= ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIE
OF THE MIDDLE EAST

er od —,
PEA na TS

>
“at ae

= 6, wo

- a ee

Sa ie |
.

. . CO ‘ 2) .

Oa - « 2 Sy ae ne ne cee Sa Sin bye: td °
eo, - Ger 80 + ome a" AP on

BULLETIN 26
SPRING 1991

OSME Bulletin 26

Editor: Mark Boyd

All records in this Bulletin are subject to acceptance by the
relevant records committees of the country concerned.

Any articles, announcements or requests to do with birds in the
Middle East are welcome, and may be published free of charge,
subject to the discretion of the Editor. Accompanying photographs
and line-drawings are welcome. Bird names generally follow those
of Birds of the Middle East and North Africa.

Contributions to the next Bulletin should be received by 15
August 1991.

They should preferably be double-spaced and typed. Disks
(3.5 or 5.25 inch only) can be accepted, provided the files are
unformatted ASCII. A paper copy must also be supplied.

Illustrations
_ Weare grateful to the following artists for the illustrations
used in this Bulletin:

SM Andrews: Dalmatian Pelicans 7; Pallid Harrier 18;
Eversmann's Redstart 24; Painted Snipe 62; Cream-coloured
Courser 64.

Nik Borrow: White-headed Ducks, cover and 55.
Hilary Welch: Little Crake 64; Desert Wheatear 66.
Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Chris Tucker for Fel) with the production
of this Bulletin.

Enprial

The Gulf War

The recent war centred on Kuwait has caused devastation for man and
wildlife. As this Bulletin goes to press, the complete picture of the effects
on the area is still emerging. The huge oil slicks within the Red Sea and
the oil well fires on land have killed many resident birds and pose major
hazards to the huge numbers of migrants passing through the area.

Already, reports suggest that as many as half of the individuals in some
migrating wader flocksare visibly oiled. The effects on particular species,
such as Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus that migrate in huge
flocks and feed and rest on water during their voyage, can only be
guessed at.

The whole environmental tragedy of the Gulf still makes headline news,
and now is not the time for a full assessment of the damage in the OSME
Bulletin. We hope to be able to print a round-up of the situation in
Bulletin 27. If anyone resident in or visiting the Middle East in coming
months can provide information on the environmental effects of the war
on the different Middle Eastern states, please write to the Editor, by 15
August 1991.

Finally, we send our best wishes and hopes for a return to a stable peace
to all OSME members, their families and friends.

Priority bird species in Turkey

Richard Porter

This paper has been written with the view of inviting comment. The
author welcomes the views of anyone on criteria used, assignment
of species to these criteria and omissions.

If wise use is to be made of the currently limited resources available to
wildlife conservation, it is important that conservation objectives are
established and that these are based on priorities. The building blocks of
any conservation strategy are the species of animals and plants in the

ecosystem or political zone (eg country) under examination. It therefore
follows that prioritising species, according to certain criteria, is the first
step.

On a world scale, priorities are set out in Red Data Books using
internationally accepted criteria drawn up by IUCN. These are
summarised in the important works - ‘Birds To Watch’ (Collar & Andrew
1988) and ‘Rare Birds of the World’ (Mountfort 1988). These show, for
example, 1000 (over 10%) of the world's 9,000 or so bird species are
threatened with extinction. Of these, 15 occur in Turkey, either as
breeding ornon-breeding birds. In addition, Turkish experts on floraand
fauna of the Prime Ministry Undersecretariat for Environment (TC
Basbakanlik Cevre Mustesarligi) have recently drawn up a draft list of
Threatened Animals in Turkey on which there are 54 bird species.

These publications and lists do not, however, alwaysaddress an important
issue - that of determining the species for which a country, zone or
ecosystem has an international responsibility, though Baris (1989) made
an important contribution towards this. It is for this reason that a list of
birds of conservation importance in Turkey (table 1) has been drawn up.
It acknowledges those species that are world endangered and those on
the Turkish Draft Red Data List of Threatened Species.

Eight criteria were set to recognise birds suitable for inclusion in this
priority list. Though the thresholds are arbitrary, and it is hard to
compare the relative merits of different classes, the resulting list gives an
idea of the birds that are most important in Turkey and those most in
need of action. Species unlisted do not meet these criteria and appear to
show secure, non-localised populations that are not of international or
_ regional importance. These criteria have been adopted from those used
to determine the species for inclusion in Red Data Birds in Britain (NCC
& RSPB 1990).

The Sources of Data

In drawing up these criteria and thus table 1, it quickly became obvious
that for many species there simply was not sufficient data on which to
make an objective assessment. Therefore where it proved impossible for
determining International or Regional significance (see below) based on
population data, the proportion of the range was assessed based on the
most up to date distribution maps available. The sources of reference
used were ‘The Birds of the Western Palearctic','An Atlas of the Birds of
the Western Palearctic’, and the ‘Turkish Bird Reports’.

Internationally Significant Breeder (IB)

For inclusion in this category, more than 20% of the world population, or
20% of the world range, must be in Turkey. 20% is a subjective figure,

2

rather like the Ramsar 1% level for international importance for a site
holding 1% of the flyway population of a species of wildfowl or wader
is a subjective figure, but one which, nevertheless, has gained universal
acceptance by national governments.

One could argue for say 10% or even 50%, but as a contribution to the
debate it seems sensible that if a country holds at least one fifth of the
world's population of a species then it should accept an international
responsibility to conserve it. Furthermore 20% attempts to strike a
balance between the views of conservationists who may wish to see a
lower threshold (so entailing a larger commit ment by a government) and
administrators who may wish to see a higher threshold for reducing
implications for government policy and actions.

Internationally Significant Wintering/Non-breeder (IW)
As IB, except for populations outside of the breeding season.

Regionally Significant Breeder (RB)

More than 20% of the regional population, or 20% of the regional range
must occur in Turkey. For the purpose of this exercise, the region has
been defined as the eastern half of the West Palearctic, but also including
the whole of Iran. The western boundary is Yugoslavia, Hungary,
Czechoslovakia, Poland and the Baltic. The Western Palearctic is a
recognised faunal zone and choosing the eastern half for Turkey's
‘region’ seemed logical as well as manageable.

Regionally Significant Wintering/Non-Breeder (RW)
Asabove, but for wintering/non-breeding birds, including those passing
through Turkey on migration, notably birds of prey.

Rare breeder (Rare)

Less than 300 known breeding pairs in Turkey. Though it must be
stressed that in most cases, this is a best guess. Also included in this
category are species which are thought to be breeding, although this has
not been proven; some of these have only recently been discovered,
mostly in SE Turkey and the circumstances suggest recent colonisation.

Localised Breeder (BL)
Occurs in a small number of areas or specialised habitats. Generally,
about 50% of the population occurs in less than ten sites.

Localised Non-Breeder (WL)
As above, but for non-breeding populations.

Declining Breeder (DB)
Population is known to be significantly declining. Because of the absence
of population surveys, in most cases, such declines are not quantifiable.

3

Table 1: The species of conservation importance in Turkey according to criteria
of entry (see text for details).

KEY: T Threatened Globally, as defined by IUCN Criteria (see Collar & Andrew
1988); t On draft Red List of threatened birds in Turkey as compiled by Turkish
experts for the Prime Ministry Undersecretariat for Environment (note this list is
still under discussion); IB Internationally significant breeder: >20% of world
range/ population, IW Internationally significant wintering /non breeder: >20%
of world range/population in Turkey; RB Regionally significant breeder: >20%
of regional population/range (eastern half of West Palearctic plus Iran) in
Turkey; RW Regionally significant wintering/non breeder; Rare Rare breeder
(<300 pairs) best guess in most cases; BL Localised breeder: occurring in a small
number of areas or specialised habitat; WL Localised non-breeder;

DB Declining breeder: known to be significantly declining.

Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe RW

Podiceps grisegena Red-necked Grebe Rare

Podiceps nigricollis Black-necked Grebe RW

Puffinus puffinus yelkouan Levantine Shearwater t IW
Phalacrocorax pygmaeus Pygmy Cormorant T t IB IW BL DB?
Pelecanus onocrotalus White Pelican IW

Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican T t IB? IW? RB RW Rare BL DB
Botaurus stellaris Bittern Rare

Ardea purpurea Purple Heron RB

Ciconia nigra Black Stork t IW

Ciconia ciconia White Stork IW RB DB?

Geronticus eremita Bald Ibis T t RB Rare BL DB

Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill t RB BL DB?

Phoenicopterus ruber Flamingo RB RW

Cygnus olor Mute Swan Rare

Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose RW

Anser erythropus Lesser white-fronted Goose T t Rare (winter)
Anser anser Greylag Goose RW

Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose T t Rare (winter)
Tadorna ferruginea Ruddy Shelduck RB RW

Tadorna tadorna Shelduck RW

Anas penelope Wigeon RW

Anas strepera Gadwall RW

Anas crecca Teal RW

Anas platyrhynchos Mallard RW

Anas acuta Pintail RW

Anas clypeata Shoveler RW

Anas angustirostris Marbled Teal T t RB RW DB

Netta rufina Red-crested Pochard RB RW

_ Aythya ferina Pochard RW

Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck RW

Melanitta fusca Velvet Scoter Rare BL

Oxyura leucocephala White-headed Duck T t IW RB WL DB?
Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard IW

Milvus migrans Black Kite RW DB

Haliaetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle T t RB? Rare DB
Gypaetus barbatus Lammergeier t RB

Neophron percnopterus Egyptian Vulture t RB DB?
Gyps fulvus Griffon Vulture RB

Aegypius monachus Black Vulture T t RB DB
Circaetus gallicus Short-toed Eagle RB RW
Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk IW

Buteo buteo Common Buzzard IW? RW

Buteo rufinus Long-legged Buzzard t RB

Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle IW

Aquila clanga Spotted Eagle t RW

Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle T t RB DB

Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle RB

Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle t RB? RW
Hieraaetus fasciatus Bonelli's Eagle t RB

Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel T RB DB

Falco eleonorae Eleonora's Falcon t Rare

Falco biarmicus Lanner t Rare

Falco cherrug Saker t Rare

Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi Caucasian Blackcock t RB Rare
Tetraogallus caspius Caspian Snowcock t IB
Alectoris chukar Chukar RB

Ammoperdix griseogularis See-see Partridge t RB
Porphyrio porphyrio Purple Gallinule t Rare

Grus grus Common Crane RW

Anthropoides virgo Demoiselle Crane t Rare

Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard T ¢ Rare

Otis tarda Great Bustard T t RB DB

Burhinus oedicnemus Stone Curlew RB

Cursorius cursor Cream-coloured Courser Rare
Glareola pratincola Collared Pratincole t RB
Glareola nordmanni Black-winged pratincole t Rare
Charadrius leschenaulti Greater Sand Plover RB
Hoplopterus indicus Red-wattled plover Rare
Hoplopterus leucura White-tailed Plover Rare
Philomachus pugnax Ruff RW

Numenius tenuirostris Slender-billed Curlew T t [W?
Larus melanocephalus Mediterranean Gull IW RB
Larus genet Slender-billed Gull RW

Larus audouintt Audouin's Gull T t Rare
Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern RB

Chlidonias hybrida Whiskered Tern BL

Chlidonias leucopterus White-winged Black Tern BL
Pterocles orientalis Black-bellied Sandgrouse RB
Pterocles alchata Pin-tailed Sandgrouse t RB?
Streptopelia senegalensis Palm Dove - Isolated Istanbul population
Clamator glandarius Great Spotted Cuckoo IB

Otus brucei Striated Scops owl Rare

Ketupa zeylonensis Brown Fish Owl Rare

Aegolius funereus Tengmalm's Owl Rare

Apus melba Alpine Swift RB

Apus affinis Little Swift Rare

Halcyon smyrnensis White-breasted Kingfisher t RB

Ceryle rudis Pied Kingfisher t RB

Merops superciliosus Blue-cheeked Bee-eater t Rare
Jynx torquilla Wryneck Rare

Dendrocopos leucotos White-backed Woodpecker Rare
Ammomanes deserti Desert Lark Rare
Melanocorypha calandra Calandra Lark RB
Melanocorypha bimaculata Bimaculated Lark RB
Calandrella cinerea Short-toed Lark RB
Eremophila alpestris Shore Lark RB

Hirundo rupestris Crag Martin RB

Anthus cervinus Red-throated Pipit RW

Anthus spinoletta Water Pipit RB

Motacilla citreola Citrine Wagtail Rare
Pycnonotus barbatus Common Bulbul RB
Prunella ocularis Radde's Accentor IB

Irania gutturalis White-throated Robin IB
Oenanthe isabellina Isabelline Wheatear RB
Oenanthe hispanica Black-eared Wheatear IB? RB
Oenanthe finschti Finsch's Wheatear IB

Oenanthe xanthoprymna Red-tailed Wheatear Rare
Monticola saxatilis Rock Thrush RB

Cettia cetti Cetti's Warbler RB

Hippolais pallida Olivaceous Warbler RB
Hippolais olivetorum Olive-tree Warbler IB

Sylvia cantillans Subalpine Warbler RB

Sylvia ruppelli Ruppell's Warbler IB

Phylloscopus nitidus Green Warbler RB

Ficedula parva Red-breasted Flycatcher Rare
Parus lugubris Sombre Tit IB

Sitta kruperi Kruper's Nuthatch IB

Sitta neumayer Rock Nuthatch IB

Tichodroma muraria Wallcreeper RB

_ Lanius minor Lesser Grey Shrike RB

Lanius nubicus Masked Shrike IB

Pyrrhocorax graculus Alpine Chough RB
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Chough RB

Sturnus roseus Rose-coloured Starling RB?
Passer hispaniolensis Spanish Sparrow RB

Passer moabiticus Dead Sea Sparrow IB

Petronia brachydactyla Pale Rock Sparrow RB?
Petronia xanthocollis Yellow-throated Sparrow Rare
Serinus pusillus Red-fronted Serin IB

Serinus serinus Serin RB |

Carduelis flavirostris Twite RB

Rhodopechys sanguinea Crimson-winged Finch IB
Emberiza cirlus Cirl Bunting RB

Emberiza cia Rock Bunting RB

Emberiza cineracea Cinereous Bunting IB
Emberiza buchanani Grey-necked Bunting RB
Emberiza caesia Cretzschmar's Bunting IB
Emberiza melanocephala Black-headed Bunting IB

Examination of the list shows that some 20 species have internationall
important breeding populations in Turkey and for a further 13 their
wintering or migrating populations are of international importance. On
a regional scale (the eastern half of the West Palearctic, including Iran).
Turkey holds over 60 species that are important for their breeding
populations and 26 for their wintering or migratory populations.
Furthermore, 14 species are known to be declining, some seriously.
These are the groups of species for which Turkey hasa real responsibility.
Many of those of international or regional importance are not threatened
- and hopefully never will be - but if their fortunes were to change
adversely then the conservation significance of the event would be
measured in global terms.

This paper has attempted to identify those species which should form the
priorities for determining any future bird conservation action. This is
only, however, the first step, the next must be to identify the threats to
those species and their habitats for which the work of Baris (1989) will
provide an invaluable basis. This will be attempted once agreement has
been reached on the "Red Data" list in table 1.

Finally, it is important that the populations of birds listed in table 1 and
indeed all species that occur in Turkey are adequately monitored. It is
only in this way that conservationists, whether they be in Turkey or
elsewhere, will be alerted to potential problems which need to be
addressed. To illustrate this point I will use two examples: black kite and
cirl bunting (oneon table 1 and one not). Itis my subjective opinion, based
on my own observations, that both have declined markedly as breeding
birds in Turkey over the past 25 years. If that is the case the collective
records of visiting ornithologists should be confirming it - or otherwise.
Furthermore, we should at least be getting some clues as to the reasons
for any declines (eg habitat loss, effects of poisons etc) . Sadly we are not
in a sufficiently advanced stage of record collecting and assessment to
make this possible.

——_— : rw -
= aN

ieee P53 => LL A LaF

aie aya <= eS ere SSS —— —— x Mae) .
SY i AG ) ae Mos Se ores: oA (FS P53 S

7

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Tansu Gurpinar for making available the draft Red List of
Threatened Animalsin Turkey; Gernant Magninand hiscolleaguesinthe Turkish
Wildlife Protection Society (DHKD) for encouragement to prepare this discussion
paper; lan Hepburn for his valuable criticism and helpful comments and Yvonne
Brown for assistance in preparing this paper.

References
Baris, Sancar Y (1989) Turkey's Bird Habitats and Ornithological Importance.
Sandgrouse II : 42-51. OSME, Sandy.

Beaman, M 1986. Turkey: Bird Report, 1976-1981. Sandgrouse 8:1-41.

Collar, NJ and Andrew P, 1988. Birds to Watch: the ICBP World Check-list of
Threatened Birds. \CBP Cambridge.

Cramp, S et al. 1977, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1988. The Birds of the Western Palearctic Vols
1-5. OUP, Oxford.

Harrison, C 1982. An Atlas of the Birds of the Western Palearctic. Collins, London.
Martins, RP 1989. Turkey Bird Report 1982-6. Sandgrouse 11:1-41.

Mountfort, G 1988. Rare Birds of the World. Collins, London.

NCC and RSPB 1990. Red Data Birds in Britain (Eds: Batten L A, Bibby CJ, Clement
P, Elliott G D & Porter R F) T and AD Poyser, L ondon.

Ornithological Society of Turkey (OST) 1969 Bird Report No 1 (1966-1967)
Sandy.

Ornithological Society of Turkey (OST) 1972 Bird Report No 2 (1967-1969)
Sandy.

Ornithological Society of Turkey (OST) 1975 Bird Report No 3 (1970-1973)
Sandy.

Ornithological Society of Turkey (OST) 1978 Bird Report No 4 (1974-1975)
Sandy.

Richard Porter, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire,SG19
2DL,UK

Towards a Turkish Atlas?

Max Kasparek

Inthe mid-1970s, the Ornithological Society of Turkey decided to prepare
an atlas of the breeding birds of Turkey. Initially, the whole country was
to be worked in 10km x 10km squares, as with most of the European
countries. But because of the high number of squares - some 12,000 - and
the lack of suitable maps (maps with a 10km x 10km UTM grid are still
not available for Turkey), it was decided to reduce the scheme to half-
degree squares (Porter and Beaman, OST Bull 15: 4-5). The number of
squares thus decreased to less than 500.

8

Two years after the initial announcement, Simon Albrecht encouraged
OSME members to submit their records and to make atlassing field trips
(OSME Bull 2: 6-8). Atlas record sheets, with detailed instructions for
completing them, were produced, but no information on the progress of
the work was subsequently published. It seems that the project was
cancelled because few, if any, record sheets were sent in. In addition,
most of the Turkish bird records which were collated by OST/OSME
since 1966 as the basis for the Turkish Bird Reports were lost, including
allthe material on the more common species, which was neither evaluated
nor published.

This attempt at producing an atlas of the breeding birds of Turkey failed
because an insufficient number of field workers were involved. As there
are very few birdwatchers resident in Turkey, Turkish ornithology is still
carried out primarily by foreign tourists. Birdwatching activity is thus
strongly related to the tourist development. It reached a peak in the early
1970s, decreased later in the 1970s, and increased again during the 1980s.
During the past two to three years, it has been at an all-time high, but an
absolute minimum can be predicted in 1991 because of the Gulf war.

Most of the birdwatchers spending their holidays in Turkey try to see as
many species as possible. Although thisis understandable froma personal
point of view, it is disastrous for any atlas work: whereas hotspots such
as Bafa G6lii,the Eregli Marshes, the Sultan Marshes, the Gdksii Delta
and Birecik are visited by many birdwatchers each year, it is almost
impossible to get data from more remote or lesser known sites. Several
attempts to direct birdwatchers to such areas have so far been unsuccessful.

There are even a number of bird areas which are known or thought to be
of international importance, but for which hardly any information is
available. For example:

Buyuk Cekmece (Istanbul province) Beynam Forest (Ankara province)
Terkos G6lti (Istanbul Province) Cavuscu Golti (Konya province)
Iznik G6lti (Bursa Province) Todurge Golu (Sivas province)
Bay of Saroz (Canakkale Province) Karatas Golii (Burdur province)
Ilgaz Mountains (Cankiri and Nazik Golti (Bitlis province)
Kastamonu provinces) Hacli Gélii (Mus province)
Yesilirmak Delta (Samsun Province) Cildir Gélii (Kars province)
G6lbek Golu (Ankara province)

It is striking that even large wetland areas near cities like Istanbul and
Ankara are among the less-known sites. It is very important that these
areas are visited. I would be pleased to give hints and further information
to anyone who intends to visit these or other areas.

For conservation, a survey of these areas has a high priority and is more
important than covering the whole country with an atlas project over

9

many years. An atlas project would bind forces which are urgently
required elsewhere. Turkish ornithology is thus at a stage in which not
even basic data for a number of urgent conservation issues are available.
It seems, then, reasonable to concentrate all efforts on surveying and
protecting particular areasand particular species. With limited resources,
this is the more effective way than an overall atlas project.

On the other hand, it is often difficult to judge the frequency of a bird
species in Turkey and to find out what is 'unusual' and what is 'normal':
neither an up-to-date avifauna, a checklist of the birds of Turkey, nor a
reliable Red Data Book of Turkish birds are available. There is, however,
much information available through publications and unpublished
reports, and considerable contributions can be made by using these
sources. A thorough compilation, review and evaluation of these sources
may prove more useful than active fieldwork at present.

During the last five years, a number of species accounts have been
published by the author and others. Detailed information on distribution,
frequency, population, phenology and migration is contained in these
papers, and they may be used as the basis for protection measures and for
directed intensive field surveys. These studies include the following:

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber A. Kilic, Zoology in the Middle East 2,
1988: 41-42. The observation that the Flamingo made a breeding attempt in the
Eregli Marshes gave rise to a review of all Turkish breeding records. A map with
all localities is included.

White Stork Ciconia ciconia H. Kumerloeve, Bonn. zool. Beitr. 27, 1976: 172-217;
A. Kilic and M. Kasparek, p161-174 and 197-306, in G. Rheinwald, J. Ogden and
_H_. Schultz (eds) Proceedings of the First International Stork Symposium,
Schriftenreihe des Dachverbandes Deutscher Avifaunisten (no 10). 472 pp. All
known Turkish breeding sites of the White Stork were listed. The distribution
pattern is shown with a map of half-degree squares and the pattern explained.
The absence of White Storks from certain areas is discussed in relation to habitat
requirements. A decrease in the Turkish breeding population was found. The
seasonal migration pattern at main observation points was shown with histograms,
and the migration route is given with maps based on ringing recoveries.

Bittern Botaurus stellaris M. Kasparek, Zoology in the Middle East 1, 1986: 33-41.
Lists all Turkish records and shows them ona map. Breeding was never proved
for Turkey, but is assumed for eight localities, resulting in a breeding population
of less than 20 pairs.

Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo M. Kasparek, Zoology in the Middle East
2, 1988: 31-38. The Turkish breeding population numbers less than 30 pairs at
only a few localities. This paper includes also records of migrants.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus M. Kasparek, Zoology in the Middle East 4, 1990:
25-32. The migration pattern in Turkey is described with the aid of a histogram

10

of the sesaonal distribution which includes all Turkish records. A map of records
is included.

White-tailed Plover Chetiusia leucuraM. Kasparek, Sandgrouse 13 1991 (in press)
AllTurkish records were mapped, with different symbols for confirmed breeding,
presumed breeding and migrants.

Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria M. Kasparek, Sandgrouse 13 (in press) The
Sociable Plover is a migrant in both seasons. All available records are shown on
a map and the migration periods are described and discussed in relation to other
Middle Eastern countries.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres M. Kasparek, Beitr. Vogelkde. (in press) All Turkish
records were evaluated. A map shows the distribution of migrants. The size of the
symbols shows the number of records. The phenology in Turkey is shown with
a histogram of all records.

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus M. Kasparek, Verh. orn. Ges. Bayern 24 (6), 1988:
725-735. Maps show the distribution during the last century, the present
distribution and indicatethose localities where Pheasants occur after introduction
_ by man. The gene pool of the natural population is being lost.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus M. Kasparek, Limicola 3, 1989:251-255. All Turkish
records were mapped with different symbols for breeding records, passage
records and winter records. There is no recent Turkish breeding record and the
population is believed to be less than 10 pairs. The phenology of migrants is
shown in a histogram.

Eleonora's Falcon Falco eleonorae M. Kasparek and D. Ristow, Zoology in the
Middle East 1, 1986:60-69. A table and map ofall Turkish reocrds is presented and
the seasonal appearance of Eleonora's Falcons along the Turkish coasts is
discussed. The only known breeding site is not shown for reasons of site security.

Palm Dove Streptopelia senegalensis M. Kasparek, Verh. orn. Ges. Bayern (in
press). All localities where Palm Doves were recorded are shown ona map with
different symbols for breeding or possible breeding sites. Another map shows the
present distribution in the Levant countries up to Egypt. Although the Palm
Dovecolonised new localities in Turkey, the overall breeding area has not grown
significantly during recent decades.

Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio M. Kasparek, C. C. Bilgin and A. Akin,
Zoology in the Middle East 3, 1989: 19-30. All breeding sites in the eastern
Mediterranean are mapped. Former breeding localities are shown with the
approximate year of extinction. The Gdksu Delta proved to be the last breeding
site of P. p. seistanicus in the eastern Mediterranean. Its population is thought to
be less than 30 pairs.

Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax M. Kasparek, Bustard Studies 4, 1989: 80-113. All
Turkish records are mapped. Different symbols indicate records fromthe breeding
season. The Little Bustard was a local breeding bird in all of Turkey, but has
apparently disappeared recently. No record from the last decade was available.

li

Great Bustard Otis tarda M. Kasparek, Bustard Studies 4, 1989: 80-113. All records
mapped with different symbols for breeding season records, non-breeding
season records, and records without date. Other maps show the present
distribution (since 1974) and the winter distribution in relation to climate.

Striated Scops Owl Otus brucei A. B. van den Berg, M. Kasparek and P. Bison,
Dutch Birding 10(4), 1988 161-166. Up-to-date information on all three known
Turkish sites.

Barn Owl Tyto alba M. Kasparek, Zoology in the Middle East 1, 1986: 44-51. H.
Kumerloeve, Alauda 54, 19896: 263-267. All Turkish records are summarised and
shown on a map. Two subspecies overlap and intergrade in Turkey.

Wryneck Jynx torquilla M. Kasparek, Ecology of Birds 11, 1889: 251-256. All
records were mapped with different symbols for migrant and (presumed)
breeding birds. Although breeding has been proved only twice in Turkey, the
distribution pattern is clearly demonstrated by breeding season records. The
migration pattern is shown by histogram.

White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis V.vanden Berkand M. Kasparek,
Zoology in the Middle East 2, 1988: 19-25. A dot map of breeding and possible
breeding sites is given; main breeding areas are shown by larger symbols. 75%
of the Turkish population is concentrated in five localities that makes the species
vulnerable. Different symbols are used to show non-breeding records .

Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus A. B. vanden Berg, Zoology inthe Middle
East 2, 1988: 12-15. List and map of all Turkish records since the last century.

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola M. Kasparek, Limicola (in press). All records
mapped with different symbols for migrants and breeders and possible breeders.

Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna H. Kumerloeve, M. Kasparek and
- K-O. Nagel, Bonn. zool. Beitr. 35, 1984: 97-101. M. Kasparek, Zoology in the
Middle East 1, 1986: 51-54. All Turkish records were mapped with different
symbols for presumed migrantsand presumed breeders. The Turkish population
belongs to the rare nominate subspecies.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla M. Kasparek, Vogelwarte 35, 1990: 169-176. A
distribution mapis based onall available breeding season records. Thedistribution
pattern is described in relation to climate and discussed in relation to evolution.
The route taken by migrants is shown by another map and the seasonal migration
pattern is shown by a histogram.

Rook Corvus frugilegus M. Kasparek, Sandgrouse 11, 1989: 89-95. All known
breeding colonies of the Rook in Turkey are emumerated. A map of the breeding

localities also shows the areas which were originally covered by natural steppes.
A clear relationship can be seen.

Max Kasparek, Bleichstr. 1, 6900 Heidelberg, Germany

12

Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia:

Progress Report
Mike Jennings

The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia (ABBA) project has now
completed six years of fieldwork. The atlas covers the whole of the
Arabian Peninsula, and generally follows the European Ornithological
Atlas Committee's breeding evidence categories. Itaims to bring together
all knowledge of Arabian breeding birds, from published records,
museum specimens and recent observers’ reports, to compile a definitive
study on Arabian breeding birds. The basic Atlas unit is the half degree
square (approximately 50km x 50km), which is 25 times the size of each
square of the British Atlas grid. There are 1,100 Arabian atlas squares.

The Ornithological Society of the Middle East was a major sponsor of the
project during its important formative years, but now the project is
backed by the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and
Development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This generous financial help will
enable the computerisation of records, the employment of a researcher
and the eventual publication of the results of the project.

So far, the project has received generally good coverage by recent
observersin the Gulf States and northern Yemen, as wellas parts of Oman
and Saudi Arabia. OSME's contribution to northern Yemen records has
been very significant. The help and assistance given by many individual
OSME members and those of local natural history societies in Arabia has
greatly assisted thecredibility of the data collected so far. Southern Yemen
remains relatively poorly covered, but hopefully this situation will be
remedied following the OSME expedition. The other large area where
coverage has been poor to date is the Empty Quarter (mainly Saudi
Arabia, but including parts of UAE, Oman and Yemen). This zone has,
however, a very poor range of breeding species, perhaps only five or six,
throughout its extent, and so is probably one of the least important areas
to cover.

Ihave now made ten separate atlassing surveys to Arabia (eight inSaudia
Arabia and one to southern Yemen) to fillin the gaps left by other visiting
and resident observers. This still represents approximately only half of
Saudi Arabia. From results so far, it was particularly interesting to see
that a large bird like the Lappet-faced Vulture, which is now known to
breed in numerous squares in central Arabia, was not even known to
Meinertzhagen when he wrote Birds of Arabia in 1954. Thisillustrates the
point that most Arabian ornithologists travelled only short distances
from the coast and the main towns until about 1980. The known range of

13

several endemic species has been much extended through my Atlas
surveys, notable among them are the Arabian Red-legged Partridge, the
Arabian Woodpecker and Arabian Serin, all of which are now known to
occur in the northwestern areas of Saudi Arabia, some several hundred
kilometres farther north than was previously thought. The project has
revealed that several species have dynamic distributions. It was no
surprise to learn that the Eurasian Collared Doveis colonising large areas
of Arabia; but the Palm Dove, Namaqua Dove and Black Bushchat have
shown significant range extensions in recent years. On the other hand, a
number of species have contracted their range orare getting lessnumerous.
Large scavengers such as the Griffon Vulture and Lammergeier are
especially worrying: they have markedly declined in the last 15 years.

ABBA has generated significant attention and interest through its
publications. The project has the policy of publishing as much data as
possible rather than storing it away in dusty vaults. So far, seven issues
of the projectnewsletter Phoenix (currently running at20 pages per issue)
have been sent free to all contributors and correspondents. Five major
reports on individual surveys have been prepared, and another dozen or
more summaries of information collected so far have been made available.
For the future, the project plans an interim atlas of maps and very brief
information on breeding resident species, based on the observer reports
received since 1984. This will hopefully be complete by the end of 1991.
A bibliography is planned of all papers relevant to ornithology in Arabia,
as well as a review of ringed birds and perhaps even a full Arabian
checklist. The final atlas which will encompass all information from all
sources is still some way away. |

In May 1990, I surveyed northern central Saudi Arabia. Being too late in
_the year for the majority of species, most breeding activity and singing
has ceased. The survey had the target of visiting 39 atlas squares (each
about 2,700 sq km) in three weeks. The topography of central Arabia is
very varied, with granites in the east, basalt rocks in the north and south,
and sandy gravel plains and volcanic harrats in the west. Sand seas are
relatively scarce in this part of Arabia but, not surprisingly, there was
neither surface water nor forest in the area.

I rose daily at about 5.30 am, just before dawn, to complete a half-hour
census transect of all birds present. After breakfast, 1 would drive across
the desert until lunchtime, stopping at likely looking hills, wadis and
other habitats to produce as great a variety of species in each square as
possible. Being hot, midday was usually a quiet time, with not much bird
activity. Then the afternoon survey would continue with another three
or four hour transect of the desert by vehicle. The evening camp was
usually struck about 5pm, allowing a couple of hoursin the vicinity of the
campsite before sunset, to geta very good impression of the local bird life.

14

In all, the May 1990 survey involved travelling 5,300km, of which about
1,300km were getting to and from the study area on asphalt: the rest of
it was off road. in an area about the size of England, I recorded 44
breeding species. Two others, Hume's Owl and the Lanner Falcon, were
known to have been missed. On average, between nine and 17 species
occurred per square, although the maximum was 23 and the minimum
was only four.

The highlights of the survey included Alpine Swift found breeding on
two granite jebels, some hundreds of kilometres northeast of the limit
where they had previously been known io breed. The doves were very
interesting: African Collared Dove occurs 200km farther east than was
previously known; whereas the European Collared Dove has extended
its range about 300km west in recent years. Turtle Doves were breeding
in almost every square visited. As the number of Turtle Dove breeding
records in Arabia was very few indeed until this visit, it seems that mid-
summer observers are rare in Arabia.

Interesting raptors included breeding Golden Eagles, two colonies of
Griffon Vultures and widespread and numerous records of the Lappet-
faced Vulture, including one record of 22 together at a dead sheep.

Other notable records included Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse found
inland of the western mountains for the first time, Mourning Wheatears
well east of their previous breeding limit and confirmation that Yellow-
vented Bulbul and Blackstart are absent over large areasof central Arabia.
Nomadic species such as Black-crowned Finchlark and Cream-coloured
Courser were very scarce.

Mike Jennnings

Ifanyone has records of Arabian breeding birds or may beable to help with future
records for ABBA, please contact Mike Jennings, ABBA Co-ordinator, at his new
address: 1 Warners Farm, Warners Drove, Somersham, Cambridgeshire PE17
3HW, UK.

15

Impressions of autumn migration in
mid-October along the Cukurova
coast, near the Belen Pass, southern
Turkey

Vincent van den Berk

Between 11 and 17 October 1988, we hurried along the coastal wetlands
in the Cukurova between Mersin and Yumurtalik, in southern Turkey.
The Cukurova is located at the entrance to the Belen Pass, a known
bottleneck for soaring migrants (Bijlsma 1987). We aimed to conduct a
wader and waterfowl count within this period: autumn is still little
covered.

Figure 1. The Belen Pass and the Gulf of Iskenderun

The autumn migration was well underway: warblers were everywhere,
mostly Redstarts Phoenicurus phoenicurus, Lesser Whitethroats Sylvia
curruca, Garden Warblers S borin, and Blackcaps S atricapilla; flycatchers
were numerous, Willow warblers Phylloscopus trochilus were scarce, but
Chiffchaffs P colybita were present in hundreds. Tens of Tree Pipits
Anthus trivialis were present all along the coast; up to three Bluethroats
Luscinia svecica were recorded at five different localities and the first
groups of Song Thrush Turdus philomelos and Robin Erithacus rubecula
appeared. Whinchat Saxicola rubetraand Stonechat S torquata were already
numerous. There wasa late Roller Coracias garrulus,some Hoopoes Upupa
epops, at least three Wrynecks Jynx torquilla and two or three parties of

16

Bee-eaters Merops apiaster were heard, some late shrikes, plenty of
Kingfishers Alcedo atthis near every spot of water and the inevitable Black
Francolins Francolinus francolinus,and White-breasted Kingfishers Halcyon
smyrnensis, with some 25 around the Berdan bordering the Turan
Emiksiz forestry alone.

Nineteenraptor speecies were seen, including six Ospreys Pandion haliaetus
westof the Ceyhan river. Barn Owls Tytoalba were recorded at four places.
The presence of large numbers of Cetti's Warblers Cettusis cettusia was
striking. Their Bearded Tit-like 'ticc' was heard throughout the Delta,and
many tens seemed to be concentrated along the reed-fringed lower
Berdan. A short sea watch revealed an adult Gannet Sula bassana, and a
group of 32 Cory's Shearwaters Calonectris diomedia. In summary, the
Cukurova is an exiting and fascinating place to be in mid October, and
is highly recommended, not just for its waterfowl.

Autumn migration around the Gulf of Iskenderun and Belen Pass have
been described by Cameronatal. (1967), Heckenroth (1968) and Sutherland
and Brooks (1981a,b). Some of our records from the nearby Cukurova
may give new and additional information to the pattern described so far.

Inautumn 1976, covering 2 August to 23 September, around 8,000 White
Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus were recorded passing Belen, with no well-
marked peak and no sign of a decline in the movement at the end of the
observation period (Sutherland and Brooks 1981a). The real number
passing will be much higher as autumn migration in this region extends
from late July to early November. Besides, it is likely that at least some of
the White Pelicans that roost in the Cukurova coastal waters don't pass
Belen, but fly straight across the Gulf of Iskenderun and around the
southern edge of Amanos Daglari.

On 12 October around 4pm a group of 1,900 circled down and landed on
Yelkoma Golu. The following morning at around 9am, this flock resumed
its journey flying straight SSE in long lines up to 50 m above the water.
This group did not drift to the east (to the Belen Pass), but continued their
course to the southern edge of the Amanos Daglari. This was also noted
in 1982, when on 10 October a group of 170 birds flew straight south from
the delta near Karatas, and on 11 October around 9am when a group of
1,500 left Akyatan Golu, slowly flapping to the east first, but soon turning
southeast towards the southern edge of the Amanos Daglari (Van den
Berk et al. 1985). Of two other groups recorded in 1988, it was thought
they planned to fly around the Gulf: on 14 October at 12.30pm, some 150
spiralled over the plain north of Akyatan Golu to east, and on 16 October
around 9.40am a cloud of some 520 birds circled northwest of Akyatan
Golu to the east. Thislatter group probably came froma roost somewhere
in or near the Delta.

We

In general, most migration of soaring raptorsand Black Storks Ciconia nigra
along the coast was noted in the mornings and related to departing birds.
On 15 October, a group of about 60 Buzzards Buteo buteo left a presumed
roost in the Turan Emeksiz forestry at around 11am. They slowly started
circling towards the hills in a northeastern direction. On 11 October
between 10.15 and 11.35am at Camlik, a single Honey Buzzard Pernis
apivorus and Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (both first calendar
year birds), eight Short-toed Eagles Circaetus gallicus, 144 Buzzards and
three Lesser Spotted Eagles Aquila pomerina passed soaring and circling
parallel to the coast to the east.

Migrant groups of Black Stork were seen in the morning of 11 October
near Kaldirim (25 and 95 flying east) and on 15 October around 8.30am,
when a party of 46 departed a presumed roost south of Akyatan Golu.

Height of migration increased during the course of the morning as
thermals developed. After midday they passed at considerable height, at
the limit of binocular range, and were only detected by chance.
Accordingly, few Short-toed Eagles, Buzzards and Lesser Spotted Eagles
were reported in this way, all of these east of Karatas. On 12 October
around 1.30pm near Zeynepli, at least 15 Buzzards and two Short-toed
Eagles were spotted gliding down to SSE. They were at sucha height that
they weren't visible without binoculars.

With increasing height, the direction shifted from flying around the Gulf
of Iskenderun in the morning, to crossing it from midday onwards (see
figure 1). The bulk of migration around the Belen Pass occurs between
10am and 1pm (Cameron et al. 1967, Sutherland and Brooks 1981). The
‘main factor influencing this may be the height at which the birds arrive
at the Gulf of Iskenderun. It is likely that in general, birds arriving at the
Gulf before midday are flying at a low height that forces them around the
Gulf and brings them to the Belen Pass. After midday migrants approach
the Gulf much higher and are able to cross it on a much broader front.

Other coasting raptors that week,
confined to early mornings, but in
much lower numbers, were eight
Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus,
Pallid Harrier C. macrourus (four
records; eight individuals, two
males), Honey Buzzard (two
records; five individuals), one
Buzzard, Red-footed Falcon Falco
vespertinus (three records; seven
individuals).

18

We saw some direct sea crossing by harriers and falcons. In the early
afternoon of 17 October, at the beach between the Berdan and Cehyan
mouth, the weather suddenly changed. Dark clouds, thunder-storms
and gusty winds tumbled down from the Toros Mountains. Withina few
hours, at least 10 Hobbies Falco subbuteo, some Marsh Harriers, a male
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, Pallid Harrier and Montagu 's Harrier C.
pygargus (the only one seen that week), hurried back to the coast, flying
10 mor less above the water.

Mostof the Swallow Hirundo rustica passage was over; a few small foraging
groups of up to 10 or 20 juvenile birds were recorded daily throughout
the Delta. But a rather good passage of about 400 turned up during the
more thorough watch of 16 October, with 300 between 9.40 and 10.20am.
Coasting Grey Wagtails Motacilla cineria - singles, twos and once four -
were recorded daily all along the coast (20 records; 52 individuals).

Finch movements were also seen.Migration started around 6am all along
the coast. Finches probably need little cover to roost. Most migration was
noted until 9.30am. The morning counts from the dunes bordering
Akyatan Golu on 15 October revealed 168 finches between 9.30 and
10.30am. On 16 October, 3,570 finches passed between 7 and 10.30am.

Acknowledgements
I wish to thank Wouter Helmer, Naomi Stuiver and Rene Vos for taking part in
this autumn survey.

References

Aukes, P, van den Berk, V, Cronau, JP, van Dorp, D, Ozesmi, U and van Wilden,
A 1988. The Curkurova Deltas: Geomorphology, hydrology , climate, biotopes
and human impact. In: South Turkey Project. van der Have, TM, van den Berk,
VM, Cronau, JP and Langeveld, MJ (ed s). WIWO Report 22, Zeist, Netherlands.
Berk, V van den, van den Berk, N, Bijlsma, RG, and de Roder,Fe 1985. The
importance of some wetlands in Turkey for transient and wintering birds in
Turkey. WIWO Report 6, Zeist, Netherlands.

Bijlsma, RG 1987. Bottleneck areas for migratory birds in the Mediterranean region.
ICBP, Cambridge, UK.

Cameron, RAD, Comwallis, L, Percival, MLJ & Sinclair, ARE 1967. The migration
of raptors and storks through the Near East in autumn. Ibis 109:489-501.
Heckenroth, H 1968. Boebachtungen uber die Rechtswendung des wegziehenden
Weisstorchs am Golf von Iskenderun. Vogelwarte 24:246-262.

Sutherland, WJ and Brooks, DJ 1981a. The autumn migration of raptors, storks,
pelicans and spoonbills at the Belen Pass, southern Turkey. Sandgrouse 2:1-21.
Sutherland, WJ and Brooks, DJ 1981b. The visible migration of passerines and
near-passerines at the Belen Pass, southern Turkey. Sandgrouse 2:87-90

Vincent van den Berk, Noordereind 3a, 4012 BT Kerk Avezaath,
Netherlands

19

Rare Birds in Bahrain 1989 and 1990
Erik Hirschfeld

This report deals with some of the scarcer birds recorded in Bahrain
during 1989 and 1990, as recorded by the Bahrain Natural History
Society's (BNHS) Bird Recorder. All records have been examined and
accepted by the Bird Recorder, and detailed descriptions and, for some
cases, photographs are available in the BNHS files in Bahrain.

Bahrain's birdlife is. compared with that of other Middle Eastern states,
poorly understood, and new discoveries are frequent. The number of
resident birdwatchers is very low, and not everyone has much time to
spend in the field. The dense population and frequent habitat changes
also contribute to the fairly low total number of species recorded in the
country: only around 290.

Abookon the birdlife of Bahrain is currently being prepared (Nightingale
and Hill, in press) and I should like to thank Tom Nightingale and Dr
Mike Hill for allowing me access to the script and also for their comments
on my many queries about rarities in Bahrain. Bundy et al. (1989),
Richardson (1990) and the Oman Bird List, edition3, have been extememly
useful for the comparison of Bahraini records with those in neighbouring
countries and form the base for the species comments below.

White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus

One dead juvenile, east coast, December 1989 jamie Samour, skin examined by
Erik Hirschfeld). There are many old reports of pelicans from Bahrain, but this is
only the fourth record considered satisfactory by Nightingale and Hill. Previous
records were in January, February and July.

White Stork Ciconia ciconia

Six soaring over Muharraq airport, 14 October 1990 (Chris Wilson). Only the
tenth record for Bahrain, but soaring birds seldom pass over the island. A scarce
migrant, sometimes in large numbers, in neighbouring countries.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

One tired and easily approached at Askar, 18 November 1990 (Dr Saeed
Muhammed and Phil Basson). This species has been recorded four times by
birders, all between November and January. However, Bahraini hunters shot a
few each winter when there were more marshes on the island. The nearest
wintering sites are in Iran, where around 50,000 were counted in January 1990
(Perennou et al. 1990).

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina

Four wild birds at Al Areen Wildlife Park, 22 January 1990 amie Samour, Erik
Hirschfeld). The second reliable record: the first was of up to seven birds in
December 1970. About 3,000 were recorded in Iran in January 1990 (Perenou et

20

al. 1990). There is only one record (July) from the Eastern Province of Saudi
Arabia, and the species is considered a vagrant or scarce winter visitor inthe UAE
and Oman.

Spotted Eagle Aguila clanga

Two, Adhari, 24 December 1989 (Dave Davies); one, Bahrain Fort, 23 February
1990 (Erik Hirschfeld); one, Adhari, 13 March 1990; and two, Adhari-Jurdab, 22-
27 April 1990 jos Kuypers, Dave Davies). Third to sixth records, although they
could possibly involve only two individuals. Small numbers are annual in winter
in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Crab Plover Dromas ardeola

One, roosting on rocks, Muharraq, 24 May 1990; and two at high-tide roost,
ASRY, 4 September 1990 (Erik Hirschfeld). Annual in small numbers, recorded
from March to October with one record from December. Passage migrant in
Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Dotterel Charadrius morinellus.

Up to 27, Qurrayah, 26 December 1988 to 25 March 1989; two southeast Awali,
27 January - 20 February 1989; up to two, Al Meerouge farm, 20 February -2 April
1989 (Tom Nightingale et al.); and six at Saar, third week of February 1989 Judy
Webster). These records have already been detailed by Nightingale (1990).

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

One, Qurrayah, 8-14 February 1989 (Tom Nightingale); and one, Bandar ad Dar,
Sitra, 10 December 1989 (Erik Hirschfeld). Third and fourth records, the previous
ones being December 1970 and 1978. Status somewhat obscure owing to plumage
similarities with Pacific Golden Plover P. dominica There are at least two records
from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and four from Oman while none has
been recorded in the UAE. Only three were seen in Iran in January 1990
(Perennou et al. 1990).

Red-wattled Plover Hoplopterus indicus

One, Dumistan pools, 18 October 1990 (Dave Davies, Erik Hirschfeld); one,
Badan farm, 20 December 1990 (Martin Adams, Alan Dobson, Erik Hirschfeld).
Fifth and sixth records, the previous have been scattered in February, October,
November and December.In the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, there are
about 12 records, mainly in October to December. Breeds in Iraq, Iran, UAE and
Oman (Cramp et al. 1983).

Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria

Two Dumistan pools 11 October 1990 (Dave Davies). Bahrain's fourth record, the
species has now been recorded in March, April-November and October (a flock
of 12). One has been seen in February in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, and
two (November and February) in the UAE; it is a scarce winter visitor in Oman.

Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris
One roosting with Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica, ASRY, 5 January 1990
(Erik Hirschfeld). Bahrain's first record, described in detail in Hirschfeld (1990b).

21

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola :

One Riffa 18 October 1990 (Dr Mike Hill). Fourth record; the previous were in
September, October and January. A vagrant in the UAE and the Eastern Province
of Saudi Arabia (three records), but not yet recorded from Oman.

Common Gull Larus canus

One adult Ras Tubli 4 November 1989 (Erik Hirschfeld). First Record. It winters

in very small numbers in Iran (eg 85 in January 1990 (Perennou et al. 1990)). The

record is described in Hirschfeld (1990a). There are six records from the Eastern.
Province of Saudi Arabia, four from Oman; it is a winter vagrant in the UAE.

Little Gull Larus minutus

One first-winter, Sakhir racecourse 4 November 1990 (Erik Hirschfeld). Second
record; the first was in September 1981. A very rare visitor to Arabia, one was in
the desert in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia in September 1979. None has
yet been recorded in the UAE or Oman. Only 90 were counted in Iran in the
January 1990 waterfowl count (Perennou et al. 1990).

Armenian Gull Larus armenicus ,

One adult Ras Tubli 27 March 1990 (Erik Hirschfeld). Armenian Gulls have
previously been identified close to Bahrain by Dr WRP Bourne (in litt.), but this
is the first inshore record.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

One showing charactaristics of east Siberian subspecies longipennis Ras Tubli 9
June 1990 (Erik Hirschfeld). The subspecies intergrades with the nominate in
Siberia (Cramp et al. 1985), and may not be separable in the field.

Black Tern Chlidonias niger

One juvenile, with a juvenile Whiskered Tern C. hybrida, Ras Tubli, 31 August
1990. The fifth record and the first in August. The others have been in September,
with one staying into October. There have been four records in August to
November in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, and two (March and April)
in Oman; none has yet been recorded in the UAE.

Palm Dove Streptopelia senegalensis

One, Sulmaniya, Manama, 20 May 1990; up to seven, Badan farm, 11 November
- 31 December 1990; and one Jasra farm 24.11.90 (Erik Hirschfeld). Sixth to eighth
November records, the flock at Badan being remarkable. The species has now
been recorded from October to April. There are seven records from the Eastern
Province of Saudi Arabia, and it breeds commonly in the UAE.

Namaqua Dove Oena capensis

One, Awali golf course, 7 October 1989 (Dr Mike Hill); One, male, Qurrayah, 12
April 1990 (Erik Hirschfeld); four males, two females and one juvenile, northwest
Bahrain June 1990 (Sheika Noora bint Essa bin Sulman al Khalifa et al.); and up
to three males and one female, Badan farm 13 November -31 December 1990 (and
to 11 January 1991)(Erik Hirschfeld). Sixth to ninth records, the observation of a
flock including a juvenile in June being very interesting as it suggests nearby
breeding. This species, like the Palm Dove, is spreading through the Middle East

22

and has bred in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. It is also a not uncommon
cage bird for sale in Bahrain.

Vp.
Y Yi GH

Female Namaqua Dove, Badan, Bahrain, December 1990 (Photograph Erik
Hirschfeld)

Striated Scops Owl Otus brucei

One, examined and photographed, Awali, 27 October 1989 (Dr Mike Hill).
Second record; the other was found dead in October 1969. The Awali individual
was fatally injured by children who had caught it, and the specimen is lost. Not
recorded from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia but breeds in the UAE and
Oman.

Small Skylark Alauda gulgula

At least five, Badan farm, 12 December 1989; four decreasing to one, Jasra farm,
19 October - 10 December 1990; five, Badan farm, 23 October - 31 December 1990;
and five, Airport fields, Muharraq, 17 November - 31 December 1990 (Erik
Hirschfeld). The first record in the Middle East was in Bahrain (contra Shirihai
1986), in the winter of 1978/79, and the above records bring Bahrain's total to five.
The birds stay well away from Skylarks A. arvensis and prefer to skulk in high
vegetation. There is one record of asmall flock from the Eastern Province of Saudi
Arabia (Brown and Palfery 1986), but it has not yet been recorded in the UAE or
Oman.

Richard's Pipit Anthus novae-
cacrial bs 1 dad gh Sacred <a seat ——
One, Jasra farm, 22 October - 16 | | WS
November 1990; up to five, Airport
fields, Muharraq, 17 November - 31
December 1990(see right); one,
Magabah, 22 November 1990; and one,
Dumistan lake, 24 November 1990 (Erik
Hirschfeld). Only two acceptable
records (in November and April)
before 1990. There are four records in Ro at ee
the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, i aR finial
and it is uncommon but more regular Richard's Pipit, Bahrain, December
MthelAE and Oman 1990 (photograph Erik Hirschfeld)

23

White Wagtail Motacilla alba 3

Two different individuals, both showing characters of the subspecies personata,
Ras Tubli, 2 January and 17 February 1990 (Erik Hirschfeld). The first records of
this distinctive subspecies. Winters regularly in Iran (Cramp et al. 1988) but it
seems not to have been recorded in Arabia before. :

Eversmann's Redstart Phoenicurus
erythronotus

One male, Radan farm, 13 November
1990; and one female, Busaytin,
Muharraq, 17 November 1990 (Erik
Hirschfeld). The first records since the
winter of 1970/71, when at least 19
were recorded. The species is a scarce
winter visitorto Northern Arabia, with
four records from the Eastern Province
of Saudi Arabia, eight from the UAE(C
Richardson pers comm) and at least
five from Oman.

Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva

One male, UBF stream, 7-8 February 1990 (Jos Kuypers). Fifth record, previously
recorded in October (one) and November (three). Considered an irregular
passage migrant and winter visitor in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, the
UAE (with most records from October and November) and Oman.

Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus

One male, Janabiyah reeds 8 April 1990 (Erik Hirschfeld). Third record, previously
noted in December (flock of three) and March (flock of seven). There are at least
_three records of small flocks in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and one
record from Oman (Gallagher and Woodcock 1980). It is yet to be recorded from
the UAE.

Siskin Carduelis spinus

Two southeast of Awali, 29 November 1989 (Jos Kuypers); one, Zallaq, 7
November 1990 (Dr Mike Hill); one, Al Meerouge farm, early November (Sheikha
Noora bint Essa bin Sulman Al Khalifa); and at least two, over Adliya, 26
November 1990 (Erik Hirschfeld). Fifth to eighth records. Five vagrant records
from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia were all from November; the only
Oman record from December, and it is an irregular winter guest in the UAE.

Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus

One female or young, Jasra 19 September 1990 (Erik Hirschfeld). The two
previous Bahrain records were in October and November. It is surprising,
considering its abundance in Eurasia and vagrancy pattern in western Europe,
that more have not been recorded in Bahrain. An uncommon migrant to the UAE
and Oman in autumn, and there are seven records from the Eastern Province of
Saudi Arabia during August to October (with one in May).

24

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

One Dumistan lake 24 November 1989 (Erik Hirschfeld). Fourth record. Very rare
in Arabia, not being recorded in Oman and with only one record from UAE
(November) and four from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia (one December,
three March).

References

Brown, GK and Palfery J 1986. The Small Skylark, a new species for Saudi
Arabia. Sandgrouse 7:55-59.

Bundy, G, O'Connor RJ and Harrison CJO 1989. Birds of the Eastern Province of
Saudi Arabia. London and Dahran.

Cramp, Sand Simmons KEL 1983, 1985 and 1988. The Birds of the Western Palearctic
Vols III, 1V and V. Oxford University Press. .

Gallagher, MD and Woodcock, M 1980. The Birds of Oman. London, Melbourne
and New York.

Hirschfeld, E 1990a Common Gull (Larus canus) - a first for Bahrain. BNHS
Newsletter 1990, 6:5.

Hirschfeld, E 1990b The first Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris) for Bahrain.
BNHS Newsletter 1990, 6:6-7.

Hollom, PAD, Porter, RF, Christensen, S and Willis I 1988. Birds of the Middle
East and North Africa. T & A D Poyser, Calton.

Nightingale, T 1990. Dotterels in Bahrain winter 1988/89. OSME Bull. 24:11-15.
Perennou, C, Rose, P and Poole, C 1990. Asian Waterfowl Census 1990. IWRB.
Richardson, C 1990. The Birds of the United Arab Emirates. Dubai and Warrington.
Shirihai, H. 1986. The Small Skylark, a species new to Israel and the Middle East.
Sand grouse 7:47-54.

Erik Hirschfeld, clo IAL, P O Box 144, Manama, State of Bahrain

Spring raptor observations from
Djibouti
Geoff and Hilary Welch

Wespent four weeks (15 February to 15 March) in Djiboutiin spring 1990.
The first and last weeks were taken up with meetings in Djibouti city, and
the middle fortnight was spent especially in the north and west working
onasitesinventory. Thanks toa grant for £300 fromOSME's Conservation
Research Fund towards vehicle hire, it also proved possible to spend
three days on the northeast coast looking for evidence of a return spring
migration of raptors across the Bab-el-Mandeb straits.

25

Our search for migrating raptors was concentrated on the region of Ras
Siyan, during the period 5-7 March. The spring movements turned out to
be extremely frustrating to monitor. Three species - Egyptian Vulture
Neophron percnopterus (733), Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus (134) and
Booted Eagle Hieraeetus pennatus (953) - made up 97% of the 1,877 birds
recorded. In general, birds began moving from 8.15am and approached
the Ras Siyan hill from the northwest, crossing the inland lagoon at about
50m. Up until about 9am, small numbers of birds headed out across the
straits after gaining height over the hill, but after this time, as the wind
increased, they tended to move off south and west; and by 11 am all
movement had ceased on the coast. By gradually driving south, we were
eventually able to relocate the movement.

Our limited observations suggest that as the wind increases, the birds
seek to gain extra height over the inland hills (about 20km from the coast
and rising to 300-400m), before heading off across the straits at a height
of over 500m. By starting off farther south, in the region of Godoria, and
travelling on a north to northeasterly heading, the east-southeasterly
winds drift the birds towards the nearest point on the Yemen side of the
straits, Perim Island. Whether this is the regular pattern of the spring
movement or just the effects of the unusual weather conditions (frequently
overcast and very hazy, witha light shower on7 March) during our visit
can be revealed only by further research.

The significance of the spring passage through Djibouti is highlighted
when the species counts are compared with those made during 38 days'
observation in autumn 1987. Totals for each species for 1987 and 1990
respectively are: Egyptian Vulture 554/733; Short-toed Eagle 1,202/134
and Booted Eagle 1,123/954. Djibouti is clearly a major site for both
Egyptian Vulture and Booted Eagle, but the question now arises as to
where the birds are heading. The Djibouti birds are not going to form part
of the Suez/Eilat movement, where numbers recorded are generally
much lower in both spring and autumn (Shirihai 1987 in Eilat an
Intercontinental Highway for Migrating Birds); their destination probably
lies somewhere farther east in central Russia.

The virtual absense of migrating Steppe Eagles Aguila rapax and Steppe
Buzzards Buteo b vulpinus this spring was also interesting, despite their
being the most numerous species in autumn. One of our prime reasons
for visiting Djibouti in early March was to look for these particular
species. It is possible that we were slightly early for Steppe Buzzard, but
Steppe Eagles should have been at their peak. Their numbers peak
during mid-February to mid-March at Eilat.

26

Table 1. Daily raptor totals

Species 5 March 6 March 7 March Total
Egyptian Vulture 485 40* 208 733
Short-toed Eagle 30 12 92 134
Pallid Harrier 1 1
Montagu's Harrier 1 1
Pallid/Montagu's Harrier 2 z
Steppe Eagle 1 11 1 13
Booted Eagle 105+ 461 oY fee pias 953
Bonelli's Eagle 1 1
Other Raptors 29 10 39
Total Raptors 1,877

*onthis day, most of the morning was spent working north along the coast from
Godoria, 30km south of Ras Siyan, trying to locate the main part of the movement;
we succeeded at 1pm, about 10km inland from Ras Siyan. As Egyptian Vulture
passage seemed to be largely concentrated between 8am and 10am, many birds
could have been missed.

Geoffand Hilary Welch, 21a East Delph, Whittlesey, Peterborough
PE7 1RH, UK

Photographing birds in the Middle
East

Paul Doherty

To someone who has never visited the area, the Middle East may not
seem to have much to offer the bird photographer. Certainly, there are
large areas of rather uniform habitat with birds at a low density.
Conversely, some of the finest spectacles of the bird world are to be found
in the Middle East, and this creates some special opportunities, and
problems, for bird photographers. In this article, | hope to be able to
provide some information on the special features of bird photography in
the region.

27

Ethics

Itis entirely appropriate to begin with this section, as the guiding rule of
wildlife photography is that the welfare of the subject must come first.
The Middle East has some harsh and demanding conditions, in particular
some extremely high temperatures. Birds and especially nestlings can
easily become heat stressed.

Experienced nest photographers should be all right; but if you are not
experienced and come across an apparently suitable nest, you would be
best to leave it alone. By the time you have realised that the adults have
not accepted your activities, the nestlings could be badly heat stressed or
even dead.

Similarly, each spring and autumn the Middle East is a vital crossroads
for a huge migration. These journeys are very demanding, and tired
migrants should not be harrassed.

Remember also that your activities could alert local hunters, who were
previously unaware of the birds’ presence. I have invariably found locals
helpful and friendly. It is worth repaying any kindnesses, perhaps by
sending prints of your best efforts. This will make life easier for
photographers who come after you , and is deublygs worthwhile if you
plan to revisit the area.

Red-throated Pipit, Eilat, Israel, Noweaibert 1986. Taken pe inside a PES a
box (Photograph Paul Doherty)

28

Equipment

The 35 mm format is easily the most popular film size, and a single lens
reflex camera with a telephoto lens in the range 300mm to 600mm will be
the most useful combination. It may seem like an unnecessary luxury,
but, if getting good results is important to you, a second camera body is
called for. Without this, a minor accident on the first day of an important
trip could rule out ali photographic opportunities.

Take all the film you expect to need, and a bit more. The film you want
may not be available in the area you are visiting, and it will probably be
much more expensive. Light conditions in the Middle East are usually
good, and this gives you the opportunity to use slower, better quality
films. I take most of my photographs on Kodachrome 64, but always take
alongsome faster film (usually 200 ISO) for less favourable light conditions.

Film and other equipment must be protected from dust, particularly
sand, as even a single grain can leave permanent marks on a film. Care
and common sense should help you avoid serious problems.

Light

The Middle East seems to have ideal light conditions, but in practice the
light quickly becomes too strong. By late morning, often earlier, the light
is too harsh, with dense unflattering shadows. The answer is to confine
photography to the early morning and late afternoon. This means being
up, and often in position, before sunrise. The middle of the day can be
used for recharging your batteries, though fanatics may prefer to use this
time for checking out other likely photographic spots.

Hides

Only the committed photographer will go to the trouble of taking a
portable hide around with them, but if you do not fall into that category,
do not worry. Acar can make an excellent mobile hide. It is surprising the
areas that a carefully (ie recklessly!) driven car can penetrate. More
importantly, birds will often allow a much closer approach from a car
than they would from a person on foot. The list of birds I have
photographed out of a car window includes such unlikely species as
Glossy Ibis, Imperial Eagle and Sinai Rosefinch. Always consider the
safety aspect of using a car off the beaten track: cars are easily stuck in
sand and you should carry plenty of water.

Even if you do not have a car or purpose-built hide, be prepared to
improvise. At Eilat, Israel, one autumn, I came across a small pond which
was attracting many birds to drink. I did not have a hide, but a walk to
a nearby rubbish tip produced a large cardboard box which, with minor
alterations, was as good as any hide. The result was an exciting morning
which gave superb close-up views, and photographs, of some shy birds.

29

—— eee eeeeeecneeeeeee

Male Dead Sea Sparrow, Eilat, Israel, December 1987. Photographed from car
windowasthebird cametodrinkata leaky irrigation pipe (Photograph Paul Doherty)

Water

The Middle East is an arid region, and standing water is a scarcity. One
consequence of this is that wherever water is found, birds will not be far
away. Sandgrouse are well known for their daily flights to suitable
drinking pools, but a wide range of species are possible. Man-made
water holes arealways worth looking out for; agricultural developments,
fish farms, sewage ponds and reservoirs are all likely spots, but be
prepared to ask for permission. You should also be prepared to do some
careful gardening to ensure that the photographs are not spoiled by
obtrusive vegetation or unsightly rubbish.

Politics

No OSME member needs reminding of the political sensitivity of the
Middle East. There are many areas where anyone wandering around
with binoculars will be suspect, and anyone with binoculars and a
camera will be doubly suspect. Some potential problems should be
obvious (such as borders and military installations), but having once had
my tripod mistaken for a portable drilling machine (and therefore being

suspected of illegal mineral extraction), some are more difficult to
foresee.

30

The politics of the region are problematic, but there is tremendous scope
in the Middle East for the bird photographer. Many of the endemics are
little studied photographically, and there is a wide range of migrating
and wintering species, too. Photographically, itis an exciting region, and
politics, time and money permitting, I know I will be returning there for
many years.

Paul Doherty, 18 Austen Way, Larkfield, Kent ME20 6UL, UK

Great Black-headed Gulls on Lake

Nasser, Egypt, in January 1989
Ted Hoogendoorn

On 25 January 1989, 4pm local time, I watched three adult winter Great
Black-headed Gulls Larus ichthyaetus at Abu Simbil, Egypt. The birds
could be identified and aged by their large size, white head with blackish
mask fromeye to ear-coverts, medium to pale grey mantle, back, scapulars
and upper wing, featuring white outer primaries with an irregular,
subterminal black crescent across the wing-tip.

They flew closely past the flat tops of several steep promontories jutting
into Lake Nasser near the Nubian temples, following the heavily indented
western shoreline of the lake, in a roughly northeastern direction. For
about five minutes, they maintained a distance of 100-200m between
each other, until they encountered a small flock of Black-headed Gulls L
ridibundus feeding on the lake, about 1.5km to the northeast. After
harassing the Black-headeds for several minutes, the Great Black-headed
Gulls continued flying northeast, heading out of sight. They were not
seen again that day, nor during the first half of the next day, after which
I left the area.

Apparently, this is the first record of Great Black-headed Gull for Lake
Nasser. Goodman and Meininger (1989) mention three rather recent
records for the southern Egyptian Nile Valley betwen Idfu and Dishna,
400-600 km north of Abu Simbil, one in November and two in February.
The species usually migrates singly or in parties of up to five (Cramp and
Simmons 1983). Judging from their behaviour, the birds at Abu Simbil
were probably early migrants to more northern areas (cf Hoogendoorn
1991). Nevertheless, since the shores of Lake Nasser are larely inaccessible
to birders, a hitherto undiscovered population may winter on the lake.
Cramp and Simmons (1983) and Goodman and Meininger (1989) have

31
SSSS;s ~SS"—— i : «

suggested that the birds wintering on Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes (Ash
and Ashford 1977) reach this area via the Red Sea. However, it cannot be
excluded that there is a link between the southern Egyptian Nile Valley
and Lake Nasser records and the Ethiopian wintering area, via the Nile
and its tributaries.

I am grateful to Peter Meininger for commenting on a draft of this note and for
supplying literature.

References

Ash, JS and Ashford, OM 1977 Great Black-headed Gulls Larus ichythaetus [sic]
and Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus inland in Ethiopia. J.East Afr. Nat.
Hist. Soc. Nat. Mus. 31 (162):1-3.

Cramp, S and Simmons, KEL (eds) 19893 The Birds of the Western Palearctic, Vol
3. Oxford University Press, Oxford. |
Goodman, SM and Meininger, PL (eds) 1989. The Birds of Egypt. Oxford University
Press, Oxford.

Hoogendoorn, W 1991. Gull Records from the northern Egyptian Red Sea coasts
in January and February 1989. OSME Bull. 26:32-

Gull records from the northern
Egyptian Red Sea coasts in January

and February 1989
Ted Hoogendoorn

On a trip through Egypt from 18 January to 8 February 1989, I observed
11 species of gulls on the northern Red Sea coasts. According to Goodman
and Meininger (1989), two of these have not been recorded in Egypt
before. Several other species were found in unprecedented numbers or

at out-of-range localities. These records may be related to the 1988/89 .

winter weather, which was unusually cold, according to local inhabitants.

The literature does not provide many clues to the age classes of gulls
wintering in the area. The general scarcity of gulls and other seabirds in
the area, as compared with that in western Europe, was striking. Only
Suez and Hurghada hosted concentrations of up to 1,000 individuals.
Elsewhere, numbers were considerably lower, and along many stretches
of coastal road not a single seabird could be found.

32

Sooty Gull Larus hemprichti

19-22 January, Hurghada, up to 35, of which about 15 first-winters and
about 20 older birds.

7 February, Abu Zenima, two second-winters or older.

All were in fresh plumage. At Hurghada, of the birds older than first-winter, the
majority had small whitish tips, increasing in size inwards, on all but the one or
two: outermost primaries, and a conspicuous subterminal blackish tail band,
broad in the middleand narrowing outwards, being absent on the outer rectrices;
in the others, the whitish tips were also present on the outermost primaries and
the tail band was reduced to blackish subterminal patches of variable size and
shape on up to six central rectrices.

The birds of the first-mentioned group were probably second-winters, while
those of the latter group were possibly third-winters (cf Cramp and Simmons
1983). Despite prolonged searches, not a single full adult (with a comletely white
tail) could be found. The islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Suez are the most
northerly breeding area of the Sooty Gull. 119 adults were counted in April-May
1983, and 225 adults and eight juveniles in September-October 1984 (Jennings et
al. 1985). The lack of adults at Hurghada in January may indicate that the species
is not resident in the northernmost Red Sea.

White-eyed Gull L leucophthalmus

Roughly 570, of which two first-winters, five second-winters, the others
adult. Highest numbers were about 140 at Ain Sukhna on 19 January,
about 240 at Hurghada from 19-22 January and about 145 at Abu Zenima
on 7 February. All were in fresh plumage.

In May 1984, Goodman and Storer (1987) found a preponderance of adults in the
Hurghada-Safaga region. Jennings et al. (1985) counted about 3,489 adults on the
islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Suez in April-May 1983 and about 5,652 adults
and about 3,523 juveniles inSeptember-October 1984. Apparently, most immatures
disperse from the northernmost Red Sea after the breeding season.

It isremarkable that, while both Sooty and White-eyed Gulls are at the northern
limit of their breeding range in the Hurghada-South Sinai area (cf Goodman and
Meininger 1989), adult Sooties were absent in Hurghada in January, whileadults
were the most common White-eyeds by far.

Great Black-headed Gull L ichthyeatus
7 February, 14kmsouth of Abu Rudeis, five, of which four adults and one
first-winter.

One of the adults was nearly in full summer plumage, the black hood being
completely developed apart from some small white spots on the forehead.
Initially the birds were resting on the beach. When | approached, they took flight,
each individual separately, heading north and forming a loose party similar to
that seen on Lake Nasser (Hoogendoorn 1991). They may have been early
migrants.

33

Mediterranean Gull L melanocephalus
21-22 January, Hurghada, one first-winter.

There are several records from the northern Red Sea (Goodman and Meininger
1989). A report from the Sudanese Red Sea (Nikolaus 1984) lacks documentation.

Black-headed Gull L ridibundus

More numerous than all other species combined, but only locally common.
Highest numbers were about 600 at Hurghada on 22 January and about 700 at
Suez on 8 February. About 70% were adults.

Slender-billed Gull L genei
About 210,of which 60 at Hurghada, 19-22 January; and about 110 at Suez
on 8 February. Over 90% were adults.

Common Gull L canus
22 January, 12km south of Hurghada, one first-winter.

Therather large sizeand dark grey upperparts of this individual suggest L cheinet,
which has not been recorded previously in Egypt (Goodman and Meininger
19189). Until now, the southernmost record of the species was of three individuals
14km north of Hurghada in November 1982. (Baha el Din and Saleh 1983). This
record was not documented, and confusion with Armenian Gull L armenicus
cannot be excluded.

Lesser Black-backed Gull L fuscus

19 January, Ain Sukhna, two adults.

20-22 January, Hurghada, two adults.

22 January, 12 km south of Hurghada, three adults.

3 February, Abu Darag, eight, of which six adults and two subadults.
_ 4 February, Suez, five, of which four adults and one subadult.

8 February, Suez, two adults.

All adults had black upperparts and upperwings, suggesting the subspecies
L f fuscus.

Yellow-legged Gull L cachinnans

20-22 January, Hurghada, about 12, of which three adults, one third-
winter and about eight first-winters.

22 January, 12km south of Hurghada, about 90, of which six adults, 10-
12 second-winters to subadults, and about 70 first-winters.

3 February, Abu Darag, four adults.

4 February, Suez, 15, of which eight adults, two third-winters, two
second-winters and three first-winters.

6 February, Nabg, one first-winter. .

7 February, Abu Zenima, two first-winters; Abu Rudeis, 13, of which 11
adults and two first-winters.

8 February, Suez, 10, of which five adults, one third-winter, one second-
winter and three first-winters.

34

According to Goodman and Meininger (1989), small numbers are occasionally
observed south of Hurghada in winter. Therefore, the flock of 90 must be
regarded as exceptional.

Armenian Gull L armenicus

22 January, 12km south of Hurghada, three adults.

7 February, Abu Rudeis, two adults.

The three adults near Hurghada on 22 January were in the same flock as
the 90 Yellow-leggeds, the three Lesser Black-backeds, the Great Black-
backed Gull L Marinus and the Common Gull. In this flock were also one
subadult and two first-winter armenicus-type individuals, judging from
their size and build.

A report of at least 10 adults on 11 March 1988 at the Great Bitter Lake (Everett
1988) lacks documentation and the occurrence of Armenian Gull in Egypt is
considered to be unproved (Goodman and Meininger 1989). The Mediterranean
coast of Israel is probably a major wintering area of the species (Hume 1983,
Geroudet 1984, Dubois 1985, Grant 1987). Bundy (1986) observed three individuals
in southern Oman in November and December 1984 (not documented) and
mentions individuals noted by John Palfery in eastern Saudi Arabia which
probably belong to this species. It seems likely, therefore, that Armenian Gulls
occur in winter in small numbers in the company of Lesser Black-backed and
Yellow-legged Gulls at scattered localities throughout the Middle East.

Great Black-backed Gull L marinus
22 January, 12km south of Hurghada, one adult.

This species has not been recorded in Egypt previously (Goodman and Meininger
1989).

Acknowledgments
I am grateful to Peter Meininger for commenting on a draft of this note, and for
supplying literature.

References

Baha El Din, SM and Saleh, MA 1983. Report on the ornithological results of the
Egyptian Red Sea pollution expedition. Ornithological Society of Egypt, Cairo.
Bundy, G 1986. Notes on seabirds in south-eastern Arabia. Sandgrouse 7: 29-42.
Cramp, S and Simmons, KEL (eds) 1983. The Birds of the Western Palearctic Vol.
3. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Dubois, P 1985. Considerations sur le Goeland d'Armenie Larus armenicus
Buturlin en Israel. Alauda 53: 226-228.

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

Geroudet, P 1984. Le Goeland d'Armenie, Larus (cachinnans) armenicus, en Israel.
Alauda 52: 310-311.

Goodman, SM and Meininger, PL (eds) 1989. The Birds of Egypt. Oxford University
Press, Oxford.

Goodman, SM and Storer, RW 1987. The seabirds of the Egyptian Red Sea and

35

adjacent waters, with notes on selected Ciconiiformes. Gerfaut 77: 109-145.
Grant, PJ 1987. Notes on Armenian Herring Gull. In Grant, PJ et al (eds).
International bird identification, proceedings of the 4th International Identification
Meeting in Eilat, 1st-8th November 1986: 43.

Hoogendoorn, W 1991. Great Black-headed Gulls on Lake Nasser, Egypt, in
January 1989. OSME Bull 26:31-32.

Hume, RA 1983. Herring Gulls in Israel. Brit Birds 76: 189-191.

Jennings, MC et al. 1985. Ornithological survey of the Ras Dib area and the islands
at the mouth of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Report BP Oil Pollution Research Unit,
Pembroke.

Nikolaus, G 1984. Further notes on birds new or little known in the Sudan. Scopus

8: 38-42.

An appendix giving supporting descriptions of rare individuals reported in this
paper has been omitted owing to lack of space.

W (Ted) Hoogendoorn, Notengaard 32, 3941 LW Doorn,
Netherlands

News and Information

Compiled by Simon Albrecht

The aim of this section is to inform our readers about events in the OSME region. It is not
intended as a definitive report or write up of the projects concerned. Most of the projects
are sponsored; such support is appreciated but is not generally acknowledged here.

Turkey first project of its kind in the eastern
Integrated management inthe Goksti Delta Mediterranean.
A project entitled ‘Integrated Wetland
Management’ is being started this Fgycational focus on Turkish deltas
spring in the Gbksti Delta. DHKD (The During 1990, DHKD focused its
Society for the Protection of Nature) is educational activities on the deltas of
organising the project in conjunction the Cukurova, Giksti and Menderes.
with the Biological Station at La Tour During a four-week period, about
du Valat, France, and the Dutch 40,000 copies ofan educational booklet
_ Agriculture Ministry. The aim is to on birds (Kushlarin Dunyasi), as well
integrate wildlife, agriculture and as 10,000 copies of the ICBP popular
development into the management of identification guide (Kushlarin
the area. Vincent van den Berk has Tanyalim), were distributed to primary
been seconded from the Netherlands, schools around the three deltas. A
and Nafiz Guder is the DHKD Project similar campaign should take place in
Officer working inthedelta.Thisisthe the Kizilirmak Delta this spring.

36

Kizilirmak project postponed factors like human persecution or
A joint DHKD, WIWO and OSME destruction of habitat.

breeding bird survey oftheKizilirmak In December 1990, during educational
Delta (on the Black Sea) had been workin the Gtksii Delta, DHKD staff
planned for the spring of 1991.Dueto witnessed a 15 minute hailstorm.
the uncertainties caused bythe warin _Hailstones the size of small chicken
the gulf, sponsorship money hasbeen _eggscaused extensivedamagetocrops,
postponed for a year. The project _glasshouses, cars and buildings. It is
should hopefully now take place in _ estimated that up to 10,000 birds were
1992. It is not known whether the killed during the storm. DHKD staff
educational campaign (seeabove) will collected several hundred birds. The

also be postponed. birds particularly affected were
, flamingos, waders (Avocets Avosetta
10,000 birds killed by hailstones recuvirostra and Redshanks Tringa

From time to time, there aredeathsof _totanus) and gulls, including three
birds caused by weather or other Armenian Gulls Larus armenicus. The
natural conditions. Generally next day, local fishermen collected
speaking, populations can recover thousands of birds from the lakes.

form these natural disasters, provided These were subsequently sold on local
they are not also threatened by other markets.

Wt es A
Vcd?” pe

Whi ess. Ve apm,
x a

G 2 a i oa
“ a : $ Up. br a ees: e s ween ' f »
Z “ Uy ‘
o a on Wf 7 % 7 - : 4 ™ 4 4 n - Oe ‘ a
ty the by Z 4 Hy, “ a
H ine d care cs ‘% ae : : : .
i ide tg ; of oe “is FS Raga Be ee =e &, ee : -

Victims of hailstorm at Géksti Delta, Turkey, December 1990 (Photograph DHKD)

North Cyprus

WehavealreadyreportedontheNorth awareness campaign, which ended in
Cyprus Society for the Protection of | October 1990 (see Bulletin 24:23).
Birds, in the last bulletin. This is the

only society actively campaigning Education

specifically for bird preservation in A major feature of the conservation
North Cyprus. Thesociety was formed awareness campaign wasa slide show
during ICBP’s year-long conservation __ on bird migration, which visited over

37

50 of the larger primary schools. In all,
about 5,000 pupils in some 200 classes
saw the show. Books on birds were
donated to school libraries, and a bird
painting competition was organised.

Hunting and liming

Surveys were carried out during the
1990 thrush (January to February) and
Turtle Dove Steptopelia turtur (April to
May) hunting seasons. A survey of 382
thrush hunters indicated that thrushes
are being overhunted. A survey of 141
Turtle Dove huntersindicated that laws
were largely ignored and that many
endangered and protected species were
being hunted in large numbers. While
about 80% of both groups of hunters
declared themselves against liming and
netting birds, over 20% of hunters shot
birds of prey.

Liming and netting remain serious
problems. A survey of 54 schools in 39
localities showed that 82% of these
village and town people catch birds
with limesticks. Of these people, 51%
use mist-nets to catch birds and this
practice is spreading. In all, it is
estimated that between 570,000 and
950,000 birds are killed annually by
mist-netting or limesticks in North
Cyprus.

Griffon Vultures

A census of the Pentadactylos
mountains in 1989/90 found no signs
_of any breeding Griffon Vultures Gyps
fulvus. A poster campaign to promote
awareness amongst hunters and
shepherds was carried out.

Wetlands inventory |

Nearly all the wetlands (both natural
and reservoirs) in North Cyprus were
visited at least three times during the
campaign. The inventory includes
water levels and the species observed,
as well as an assessment as to their
valueasa stopover for migrating birds.
Foroneofthemost important wetlands

38

(Gonyeli), a development project has
been prepared and submitted to the
relevant authorities.

ICBP XX World Conference
resolution on bird killing in

Cyprus and use of mist-nets
The 20th World Conference of the
International Council for Bird
Preservation (ICBP), held in Hamilton,
New Zealand, from 21 to 27 November
1990, unanimously passed a resolution
congratulating the Cyprus government
for banning the spring shooting of
migratory birds and urging the
government to enforce Law No. 24 of
1988, implementing the Convention
on the Conservation of European
Wildlife and Natural Habitats. It is
hoped that this will be enforced
throughout Cyprus.

Japanisa major producerand exporter
of mist-nets. The World Conference
also recommended that the Japanese
government:'(a) prohibit the
production, sale, possession, and
transfer, as well as the export of mist
nets, except for scientific research, and
strictly enforce theexisting legislation’;
and ‘(b) control the export of mist nets
by a system of licencing from
authorities designated to judge
scientific purpose.’

Slender-billed Curlew
monograph

In the last Bulletin, we reported that
ICBP's Slender-billed Curlew
Numenius tenuirostris project had
finished and that a report was being
prepared. The report, The status and
conservation of the Slender-billed
Curlewby A Gretton, is to be published
as ICBP monograph no. 6; details from
ICBP, 32 Cambridge Road, Girton CB3
OPJ, UK.

——
ia

—
a

rs

Egypt

Quail hunting

Wecongratulatethe governorof North
Sinai and the Egyptian Environmental
Affairs Agency for successfully
banning the hunting of Quails Coturnix
coturnix, at the Zaranik nature reserve
for the first time last autumn.

Following complaints to the Italian
Embassy and by WWF and the Italian
Bird Protection Society (LIPU),
trapping of passerines such as
Redstarts Phoenicurus phoenicurus and
Willow Warblers Phylloscopus trochilus
at the Italian War Memorial at El
Alamein has been stopped. The birds
had apparently been caught for food.

Saudi Arabia

Export of live birds to Britain

According to the recently published
Importation of Birds Mortality
Statistics for 1989, some 184,600 birds
were imported into Britain in 1989. Of
these, 4,000 were dead on arrival, and
a further 19,500 died in post-import
quarantine. Saudi Arabia is the ony
country in the OSME region listed in

Recent Literature
compiled by Mrs F. E. Warr

the report. Two Sakers Falco cherrug
and a Peregrine F peregrinus were
imported into Britain from Saudi
Arabia. All three birds survived.

Israel

A new project has started to gather
information on the migration of storks,
pelicans and raptors, with the aid of
satellites. The project is headed by
Professor Odo Renner and Amnon
Ginati of the Space Research Centre of
the Berlin Technical University, with
the participation of SPNI's Israel Raptor
Information Centre.

Tiny transmitters were attached to four
storks, which were then tracked from’
the ground and from a_ motorised
glider. One flock including a tagged
stork covered a distance of 120km
during a three-hour flight northwards.
The satellite which will track the birds
was launched in January. It will supply
ongoing information about nesting and
wintering locations, dates, routes and
speeds of migration. Contributed by
Maurice E Boyce

This list does not include OSME publications.

Anon 1990 European News (26th and 27th). British Birds 83(1 & 3): 8-17, 222-230.

(includes Cyprus and Israel).

Anon 1988 Marine Observers’ Log. July, August, September. Birds. Red Sea.

Marine Observer 58, no.301: 113-114.

Anon 1990 Profiles in action - Sherif and Mindy Baha El Din. World Birdwatch

12(3): 16.

Al-Dabagh, KY et al 1988 The diet of the White-cheeked Bulbul Pycnonotus
leucogenys. (Iraq) J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 85: 530-537.
Alfia, C1989 The nocturnal migration of birds over Israel. Torgos 8(1) (16): 22-25.

English summary p.94.

Alstrom, P and Mild, K 1989 Identification of Pechora Pipit (Israel photos).

Birding World 2(8): 276-282.

Alstrom, P and Mild, K 1989 Red-throated Pipits with rufous throat in winter.
(Israel photos). Dutch Birding 11(2): 78-81.

Amies, PA 1990 Spectacled Warblers feeding in association with Finsch's
Wheatear. (Israel) British Birds 83(2): 72-73.

Ash, JS 1989 The status of the White Stork in Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti.
pp341-353 in G Rheinwald et al. q.v.

Ash, JSand Miskell, JE 1990 Presumed breeding of Tawny Pipits Anthus campestris
in the Afrotropics. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 110(4): 222-225.

Baha El Din, M and S$ 1990 Egypt examined. World Birdwatch 12(3): 8-9.

Baha El] Din, M and S 1990 Gabal Asfar: Egypt's premier birdwatching site,

Birding World 3(3): 105-107.

Baha El Din, Mand$1990 Hurghada:a Western Palearctic hot-spot. Birding World

3(11): 395-400.

Baha El Din, SM 1989 A contribution to the ornithology of the western desert.

Courser 2: 14-23.

Bahat,O 1989 Hunting behaviour of the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos homeyeri.

Torgos 8(1) (16): 63-67. English summary p.91.

Bannon, J 1989 First record of White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis in the

UAE. Gazelle 4(12): 3.

Barthel. PH 1990 Hinweisezur Bestimmung der Zitronenstelze Motacilla citreola.

Limicola 4(4): 149-182. English summary - identification of Citrine Wagtail.

Bartov, E 1990 Reproduction and nesting behaviour of the Lappet-faced Vulture

Torgos tracheliotus negevensis in captivity. Torgos &{(2) (17): 17-24. English summary
76.

Ben-David, M and Sobol, M 1989 A peek into the nest of the Bee-eater Merops

apiaster. Torgos 8(1) (16): 39-41. English summary p.93.

Benoist, J 1988 (Bird migration and capture in the eastern part of the Black Sea,

Turkey.) Vogeljaar 36(3): 124-127. in Dutch.

Bergier, P 1988 Observations orntihologiques a Bahrain. Oiseau Rev. Fr.Orn.58(2):

145-153.

Bezzel, Eand Wartmann, B 1990 Neue Beobachtungen des Waldrapps Geronticus

eremita im Jemen. Journ. fur Orn. 131: 456-457. English summary - new records of

the Bald Ibis in North Yemen.

Biricik, M et al. 1989 Fortpflanzungsverhalten der Palmtaube Streptopelia

senegalensis: Paarbildung bis Eiablage. (Turkey) Journ. fur Orn. 130(2): 217-228.

English summary - reproductive behaviour of the Laughing Dove.

Blitzblau, S 1990 Migration of waders along the Carmel coast - Spring 1990.

Torgos 8(2) (17): 59-68. English summary p.73.

Bourne, WRP 1988 Seabirds (notes from a talk on UAE and Oman). Bull. Emirates

Nat. Hist. Group (Abu Dhabi) 35:13.

Bourne, WRP 1989 Seabird Reports recieved in 1987 and 1988. Sea Swallow 38: 7-

30.

Bruun, B 1989 The migration of birds of prey in Egypt. Courser 2: 2-13.

Bundy, G1990 Sandgrouse taking water from its own breast feathers. British Birds

83(2): 332.

Bunni, MK 1988 First record of Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis

(Latham) for Iraq. Bull. Irag Nat. Hist. Mus. 8(1): 131-134.

Casement, MB 1989 Landbirds from ships at sea. Sea Swallow 38: 36-51.
Casement, MB 1990 Landbirds from ships at sea. Sea Swallow 39: 38-48

40

SS ea =

teeter

Chapman, A 1990 Egyptian Nightjar - A new record for the ENHG List. Bull.
Emirates Nat. Hist. Group (Abu Dhabi) 41: 9-10

Chapman, A 1990 Bird notes from offshore. Bull. Emirates Nat. Hist. Group (Abu
Dhabi) 42: 25-30.

Clancey, PA 1987 The Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis (Linnaeus) in southern Africa.
Durban Mus. Novit. 14(3): 29-42. (Includes new subspecies in Turkey).

Clancey, PA 1988 The Pied Kingfisher of the Afrotropics - a case of a 'decayed'
subspecies? Honeyguide 34(1): 16-18.

Clancey, PA 1990 A review of the indigenous pipits (Genus Anthus Bechstein:
Motacillidae) of the Afrotropics. Durban Mus. Novit. 15: 42-72.

Clark, WS, Frumkin, R and Shirihai, H 1990 Field Identification of Sooty Falcon.
British Birds 83(2): 47-54.

Clark, WS 1989 The rufous morph of Booted Eagle. Dutch Birding 11(2): 57-60.
Clark, WS1990 Plumage ofsubadult Marsh Harrier. Dutch Birding 12(4): 181-185.
Clark, WS 1990 Birding in Israel. Birding 22(1): 48-50.

Clark, WS 1990 Spotted Eagle with rufous nape patch (Israel). British Birds 83(9):
397-399.

Colin, D 1988 Dupont's Larkin Cyprus in April 1988. Oriolus 54(4): 182-183. Dutch
with English summary.

Crumbie, M 1986 Observations to clarify the status of the Reef Heron Egretta gularis,
Little Green HeronButorides striatus and Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus
stentoreus in Abu Dhabi Island, 1985, with additional notes. Bull. Emirates Nat.
Hist. Group (Abu Dhabi) 28: 10-28.

Ctyroky, P1988 (Autumn migration of birds in the western desert of Iraq.) Beitr.
Vogelkd. 34(4-5): 230-236.

Ctyroky, P1989 (Knowledge on migration of birds in Iraq.) Zpravy MOS 47: 107-
124. Czech with English summary.

Cyprus Ornithological Society 1989 Birds of Cyprus Fifteenth Bird Report, for
1984. 67pp.

Coackst Rado: H and Yom-Tov, Y 1988 On the incubation biology of the Spur-
winged Plover Hoplopterus spinosus (Aves: Charadriidae) in Israel. Israel Journ.
Zoology 34: 155-157.

De Bruin, S 1989 Spotted Sandpiper in Turkey in August 1988. Dutch Birding
11(3): 121-122.

De Jong, HM 1988 (House Martins on Cyprus) Vogeljaar 36(4): 171.

Deppe, H-J 1990 Boebachtungsnotizen zur Vogelwelt derTurkei. Orn. Mitteilungen
42(10): 257-258.

Dijksen, LJ and Blomert, A-M 1989 Midwinter waterfowl census, Turkey,
January 1989. WIWO Report 31. 48pp.

Doherty, P 1989 Ageing of White-winged Black Terns. Birding World 2(9): 328-
329.

Dutton, EW (ed) 1988 The scientific results of the Royal Geographical Society's
Oman Wahiba Sands Project 1985-1987. Journ. Oman Studies Special Report no. 3.
596pp.

Eriksen, H and J 1990 Distribution maps (Palm Dove, Collared Dove, Chestnut-
bellied Sandgrouse). Oman Bird News 9: 14-16.

Eriksen, J 1989-90 Reports from the recorder. Oman Bird News 7: 12-14, 8: 12-14,
9: 10-13.

Eriksen, J 1990 Asian Waterfowl Census - Oman 1990. Oman Bird News 8: 14-15.

41

Ertan, A, Kilic, A and Kasparek, M 1989 Turkiye'nin Onemli Kus Alanlari
(Important bird areas of Turkey). Dogal Hayati Koruma Dernegi and ICBP.
(DHKD, P.K.18, Bebek, 81810 Istanbul, Turkey).

Evans, PGH 1987 Sea Birds of the Red Sea. pp 5315-338 in Edwards, AJ and Head
SM (eds) Red Sea. Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK and New York, USA.

Everett, Mand Grimmett, R 1990 Europe's most threatened breeding birds. RSPB:
Conservation Review 4: 86-92.

Farhad pour, H 1987 Capturing Common Crane (Grus grus) withalpha-chloralose.
(Iran) Aquila 93-94: 237-240.

Ferro, K 1988 Zypern-Insel de Aphrodite. Luscinia 46(1-2): 67-81.

Fleming, T 1990 White Storks at . Oman Bird News 8: 6-7.

Footitt, J 1990 Note on Indian House Crows in Dubai. Gazelle 5(1): 3-4.

Foster, D 1990 Meetings of the Oman Bird Records Committee (new records).
Oman Bird News 8: 9-10.

Fouda, MM 1989 National Parks in Egypt: Bardawil and Gebel Elba. Courser 2:31-
38.

Franckx, H and Verschueren, W 1985 (The migration of large birds over the
Bosphorus) Wielewaal 55: 56-65. in Dutch.

Frumkin, R et al. 1986 Metabolic heat production and evaporative heat loss in
desert phasianids: Chukar and Sand Partridge. Physiol. Zool. 59:592-605.
Frumkin, R (ed) 1989 Bird News. Torgos 8 (1)(16): 83-85.

Frumkin, R 1989 First Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus nesting records in Israel.
Torgos 8(1)(16):48-49. English summary p.92.

Frumkin, R 1989 The Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus post-fledging and parasitic
behaviour. Torgos 8(1)(16):50-53. English summary p.91.

Frumkin, R 1990 From Hoopoe's heart to Egyptian Vulture's bones: use of birds
for love-charmsand medicineinthe Arabian folklore. Torgos 8(2)(17):9-10. English
summary p.76.

Frumkin, R and Eidelman, A 1989/90 Secrets of the Negev highlands. Spring in
Nahal Zin. Israel Land and Nature 15(2):86-93.

Fry, H and Eriksen, J 1989 The Eastern Pied Wheatear Oenanthe picata in Arabia.
Oman Bird News 7: 4-7.

Fry, CH 1990 Foraging behavour and identification of Upcher's Warbler. (Oman)
British Birds 83(6):217-221.

Gallagher, MD 1988 Birds. in The Scientific Results of The Royal Geographical
ete Oman Wahiba Sands Project 1985-1987. Journ. Oman Studies Special Report
o 3.
Gallagher, M 1989 Wahiba Sands, Sultanate of Oman. Phoenix 6: 7.
Gallagher, MD 1989 The White Stork in Oman, eastern Arabia. pp327-330 in
Rheinwald et al. qv
Gallagher, M 1989 Notes on the House Crow at Aden. Oman Bird News 7: 10-11.
Gallagher, M 1989 Vultures in Oman, eastern Arabia. Vulture News 22; 4-11.
Gallagher, M 1990 Does Jouanin's Petrel nest in Oman? Oman Bird News 8: 7-8.
Gellert, M and Laird, B 1990 Eastern Yellow Wagtails. (Israel) Birding World 3(8):
277-280.
Goodman, SM and Haynes, CV Jr 1989 The distribution, breeding season, and
food habits of the Lanner from the eastern Sahara. Natl. Geogr. Res. 5: 126-131.
Goodman, SM and Meininger, PL 1989 The discovery of the Arabian Warbler
(Sylvia leucomelaena) in southeast Egypt Courser 2: 24-26.

42

Goren, 01990 A Bedouin flute made of bones of Grifon Vulture Gyps fulvus. Torgos
8(2)(17):6-7. English summary p.76.

Goriup PD 1988 The avifauna and conservation of steppic habitats in western
Europe, north Africa and the Middle East. ICBP Tech. Publ. 7: 147-157.

Green, M 1990 A key shorebird site in Oman. BTO News 171: 7.

Haffer, J 1989 Parapatrische Vogelarten der palaarktischen Region. Journ. fur Orn.
130: 475-512. English summary (some Middle eastern species discussed).
Harrap, S 1989 Nile Valley Sunbird. Birding World 2(11): 386.

Harrap, S 1990 Photopage: Great Grey Shrike (Israel). Birding World 2(12): 427-
428.

Harrap, S 1990 Ardeola Herons. Birding World 3(6):209-210.

Harrap, S 1990 White-crowned Black Wheatear. Birding World 3(4): 134-135.
Harris, A 1990 Mystery photogtapie: Spanish Sparrow (Eilat). British Birds 83(4):
163-164.

Hatzofe, O 1989 Raptor recoveries in Israel and abroad. Torgos 8(1)(16):31-37.
English summary p. 93.

Hatzofe, O and reide, S 1990 Sex determination in vultures and other
monomorphic raptors. Torgos 8(2)(17): 27-29. English summary p.75.

Hellyer, P. 1988 A brief survey of the Abu Dhabi nature reserve. Bull. Emirates
Nat. Hist. Group (Abu Dhabi) 35: 2-5.

Hellyer, P 1989 New breeding records from the UAE East Coast - part 2. Oman
Bird News 7:1-2.

Hellyer, P (ed) 1989 The Qarnein Expedition. Bull. Emirates Nat. Hist. Group (Abu
Dhabi) 39: 2-14.

Hellyer, P (ed) 1990 The natural history of Merawah Island. Bull. Emirates Nat.
Hist. Group (Abu Dhabi). 42: 2-20.

Hellyer, P 1990 Birds at Buraimi. Oman Bird News 9: 10.

Hirschfeld, E 1990 Notes on identification (Herring and Lesser Black-backed
Gulls). Newsl. Bahrain Nat. Hist. Soc. 1990 (2): 8-10.

Hirschfeld, E 1990 Citrine Wagtails with black head markings (Dubai). Birding
World 3(7): 250-251.

Hirschfeld, E 1990 Bahrain - October 1989 to April 1990. Oman Bird News 8: 5-6.
Hirschfeld, E 1990 Bird reports from Bahrain - May to September 1990. Oman Bird
News 9:7-8.

Hollingworth, J 1986 Birds in Recorders reports for 1985. Bull. Emirates Nat. Hist.
Group (Abu Dhabi) 28:6.

Hollingworth, J 1988 Bird recorder's report (for 1987). Bull. Emirates Nat. Hist.
Group (Abu Dhabi) 34: 4-9.

Hollingworth, J 1990 Bird recorder's report for 1989. Bull. Emirates Nat. Hist.Group
(Abu Dhabi) 40: 3-5.

Horin, 01989 Survey of White Stork migration: Israel, spring 1984. pp 307-316 in
Rheinwald et al. qv.

Horner, KO 1989 Bahrain Natural History Society Fact Sheets - Great Grey Shrike
1989 (5); Sacred Ibis 1989 (7); Bar-tailed Desert Lark 1990 (1). Newsl. Bahrain Nat.
Hist. Soc.

Hoter, E 1989 A Portrait of the Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor. Torgos
8(1)(16):54-59. English summary p91.

Howe, S 1989 Western Reef Heron eating Phylloscopus warblers. (Egypt) British
Birds 82 (11): 564.

43

Ibn Quadama Al-Gassani, Al Gitrif 1988 Die Beizvogel =(Kitab dawari at-tayr): ein
arabisches Falknereibuch des 8. Jahrhunderts. Georg Olms.

Inbar, R 1990 Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli nesting on Mount Hermon.
Torgos 8(2)(17): 43-45. English summary p.74.

Ivri, Y et al 1990 Observations on a colony of the Little Swift Apus affinis
galilejensis. Torgos 8(2)(17): 30-41. English summary pp74-75.

Jannes, H 1990 Aavikkotulkku Bucanetes githageneus. Lintumies 25(2): 87.

Jennings, MC and Al Salama, MI 1989 Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia:

Survey no 6. Results of an ornithological survey of the Northern Asir and

Southern Hedjaz Region of Saudi Arabia, 25Juneto 16July 1988. NCWCD Technical
rt 14.

prin MC 1990 Summary report of an ornithological surcey of the People’s Democratic
blic of Yemen, October/November 1989. ABBA survey no 8.

Jiad, JH et al 1988 Estimation of the damage caused by collared dove on grain

storehouse. Journ Biol Sci Res 19 (suppl.):41-52. In Arabic, with English summary.

Jiad, JH and Bunni, MK 1988 The breeding habits of the Scrub Sparrow Passer

moabiticus Tristram. Bull. Iraq Nat. Hist. Mus. 8(1): 145-148.

Kai, A et al 1988 ESR dating of teeth, bones and eggshells excavated at a
Paleolithic site of Doura Cave, Syria. (eggs of Ostrich) Quat. Sci. Rev. 7(3-4): 503-
507.

Karavaev, AA 1988 Long-term changes in the population of waterfowl in the
lower reaches of the Atrek River and in the shoals of the south-eastern part of the
Caspian Sea. Byull Mosk O-va Ispyt Prir Otd Biol 93(1): 52-61. In Russian with
English summary.

Kasparek, M 1989 Zum ursprunglichen Vorkommen und zur
Weidereinburgerung des Fasans, Phasianus colchicus in der Turkei. Verh. orn. Ges.
Bayern 24(6): 725-735. English summary.

Kasparek, M et al 1989 The Purple Gallinule, Porphyrio porphyrio, in the Eastern
Mediterranean. Zoology in the Middle East 3: 19-30.

Kasparek, M 1989 Zum Durchzug und zur Brutverbreitung des Wendehalses
(Jynx torquilla) in der Turkei. Okologie der Vogel 11(2): 251-256.

Kasparek, M 1989 Status and distribution of the great bustard and the little
bustard in Turkey. Bustard Studies 4: 80-113.

Kasparek, M 1990 Zur Brutverbreitung und zum Zug der Monchsgrasmucke
(Sylvia atricapilla) im Nahen Osten. Vogelwarte 35: 169-176. English summary.
Katzir, G and Labinger, Z 1989 Pied Kingfisher - problems of an amazing fisher
man. Torgos 8(1)(16): 68-75. English summary pp90-91.

- Kiziroglu, 11987 Zum Vogelschutz und zur Einwirkung der Meisenarten (Parus
spp) auf die Fortschaedlinge in der Biologischen Bakaempfung. Doga Turk. Zool.
Derg.11(2):104-109.

Kiziroglu, I and F 1988 Die Vogelarten in Vogelparadies des ‘Kus Cenneti/
Bandirma’- Nationalparks und seiner Umgebung. (Turkey) Verh orn Ges Bayern
24(4-5):515-532. English summary.

Kiziroglu, I 1989 uber die Nestbesuchsaktivitat der Altvogel und die
Gewichtsentwicklung der Nestjungen bei einigen Meisenarten (Parus
spp)(Turkey). Verh orn Ges Bayern 24(6): 743-750. English summary.

Kjellen, N 1989 The White Stork Ciconia ciconia in Europe - occurrence, ecology
and population changes. Anser 28(2): 87-114. Swedish with English summary.
Kuijpers, J (compiler) 1989 Birds recorded from January until June 1989. Newsl.

44

Bahrain Nat. Hist. Soc. 1989 (7).

Kuijpers, J (compliler) 1990 Birds recorded in Bahrain from July to December
1989. Newsl Bahrain Nat Hist Soc 1990(2): 4-7.

Kumerloeve, H 1989 Status und Verbreitung des Weissstorchs in der Turkei
1958/1987. pp in Rhienwald et al. qv

Kumerloeve, H 1989 (Nesting Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) at high altitude
in Anatolia (Turkey)). Oiseau Rev. Francaise Orn. 59: 179.

Lachman, E 1989 Why bird ringing? Torgos 8(1)(16): 26-30. English summary p.94.

_ Langer Y et al 1990 Recaptures of birds which were ringed elsewhere in Israel.

Torgos 8(2)(17):57-58. English summary p.73.

Lavee, D and Safriel, UN 1989 The Dilemma of cross-desert migrants - stopover

or skip a small oasis? Journ. Arid Environments 17: 69-81.

Lavie, G 1988 Plovers, terns and sea caves on the Akhziv coast. Israel Land and

Nature 14(1):236-239.

Leshem, Y 1989 Observations on White Storks Ciconia ciconia: new technologies

and their applications for aviation safety. Torgos 8(1)(16): 14-19. English summary
94.

beshenty Y 1989 Odyssey from lake to sea: flying with pelicans. Israel Land and

Nature 15(1): 22-31.

Leshem, Y 1988 Der Negev und die judaische Wuste: letzte Chance fur Israels

Greife. Luscinia 46(1-2):89-95. Translation of English original by W Sibert.

Leshem, Y 1989 Observations: Israel - a World Birdwatching Center. Israel Land

and Nature 14(3): 108-109.

Leshem, Y 1990 on a White Stork Ciconia ciconia from Germany caught in Israel

in 1846, Torgos 8(2)(17): 55. English summary p.73.

Levy, N 1988 Storks: shashlik on the wing. Israel Land and Nature 15(1): 38-39.

Levy, Nand Mendelssohn, H 1989 Egyptian vultures: feeding behavior. Israel Land

and Nature 14(3): 126-131.

Maclean, GL1985 Sandgrouse: models of adaptivecompromise. S Afr Journ Wildlife
Res 15: 1-6.

Madge, S 1990 Eine Armeniermowe Larus (cachinnans) armenicus ohne schwarze
Schnabelzeichnung. (Israel) Limicola 4(4): 216-217. English summary.
Mansoori, J 19889 The status of the white stork in Iran. pp 177-182 in Rheinwald
et al. qv

Made et al 1989 Defense strategies against environmental heat stress in birds.
Israel Journ. Zoology 36: 61-75.

Meininger, PL 1990 Egyptian wetlands on the verge. IWRB News No 4: 1-2.
Meinis, HK 1988 New land snail prey records for the little owl Athene noctua in
Israel. Corresp. Ned. Malacol. Ver. 242: 422-423.

Meitz, P and Schurmann, A 1988 Der Ibis mit der Punkfrisur (Turkey). Kosmos
(Stuttg) 84(6): 32-34, 36-37.

Mendelssohn H and Marder, U 1989 Reproduction of Torgos tracheliotus negevensis
in captivity (in Israel). Vulture News 22: 2-33.

Merrie, D 1989 Some birding spots in Egypt. Courser 2: 27-30.

Meyburg, B-U and C 1987 Present status of Diurnal Birds of Prey (Falconiformes)
in various countries bordering the Mediterranean. pp. 147-152 in N Baccetti and
M Spagnesi (eds) Rapaci Mediterranei, III. Suppl. Ric. Biol. Selvuaggina XII.
Meyburg, B-U1989 Wild status of Old World Vulture species. Proceedings American
Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums Regional Conference 1989: 626-631.

45

Mian, A 1988 A contribution tothe biology of the Houbara (Chlamydotis undulata
macqueeni); some observations on 1983-84 wintering population in Baluchistan.
Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 85: 9-25.

Mian, A 1989 A contribution to the biology of the Houbara Bustard: 1983-84
population levels in western Baluchista. Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 86: 161-
165

Mikkola, K et al 1990 A continental rendezvous of the Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus in Iran. Ornis Fennica 67: 141-142.

Milchteich, Y 1990 Winter visitor: the Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
yunnanensis. Torgos 8(2)(17): 71-72. English summary p.73.

Mindell, DP 1988 First nesting record for the Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis) in
Israel. Israel Journ Zoology 34: 237-238.

Monval, JY and Pirot, J-Y (compilers) 1989Results of the IWRB International
Waterfowl Census 1967-1986. IWRB Special Publication No 8.

Moore, HS 1989 Another Cyprus interlude. Bull. Army Bird-watching Society 1/89:
B1-B4.

Moss, S 1990 The Hadoram Experience (Israel). Birding World 2(12): 435-438.
Moyal, C 1989 ‘Killing Fields’: Kestrels Falco tinnunculus under threat in Sinai.
Torgos 8(1)(16): 44-47. English summary p. 93.

Moyal, H 1990 Birds' names: origin and meaning. Torgos 8(2)(17): 11-16. English
summary p.76.

Nathan, R 1989 Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus in the Golan on the edge of the
precipice. Torgos 8(1)(16):76-82. English summary p.90.

Nightingale, T (compiler) 1989 Birds recorded in Bahrain from July to December 1988.
Bahrain Natural History Society.

Olsen, KM 1990 Spotted and Lesser Spotted Eagles soaring with wings raised.
British Birds 83(7): 280.

Oman Bird Records Committee 1989 Oman Bird List, Edition 3. Privately printed,
PO Box 246, Muscat.

Osborne, PE 1989 The bustard morphometrics database: an introduction and
some preliminary findings (incl Chlamydotis undulata). Bustard Studies 4: 125-134.

Pitt, M 1990 Fieldnotes on the difference between juvenile Little Crake Porzana

Parva and Baillon's Crake P. pusilla. Gazelle 5(11): 2-3.

Platt, JB 1990 The Flamingos of Dubai. Gazelle 5(11): 4.

Prinzinger, R 1988 Nektar als Regelmassige Zugnahrung bei Grasmucken?
_(Usrael) Journ. fur. Orn. 129(4): 475-477.

Ramadan-Jaradi, G and MG 1989 Breeding the Houbara Bustard at Al Ain Zoo

and Aquarium, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Zool. Gart. 59: 229-240.

Rands, G and M 1987 Rare birds in arabia's garden. Country Life Sept 24.
Raviv, M 1989 Ring recoveries of the White Stork in Israel and Sinai, 1909-82. pp.
317-324 in Rheinwald et al. qv.

Razdan, T and Mansoori, J 1989 A review of the bustard situation in the Islamic
Republic of Iran. Bustard Studies 4: 135-145.

Reza Khan, MA 1989 Migratory status of the White Stork in the United Arab
Emirates. pp 325-326 in Rheinwald et al. qv

Rheinwald, G et al (eds) 1989 Weissstorch - White Stork. Proceedings of the First
International Stork Conservation Symposium. Schriftenreihe des Dachverbandes

46

Deutscher Avifaunisten 10.

Richardson, C 1989 An ornithological survey along the Oman/UAE border.
Oman Bird News 7:8-9.

Richardson, C (compiler) 1989-90 Emirates Bird Report Nos 9-13. Dubai Natural
History aris

Richardson, C 1989 Breeding Little Grebe in Dubai. Phoenix 6: 5.

Richardson, C 1989 Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters on the UAE East Coast. Oman Bird
News 7: 2.

Richardson, C 1989 Poisoned Seagulls. (Dubai) Gazelle 4(12): 2.

Richardson, C 1990 Reports of species breeding close to Oman's borders with the
UAE. Oman Bird News 9: 5-7.

Richardson, C 1990 The Birds of the United Arab Emirates Hobby Publications.
Richardson, C and Pitt, M 1990 Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura at the fish farm, a
first for Dubai. Gazelle 5(11): 4.

Richardson, C 1990 A study of the status of breeding seabirds on Qarnein Island.
Appendix 1 in the Qarnein Expedition - recommendation on conservation. Bull.
Emirates Nat. Hist. Group (Abu Dhabi) 40: 20-26.

Roberts, A 1989 Combining Israel and Egypt. (Tourist Information) Birding World
2(8): 296.

Rose, P 1990 Wintering waterfowl in Turkey. IWRB News 3: 10.

Rosenzweig, M 1989 A 1988 status report of the Red Sea Islands off the coast of
Hurghada. Courser 2: 39-43.

Safriel, UN and Lavee, D 1988 Weight changes of cross-desert migrants at an
oasis - do energetic considerations alone determine the length of stopover?
Oecologia (Berl.) 76(4): 611-619.

Sahin, R 1990 Werdegang und Bedeutung sdes Kopfnickens beim Waldrapp
(Geronticus eremita). Journ. fur Orn. 131(4): 445-451. English summary - Head
nodding in Bald Ibises.

Saleh, MA 1989 The status of the Houbara Bustard in Egypt. Bustard Studies 4:
151-156.

Scherf, H 1988 Altagyptische Ibis-Bilder. Naturwiss Rundsch 41(8): 492-494
Schmidt, R 1990 Der aktuelle Ringfund - Zwergtaucher (Podiceps ruficollis).
(Turkey) Der Falke 37(1): 30.

Schramm, A 1988 Schwane (Cygninae) in Aegypten - in Beziehung zum
historischen Geschehen (Teil 1). Ber. Naturhist. Ges. Hannover 130: 75-109. English
summary.

Scott, DA and Rose, PM 1989 Asian Waterfowl Census 1989. (Includes Middle East
totals) IWRB, Slimbridge.

Shamsuddin, M and Mohammad, MK 1988 Incidence, distribution and host
relationships of some ticks (Ixodoidea) in Iraq. Journ. Univ. Kuwait (Sci) 15(2): 321-
330.

Shirihai, H 1989 Red-tailed and Red-rumped Wheatears in Israel. Birding World
2(11): 389-390

Shirihai, H 1990 Black Bush Robin. Birding World 3(10): 357-358.

Shirihai, H 1990 Possible hybrids between Yellow and Citrine Wagtail in Israel.
Dutch Birding 12(1): 18-19.

Shirihai, H and Alstrom, P1990 Identification of Hume's Short-toed Lark. British
Birds 83(7): 262-272.

Shirihai, H, Cotteridge, D and Harris, A 1991 Photospot 31. Desert Warbler.
British Birds 84(1): 24-26.

47

Shirihai, Hand Doherty, P1990 Steppe Buzzard plumages. Birding World 3(1): 10-
14.

Shirihai, H, Mullarney, K and Grant, P 1990 Identification of Dunn's, Bar-tailed
and Desert Larks. Birding World 3(1): 15-21.

Siman, HY and Bunni MK 1988 Young and parental care of the Grey Hypocolius .

Hypocolius ampelinus Bonaparte. Bull. Iraq Nat. Hist. Mus. 8(1): 89-111.
Simmons, KEL 1990 Bill colour of Graceful Warbler. British Birds 83(3): 125-126.
Sorensen, UG 1990 Det kan nytte: Egypten er pa vej. Fugle 10(4): 16.

Stagg, a 1989 The Ring-necked Parakeet in Saudi Arabia. Oman Bird News 7: 7-
8

Stagg, AJ 1989 Tabuk airbase sewage lagoon, north west Saudi Arabia. Phoenix
6:7-8.

Tavakoli, EV 1989 The White Stork distribution in Iran. pp183-187 in Rheinwald
et al. q.v.

Telfer, M 1988 Turkey Bird Report. (Visit June/July 1988) Privately published.
Copy in BM (Nat. Hist.).

Temple Lang, J 1989 Successful ICBP conference in Turkey. Oryx 23: 187.
Turner, $ 1989 Surprise appearance of Namaqua Dove Oena capensis at Ramtha
Tip, Sharja. Gazelle 4(11): 6-7.

Tye, A 1989 Superspecies in the genus Oenanthe (Aves, Turdidae). Bonn. Zool. Beitr.
40(3 /4): 165-182.

Tzovel, A 1990 Autumn migration of soaring birds inthe northern valleys, 1988-
9. Torgos 8(12) (17): 47-53. English summary pp 73-74.

Ullman, M 1989 Toprakkale, Turkey: migrating raptors and storks. Birding World
2(3): 108-109.

Ullman, M1990 Pied and Black-eared Wheatear identification (inc. Israel photo).
Birding World 3(2): 68-69.

Ullman, M 1990 Bill shape of Calandra and Bimaculated Lark. Dutch Birding 12:
82-84.

Ullman, M 1990 En aprilvecka pa Cypern. Anser 29(2): 159-161.

Ullman, M 1990 Svart frankolin. Var Fagelvarld 49: 489.

Ullman, M and Martins, R 1990 Nordjemen. Var Fagelvarld 49(2): 112-121.
Upton, R1989 The Houbara Bustard and the Arab falconer. Bustard Studies 4:174-
176.

Uttley, J etal.1990 Barr al Hikman - West Asian Shorebird Survey, Dec 1989 - Jan
1990. Oman Bird News 8: 2-4.

van den Berg, AB 1989 Mystery Photographs 32: Olivaceous Warbler, (Turkey).
Dutch Birding 11(3):116-117.
van den Berg, AB 1989 Bald Ibis, Dutch Birding 11(3): 128-131.
van der Schot, WEM 1989 Atlantic Petrel in Israel in April 1989. Dutch Birding
11(4): 170-172.
van der Ven, J 1987 Asian Waterfowl 1987, Mid-winter bird observations in some
Asian countries. IWRB, Slimbridge.
van Meurs, RA 1989 Possible breeding of African Skimmer in Egypt inJune 1987.
Dutch Birding 11(2): 77-78.
van Reit, C 1988 Cormorant records. Bull. Emirates Nat. hist. Group (Abu Dhabi)
35: 20.
van Wingerde, J 1988 (House Martins in Cyprus). Vogeljaar 36(2): 88. In Dutch.

48

Varisco, DM 1989 Beyond rhino horn - wildlife conservation for North Yemen.
Oryx 23: 215-219.

Varley, MJ 1989 Exercise Spring Victory 20-31 Mar 89 (Cyprus). Bull. Army Bird-
Watching Society 2/89: B23-B25.

Welch, G and H 1989 A preliminary survey of the Arabian Bustard in Djibouti.
Bustard Studies 4: 177-184.

Whittaker, A 1990 Lesser Whitethroat and Chiffchaff trapped by aphid excreta.
(Israel) British Birds 83(10): 427-428.

Yekutiel, D 1989 Birdwatching in Eilat. International Birdwatching Centre, Eilat.
Yom-Tov, Y and Mendelssohn, H 1988 The zoogeography of Israel. 14. The
' zoogeography of the birds and mammals of Israel. 18. Birds migration in Israel.
19. Changes in the distribution and abundance of vertebrates in Israel during the
20th century. Monogr. Biol. 62:389-410, 497-514, 515-547.

Yom-Tov, Y 1989 Late breeding records of some Israeli desert birds. Israel Journ.
Zoology 36(2): 77-80.

Zahavi, A 1988 Mate-guarding in the Arabian Babbler, a group-living songbird.
Proc. Int. Orn. Congr. 19: 420-427.

Zahavi, A 1988 Mate choice through signals. Proc. Int. Orn. Congr. 19: 956-960.
Zakkai, G 1989 Breeding biology in the desert: the Mourning Wheatear. Israel Land
and Nature 14(4):174-181.

Zimmerli, E 1988 Westzypern im Spatherbst. Vogel Heimat 58(7-8): 130-140.

Letters

Armenian Gulls

While I have no great desire to defend most current British usage for the
nomenclature of the Herring and Lesser Black-backed group of gulls
whose extreme forms of variation are represented by Larus argentatus
and L fuscus, some additional considerations need to be born in mind
before there is any general move to adopt the ‘splitting’ classification
advocated by some recent Continental authors such as Werner Suter
(OSME Bulletin 25:12-15). }

49

In the first place, it is not entirely accurate to imply that British authors
were originally responsible for adopting a ‘lumping’ classification for the
Old World forms (in sharp contrast to the splitting’ classification still
used for comparable North American birds presenting similar problems),
since the southern populations were originally treated as a distinct
species, the Yellow-legged Herring Gull L cachinnans, as in the
representative first guide to all seabirds, Birds of the Ocean, by WB
Alexander (1928), until they were amalgamated by B Stegmann in 1934
(J. Orn. 82:340-380). In consequence it is now widely felt here that the
need for any further revision should be demonstrated much more
conclusively.

Secondly, this problem does not only involve the number of forms that
we are dealing with, and their relation to each other, but also which
scientific name then has priority for each of them. Thus while the
Armenian Gulls 'L armenicus' currently sitting beside us seem rather
different from the Yellow-legged Gulls, they also appear to intergrade
imperceptibly through a mass of birds apparently belonging to the ill-
defined intermediate forms barbensis, taimyrensis, and probably
mongolensis, with another longer-recognised entity, Heuglin's Gull L
heuglini, so that if they are considered conspecific but distant from the
Lesser Black-back this name would appear to have priority forall ofthem
(Proceedings of the Second Mediterranean Seabird Symposium on the
Status and Conservation of Seabirds: Ecogeography and Action Plan,
Calvia, 21-26 March 1989, Ardeola suppl. in press).

In the circumstances it really seems much safer to refer to such birds by
nice neutral descriptive terms such as ‘forms’ and ‘groups’ until it
becomes possible to secure much wider general agreement on not only
their relationship to each other but also their nomenclature.

Dr WRP Bourne, RFA Sir Percivale, BFPO Ships, UK.

\ Reviews

Turkey including Cyprus June 5th-19th 1989. T Broome etal. A privately
produced report of 27 pages including 10 pages of maps. £3. Available
_ from T Broome, 'Sibirica’, 9 Vicarage Lane, Poynton, Cheshire SK12 1BG,
UK. Profits from sales go to the Cheshire Ornithological Society.

Turkey has become a very popular destination for European birders in recent

years and innumerabletrip reports are nowavailable. This report from a 1989 trip
is perhaps the best.

50

A suggested 15-day itinerary, concentrating on the eastern specialities, opens the
report and is followed by a 10-page site guide, including no less than 39 maps.
The site guide is very comprehensive, including not only sites visited during the
trip, but also covering additional localities gleaned from other reports. Although
a few of the maps are somewhat basic, the majority are extremely detailed and
should make finding most of the more difficult species ‘easy’.

A further three pages provide additional background information relating to
food, accommodation, road conditions etc. plus details of the itinerary followed
on the trip. The report is completed with a systematic list covering 253 species,
including most of the Turkish specialities.

Fshould like to have seen a list of additional references provided, but all in all this
is an excellant report and an essential reference for anyone planning a trip to
Turkey.

Richard Webb

Bird Songs of Israel and the Middle East. By Krister Mild. 114 species on
two audio cassettes, with explanatory booklet and checklist of Israeli
birds. £24.95 including postage. Available from Bird Recording Services/
OSME Offer, PO Box 942, London E10 6RZ, UK.

These two cassettes are a follow up to Krister Mild's Soviet Bird Songs and are of
a similar high standard. They cover 114 species, with a total playing time of three
hours. As would be expected, the length and quality of each recording varies, but
in the main the sound reproduction is good. Each species is introduced by its
English nameand a selection of recordings; for example alarm call, flight calland
song are provided for most species. Details of the different calls, along with
‘timings’ are provided in the accompanying 77-page booklet, which also
summarises the status of each species in Israel. A bibliography is included.

A wide range of species, the majority of which were recorded in Israel, have been
included. The recordings include several species, such as Hume's Tawny Owl
Strix butleri, Dunn's Lark Eremalauda dunni, and Sinai Rosefinch Carpodacus
synoicus, for which recordings have not previously been readily available, and as
such will be a valuable source of reference for anyone interested in Middie
Eastern ornithology. In addition, they will undoubtedly bring back countless
pleasant memories of trips to the area for listeners.

The presentation pack also includes a 14-page checklist of Israeli birds, which
details the status of each species on the Israeli list (up to and including 1989),
season by season, using a system of codings. Israel is a popular destination with
European birders and these cassettes should be a useful purchase for anyone
visiting the area.

Richard Webb

51

The Birds of the United Arab Emirates. By Colin Richardson. Hobby
Publications (Dubai and Warrington). 180 pages, 28 Colour plates, line
drawings and maps. Softback £15.

The United Arab Emirates lie along the southern shore of the Arabian Gulf, from
the Qatar Peninsulato the Gulf of Oman; bisecting northern Oman, thus separating
the northern peninsula from therest of that country. Consisting of seven Emirates
(Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al Quwain, Ras al Khaimah and
Fujeirah), the total area of the UAE is about 110,030sq km. Many readers,
particularly those unfamiliar with the region and perhaps holding preconceptions
that Eastern Arabia consisted only of flat desert, will wonder at the photographs
in this book which depict typical habitats: deserts, coasts, parks and gardens,
mountains and wadis.

All you need to know about the birds of the UAE is here: monthly summaries;
typical habitats; where, when and what to watch; together with useful location
maps. Some 109 pages are devoted to an annotated national list of 360 (many
mouth-watering) species, the majority illustrated in unfussy line drawings by
Bill Morton. There are succinct remarks on status and habitat, supplemented by
breeding distribution maps and migration timing charts. Twenty colour plates
intersperse the text with 101 small, but mostly good quality photographs of birds.

In the list, the reader can appreciate some of the care with which this work has
evidently been prepared. For example, with an average of three species per page,

the line-drawn figures are placed to face each other across opposite pages. The ~

eyebrows of some taxidermists and more than a few Gulf bird watchers may well
be momentarily lowered by the apparent absence of Herring Gull from the
national list, an omission which the author is at pains to explain. Supplementary
lists of unconfirmed species and escapes are given.

I like the compact size of this volume; just right for the glove compartment and
light enough to be carried in the field. It appears reasonably robust, although the
covers of my copy are starting to de-laminate. But this book is not a field guide,
rather, as the cover states, a guide to status and distribution.

The photographs of habitat convey the physical diversity and, in many places,
the wild beauty of this part of Arabia. Writing this whilea blizzard rages beyond
my window brings back warm memories of birdwatching trips to the UAE:
seeing my first Red-wattled Plover in a hayfield at Ras al Khaimah; looking for
White-collared Kingfisher amongst the mangroves of Khor Kalba; counting Crab
Ploverson the mudflats of Ummal Quwain;and stark mountain ranges harbouring
deep wadis, habitats for various birds of prey.

The birdwatching potential of the UAE is exemplified by thisadmirable, reasonably
priced publication, which results from the enthusiasm and enterprise of its
knowledgeable author. When peace is restored to Arabia, the UAE will surely be
on the itinerary of those birdwatchers who roam the world. Perhaps, if you have
not yet bought a copy of this welocme addition to the literature on Arabian
Ornithology, you should.

Tom Nightingale

52

Weissstorchzug. Okologi, Gefahrdung und Schutz des Weissstorchs
in Africa und Nahost. (1988) By H Schulz, WWF-Umweltforschung
3,459p, Verlag Margraf, Weikersheim, Germany. (White Stork Migration.
Ecology, Threats and Conservation of the White Stork in Africa and the
Near East)

This nicely produced book is the result of an ICBP/WWF Germany project to
investigate threats posed to White Storks Ciconia ciconia on migration and in
their wintering areas. The impressive amount of information presented in this
volume was gathered during the two years 1986-1987, by searching through
available literature, sending out questionnaires, establishing individual contacts
with specialists, and visits by the author to Israel, Sudan, South Africa, Zimbabwe,
- Lesotho, Kenya and Tanzania.

Schulz reviews the migration paths of White Storks, their habitat choice, threats
and legal status. Habitat loss and habitat degradation, poisoning through
pesticides and PCBs, collisions with power-lines, and direct human persecution
(especially in some Sahelian countries where White Storks are considered a tasty

rotein resource) present the most serious dangers to this fragilespecies. A useful
table lists the occurrence, status, threats and conservation measures needed,
broken down for 56 African range states, while also providing a quick reference
for the national accounts which form the largest part of the book. Each country's
account is broken down in chapters reviewing the occurrence, habitat choice,
threats, legal status, and conservation measures already undertaken, plus
proposals for those still needed. Lists of literature references and maps of
migration flyways (if applicable), White Stork observations (within one-degree
grids) and recoveries of ringed birds complete the accounts. Where possible, the
author discusses evidence of pesticide and PCB poisoning, human hunting
impacts, or other threats on a national scale in more detail.

This report presents an information source of incredible value to conservationists
about the ecology and threats faced by White Storks on migration and while
wintering in Africa. It has already been used extensively by ICBP to draw upa
management plan for an agreement to protect the species which will hopefully
be signed by range states (in connection with the Bonn Convention on the
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals) later this year. WWF
Germany and Verlag Margraf are to be congratulated for making the results of
the ICBP/WWE project available to a large audience in this highly informative
book.

T Salathe

53

In an effort to improve the service offered to members by the OSME Library,
future reports will list all items specific to the Middle East received by the
Society. This will hopefully make members more aware of the wide range of
publications relating to the region.

Items received since the publication of Bulletin 25 :

Books/Study Reports

Bilet, M, Clarke, AW and Sandve, G 1990 Turkey 1990 further details from AW
Clarke, Kyrresvingen 21, 3190 Horten, Norway.

Green, IA, Moorhouse, CN and West S 1990 Report of the Turkish Ornithological
Expedition 1987 further details from Ian Green, 17 Temple Road, Norwich,
Norfolk, UK.

Jennings, MC, al Shoudoukhi, SA, al Abbasi, TM and Collenette, S 1990 ABBA
Survey No 7: Results of an Ornithological Survey of Central and North Western
Saudi Arabia 12 March - 8 April 1989 copies available from Mike Jennings, 1
Warners Farm, Warners Drove, Somersham, Cambridgeshire PE17 3HW, UK;
price £12.

Journals

Cyprus Ornithological Society (1957) Newsletters 06/07, 08, 09, 10, 11/90,
covering the period June to November 1990, published by COS, c/o CJL Bennett,
PO Box 4319, Nicosia, Cyprus.

Emirates Bird Report No 12, April to June; No 13, July to September 1990,
published by Colin Richardson, PO Box 2825, Dubai, UAE.

The Gazelle Vol5, Nos7,8,9, 10 &11 covering the period July to November 1990,
published by the Dubai Natural History Group, PO Box 9234, Dubai, UAE.
Kelaynaktan Haberler (DHKD Newsletter) Nos 36 - 38, published by DHKD,
PK 18, 80810 Bebek, Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish text.

Medmaravis News No 8, August 1990, published by Mediterranean Bird
Association, 20 Rue St Martin, 75004 Paris, France.

Oman Bird News No 9, Winter 1990, published by Oman Bird Group, c/o
Michael Gallagher, Oman Natural History Museum, PO Box 668, Muscat,
Sultanate of Oman.

Porphyrio Vol 2, No 1/2 (1990), published by Groupe d'Ornithologie du Maroc
Central (GOMAC), Departement de Biologie, Faculte des Sciences, Meknes,
Morocco. French text.

The Torgos Vol 8 (2), No17, published by Israeli Ornithological Centre, SPNI, 155
Herzl Street, Tel-Aviv 68101, Israel.

Trip Lists/Preliminary Reports
Benstead, P and Jeffs, C 1990 Selected bird records from a trip to Southern
Turkey 8 May 1990 to 23 May 1990; privately produced.

54

Blunt, G 1990 The birds and flowers of Eastern Turkey 31st of May to 15th of June
1990; privately produced.

Dubois, PJ 1990 Turquie Oriental (25 mai - 10 Juin 1990); privately produced.
Paulson, G 1990 Trip list for Turkey visit April 1990; privately produced.
WIWO 1990 Preliminary report on the WIWO Israel Project, Spring 1989; more
details from WIWO, c/o Dutch Society for the Protection of Birds, Driebergseweg
16c, 3708 JB Zeist, Netherlands.

The OSME Library welcomes copies of any material relating to the birds
of the Middle East, especially unpublished trip lists and reports; all
records add to our knowledge of the region.

OSME News

Cover auction

The original pen-and-ink drawing
for the front cover of this Bulletiin,
a White-headed Duck by Nik
Borrow, measuring 13 x 13cm, is
for sale in a postal auction. The
proceeds will go to the
Conservation Research Fund.
Please send your bid (no money at
this stage) to Cover Auction,
OSME, The Lodge, Sandy,
Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, UK; to
arrive by 31 July 1991. If your bid is
successful, we will inform you... > NaGha to: nahindes
immediately,andsend'thedrawing =:0-- 9°! See ee ae 7
on receipt of a cheque. a ings

eee \ a

va

OSME AGM 1991

The thirteenth AGM will be held on Saturday 20 July 1991 in the Lecture
Theatre, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington,
London. Doors open at 1.15pm for a 1.45pm start. This year, we are
planning to have four speakers - see enclosed programme for details - but
as three of them have been affected by the recent Gulf war, it is s possible
that there may last-minute changes.

55

Everyone is welcome at the AGM (including non-members), but to
obtain free entry to the museum, you must have tickets in advance. Two
tickets are included in the AGM programme and additional tickets are
available free, from the Secretary, OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy,
BedfordshireSG192DL, UK. Please enclosea stamped addressed envelope
and allow at least 14 days for delivery.

After the AGM, why not join OSME Council members, speakers and
friends in the bar of the Norfolk Hotel, Harrington Street (opposite South
Kensington Underground Station) for an informal drink and chat. The
hotel serves a range of food. We look forward to seeing you there.

OSME in Amsterdam, September 1990

A group of eight Middle Eastern ‘bird buffs' left England for overnight
travel to the Netherlands for OSME's first participation in a European
event. Organised by the Dutch Ornithologists’ Union (NOU) and
incorporating the Foundation Working Group on International Wader
and Waterfowl Research (WIWO), the event was to prove a success.
Approximately 150 people from as far afield as Turkey, southern France
and Denmark arrived at the University of Amsterdam to hear the day's
speakers.

The spirit and professionalism of the Dutch speakers, who talked in both
Dutch and English, overcame technical problems with the projection
equipment. Tom van der Have (NOU/WIWO) gave an informative and
witty talk on 'the eastern Mediterranean wader project 1990 - crossroads
of wader flyways'. This was a summary of research carried out in Egypt,
Tunisia, Turkey, Greece and the Sea of Azov and Black Sea. His opening
- The English may rule the waves, but the Dutch are good in mud - gave
way to slides of WIWO teams, waist-deep, counting rather confused-
looking waders in habitat more associated with hippopotamuses.

_ Hans Shekkerman (Foundation for Ornithological Research in Egypt)
followed with a presentation on Egyptian wetland research during the
winter and spring of 1990. The activities involved 22 team members from
six countries. They counted waterbirds, particularly waders, in selected
areas, including trapping in the spring. They also paid regular visits to
the markets of Port Said and Damietta to obtain information on hunting
pressures.

After a break, Alex Yurlov was warmly welcomed as the first Soviet
speaker, his subject being 'migrating waders in the Middle East and their
relation to eastern breeding sites in the Barabba Steppe, west of
Novosibursk’.

56

After lunch, OSME made its mark on the meeting, with Hilary Welch on
twin projectors and Geoff Welch speaking. After the increasing technical
problems during the morning's talks, the Welch's talk stirred theaudience.
Geoff's declaration that Djibouti was 'gateway to Heaven’ was backed up
by superb photographs of the country's potential for migration studies.

Rod Martins then spoke on bird conservation opportunities in the new,
united Yemen, and Gernant Magnin (DHKD) then presented anoverview
of illegal hunting in Turkey and its possible impact on bird populations.

Following the meeting, many of us travelled to Flevoland where a formal
- meeting between representatives from DHKD, OSME and WIWO took
place to pool ideas for bird conservation research initiatives in Turkey.
Allthree organisations had proposed major survey workon the Kizilirmak
Delta, and so a joint project was readily agreed.

On the Sunday, a smaller group spent the day birdwatching on the
superb Oostvaardersplassen, the largest and best known wetland nature
reserve in Flevoland, whichis designated a ‘National Nature Monument’.
The UK contingent particularly enjoyed the constant stream of birds of
prey, but the highlight of the day wasa very tame, juvenile Sabine's Gull,
feeding on the hard shoulder ofa busy road. This created a Dutch'twitch’.

eye

oe coe ai ST IMLETTRA TIE LiL | mr] wa
SSS SO

The whole event was most enjoyable, and OSME would warmly like to
thank NOU and WIWO, and in particular Vincent van Den Berk, for
making it all possible.

‘L

Mark Andrews

57

ee Le 4
jy” Wel,
= Gal Lig
igs :

| “Announcements

Goksii Delta Project 1991-1992

DHKD, with support from the Netherlands government and La Tour du
Valat Research Station, is organising a pilot survey of the Géksii Delta to
determine the feasibility of producing an integrated land-use management
plan for the area. The project will be running for at least one year, from
i April 1991.

Any birdwatchers visiting the area are encouraged to provide copies of
their records to the project team - Nafiz Guder (DHKD Project Officer) or
Vincent van den Berk (Project Consultant). In return, Nafiz and Vincent
are happy to provide information on what to see where, copies of maps
of the delta, etc. They canbe contacted at the project's headquarters on the
edge of the delta: DHKD Goksii Delta Project Office, Taylan Apartments,
Abdi Ipekci Caddesi 74, 33900 Tasucu, Icel, Turkey.

Small Falcons Conference
The first of its kind, this
international conference on ail
aspects of wild and captive Biology
and Conservation of Small Falcons'
and organised by the Hawk and
Owl Trust is to be held at the
University of Kent, Canterbury,
UK, during 6-8 September 1991. It
has attracted a wide range of
speakers from all over the world.
- Leaflet and registration details are
available from Fiona Swingland,
DICE, University of Kent,
Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NY, UK.
Offers of poster papers and
contributions to workshops should
be addressed to Dr M Nicholls,
Christchurch College, North
Holmes Road, Canterbury, Kent
CT1 1QU, UK.

Requests

Egyptian Geese

Leander de Ceulaer is studying Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiacus, and
is keen to receive information on population size, migration patterns and
ringing results from anywhere in the Middle East. Please contact Leander
directly at: Pompstraat 12, 3012 Wilsele, Belgium.

Little Bustards

Dr Amoozadeh, of Sari, Iran, is studying this species. We do not have
details of the study, but if any members have special knowledge of the
species or are keen to help, they should contact: Dr Amoozadeh, PO Box
48185-679, Research Center of the Environment, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran.

Around the Region

This section details recent bird sightings within the OSME region. Whenever possible,

the significance of the record will be included. Records are published for interest only, and
their publication here neither implies acceptance nor rejection by the records committee
of the relevant country. Any OSME member is welcome to contribute to this feature, and
we are particularly keen to hear fromanyone resident in the Middle East who could submit
records. To submit records for Bulletin 27, covering the period March to August 1991,
please write to: Around the Region, OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19
2DL, UK.

Compiled by Guy Kirwan

Bahrain Black-winged Stilt Himantopus
All records have been accepted bythe himantopus Third breeding site, at
Bahrain Natural History Society Bird Dumistan pools, where two pairs
Recorder. raised at least three chicks. D Davies, E
Hirschfeld

Honey Buzzard PernisapivorusEleven Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus
records during 12 September to 3 One juvenile, Janabiyah reeds, 3-4
November 1990; scarce but possibly September 1990; one juvenile, BAPCO
regular and overlooked migrant (see Bay, 17 September 1990; Scarce
Bull. 25:42). E Hirschfeld migrant. E Hirschfeld

59

Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola
falcinellus Maximum of 900 adults in
one roost during August 1990; large
numbers now appear to be regular. E
Hirschfeld

African Collared Dove Streptopelia
riseogrisea One Muharraq, 12 January
1991; first record, although possibly
escaped from captivity. E Hirschfeld
Palm Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Up
to eight at Badan farm, 11 November
1990 to 11 January 1991; at least one,
Jasra, 24 November 1990; eighth and
ninth records. E Hirschfeld

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreolaSmall
influx, involving at least 12 juveniles,
all showing characteristics of M. c.
werae, during August and September
1990; Earliest ever autumn records. E
Hirschfeld

Bluethroat Luscinia svecica One, Sanad
mangroves, 31 August 1990; earliest
ever autumn record. E Hirschfeld
Fieldfare Turdus pilarisOne Muharraq,
12January 1991; Eighth record, seventh
was in 1977. E Hirschfeld
Black-throated Thrush Turdus

Citrine Wagtail, Bahrain, September 1990 (Photograph Erik Hirschfeld)

60

atrogularis Up to 10 birds at three sites;
influx. E Hirschfeld

Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea
Two, Jasra, 19 September 1990; first
autumn record. E Hirschfeld
Black-headed Bunting Emberiza
melanocephala Two juveniles, Janabiyah
reeds, 9 September 1990, and one 16-17
September 1990; only seven previous
records, presumably overlooked as
species is common in Eastern Province
of Saudi Arabia. E Hirschfeld

Egypt :
Green Heron Butorides striatus One,
Aswan 30 December 1990, and two
there6January 1991; uncommon visitor
to Upper Nile Valley. Derek J Evans

Corncrake Crex crex One, Port Said, 15
September 1990, a captive live bird
offered for sale which had been
obtained locally; scarce passage visitor.
Derek ] Evans

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus One,
Sidi Abd El Rahman, 31 October 1990;

scarce passage visitor. Derek J Evans
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Five, Aswan, 29 December 1990, three
there 31 December 1990 and eight 6
January 1991; rare in winter. Derek J
Evans
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
Two, Suez Bay 2 October 1990; rare
passage visitor. Derek J] Evans
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Five,
Suez Bay, 29 September 1990, scarce
assage visitor. Derek J Evans
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica
Two, Aswan, 30 December 1990, one
there 31 December, and four there 5-6
January 1991; rare winter visitor. Derek
J] Evans
Swift Tern Sterna bergit Three, Ain
Sukhna, 29 September 1990; rare
migrant. Derek J Evans
Black Tern Chlidonias niger Two,
Aswan, 26 December 1990; rare winter
visitor. Derek ] Evans
WoodlarkLullulaarborea One, Sidi Abd
El Rahman, 23 November 1990; rare
winter visitor. Derek J Evans
Dunnock Prunella modularis One, Sidi
Abd El Rahman, 2 and 23 November;
rare and irregular winter visitor. Derek
] Evans
Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus One, Sidi
Abd El Rahman, 24 and 25 November;
rare and irregular winter visitor. Derek
J] Evans
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Four, Sidi Abd
El] Rahman, 23 November 1990, nine
there 24 November and five there 25
November; irregular winter visitor.
Derek J Evans
Redwing Turdus iliacus One, Sidi Abd
El Rahman, 28 October 1990; scarce
and irregular winter visitor. Derek J
Evans
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus One,
Sidi Abd El Rahman, 25 November;
rare and irregular winter visitor. Derek
] Evans
Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva
One Sidi Abd El] Rahman, 28 October
1990, two there 29 October; scarce

61

migrant. Derek J Evans

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Two
Sidi Abd El Rahman, 28 October 1990,
rare winter visitor. Derek J] Evans
Siskin Carduelis spinus One, Sidi Abd
E] Rahman, 25 November 1990; scarce
winter visitor. Derek J Evans

Israel

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
Four, Eilat, 15 September 1990; five
Ma'agan Mikhael, 2-3 November 1990;
scarce passage and winter visitor. S
Keen

White-eyed Gull Larus leucopthalmus
Maximum of 14, Eilat, October 1990;
unusually high count. S Keen

Roseate Tern Sterna dougalli Adult,
Tishlovet Reservoir, near Afula, 10
September 1990; fourth record, being
the first adult and the first inland.S Keen
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
One Grofit kibbutz, 24 October 1990;
rare migrant, most often recorded in
autumn. S Keen

River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis One,
Maoz Hayyim, near Beit Shean, 22
August 1990; uncommon passage
migrant. S Keen

Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina One
Maoz Hayyim 22 August 1990; scarce
passage migrant. S Keen

Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria First-
winter, Yotvata, 30 September 1990;
uncommon passage migrant, scarce in
autumn. S Keen

Jordan

Dunn's Lark Eremalauda dunni Late
records: three singing, Wadi Fidan, 21
April 1990; two near Qasr Kharana, 24
April 1990 and one Azraq, 23 April
1990; additional to those of Bull. 25:45.
E Massiah

Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva
Late record: female, Aqaba, 16 April
1990; third record. E Massiah

Oman

All records accepted by OBRC
Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor
Two adults, first seen near Khaburah,
later at Saham (North Oman) 14
December 1990 to at least 15 February
1991; second record. R A C Jensen, H
and J] Eriksen, K and C H Fry, CM
Greaves, RA Richardson, MAL Cummins
White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons
Two, Khor Mughsayl (south Oman),
29 November 1990; eleventh record. IJ
A Brown

Greylag Goose Anser anser Adult,
Khor Dirif (south Oman), 4 December
1990; tenth record. H and J Eriksen
Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos
Adult male, Razat Farm, Salalah, and
nearby khors (south Oman), 21 August
1990 to at least 3 February 1991; this
species is believed not to have been
kept in captivity in Oman and nearby
countries; first record. D R Deeks, I
McLeish, I] A Brown

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus Two,
Near Salalah, 2 August 1990; tenth
record. I] A Brown, E Hirschfeld
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Four
known nesting sites in central Oman -
three nests with one chick each and
one with two rotten eggs on 7-8
February 1991. M R Brown, H and J
Eriksen, K and C H Fry
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis
phoenicurus One, Razat Farm, 6January
1990; juvenile, Masirah, 25 October to
16 November 1990; adult, Khor Rouri
(south Oman), 22 November 1990;
juvenile, Razat Farm, 7 December 1990
to 7 January 1991; adult and juvenile
(different from above), Masirah, 11
December 1990; seventh to eleventh
records. IJ A Brown,] Bryan, D R Deeks,
C M Greaves, I McLeish, W F Simpson

_ Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis
Adult female, Khor Sawli (south
Oman), 1 August 1990; third record. IJ
A Brown

Koel Eudynamys scolopacea Male,
Masirah, 5-11 January 1990; female,

62

Hilf (Masirah), 18 March-24 April 1990,
male, Hilf, 22-29 October 1990; ninth to
eleventh records. C M Greaves, J] Bryan
Long-eared Owl Asio otus One, Hilf,
18 February to 2 March 1990; second
record. C M Greaves, ] Bryan, DJ G -
Foster

Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
One, Hilf, 25 March 1990; third record.
C M Greaves

Saudi Arabia —

Bittern Botaurus stellaris One, Yanbu
al-Sinaiyah, 25 September 1990;
seventh record at Yanbu since 1979. B
S Meadows

Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes
Flock of about 70, Yanbu al-Nakl, 29
September 1990, passing over in
southerly direction. Previous records
autumn 1987 and 1988. B S Meadows
Steppe Buzzard Buteob vulpinus Flock
of about 270, Yanbu, 29 September
1990; largest concentration during
autumn 1990. Previous records in 1988.
BS Meadows

Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxi
Adult, Wadi Hamd, 9 November 1990;
first record for central Hejaz, albeit
recent observations near Tabuk (Jebel
Lawz) and Taif. B S Meadows

Quail Coturnix coturnix One, Yanbu
al-Sinaiyah, 10 December; first
December record at Yanbu, previous
records January and February 1990. B
S Meadows

Common Crane Grus grus Adult,
Yanbual-Sinaiyah, 18 November 1990;
first record for Yanbu, small numbers
have wintered south of Jeddah during
past two winters. B S Meadows
Spur-winged Plover Hoplopterus
spinosus Adults with three half-grown
chicks, Yanbu al-Sinaiyah, 11
November 1990; all previous breeding
records between March and July. B S
Meadows

Sociable Plover Chettusia gregaria One,
Yanbu al-Bahr (refuse tip), 20
December 1990; three previous records
at Yanbu were in October; first record
since 1984. B S Meadows

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola
One, Yanbu al-Sinaiyah, 8 December
1990; first December record at Yanbu.
BS Meadows |
Black Tern Chlidonias niger One, Yanbu
al-Sinaiyah, 1 November 1990; only
previous record along the Saudi
Arabian Red Sea coast was at Yanbu in
November 1986. B S Meadows
African Turtle Dove Streptopelia
riseogrisea Pair, Madian Salah, 30
November 1990; most northerly record
to date of a species which seems to be
expanding its range rapidly. First seen
inthe Yanbu-Medina areain 1987, now
seen regularly. B S Meadows
Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens
One, Yanbu al-Nakl, 23 November
1990; two pairs, Madian Salah, 29-30
November; juvenile, 29-30 November;
breeds (O I lugens?) in the sandstone
localities of the northern Hejaz (first
discovered in 1986), now also
established as a winter visitor (O I
persica?) to the Yanbuarea. B S Meadows
Pygmy Sunbird Anthreptes platurus
Seven, Yanbu al-Nakl, 2 November
1990; two, near Medina, 9 November;
one-two, Yanbu al-Sinaiyah, 6
November 1990 to 7 January 1991;
winter influx north of the Tropic of
Cancer for the second year in
succession. B S Meadows

Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus

63

Correction: the entry in Bulletin 25
should read ‘oversummered', not
‘overwintered.

Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta Seven,
in full breeding plumage, Khaybar, 30
November 1990; a new locality,
although in 1985] found this species as
far south as Medina. B S Meadows
Sinai Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus
One, Madain Salah, 29 November 1990;
third record in this locality since 1984;
almost certainly resident in this area of
extensive sandstone outcrops.
Southerly range extension. B S Meadows
Afican Silverbill Euodice cantans Two,
Yanbu al-Nakl, 6 November 1990 and
one on 1 November; not positively
recorded north of the Tropic of Cancer
until February 1990. Incidentally, the
above birds were in an area where
feral Indian Silverbills have been
established since 1985. B S Meadows

United Arab Emirates

White Stork Ciconia ciconia 25
wintering, Digdaga fodder fields, Ras
al Khaimah, 21 December 1990 to late
January 1991; first flock to overwinter
since 1985, generally rare on passage.
C Richardson, W R P Bourne

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus One female,
over fodder fields at Digdaga, 5 October
1990; fourth record since 1987, these
birds are scarce, usually female and
very few identified with certainty. J
Bannon

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
Immature soaring below Jebel Hafit
summit (UAE's highest mountain), 23
November 1990; believed resident in
locality (probably in neighbouring
Oman). First confirmed sighting in
many years. ] A D Chapman, D Robinson
Merlin Falco columbarius Female,
Dubai (over Zabeel water treatment
plant), 4 November 1990; second
record. The first was near Abu Dhabi,
August 1989. D Brown

Barbary Falcon Falco peregrinoides

Immature, near Fujeirah, 19 November
1990; further evidence to support
reports by local people that this birds
is trapped (viz. nests) locally. W R P
Bourne

Little Crake Porzana parva Immature,
Saffa park, Dubai, 2-11 October 1990;
first record for UAE. The occurrence of
juveniles of this species and P. pusilla
at the same time in Dubai confirmed
the difficulties in separating the two in
the field. C Richardson, M Pitt
Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla
Juvenile, Emirates Golf Course, near
Dubai, 9 October 1990; only sixth
certain record for UAE, although
probably occurs more regularly. Other
reports not clearly separated from Little
Crake. M Pitt, C Richardson
Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius
cursor Eighteen, Emirates Golf Course,
19 September 1990; largest flock
recorded in recent years. C Richardson
Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus
Two, Emirates Golf Course, 3-4
September 1990; last reported 10
September 1988 at the same site. Less
than 10 records. C Richardson, M Pitt

Red-watiled Lapwing Hoplopterus
indicus Twenty-two (largest flock
recorded), Rugheilat Farm, 6
September 1990; included a flock on
passage; suspected migrant in UAE,
but this is the clearest indication
known. C Richardson

Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta
One, Ramtha Tip, Sharja, 14September
1990; first record for UAE. One, Zabeel
water treatment plant, 28 September
to 2 November 1990; two separate
sightings of up to three, neat Abu
Dhabi, 1-5 October 1990. M Pitt, J] A D
Chapman, D Robinson, C Richardson

«
=
J
.
wee
2°e
hd
z
\’,
4
4
,
4
4
LA
VW
,
i

Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola
falcinellus Four hundred and eighty
three counted at Khor Dubai during
Asian Waterfowl Census 18 January
1991, in salt scrub high tide roost in
company of sandplovers; rarely
recorded in numbers since massive
counts of autumn 1986. C Richardson, G
Ricks

Great Snipe Gallinago media One, Saffa
Park, 3-12 October; rare passage
migrant. First record since October 1987
when one was on Das Island. Less than
10certain previous records, mostly mid
September to October. J] Bannon, C
Richardson, M Pitt

Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura One,
Zabeel water treatment plant, 24
October to 2 November 1990, after fall
of snipes; first Dubai record, third in
UAE. Last recorded, Abu Dhabi, March
1979. C Richardson. M Pitt

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Uptotwo
wintering, Ramtha Tip, Sharja, from 4
November 1990; only five other
confirmed records, mostly in winter.
Last recorded at this site November to
December 1989. S Turner

Grey Hypocolius Hypocoliusampelinus
Two males, Emirates Golf Course, 2
November 1990; first record in Dubai
and less than 10 other records. C
Richardson

Robin Erithacus rubecula One, Saffa
Park, 3 November 1990, and another
there 11 -31 Jnauary 1991; one, Dubai
Zoo, 24-26 November; two (possibly
three), Jebel Ali Hotel grounds, 17
January 1991; rare winter visitor.] Hart,
C Richardson, M Pitt, R Khan
Eversmann's Redstart Phoenicurus
erythronotus Female, Emirates Golf
Course, 7 November 1990; first record
since one in Dubai, January 1988. One,
Ansab, Western Desert, 18-19
November 1990; less than eight other
confirmed records in UAE. C
Richardson, W R P Bourne, L Reaney
Eastern Pied Wheatear Oenanthe picata
Sub-species picata, first recognised in
UAE in 1987. Less than a handful of

65

records since. One male, gravel plains
by Qarn Nazwa (south of Dubai) 14
September 1990 to February 1991; two
males, 1 October 1990, one in song
(establishing wintering territory?);one
female, on separate winter territory,
mid December 1990 to at least February
1991. C Richardson, M Pitt

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus One at
Bu Hasa, an oil field in the Western
Desert, 29 November to 10 December
1990; third UAE record; second was of
onein DubaiinJanuary 1989 D Robinson
Black-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis
Two, Asab, 10-12 November 1990;
singles, Dubai and Jebel Ali (4 sites),
from 4 January 1991; two, Saffa Park,
11-14 January; two, Emirates Golf
Course, 27 January; first significant
influx since winter 1984/5. M Pitt, C
Richardson, J Hart, ] Footitt, R Clevely,G
Ricks, L Reaney

Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida
One, Dubai, 6 September 1990, one,

,Abu Dhabi, 26 September; one, Khor

Kalba, 8 November; rare autumn
migrant. C Richardson, M Pitt, J
Hollingworth

Hume's Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia
althaea One, Asab, 7 December 1990;
fourth since this species was separated
in 1987. L Rea

Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus
Oneseen and calling beside Saffa Park's
overgrown irrigation pond, 19 October
1990; first record for UAE. M Pitt
Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor
Northern Iranian race L e pallidirostris,
on passage September to mid
November, including one juvenile,
Dubai, 21 September; L e excubitor is
common resident, but passage timing
of non-resident races usually goes
unrecorded. M Pitt, C Richardson
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
Twenty-five, Wadi Reum fodder fields,
Western desert southwest of Abu
Dhabi, 7 December 1990; sixth UAE
record. D Robinson

Siskin Carduelis spinus Two, Asab, 3
November 1990; six, Wadi Hayl,

Fujeirah, 9 November; eight, Bu Hasa
and three, Asab, 17 November to 8
December 1990; 12 foraging on
Casuarina cone seeds, Saffa park, 30
November 1990; first influx of rare
winter visitor since 1987. M Pitt, C
Richardson, D Robinson

Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus
One, 23 November, foothills north of
Al Ain; recorded here several times
over recent years, but with no evidence

Desert Wheatears

66

of breeding: status remains mystery.
M Pitt C Richardson

Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea
One, female, 20 September, Zabeel
water treatment plant; first autumn
record of this rare migrant. M Pitt,] A
D Chapman, C Rishardson et al

Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica One,
female, Asab, 6 December 1990; fourth
UAE record. L Reaney

Advertisement

Doe neeaoes peter Anatolian Sky

Bird-watching in Turkey

Umay Tours of Kusadasi, Turkey, are specialist agents .
| atorganizing tours of bird-watching and naturalhistory |
all over Turkey, for individuals or groups.

| For further details, please contact:
Umay Tours Travel Agency (Mr Demir Unsal)
Ataturk Bulvari 33/9
Kusadas-Turkey

Tel: 636-16005/13611

Fax: 636-17145 Telex: 58578 umy

or UK-based representative:
Anatolian Sky Travel & Tours
Premier House
43-48 New Street
Birmingham

B2 4L]

Tel: 021-633 4018
Fax: 021-643 3546

67

Advertisement

Zoology in the Middle East

is the only scientific journal covering the whole scope of
zoology in the Middle East. It intends to further the under-
standing of the Middle East as a zoogeographical unit and
aims to improve the interchange of knowledge and ideas
between specialists on different subjects and taxa. 28
articles on birds in the first four volumes show the high
input of the journal into ornithology. :

The journal is printed on high quality paper and is illustrated
with many maps, drawings and photographs. The current
subscription price (vol. 4) is DM 25.00 (£ 8.50) per volume
when ordered directly from the publisher. Single volumes
can also be obtained from OSME’s Sales Officer.

Max Kasparek Verlag - BleichstraBe 1 - D-6900 Heidelberg
: Germany

68

ISSN 0959-6739

Ornithological Society of the Middle East
c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, UK

The Ornithological Society of the Middle East was formed in ie 1978
as a successor to the Ornithological Society of
Turkey. Its aims are as follows:

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

To encourage an interest in and conservation of birds of the Middle
Fast.

To develop a mutually beneficial working relationship with all
environmental and conservation bodiesand natural history societies
in and concerned with the Middle East.

Membership is open to all and spans over 40 countries. Current
membership subscription is £7 individual, £10 family; airmail £10
individual £13 family (airmail rates not applicable to Europe). Life
membership £150.

Publications Sandgrouse is the Society's journal and contains scientific
papers on all aspects of the ornithology of the Middle East. The OSME
Bulletin, issued twice yearly to all members, covers all aspects of
birdwatching and conservation within the Middle East.

For further details, please write to:
The Secretary, OSME, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL,
UK.

Charitable regisration number 282938.

Advertising rates: Full page £60; half page £40; quarter page £25. Inserts
from £75.

Contents

Editorial - The Gulf War
Priority bird species in Turkey Richard Porter
Towards a Turkish Atlas? Max Kasparek
3 Atlas of Breeding Birds of Arabia: Progress Report Mike
Jennings
16 ‘Impressions of autumn migration in mid-October along the
Cukurova coast, near the Belen Pass, southern Turkey Vincent
van den Berk
20 _—iRare Birds in Bahrain 1989 and 1990 Erik Hirschfeld
25 _— Spring raptor observations from Djibouti Geoff and Hilary
Welch
27 ~_—~ Photographing birds in the Middle East Paul Doherty
31 Great Black-headed Gulls on Lake Nasser, Egypt in January
1989 Ted Hoogendoorn
32 Gull records from the northern Egyptian Red Sea coasts in
January and February 1989 W (Ted) Hoogendoorn
36 News and Information compiled by Simon Albrecht
39 Recent Literature compiled by Mrs FE Warr
49 Letter: Armenian Gulls Dr WRP Bourne
50 Reviews
54 Library Report
55 OSME News: Cover feeton

= CO —

55 OSME AGM

56 OSME in Amsterdam
58 Announcements

59 Requests

59 Around the Region compiled by Guy Kirwan

OSME C/O THE LODGE, SANDY, BEDFORDSHIRE SG19 2DL, UK