SE VOLUME 33(2) 2011 ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST THE.CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA » ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST J ee THE CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA OSME was founded in 1978 as the successor to the Ornithological Society of Turkey. Its primary aims are: ¢ To collect, collate and publish data on all aspects of the birds of the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia. e To promote an interest in ornithology and bird conservation throughout the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia. e To develop productive working relationships with governmental and non-governmental organizations with an interest in conservation and/or natural history in the region. PUBLICATIONS OSME publishes a scientific journal, Sandgrouse, containing papers, news and features on the ornithology of the OSME region. MEETINGS An Annual General Meeting is held at which guest speakers provide new perspectives on ornithology in the region. 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POSTAL ADDRESS OSME c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SGP ADs, WIS VICE PRESIDENTS (AS AT JUNE 2011) Imad Atrash (Palestine) Dr Ghassan Ramadan-Jaradi (Lebanon) Mona Ramadan-Jaradi (Lebanon) Ali bin Amer Al Kiyumi (Oman) Sherif Baha el Din (Egypt) Ramaz Gokhelashvili (Georgia) Dan Alon (Israel) Dr Akram Eissa Darwish (Syria) Dr Sergey Sklyarenko (Kazakhstan) Dr Ali Adhami Mirhosseyni (Iran) Azzam Alwash (Iraq) Melis Charalambides (Cyprus) COUNCIL (AS AT JUNE 2011) Michael Blair Ian Harrison e Secretary secretary@osme.org Guy Kirwan Chris Lamsdell ¢ Advertising ads@osme.org Nick Moran Richard Prior ¢ Publicity publicity@osme.org Dr Robert Sheldon AbdulRahman AlI-Sirhan ¢ Website management (co-opted) Effie Warr ¢ Sales & Distribution (co-opted) sales@osme.org John Warr « Treasurer & Membership (co-opted) treasurer@osme.org Geoff Welch ¢ Chairman chairman@osme.org ¢ Conservation & Research Fund crf@osme.org OSME CORPORATE MEMBERS Avifauna BirdGuides Greentours NHBS Rockjumper Birding Tours Sunbird Registered charity no 282938 ©2011 Ornithological Society of the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia. www.osme.org : SANDGROUSE 98 102 109 I 114. 120 WAZ 132 134 139 149 163 174 WAZ, 179 181 A note on occurrence at man-made habitats of wintering Greater VOLUME 33 (2) 20I1 182 Spotted Aguila clanga and Eastern Imperial Eagles A. heliaca in the coastal belt of eastern Saudi Arabia. Brian S Meapows 189 The first breeding record of Glossy Ibises Plegadis falcinellus for 191 Cyprus. MicHae MiLTIADOU Occurrence of Western Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Ue gibraltariensis in Kazakhstan, in relation to its recent eastwards expansion in Russia. Ar—eND WASSINK 200 The first record of Yellow-throated Sparrow Gymnoris xanthocollis in Egypt. MassimitiANo Dettori & IStVAN MOLDOVAN Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes breeding populations in Yerevan and the Meghri region, Armenia. Vasit ANANIAN, KAREN AGHABABYAN, SIRANUSH TUMANYAN, GRIGOR JANOIAN & KEITH BILDSTEIN Recent breeding records and status of Barn Owl Tyto alba in Gilan province, northern Iran. Assas AsHoori, HOssiEN ALINEJAD & Att HAMRAZ Observations on bird migration, Egypt: Fayid April 1954. JOHN R Simms, IAN Simms & ALex M Simms Watercock Gallicrex cinerea on Socotra, a new bird for Yemen. RF Porter & AHMED SAEED SULEIMAN Observations of Clamorous Reed Warblers Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens and Mangrove Reed Warblers Acrocephalus (scirpaceus) avicenniae in mangroves of the Yemen Red sea coast. RICHARD PorTER & DAVID STANTON The influence of wind conditions and topography on soaring migrants on the western side of the southern gulf of Suez, Egypt. GUDRUN HILGERLOH, GRAEME PEGRAM & ALF SCHREIBER Why has only one wheatear Oenanthe species colonised Cyprus? PETER FLINT An avifaunal survey of the Istranca mountains, Turkish Thrace: novel breeding bird records including the first breeding record of Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix in Turkey. KorHan OZKAN Eastern nominate Nightingales Luscinia m. megarhynchos in Cyprus in 2011. Cuve Watton First records of Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala in Saudi Arabia. Ross AHMED Migratory soaring bird arrivals coastal southwest Sinai, spring 2006. Mary MeGaLul Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus longevity record. Wituiam S CLark, Carot McIntyre, OHAD HATzOre & EDNA GORNEY Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Photospot: Desert birds in Kuwait. Reviews. OSME News. Georr WELCH News & Information. DAwn BALMER (COMPILER) Around the Region. DAWN BALMER & IAN HARRISON (COMPILERS) Photo above: Ménetriés’s Warbler Sylvia mystacea, Ajban, Abu Dhabi Emirate, 19 February 2011. © Mike Barth (www.mike- barth.blogspot.com) Cover photo: Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus, Sila, Abu Dhabi Emirate, 4 December 2010. © Mike Barth 97. A note on occurrence at man-made habitats of wintering Greater Spotted Aquila clanga and Eastern Imperial Eagles A. heliaca in the coastal belt of eastern Saudi Arabia BRIAN S MEADOWS Observations over a ten-year period confirm that Greater Spotted Eagles Aguila clanga—despite recent losses of natural wetland sites—are now utilizing man-made wetland habitats and a few Eastern Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca are also wintering regularly at man-made sites, particularly landfills, in addition to traditional steppe. This note includes a brief discussion on trends and possible future development of man-made habitats in the coastal belt of eastern Saudi Arabia. BACKGROUND Greater Spotted Aguila clanga and Eastern Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca have been declining for many decades. In the case of the former it is known that this was on-going from as early as the mid-nineteenth century as persecution increased and wooded wetlands were destroyed in Europe (eg Brown 1976). Threats to the Eastern Imperial Eagle are more recent especially in Asia. One reason for their decline is probably the loss of fields and pastures as a result of less agriculture in their forest-steppe breeding grounds following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Central Asia is a likely source area for Eastern Imperial Eagles occurring in eastern Saudi Arabia—a bird tagged in Kazakhstan in July, for example, was found later in the same year in Qatar (Balmer & Murdoch 2010) and in 2010 three wing-tagged birds, also from Kazakhstan, were seen in Kuwait. Although some individuals of both species winter south of the equator—a Greater Spotted Eagle tagged in eastern Europe reached wetlands in southern Africa, and a few Eastern Imperial Eagles are seen in most years on the highland steppes of East Africa, the Middle East still appears to be a main wintering area for both species. Within the Middle East the northern inland deserts of Saudi Arabia are known to be an important wintering area for Eastern Imperial Eagles. Jennings et al (2009) estimated, based on extrapolated data obtained during a survey in February 2009 which involved over 1500 km of driven transect counts producing 63 birds, a population of over 4000 birds over the whole study area of 231 407 km’. On 26 and 27 December 1996 I counted 10 birds along two 126 km transects across the Dibdibah (a sub-zone of Saudi Arabia’s northern desert) and on 3 January 1998 10 large Aquila eagles (at least 7 being Eastern Imperial Eagles) were counted along a 75 km transect in the same area; if these are extrapolated they would have given similar estimates to Jennings et al’s (2009) figures. The total world population has been given as probably not more than 2000 breeding pairs (Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001). Until relatively recently the Eastern Imperial Eagle was almost entirely restricted to the northern deserts and generally absent from the coastal belt, below 100 m asl, of the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. In contrast, due to its preference for wetland habitats in Arabia, such as freshwater marshes and mangrove swamps, the coastal zone has always been virtually the only wintering area for Greater Spotted Eagles (Bundy et al 1989). However, as illustrated by Lobley (2007), both species of eagles are now occurring regularly at some man-made sites in the coastal belt of eastern Saudi Arabia. Increasing coastal urbanization and land reclamation as envisaged by Bundy ef al (1989) has accelerated extremely rapidly. It has included the completion of a new industrial city at Jubail (27° 00’ N, 49° 39’ E), the designation of Greater Damman with the merger of settlements at Dhahran, Al-Khobar, Damman and Qatif (26° 18 IN; 502074 Ete Zor sie NE 98 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 50° 01’ E) and expansion of port facilities at several sites. Such development has meant an inevitable loss of natural habitats, especially some extensive stands of Avicennia marina mangroves and coastal marsh grass. This note provides additional observations on the utilization of six man-made sites by eagles obtained while I was a resident in the eastern coastal belt of Saudi Arabia 1994—2004. My data was gathered over a longer time frame than Lobley (2007) and includes information on number of birds, presumably overwintering, mid December-late February. OBSERVATIONS The six sites listed in Appendix 1 (all man-made or Table I. Cumulative monthly sightings of man-modified) were all visited at least once each Greater Spotted Eagles Aquila clanga and month, usually during the working week within the St Leere AAIES nb WIAUIStea) NS ute ; ; : i study period (| September 1994-30 April industrial city of Jubail or at weekends elsewhere. Each 3994), see text. site visit lasted a minimum of 60 minutes and all eagles observed, save fly-over sightings, were recorded. If clanga heliaca more than one visit was made at a site the maximum September | 0 number of birds seen during the month has been listed October 9 0 in Table 1. This table gives the combined monthly November a3 2 occurrence of eagles at all of these sites 1 September December 29 ih 1994—30 April 2004. January I4 I4 In order to arrive at an estimate (see below) of February : H the current overwintering population in the Saudi March 24 12 Arabian sector of the Gulf coastal lowlands—as /pril I4 0 defined in Jennings (2010)—only January data has been used in order to eliminate, as far as possible, Table 2aiNunber of sightings on an birds on passage; also two of the sites (Qatif sanitary annual basis of Greater Spotted Eagles landfill and adjacent Haradh dairy farm) have been Aquila clanga and Eastern Imperial Eagles considered to be separate from Jubail as they attracted * heliaca, see text. different individuals. Although eagles can travel over : : ene ; | heli a wide area, observations of distinctly marked birds ee Sus : ‘ 1994/5 13 4 did show some apparent interchange between the bake arty: ; 1995/6 7 10 four localities at Jubail (including Khafrah marsh) eaue i : but there was no indication of movement of birds oun 5 5 between Jubail and Qatif in mid winter. Additionally, IpaRy : 5 it was noticed, at least in the case of Eastern Imperial Eagles at and around landfills, individuals ranged 1999/0 3 10 over a much smaller area than they would if they 2000/! l4 2 were hunting over natural steppe habitat further 2001/2 0 | inland. The number of eagles seen only at Jubail sites 2002/3 46 0 in January over the 10-year recording period was 12 2003/4 2 a and 8 for Greater Spotted Eagle and Eastern Imperial Eagle, respectively. Taking into account the fact that several non-wetland man-made sites were not visited by the author in mid winter (eg Peter Symens informed me that he saw 5 Eastern Imperial Eagles at an agricultural project—Al Sharkiyah development area—50 km southwest of Jubail in January 1995) the number of Eastern Imperial Eagles overwintering in the Saudi Arabian sector of the Gulf coastal lowlands is probably not less than 3-4 individuals in most years. An equivalent estimate for the number of overwintering Greater Spotted Eagles in this region is likely to be at least double this figure given only two out of many potentially suitable man-made or man- modified wetlands were regularly checked. Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 99 Table 2 lists the numbers of both species seen annually—save during 2002/3 both were recorded each year during the 10-year period. Tables 1 and 2 indicate that, contrary to expectations, a significant decline in wintering eagle numbers has, to date, apparently not been evident and man-made sites show that they can provide suitable alternative feeding areas. Greater Spotted Eagles were found to arrive earlier and leave later than Eastern Imperial Eagles although several records listed in Table 1 during late autumn and early spring almost certainly included some birds on passage. Apart from a single record of a Greater Spotted Eagle over a remaining mangrove stand at Tarut bay (26° 37’ N, 50° 05’ E) and nine birds hunting over a long-established palm garden near Qatif on various dates (both localities excluded from the Tables), all sites listed in Appendix 1 were the only places where I saw these two species of eagles within the coastal belt. Every locality listed in Appendix 1 has been developed since around 1990; three of the six sites being mentioned by Lobley (2007). TRENDS Observations (Table 2) indicate a small decline in Eastern Imperial Eagle numbers during the second half of my residence while the number of Greater Spotted Eagles increased. However, these trends cannot be confirmed statistically due to the ad-hoc way the data was collected. The results for Greater Spotted Eagles may be genuine as the increase coincides with the drainage of significant areas of the Iraq marshes following the end of the Gulf war in 1991, and over the same period there was a considerable increase of reed-swamp at Sabkhat al Fasl caused by rapid growth and colonization of additional areas of sabkha by Phragmites australis. It is known that the Iraq marshes were a significant wintering area for Greater Spotted Eagles prior to the Gulf war (Scott & Carp 1982). FUTURE In the immediate future the need to provide services and necessary infrastructure, such as sewage disposal and refuse disposal, will ensure that suitable sites will continue. However, in the longer-term, advances in wastewater treatment technology could affect the long-term viability of some of the newly created wetland habitats in Saudi Arabia. For example, it is known that there is a plan at Jubail to eventually use surplus effluent, now currently being sent to Sabkhat al Fasl, in primary industries as a source of process water in place of existing supplies. In the case of refuse disposal, incineration of waste rather than tipping into open cells is a possibility or composting cum recycling could also go ahead at some cities in the future. Finally, there are also economic and political arguments to abandon the continued use of groundwater abstraction for agricultural projects, particularly those on sub-optimal soils. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Michael Jennings supplied additional transect data from his 2009 survey of northern Saudi Arabia. REFERENCES Balmer, D & D Murdoch. 2010. Around the Region. Sandgrouse 32: 91-102. Brown, L. 1976. Eagles of the World. David & Charles, Newton Abbot, UK. Bundy, G, RJ Conner & CJO Harrison. 1989. Birds of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Witherby, London. Ferguson-Lees, J & DA Christie. 2001. Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London. Jennings, MC. 2010. Atlas of the breeding birds of Arabia. Fauna of Arabia 25. Jennings, MC, M AI Salamah, B Abu Qaboos & HN al Subaie. 2009. Wintering birds in northern Saudi Arabia: February 2009 (ABBA Survey 40). Jennings, Cambs, UK. (Summary Phoenix 26: 19-24) Lobley, GR. 2007. Wintering of Greater Spotted Aquila clanga and Eastern Imperial Eagles A. heliaca in the Arabian Peninsula. Sandgrouse 29: 177-183. 100 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Meadows, BS. 2004. Sites of interest: Sabkhat al-Fasl, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Phoenix 20: 12-16. Meadows, BS. 2009. Sites of interest: Khafrah Marsh, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Phoenix 25: 9-10. Scott, DA & E Carp. 1982. A mid-winter survey of wetlands in Mesopotamia, Iraq: 1979. Sandgrouse 4: 60-76. Brian S Meadows, 9 Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, CO14 8LE, UK. briansmeadows@lycos.com Appendix |. Brief descriptions of man-made or man-modified sites regularly visited (see text). Sabkhat al Fasl. This was the most important site for eagles (a total of 94 Greater Spotted Eagles and 5 Eastern Imperial Eagles were seen here) and consists of a salt-pan area that receives fully treated sewage effluent of a constant high quality surplus to irrigation requirements for landscaping in the industrial city of Jubail. The water on the pans is very shallow (usually less than 30 cm) and supports dense stands of reedbeds exceeding 2500 ha in area; waders and wildfowl occur in very large numbers. Reed-swamp vegetation increased on an annual basis 1994-2004. A fuller description, including an aerial view of the site, can be found in Meadows (2004). Jubail sanitary landfill. This site was developed on a salt pan and used for disposing mixed domestic (non- hazardous) waste, which in Saudi Arabia has a high organic content unlike many other developing countries, plus separate sectors for builders’ rubble and garden waste. A series of large lined cells receive the waste from trucks. The attraction for Eastern Imperial Eagles to this and similar landfills is probably the quantity of carrion, such as chicken carcasses and offal, available. The site produced only 2 Greater Spotted Eagle sightings but 27 Eastern Imperial Eagles were seen over the ten-year recording period. Green-belt zone at Jubail. At the industrial city of Jubail all petrochemical facilities have been located in a primary industrial area and a green belt where grazing animals are excluded has allowed desert vegetation to develop on former reclaimed salt pans. The green belt separates the primary industrial area from residential and support industry zones and was used by both species. Khafrah marsh. This is a wetland served by natural springs that has been augmented by run-off water from flood-irrigation of horticultural crops for the local market (26° 48’ N, 49° 34’ E). As in the case of Sabkhat al Fas the extent of reed-swamp increased during my period of residence and this may have gradually attracted more wintering Greater Spotted Eagles—I had 5 sightings 2000-2004 but none previously. Eastern Imperial Eagles were never recorded. The marsh has been described in more detail by Meadows (2009). Haradh dairy farm. Cows are kept in covered sheds with open sides but are fed on fodder grown on adjacent central-pivot sprinkler systems—it is the latter that attracted eagles of both species (15 Greater Spotted Eagles and 5 Eastern Imperial Eagles). The farm is relatively close to the coast and only 9 km from the centre of Qatif which is probably why so many of the former species were using this site. In the northern deserts where similar sprinkler systems had been estabtished, the author never observed Greater Spotted Eagles—eg at a location 50 km west of Nuayriyya (27° 28’ N, 48° 27’ E) the latter species was never recorded although |7 Eastern Imperial Eagles were seen hunting in crops below the sprinklers during three January visits. Qatif sanitary landfill. A landfill developed on a relatively flat part of the al-Jufurah sand desert, a northerly extension of the Empty Quarter (Rub al-Khali), used for disposal of domestic waste with separate areas for other non-hazardous material. Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 101 The first breeding record of Glossy Ibises Plegadis falcinellus for Cyprus MICHAEL MILTIADOU The Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus is a common passage migrant in Cyprus particularly during spring, (Feb) Mar—May, with smaller numbers staging at the wetlands in autumn, Aug-Sep (Oct). Large flocks migrate off the coast of Cyprus during autumn (Flint & Stewart 1992). Migrating flocks of the species are usually observed flying around the coast or over-flying the island but during wet springs, when coastal wetlands are waterlogged, these flocks might stage for a week or more. However, ten pairs of Glossy Ibises were observed nesting at the Ayios Lucas lake heronry, Famagusta, April—July 2010, the first breeding record for Cyprus (Miltiadou 2010). Although only a small percentage of the global population of Glossy Ibises breeds in Europe that population has exhibited a moderate decline and is evaluated by BirdLife International as a ‘Species of European Concern, Declining’ (Burfield & van Bommel 2004). It breeds in three eastern Mediterranean countries around Cyprus: Turkey (500-1000 pairs), Greece (150-200 pairs) and Israel (c300 pairs) (Cramp & Simmons 1978, Burfield & van Bommel 2004). Ayios Lucas lake (Plate 1), aka Famagusta Freshwater lake, is a lake that was created by damming part of a seasonal lake basin situated on the northwest side of Famagusta city at Limni, and is bordered on the north by the Nicosia-Famagusta motorway. It is part of a seasonal flood plain that opens into a brackish delta created by the joining of the Pediaeos and Yialias intermittent rivers. The delta spreads between Famagusta and Salamis and is located at the eastern end of the Mesaoria plain that runs across the middle of Cyprus. Plate 1. Ayios Lucas !ake, Famagusta, Cyprus, with part of heronry in background, 23 April 2010. © M Miltiadou 102. Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Plate 2. Breeding Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis, Ayios Lucas Plate 3. Cattle Egret chicks Bubulcus ibis at nest, Ayios lake, 7 July 2010. © M Miltiadou Lucas lake, 7 July 2010. © M Miltiadou As the island’s lowlands were submerged under the sea up to c100 000 years BP, the soil is saline with brackish plant communities (Sueda vera, Arthrocnemum macrostacyum) and saline ‘flushes’ are evident across the Mesaoria plain especially around and between Famagusta and Nicosia. The water of Ayios Lucas lake is predominantly brackish most years with the exception of 2010 when, due to heavy rainfall in winter and spring and pumping of water from Guenyeli dam, it was fresh. This dam was built in 1964 to retain water for agricultural [ij tieieee sw cae GN SGPC purposes as all wetland areas in Cyprus Plate 4. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis nesting pair, Ayios naturally dry up by late spring. The water Lucas lake, 21 May 2010. © M Miltiadou holding capacity of Ayios Lucas lake is 4 545 000 m? and the lake covers c600 hectares at an elevation of 40 m asl (Dams of Cyprus http:// www.moa.gov.cy/moa/wdd/wdd.nsf/index). Ayios Lucas lake gained ornithological prominence during the early 21st century when it became the first nesting site for the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis on Cyprus (Plates 2-4), alongside a few pairs of nesting Squacco Herons Ardeola ralloides, Little Egrets Egretta garzetta and Black-crowned Night Herons Nycticorax nycticorax (Whaley & Dawes 2005). This heronry, located on partly drowned tamarisk bushes situated along the west side of the lake, has grown steadily in numbers since its discovery in 2003. Since 2006, Ayios Lucas lake has been included in the wetland sites surveyed monthly for waterbirds as part of the BirdLife Cyprus waterbird census (Miltiadou 2004, Miltiadou 2005-2010, Miltiadou 2011). The waterbird census has revealed that the site holds up to 8952 waterbirds annually of 59 species of which 27 species are in Annex I of the Birds Directive (2009/147/EU, ex 79/409/EEC). A total of 13 waterbird species nest there (predominantly Common Coot Fulica atra, Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficolis) of which 7 are in Annex I eg Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides, Little Egret Egretta garzetta, Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus and Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (Miltiadou 2005-2010, Miltiadou 2007, Miltiadou 2011). Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 103 Icinellus and Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis heronry on tamarisk, Ayios Lucas lake, 7 July Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Plate 6. Glossy Ibis Plegadis fa 2010. © M Miltiadou 104 3 ie) ae) SS 2 s) oO N z= =) 1 ~ ov = else] 4) f°] U =) —_l 14) o > < a =) UV fas} 4) = oO 5 WY Goh 2 Uv S On aC) Qa. te a =~ 4) 74) 2 O ) Ay) ~ & oO. On 23 April 2010, while conducting the monthly waterbird census for the site, I was surprised to observe several Glossy Ibises (Plate 5) either carrying twigs in their beaks and flying towards the heronry or gathering twigs along the lake shore. These twigs were dried eucalyptus collected from the ground and formed the base structure of their nests. Because of the heavy rainfall during winter and spring the tamarisk islets were about half Plate 8. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus at nest, Ayios hatched nestling, Ayios Lucas lake, 21 May 2010. Lucas lake, 21 May 2010. © M Miltiadou © M Miltiadou Plate 9. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus nest with fledglings in close proximity to Cattle Egret nests, Ayios Lucas lake, 7 July 2010. © M Miltiadou Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 105 Be acs Beer | eS SS Plate 10. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus parent feeding Plate | 1. Large nestlings of Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus, fledglings, Ayios Lucas lake, 7 July 2010. © M Miltiadou Ayios Lucas lake, 7 July 2010. © M Miltiadou Plate 12. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus fledgling, Ayios Plate 13. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus fledglings, normal Lucas lake, 7 July 2010. © M Miltiadou and white-throated morphs, Ayios Lucas lake, 7 July 2010. © M Miltiadou submerged in water (depth c2 m) with the lake itself almost flooding. These islets were crowded with nesting Cattle Egrets and between and above them I noticed four pairs of Glossy Ibises on already constructed nests which were mostly built at mid-height in the bushes (Plate 6). That day I counted in total 163 Glossy Ibises busily feeding along the shores of the lake (Miltiadou 2010). A follow-up census on 21 May revealed a total of ten nesting pairs of Glossy Ibises, of which six were feeding newly hatched chicks (Plate 7). The chicks were naked and all had black skins with sparse dull-black down. A count revealed 4-5 chicks per nest. The rest of the nesting pairs seemed to be still incubating eggs. The parent Glossy Ibises were flying to the flooded area north of the motorway in order to secure food for the chicks. The nests had already been lined with a thick top layer of rush stems (Plate 8). At this time it was very difficult to observe the chicks as the foliage of the tamarisk bushes was unusually thick presumably due to the high rainfall. Nests were spaced 5-10 m apart but in some cases were almost touching neighbouring Cattle Egret nests (Plate 9). On 7 June, 6 pairs were each tending 3-6 fully feathered fledglings which were either perched on their respective nests or on branches below them, noisily begging for food (Plates 10 & 11). All fledglings had the usual banded beaks along with the white patch on 106 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Plate 14. Little Egret fledglings attended by parent, Ayios Lucas lake, 7 July 2010. © M Miltiadou the crown of the head, except for two that had a white throat patch as well (Plates 12 & 13). The remaining 4 pairs were still attending newly-hatched chicks at the nest. On 25 June, the 6 pairs were seen flying around the lake with their fledglings, parents usually leading them to the nearby wetland just north of the motorway and beyond. These families were eventually spotted at other coastal wetlands of Cyprus eg at Oroklini marsh, Akrotiri salt lake and Akhna dam, situated along the south of the island. Another four pairs were still catering for their unfledged young that were perched outside their nests and begging for food. By 26 July the remaining 4 pairs had fledged their young and were escorting them around the area to feed. Only 5 birds remained at the lake on 18 August. The total production of young was 46 fledged with 3-6 young per pair (1 pair 6 juveniles, 4 pairs 5 juvs, 3 pairs 4 juvs and 2 pairs 3 juvs). The other waterbird species nesting at the lake also had a successful year with eg 87 nesting pairs of Cattle Egrets with 218 young fledged (Table 1). The Glossy Ibis nesting in Cyprus is part of a trend of various species of waterbirds nesting or even becoming resident in Cyprus during the early 21st century. Thus in 2002, migrants like the Common Tern Sterna hirundo and Littie Tern Sternula albifrons nested after an absence of almost a century while Cattle Egret and Spur-winged Lapwing became resident in 2003 and Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca in 2005. Two migratory species have become annual breeders from 2003: Squacco Heron and Little Egret (Plate 14), while the Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, introduced in 1993, has spread around the island (Gordon 2002, Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 107 Table |. Waterbird species that nested at Ayios Lucas lake, Famagusta, Cyprus, spring 2010. Species Pairs Young fledged Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 7 15 Black-crowned Night Heron* Nycticorax nycticorax 2 6 Squacco Heron* Ardeola ralloides 4 13 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 87 218 Little Egret* Egretta garzetta 5 20 Glossy Ibis* Plegadis falcinellus 10 46 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos . | 6 Common Coot Fulica atra 27 68 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 5 I8 Black-winged Stilt* Himantopus himantopus 2 5 Spur-winged Lapwing* Vanellus spinosus 2 5 * Species on Annex | of the Birds Directive (2009/147/EU, ex 79/409/EEC) Miltiadou 2006a & b, Miltiadou 2009, Miltiadou 2011). In 2009 the first pair of Red-crested Pochards Netta rufina nested on Cyprus while in 2010 we had this species nest again as well as two pairs of Northern Shovelers Anas clypeata (Christodoulides et al 2009, P Prastides pers obs). These aquatic species are opportunistic in their colonization behaviour and have clearly taken advantage of the opportunities offered by Cyprus’s unpredictable weather conditions and some recent anthropogenic activities (construction of lowland dams, water treatment ponds and animal slurry ponds). Conversely, local wetlands have also suffered some serious negative anthropogenic activities that are threatening the survival of long- established resident waders like the Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ; I would like to thank BirdLife Cyprus for all the support given for census work undertaken island-wide in the quest to monitor the birds of Cyprus and their populations during the past 6 years. REFERENCES Burfield, 1 & F van Bommel (compilers). 2004. Birds in Europe: population estimates, irends and conseroation siatus. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. Christodoulides 5, M Charalambides & R Mason. 2009. First nesting record of Red-crested Pochard at Oroklini Marsh. BirdLife Cyprus Monihly Newsleiier July/August (7): 15. Cramp, S & KEL Simmons (eds). 1978. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol 1. Oxford University Press, UK. Flint, PR & PF Stewart.1992.The Birds of Cyprus. 2nd edn. British Ornithologists’ Union, London. Gordon, JJ (ed). 2002. Annual Report 2002. BirdLife Cyprus, Nicosia. Miltiadou, M. 2004. Monthly monitoring of Wetland Birds. BirdLife Cyprus News Winter (1): 12-13, 20-25. Miltiadou, M. 2005-2010. Results of Monthly Waterbird Counts. BirdLife Cyprus Monthly Newsletter. Miltiadou, M. 2006a. Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca. A new addition to the nesting waterbirds of Cyprus. BirdLife Cyprus News Summer (5): 12-15. Miltiadou, M. 2006b. Little Tern Sterna albifrons & Common Tern Sterna hirundo: numbers, nesting population / success and distribution in Cyprus. BirdLife Cyprus News Autumn (6): 12-13. Miltiadou, M. 2007. Cattle Egret colony at Famagusta Fresh Water Lake. Cyprus BirdLife Magazine Autumn: 14. Miltiadou, M. 2009. Cyprus Waterbird Census 2005. BirdLife Cyprus, Nicosia. Miltiadou, M. 2010. First Nesting Attempt of Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus at Famagusta Lake, Cyprus. BirdLife Cyprus Monthly Newsletter May (5): 11. Miltiadou, M. 2011. Cyprus Wetland Report. BirdLife Cyprus, Nicosia. In press Whaley, JD & CJ Dawes. 2005. Heron Breeding records in Cyprus 2003-2004. Sandgrouse 27: 160-162. Michael Miltiadou, BirdLife Cyprus, PO Box 28076, 2090 Nicosia, Cyprus. Michael.miltiadou@birdlifecyprus.org.cy 108 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Occurrence of Western Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros gibraltariensis in Kazakhstan, in relation to its recent eastwards expansion in Russia AREND WASSINK The Western Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros gibraltariensis breeds in most parts of Europe, after having expanded its breeding range over much of northwest Europe since the 1850s. The population is stable in most of the European countries and has increased in relatively recently colonised Denmark, Norway and Finland, and at the eastern margins of its range 1e Ukraine, Latvia and Estonia (Hagemeijer & Blair 1997). In Russia, the expansion of gibraltariensis still continues. While Stepanyan (2003) stated that the eastern border of its breeding range (roughly) runs from Moscow south to the Crimea, other publications and information show that gibraltariensis also occurs much further eastwards. After having spread to Tartarstan and a record of a singing male at Yekaterinburg in the Ural region on 6 April 1995 (Boyko 1995), breeding was confirmed for the first time in the Ural region at Mys, Perm krai, in 2005 (Kuzikov 2006, Ryabitsev 2008). It now also breeds commonly along the Volga river between Kazan, Ulyanovsk and Samara (Oleg Borodin in litt), south to Saratov province (Vladimir Piskunov in litt). In Kazakhstan, gibraltariensis was not recorded until 2006. Since then, 18 records involving 23 birds have become known. These Kazakhstan records are listed below and their locations shown in Figure 1: 1 November 2006, adult male, photographed, platform in the Caspian sea, 30 km north of Buzachi peninsula, Mangghystau province (Gistsov 2007). 23-29 March 2007, male, Karazhar, Korgalzhyn nature reserve, Aqmola province (Koshkin 2008). 14 November 2007, female-type, Shakpak-Ata necropolis, Mangghystau province (Belyalov 2008). 26 October 2008, two (male and a female-type), photographed, Kyzyl-Kapkan, West Kazakhstan province (Bidashko 2009). 15 December 2008, three female-types, Aqtau, Mangghystau province (Karpov & Kovshar 2009). 26 March-28 April 2009, eight records involving eight birds, Kenderli resort and Fetisovo plateau, Mangghystau province (Le Neve et al 2010). 19 May 2009, female-type, Fetisovo plateau, Mangghystau province (Le Neve et al 2010). 2 December 2009, male, photographed, Karamendy, Qostanay province (Timoshenko 2009, Timoshenko 2010) 13 December 2009-13 January 2010, male, Peschnyy cape, Mangghystau province (Kovshar & Karpov 2009). April 2010, first-summer male (cairii-type), photographed, artificial island in the northeastern Caspian sea, Mangghystau province (Victoria Kovshar in Iit?). Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 109 Figure |. Biogeographical map of Kazakhstan (Wassink & Oreel 2007) showing locations of Western Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros gibraltariensis records. Green, blue and red dots represent autumn, winter and spring records respectively. 1 April 2011, adult male and two females, photographed, Karazhar, Korgalzhyn nature reserve, Aqmola province (Alexej Koshkin in litt). Female-type gibraltariensis cannot be safely distinguished from ochruros. However, given the fact that all males mentioned in the records above and those in the Russian part of the Volga delta (see beneath) were gibraltariensis, it seems most unlikely that the female types would then have been ochruros. Furthermore, the timing of the records does not coincide with that of the migration of ochruros. The latter has left the breeding areas in the Caucasus by late September, and is back again in late March or early April (Cramp 1988). Wintering in the Zagros mountains and western Iraq, ochruros shows a southerly biased migration route in autumn, with Kazakhstan far to the east and north. | Records from Astrakhan province, Russia, suggest that gibraltariensis probably also migrates through or even winters in the bordering Volga-Ural region of Kazakhstan (Atyrau and West Kazakhstan provinces): 3 February 2002, one bird at Damchik, Volga delta (Kvartalnov et al 2002); several records prior to 2009 in the Volga delta and, on 11 May 2009, two or three singing males at the Akthuba river at Charabali (Innokenty Smetanin in litt), only 30 km from the Kazakh border. The records in Kazakhstan show that gibraltariensis has recently become a rare but regular passage migrant and winter visitor, undoubtedly as a result of the eastwards expansion in Russia. However, there are indications that this taxon could have occurred much earlier, albeit more rarely. Mitropolskiy (2009) trapped two male Black Redstarts and identified them as Caucasian Black Redstarts P. 0. ochruros, on 19 October 1962 at Sakakuduk and 9 January 1963 at Chuyli, both in Mangghystau province. He ruled out the birds being gibraltariensis on three criteria: gibraltariensis had not expanded its range so far east at that time, the absence of any red on the underparts and the absence of a white wing panel. The first reason should, at least to my opinion, not play a role in the identification process. The second criterion does not say anything about subspecific identity as all gibraltariensis and part of ochruros lack red on the vent and belly. The third is also not a reason to exclude 110 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) gibraltariensis. The first and second calendar year male ‘paradoxus’ morph of the latter (the only morph distinguishable from first calender year female) resembles adult males in varying degrees, but retains the juvenile wing, lacking a white panel (only some moult one or two tertials creating indication of a wing panel in autumn, which wear to narrow white edges in spring) (Svensson 1992). Furthermore, a Black Redstart, not subspecifically identified, was found on the border of Aqtébe province, Kazakhstan and the Orenburg region, Russia on 21 April 1990 (Berezovikov 2001, Wassink & Oreel 2007). Although we do not know the true subspecific identity of the discussed older records of Black Redstart in Kazakhstan, at least the recent records give reason to assume that it seems only a matter of time before gibraltariensis will start to breed in northwestern Kazakhstan, taking into consideration that the nearest breeding location, at Saratov, Russia, lies only 140 km from the Kazakh border. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many thanks are due to Geert Groot Koerkamp, who pointed out additional and partly unpublished infor- mation on the occurrence of Western Black Redstart in Russia, and for his review of the first draft of the article, and to Oleg Borodin, Alexej Koshkin, Victoria Kovshar, Vladimir Piskunov and Innokenty Smetanin who gave additional records and/or phenological data. REFERENCES Belyalov, OV. 2008. [Ornithological observations in Ustyurt and on Mangghyslak in 2007. Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin 2007: 11-18.] [In Russian] Berezovikov, NN. 2001. [Materials on the distribution of birds in the Urals, the Cis Urals and West Siberia: 17-20.] Yekaterinburg, Russia. [In Russian] Bidashko, FG. 2009. [Notes on some birds of the West Kazakhstan region in 2008. Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin 2008: 30-33.] [In Russian] Boyko, GB. 1995. [Vagrant Black Redstart in Yekaterinburg.] Berkut 4: 46. [In Russian] Cramp, S. 1988. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol 5. Oxford University Press, UK. Gistsov, AP. 2007. [A record of European Black Redstart in the northern Caspian Sea region. Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin 2006: 237.] [In Russian] Hagemeijer, EJM & MJ Blair (eds). 1997. The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds: Their Distribution and Abundance. T & A D Poyser, London. Karpov, FF & VA Kovshar. 2009. [Observations of wintering birds at the eastern coast of the Kazakh part of the Caspian region. Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin 2008: 14—18.] [In Russian] Koshkin, AV. 2008. [Ornithological observations in the Tengiz region in 2007. Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin 2007: 43—47.] [In Russian] Kovshar, VA & FF Karpov. 2009. [Wintering birds of the Manghyslak coastal strip.] Selevinia 2009: 133-142. [In Russian] Kuzikoyv, IV. 2006. [Black Redstart -— a new breeding species in the Perm krai.] In: Ryabitsev, VK (ed). [Materials on the distribution of birds in the Urals, the Cis-Urals and West Siberia: 133-134.] Yekaterinburg, Russia. [In Russian] Kvartalnov, PV, YeS Chertoprud, YeL Dzhikia, NN Yevelchenko, KM Menchinsky, KK Narasyan & OA Filatova. 2002. [Wintering passerines in terrestrial biotopes of the Astrakhan nature reserve. Proceedings of the International Conference for Young Scientists «Lomonosov» 7: 29-30.] Moscow. [In Russian] Le Neve, A, C Gouraud, F Morlon, J Judas & Abu Dhabi National Avian Research Center. 2010. Kazakhstan trip report. Unpublished. Mitropolskiy, OV. 2009. [Distribution and status of Black Redstart at the eastern Caspian coast. Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin 2008: 228—230.] [In Russian] Ryabitsev, VK (ed). 2008. [Materials on the distribution of birds in the Urals, the Cis-Urals and West Siberia. | Yekaterinburg, Russia. [In Russian] Stepanyan, LS. 2003. [Abstract of the ornithological fauna of the USSR. 2nd edn.] Moscow. [In Russian] Svensson, L. 1992. Identification guide to European passerines. 4th edn. Stockholm. Timoshenko, AY. 2009. [Ornithological observations in Naurzum reserve and adjacent areas in 2008. Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin 2008: 57-58.] [In Russian] Timoshenko, AY. 2010. European Black Redstart. www.birds.kz. Wassink, A & GJ Oreel. 2007. The birds of Kazakhstan. De Cocksdorp, Netherlands. Arend Wassink, Postweg 64, 1795 JR De Cocksdorp, Texel, Netherlands. a.wassink@texel.com Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 111 The first record of Yellow-throated Sparrow Gymnoris xanthocollis in Egypt MASSIMILIANO DETTORI & ISTVAN MOLDOVAN The Yellow-throated Sparrow Gymnoris xanthocollis breeds in southeast Turkey, through Iraq, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (Porter & Aspinall 2010, Rasmussen & Anderton 2005). It has been recorded as a vagrant, three records, in Israel (Perlman & Meyrav 2009). On 5 June 2010, on the Egyptian Red sea coast 17 km north of Marsa Alam city, while birding in the garden of Brayka Bay resort, MD noted a calling Yellow-throated Sparrow in the top of a palm tree (Google Earth GPS coordinates 25° 12’ 59.92” N 34° 47’ 58.23” E). The bird was easily detected as its continuous calling had brought it to the attention of MD. The call was very like that of a House Sparrow Passer domesticus, but because no House Sparrows had been seen or heard in the resort, MD investigated further. During the observation, the bird also uttered a guttural low-tone short song while perched on top of the tree. Through binoculars, the yellow throat-patch, chestnut-coloured feathers on the edge of the scapulars and white median-covert bar were immediately obvious, sufficiently so to identify the bird without any doubt as a Yellow-throated Sparrow. Regarding its behaviour, MD noted that it was very shy, but when its call was imitated by MD, the bird came closer to him and perched on a nearby eucalyptus tree. The bird was observed 07.10—07.30 h before it flew away. Next day (6 June) the bird was seen again at 07.45 h for 10 minutes. The last time we found this bird was on 9 June at 08.20 h, when we observed its behaviour for about 30 minutes in an acacia tree just outside the resort. The bird was a male, and the strongly-pointed bill was pale, not black, which indicated that the bird was not yet in full breeding plumage. Documentary photos were taken (Plates 1 and 2). MD had seen the species previously in the United Arab Emirates. As far as we are aware, there are no previous sightings of Yellow-throated Sparrow in Africa. The combination of yellow throat-patch, chestnut lesser coverts and white median-covert bar distinguish Gymnoris xanthocollis from the closely related, sub-Saharan, Yellow-spotted Petronia G. pyrgita, Yellow-throated Petronia G. superciliaris and Bush ~~ F Plates | & 2. First Yellow-throated Sparrow Gymnoris xanthocollis for Egypt, north of Marsa Alam, June 2010. © Massimiliano Dettori 112 = Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Petronia G. dentata (Sinclair & Ryan 2010). The sighting constitutes the first record of the species in Egypt and it has been accepted by the Egyptian Ornithological Rarities Committee. REFERENCES Perlman, Y & J Meyrav. 2009. Checklist of the Birds of Israel. Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel/Israel Ornithological Center, Tel-Aviv. Porter, R & S Aspinall. 2010. Birds of the Middle East. Christopher Helm, London. Rasmussen, PC & JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: the Ripley Guide. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Sinclair, I & P Ryan. 2010. Birds of Africa south of the Sahara. 2nd edn. Struik Nature, Cape Town. Massimiliano Dettori, Govert Flinckstraat 109-IA, Amsterdam, Netherlands. dettori_m@hotmail.com Istvan Moldovan, Raday street 56/47, HU-1092, Budapest, Hungary. idegenvezeto@yahoo.com Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 113 Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes breeding populations in Yerevan and the Meghri region, Armenia VASIL ANANIAN, KAREN AGHABABYAN, SIRANUSH TUMANYAN, GRIGOR JANOIAN & KEITH BILDSTEIN The Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes was first recognized as a breeding species in Armenia in the 1920s and has been reported as a breeder in the northeastern and southern parts of the country (Lyaister & Sosnin 1942, Dahl 1954, Adamian & Klem 1999). The species is included in the Armenian Red Data Book where it is classified as ‘rare and apparently declining’ (Movsesyan & Ayrumyan 1987). Until recently, information on Levant Sparrowhawks was collected opportunistically and was limited to field records of individuals seen and occasional nesting events (Lyaister & Sosnin 1942, Dahl 1953, Dahl 1954, Adamian & Klem 1999). During 1996-2001 nests and territorial pairs were recorded in the Meghri region of southernmost Armenia (Aghababyan 2001). In 2008 we resumed studies in this area and have expanded our studies to include the capital city of Yerevan and some villages on the slopes of mount Aragats (Figure 1). Our principal objective was to assess the current status of the bird as a breeding species (Plate 1). Mt Aragats slopes 3 Yerevan s°° Kilometers 0510 20 30 40 50 60 ae Study Areas Meghri region Figure |. Map showing location of study areas, Armenia. 114 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Plate I. Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes male at its nest site, June 2009, Meghri, Armenia. © Vasil Ananian STUDY AREAS AND METHODS Our survey areas included selected parts of Yerevan (c530 ha in total) and valleys in the Meghri region (c1033 ha in total), and a pilot study on the slopes of mt Aragats. The former two areas were selected due to the relatively higher number of available breeding season observations of the species there compared with other parts of Armenia. Villages on the slopes of mt Aragats were surveyed at some of the highest absolute elevations for the species (Lyaister & Sosnin 1942, Dementiev & Gladkov 1951, Cramp 1987). Searches for nests took place from early May 2009 and 2010 and continued throughout nesting until mid July. A number of trips of from 3-14 days were organized for visits to both mt Aragats and the Meghri district. Various parts of Yerevan were surveyed more frequently and opportunistically throughout nesting. Searches were predominantly on foot. Suitable habitats (ie parks, orchards, village streets) were explored from 06.00 to 20.00 h using binoculars and spotting scopes. Birds were located aurally and visually. Elevated observation points were used where available. We recorded GPS coordinates at all located nests. Efforts were made to avoid disturbing nesting pairs. Yerevan is in the semidesert and arid mountain steppe zones of the Arax river basin. The surveys covered wooded habitats in the city 900-1200 m asl. In Yerevan the species is known to breed in wooded parks, within the grounds of Yerevan zoo and botanical garden and in green plantations and orchards. Such areas are found mainly around the periphery of the city and along the Hrazdan river gorge. Surveyed sites had trees of up to 25-30 m high and shrubs, such as planted poplar Populus, ash Fraxinus, oak Quercus, maple Acer, plane Platanus, elm Ulmus, false acacia Robinia, linden Tilia, honeysuckle Lonicera, privet Ligustrum and elder Sambucus. Orchards and parks also had feral fruit trees Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 115 Plate 2. Habitat of Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes, June 2010, in Yerevan, Armenia. © Vasil Ananian & Levon Janoian and ornamentals including apple Malus, apricot Prunus, mulberry Morus, pear Pyrus and walnut Juglans (Plate 2). The Meghri region occupies the southern slopes, spurs and foothills of the Meghri and Zangezur mountain ranges in the Arax river basin. At low elevations the area is characterized by a dry subtropical climate and lies in semidesert and post-forested shibliak zones 550-1100 m asl. The latter include human habitation at the bottom of valleys and gorges of the Meghri, Malev, Shvanidzor and Nyuvadi rivers, with permanent and seasonal streams and a network of irrigation canals. The surrounding highly indented landscape is dominated by steep arid rocky slopes covered with xerophytic vegetation and open juniper Juniperus woodland. In some places there are deciduous woodlands composed primarily of oak, hornbeam Carpinus and maple. Levant Sparrowhawks breed in orchards and tree plantations in and around villages and the town of Meghri (Plate 3). Widespread trees here include poplar, ash, elm, mulberry and plane. Walnut is pareic tlarly widespread and common. : Pilot surveys were conducted in an area of 440 ha of apparently suitable habitat on the slopes of mt Aragats (within 1500-2000 m asl), where the species has been recorded during the breeding season (Lyaister & Sosnin 1942, VA pers obs). The surveys covered the outskirts of Byurakan, Antarut, Orgov and Tegher villages. The villages are close to one another on the southeastern slopes and are situated amongst mountain steppe landscape, indented with deep rocky gorges of the Amberd river and its distributaries. Villages are rich in planted poplar and orchards holding various tall fruit trees and walnut. Plate 3. The town of Meghri, June 2009, in the Meghri region of southern Armenia, habitat of Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes. © Vasil Ananian 116 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) RESULTS Yerevan One nest site in Yerevan has been known since 2003 and birds have been breeding at the site each year since its discovery (VA pers obs). Another nest site was found in 2006 (KA pers obs) and located again in 2009. In 2009 and 2010, an additional 5 active nests and a putative nest site with an apparently territorial pair were found. Distances between the nests in Yerevan largely reflect the irregular distribution and sizes of suitable wooded habitats within the city. In a more homogenous and relatively extensive park with 21 ha of wooded habitat nearest neighbour distances for nests were c440 m from each other. Another nest site, in a different part of the city, was in a 2 ha isolated patch of poplars surrounded by degraded bare rocky grassland, close by an active rock quarry and highway. Three of the nest trees occupied in 2009 were reoccupied in 2010. At two nest sites active in 2009, neither pairs nor nest were seen in 2010 although at one of the sites a sole female was recorded on several occasions perched on the previous year’s nest tree. Several parts of Yerevan with suitable habitat were not surveyed because of limited access (government-owned and private land). Adult birds were recorded on the perimeters of several of these sites during the breeding season. Meghri region In this part of the country appropriate habitats are widespread and, compared to Yerevan, homogenously distributed. We found 11 active nests in 2009. In 2010 all but one of the valleys visited in 2009 were revisited. Of the 8 active nests found in 2010 only one was in the same tree as in 2009. The 7 others were found 14-321 m from the previous year’s nest tree. Average distance between the active nests was 739 m in 2009 and 532 m in 2010, with minimum distances of 203 (2009) and 193 m. Early in the breeding seasons of both 2009 and 2010 we found putative nest sites in two areas (ie regular presence of adult birds), but nests at these two sites were never found. Nests sites in both Yerevan and the Meghri region were similar in that nests were found in tall (10-25 m) trees with adjacent open areas with exposed ground, rocks, and sparse cover of shrubs and grassy vegetation (Plate 4). Nest trees were usually found at the edge of a stand of trees or plantation or were growing isolated in an orchard, often close to a road or path. At all sites, there were high numbers of dead branches on or near the nesting tree with a patch of open ground below. The dead branches were used by birds as resting and hunting perches, as well as for copulation and prey-transfer in courtship. In Meghri, rock outcrops near nests provided additional elevated perches for birds. The proximity of active houses, commercial and public buildings, and highways did not appear to affect nest-site selection. Several nests were found as close as 15 m from occupied homes. Mount Aragats Despite thorough searches, no nests or potentially breeding birds were found. DISCUSSION Overall, information about Levant Sparrowhawks breeding in Armenia is limited and there are few nest reports in the literature. The first reports of the species in Armenia are in Lyaister & Sosnin (1942) who listed three nests including two with 4 and 5 eggs respectively. Those authors mentioned several breeding season encounters from various parts of Armenia (including both Yerevan and the Meghri region) and listed the Levant Sparrowhawk as ‘widespread and quite common’ in the country. Subsequently, Dahl (1949) Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 117 Plate 4. A typical Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes nest site, June 2009, in the Meghri region, Armenia. © Karen Aghababyan noted a nest found in east-central Armenia, and a probable nest in Yerevan is mentioned in Adamian & Klem (1999). Our surveys found breeding Levant Sparrowhawks in almost all of the appropriate habitats we searched in Yerevan. Suitable breeding habitat in the city has increased since the 1950s as a result of extensive tree planting, which has provided favourable breeding conditions for the species. Successful occupation of forest plantations in human- dominated landscapes has been reported from Russian parts of the species’ range as well (Fedosov 2006, Belik unpubl). Considering availability of isolated suitable habitats in Yerevan, we expect at least another 8-10 pairs of Levant Sparrowhawks are breeding in the city in addition to the 7 pairs we recorded. Thus the current population of breeding Levant Sparrowhawks in the city is probably 15-17 pairs. Our surveys in Meghri covered much suitable habitat, but the existence of overlooked breeding pairs there is still likely. Breeding habitat distribution in the entire Meghri region suggests likelihood of existence of as many as 5-7 additional pairs of Levant Sparrowhawks. Together with known breeders this suggests a breeding population of 16-18 breeding pairs in the region, compared with an earlier estimate of 20-25 pairs (Aghababyan 2001). Apparently the Levant Sparrowhawk has been largely overlooked in Yerevan and other parts of the country for the last several decades. This resulted in misclassification of the conservation status of the species and an underestimation of the species’ abundance (Movsesyan & Ayrumyan 1987, Adamian & Klem 1999). The species is not uncommon in the study areas and we believe that surveys in riparian areas in river valleys in northeastern and elsewhere in southern Armenia would likely reveal additional breeding populations. That said, the Levant Sparrowhawk in Armenia largely inhabits human-dominated agricultural and city landscapes which makes the species vulnerable to direct and indirect 118 = Sandgrouse 33 (2011) effects of humans. In our study areas most people are unaware of accipiters breeding next to their houses and in public places largely because of the species’ secretive nature. One of the major threats to city populations is the ongoing destruction and fragmentation of parks and forest plantations during building and road construction. Hunting has become increasingly popular in Armenia and boys with slingshots are frequently seen in both the countryside and cities, with some of the likely targets being Levant Sparrowhawk nests. We encountered two dead adult Levant Sparrowhawks in the Meghri which had died of unknown causes. Dead Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus have been found in the same area suggesting that pesticides might be a problem (Aghababyan & Tumanyan 2009). Levant Sparrowhawk is included in Appendix II of the Berne Convention and in the latest edition of the Red Book of Armenia (Aghababyan 2010). It is protected in Khosrov and Shikahogh state reserves and in the newly established Arevik national park in Meghri region. We believe that enforcement measures against poaching, the control of the use of chemicals in agriculture, and increased public awareness regarding the species can all play a role in its protection. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Surveys were conducted by staff of the Acopian Center for the Environment (ACE) at the American University of Armenia and funded by the Acopian family and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Martin Abelyan drove throughout the studies. We thank Jennifer and Tom Lyman, Levan Janoian, Meike Schaefer and the rest of the ACE team for their support during the studies, including participation in nest surveying in Yerevan. Meike Schaefer additionally processed and archived collected GIS data. Dr Viktor P Belik has kindly shared his unpublished materials. The following people have greatly assisted and helped in various ways during the 2009 surveys: Surik Hovhanisyan and Meghri forestry staff, Zhirair Vardanyan (Institute of Botany), Mushegh Grigoryan, Armo Zakaryan and the heads of Byurakan, Orgov, Antarut, Tegher, Karchevan, Shvanidzor, Nrnadzor, Vardanidzor and Lehvaz villages. REFERENCES Adamian, MS & D Klem 1999. Handbook of the Birds of Armenia. American University of Armenia, USA. Aghababyan, KE. 2001. [To ecology of Levant Sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes, Severtzov, 1850) in Meghry region of Armenia. Vestnik MANEB, SaintPetersburg] 6(42): 40-41. [In Russian] Aghababyan, KE. 2010. In: Aghasyan, A & M Kalashyan (eds). The Red Book of Animals of the Republic of Armenia. Zangak, Yerevan. Aghababyan, KE & S Tumanyan. 2009. On the breeding Peregrines Falco peregrinus brookei in some regions of Armenia. In: Sielicki, J & T Mizera (eds). Peregrine Falcon Populations — status and perspectives in the 21st Century. Turul, Warsaw, pp99-108. Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (1979). European Treaty Series - No. 104. http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/104.htm. Cramp, S (ed). 1980. Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Vol 2. Oxford University Press, UK. Dahl, SK. 1949. [Essay on vertebrate fauna of Hayotsdzor Mountain Range. Zoological Digest Yerevan] 6: 5—96. [In Russian] Dahl, SK. 1953. [Essay on vertebrate fauna of Bargushat and Meghri Mountain Ranges. Zoological Digest Yerevan] 8: 5-65. [In Russian] Dahl, SK. 1954. [Fauna of the Armenian SSR. Vertebrates.] USSR Academy of Sciences Press, Yerevan. [In Russian] Dementiev, GP & NA Gladkov (eds). 1951. [The Birds of the Soviet Union]. Nauka, Moscow. [In Russian] Fedosov, VN. 2006. [Analysis of the state of the current population of Levant Sparrowhawk in the north of the Stavropol Region and adjacent territories.] Strepet 4 (1): 57-67. [In Russian] Lyaister, AF & GV Sosnin. 1942. [Materials on ornithofauna of the Armenian SSR] (Ornis Armeniaca). ARMFAN, Yerevan. [In Russian] Movsesyan, SO & KA Ayrumyan (eds). 1987. [Red Data Book of Armenia]. Armenian Academy of Sciences, Yerevan. [In Russian] Vasil Ananian, Karen Aghababyan, Siranush Tumanyan, Grigor Janoian & Keith Bildstein, Acopian Center for the Environment, American University of Armenia, 40 Baghramian Ave, Yerevan, 0019, Armenia. vasil.ananian@gmail.com karen@aua.am Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 119 Recent breeding records and status of the Barn Owl Jyto alba in Gilan province, northern Iran ABBAS ASHOORI, HOSSIEN ALINEJAD & ALI HAMRAZ The Barn Ow! Tito alba is a resident breeder in the Middle East with a wide but somewhat fragmented distribution from northern Turkey to southern Yemen with occurrence in southwest Iran (Porter et al 1996, Mansoori 2008). However, Osaei et al (2007) presented records of 74 birds in 28 localities in 12 provinces of Iran since 1990. They suggested that the Barn Owl’s range has expanded eastwards over much of Iran. There were only three records of the species in Iran in the 1970s (from two localities in Khuzestan province and one locality in Bushehr province). Also, they reported an abandoned nest with a single dead nestling at Ali-Abad village (37° 32’ 36” N, 49° 14’ 59” E), 2 km from Kapour-Chal, Gilan province (Osaei et al 2007). Here we report Barn Owl records for seventeen localities in nine cities of Gilan province 2007-2010 (Table 1, Figure 1). These include three breeding records. On 7 December 2009, one nest with four nestlings (three 22 days and one 16 days old, all not yet able to fly) was observed under the roof of a building in Ziba-Kenar (some 42 km from Ali-Abad village and less than one km from the shore of the Caspian sea). On 16 May 2010, one nest with four nestlings (c18 days old) with one of their parents was observed in an old mosque at the centre of Lashte-Nesha city (c15 km from Ziba-Kenar and 16 km from the Caspian sea). Figure |. Distribution of all records of the Barn Owl in Gilan province, Iran, 2007-2010. Confirmed breeding records are indicated by white squares, other records by black circles. The white square with 2007 is the Barn Owl breeding record in Ali-Abad village reported by Osaei et al (2007). 120 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Table |. Records of Barn Owls in Gilan province, Iran, 2007—2010. City Locality Date Number of birds Source Roudsar Chaboksar Feb 2007 one R Porhossien Roudsar around Chaboksar Dec 2007 one AA Amlash Amlash center Dec 2008 one AA Amlash around Amlash Sep 2010 one captured and released sh Abdi Langroud Chaf village Jan 2008 one captured and released M Borji Siahkal around Siahkal Nov 2008 one AA Astaneh Bujagh national park Feb 2008 one AA Rasht Rasht Sep 2008 one captured but died AA Rasht Khomam Nov 2008 one captured and released AH Rasht Khoshkebijar May 2008 one captured and released AH Rasht Ziba-Kenar Dec 2009 four nestlings AA Rasht Lasht-Nesha May 2010 four nestlings and one parent HA Rasht Amin-Abad village May 2010 five nestlings and one parent AA Rasht Rasht Feb 2009 one AA Somehsara Selkeh wildlife refuge Feb 2008 one AA Fouman around Shaft Feb 2009 one A Atri Anzali Anzali wetland Dec 2008 one captured and released A Ghorbanzadeh On 24 May 2010, a nest with five nestlings (c15 days old) and one of their parents was found on the roof of an inn in Amin-Abad village at Ziba-Kenar (cl00 m from the Caspian). The Barn Owl now appears to be a common bird species in Gilan province though breeding has been reported there only at localities close or fairly close to the Caspian sea near rice paddy fields. At present the worst threat to Barn Owls in Gilan province is capture in flight nets set for waterbird hunting in paddy fields and other wetlands. Fourteen examples of such capture (6 in this study and 8 in Osaei et al 2007) have been reported. Additionally, local people, who have a fear of house-dwelling snakes, destroy nests due to the snake-like sounds of nestlings. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are very grateful for the help of Dr AK Shkri, A Khaleghizadeh, R Porhossien, sh Abdi, M Borji, A Atri and A Ghorbanzadeh. REFERENCES Osaei A, A Khaleghizadeh & M Sehhatisabet. 2007. Range Extension of the Barn Owl Tyto alba in Iran. Podoces 2(2): 106-112. Mansoori J. 2008. A Field Guide to the Birds of Iran. Farzaneh Publishing, Tehran. [In Persian] Porter RF, S Christensen & P Schiermacker-Hansen. 1996. Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East. Christopher Helm, London. Abbas Ashoori, Hossien Alinejad & Ali Hamraz, Gilan Provincial Office of the Department of the Environment, Rasht, Iran. abbasashoori6/7@gmail.com Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 12 Observations on bird migration, Egypt: Fayid April 1954 JOHN R SIMMS, IAN SIMMS & ALEX M SIMMS The pattern of the migration and diversity of passage migrants was investigated at a ringing station in Fayid, Egypt, in April 1954. Eighty-eight species were recorded of which 73 were migratory and 22 were residents. The most abundant migratory species were Swallows Hirundo rustica, Common Swifts Apus apus, European and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters Merops apiaster and M. persicus and raptors. A wide range of raptor species was seen although sightings of each species involved less than five individuals on any occasion. There were two general phases to the migration, one 2-10 April and another 12-20 April, which could have been related to changes in barometric pressure and temperature. Although the ringing garden no longer exists it is hoped that the data presented here will contribute to the body of historical data available for interpretation and analysis. INTRODUCTION Here we present observations by JRS on the migration of bird species at a ringing garden in Fayid, Egypt, during April 1954. Fayid, which is located 23 km south of Ismailia (Al Isma iliyah) and 116 km northeast of Cairo, lies on the shores of the Great Bitter lake on one of the Eurasian—East African flyways for migrant birds in the eastern Mediterranean. However, in 1954 little was known about the migratory pattern of birds in Egypt beyond anecdotal reports (Brownlow 1952, Simmons 1952, 1954a, b). The information was gathered by JRS at the same location as that used by Brownlow and Simmons during the time he served with the Royal Army Service Corps (British Army) (www.suezcanalzone.com). This study examines the pattern of the migration in more detail than had previously been attempted. METHODS Study area The Sweet Water canal lay on the eastern boundary of the six acre ringing garden (Figure 1) and beyond that was a quarter mile wide strip of land covered with native vegetation between the canal and the Great Bitter lake (30.325638° N, 32.302138° E). To the north and south of the garden were stretches of sand and to the west lay the treaty road and desert. The garden, which ¢ 2 was crossed with paths and & Helgoland trap Les ; narrow irrigation ditches, was = ieee divided into two areas. There é — i was a well tended, watered area used for the cultivation Ringing garden Sewage plant of flowers, vegetables such as potatoes, and young & trees (Dalbergia, Eucalyptus, Ag, = Casuarina). Thick cover was V Siig Nase, provided by bushes including date palms, figs, olives, castor- oil Ricinus and short grass. There were lines of bananas, Figure 1. Position of ringing garden, Fayid, Egypt, and key features in 1954. 122 = Sandgrouse 33 (2011) stands of mature Delonix and Eucalyptus and a grape pergola. Two long potting sheds were partially covered with Luffa creeper and there was an enclosed sewage treatment unit. Two Heligoland traps had been erected in the garden in 1949/50 (Brownlow 1952) but by 1954 only one remained. There was an open patch of arid sand and sparse vegetation consisting of Ricinus, tamarisks and patches of thorn scrub including Alhagi. A colony of c500 Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis was resident in a stand of large trees near the garden. Fayid lies on the west bank of the Great Bitter lake c30 miles north of Suez. At the time of the study, over the 100 miles between Suez and Port Said only the land between the Sweet Water canal and the Suez canal and associated lakes was cultivated. The land between the Sweet Water canal and the treaty road in Fayid was mainly desert covered by military encampments. Observations & ringing This report summarises the most significant observations from the large quantity of data recorded at the time. The scientific units have been updated from the original notes to aid interpretation by the contemporary reader. The scientific and common English names have also been revised. The lack of published authoritative identification guides was a challenge to the study of bird species in Egypt in 1954, the Peterson, Mountfort & Hollom (1954) field guide becoming available in the late spring of that year. Prior to this, guides had only shown pictures of birds posed in portrait style which made identification of birds in flight, particularly raptors, difficult (Nicoll 1919, Meinertzhagen 1930). During 1953 JRS took field notes, including general descriptions of raptor wing patterns, colouration and behaviour, which served as an improvised field guide. Western and eastern species of both Bonelli’s (Phylloscopus bonelli, P. orientalis) and Olivaceous Warblers (Hippolais opaca, H. pallida) are now recognised (Cramp 1992). Since this distinction was not used at the time of data collection the original species identification has been retained. Observations were made using binoculars for c8 h each day during daylight. The height of migrants was estimated using the low hills (maximum 60 m high) to the west of Fayid, which ran in a northwesterly direction, as a point of reference. Ringing studies which used Egyptian rings provided by the Cairo zoological gardens were undertaken to distinguish between migrant and resident species. Meteorological data The atmospheric pressure and wind speed (Beaufort scale) data used here were collected by the Royal Air Force at the Fayid airbase. Temperature, cloud density and wind direction data were collected at the ringing garden by JRS. Cloud density was estimated as the proportion of the sky that was covered by cloud. Khamsins, hot south winds, are common in Egypt during springtime and they could reach Force 9 on the Beaufort scale (47 to 54 mph, severe gale) and be sustained over several days. The resulting sandstorms can be very destructive to buildings and vegetation. RESULTS Atmospheric pressure and day and night temperatures gradually rose throughout April (Figure 2). There was little cloud and no precipitation. Wind speed was light with an average Beaufort scale of 1 to 2 (1 to 7 mph) recorded each day (Figure 2c). No Khamsins occurred in April 1954 in Fayid. The wind direction was usually northerly and the direction of the migration generally northwest. Spring passage commenced c26 March 1954. During April ali the resident and migratory species seen in the garden were recorded (Table 1). A total of eighty-eight species were Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 123 (a) Temperature max min 0 5 v Grete - a00 ~ 5 10 O 5 0 0 5 10 {5 20 25 30 April 1954 (b) Atmospheric pressure 1200 1150 4 ¢ | 3 = 1100 4 = | 1050 4 | 1000 4 2 ; : 0 5 10 1S 25 30 April 1954 (c) Wind speed 35 4 30 4 S25 4 O | co | 2 2, Is 4 | 10 + z Fes Lies 0 5 | 15 20 25 30 April 1954 (d) Cloud density (i) 6.00 hours 8 6 > on ce 4 v 2 T TdT Dl 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 April 1954 (ii) 18.00 hours 8 6 & c 4 a j 0 : | He 6E | i a 10 20 2 15 5 30 April 1954 124 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Figure 2. Meteorological data, Fayid, Egypt, April 1954. (a) Temperature (b) Atmospheric pressure (c) Maximum wind speed, mph (d) Cloud density seen of which 73 were migratory and 22 resident (7 species consisted of individuals that were either resident or migratory). The most abundant species were European and Blue- cheeked Bee-eaters Merops apiaster and M. persicus, raptors, Swallows Hirundo rustica and Common Swifts Apus apus, whereas House Martins Delichon urbicum were scarce. The character of the migration was either in waves, such as Common Redstarts Phoenicurus phoenicurus and Collared Flycatchers Ficedula albicollis or a continuous movement such as seen in hirundines and bee-eaters. Few species stayed in the garden, most passing overhead. Some birds, such as Red-rumped Swallows Cecropis daurica, continued flying into strong northerly winds whereas others, such as Golden Orioles Oriolus oriolus, sheltered in a eucalyptus grove. The height-"of the =eeneral migration (hirundines and other passerines) was 15-30 m (Table 2). Raptors flew at a higher altitude (c600 m) and travelled along the hills northwest of Fayid. The only birds heard singing were Chiffchaffs Phylloscopus collybita, Nightingales Luscinia megarhynchos and Woodchat Shrikes Lanius senator together with overwintering species such as White Wagtail Motacilla alba. The data shown in Figure 3 and Table 3 indicates that there were two general phases to the migration, one 2-10 April and another 12-20 April, perhaps related to changes in barometric pressure and temperature. Ringing studies showed that Common Redstarts stayed for a Table |. Comparison between species recorded in the springs of 1954 (present study) and 1949, Fayid, Egypt. English name Squacco Heron Cattle Egret White Stork Honey Buzzard Black Kite Short-toed Eagle Hen Harrier Pallid Harrier Montagu’s Harrier Sparrowhawk Buzzard Long-legged Buzzard Tawny Eagle Golden Eagle Booted Eagle Osprey Lesser Kestrel Common Kestrel Hobby Quail Stone Curlew Collared Pratincole Laughing Dove Cuckoo Eurasian Scops Owl European Nightjar Red-necked Nightjar Common Swift Alpine Swift Blue-cheeked Bee-eater European Bee-eater European Roller Hoopoe Wryneck Short-toed Lark Crested Lark Sand Martin Swallow Red-rumped Swallow House Martin Tawny Pipit Tree Pipit Nightingale Grey Wagtail White Wagtail Common Bulbul Rufous Bush Robin Robin Scientific name Ardeola ralloides Bubulcus ibis Ciconia ciconia Pernis apivorus Milvus migrans Circaetus gallicus Circus cyaneus Circus macrourus Circus pygargus Accipiter nisus Buteo buteo Buteo rufinus Aquila rapax Aquila chrysaetos Aquila pennata Pandion haliaetus Falco naumanni Falco tinnunculus Falco subbuteo Coturnix coturnix Burhinus oedicnemus Glareola pratincola Spilopelia senegalensis Cuculus canorus Otus scops Caprimulgus europaeus Caprimulgus ruficollis Apus apus Apus melba Merops persicus Merops apiaster Coracias garrulus Upupa epops Jynx torquilla Calandrella brachydactyla Galerida cristata Riparia riparia Hirundo rustica Cecropis daurica Delichon urbicum Anthus campestris Anthus trivialis Luscinia megarhynchos Motacilla cinerea Motacilla alba Pycnonotus barbatus Cercotrichas galactotes Erithacus rubecula 1954 Resident + + + + + Migrant + + + + tt t+ + t+ ttt + +! oot + + + + + + + + + + t+ +t + + + + + + + 1949 (Brownlow)* Resident Migrant + E + + + 2 = + + + = Sandgrouse 33 (2011) IWS Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus - + + Whinchat Saxicola rubetra - ct Stonechat Saxicola rubicola - + Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe - + + Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica - + Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens + Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis - + + Song Thrush Turdus philomelos + + Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis 1 + z Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis zt - Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus — - + 2 Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus - + + Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida - + + Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina - a aE Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta - a Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans - te ct Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala - ct ct Ruppell’s Warbler Sylvia rueppelli : # a Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca - st 17 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis - a oe Garden Warbler Sylvia borin - + + Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla - zt ty Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix - + at Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita - + + Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus - + cf Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata . + + Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata - Ge Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis - a iz Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca - + + Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus - a Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio - it a Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator - 1 Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus - + = Hooded Crow Corvus cornix + - Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis + - House Sparrow Passer domesticus a - = Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis + - Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis + 1B Re * Brownlow also recorded a Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus found dead. maximum of 13 days, Collared Flycatchers usually 1-14 days and a Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis stayed for 2 days as did a flock of Spanish Sparrows Passer hispaniolensis. DISCUSSION At the time this study was undertaken knowledge of migratory patterns and species identification within the eastern Mediterranean was in its infancy. Much of the available literature on north African birds had been written by servicemen stationed in the area as part of the British armed forces (Moreau & Moreau 1928, Borman 1929, Meinertzhagen 1930, Payn 1948, Brownlow 1952) and for JRS his time stationed near Fayid provided such an opportunity. In 1939, ringing had been used to study the movement of White Wagtails around Cairo and in 1941 Marchant suggested that the Egyptian bird-marking scheme 126 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Table 2. Height of migrating species, April 1954, Fayid, Egypt. Date Time Weather Wind Species Height Comment direction (m) 4 Apr 14.30 Blue sky NW, force 4 —_ Hirundines 25 From SE 6 Apr 14.45 Blue sky NW, force 4 = _Red-rumped Swallow 30 From SE 14.45 Blue sky NW, force 4 Osprey 259-30 From SE 8 Apr 15.00 Blue sky NW, force 3. Hirundines 25 From SSE Windy 10 Apr 15.00 Blue Sky Cloudy _—_NE, force 3 Hirundines [5 1! Apr 15.00 Blue Sky NW, force 4. = Sand Martin 15 Little cloud Swallow 15 15.30 European Bee-eater 15 n=75 12 Apr 15.00 Blue sky NNW, force 4 Swallow 15 15.00 Sand Martin [5 n=75 17.00 House Martin 30 5 from SE 13 Apr 15.15 Blue sky NW, force 5 Osprey 45 | flying N 16 Apr [3-45 Overcast Strong NW European Bee-eater 40-50 Flying N Sand Haze 15.30 Swallow 15 Flying N 17 Apr 18.30 Blue Sky NW, force 2. Common Buzzard 600 4 flying NW Little cloud pm N, force 4 European Bee-eater 9 2 birds " pm Sand Martin 15-30 From SSE 18 Apr 15.00 Blue sky NE, force 4 Red-rumped Swallow 25 15.00 Sand Martin 15=25 20 Apr 15.00 Overcast Little NNE, force 4 Sand Martin 25 22 Apr 15.00 Blue Sky NNE, force 5 European Bee-eater 60 5 flying NW Little Cloud 15.15 Common Kestrel 30 | flying NW 15.20 E, force 4 European Bee-eater 90 10 flying NW 23 Apr 09.00 Blue Sky E, force 4 European Bee-eater 45 2 flying N 25 Apr 13.45 Blue sky NNE, force 4 Pratincoles 30 n=30—40 Flying NNW 27 Apr 08.30 Blue sky NE, force 4 Long-legged Buzzard 45 | flying NNW 11.30 Common Buzzard 45 | flying NNW which had started recently should concentrate on the north Egyptian coast and Nile valley where migrants were more numerous (Greaves 1941, Marchant 1941a,b). The Fayid ringing garden was established in 1949 at one of the few places in the corridor between Suez and Port Said used by migrants to feed and rest. Studies were undertaken at the garden in 1949, 1950 and 1952 by Brownlow and Simmons (Brownlow 1952, Simmons 1952, 1954a, b). Of these only the Brownlow study in 1949 can be used for comparative purposes with the data presented here (Table 1), as the spring of 1950 was dominated by frequent Khamsins. Simmons made a detailed Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 27, O€ 62 8% LU 9 SC. ve EC) 1 O@ x61 81 L\ ‘(soineds paysajas) ‘3dA33 9\ S| v\ el Cl Ol 6 8 I } / Gah ee oO tat ps6 Iady A} / Hi dig ood) unuepy OSNO} MO}|PMs podwins-poy | Rene unuepy pues oouA Aa {uajeo-00q YIMs ouldiy YIMs UOWWO sehysiny ueodoung IMO sdoog uelsesng QJOOUNR4g P2.e||OD !eN© AqqoH ko.idsO ajseq poloog paezzng pesde|-3u07 paezzng 9/8eq pe03-340YS uosa}4 OD2enbs soiseds LS DB ee a ee ee es ‘pidey “bG6| [diy ‘uoMeAsasgo jo axep Aq uapues Bulsuly oy) Ul Udes solDeds “Eg B1qeL Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 128 Of 60, 8C LU 39G_ SC. VC 8G) CC IC O0¢ *6 | 8| L\ ud |Z 4aye powers 8unsan..,, 9\ S| al el Cl $Ja}ed-39q per aeUD-an}g pue ueedoing | Ol 6 8 Papsodea4 JOU UOIRWIOJY ,, MoJseds ysiueds 2144S Perse S>IIYS JEYZPOOAA JayriedA|4 Paid 4ayoiedh|4 pasejjo> Jayozeo4j4 pevods J2|QIeAA S,!]|]2U0g J2|G4eAA POOAA ulgoy ysng snojny JEOAUIOUY AA, JLOAYIOIYAA JESSE) Jajquera s,jeddny yl®|G4RAA SNOBIPAIO Ysn4y | 120y JeaqeayAA peiee-oeIg JRdIPSYUAA YEYSUIUAA Weyspoy ajesunusin Ger CC Fel PS61 lady sajpeds 129 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 20 Species (n) ui April 1954 © Figure 3. Number of migratory species, Fayid, Egypt, April 1954. study of the behaviour of the Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis and other passerines. In both 1949 and 1954 weather conditions were favourable for migration, with light winds. This study adds to that of Brownlow in that it provides additional information on the pattern of migration and the diversity of passage migrants. In terms of the species that keep close to cover, the species list recorded here was very similar to that of Brownlow (1952) as was the list of resident species. A wide range of raptor species was seen although sightings of each species involved less than five individuals on any occasion. In contrast, substantial movements of bee-eaters and hirundines were seen over a period of several days. The collection of information was restricted by techniques available at the time and the available resources. Identification of raptors presented a particular problem given the height at which the birds travelled. If they were moving with cloud cover above them they could be seen quite clearly but were rendered almost invisible against the glare of a brilliant blue sky. Many raptors travelled in a soaring motion, whilst a few used a flapping mode and occasionally the birds could be located by sound only since they were passing too high to see them. In addition, it was not possible to investigate the migrants that were likely to be moving through the area at night. As with all studies of this nature, it is unclear as to whether the actual number of migrants correlates with the number of migrants caught at the ringing station. Nevertheless, the daily records collected of birds seen in the garden, passing overhead or caught for ringing created a consistent dataset. Although the ringing garden no longer exists it is hoped that the data presented here will contribute to the body of historical data available for interpretation and analysis. ee OCEMEnE We would like to thank the Royal Air Force for providing meteorological information, Lieutenant-Colonel HG Brownlow f for establishing the ringing garden and Dr! Andre Charlett for statistical advice. SESE ENCES Brownlo pilg 1952. A ringing station in Egypt. Ibis 94: 128-132. Borma EW. 1929. An Ornithological Trip to the SES of Suez and Red Sea. Ibis 71: 639-650. ae S (ed). 19° e Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol 6. Oxford University Press, UK. oe RH. 1941. Beh aviour of White Wagtails wintering in Cairo District. Ibis 83: 459-462. Marchant, S. 1941a. Notes on the Birds of the Gulf of Suez — Part I. Ibis 83: 265-295. Marchant, S. 1941b. Notes on the Birds of the Gulf of Suez — Part II. Ibis 83: 378-396. Meinertzhagen, R. 1930. Nicoll’s birds of Egypt. London. Moreau, RE & WM Moreau. 1928. Some notes of the habits of Palaearctic migrants while in Egypt. Ibis 70: 233-232. Nicoll, MJ. 1919. Handlist of Birds of Egypt. Government Press, Cairo. Peterson, RT, G Mountford & PAD Hollom. 1954. A field guide to the birds of Britain and Europe. Collins, London. Simmons, KEL. 1952. Some observations on the Olivaceous Warbler. [bis 94: 203-209. Simmons, KEL. 1954a. The behaviour and general biology of the Graceful Warbler. [bis 96: 262-292. Simmons, KEL. 1954b. Field notes on the behaviour of some passerines migrating through Egypt. Ardea 42: 140-151. Payn, WH. 1948. Notes from Tunisia and Eastern Algeria: February 1943 to April 1944. Ibis 90: 1-21. John R Simms, Dr Ian Simms & Alex M Simms, c/o 30 Pentire Ave, Upper Shirley, Southampton S015 7RS, UK. tan. simms@hpa.org.uk Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Bill Watercock Gallicrex cinerea on Socotra, a new bird for Yemen RF PORTER & AHMED SAEED SULEIMAN On 2 March 2011, in the pre-dusk period, we found a Watercock Gallicrex cinerea at Wadi Sirhan lagoon on Socotra. It was feeding on algal growth in the shallow water of the lagoon (formed by the enclosed estuary of Wadi Sirhan) alongside a Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and three Black-winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus. Although rather distant when first seen (C300 m away) it was immediately obvious as being a large, rather upright, slim-necked crake-type, about the body size of a Common Moorhen but often standing much taller. The pale buff-brown plumage was relieved only by black streaking on the coverts and tertials. Closer views through a telescope showed finer black streaking on the mantle, a stout, rather dull yellowish bill and long, dull green legs. | It was watched on several days but was a shy bird and difficult to approach without it hurrying or swimming, in a moorhen-like manner, to the shelter of palm fronds that hung over the edge of the wadi. It was most evident in the period shortly after dawn and before dusk. Several distant photographs were taken on 7 March (Plates 1-3), which show the various poses it could adopt, the rather slim-necked appearance when standing upright and the large, triangular bill. In many ways it was like a large Corncrake Crex crex, but with a moorhen-like jizz and the generic name, Gallicrex, seems totally appropriate. The unbarred underparts (with at times a slightly warm tinge) and the pale brown crown suggest it was an immature, which would have hatched the previous year. The Watercock has been recorded twice before in the Middle East—both records in southern Oman where one was present 18 April—8 May 1992 (Eriksen et al 2003, Porter & Aspinall 2010) and another 28 Dec 2008-28 Jan 2009 (www.BirdsOman.com/obl6- update.html). The species has a widespread breeding range in southeast Asia with the westernmost populations in India (Grimmett et al 1998), with Sind apparently being the Plate 1. Watercock Gallicrex cinerea on Sirhan lagoon, Socotra, Yemen, March 2011. © RF Porter 132 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) so eo A t,t ae a = ‘ Bis _ - Maas Plate 3. Watercock Gallicrex cinerea and Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia on Sirhan lagoon, Socotra, Yemen, March 2011. © RF Porter closest to the Middle East (see Rasmussen & Anderton 2005). Post breeding southerly movements or dispersal are little understood (del Hoyo et al 1996) but Grimmett et al (1998) indicate dispersal after the monsoon and it is known to be a summer visitor to the Maldives (Rasmussen & Anderton 2005). Though pure speculation, it is possible that the Socotra bird (and those in Oman) had been present since the previous autumn, the time when a vagrant from the Indian sub-continent would be most likely to arrive on the island. REFERENCES Eriksen, J, DE Sergeant & R Victor. 2003. Oman Bird List. Edn 6. Centre for Environmental Studies and Research, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat. Grimmett, R, C Inskipp & T Inskipp. 1998. Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. Christopher Helm, London. del Hoyo, J, A Elliott & J Sargatal (eds). 1996. Handbook of Birds of the World. Vol 3. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Porter, R & S Aspinall. 2010. Birds of the Middle East. Christopher Helm, London. Rasmussen, PC & JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Vols 1 & 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. RF Porter, BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA, UK. RFPorter@talktalk.net Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 133 Observations of Clamorous Reed Warblers Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens and Mangrove Reed Warblers Acrocephalus (scirpaceus) avicenniae in mangroves of the Yemen Red sea coast RICHARD PORTER & DAVID STANTON During a waterbird survey of selected areas along Yemen’s Red sea coast in January 2011, we spent 21-23 January at Al Jar (16° 04.381’ N, 42° 50.183’ E) situated some 35 km south of the Yemen/Saudi Arabia border. We used this opportunity to search this small section of the extensive mangrove Avicennia marina forest north of Al Luhayyah (Plate 1) for warblers. Clamorous Reed Warblers Acrocephalus stentoreus were fairly common, and their loud, raucous ‘scratchy-scratchy’ song was the mangroves’ most characteristic sound; most appeared to be paired. Mangrove Reed Warblers Acrocephalus (scirpaceus) avicenniae were also present but none were in song and we were unable to determine whether they were breeding. No Hippolais-type warblers were observed, the relevance being that there have been recent claims of their presence in mangroves in Yemen (Baha El Din 2011). Over a 1 km stretch of mangroves we estimated at least eight pairs of Clamorous Reed and three pairs of Mangrove Reed Warblers were present. On 23 January we noticed one of the Clamorous Reed Warblers collecting nesting material and taking it to a low remnant mangrove clump on the shore. A half completed nest was found (Plate 2) but a month later, on 24 February, DS found the nest had been Plate |. Extensive Mangroves Avicenna marina at Al Jar, Yemen. © David Stanton 134 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Figure |. Short burst of song of Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens, Al Jar mangroves, Yemen, January 2011. Sonogram created using Sonogram Visible Speech 4.0. partially destroyed, probably by the wave action of the sea as it had been built less than 15 cm above high water mark. Plates 3 and 4 show the position of the nest at low and high tide, respectively. This is the first time that nest building by this species has been recorded in Yemen—probably an indication of the fact that the mangroves are rarely visited in January/later winter when nesting appears to be taking place (see Jennings 2010). Given the numbers we observed it is likely that Clamorous Reed Warbler is a common breeding bird in the Plate 2. Nest of Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus Yemen mangroves. stentoreus brunnescens, Al Jar, Yemen, January 2011. © _ The Clamorous Reed Warblers, whilst err spending some time in the upper branches of the trees, were noted to frequently feed low down, often hopping amongst the mangrove aerial roots (Plate 5). They could be fairly confiding. A short sequence of song was recorded on video and a sonogram is shown in Figure 1. This sequence of seven, harsh, scratchy phrases in 2 s bursts was part of a longer series of such phrases, each separated by a short gap before the next burst. The pattern conforms closely to that in the sonogram for Clamorous Reed Warbler (race brunnescens) in Kennerley & Pearson (2010). Plate 3. (left) Red arrow indicates position of Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens nest (Plate 2), low tide, Al Jar mangroves, Yemen, January 2011. © RF Porter Plate 4. (right) Red arrow indicates position of Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens nest (Plate 2), high tide, Al Jar mangroves, Yemen, January 2011. © RF Porter Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 135 Plate 5. (left) Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens, Al Jar, Yemen, January 2011. © RF Porter Plate 6. (right) Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens, Al Jar, Yemen, January 2011. Note olive-brown upperparts, whitish supercilium, dark lores, inconspicuous whitish eye-ring, white chin and throat, warm brown flanks, short primary projection and short first primary.© RF Porter Plate 7. (left) Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens, Al Jar, Yemen, January 2011. This image shows especially the white chin and throat and warm brown flanks becoming tawny on lower flanks; also short first primary. © RF Porter Plate 8. (right) Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens, Al Jar, Yemen, January 2011. Note the tawny lower flanks, greyish brown centres to tertials and long-tailed/short-winged appearance. © RF Porter SUBSPECIFIC IDENTIFICATION Clamorous Reed Warbler Examination of our field notes and photographs (Plates 5-12) and comparison with species accounts in the monumental Reed and Bush Warblers (Kennerley & Pearson 2010) confirmed that the Clamorous Reed Warblers were of the race brunnescens. This is the race that they, and Jennings (2010), give as resident on the Red sea coast. Thus Porter & Aspinall (2010) were incorrect in assigning the Red sea birds to the race stentoreus, a taxon that is restricted to the Nile valley, with levantinus being the race in Israel and Jordan (Kennerley & Pearson 2010). In addition to being resident on the Red sea coast brunnescens is resident in the eastern Arabian peninsula (Jennings 2010). It also breeds in south and central Asia, these migratory populations wintering in Pakistan and India (Kennerley & Pearson 2010). The photographs in Plates 5-12, some of the first taken of Clamorous Reed Warblers in the Red sea area, clearly show the key features of brunnescens and eliminate stentoreus (see Kennerley & Pearson 2010). Note especially: the olive-brown upperparts with warmer rump and uppertail coverts, whitish supercilium (becoming obscure behind eye), dark 136 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Plate 9. (left) Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens, Al Jar, Yemen, January 2011. This image shows the whitish supercilium, becoming obscure behind the eye and the olive-brown upperparts with warmer rump. © RF Porter Plate 10. (right) Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens, Al Jar, Yemen, January 2011. Note the whitish supercilium, becoming obscure behind the eye, dark lores, inconspicuous whitish eye-ring and some dark streaks on throat. © RF Porter Plate II. (left) Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens, Al Jar, Yemen, January 2011. This image shows the broad base to the bill and streaking on throat. © RF Porter Plate 12. (right) Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens, Al Jar, Yemen, January 2011, collecting nesting material. © RF Porter lores, narrow and inconspicuous whitish eye-ring, white chin and throat (the latter showing faint greyish shaft-streaks in some birds) with rest of underparts whitish, but breast-sides and flanks warm brown becoming tawny on lower flanks and vent, and greyish brown centres to the tertials. Structurally you can see the longer tailed/short- winged appearance, short first primary and particularly the broad-based bill when seen from below. — Mangrove Reed Warbler Mangrove Reed Warblers were also photographed and those in Plates 13-15 appear to be amongst the first taken. The Mangrove Reed Warbler is a small warbler, appearing even smaller than European Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus with rather dainty movements. Our notes described it as “a dinky, clean, unobtrusive warbler with very short primary projection; in posture/jizz a little like Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum”. On showing the photographs to Simon Aspinall he remarked on the ‘almost Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 137 Plate 13. (left) Mangrove Reed Warbler Acrocephalus (scirpaceus) avicenniae, Al Jar, Yemen, January 201! 1. Note in this and Plates 14 & |5 the ‘clean’ appearance with posture similar to Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum and kindly face. © RF Porter Plate 14. (right) Mangrove Reed Warbler Acrocephalus (scirpaceus) avicenniae, Al Jar, Yemen, January 2011. © RF Porter kind face’. These warblers spent nearly all of their time in the upper branches of the mangroves, rarely venturing to ground level, unlike Clamorous Reed. The Mangrove Reed Warbler was first described by Ash et al (1989), originally as a subspecies of African Reed Warbler A. baeticatus. It is endemic to the Red sea and gulf of Aden region. On the African side it occurs from the coast of southern Sudan south to Eritrea and northern Somalia; in Arabia it is found on the Saudi Arabian coast south from Yanbu, and in Yemen in most mangroves of the Red sea coast and islands, pjate 15. Mangrove Reed Warbler Acrocephalus though breeding has not been confirmed _ (scirpaceus) avicenniae, Al Jar, Yemen, January 2011. This (Jennings 2010) image shows the short primary projection. © RF Porter ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank Yousuf Mohageb, Julia Porter (who also took the sound recording) and Sharon Beatty for help with the waterbird survey and Chris Abrams and Pieter Wessels for help in preparing the sonogram. REFERENCES Ash, JS, DJ Pearson, G Nikolaus & PR Colston. 1989. The Mangrove Reed Warbler of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden coasts, with description of a new subspecies of the African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 109: 36-43. Baha El Din, S. 2011. The Somali race of the Olivaceous Warbler identified in mangroves at Bab al Mandab. Phoenix 27: 10. Jennings, MC. 2010. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia. Fauna of Arabia 25. Kennerley, P & D Pearson. 2010. Reed and Bush Warblers. Christopher Helm, London. Porter, R & S Aspinall. 2010. Birds of the Middle East. Christopher Helm, London. RF Porter, BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA, UK. RFPorter@talktalk.net DB Stanton, Foundation for the Protection of the Arabian Leopard in Yemen, PO Box 7069, Sana’a, Yemen. david@ yemenileopard.org 138 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) The influence of wind conditions and topography on soaring migrants on the western side of the southern gulf of Suez, Egypt GUDRUN HILGERLOH, GRAEME PEGRAM & ALF SCHREIBER The flight behaviour of soaring birds during northward migration was studied in the desert migration bottleneck of the Zait bay area, Egypt. This area is situated close to the narrowest straits of the southern gulf of Suez (25 km in width) and is used by birds migrating towards the Sinai region. Eleven soaring species were studied. Observations were performed at 26 observation sites, situated 5 km apart along two cNW-SE directed rows (parallel to the coast). A systematic working schedule ensured that at all hours between sunrise and sunset different sites were covered by one or other team of observers, changing observation sites every 60 minutes. A wide range of flight directions was recorded. On average, migrants flew in northerly directions. As the gulf of Suez extends from NW-SE, by maintaining their mean direction they would reach the coast. Black Kite Milvus migrans and Steppe Buzzard Buteo vulpinus were the species with median directions deviating furthest to the east and Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarinus furthest to the west. Whereas eight of the studied species compensated for wind drift, European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus, Black Kite and Steppe Buzzard were shown to tolerate drift in certain circumstances. Steppe Buzzards maintained their usual flight direction if crosswinds came perpendicularly from the right of the median direction and allowed themselves to be drifted if the wind was from the left. In European Honey Buzzards it was the other way round. Steppe Buzzards tolerated drift all along the N-S extent of the study area. In the central section, they were oriented furthest to the east ie towards the coastal mountain range of Gebel El Zait. From our results we deduced two migration strategies. Migrants either compensate for drift and cross the coast for Sinai wherever they reach it or they tolerate drift and gain height at the mountain ridge of Gebel El Zait, fly along the ridge to the north and depart to Sinai. INTRODUCTION Soaring birds depend on thermals to perform their annual migration. Regular concentrations of thermals as well as their lack have a strong influence on migration routes. Accordingly, there are areas where the birds concentrate in narrow corridors and others where their routes are spread more widely (Bildstein 2006). Because of the lack of thermals over the sea, soaring birds are very reluctant to cross water bodies. If they do not avoid a sea crossing completely, they generally choose the narrowest point to cross (Meyburg et al 2003). At these bottlenecks they often wait for circumstances good enough for crossing (Bildstein ef al 2009). We studied the orientation of soaring migrants in the desert plain near Zait bay (Figure 1), Egypt, situated close to the southern part of the gulf of Suez, where migrants arrive in spring before they cross the gulf of Suez (Grieve 1996, Baha El Din 1999, Tammens 2008, Hilgerloh 2008, Hilgerloh et al 2009). The study is based on the first systematic observations during spring migration in the area (Hilgerloh 2009). We investigated the influence of wind conditions and topography on directions of the movements. There are differences in flight strategies between the various species ie broad- winged birds depend more on updraft than small winged and some species avoid sea crossings more than others or are more prepared to fly in adverse winds than others (eg Bernis 1980, Alerstam 1990, Finlayson 1992, Pennycuick et al 1994, Agostini & Duchi 1994, Shirihai 1996, Spaar et al 1998, Meyer et al 2000, Agostini et al 2005, Bildstein et al 2009). However, there may also be traits in spring that differ from autumn. Soaring birds are known to respond in various ways to crosswinds depending on the age of the bird and on the situation it finds itself in (Alerstarn 1979, Thorup et al 2003, Klaassen et al 2011). Because of the prevailing strong NNW wind, birds crossing the straits Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 139 “* Ras Gharib Port Said Figure |. Location of the Zait bay study area in Egypt and details of the study area including position of the two rows of observation sites (MI—M13, SI-S13). face the risk of being drifted out into the open sea. These wind conditions are known and predictable. And so, in anticipation of the drift, birds might compensate or even overcompensate for it before they start the crossing of the gulf. There might be differences between species. Updrafts created by mountains are often used by soaring birds to gain height (Bildstein 2006). Thus migration routes tend to be funnelled along mountain ridges. Should it be that the coastal mountains were used to gain height, this would emerge in the regional pattern of flight directions. Although the migration route through the Zait bay area leads to Sinai there are always migrants that either wait out a night near the coast before continuing or even return to inland sites to join those migrating towards Suez and thus circumvent the gulf of Suez. It is not known to what extent wind conditions influence these decisions. METHODS Study area The data were collected to assess the risks to migratory soaring birds from proposed wind turbines, a circumstance that afforded a unique opportunity to study many species simultaneously. The study area (Figure 1) is bordered in the west by the foothills of the Red sea mountains and in the east by plains stretching to the foothills of the Gebel El Zait range (up to 460 m asl) and to the sea. Except for a salt depression in the north, the study area consists of a dry desert plain. Ornithological observations Two parallel rows of observation points were established 5 km apart (27.70° N, 33.44° E to 28.16° N, 33.23° E). Each row contained 13 sites at 5 km intervals (Figure 1). Two alternating teams of experienced field ornithologists made observations from sunrise to sunset. The first team worked from sunrise to noon and the second from noon to sunset thus avoiding any count duplication between teams. They used 10 x 40 binoculars and a 20-60x magnification telescope for identification. Horizontal distances over 1 km from 140 =Sandgrouse 33 (2011) the observer were determined by reference to known distances to topographical features previously measured by means of GPS. During the first weeks the composition of the teams was changed regularly in order to achieve standardized procedures and minimise differences between individual observers and between teams (for details see Hilgerloh 2009). The following parameters were determined and documented: the site, time and date of observation, observation period, species observed, number of birds and flight direction and distance from observer. A rotation schedule was set up, in order to visit all sites of the entire study area at different times of the day. Observation periods usually lasted 60 minutes during which time all birds sighted were logged. Observations were made 20 February—6 May 2007 for a total duration of 604.4 h. Flight directions were grouped into 16 compass point sectors (eg N, NNE, NE, ENE, E). The N sector, for example, contained flight directions between 348.75° and 11.25° with a midpoint of 360°. Only directions noted within a circle of radius 2.5 km were considered, as estimation of flight direction will be more accurate at shorter distances than at longer ones and detection of birds is easier. Principle compass directions were marked on the ground for comparison. On days with sand storms (three days) we had to stop observations in order to avoid damage to optical devices. Weather measurements The wind was measured continuously at 50 m over the ground in the central part of the study area. Mean wind direction and strength were calculated automatically every ten minutes. On the basis of these 10-minute values the average wind strength and direction were calculated for the time interval 09.00-15.00 h each day (the most important period of the day for soaring birds). No wind data were collected 20, 21, 23 and 24 February and 29 April 2007. Data analysis Only species with numbers exceeding 100 individuals per season were included. Analyses were performed using (independent) observations/records including single flying birds or groups of birds. Group frequencies of the records, per species, are shown in Table 1. The mean direction u was calculated by vector addition. The vector magnitude r is a measure of the spread of directions and varies between 0 (random) and 1 (all birds in the same direction). The Rayleigh test (Batschelet 1981) was used to detect whether the mean direction was used significantly. By use of the Watson Williams F-test one can test whether the mean directions of two samples differ significantly, if r exceeds the value of 0.7 and Table 1. Number of (independent) records, n, by species. Birds were classified as flying singly or in groups of 2-10, 1 !—20, 21-100, 101-200 and 201-1000 birds or in groups of more than 1000 birds. Black White White European Black Levant Steppe Lesser Steppe Booted Common Stork Stork Pelican Honey Kite Sparrow- Buzzard Spotted Eagle Eagle Crane Buzzard hawk Eagle group size on n n n n n n n n n n | 9 4 | 24 [OS ee) 462 61 176 63 0 2-10 15 8 | 42 [26 599 31 159 18 7 1 1-20 2 4 2 II 25 2 2 | 16 | 21-100 14 I] 4 18 7 2 185 12 18 101-200 2 15 3 | | 20 9 201-1000 22 3 5 5 9 > 1000 8 2 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 141 if the value of r is similar in each of the two samples wind directions (Batschelet 1981). These conditions were only fulfilled N in two species, White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus ; and Common Crane Grus grus, and their mean flight directions did not differ significantly. In order to compare the frequency distributions of the directions the Mardia Watson Wheeler test and Watson's U? test = wy _I49_50 were performed. : Mean direction and vector length were calculated and Rayleigh test, Mardia Watson Wheeler test and Watson’s U? test were performed using the software ws ae package Oriana (Kovach Computing Services 2003). If the difference between two distributions is significant, the Mardia Watson Wheeler test does not distinguish Figure 2. Average daily wind directions whether the difference is in the mean angle, the aay an! Vee Heo cee fe angular variance or both. The Watson’s U? test does shown by an arrow. The mean direction not distinguish whether the difference is in the was significant (Rayleigh test P<0.00!). distribution, the mean direction or in some other parameter. The crosswind vector was expressed as the sinus of the wind direction perpendicular to the median flight direction multiplied by the wind strength (m/s). The E wind vector was positive and W wind vector negative. Correlations between the crosswind vector and deviation of the median flight direction (Thorup et al 2003) were analysed by means of the non-parametric Spearman rank correlation test (Statistica 2010). In order to approximate the coastal arrival area of each movement, observed flight directions were projected onto a map from the centre of the corresponding observation circle. Discrepancies between the numbers of records in and between different tables are due to the fact that on some days no wind data were collected. RESULTS At Zait bay north winds prevailed during the study period (n = 71, up = 340° r = 0.72, Rayleigh test P<0.001, median = 335°, Figure 2). Southerly winds were experienced from 20 March onwards every 5.3 days for one or two days (in total 9 days). Northerly winds mostly came from NNW (n = 62, u = 335°, r = 0.95, Rayleigh test P<0.001, median = 333°). On days with southerly winds they came from SE (n=9, u = 125°, r=0.99, Rayleigh test P<0.001, median = 127°). Sandstorms were experienced on days with northerly winds of more than 16 m/s (3 days) and once locally for an hour in a south wind of 14 m/s. The following eleven species were studied (numbers per species exceeded 100 individuals per season): Black Stork Ciconia nigra, White Stork Ciconia ciconia, White Pelican, European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus, Black Kite Milvus migrans, Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes, Steppe Buzzard Buteo vulpinus, Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarinus, Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis, Booted Eagle Aquila pennata and Common Crane. The studied species differed in their propensity to group with other conspecifics during flight. There were species like Booted Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle that flew mostly alone or in the company of very few other birds and other species that preferred to migrate in flocks of hundreds or even thousands such as White Stork, Levant Sparrowhawk or Common Crane (Table 1). Flight directions of the migrants were spread over a wide range (Figure 3, Table 2). On average they flew over the study area in northerly directions. Mean directions of the different species scattered in a sector of 40° between NNW and NNE (Table 2). In eight of 142 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Table 2. Number of (independent) records (n, single birds or groups of birds), mean direction (1), vector length (r), circular Standard Deviation (SD) and median flight direction of the different species. The vector length r is a measure of the spread of directions and varies between 0 (random) and | (all birds in the same direction). According to the Rayleigh test (Batschelet 1981) the mean directions () of all species were significant (P<0.001). Mean values of the Mardia Watson Wheeler test statistic (M) and Watson’s U? test (W), comparing the difference of distributions of flight directions between species, were tested for significance (P<0.01 = **, P<0.001 = ***, left blank if not signifi- cant). According to the Bonferoni correction differences were only considered significant if P< 0.01. n U r SD S s (9) Ss Black Stork (BS) AON 3 ecut 0:56,-62-03) 360° aM) xX W xX White Stork (WS) 12 465) CHOS7 (6):025-360. °M a plo W sek OR YX Steppe Eagle (SE) 363)353575,5 0567.62.03 360". M eo Soe X Ww seek 10K x Booted Eagle (BE) Sil 348), 10:63 -55:27.-3602 IM ae cre Xx W ek dokok se4ok Xx Common Crane 44.5.3° 0.71 47.347360° ™M a ee BS VWWSe WE RIBSBIG ESS cB. JLESSES.BE the eleven species the median value was 360°. The median deviated furthest to the west (337.5°) in the Lesser Spotted Eagle, and Black Kite and Steppe Buzzard were the species with median directions deviating furthest to the east ( 22.5° and 45° respectively) (Table 2). In both the Mardia Watson Wheeler and the Watson’s U? tests, the frequency distributions of the directions of the Black Kite and Steppe Buzzard differed significantly from those of Lesser Spotted Eagle, Steppe Eagle and Booted Eagle, while directions of Steppe Buzzards also differed significantly from those of the Common Crane. Frequency distributions of Black Kite and Steppe Buzzard differed significantly from each other (Table 2). We investigated whether birds tolerated wind drift. Three of the eleven studied species showed a significant correlation of their flight directions to the crosswind vector: European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite and Steppe Buzzard (Table 3, Figure 4). The steepest regression coefficient between deviations from the median flight direction and the crosswind vector was for European Honey Buzzard. However, this species did not migrate in strong crosswinds unlike the other two species. If Steppe Buzzards maintained their flight direction, the stronger the crosswind vector from the left the further to the south they would arrive at the coast (Spearman rank correlation P<0.001). The mean flight direction in crosswinds from the left of the median direction amounted to 27° in the European Honey Buzzard and Black Kite and 39° in the Steppe Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 143 Black Stork White Stork White Pelican N N i >. wot 5—7.5-mmml Booted Eagle Common Crane N N W 251 iD 5a [ 10—20!-E \ a Figure 3. Frequency distributions of flight directions of eleven soaring species in the study area. Mean direction and vector length are shown by an arrow. For further details see Table 2. 144 = Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Buzzard. In crosswinds from the right of the median direction, the mean directions were 329° 360° and 354° in the European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite and Steppe Buzzard respectively. In each of the three species the frequency distributions in both wind conditions differed significantly from each other (Mardia Watson Wheeler and Watson’s U tests P<0.001). European Honey Buzzards and Steppe Buzzards accepted drift only from one side, while in winds from the other side they maintained their flight direction. The European Honey Buzzard tolerated drift from the right (Spearman rank correlation r= -0.44, t = -3.22, P<0.002, n = 45) and the Steppe Buzzard from the left (r = -0.17, t = -5.88, P<0.001, n = 1114). In the event that the coastal mountains in general were used to gain height, this would emerge in the regional flight directions in the study area. We verified whether migrants crossing the southern and central part of the study area were heading towards the coastal mountain range or not. At sites 1 and 2 they were expected to fly in northerly directions and at sites 3-8 in more easterly directions. At sites 9-13 we would expect northerly directions towards the coast, as the coastal mountains are situated in the southeast. This analysis was performed for species with high numbers of records in these groups of sites: Black Kite, Steppe buzzard “and steppe Eagle. “Fhe Steppe Buzzard was the only species Where the frequency distributions of directions in all three sections differed significantly (Mardia Watson Wheeler and Watson’s U? tests P<0.001). In all three sections Steppe Buzzards tolerated drift (Table 4). Not all migrants that arrived in the study area appeared to continue towards the coast. In nine out of European Honey Buzzard deviation from the median flight direction (°) crosswind vector (ms?) Black Kite ® @ ® ® @e00¢ @ ® eo @ td © @6¢ GO Ht oeo¢ o@¢ ete @ 06h® @ 00 00 ee 2 O0Me 0 oe O00me LJ deviation of the median flight direction (°) 20 15 10 5 0 5 10 15 20 crosswind vector (ms') Steppe Buzzard oom eee 66 oo @ @¢ eee ® o @ 0600 @e © oe e o@ 6 © SO0SdOo © ee ® e o¢°@ eo ° e Se BO 00e BHMODME © deviation from the median flight direction (°) -20 15 -10 6 a 5 10 15 20 crosswind vector (ms?) Figure 4. The effect of crosswind on flight directions of European Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus (n = 95), Black Kites Milvus migrans (n = 278) and Steppe Buzzards Buteo vulpinus (n = 1322). Each flight direction is expressed as the positive (to the right) and negative deviation (to the left) of the median direction. The cross wind component is calculated in relation to the median migration direction of each species. European Honey Buzzard: y = -5.51x + 0.221, Black Kite: y = -1.37x — 7.66, Steppe Buzzard: y = -2.59x — 25.49. Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 145 Table 3. The effect of crosswind on flight directions of eleven species of soaring birds. For further details see methods. Correlations between the crosswind vector and the flight directions were analysed by means of the non- parametric Spearman rank correlation test (r, t, P). n r t P Black Stork 46 -0.09 -0.58 0.565 White Stork 69 -0.22 -|.82 0.073 White Pelican 14 0.14 0.47 0.645 European Honey Buzzard 95 -0.48 -5.31 <0.001 Black Kite 278 -0.16 -2.61 0.009 Levant Sparrowhawk 27 0.28 |.47 0.153 Steppe Buzzard 1322 -0.31 -1 1.66 <0.001 Lesser Spotted Eagle 89 -0.05 -0.49 0.623 Steppe Eagle 341 -0.1 | -2.05 0.041 Booted Eagle 80 0.25 227 0.025 Common Crane a3 -0.12 -0.75 0.456 eleven species more than 60% of the movements were coast directed (Table 5). The highest percentage was observed in the Common Crane with 82%. The figure was over 70% in White Pelican, Black Kite and Steppe Buzzard. In Lesser Spotted Eagle and Booted Eagle the percentage was between 50 and 60%. Situations with coast-directed and not coast-directed flights did not display significant differences in the strength of the crosswind vector (Mardia Watson Wheeler test, Watson’s U? test). In eight out of eleven species the average crosswind vector was stronger from the left when the birds were heading towards the coast than when oriented inland (Table 5). The extremes were Steppe Buzzard and European Honey Buzzard. Average crosswind vector from the left was 8 m/s when Steppe Buzzards were oriented towards the coast and the average crosswind vector from the right was 3.6 m/s when European Honey Buzzards were inland oriented. Considering only birds that were heading towards the coast, drift was proved for the same species as for the full set of directions: European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite and Steppe Buzzard. Within the group of coast-directed movements more than 50% were heading towards the coast north of the Gebel El Zait range (Table 5). DISCUSSION On average, the different species were heading on a broad front in northerly directions and as the coast follows a SSE-NNW line, mean directions mostly led to the coast of the gulf of Suez. Lesser Spotted Eagles, though, were heading to the NNW. We suppose that Table 4. Regional mean flight direction (uy), vector length (r) and standard deviation (SD) of Steppe Buzzard Buteo vulpinus and test for correlation between the deviations perpendicular to the median direction and the crosswind vector. Analyses are based on independent records (corresponding to single birds or groups of birds). Data of different sites are grouped while western and eastern rows are not separated. All mean directions (u) were significant (Rayleigh test P<0.001). The Spearman rank correlation (r, t) resulted in a significant correlation of the deviations of the median flight direction and the perpendicular wind vector (significant correlation in all three groups of sites, P<0.001). The regression analysis produced a regression coefficient (slope) for each section; the steeper the slope the stronger the drift element. Differences in sample sizes are due to lack of wind data for some days (see methods). Sites n U r SD median n Spearman r Spearman t regression slope 1-2 192 he 062° 55.767 360° 192) *._-0:25 -8.50 -2.04 3-8 S17 ae O55.) 63-17 45° 815 -0.29 -3.62 -2.46 9-13 354: 07> 0.49 68.90° 360° 315 -0.30 -5.60 -3.04 146 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Table 5. Percentage of all movements directed towards the coast. Within the group of coast-directed flyers, the percentage of movements towards the coast north of Gebel El Zait is given. Mean crosswind vector and SD are given for coast-directed and non coast-directed birds. coast directed coast-directed movements not coast-directed movements % Of all % to N n mean SD n mean SD movements of Gebel crosswind crosswind El Zait vector vector Black Stork 67.35 76 31 1.2 6.9 15 -1.62 6.28 White Stork 68.06 73 49 -2.39 4.27 20 1.18 6.34 White Pelican 71.43 60 10 -2.29 3.64 4 -1.55 8.00 European Honey Buzzard 65.63 68 62 -1.35 4.1 33 3.63 4.86 Black Kite 72.38 76 203. --4.74 6.88 33 -2.4! 7 Al Levant Sparrowhawk 62.96 82 i7 -2.07 3.13 10 2°07, 226 Steppe Buzzard 76.30 59 1016 -7.99 7.00 306 = -4.97 8.14 Lesser Spotted Eagle 55.91 74 49 -0.40 2.66 40 0.66 2.88 Steppe Eagle 62.81 The) 209 -2.24 5.91 132 -2.94 5:04 Booted Eagle 58.75 72 46 1.80 5.82 32 -2.80 4.13 Common Crane 81.82 94 35 - 1.66 4.55 8 -0.29 5.26 they continue their migration towards Suez, which is consistent with the fact that Lesser Spotted Eagles avoid water crossings (Meyburg ef al 2002, Shirihai et al 2000, Grieve 1996). The eastern border of the study area and the coastline are several kilometres apart. Thus we could not observe from the study area where the birds started their sea crossings. During our travels along the road parallel to tlie coast and our visits to the ridge of Gebel El Zait, we observed that raptors often started the crossing from the northern end of Gebel El Zait after gaining height and following the mountain ridge to the north, while Common Cranes started the sea crossing immediately after arriving at the southern end of Gebel El Zait. Common Cranes started the sea crossing either at high altitude or only a few metres or so above the water. This is consistent with the fact that this species does not depend so much on updrafts, being able to revert to active flight for long periods (Pennycuick eft al 17/9): Soaring birds in general are known to be drifted partially, but there are differences according to the situation ie whether they have to cross a barrier, whether they are flying close to a coast or whether they are experienced migrants or not (Alerstam 1979, Thorup et al 2003, Klaassen et al 2011). In our study, all birds must have migrated at least once, between breeding areas and wintering sites. Thus they should be able to navigate by sight, using memory of ground features, and be aware of drift effects. Migrants are known to compensate or overcompensate for drift when they face the risk of being blown into hazardous situations (Klaassen et al 2011). If at Zait bay, birds start crossing the water too far south they might get drifted over the Red sea proper because of the prevailing NNW winds. We would expect anticipatory compensation or overcompensation of drift before they start the sea crossing. We discovered two different strategies in our study. While most species compensated for drift as expected, European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite and Steppe Buzzard accepted drift partially (Table 3, Figure 4). The Black Kite and European Honey Buzzard are known to migrate in conditions unsuitable for other soaring birds (Finlayson 1992, Agostini & Duchi 1994). In Gibraltar, Black Kites are observed to accept drift and to compensate for it later (Bernis 1980). European Honey Buzzards, however, are observed to be very wind selective at the crossing from Tunisia to Italy, where they prefer to migrate with following and weak lateral winds (Agostini et a! 2005). Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 147 The regional pattern of flight directions of Steppe Buzzards and the fact that they tolerate partial drift support the idea that migrants of this species use the opportunity to gain height and fly along the mountain ridge in order to anticipate the drift to be expected during the sea crossing. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We wish to thank the following ornithologists who contributed observations during the field work: J Rauhut, D Sturm, J] Weinbecker, I Weiss and K Wilson; K Wilson for language revision; the German Development Bank (KfW) for financing the acquisition of the data and Deutsche Energie-Consult for entrusting to GH the leadership of the study and providing the meteorological data; A Abdelmageed for the support in Egypt; E Niemann for assistance during the entire study and to NREA for permission to publish these data. We are thankful to R Wiltschko for statistical advice and to S Meyer, P Battley, K Bildstein, U Kowalski and an anonymous referee for valuable comments and suggestions on drafts of the manuscript. REFERENCES Agostini, N & A Duchi. 1994. Water-Crossing Behavior of Black Kites (Milvus migrans). Bird Behaviour 10: 45-48. Agostini, N, M Panuccio & B Massa. 2005. Flight behaviour of Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus) during spring migration over the sea. Buteo 14: 3-9. Alerstam, T. 1979. Wind as a selective agent in bird migration. Ornis Scandinavica 10: 76-93. Baha El Din, S. 1999. Directory of important bird areas in Egypt. BirdLife International, UK. Batschelet, E. 1981. Circular statistics in Biology. Academic Press, London. Bernis, F. 1980. La migracion de las aves en el Estrecho de Gibraltar. Vol 1 Aves planeodoras. Catedra de Zoologia de Vertebrados, Facultad de Biologia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Bildstein, K. 2006. Migrating raptors of the world, their ecology and conservation. Cornell University Press, NY. Bildstein, K, MJ Bechard, C Farmer & L Newcomb. 2009. Narrow sea crossings present major obstacles to migrating Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus. Ibis 151: 382-391. Finlayson, C. 1992. Birds of the Strait of Gibraltar. T & AD Poyser, London. Grieve, A. 1996. Spring raptor movements at Gebel El Zeit, Egypt. Sandgrouse 18: 61-63. Hilgerloh, G. 2008. Die Wiiste an der Bucht von El Zait/Agypten: ein Flaschenhals des Vogelzugs von globaler Bedeutung. Vogelwarte 46: 361. Hilgerloh, G. 2009. The desert at Zait Bay/Egypt: a critical bird migration bottleneck area of global importance. Bird Conservation International 19: 338-352. Hilgerloh, G, J Weinbecker & I Weiss. 2009. The timing of spring passage of soaring birds at Zait Bay, Egypt. Sandgrouse 31: 26-31. Klaassen RHG, M Hake, R Strandberg & T Alerstam. 2011. Geographical and temporal flexibility in the response to crosswinds by migrating raptors. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 278: 1339-1346. Kovach Computing Services. 2009. Circular statistics program ORIANA. Version 3. Wales. Meyburg, B-U, J Matthes & C Meyburg. 2002. Satellite-tracked Lesser Spotted Eagle avoids crossing water at the Gulf of Suez. British Birds 95: 372-376. Meyburg, B-U, P Paillat & C Meyburg. 2003. Migration routes of Steppe Eagles between Asia and Africa: a study by means of satellite telemetry. Condor 105: 219-227. Pennycuick, CJ, T Alerstam & B Larsson. 1979. Soaring Migration of the Common Crane Grus grus observed by radar. Ornis Scandinavica 10: 241-251. Shirihai, H. 1996. Birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. Shirihai, H, R Yosef, D Alon, GM Kirwan & R Spaar. 2000. Raptor migration in Israel and the Middle East. A summary of 30 years of field research. IBRC, Eilat, Israel. Spaar, R, H Stark & F Liechti. 1998. Migratory flight strategies of Levant Sparrowhawks: time or energy minimization? Animal Behaviour 56: 1185-1197. Statistica. 2010. Version 10. Statsoft. Tammens, R. 2008. Spektakularer Zug tiber der 4gyptischen Wuste. Der Falke 55 (1): 9-13. Thorup, K, T Alerstam, M Hake & N Kjellén. 2003. Bird orientation: compensation for drift in migrating raptors is age dependent. Proceedings of the Royal Society B (Suppl) 270: 8-11. Gudrun Hilgerloh, Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Johannes von Miillerweg 6, D-55128 Mainz, Germany. gudrun@hilgerloh.eu 148 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Why has only one wheatear Oenanthe species colonised Cyprus? PETER ELEN dh Cyprus has only one third as many avian breeding species as nearby Turkey; Flint & Stewart (1992) concluded that the reason for this, and for the absence of many apparently suitable breeding species, was the limitations of island ecology; and that adaptation to island conditions enables fewer species with broader niches to exclude a greater number of specialists. They cited the endemic breeding Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca [hereafter cypriaca] as an example, which occupies the habitats on Cyprus that in Turkey are occupied by Northern O. oenanthe, Black-eared O. hispanica (of the subspecies melanoleuca), Isabelline O. isabellina and Finsch’s Wheatears O. finschii [hereafter oenanthe, melanoleuca, isabellina and finschii], and that the latter four wheatears all commonly occur on Cyprus but have never been known to breed. However, it has recently been implied that competition from cypriaca is not the reason for the absence of melanoleuca, oenanthe and isabellina, as they have different habitat preferences from cypriaca and in nearby countries up to four wheatear species coexist (Randler & Crabtree 2010). Of the other large Mediterranean islands, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily have one breeding wheatear compared with two on the nearest mainland, and Crete, which is quite similar to Cyprus in area, distance from the mainland, latitude and east Mediterranean location, has two, the same as the nearest mainland (Hagemeijer & Blair 1997). So, why does Cyprus have only one when four breed on the nearest mainland? FACTORS IMPORTANT TO ISLAND COLONISATION Factors important to island colonisation by birds include climate, habitat and food; the distance from the mainland; the numbers of colonists and of subsequent colonists to reinforce earlier ones; breeding success; population growth rate, fluctuations and ultimate size achievable; predation and parasites; and competition with established species, which is regarded as a major factor in preventing many potential colonists from establishing (Newton 2003). A combination of several of these factors is probably responsible for the absence of these other wheatear species from Cyprus, though which factors, and their relative importance, may vary between the species. Distributions could also arise from chance: those species colonising first developing adaptations to island conditions which enable them to exclude subsequent colonists (Newton 2003), and the more an island differs from the mainland the greater those adaptations may be. This may be so on Cyprus: one of only two Endemic Bird Areas within Europe (Stattersfield et al 1998) with two of the three Mediterranean island endemics (Svensson et al 2009), suggesting either that it has been isolated longer, which is apparently not so (Blondel & Aronson 1999) or that it differs more from the mainland than do the other islands. Given their distributions in neighbouring countries (Porter & Aspinall 2010), oenanthe and melanoleuca may well have bred occasionally in the past, and possibly the others also, but have clearly failed to establish populations large enough to be viable in the long term. That is the main problem facing potential island colonists: their low numbers rendering an initial breeding population liable to rapid extinction from random variation in numbers or catastrophe; and if population growth and recolonisation rate are too low to compensate for extinctions, a species may never colonise, however many times it attempts to do so (Newton 2003). Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 149 Climate Huntley et al (2007) examined the distribution of species in Europe in relation to climate and found that high temperatures and aridity often influence their southern breeding boundaries. Those authors used annual temperature sum above 5°C in degree days (GDD5) to represent temperature, and annual ratio of actual to potential evapotranspiration (AET/ PET) for aridity, the lower the ratio the drier the climate. On Cyprus GDD5 is c5000—5600 degree days at low altitude, c4400 at 640 m in the Troodos massif and c2900 at 1380 m; and AET/PET is 0.19—0.20 in the southeast, 0.23—0.28 in the coastal south and southwest, 0.43 at 640 m and 0.57 at 1380 m (calculated from data in Met Service 2010b, Water Dev Dept 2010, 2011). Precipitation varies greatly from year to year and droughts are frequent: during 1901/02 to 2007/08 there were 13 years of drought and 7 years of severe drought, sometimes consecutively (Met Service 2010b); severe heat waves also occur (Hadjinicolaou 2005). Such conditions have caused breeding failure of small passerines (Bennett 1975) and could be catastrophic to a small establishing population. The island is also becoming hotter and more arid. Average annual temperature increased by cl1°C during the last century, approximately twice the global increase (Price et al 1999), with a more rapid increase of 0.015°C per annum since the 1970s (Met Service 2010a). Average annual rainfall decreased by c125 mm (21%) during 1916-2008, with a more rapid decrease again in the later decades (Pashiardis & Michaelides 2008). Northern Wheatear (Plate 1) is a very common spring migrant mainly mid-late March to mid April (Flint & Stewart 1992, Richardson 2010). It over-summered and may have bred in 1975 (Bennett 1977) and two or three remained into mid-late June 1991 (Bennett 1994). The latitude of the southern boundary of its Eurasian breeding range lies almost entirely north of Cyprus (Cramp 1988); in southern Europe its distri- bution becomes patchy where temperature or aridity are high (Huntley et al 2007), and SOU erik FAUNS yd PCr dea vee Dae Plate |. Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe male (Kirwan et al 2008). Thus only the island’s p,,, Arodes, Cyprus, | April 2004. © David Nye higher mountains might have suitable cli- mate for it to breed, though they are mostly well vegetated or forested and have breeding cypriaca, and oenanthe rarely competes with congeners while breeding (Cramp 1988). Black-eared Wheatear subspecies melano- leuca (Plates 2 & 3) is a fairly common spring migrant with peak numbers late March—mid April (Flint & Stewart 1992, Richardson 2010). There are several June records and it probably bred in 2009 (Randler & Crabtree 2010), though in May 2010 none were at the 2009 probable breeding site (Alan Crabtree per Derek Pomeroy pers comm). Although Plate 2. Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica some authors consider it mig melanoleuca male black-throated morph, Meleti, Cyprus, igitt De'a Scarce = 55 jaech 2009. © Alcan MEemE 150 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) regular breeder, there are no records of over-summering and it was not found breeding during fieldwork for the Cyprus Breeding Birds Atlas 1995-2002, whose authors commented on its absence, and that of oenanthe, isabellina and finschii, as breed- ing birds (Whaley & Dawes 2003). Also, Derek Pomeroy (pers comm) found only cypriaca in breeding census counts in Pafos district 1997-2011, as did I during wide- spread breeding surveys in northern Cyprus 1998-2004. In Europe it breeds where GDD5 exceeds 2000 degree days and AET/PET is 0.8 or less (Huntley et al 2007). It also breeds ‘ie : : Plate 3. Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica on the mainland adjacent to Cyprus (Porter melanoleuca male white-throated morph, Pano Arodes, & Aspinall 2010) and in Israel, mainly where Cyprus, 3 April 2011. © David Nye annual rainfall is more than 400 mm (Shirihai 1996), so the hills and mountains of Cyprus should be climatically suitable. Its probable breeding in 2009 followed a year of normal rainfall after four years of drought/severe drought (Met Service 2010b) during which cypriaca numbers apparently fell (Pomeroy 2009). Perhaps the reduced competition and better conditions encouraged melanoleuca to attempt to breed. Isabelline Wheatear (Plate 4) is a common early spring migrant mainly March-early April with no records after mid May nor of ed, = breeding (Flint & Stewart 1992, Richardson SSR. ‘>< 2010). It breeds in southeast Europe where pjate 4, Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina, Pano GDD5 is 2200-3200 degree days, and AET/ Arodes, Cyprus, 3 April 2011. © David Nye PET is 0.8—0.5 (Huntley et al 2007), and with- in Asia almost entirely at higher latitudes than Cyprus (Cramp 1988), where maximum summer temperatures are lower (de Pauw 2008), suggesting that only the higher moun- tains of Cyprus may be climatically suitable for it to breed. AE aie Finsch’s Wheatear (Plate 5) is a locally common winter visitor mainly November- February to open rocky slopes below 600 m; usually all have left by mid—late March, with no records after early May nor of breeding (Flint & Stewart 1992, Richardson 2010). Its Middle Eastern breeding range (Porter ; : : Plate 5. Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschii male, & Aspinall 2010) lies mainly north of the Anarita Park, Cyprus, 25 October 2008. © Alison latitude of Cyprus, has lower mean annual McArthur Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Sil Plate 6. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca male, Agia Varvara, Pafos, Cyprus, 16 May 2008. © Alison McArthur Plate 7. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca female, Agia Varvara, Pafos, Cyprus, 16 May 2008. © Alison McArthur 152 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Plate 8. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca habitat | Plate 9. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca habitat above Mavrokolymbos dam, Cyprus, the lower part above Nata, Cyprus, citrus orchard with some deciduous of the pylon used as a song post, April 2011. © Alison __ trees, April 2011. © Alison McArthur McArthur temperatures and lower maximum summer temperatures and is mainly less arid (de Pauw 2008). Also it breeds in high mountain ranges in Syria and Lebanon (Shirihai 1996), and largely above 500 m in Turkey (Kirwan et al 2008). Thus on Cyprus only the higher moun- tains might be climatically suitable for it to breed. Cyprus Wheatear (Plates 6 & 7) is a summer visitor arriving mainly mid-late March into April (Flint & Stewart 1992, Richardson 2016); females on average arrive c8 days later than males (Horner & Hubbard 1982). It is one of the most numerous bird species on the island with a population of c90 000-180 000 pairs (BirdLife International 2004). Numbers apparently reduce on low ground in summer and it is believed by some that an altitudinal movement takes place at this time (Flint & Stewart 1992). In the hottest and driest areas in summer it seems most frequent near fresh water (Kuskor 1999-2003). It is the smallest West Palearctic wheatear (Cramp 1988), averaging 15.6 g for March—May males; on Cyprus March—May males of melanoleuca are c7% heavier, and of oenanthe c50% heavier as are unsexed isabellina (Cozens 1995, Brimmell et al 1998). April-June Turkish finschii are c75% heavier than cypriaca (Cramp 1988). The low weight of cypriaca may be an adaptation to the insular climate and ecology of Cyprus, and to its latitude (Flint 1995, 2001), enabling it to better withstand the summer heat. Overwintering, first recorded 1978/9 (Flint & Stewart 1992), is becoming more frequent, with one or two birds in ten winters since 1993 (Colin Richardson pers comm). Habitat Cyprus Wheatear males require high song posts eg trees, bushes, boulders, higher ground, buildings, overhead wires (Flint & Stewart 1983, Oliver 1990). With that proviso it has an extremely wide habitat range (Plates 8-20), eg the only bird species (out of 34) found in every stage of vegetation from grassland to woodland (Massa & Catalisano 1987), and the only bird species (out of 33) encountered in all 40 transects in grassland, matorral, maquis, forest, arable land, orchards and vineyards (Pomeroy 2004). It is most common in the hills and mountains, especially on rough open ground with scattered trees, in open forest and in villages (Flint & Stewart 1992, Small 1994, Derek Pomeroy pers comm), but is scarce or absent in areas of dense bush/tree cover (Randler et al 2010b). It also breeds in industrial and suburban areas, on boulder-strewn storm beaches, burnt and cleared previously forested areas, and rocky treeless ridges and hills with or without a few scattered low Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 15S Plate 10. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca habitat Plate I1. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca habitat with olive, carob and thorny gorse, East Peyia, Cyprus, by Kannaviou dam, Cyprus, with pine, olive, golden oak April 2011. © Alison McArthur and thorny broom, May 2011. © Alison McArthur shrubs in the central lowlands and badlands (Kuskor 1999-2003). Some also breed on the open rocky slopes used by wintering finschti (Neophytou et al 1972, Flint 2000b, Alison McArthur pers comm). It is noteworthy that apparently similar wintering habitats of finschii in Jordan and Israel are occupied in summer by breeding melanoleuca (Andrews 1995, Shirihai 1996). Around coasts cypriaca is often common where the hills reach the sea and there are cliffs, or where it is rocky, but on coastal plains near Pafos and Kyrenia it is scarce or absent (Colin Richardson pers comm, PF pers obs). These habitats of cypriaca apparently include those of breeding O. hispanica (Cramp 1988, Panov 2005), and those of melanoleuca in Greece, Turkey, Jordan and Israel (Handrinos & Akriotis 1997, Kirwan et al 2008, Andrews 1995, Shirihai 1996); and those in Turkey of oenanthe and finschiit, and some of those of isabellina (Kirwan et al 2008, Roselaar 1995). Although the habitats appear similar the comparisons are based on subjective descriptions, and there are variations in latitude, climate and vegetation species composition between countries eg Cyprus has 128 endemic plants including the locally abundant Golden Oak Quercus alnifolia (Pantelas et al 1993). On Cyprus suitable habitats for breeding oenanthe are limited climatically, and those for isabellina and finschii very limited. Also, isabellina usually nests in the tunnels of burrowing rodents, which are important in determining its distribution (Panov 2005), and commonly does so in Turkey and Israel (Kirwan et al 2008, Shirihai 1996), and such mammals are absent from Cyprus (Krystufek & Vohralik 2001). Although Randler & Crabtree (2010) stated that cypriaca has different habitat preferences from melanoleuca, oenanthe and isabellina, the survey they cited (Randler et al 2010b) compared breeding cypriaca with migrant melanoleuca and oenanthe (it did not include isabellina); and found 40% overlap in habitat preferences between cypriaca and melanoleuca, and 25% between cypriaca and oenanthe. However, as is well known, migrants often occur in habitats in which they do not breed, eg in Israel, migrant melanoleuca occurs widely in open habitats with sparse low vegetation, but breeds in rocky hills/mountains within bushy wadis with scattered low trees (Shirihai 1996). On Cyprus migrants tend to concentrate near coasts where habitats may differ from those in the hills and mountains. Also, Randler et al (2010b) assessed cypriaca habitats within 100 m radius but those of migrants within 25 m, but Mediterranean habitats are often a fine mosaic, varying greatly over short distances in seemingly unlimited variations (Blondel & Aronson 1999, Rackham & Moody 1996), and this is the case on Cyprus (Flint 2000a); so using 100 m for migrants as well might have shown fewer differences. 154 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Plate 12. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca habitat Plate 13. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca habitat with pine and golden oak in the Pafos forest, Cyprus, | with spiny gorse, pine and carob by Evretou dam, May 2011. © Alison McArthur Cyprus, May 2011. © Alison McArthur The habitats occupied by a species often vary between the mainland and islands, and between islands, depending on which other species are present (Lack 1969). In Greece oenanthe breeds in open habitats with sparse low vegetation at medium and high altitudes, and is largely replaced by melanoleuca below 500 m. But on the eastern Aegean islands it breeds commonly down to sea level, and on Limnos (where melanoleuca is rare) it reaches a remarkably high density and also breeds in the villages and in the town, perching on buildings (Handrinos & Akriotis 1997). In this respect it appears similar to cypriaca on Cyprus. Food Wheatears exploit a wide variety and size range of prey, and even smaller wheatears are able to deal with large invertebrates (Panov 2005), in the case of cypriaca, praying mantises and large butterflies (Cant & Flint 2003) and even a small lizard (Flint & Stewart 1992). Thus despite the size differences, cypriaca would probably compete with the potential colonists for food, and especially so with melanoleuca, which is closest in size, morphology, foraging behaviour and habitat preference (Panov 2005, Randler et al 2010b). Also, male and female cypriaca differ in foraging behaviour: males more often use aerial sallies and pounce from higher perches while females more often forage on the ground (Randler et al 2010a); this may enable pairs to exploit their territories more thoroughly. Distance from the mainland and the numbers of colonists Islands closer to the mainland tend to have more species and those more distant fewer (MacArthur & Wilson 1967) and this seems to apply to the Mediterranean islands (Lo Valvo & Massa in Japichino & Massa 1989). However, oenanthe breeds on the other large Mediterranean islands which are as distant from the mainland as Cyprus, as does melanoleuca on Crete (Hagemeijer & Blair 1997), so distance from the mainland alone can not explain their absence from Cyprus. Nevertheless, the distance of Cyprus from the mainland may be reducing their immigration rates and thus their chances of successfully colonising; ie were Cyprus very close to the mainland, birds from the mainland might often seek territories on the island, but with the mainland 72-110 km distant to the north and 105-180 km to the east this seems unlikely. In this respect, it is worthwhile to compare Cyprus with Lesvos, which is very close to the mainland, both to the north and to the east. Although only one sixth of the area of Cyprus it has three migrant breeding wheatears and Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 155 Plate 14. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca habitat Plate 15. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca habitat with carob and olive in the Xeros valley east of Peyia, | with olive and carob, Lara, Akamas, Cyprus, May 2010. Cyprus, April 2011. © Alison McArthur © Colin Richardson one occasional breeder, as well as nine migrant breeding warblers (Brooks 1998) compared with three on Cyprus. So it seems that on Cyprus potential colonists have to be recruited from migrants passing through in spring, but migrants arriving on an island where they do not breed are usually in a migratory state, programmed to continue their journeys (Newton 2003). This appears to be so on Cyprus, where although migrant wheatears occasionally sing, they generally do not show pre-breeding behaviour, tend to concentrate near the arrival and departure coasts and on the Karpas peninsula, rather than inland, and pass relatively quickly (Flint & Stewart 1992, PF pers obs). They may be considered transients, not potential colonists, and occasional birds which linger are apparently mostly lone laggard migrants. The potential breeding habitats of melanoleuca are also widespread, reducing the chances of migrants finding and reinforcing any existing small breeding population. Breeding success; population growth, fluctuations and ultimate size achievable There are no published studies of breeding success in cypriaca. The breeding records in the Cyprus bird reports mostly involve young at or near fledging or nests which are not followed up, but do show that, in addition to predation, nests may be lost to heavy rain and to human activity. The clutch sizes of melanoleuca in Turkey (Kirwan et al 2008) and of cypriaca (Flint & Stewart 1992) are similar. However, melanoleuca is usually single-brooded (Panov 2005), and is so in Israel (Shirihai 1996), and all records from Turkey refer to first broods (Kirwan et al 2008); whereas cypriaca is double-brooded (Bourne et al 1964) or may often be so (Sadler 1994,1995, Cant & Flint 2003). Multiple broods of the latter are also indicated by its long breeding season: mainly April-June, but there are also records from lower altitudes of nestlings in July (Flint & Stewart 1992), of family parties late August (Richardson 2009) and nestlings once late September (Sanders 2000). The range of population fluctuations will depend largely on other factors discussed here eg extremes of climate, and on losses on migration and in winter in Africa. The ultimate population size achievable for melanoleuca on Cyprus is probably potentially large, but for oenanthe would be limited by climate, habitat and altitude, and for isabellina and finschii very limited. Predators and parasites Mammalian nest predators on Cyprus include rats, foxes and hedgehogs, and feral dogs and cats, but not mustelids (KryStufek & Vohralik 2001), which prey on wheatear nests 156 = Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Plate 16. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca habitat, | Plate 17. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca habitat Kritou Terra village, Cyprus. The poles, TV aerial with pine, hawthorn and cypress, eastern Kyrenia range, and bare tree top are used every year as song posts, Cyprus. Two pairs breed between the foreground and October 2010. © Derek Pomeroy the mountains, with others in the mountains, April 2010. © Clive Walton elsewhere (Panov 2005, Cramp 1988). Snakes and large lizards predate wheatear nests in warm climates (Panov 2005); both are extremely common on Cyprus where they are apparently significant nest predators (Took 1972, Bennett 1977, Flint & Stewart 1992). Nest parasites may cause losses of wheatear nestlings (Panov 2005), but I am not aware of any information from Cyprus. Ants may also cause losses of wheatear nestlings (Cramp 1988) and this has happened on Cyprus (Lucas 1974), where ants are extremely common (PF pers obs). Avian nest predators include the common Little Owl Athene noctua and five corvids, of which Magpie Pica pica and Hooded Crow Corvus cornix are common and widespread (Richardson 2010). Breeding cypriaca are exceptionally wary: Belcher (1929) described it as “a bird whose skill in outwitting the would-be examiner of its home is beyond belief until experienced”; Ashton-Johnson (1961) also found it extremely shy and suspicious and difficult to watch back to the nest, a comment he made about no other breeding species on Cyprus. Such behaviour suggests that cypriaca is under fairly intense pressure from nest predators. Even if a colonising wheatear was as wary it would presumably be liable to similar pressure, reducing its population growth rate and thus its chances of successfully colonising. On Cyprus, trapping of small birds is widespread, mainly in autumn but also in spring, and wheatears are vulnerable eg limed birds examined at Paralimni (c30-—50% of the village catch) in spring 1968 included 477 oenanthe, 371 cypriaca, 181 tsabellina, 96 melanoleuca and 8 finschti (Horner & Hubbard 1982). Competition The total number of breeding landbird species on an island is believed to be a dynamic balance between colonisations and extinctions. As the total increases the colonisation rate will decrease because of increased competition from the already established species and there will also be fewer potential colonist species. At the same time the extinction rate will increase because of a larger number of competitors and decreasing average population sizes, until equilibrium is reached. The total then remains approximately constant over time and is largely dependent on island area and distance from the mainland (MacArthur & Wilson 1967). Islands near but not yet at equilibrium are liable to be strongly influenced by the same qualities (Schoener 2010). Cyprus is a continental island, which can be expected to be at or near equilibrium most of the time (MacArthur & Wilson 1967) and, until recent anthropogenic and climate-change related increases, the species total had remained remarkably constant for nearly a century (Flint in prep). Also, on Mediterranean islands, Sandgrouse 33 (2011) tS7/ Plate 18. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca habitat, Plate 19. Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca habitat Episkopi village, Cyprus, June 2011. © Colin Richardson near Sindi monastery, Cyprus, with hawthorn, thistles and spiny burnet, May 2011. Also winter habitat of Finsch’s VWWheatear Oenanthe finschii. © Alison McArthur a cl3 times increase in area doubles the species total (Flint & Stewart 1992) and species/ area graphs indicate that for its area Cyprus might be expected to hold c70-80 breeding species (lapichino & Massa 1989, Flint & Stewart 1992), which is close to the current total of 81 (BirdLife Cyprus 2011). For these reasons it seems probable that the island is at or near equilibrium, where competition from established species means almost no new colonists will succeed (MacArthur & Wilson 1967). This appears to be so on Cyprus, where at least 11 other small passerines have bred, or possibly/probably bred in the past, some of them several times, without colonising (Flint & Stewart 1992, BirdLife Cyprus 2011). Nevertheless, since the 1990s, Blackbird Turdus merula and Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala have successfully colonised (Richardson 2010), as has the Greenfinch Carduelis chloris since the 1970s (Flint & Stewart 1992), and the latter two are now among the most numerous species on the island. All were previously short distance migrants and winter visitors and are now resident (Flint & Stewart 1992, Richardson 2010) and none was a trans-Saharan migrant like oenanthe, melanoleuca or isabellina. All have also spread in nearby countries (Flint in prep), a characteristic of successful island colonists (Newton 2003) and not shown by oenanthe, melanoleuca or isabellina. Climate change can affect equilibrium totals (Schoener 2010) and these successful colonisations are probably at least partly due to the rapid warming and drying of the island’s climate, which may be improving the survival of resident passerines in the now less cold and less wet winters, and which appears to be favouring resident over migrant breeders (Flint in prep). Although Sardinian Warbler is believed to be not very closely related to the endemic and partly migratory Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax (Shirihai et al 2001, Flint 2001), it is noteworthy that the latter is declining where the former continues its spread (Pomeroy 2009). Circumstantial evidence suggests competition from Sardinian is a likely factor in the decline of Cyprus Warbler, though an extensive study (Jones 2006) found no evidence for a competitive mechanism. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Pied Wheatear O. pleschanka and Black-eared Wheatear O. hispanica appear to be conspecific, forming a superspecies with cypriaca with very low inter-specific divergence (Outlaw et al 2010). The boundary between O. pleschanka and O. hispanica may once have been further west than it is today (Flint 1995); O. hispanica is assumed to have spread eastwards from the west Mediterranean into southeast Europe and the Middle East (Panov 2005), but leaving Cyprus as a conspicuous gap in its east Mediterranean breeding range. Given their now complementary breeding 158 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) ranges (Porter & Aspinall 2010) and close taxonomic relationship, cypriaca appears to be the biogeographical counterpart of melanoleuca on Cyprus but adapted to the island’s environment, with its presence the main reason for the absence of melanoleuca. Because of their taxonomic closeness, hybridisation between cypriaca and melanoleuca is a possibility (Randler & Crabtree 2010). But so far, apart from a male with a ‘black head’ (Richardson 2009), there are no records in the Cyprus literature and no recent reports (Colin Richardson pers comm) of unusual or aberrant plumage in cypriaca, nor of the plumage morphs (Panov 2005) which might be expected were hybridisation to occur, although they have Plate 20. Winter habitat of Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschii with olive and hawthorn on the south side of the central Kyrenia range, Cyprus, November 2010. Also spring/summer habitat of Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca. © Alison McArthur been looked for. PRESENT AND POSSIBLE FUTURE CHANGES IN STATUS Since 2004 cypriaca numbers have declined by c60% in Pafos district; the decline apparently starting before the full effects of the 2004-2008 drought and continuing after it. The species is also no longer recorded in all transects there as it was previously, with the decline most apparent in arable habitats (Pomeroy 2009 and pers comm). It has also ceased to breed in some areas of the coastal strip north and northwest of Pafos (Alison McArthur pers comm). These declines suggest that cypriaca may be withdrawing from marginal habitats, at least in Pafos district. There are still good numbers in many areas though, eg Mavrokolymbos dam, Troodos, Pissouri bay and Lefkara (Colin Richardson pers comm), and population trends since 2006 for the whole island are not yet clear (Derek Pomeroy pers comm). There may also be a longer-term decline: Christensen (1974) found an extremely high density within the Kyrenia mountain range, with often 4 or 5 singing males heard from one point; but in those mountains in May 1999 and 2001, of 51 points in open forest, I recorded 4 birds at only 2 points and 5 birds at none, and of 45 points in open habitats: 4 birds at 5 points and 5 birds at only 1 (unpublished field data for Flint 2000a, 2003). Hotter and drier breeding seasons may be reducing breeding success and the frequency of second broods. This may be exacerbated by the fact that the species is apparently not arriving earlier in response to the warming climate: the mean first arrival date per decade in the Cyprus bird reports 1970-2009 (excluding January—mid February possible overwintering birds) remaining unchanged at 5 March despite increasing observer coverage. Hotter breeding seasons may also have made reptiles active earlier, perhaps resulting in increased nest predation. Agricultural abandonment and intensification (Hellicar 2004) may also be factors. Cessation of grazing locally in the coastal strip north and northwest of Pafos has resulted in greater growth of grasses and other vegetation rendering the habitat less suitable, and in some such areas former cypriaca territories are now empty. The recent ploughing of open stony areas for cereals, again making the habitat less suitable, may also be a factor in local declines (Alison McArthur pers comm). In recent decades several resident passerines, notably Sardinian Warbler and Greenfinch, which share some of the habitats of cypriaca have greatly increased; although they seem unlikely competitors they exploit some of the same food resources as cypriaca (Cramp 1988, Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 159 1992, 1994). In autumn, departing cypriaca are very common along the south coast (Flint & Stewart 1992) where trapping has increased (Hellicar 2011). Also, cypriaca winters in southern Sudan and Ethiopia (Cramp 1988), where rising temperatures, increasingly unreliable rainfall, and rapid increases in human population and grazing animal numbers are causing severe habitat degradation, including deforestation, loss of wooded grassland and soil erosion (UNEP 2007, Oxfam International 2010). Trapping/hunting of small birds is common in north and east Africa and the Nile valley, and is almost certainly increasing (Contesso 2009). If there is a continuing decline in cypriaca this would reduce competition and improve the chances of other wheatears colonising, though factors adversely affecting cypriaca would probably affect them also. SUMMARY Given their complementary breeding ranges, and closeness in taxonomy, size, morphology, foraging behaviour and habitat preferences; competition from cypriaca which appears to be better adapted to the island’s habitats and climate, intensified by the effects of island biogeography, is probably the main reason for the failure of melanoleuca to colonise. Secondary reasons may be distance from the mainland/low numbers of colonists, extremes of climate, possible lower population growth rate than cypriaca, population fluctuations and predation. The reasons for oenanthe may be generally similar, though with less emphasis on competition and more on unsuitable climate and limited habitat. The main reason for the failure of isabellina and finschii to colonise Cyprus is probably very limited climatically suitable habitat, and for the former also shortage of nest sites. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am very grateful to Derek Pomeroy for unpublished records, unpublished survey resulis and phoio- graphs; to Colin Richardson (BirdLife Cyprus Recorder) for unpublished records, copies of literature and photographs; to Alison McArthur for unpublished records and photographs and to Robert Frost for copies of literature and photographs. All four also answered queries and made many helpful suggestions and comments on drafts of the ms. My thanks also to Alan Crabtree (per Derek Pomeroy) for an update on the melanoleuca probable breeding record, and to David Nye and Clive Walton for photographs. Finally my thanks to two anonymous referees for very helpful comments on an earlier version, which resulted in a retitling and rewrite of the paper, and to Will Cresswell and Peter Clement for their valuable comments on a recent draft. REFERENCES Andrews, IJ. 1995. The Birds of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. IJ Andrews, Musselburgh, Scotland. Ashton-Johnson, JFR. 1961. 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Cyprus Profile. Ministry of Agriculture, Cyprus, www.cyprus.gov. cy/moa/wdd. Whaley, DJ & JC Dawes. 2003. Cyprus Breeding Birds Atlas. David Whaley, Pafos, Cyprus. Peter Flint, Out Skerries, Shetland ZE2 9AR, UK. peterflint123@btinternet.com 162 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) An avifaunal survey of the Istranca mountains, Turkish Thrace: novel breeding bird records including the first breeding record of Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix in Turkey A breeding bird survey in the Istranca (Yildiz) mountains of Turkish Thrace seawards to the Black sea was conducted May—August 2009. Eighty-eight days of field work in 697 locations generated novel breeding evidence for several species. The survey provided the first certain evidence of Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix breeding in Turkey. Strong evidence for breeding of Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella, with a relatively widespread distribution, was also gathered. The survey suggested that Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus, which was not considered to be a breeding bird in Turkey, probably breeds in the study area. Moreover, breeding evidence was gathered for Garden Warbler Sylvia borin, Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla, Stock Dove Columba oenas, Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterna and Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus for the first time in Turkish Thrace. Furthermore, the survey provided some breeding evidence for Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, European Shag P. aristotelis, Pygmy Cormorant P. pygmeus, Garganey Anas querquedula, Common Redshank Tringa totanus, Alpine Swift Apus melba, Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla, Red- rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica, White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus, Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala, Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria and Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva, which require further research on their breeding distributions in the study area. INTRODUCTION A number of bird population censuses and atlas studies have been conducted in Turkey (eg Balkiz et al 2007, Caglayan et al 2005, Per et al 2002) though none have covered Turkish Thrace (European Turkey). A few field studies have been conducted in the Istranca (Yildiz) mountains of Turkish Thrace (Kaya et al 1999, Yurtsever & Kurtonur 2003), however, they did not use standard sampling procedures and are difficult to replicate or use comparatively. A breeding bird atlas of the Bulgarian part of the Istranca mountains (Strandja mountains) presented an inventory of 146 breeding bird species (Milchev 1994). To reveal breeding bird distribution, abundance and species composition within different habitats in the Istranca mountains, Turkish Thrace, a breeding bird survey was conducted. The survey resulted in novel breeding evidence for several species, which is discussed here in some detail. STUDY AREA The Istranca mountains are located southwest of the Black sea and extend beyond Turkey into Bulgaria. The non-international border of the study area (Figure 1) is mostly the crests of the mountains and includes the highest point at an altitude of 1031 m. The study area is not a homogeneous administrative unit. It is mainly covered by Balkan deciduous forests (Plate 1) dominated by oak (Quercus spp) and beech (Fagus spp). Nearly all of the forests are managed for timber, and thus the majority of tree stands are homogeneous in age and species composition. The forest cover is fragmented by small openings and agricultural lands. The agriculture in the area is neither intensive nor based on monocultures, is often used for grazing, and such land is frequently interspersed with natural vegetation (scattered bushes and trees). Human settlements are mostly rural and not highly populated. Wetlands in the region are small and distributed along the coast, with the exception of three dams, in the northwest and southeast. Lake Mert, located near Igneada Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 163 Plate |. Young oak stands, typical vegetation covering Istranca mountains, Turkish Thrace. Wood Warblers Phylloscopus sibilatrix appear to breed mostly in young oak stands in the survey area. © Korhan Ozkan (Plate 2, Figure 1), is the largest natural wetland with a 100 ha open water area. All the natural wetlands are an integral part of the coastal swamp forest ecosystem, which is an important component of the local biodiversity and under protection as a national park. The coasts are partly free from anthropogenic pressure and consist of sand dunes, coastal grasslands, forests, rocky shores and wetlands. METHODS The breeding bird survey, with day and night observations, was conducted 30 April—6 July 2009. Field work based on opportunistic observations continued until 3 August to gather further breeding evidence for species that are cryptic in behaviour and could otherwise avoid detection. The study area was classified into main habitat types (forests, open forest patches, urban places, wetlands, agricultural lands, riparian zone, coastal areas and pine and poplar plantations) by using the forestry administration’s land-use data. At least eight sampling points were randomly chosen for each main habitat type. Morning samplings commenced just before dawn and lasted for six hours at most. When practicable with reasonable effort, each sampling location was visited again after 22.00 h for nocturnal birds. In total 433 points were sampled and 381 points were also visited for nocturnal birds. Each 5 km UTM square was sampled with at least three points. The sampling points were treated as circular plots and methodology was modified from Bibby (2004). Each habitat was penetrated at least 200 m to avoid edge effects. The surveyors waited two minutes for birds to settle and conducted 10 min observations, where all birds identified by sight or sound were noted. Observations were carried out in four distance bands (0-10, 10-20, 20-100, > 100 m) and breeding behaviour was recorded for each bird (Hagemeijer & Blair 1997). Breeding status (possible, probable and certain) of each bird was determined according to certainty of breeding evidence (Hagemeijer 164 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) eel Plate 2. Aerial photograph of lake Mert, the largest natural wetland in the study area, Turkish Thrace. It is part of a larger coastal swamp forest ecosystem. © Aykut Ince 27-33" E 27.5°E 27.67°E 27.83°E 28° E 28.17°E = Begendik ? Armutveren ies ore, S Avcilar @ Forests Pad Open patches and rural areas (Ao¥al Wetlands Black Sea Bulgaria Figure |. Map of the survey area, Turkish Thrace. Only the villages mentioned in the text were plotted. The hill- shade effect represents terrain and coordinates are in decimal degrees. Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 165 42°N 41.83° N 41.67°N & Blair 1997). Relevant habitat characteristics were recorded at each sampling point (dominant tree species, stand age, canopy cover, undergrowth, surrounding habitats etc). Opportunistic observations were made whenever new breeding evidence was gathered in both the survey period and subsequently. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The study generated 8535 records of 177 species in 697 locations during 88 days of field work and comprehensive results were reported elsewhere (Ozkan 2009). The results show that the Turkish portion of the Istranca mountains harbours 104 certain, eight probable and 16 possible breeding bird species (Ozkan 2009). Novel breeding evidence is reported in the present paper based on a comparison between the results of the present survey and the breeding distributions provided in Kirwan et al (2008). Details of the observations are summarized in Table 1 and Figure 2, and distribution maps are given in Figure 3. The survey provided breeding evidence for Wood Warbler, Yellowhammer and Green Sandpiper, which previously had only weak breeding evidence in Turkey, eg scattered observations of singing males during passage periods. Details of the observations of those three species follow, the species listed in order of strength of breeding evidence. Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix. Numerous singing males and several pairs were observed throughout the survey at more than 30 sites. They were well distributed over the study area and almost always found in young oak stands with herbaceous undergrowth, generally on slight slopes. An occupied nest with more than three chicks was found on 26 May near Avcilar village, close to the Bulgarian border. Wood Warbler is a common passage migrant in Turkey. Although Birdlife International (2004) suggested breeding of Wood Warblers in Turkey is likely and a survey in the Bulgarian part of the mountains found a breeding population (Milchev 1994), the only previous breeding evidence in Turkey was a singing male on 27 July in Derekoy within the study area (Beaman 1986). The abundance and distribution of observations indicate that Wood Warblers breed through- out the Istranca forests. Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella. Several singing males and pairs, and also courtship display, were observed 22 June-2 July in 29 different sites. They were mostly confined to the northwest part of the study area, where the forest cover is frequently fragmented by open patches and agricultural land. A number of singing male Yellowhammers had been recorded previously in Turkish Thrace May-June though it was not possible to exclude the possibility of passage migrants and thus the observations were not conclusive (Kirwan et al 2008, Roselaar 1995). However, both Kirwan et al (2008) and Roselaar (1995) predicted Yellowhammer breeding in Turkish Thrace. Yellowhammer is a common breeding bird in the Bulgarian part of the mountains (Milchev 1994). In the present survey, 45 birds were seen in 15 locations (when nearby occupied sites are omitted) between the end of June and beginning of July, during which period migration is exceptionally unlikely. The results show that the Yellowhammer prefers the northwest part of the survey area, which consists of open forests as well as arable fields and pastures surrounded by bushes and scattered trees, which accords with its published habitat preferences (Snow & Perrins 1998). The circumstantial evidence, such as observation period, abundance of observations and suit- ability of the habitat, is overwhelming and there is little doubt that the Yellowhammer is a breeding bird in the study area. This population in the study area connects with the larger breeding population of the Bulgarian part of the mountains (Milchev 1994). Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus. Numerous birds were observed 13 June—2 August. All the observations before 17 July (25 birds in 16 different sites) were of solitary birds in suit- 166 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Table |. Breeding status and summary of observations. Only the most conclusive breeding behaviour is given under breeding evidence. Species without breeding evidence are excluded. Nearby occupied sites are omitted in total number of locations. Total number of birds might include some that were double-counted as some locations were visited more than once during the survey. iS 6 D @ g S Soo aeee fe ; 3 2 g : ge) peeligeia iy! re : Bo.-/ 38 g¢ Coes mie teed dee o o 2 o oe 9 ie Sian | ty 2 Y o a § ao a § Ze Oe} ue orl Sey S Great Cormorant Certain Nest in use Needed further 17 4 195 5 Jun 5 Jul evidence European Shag Certain Nest in use Needed further 16 3 140 29 May 17 Jul evidence Pygmy Cormorant Probable Juvenile Needed further 16 4 66 30 May 2 Aug evidence Garganey Certain Juvenile-recently Needed further 6 3 68 2May 2 Aug fledged evidence Baillon’s Crake Probable Juvenile Not breeding in | | | 31 Jul 3}IJul Thrace Common Redshank Possible Adult in suitable Needed further 5 | 16 14 Jun = 13 Jul habitat evidence Green Sandpiper Probable Juvenile Not breeding 2\ 7 4| 13 Jun 2 Aug in Turkey Stock Dove Possible — Singing in suitable | Not breeding | | | | Jul I Jul habitat in Thrace Alpine Swift Probable Visit to a probable Needed further 7 | 42 29 May 17 Jul nest site evidence Eurasian Wryneck Certain Territory holding Needed further 5 2 6 26 May 20 Jul evidence Red-rumped Certain Nest in use Needed further 26 17 65 14 May 23 Jul Swallow evidence White-throated Certain Adult in suitable Needed further 7 7 7 14 May 23 Jul Dipper habitat evidence icterine Warbler Probable Territory holding Not breeding 8 6 9 8 May 27 Jun in Thrace Sardinian Warbler Certain Distraction display Needed further 24 13 28 18 May 12 Jun evidence Barred Warbler Certain Juvenile-recently Needed further 3 2 5 27 Jun =. 29 Jun fledged evidence Garden Warbler Certain Juvenile-recently Not breeding 2 | 4 4 Jul 4 Jul fledged in Thrace Wood Warbler Certain Young in nest Not breeding 32 2| 37 4May | Jul in Turkey Red-breasted Probable Couple in suitable Needed further 5 5 6 8 May ‘16 Jun Flycatcher habitat evidence Common Rosefinch Probable Couple in suitable Not breeding | | 2 23 Jun 23 Jun habitat in Thrace Yellowhammer Probable | Courtship or Not breeding 38 15 45 22 Jun 2 Jul (almost mating in Turkey certain) able breeding habitat. They were always associated with forested water courses and nearby glades, and sometimes near small coastal wetlands. Small groups around lakes (migration groups) appeared after 25 July. Although their regular breeding range is further north and Kirwan et al (2008) assessed their breeding in Turkey as distinctly unlikely, limited breed- Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 167 P. carbo + sti $@-HitH- @-alliisaiaatts P. aristotelis > —_ @e© = e+ P. pygmeus + Ce Sa a ©) @O OD CHE A. querquedula = @ & © eS P. pusilla — £ T. totanus 4 C=6 CO) T. ochropus 4 @)C-0-0-600--86-©@ C. oenas 7 S A. melba > eo eS ain J. torquilla — © @o & C. daurica — e@@ O@ @0C wo @ © C. cinclus 5 S ©) ©)-O © H. icterina + ©O-O8-G50 & S. melanocephala — © Moe S. nisoria = S ) S. borin + @ P. sibilatrix @ @© GB O00 0 GOOD F. parva — O- oe Ss) C. erythrinus — @ E. citrinella 4 Ohm ar 2 Sia 01 May 01 Jun 01, Jul 01 Aug Figure 2. Temporal distribution of observations. Birds showing evidence of migratory behaviour were excluded. Black, grey and empty circles denote certain, probable and possible breeding evidence respectively. Birds not showing breeding behaviour and in unsuitable habitat are indicated with a cross/vertical line. ing evidence in Romania and Bulgaria (Snow & Perrins 1998, Milchev 1994) suggests the possibility of breeding in Thrace. Although a large number of observations were made, it was not possible to confirm the breeding of Green Sandpiper during the survey. Extremely cryptic breeding behaviour of the Green Sandpiper makes it very difficult to gather con- clusive breeding evidence. Furthermore, Green Sandpipers migrate in small groups or as solitary birds within a period that also includes the breeding period, which makes it very difficult to distinguish probable breeding from migration. Considering that their main passage is July-August (Snow & Perrins 1998), the observations made of solitary birds in suitable breeding habitats before 17 July without any indication of migration indicate that the Green Sandpiper probably breeds in the Istranca mountains of Turkey. The survey also provided breeding evidence for Garden Warbler, Baillon’s Crake, Stock Dove, Icterine Warbler and Common Rosefinch, which previously had not been recorded breeding in Turkish Thrace. Details of the observations of these five species follow. Garden Warbler Sylvia borin. One pair was feeding two fledged young 4 July near Sislioba village by the Bulgarian border. They were observed along the Rezve (Mutlu) river, where small poplar plantations and agricultural lands are surrounded by forests. Garden Warbler is another species that has an unclear breeding status in Turkey, with numerous observa- tions of the species but only one previous conclusive breeding record, in Istanbul in August 1972 (Kirwan et al 2008). The breeding population in the study area is likely to be small and scattered as the species was only observed once in the survey and there is no breeding information from the Bulgarian part of the mountains (Milchev 1994). Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla . Only one observation was made during the survey. The bird was a juvenile and it was foraging among the marshes of lake Mert on 31 July. Baillon’s Crakes are perhaps irregular and extremely scarce breeders in Turkey, and breeding has not previously been suspected in Turkish Thrace (Kirwan et al 2008). It is possible, though, 168 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) that the juvenile observed at lake Mert was an early migrant, as the observation was made late in the species’ breeding season (early May-early August, Snow & Perrins 1998) and the bird was capable of flight. The only confirmed breeding record in Turkey was 9 August 1967 at lake Manyas (Beaudoin 1967) with a used nest containing three well-incubated eggs and four tiny chicks (considered a second brood), which further shows that the observation was made within the breeding season of Baillon’s Crake in Turkey. Stock Dove Columba oenas. One bird was heard singing in the vicinity of Armutveren vil- lage 1 July. The observation was made in old-growth forest with partially closed canopy. Stock Dove is a local resident in well-wooded uplands of Anatolia (Asian Turkey), but has never been recorded in Turkish Thrace in the breeding period (Kirwan et al 2008). The observation is in accordance with its reported habitat preferences (Kirwan et al 2008). The species breeds in the Bulgarian part of the mountains (Milchev 1994) and probably is a local and rare breeder in the study area. Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina. Several pairs and singing males were observed during the survey in May and June. They almost always preferred the forest edge in open forest patches and in close proximity to watercourses. A singing male was observed to hold the same territory near Yesgilce village in two successive visits within four days (14-17 May). A pair was recorded near Armutveren village 27 June. There is only one confirmed breeding record of Icterine Warbler in Turkey (Kirwan et al 2008) though breeding was confirmed in the Bulgarian part of the Istranca mountains (Milchev 1994). Icterine Warbler probably breeds in the study area. Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus. A pair including a singing male was observed in a forest opening surrounded by beech stands on Mahya mountain at an altitude of 650 m on 23 June. Common Rosefinch breeds throughout northern Turkey though breeding evidence in Turkish Thrace is very limited (Kirwan et al 2008). There may well be a small breeding population in the highest parts of the Istranca mountains (Mahya mountain), probably the only breeding population in Turkish Thrace (Snow & Perrins 1998, Kirwan et al 2008). The survey also provided breeding evidence for a number of species previously recorded breeding in the study area or elsewhere in Turkish Thrace, presenting further information on their breeding distribution. Details of the observations of those species are given below. The species sequence below and in Table 1 and Figures 2 and 3, follows Snow & Perrins (1998). Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. A colony dispersed among large trees inundated by a reservoir was discovered near Kiyikoy. The nests were not in use as the observation was made late in the breeding season, however, juveniles and adults were still roosting in the colony. The number of nests indicated that the colony was at least 100 strong. Regular roosting flights of Great Cormorants were noted along the Rezve river suggesting a colony there. European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis. A colony of c30 nests was found on the cliffs along the sea coast in Kiyik6y. The colony was first discovered on 29 May and the nests were still in use 17 July. Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus. A few birds were seen occasionally on lake Mert in June and July. Four adults with two juveniles were seen there 10 July. A few individu- als were seen around a reservoir near Kiyik6y 6 June. The species might have bred at both sites. Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 169 Anas querquedula Garganey } | | Apus melba Jynx torquilla Alpine Swift Eurasian Wryneck 170 = Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Cinclus cinclus White-throated Dipper Ficedula parva | Red-breasted Flycatcher | Phylloscopus sibilatrix Wood Warbler Carpodacus erythrinus ‘ Common Rosefinch Figure 3. Species distribution maps. Black, grey and empty circles denote certain, probable and possible breeding evidence respectively. Birds not showing breeding behaviour and in unsuitable habitat are given with a cross. Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Wl Garganey Anas querguedula. They were seen on small coastal wetlands around Igneada and Begendik village. Several recently-fledged juveniles were seen foraging with adults on lake Erikli 16 June. Garganey breeds locally and in small numbers in marshy wetlands in Turkey (Kirwan e¢ al 2008). Common Redshank Tringa totanus. Several lone birds or small groups were observed near lake Mert 14 June—13 July. Larger groups, which indicate migration, appeared only after 13 July. Although the habitat appears suitable for breeding, it was not possible to distin- guish whether the observations were of possible breeding birds, non-breeders or groups on migration. Common Redshank is a common breeding bird in wetlands of central and eastern Anatolia, and a regular passage migrant over much of Turkey (Kirwan et al 2008); however breeding information from Thrace is limited. Alpine Swift Apus melba. A small group of c15 birds was seen flying around an isolated coastal cliff near Kuyik6y on four successive visits 29 May-17 July. It was not possible to search for nests due to the inaccessible nature of the cliffs. Alpine Swift has a fairly wide- spread breeding range over Turkey; however, only limited information is available from the study area (Kirwan ef al 2008). The small group of Alpine Swifts observed in Kiyikoy suggests a probable breeding population. Eurasian Wryneck Jyx torguilla. A pair was observed in ISneada at the forest edge in a large forest opening. Successive visits to this site May—July showed they occupied the same territory throughout the breeding season. A pair, where both male and female were sing- ing, was seen near lake Pedina 15 June. Eurasian Wryneck is a very local and uncommon breeding bird in northern Turkey (Kirwan ei al 2008). They breed in the Bulgarian part of the Istranca mountains (Milchev 1994) and Kirwan et al (2008) predicted widespread occur- rence of breeding Eurasian Wrynecks across northern Turkish Thrace. Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica. Seven nests were found at more than 20 probable nesting sites over the study area. All the nests were built on man-made structures, mostly small bridges and culverts. Red-rumped Swallow was predicted as a widespread breeder throughout southern Turkish Thrace (Kirwan ef al 2008) although they have not been recorded breeding in the study area previously (Roselaar 1995, Kirwan et al 2008). They breed in the Bulgarian part of the Istranca mountains (Milchev 1994). White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus. Several birds were recorded mid May-late July on almost all streams (145-370 m asl) of the Istranca mountains. White-throated Dippers are nearly always associated with fast-flowing upland streams in Turkey (Kirwan et al 2008). Although no certain evidence could be gathered, their abundance and distribution clearly suggests they are common breeders in the study area, as predicted by Kirwan et al (2008). They were also found to be common breeders in the Bulgarian part of the mountains (Milchev 1994). Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala. Numerous observations were made 18 May-—12 June, frequently in coastal pseudo-maquis but also in bushes in forest openings. One pair performed a distraction display against a foraging Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius around a probable nest site 12 June. Sardinian Warbler is a fairly common breeder in coastal parts of Anatolia and Kirwan ef al (2008) predicted their breeding in southern and eastern parts of Turkish Thrace. However, they have not been recorded breeding in northern Thrace, including both the Turkish and Bulgarian parts of the Istranca mountains (Kirwan et al 2008, Milchev 1994). The present survey suggests that Sardinian Warbler is a common breeder in coastal parts of the study area. 172 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria. A pair and a juvenile were seen foraging among bushes in agricultural land in the vicinity of a stream near Derek6y 29 June. Another pair was observed near Armutveren village, along the Velika (Balaban) river, 27 June. The species is apparently confined to the northwest part of the study area, where forest cover is fre- quently fragmented by open patches and agricultural land. Barred Warbler breeds both in Anatolia and Turkish Thrace but definitive breeding data does not exist for the study area (Kirwan et al 2008, Roselaar 1995). The species breeds in the Bulgarian section of the mountains (Milchev 1994). Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva. A pair (17 May) and several singing males were observed 8 May-16 June, mostly in oak forests. The Red-breasted Flycatcher was recorded breeding in very small numbers along the coast of the Black sea in Turkey and Kirwan et al (2008) predicted that breeding is possible throughout northern Turkish Thrace. However, no evidence of breeding of Red-breasted Flycatcher was gathered in Thrace, including the Bulgarian part of the mountains (Kirwan et al 2008, Milchev 1994). The Red-breasted Flycatcher probably breeds in the study area. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The breeding bird survey was conducted with the participation of Murat Bozdogan, Cemil Gezgin and Ergiin Bacak, who I would like to thank for their efforts. I also thank Keziban Kaynar and Emre Oztiirk for their help in the fieldwork; Kerem Ali Boyla, Asaf Ertan, Sahika Ertan, Okan Can, Ozge Kesapli Can, Omer Necipoglu for their suggestions on methodology and local avifauna; Michael Green, Turker Altan, Selim Cesur, Refik Colagan, Mustafa Iscioglu, Volkan Géc, Adil Akyol, Omer Sen and Ziya Babat for their coopera- tion and Aykut Ince for his photograph of lake Mert. I thank Guy Kirwan for his constructive comments on the manuscript. The work was funded by the Istranca Mountains Biosphere Project (EuropeAid/125289/D/ SER/TR). REFERENCES Balkiz, O, U Ozesmi, R Pradel, C Germain, M Siki, JA Amat, M Rendon-Martos & NB Béchet. 2007. Range of the Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus, metapopulation in the Mediterranean: new insights from Turkey. Journal of Ornithology 148: 347-355. Beaman, M. 1986. Turkey bird report 1976-81. Sandgrouse 8: 1-41. Beaudoin, J-C. 1967. La marouette de Baillon Porzana pusilla nicheuse en Turquie. Alauda 35: 151-152. Bibby, CJ. 2004. Bird Diversity Survey Methods. In: Sutherland, WJ, | Newton & R Green (eds). Bird Ecology and Conservation: a Handbook of Techniques. Oxford University Press, UK, pp1-15. Birdlife International 2004. Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. Caglayan, E, DT Kilig, E Per & E Gem. 2005. Tiirkiye kis ortast su kugu sayrmlart. Doga Dernegi, Ankara. Hagemeijer, WJM & MJ Blair. 1997. The EBCC Atlas of European breeding birds: their distribution and abundance. T & AD Poyser, London. Kaya, M, S Yurtsever & C Kurtonur. 1999. Trakya ornito-faunasi iizerine arastirmalar I. Turkish Journal of Zoology 23: 781-790. Kirwan, G, K Boyla, P Castell, B Demirci, M Ozen, H Welch & T Marlow. 2008. The Birds of Turkey. Christopher Heim, London. Milchev, B. 1994. Breeding bird atlas of the Strandja mountains, south-east Bulgaria. Sandgrouse 16: 2-27. Ozkan, K. 2009. Istranca mountains Avifauna Diversity Report. Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Karklareli, Turkey. Per, E, A Yasar, SL Ozesmi & U Ozesmi. 2002. Turkish breeding bird atlas pilot project 2001: Erciyes Mountain and Kayseri region. Bird Census News 15: 2-21. Roselaar, CS. 1995. Taxonomy, morphology, and distribution of the songbirds of Turkey: an atlas of biodiversity of Turkish passerine birds. Pica Press, Robertsbridge, UK. Snow, DW & CM Perrins. 1998. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise edn. Oxford University Press, UK. Yurtsever, S & C Kurtonur. 2003. A preliminary study on the birds of the Istranca Mountains, Turkey. Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia 46: 19-28. Korhan Ozkan, Freshwater Ecology Group & Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity Group, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Silkeborg, Denmark. korhan_oz@yahoo.com Sandgrouse 33 (2011) W773 Eastern nominate Nightingales Luscinia m. megarhynchos in Cyprus in 201 | CLIVE WALTON Large Nightingales trapped in North Cyprus were attributed to the eastern intergrade of the nominate subspecies Luscinia m. megarhynchos, or with less certainty to the africana subspecies, on the basis of biometrics and plumage characteristics. It is recommended that large eastern Nightingales should be ringed using rings of internal diameter of 2.8 mm (BTO size B). Passage Nightingales Luscinia megarhynchos (n = 4) were trapped in the Girne district of North Cyprus 13-16 April 2011. The birds were lured to mist nets by the song of the nomi- nate subspecies and marked with Kuskor unique metal rings. Consideration was given to their taxonomy. Biometrics for wing (maximum length, mm to 1.0), mass (grams to 0.1), tail length (mm to 1.0) were taken following Svensson (1992) and Bairlein (1995). Fat scores were also taken using the classes in Bairlein (1995), rounded to the nearest 0.5 subclass. For two birds, tarsus depth was taken to 0.1 mm for the purpose of reviewing the British Trust for Ornithology convention that Nightingales should be ringed with ‘A’ size rings. Plumage characteristics were also recorded. The birds were aged with EURING Codes on the basis of feather generations (Table 1). Code 5 indicates birds which fledged in 2010 and code 6 indicates fledged in an unknown year before 2010. Table 1 gives details of the data collected for the four birds. Weights are included, though are not considered significant due to the broadly overlapping ranges for the taxa given in the literature. Since degree of fat deposition is significant for weight in passage birds, fat scores are included to assist with future interpretation. Summaries of the measurement ranges derived from BWP (Cramp 1988) are included for comparison. Due to stated differences in measuring methods, those in square brackets have been calibrated for consistency of comparison across the table. For the purposes of this note I follow Cramp (1988) who recognised only L. m. megarhynchos (Europe and the Levant, including Cyprus), L. m. africana (eastern and central Turkey, Caucasus and the Middle East) and L. m. hafizi further east (L. m. golzii in van Duivendijk 2010) and not the subtler forms proposed by some other authors. Nightingales of the nominate subspecies are migrant breeders in Cyprus with a range restricted to the Troodos mountains (Flint & Stewart 1992) and not within the area of the present study (Flint 2000). The nominate is also a passage migrant in Cyprus, though the presence of eastern taxa appears unconfirmed (Peter Flint pers comm). Table |. Biometrics of four Nightingales Luscinia megarhynchos (identified by ring number suffix) trapped in the Girne district of North Cyprus, 13-16 April 2011. See text for further details. age wing tail Wing/tail ratio weight fat 04 5 90 70 1.28 2453 4.0 06 6 90 7\ 1.26 - - 16 6 90 69 1.30 2322 3.5 17 5 88 68 1.29 24.9 55 nominate BWP (western Europe) 78-87 58-68 nominate BWP (eastern Europe) 8-90 58-72 africana BYP (eastern Europe) 80-92 [63-81] 174 = Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Plate |. An eastern Nightingale probably of the nominate subspecies Luscinia m. megarhynchos, Girne, North Cyprus, 13 April 2011. © C Walton ; On the basis of the published biometrics for the Western Palearctic range, BWP noted the clinal nature of the species with eastern intergrades of the nominate and eastern taxa generally being longer-winged and longer-tailed than their western equivalents (Cramp 1988). However, some populations of africana have slightly shorter wings than the long- winged eastern intergrades of the nominate (Cramp 1988) and are separated by their longer tails (Ozbahar 2005) which can be expressed in the form of a wing to tail ratio. Some africana have wing lengths in common with the high end of the nominate megarhynchos range and can exceed these. The easternmost taxon golzii/hafizi has on average slightly longer wings and much longer tails (Cramp 1988, Ozbahar 2005). If present in Cyprus these are likely to be vagrants (Peter Flint pers comm). The birds in this study appear not to be golzii/hafizi due to their shorter wing and tail, lack of pale supercilium, brown rather than sandy-coloured back and lacking conspicuous pale fringes to tertials and greater coverts (Cramp 1988, Mullarney et al 1999, Porter & Aspinall 2010). In terms of plumage characteristics there was little to objectively separate africana from megarhynchos particularly with our small samples and without direct comparison in the field. Cramp (1988) and van Duivendijk (2010) noted that compared to the nominate subspecies, africana has grey-brown upper body parts and underparts paler with grey- brown breast. Certainly the individuals in this example conformed to this description (Plate 1) however it is doubtful these birds could be reliably attributed to either one of the taxa on this basis, given the natural variation within populations, temporal effects on plumage appearance and the likelihood of intergrading. On the basis of the biometrics of the Cyprus birds (Table 1), western nominate Nightingales must be excluded but the measurements fall within the upper ranges of Sandgrouse 33 (2011) INAS) eastern nominate birds and within those of africana. However, the wing to tail ratios suggest the birds belong to the nominate subspecies. In published studies africana has lower ratios—see Ozbahar (2005) for a summary. It became evident during ringing that the prescribed A size ring, with an internal diameter of 2.3 mm, would be tight on the tarsi of the birds, two of which had a tarsal depth of 2.4 mm. Ringers trapping eastern birds should either use B size rings (2.8 mm id) by default or measure tarsal depth in advance of applying rings. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My thanks to Peter Flint for invaluable advice that improved an earlier draft of this note. REFERENCES Bairlein, F (ed). 1995. Manual of Field Methods. European-African Songbird Migration Network. Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Cramp, S (ed). 1988. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol 5. Oxford University Press, UK. van Duivendijk, N. 2010. Advanced Bird ID Guide. New Holland, London. Flint, P (ed). 2000. North Cyprus Bird Report 1999. Kuskor, Girne, Cyprus. Flint, P & P Stewart. 1992. The Birds of Cyprus. British Ornithologists’ Union, Tring, UK. Mullarney, K, L Svensson, D Zetterstrom & PJ Grant. 1999. Collins Bird Guide. HarperCollins, London. Ozbahar, I. 2005. Breeding Biology, Population Size and Spatial Distribution of a Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos Brehm, 1831) Population at Yalincak (Ankara). MSc thesis, Middle East Technical University, Ankara. Porter, R & S Aspinall. 2010. Birds of the Middle East. Christopher Helm, London. Svensson, L. 1992. Identification Guide to European Passerines. Stockholm. Clive Walton, c/o Kuskor, PK 650, Vakiflar Carsisi Kat:2, No:3-4, Girne, Mersin 10, North Cyprus. info@kuskor.org 176 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) First records of Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala in Saudi Arabia ROSS AHMED On 12 July 2010, Mike Jennings found a Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala flying quite high over Wadi Dhamat, Shugayri, Jizan. This represented the first record for Saudi Arabia. Then, in January 2011, a team of volunteers were sent to the Red sea coast of Saudi Arabia to search for Slender-billed Curlews Numenius tenuirostris. The team comprised of Ross Ahmed, Ammar Almomen, Jaber Haressi, Jim Scott and Mohammed Shobrak. Funding and support was provided by the RSPB and the Saudi Wildlife Commission. As part of this search, we visited Malaki dam lake, Jizan (17° 01’ N, 42° 59’ E) on 13 January. Malaki dam is an IBA (Evans 1994) used for flood control and irrigation. The lake is bordered by basaltic lava plains, several rocky hills, Tamarix woodland, Sorghum plantations and livestock grazing (Evans 1994). Whilst scanning the lake, RA found two Black-headed Herons stood on a small island of flooded trees/shrubs towards the centre of the lake (Plate 1). However, as we were unaware of the species’ status in Saudi Arabia at the time of the sighting, little attention was paid to the birds other than to take photographs. The identification was straightforward as the species is easily distinguished from all other species of herons. Rarely, adult Grey Herons Ardea cinerea can show a black cap (Hillcoat et al 2001), but this species would also show eg paler grey neck sides. On our return, and following correspondence with Mike Jennings, we became aware of the species’ status in Saudi Arabia. Black-headed Heron is a monotypic species found across much of the African continent south of the Sahara, and Urban (1982) described it as “normally the commonest large heron in most of Africa’. However Hancock & Elliot (1978) stated that it can be absent from suitable habitats, and its distribution is patchy within its range. Black-headed Heron is considered to be a very common and widespread breeding resident in Ethiopia and Eritrea by Ash & Atkins (2009). In West Africa, the species migrates north into the Sahel during rains there June—October (most probably to breed), returning in the dry season October—May (eg Urban 1982). Similar northward movements occur elsewhere in Africa, as demonstrated by a ringing recovery (eg Hancock & Elliot 1978), but birds in the equatorial zone are sedentary (Hillcoat et al 2001). The first Arabian records, thought to be African overshoots, were two birds, an adult and immature, at separate locations near Aden, Yemen, in September 1962. Thereafter, Plate I. Two Black-headed Herons Ardea melanocephala Malaki dam lake, Jizan, Saudi Arabia, 13 January 2011. © Ross Ahmed Sandgrouse 33 (2011) = 177 individuals or groups of up to 4 were reported in Yemen and Dhofar, Oman, on at least 5 occasions up to the late 1980s, with the first on Socotra in December 1998. Further reports from Dhofar between 1999 and 2001 included up to five present July 1999—April 2000 (Ash 1988, Gustad 2002, Jennings 2010). On the Red sea coast, the species has been regular at Hodeidah wetlands, Yemen, since 2002, with a peak of 33 birds, and it almost certainly breeds there (Jennings 2010). The most northerly record in Yemen was inland near al-Kidan in November 2007. The populations in Aden and Hodeidah, perhaps cl15 pairs, are thought to be the founders of a more widespread range expansion into Arabia (Jennings 2010). Morake (1994), though, based on a study in Botswana, found that the species had a low breeding success compared to other heron species, and Urban (1982) concluded ‘low breeding success common’ for the Black-headed Heron. Away from the Arabian peninsula, there are four extralimital records in the Western Palearctic_(as defined by Cramp & Simmons 1977). There are two records in France, a bird collected (specimen location unknown) at the end of the 19th century at Saintes- Maries-de-la-Mer, Bouches-du-Rhone, and an adult at the Camargue, Bouches-du-Rh6ne, on 29 November 1971 (Dubois et al 2008). An older record from Var, France, in 1845, has not been accepted by the national records committee because its origin was considered doubtful (Commission de |’Avifaune Francaise 2006). An immature was in Eilat, Israel, 19 October-15 December 1987 (Shirihai 1996, 1999) with the same bird at Aqaba, Jordan, during the same period (Andrews et al 1999). Finally, on the Cape Verde islands, the first occurred on Santiago March-April 2009 (Hazevoet 2010); possibly the same bird was reported as still being present April 2011 (Kris de Rouck in litt). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . Keith Betton and the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club helped locate literature. Marcel Haas provided the Black- headed Heron species account from his forthcoming book Extremely rare birds in the Western Palearctic. Mike Jennings shared information on his record. REFERENCES Andrews, IJ, F Khoury & H Shirihai. 1999. Jordan Bird Report 1995-97. Sandgrouse 21: 10-35. Ash, JS. 1988. Some observations in South Yemen in 1984 and a selected bibliography of the region. Sandgrouse 10: 85-90. Ash, J & J Atkins. 2009. Birds of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Christopher Helm, London. Commission de l’Avifaune Francaise. 2006. Décisions prises par la Commission de |’Avifaune Francaise en 2004-2005. Ornithos 13: 244-257. Cramp, S & KEL Simmons. 1977. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol 1. Oxford University Press, UK. Dubois, PJ, P Le Maréchal, G Olioso & P Yésou. 2008. Inventaire des oiseaux de France. Delachaux & Niestle. Evans, MI (ed). 1994. Important Bird Areas in the Middle East. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. Gustad, JR. 2002. Photospot: Black-headed Heron. Sandgrouse 24: 19-21. Hancock, J & H Elliot. 1978. The Herons of the World. London Editions. Hazevoet, CJ. 2010. Sixth report on birds from the Cape Verde Islands, including records of 25 taxa new to the archipelago. Zoologia Caboverdiana 1: 3-44. Hillcoat, B, CS Roselaar & DIM Wallace. 2001. Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala. BWP Update 3: 129-131. Jennings, MC. 2010. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia. Fauna of Arabia 25. Morake, B. 1994. Breeding success of Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala and Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis at Phakalane sewage ponds. Babbler 28: 7-13. Shirihai, H. 1996. The Birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. Shirihai, H. 1999. Fifty species new to Israel: their discovery and documentation, with tips on identification. Sandgrouse 21: 45-105. Urban, E. 1982. Ardea melanocephala Black-headed Heron. In: Brown, LH, EK Urban & K Newman (eds). The Birds of Africa. Vol 1. Academic Press, London, pp165-167. Ross Ahmed, 23 Rede Ave, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear NE31 1QT, UK. rossahmed@gmail.com 178 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Migratory soaring bird arrivals coastal southwest Sinai, spring 2006 MARY MEGALLI While it is known that some migratory soaring birds on spring migration through main- land Egypt cross the gulf of Suez to Sinai from the Gebel Zeit range (northern end 28° N 33° 28' E, southern end 27° 55' N 33° 31' E, NW-SE distance 11.5 km) on the Red sea coast (Grieve 1996, Hilgerloh et al 2009), no observations of birds arriving at the southwestern shore of Sinai appear to have been published until now. Observations were made on 26 days, 3-4 days per week, 3 March—24 April 2006. The highway from El Tor to the Ras Mohamed national park border (southernmost Sinai) was traversed by car and stops made to observe and count birds. Observations were recorded with reference to previously chosen landmarks c2.5 km apart, but no rigid point count protocol was followed. Observations were made 09.00-13.30 h, or until no more birds were observed. The day’s wind conditions indicated where the bulk of arrivals were to be expected, but points both north and south of this area were also visited. Of the arrivals seen from the NW-SE highway, 2-4 km east of the west shore of Sinai, an estimated 75% were within the 20 km stretch centred at Ras Garra (28° 02' 11.47" N, 33° 46' 53.03" E). Assuming that most birds are heading N to NE upon crossing the gulf of Suez, the distance over water, affected by wind direction and force (prevailing wind NW to NWW) at this crossing, may be 26.7 km (northern end Gebel Zeit to the Sinai shore, shortest W—E distance), 30 km (northern Gebel Zeit to the Ras Garra area of maximum arrivals), 26 km (southern Gebel Zeit to Ras Garra) and at the southernmost ‘drifted arrival point’ up to 48 km from southern Gebel Zeit and 60.5 km from northern Gebel Zeit. RESULTS The number following the species name is the total count. ‘All days’ means all days that observations were made ie 3-6, 11-12, 17-21, 24-27 March and 5-9, 15-17 and 21-23 April. Number after wind direction is estimated ground wind speed (Beaufort scale). Black Stork Ciconia nigra. 686. Nearly all days, but with 53% 24-27 March. Almost never travelled with White Storks, but with eagles and buzzards. White Stork Ciconia ciconia. 23 995 in March and 165 21-23 April, including a massive arrival of 16 540 at Ras Garra c11.00-13.00 h on 27 March. A year later, several White Stork carcasses were found under the newly constructed high voltage electric power line from El Tor to Ras Mohamed that runs parallel to the highway at a distance of 100-200 m to the east (pers obs). White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus. 200. All on 16 April, on or near the shore 8 km south ot Elglion European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus. 582. Possibly many more, considering that 1379 ‘buzzard spp’ were recorded. Passage began third week of March and peaked second week of April. The only species that regularly ‘checked’ its supposed N-NE flight direction by turning 90 degrees and hovering briefly into a strong N-NW wind, then gliding off south- east towards mountains, drifted by the wind. Black Kite Milvus migrans. 292. Began 19 March in north with WNW wind, peak 58% 24-27 March, few thereafter. This is quite unlike Ayn Sokhna (60 km south of Suez on the gulf of Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 79 Suez west coast), where passage of Black Kites has been observed in fairly steady numbers throughout the migration season (Coles 2004). Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus. 7. Three on 26 March and 4 on 9 April, in SW1 to NW2 breezes, all adults. Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus. 4. One in WSW wind at far north 6 April, 2in NW wind 6-7 April and 1 on 8 April in very low speed wind. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. 1.On9 April. Not the time, place or viewing condi- tions for sparrowhawks. Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus. 2112. Throughout the survey, but a decided peak of 60% 24-27 March, and 33% 5-9 April; possibly more, considering the 1379 ‘buzzard spp’ recorded. Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus. 2. Both on 24 March. Imperial Eagle Aguila heliaca. 1. Juvenile, 9 April, north survey area, day of very calm wind SW1-NW2. Lesser Spotted Eagle Aguila pomarina. 1. On 9 April, north survey area, day of very calm wind SW1-NW2. Steppe Eagle Aguila nipalensis. 289. Almost all days, but with peak of 30% 11-12 March, nearly all juveniles. Booted Eagle Aguila pennata. 3. One 19 March, 2 on 9 April, north end of survey area, on days of light wind, or wind from quite a westerly direction. Common Crane Grus grus. 1353. 80% 3-6 March, 19% 17-21 March. Despite strong N-NW wind, Common Cranes nearing the south Sinai mountains turned north and flapped away in a N direction. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Dr Gudrun Hilgerloh encouraged submission and improved the ms. Istvan Moldovan was present the day of the pelicans and Annie Sevin for several days including the 16 000 storks day. REFERENCES Coles, T. 2004. Spring Raptor & Large Soaring Birds Report, 2004, Ain Sukhna, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Unpublished. Grieve, A. 1996. Spring raptor movements at Gebel el Zeit, Egypt. Sandgrouse 18: 61-63. Hilgerloh, G, J Weinbecker & I Weiss. 2009. The timing of spring passage of soaring birds at Zait bay, Egypt. Sandgrouse 31: 26-35. Mary Megalli, PO Box 30 Gezira Club, Zamalek, Cairo 11593, Egypt. mary.megalli@gmail.com 180 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus longevity record WILLIAM S CLARK, CAROL MCINTYRE, OHAD HATZOFE & EDNA GORNEY We captured and banded (ringed) a juvenile light-morph Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus in Elat, Israel (29° 33’ N, 34° 58’ E) on 16 May 1985. It was found dead on 1 December 2006 in Aksu village, Kestel, Bursa, Turkey (40° 10’ N, 29° 17’ E) by Suat Okan, who apparently reported this directly to the Israeli ringing scheme, but the file with this correspondence was misplaced and could not be located (Gidon Periman pers comm). The Turkish national ringing scheme was not aware of this ring recovery (Ilker Ozbahar pers comm). This eagle was approximately 22 years and six months old when it died. The Euring longevity list (www.euring.org.data_and_codes/longevity.htm) has no longevity record for Booted Eagle; to qualify for this list, the bird has to be more than five years old (Tuomo Kolehmainen pers comm). The longevity record for Booted Eagles ringed in South Africa is five years, but with only three ring recoveries for this species (www.safring.adu.org.za). Longevity records of similar sized European raptors are 18 years and 9 months for Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus, 23 years and 10 months for Black Kite Milvus migrans, 27 years and 11 months for European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus and 28 years and 8 months for Common Buzzard Buteo buteo (www.euring.org.data_and_codes/longevity. htm). Booted Eagles are migratory and those passing through Israel are most likely to come from eastern Europe or western Asia. This individual must have made 21 round-trips to and from its sub-Saharan Africa winter grounds (Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001). Measurements of the eagle when banded were: wing chord 378 mm, body mass 739 g, culmen 25.8 mm, hallux 29.7 mm and tail length 200 mm. The eagle was judged to be a female based on measurements (Cramp & Simmons 1980, Clark & Yosef 1998). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This raptor migration ringing project was sponsored by the Israel Raptor Information Center (IRIC) and its then director, Yossi Leshem. IRIC is now part of the Israel Ornithological Center, directed by Dan Alon. WSC and EG were the ringing project leaders. REFERENCES Cramp, S & KEL Simmons. 1982. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol 2. Oxford University Press, UK. Clark, WS & R Yosef. 1998. In-hand Identification Guide to Palearctic Raptors. International Birdwatching Center, Elat, Israel. Ferguson-Lees, J & DA Christie. 2001. Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London. William S Clark, 2301 S Whitehouse Circle, Harlingen, TX 78550, USA. raptours@earthlink.net Carol McIntyre, National Park Service, 4175 Geist Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA. Ohad Hatzofe, Israel Nature and Parks Authority, 3 Am Veolamo Str, Jerusalem 95463, Israel. Edna Gorney, Dept Multidisciplinary Studies, Haifa University, Har Hacarmel, Haifa 31905, Israel. Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 181 PHOTOSPOT Desert birds in Kuwait Kuwait ornithology has progressed considerably in recent years being reinvigorated by the publication of The Birds of the State of Kuwait by George Gregory (2005) and by digi- tal photography (Plate 1). Annual bird reports are produced, rarity reports are assessed and an annotated checklist is kept up-to-date (http://birdsofkuwait.com). AbdulRahman Al-Sirhan’s website on Kuwait wildlife (www.alsirhan.com) has a major section on Kuwait birds, with excellent photography in a photo blog and links to other Kuwait sites whilst Mike Pope produces a much-admired photo blog at www.hawar-islands.com/blog/home_ stub.php. I have had an interest in Kuwait’s desert birds (species that primarily occur in deserts and that presumably have evolved in deserts ie are adapted for life in deserts) for many years (Cowan & Pilcher 2003). Gary Brown's paper presenting observations on apparent cooling behaviour of four desert lark species in Kuwait (Dunn’s Eremalauda dunni, Bar-tailed Desert Ammomanes cinctura, Temminck’s Horned Eremophila bilopha and Black-crowned Finch Larks Eremopterix nigriceps) was well illustrated by photographs. The paper describing Kuwait’s first breeding record of Thick-billed Lark “ =— Plate I. A Kuwaiti digital photographer in action, Sabah Al-Ahmed natural reserve (SAANR), Kuwait, October 2006. © Elaine Cowan . le . pak a, . 4 “ os . a ~ eee ~ bray tig WOO? ag a pa —— 4 q pent RE i ~~ ee aa . J ae tte sr fy oe ee % . * ieee. = Sear ej = =a retain resets 4 Ry ne a very . nie ee —emses NERS RCTs ee peetins eo z on = ~— Oe ergeeg ne : > —s ia = = = “s = Plate 2. Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor, Jahra East outfall, Kuwait, June 2007. © Mike Pope 182 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Plate 3. Two juvenile Cream-coloured Coursers Cursorius cursor, Sulaibikhat, Kuwait, June 2009. © Mike Pope Ramphocoris clotbey had nest photos (scanned from transparencies though and _ not published in colour) of both male and female (Spencer et al 2007). When the opportunity arose to feature some of Mike Pope’s photos of desert birds in Kuwait in a Sandgrouse photospot, I jumped at it. The two Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor photos were taken at coastal localities. Plate 2 shows a side-on ‘field guide’ posture but Plate 3 is of juveniles in the shade. In the past, Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius was clearly under-recorded in Kuwait and considered a vagrant but it has now been recorded year round and it may well be discovered breeding. Plate 4 shows a bird head-on whilst Plate 5 is the ‘field guide’ posture. Plate 6 shows a young Black-crowned Finch Lark whilst Plate 7 a Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes. Mike has yet to capture a Hoopoe Lark song-flight sequence that he is happy with. Plate 8 is a rather fine photo of a Bar-tailed Desert Lark but perhaps Plates 9-11 of apparently cooling birds have more academic interest. Plate 10 shows a Bar-tailed Desert Lark sat in an apparently damp/cool depression near water (cf Brown 2009) but has the bird made the depression itself? Plate 11 shows a Bar-tailed Desert Lark lying flat on similar ground near water. Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 183 Plate 5. Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius, Al Abrag, Kuwait, September 2010. © Mike Pope 184 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) ae ie... _. Bee el ae . a. a, SO a = ae a Plate 6. Black-crowned Finch Lark Eremopterix nigriceps, KISR Kabd, Kuwait, August 2007. © Mike Pope Plate 7. Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes, SAANR, Plate 8. Bar-tailed Desert Lark Ammomanes cinctura, Kuwait, December 2007. © Mike Pope SAANR, Kuwait, July 2007. © Mike Pope Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 185 - ihe. Plate 9. Bar-tailed Desert Lark Ammomanes cinctura, SAANR, Kuwait, September 2010. © Mike Pope * ten. Plate 10. Bar-tailed Desert Lark Ammomanes cinctura, SAANR, Kuwait, September 2010. © Mike Pope Plate I 1. Bar-tailed Desert Lark Ammomanes cinctura, SAANR, Kuwait, September 2010. © Mike Pope 186 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Plate 13. Hume’s Wheatear Oenanthe albonigra, SAANR, Kuwait, December 2009. © Mike Pope Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti (Plate 12) is a very common passage migrant and common winter visitor to Kuwait whilst the photo of Hume’s Wheatear O. albonigra (Plate 13) is of the 7th Kuwait record and Plates 14 & 15 show the 15th White-crowned Black Wheatear O. leucopyga for Kuwait. REFERENCES Brown, G. 2009. Observations on the cooling behaviour, and associated habitat, of four desert lark species (Alaudidae) in two areas of Kuwait. Sandgrouse 31: 6-14. Cowan, PJ & CWT Pilcher. 2003. The status of desert birds in Kuwait. Sandgrouse 25: 122-125. Gregory, G. 2005. The Birds of the State of Kuwait. George Gregory, Skegness, UK. Spencer ST, CWT Pilcher & PJ Cowan. 2007. The first breeding record of Thick-billed Lark Ramphocoris clotbey in Kuwait and concomitant behavioural observations. Sandgrouse 29: 205-208. ; P] Cowan Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 187 REGS Plate 15. White-crowned Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga, SAANR, Kuwait, October 2010. © Mike Pope 188 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) REVIEWS Common Birds of Qatar Hanne Eriksen, Jens Eriksen & Frances Gillespie. 2010. Softback. 248 pages, 400 colour photos and 215 colour maps. Privately published by the authors. £29.99 from NHBS ISBN 978-9948-15-747-2 The Common Birds of Qatar is aimed at the novice birdwatcher in Qatar. The book contains >400 photographs by renowned bird photographers Hanne & Jens Eriksen. Co-author Frances Gillespie is not a birdwatcher but does possess broad natural history interests. The bulk of the book is the 215 species accounts. However, Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans shares a page with Steppe Gull L. barabensis (treated here as a separate species), while Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia is discussed on the Common Nightingale L. megarhynchos page and Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus is treated as a full species alongside European Stonechat S. torquatus, thus 218 species are actually covered. Each species is treated on one page with at least one and often two or more photos, text, a distribution map, and a guide to occurrence through the year. The introduction provides advice on how to watch and identify birds, equipment to use, and where to find birds in Oatar. The introduction mentions that rarer species were deliberately excluded, but a supplementary list of additional species recorded in Qatar would have been useful. As of June 2011 the official Qatar list stands at 294 species, so the 218 species treated represents most regularly occurring species. Species are not arranged in systematic order but are grouped according to three colour- coded habitat designations; green for gardens, parks and farms (107 species), blue for wetlands and coast (100 species) and yellow for desert (11 species). We are unconvinced that this approach aids the identification of an unfamiliar bird. Firstly, it might be expected that taxonomic groups be dealt with over adjoining pages within one habitat; however, the book takes the habitat-first criterion too far, which in our opinion is unhelpful. The distribution maps are nicely presented using four colours, pink for resident, yellow for summer visitor, and blue for winter visitor. Solid green is used for passage migrants and we feel that solid colours are a little ‘all or nothing’ for the majority of passage and non-breeding species, which would be better served by pale stippling or cross-hatching. The shades used also seem somewhat on the garish side. Qatar is a very small country and some passage migrants could be seen just about anywhere. Freshwater species clearly will tend to be found in a few suitable areas and rather than trying to reflect freshwater concentrations in the maps, it might have been better to use a broad-brush approach across the country. Each species has a calendar with one of four different thickness bars to represent abundance. We believe this is the right approach but probably, given the current state of knowledge, a little too ambitious in that the precision that is often given may be spurious and mislead beginners into dismissing a species based on a blank box. We appreciate that to create these diagrams was highly ambitious and involved much effort, particularly by Dr Brian Hunter, who provided most of the relevant data. Nonetheless, far too many species are considered ‘common’ (63 species) at some point in the year, most of which are uncommon at best. Examples of residents are Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria, shown as common, when between us we have nearly 20 years experience in Qatar and have seen it twice. For non-breeders we find it hard to agree with ‘common’ status, for any month, for Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Greater Spotted Eagle Aguila clanga, White- tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus, Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus, Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis, Swift Tern Sterna bergn, Common Tern S. hirundo, Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus, Eurasian Nightjar Caprimulgus europeaus, Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator, Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 189 Masked Shrike L. nubicus, Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros and Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna. Perhaps the book’s strength lies in the choice of photographs, which nicely illustrate the birds. No claim is made as to the percentage taken in Qatar, but it is probably <25%. This is not necessarily a problem but under a ‘scientific’ approach photographs would be afforded a date and location, whereas no such data appear herein. Are the photographs helpful for identification? Given that the text is rather uninspiring and somewhat ponderous, with few indications that the writers are discussing identification features within the context of Qatar, a single example will suffice. Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 190 = Sandgrouse 33 (2011) is by far the most frequently recorded grey goose in Qatar, but all records have been first-winters, which show no white on the face. This fact is not mentioned in the text or illustrated in the photo. In summary, a well-produced book that falls between two stools, for the novice too many species included and an unhelpful split by habitat. It is also a pity that a few photographs are mislabelled or misidentified. For the more experienced birder, no real feel for species status or identification criteria is available, and no sense that the authors are sharing their specific knowledge of birds in Oatar. Jamie Buchan & Michael Grunwell OSME News Geoff Welch OSME and the AEWA Sociable Lapwing International Working Group The first meeting of the International Working Group was held in Palmyra, Syria, between 18 and 20 March, hosted jointly by the Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife (SSCW, the BirdLife Affiliate in Syria) and the General Commission for Al Badia Development and Management (Plate 1). The meeting brought together government and NGO representatives from eight of the key range states for the species, covering the principle breeding, stopover and wintering sites. In addition to agreeing the functioning of the Working Group, the main output of the meeting was identifying the priority actions each country will endeavour to undertake in the next 3 years. Although there were variations between countries, the key actions for the group as a whole were: identifying additional stopover sites on the western flyway; protecting and managing key stopover sites; and encouraging all range countries to accede to AEWA if they are not already signatories. As well as confirming the country membership of the Working Group, three permanent observer organisations were appointed—BirdLife International, RSPB and OSME. OSME’s inclusion highlights the importance of the OSME region for the species as it covers the main breeding EWA Socsbie Tat Mating of the AW nt 2031, Paley Se ph tonih git A aeeD grounds in Kazakhstan and important stopover sites in Turkey and Syria and, more recently discovered, Oman and Uzbekistan. The meeting also marked the end of the Darwin Initiative-funded project on Sociable Lapwing which has contributed so much to our understanding of the ecology, threats and conservation of the species. The final day of the workshop was a field trip to the steppe around Palmyra in search of Sociable Lapwings (Plate 2) but unfortunately none were located. Numbers passing through Syria this year appear to have been very low, possibly because of the very dry conditions. The meeting was supported by the RSPB, BirdLife International’s Preventing Extinctions campaign and Swarovski Optic and Jim Lawrence from BirdLife presented several of the participants with Swarovski binoculars and telescopes to assist future fieldwork on the species. OSME was represented by Plate 2. Searching for Sociable Lapwings near Palmyra, Syria, March 2011. © Geoff & Hilary Welch Grown International Working Lapeng i ists Jat tepah I Ee Plate 1. Workshop participants outside the headquarters of the General Commission for Al Badia Development and Management, Palmyra, Syria, March 2011. © Geoff & Hilary Welch Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 191 Chairman, Geoff Welch, and (unofficially) Council member, Rob Sheldon. Wanted—new Council members! Like all charities, OSME relies on the time freely given by its Council members in order to operate efficiently and we are currently seeking new members to join Council, either as full members or in a co-opted role. Council members serve for 5 years and Council meets formally three times a year plus informally atthe Summer Meeting and the British Birdwatching Fair. The majority of OSME business, though, is carried out via email. Whilst knowledge of the birds of the region is desirable, the most important attributes of Council members are having the time and enthusiasm to actively help maintain and promote the Society and good communication skills. We are currently seeking to fill the following positions: Treasurer: responsible for maintaining OSME’s accounts, preparing the annual budget and dealing with all associated financial matters. Membership Secretary: responsible for servicing the membership, primarily through maintaining the membership database and coordinating the twice yearly mailing of Sandgrouse. Sales Officer: responsible for running the small-scale sales operation, both by mail order and at events. Advertising and Publicity Officer: responsible for liaising with, and attracting new, advertisers and Corporate Members and identifying opportunities for promoting OSME to new audiences and potential members. Together, these generate a significant proportion of OSME’s income. If you are interested in any of the above positions or feel that you have particular skills that would help maintain OSME as one of the premier regional bird clubs, please contact me at chairman@osme.org. Revised Conservation and Research Fund application guidelines OSME welcomes applications for grants from its Conservation and Research Fund, to support research projects in the region. Projects should be directed to one or more of the following subject areas:- 192 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) e investigating the status of threatened or near-threatened species e attempting to further knowledge of existing Important Bird Areas (for example undertaking breeding censuses and conducting systematic counts) ¢ investigating potential new Important Bird Areas or little-known areas ¢ conducting ecological studies of little- known species e educational projects Priority will be given to projects involving nationals from the region and applicants are normally required to write up the results of their project for possible publication in Sandgrouse. For further information email crf@ osme.org. All applications are considered by the Conservation and Research sub-committee consisting of Geoff Welch (Chair), Richard Porter (Middle East), Vasil Ananian (Caucasus), Michael Brombacher (Central Asia) and Rob Sheldon (Scientific Adviser). Applications are considered three times each year with the following deadlines for submission: 31 January, 31 May and 30 September. Applicants will be notified of the decision within 3 months of the deadline ie by April, August or December. Therefore please allow sufficient time between your application and the proposed timing of work. There is no maximum limit to the size of grant but most average £500. Applications should clearly describe the objectives of the project, methodology, personnel, timing of activities and expected outputs. A detailed budget should also be included clearly indicating the overall cost of work, the contribution requested from OSME and, where appropriate, other sources of funding either confirmed or approached. Around the Region compilation Due to changing circumstances, David Murdoch has recently stepped down as co-compiler of Around the Region, a position he has held since January 2009. OSME would like to take this opportunity to thank David for his sterling work in preparing this valuable and much appreciated feature of Sandgrouse. lan Harrison has kindly volunteered to take over for future issues. News & INFORMATION Dawn Balmer (compiler) EGYPT IBA and proposed World Heritage Site in Egypt threatened by tourist development The Amer Group, the Egyptian real estate developer responsible for Porto Marina and Porto Sokhna, massive tourism developments along Egypt’s north and Ain Sokhna coasts, plans to build ‘Porto Fayoum’ on 650 acres in the Lake Qarun Protected Area near Fayoum oasis. This is the first development of such huge proportions to be allowed in an Egyptian protected area. This and other tourism developments planned for a 10-kilometer stretch of coastal land along the northern part of lake Qarun will undoubtedly cause damage to this pristine, scenic desert area, known as Gebel Qatrani. This area contains one of the world’s most complete fossil records of terrestrial primates and marshland mammals and remains critical to our understanding of mammalian—and human—evolution. Just last year excavations in Gebel Qatrani revealed the complete fossil remains of a prehistoric whale, new to science. Gebel Qatrani has also been listed as a proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site, not only given its priceless fossil deposits, but also its prehistoric and archaeological treasures, including Pharaonic tombs and quarries, and the world’s most ancient paved road. Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) think that the tourism development will negatively impact birds and their habitats at lake Qarun, a BirdLife International Important Bird Area (IBA). Through the Jensen Foundation, BirdLife supported NCE to establish a Site Support Group to protect the site as well as generate incomes in a sustainable manner. Egypt's official Tourism Development Authority (IDA) participated in numerous studies highlighting lake Qarun’s importance for ecotourism. However, it has instead approved this project to promote more conventional— and unsustainable—tourism developments on the lake. This is happening despite opposition from officials at the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs, responsible for managing Egypt’s protected areas. NCE is calling for Gebel Qatrani to be declared Egypt's first UNESCO Geopark to attract tourists, create jobs and as a step towards making the area a World Heritage Site. Through its SSG network in Egypt, NEC hopes that the ‘Friends of Lake Qarun’ SSG also participate in the project recently funded by the US Embassy’s Democracy Grants Programme. For more information on the proposed development contact: Rebecca Porteous at rporteousl@yahoo. co.uk, or Mindy Baha El Din at egyptcalling@ yahoo.com or info@ncegypt.org at Nature Conservation Egypt. IRAN Publication of the first and second issues of Balaban ornithological bulletin Balaban, the Iranian Bulletin of Ornithology, is published, in Persian, by Zist Andishan Caspian Institute. This periodical (ISSN 2008- 7705) is being managed by Afshin Zarei under the editorship of Mohammad Tohidifar and assistant editors Abolghasem Khaleghizadeh and Ahmad Barati. The first issue of Balaban was published in 2009 and covers many short notes: An introduction to birdwatching in Iran; Breeding of Indian Silverbill Lonchura malabarica in Bandar Abbas City; Recent report of breeding Bluethroat Luscinia svecica in Lar National Park, Tehran; A note on breeding of Great Stone- curlew Esacus recurvirostris in Hara Protected Area, Hormozgan, southern Iran; A note on breeding and ringing of Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica in AghGol wetland, Hamedan; Ringing herons in northern Iran; Observation of Corncrake Crex crex in Hamedan Province; Observation of White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons in Hengam Island, Persian Gulf; Bird damage to melon and watermelon in Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 193 Dashli-Boroun area, Golestan Province; and Establishment of Iran Bird Records Committee. Finally, updated species lists of IUCN and CITES were prepared for Iranian birds, some news and a list of 53 Iranian ornithological literature items published in 2007 are presented at the end. In this issue, English summaries are presented together on the first pages, left hand side, of the issue. The second issue of the Balaban was published in 2010 and included a long review article: Checklist of the birds of Tehran Province during the past half century, listing all 338 species recorded in this province during the past 50 years in published materials as well as many unpublished records. This issue also contains a few short notes: Observation of Eurasian Nutcrackers Nucifraga caryocatactes in Khorasan-e Razavi and Gilan Provinces, northern Iran; Recent observation of the Sooty Falcon Falco concolor in Central Iran; Breeding of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis and Common Pochard Aythya ferina at Shirin-Sou wetland, Hamedan Province; and Breeding of White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala and Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca at sewage ponds of Zarrin-Shahr, Esfahan Province. In this issue, English summaries are presented at the beginning of each paper. Finally, some news and a list of 49 Iranian ornithological literature items published in 2008 are presented at the end. Authors are encouraged to submit their manuscripts to Mohammad Tohidifar preferably by email: Mohammad_8463@ yahoo.com, or mailing hard copies to: Northern No. 9, Yekom Valiye-Asr alley, Eastern 72 Street, Sardasht Street, Resalat Highway, PO Box 16516 43711, Tehran, Iran. IRAQ World Migratory Bird Day Celebration and Nature Iraq’s Activities This spring Nature Iraq/BirdLife International organized several conservation-related activities. From 24-29 April Nature Iraq/ BirdLife International, with help from Richard Porter (BirdLife advisor for the Middle East), ran their sixth annual training course which trained people from ministries and other sectors. They were trained in bird 194 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) identification and their conservation status, field and breeding survey techniques together with implementation on the ground in some designated Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Iraq. In addition, the course focused on future conservation and management plans for the key sites that Nature Iraq and the Ministry of Environment are working on. 7 One of Nature Iraq’s green projects is ecotourism and to further this aim an eco- camp was recently built near one of the key sites for wildlife. Nature Iraq arranged three day eco-tours for people from inside and outside of the country to show them the value of the areas visited and how efforts are being made to preserve them in a sustainable way. Bird training at Peramagroon area (designated protected area) On 12 May as one of the activities for World Migratory Bird Day at the French Institute in Erbil (with an exhibition at the same place), Nature Irag arranged a lecture “Soaring Birds and their Migration” which also focused on the role of Iraq in protecting all birds in general and these birds in particular. Many people attended from different sectors and countries and it was covered by. the media. On 29 May Dr Azzam Alwash (CEO of Nature Iraq) gave a talk “The Story of Mesopotamian Marshes, The Past and Future” —this is one of the main key sites for many migratory birds. (Contributed by Richard Porter) Nature Iraq receives Takreem Arab Achievement Award in Qatar Initiated in 2004 the Takreem Arab Achievement Award honours the best and brightest of Arab achievements. Nature Iraq was the recipient this year for their achievement in Environmental Development and Sustainability. Dr Azzam Alwash, CEO of Nature Iraq, accepted the award at a ceremony in Qatar at the end of April. The Takreem Award seeks to identify and promote Arab accomplishments, by highlighting Arab excellence and leadership worldwide. The Award for Environmental Development and Sustainability honours individuals and organizations that have shown leadership in the field of environmental planning, sustainable development and green projects. Such recipients have been involved in effective environmental planning, addressing community needs through sustainable resource use while protecting the environment, promoting energy efficiency and raising environmental (Contributed by Richard Porter) awareness. ISRAEL Volunteers wanted for migration survey The Israel Ornithological Centre (IOC) will conduct a migration survey of soaring birds in the northern valleys of Israel. This survey is monitoring one of the most important bird migration pathways of the Middle East. They are looking for experienced birdwatchers who are willing to spend long days in the field. The survey runs from 15 Sep-10 Oct. IOC will cover flight costs, food and accommodation and a small fee for volunteers who can stay the whole duration. For more details please contact Nadav Israeli contactnadavisra@ gmail.com. JORDAN Jordan Birdwatching Club on Facebook If you’re on Facebook and interested in the wild birds of Jordan, please consider joining the facebook group ‘Jordan Birdwatching Club’. (Contributed by Fares Khoury) SYRIA Jaboul wetland report published An excellent report outlining the long term monitoring of the Jaboul wetland has been published: Hamidan, N, L El-Moghrabi, E Al-Ibraheem, Y Mujawer & A Mawas. 2010. Waterbirds Survey Report of Sabkhat Al-Jabboul Aleppo / Syria 2008-2009. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, Amman, Jordan. This is a joint effort between SSCW and RSCN funded by SDC. (Contributed by Sharif Jbour) YEMEN Minister for Water and the Environment Abdul Rahman, President of YSPW (BirdLife’s Partner) is no longer in post as Yemen’s Minister for Water and the Environment. OTHER INFORMATION Bibliography of Arabian Ornithology The 2011 update to the draft bibliography of Arabian Ornithology is now available. This issue includes the 80 or so references added since 2010. This year’s version includes two important addenda. In the preparation of the ABBA atlas it was originally intended to fully reference the text but later it was decided that this would take up too much space and would have made the text less straightforward to read. It was then decided to list all relevant published sources by a numerical code after each species account. However this plan was also abandoned as again it would have taken up too much space. These were important decisions as the atlas crept to an unmanageable 800 pages. In the end only the most relevant sources were quoted in the species accounts and only those sources included in the atlas list of references. The following addenda fill this gap by providing a full list of references for each species and a complete list of all references consulted. Addendum 1: A list of all published sources which contain at least one record relevant to bird distribution in Arabia and which were used in the preparation of Jennings, MC. 2010. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia. Fauna of Arabia 25. These are shown as numerical source codes and grouped for each species, arranged in the species taxonomic order used in the Atlas. Addendum 2: Is a complete list of all published sources (author, title and other citation details) at Addendum 1, arranged in the order of their numerical source code to allow easy identification of the sources at Addendum 1. If anyone wants to investigate a particular species in Arabia, or delve into the sources and contents of the atlas species accounts these reference lists are a useful Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 195 starting point. Please contact Mike Jennings at ArabianBirds@dsl.pipex.com for further information. (Contributed by Mike Jennings) Phoenix 27 Issue No 27 of the Phoenix, a newsletter for Arabian Ornithology published by the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia (ABBA) project, has been sent out to subscribers and contacts. The contents include: A new Arabian breeding species - Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus; Yellow-billed Kites Milvus aegyptius in Arabia; Crab-plover Dromas ardeola satellite tracked to Aldabra (Seychelles); Asian Raptor movements through Arabia; Turkish Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus in UAE; Survey report on the highlands and tihama of south-west Saudi Arabia (summary); Origin of Peregrines Falco peregrinus wintering in and migrating through Arabia; Counting Crab-plover colonies; Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax and Purple Heron Ardea purpurea breed for the first time in Qatar; A new race of Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida found breeding in Arabian mangroves; First breeding of Spotted Crake Porzana porzana in the UAE; Birds of the Hajar mountains, UAE; Status of the coastal wetlands in Ras al Khaimah; Survey report on Shaybah oilfield, Empty Quarter, Saudi Arabia (summary); Bulgarian Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus visits Saudi Arabia; Sooty Falcon Falco concolor juveniles tracked from Oman to Africa; Kazakhstan Eastern Imperial Eagles Aguila heliaca in Kuwait. Please contact Mike Jennings at ArabianBirds@dsl.pipex.com for further information. (Contributed by Mike Jennings) Online Access to Podoces—the West and Central Asian Ornithological Journal Podoces continues to be published successfully and since 2009 has been published online- only, at www.wesca.net. This periodical (ISSN 1735-6725) focusing on West and Central Asia has been entirely in English since 2008. The table of contents of the four online issues since 2009 are given below. Contents of 4(1): Review of rare birds in Iran, 1860s—1960s; Distribution, population and ecology of Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus bogdanovi in Sistan Plain, in relation 196 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) to plant coverage and drought; Breeding biology of Grey Heron Ardea cinerea in Siahkeshim Protected Area, northern Iran; The avian community of five Iranian wetlands, Miankaleh, Fereidoon-Kenar, Bujagh, Anzali and Lavandevil, inthe south Caspian lowlands; Observations of waterbirds at Abshineh Dam, Hamedan Province, Iran; Autumn records of Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (Bechstein, 1798) in Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey; Estimating seasonal populations of some Corvids in Iran, 2001-2002. The 4(2) papers included: Comparison of morpho-skeletal characteristics (using standardised criteria sets) of the Great Tit Parus major (Linnaeus 1758) in three Iranian populations (Mashhad, Noor and Hamedan); Distribution and number of herons (Ardeidae), White Stork Ciconia ciconia and Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus at their main wintering sites in the Azerbaijan Republic; Waterbird populations during dry and wet years in the Hamoun Wetlands Complex, Iran/Afghanistan border; Some aspects of feeding ecology of the Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus in three different zones in the Kadalundy Estuary, Kerala, South India; and Effects of sunflower cultivars and different sowing dates on the damage rate caused by birds, in particular House Sparrow Passer domesticus. Notes are also given on: The first record of the Amur Falcon Falco amurensis from Iran; Changes to the Checklist of the Birds of Muzaffarabad City, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan; and Observations on breeding birds of Meyghan wetland and adjacent areas, Markazi Province, west-central Iran. Issue 5(1) of Podoces, published in 2010, covers the following papers: Bird atlas as an indispensable monitoring tool: how the first one was conceived in Finland and implications for Iran; Results of mid-winter waterbird counts in Iran in the early 1970s; Breeding biology and success of the Little Egret Egretta garzetta in Karfestan Ab-bandan, Roudsar, Gilan Province, northern Iran; Breeding activities and success of Pleske’s Ground Jay Podoces pleskei in Touran Biosphere Reserve, Semnan Province, Iran; A comparative study on the populations and habitats of the Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus and the Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus in Lehri Nature Park, Punjab, Pakistan; Habitat- related density and activity patterns of the White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis in Cauvery Delta, southern India; and Current status of the Great Bustard Otis tarda in Boukan, West Azerbaijan, Iran. And also a note is given on Distribution of the Black- bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda Gray in Kerala, South India. The second issue of 2010, 5(2), includes the following papers: Current status of the breeding population of the Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis along the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea, and its wintering population in the south of Iran; Breeding biology and success of the Western Reef Heron on Nakhiloo Island, Persian Gulf; Population estimation and breeding biology of the House Crow Corvus splendens on Kharg Island, Persian Gulf; and Diet variations of the Barn Owl Tyto alba (Scopoli, 1769) in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Three notes are: A note on the breeding of the Great Bustard Otis tarda on Sootav Plain, Boukan, northwestern Iran; Diurnal behaviour of the Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber roseus during a tidal cycle on the Bandar Abbas coast, Persian Gulf; and A preliminary study on mite fauna of bird nests in Iran. Please visit www.wesca.net and then go to Podoces journal for the full text of all issues published so far. Authors are encouraged to submit their manuscripts to Abolghasem Khaleghizadeh at akhaleghizadeh@ gmail.com. (Contributed by Abolghasem Khaleghizadeh) Arabic on Worldbirds Arabic is now available as a language option on the following WorldBirds (www. worldbirds.org) family systems: Middle East Birds; North Africa Birds; East Africa Birds; West Africa Birds. The implementation of Arabic is still in development and the organisers note the following points. There is still some work to do in redirecting the primary language for some countries to Arabic, so that new users who visit the login page get this instead of English as the default (they can change language at login or while in the system). The system cannot at this stage cope with the right-to-left orientation of the whole system—so the text will read correctly but the menus etc are still on the left. As with any translation, there are going to be areas where expert users may think that different phrases or words would fit better—please feed back suggestions to the organisers. WorldBirds is grateful to the voluntary help from Ibrahim Al Hasani. It is hoped that by having Arabic available, the system will be more accessible to local Arabic-speaking bird watchers. For further information please email worldbirds@rspb.org.uk. (Contributed by WorldBirds—Ian Fisher & Loraiza Davies) Middle Eastern Important Bird Areas A total of 391 sites have been identified as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the Middle East, in all covering more than 300 000 km? or about 5% of the land area of the Middle East. The sites were carefully selected according to criteria which confirmed that they held regionally or globally important populations of birds. Seven main habitat-types can be distinguished in the Middle East: woodland, bush land, grassland, agricultural, desert, wetland and marine. IBAs have been identified in all of these ecosystems. Wetlands dominate the inventory, comprising half of all IBAs. Other habitat types are represented by lower, but roughly similar, number of sites. The large number of wetlands selected as IBAs reflects their great importance to birds and other wildlife in a region where water resources are usually scarce. About a quarter of the sites have some form of legal protection of their biodiversity, representing more than a third of the total area covered by IBAs. Thus the majority of all IBAs in the Middle East are unprotected by law. About two-thirds of IBAs in the Middle East are not immediately threatened, or are under a low degree of threat of destruction or degradation of their habitats. The IBAs in most urgent need of attention are those whose important habitats or bird populations are under a high degree of threat of destruction or elimination, and where most if not all of the habitat(s) or population(s) are likely to be irreversibly lost unless immediate action is taken. For more information on the Middle East IBA Programme contact sharif.jbour@ Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 1S birdlitemed.org (BirdLife Middle East Division Office). REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION Request for photos The Atlas of Birds of Iran is in the final stages and photographs of some of the rarer Iranian species are sought. The Atlas will be bilingual Persian/English. If you can provide photographs of publication quality please contact Mohammad Kaboli at mkaboli@ut.ac. ir or mkaboli@univ-montp2.fr. (Contributed by Mohammad Kaboli) Weavers in the UAE Inthe UAE there are now six species of weavers that are breeders or potential breeders. These are Vitelline Masked Weaver Ploceus vitellinus, Village Weaver P. cucullatus, Golden- backed Weaver P. jacksoni, Baya Weaver P. philippinus, Bengal or Black-breasted Weaver P. benghalensis and Streaked Weaver P. manyar. The first three are of African origin, the others are from the Indo-malayan region. Pictures of all these birds and their nests (which are often diagnostic identification clinchers) can be found on the web site of Tommy Pedersen, the UAE recorder, at http://www.uaebirding. com/photos-birds.html. Few birdwatchers report presence or breeding activity of exotics. The result is information is desperately needed of this group in the UAE and in Arabia generally. For example, although all the above have built nests and they are regarded as breeding by many there is no confirmed breeding reported for four of them. Weavers seem to build nests continuously and very often do not take breeding any further, so perhaps some of the above do not breed? Any evidence of breeding weavers would be gratefully received, as would information on the subspecies of local populations, interspecific competition with indigenous or other species and interaction with man/utilisation of man-made habitats etc. Information sent to ABBA (ArabianBirds@ dsl.pipex.com) should be copied to the UAE recorder Tommy Pedersen at 777sandman@ gmail.com, or other local recorders as appropriate. (Contributed by Mike Jennings) 198 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) ABBA 2011 records Although the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia was published last summer, the ABBA project continues to collect records of bird distribution within the Arabia peninsula and publish the Phoenix each year. Current observers living in Arabia or visiting are invited to send appropriate records to the project. The ABBA database is primarily interested in breeding species, including breeding visitors, and other species that show signs of breeding. This includes exotics that appear to be becoming established, visiting species which now find suitable breeding habitat in the region through habitat change and those species that, increasingly, over-summer and thus might breed. Information is scheduled according to a half degree grid square and a breeding evidence code that generally accords with other similar international atlas projects. Records information is held against five basic data fields; species and species number; a grid scale reference; a breeding evidence code; date and remarks. Information collected is not confined purely to breeding activities, the remarks column (which can be a few words of explanation or a whole page of notes) may be used for comments on ecology, food taken, habitats, interactions with other species and man. In addition information is increasingly being collected not just on birds but in respect of specific habitats, conservation subjects and a range of environmental issues relevant to birds. Those interested in contributing to the project and have not already received a set of ABBA instructions should let me know so that I can send them the documentation (pdfs and MSWord). This includes Instructions for Contributors, a list of Arabia breeding birds with short notes on status, a grid map of the Arabian peninsula, the breeding evidence code and report forms. There is also a sample completed report form to illustrate the sort of information that is being sought. Contributors will receive Phoenix the annual project newsletter as well as various ABBA survey and other reports which become available. The ABBA project has involved a great many people contributing records and data over a long period. It has been a principle of the project since it started to share as much data as possible among observers and other individuals and also to groups and _ other organisations interested in Arabian birds. For example, the project has provided information for many scientific papers by various authors and has made its database available to those preparing various handbooks and field guides. Contributors who are intending to publish their own observations can be provided with up to date details of the distribution of individual species or the birds occurring in finite areas. A close working relationship has been built up with all natural history groups active in Arabia and with their ornithological recorders, so that benefits may accrue to all parties. Information is regularly passed to such groups and individual contributors are encouraged to copy their own ABBA reports to their local group or bird recorder. All information passed on by the project does, wherever possible, credit the original observer but observers do have the option of remaining anonymous when records are passed on and can put any reasonable embargo on their own records once on the ABBA database. (Contributed by Mike Jennings) The OSME region Lies between Europe, China and the Horn of Africa on two major migration flyways crossing Central Asia’s wind-swept steppes, the Caucasus’ towering mountains, Arabia’s wide arid deserts and the tropical seas of the Indian Ocean. An awesome place for birds and birdwatchers. 2 ORNITHOLOGICAL Encourages conservation and research through a fund for small-scale projects. : ae gio - mie fd aah ‘¥ j ¢ wes 5 oe ndiew oe SOCI THE CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA OSME OSME brings together those curious and knowledgeable about the region’s birds x Set thy ETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST Publishes SANDGROUSE an internationally respected journal with papers on the birds of the OSME region written by local and visiting scientists and enthusiasts. OSME c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, UK To join OSME visit www.osme.org UK registered charity no. 282938 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 199 AROUND THE REGION Dawn Balmer & Ian Harrison (compilers) Records in Around the Region are published for interest only; their inclusion does not imply acceptance by the records committee of the relevant country. All records refer to 2011 unless stated otherwise. Records and photographs for Sandgrouse 34 (1) should be sent by 15 December to atr@osme.org. BAHRAIN A Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni at Buri 27 May was the fourth record for Bahrain. There was a Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis at Askar coastal marsh 9 Jan and a Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis there 21 May, the first record for the country. CYPRUS A Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca flew past Mandria 8 Apr and will be the first record if accepted. A count of 152 Scopoli’s Shearwaters Calonectris d. diomedea passing Mandria heading northwest 10 Apr was the largest spring count on record and 12 Yelkouan Shearwaters Puffinus yelkouan passing Mandria 10 Apr and two in Akrotiri bay 12 Apr were notable. Two Balearic Shearwaters Puffinus mauretanicus flew west past Mandria 9 Apr and will be the first record if accepted. Two Eurasian Bitterns Botaurus stellaris were at Phasouri reed-beds 16 Apr. Single Northern Gannets Morus bassanus passing Mandria 1 and 9 Apr are the 11th & 12th records since 2000. A Saker Falcon Falco cherrug at cape Greco 7 Apr is a rare spring migrant and a Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus at Filousa 3 Apr is also notable. There was a good scattering of Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus with four at Spiros pool 18 Apr, one Lady’s Mile 21 Apr, at least one Spiros pool 7 May and six Akrotiri salt lake 21 May. A Booted Eagle Aquila pennata at Phasouri reed-beds 25 Mar was a good record of this rare spring migrant. There were Baillon’s Crakes Porzana pusilla at Sotira pools, Paralimni, 15 Apr, one Kouklia soakaways 26 Apr and one Aspro pools 30 Apr-6 May. The largest spring flock of Demoiselle Cranes Anthropoides virgo was recorded this spring with 40 heading north 200 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) over Akrotiri salt lake 22 Mar and 55 flew over Akrotiri peninsula 27 Mar. There were two records of Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus: one Mandria 2 Apr and one Larnaca airport pools south 7 Apr; these are the 13th and 14th records since 2000. Eurasian Dotterel Charadrius morinellus is a rare migrant so one at Akrotiri gravel pits 25 Mar and one Paralimni lake 10-11 Apr were notable. A Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicaria at Larnaca sewage works pools 4 Jun will be the second record if accepted. A count of 214 Collared Pratincoles Glareola pratincola at Akrotiri gravel pits 16 Apr was the largest flock ever recorded, followed by c140 at nearby Phasouri reed-beds on 18 Apr. There was one Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus at Akrotiri peninsula 21 Mar and three at Asprokremmos dam 28 Mar. Up to three Laughing Doves Streptopelia senegalensis were present at Agia Napa sewage works 22 Apr-2 May, the fourth record for Cyprus. A Namaqua Dove Oena capensis at Xeros Potamos valley 29 Apr—3 May was the second record for Cyprus, following the first in 1998. A Little Swift Apus affinis was in the Pissouri/ cape Aspro area 16 May and will be the 12th record if accepted and a White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis at Phasouri reed-beds on the same date was the 17th record. There were three spring records of Daurian Isabelline Shrike Lantus isabellinus isabellinus: one Akrotiri gravel pits 19-20 Mar, one Paphos lighthouse 29 Mar and one Mandria 23 Apr and Lesser Short-toed Larks Calandrella rufescens were recorded at cape Greco on 1 Apr and three cape Andreas 28 Mar. There have been no accepted records of Siberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita tristis so one at Partenitis dam 2 Apr was notable. Rose- coloured Starlings Sturnus roseus were seen at Akrotiri gravel pits 17 May, and another seen at Aphrodite hills 24 May. There were three records of Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus: one cape Andreas 26 Mar, one cape Drepano 3 Apr and one at Akrotiri gravel pits 12 Apr and one record of Caspian Stonechat S. m. variegata at Kivisili 10 Apr. There were records of Rufous-tailed Scrub Robins Cercotrichas galactotes at Baths of Aphrodite on 11 Apr and two at Petra tou Romiou 14 Apr. It was an excellent spring for rare wheatears with the seventh record of Rufous-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna at Agia Napa sewage works 5-15 Apr (possibly the same bird which wintered at cape Greco, last seen there 22 Feb) and records of Desert Wheatear Oenanthe desertt from Paphos sewage plant 21 Mar, Akrotiri gravel pits 25 Mar and Larnaca sewage works area 2 Apr. The third record of Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens was of one at Souskiou, Dhiarizos valley, 14 Feb and the 15th and 16th records of Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha involved a male at Amathus 29 Mar and a female at cape Drepano 2 Apr. There were four records of Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis: one Drouseia 2 Apr, one Anarita Park 5 Apr, one cape Greco 7 Apr and one Giouti cliffs 9 Apr. It was a good spring for Semi-collared Flycatchers Ficedula semitorquata with records of single males at Amathus 31 Mar, Akrotiri 10 Apr, Smygies 12 Apr, Baths of Aphrodite 12 Apr, Armou hills 13 Apr, Agia Varvara 14 and 22 Apr, Larnaca sewage works 15 Apr and Aspro dam car park 20 Apr. Two Eurasian Tree Sparrows Passer montanus were at cape Kormakiti on 30 Mar and one at cape Andreas 19 Apr; the 11th & 12th records since 2000. There were up to 25 Rock Sparrows Petronia petronia wintering in hills above Paphos, last seen 14th March. A Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi at Akrotiri salt lake 12 Apr was the only record this spring. A Masked Wagtail Motacilla (alba) personata at Paphos sewage plant on 28 Apr was the second record for Cyprus. A Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus at cape Andreas on 19 Apr was the 11th record since 2000 and a Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla at Xeros Potamos 11-12 Apr was the third record. EGYPT A report was received of possible breeding of Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus in the Siwa oasis area this summer with a bird judged to be three-five months old present. There were at least 50 Yellow-billed Storks Mycteria ibis in the Abu Simbel area in early May and one Goliath Heron Ardea goliath at Hamata mangroves 9 May. There were at least 17 Pink-backed Pelicans Pelecanus rufescens at various spots along the shore of lake Nasser in early May, a Little Crake Porzana parva at Sharm El Sheikh ponds 5 Apr, a Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio at Aswan Tut Amon fish ponds 3-11 May and at least four Crab-plovers Dromas ardeola at Hamata mangroves 9 May. There was one Collared Plover Charadrius tricollaris at Aswan fish farms 11 Apr, at least six birds, including one fresh juvenile, at Aswan Tut Amon fish ponds 3-11 May and at least 6 birds including one fresh juvenile and one adult plus one juvenile at Abu Simbel lagoon (by petrol station) 6-8 May. The first record of Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan for Egypt was at Crocodile island, Luxor, 12 Mar. A flock of 20 Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii were at Sharm El Sheikh ponds 5 Apr and over 60 Namaqua Doves Oena capensis were at Daraw camel market near Kom Ombo 8 Apr. There were four African Collared Doves Streptopelia roseogrisea at Abu Simbel 9 Apr, a further 6 at Wadi Gamal national park on 12 Apr, one at Wadi Lahami 10 May and one at Wadi Gamal park office south of Marsa Alam on the same date. The African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens was still present at Abu Simbel 21 Mar and seen until early May at least. A Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar was at Abassa 14 Apr. A Brown Noddy Anous stolidus at Sheedvar island, Hormozgan province, 7 Jun was the first record for Iran. IRAQ Migrant birds: a flock of 185 Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni were observed in Habbariya area in west of Iraq 18 May. Six Pallid Harriers Circus macrourus and five Montagu’s Harriers Circus pygargus were observed at Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 201 Plate |. White-eared Bulbuls Pycnonotus leucotis, Iraq. © Omar Fadhil Jellet Albu Ajeel/Al-Sder area in Salahadin 2 Apr. This appears to an important area for migrant raptors as Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis, Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus, Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus, Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus, Black Kite Milvus migrans and Black-eared Kite Milvus lineatus were also located. A flock of 400-500 Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava was observed at Habbaniya lake, Anbar province, on 17 May and at least 180 Willow Warblers Phylloscopus trochilus were recorded there on the same date. Other migrant warblers were observed there such as seven Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris and River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis, apparently the second record of the latter species in Iraq since one on 11 May 1918. Two big flocks of Hypocoliuses Hypocolius ampelinus were observed; the first consisted of 57 birds over Al Roudha, Anbar, 18 May, and the second 37 birds in Al-Alam area, Salahadin, 10 April with nesting activities on acacia trees recorded. 202 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Plate 2. Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea, lraq. © Omar Fadhil Breeding birds: six pairs of Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus were observed at two sites in Salahadin (five pairs Hemreen hills, one pair Makhool foothills) with evidence of breeding at the latter site. A pair of Black- winged Kites Elanus caeruleus was observed on a nest site built high in a eucalyptus tree in Al-Alam area, Salahadin province, 11 Apr. Successful nesting of Hypocoliuses and White-eared Bulbuls Pycnonotus leucotis (Plate 1) was discovered in many sites. A count of 200 Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis nests was made in a large colony 10 Apr in Al-Sder area, Salahadin province. Flocks of Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata totalling 2300-2450 individuals were observed in Jelley Albu Ajeel area, Salahadin province; one of the most important breeding sites of this species in Iraq. Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus was found breeding on Peramagroon mountain in June, the first breeding record for Iraq. An adult female Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis was observed carrying food and visiting a probable nest site at Al Baghdadi, Anbar province, 19 May, the first breeding record. Four Pharaoh Eagle Owls Bubo ascalaphus (an adult, two young birds and an owlet c20-30 days old) were observed 10 Jun in Ramadi animal market after they had been captured and collected from Al Rutba near the Iraq/Saudi Arabian border, the second record confirming occurrence and breeding for this species in Iraq. A pair of Basra Reed Warblers Acrocephalus griseldis was observed in Rmadi marshes/Hawiat Albu Dheab, Anbar, 19 May, which suggests breeding at the site, an extension of the breeding range of this species in Iraq. On 14 April, Nature Iraq, with cooperation from Birdlife International, started its annual training programme in Sulaimani province, Kurdistan region. During the training events, Nature Iraq recorded many _ interesting observations. Remarkable numbers of Egyptian Vultures were located at breeding sites within most of the visited areas. The team was able to locate many nesting sites for Steppe Buzzard and Long-legged Buzzard. A pair of Lesser Kestrels was located at a nest site in Qara Daq area. Elsewhere, a total of 63 adult and first-summer Lesser Kestrels were observed feeding in grassland and cultivated field habitats in two sites (Peramagroon and Qara Dagh). Pairs and singing male Cinereous Buntings Emberiza cineracea (Plate 2) were observed at four sites suggesting breeding. An adult male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis was observed carrying food in the Delega area 14 April. ISRAEL A record of 70 Scopoli’s Shearwaters Calonectris d. diomedea off Ashdod 22 Apr was exceptional. Two Black-winged Kites Elanus caeruleus continued to show near Nizzana during Apr and one was at Bet Nir, Judean lowlands, 15 Jun. There was a Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo at Agamon Hula 14 Mar and three were observed on migration over Nizzana the following day. Nizzana also hosted a White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus 14 Apr. A first-winter Sooty Gull Larus hemprichti was at Shifdan sewage pools, Dan region, 21 Sep 1998, the fifth record for Israel and the first for the Mediterranean coast. It was a good spring for Great Snipe Gallinago media passage with one at Ma’agan Michael 29 Apr, one at Neot Smadar, south Negev, 2 May and one at Gesher, Jordan valley, 10-22 May. There was an Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis at Timorim, Judean lowlands, 5-6 Mar. A Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus at Samar, S Arava, 19-20 May was about the ninth record for Israel. Good numbers of Dunn’s Larks Eremalauda dunni were scattered in the south Negev and Arava during Mar and small numbers noted breeding in Apr and May. A Sykes’s Warbler Iduna rama ringed at IBRCE, Eilat, on 10 May will be the fifth record for Israel if accepted and a Green Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides nitidus ringed at Ashdod 4 Jun will be the sixth record. Three Menetries’s Warblers Sylvia mystacea were trapped and ringed at IBRCE, Eilat, 19-24 Mar and one ringed at JBO, Jerusalem, 23 May was a very late record. There were records of Black Scrub Robin Cercotrichas podobe from Yotvata on 3 Mar, IBRCE, Eilat, 22 Mar, three individuals at Eilat and in Yotvata 7-8 Apr and one at Hazeva, north Arava, 9 May. The male Rufous-tailed Wheatear Monticola saxatilis was still at Tamra, W Galilee, till at least 15 Mar and there were very good numbers of Cyprus Wheatears Oenanthe cypriaca with about 20 records, mainly in the Negev and Arava. A Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla ringed at JBO 3 May will be the first or second record for Israel if accepted; the record from 2007 is still under circulation by IRDC. At Ma’agan Michael, a male Masked Wagtail Motacilla (alba) personata was recorded 18-22 Mar and is the second record for Israel. JORDAN A Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea was at Aqaba sewage works on 1 Apr; this species is a vagrant in Jordan. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus is a rare visitor so one at Azraq wetland reserve on 26 Mar and nine at Aqaba sewage works 1 Apr, with one there the following day, are notable records. On 24 Mar there was a second calendar-year Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus at Al Mudawwara and two males at Shaumari wildlife reserve the following day and a second calendar- year Greater Spotted Eagie Aquila clanga at Aqaba sewage works on 25 Mar. An adult Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus was at Birds resort and reserve of Al Ghal 31 Mar; this species is resident in small numbers. A Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio was seen 23 Mar at Aqaba bird observatory. Three adult Heuglin’s Gulls Larus heuglini were at Aqaba sewage works 2 Apr and a Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus (second calendar-year bird) was there the same day. A Nubian Nightjar Caprimulgus nubicus was in song at Tassan springs 20 Mar and four or five were in song at Feifa the following evening. There was a flock of c350 Bimaculated Larks Melanocorypha bimaculata at a pivot field at Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 203 Wadi Hazim, east of Azraq, 27 Mar; this is an excellent count of this scarce species. A Desert Warbler Sylvia nana was east of Azraq 27 Mar, a male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis was at Shaumari wildlife reserve 27 Mar and a male Semi- collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata was at Wadi Dana 22 Mar. A Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewskii was recorded at Al Mudawwara 23 Mar (photographed) and an Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni was found in Aqaba 26-27 Mar. KUWAIT There were four records of Socotra Cormorant, all immatures, with one 23 Apr off Souk Sharq, one 24 Apr off Zour port and two off Souk Sharq 25 Apr. A female Merlin Falco columbarius pallidus was at the Pivot Fields 21 Apr and a juvenile female Shikra Accipiter badius was at Al Abraq Al Khabari the following day. Jahra pool had a good run of crakes with 13 Little Crakes Porzana parva 19 Apr, a Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla 21 Apr and 10 Spotted Crakes Porzana porzana (including many singing) on 19 Apr. There were also 8 Spotted Crakes at Manchester Club 25 Apr. A Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio poliocephalus was recorded at Jahra pool 19 and 21 Apr and one was at Manchester Club 19, 20 and 25 May. There were c500 Lesser Sandplovers Charadrius mongolus at Doha spit 19 and 21 Apr, seven Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus at Pivot Fields 21 Apr, a Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus at Jahra pool 19 Apr and up to 300 Terek Sandpipers Xenus cinerea at Doha spit 23 Apr. A Red Knot Calidris canutus was at Jahra East outfall on 2 Jun; the previous record was in Jul 1962. Up to 140 Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus were at Doha spit 23 Apr, 450 Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus at Jahra pool 21 Apr and c50 Black-winged Pratincoles Glareola nordmanni at Pivot Fields on the same date. Around 170 Lesser Crested Terns Sterna bengalensis were at Doha spit 19 Apr, an Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea was at Jahra East outfall 3 Jun and c220 Bridled Terns Onychoprion anaethetus were off Zour port on 24 Apr. There was a maximum of seven Hypocoliuses Hypocolius ampelinus at Green Island 24 Apr and one at Al Abrag Al Khabari 204 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 22 Apr. A Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus humet was at Zour port 24 Apr. A Hume’s Whitethroat Sylvia althaea was photographed at Zour port 24 Apr; this form is poorly known (or recorded?) in Kuwait. Two Common Babblers Turdoides caudata were at Abdaly farms 23 Apr and a Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos golzi was at Al Abraq Al Khabari 22 Apr. The first Pied Stonechat Saxicola caprata for Kuwait, a male, was at Jahra pool on 20 May. There were 16 Pale Rock Finches at Zour port 24 Apr and a pair of Chestnut-shouldered Petronias Gymnoris xanthocollis at Green Island 18 Apr. A pair of Riippell’s Weavers Ploceus galbula was noted nest building at Green Island mid Apr. The first Masked Wagtail Motacilla (alba) personata for Kuwait, a male, was at Jahra pool 1 Mar and the second Mongolian Finch Bucanetes mongolicus for Kuwait was at SAANR 8 Apr. LEBANON A Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus was seen 19 May at Ras Chekka. This species has never been proved to breed in Lebanon, but with an observation in June 2007 at the same coastal cliff site, it is hoped that further visits might confirm breeding. OMAN Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons were present in small numbers throughout the period on a number of the southern coastal khawrs, with a maximum of 11 at East Khawr 1 Jan. Nine were still there 3 Feb when they were seen with 2 Ruddy Shelducks Tadorna ferruginea. Wildfowl numbers are continually rising at Al Ansab wetlands now that it is being managed as a nature reserve. This is exemplified by large counts of Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata (max 420), Eurasian Teal Anas crecca (max 660) and Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca (max 19), all on 24 Jan. Sea-watching from sites along Oman’s eastern and southeastern coasts can be very rewarding during the spring and summer. There were 13 Jouanin’s Petrels Bulweria fallax, 162 Flesh- footed Shearwaters Puffinus carneipes, 855 Persian Shearwaters Puffinus (lherminiert) persicus, 13 Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus, 27 Masked Boobies Sula dactylatra and 850 Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus at Ras al Hadd 27-30 May, as well as a single Sooty Falcon Falco concolor. Further south, there were 77 Persian Shearwaters Puffinus (Iherminier1) persicus, 14 Flesh-footed Shearwaters Puffinus carneipes and a single Wilson’s Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus at Mirbat on 9 Jun. As well as large numbers of duck at Al Ansab wetlands there were large counts of Little Grebes Tachybaptus ruficollis (max 172) in the first two weeks of June. On 28 Feb, 800 Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus were seen at Khawr Ghawi. There were 45 Abdim’s Storks Ciconia abdimu at Mirbat 5 Mar, the largest number since the 1980s, and over 1000 White Storks Ciconia ciconia at Raysut 3 Mar. Three Crested Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhynchus were at East Khawr 3 Mar. A single Black-eared Kite Milvus (migrans) lineatus was seen at Al Amerat, near Muscat, on 2 Jan. There was a record count of 21 Eurasian Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus at Tawi Atayr, Jabal Samhan, on 8 Jan along with three Lappet-faced Vultures Torgos tracheliotus and six Eastern Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca. The highest count for Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus was 98 at Qurryat 5 Jan. A single Shikra Accipiter badius was at Sohar Sun farms 21 Jan. There were 250 Steppe Eagles Aquila nipalensis at Raysut 5 Jan and three Verreaux’s Eagles Aguila verreauxti at Jebel Samhan 2 Mar. Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni is something of a Batinah coast speciality during spring migration; a max count of 13 was recorded at Sohar Sun farms Suu There were two Little Crakes Porzana parva at Al Mughsay] 4 Jan and 3 Feb. A single Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla was at Al Mughsay]l 4 Jan, two at Qurryat 5 Jan and one at Khawr Sawli 7 Jan. Single White-breasted Waterhens Amaurornis phoenicurus were seen at Ayn Razat (2 Jan), Al Mughsayl (3 Jan), Ayn Hamran (4 Mar) and Wadi Hanna (6 Mar). Three Common Cranes Grus grus were at Sahnawt 3 Jan and two at Shisr 6 Jan. A Cream-Coloured Courser Cursorius cursor was at Shisr 6 Jan and three at A’Shuwaymiyah on 1 Mar. There were three Pheasant-tailed Jacanas Hydrophasianus chirurgus at Khawr Rawri and one at Al Mughsayl 3 Jan and two 3 Mar at both Khawr Taqah and Khawr Rawri. There were 22 Crab-plovers Dromas ardeola at Khawr Jirama 3 Jan and 6 were seen at Ras al Hadd 27-30 Mar. A Sociable Plover Vanellus gregarius was at Sohar Sun farms early Jan until the third week of March. A count of 27 White-Tailed Plovers Vanellus leucurus at Al Ansab wetlands 30 Jan was notable. Collared Pratincoles Glareola pratincola breed at Sohar Sun farms—the first sighting for the year was 2 Mar, when 17 were present, building to over 120 on 3 Jun when six fledged young and four young chicks were seen. On 28 Feb, 400 Swift Terns Sterna bergii and 200 Saunder’s Terns Sterna (albifrons) saundersi were at Khawr Ghawi. Two Arabian Scops Owls Otus (sengalensis) pamelae were at Jebal Samhan 2 Mar and three at Wadi Darbat 4 Mar. A Barn Owl Tyto alba was at Sohar Sun farms on 3 Feb. A Hume’s Owl Strix butleri was at A’Shuwaymiyah 1 Mar and another at Al Mughsayl 9 Mar, both known sites. Grey-Headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala arrives to breed in southern Oman in late April, and one was present at Ayn Hamran on 27 April. The Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata is now recorded most winters on the coastal khawrs in the Dhofar region; one was present at Al Mughsayl 9 Mar. The long- standing breeding colony of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters Merops persicus at Sohar Sun farms consisted of c80 birds feeding young in early June while a further 150+ birds were seen over the surrounding fields. A Long-Tailed Shrike Lanius schach photographed at Qurm park 20 Jan was the ninth record for Oman. A Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator was seen at Sohar Sun farms 17 Feb. There were three Oriental Skylarks Alauda gulgula at Sun farms 17 Feb with at least one possibly present into March. One (possibly two) Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola was seen at Sohar Sun farms 14 Jan, the sixth record for Oman. A Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus was at Rahab farm, Marmul, 1 Mar. A Brahminy Starling Sturnia pagodarum seen at Khawr Taqah 6 Jan was the ninth record for Oman. There were five Black-throated Thrushes Turdus atrogularis at A’Sayh 2 Jan. A single Dusky Thrush Turdus eunomus (fifth record for Oman) was at Rahab farm, Marmul, on 1 Mar. Two Song Thrushes Turdus philomelos were at Ayn Razat 2 Jan and singles were at Qurm park 4 Jan and Rahab farm, Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 205 Marmul, 1 Mar. There were 22 Eversmann’s Redstarts Phoenicurus erythronotus at A’Sayh, Musandam, 21 Jan, the highest number since 2004. Stonechats wintering in Oman can cause something of an identification problem. Although most have been assumed to be Siberian Stonechats Saxicola maurus, European Stonechats S. rubicola also occur— there were at least three at A’Sayh plateau and two at Sal Alla, Musandam, 21 Jan. QATAR At least one pair of Purple Herons Ardea purpurea bred at Abu Nakhla May/June, the second confirmed record for the Arabian gulf. A juvenile Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca, a rare visitor, at Irkayya farm (IF) on 10 Jun, and a juvenile Amur Falcon Falco amurensis, a rare winter visitor, at the same place 31 Dec 2010-14 Jan were third records. A Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmannt, a rare visitor, at IF 6-13 Feb was the third record and an Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius, a rare visitor, at IF 2 Jun, was also the third record. The first confirmed breeding of Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla, at IF, occurred May/June. A Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia, a rare passage migrant, was at IF 20 May. A male Eversmann’s Redstart Phoenicurus erythronotus was at IF 19 Feb, the fifth record, and first since 11 May 1984. A male Kurdish Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna at IF 7-14 Jan, was the first confirmed record. Three Common Rosefinches Carpodacus erythrinus, a scarce visitor, were at IF 27 May. A male Eastern Cinereous Bunting Emberiza (cineracea) semenowi, a rare visitor, was at Sealine beach resort 8 Apr and another at Traina 15 Apr. A male Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala, at IF, on 7 Apr was the fourth record. SAUDI ARABIA (all records from the Dhahran area, Eastern province) An immature Black Stork Ciconia nigra was present 4 May. Western Ospreys Pandion haliaetus were present 21 Jan—-19 May, max two 21 Jan. An adult female European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus was in trees and in flight over Dhahran 4 May and an adult male was seen 2 Jun. An immature and an 206 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) adult female Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus were over Dhahran 13 Mar with an adult male in trees and in flight 5 and 6 May and another adult female 7 May. An immature Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus was seen 31 Mar. Western Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus were present 14 Jan-19 May with a maximum count of eight. A Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus was seen 1 Apr. A first year Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus was at Dhahran 10-28 May and Greater Spotted Eagles Aquila clanga were seen on various dates 14 Jan—12 May, max three 14 Jan. A juvenile Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis was at Qaryat al Ulya 6 Jan. A juvenile Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca was present 21 Jan and two Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni were seen 5 May. An adult male Little Crake Porzana parva was seen 29 Mar and 29 Apr while a Corncrake Crex crex was at the sewage farm 12 May. Purple Swamphens Porphyrio porphyrio were present throughout, high count 15. Pied Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta were present on various dates with a maximum of 40, 4 Feb. An adult Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus was at Dhahran 12 and 13 May. Two Northern Lapwings Vaneilus vanellus were present Dhahran 13-17 Jan; one was at the sewage farm on 31 Mar and one at Qaryat al Ulya 6 Jun. A White- tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus was at the sewage farm 11 and 18 Mar, being joined by a second bird 25 Mar. A single Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus was present 3 Apr. A Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa and a Spotted Redshank Tinga erythropus were at the sewage farm 4 Feb. Wood Sandpipers Tringa glareola were present 5-14 May, max 120. A Temminck’s Stint Calidris temmincku was seen 14 and 21 Jan. A Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola was present 19 May. Twelve Caspian Terns Hydroprogne caspia were seen at the sewage farm 11 Feb. An adult summer Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus was well inland at Dhahran 16 Feb and was joined by a second bird 18 Mar. Single European Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur were seen 6 and 8 May and 14 Jun. European Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus were seen 5—7 May (one to two birds). An Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius was hunting at night 17 Jan and 12 Feb at Dhahran. On 10 Feb, 200+ Pallid Swifts Apus pallidus were seen over Dhahran. Two European Rollers Coracias garrulus were at the sewage farm 12 and 19 May and Blue-cheeked Bee- eaters Merops persicus were noted 5-12 May, max 23 at the sewage farm 12 May. European Bee-eaters Merops apiaster were seen on various dates 1 Apr—14 Jun, max 13 on 1 Apr. A Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla was seen 6 Mar and single Eurasian Golden Orioles Oriolus oriolus were at Dhahran 11 May and 2 Jun. Woodchat Shrikes Lanius senator were seen 25 Feb-1 Apr, max three 17 Mar and a Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus was present 5 May. Red-backed Shrikes Lanius collurio were seen 5 May-2 Jun, max five 7 May. Daurian Shrikes Lanius isabellinus were seen 7 Jan-12 May, high counts 18 Mar (13), 25 Mar (11) and 5 May (9). Single Turkestan Shrikes Lantus (isabellinus) phoenicuroides were seen Dhahran 20 Mar, 24 Mar, 9 May and 31 Mar (Nariyah), while two birds were at the sewage farm 12 and 19 May. Single Steppe Grey Shrikes Lanius (meridionalis) pallidirostris were at Dhahran 10, 17 and 24 Mar, two were at the sewage farm 11 Mar, while six were at Nariyah 31 Mar. Two Red-vented Bulbuls Pycnonotus cafer were seen 14 Jun. Four Eurasian Skylarks Alauda arvensis were at Dhahran 24-26 Feb while 25+ Greater Shori-toed Larks Calandrella brachydactyla were there 17 Mar. Red Rumped Swallows Cecropis daurica were seen 10 Feb-1 Apr, high counts 10 Feb (20) and 12/13 Feb (50). Clamorous Reed Warblers Acrocephalus stentoreus were seen at the sewage farm, and Dhahran, 4 Feb-2 Jun with a high count of six 11 Feb. Single Eastern Olivaceous Warblers Iduna pallida were seen at Dhahran 5-19 May with two 12 May. Single Upcher’s Warblers Hippolais languida were at Dhahran 5 May and the sewage farm 2 Jun. Two Eurasian Blackcaps Sylvia atracapilla were at Dhahran 5 May while an Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana was there 28 Mar. Single Ménétriés’s Warblers Sylvia mystacea were at the sewage farm 11 Mar and Dhahran 1 Apr. Single Song Thrushes Turdus philomelos were at Dhahran 7 Jan—17 Mar with two 10 Mar. Bluethroats Luscinia svecica were present at Dhahran and the sewage farm 14 Jan-11 Mar, max five 4 Feb. Rufous-tailed Scrub Robins Cercotrichas galactotes were seen 1 Apr (1), 11 May (2) and 12 May (1). Four to five White-throated Robins Irania gutturalis were seen 8-10 May. Two Desert Wheatears Oenanthe deserti were at Dhahran 29 Mar and three Nariyah 31 Mar. A Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis was at Dhahran 17 Mar. A male Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis was at Dhahran 12 May. Flocks of Pale Rockfinches Carpospiza brachydactyla were seen 22 Mar (17), 31 Mar (80+) and 1 Apr (8). A female/immature Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus was at Dhahran 14 May. Two Ortolan Buntings Emberiza hortulana were present 31 Mar-1 Apr and a singing male Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra was at Dhahran 25 Mar with two 27 Mar. SYRIA Detailed data from the Waterbird Survey Report of Sabkhet Al-Jabboul, June 2008-09, and just published, emphasise the international importance of this Ramsar site. The wealth of observations included: first breeding records for Syria of Little Egret Egretta garzetta, Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia (23 pairs), Common Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus (one pair), and Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis (10 pairs). Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca and White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala were confirmed breeding though in small numbers. Other breeding records included up to 4000 pairs of Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus, more than 500 nests of Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus, hundreds of pairs of Purple Swamphens Porphyrio porphyrio and Pied Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta and 2300 pairs of Slender-billed Gulls Chroicocephalus genei. Further interesting records included single Lesser White-fronted Goose Arser erythropus Feb 2009, Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca 22 Nov 2008 and Saker Falcon Falco cherrug 22 Oct 2008. Its importance for waders was emphasised by three single sightings of Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres (the first records for Syria), one group of three Sociable Lapwings Vanellus gregarius 16 Sep 2008, eight records of Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (very few previous Syrian records), one record of three Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus 13 May 2009, one juvenile Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus 15 May Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 207 2009 and two single Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus. Mheimideh held 11 Marbled Ducks Marmaronetia angu at least three Ferruginous Ducks Aytiya myroca and seven White-headed Ducks Oxyura leucocephala, on 30 Mar. A flock of c11 000 Northern Shovelers Anas clypeata was counted from Tell Jibbrin, Sabkhab Sabet 28 Mar. Three Northern Bald Ibises Geronticus eremita returned to the site near Palmyra; two chicks are at present in the sole nest. Hunters shot five Great Bustards Otis tarda at an unknown site; the footage was uploaded onto the internet but caused widespread anger both inside and outside Syria. Eight Little Crakes Porzana parva were recorded in late March at various sites including Mheimideh, Sabkhat Jabbul and Halabbiyah; this is clearly a regular if elusive passage migrant through Syria. Seven Greater Sand Plovers Ciaradrius leschenaultii were at Sabkhat al-Moh, Palmyra, 25 Mar but Sed Wadi Abied was completely dry this spring. A Desert Eagle Owl Bubo ascalaphus was near the entrance to Talila reserve on several dates. Three Cyprus Pied Wheatears Oenanthe cypriaca were at this excellent site on 24 Mar with two male Meneétries’ Warblers Sylvia mystacea and a male Riippell’s Warbler Sylvia rueppelli. A male Kurdish Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna was at Deir Mar Musa 29 Mar; there are several previous records from late March, which seems the best time of year to find this species in Syria. Two Bimaculated Larks Melanocorypha bimaculata were at Tell Jibbrin, Sabkhai al-Jabbul, 28 Mar, and two flocks of c500 were south of Palmyra 1 Apr, a late date. A count of 11 Citrine Wagtails Moiacilla citreola at Sabkhat al-Jabbul 28 Mar was high for Syria. = eae ES STiTOSiTIS, TURKEY The only significant wildfowl records in the period were of Common Eider Somaieria mollissima with males at Riva, Istanbul, 16 Jan, 2 Feb and 8 May. Turkey’s fourth Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor, in the Gediz delta and reported in Sandgrouse 32: 186, was apparently still present 7 Jan, with the same or another 30 Apr. The fifth record was one at Kulu Golu, Konya, 22 Apr. Two immature Pink-backed Pelicans Pelecanus rufescens in 208 $Sandgrouse 33 (2011) the Goksu delta, Mersin, 10 May, were the first record. The exceptional series of records of Black- winged Kite Elanus caeruleus noted at the end of 2010 continued with singles in the Goksu delta, Mersin, 1 Jan (presumably the same bird recorded 25 Dec 2010), at Ktictikdere, near Denizli, 16 Feb, between Batman and Bismil, Diyarbakir, 26 Feb, near Sanliurfa 27 Apr, at Adiyaman airport 23 Apr and at Huyuklu, Urfa, 19 May. Red Kites Milous milous were seen and photographed at Burdur 5 Feb and near Esenboga airport, Ankara, 2 May. A Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla was photographed at Mogan lake, Ankara, 18 Apr. Notable wader records were a White- tailed Lapwing Vamellus leucurus along the Dicle in Diyarbakir 1 Apr, seven unseasonal Greater Sand Plovers Charadrius leschenaultti at Milleyha, Hatay, 26 Feb, a Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus in the Goksu delta, Mersin, 28 Apr (13th record) and Great Snipe Gallinago media in the Kazilirmak delta 27 Apr and 13 May. A Common Tern Sierna (hirundo) longipennis was photographed 3 May at Karatas (Mediterranean) —the first record for Turkey. Pomarine Skuas Stercorarius pomarinus were seen at the Bosphorus, Istanbul, 31 Dec 2010 (photographed) and off Milleyha, Hatay, 5 Feb. A Long-tailed Skua Siercorarius longicaudus at the Bosphorus 29 Apr was the tenth record. The first and second Turkish records of Rufous Turtle Dove Sirepiopelia orientalis were singles at Ayvalik, Balikesir, 12 Jan-6 Feb and in the Yesilirmak delta 7 Feb. Both were of the subspecies meena. A Brown Fish Owl Keiupa zeylonensis was recorded at an undisclosed location in Antalya on 5 May. Ten Common Swifts Apus apus at Subasi, Hatay, 19 Feb were the first Feb record of this species. A Little Swift Apus affinis was at the same location 20 Feb and there were two Alpine Swifts Tachymarptis melba at nearby Milleyha 26 Feb. There was an ‘invasion’ of Bohemian Waxwings Bombycilla garrulus to the Samsun area of the Black Sea coast, peaking at 57 (the highest count in Turkey) at-Asarak 7 March. Following the first wintering record of Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata at Kirikhan, Hatay, in Dec 2010 (Sandgrouse 33: 91), three were at the same location 11 Feb. This is close to the second known breeding site for the species, Balik Golu, discovered in 2010 (Sandgrouse 33: 4-6). The second Turkish record of Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis involved an exceptional 8 birds near Erzurum 13 Mar, with one still present 20 Mar. The first record was a female/immature in Altinpark, Ankara, on 15 Feb 2006. Two Whinchats Saxicola rubetra at Samandag, Hatay, 22 Jan was the third mid-winter record in Turkey. A Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti was at Samandag, Hatay, 6-11 Jan. A possible Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens of the black morph, ‘Basalt Wheatear’, was found on the outskirts of Sanliurfa 27 Apr, paired with a female Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschi. The bird was present to at least 4 June. However, there is some discussion regarding its identity and the possibility of Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata has not yet been ruled out. % Not previously recorded in Turkey, a male Motacilla (flava) leucocephala, ‘White- headed’ Wagtail, was photographed at south Van marshes, east Anatolia, 25 Apr. At the same location, 17-18 May, an apparently breeding (food-carrying) male ‘Black-backed’ Citrine Wagtail Motacilla (citreola) calcarata was seen, again the first record for Turkey. Four Richard’s Pipits Anthus richardii were at Milleyha, Hatay, 11 Jan, with two 5 Feb and four at nearby Samandag 22 Jan. An unseasonal Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis was at Milleyha 12 Feb. Also at Milleyha were the third to fifth records of Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus (rubescens) japonicus with one 11 Jan, two 5 Feb and one 14 Mar. A Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus in the Kizilirmak delta, Samsun, 31 Apr and 1 May was the first record for the site and well north of the species’ normal range. The sixth and seventh records of Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephala were one at Yahyali, Kayseri, 31 Jan and one caught at the Aras ringing station, Igdir, 13 Mar. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. A pair of Northern Shovelers Anas clypeata bred successfully at Zakher pools, Al Ain, in June (first confirmed breeding record). Pelagic trips from Khor Kalba on the UAE’s east coast have been extremely productive this year. A Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris (diomedea) borealis 12 May (Plates 3 & 4) was the first Plate 3. Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris (diomedea) borealis, 12 May 2011, off Khor Kalba, UAE. © Khalifa Al Dhaheri Plate 4. Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris (diomedea) borealis, 12 May 2011, off Khor Kalba, UAE. © Huw Roberts Plate 5. Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes, 7 May 2011, off Khor Kalba, UAE. © Mike Barth Arabian record and was followed by a second record 22 Jun and a third record 1 Jul. Three Wedge-tailed Shearwaters Puffinus pacificus were seen 7 May (2nd record), 25 May (3rd record) and 28 Jun (4th record). Two Flesh- Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 209 Plate 7. Masked Booby Sula dactylatra, 12 May 2011, off Khor Kalba, UAE. © Khalifa Al Dhaheri footed Shearwaters Puffinus carneipes were found 15-22 Apr (3rd record) and another bird 7 May (Plate 5) as well as 22 and 24 Jun. A record 35 were seen 28 Jun (5th record) and four more 1 July (6th record). Up to nine Sooty Shearwaters Puffinus griseus were seen during the trips in April and May. At least one Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus (ibis) coromandus was at Wamm farms 23 Apr (Plate 6, 2nd record or possibly the same bird last seen 17 Apr 2010). One Masked Booby Sula dactylatra off Qurrayah 16 Apr and one seen on a Khor Kalba pelagic 12 May (Plate 7) were the 14th and 15th records 210 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Plate 8. Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan, 19 May 20/1, Fujairah port beach, UAE. © Khalifa Al Dhaheri while a Red-footed Booby Sula sula seen on a pelagic 23 May was the second record. One Amur Falcon Falco amurensis was at Wamm farms 22 Apr (12th record). A single Spur- winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus at Al Ain water treatment plant 5-17 Feb was the fifth record. Al Wathba lake had a Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 5 Mar-8 Apr (5th record). One Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan Fujairah port beach 17-21 May (Plate 8) was the first Arabian record. Tern sightings included a Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus on a Khor Kalba pelagic 10 and 24 Jun (7th and 8th records) with a further seven immatures fs i s a Me 2 Plate 9. Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus, 5 Mar 2011, Mushrif Palace garden, UAE. © Oscar Campbell Plate 10. Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps, 23 Apr 2011, Wamm farms, UAE. © Khalifa Al Dhaheri 28 Jun, single Arctic Terns Sterna paradisaea on Al Ghurfa breakwater 21 May (3rd record) and on a pelagic trip off Khor Kalba 28 Jun (4th record), and an immature/winter Black Tern at Fujairah port beach 6-22 Apr (12th record). A Brown Noddy Anous stolidus was seen on a pelagic off Khor Kalba 28 Jun. Immature Long-tailed Skuas Stercorarius longicaudus were seen on a Khor Kalba pelagic 27 May and 22 Jun (11th and 12th records). Wamm farms had a Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius 16 Feb (2nd record). Al Mamzar park held a White- throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 4 Mar (9th record) and a Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 14-16 Apr (7th record). A single Wire- tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii at Al Wathba lake 22 Feb-16 Mar was the 10th record. Three Streak-throated Swallows Petrochelidon fluvicola at Kharran water treatment plant 7 Jan were the seventh record while another at Al Warsan lakes 10-26 Jan was the eighth. Up to nine Ring Ouzels Turdus torquatus were on Jebel Hafit until 17 Feb (from 9 Dec 2010, 17th record). One Dusky Thrush Turdus eunomus was present in Al Ain Hili oasis 23-24 Feb (3rd record). A Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus in Mushrif Palace garden 21 Jan—26 Feb and early March (Plate 9) was only the second record. Dubai creek park had this winter’s fifth Eversmann’s Redstart Phoenicurus erythronotus on 4 Jan. A pair of Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava bred successfully at Dubai pivot fields in June (first confirmed breeding record); the male was a ‘Black-headed’ M. c. feldegg, the female undetermined. A single Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps was at Wamm farms 23 Apr (Plate 10, 5th record). UZBEKISTAN A Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax on the western shore of lake Sarykamysh on 1 Nov was the first reliable record for the Karakalpak part of Ustyurt. A flock of 100-150 Sociable Lapwings Vanellus gregarius at Talimarjan reservoir, Kashkadarya region, 15-22 Oct was a new species for this IBA and suggests that the site may be an important staging area for this species. Two pairs of Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata with young on the Ustyurt plateau between the northern shore of lake Sarykamysh and Barsakelmes on 27 Jun were the first confirmed breeding records of this species in the Karakalpak part of Ustyurt. Autumn migration of this species was observed over the Akpetki lakes system in the southern Aral sea region between 15 and 28 Oct with more than 21 000 birds recorded in 12 days. The highest daily count was 7454. Alpine Swifts Tachymarptis melba were found breeding, as well as Common Swifts Apus apus, on the eastern cliffs of the Ustyurt plateau on the northeastern shore of lake Sarykamysh on 26 Jun. This is a new breeding site for the species. An estimated 3000-4000 breeding Common Swifts were found along a 25 km section of cliffs on the eastern cliffs of the Ustyurt plateau 25 June. The only previous breeding record for this area is 100 Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 211 pairs on the cliffs on the northeastern shore of lake Sarykamysh in 1989. The second record of Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus was two in the Akpetki lakes system 27 Oct. The first record was in Oct 2008. Three Asian Short-toed Larks Calandrella cheleensis were at lake Ayakagytma 24 Apr, with one 25 Apr. Up to 12 Saxaul Sparrows Passer ammodendri were recorded daily 24-26 Oct in the Akpetki lakes system. A Siberian Accentor Prunella montanella photographed in small bushes on the north shore of lake Sarykamysh on 31 Oct was the fourth record for Uzbekistan. A Long-tailed Rosefinch Uragus sibiricus on the north shore of lake Sarykamysh 30 Oct was the first record in Karakalpakstan and the fifth for Uzbekistan. YEMEN 780 Northern Shovelers Anas clypeata and five Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca were at Aden sewage lagoons 28 Jan while 22 Ferruginous Ducks were seen at Hodeidah sewage lagoons 21 Jan. On 27 Jan, 390 Lesser Flamingos Phoeniconaias minor were counted at Al Hiswa, Aden. A Black Stork Ciconia nigra was at the Bajil sewage lagoons 24 Jan while a total of 73 Abdim’s Storks Ciconia abdimii were seen at three sites on the Tihama in January. On 20 Jan, 97 Western White Storks Ciconia ciconia ciconia were at Bajil rubbish dump. On 27 Jan, 24 African Sacred Ibises Threskiornis aethiopicus and 78 Glossy Ibises Plegadis falcinellus were at Al Hiswa, Aden. Eurasian Spoonbills, probably of the Red sea race archeri, were seen in January at Al Jar (14), Hodeidah mudflats (12) and Al Kwakha (18). On 24 Jan, 440 Western Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis were at the Bajil sewage lagoons. Over 1500 Black Kites Milvus sp were at Taiz rubbish dump 26 Jan. A pair of Short- toed Snake Eagles Circaetus gallicus were displaying on the Tihama 21 Jan. During January a total of ten Greater Spotted Eagles Aquila clanga, 97 Steppe Eagles Aquila nipalensis and seven juvenile Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca were recorded at six sites. A nest with one chick of Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax was found 26 Jan near Taiz. On 24 Jan, 118 Common Cranes Grus grus and six 212 =Sandgrouse 33 (2011) Demoiselle Cranes Anthropoides virgo were at Bajil sewage lagoons. On 21 Jan, 579 Black-winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus were counted at Hodeidah sewage lagoon while 180 Crab- plovers Dromas ardeola were at Al Urj 21-22 Jan. On 26 Jan, 260 Kentish Plovers were seen at Al Kwakha. Lesser Sand Plovers (190) were at Al Urj 21—22 Jan and 300 on 24 Jan at Hodeidah mudflats where there were also 120 Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa and 22 Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus on that date. On 27 Jan, 60 Black-tailed Godwits were at Al Hiswa, Aden. Ten White-eyed Gulls Larus leucophthalmus were seen at Mokha 26 Jan while there were 550 Slender-billed Gulls Chroicocephalus genei and 800 White-winged Terns Chilidonias leucopterus at Hodeidah sewage lagoons 21 Jan. A Pharaoh Eagle Owl Bubo ascalaphus photographed in Hawf on four occasions, 1-22 Jan, was the first record for the Al Mahrah region. A Hume’s Owl Strix butleri photographed in Hawf 18 Jan was also a first record for Al Mahrah. Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus was seen nest building at Al Urj in January while Mangrove Reed Warbler Acrocephalus (scirpaceus) avicenniae was also present in mangroves at the same location in the same period. SOCOTRA (YEMEN) On 2 Mar three new birds were found for Socotra. First a male summer plumage Black- throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis (Plate 11) amongst the palms at Qalansiya, then a Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius (meridionalis) Plate I 1. Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis, 2 March 2011, Qalansiya, Socotra. © Richard Porter Plate 12. Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius (meridionalis) pallidirostris, 2 Mar 2011, Hadibu, Socotra. © Richard Porter pallidirostris (Plate 12) on the plains at Hadibu and finally at dusk an immature Watercock Gallicrex cinerea at Sirhan lagoon (this also being a new bird for Yemen and was present until at least 7 Mar). A new breeding species, Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus, was discovered at Sirhan lagoon in Feb when a juvenile was present with two attendant adults; there were nine other Moorhens, both adults and immature, so it is possible that more than one pair bred. Other vagrants (birds for which there are less than six records) were Yellow-billed Kite Milous aegyptius 17-20 Feb, Spotted Crake Porzana porzana 5 March, Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 16 Feb-7 Mar and Slender- billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei on 21 Feb. Also of interest were 18 Black-crowned Night Herons Nycticorax nycticorax at Qalansiya 7 Mar (the largest flock recorded on the island) when seven Indian Pond Herons Ardeola grayii were also present. At Sirhan lagoon an immature Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis was seen 6 Mar; this species is now regularly recorded and possibly breeds. The most interesting seabird records were a raft of 12 000 Socotra Cormorants Phalacrocorax nigrogularis off the southeast coast on 28 Feb, on which date over 300 Red- billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus were displaying along the nearby cliffs ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The following assisted in the compilation of this review: Abdulla Ali, Dan Alon, Korsh Ararat, Simon Aspinall, Jem Babbington, Brian Bland, Jamie Buchan, Adnan Budieri, Mark Dennis, Hugues Dufourny, Omar Fadhil, Meisam Ghasemi, Moldovan Istvan, Sharif Jbour, Roman Kashkarov, Brendan Kavanagh, Abolghasem Khaleghizadeh, Howard King, Guy Kirwan, Zev Labinger, Mary Megalli, Krister Mild, David Murdoch, Bagher Nezami, Tommy Pedersen, Thomas Pettersson, Mike Pope, Richard Porter, Colin ‘Richardson, Phil Roberts, Mindy Rosenzweig, Mudhafar Salim, Itai Shanni, Chris Soriano, David Stanton, Ahmed Saeed Suleiman, Sunbird, Thebes Tours International, Simon Tull, Peder Weern, Ingo Waschkies, Geoff Welch, Nizamettin Yavuz and Emin Yogurtcuoglu. Dawn Balmer, 7 Fisher Way, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2LD, UK. dawn.balmer@bto.org Ian Harrison, Llyswen Farm, Lon y Felin, Aberaeron, SA46 OED, UK. ianbirds@gmail.com Sandgrouse 33 (2011) 213, BIRDGUIDES-3 Available on the 0 App Store Birds of Northern Europe for iPhone + audio recordings of both songs and calls + detailed distribution maps for Europe + annotated illustrations by top bird artists - quick search by species name superb portrait photographs or part ofname for many species bird names organised alphabetically definitive text accounts fromthe Concise by family, with collapsible headings edition of Birds of the Western Palearctic + intuitive navigation using gestures and flip-to-horizontal mode + information on typical behaviour, identification and plumage variations + pinch zooming for visual assets images showing nests, eggs species names available and flight shots in 15 languages ‘Bid News Extra Internet service for birdwatchers who want to see more birds. 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Papers which additionally include birds in areas outside the OSME region or which are concerned with the birds of areas of which the OSME region, partially or completely, is an important part eg the Saharo-Sindian region or Siberian—African flyways, will also be considered. Please consult the Editor if in doubt about the suitability of material. All correspondence between authors and Editor, including initial submission of mss, will be by email. All mss must be in UK English and use Word. Consult recent issues of Sandgrouse for style conventions but apply minimal text formatting eg no rules, small caps or text boxes. All figure, table and plate captions should be in the text file at the end of the ms. Tables can be placed at the end of the Word document or be attached separately. All diagrams, maps, graphs and photos must be attached as individual files in a popular format. The Editor encourages the submission of maps and colour photos. All mss for publication are sent for review. Avian scientific nomenclature and species sequence should follow the Simplified OSME Region List, www.osme.org, unless argued convincingly otherwise. ISSN 0260-4736 OSME region Mongolia Russian Federation af iG es He ~~" Moldova ee FN eee capa oa : iis Uy, ie Ukraine = Kazakhstan eS -