries of Jordan (including
the Westbank), for example Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis (and
Black-headed Plover?). Two wheatear species Eastern Pied Wheatear
Oenanthe picata and Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura must also be
excluded, since both observations are due to confusion with the
almost black subspecies of the Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens.
Several species are by no means only migrants or even accidentals,
but actually breeding, such as Bonelli's Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus
and - only recently - Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis, Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cetti and Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis. On the
other hand, a nmunber of species are wrongly quoted from Benson
(1970) for Azraq, although the source mentions them without a

location, e.g. as breeding birds: Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus,
Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus and Tristram's Grackle

Onychognathus tristramii. The range of the Palestine Sunbird
Nectarinia osea is by no means restricted to the Rift Valley (also
Petra, Wadi Rum etc.). Habitat characterisations, too, are
frequently quite wrong, e.g. for the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles

alchata "found in forests"! Some of the skins in national
collections ougnt to be re-examined (e.g. Goliath Heron Ardea
goliath).

The publications by Wallace have been justly recognised as important
in the introduction, but for many species they were in fact
disregarded. The valuable work by Hollom (1959) was also largely
iznored, while other publications constantly quoted in the
check-list (e.g. Alomia 19/765) are missing from the list of
references.

The present check-list is a ‘Publication of the University of
Jordan'. It seems strange that this exercise in diligence -
apparently produced exclusively at the computer desk - should not
have been submitted to the scrutiny of expert field ornithologists.
So far, the latter seem to exist only in foreign countries,
especially in Europe. Perhaps it was false national pride that led
to a scientific publication containing so many avoidable errors. It
is to be hoped that a thoroughly revised new edition will follow
soon.

Jorg Wittenberg

Birds of the Middle East and North Africa. A companion guide by
P. A. D. Hollom, R. F. Porter, S. Christensen & I. Willis, 1988.

280 pages. Forty colour plates and many line drawings. Poyser,
Caiton. £14.00.

"A much needed guide of unequalled excellence” is what the
pre-publication blurb informs potential buyers. And although
running the risk of preaching to the converted, I have to admit that
Birds of the Middle East and North Africa definitely stands out ina
positive way in the jungle of field guides currently available.

The book is a companion guide to field guides which cover Europe

west of the Urals (notably A field guide to the Birds of Britain and

Europe by Peterson, Mountford and Hollom). Most birdwatchers
visiting areas from Morocco in the west to Turkey, Iran and the
Arabian Peninsula in the east had to rely on The Birds of Britain
and Europe with North Africa and the Middle East by Fitter, Heinzel
and Parslow. The present field guide is very much better than any
other available guide and Hollom, Porter, Christensen and Willis
have produced a book which will become an essential component in the
luggage of even the lightest travelling birder in the area.

The text for species which are excluded from or inadequately covered
by PMH is lengthy, detailed, authoritative, up-to-date and
surprisingly well-written. The typical esoteric birder's jargon is
lacking, without having resulted in non-specific descriptions. The
distribution maps are detailed and superior to the red- or
blue-splashed minimaps in the average field guide. The text is
sparsely enlivened with technical line drawings, of which those of

Steen Christensen are particularly illuminating (see for example the
pelicans, Aquila eagles and gulls). The 40 colour plates are bound
together in the middle of the book, and show all those species and
subspecies which until now had to be searched for in a variety of
handbooks, journals and obscure literature. It is indeed a pleasure
to carry a book in which you cannot only find a detailed description
of the Swift Tern, but also of Sind Pied Woodpecker, Small Skylark,
Yemen Thrush, Upcher's Warbler, Streaked Weaver and Yemen Serin.
Where appropriate, male, female and juvenile plumages are shown, as
are Subspecies typical for the area. This compilation of knowledge,
hard-won over decades, will th2refore be an indispensable source of
reference to birdwatchers visiting the area.

But it is not all hail and praise. Firstly, the introductory
chapter lasts only two am a half pages, only explaining the
headings used for the species accounts. For an interesting area
like North Africa and the Middle East lying at the junction of three
continents and including many desert-dwelling species, this is a
missed opportunity to give a short introduction to geographical
distribution and ecological adaptations. Of course, these subjects
have been dealt with in others books, but why not try to educate a
monomaniacal public like birders?

Secondly, the colour plates are not fully satisfactory. Being well
aware of the preponderance of desert-inhabiting species, and of
their generally washed-out appearance, I still think that the
palette of Ian Willis lacks the necessary gradations in brown, green
and grey. Moreover, there are quite a few discrepancies between
text and plates, particularly when dealing with the warblers (though
I must admit to having checked only a few species). Warblers are
extremely difficult to paint, which should have been an extra reason
to delegate this task to a specialist. Minutiae like colouration of
bill, legs, supercilium, wingbar and edgings of feathers, shape of
the head and bill, extension and form of supercilium etc are
all-important when dealing with nondescript warblers. Many of the
aforementioned semi-trifles are wrongly depicted in for example
Blyth's Reed Warbler, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler,
Upcher's Warbler and Hume's Lesser Whitethroat (the latter is not
even recognisable as such), just to mention a few. These problems
are enhanced by the scale of reproduction (much too small).

Whenever there is doubt whether to follow the text or the plate, it
is preferable to rely on the text.

Whatever the criticisms, the publisher must be complimented on his
modest use of superlatives in his advertisement; he must have been
acquainted with the Dutch saying “excellent wine does not need a
garland". The four authors/artists are to be congratulated with
having set a landmark, which hopefully ends the overproduction of
mediocre field guides and heralds an era of quality.

Rob Bijlsma

Martin Woodcock, numerous line drawings by Ian Willis. London:
Academic Press. £/1.50.

Another masterpiece: tnis tuird volume of The Birds of Africa
completes the non-passerines. It describes in detail, and
illustrates beautifully Africa's parrots, turacos, cuckoos, owls,
nightjars, swifts, colies, kingfishers and their allies, and
woodpeckers and their allies. Although it may seem hard to believe
Volume IIL is better than the previous two volumes. The layout has
remained clear, attractive and easy to find one's way around and
Martin Woodcock's plates are of a higher standard than those in
Volumes I and II.

As in previous volumes each species account gives details of range
and status, a description of field character, voice, general habits,
food and breeding habits. Maps are used to convey not only
distributions but also densities and migration routes. The simple,
but often superb, black and white line drawings by Ian Willis are
employed to show interesting or unusual postures and/or behaviour.
Academic Press have once more excelled themselves in publishing a
top quality book.

Altogether editors, authors, artists and publishers must be warmly
congratulated on producing a real ornithologist's feast. I suggest
we all tuck in.

Michael Rands

Check-list of the Birds of Israel by Haim Hovel. 1987. Society
for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Tel-Aviv. 196 pages. A few
line drawings and one map. £950;

Hot on the heels of Uzi Paz's The Birds of Israel (see Review OSME
Bull. 18: 26-27), comes this second book on a country which was
poorly documented prior to these two volumes. With Hadoram Shirihai
currently at work on a third book we may soon have almost too many
to choose from!

Following a four page introduction, the author has included a very
useful gazetteer listing all the places mentioned in the text and
giving their longitude and latitude. This is accompanied by a
fold-out map of Israel showing the location of most of the important
bird sites in Israel (though not all of them). The bulk of the book
is taken up with a systematic list, followed by seven pages of
references and both scientific and English indexes.

The systematic list is of course the main part of the book. All
Species recorded up to the end of 1984 are included and all of the
subspecies occurring in Israel are listed and details given about
them. For example the entry for Crested Lark Galerida cristata

'
}
7

lists four different subspecies and gives the world range for each
and their status within Israel.

The status in Israel is perhaps the part of most interest to
birdwatchers and this deserves examination in greater detail. The
style in which this is presented is somewhat abbreviated, for
example “Common passage and winter visitor near water, Israel and
Sinai, July to May. Occurs in summer” for Common Sandpiper Actitis
hypoleucos, but greater detail including a summary of individual
records is given for most carer species.

Unfortunately there is still a lack of really detailed information
here and referring to Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris I am told
“Uncommon passage visitor, Israel and Sinai, September to October-
November and March to May. Frequents reedbeds, low vegetation”.
This is certainly more useful than the very brief text in Paz's book
but still doesn't really tell me how likely Marsh Warbler is in Elat
in March, which is what I wanted to know. One advantage that
Hovel's book has over that of Paz is that the names of the observers
of all of the rarer records are given allowing a researcher to
follow up and obtain more information from them if required.
However, Hovel's accounts for the commoner species are much less
detailed than those of Paz, Blackbird Turdus merula for example
being covered in just eight lines as opposed to four fairly lengthy
paragraphs.

The taxonomy and systematic order generally follows Voous with one
or two changes due to more recent research. Cyprus Pied Wheatear
Oenanthe cypriaca is given full status here, though I was puzzled by
the absence of Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka from the list. The
reader might conclude that any Pied Wheatear seen in Israel will be
cypriaca, though this is certainly not the case.

The book is in paperback and is smaller than that of Paz, so it
would be easier to carry around on a visit to Israel. If I had to
choose between the two I would probably opt for this one, though I
would undoubtedly want both books at home to refer to.

David Fisher

NEWS AND INFORMATION (Compiled by Simon Albrecht)

The object of this section is to inform our readers about what ts
occurring in the OSHE region. It is not intended as a definitive
report or write-up of the projects concerned and consequently only
those organisations directly involved are mentioned in the text.
Most of the projects are sponsored by various agencies whose support
is appreciated but this is generally not the place for them to be
acknowledged by name.

International Council for Bird Preservation (ICBP) - New Home

After camping in Portakabins in a sheep field on the outskirts of
Cambridge for several years the International Council for Bird
Preservation (ICBP) has a new and permanent home. Their new
accommodation in the centre of the village of Girton, a few miles
from their old site, is far more in keeping with their increasingly
important role in bird conservation. Whether the bird list gets as
high on the new as on the old site remains to be seen. The new
address is ICBP, 32 Cambridge Road, Girton, Cambridge CB3 OPJ, Great
Britain. The telephone number remains the same: 0223-277318.

Turkey - ICBP European Section Conference: 15-20 May 1989

The European Section of ICBP will hold its next conference in Adana
from 15 to 20 May 1989. In addition to the usual business of the
conference there will be a two-day workshop covering bird
conservation in Turkey and migratory birds in Africa. Further
details from DHKD, Pk 18, Bebek, Istanbul, Turkey or ICBP,

32 Cambridge Road, Girton, Cambridge CB3 OPJ, Great Britain.

Second Mediterranean Seabird Symposium

The symposium will be held in Mallorca from 21 to 26 March 1989 and
will deal with the status and conservation of seabirds. Speakers
will be encouraged to concentrate on the population status of a
single species rather than the birds of a particular location. It
is hoped to broaden participation to include speakers from the Black
Sea as well as the Mediterranean. Further details are available
from Mediterranean Marine Bird Association, 20 rue St-Martin, 75004
Paris, France.

Slender-billed Curlew - Conservation Programme

We have already reported on the plight of the Slender-billed Curlew
Numenius tenuirostris in the previous two bulletins. We are pleased
to report that the ICBP have raised the money to support a project
co-ordinator working three days per week for two years on its
conservation. While a century ago it was the most abundant wader in
Italy there may now be only 100 individuals left in the world and it
is almost certainly the rarest migratory bird in the Western
Palearctic.

The nesting area of the Slender-billed Curlew appears to be West
Siberia, from Omsk to Novosibirsk in the marshy zone just south of

the Taiga. It then migrates south-west through Turkey, Hungary,
Yugoslavia, Romania, Greece, Austria and Ltaly to winter in Tunisia
and Morocco. However, there have also been scattered records of the

Species wintering throughout the Middle East. In the last century
the species wintered in Lran and Lraq and it is not impossible that
some still winter there. The recent cease-fire offers the first
Opportunity for many years for birdwatchers (perhaps on

—

peace-keeping duties) to collect vital ornithological data from the
outstanding wetlands bordering the two countries. Any information,
both positive and negative, from anywhere in the Middle East would
be much appreciated.

In 1987-1988 three individuals were located and studied in Morocco.
The Slender-billed Curlew seems to be tamer than other waders
allowing approach to within 30 metres. The implications for their
vulnerability to hunting are clear. An account of this work has
been written up and will be published in ICBP Study Report N° 29. A
paper reviewing the status of che Slender-billed Curlew since 1900
is also in preparation and will be submitted to a scientific journal
shortly.

If anyone is able to spend time surveying suitable wetlands for the
species they should contact Adam Gretton (address below) and specify
the country(ies) they are visiting and the time of year. Any
confirmed sightings, preferably together with descriptions and
information on habitat and behaviour, should also be sent to Adam.
Please write to Adam Gretton, ICBP, 32 Cambridge Road, Girton,
Cambridge CB3 OPJ, Great Britain. Tel: 0223-277318.

Turkey - Investigation into the Shooting and Catching of Birds

The report on Gernant Magnin's survey in 1987 is due to be published
at the end of the year. We hope to give further details in the next
bulletin.

Turkey - Important Bird Areas: Two Publications

In November 1988 ICBP is publishing its eagerly awaited book
Important Bird Areas in Europe (ICBP Technical Publication N° 9,
£19.50) which will provide data on the location, habitat, protection
status and ornithological importance of some 2,200 sites from
Greenland to Turkey. The study concentrated on globally threatened
birds, species vulnerable and/or declining in Europe and migratory
species that concentrate in large numbers on passage or in winter.
It represents the first attempt to provide the basis for a planned
and integrated network of sites for birds which will need to be
protected if the avifauna is not to be irreversibly impoverished by
the beginning of the 2lst Century.

In May 1989, at the European Continental Section of ICBP in Adana on
the Turkish Mediterranean coast, Important Sird Areas in Turkey will
be published in Turkish to be distributed by Dogal Hayati Koruma
Dernegi (DHKD - the Society for the Protection of Wildlife). The
publication will be the result of a three-year project by [CBP and
DHKD to identify the most important bird areas in Turkey. The
project which has involved a team of field workers has identified
some 80 sites covering over 1.5 million hectares. Not surprisingly,
the majority of these sites are wetlands (over 69) and many of them
are completely unprotected.

We look forward to reviewing these two publications in due course
and in the meantime plan to publish a detailed review of the Turkish
Important Bird Areas inventory in the next edition of the OSME
Bulletin.

Saudi Arabia - Conservation Planning (Contributed by Tony Juniper)

During March and April 1988 a team from the Ecology and Conservation
Unit of University College London was engaged by the National
Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD) to
demonstrate conservation management planning.

NCWCD have recently undertaken a “conservation review’ and
short-listed around 30 sites of national or international
importance. Fieldwork was undertaken in three sites and information
collected upon which to base management plans. As well as producing
finished plans it was important that NCWCD staff learn something
about the format of management plans and the type of information
required for their compilation.

Three areas in the south-west of the Kingdom were visited. The
Raydah escarpment in the Asir mountains, a section of the Wadi Jizan
system between the coastal plain and the Asir and the Farasan
Islands in the southern portion of the Red Sea. Each site is
important for different reasons but they share some or all of the
following features. There are unique assemblages of animals and
plants, an example is the wildlife of the Raydah Juniper forests.
Here there is a high level of endemism, a relict Palearctic
community and a nationally important selection of Afrotropical
Species. This is reflected in the bird community. Endemic species
include Yemen Thrush Turdus menachensis and Yemen Linnet Cardeulis
yemenensis, relicts include the Asir Magpie Pica pica asirensis and
among the Afrotropical birds are Dusky Turtle Dove Streptopelia
lugens and Brown Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens.
Internationally important populations of certain species occur, this
is true of certain marine species which occur around the Farasan
Islands such as Dugong Dugong dugong and Green Turtle Chelonia
mydas. All sites possess nationally important numbers of at least a
few species. The waterfowl which visit the wetlands of the Wadi
Jizan area constitute such a group of species.

Although NCWCD is a very young organisation and lacks many of the
strengths conservationists have elsewhere (such as well developed
voluntary sector) it has substantial resources and a growing sense
of awareness towards the requirements for the conservation of the
native flora and fauna. The Action Plan for Nature Conservation
(NCWCD 1987) describes the intended conservation effort until 1990.
It is detailed and comprehensive and includes plans for the
establishment of a national biological records centre, a natural
history museum, the initiation of conservation education and the
recommendation that Saudi Arabia become involved with international
conservation initiatives such as Ramsar. Many of the aims of
conservation overlap with the interests of other Government

departments. Problems such as soil erosion are common to (for
example) agriculturalists as well as conservationists and the action
plan emphasises the importance of sharing a mational wildlife
resource database with other interested departments. It is hoped
that this will avoid a duplication of effort and encourage better
understanding.

The main challenge for conservation lies in marrying the interests
of a largely subsistence (amd often nomadic) population with
maintaining areas which can support wildlife. This will involve
influencing land-use in some way, examples are the encouragement of
honey production in favour of grazing (perhaps by providing
guaranteed prices) or reducing grazing pressure through some form of
compensation.

It is hoped that the management plans produced as a result of the
NCWCD/UCL expedition may point the way to resolving some of the
conflicts of interest through demonstrating ways in which wildlife
and economic well-being can coexist.

Bustards Added to Appendix Live@tCLIES

At the sixth conference of the parties involved in the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species, which took place in
Ottawa, Canada during the summer of 1987, all species of bustard
Otididae sp. were added to Appendix II. This followed a
recommendation by the Nature Conservancy Council, due to the threat
to many species of bustard caused by the demand for birds for
Middle-eastern falconry training. International trade in these
species is now being monitored and controlled under licence by all
CITES parties.

The Israel Trust for Ornithology

This newly formed organisation, which will include the Rarities and
Distribution Committees, has been set up to collect information on
birds in Israel. They welcome any contributions which may be of
interest, such as trip reports, descriptions of rarities ete. The
Trust's address is P. O. Box 4168, Eilat 8810, Israel.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

20th International Ornithological Congress 1990

The 20th International Ornithological Congress will
take place in Christchurch, New Zealand, on

2-9 December 1990. The Congress programme will
include six plenary lectures, 48 symposia,
contributed papers (spoken and poster), workshops,
discussion groups and films. There will be a mid-
Congress excursion day. Longer excursions are
planned to interesting ornithological sites in New
Zealand before and after the Congress. In late 1990
New Zealand will also host the 20th World Conference
of the International Council for Bird Preservation in
Hamilton on 21-27 November 1990 and a Pacific
Festival of Nature Films in Dunedin on 27 November-

1 December 1990. Photographic and stamp exhibitions
will be held in Christchurch in association with the
International Ornithological Congress. Requests for the First
Circular, which includes information on the above events, should be
sent to: Dr. Ben D. Bell, Secretary-General, 20th International
Ornithological Congress, Department of Zoology, Victoria University
of Wellington, Private Bag, Wellington, New Zealand.

Help Needed in Israel

The International Birdwatching Centre in Eilat is looking for

volunteers to help with a variety of projects from autumn to spring.

Help is needed with the following:

AUTUMN (September-November): Passerine ringing, waterfowl survey,
general migration survey.

WINTER (December-January): Passerine ringing, waterfowl survey.

SPRING (February-May): Passerine ringing, waterfowl survey, raptor
migration survey, wardening, general migration survey.

Applicants should have experience in one of these fields and are
requested to send details of their experience and relevant
qualifications and recommendations from birders/organisations they

have worked for. Ringers are requested to send a copy of their
valid ringing licence.

Conditions: Volunteers work six days a week and have one day free.
Five days a week will be assigned to research and the remaining day
to guiding or other duties. Lodging in a furnished flat is provided
and volunteers staying for one month or more receive $100 a month to
cover food and other expenses. Transport to Eilat and back is at
the volunteer's own expense.

Anyone interested should write as soon as possible, with their
relevant details and preferred dates of stay to David Yekutiel and
Meray Gellert, LBCE, P. 0. Box 7/74, Eilat, Israel.

REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION

Swallows in the Middle East

I am at present engaged in writing a monograph on the Swallow
Hirundo rustica, and would be grateful to receive information on any
of the following topics (which are not well covered in the
literature):

hs When do Swallows breed in the Middle East (savignii in Egypt or
transitiva in Israel)? What are the clutch sizes? How many
broods do they rear?

ie In Egypt, does savignii breed anywhere away from the Nile
Valley (e.g. the Red Sea coastline) ?

IP In Israel, is transitiva always a summer migrant? And is it
easy to tell in the field from savignii?

4, Does anyone have measurements of samples of savignii or
transitiva taken from live specimens? Or moult records, or

weights?

De Have Swallows colonised Saudi Arabia yet, and if so, which
subspecies is involved?

Can anyone help? Please write to Cliff Davies, Department of
Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, Great
Britain.

OSME NEWS

Tenth AGM

The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London was the venue for
the tenth AGM on 9 July 1988 and there was a record turn-out of over

100 members and guests. The afternoon followed the usual sequence
of three talks combined with official 'business' of the AGM proper.

Water is one of the most important elements influencing the
distribution of birds in the Middle East and all of the talks
reflected this. Arthur Stagg started proceedings with a fascinating
account of the effects of rural and urban development on the
avifauna of the Riyadh region. All too often the word development
is synonymous with habitat loss but here the exact opposite has been
the case. From 1970 onwards, using the country's oil wealth, the
region's vast underground water resources have been tapped to
irrigate large areas of open desert. The resultant areas of
cultivation are now oases for passage and wintering birds, some of
which have completely changed their behaviour to make the most of
the new abundance of food. Steppe Eagles, for example, have taken
to perching on the slowly rotating arms of the irrigators, swooping
down when prey items are disturbed by the machinery, or shuffling
along behind the plough feeding on invertebrates! Coupled with the
rural development has been the growth of Riyadh city which has led
to the inevitable increase in commercial and domestic effluent.
After a degree of purification this waste is pumped into a wadi bed
and then naturally drains away into the desert. The result has been
the creation of a manmade river c.45km long. Many species of wader
which were formerly scarce migrants are now either regularly
recorded or, as in the case of Black-winged Stilt, have become
breeding species. The tremendous importance of the new river has
been recognised by the authorities and the area declared a reserve
by the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and
Development. Together these changes have led to an additional 201
bird species being recorded in the region - currently 286 compared
with the pre-1970 figure of 85.

The afternoon continued with a 'whistle-stop' tour of Egypt by

David Merrie looking at the influence on birds of the country's five
watery habitats - sea, precipitation, rivers, springs and effluent.
Other than the internationally important populations of Little Tern
and Kentish Plover, much of the 'news' from coastal areas is
depressing with hunting widespread, and oil pollution along much of
the Red Sea coast and offshore islands. Rainfall is limited but,
because of the prevailing winds, on Jebel Elba a lush mist oasis has
been formed which allows many elements of the Ethiopian avifauna to
extend northwards into Egypt. The Nile is well known for the large
numbers of herons and wintering wildfowl it supports and the
migration flyway it provides for birds of all types. Although often
dry, wadis tend to have a more prolific growth of vegetation and
provide habitat for many species of resident, wintering and passage
passerines. The same can be said of Cairo, where the profusion of
gardens and parks are of great importance to small birds. No visit
to a country is complete without going to the local sewage farm and
the development at Jebel Asfew, perhaps the largest in Egypt, is
recommended. Here the settling ponds provide ideal feeding and
breeding areas for many species of resident and passage waders and,

like the Riyadh region, it is to be hoped that increased
developments will provide more suitable habitats for the birds of
this vast country.

The final talk was given by Dr. W. R. P. Bourne about seabird
movements in and around the Persian Gulf. The prevailing factors
influencing birds in the area are the two monsoons - with
south-westerly winds in summer and north-easterlies in winter.
Associated with these winds are the cold water upwellings off the
coast of south-west Arabia which attract large concentrations of
seabirds; the movements of these birds are still far from
understood. Perhaps the one good thing to come out of the
hostilities between Iran and Iraq has been the opportunity it has
provided for ornithologists like Dr. Bourne to visit the area, even
if under far from ideal birdwatching conditions!

The business side of the AGM was swiftly and efficiently dealt with
by the Chairman, Mike Rands, who reported that the Society was ina
healthy financial position and that membership had grown
significantly over the last year. Mike stressed that everyone
should be proud of the development and achievements of OSME during
its first 10 years. However, there is still a tremendous amount of
work to be done to document and conserve the bird life of the Middle
East and the Society should look towards a more active role during
the coming 10 years. Two members of the existing Council retired by
rotation —- Nigel Redman, who was Treasurer and had been involved
actively with the Society for the last eight years, and Effie Warr,
who was Secretary and Membership Secretary. Mike paid tribute to
the hard work put in by both. As a small token of appreciation of
Effie's tremendous devotion to duty, she was presented with a large
bouquet of flowers by past Chairman, Richard Porter, on behalf of
OSME. Although deserving a good rest, Effie has agreed/volunteered
to remain as Membership Secretary at least for the coming year.
Four new members of Council were elected - Mark Andrews (currently
working in the Conservation Education Department at Twycross Zoo) ;
Chris Bowden (a contract research worker with the RSPB and a member
of the 1985 Yemen Expedition); Mike Evans (another member of the
Yemen Expedition team) and Hilary Welch (of Djibouti fame, who has
been a co-opted member of Council for the last two years).

Eleventh Annual General Meeting

Make a note in your diaries that the llth AGM will be held on
Saturday 15 July 1989; venue and details will be announced in the
spring Bulletin.

Society Officers 1988/89

Vice Presidents

Sir Derek Barber, UK

Prof. Dr. W. Biittiker, Switzerland
Major M. D. Gallagher, Oman

Ps A. De. -Holtlom, UK

Dr. H. Kumerloeve, West Germany
Prof. H. Mendelssohn, Israel
Dr. G. Tnomé, Lebanon

W. H. N. Wilkinson, UK

Mrs. N. Yazgan, Turkey

Council Members

J. S. MoAlbrecht = sales Officer

S. M. Andrews — Publicity Officer

C. G. R. Bowden

D. J. Brooks - Sandgrouse Editor

Major De.J . RR. Counsell — Treasurer,

M. I. Evans

D. J. Fisher —- Bulletin Editor

M. C. Jennings

R. P. Martins - Turkish Bird Report Editor
W. E. Oddie

D. Parr —- Sandgrouse Senior Editor

Dr. M. R. W. Rands - Chairman

G. R. Welch - Library and Secretary

Mrs. H. J. Welch - Secretary and Library

Thanks to Effie Warr

After five years in office, the 10th AGM saw the retirement by
rotation of Effie Warr from the post of Secretary. Effie will be a
hard act to follow. Her efficiency as a Secretary is evident in the
paperwork she leaves behind - up-to-date and with friendly, helpful
notes attached to anything which might require an explanation. der
attention to detail should be familiar to those who have attended
AGMs - events largely organised and run by Effie with unobtrusive
but invaluable support from her husband, John. Who else would
ensure that entrance tickets were available at reception for those
members who usually attended but who had not got round to writing
this year? Who else, in the days of regular attendance by the
chain-smoking Stanley Cramp, would remember to ensure that the room
booked for a Council meeting allowed smoking? Who else would think
to bring squash and buns to Council meetings for those members who
had not had time to eat tea?

Effie was meticulous as Secretary, but what has set her apart has
been her caring attitude to every single member of OSME. If a
membership lapses or a member dies Effie feels she has lost a
friend. If the Bulletin is delayed or a sales item temporarily out
of stock Effie feels personally responsible and does her utmost to
speed things along.

Effie has done a tremendous amount for OSME, much of it over and
above the call of duty, for which she deserves the heartfelt thanks
of all of us. Between the two of us we hope we shall be able to
continue half of Effie's role as Secretary, but we are delighted

LL .......................___——_—__—_—_—_-

een singin

that she has agreed to remain as Membership Secretary for another
year until a replacement can be found. Whoever takes over can be
assured of inheriting a system which runs like clockwork and
paperwork in apple-pie order. Any offers?

Hilary and Geoff Welch

Forthcoming Events

A reminder about the lOth Anniversary Celebration to be held at the
Friends' douse, Euston Road, London on Saturday 26 November 1988
from 13.00-17.00 hours.

The final programme of talks is still to be finalised but other
entertainments will be an Exhibition and Sale of Paintings of birds
of the Middle East (artists contributing work include Lars Jonsson,
John Busby, Killian Mullarney, John Reaney, Michael Warren,

Martin Woodcock, Ian Willis...); a selection of trade stands from
publishing, optical and tour firms; a Middle Eastern Quiz set by
Chris Harbard; raffle; and refreshments in the form of a Cream Tea.
Phil Hollom and Richard Porter will be signing copies of the new

Birds of the Middle East and North Africa. Tickets are a minimum of

£5.00 each with all proceeds from the afternoon going to OSME's
Conservation Research Fund to finance future work in the Middle
East. Please buy your tickets (available from the Secretary) early
so that numbers for catering can be arranged.

STOP PRESS - We are also planning an ornithological entertainment
"first' for which binoculars will be required! Intrigued? Then
come along and find out what it's all about. Bring a friend,
non-members welcome.

Joint British Ornithologists’ Club/OSME Meeting

At the invitation of the BOC, there will be a joint meeting held at
18.15 for 19.00 hours in the Senior Common Room, Sherfield Building,
Imperial College, London SW7 on Tuesday 6 December 1988. Following
the traditional buffet supper, Mike Rands, Chairman of OSME, will
show the Yemen Expedition film and talk about the exciting
conservation follow-up to the expedition. The cost of the evening
will be £5.00 (which includes the supper), payment and names please
to Hilary Welch, our new Secretary.

Members' Publications

All members who paid a subscription of £7.00 (£10.00 airmail) for
1987 should have received Sandgrouse 9 and Bulletins 18 and 19.
Members who joined this year can order these and other previous
publications from the Sales Officer (see Sales List). Those who
have paid a subscription for 1988 should have received Bulletins 20
and 21 and will receive Sandgrouse 10 which at present is planned
for publication before the end of the year.

New Sales Officer

After 10 years’ sterling work as Sales Officer, Simon Albrecht will
be retiring from the post at the end of this year. Therefore OSME
is seeking a replacement to handle the sales side of the Society's
activities. If you are interested in filling this role or would
like more information on what the job involves before deciding,
please contact Simon.

Announcement/News and Comment

After a long period of silence, we are pleased to hear that the
Ornithological Society of Egypt is reforming and that plans for the
production of Courser 2 are well in hand. Anyone requiring more
information about the Society should contact Mindy Rosenweig,
Egyptian Wildlife Service, Giza Zoo, Cairo, Egypt. We wish OSE
every success for the future.

Notes from the Sales Officer

Sales have remained very heavy throughout the summer which has again
resulted in some delays for which we apologise. It has also meant
that our stocks of certain items have been exhausted and we have
experienced considerable delays (usually beyond our control) in
restocking. Again your patience is requested.

Sandgrouse I

Sandgrouse 1 is out of print but will continue to appear on our
sales list. If there is sufficient demand for it Council may
consider reprinting it. Requests for availability will be treated
sympathetically but no guarantee can be given even of a photocopy.
Money should not be sent until availability has been confirmed.

OSME Ties

We have a new supply of OSME ties with the Sandgrouse motif in black
and gold. The colours differ in part from the previous choice and
are cardinal red, maroon, royal blue, navy blue and beige. The
price is £5.50 surface postage and £6.50 airmail.

Birds of Turkey

We are pleased to announce that Birds of Turkey 7 (Acigol) has now
been published and is available from OSME sales price £2.00 surface
postage and £2.50 airmail. We regret that at the time of writing we
are still awaiting stock of Birds of Turkey 1 to 4.

Wildlife in Bahrain: Fourth Report 1982-1984

We are pleased to report that we have received further copies of
this report which is returned to our sales list.

ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST

clo THE LODGE, SANDY, BEDFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND.

The Ornithological Society of the Middle East was formed in April

1978 and is a successor to the Ornithological Society of Turkey.

Aims

Ae To collect, collate and publish ornithological data on the
birds of the Middle East.

-. To encourage an interest in and conservation of the birds of

the Middle East.

3. To develop a mutually beneficial working relationship with all
environmental and conservation bodies and natural history

societies in and concerned with the Middle East.

ei: Membership is open to all and spans over 40 countries.

Publications Sandgrouse is the annual journal of the Society and
| veliiie
contains scientific papers on all aspects of the ornithology of the

Middle East. A bulletin is also issued bi-annually to all members.

—
aa

For further details and current
subscription rates, write to:
The Secretary, OSME, c/o The Lodge,

Sandy, Beds SG19 2DL, Great Britain

CONTENTS

April bird observations in the Yemen Arab Republic (North

Yemen) 5, L967 ci ewieestas eis io ee ee ee ee a
Selected bird observations from the Farasan Islands ..........
a dls’ siete eio wo pas wim. osclaile = cle cathy alare.6 aitetene/ wieliete niles aie eee Tony Juntos
A nest of the Yemen Warbler ...........-..-. Christian Brduning
OSME Sites Register. Scheme. s.. i226 < opis ce cs oma ae eis te ee
Library Report ceeeeeeeeeceereeeeceeees Geoff and Hilary Welch
Recent literature ....00ss cn evs cneenelscce sheers MES. So) Ea
LECEOCES 2 cove ve cite se cece nea bee 0 s0\n\p 016 650 cin eis isin = ws 'sisin «lotic

Reviews eeeoe@eeev*esesteveeereeeeseenvpeseoeeeeeereeeteeeeseeereeteeseeeeeeeseeeestpeeereeeseee

News and Information eeeeeoe#eeeseeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeee Simon Albrecht
Announcements eeeeeeeeseeeseeeeeeeseeeeeeeseeeeeeeesteeeeeseeeseeee#eeee ee
Requests for information eoeeeeoeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeereeeeeeeeeeeee

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