o 854% Mere 5 tee Alva te'a* THE ORNITHOLOGICAL poole PY OF THE MIDDLE EAST . as ° J = ot. 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 “=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. ES 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.). 16 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 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 33 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 34 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 35 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 36 The Birds of Africa Vol. III by C. H. Fry, S. Keith and Ec lk. Urban. ©1988; . XVI + 611, 32 colour plates b 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 i ' } 7 37 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. 38 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 — 39 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. 40 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 ee 41 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. 42 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 43 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 44 100 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, 45 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 46 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 47 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. 48 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. a — 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 OSME news eseeecoeoesvuavasneaeaeeQgeeqneoanae0uHees 08 0 0'8 Oe Bw O20 2 © 8 2 26 22 8 0: 8 @ 2 SS 4 2235 2 . Page