ANDGROUSE VOLUME 34(2) 2012 ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST THE CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA PRESENTED TRING LIBRARY THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM 2 8 AUb 2012 OSME ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST THE CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA OSME OSME was founded in 1978 as the successor to the Ornithological Society of Turkey. Its primary aims are: • To collect, collate and publish data on all aspects of the birds of the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia. • To promote an interest in ornithology and bird conservation throughout the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia. • 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. 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VICE PRESIDENTS (AS AT JUNE 2012) Imad Atrash (Palestine) Dr Ghassan Ramadan-Jaradi (Lebanon) Mona Ramadan-JaracT (Lebanon) Ali bin Amer A1 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 2012) Michael Blair Christine Booth • Conservation & Research Fund (co-opHed) crf@osme.org Helen Demopoulos Ian Harrison • Secretary secretary@osme.org Chris Hughes • Joint Treasurer (co-opted) Guy Kirwan Chris Lamsdell • Advertising (co-opted) ads@osme.org Nick Moran Dr Robert Sheldon AbdulRahman Al-Sirhan • Website management (co-opted) Effie Warr • Sales & Distribution (co-opted) sales@osme.org John Warr • joint Treasurer & Membership (co-opted) treasurer@osme.org Geoff Welch • Chairman chairman@osme.org OSME CORPORATE MEMBERS Avifauna Birdfinders BirdGuides Green tours NHBS Rockjumper Birding Tours Odyssey Sunbird Registered charity no 282938 ©2012 Ornithological Society of the Middle Fast, the Caucasus and Central Asia. 114 A proposed Important Bird Area and Internationally Important ‘ Wetland: Meyghan wetland, west-central Iran. Mohammad Tohidifar j & Mohammad I^boli i 127 Nesting parameters of Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur arenicola breeding in Bahrain. Brendan Kavanagh & Abdulla Al Kaabi I ; 132 Roosting behaviour of a Hume's Warbler Phylloscopus humei in 1 Oman. Kolbjorn Schjolberg j 135 First record of Long-tailed Skua Stercorariiis longicaudus in Iraq. R Williams 1 137 Akpetky lakes, Sarykamysh lake, Ayakaghytma lake, and their desert surrounds: three new Important Bird Areas in Uzbekistan, j Anna Ten, Roman Kashkarov, Gulara Matekova, Ilia Zholdasova & I Mukhtor Turaev .( 148 Great Bustard Otis tarda in Turkey: adult female with three chicks at forest edge in Kars province. Esra Per, M Ufuk Ozbek, M Erkan UZUNHISARCIKLI & BiLGEHAN BiLGILI 151 Masked Shrike Lanins mibiciis consumes a Graceful Warbler Prinia I gracilis at migration stopover site in southern Israel. Kamen P Ruskov 1 152 Birding Sites of the OSME Region 8 — The birds of the lower Syrian Euphrates. DA Murdoch & AH Aidek 177 From the Rarities Committees. 178 Letter to the Editor. 183 OSME News. Geoff Welch 185 News & Information. Dawn Balmer (compiler) 189 Around the Region. Ian Harrison & Andrew Grieve (compilers) Photo above: Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus, Yotvata, Israel, March 2011. © Yoav Perlman Cover photo: Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, April 2008. © A] Driunmond-Hill THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM 2 8 AUG 2012 PRESENTED TRING LIBRARY I ! i Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 113 A proposed Important Bird Area and Internationally Important Wetland: Meyghan wetland, west-central Iran MOHAMMAD TOHIDIFAR & MOHAMMAD KABOLl The criteria given by Birdlife International and the Ramsar convention on wetlands were evaluated to identify Meyghan wetland, west-central Iran, as a potential new IBA and Internationally Important Wetland. Field surveys were conducted October 2007-January 2009. The wetland meets seven criteria of BirdLife International (Al, A3, A4iii, Bli Bliv, B2, B3) and criteria 1-6 of the Ramsar convention on wetlands. This wetland supports large numbers of migrating Common Cranes Griis grus (3300 individuals in October 2007). Five avian species recorded from the wetland are categorized as globally threatened: Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregariiis (CR), Saker Falcon Falco cherrug (VU), Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga (VU), Eastern Imperial Eagle Aqiiiln heliaca (VU), Marbled Teal Mnrmawnetta angiistiwstris (VU) and three are near threatened (NT): Pallid Harrier Circus macrouriis, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosn and European Roller Coracins garnilus. Meyghan wetland suffers from various human and natural threats and suggestions are made on how to overcome them. INTRODUCTION Despite the fact that large portions of Iran are arid or semi-arid (Scott 1995), there are several very extensive wetland systems of great importance for a wide variety of seasonal and migratory birds. These wetlands are mainly in coastal and near-coastal areas eg Miankaleh, Gomishan, Boujagh (Bandar Kiashahr), Uromiyeh in the north and west and Shadegan, Parishan, Bakhtegan, Mond, Heleh, Hara (Khouran straits) in southwest, south and south-central Iran (Scott 1996). The wetlands of Iran constitute vital staging and wintering areas for numerous migratory waterfowl that use the West Siberian-Caspian- East African and Central Siberian-Indus-South Asian flyways and also support large breeding populations of many species. Several million waterfowl utilize the wetlands as wintering habitat, while perhaps as many birds again use the wetlands as staging areas on their way to and from wintering areas further to the southwest or southeast (Scott 1996). At least 800 km separate the northern (Caspian sea) and southern (Persian gulf) coastal regions suggesting that staging areas exist between them. As a contracting party to the Ramsar convention, Iran has introduced 24 wetlands as Ramsar sites (www.ramsar.org updated 4 March 2011). Furthermore, Evans (1994), in an inventory of Important Bird Areas (IBA) in the Middle East, described 105 IBAs in the Islamic Republic of Iran, though none have been added or deleted subsequently. Situated in west-central Iran, Meyghan wetland supports a significant number of migratory birds and especially some globally threatened species including Marbled Teal Marmnronetia migustirostris, Sociable Lapwing Vauclhis gregariiis, Saker Falcon Falco cherrug, Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila claiiga and Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca. This paper summarizes information gathered during field surveys at Meyghan wetland, in particular on its avifauna, to evaluate its potential as a Ramsar site and IBA. STUDY AREA Meyghan wetland (34° IT 59" N, 49° 50' 32" E, 1660 m asl), also called Kavir Meyghan, is a playa or kavir (base-level plain of inland drainage basin) covering an area of clO 640 ha located 17 km northeast of Arak (Markazi province) in west-central Iran (Figure 1, SadoLigh & Jalalvand 1999). This area consists of a complex of sabkhas (salt-encrusled flats) (Akhani 2006), mudflats, marsh, artificial islets (resulting from exploitation td stKiium sulphate) and open water (Plates 1-4). After good rainfall, mainly in autumn or late winter. 114 SaudgrouscM (2012) Figure I. Meyghan wetland (the white-coloured playa or kavir) in west-central Iran. The red polygon indicates the only permanent water body and which was used by the authors for monitoring birds in the present study. T Plate I . A view of southwest Meyghan wetland, west-central Iran, October 2007, with thousands of waterfowl present. © Mohammad Tohidifar the whole area is covered with a shallow layer of water but this is temporary and in a few days fhe water drains, the sea-like landscape vanishes, and salt desert reappears. This site is known as an autumn habitat for up to 5000 Common Cranes Gnis grus (Behrouzi- Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 115 Plate 2. Flocks of hundreds of Common Cranes Grus grus and ducks Anas spp, southwest Meyghan wetland, west- central Iran, January 2009. The ground is snow covered and water partially frozen over. © Mohammad Tohidifar Plate 3. Artificial islets in centre of playa resulting from sodium sulphate extraction, December 2007, Meyghan wetland, west-central Iran. © Mohammad Tohidifar 1 1 6 Smul^s^wuse 34 (20 1 2) Plate 4. A temporary red river (they disappear after good rains or evaporate away in hot months), June 2008, Meyghan wetland, west-central Iran. Coloration due to Dunaliella salina, a halophilous micro-alga.*© Mohammad Tohidifar Rad et al 1997). Meyghan has a valuable flora and about one quarter of Iranian halophyte species have been found there (Akhani 2006). Three main plant genera are Centaurea spp. Astragalus spp and Lepidium spp (Akhani 1989). The highest density of vegetation occurs mostly in the southwest and mainly includes Phragmites australis and Cyperus eremicus. The climate of the area is on the border of warm and cold semi-arid based on the Koppen- Geiger climate classification (Kottek et al 2006). Mean annual precipitation is 258 mm and maximum water depth c220 cm (Sadough & Jalalvand 1999). The Meyghan wetland is a major site for industrial exploitation of sodium sulfate in Iran and in recent years the southwest of the wetland has received a large inflow of treated wastewater from Arak city which has changed the southwest to a brackish permanent wetland with open water (Figure 1, Ansari et al 2008). MATERIALS AND METHODS Data collection Until recently, only a very few ornithological studies have been carried out at Meyghan wetland: collection of bird specimens for the Danish zoological museum (Paludan 1940) and a population survey of Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus which was carried out 21-22 June 1957 (Read 1958). In recent years, several studies have been done at Meyghan wetland. Behrouzi-Rad et al (1997) mentioned autumn occurrence of 5000-6000 Common Cranes in Meyghan. Another study concerned ecological assessment of Meyghan for Common Cranes (Ansari et al 2008). We carried out surveys every month, October 2007-January 2009, for 15 months. Counts were done mostly in the southwestern part of the wetland (an area of c350 ha. Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 117 Table I. Biome-restricted bird species of Meyghan wetland, west-central Iran. Pallid Harrier Steppe Eagle Imperial Eagle Caspian Plover Sociable Lapwing Water Pipit White-throated Robin Finsch’s Wheatear Streaked Scrub-warbler Black-headed Bunting Circus macrourus Aquila nipalensis Aquila heliaca Charadrius asiaticus Vanettus gregarius Anthus spinoletta Irania gutturalis Oenanthe finschii Scotocerca inquieta Emberiza melanocephala Biome Eurasian Steppe and Desert Eurasian Steppe and Desert Eurasian Steppe and Desert Eurasian Steppe and Desert Eurasian Steppe and Desert Eurasian High-Montane Irano-Turanian Irano-Turanian Sahara-Sindian Desert Mediterranean Figure 1) and at the islets in the centre of Table 2. Estimated/counted numbers of Common the wetland, with a maximum area of 50 ha, 2007-2009. Meyghan wetland, west- central Iran. * denotes a minimum estimate or count. due to physical inaccessibility (mud etc) of other areas. Observations were carried out using 10x40 binoculars and 20x60 telescopes. Digital SLR cameras were also used. Data analysis To identify whether the wetland qualifies for IBA and Ramsar status, we used the new IBA criteria proposed by Birdlife International (www.birdlife.org/datazone/ info/ibacritme) and the criteria approved by the Ramsar convention on wetlands (www. ramsar.org/ris/key_ris_index.htm.). An IBA is defined as a key site for conservation that is small enough to be conserved in its entirety and is often already part of a protected area network. They do at least one of the following three things: hold significant numbers of one or more globally threatened species; are one of a set of sites that together hold a suite of restricted range species or biome-restricted species; have exceptionally large numbers of migratory or congregatory species. In the Middle East, there are two levels of IBAs— sites of global importance (A-level sites) and those that do not meet the criteria for global importance but which nonetheless are of Middle Eastern importance (B-level sites) (cy Khairallah & Conroy 2010). These criteria are available in detail on the BirdLife and Ramsar websites. Date of observation Number of individuals 26 Oct 07 2750-3300 6 Nov 07 2500* 23 Nov 07 100 1 4 Dec 07 100 19 Jan 08 27 29 Feb 08 1 1 30 Mar 08 324 25 Apr 08 1 23 May 08 2 5 jun 08 2 20 jun 08 1 22 Aug 08 2 5 Sep 08 150 19 Sep 08 21 17 Oct 08 3 25 Oct 08 500 7 Nov 08 500* 5 Dec 08 1000* 1 2 Dec 08 2100* 26 Dec 08 910 23 Jan 09 1200* 118 Srt/a/ym;/st> 34 (2012) RESULTS In total, 126 bird species from 38 families were identified at Meyghan wetland. The highest species number belongs to the Scolopacidae with 13 species, Anatidae has 11 and Accipitridae 10. Thirty-seven species met one of three categories of breeding evidence: possible, probable and confirmed breeding. Appendix 1 lists bird species, their status and maximum numbers counted on a monthly basis during the survey period. We recorded three species listed as threatened (VU, vulnerable) on the lUCN Red List: Saker Falcon, Greater Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, and three near threatened (NT), Pallid Flarrier Circus macrourns, Black-tailed Godwit Liinosa limosa and European Roller Coracias garrulus. Our study shows that Meyghan wetland meets the criteria for both an IBA and an Internationally Important Wetland. The wetland meets seven criteria of BirdLife International, as below. Al. Species of global conservation concern Five such species have been recorded in Meyghan, namely Sociable Lapwing (Tohidifar & Zarei 2007), Saker Falcon, Greater Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle and Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris (F Mobaser pers comm). A3. Biome-restricted species For 10 species, the breeding distributions are largely or wholly confined to one biome. Table 1 lists these species and their biomes. A4. Congregations This site meets the third article of this criterion (A4iii), the holding of >20 000 individuals of waterbirds on a regular basis. This occurs October-December (Appendix 1) when more than twenty thousand ducks assemble in Meyghan wetland. Bl. Regionally important congregations This indicates sites which are known or thought to hold >1% of a flyway or other distinct population of a waterbird species and fwo species qualify. Greylag Goose Anser anser (1% of the regional population of western Siberia and the Caspian sea was determined to be 800 individuals— Evans 1994). One thousand five hundred individuals were counted 1 December 2006, and 800 and 1000 individuals were present 14 December 2007 and 7 December 2008 respectively. The Common Crane (1% of regional population in southwest Asia is 200 individuals— Evans 1994) which on nine visits by ourselves numbered in excess of 200 individuals (Table 2). The site is a 'bottleneck' where over 3000 cranes regularly pass on autumn migration. In the present study, due to limitation of researcher numbers and the scattering of Common Cranes in adjacent agricultural fields outside the wetland, a complete count of the species was not possible but previous studies mentioned 5000-11 000 individuals in early autumn of the 1990s and early 2000s (Ansari et al 2008, Behrouzi- Rad et al 1997). B2. Species ivith an unfavourable conservation status in the Middle East The site is one of the five most important sites in the country/territory {ie Iran) for a species with an unfavourable conservation status in the Middle East (threatened or declining throughout all or part of their range in the region). The three species are Bittern Botaurus stellaris, White Stork Ciconia ciconia and Saker Falcon Falco cherrug, which occur at Meyghan wetland and are listed in this category. For these species, site-protection approaches are thought to be appropriate. Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 119 B3. Species with a favourable conservatmi status but concentrated in the Middle East The area meets this criterion (Evans 1994) with occurrence of two species, namely White- throated Robin Iraiiia gutturalis and Finsch's Wheatear Oenanthe finschii (Appendix 1). The Meyghan wetland meets 6 out of 9 Ramsar convention criteria for qualifying as an Internationally Important Wetland. Criterion 1. A wetland contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or nearly natural wetland type found within the appropriate biogeographic regio)i Meyghan wetland is a unique wetland located in the Irano-Turanian biome and almost all other wetlands of Iran are located more peripherally. Criterion 2. A wetland should be considered internatio)ially iinpwrtant if it supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities As A1 of IBA criteria. Criterion 3. A wetland should be considered ijiternationally important if it supywrts populatio}is of plant and/or animal species important for rnauitaining the biological diversity of a particular biogeographic region A total of 129 bird species have been recorded at Meyghan wetland as well as various mammals eg Red Fox Vulpes vulpes. Golden Jackal Canis aureus, European Hare Lepus europaeus and Persian Jird Meriones persicus. Moreover, three plant species Microcnemum coralloides, Arabidopsis parvula and Aspargous licoenicus found in the wetland are either near endemic (M. coralloides is also found at lake Orumiyeh) or endemic to the wetland (Akhani 1989). Criterion 4. A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles, or pnovides refuge during adverse conditions Of the 37 breeding species recorded at Meyghan, at least 21 are ecologically dependent on wetlands during the breeding season. The breeding season presents a period of intense activity and sensitivity to disturbance for most bird species when nests, eggs, chicks, and adults at the nest are vulnerable to predation (Sutherland et al 2004). During severe winters (cy January-February 2008) most parts of the wetland are frozen and at these times, vegetated areas (especially the Cypicriis eremicus community) provide good cover and food for waterbirds or cranes. Criterion 5. A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supywrts 20 000 or more waterbirds As A4 of IBA criteria. Criterion 6. A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 1% of the regional population of one spocies or subspecies of waterbird As B1 of the IBA criteria. CONSERVATION AND THREATS Wetlands in arid ecosystems play a major role in producing and supporting the floral and faunal diversity of an area. Such wetlands are very sensitive and fragile especially in response to human-made threats (Madjnoonian 1999). Wetlands in Iran, as elsewhere in the region, are increasingly coming under pressure from human activities. Meyghan wetland is 250 km away from Gavkhoni wetland (Evans 1994) and 140 km away from the Howz-Sultan salt lake in Qom. In recent years, Gavkhoni has faced sev'ere ecological devastation (drought and extensive extraction of salt) and was not being used 120 SandgroKse 34 (2012) by migratory waterbirds (Shayan Kia 2003). This highlights the value of Meyghan wetland for migratory species as well as breeders and winter visitors. Meyghan wetland is the second known breeding site of Armenian Gull Lams armeniciis in Iran whilst the first, at lake Orumiyeh, is threatened by drought (Tohidifar et al 2010). Meyghan wetland is degraded not only because of construcfion of a road (compacted sabkha covered with a thin layer of asphalt) to the centre of the saline to exploit sodium sulphate, and changes in its hydrologic balance, but also due to the extreme grazing and agricultural activities around it (Akhani 2006). The extensive mining of sodium sulphate at Meyghan wetland is reducing the number of islets suitable for breeding of Armenian Gulls and other islet-related breeding species eg Pied Avocet. The Markazi provincial office of the Department of the Environment has no plans as yet for controlling the mining of sodium sulphate. Disturbance by feral dogs of breeding birds was seen several times during the period of this study and including destruction of landbird nests. At the same time, water level fluctuations and drought are threatening the breeding waterbirds at Meyghan. Meyghan has a unique ecosystem and eutrophication in the southwest mostly caused by discharge from water treatment facilities in Arak is a problem. Industrial pollutants also enter the wetland. Ansari et al (2008) recommended that hunting should be better controlled in the area. The no-hunting area (c30 000 ha) declared on 6 November 2008 by the Department of the Environment includes the Meyghan wetland. Conservation measures in place to protect the area must be enforced and eco-tourists and bird watchers should be encouraged to visit the wetland (Ansari et al 2008, Tohidifar et al 2009). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank Saeed Cheraghi, Taher Ghadirian, Mohammad Ali Mazhari, Farid Mobaser, Mohammad Pourhedayat, Ali T Qashqaei and Afshin Zarei who assisted us during field work and Saeedeh Baniassadi who prepared the map for this paper. Hossein Akhani kindly helped by supplying some refer- ences. Crifical comments by Abolghasem Khaleghizadeh improved the ms. REFERENCES Akhani H. 1989. [A contribution to the vegetation and flora of Kavire-Meyghan (NE Arak), Iran], ]ournal of Science Tehran 18(1-4): 75-84. [In Persian with English summary] Akhani, H. 2006. Biodiversity of halophytic and sabkha ecosystems in Iran. In: Ajmal Khan, M, B Boer, G Kust & HJ Barth (eds). Sabkha Ecosystems. Vol 2 West and Central Asia. Springer, Netherlands, pp71-88. Ansari A, MB Sadough & BS Esfandabad. 2008. Ecological investigation of the Common Crane Grus grus in Mighan Wetland, Markazi Province, Central Iran. Podoces 3(1/2): 73-78. Behrouzi-Rad B, M Shariatzadeh & N Hamidian. 1997. [A survey of avifauna of Markazi province. Journal of Environmental Studies] 26: 13-23. [In Persian] Evans M. 1994. Important Bird Areas in the Middle East. Birdlife International, Cambridge, UK. Khairallah, N & C Conroy. 2010. New Important Bird Areas in Lebanon— a research and community con- servation project March 2005-February 2008. Sandgrouse 32: 120-133. Kottek, M, J Grieser, C Beck, B Rudolf & F Rubel. 2006. World Map of the Koppen-Geiger climate classifica- tion updated. Meteorologische Zeitschrift 15(3): 259-263. Madjnoonian, H. 1999. [Wetlands; Classification and Conservation]. Department of Environment, Tehran. [In Persian] Paludan K. 1940. Contribution to the ornithology of Iran. Danish Scientific Investigations in Iran 2: 11-54. Read J. 1958. Notes from Tuslu Col, central Iran. Ibis 100: 274— 275. Sadough MB & IT Jalalvand. 1999. [Meyghan Wetlands in Arak exposed to destruction]. Mohit-E-Zist [The Environment] 26: 6-15. [In Persian[ Scott, DA. 1995. Birds in Iran. In: E Yarshater (ed). Encyclopedia Iranica. Vol 4 Bayju-Carpets. Center for Iranian Studies, Columbia University, USA. Scott, DA. 1996. A Directory to the Wetlands of the Middle East. Wetlands International, Slimbridge, UK. Scott, DA. & A Adhami. 2006. An updated checklist of the birds of Iran. Podoces 1(1/2): 1-16. Shayan Kia, S. 2003. [Identification of density, distribution and biodiversity of waterfowls of the Gavkhoni wetland and comparison to Ramsar criteria]. Mohit-E-Zist 39: 48-65. [In Persian[ Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 121 Sutherland WJ, 1 Newton & RE Green. 2004. Bird Ecology and Conservation, a Handbook of Techniques. Oxford University Press, UK. Tohidifar, M, M Kaboli, M Karami & MB Sadough. 2009. Observations on Breeding Birds of Meyghan wet- land and adjacent areas, Markazi province. West Central Iran. Podoces 4(2): 124—129. Tohidifar, M, R Salmanzadeh, S Baniasadi & J Imani-harsini. 2010. [Status of Armenian Gull Earns armenicus in Iran with introducing its newest breeding site in Meyghan Wetland], journal of Natural Environment 63(3): 237-248. [In Persian with English summary] Tohidifar, M & A Zarei. 2007. Occurrence of the Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius in Iran, with a New Record in Meyghan Wetland, Arak, Markazi Province. Podoces 2(1): 37-51. Mohammad Tohidifar, Biodiversity & Habitats Division, Environment & Energy Faculty, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. mohammad.tohidifar(S>yahoo.com Mohammad Kaboli, Fisheries and Environment Department, Natural Resources Faculty, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. Appendix I . Bird species and maximum numbers counted at the Meyghan wetland, west-central Iran, in the pre- sent study (October 2007-January 2009). Nomenclature and order follows Scott & Adhami (2006). P = passage migrant, R = resident, W = winter visitor, B = breeding, b = may breed, snb = summer non-breeder, pnc = present but not counted. hv O u o Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis 1 1 P Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus 1 P Great Cormorant Phalocrocorax carbo 5 2 P Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1 5 1 3 P Grey Heron Ardea cinereo 1 1 1 3 P Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 2 P Great Egret Cosmerodius albus 1 7 P Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 12 3 36 14 13 b Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 2 9 pnc P Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus 1 4 1 P Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris 2 1 2 P White Stork Ciconia ciconia 15 10 P Glossy Ibis Plegadis folcinellus 5 3 13 4 35 33 4 b Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 1 2 P Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus 165 530 518 1050 672 450 360 300 200 150 2 PW snb Greylag Goose Anser anser 1 50 800 ISO 50 15 1000 200 17 WP Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 15 2 4 10 160 P Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 60 30 3 21 41 1 4 35 10 30 176 100 WP Eurasian Teal Anas crecca IS 2 1 30 100 1 2 90 2000 4500 1500 pnc 8000 40 BW 1 22 Sct)idgroiise 34 (20 1 2) Oct 07 Nov 07 Dec 07 Jan 08 Feb 08 Mar 08 Apr 08 May 08 Jun 08 Jul 08 Aug 08 Sep 08 GO O 4-J U 0 CO o > o Z Dec 08 Jan 09 Status Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 10 50 4 10 10 2 5 40 400 50 100 1 10 20 170 WP Northern Pintail Anas acuta 5 10 1 P Garganey Anos querquedula 2 3 1 P Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata 1 30 20 2 1 1 2 3 1 WP Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 1 P Common Pochard Aythya ferina 1 P Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 3 P Unidentified Duck 6500 7500 10 25 25 30 750 000 000 000 000 White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albidlla 1 3 P Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 2 2 1 2 3 3 4 2 WP Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 1 2 4 p Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus 1 p Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 12 1 p Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 R Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga 1 P Steppe Eagle Aquila nipatensis 1 P Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca 1 1 2 P Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaeios 1 1 1 W Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2 1 1 1 R Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 1 2 P Saker Falcon Falco cherrug 2 1 P Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1 1 W Common Quail Coturnix coturnix 1 1 1 B Common Crane Crus grus 3300 2500 100 27 1 1 324 1 2 2 2 150 500 500 2100 1200 PW Water Rail Rallus aquaticus 1 1 2 2 1 R Unidentified crake Porzana spp 1 P Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio 1 P Common Moorhen Callinula chloropus 1 1 2 1 1 2 3 5 15 R Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 130 55 2 2 1 1 10 100 27 40 BW Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 123 Oct 07 r-. o > 0 Z Dec 07 Jan 08 00 o 0 Z Dec 08 Jan 09 Status Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 25 5 1 50 50 100 200 1000 15 10 pnc BP Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 2 2 80 70 5 10 5 2 BP Collared Pratincole Qareola praVncolo 10 10 2 30 15 1 B Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 5 P Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 20 P Caspian Plover Charadrius asiavcus 15 P Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 10 9 3 3 20 15 10 30 50 15 15 1 3 8 BW White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus 3 10 12 5 5 8 B Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 1 10 2 5 5 10 2 10 10 8 15 15 PW Black-tailed Godwit Umosa limosa 4 10 P Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 1 4 25 1 2 P Common Redshank Tringa totonus 6 1 5 15 9 25 1 2 pnc 20 3 BW Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 15 10 P Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 2 2 3 2 15 2 2 2 P Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 1 25 15 P Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 5 1 8 P Sanderling Calidris alba 1 P Dunlin Calidris alpina 8 P Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 2 1 P Ruff Philomachus pugnax 5 10 1 P Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus 15 1 1 P Armenian Gull Larus armenicus 60 61 65 10 B Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans 44 P Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 25 55 150 400 1000 1 2 25 120 200 PW Slender-billed Gull Larus gene/ 1 P Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica 20 5 pnc 70 2 5 b Common Tern Sterna hirundo 2 P Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 5 37 100 b White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 2 50 15 100 b 124 Srt/;(/xw;/S(’34 (2012) o u o > 0 rv. o «j v 03 00 o c 00 o CO o 00 D 00 o CL CO o u 00 o > 0 CO o u 0 Z Dec 07 Jan 08 Feb 08 Mar 08 00 o Q. < May 08 00 o c D Jul 08 Aug 08 Sep 08 00 o u 0 00 o > 0 Z Dec 08 jan 09 Status White-throated Robin Ironia gucturalis 1 P Rufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas galactotes 3 P Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata 1 P Finsch's Wheatear Oenanthe finschii 1 P Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti 3 P Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina 3 2 6 1 5 2 pnc 5 2 2 B Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon 10 1 1 1 2 3 PW Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schaenobaenus 1 4 1 P Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus 5 3 2 1 1 B Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 1 5 P Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 1 P Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 1 P Spotted Flycatcher Muscicopa striata 1 3 P Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephalo 2 2 B Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus 2 6 1 1 3 7 W Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 2 2 3 1 1 R Desert Finch Rhodopechys obsoleta 1 P House Sparrow Passer domesbcus pnc pnc 10 3 pnc pnc pnc R Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis pnc P Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 1500 50 1 60 100 50 50 3 50 100 pnc 1 1 BW Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 3 4 2 pnc 3 2 2 4 10 pnc 5 6 R Rook Corvus frugilegus 3 30 200 1 2 3 25 15 pnc 20 pnc 100 BW Carrion Crow Corvus corone 1 5 1 5 6 2 2 3 1 6 3 1 6 pnc 5 3 R 126 Sa)ui;^wusi’ 34 (201 2) Nesting parameters of Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur arenicola breeding in Bahrain BRENDAN KAVANAGH & ABDULLA AL KAABI The Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur arenicola (E Hartert, 1894) breeds from Morocco east to Tripoli, and from Iraq and Iran east through Afghanistan, Turkestan and Klairgiz steppes to northwest China (del Hoyo et al 1997). Within the Arabian peninsula it has been recorded breeding in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen in addition to Bahrain. It has not been recorded breeding in Qatar though suitable habitat exists there (Jennings 2010). Turtle Doves are widespread and common migrants throughout Arabia. They are thought to spend the winter in the Sahel and Ethiopia, returning north March- May to breed. Post breeding movements occur July-October and there is no evidence of wintering in Arabia (del Hoyo et al 1997, Beaman & Madge 1998, Jennings 2010). The earliest record of breeding in Bahrain dates back to 1969, with additional records from 1982, 1985 and 1993 (Nightingale & Hill 1993). The largest estimate was of 30 nests in Al Areen wildlife park in July 1985 (Nightingale & Hill 1993). The colony monitored in the current study is immediately south of Al Areen wildlife park, in a group of mature desert broom Leptadenia pyrotechnica bushes, and may be the only Turtle Dove colony in Bahrain. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this breeding colony has been present annually for several decades at least, though recent evidence of birds breeding within the park was not available. The aims of the study were to gather information on the breeding parameters of this Turtle Dove colony, to estimate colony size and to conduct ringing of the chicks in the hope of getting recoveries to elucidate movement patterns of these Bahrain birds. STUDY AREA The Turtle Dove colony (10-20 m asl, 25° 58' 27" N, 50° 31' 13" E, Plate 1) occurs in a series of sandy wadis 3 km from the western sea shore and 1.5 km directly south of Al Areen wildlife park. The wadis are dominated by desert broom bushes which can grow to a maximum height of 3 m (Phillips 1988). Most of the bushes, however, are less than 2 m due to regular grazing by domestic camels from a nearby farm. The area surveyed was Plate I . Wadi containing desert broom bushes used by nesting Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur, part of the Bahrain colony studied in the present paper, 27 May 201 I . © Brendan Kavanagh Plate 2. Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur almost fledged, Bahrain, I June 2010. Note droppings in nest. © Brendan Kavanagh Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 127 Plate 3. Young Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur waiting to be ringed, Bahrain, 27 May 201 I. © Brendan Kavanagh clA km^ (1400 ha) with several sandy wadis interspersed between rocky desert devoid of vegetation. The terrain slopes gently towards the west. While no information was available on the feeding habits of the birds, it is thought that they were obtaining food from the animal pens in the wildlife park. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study area was visited nine times 27 May-30 July 2011. All visits occurred during the late afternoon (after 16.00 h) when the heat was less intense. Each visit lasted 1. 5-2.0 h. As the area was large, it was not possible to survey it completely each visit so different portions of the site were selected each time. All bushes within the wadis were searched individually on foot. A label was placed in the sand beneath each nest to allow individual identification of nests. The contents of the nest were recorded on each occasion, noting all empty nests and any evidence of droppings that indicated the previous presence of sc]uabs (Plate 2). Nests continued to be monitored throughout the study period to ascertain if any renesting occurred within the same nest. Once chicks reached c7 days old, they were ringed under license with a British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) ring. Permission to use BTO rings in Bahrain was granted by the Bahrain government agency, the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife. Laying, hatching and fledging date were estimated using 13 days for incubation and 19 days for brood rearing (Cramp 1985, del IToyo et al 1997). Ages of chicks were estimated as 2, 4, 7, 10 or 15 days depending on size and feather growth stages based on prior ringing experience of chicks at the same site in 2009 and 2010 (Plates 3 & 4). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In total 54 nests were monitored over 65 days, 27 May-30 July 2011. Nine visits were undertaken, producing an average of 2.8 records per nest (range 1-6, Figure 1). Early nests 1 28 Sa;/(/yn)//sc 34 (20 1 2) tended to have a higher number of records as the increasing summer temperatures made later visits to the site shorter. Breeding began before the monitoring period and the fledging period extended beyond the last visit. Assuming 13 days incubation and 19 days chick rearing, the earliest calculated incubation date was 25 April and the latest fledging date was 11 August. Thus the breeding season was estimated to span 109 days in 2011. The minimum number of active nests, estimated from the data from each visit to the colony, ranged from 13 on 25 June to four on 30 July (Figure 2). The largest number of active nests was recorded in June with declining numbers through July. A summary of the breeding performance of the Turtle Doves is shown in Table 1. Of the 54 nests observed, one was empty throughout the recording period while 12 others were only visited once. No analysis was possible from these nests. Of the remainder, 18 failed to produce young, 17 fledged at least one young and 6 further nests showed evidence of droppings corresponding to some young having at least hatched or possibly fledged. Based on nests of known outcome, 48.6% (n = 17) of nests were successful and 51.4% (n = 18) unsuccessful to fledging. Of the 33 nests which had eggs when first recorded, four had one egg (12%), 28 had two eggs (85%) and one had three eggs (3%), yielding an average clutch size of 1.97 eggs per nest (n = 33). Twenty-nine chicks were fledged from 17 successful nests, 12 of these fledged two chicks while five nests fledged one chick, yielding an average fledging success of 1.7 fledglings/successful nest. The conservatively estimated breeding season of 109 days, 25 April-11 August, corresponds well with other records from the Gulf region where eggs have been noted from 26 April and a few recorded in July (Jennings 2010). The presence of eggs on 18 July in Bahrain, which subsequently hatched and fledged chicks, provides evidence of breeding continuing through July into the first half of August in that population. This breeding season is earlier than in southern Europe but similar to that observed in North Africa by Heim de Balsac and Mayaud in the early 1960s (Cramp 1985). It is difficult to ascertain the size of the breeding colony/population from the data provided. The maximum confirmed number of breeding pairs at any one time was 13 on 25 June. However if one assumes that all nests with eggs were occupied at that point, then the number of pairs was 19. No evidence of second broods could be discerned from our data (Figure 2) though other studies confirm that the Turtle Dove is at least double brooded throughout its range (Cramp 1985, Jennings 2010). Given that the vast majority of nests were not reused for second breeding attempts in Bahrain, the 54 nests would plausibly have been produced by 20-25 pairs of doves (allowing for two breeding attempts and additional replacement nests after failed attempts). This number is in line with an estimate in 2010 based on a single visit to the colony on 5 June when an estimated 24 nests were occupied (www.hawar-islands.eom/blog/gen_stub.php/2010/06/). The failure of 51.4% of nests, whose outcome was known, can be attributed to several factors. Camels were known to feed on the broom bushes on several occasion during the breeding season. Grazing of the bushes caused displacement of nests and eggs though Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 129 1 2 3 4 5 6 Number of visits per nest ■ Number of nests Figure I. Number of visits to each of 54 Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur nests in Bahrain, 2011. 1 15 30 35 46 53 56 58 65 Number of days of breeding season U Number of active nests Figure 2. The number of active nests observed during the Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur breeding season, Bahrain 2011. Day I = 27 May, Day 35 = 30 June, Day 65 = 30 July. Table I . The outcome of 54 nesting attempts of the Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur recorded breeding in Bahrain, 2011. Breeding Outcome Number of nests Empty nest 1 Unknown 12 Possible success 6 Failed 18 Successful 17 Total nests monitored 54 older chicks appear to be able to withstand the disturbance. Sporadic shooting of adults was also in evidence from a number of fresh, empty, shotgun shells observed on one occasion. This was also in evidence in previous years. Disturbance at the nest due to the observers could also be a factor causing nest failure though it was not possible to quantify this in this study. The nesting success rate of 48.6% of nesting attempts from our data represents minimal figures as other nests showed evidence of having had fledglings present prior to recording. The recorded clutch size of 1.97 eggs/ nest is in line with observations from other populations (Cramp 1985), as is the fledging success of 1.7 fledglings/successful nest. If one assumes a similar performance in the category of 'unknown' nests (12) in the study area then the total chick production in 2011 was in the order of 49 birds from the estimated 20-25 pairs. A more systematically timed approach to the field work would have been required to verify these figures. Turtle Dove behaviour at the nest Based on the distribution of nests, turtle doves appeared to be territorial within the wadis. Occupied nests were spaced at least 50 m apart, only one nest per bush. No successful nest was reused for a second breeding attempt. Nests were placed 1. 5-2.0 m above the ground and all were reachable without a ladder. They were placed inside the bushes in their upper half. Full grown chicks usually fled the nest, diving into the centre of the bush, when approached. Younger chicks showed no such behaviour and were easily removed from the nest for ringing and replacement only to sit quietly again. Nests were constructed from dead twigs collected from the broom bushes. No artificial materials were incorporated into the structure which was flat and open. Eggs could be easily seen through the loose weave of dead twigs (Plate 5). During the survey visits the behaviour of adult birds was noted. Incubating birds sat tight on the nest until our presence 130 Siiud;^wuse 34 (2012) was within a few metres of the nest. On many occasions the birds allowed approach to within 1 or 2 m before escaping. On one occasion the adult bird was caught on the nest and ringed. On leaving the nest, birds invariably flew 50-100 m away and dropped to the ground feigning injury. This involved lying on its belly and flapping one or sometimes, both wings as if fhey were broken. This was usually conducted on the bare stony desert within view. The behaviour would normally last less than a minute and no attempt was ever made to approach the nest again while we were present. This distraction-lure display has been observed by several authors in previous studies (Cramp 1985). Young chicks up to 4 or 5 days old were normally brooded and the adult birds appeared to incubate them. Older chicks were usually alone in the nest or the adult birds had escaped while we were still over 50 m away. Adult birds were normally seen singly rather than in pairs and fledged young were frequently observed together in the sand beneath the nest bush thus remaining close to the nest for some days after fledging. REFERENCES Beaman, M & S Madge. 1998. The Handbook of Bird Identification for Europe and the Western Palearctic. Princeton University Press, NJ. Cramp, S (ed). 1985. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol 4 Terns to Woodpeckers. Oxford University Press, UK. del Hoyo, J, A Elliott & J Sargatal (eds). 1997. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol 4 Sandgroiise to Cuckoos. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Jennings, MC. 2010. European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur. In; Jennings, MC. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia. Fauna of Arabia 25: 377-380. Nightingale, T & MR Hill. 1993. Birds of Bahrain. Immel, London. Phillips, DC. 1988. Wild Flowers of Bahrain. Arabian Printing, Manama. Brendan Kavanagh & Abdulla Al Kaahi, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland — Medical University of Bahrain, PO Box 15503, Adliya, Manama, Bahrain, bkavanagh@rcsi-mub.com Plate 5. Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur nest with eggs, Bahrain, I June 20 1 0. © Brendan Kavanagh Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 131 Roosting behaviour of a Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus humei in Oman KOLBJ0RN SCHJ0LBERG Hume's Warbler Phylloscopus humei breeds in central Asia from the Sayan and Altai mountains of northern Mongolia and southern Siberia through northern Sinkiang, southern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the Himalayas with a possibly isolated population mainly in Szechwan. The species winters to the Indian subcontinent east to Thailand (Snow & Perrins 1998). In Oman, Hume's Warbler is a rare passage migrant and winter visitor late September-mid April (www.BirdsOman.com). I was fortunate to have a wintering Hume's Warbler in my garden in Muscat during the winters of 2005/06 and 2006/07. It foraged mainly in our garden's large Acacia tree, and was especially active during late afternoons, allowing good sightings (Plate 1). Normally the bird disappeared early evening. In February 2007 I realised it had started roosting in a 3 m tall tree situated a couple of metres away from our patio. It would come to roost to the exact same branch nearly every night, some 1.5 m above ground level. The branch was extremely thin, and I presume this was chosen so it could detect subtle movements by potential predators at night. At the same time a Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita also roosted in the garden, choosing a similar type thin branch but in a different nearby tree. With my family sitting quietly on the patio a few metres away, both warblers allowed stunning close-up views. Plate I. Hume s Warbler Phylloscopus humei, Muscat, Oman, 12 February 2007. © Kjetil Schelberg 132 Sainlyroiisc 34 (2012) Time of Hume's Warbler going to roost ■R o § 18:20 18:00 17:40 17:20 17:00 16:40 16:20 16:00 18:20 18:00 17:40 17:20 17:00 16:40 16:20 16:00 OT-COTt corded 0)0 -«-CN CO CO ▼- T- T- T- T- T- T- T- (N CN CN CN CN CN ♦- Sunset Roost time Date (2007) Figure I. Time (pink curve) of Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus humei arriving at its night roosting branch, Muscat, Oman, 2007. Sunset is indicated in dark blue. Following the rain the bird seemed to ‘reset’ its clock, going to roost up to I hour later. Because of my work commitments it was not possible to follow the bird on a regular basis; however, in March 2007 I was able to monitor it almost daily over a two week period. It would typically arrive in the garden some 5-25 min prior to going to roost. One typically gets alerted by this species by its characteristic disyllabic 'tse-huiit' call. It would be foraging in the middle to upper parts of trees (preferably Acacia) for insects. In typical manner, it would flick its wings every 1-3 s, while picking insects from underneath leaves, occasionally hovering. In some situations, it would catch insects in flycatcher-like fashion. Following this it would typically preen itself over a period up to 4 min, while occasionally stretching. Eventually it would drop down to its roosting tree. Once there it would go to rest at its usual branch within seconds or a maximum of a minute after arriving in the roost tree. It would then sit motionless, 'inflating' its feathers (Plate 2). On the evening of 17 March, we experienced heavy rain with a slight drop in temperature which lasted till midday 19 March. During these two days I could not locate the bird. On the evening of the 19th the bird once again turned up, but appeared to have 'reset' its clock: it arrived at its roosting branch 1 h later compared to the nights before fhe rain. On average it would go to roost 20-25 min later after the rain (Figure 1). This seemed logical given the longer daylight hours too. Prior to the rain it went to roost a mere 1 h 20 min (on average) before sunset. This I interpret as a 'leftover' from winter when sunsets are a lot earlier; at cl7.15 h local time. Only one morning, 14 March 2007, did I monitor it minute-by-minute till it left the roost. Up until 04.47 h it was sitting motionless. From 04.48-05.46 h it occasionally moved its head, looking around. At 05.47 h it stretched a bit before hopping onto another branch where it proceeded stretching its wings and feet. One minute later, at 05.48, it flew up into Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 133 Plate 2. Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus humei at night roost, Muscat, Oman, February 2007. © Kolbjern Schelberg the neighboring Acacia tree where it started foraging. Given it went to roost at 17.00 h the night before, this suggests a solid 12 h 47 min motionless slumber! Cramp (1992) referred to a wintering Hume's Warbler in the Netherlands which followed set routes daily within some 1 km^. It roosted in a park "at 2-3 m in dense growth of holly Ilex and CoUmeaster; also used 2nd site c500 m away in shrubbery between two blocks of flats." This confirms my observations since clearly my bird had alternative roost sites nearby— not every night did it come to my garden. The last sighting that season was 30 March. Apart from the present record, in Oman I have previously seen a Hume's Warbler in my garden, 13 January-11 February 2003 and additionally I recorded two individuals at separate locations at the Saic] plateau, Jebel Akhdar, 27 January 2006. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks to Edwin Earners for his comments on my initial draft and to my brother Kjetil Schjolberg for tlie photo in Plate E REFERENCES Cramp, S. 1992. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol 6 Warblers. Oxford University Press, NY. Snow, DW & CM Perrins. 1998. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Concise edn. Vol 2 Passerines. Oxford University Press, UK. Kolhjorn Schjoibcrg, do PDO (XPQIl), PO Box 81, Muscat WO, Oman, bradypterusde^ahoo.co.uk 1 34 34 (20 1 2) First record of Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus in Iraq R WILLIAMS Between March and July 2008, the Royal Navy was in command of a coalition of naval vessels patrolling Iraqi territorial waters in the Gulf. 1 was on board the flagship HMS Chatham, which was stationed for most of the four months in the waters immediately around the Khawr al Amaya oil terminal — located ten miles due south of the Shatt al Arab waterway. I am an experienced sea birder and co-founded the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (now the charity Marinelife) which conducts monthly line transect surveys of the English channel and bay of Biscay recording cetaceans, elasmobranchs and birds. 1 identified and photographed (Plates 1-3) a Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus on 12 May 2008 in Iraqi territorial waters (29° 47.00' N, 048° 48.02' E). This is apparently the first record for the country and has been accepted by the Nature Iraq bird records committee (Salim et al 2012). The bird was sighted at 20.10 h local time, on the starboard beam of HMS Chatham, which was steaming due north at 10 knots, 3000 m due east of the Khawr al Amaya oil terminal. I was not bird watching at the time the bird passed, but was fortunate to get three photos using a Canon Ixus 75 through the back of hand-held lOx magnification binoculars from the fo'c'sle. There was a lot of dust in the atmosphere, consequently a low and diffuse light. The bird passed the ship clOO m off and was seen also by Commander John Wheele. 1 was immediately aware of the bird's long tail feathers, and classic pale form skua appearance, with a dark upper surface with contrasting pale cheeks and black cap on the head— an obvious Long-tailed Skua although at the time I did not know the significance of the record. 1 had been endeavouring to photograph all the bird Plates 1-3. A Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus on 12 May 2008 in Iraqi territorial waters (see text), photographed through I Ox binoculars from HMS Chatham. © R Williams Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 135 species 1 was seeing on and around the oil platform (which totalled 75) so I immediately went for the camera. The bird was moving with the ship but seemed to be 'on a mission' so I knew I had little time to get a photo before it became too distant. There were a number of Slender-billed Gulls Chroicocephalus genei in the area. Earlier during the deployment I had watched Arctic Skuas Stercorarius parasiticus harassing gulls and terns, spotted mainly from the ship and I recall at least one observation from the east side of the oil platform. When at sea, I was seldom on the upper deck, but I saw them on at least three occasions with some days in between and so assumed they were always out there and did not log them in my notebook. I think all the sightings were in April. They were all pale phase birds, which I have seldom seen, and this is why I took particular pleasure in watching their aerial pursuits. I recall that they were all seen in the same area as the Long-tailed Skua. I expected the 12 May skua to be another Arctic, and this is why the long tail plumes immediately struck me as different. Long-tailed Skua is a vagrant to Iran (Roselaar & Aliabadian 2009) and Kuwait (three records of singles, Al-Sirhan 2011). There are ten records for the United Arab Emirates (Pedersen & Aspinall 2010). REFERENCES Al-Sirhan, A. 2011. KORC Annotated Checklist of Birds, http://birdsofkuwait.com. Pedersen, T & S Aspinall. 2010. EBRC annotated checklist of the birds of the United Arab Emirates. Sandgrouse Supplement 3: 1-96. Roselaar, CS & M Aliabadian. 2009. Review of rare birds in Iran, 1860s-1960s. Podoces 4(1): 1-27. Salim, MA, OF Al-Sheikhly, KA Majeed & RE Porter. 2012. An annotated checklist of the birds of Iraq. Sandgrouse 34: 4-43. R Williams, RSPB Northward Hill, Lipzoell Hilt, Cooling, Kent ME3 8DS, UK. rolf.wUliams@rspb.org.uk 136 Sandgrouse 34 (2012) Akpetky lakes, Sarykamysh lake, Ayakaghytma lake, and their desert surrounds: three new Important Bird Areas in Uzbekistan ANNA TEN, ROMAN KASHKAROV, GULARA MATEKOVA, ILIA ZHOLDASOVA & MUKHTOR TURAEV The first steps of the Important Bird Areas (IBAs) programme in Uzbekistan date back to 1996. However, the real inventory of IBAs began in 2005 within the framework of the "Central Asian IB A project". In 2005, the Uzbekistan investigators compiled a list of more than 60 potential IBAs and a programme of field studies was initiated. As a result, 48 IBAs in Uzbekistan were confirmed by the BirdLife International secretariat in 2008. Currently, the Uzbekistan Society for the Protection of Birds (UzSPB) is the main executive agency of the IBA programme in Uzbekistan (Kashkarov et al 2008). Not all potential IBAs were covered by the 2005-2008 studies. Therefore, the main focus of the present project was aimed at filling these gaps. The project was implemented 2010-2011 as part of the conservation leadership programme (CLP, www. conservationleadershipprogramme.org) and save our species programme (SOS, www. sospecies.org). This project was also supported by UzSPB. Field studies in Karakalpakstan were partially supported by the agency of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea of Uzbekistan (IFAS). The main goal of the project was to collect sufficient data to confirm three potential sites as IBAs. The second important goal of the project was to increase the capacity of students and raise awareness of local communities of the importance of their region. Twenty- three students from five Uzbekistan universities— National University of Uzbekistan, Samarkand, Bukhara and Karakalpak State Universities, Kokand Pedagogical Institute— were involved in training and survey work. The principle investigators in this project were Anna Ten, UzSPB IBA programme assistant; Oleg Kashkarov, UzSPB public relations assistant; and Nodir Azimov, a member of the Phasianiis birdwatcher's club and UzSPB member. The three sites surveyed during 2010-2011 were: • Akpetky lake system (southern Aral sea region, Karakalpakstan), 15 October-4 November 2010. • Sarykamysh lake (Ustyurt plateau, Karakalpakstan), 15 OctoberH: November 2010. • Ayakaghytma lake (southern part of the Kyzylkum desert, Bukhara province), 9-28 April 2011. Justification for IBA status was prepared based on the results of the surveys and pub- lished data. In September 2011 the BirdLife secretariat confirmed the status of the three sites: UZ049 "Akpetky lakes and surrounding Aralkum desert", UZ050 "Sarykamysh Lake and surrounding Ustyurt Plateau" and UZ051 "Ayakaghytma Lake and surrounding des- ert" (Figure 1). Detailed information on each site is presented below. METHODOLOGY Data collection and processing The surveys were conducted according to standard methodologies using point and route counts. The collection and analysis of additional data for completing the IBA data sheets Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 137 IBAs in Uzbekistan Akpetky lakes and ing Aralkum Desert Sarykamysh lake and surrounding Ustyurt Plateau Ayakaghytma lake a surrounding desert • New IBAs 2011 <3 IBAs 2008 Figure I. Location of the three new IBAs in Uzbekistan, in red. Existing IBAs are shown in grey. were carried out by the authors according to the Central Asian IBA project guidelines (Welch & Sklyarenko 2006). The data were then entered into the global IBA-World Bird/ Biodiversity Database (www.globalconservation.info). IBA criteria IBA identification is based on quantitative ornithological criteria (Welch & Sklyarenko 2006). These criteria confirm that a site is of real importance for the conservation of bird populations at the international level. Criteria at the 'A' (global) level were applied during the implementation of the Central Asian IBA programme, namely: • A1 Globally threatened species. The site regularly holds significant numbers of globally threatened species, or other species of global conservation concern. • A3 Biome-restricted assemblages. The site is known or thought to hold a significant component of the group of species whose distributions are largely or wholly confined to one biome. • A4 Globally important congregations: A4i. The site is known or thought to hold, on a regular basis, >1% of a biogeographic population of a congregatory waterbird species. A4ii. The site is known or thought to hold, on a regular basis, >1% of global population of a congregatory seabird or terrestrial species. A4iii. The site is known or thought to hold, on a regular basis, >20 000 waterbirds or >10 000 pairs of seabirds of one or more species. A4iv. The site is known or thought to exceed thresholds set for migratory species at bottleneck sites. 138 Saiuij^wiise 34 (2012) RESULTS Akpetky lakes and surrounding Aralkum desert (Figure 2, Plates 1 & 2) IBA ID: 29349, National ID: UZ049 Muynak district. Republic of Karakalpakstan Coordinates: 43° 39.22' N, 60° 22.41' E Area: 39 146 ha Conservation status: unprotected Plate I . Lakeside reeds and other vegetation, Akpetky lakes, Uzbekistan, October 20 1 0. © Anna Ten Site description. This lake system was formed on the exposed bed of the southeastern part of the Aral sea, in the vicinity of the former Akpetky archipelago. Now it is surrounded by the Aralkum desert. The Akpetky lake system represents a number of inter-related lakes of which the larg- est are Ashshykul, Akshoky, Orda, Soraly, Akpetky and Karabes. The lakes are fringed by thick reedbeds up to three m in height. Large thickets of tamarisk Tamarix sp and sparse saxaul Haloxylon sp woodland grow in the surrounding areas. The waterbodies are of significant importance in terms of fisheries for the region and have been rented out to commercial fishermen. The nearest village, Birdam, is 40 km to the southwest of the lakes. Plate 2. Aralkum desert, Akpetky lakes, Uzbekistan, October 20 1 0. © Anna Ten Figure 2. Akpetky lakes and surrounding Aralkum desert IBA, Uzbekistan. Red line denotes boundary. Birds. The lakes of the Akpetky system and the surrounding Aralkum desert are of great importance for migrating and nesting birds. The main survey period was 16-28 October 2010. Additional data were obtained as a result of short-term field trips conducted by UzSPB 9-17 June 2008 and by Gulara Matekova in 2007 and 2008. In total, 156 bird species were recorded, of which 21 are classified as rare (Table 1) — 10 from the lUCN Red List (www.iucnredlist.org) and 14 included in the Uzbekistan Red Data Book (2009). Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 139 Table I . IBA criteria and relevant bird species of the Akpetky lake system and surrounding Aralkum desert, Uzbekistan. Range of numbers eg 60—685 is the minimum and maximum daily count during the survey period. Key species Notes Breeding spp Passage/wintering Al Globally threatened species Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus''^ 60-685 (2010) White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala'-^ l-IO (2010) A3 Biome-restricted species of Eurasian deserts and semi-deserts Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius 1 (2007) White-winged Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucopterus 3 (2007): common Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis uncommon (2007) Sykes’s Warbler Iduna rama 1 (2007) Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana common (2007) 1 (2010) Pander’s Ground Jay Podoces panderi uncommon (2007) Saxaul Sparrow Passer ammodendri rare 2-13 (2010) Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta nesting 212 (2010) Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps 2 (2007, 2008) A4i > 1 % of a biogeographic population of a congregatory waterbird species Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 15 000 (2010) Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 37-360 (2010) Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus^ 3 (2008) 2^10 (2010) Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus'-^ 60-685 (2010) A4iii >20 000 waterbirds of one or more species waterbirds 26 000 (2010) Rare species Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus'-^ 2 (2010); rare Mute Swan Cygnus olor^ 36 (2008) 6-80 (2010); common Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca'-^ 10 (2008) 1-6 (2010): not numerous Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus^ 4 (2008) Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus^ 1 7 (2008) Little Egret Egretta garzetta^ 1 2 (2008) Pygmy Cormorant Microcarbo pygmeus^ 1-2 (2010); rare Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus^ rare Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus''^ 1 (October 20 1 0); rare White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla^ 1—4 (October 2010); rare Pallas’s Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus'-^ rare Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis^ 2 encounters (2010); rare Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca'-^ 2 encounters (2010); rare Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos^ 1-2 (2010) Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax'-^ rare Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata' 1 (2010); rare Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Heracles alchata^ 65-7454 (2010); numerous European Roller Coracias garrulus' nesting 'Species listed in the lUCN Red List but not present in numbers to qualify under IBA criterion Al. ^Species listed in the UZ RDB. 1 40 Sn)n1grou$c 34 (20 1 2) The Akpetky lake system lies on the migratory route of both waterfowl and terrestrial bird species and is especially important for the migration of pelicans, ducks, geese and sandgrouse. During two weeks of observation in October 2010 more than 21 000 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata, a Red Data Book of Uzbekistan species, were recorded. Additionally, there were records of Saxaul Sparrow Passer ammodendri, at the northernmost boundary of its distribution in Uzbekistan (Plate 3), and the second Uzbek record of Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudntus. Other animals. Eight fish, one amphibian, four reptile and 17 mammal species are also known from the site. lUCN Red List spe- cies are: Central Asian Tortoise Agrionemys horsfieldii (globally Vulnerable VU), Goitered Gazelle Gazella subguttiirosa (VU) and Marbled Polecat Vormela peregusna (VU). Main threats and problems of conservation. There are no human settlements in the immediate vicinity of Akpetky and the site is only visited seasonally by teams of fishermen. Extensive encroachment of the waterbodies by reeds was noted. Due to its remoteness the site is not used for grazing but every year the site attracts an increasing number of hunters. The biodiversity of the lake system depends completely on water supplied through the Kokdarya and KS-4 canals. Due to its significance for fishing, the optimal solution for the conservation of this IBA is the establishment of an ornithological reserve in which fishing is permitted and hunting prohibited during the main migration periods. Sarykamysh lake and surrounding Ustyurt plateau (Figure 3, Plates 4 & 5) IBA ID: 29791, National ID UzOSO Kungrad district. Republic of Karakalpakstan Coordinates: 42° 12.26' N, 57° 20.85' E Area: 95 974 ha Conservation status: unprotected Plate 4. Sarykamysh lake, Uzbekistan, November 2010. © Anna Ten Plate 5. Sarykamysh lake, Uzbekistan, November 2010. © Anna Ten Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 141 i, Site description. This IB A is situated 130 km to the southwest of Kungrad and includes a 2 km wide strip of the Uzbekistan part of lake Sarykamysh, the cliffs of the eastern escarpment of the Ustyurt plateau and part of the plateau including the Sarja depres- sion. Lake Sarykamysh is one of the largest lakes in Central Asia (Middle Asia) formed in the 1960s as the result of the discharge of collector-drainage waters from the lower reaches of the Amudarya river into the Sarykamysh depression. The current area of the lake is c4000 km^; the depth is up to 50 m. The northern deep part of the lake (clOOO km^) is situated in Uzbekistan, while the central and southern parts (c3000 km^) are in Turkmenistan. The cliffs of the southeast- ern Ustyurt stretch along the western and northeastern shores of the lake (Sanin 1991). Table 2. IBA criteria and relevant bird species of Sarykamysh lake and surrounding Ustyurt plateau, Uzbekistan. Range of numbers eg 95-595 is the minimum and maximum daily count during the survey period. Key species Notes Breeding spp Passage/wintering Al Globally threatened species White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala 2 (20 1 0) Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus 2 pairs (2010) A4i >1% of a biogeographic population of a congregatory waterbird species Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 95-595 (2010) Rare species Mute Swan Cygnus olor^ 6-73 (2010); common Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus^ 2-18 (2010): common Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca'-^ 2 (2010); rare Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus^ 4 (2010) Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia^ 1 (2010) Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus^ 1 (2010) Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus''^ 1-3(2010) White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla^ 2-5 (2010); common Saker Falcon Falco cherrug'-^ 2 nests (2010) Macqueen’s Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii' 1 (2007) Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax'-^ 1 (2010); rare Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata' 1 (2010); rare Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus^ 1 (20 1 0); rare Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata^ 4-5 (2010) 2-17 (2010) Figure 3. Sarykamysh lake and surrounding Ustyurt plateau IBA, Uzbekistan. Boundary shown as red line. 'Species listed in the lUCN Red List. ^Species listed in the UZ RDB. 142 Siwd^^iviise 34 (2012) Plate 6. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, Ayakaghytma, April 201 I. © Valentin Soldatov The shore vegetation in the northern part of the lake is poorly developed due to a rise in water level. Narrow patches of reeds Phragmites sp and reed mace Typha sp are found in the shallow parts of the northern and northwestern shore. The eastern shores are completely devoid of vegetation due to the high water level. Saxaul and tamarisk are found along the shore separating the lake from the Ustyurt plateau. The Ustyurt plateau is an elevated flatland ending in escarpments 150-370 m in height. The main vegetation is boyalich Salsola arbuscula, biurgun Anabasis salsa and in places saxaul. The eastern escarpment of the Ustyurt in the vicinity of the lake is an almost vertical cliff clOO m in height, which descends to the lake from the west and northeast. On Ustyurt, vegetation is very scarce and consists of glasswort Salicornia sp, wormwood Artemesia sp and sparse saxaul. The only use of the lake is for fishing and there are seven fish farms leasing nine sites with a total area of 4510 ha. The lake is one of the principle water bodies in Karakalpakstan: its share in the total fish catch of Karakalpakstan constituted 25% and 50% in 2009 and 2010 respectively. The Sarykamysh lakeshore refuge (Nature Reserves of Central Asia and Kazakhstan 2006) was established in the Turkmenistan part of the lake in 1980. In 2008 this part was designated as an IBA (Rustamov et al in press). Birds. Being deep, waterfowl are mainly restricted to the shoreline. The cliffs of the , eastern escarpment provide nesting sites for predatory birds, particularly Egyptian I Vulture Neophron percnopterus (Plate 6) and Saker Falcon Falco cherrug. Additionally, Common Swift Apus apus and Alpine Swift Tachymarptis nielba also nest. This is the only known nesting site in lowland Uzbekistan for the latter species (Kashkarov 2010). The Ustyurt plateau is the nesting area for many desert species including Macqueen's Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata and Pallas's Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxus. The surveys recorded the first Long-tailed Rosefinch Uragus sibiricus and Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax for the Ustyurt area. In addition to the CLP-SOS survey in 2010, the authors surveyed this site in spring 2007 and summer 2010. In total 108 bird spe- cies were recorded of which 16 are classified as rare (Table 2)— eight in lUCN Red List and 14 in the Red Data Book of Uzbekistan. Other animals. Of 15 fish species found in Sarykamysh lake two species are included in the Uzbekistan Red Data Book: Aral Stickleback Pungitius platygaster aralensis and Turkestan Barbel Barbus capito conocephalus (Zholdasova et al 2009). Ten mammal species have been recorded including Brandt's Hedgehog Hemiechinus hypomelas (UZ RDB) and Goitered Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa (VU; UZ RDB). Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 143 Main threats and problems of conservation. A serious threat is the change in the water level of Sarykamysh lake in the last ten years, which has resulted in the loss of nesting sites of waterbirds, especially Dalmatian Pelicans Pelecanus crispus. A new threat has also emerged recently— the diversion of water from the collectors feeding Sarykamysh lake to fill an arti- ficial lake in Turkmenistan, Altyn Asyr (Turkmen Lake Altyn Asyr' 2009). This may lead to an increase in salinity and a decline of the fisheries importance of the lake. Monofilament gill nets, which are concentrateci in the littoral zone, may cause the death of diving ducks and coots. As there are only fishing teams using the site, they should be considered as the major target group for the development of protection measures for the IBA. Ayakaghytma lake and surrounding desert (Figure 4, Plate 7) IBA ID: 29789, National ID UZ051 Gizhduvan district, Bukhara province Coordinates: 40° 36.86' N, 64° 32.12' E Area: 32 854 ha Conservation status: unprotected Site description. The Ayakaghytma depression is situated in the southern part of the Kyzylkum to the southeast of the Kuldjuktau ridge. It is surrounded by cliffs up to 60 m in height. A significant part of the site consists of saline marshlands (solonchak). The natural borders of the depression are included in the IBA. Ayakaghytma lake formed in the late 1980s as a result of the discharge of collector-drainage waters into the depression. The lake currently covers cll 000 ha. The water level of the lake is unstable and depends on the volume of inflowing water. The shoreline vegetation is poorly developed and consists mainly of reeds and tamarisk thickets but most of the shoreline is devoid of vegetation. The western and southern parts of the site consist of vast saline marshlands and sandy desert with fixed dunes; the eastern part is clayey-rubble desert. Isolated groups of saxaul and sandy acacia Arnmodendron conolh/i occur throughout. There is a small village, Ayakaghytma, with fifty households, on the shore of the lake. The local population is involved mainly in cattle husbandry and fishing. The lands surrounding the lake are used for grazing. There are seven teams of fishermen on the lake. Birds. As the lake does not freeze and provides rich feeding, it is very important for passage and wintering waterbirds. The aerial inventory by IWC 10 January 2000 recorded 23 231 Plate 7. Ayakaghytma lake and surrounding cliffs, Uzbekistan, April 201 I. © Anna Ten Figure 4. Ayakaghytma lake and surrounding desert IBA, Uzbekistan. Red line denotes boundary. 1 44 Sandj^rouse 34 (20 1 2) Plate 8. Eurasian Curlews Numenius arquata, Ayakaghytma, April 201 I. © Valentin Soldatov waterfowl (Atadjanov et al 2001). The vast saline marshlands stretching along the shores of the lake attract wading birds, particularly Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, Eurasian Curlew N. arquata (Plate 8), Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta, Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus and Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus. Breeding species include Western Greylag Goose Anser a. anser, Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus, Mute Swan Cygnus olor, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Northern Pintail Anas acuta and several species of terns, gulls and waders. Macqueen's Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii, Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii and Caspian Plover C. asiaticus nest in the desert. The loess cliffs fringing the Ayakaghytma depression are excellent places for breeding birds of prey, particularly Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (Plate 6), Saker Falcon Falco cherrug, Common Kestrel Falco tinnuncuhis and Eagle Owl Bubo bubo. During the 2000-2011 studies, 198 bird species were recorded, of which 25 are classified as rare (Table 3): 11 on the lUCN Red List and 23 in the Red Data Book of Uzbekistan. Other animals. Rare species recorded at the site are Central Asian Tortoise Agrionemys hors- fieldii (VU; UZ RDB), Desert Monitor Varanus griseus (UZ RDB), Goitered Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa (VU; UZ RDB) and Marbled Polecat Vormela peregusna (VU). Main threats and problems of conservation. Fishing is intensive and the adjoining lands are used as pasture. Unsustainable use of these resources has caused a decline of fish stocks and depletion and degradation of pastures and shrubs. The unstable water level adversely affects the state of the entire lake-desert ecosystem. Living standards of the residents of Ayakaghytma village directly depend on the state of water resources in this area. This Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 145 Table 3. International IBA criteria and relevant avian species at Ayakaghytma lake and surrounding desert, Uzbekistan. Range of numbers eg 1-130 is the minimum and maximum daily count during the survey period. Key species Notes Breeding spp Passage/wintering Al Globally threatened species Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus'-^ 1-130 (201 1); common White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala'-^ 4 (2009); rare Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus' 3—4 pairs (201 1); common A3 Biome-restricted species of Eurasian deserts and semi-deserts Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii 35 (2006) Asian Short-toed Lark Calandrelta (rufescens) cheleensis 14 (2008) Sykes’s Warbler Iduna rama 2-14 (201 1) Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana 14 (2008); common Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta 1 (201 1): rare Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsolete 3-90 (201 1): common A4i >1% of a biogeographic population of a congregatory waterbird species Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 4016 (2000) Western Great Egret Ardea alba 451 (2000) Pygmy Cormorant Microcarbo pygmeus^ 31 (2006) 827 (2000) Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus^ 28-482 (201 1); common Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus'-^ 1-130 (201 1); common A4iii >20 000 waterbirds of one or more species waterbirds 23 281 (2000) Rare species Mute Swan Cygnus olor^ 36 (2006) 8-16 (2008-201 1) Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus^ 1-2 (2008, 2011) Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca'-^ 2 (2006) 3 (May 2007), 1 (2011) Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus^ 20-1 15 (201 1) Black Stork Ciconia nigra^ 2 (2008) Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus^ 30-106 (2007) Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodla^ 2-H (2008, 2011) Little Egret Egretta garzetta^ 3 (2006) 1-13 (201 1) Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus^ single birds (2007-201 1) Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus^ 1 (2008) Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus^ 1 (201 1) Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus 2 single encounters (2008, 201 1) Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis^ 8 (2008), 6 (201 1) Saker Falcon Falco cherrug'-^ 1 pair (201 1); rare Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus'-^ 1 (2008) Macqueen’s Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenil'-^ 1 (2008); rare Black-tailed Godwit Umosa limosa' 17-36 (201 1); common Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata' 1-93 (201 1); common Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni'-^ 3 (2007) Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus^ 8 (2006) 2 (201 1) 'Specie.s listed in the lUCN Red List. ‘Species listed in the UZ RDB. 1 46 Snmii^roiise 34 (20 1 2) makes working with the local community a priority in order to increase their awareness of nature and introduce sustainable land use and fishery pracfices. DISCUSSION The implementation of fhe CLP-SOS project enabled the identification, and confirmation by BirdLife, of another three IBAs in Uzbekistan, with a total area of 167 974 ha. Information was collected on the distribution and numbers of 16 globally threatened bird species. The IBAs described are of significant importance for the conservation of birds and biodiversity in general. This determines the necessity for further development of nature conservation activities aimed at the sustainable use of natural resources. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors are grateful for assistance with organising and conducting surveys by Edith Koshkin and Geoff Welch (both RSPB), and Reg Thorpe, Adrienne Stratford and David Trotman (RSPB Cymru). Special thanks are extended to Usman Kurganovich Buranov, head of IF AS. We are also grateful to Ernest Kluirshut for preparing the maps for this paper, and Valentin Soldatov and Alisher Atakhodjaev for their active participa- tion in project fieldwork and provision of photographs. REFERENCES Atadjanov, A, A Filatov, E Lanovenko, S Zagrebin, E Chernogaev & J Khodjaev. 2001. [Aerial Survey of Wetlands in Uzbekistan (winter 2000). Report of the RSGF project. Protection of Uzbekistan's Wetlands and their Waterfowl. Part 3]. State Biological Control, Tashkent, [in Russian] Kashkarov, R. 2010. [Ornithological observations in the southern part of the Karakalpak Ustyurt in summer 2010]. Selevinia (The zoological year-book of Kazakhstan, Almaty), [in Russian] . Kashkarov R, G Welch & M Brombacher (eds). 2008. Important Bird areas in Uzbekistan— priority sites for conservation. UzSPB, Tashkent. 188pp. Nature Reserves of Central Asia and Kazaklistan. 2006. Tethys, Almaty. 354pp. [in Russian] Rustamov E, G Welch & M Brombacher. In press. Important Bird Areas in Turkmenistan. Ministry of Nature Protection Turkmenistan, Ashgabat. 198pp. Sanin, M. 1991. [Lake Sarykamysh and other drainage water reservoirs]. Nauka, Moscow. 149pp. [in Russian] Turkmen Lake 'Altyn Asyr'. 2009. Ashgabat. 100pp. [in Russian] I Uzbekistan Red Data Book. 2009. Vol 2 Animals. Cliinor ENK, Tashkent. 215pp. I Welch G & S Sklyarenko. 2006. Central Asian Important Bird Areas Project Guidelines to Authors & Data Entry Forms. Internal project document. Zholdasova IM, DM Soloviev, RO Temirbekov, EA Adenbaev, ZA Mustafayeva, AK Musaev & MM Orel. ; 2009. [Lake Sarykamysh in a changing hydrological regime. Abstracts of the Republican Scientific-Practical ' Conference, Science in Karakalpakstan: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow]. Nukus, Uzbekistan, pp35- 36. [in Russian] i Anna Ten, UzSPB. aini.ten@gmail.com Roman Kashkarov, UzSPB. roman. kashkarov@iba.iiz Gulara Matekova & Ilia joldasova. Institute of Bioecology, Karakalpak Branch, Academy of Sciences, Nukus, Uzbekistan. gmatekova@mail.ru, joldasova@rambler.ru Mukhtor Turaev, Department of Ecology, Bukhara State University, Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 147 Great Bustard Otis tarda in Turkey: adult female with three chicks at forest edge in Kars province ESRA PER, M UEUK OZBEK, M ERKAN UZUNHISARCIKLI & BILGEHAN BILGILl The Great Bustard Of/s tarda prefers natural and semi-steppe grassland, pastures, undisturbed cultivated areas and open countryside. The species avoids forests and steep or rocky terrains. Places with a good view of the surrounding area appear essential. Breeding areas can be found from sea level up to 3000 m asl. Afforestation restricts breeding areas and causes loss of habitat (Kollar 1996). In eastern Anatolia the species nests mainly in agricultural landscapes with a high diversity of crops (Gtirkan et al 2003). It avoids areas with high levels of annual rainfall and very dry areas. However, habitat requirements of the species in Turkey are not precisely known (Ozbagdatli et al 2004). The most recent estimate of the global population of the Great Bustard is 43 500-51 200 individuals (Palacin & Alonso 2008). The Turkish population was estimated at 764-1250 individuals (Kilig & Eken 2004), representing 2-3% of the global population (Palacin & Alonso 2008). There appear to be two Turkish subpopulations— one centred in central Anatolia and the other in east and southeast Anatolia. A more recent assessment (Karaka§ & Akarsu 2009) estimated the Turkish breeding population as 200-300 pairs at most. The Plate I . Adult female Great Bustard Otis tarda, forest edge, Kars province, Turkey. © Ufuk Ozbek 1 48 34 (20 1 2) Plate 2. Adult female Great Bustard Otis tarda and one chick, forest edge, Kars province, Turkey. © Ufuk Ozbek Plate 3. Two Great Bustard Otis tarda chicks, forest edge, Kars province, Turkey. © Ufuk Ozbek Sancigrouse 34 (2012) 149 Great Bustard is considered Vulnerable (VU) both in Turkey and globally according to lUCN criteria (www.birdlife.org). The majority of the breeding population of the Great Bustard in Turkey is found in eastern Anatolia, principally Agri (Patnos plain), Ardahan (southwest of Ardahan), Bitlis (Korkut, Giiroymak, Ahlat, Nazik/Ovaki§la, Yarimada village), Mu§ (Bulanik, Sultanh village, Malazgirt plain, Kotanh village, TiGEM farm), Erzurum (Karasu plain) and Van (Goldiizu; Arin lake) (Karaka§ & Akarsu 2009). The highest density is located in Mu§, Bitlis and north of lake Van. The Great Bustard was recorded in Kars province, eastern Anatolia, for the first time 15 June 2011 when an adult male was observed and photographed by Emrah (^oban. In our study in Kars province, we carried out a survey 9 July 2011 when one adult female Great Bustard with three chicks was observed and photographed at a forest edge by MUO (Plates 1-3). The dominant vegetation in the area where the birds were seen is open Scots Pine Piniis sylvestris forest at an altitude of c2300-2350 m asl. Other plant species identified there were Cruciata taurica, Alysswn sp, Lotus cornkulatus, Pnpaver triniifoliwu, Trifolium pretense, Pilosella piloselloides, Anthemis triumfefettii, Helichrysum aranarium, Cardaria drnba and Hieracium sp. The presence of an adult Great Bustard apparently using the edge of a Scots Pine forest as a feeding area for its chicks seems a remarkable observation. Presumably the adult had bred in surrounding grassland/agricultural areas. A comprehensive investigation is required to assess the status and ecology of Great Bustards in this province. REFERENCES Giirkan Z, S Bekir & N Ozbagdatli. 2003. Toy Konima Projesi, Doyii Anadolii Bolgesi Ara^tirnia Raporu [Great Bustard Conservation Project: East Anatolia Survey Report]. Dogal Hayati Korunia Dernegi, Istanbul. [In Turkish) Karaka§, R & F Akarsu. 2009. Recent status and distribution of the Great Bustard, Otis tarda, in Turkey. Zoology in the Middle East 48: 25-34. KiliC DT & G Eken. 2004. Turkey's Important Bird Areas— 2004 Update. Doga Dernegi-BirdLife International, Ankara. Kollar, HP. 1996. Action plan for the great bustard (Otis tarda) in Europe. In: Heredia, D, L Rose & M Painter (eds). Globally Threatened birds in Europe Action Plans. Council of Europe Publishing, Strasbourg, pp245-260. Ozbagdatli N, S Karauz Er & B Altun. 2004. Tiirkiye'nin Toylari, Toy Ulusal Eyiem Plant [Great Bustards in Turkey, National Action Plan for Great Bustard). Doga Dernegi & (^evre ve Orman Bakanhgi, Ankara. [In Turkish] Palacin, C & JC Alonso. 2008. An Updated Estimate of the World Status and Population Trends of the Great Bustard Otis tarda. Ardeola 55 (1): 13-25. Esra Per, M Llfuk Ozbek, M Erkan Uzunhisarcikh, Gazi University, Biology Department, Science Faculty, Ankara, Turkey, esraper^fgazi. edu.tr Bilgehan Bilgili, Kastanwnu University, Forest Engineering Department, Forestry Faculty, Kastamonu, Turkey. 1 .50 Simdgroiisi’ .34 (20 1 2) Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus consumes a Graceful Warbler Prinia gracilis at migration stopover site in southern Israel KAMEN P RUSKOV Shrikes (Laniidae) are well known for their habits of preying on and impaling small birds, lizards, insects and small mammals (Cramp & Perrins 1993, Harris & Franklin 2000). A number of bird species are recorded as prey of the Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus "... notably and perhaps exclusively exhausted migrants" (Cramp & Perrins 1993). Eilat, Israel, is located at the head of the gulf of Aqaba where the Negev desert reaches the sea. A bird park, containing local plant species, is located on the northeast edge of the city and serves as a refuelling station for many passerine migrants en route from Africa to Eurasia, including Masked Shrikes (Yosef 1998). Graceful Warblers Prinia gracilis are present in the area year-round (Cramp & Perrins 1993, Shirihai 1996). At 05.25 h on 20 April 2001 I saw a Masked Shrike feeding on a Graceful Warbler in a 6-8 m high tree in the bird park just 5 m from the ringing station building. The Graceful Warbler was impaled on a 7 cm long hard leafless twig (not a thorn) on a more or less horizontal branch 120 cm from the trunk at a height of cl75 cm above the ground. The Masked Shrike consumed all the flesh, removing larger feathers. At 05.36 h the Masked Shrike finished eating, moved 35 cm further along the same branch and wiped its bill. Forty seconds later, it moved 70 cm further along the same branch where it spent the next 90 s preening. Apart from a leg and some feathers there were no other remains of the Graceful Warbler after the Masked Shrike had moved away. REFERENCES Cramp S & C Perrins. 1993. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol 7. Oxford University Press, UK. Harris, T & K Franklin. 2000. Shrikes and Bush-shrikes. Christopher Helm, London. Shirihai, H. 1996. The Birds of Israel. Academic Press, London. Yosef, R. 1998. Migration of Red-backed (Lanius collurio), Masked (L. nubicus), and Woodchat Shrikes (L. senator) at Eilat, Israel. In: Yosef, R & EE Lohrer (eds). Shrikes (Laniidae) of the World II. International Birding and Research Centre, Eilat, pp5-8. Kamen P Ruskov, 20 Tintiava St, bl 3/G, U13 Sofia, Bulgaria, kamenruskov@yahoo.com Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 151 Birding Sites of the OSME Region 8 — The birds of the lower Syrian Euphrates DA MURDOCH & AH AIDER Much of eastern Syria consists of open steppes and desert, becoming more arid towards the Irac] border. The river Euphrates flows southeast from the Turkish highlands to join the Tigris in central Iraq (Figure 1); as it passes through northeast Syria it forms a broad and fertile valley in an otherwise barren landscape. For millions of birds that breed in eastern Europe and central Asia, the valley forms a stepping stone across an inhospitable region to the abundance of tropical Africa. For other migrants escaping the harsh winters of central Asia, it is an important wintering refuge. The Euphrates is also at the heart of the Fertile Crescent, one of the first centres of civilisation. As the human population grows, it takes up more and more of the valley's resources. Until 50 years ago, the river regularly flooded to a depth of four metres, destroying the farms along its banks, but from 1968 the valley has been transformed by a series of massive dams, beginning with the al-Furat dam that created lake Assad. Targe areas of former floodplain are now fields and people can build and farm without fear of destruction. The population density is high and rapidly increasing. In spite of its strategic position, the bird fauna of the Syrian Euphrates is little known. For many years access was difficult as it required a long journey across the drylands east of Aleppo to the city of ar-Raqqa. The completion in 1981 of an excellent road from Damascus to Deir ez-Zor via Palmyra transformed the situation, bringing the valley within five hours' easy drive of the capital. An inventory of wildlife areas in the Middle East made S Ar-Raqqa Halabbiyah Madan jadid Al-Hegeifat Mheimideh \ \ Ar-Rawda 1 00 km Dura Europos Abu Kemal Bridge Figure I . Key sites along the lower Syrian Euphrates. 1 52 Smuli^roiisi’ ,14 (20 1 2) in the early 1990s (Evans 1994) provides an invaluable summary of the scanty data then available for Syria; it designated 22 Syrian Important Bird Areas (IBAs). The entire Syrian Euphrates valley was included in IBAIO but almost all the data came from three sites, an oxbow at Shumaytiyah* 20 km upstream from Deir ez-Zor, 'Mayadin Pool', since drained, and the Halabbiyah area. Baumgart et al (1995, English translation with update supplement 2003) summarised the Syrian avifauna but their account did not include several species now known to breed commonly along the valley. In the last ten years, Syria has been recognised as an exciting destination for its birds as well as for its outstanding archaeological sites, and there has been a huge increase in foreign birders and ecotourists. The first records from Mheimideh (Figure 1) are from 1994 (Holland 1994). The Syrian Wetland Expedition (SWE) of January-February 2004 (Murdoch et al 2004, 2005), supported by OSME, collected baseline data on the resident and wintering birds of the Euphrates though coverage was not comprehensive. In preparation for the SWE, Andrews downloaded satellite photographs from fhe NASA website and used them to locate potentially interesting habitats; he listed the oxbows, giving each a number prefixed by the letter W (Table 1), a numbering system followed in this account. Of the 36 he located, expedition members assessed 18, including all eight major oxbows. Few have been surveyed since; birders often visit the well-known sites, Mheimideh and the suspension bridge at Deir ez-Zor, but many oxbows are still little known or even unvisited. As a result, this account of the valley's birds is based on very limited information, particularly during the breeding season. Its first aim is to present an overview of the available data and to indicate where more observations would be most valuable; the authors hope to stimulate birders to explore some of the many underwatched sites in the valley. The second is to emphasise how much of its wildlife is threatened. The third and most important is to argue that conservation of what remains requires active participation from the people living in the valley, which requires provision of high-quality information about conservation in a language that they can understand; and a precondition for thaf is substanfial support from the international conservation community. THE PHYSICAL AND MAN-MADE ENVIRONMENT The Euphrates still flows throughouf the lower valley but the upper valley is filled by two massive reservoirs, lakes Tishreen and Assad, and the much smaller lake Ba'ath. This account covers the valley from the dam furthest downstream, the Ba'ath dam, to the river's entry into Iraq, a distance of c320 km, c60% of its length in Syria. The major source of water in the Euphrates is from snow melf in the Turkish mountains; peak flow is af its highest in March-May. Maximal spring flow rates were formerly forty-fold the minimal flow rate in October and water levels were on average 3-4 m higher in spring than in autumn (Evans 1994). The series of dams in the upper valley now controls the annual spring floods. Two major tributaries join this stretch of fhe river, the Balikh at ar-Raqqa and the Khabur near Busayrah. Much of fheir water comes from a network of springs greatly depleted by excessive extraction of water for irrigation; their flow is now intermittent. Three dams now control the flow of the Khabur. The climate is continental, with daily mean temperatures of c40°C in July-August but c7°C in midwinter, with many nights of frost. Gentle evening breezes relieve the summer heat but in winter bitter winds blow off the Turkish mountains. Annual precipitation is c300 mm where the Euphrates enters Syria from Turkey buf is only cl40 mm at the Iraq * Sites for which GPS data are available are denoted with an asterisk (*) and the data presented in Tables 1 and 2. Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 153 Table I. List of oxbows on the lower Syrian Euphrates (following Andrews in Murdoch et al 2005). The list is not exhaustive but includes all oxbows of a reasonable size that are as yet undrained. Column headings I; code number of oxbow; 2; name given to the oxbow (usually that of the nearest village); 3: oxbow size (S = small, L = large); 4; bank (S = southwest bank, N = northeast bank); 5: co-ordinate (N°); 6; co-ordinate (E°); 7; date(s) in 2004 of visits during SWE; 8: conservation value as assessed during SWE (* little, ** important, *** very important). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Wl - L s 35.84 39.16 17.2 ** W2 Shnan L s 35.82 39.23 14.1, 17.2 *** W3 Sabkha S s 35.81 39.27 17.2 * W4 - S s 35.81 39.32 - W5 - S s 35.81 39.37 - W6 Jdeida L N 35.84 39.40 18.2 ** W7 - S S 35.81 39.40 - W8 - s S 35.78 39.51 - W9 - L N 35.81 39.56 - WIO Madan Jadid L S 35.76 39.6 16.2 ** Wl 1 - L S 35.75 39.65 16.2 WI2 - S N 35.78 39.67 - WI3 - L N 35.77 39.74 18.2 * WI4 - S N 35.76 39.78 18.2 ♦ WI5 al-Kasra S N 35.59 39.93 15.1 WI6 - S S 35.50 39.94 - WI7 Shumaytiyah S S 35.46 39.99 - WI8 Mheimideh S N 35.43 40.10 15.1, 17.2, 19.2 5|cM: WI9 - s N 35.38 40.13 - W20 Hatia s N 35.34 40.19 17.2 * W2I - s S 35.28 40.20 - W22 - s N 35.28 40.31 16.1 W23 Mohassan s S 35.24 40.30 19.2 * W24 - s S 35.15 40.38 - W25 - s S 35.13 40.40 - W26 - s N 35.03 40.50 - W27 - s N 35.00 40.53 18.2 * W28 Ashara L S 34.90 40.55 20.2 ** W29 - s S 34.80 40.64 - W30 Abu Hammam s N 34.80 40.68 16.1, 20.2 ** W3I / W32 Gharanij s N 34.80 40.74 16.1, 20.2 ** W33 - s S 34.61 40.88 - W34 - s N 34.63 40.95 - W35 - s S 34.57 40.90 - W36 - s N 34.56 40.95 _ border. The valley lies 80-200 m below the surrounding plains and is usually dO-12 km in width, narrowing to 1-2 km at the Halabbiyah 'gorge'. It is characterised by many large oxbows up to 4 km across; some have been drained but many still have substantial areas of open water and reedbed. There are many villages, mostly on the lower slopes of 1 54 Saiul;^wi(sc 34 (20 1 2) the valley. The major population centre above the Halabbiyah gorge is the ancient city of ar-Raqqa* cl70 km east of Aleppo, the only location in the upper valley with hotels catering for foreign tourists. Below Halabbiyah, the valley is initially similar, but near the Iraq border it becomes noticeably hotter with a very high population density. Deir ez-Zor* is the major city of the lower valley and one of the largest in Syria; a relatively modern city with a pleasant, relaxed feel, it lies along the river with several suburbs on islands. Its name is often abbreviated to 'Deir', the Arabic for 'monastery'. It has several hotels; the Ziad hotel* 15 minutes' walk from the suspension bridge, is much used by birders and strongly recommended. The main access roads run from Aleppo, a dour 90 km journey of little ornithological interest east to the valley at Maskaneh, and the stunningly beautiful 460 km drive across the badia (arid lands) from Damascus to Deir ez-Zor, which can be full of birds on migration. The valley roads are not as fast as most Syrian highways, particularly on the northeast side and downstream from Deir ez-Zor; they pass through endless villages where the going can be very slow. A new road planned to run above the southern edge of the valley will greatly reduce journey times. VEGETATION The flora is mainly of Indo-Turanian origin with Mediterranean and Saharo-Sindian influences (Evans 1994). The increasing aridity as the Euphrates flows through Syria determines the vegetation that the ecosystem can support (Mouterde 1984). The other major contributing factor is human activity. The valley was once thick with forests of Euphrates Poplar Populus euphratica, willows Salix spp and tamarisk Tamarix spp (Aidek 2010) but all natural woodland has long disappeared. Many islands fringed by Common Reed Phragmites australis and Common Bulrush Typha latifolia have formed as a result of the river's declining flow; these islands, known locally as hawaeij, are characteristic of the valley and one of its most important habitats (Plate 1). Two common shrubs on the hawaeij are the desert-thorn Lycium depressum (Solanaceae) and the herbaceous perennial Glycyrrhiza glabra (Fabaceae); the roots of G. glabra are of medicinal value and the source of liquorice. Common grasses along the river include the canary grass Phalaris minor, the couch grass Cynodon dactylon and Slender Wild Oat Avena barbata (Poaceae). Eastern Groundsel Senecio vernalis (Asteraceae) is a poisonous annual of medicinal value. Plate I. Islet (a hawaeij) in river Euphrates, Abo Hardoub, 80 km east of Deir ez-Zor, Syria, 8 November 2009. © Ahmad Aidek Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 155 The badia bordering the valley has long suffered from severe overgrazing. Vast areas of northeast Syria have been converted to intensive irrigated cultivation and few areas of reasonably intact steppe remain. The following have high grazing value: perennial subshrubs including White Wormwood Artemisia herba-alba and Redstem Wormwood Artemisia scoparia, the saltwort Salsola vermiculata and the saltbush Atriplex leucoclada, the salsify Scorzonera pappiosa and grasses such as Schismus arabicus, Wall Barley Hordeiim muriinim, Mediterranean Hair Grass Rostraria cristata and the wiregrass Aristida plomosa (Poaceae), Haloxylon salicornicum (Chenopodiaceae) and Arnebia decumbens (Boraginaceae). Some plants such as the annual wall-rocket Diplotaxis harra (Brassicaceae), Phlomis syriaca (Lamiaceae) and Wild Mignonette Reseda lutea (Resedaceae) have little or no grazing value and are indicators of degraded habitat; others such as Harmal Pega}iiim harmala (Zygophyllaceae), the germander Teucrium pruinosum (Lamiaceae) and the daisy Gymnarrhena micrantha (Asteraceae) are poisonous. Other perennials and subshrubs include the yarrows Achillea fragrantissima and Achillea santolina, the thistle Carduus australis, the burdock Cousinia ivesheni, Rough Cocklebur Xanthium strumarium and the knapweed Centaurea virgata (Asteraceae) and the rockrose Heliantlumium ledifoliiim (Cistaceae). After good rains, the spring is characterised by flushes of flowers, at their best in April, which may include the lilies Ixiolirion tataricum and Ixiolirion mo)itamim (Ixioliriaceae), the stock Malcolmia crenidata, Alyssum Ihiifoliiim, and several species of milkvefch Astragalus (Fabaceae), species of storksbill Erodium (Geraniaceae), fhe pheasant's-eye Adonis dentata (Ranunculaceae), the rupturewort Herniaria hemistemon (Caryophyllaceae), Eurasian Heliotrope Heliotropium eiiropaeum (Boraginaceae), the bullwort Ammi majus, the 'giant fennel' Ferula blanchei and fhe fhorow-wax Bupleurum laticifolium (Apiaceae). Ruderals include Corn Poppy Papaver rhoeas (Papaveraceae) and fhe annual aromatic mayweed Matricaria aurea (Asteraceae). Areas of sabkha may support the grasses Aeluropus lagopoides and Aeluropus littoralis (Poaceae), Aizoon hispanicum (Aizoaceae) and Sharp Rush ]uncus acutus (Juncaceae). The needle grass Stipa damascena (Poaceae) and the horehound Ballota widulata (Lamiaceae) are found in rocky areas. NON-AVIAN VERTEBRATES Syria possessed a rich mammal fauna into historical times but little remains after millennia of overhunting and habitat destruction. Assyrian reliefs show the king hunting Asian Lions Pa)ithera leo persica in a fertile landscape; Lion and the Anatolian Leopard Panthera pardus tulliana are extinct in Syria. Caracal Lynx Caracal caracal is endangered but Wolves Ca)iis lupus and Syrian Striped Hyenas Hyaena hyaena syriaca still survive in low numbers. Smaller predators of the badia include Red Foxes Vulpcs vulpes (common and widespread), Ruippell's Foxes Vulpes rueppellii (scarce) and Sand Cats Felis margarita (widespread south of the Euphrates but very rare to its north). There are still a few Jungle Cats Felis chans and Otters Futra lutra along the river. The most successful remaining predator is Golden Jackal Ca)iis auritus; it is still common and easy to see, foraging round human settlements at night. Of the herbivores, the steppes held Arabian Oryx Oryx leucoryx, Sand Gazelles Gazella subgiitturosa and Syrian Wild Asses Equus hemionus hemippus, even into Ottoman times; all are gone and the last is now globally extinct. Overgrazing and habitat degradation have greatly diminished numbers of the smaller herbivores such as jerboas Jaailus spp and Cape Hare Fepus capoisis, with major effects on populations of predators. Indian Crested Porcupines Hystrix indica still survive in the arid mountains south of the valley and Long-eared Hedgehogs Hemicchhnts auritus are commonly seen at night by the roadside. Eurasian Wild Boars Sus scrofa and Persian Fallow Deer Dama mesopotamica once inhabited the valley's forests but are now extinct in Syria; a few Eurasian Badgers Meles )iuies persist along the river and the adjoining badia. 1 loney Badger Mellivora eapoisis was believed 156 Sandgroiise 34 (2012) Plate 2. Euphrates Soft-shelled Turtle Rafetus euphraticus, al-Qsupy, 65 km upstream of Deir ez-Zor^ Syria, 26 July 2009. © Ahmad Aidek extinct in Syria but in 2008 one was shot on a haweija between Deir and Mayadin; it was videoed and its identification confirmed (AHA). Mongooses are occasionally reported along the valley; the authors have no personal experience but they are most likely to be Grey Mongoose Ichneumon herpestes, which is present in Syria's coastal mountains. Syria's mammal fauna is now essentially relict; a few species, mainly scavengers, are doing well but most of the larger species are extinct or need urgent protection. Reptiles include Striped-necked Terrapin Mauremys rivulata and Dice Snake Natrix tessellata, both common. The Euphrates Soft-shelled Turtle Rafetus euphraticus (Plate 2) is an endangered species limited to the Tigris-Euphrates basin; it is difficult to find but appears to be rare. It is hunted using fishing lines and eaten by local people; the huge reservoirs of the upper valley have presumably fragmented and greatly reduced its range. The Desert Monitor Varanus griseus is still widespread in the badia but suffers from persecution and habitat destruction. The Euphrates holds 30 genera and at least 40 species of fish including the cyprinids Aspius vorax and Cyprinion macrostomus, several species of barbels Barbus spp and the catfish Silurus triostegus (Beckman 1962, Berlin 1983, Aidek 2010). BIRDS The river itself often holds few birds. Few duck seem to use it for feeding except in the Halabbiyah gorge. In winter there are small numbers of Common Black-headed Gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus and Armenian Gulls Larus armenicus; Great Black-headed Gulls Lams ichthyaetus are widespread but uncommon. Ten species of gull have been recorded, including even Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla (Kinzelbach 1985). A few raptors drift along it, most commonly Black Kites Milvus migrans and Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus. Pied Kingfishers Ceryle rudis are common and conspicuous residents; Common Kingfishers Alcedo atthis and Great Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo winter in small numbers. Spur- winged Lapwings Vanellus spinosus are widespread and vocal. Good vantage points from which to enjoy the river are the suspension bridge’^ at Deir ez-Zor, an excellent and convenient viewpoint (Plate 3); Hassan, on the road from Deir to Mheimideh; the late Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 157 Plate 3. Suspension bridge, Deir ez-Zor, Syria, 8 September 2009. © Ahmad Aidek Plate 4. Cliffs below Dura Europos, Syria, 8 March 2010. © Ahmad Aidek Roman city of Dura Europos*, which has fine views from its cliffs of fhe lower valley (Plate 4); and the Halabbiyah gorge* where roads run along both banks. There are several road bridges but as they are usually of military significance, visitors should be accompanied by Syrian nationals who can translate as necessary. The Euphrates follows an irregular, almost serpentine course, looping down the valley, which has resulted in the formation of large numbers of islands and oxbows. Gravel beds form temporary islets and provide breeding sites for Spur-winged Plover and Tittle Ringed Plover Charatirius dtihitin. More permanent islands, the hawaeij, become heavily wooded and fringed by dense vegetation (Plate 5), making access difficult; as a result, they are key 1 5H Snii(l;^roiisc 34 (20 1 2) Plate 5. Aiash island, a hawaeij, river Euphrates 10 km upstream from Deir ez-Zor, Syria, 29 October 2009. © Ahmad Aidek refuges for wildlife but ornithological data are scanty. Hawaeij offer safe feeding for migrants such as Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtiir and winter hunting grounds for Great Spotted Eagles Aqiiila clanga VU (globally Vulnerable). Cetti's Warblers Cettia cetti are noisy residents of the riverine undergrowth. Few species appear to use the woods for nesting; exceptions are Dead Sea Sparrow Passer moabiticus, which often forms large colonies, and Eurasian Magpie Pica pica, which can be very common. Common Woodpigeons Columba palumbus have been seen displaying but are not yet proven to breed; other possibilities are raptors such as Black Kites and colonies of herons and Rooks Corviis frugilegus. More observations from hawaeij would be valuable. Most of the valley floor is intensively cultivated and often soaked in insecticide. Species that can flourish in the fields are the common birds of the valley; House Sparrow Passer domesticus, Graceful Warbler Prinia gracilis, Magpie and Hooded Crow Corvus cornix. Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus is heavily hunted and wary but still common. During migration, sparrows, shrikes Lanins spp and a few warblers pass fhrough but at other seasons interest is limited; Black-headed Buntings Emberiza melanocephala are widespread in summer. Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters Merops persiciis are conspicuous on telegraph wires (Plate 6) and a few Menetries' Warblers Sylvia mystacea nest in the more extensive scrubby areas. In winter there are large flocks of Rooks and Common Starlings Sturnus vidgaris and smaller numbers of Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus; Western Jackdaws Corvus monedula are much scarcer in the lower valley than upstream. Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula. Song Thrush Turdus philotnelos, European Robin Erithacus rubecida and Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs are widespread winter visitors. 'Chiffchaffs' Phylloscopus collybita sensu lato are relatively common; the classification of fhis group is still debated but it is likely that individuals Plate 6. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater /VIerops persicus, Syria, 1 6 April 20 1 0. © Ahmad Aidek Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 159 Plate 7. Gravel pit near Mohassan, Syria, 1 9 April 20 1 0. © David Murdoch of the nominate subspecies, P. collybita abietimis and possibly of Caucasian Chiffchaff P. {collybita) lorenzii overwinter. Wet fields are always worth checking as they can hold a range of passage waders and passerines, for instance Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava and Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervinus. Some fields are too salty to cultivate; they are easy to miss, lost in dull expanses of intensive agriculture, but observations from the SWE indicate that they form an important habitat: in winter they can hold large roosts of duck and waders and in summer, if they are relatively undisturbed, breeding waders such as Kentish Plover Charadriiis alexandriuus. Villages and farms are scatfereci through the valley floor and relentlessly spreading; they hold few birds apart from Laughing Doves Spilopelia senegalensis, Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto and House Sparrows. The pressure on the land is so intense that gardens are rarely of any size. Human activity has left behind many derelict gravel pits (Plate 7), often close to the river, with pools of varying depths fringed by reeds. The pits are good for migrant waders and hold wintering passerines such as White Wagtails Motacilla alba, pipits (Water Anthus spinoletta, Meadow Anthus pjratensis and a few Red-throated) and occasional Citrine Wagtails Motacilla citreola. If they are undisturbed, species such as Little Tern Stcrnida albifrons, Black-winged Stilt Himantopms himantopus, Little Ringed Plover and White-tailed Lapwing Vanellns leucurus may breed. The derelict land round pools can develop dense stands of ruderals such as thistles Carduus spp that attract a wide range of passerines; they always deserve a thorough search. In winter, there are flocks of Eurasian Skylarks Alanda arvensis, Crested Larks Galerida cristata and Calandra Larks Melanocorp/pdia calandra; several races of Siberian Stonechat Saxicola rnanrus; and finches such as Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina and Desert Finch Rhodospnza obsoleta. During migration, they may liold Whinchats Saxicola rnbetra and Tawny Pipits Anthus canipu'stris. A wide range of shrikes Lanins spp pass through the valley; apart from the common migrants Red-backed Lanins collnrio and Lesser Grey Lanins minor, Steppe Grey Lanins {mcridionalis) pndlidirostris and several forms of Isabelline Shrike Lanins isabcllinns scnsn lato have been recorded. The classification of the 'Isabelline Shrike' complex is still unclear, making assessment of 160 Sandgwnsc 34 (2012) status difficult; the commonest form is Turkestan Shrike Lanins (isabellinus) phoenicuroid.es, which has been recorded in most months, but there are several records of Daurian Lanius (i.) isabellinus, which may be commonest in winter. Surprisingly, members of the SWE recorded several individuals of the form Lanius (/.) arenarius, sometimes called Chinese Shrike, which appears to be a winter visitor in small numbers to the lower valley; there are few other records of fhis form from the Western Palaearctic. There is an excellent and well illustrated discussion of this contentious subject in Hofland & Saveyn (2005). We would be grateful for all observations of atypical shrikes, which should be fully documented, preferably with photographs. The most distinctive habitats of the valley are the oxbows (Table 1). Several, brackish and barren of vegetation, are less interesting, though migrant waders probably stop to feed and Kentish Plover and White-tailed Lapwing sometimes breed. Examples are at al-Kasrah”^ (W15), on the north bank just downstream of the ruins of Zalabbiyah, and oxbow W13* upstream of the gorge. Most oxbows are freshwater and form one of the most valuable wildlife habitats in Syria. They are typically sickle-shaped, with the deepest water furthest from the river, shelving gradually into the centre of the oxbow, where the dry land is often too salty to cultivate. The ends of the oxbow usually peter out into substantial areas of sedge Jiincus or huge reedbeds Arundo and Phragmites, though one end may still connect with the river. Thus an intact oxbow affords a rich mosaic of habitats. The open water holds Little Grebes Tachybaptus ruficollis, Eurasian Coots Fulica atra, ducks (dabbling and diving), terns and herons. In winter the commonest duck are Common Pochard Aythya ferina and Eurasian Teal Anas crecca, with smaller numbers of Mallard Anas platyrhynchos. Northern Pintail Anas acuta. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata and a few Gadwalls Anas strepera. Tufted Ducks Aythya fidigula and Common Shelducks Tadorna tadorna are scarce and the Eastern Greylag Goose Anser anser rubirostris appears now to be a rare visitor. During migration, oxbows are havens for Garganeys Anas querquedula, which probably breed in small numbers, though this is not yet proven anywhere in Syria. Several species of terns pass through including Gull-billed Gelochelidon nilotica. Whiskered Chlidonias hybridus and White-winged Black Chlidonias leucopterus. Common Sterna hirundo and Little Tern. Nine species of heron, Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia and Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus are regular in small numbers. Little Egrets Egretta garzetta. Great White Egrets Egretta alba. Grey Herons Ardea cinerea and Black-crowned Night Herons Nycticorax nycticorax are present throughout the year, Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris and Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis are widespread winter visitors and Purple Herons Ardea purpurea, Squacco Herons Ardeola ralloides and Little Bitterns Ixobrychus minutus are common in summer. Pygmy Cormorants Microcarbo pygmaeus are winter visitors to the lower Syrian Euphrates; there is a large colony on the Turkish Euphrates just north of the border and they are much commoner in the upper valley. Breeding has never been proven for either cormorant or any of the herons, partly because much of the river is inaccessible, mainly because coverage has been poor; secluded backwaters could well hold colonies. Open waters usually suffer from excessive human disturbance, from fishermen and from the many weekend hunters. Thick belts of reeds, sometimes several kilometres long, form around them, habitat for large populations of Bearded Tits Panurus biarmiciis and warblers such as Great Reed Acrocephalus arundinaceus, Reed Acrocephalus scirpaceiis and Savi's Locustella luscinioides. Moustached Warblers Acrocephalus melanopogon niimicus are resident but relatively scarce; perhaps the harsh winters limit their numbers. Purple Gallinules Porphyrio porphyrio are widespread but wary, except at Mheimideh. Little Crake Porzana parva is a frequent migrant and Water Rails Rallus aquaticus are common in winter; both may breed but this is hard to prove. The reedbeds form roost sites for often vast flocks of passage migrants such as hirundines, Spanish Sparrows Passer hispaniolensis and Yellow Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 161 Plate 8. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata, al-Hjeifat, Syria, 1 0 March 2009. © Ahmad Aidek Wagtails. In winter. Corn Buntings Ewbcriza calmidra are very common and Reed Buntings Emberiza schoenicliis are widespread in smaller numbers; they are hunted by raptors such as Long-legged Buzzard Buteo riifiniis, Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter fiisus and Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus. Most importantly, the reeds form safe breeding sites for several species of duck with a temperate breeding range that are now globally endangered. Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca NT (globally Near Threatened) are widespread residents, favouring small areas of open water deep in the reeds; tens of pairs breed at Mheimideh. Marbled Ducks Marmaronetta angiistirostris VU are usually easy to see at Mheimideh but have been recorded from a few other locations; they appear to be much scarcer in winter. Small numbers of White-headed Ducks Oxyura leucocephala EN (globally Endangered) are resident at Mheimideh where a few pairs (probably less than five) breed; they have not yet been recorded elsewhere but visitors are urged to look for fhem. These species are all wary and estimating their breeding populations is extremely difficult. Late spring/ early summer records indicate that small numbers of Northern Shovelers, Mallards and Common Pochards may also nest. The valley sides are steep and often vertical. They are good habitat for See-see Partridge Amuioperdix griseogidnris, here near the western edge of its range; it occurs as far upstream as lake Assad, the site of the first Syrian records (Macfarlane 1978), but the site that most birders visit is a barren valley* south of the Halabbiyah ruins (Murdoch ct al 2005). The cliffs offer nest sites for raptors and Northern Ravens Corinis corax; they are likely to hold Eagle Owls Bubo sp, which could be Eurasian Btdw bubo or the recently separated Pharaoh Eagle Owl Bubo ascalaplius, present at Talilah 150 km to the southwest (Serra ct al 2009). There is a well-known colony of Lesser Kestrels Falco naumautii on cliffs cl5 km upstream from the Halabbiyah gorge and another on the cliffs below Dura Europos (Plate 4). Much of the badia close to the valley is heavily grazed, grossly degraded and almost birdless; human pressure is intense. Where it is in better condition, common birds include several species of resident lark such as Crested Lark, Hoopoe Lark Alacimvi alaudipcs and 1 62 Sa)idgrousc 34 (20 1 2) Plate 9. Iraq Babbler Turdoides altirostris, Mheimideh, Syria, 31 January 2011. © Ahmad Aidek Temminck's Lark Eremophila bilophn, with flocks of wintering Eurasian Skylarks, Calandra Larks and Eurasian Dotterels Charadrius rnorinellus, hunted by Merlins Falco coliimbarius and Pallid Harriers Circus macrouros. Isabelline Wheatears Oenanthe isabellina and Cream- coloured Coursers Cursorius cursor are breeding visitors, with occasional Eurasian Stone-Curlews Burhinus oedicnemus. The avifauna of the steppes was formerly much richer; it included Arabian Ostrich Struthio cainelus syriacus, a subspecies now globally extinct, and Asian Houbara (Macqueen's Bustard) Chlamydotis macqueenii (VU; now almost extinct in Syria). Great Bustards Otis tarda VU still winter in small numbers but are heavily persecuted. Even sandgrouse Pterocles spp are now scarce; Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata (Plate 8), once a characteristic and abundant resident of the badia, has suffered a massive decline. Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis was once a common winter visitor from the Turkish plateaux; again, there are very few recent records. All observations of sandgrouse are requested. For two species, the Euphrates valley is at the western edge of their range, making them of special interest to visiting birders. Until recently Iraq Babbler Turdoides altirostris (Plate 9) was believed to be endemic to riparian habitats in Iraq. The first Syrian records were from the suspension bridge at Deir ez-Zor in March 2001 (Vandemeutter & Soors 2001) but in January 2004, during the SWE, it was seen within 10 km of the Turkish border and in 2006 it was found breeding in gravel pits north of Birecik in southern Turkey (Donaghy 2006). In Syria it is now a common resident of reedbeds and adjacent luxuriant habitat throughout the valley. Why are there no earlier records of such a conspicuous and vocal bird? It has surely only recently colonised the Birecik area, which has been well-watched for many years; it was not seen at the 2006 breeding site in 2005 and it has since been recorded elsewhere in the area (Kirwan et al 2008, Kirwan pers comm). But few birders visited the Syrian Euphrates in the 20th century and it could have been overlooked; as an example, Baumgart et al (1995) did not recognise Bearded Tit or Savi's Warbler as Syrian breeding species, yet both are widespread along the Euphrates. It is impossible to be certain but it Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 163 Table 2. Co-ordinates of sites other than oxbows (W2 etc = oxbow codes, see Table I). N° E° Ar-Raqqa 35.95 39.01 Shnan (W2), point closest to road 35.83 39.22 Shnan (W2), viewpoint over reedbed 35.83 39.24 Shnan (W2), riverside wood 35.860 39.206 Halabbiyah ruins 35.69 39.82 Halabbiyah See-see valley 35.66 39.82 Halabbiyah upstream viewpoint 35.733 39.802 Al-Mustah salt fields 35.75 39.67 ‘Lesser Kestrel cliffs’ 35.72 39.72-39.74 Turn to Halabbiyah west of gorge 35.676 39.676 Turn to Halabbiyah south of gorge 35.627 39.786 Pontoon bridge downstream from Halabbiyah 35.696 39.823 Mheimideh (WI8) 35 40 Mheimideh roadside sedges 35.431 40.094 Mheimideh causeway 35.428 40. 1 06 Mheimideh salt fields 35.41 40.13 Viewpoint over river at Hassan 35.35 40.14 Deir ez-Zor, Ziad hotel 35.339 40.142 Deir ez-Zor, suspension bridge 35.34 40.15 Hatia (W20), southwest corner 35.345 40.187 Hatia (W20), north end 35.358 40.202 Turn off main road to oxbow W22 35.280 40.310 Gravel pits at oxbow W22 35.276 40.305 River edge at oxbow W22 35.264 40.312 Turn to Mohassan (W23) 35.213 40.288 Mohassan (W23) centre 35.23 40.30 Mohassan gravel pits 35.21 40.28 Riverside bluffs on N side opposite Mohassan 35.260 40.34 Pools 3km south of Mayadin 34.985 40.460 Dura Europos 34.75 40.73 Abu Kemal bridge 34.46 49.93 Site upstream of Abu Kemal bridge 34.472 40.938 Al-Hjeifat steppes 35.570 40.250 Valley east of Shola 35.21 9.91 Ad-Dukhoul steppes 35.056 39.900 Ar-Rawda 35.336 41.043 seems likely that Iraq Babbler has recently expanded its range up the Syrian Euphrates. The other recent addition is White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus {leucogenys) leiicotis, which for several years was believed to be restricted to the immediate area round Deir ez-Zor; there was a strong suspicion that the population originated from escaped cagebirds. However, it spread northwards in Iraq in the 20th century (Salim et al 2012) and is now well established in Azraq, eastern Jordan (Balmer & Murdoch 2009). In 2010, on a day-trip from Deir to the Iraq border, the authors found it at five new locations, so it is probably present throughout the valley downstream from Deir ez-Zor. These observations strongly indicate natural colonisation. It is now widespread in Deir's gardens and has been recorded upstream as far as Mheimideh; it will surely spread further. A third species draws visiting birders: Syria is an important staging area for the Sociable Lapwing Vandlus gregnriiis CR (globally Critically Endangered), the status of which is of major concern. The Syrian Sociable Lapwing Survey of 2007 (Hofland & Keijl 2008) drew international attention to its passage in February/ March through the steppes of northeast Syria. The intensity of hunting in the badia is possibly a major factor in its recent decline. Numbers and sites vary from year to year, dependent on the amount of winter rainfall. Several scarce raptors hunt the valley. Data from the SWE indicates a substantial wintering population of Great Spotted Eagles VU. Pallid Harrier is a common passage migrant (Murdoch & Betton 2008); in winter it is widespread but scarce thix>ughout the northeast 164 Smuigwui^eM (2012) of Syria, including the valley. Recent observations indicate that Lesser Kestrel may still be a widespread breeding species in the interior (Murdoch & Betton 2008). Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopteriis EN was once a common summer visitor but it has suffered a massive regional decline and is no longer present along the valley. BIRDING SITES Birding areas near ar-Raqqa Between the reservoirs and the Halabbiyah gorge several areas of interesting habitat are worth exploring, including three major and at least seven smaller oxbows, as well as several sections of the river with multiple islands and false channels. The best base is the city of ar-Raqqa”^, c25 km downstream from the Ba'ath dam, which is also useful for exploring the extensive wetlands of Ba'ath lake and the almost unknown lake Assad further upstream. On the south side of the river, a large oxbow"^ at Shnan (W2), c25 km downstream from ar-Raqqa, deserves better coverage. It has a mosaic of habitats: a large area of open water, a reedbed 5 km long with hidden pools and, closer to the river, a large patch of thorn scrub, abandoned gravel pits and a marshy water course. In the river are three large hawaeij, none yet explored by birders. A network of roads and tracks supplies the fields on either side and gives some access to the river but the area needs a lot of walking; the tracks are very muddy in winter. Close to the main road, the raised sides of a canal give views over one end of the reedbed. In winter 2004, Shnan was excellent for raptors, with eight species including up to four Great Spotted Eagles. The reeds hold Purple Gallinules anci Ferruginous Ducks and look good for Marbled Duck. A track on the upstream side ends at an attractive riverside wood (Plate 10) with large numbers of Dead Sea Sparrows. Unfortunately, recent drainage operations may have reduced the oxbow's interest. Further Plate 1 0. Riverside wood, Shnan, Syria, 1 7 May 2006. © David Murdoch SandgroLise 34 (2012) 165 downstream, a very large, almost circular oxbow* at Madan Jadid (WIO), 56 km from ar-Racqqa (and 24 km direct from Halabbiyah) abuts directly onto the village; a stretch of open water 6 km long is at one point only 100 m from the main road. The open water suffers from heavy disturbance from fishermen, and probably from weekend hunters. A large expanse of saline flats* and derelict land between the arms of the oxbow looks interesting but is difficult to access; it holds Spur-winged Lapwings and should be good for White-tailed Lapwing. In February 2004 the oxbow held a selection of duck, notably Gadwall. Six km further downstream (and close to the al-Mustah fields, see below), a small oxbow* (Wll) explored in February 2004 held a roost with a variety of waders, which may have been using the nearby salt fields to feed. It does not appear to have been visited since. The oxbows on the north side have been very poorly covered. A large oxbow* (W6) near the village of Jdeidah briefly surveyed in February 2004 held a wide range of species including good numbers of Pygmy Cormorants and a few Ferruginous Ducks. Further downstream, an almost dry oxbow* (W13) was good for pipits including Syria's only record of Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus {rubescens) japoniciis. Neither appears to have been visited since. Just downstream from Zalabbiyah there is a saline oxbow* (W15) with little marginal vegetation; it is close to the road and worth a quick stop to look for waders. The Balikh valley running north from ar-Raqqa was included in IBA003 (Evans 1994). Most of the river water is now abstracted for irrigation. Small areas of wetland survived into the 1980s but were rapidly disappearing. It is unlikely that any significant areas of habitat remain but recent coverage has been minimal. The 'Halabbiyah loop' (Figure 2) Upstream from Deir ez-Zor, the loop refers to a diversion through the gorge of that name, an easy journey from Deir or an excellent break on the long (and mostly tedious) journey from Deir to Aleppo. It can be accessed from the main Deir-Rac|c]a road* c60 km by road from Deir or c80 km from ar-Raqqa, or, for those who have just visited Mheimideh, by continuing upriver and crossing the pontoon bridge* just below the gorge. The road is scenically attractive and combines good birding with a prime archaeological site, the Roman fortress city of Halabbiyah* (Plate 11), in itself a good site for wintering Finsch's Wheatear Oejianthe fiiischii. The road runs through the fortress, along and 10 m above the river, giving excellent views of the Euphrates, which runs fast and direct without marginal vegetation. On the other (northeast) side of the river stand the ruins of its twin fortress, Zalabbiyah, which are easily accessible but not in such good condition; there are good views over the river from Zalabbiyah but the gorge itself is out of sight. In winter, the river is good for Great Black-headed and Armenian Gulls, Great and Pygmy Cormorants, small numbers of Black-necked Grebes Podiceps nigricollis and several species of duck, notably Gadwall; the first Smews Mergellus albeUus for Syria were recorded here in Eebruary 2004 (Murdoch et al 2005). During migration, small numbers of raptors use the gorge to cross the valley. There are Desert Larks Ammomanes deserti and See-see Partridges in these arid hills; See-sees have been seen on a ridge behind Halabbiyah and in the dry valley* 3 km to the south. Above the narrows there is a good viewpoint by the roadside* and a pleasant walk along the river with views over some small Hawaeij. Great Spotted Eagle has been seen here. The road then meanders gently upstream; cl5 km by road (9 km direct) from the ruins of Halabbiyah, it runs 30 m from the base of the 'Lesser Kestrel cliffs'* (Plate 12), giving excellent views of a photogenic colony of Lesser Kestrels (probably 30-50 pairs, although they are extremely difficult to count accurately). There are also several pairs of Common Kestrels Fnlco linniincidits, Little Owls Athcuc iioctiia, Eurasian Rollers Coracias garruhis NT and Western Jackdaws (here at the southern edge of its breeding range). See- see Partridges have been seen on the cliffs. Further upstream, and c20 km from the ruins 1 66 Saiidgmusc 34 (20 1 2) Plate I I. Euphrates with ruins of Halabbiyah beyond, Syria, 20 April 2010. © David Murdoch (15 km direct), there is a wide expanse of arable land with the 'al-Mustah salt fields'* in its centre (Murdoch et al 2005). When they were first visited in winter 2004, the fields held an exceptional range of waders with good numbers of Pied Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta, Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa NT and Eurasian Curlews Numenius arquata, all scarce in Syria, and smaller numbers of ducks, notably Eurasian Teal. In spring 2006, Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 167 Plate 12. ‘Lesser Kestrel cliffs’ contains a photogenic colony of Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni, Syria, 7 April 2010. © Ahmad Aidek a shallow pool with wet fields attracted an excellent variety of passage waders including several Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropiis lobatus; several pairs of White-tailed Lapwings were territorial. Recent visits during migration have been very disappointing: human pressure was intense and the fields were totally dry. Further visits in a wet winter would be interesting. Sites round Deir ez-Zor (Figure 3) Most birders visiting the valley stay in Deir ez-Zor* an excellent choice with good birding within walking distance; close to the city there are orchards and thick heciges that leave more space for wildlife, giving a different feel to the rest of the valley. Fiotel gardens may hold White-cheeked Bulbuls. Little Swifts Apus affniis have been seen several times over the city but is not yet proven to breed; this is a scarce species in Syria and the location of a nesting colony would be of great interest. At Deir, the Euphrates forms two channels with several islands fringed by reeds and mature riverside trees. The attractive suspension bridge* gives fine views of the main channel; this is a good area for Little Crake and Penduline Tit Remiz pendulimis. In April 2009, evening visitors watched Peregrine Falco pcregrinus, ITobby Falco subbuteo, Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertiiiiis and Eleonora's Ealcon Falco eleonorae flying together (Haraldsson 2009). The city (south) side of the suspension bridge is on the pleasant island of Al-Haweikah, which has several large orchards worth checking; a road runs upstream from the suspension bridge, the corniche giving good views of the main channel. The first Yellow-throated Sparrows Gyuinoris xantliocollis for Syria were found along this road* in June 2003 (Murdoch 2005), breeding in the tops of telegraph poles. On the further (north) side of the suspension bridge there are some small fields* secluded by dense conifers up to 15 m tall and protected from hunters; unfortunately there is no public access. Long-eared Owls Asio otiis are regular in winter and Eurasian Scops Owls Otiis scops occur on passage, though it has not been pixn’on to 168 SrtH(/yn)/(S(’ 34 (2012) breed; the fields also hold Greenfinches Cardiielis chloris and Common Woodpigeons and there are winter records of Eurasian Siskin Cardiielis spiniis and Redwing Turdus iliacus, both rarely reported from Syria. The straight road leading away from the bridge on its north side is a good spot for the owls. Several Yellow-throated Sparrows were singing in the conifers in June 2003 but there have been no reports since, perhaps because few birders visif in midsummer. The city side of fhe suspension bridge has several pleasant riverside restaurants; an evening drink enjoying the sunset and contemplating the river is highly recommended. Mheimideh"^ (W18) (Plate 13) is the best site on the Syrian Euphrates. It is on the north side of the river, 18 km by road from Deir (12 km direcf) and 2 km from the river, and is more fully described in a previous accounf (Murdoch 2007). This relict oxbow, just cl. 5 x 1.5 km in size and surrounded on all sides by houses— it is effectively in the middle of an extended village— suffers from extreme disturbance, with massive grazing pressure, harvesting of reeds, tipping of rubbish, frapping and some hunting, yet it is still astonishingly good for birds. Breeding species include Eerruginous, Marbled and Whife-headed Ducks, as described above; a remarkable number of waders including perhaps five pairs of White- failed Lapwings, sadly reduced from even five years ago, but still at least ten pairs each of Spur-winged Lapwing and Black-winged Stilt; a substantial colony of Whiskered Terns; Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus, which has only rarely been recorded breeding in Syria, and Little Grebe; and a range of reedbed species including Irac] Babbler, Purple Gallinule (common and conspicuous) and Moustached Warbler. Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters bred until recently but feral dogs roam the site and have chased them away; White- cheeked Bulbuls have now appeared. The only breeding record of Citrine Wagtail from Syria comes from the sedges* right by the main road (Murdoch & Betton 2008). Nine species of herons have been recorded and visifors can expect at least five; none has been Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 169 Plate I 3. Mheimideh, the best site on the Syrian Euphrates, 3 February 2009. © Ahmad Aidek proven to breed though Little Bittern is likely to do so. A few Eurasian Bitterns winter. When it is not too dry, it is excellent for passage waders, most commonly Ruff Philomachns pugnax, with records of Syrian rarities such as Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmawii and Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponiciis. Collared Pratincoles Glareola pratincola are often present in spring but probably do not stay to breed. Little Crake is a regular migrant and Water Rails are common in winter; late spring records indicate that either species could breed. It is good for raptors, with harriers and Merlins the most regular. Access is excellent; the main road along the northeast side of the river runs along one edge and a causeway* at the far end of the oxbow gives excellent views of the most productive area. It is best to visit at first light as many waterbirds soon disappear into the reeds. But pressure on the land is intense and Mheimideh is in extreme danger of being drained; a proposal was narrowly rejected in 2010 because AHA, working for the Department of Environmental Affairs, was able to lodge objections. Fortunately, some local people, encouraged by foreign birders' visits, are interested in saving the site. There are plans to develop Mheimideh as the flagship nature reserve for the Euphrates valley, for its outstanding educational potential as much as for its birds. The chances of saving Mheimideh will increase if birders use the local shops and let village children look through their optics; a Palmyran conservationist, Adib al-Asaad, has played a key role in enthusing them and they are always interested in meeting foreign visitors. Illustrated wildlife magazines are very popular, so bringing some to give away is appreciated. Publications in Arabic such as A guide to the hiodiversiti/ of the Deir ez-Zor area (Aidek 2010) and the Syrian field guide (SSCW & BirdLife International 2009) are also welcomeci. Several other sites close to Deir ez-Zor look promising but are rarely visited. On the northeast side of the river, there are some 'salt fields'* four km southeast of Mheimideh, checked during the SWE but apparently not since; in February 2004 they held good numbers of waders, notably White-tailed Lapwing and Temminck's Stint Ca/;'(/r;s 1 70 Sa)idgroiise 34 (20 1 2) temminckii. Very close to the Deir-Hasakah highway, a small oxbow at Hatla”^ (W20) has thick reed beds, a small area of sedges at the southern end (Plate 14), open water with secluded pools and a large expanse of salt-pans at the north end^ Records include Ferruginous Duck, Purple Gallinule, White-tailed Lapwing, Iraq Babbler and Penduline Tit, all likely to breed. This wetland is within 20 minutes' drive of fhe centre of Deir and could be checked out in two hours. Further down the northeast side, 14 km downstream from the Deir-ITasakah highway, an accessible area of gravel pits'*' fringed with reeds leads down to an oxbow'*' (W22) with several narrow channels good for dragonflies; there are several hawaeij in the main channel of the river. A large area of derelict land between the gravel pits and the bluffs along the valley edge is good for wintering stonechats and wheatears and a path leads down the east side of the oxbow to the river'*^. On the southwest side of fhe river, Mohassan'*' (W23) is an oxbow 18 km downstream from Deir with similar habitat to Hatla. Records include Black Francolin, Marbled Duck, Purple Gallinule, White- cheeked Bulbul, Steppe Grey Shrike, a variety of waders along the wetter edges and, in a relict area of famarisk, Menefries' Warbler. Almost opposite the turning to Mohassan are some undisturbed gravel pits'* good for waders and pipits; White-tailed Lapwings may breed here. Macfarlane made several visits to a relict oxbow at Shumaytiyah'*' (W17), 20 km upstream of Deir, in the 1970s (Macfarlane 1978), recording Marbled Duck in June 1975; several thousand duck were present in the 1993 International Wildfowl Census (Evans 1994). It was not surveyed in the SWE but exploration in April 2006 (DAM) found little of interest. % The badia adjoining the valley has been neglected by foreign birders. Al-Hjeifaf* (Plate 15), an area of steppe c30 km north of Deir, is excellent February-March (and sometimes good in late autumn), holding sandgrouse and a range of larks including Hoopoe Lark, Lesser-Short-foed Lark Calandrella rufescens and Eurasian Skylark; Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla is common on passage. Sociable Lapwings often stage here February-March and there are reports in March of up to four Asian Houbaras. Small flocks of up to ten Common Cranes Grus grus pass through and Stone Curlews may still breed. Raptors in early spring can include Golden Eagle Aqidla chrysaetos, Eastern Plate 1 4. Hatla sedges, close to the Deir-Hasakah highway, Syria, 1 6 April 2006. © David Murdoch Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 171 Plate 1 5. Al-Hjeifat, an area of steppe c30 km north of Deir, Syria, 27 February 2010. © Ahmad Aidek Imperial Eagle Aqiiila heliaca, harriers. Common Kestrel and Merlin. Not surprisingly, al-Hjeifat is very popular with hunters. It is of less interest later in the year; in April 2010 it was very dry and almost birdless. The road from Deir to Palmyra crosses a broad valley east of the village of al-Cholla (or Shola)*, c25 km southwest of Deir, which, when it floods, can form an excellent wetland; at its best, when the thick emergent v^egetation conceals large numbers of migrant waders and harriers quarter overhead, it is worth at least an hour's visit. Further towards Palmyra, on 1 March 2007, during the Syrian Sociable Lapwing Survey, Hofland & Keijl (2008) recorded a minimum count of 113 Sociable Lapwings CR in steppes near al-Cholla; eight Sociable Lapwings were present here on 29 February 2008. Ad-Dukhoul is a large area of steppe southeast of al-Cholla and c30 km southwest of Deir ez-Zor; it can hold large flocks of sandgrouse, larks and waders including Golden Plovers Phivialis apricaria and Dotterels, hunted by the usual range of raptors. More than 200 Sociable Lapwings were present in 2009. Cream-coloured Coursers possibly breed and the area is good for shrikes and wheatears on passage. The valley from Deir ez-Zor to the Iraq border This section of the valley, the farthest downstream, has been little covered; the Iraq border and the intense population pressure have probably deterred visitors. However, it has interesting and almost unexplored habitat with potential for major discoveries. The main road on the southwest side of the valley crosses an oxbow 3 km south of the town of Mayadin, not listed by Andrews, with some interesting pools* by the roadside; a reedbed stretches towards the river but is difficult to access. During the 1993 International Waterfowl Census (Evans 1994), 'Mayadin Pool' was a shallow pool of 300 ha that held 2375 waterfowl, but it appears to have been drained. A sizeable oxbow at Ashara* (W28), c65 km from Deir and 20 km from Mayadin, has large reedbeds, extensive salt pans and two long stretches of open water, but disturbance from fishermen from the nearby village is intense. In February 2004 the open ground was good for wintering stonechats and Chinese Shrikes and the reeds held Eurasian Bittern, Purple Gallinule, Little Crake and Moustached 172 Srt);(/yro/(S(’ 34 (2012) Warbler. Most interestingly, a Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephahis stentoreus was well seen, the first record from the valley. This oxbow clearly deserves better coverage, best in the early morning. It is a slow drive down to Abu Kemal, the town by the Iraq border, where a major road bridge”^ crosses the river. Here, the river looks much more interesting than for many kilometres upstream; the banks are thick with trees but the bridge is too close to the border to stay long. A brief halt in April 2010 turned up a White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis, a species rarely recorded from the valley. On the northeast side, immediately upstream of the bridge, the river is easy to reach‘d and there is good habitat with large palm groves and thick hedges. An early morning visit would be ideal but it is a long journey from Deir and there appear to be no hotels for (Western) foreigners in Abu Kemal. Western birders are strongly advised not to visit unless they are in the company of a Syrian national— and certainly not to stop on the bridge! Further up the northeast side, the road is particularly slow. Some wet fields’^ between road and river at al-Buseira, 15 km north of Mayadin, held a good variefy of passage waders in April 2010. In winter 2004, just downstream from the village of Abu Hammam, members of the SWE found several oxbows’*' (W30-32) and a large floodplain with reedbeds and saltpans but also scattered housing; several roads crossed the area and hunters were active. Undisturbed areas held small numbers of ducks, waders, and passerines such as wintering Siberian Stonechat. Birders do not appear to have visited since. This account includes Sabkhat ar-Rawda (Plate 16) because it is best visited from a base in Deir ez-Zor and because the area has exceptional potential to which we wish to draw readers' attention. It is one of a complex of three sabkhas straddling the Iraq/Syrian border; they have rarely been visited and very little is known about their birds. Sabkhat ar-Rawda itself is just inside Syria, c70 km north of the valley and cl30 km from Deir. Examination using Google Earth revealed a triangular depression clO x 15 km in size fed via the al-Ajeaj ravine by 23 springs in Syria and Iraq. Its significance was discovered by chance: a Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus VU satellite-tagged in the Taymyr peninsula of Russia spent December 2006-January 2007 in a previously unknown site in eastern Syria before moving into Iraq. This was the first unequivocal Syrian record. The first expedition to the site, in February 2007 (Kullberg 2007), encountered a huge barren steppic area with Plate 16. Sabkhat ar-Rawda, near Iraq border, Syria, 8 March 2010. ©Ahmad Aidek Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 173 minimal human disturbance; the sabkha was dry but had recently held water. Interesting observations included at least 700 Ruddy Shelducks Tadorna ferruginen and a few geese (Greater White-fronted Anser albifrons and Greylag A)iser miser); Kullberg (2007) suggested that the sabkha had probably held large flocks of geese before it dried out. A second expedition, in February 2010 (Eskelin & Timonen 2010), which covered only the northern and eastern shores, recorded several species of waterfowl including at least 500 Greater White-fronted Geese, thousands of Eurasian Teal and at least 25 000 Ruddy Shelducks (one of the largest counts made in the OSME region), over 500 Greater Flamingos Phoenicopteriis roseiis, hundreds of waders and 33 Gull-billed Terns. Over 30 000 waterfowl remained unidentified, many of which may have been Ruddy Shelduck. On a day's visit in April 2010 the authors found a huge lake with several rocky islands, a vast flock of Greater Flamingos almost lost in the heat haze, a distant mass of unidentifiable duck and a muddy edge lined by thousands of migrant waders. Several species, notably Kentish Plover and Pied Avocet, were settling down to breed. We found no human habitations. Roads petered out several km short of the water but a network of sandy tracks ran round some of the edges. The area is extremely remote and, being so close to the Iraq border, disturbance from hunting would seem unlikely, but, sadly, Eskelin & Timonen (2010) found some shot Ruddy Shelducks. These sabkhas clearly deserve IBA status and a full-scale expedition to explore them properly. A key issue is the frequency with which they hold water: in 2010 the water level was relatively high but in 2011 they were completely dry. Eskelin & Timonen (2010) suggested that several years' observations were needed to document their hydrology and the resulting changes in the bird populations. In wet years they may hold substantial numbers of breeding waders and even colonies of Greater Flamingos. It was extremely challenging to visit in a saloon car; visitors are strongly recommended to take a 4WD vehicle! DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The wildlife of the Euphrates is remarkably little known considering that the valley lies in the Western Palaearctic. This is in part because it has been extensively degraded. None of the original vegetation survives intact and the mammalian fauna is essentially relict; data sets on other faunal groups are rarely available but would probably give a similar picture. Fortunately, the river itself, its islands and reedbeds, are relatively inaccessible to humans; as a result, its birdlife shows a rich and seasonal diversity. But the major reason for the lack of information is the very poor coverage. Most birders visit well-known localities in April, during the height of spring migration; coverage at other times of year is poor (and minimal late May-September). Many potentially interesting oxbows have never been surveyed; coverage during the SWE was not comprehensive. The inaccessibility that offers protection from hunters also makes birding difficult. Few birders venture downstream from Deir ez-Zor; the valley close to the Iraq border might well hold populations of several species known from central Iraq (Salim et al 2012). These include Hypocolius HgpocoUiis ampelimis, a common summer visitor to oases, orchards and tamarisk in central Iraq; Afghan Babbler Turdoides (caudata) hiittoiii, a resident of arid areas with thorn scrub; Egyptian Nightjar Capriimdgiis acgyptius, a summer visitor to semi-deserts (there are a few old Syrian records); and Indian Roller Coracias benglmleiisis, an inhabitant of open country with scattered trees. In particular, very little is known about the breeding species. In global terms, the most significant are probably Iraq Babbler, of which there are likely to be hundreds of pains, and three globally threatened species of duck. Ferruginous Duck NT is easy to find and the valley probably supports an internationally significant population, perhaps in the hundreds of pairs. Marbled VU and White-headed Duck EN have been reciM'ded from 1 74 Siwdgrottsc 34 (20 1 2) few sites but are more elusive; the valley still holds large, unexplored areas of potential breeding habitat and it is impossible to estimate their numbers. The status of reedbed specialists is particularly unclear. Little Crakes and Water Rails breed in southern Turkey (Kirwan et al 2008) and probably also in Syria; they have been recorded from suitable habitat in the valley in late spring. The warblers of the genus Acrocephahis present the greatest challenge of all as identification often needs examination in the hand. There are a few reports of Clamorous Reed Warbler from the valley; it is unknown whether they refer to the resident subspecies Acrocephahis stentoreus levautimis, which breeds rarely in southern Syria (Murdoch & Betton 2008, Kennerley & Pearson 2010) or the longer-winged migratory form A. (stentoreus) bninnescens, sometimes given species status as Indian Reed Warbler, a migrant and winter visitor to Iraq (Salim et al 2012). Another species that may be overlooked is Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephahis griseldis EN; it is known to breed regularly only in the lower Tigris/Euphrates basin but there is one confirmed Syrian record (Yesou et al 2007), photographed in April 2006 at Halabbiyah. Acrocephahis warblers consistent with Basra Reed Warbler have been recorded on several occasions, seen briefly or singing (DAM), but confirmation of identification needs photographic and/or sonographic evidence or, ideally, examination in the hand using mist-nets. There are many sites in the valley, for instance Mheimideh and Ashara, suitable for mist-netting. A ringing programme would have many benefits; it would increase knowledge of other elusive birds of the valley eg River Warbler Locustella fluviatihs (rarely recorded but probably a regular migrant), and enable use of intrinsic markers such as stable isotope ratios (Coiffait et al 2009), for instance to investigate the breeding origin of the wintering 'Chiffchaffs' and Tsabelline Shrikes'. So how can foreign birders and ecotourists assist? To make best use of the information available, every Syrian record is being uploaded onto the Middle East Birds database (www.worldbirds.org/middleeast), which is part of the WorldBirds network; the database is freely available to all. Naturalists with records not yet submitted are asked to send them to OSME for inclusion in the database. Individual birders can contribute by exploring little-known sites. They are strongly advised to use the services of local naturalists: partly to make their trip safer and more enjoyable and partly to support the infant Syrian conservation community. Bringing wildlife literature to give away is a good way of reciprocating friendship— Syrians are extraordinarily hospitable. Second-hand optics are much appreciated gifts as few local naturalists can afford to buy them. At a national level, Mheimideh and Sabkhat al-Jabbul (southeast of Aleppo) have exceptional potential as flagship reserves for Syrian conservation; their protection and development may be the responsibility of national and international organisations but their economic value to local communities will be critical to their success. Birders can contribute by visiting and supporting them financially. Most of all, there is a pressing need for far more information of educational value in a form that ordinary Syrians can understand. Many Syrians show genuine interest in their wildlife but almost no literature is available in Arabic. An illustrated booklet has begun to address this problem; written by AHA (Aidek 2010), it is available free. It is of critical importance that international conservation organisations support such efforts. In the last generation, there has been a calamitous degradation of the badia's wildlife (Murdoch 2010). Without the support of the people living in the valley, encouraged by educational material and assisted by financial support from conservation organisations, this may happen along the Euphrates and attempts to save its remaining wildlife will be likely to fail. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are very grateful to MH Shehada for advice about the plants of the Euphrates valley. Sami Timonen, Toni Eskelin, Guy Kirwan, Bernhard Herren and Ian Fisher contributed to the ornithological aspects. SandgroLise 34 (2012) 175 REFERENCES Aidek, AH. 2010. [A guide to the biodiversity of the Deir ez-Zor area]. Privately published. [In Arabic] Balmer, D & DA Murdoch. 2009. Around the Region. Saiidgrouse 31: 208-222. Baumgart W, M Kasparek & B Stephan. 1995. Die Vogel Syriens: Eine Ubersicht. Max Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg. Baumgart W, M Kasparek & B Stephan. 2003. Birds of Syria. OSME, UK._ Beckman WC. 1962. The freshioater fishes of Syria and their general biology and management. FAO fisheries biology. Technical Paper 8. Coiffait L, CPF Redfern, RM Bevan, J Newton & K Wolff. 2009. The use of intrinsic markers to study bird migration. Ringing & Migration 24: 169-174. Donaghy, N. 2006. Iraq Babbler— a new breeding bird for Turkey. Birding World 19: 283-284. Eskelin, T & S Timonen. 2010. Survey of possible Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus) ivintering sites in the Syrian Arab Republic. 14-24 February 2010. AEWA Lesser White-fronted Goose International Working Group. Report Series No 1. Bonn. Evans, MI. 1994. Important Bird Areas in the Middle East. Birdlife International, Cambridge, UK. Ferlin, P. 1983. Marine Aquaculture Development, Syrian Arab Republic. FAO corporate document repository www.fao.org/docrep/fieId/003/Q5714E/Q5714E00.htm. Haraldsson, NT. 2009. Trip report: Syria 14-22th April 2009. info@tomasharaIdsson.se Hofland, RH. 1994. Syria and Jordan trip report, www.osme.org. Hofland, R & G KeijI. 2008. Syrian Sociable Lapwing survey, IS February - 5 March 2007. WlWO-report 85, Beek-Ubbergen, Netherlands. Hofland, R & B Saveyn. 2005. Birding in Syria — little-known destination in the Western Palaearctic. Dutch Birding T7-. 155-170. Kennerley, P & D Pearson. 2010. Reed and Bush Warblers. Christopher Helm, London. Kinzelbach, RK. 1985. Die Dreizehenmowe (Rissa tridactyla) als Wintergast am Euphrat. Vogelwarte 33: 163-165. Kirwan, G, K Boyla, P Castell, B Demirci, M Ozen, H Welch & T Marlow. 2008. The Birds of Turkey. Christopher Helm, London. Kullberg, A. 2007. Results of the LWF Goose Expedition, 9-11 February 2007. Privately published. anssikullberg@gmail.com Macfarlane, AM. 1978. Field notes on the birds of Lebanon and Syria. 1974-77. Army Bird-watching Society Periodic Publication 3: 47-92. Mouterde, P. 1984. Nouvelle flore du Liban et de la Syrie. El-Machreq Sari, Beirut. Murdoch, DA. 2005. First records of Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia {Gymnoris) xa)ithocollis from Syria. Sand grouse 27: 74—75. Murdoch, DA. 2007. Bird sites of the OSME Region: 3 — Mheimideh— jewel on the Euphrates. Sandgrouse 29: 98-102. Murdoch, DA. 2010. Bird Sites of the OSME Region 6 — Birding the Palmyra area, Syria. Sandgrouse 32: 61-79. Murdoch, DA, I Andrews & R Hofland. 2004. The Syrian Wetland Expedition 2004: a summary. Sandgrouse 26: 94-104. Murdoch, DA & KF Betton. 2008. A checklist of the birds of Syria. Sandgrouse Supplement 2. Murdoch, DA, R Vos, A Abdallah, M Abdallah, I Andrews, A Al-Asaad, R van Beusekom, R Hofland, T Roth, B Saveyn, G Serra & C Wells. 2005. A winter survey of Syrian wetlands. Final report of the Syrian Wetland Expedition, jatiiiary-February 2004. Privately published, London. Salim, MA, OF Al-Sheikhly, KA Majeed & RF Porter. 2012. An annotated checklist of the birds of Iraq. Sandgrouse 34: 4^3. Serra, G, M Mirreh, H Kaddour, T Razzouk, A Al-Jundi, A Kanani, C Batello & D Williamson. 2009. Assessment and characterization of al-Talila reserve and surrounding Palmyrean desert. Italian Development Corporation (DGCS). SSCW & BirdLife International. 2009. [The Birds of Syria]. Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife & BirdLife International, Damascus, [in Arabic] Vandemeutter, F & J Soors. 2001. Trip report, www.osme.org. Yesou, P, G Flohart & DA Murdoch. 2007. First record of Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis for Syria. Sandgrouse 29: 214-215. Dr DA Murdoch. 5 Eaton Crescent, Bristol BS8 2EJ, UK. damurdoch&hotmail.com Eng. Ahmad Aidek, ar-Rusbdia, Deir ez-Zor, Syria, ahjiidekichotmail.com 176 Sa)uigrouse 34 (2012) From the Rarities Committees Ian Harrison & Peter Cowan Sandgrouse's Around the Region feature declares that its records are published for interest only and that their inclusion does not imply acceptance by the records committee of the relevant country. The intention of this new feature 'From the Rarities Committees' is to publish the results of the assessment of rarity records by the rarity/record committees that operate in the OSME region. The chairman or secretary of a counfry's records committee will produce a list of rarity records accepted by the committee after publication of the preceding issue of Sandgrouse. This listing should be accompanied by representative photos of those rarities if photos exist and are of reasonable quality. Some rarities committees already publish their decisions online— these include Egypt (www.chn-france.org/eorc/), Israel (www.israbirding.com/ irdc), Oman (www.birdsoman.com) and the United Arab Emirates (www.uaebirding.com). Despite this online accessibility, we feel that it is still useful to have the news published in Sandgrouse thus bringing together all decisions in one feature— which will start in the next issue, Sandgrouse 35 1. IH will communicate with record/rarity committees by email, compile and write-up the outcome. It is hoped that 'From the Rarities Committees' will give country rarity committees a greater prominence and we will publish their contact details and names of members. It should be noted, however, that rarities committees can only function properly and can only keep their country databases and lists up to date if observers submit information promptly on the rare birds that they see. Unlike in Around the Region, the names of finders and initial describers/identifiers of rarities will be published. Ian Harrison, Llyswen Farm, Lampeter Road, Aberaeron, SA46 OED, UK. ianbirds@gmail.com The OSME region Lies between Europe, China and the Fiona 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. ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST THE CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA OSME OSME brings together those curious and knowledgeable about the region's birds Encourages conservation and research through a fund for small-scale projecfs. 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/oThe Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, UK To join OSME visit www.osme.org UK registered charity no. 282938 Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 177 Letter to the Editor Lebanon: a form of bird hunting that is little more than slaughter In October 2011, 1 made a short bird watching trip to Lebanon. Timed to take advantage of the autumn migration, I still had happy memories of birding at the Bosphorus and was looking forward to reacquainting myself with the eastern Mediterranean avifauna. My Lebanese friend tried to warn me, but having watched birds over the last 30 years in over 60 different countries I thought I'd 'seen it all'. 1 have to admit now that I was confronted by an unexpected scenario, a real shock. If one starts from the principal that hunting involves respecting certain laws, common-sense rules and limits, including a concern for the quality of the environment, then the current situation in Lebanon rarely fits this description, but resembles instead a kind of poaching on a huge scale, carried out in full view, and with the knowledge of all. Field observations made during the ten-day visit in October 2011 confirmed the catastrophic scale of the problem, tolerated by a good-natured attitude of indifference that is virtually endemic in Lebanon. Lebanon is not lacking in assets as far as its natural heritage is concerned, with its extensive coastline and two mountain ranges running along a northeast/southwest axis — the mount Lebanon range in the west which peaks at over 3000 m, and the Anti- Lebanon range to the east. They are separated by the fertile Bekaa valley. This magnificent little country (one third the size of Belgium) benefits from a rich biodiversity and unique combination and variety of habitats. Birds in their millions Lebanon is situated on one of the main migration routes oLPalearctic birds en route to, or returning from, their winter quarters in Africa. Probably hundreds of millions pass through these 'killing fields' each year— 200 million each autumn through Israel is a recent estimate — and the prospect of sometimes exceptional sightings prompts scores of birders from around the world to scour the birding hotspots of Israel and the gulf of Aqaba. The numerous trip reports on line (135 presently to be found on www.travellingbirder.com) are proof enough. By contrast, the same on-line databases are virtually devoid of similar reports for Lebanon. Furthermore, the Israel checklist stands at 535 species (www. israbirding.com/checklist), while Lebanon's, just next door, is only 395 (Ramadan-Jaradi et al 2008). The handful of trip reports that are available on the net certainly whet the appetite. The ornithological discoveries made in recent years in the northern semi-desert zone alone are sufficient to provoke interest (Prior & Conroy 2009). The scale of bird-hunting in Lebanon (Plate 1) is probably one of the main reasons for this. Officially hunting has been banned in Lebanon since 1 January 1995, when a law promoted by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL, www.spnl. org), the Environment Ministry and several international bodies, was passed. Applied for a term of 5 years as part of an international agreement involving the European Union and the UN, and linked to substantial financial aid, this radical measure was designed to allow the state to make use of new means to properly manage hunting. At the time, the new law not surprisingly provoked lively reaction, to the extent that the process of reflection on hunting was completely paralysed, producing four renewals of the so-called ban. So it was not until February 2004 that Lebanon finally managed to ratify law 580, officially fixing rules for the activity. Since then, in order to hunt, a gun licence, an annual hunting permit and a valid insurance certificate are all supposedly necessary. The law also specifies that hunting is forbidden at certain times of the year, as is shooting in towns and villages, public parks, near places of worship and between houses. Moreover, it is officially illegal to make use of any kind of traps or lures to attract targeted prey. Manv migratory species are equally exempt from the right to be subject to 'reasonable hunting'. Result: Lebanon officially has only 20 000 legally declared hunters. But we know that between 1 78 Sniui;^rotise 34 (20 1 2) Plate I. Whinchat and swallows killed just a few minutes earlier, Lebanon October 201 I. © Sonam Depris 20 and 25 jnillion cartridges are sold in the country each year. Spot the discrepancy. In fact, the law right from the outset has not lacked its shortcomings, the authorities having neither the resources nor the motivation to enforce it. Many local police officers are keen hunters themselves, and helped by a pervasive corruption, any eventual 'problems' are most often resolved by a simple bribe or 'baksheesh'. In reality, the majority of hunters (at least 74% according to an SPNL study) practice their hobby without adhering to any form of regimentation, and, given the discrepancy between the estimates by hunting organisations (60 000) and SPNL (more than 600 000), no-one has any real idea of just how many hunters there really are in Lebanon nowadays. One thing is for sure — in October in most regions of the country, the smallest piece of land is under permanent surveillance and bushes searched as if with a fine toothcomb. A real problem for the birdwatcher or walker alike, hunters are literally everywhere. When asked about it. many of them affect to be unaware of any laws concerning hunting. The minister of the environment is himself reputed to be a keen hunter. In any case, the majority of hunters don't appear to follow any kind of rules, including those for personal security, judging by the number of people admitted to hospital with shotgun wounds each year. From Pelican... to Wren But which species can generate such a craze? Looking from Europe, one imagines the classic species: pigeons, thrushes, woodcock. In reality, in Lebanon, everything is shot at. Illuminating 'bag lists' confirm this — see photos on the Facebook page of the 'Hunting in Lebanon' group (www.facebook.com/ profile. php?id=100002637363741&ref=ts#!/ group. php?gid=4574453566&v=info). Internet forums are also well worth consulting. Thus one can read eg "Usually thrushes are hunted between 10 October and 25 March. But we also hunt finches, warblers [Blackcap, Garden, Orphean and Barred] which become fat in Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 179 autumn, plus quail, larks, bee-eaters, pipits, flycatchers, redstarts and robins. And we hunt all year round (it's our tradition). Some shoot swallows and bats (when night falls). A lot of people also shoot raptors". One can ec]ually see that many hunters don't really know which species they're killing. For example, a study carried out by SPNL in 2004 showed that only 18% of hunters could differentiate between migratory and resident species. The majority of hunters don't know, or pretend not to know, what impact their unbridled hunting has on the avifauna. Take Abdo, 48 years old, a hunter since he was 9. Sceptical as regards the increasing rarity of species, he believes that killing birds in huge numbers is easily justifiable "because there are thousands of them". Like the hunters we encountered in autumn 2011 in the Ras Baalbek area that were proud to confirm that they hunt the Cream-coloured Courser Ciirsoriiis cursor as soon as it appears in late May — a rare species in Lebanon whose breeding in the country was only recently confirmed (Prior & Conroy 2009). Some hunt extensively in spring, in the breeding season. Others affirm that they concentrate on hunting migratory species, believing that in this way their activity has no effect on the local environment. However, there is evidence that resident sedentary species are just as impacted. Thus, according to research carried out by SPNL between 2002 and 2007, in the space of five years the number of birds in Lebanon diminished by 18%. A similar study carried out in the 1990s showed a reduction of 9%. SPNL also believe that 16 threatened species are actually in the process of becoming extinct in Lebanon. As regards the place of guns in Lebanese society, internet forums tend to confirm that firearms are everyday objects: "every household has at least one hunting rifle" says one correspondent. In addition, cartridges are easily bought everywhere — at around 5 Euros for 25 (12 caliber no.9) — including in mini- markets and superettes. Automatic weapons are also widely available; certain hunters don't hesitate to use them, given the chance cy to shoot at flocks of storks and pelicans. During our field observations in October 201 1 we attempted, on several occasions, to count the number of shots per minute but without success as the crackling of firearms was so intense. The true environmental impact of tons of lead shot falling on the land each year — between 640 and 800 tons is the estimate — is as yet largely unc]uantified. If the average hunter is not overmuch worried about this, Birdlife International for its part considers that, as do many scientists, the severe lead contamination of certain areas of Lebanese land represents an unexploded health time bomb. A neighbourhood activih/ In Lebanon, hunting is often a neighbourhood activity. It is done in the garden or nearby orchards. The hunter often makes himself comfortable beforehand. Alone, or with friends, one just waits... usually not for long, the flow of birds being virtually continuous. Such is the case with Youssef, past his sixties, who we met in autumn not far from the little village of Aana. As usual, he had parked his car in the shade of the avenue of trees leading from the village. Sat in his plastic garden chair next to his old Toyota, he had organised the open boot/trunk to make for an agreeable day's hunting: on the left, thermos of hot coffee, arak, fig jam, radio and mobile phone; on the right, his 'bag', already an impressive tally considering it was only 10am: twenty-odd Blackcaps, male and females neatly laid out side by side, a dozen or so Redstarts, some Garden Warblers, two House Martins, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Tree Pipit.... "Not long till the finch season" reflected Youssef, for whom hunting is evidently a year-round activity linked to the ebb and flow of various species. Like a lot of hunters, Youssef uses a tape machine with powerful speakers, balanced on top of a pole, to attract the birds. Many hunters use them 24 hours a day. This was particularly noticeable during our visit around Barouk village, and not far from there, below the car park at the entrance to the Chouf nature reserve. Loop tapes, particularly of quail (especially prized), played loudly all night, are then followed by the traditional explosions of gunshot at dawn. Fhe more impatient even hunt with flashlights at night, others make u.se of various traps and nets regularly checked. In certain strategically rewarding hunting locations, such as the pretty hill in the Qubayat area (in Akkar region, towards the northern frontier 1 80 Snndgrousc 34 (20 1 2) with Syria), with its small fields bordered by hedgerows ideally oriented in a north/ south axis, the amount of used cartridges and cartridge boxes per square metre of ground is so dense one cannot discern the true colour of the soil. Safety seems to be a matter of subjective choice, and no code of conduct seems to be in practice in Lebanon. So, people shoot around houses, and don't hesitate to stop suddenly by the side of the road to try and shoot down a bird of prey spotted from the vehicle just beforehand. Moreover, it seems that there's no age limit for starting to hunt. So, sons are often given their first rifle at around ten years old, the caliber and power varying according to the age of the debutant hunter. All this is considered quite normal. Some even consider that hunting is a component of the rites of passage between childhood and adult life. The son goes hunting with his father. He's proud to carry a gun and to shoot skillfully. Hunting is also a factor in social recognition. And the pride in carrying a shotgun is all the more increased by the size of the bag achieved, photographed and posted on-line or stuck to the window of one's car. Blackcaps... on skewers As regards what the hunters do with the masses of birds killed, although many of them are dumped in waste bins or simply left on the ground where they fall, the tradition in autumn is to cook fricassees and kebabs of passerines. As detailed by one hunter in an on-line forum, mid-October is particularly favoured: "The birds arrive in their thousands and every hunter gets hundreds of delicious birds... Bee-eaters and warblers carry significant amounts of fat; they're not bad at all!" Respected sources testify to a related business, including across borders. In normal times, certain sought after species are in fact killed in Syria — where hunting is also supposedly illegal — and re-sold in Lebanon where they are destined for restaurants (on the menu 'fried birds' or 'on skewers': 'miqliyyeh' or 'Asafeer mishwiyyeh'), see Murdoch (2008). Some observers have suggested that the 'troubles' in Syria probably increased the hunting pressure in Lebanon in autumn 2011. To face up to the hunting lobbies, Birdlife International launched an awareness campaign to promote 'sustainable' hunting of birds (see www.birdlife.org/action/ change/sustainable_hunting/PDFs/EC_LlFE_ SHP_0108.pdf). Other concrete initiatives have been developed by local, regional and national organisations. Foremost among these, SPNL promotes various projects, supported by some local bodies. Thus, three 'himas' that serve as migratory 'stop-off' points have been established, thanks to campaigns and international donations: Qoleileh (south of the coastal town of Tyre), Kfar Zabad and Ebel el Saki (Bekaa valley). In these places, it's officially the local authorities and local population that prevent hunters from killing birds and protect nature as they thus gain a benefit through tourism. SPNL organise an annual festival, including various activities aimed at making young people aware of the need to protect birds. In addition, field research and observations have enabled 15 IBAs to be established (www.spnl.org). Unfortunately, even though some initiatives have been successful, eg the courageous actions of the charity A Rocha Lebanon (www.arocha. org/lb-en/index.html), the small number of sites concerned are more often "little islands of nature targeted by hunters" explained Nizar Hani, scientific coordinator of Shouf Cedars nature reserve (southeast of Beirut). If need be, as we witnessed ourselves at the small wetland of Chamsine/Kfar Zabad (near Aanjar) financed by USAID, people don't hesitate to cut through fences and padlocks into officially protected areas in order to get at their targeted prey. Setting quotas and rules for the activity Without a stable government, an honest police force or a greater awareness by the people, the enforcement of the laws is for many observers just a pipedream. Resolutely constructive despite the scale of the task, national and international experts alike call for an eventual effective control of the activity in Lebanon. "Hunting has always existed and it would be counter-productive to ban it" says Dr Ghassan Ramadan-Jaradi, professor of ecology and taxonomy. Driven by the same pragmatic realism, Bassima al Khatib of SPNL suggests "Huntable species must be specified, quotas established, licences awarded and rangers trained". Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 181 For the moment, the least that can be said is that such results are still some way off. Some Lebanese demonstrate that they are aware of the scale of Lebanon's ecological problems. . .in order to better justify the continued practising of their favourite sport; "In Lebanon, there are more hunters than birds now because green spaces are disappearing, the forests are being burned, quarries are eating away the mountain sides, and concrete invades the fields and meadows. Environmentalists should speak up against this destruction of our environment... instead of trying to stop us hunting". Naturalists even forwarded the idea a few years ago that the fear of 'bird flu' perhaps offered an opportunity to better protect birds and reduce hunting in Lebanon. Having seen the 'hunting bags' resulting from last autumn's activity in Lebanon, it appears that this kind of fear has little chance of affecting Lebanese attitudes in this area. This is precisely why I have written this letter. Without naivety, I take this step with the aim of bringing to light this important information, which 1 hope all will understand requires tackling urgently. Perhaps this simple gesture will help NGOs and funders of nature conservation bodies and projects to become more aware of the gravity of this unacceptable situation? That is the 'big question'. For my part, 1 cannot in all conscience just 'sit on my hands'. References Murdoch, D. 2008. Bird trapping in Syrian oases, the 'fig-bird' trade. Smidgroiise 30: 102-103. Prior, R & C Conroy. 2009. The Ras Baalbek semi- desert: Lebanon's aridland area and its birds. Sn)idgnmse 31: 140-145. Ramadan-Jaradi, G, T Bara & M Ramadan-Jaradi. 2008. Revised checklist of the birds of Lebanon 1999-2007. Sandgroiise 30: 22-69. Beuoii Forget Belgium Translated from the original French by Richard Prior [See Sandgrouse 33: 61-63 for two letters concerning the slaughter of wild birds in Kuwait. The Editor] 1 82 Sandgrouse 34 (20 1 2) OSME News Geoff Welch Sandgrotise 34 (1) editorial OSME Council wishes to dispel any notion that the editorial in Sandgrouse 34 (1) regarding the expanded area of interest for papers to be considered for publication could be interpreted as OSME 'encroaching' into areas covered by the African Bird Club and Oriental Bird Club. As stated, the sole intention was to make authors aware of an additional 'outlet' for the publication of papers on species, research and conservation issues which are of relevance to those resident in or visiting the OSME region. The editorial was in no way meant to imply that OSME would be expanding any of its other activities such as the provision of grants or the appointment of Country Contacts. Arrived at last! The bird skins collection of the Institute of Zoology in Almaty, Kazakhstan, is one of the most important in Central Asia and has played a key role in resolving taxonomic questions surrounding many bird species eg unravelling the Turkestan/Daurian Shrike complex, splitting Booted Warbler into two species, separating Pale Martin from Sand Martin, and ongoing studies of the Lesser Whitethroat and Asian Short-toed Lark complexes. Additionally, many of the great names associated with species found in Central Asia have worked at the Institute over the years — Peter Simon Pallas, EA Eversmarm, Nikolai Zarudny and NA Severtzov to name but a few. In 1946 over 300 scientists were Plate I. OSME Chairman Geoff Welch in the Institute of Zoology, Almaty, with (from left to right) Dr Sergey Sklyarenko, Professor Anatoly Kovshar and Dr Anatoly Levin, after inspecting some of the specimen boxes, March 2012. © Geoff & Hilary Welch Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 183 employed in the zoological section of the Institute, today there are less than 10 many of whom are working in a voluntary capacity. The skins collection is in a particularly poor condition with no suitable storage facilities. Therefore when the Natural History Museum, Tring, UK, announced that it had a large number of wooden specimen boxes it needed to dispose of, OSME offered to coordinate an international effort to transport the boxes to Almaty. A partnership was established between OSME, the Natural History Museum, the British Ornithologists' Club, the American Natural History Museum (Erank Chapman Memorial Fund) and a group of Swedish ornithologists led by Lars Svensson who together raised the funds required to cover the packing and transport costs. After numerous technical and bureaucratic delays, the boxes finally arrived in Almaty in early 2012 where they were warmly welcomed by staff at the Institute — see Plate 1. The major task of transferring the specimens to the boxes is now underway. This international effort has enabled a start to be made on safeguarding this unique resource for use by current and future generations of researchers, both from Central Asia and around the world. Conservation and Research Fund update In February 2012, Dr Christine Booth, a lecturer at Oxford University, took over as chair of the Conservation and Research Fund (CRF) sub-committee. Christine is currently reviewing the grant application guidelines to develop a standardised format which will help ensure that future applications provide all of the information required by the CRF for assessing applications quickly and objectively. The other members of the CRF sub-committee remain the same — Richard Porter, Michael Brombacher, Vasil Ananian and Rob Sheldon. 184 Sninl;^roiise 34 (2012) News & Information Daum Balmer (compiler) GEORGIA Batumi Bird Festival To celebrate the 5th Batumi Raptor Count, a festival will be held on 19-23 September 2012. During the full four-day programme there will be daily guided excursions in small groups; visits to birding hotspots in the region and interesting lectures by leading raptor specialists (Dr Keith Bildstein, Alejandro Onrubia, Erwin van Maanen, Andrea Cor so). The festival can be easily reached from Batumi airport. For further information visit www. batumiraptorcount.org IRAQ Joint UK and Iraq team set to work on major new conservation initiative in Iraq Thanks to a £300 000 grant from Defra's Darwin Initiative, a major new three year conservation programme is starting in Iraq. Focusing on the mountainous region of Kurdistan the project will involve experts from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and BirdFife International, in partnership with Iraqi NGO Nature Iraq. The project will generate new data for conservation and resources for profected area management and environmental education. The team's aim is to make progress in addressing the challenges of conservation resulting from nearly 30 years of scientific isolation. Af present the only internal organisation engaged in conservation work is Nature Iraq. Supported by BirdFife Infernational, since 2005, if has adopted a Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) approach to identifying biodiversify-rich regions. This is nof the UK teams' first involvement in Iraq. Both BirdFife and RBGE have been working wifh Nafure Iraq for several years, delivering training to Iraqi scientists. These activities have involved staff, studenfs and personnel from all major Iraqi organisations with an interest in the environment, including the major universities and ministries in Iraq and the Kurdish autonomous region. This project brings together the foremost British expertise in both Middle Eastern plants and birds to work in partnership with Nature Iraq. It will involve extensive fieldwork in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. One legacy will be interactive identification guides to the biological diversity of Piramagroon (a KBA), including photographic guides which can be downloaded to mobile phones. This technology has been recognised as a particularly appropriate, accessible and user friendly way to disseminate information in the Middle East. (Source: BirdFife Infernational, Migratory Soaring Birds Project) Threat assessment of Lesser Zaab river Nabil Musa started a threat assessment of fhe Lesser Zaab, a tributary of the Tigris, in February 2012. A project partly funded by the Rufford small grant foundation, the aim is to develop action plans for addressing the important problems on the river including fuel spills, municipal sewage works, dams and water extraction. Nature Iraq uses art to raise environmental awareness Julius Richard, Zoilo Fobera and Nabil Musa are working to create, produce and deliver a community arts education programme campaigning for fhe health of fhe upper Tigris river basin and all Iraq's rivers. Iraq ministry publishes book on threatened birds The Iraq ministry of environmenf has published the first book about the threatened birds of Iraq (in Arabic) as a preliminary sfep fowards a conservation programme for fhese species. Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 185 New management team leads Nature Iraq Azzam Alwash, Nature Iraq's founder and CEO, and OSME vice-president has resigned from his position. He will serve as president of the organization's board. From January 2012, Jassim Muhammad Al-Assadi, Araz Mustafa Hamarash and Nadheer Abud Fazaa will form the Nature Irac| management team as managing directors. Nadheer Abood Fazaa was appointed as Nature Iraq's CEO. KAZAKHSTAN New website for Kazakhstan Arend Wassink, author of The Birds of Kazakhstan (2007) has developed a new website (www.birdsofkazakhstan.com) which he hopes will generate more interest in the birds of Kazakhstan and that will contribute to the protection of Kazakhstan's birdlife. The site will be updated continuously with new data from literature, scientific reports, trip reports etc and additional photographs and sound recordings will be added. Contributions in the form of good quality sound recordings (in mp3 format) and photographs of birds, landscapes and habitats (preferably unedited and in the best possible resolution) taken in Kazakhstan are welcomed. For further information contact Arend (email: a.wassink@ texel.com). SYRIA Death of Syrian ornithologist We are sad to report that Yousef Ali Alzaoby was killed in his home town of Dara'a on 10 April. Yousef's intimate knowledge of the Yarmouk valley and Harrah regions of southern Syria was invaluable to ornithological research of the region. He was a life-long birdwatcher and acted as a guide and advisor to numerous researchers and birders visiting Syria. He was a much valued member of the Global Owl Project team and contributed valuable information on distribution and breeding biology of owls. OTHER NEWS & INFORMATION First international gathering of Middle East NGOs marks a new era for nature conservation in Iraq The first ever gathering of international civil society organisations for nature in post- Saddam Iraq has taken place in Sulaimaniya, Iraqi Kurdistan, hosted by BirdLife partner Nature Iraq. The event, the tenth annual meeting of BirdFife's Middle Eastern partnership, drew representatives from the most active nature conservation organisations in the region. BirdLife International is the largest partnership of national civil society organisations in the region with representatives in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen. Nature Iraq's CEO, Nadheer Abood commented, "We are at a crucial turning point where we can shape the country's nature conservation agenda and conserve the amazing natural heritage of our country for the benefit of nature and people alike". BirdLife International CEO Dr Marco Lambertini said, "We are very excited to have Nature Iraq as BirdLife Partner and we are deeply impressed by the dedication, professionalism, knowledge base and conservation achievements of this young and extremely dynamic organisation. We are very proud that the tenth BirciLife Middle East partnership meeting was the first ever meeting of an international nature conservation organisation to take place in Iraq. It is a great recognition of Nature Iraq's efforts and dedication and testimony of how civil society is fast developing in Iraq. The development of civil society organisations like Nature Iraq brings real hope to our quest for a future where nature is valued and people live sustainably respecting the environment". Nature Iraq is the country's most influential conservation organisation. Now with a staff of 37, and conservation projects across the country, it is also slowly developing a membership base. Nature Iraq actively supports the capacity of Iraq's institutions to protect the environment. 1 Mb Sami;^roi(se 34 (20 1 2) encourages environmental awareness and stewardship, and promotes the sustainable use of Iraq's natural resources. Among the young NGO's most spectacular achievements is the restoration of a large area of fhe Mesopotamian marshes, which were drained under Saddam. With the support of BirdLife partnership staff Nature Iraq is also developing a biodiversity database of sites and species, environmental conditions and trends within Iraq, following 30 years of scientific isolation. The BirdLife Middle East meeting discussed the partnership's work to save the region's biodiversity and improve the livelihoods of local people through programmes and initiatives, such as the innovative Hima fund which aims to revive the traditional and sustainable use of natural areas for the benefit of local communities and wildlife. A Hima Fund to support the development of local projects has been recently launched with the support of Sheikka Jawaher Bint Hamad Bin Sahim Al-Thani and Friends of the Environment, the Qatari BirdLife affiliate organisation. (Source: BirdLife International) World Migratory Bird Day On 12-13 May, the BirdLife International UNDP/GEF Migratory Soaring Birds project celebrated World Migratory Bird Day 2012. The events took place, under the umbrella of the Migratory Soaring Birds project, in Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Palestine, Sudan and Syria and involved hundreds of participants from the hunting, energy, waste management, agriculture and tourism sectors as well as local communities. This year's theme was "Migratory Birds and people together through time" and was intended to raise awareness and emphasise the cultural, economic and environmental connection with migratory birds throughout history. The economic benefits of supporting the world's migratory bird species was one of the key themes of the celebrations. There is a growing trend among bird tour operators to practice sustainable and socially responsible ecotourism, while relying on local goods and services or supporting local conservation projects. Indeed, the UNEP Green Economy report shows that global spending on all areas of ecotourism is increasing by about six times the industry-wide rate of growth. A survey by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service puts the annual economic value generated by bird watchers (or 'birders') and other wildlife watchers at around US$ 32 billion per year in the United States alone. This amount corresponds to the GDP of Costa Rica, which, coincidently, is a popular destination for US birders. (Source: BirdLife International) Phoenix 28 Phoenix 28 was published in January 2012. The issue contains more photos and is 'full colour' for the first time. The contents include reports on Sooty Gulls Larus hemprichii breeding at Sir Bu Nair Island, UAE; the status and range expansion of Purple Swamphens Porphyria porphyria in eastern Saudi Arabia; studies of the Crab Plover Dramas ardeola in the Barr al Hikman region of Oman; news of recent rarities in Kuwait; the ornithological dividends of the study of Leopards in Yemen; a further successful breeding in 2011 of the Greater Flamingo Phoenicop terns roseus at Al Wathba wetland, UAE; the decline of fhe Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus in Saudi Arabia; results of a bird survey in eastern Yemen in January and February 2011; further records in 2011 of Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava breeding in the UAE; breeding seabirds in the northern Red sea, Saudi Arabia; birding at Al Wathba lake, Abu Dhabi; the status of shelducks Tadorna spp in the Eastern province, Saudi Arabia; Caspian Terns Sterna caspia breeding at Sir Bani Yas and Umm Al Kurkum islands, UAE; a record of a Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus in summer in Saudi Arabia; weavers Ploceus spp in the UAE; the wildlife trade in the Taif region of Saudi Arabia; bird observations at three protected areas, northwest Saudi Arabia, May 2011; notes on recent changes in the avifauna of the Liwa oasis, Abu Dhabi, UAE; a Slender- billed Curlew Numeniiis tenuirostris survey in western Saudi Arabia in January 2011 and the breeding of Socotra Cormorants Phalacrocorax nigrogularis at Umm Qasar island, UAE over three breeding cycles, 2009/10 to 2011/12. Copies of fhis issue can be purchased for £5 (includes postage). For further information Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 187 and payment methods please contact Mike Jennings (email: ArabianBirds@yahoo.com). For a single payment of £25 (€35/US$45) subscribers are sent the next five issues (28- 32). Mike welcomes contributions of arficles, photos and other material for Phoenix. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Wintering/migrating Black-tailed Godwits in the OSME region Information is required for the AEWA single species action plan for the Black-tailed Godwit Limosa Umosa. The objective of the action plan is to improve habitat conditions for this species throughout the flyway. The initial target group are policy makers and other people responsible for bird conservation in each of the countries that are visited by Black- tailed Godwits during their annual cycle. Most policy makers know very little about when godwits are in their country and what areas and sites they use. Furthermore, although we know the phenology of the western flyway population (Netherlands-Guinea-Bissau and vice versa) even ornithologists have poor understanding of the phenology of the eastern flyway population (Russia-sub-Saharan Africa and vice versa). Informafion from bird surveys in habitats that seem suitable to the Black-tailed Godwit (zero counts are also important in this respect) is required. Using these data, a number of maps showing when godwits are in which countries and which sites they use will be produced. These will provide a good starting point for taking action on the ground. For further information contact Diedert Spijkerboer (email: diedert. spijkerboer@wur.nl). Bibliography of Owls of the World Prof Richard J Clark and a small team of researchers are currently undertaking the work of updating the Working Bibliography of Owls of the World (Clark et al 1978). This is an enormous task, involving collecting and collating thousands of owl related citations from all regions of the world. Also, as the ultimate aim is to produce and publish the completed work both in hard copy and digitally, they are also collecting pdf copies of articles corresponding to the citations. If anybody can supply owl related citations and/or owl related articles concerning any countries in the OSME region, please contact Alan Sieradzki (email: naturalistuk@aol.com). Dawn Baliner, 7 Fisher Wai/, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2LD, UK. dawn.balnter@bto.org 1 88 Sand grouse 34 (20 1 2) Around the Region Ian Harrison & Andrew Grieve (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 2012 unless stated otherwise. Records and photographs for Sandgrouse 35 (1) should be sent by 15 December 2012 to atr@osme.org. AFGHANISTAN Our correspondent at Camp Bastion has supplied a useful number of reports of residents and migrants with a sighting of Shikra Accipiter badius on 5 Apr and notable counts of 200 Crowned Sandgrouse Pterocles coronatus on 29 Jan and 51 European Rollers Coracias garrulus on 2 May. There was also an Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula 11 Mar and a Mountain Chiffchaff Phi/lloscopus (collybita) sindianus 3 Apr. Expected migrants were a Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola 25 Mar and a Booted Warbler Iduna caligata 17 Mar whilst of interest was a Hume's Whitethroat Sylvia (curruca) althaea on 3 Apr. The first passage Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata was noted 3 Mar and a Hume's Wheatear Oenanthe albonigra 3 Apr. An Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis recorded 3 Apr will be the first record for Afghanistan if formally accepted. Three Trumpeter Finches Bucanetes githagineus were seen 19 Mar and there were single Rustic Buntings Emberiza rustica 24 Feb and 1 Mar. AZERBAIJAN Migrant Demoiselle Cranes Anthropoides virgo were noted through Besh Barmag this spring with one north 31 Mar and three north 16 May whilst three small parties of one- four Sociable Lapwings Vanellus gregarius, totalling 12 birds, were noted there late March/ early April and a Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus 18 Apr. A particularly heavy passage of 630 Black-winged Pratincoles Glareola nordmanni through Besh Barmag occurred on just one evening, 18 Apr, while a vagrant Glaucous Gull Earns hyperboreus was noted 27 Apr. Arctic Skuas Stercorarius parasiticus were often seen passing north offshore over the Caspian sea at Besh Barmag but a surprise was the discovery of eight dead birds on the beach there 19 May. The first Green Warbler Phylloscopus nitidus of the spring was trapped at Besh Barmag 10 Apr while two Olive-tree Warblers Hippolais olivetorum seen in the Batabat region of the Nakhchivan enclave 22 May was the first occurrence of this species for Azerbaijan. A Hume's Whitethroat Sylvia (curruca) althaea in the mountains in this same area 25 May was also of interest. A White-headed Wagtail Motacilla (flava) leucocephala at Besh Barmag 12 Apr was the first record of this form for the country. Family parties of up to ten Desert Finches Rhodospiza obsolete in the Batabat region on 20 May appear to be the first proof of breeding of this species in the country. Two Pine Buntings Emberiza leucocephalos were at Besh Barmag 31 Mar. BAHRAIN A Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus at Ras Jubour 5 Feb was the sixth record while also notable were two Sociable Lapwings Vanellus gregarius at Hamalah farm, Manama, 2 Feb. Up to 60 Hypocoliuses Hypocolius ampelinus remained at Jasra until at least 24 Mar. A Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus (rubescens) japonicus was ringed on the Alba marshes 20 Jan, the first record for the island. CYPRUS Two juvenile Mute Swans Cygnus olor at Clapsides marsh 19-23 Jan were the tenth occurrence for Cyprus with the second Ruddy Duck Oxyura janiaicey'isis at Gulseren pond, Famagusta, 3 May. Northern Gannets Morns bassanus are less than annual so of note were singles off Kermia beach, Agia Napa, 16 Mar and cape Drepanum 19 Apr. There were single Baillon's Crakes Porzana pusilla at Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 189 Polis reedbeds 14 Apr and Xeros Potamos pools 20-24 Apr and there was a stronger than usual spring passage of 400 Demoiselle Cranes Anthropoides virgo through the Akrotiri peninsula 13-24 Mar. Other notable sightings included the second Sociable Lapwing VaneUus gregarius for Cyprus at Akrotiri gravel pits 23-24 Mar, the ninth White-tailed Lapwing V. leuciirus since 2000 at Paralimni lake 18-22 Apr and the largest ever flock of 27 Greater Sand Plovers Charadrius leschenaultii at Mandria beach 11 Mar. Single Caspian Plovers C. asiaticus at Paralimni lake 14-26 Apr and at Spiros pool, Larnaca, 25 Apr were notable as were single Eurasian Dotterels Charadrius morinellus at Akrotiri gravel pits 3 Apr and at Larnaca desalination fields 5 May. The 19th and 20th records of Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus were at Xeros Potamos 2 May and Spiros pool 12 May respectively and there was a Red Knot Calidris caiiiitiis at Spiros pool 17 May. High numbers of Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinelliis and Red- necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatiis were seen this spring with eight of the former on Spiros pool 29 Apr and another eight on Akrotiri salt lake 16-19 May and two of the latter at Paralimni lake 7 Apr and up to five on Akrotiri salt lake 16 Apr-16 May. A Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicariiis at Spiros pool 12 May was the fourth record while two Cream-coloured Coursers Cursoriiis cursor were at Akrotiri gravel pits 16-24 Mar with another at Spiros pool, Larnaca, 15-17 May. Notable gatherings of Collared Pratincoles Glareola pratificola included 200 at Akhna dam and 150 at Zakaki Mars 27 Apr with another 100 at Larnaca sewage works 28 Apr while there was a single Black-winged Pratincole G. nordmanni at Spiros beach 1 May. Two Great Black-headed Gulls Larus ichthyactus were noted at Pissouri bay 11 Feb with singles at Larnaca salt lake 21 Jan and at Akrotiri 13-14 Feb whilst the highest recorded number of Gull-billed Terns Gelochelidou iiilotica occurred 23 Mar at Paralimni lake when 100 were counted. A Caspian Tern Hi/droprog)ic caspia at Spiros beach is a less than annual occurrence. Black-bellied Sandgrouse Picrocics oriciilalis continued their run of sightings, the seventh in the last 20 years when one was at Mandria 22 Apr. A Laughing Dove Spilopelia seuegalensis at Lefka 17 Apr constitutes the ninth record. Single Pied Kingfishers Ceryle rudis were at Zakaki marsh 30 Jan, Agios Trias 7-11 Feb and Akhna dam 21 Feb. A spring record of Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inoniatus at Baths of Aphrodite on 9 Apr (cflsrael observations) was the 11th record. There were a few noteworthy records of Rose-coloured Starlings Pastor roseus with singles at cape Kormakitis 24 Apr, Xeros Potamos 11 May, Gaziveran 16 May and Larnaca sewage works 19 May. A male White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis at cape Greco 15 Apr was a good record. The 17th-21st records of Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha (all singles) occurred at Akrotiri gravel pits 14-15 Apr, Paphos lighthouse 15 Apr, Mandria 15 Apr, cape Kormakiti 21 Apr and Lady's Mile 22 Apr. Twenty Rock Sparrows Petronia petrouia at Marathounta 1-19 Jan was a good record. The two Ashy-headed Wagtails Motacilla (flava) cinereocapilla at Spiros pool, Larnaca, 19-21 Feb is the fourth record. There was a Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi at Paphos lighthouse 4-7 Apr. Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagiueus sightings were as follows: one at Pomos 3 Apr, three at cape Greco 21-24 Apr and one at Akrotiri gravel pits 14 May. A Red-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus at Mavrokolymbos dam 20 Jan is the ninth record. Western Cinereous Bunting Emheriza (ciiieracea) cineracea is not observed every year so the sighting of a single at Androlikou 21 Apr is noteworthy. EGYPT Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yclkouau is rarely recorded from the Red sea so one off Hurghada 3 May was notable as was the count of 76 Yellow-billed Storks Myctcria ibis at Abu Simbel 12 May. A Goliath Heron Arden goliath was at the usual site of Flamata mangroves 8 May while 19 Pink-backed Pelicans Pelccn)ius riifescots were at Abu Simbel 1 1 May. Lammergeiers Gypnctus barbntus are only infrequently recorded along the Red sea so of note was one at Al Bahr al Ahmar 14 Mar whilst eight Lappet-faced Vultures Torgos trachcliotus were al Shelatein 9 May where larger numbers have previously been recorded. A Golden Eagle Aquila chrysactos at Sharm el Sheikh 31 Jan was of interest. 1 90 Sandgrouse 34 (20 1 2) There have been few Macqueen's Bustard Chlann/dotis macqueenii records in recent years so one at Samalut, near Minya, 8 Mar was particularly noteworthy. The presence of two Crab-plovers Dramas ardeola at Hamata mangroves 12 May is a further indication of possible breeding in the area. Confirmation of successful breeding by Three-banded Plovers Charadrius tricollaris came from Tut Amon fishponds, Aswan, 10 May where two adults and two juveniles were noted; a second pair was at Abu Simbel 13 May. There was a Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus at El Gouna 15 Apr. A large flock of 19 Black-winged Pratincoles Glareola nordmanni was counted at Abu Simbel 3 Apr. African Skimmers Rynchops flavirostris were present on the Nile this winter with seven at Kom Ombo 11 Jan and up to nine at Daraw 14 Jan-21 Feb but only one noted at Abu Simbel, 12 May. A major discovery was the presence of Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustiis at Sandafa, near Minya, 18-23 Mar with a peak count of 120 on 22 Mar, the first records since 1979. Eighty-two Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii were at Sharm el Sheikh 18 Jan. The two African Mourning Doves Streptopelia decipiens first recorded at Abu Simbel in 2010 continued to be seen to the end of May 2012. Another good count of Namaqua Doves Oena capensis was made near Kom Ombo where 54 were present 14 Feb. A Short-eared Owl Asia flammens was well south of the usual areas, at Crocodile island, Luxor, 3 Feb. 20 Egyptian Nightjars Caprimulgus aegyptius were counted at Wadi el-Rayan 13 Apr. Further evidence of the spread of the White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis south along the Nile was provided by a single at Beni Mazar 31 Mar. A migrant Daurian Shrike Lanins (isabellinus) isabellinus was at Hurghada 29 Feb. There are fewer than five records of Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula for Egypt so the two at Gorgonia Beach hotel near Shams Alam 12-17 Feb and one at El Gouna 27-31 Mar will be subject to formal acceptance. Two Asian Desert Warblers Sylvia (nana) liana were at Nabq 10 Jan, a known area for previous winter records. Spring records of single Rose-coloured Starlings Pastor roseiis are unusual so one at Samalut 6 May and one at Sandafa 10 May are noteworthy. Black Scrub Robin Cercotrichas podobe now seems to be annual along the Red sea with one at Berenice 19 Mar. Four stonechats at Wadi Lahami 6 Apr appeared to be Byzantine Stonechats Saxicola (torquatus) armenicus. The first sighting of Palestine Sunbird Cinnyris osea on the African continent involved two at Ain Sukhna 12 Jan. A Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola was at Aswan 5 Feb and two Eurasian Siskins Carduelis spinns were well south at Sandafa, near Minya, 27 Mar. GEORGIA Two interesting migrants reported this spring were a Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus at Tsalka on 5 May and a River Warbler Locustella fliiviatilis at Dedoplis Tskaro 10 May. IRAN The last surviving Siberian White Crane Grus leucogeranus of the former western population was last seen at the wintering site of Ezbaran on 1 Mar and a survey in the Semnan area of the Alburz mountains in early May found a substantially larger Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephalalRed-headed Bunting E. bruniceps hybrid zone than previously reported by Jurgen Haffer in "Secondary contact zones of birds in northern Iran" published in 1976. IRAQ An adult Black Kite Milvus migrans in moult 28 May and 13 Jun at Piramagroon mountain (PM) in Kurdistan is an interesting record for the breeding season. A juvenile Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus was observed flying over rocky outcrops near the top of PM 11 Jun (Plate 1) while another on Jebel Shrin 30 May is the first record from this area. There was a strong passage of 215 Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni through Haditah, Anbar province, in late April while a Barbary Falcon Falco (peregrinus) pelegrinoides pair with young were at Hazermerd at the end of May. Four pairs of Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis were seen at PM 11 Jun. A Tawny Owl Strix aluco at Qara Dag on the late date of 27 May indicated probable breeding in this area. A new breeding site of Little Swift Apus affinis (Plate 2) was found at PM 28 May whilst a pair of Common Kingfishers Alcedo atthis Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 191 Plate I. Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus, I I June 2012, Piramagroon mountain, Kurdistan, Iraq. © Korsh Ararat Plate 2. Little Swift Apus affinis, Kurdistan, Iraq. © Korsh Ararat 1 92 Smni;^wuiic 34 (20 1 2) seen carrying food at Chami Rezan 30 May provided proof of nesting. A pair of Red- backed Shrikes Lanins colliirio was found breeding on 10 May at PM (new breeding species record for Iraq).The first breeding for Iraq of Lesser Grey Shrike Lanins minor was noted 8 Jun on Jebel Shrin where one of the two pairs seen was feeding young. A Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti at PM 2 Jun is the most northerly record for Iraq. Eight pairs of Plain-leaf Warblers Phylloscopus neglectns were counted 26-29 May at PM while the first confirmed breeding for the country of Sedge Warbler Acrocephalns schoenobaenns was at Chami Kazan 28 May with a further six birds noted at Mawat 1 Jun. Single singing Olive-tree Warblers Hippolais olivetornm were observed at PM (8 May) and in the garden of Sulaimani University (16 May). A good series of sightings of Semi-collared Flycatchers Ficedida semitorqnata involved 11 individuals at two sites in Salah-ad-Din province in early May and there was also a male in the western desert of Anbar at this time. Two breeding colonies of Desert Finches Rhodospiza obsoleta were found at PM in late May/early June. ISRAEL The second Israeli record of Bean Goose Anser fabalis, present at Kfar Barukh reservoir from 2011, stayed to 4 Feb. The nine Whooper Swans Cygnns cygnus at Hagoshrim in Hula valley, also from 2011 and Israel's fifth occurrence, stayed to 9 Feb. A female Common Goldeneye Encephala clangida was well south at the KM19 sewage ponds, Eilat, 13-18 May. Some notable seabirds included a Great Shearwater Pnffinus gravis off Shikmona, Haifa, on 28 Jan, the 6th record for Israel if accepted, a European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicns off Ashdod beach 28 Jan, fhe fifth record for Israel, and a Swinhoe's Storm Petrel Oceanodroma monorhis reported off Haifa 18 Feb, the 6th or 7th record. Single Leach's Storm Petrels O. lencorhoa were off Ashdod 2 Feb and Jaffa 23 Jan with a remarkable 40 reported off Jaffa 19 Feb. A Brown Booby Sida lencogaster off Eilat 2 Jan was joined by a second bird February-May. A surprise was a wintering Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchns in the Eilat date plantations 6 Jan-4 Mar with several migrants reported through the Eilat area in May. Black- winged Kites Elanns caernlens nested for the second time in Israel, at Giv'at Koach in the Dan region where a pair with three fledged young was seen 11 May; the first occurrence of breeding was in 2011 at Agamon Hula. Three Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax at Hamadiya in the Jordan valley 8 Jan were followed by two at Ramtaniya reservoir, Golan Heights, 20 Jan and there was a Purple Swamphen Porphyria porphyria at Neot Hakikar 7 Apr. Single Demoiselle Cranes Anthropoides virgo were at Agamon Hula 24 Mar, at Kfar Menachem 29 Mar-7 April and over Eilat 31 Mar. Of note were single Sociable Lapwings Vanellns gregarins at Kfar Ruppin 23 Jan and Yotvata 22 Feb with a White-tailed Lapwing y. lencnrns in the Bet She' an valley 20 Apr. Two Caspian Plovers Charadrius' asiaticns at Eilat fields 12 Mar were followed by a single at Yotvata 22 Mar and possibly as many as ten more different individuals through the Eilat area to 15 Apr whilst a Grey Phalarope Phalaropns fnlicarins was at Ma'agan Michael 5 Mar. A ringed Audouin's Gull Larns andoninii at Ashdod 30 Mar originated from Sardinia. A Swift Tern Thalassens bergii off Eilat 8 Apr was not unusual but more exceptional was the report of a South Polar Skua Stercorarius maccormicki off Jaffa 15 Jan, the third record for Israel if accepted. Migrant Egyptian Nightjars Caprimnlgns aegyptins were at Yotvata 2 Mar and Neot Hakikar 22 Mar with two at the latter site 2 Jun. Single Daurian Shrikes Lanins [isabellinns] isabellinns were at Kfar Ruppin 23 Jan, Wadi Habesor, Negev, 27 Feb and Nizzana 17 Mar. Two Red-billed Choughs Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax on mount Hermon 18 May constituted the second record for Israel. There was a Dunn's Lark Eremalanda dnnni af Yotvata 1 May with a further five at Hameishar 18 May. Three single Yellow- browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornahis apparently on spring passage (cf Cyprus summary) were at Kfar Adumim 8 Mar, Eilat 28-29 Mar and Haifa University 15 Apr. There were two further records of Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalns griseldis — singles trapped and ringed at Lahavot Habashan, Hula valley, 23 May and Hula valley ringing station 2 Jun. A little flurry of Menetries's Warblers Sylvia inystacea included singles at Eilat 15 Mar, Hai Bar nature reserve 23 Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 193 Mar and KM19, near Eilat, 25 Mar. There was a Rose-coloured Starling Pastor roseus at Shikmona, Haifa, 28 Apr, a Ring Ouzel Tiirdiis torquatus at Jerusalem bird observatory 11 Apr and single White-throated Robins Irania giittiiralis at Yeroham park 20 Apr and Neot Smadar 28 Apr. A Black Scrub Robin Cercotrichas podobe was at Neot Smadar sewage works 17 May. An unprecedented passage of 100-150 Pied Wheatears Oenanthe pleschanka and 100 Cyprus Wheatears O. cypriaca this spring also included Kurdistan Wheatears O. xanthoprymna at Ein Gedi 28 Feb and Neve Ativ, mount Hermon, 29 Mar, a 'vittata' form of Pied Wheatear at KM20, Eilat, 24-31 Mar, the first for Israel with undocumented reports of two further birds, and finally the sixth record of the black morph of Eastern Mourning 'Basalt' Wheatear Oenanthe Ingens in the Uvda valley 21 Mar. There was a Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montamis at Neot Smadar 21 Apr, the tenth record for Plate 3. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, I I January 2012, Aqaba bird observatory, Jordan. © Feras Rahahleh Israel. There was a strong passage of Western Cinereous Buntings Emberiza {cineracea) cineracea with one at Ofira park, Eilat, 2 Mar, five at mount Amasa 12 Mar and two at Lotan 20 Mar when also six at Susita. The Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bniniceps at Bet Kama 18 Apr is potentially the third for Israel. JORDAN There were three notable vagrant sightings at the Aqaba bird observatory in January with an Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca on 3 Jan, Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 11 Jan (Plate 3) and two Sociable Lapwings Vanelliis gregarius on 5 Jan. A wintering European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus at Aqaba 10 Feb was also notable. More usual was the Sooty Gull Earns hemprichii off Aqaba 2 Jan with a mid-winter sighting of two Little Swifts Apus ajfinis at Kafrayn reservoir 6 Jan. A Eurasian Jay Garruliis gla)idariiis was well south at Madaba 6 Jan and a Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola was at Aqaba 4 Jan, a regular wintering locality. KAZAKHSTAN A late Goosander Mergus merganser was in Charyn canyon 4 May whilst further north 20 White-headed Ducks Oxytira leucocephala were on lake Isay, near Khorgalzin, within the main breeding range, on 13 May. There was also a Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus near Khorgalzyn 13 May — this species is not often recorded from this area. An Upland Buzzard Bnteo {rufinus) hemilasins was reported over Charyn canyon 4 May though hybrid Upland x Long-legged Buzzards B. rufinus have recently been observed in this area. Single Lesser Sand Plovers Charadrius (mongolus) atrifons were at Sorbulak 9, 13 and 23 May (different birds) and although still a vagrant, sightings have been almost annual in recent years. Fifty Alpine Swifts Tachymnrptis melba over Charyn canyon 4 May was a good count whilst belated news of a Pander's Ground Jay Podoces panderi at Kyzylkumv, near Shimkent, 17 Mar 2011 shows that the species is still present in this area. A Pied Stonechat Saxieola caprata at I'etisovo, north Caspian .sea, 21 Mav was north of the usual areas whilst the Semi-collared Flycatcher Picedula semitorquata at Mangistau, Eetisovo, 24 Apr is probably not that unusual near the 1 94 Sa)tdgrouse .34 (20 1 2) Plate 4. Amur Falcon Falco amurensis, 1 3 May 20 1 2, Jahra East outfall, Kuwait. © Pekka Page! Caspian although probably under reported. Further singles of East Siberian Wagtails Motacilla (alba) ocularis were at Konshengal 5 May and Sorbulak 26 May adding to the 20 or so previous sightings whilst a late Long-tailed Rosefinch Uragus sibiricus was at Prudhoz, near Chilik, 22 Mar. A rarely recorded Red-fronted Rosefinch Carpodacus puniceus was at the Almaty cosmos station on 1 Jan though it is known to breed in the area. A Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos near Zhalanash, Charyn canyon, 17 May confirms its continued presence at the southern limit of its range. A Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides was in the same area on the same date after one was noted at Kegen pass 4 May, also at the southern limit of its distribution in Kazakhstan. KUWAIT The third sighting of a Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor for the country was made at Jahra East outfall 15 Feb and a Black Stork Ciconia nigra in Sulaibikhat bay 5 May was the 16th record. There was a Shikra Accipiter badiiis at A1 Abraq A1 Khabari 7 Apr and an Amur Falcon Falco amurensis at Jahra East outfall 13 May (Plate 4), the latter the second record for the country. An excellent count of 2000 Crab-plovers Dromas ardeola was made on Boubyan island 18 May, the largest breeding concentration in the Middle East. A Franklin's Gull Earns pipixcan at Jahra East outfall, present from 5 Jun, is the first country record. A Mediterranean Gull Earns melanocephalus was recorded on Green island 2 Feb. Hypocoliuses Hypocolius ampelinus totalled over 60 at a combination of sites in mid February. A Hume's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus hiimei at A1 Abraq A1 Khabari 30-31 Jan is the fifth record. Afghan Babbler Turdoides caudatus huttoni has again nested at Abdaly farms with a pair feeding a single chick 4 May. A male Dead Sea Sparrow Passer moabiticus was seen and heard singing at A1 Abraq A1 Kliabari 12-13 Apr and there are now more than ten records for the country. A Radde's Accentor Prunella ocularis 15 Mar and another at Subriya farm 6 Apr were the third and fourth records while the Masked Wagtail Motacilla {alba) personata at Wafra farms 12 Feb was the second record. The Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus (rubescens) japwnicus noted at A1 Abraq A1 Khabari from 9 Dec 2011 stayed to at least Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 195 28 Feb and an Eastern Cinereous Bunting Embehza {cineracea) semeiiowi was at Al Abraq A1 Khabari 23 Mar. LEBANON A wetter winter and early spring favoured breeding waterbirds at Aammiq, including Mallard Anser platyrhynchos, Little Grebe Tachybaptiis mficollis, Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and Eurasian Coot Fiilica atra. Three pairs of Little Grebes with young were observed at Bishmezzine 12 jun. Spur- winged Lapwings Vanellus spinosus also bred this year at Tyre Coast nature reserve. OMAN The real highlight of the period was the first record for Oman and the Middle East of Grey-headed Lapwing Vmielliis cinereus, at Sahnawt farm, Salalah, 3 Jan. A further record of note was a juvenile Black-winged Kite Elaniis caeruleus at the new Al Mouj golf course, Muscat, 1 Jan (9th record). Both records have been accepted by the Oman Bird Records Committee. Thirty-eight Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifwns were at East Khawr, Salalah, 11 Jan. Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna records included four at West Khawr and two at East Khawr 15 Mar while there was a single Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea at East Khawr 7 Jan and two at West Khawr 9 Mar. There was a single Red-crested Pochard Nelta rtifitia at Al Ansab wetland 9 Jan — this species is comparatively rare in the north. The Black Storks Ciconia iiigra seen in the Wadi Darbat and Khor Rouri area in late 2011 were present until 28 Feb (four at Wadi Darbat). Seven hundred Western White Storks Ciconia ciconia at Raysut 9 Mar was a high count. Yellow Bittern Ixobrychiis sinensis is a regular breeding summer visitor to coastal khawrs in the south and there were five at East Khawr and two at Khawr Taqah 8 May. A single Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia was at Khawr Sawli 8 Jan and one at Khawr Taqah 8 May. The three immature Great White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus present in December at East Khawr, remained until 22 Mar (Plate 5). A Black-eared Kite Milvits (migrans) linealiis was at Al Mouj golf course, 2 Apr. Plate 5. Great White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus. 10 March 2012, East Khawr. Salalah, Oman. © Hanne & Jens Eriksen 1 96 Sandgroiise 34 (20 1 2) Plate 6. White-throated vittata form of Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka, 15 April 2012, Sayh, Musandam, Oman. © Hanne & Jens Eriksen Plate 7. Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe (hispanica) melanoleuca, 15 April 2012, Saytj, Musandam, Oman. © Hanne & Jens Eriksen Three Crested Honey Buzzards Pernis ptilorhynchus at East Khawr 7 Jan may have been the same birds seen in the area in November— small numbers now seem to winter in the south of Oman. One was also at Salalah 8 May. Twelve Lappet-faced Vultures Torgos tracheliotus were at a carcass at Bahia 20 Apr. A Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciatus was at A1 Ansab wetland 10-14 Mar. Eleven Arabian Partridges Alectoris melanocephala were seen on Jabal Nakhl 10 Jun— this species is uncommon in the north. A single Spotted Crake Porzana porzana was seen at Sail Ala, Musandam, 16 Apr — the first record of any crake species in this region. Single White- breasted Waterhens Amaurornis phoeniciirus were seen at Ayn Razat 23 Feb, A1 Mughsayl 27 Feb and Ayn Hamran 22 Mar. Red-knobbed Coots Fulica cristata, a rare visitor, were seen at West Khawr (three) on 7 Jan with one at A1 Mughsayl on the same date and two there 27 Feb and 3 May. Sixty Collared Pratincoles Glareola pratincola were at Sun farm, Sohar, 3 May while eight young were observed 28 May. Single Small Pratincoles Glareola lactea were at Salalah nature reserve 2 Jan and at Khawr Taqah 11 Jan. Four Spotted Thick- knees Burhinus capensis were at East Khawr and eight at Salalah 8 May. Two hundred and forty Pacific Golden Plovers Pluvialis fiilva were at Sahnawt farm, 10 Mar, a high count. Six Spur-winged Lapwings Vanellus spinosus were at Sahnawt farm 3 Jan — a new maximum for this rare winter visitor (five had been seen there 14—18 Nov 2011). On the same day four Red-wattled Lapwings Vanellus indicus were at the same locahon— this species is rare in the south. Three Sociable Lapwings Vanellus gregarius were at Sun farm 11-13 Jan. A single Great Snipe Gallinago media, a rare migrant, was at A1 Ansab wetland 5 Feb, the second record this winter. Three hundred and fifty Great Black- headed Gulls Larus ichthyaetus at Qurayyat 19 Jan was a high count. A single Common Gull Larus caniis was at A1 Mouj golf course 28 Apr— this was a late date for this uncommon migrant. Five hundred plus Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exushis at Sun farm 19 Jan was the highest count for some years. Eleven Common Woodpigeons Columba palumbus casiotis were observed at 1800 m in Wadi Sahtan 24 Apr. Twenty-six Namaqua Doves Oena capensis at Sun farm 13 Jan was the highest count since 2007. Two Asian Koels Eudynamys scolopaceus were at East Khawr 7 Jan. Four hundred Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters Merops superciliosus were counted at Sun farm 10 Apr. Two hundred plus European Rollers Coracias garrulus in one tree at A1 Ghaftayn in the central desert 3 May was an unusual sight. Indian Rollers Coracias benghalensis are Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 197 rare visitors to southern Oman so one at Jarziz farm, Salalah, 8 Jan was noteworthy. A single Woodchat Shrike Lanins senator was at Khasab, Musandam, 13 Apr while a Masked Shrike Lanins nnbicns was at Dawkah farm, central desert, 4 May. Three Oriental Skylarks Alanda gnlgnla were at Sun farm on 2 Mar. Six Bar-tailed Larks Ammomanes cinctnra were found near Mudday in the south 27 Feb and eight were there 24 May. Dunn's Lark Eremelanda dnnni is highly nomadic and very elusive so one near Mudday 27 Feb was an excellent find. A male Whinchat Saxicola rnbetra was at Sail Ala, Musandam, 16 Apr while a 'Caspian' Stonechat Saxicola [torqnatns] manrns variegatns was at A1 Mughsayl 4 Jan and another at Sun farm on 2 Mar. The white-throated vittata form of the Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka is rare so a male at Sayh, Musandam, 15 Apr (Plate 6) is noteworthy. There was a single male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Oenanliie {hispanica) melanolenca at Sayh 14-15 Apr (Plate 7) — this is also a rare visitor to Oman. Eight Hooded Wheatears Oenanthe monacha (six males, two females) were at Kitnah, Dhahirah region, 26 Apr. A single male Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficednla semitorqnata was seen at Sayh, 15 Apr. Four Nile Valley Sunbirds Anthodiata metallica at Qatbit 11 Jan were noteworthy. Eighty Pale Rockfinches Carpospiza brachydactyla were at Sun farm 11 Mar while 17 Richard's Pipits Anthns (novaseelandiae) richardi at the same location 2 Mar was a good count. Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak Rhynchostnithns percivali is not always easy to find so two at Dalqut on 7 May and two at Ayn Hamran 8 May were noteworthy. Seventy Ortolan Buntings Emberiza hortnlana were counted at Sayh 14 Apr. QATAR Rare winter visitors at Abu Nakhla included seven adult Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons (10 Feb) and a Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferrngi)iea (23 Mar). At least five, possibly eight adult Black Kites Milvns ntigrans, a rare passage migrant, at A1 Shamal (five) and Ras A1 Shindwee (three) 18 May. A juvenile Long-legged Buzzard Bnteo rnfinns, normally a rare winter visitor was at Irkayya farm (IF) 29-31 May. The first breeding record of Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellns indicns for Qatar occurred at IF May/June when a pair Plate 8. Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola with chick. June 2012, Irkayya farm, Qatar. © Khalid Al Maadeed 1 98 Sandgronse .34 (20 1 2) succeeded in raising one young. Six juvenile/ adult winter Eurasian Golden Plovers Pliwialis apricaria, a rare winter visitor, were at IF 13 Jan, with three staying to at least 21 Jan. An adult male Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticiis, normally a rare winter visitor, was at A1 Khor 30 May. The first breeding record for Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola was of an adult sitting on two eggs at IF 31 May. Subsequent observations in June showed that two pairs had produced chicks (Plate 8). A male Asian Koel Eiidynamys scolopaceus at Umm Jolaq farm 20 Apr-3 May is the first country record. An Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius, a rare passage migrant, was at IF 30 Apr. A Common Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia was seen at Traina 31 Mar, the third record. A European Robin Erithacus rubecula was at IF 2 Mar, the third record and the first since 3 Dec 1983. Single Black Scrub Robins Cercotrichas podobe, a rare visitor, were recorded at A1 Udeid air base 16 Mar, Umm Jolaq farm 17-23 Mar and Sealine beach resort (SBR) 24 Apr. A first summer male Kurdistan Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna at Traina 2-15 Mar, was the second record. Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedida semitorqiiata is a rare passage migrant, so two males at IF (15 Apr), a female at SBR (18 Apr) and a female at Traina (19-20 Apr) are noteworthy. SAUDI ARABIA (All records are from the Eastern province (EP). Sabkhat A1 Fasl, Jubail, is a wetland site 125 km north of Dhahran.) A single second calendar year Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons was at Sabkhat A1 Fasl (SAF) 17 and 18 Feb (Plate 9). This is a vagrant to EP. An immature Black Stork Ciconia nigra was at Dhahran 23 May while a White Stork Ciconia ciconia was at SAF 25 May. Fifty-six Western Great Egrets Egretta alba were at SAF 6 Jan along with 357 Common Shelducks Tadorna tadorna — the largest flock for some years at the site. Six adult and two first year Eurasian Spoonbills Platalea leiicorodia were at Dammam port mangroves 13 Jan. Six adults were still present 10 Feb. An adult was at SAF 4 May. A juvenile Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus was at Dhahran 29 Mar while an adult Black-winged Kite Elanus {caeruleus) vociferiis was there 29 Plate 9. Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons. 17 February 2012, Sabkhat Al Fasl, Saudi Arabia. © Jem Babbington Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 199 Mar-17 Apr (Plate 10, very dark under-wing markings on the secondaries unlike the more western race £. (c.) caeriileus). This was a first record for EP. A second calendar year Short- toed Snake Eagle Circaetus galUciis was over Dhahran 11 Feb. Nineteen Western Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosas at SAP 6 Jan was a high count. Thirteen Greater Spotted Eagles Aquila clanga at SAP 2 Feb was the highest count of the winter. Two second calendar year Eastern Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca were seen at SAP 2 Feb. Two adult male Little Crakes Porzana parva were at Dbahran 29 Feb. Four (three males and a female) were seen on 4 and 5 Mar with singles seen until 20 Mar. Two adult Armenian Gulls Larus armenicus were at the Dammam-Al Khobar wader roost (south) on 10 Feb. The status of this species in EP is uncertain but it is certainly rare. An adult Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus in breeding plumage was well inland at Dhahran 11 Feb. An Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius was seen in the evening of 4 Mar at Dhahran. Shrike migration was noted throughout March with highs of Woodchat Shrike Lanins senator (3) and Daurian Shrike Lanins isabellinus (8) at SAF 9 Mar, Turkestan Shrike Lanins {isabellinus) phoenicuroides (18) at the same location 31 Mar and Steppe Grey Shrike Lanins {ineridionalis) pallidirostris (2) there 30 Mar. An adult White-spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos was at SAF 30 Mar. This appears to be only the second record for EP. Fifty Red-rumped Swallows Cecropis daurica were at Dhahran 4 Mar while a Common Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia was there 1 Apr. An adult male Finsch's Wheatear Oenanthe fi)ischii was seen in the evening of 7 Mar at Dhahran. An adult Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola was seen feeding on insects at SAF 12 Jan. An adult male was present at the same site 10 Feb and an adult male at Dammam airport pools on 23 Mar. A female Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala was at Dhahran 8 and 9 May. Six Corn Buntings Emberiza calandra were at Dhahran 9 Feb with four still present the next day. Plate 10. Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus, 29 March 2012. Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. © Jem Babbington 200 Sa)Hlgrouse 34 (2012) SYRIA Four Northern Bald Ibises Geroniicus eremita returned to the breeding cliffs near Palmyra this year; there were three in 2011 and the origin of the fourth bird is unknown. One pair, the same individuals as in 2011, attempted to breed but failed. A captive pair from the Turkish population has also so far failed to breed successfully. This pair has been kept since 2010 at the reserve at Talila to supply future birds for release. TAJIKISTAN A late report of a Pallas's Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leiicoryphus Sep 2011 comes from the Pamir mountains in the east of the country and would be the only recent record of this vagrant if accepted. A Western Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus {coronatiis) occipitalis near Qala-i Khumb at the end of May was probably a breeding bird. TURKEY The cold winter Jan-Mar 2012 produced a good array of records of waterbirds that normally remain along the northern shores of the Black sea. Single Red-throated Divers Gavia stellata were recorded in Goksu delta 25 Feb, Kocagay delta 22 Jan and Biiyiikgekmece lake 18 Feb. The sudden appearance of Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca raised questions about origin. Two were in Riva, near Istanbul, 31 Mar and one Beytepe campus in Ankara 13 Apr. Despite the cold winter, the numbers of Red-breasted Geese Branta ruficollis were below expectations. One was at Sanyar dam lake on 19 Feb and seven Kocaeli Kandira 26 Feb. Six Scaups Aythya marila were at igneada 10 Feb, one at Biiytikgekmece 11 Feb, 5 istanbul §ile harbour 22 Feb, one Hersek lagoon 5 Mar, one Filyos delta 4 Feb and 17 were recorded during the mid-winter counts in Ye§ilirmak delta 13 Feb. Common Eiders Somateria mollissima were observed away from known localities: one Kocaeli Kandira 25 Feb and one Sakarya Karasu 7 Apr. High numbers of sea ducks were present at Ye§ilirmak delta 13 Feb, including 48 Velvet Scoters Melanitta fusca, 34 Common Scoters Melanitta nigra and a remarkable total of 702 Goldeneyes Bucephala clangnla. A young Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis was seen at Mogan lake near Ankara, 18-24 June. One Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor was in the Merig delta 21 Jan and one Kulu lake 15 Apr and 18 Jun. A Red Kite Milvns milviis was recorded Yenikent Zir valley, Ankara, 26 April. Cold weather pushed many Rough-legged Buzzards Buteo lagopiis to the south. One was seen at Sanyar dam 11 Mar, one Biiyiikgekmece lake 9 Feb, two Terkos lake 18 March, two iiskudar, istanbul, 11 Feb, one was at Filyos delta 18 March, one Yalova Safrankoy 24 Mar and five were in Kizilirmak delta on 6 Mar. A Saker Falco cherrug was observed Biiyukgekmece lake 28 Apr. A Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla was at Yumurtahk lagoons 11 Apr and one Alanya 4-28 Apr. Twenty-seven Great Bustards Otis tarda were seen Burdur 29 Jan and two §anliurfa Kizilkuyu 4 Mar. A migrant Cream-coloured Courser* Ciirsorius cursor was at the Goksu delta 21 Apr. Two individuals of the rare spring migrant Black- winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni were recorded at Yumurtahk lagoons 11 Apr and 29 Sociable Lapwings Chettusia gregarius were at §anliurfa Akgakale 10 Mar and 21 at §anliurfa Kizilkuyu 4 Mar. The first breeding record of Red-wattled Plover Hoplopterus indicus away from the river Tigris was a pair in Akgakale 17 May-24 Jun and one was in Mardin 13 May. A Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus was in Filyos delta 17 Apr, one Kavak delta 16 Apr and two Rize 25 Feb. A Namaqua Dove Oena capensis was near Konya Kozanli 8 Jun, the fourth record. Fifteen Short-eared Owls Asia flammeus were at Yedikir dam lake 11 Feb. A migrant Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops superciliosus was in Riva, istanbul, 29 Apr. One Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca was in the Goksu delta 10 Apr and one at Akyatan lake 25 Mar. Four Semi-collared Flycatchers Picediila semitorquata were in Erzurum A§kale 21 Apr, suggesting a new breeding site. Great Grey Shrikes Lanins exadntor were present in many localities within the northern half of the country. One was in Kirklareli Vize 20 Jan and 13 Feb, one (Jorum Alaca 21 Feb, one Kizilirmak delta 25 Mar, one Kocaeli Kandira 10 Mar, one Manyas lake 26 Jan and one at Sanyar dam lake 11 Mar. The Buff-bellied Pipit Antlnis nibescens visited its traditional site again: one was at Samandag 21 Jan. An Isabelline Shrike Lanins isabellinns was in Kizilirmak delta 12 Apr and one Mardin 5 Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 201 May. A Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans was near Samsun 30 Apr, the most northerly record for Turkey. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES The Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris from December was re-found in A1 Ain 13-15 Jan (5th record). Up to three Red-crested Pochards Netta nifiiia were in Dubai 28 Jan-11 Feb (12th record). The Eastern Cattle Egret Bidnilcus (ibis) coromandns at Wamm farms 28 Mar-2 Apr is possibly the returning bird last seen 24 Jun 2011. One Masked Booby Sida dactylatra on a Khor Kalba pelagic 11 May was the 16th record. Up to two Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus at Wamm farms 13 Jan-23 Mar was only the 7th record since 2000. Another female-plumaged bird stayed at Khor al-Beida 20 Jan-22 Feb. One Golden Eagle Aqiiila chrysaetos was seen at Dubai desert conservation reserve on 16 Jan. Possibly the same Great Stone-curlew Esaciis recurvirosiris, first seen 27 Sep 2011, was re-found at Khor Qirqishan (Musaffah) 27 Feb-6 Mar (first UAE record). One White-rumped Sandpiper Calidrisfiiscicollis at the A1 Ain water treatment plant 18-26 May was the first UAE record and the first for Arabia. An adult Mediterranean Gull Lams melanocephalus was at Mafraq rubbish tip 4 Feb-19 Mar (9th record) while a Long-tailed Skua Stercorariiis longicaudiis was recorded on a Khor Kalba pelagic 11 May (13th record). One well twitched Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandariiis was at Wamm farms 20-26 Apr (third record) while a White- throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis was seen at Jebel Dhanna 1 Apr (11th record). An immature Black-naped Oriole Orioius chinensis in Safa park 18-25 Feb was a new species for the UAE and only the second record for the region, the first having been seen in southern Oman 7 Dec 2011 (see Sajidgrouse 34 (1) for further details). There were three records of Bay-backed Shrikes Lanins vittatiis this spring — all at Wamm farms (8, 16 Apr, 4 May). One well photographed Black Drongo Dicnims macrocercus at A1 Barsha pond park, Dubai, 18 Jan-1 Feb was the second confirmed record; a bird at the Dubai pivot fields on T1 Mar and 15 Apr was possibly the same individual. The fifth record of Ashy Drongo Dicnims Icucopliacus was seen in A1 Ain 18-25 Mar. This spring was very good for 'Caspian' Stonechats Saxicola [torquatus] maurus variegatiis with a total of 17 birds 6 Feb-24 Mar (8th-18th records). A male Kurdistan Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna at Jebel Dhanna 22 Mar-2 Apr was only the second UAE record (the first was in 2003/04). Finsch's Wheatear Oenanthe finschii has not been recorded in the UAE since 2006 so a male at Jebel Dhanna 21-22 Mar (the 21st record) is of note. A Radde's Accentor Prunella ocularis photographed in Safa park 10-14 Apr was a new species for the UAE. Two Buff-bellied Pipits Anthus [rubescens) japonicus the first of which was seen 10 Dec 2011, wintered at Emirates palace, Abu Dhabi, until 3 Mar with another bird at Wamm farms 20 Jan-2 Mar (21st record). A single Eastern Cinereous Bunting Lmberiza (cineracea) semenoivi was on Saadiyat island 9 Mar. UZBEKISTAN Following the first record of Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis April 2009 {Sandgrouse 31: 221) breeding was confirmed when two nests were found in a mixed colony of Black-crowned Night Herons Nycticorax nycticorax, Little Egrets Lgretta garzetta and Rooks Corvus frugilegus in an ash-tree grove in Alat city (Plate 11, Bukhara region) 4 May 2011. Recent research at Dalverzin hunting management area IBA, in the middle reaches of the Syrdarya river south of Tashkent, has produced several records of note. A flock of 10 Glossy Ibises Plegadis falcinellus was observed 5 May 2012 with several flocks totalling 50 birds at nearby Sasikol lake on 2 Jun. These are notable counts and the first records for the site. A single Rough-legged Buzzard Butco lagopus was present 7 Mar. Eurasian Oystercatcher Haenuitopus osfralegus is a scarce but annual migrant at Dalverzin, usually in April, so one on 9 Jun was of note and could, potentially, indicate local breeding. Confirmed breeding activitv of several species was certainly noted in the area on this date. Eurasian Stone-curlew Burlnnus ocdicneinus was noted breeding on the banks of the Syrdarya river while two small temporary islands in the river hosted breeding Little Ringed Plovers Charadrius diibius, more than 50 Collared Pratincoles Cdarcola pratincola, clearly holding breeding territories, as well as 202 Sandgrouse 34 (20 1 2) Plate I !. Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis, 4 May 201 I, Alat city, Uzbekistan. © M Turaev Common and Little Terns Sterna hirundo and S. albifrons. Normally river levels are higher at this time of year so there is usually no suitable breeding habitat. Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs is generally considered to be a migrant and wintering species in Uzbekistan so a singing male in deciduous forest in the Amankutan mountains (Zarafshan range, Samarkand region) on 6 Jun was notable. The species breeds in northern Iran and the central and western Kopetdag in Turkmenistan so could, potentially, also breed in Uzbekistan. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The following assisted in the compilation of this review: Humoud Alshayji, S Alterman, Abdulla Aly, Raffael Aye, Jem Babbington, Y Baser, Chris Bowden, Kerem Ali Boyla, Jamie Buchan, Jacqueline Burrell, Amir Ben Dov, Gennady Dyakin, Hanne & Jens Eriksen, Pekka Fagel, Vassiliy Fedorenko, Antonina Fokina, P Franke, Lars Gaedicke, Kai Gauger, J Geburzi, Barak Granit, Boris Gubin, M Guys, Anders Haglund, Rashed A1 Hajji, Anders Hammergart, Tomas Axen Haraldsson, Michael Heisse, M Held, Richard Hoath, Dick Hoek, Haitham Ibraham, Askar Isabekov, Moldovan Istvan, Josh Jones, Bert de Jong, Graeme Joynt, Tuvia Kahn, Roman Kashkarov, Brendan Kavanagh, Patrick Keirsbilck, Leander Khil, Abolghasem Khaleghizadeh, Fares Khoury, Howard King, Dick Koek, Aleksandr Kostukov, Andrey Kovalenko, Thomas Lang, Pirn Lemmers, Mary Megalli, David Murdoch, Jos van Oostveen, Tommy Pedersen, Yoav Perlman, Svend Pettersson, Mike Pope, Richard Porter, Mahmoud Ghasem Pouri, Richard Prior, Ghassan Ramadan-Jaradi, Feras Rahahleh, Colin Richardson, Jozef Ridzon, Ignaas Robbe, Phil Roberts, Jon Rouse, Richard Seargent, John Sevenair, Itai Shanni, Omar F Al-Sheikhly, AbdulRahman Al-Sirhan, Brian J Small, Ian Smith, Anders Sogaard, Johan Stuut, A van-Egmond, Andrey Vilyayev, Hellin de Waavrin, Geoff Welch, Andrew Whitehouse, Edwin Winkel, Nizamettin Yavuz, D Yosha and Thorsten Zegula Inn Hnrrison, Llysiven Farm, Lon y Felin, Aberaeron, SA46 OED, UK. innbirds@gmniI.coin Andrew Grieve, 3 Mirinm Close, Second Avenue, Cnister-on-Sea, Grent Yarmouth, NR30 5PH, UK. ngl947@hotmnil.co.nk Sandgrouse 34 (2012) 203 ERRATA The following errors unfortunately appeared in Around the Region Snmigwiise 34 (1) 2012. AFGHANISTAN Black Drongo Hypsipetus leucocephaliis should read Black Drongo Dicriirus macrocercus. Snow Pigeon Lerwa lerwa should read Snow Pigeon Coliimba leuconota. It is uncertain whether or not the Painted Sandgrouse Pterocles indicus reported was claimed as ssp indicus or arabicus. The latter is nowadays treated as a ssp of Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse P. lichtensteinii. ISRAEL Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea should read Cory's Shearwater Calonectris (diomedea) borealis. KAZAKHSTAN Lesser Sandplover Charadriiis tnongolus should read Lesser Sandplover Charadriiis atrifrons. The OSME region Lies between Europe, China and the Horn of Africa on two major migration flyways crossing Central Asia's wind-swept steppe.s, the Caucasus' knvering mountains, Arabia's wide arid deserts and the tropical seas of the Indian Ocean. An awesome place for birds and birdwatchers. ORNITHOLOGICAL. SOCIETY OF THE MIDDLE EAST THE CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA OSME OSME brings together thtise curious and knowledgeable about the region's birds. Encourages conservation and rest*arch thnujgh a fund for small-scale projects. Publishes SANDCKOUSF- an inteniatitmallv n^specled |i>umal with papers on the birds (tf the OSMIl region written bv local and visiting scientists and enthusiasts. OSMF c/oThe Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL.uk To join OSME visit www.osme.org Professionally guided birding, wildlife & photographic tours throughout the world. Africa & Madagascar temperate & tropical Asia Papua New Guinea South & Central America the Caribbean the Arctic & Antarctica Avcommondvd Parinvr Contact us for a complimentary copy of our brochure! Tel: +27 33 394 0225 Email: info@rockjumperbirding.com www.rockjumperbirding.com ZEISS 204 Sandgrouse 34 (2012) Yellow^