News & Information Dawn Balmer (compiler)

EGYPt opposition from officials at the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs, responsible IBA and proposed World Heritage for managing ’s protected areas. Site in Egypt threatened by tourist development NCE is calling for Gebel Qatrani to be The Amer Group, the Egyptian real estate declared Egypt’s first UNESCO Geopark to developer responsible for Porto Marina and attract tourists, create jobs and as a step Porto Sokhna, massive tourism developments towards making the area a World Heritage along Egypt’s north and Ain Sokhna coasts, Site. Through its SSG network in Egypt, plans to build ‘Porto Fayoum’ on 650 acres in NEC hopes that the ‘Friends of Lake Qarun’ the Lake Qarun Protected Area near Fayoum SSG also participate in the project recently oasis. This is the first development of such funded by the US Embassy’s Democracy huge proportions to be allowed in an Egyptian Grants Programme. For more information protected area. This and other tourism on the proposed development contact: developments planned for a 10-kilometer Rebecca Porteous at rporteous1@yahoo. stretch of coastal land along the northern part co.uk, or Mindy Baha El Din at egyptcalling@ of lake Qarun will undoubtedly cause damage yahoo.com or [email protected] at Nature to this pristine, scenic desert area, known Conservation Egypt. as Gebel Qatrani. This area contains one of the world’s most complete fossil records of IrAn terrestrial primates and marshland mammals and remains critical to our understanding Publication of the first and second of mammalian—and human—evolution. Just issues of Balaban ornithological last year excavations in Gebel Qatrani revealed bulletin the complete fossil remains of a prehistoric Balaban, the Iranian Bulletin of Ornithology, whale, new to science. Gebel Qatrani has also is published, in Persian, by Zist Andishan been listed as a proposed UNESCO World Caspian Institute. This periodical (ISSN 2008- Heritage Site, not only given its priceless 7705) is being managed by Afshin Zarei under fossil deposits, but also its prehistoric and the editorship of Mohammad Tohidifar and archaeological treasures, including Pharaonic assistant editors Abolghasem Khaleghizadeh tombs and quarries, and the world’s most and Ahmad Barati. ancient paved road. The first issue of Balaban was published Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) think in 2009 and covers many short notes: An that the tourism development will negatively introduction to birdwatching in Iran; Breeding impact and their habitats at lake Qarun, of malabarica in a BirdLife International Important Area Bandar Abbas City; Recent report of breeding (IBA). Through the Jensen Foundation, BirdLife Bluethroat Luscinia svecica in Lar National Park, supported NCE to establish a Site Support Tehran; A note on breeding of Great Stone- Group to protect the site as well as generate curlew Esacus recurvirostris in Hara Protected incomes in a sustainable manner. Egypt’s Area, Hormozgan, southern Iran; A note official Tourism Development Authority on breeding and ringing of Gull-billed Tern (TDA) participated in numerous studies Sterna nilotica in AghGol wetland, Hamedan; highlighting lake Qarun’s importance for Ringing herons in northern Iran; Observation ecotourism. However, it has instead approved of Corncrake Crex crex in Hamedan Province; this project to promote more conventional— Observation of White-fronted Goose Anser and unsustainable—tourism developments albifrons in Hengam Island, Persian Gulf; on the lake. This is happening despite Bird damage to melon and watermelon in

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Sandgrouse33-2-110726.indd 193 7/26/2011 9:27:06 AM Dashli-Boroun area, Golestan Province; identification and their conservation status, and Establishment of Iran Bird Records field and breeding survey techniques together Committee. Finally, updated lists of with implementation on the ground in some IUCN and CITES were prepared for Iranian designated Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in birds, some news and a list of 53 Iranian Iraq. In addition, the course focused on future ornithological literature items published in conservation and management plans for the 2007 are presented at the end. In this issue, key sites that Nature Iraq and the Ministry of English summaries are presented together on Environment are working on. the first pages, left hand side, of the issue. One of Nature Iraq’s green projects is The second issue of the Balaban was ecotourism and to further this aim an eco- published in 2010 and included a long review camp was recently built near one of the key article: Checklist of the birds of Tehran sites for wildlife. Nature Iraq arranged three Province during the past half century, listing day eco-tours for people from inside and all 338 species recorded in this province during outside of the country to show them the value the past 50 years in published materials as of the areas visited and how efforts are being well as many unpublished records. This issue made to preserve them in a sustainable way. also contains a few short notes: Observation of Eurasian Nutcrackers Nucifraga caryocatactes Bird training at Peramagroon area in Khorasan-e Razavi and Gilan Provinces, (designated protected area) northern Iran; Recent observation of the Sooty On 12 May as one of the activities for World Falcon Falco concolor in Central Iran; Breeding Migratory Bird Day at the French Institute in of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis and Erbil (with an exhibition at the same place), Common Pochard Aythya ferina at Shirin-Sou Nature Iraq arranged a lecture “Soaring Birds wetland, Hamedan Province; and Breeding of and their Migration” which also focused on White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala and the role of Iraq in protecting all birds in Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca at sewage general and these birds in particular. Many ponds of Zarrin-Shahr, Esfahan Province. In people attended from different sectors and this issue, English summaries are presented countries and it was covered by the media. at the beginning of each paper. Finally, some On 29 May Dr Azzam Alwash (CEO of Nature news and a list of 49 Iranian ornithological Iraq) gave a talk “The Story of Mesopotamian literature items published in 2008 are Marshes, The Past and Future”—this is one of presented at the end. the main key sites for many migratory birds. Authors are encouraged to submit (Contributed by Richard Porter) their manuscripts to Mohammad Tohidifar preferably by email: Mohammad_8463@ Nature Iraq receives Takreem Arab yahoo.com, or mailing hard copies to: Achievement Award in Northern No. 9, Yekom Valiye-Asr alley, Initiated in 2004 the Takreem Arab Eastern 72 Street, Sardasht Street, Resalat Achievement Award honours the best and Highway, PO Box 16516 43711, Tehran, Iran. brightest of Arab achievements. Nature Iraq was the recipient this year for their IrAQ achievement in Environmental Development and Sustainability. Dr Azzam Alwash, CEO of World Migratory Bird Day Nature Iraq, accepted the award at a ceremony Celebration and Nature Iraq’s in Qatar at the end of April. Activities The Takreem Award seeks to identify This spring Nature Iraq/BirdLife International and promote Arab accomplishments, by organized several conservation-related highlighting Arab excellence and leadership activities. From 24–29 April Nature Iraq/ worldwide. The Award for Environmental BirdLife International, with help from Development and Sustainability honours Richard Porter (BirdLife advisor for the individuals and organizations that have Middle East), ran their sixth annual training shown leadership in the field of environmental course which trained people from ministries planning, sustainable development and and other sectors. They were trained in bird green projects. Such recipients have been

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Sandgrouse33-2-110726.indd 194 7/26/2011 9:27:06 AM involved in effective environmental planning, YEmEn addressing community needs through sustainable resource use while protecting the Minister for Water and the environment, promoting energy efficiency Environment and raising environmental awareness. Abdul Rahman, President of YSPW (BirdLife’s (Contributed by Richard Porter) Partner) is no longer in post as Yemen’s Minister for Water and the Environment. ISrAEl otHEr InFormAtIon Volunteers wanted for migration survey Bibliography of Arabian The Israel Ornithological Centre (IOC) will Ornithology conduct a migration survey of soaring birds The 2011 update to the draft bibliography of in the northern valleys of Israel. This survey Arabian Ornithology is now available. This is monitoring one of the most important issue includes the 80 or so references added bird migration pathways of the Middle East. since 2010. This year’s version includes two They are looking for experienced birdwatchers important addenda. In the preparation of the who are willing to spend long days in the field. ABBA atlas it was originally intended to fully The survey runs from 15 Sep–10 Oct. IOC will reference the text but later it was decided that cover flight costs, food and accommodation this would take up too much space and would and a small fee for volunteers who can stay have made the text less straightforward to the whole duration. For more details please read. It was then decided to list all relevant contact Nadav Israeli contactnadavisra@ published sources by a numerical code after gmail.com. each species account. However this plan was also abandoned as again it would have taken JordAn up too much space. These were important decisions as the atlas crept to an unmanageable Jordan Birdwatching Club on 800 pages. In the end only the most relevant Facebook sources were quoted in the species accounts If you’re on Facebook and interested in the and only those sources included in the atlas wild birds of Jordan, please consider joining list of references. The following addenda fill the facebook group ‘Jordan Birdwatching this gap by providing a full list of references Club’. (Contributed by Fares Khoury) for each species and a complete list of all references consulted. SYrIA Addendum 1: A list of all published sources which contain at least one record relevant to Jaboul wetland report published bird distribution in Arabia and which were An excellent report outlining the long term used in the preparation of Jennings, MC. 2010. monitoring of the Jaboul wetland has been Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia. Fauna published: Hamidan, N, L El-Moghrabi, E of Arabia 25. These are shown as numerical Al-Ibraheem, Y Mujawer & A Mawas. 2010. source codes and grouped for each species, Waterbirds Survey Report of Sabkhat Al-Jabboul arranged in the species taxonomic order used Aleppo / Syria 2008-2009. The Royal Society in the Atlas. for the Conservation of Nature, Amman, Addendum 2: Is a complete list of all Jordan. This is a joint effort between SSCW published sources (author, title and other and RSCN funded by SDC. (Contributed by citation details) at Addendum 1, arranged Sharif Jbour) in the order of their numerical source code to allow easy identification of the sources at Addendum 1. If anyone wants to investigate a particular species in Arabia, or delve into the sources and contents of the atlas species accounts these reference lists are a useful

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Sandgrouse33-2-110726.indd 195 7/26/2011 9:27:06 AM starting point. Please contact Mike Jennings to plant coverage and drought; Breeding at [email protected] for further biology of Grey Heron Ardea cinerea in information. (Contributed by Mike Jennings) Siahkeshim Protected Area, northern Iran; The avian community of five Iranian wetlands, Phoenix 27 Miankaleh, Fereidoon-Kenar, Bujagh, Anzali Issue No 27 of the Phoenix, a newsletter and Lavandevil, in the south Caspian lowlands; for Arabian Ornithology published by the Observations of waterbirds at Abshineh Dam, Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia (ABBA) Hamedan Province, Iran; Autumn records project, has been sent out to subscribers of Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris and contacts. The contents include: A new (Bechstein, 1798) in Southeastern Anatolia, Arabian breeding species - Glossy Ibis Plegadis Turkey; Estimating seasonal populations of falcinellus; Yellow-billed Kites Milvus aegyptius some Corvids in Iran, 2001–2002. in Arabia; Crab-plover Dromas ardeola satellite The 4(2) papers included: Comparison tracked to Aldabra (Seychelles); Asian Raptor of morpho-skeletal characteristics (using movements through Arabia; Turkish Greater standardised criteria sets) of the Great Tit Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus in UAE; Parus major (Linnaeus 1758) in three Iranian Survey report on the highlands and tihama of populations (Mashhad, Noor and Hamedan); south-west Saudi Arabia (summary); Origin Distribution and number of herons (Ardeidae), of Peregrines Falco peregrinus wintering in White Stork Ciconia ciconia and Greater and migrating through Arabia; Counting Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus at their main Crab-plover colonies; Black-crowned Night wintering sites in the Azerbaijan Republic; Heron Nycticorax nycticorax and Purple Heron Waterbird populations during dry and wet Ardea purpurea breed for the first time in years in the Hamoun Wetlands Complex, Qatar; A new race of Eastern Olivaceous Iran/Afghanistan border; Some aspects of Warbler Iduna pallida found breeding in feeding ecology of the Lesser Sand Plover Arabian mangroves; First breeding of Spotted Charadrius mongolus in three different zones Crake Porzana porzana in the UAE; Birds of in the Kadalundy Estuary, Kerala, South the Hajar mountains, UAE; Status of the ; and Effects of sunflower cultivars and coastal wetlands in Ras al Khaimah; Survey different sowing dates on the damage rate report on Shaybah oilfield, Empty Quarter, caused by birds, in particular House Sparrow Saudi Arabia (summary); Bulgarian Egyptian Passer domesticus . Notes are also given on: The Vulture Neophron percnopterus visits Saudi first record of the Amur Falcon Falco amurensis Arabia; Sooty Falcon Falco concolor juveniles from Iran; Changes to the Checklist of the tracked from Oman to Africa; Kazakhstan Birds of Muzaffarabad City, Azad Jammu Eastern Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca in and Kashmir, ; and Observations Kuwait. Please contact Mike Jennings at on breeding birds of Meyghan wetland and [email protected] for further adjacent areas, Markazi Province, west-central information. (Contributed by Mike Jennings) Iran. Issue 5(1) of Podoces, published in 2010, Online Access to Podoces—the West covers the following papers: Bird atlas as an and Central Asian Ornithological indispensable monitoring tool: how the first Journal one was conceived in Finland and implications Podoces continues to be published successfully for Iran; Results of mid-winter waterbird and since 2009 has been published online- counts in Iran in the early 1970s; Breeding only, at www.wesca.net. This periodical (ISSN biology and success of the Little Egret Egretta 1735−6725) focusing on West and Central Asia garzetta in Karfestan Ab-bandan, Roudsar, has been entirely in English since 2008. The Gilan Province, northern Iran; Breeding table of contents of the four online issues since activities and success of Pleske’s Ground Jay 2009 are given below. Podoces pleskei in Touran Biosphere Reserve, Contents of 4(1): Review of rare birds in Semnan Province, Iran; A comparative study Iran, 1860s–1960s; Distribution, population on the populations and habitats of the Grey and ecology of Black Francolin Francolinus Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus and the francolinus bogdanovi in Sistan Plain, in relation Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus in

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Sandgrouse33-2-110726.indd 196 7/26/2011 9:27:06 AM Lehri Nature Park, Punjab, Pakistan; Habitat- system—so the text will read correctly but related density and activity patterns of the the menus etc are still on the left. As with any White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis translation, there are going to be areas where in Cauvery Delta, southern India; and Current expert users may think that different phrases status of the Great Bustard Otis tarda in or words would fit better—please feed back Boukan, West Azerbaijan, Iran. And also a suggestions to the organisers. note is given on Distribution of the Black- WorldBirds is grateful to the voluntary bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda Gray in Kerala, help from Ibrahim Al Hasani. It is hoped that South India. by having Arabic available, the system will The second issue of 2010, 5(2), includes be more accessible to local Arabic-speaking the following papers: Current status of the bird watchers. For further information please breeding population of the Western Reef email [email protected]. (Contributed Heron Egretta gularis along the northern by WorldBirds—Ian Fisher & Loraiza Davies) coasts of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea, and its wintering population in the south of Iran; Middle Eastern Important Bird Breeding biology and success of the Western Areas Reef Heron on Nakhiloo Island, Persian Gulf; A total of 391 sites have been identified as Population estimation and breeding biology Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the Middle of the House Crow Corvus splendens on Kharg East, in all covering more than 300 000 km2 or Island, Persian Gulf; and Diet variations of the about 5% of the land area of the Middle East. Barn Owl Tyto alba (Scopoli, 1769) in Madurai The sites were carefully selected according District, Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Three to criteria which confirmed that they held notes are: A note on the breeding of the Great regionally or globally important populations Bustard Otis tarda on Sootav Plain, Boukan, of birds. Seven main habitat-types can be northwestern Iran; Diurnal behaviour of the distinguished in the Middle East: woodland, Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber roseus bush land, grassland, agricultural, desert, during a tidal cycle on the Bandar Abbas wetland and marine. IBAs have been coast, Persian Gulf; and A preliminary study identified in all of these ecosystems. Wetlands on mite fauna of bird nests in Iran. dominate the inventory, comprising half of all Please visit www.wesca.net and then go IBAs. Other habitat types are represented by to Podoces journal for the full text of all issues lower, but roughly similar, number of sites. published so far. Authors are encouraged The large number of wetlands selected as to submit their manuscripts to Abolghasem IBAs reflects their great importance to birds Khaleghizadeh at akhaleghizadeh@ and other wildlife in a region where water gmail.com. (Contributed by Abolghasem resources are usually scarce. Khaleghizadeh) About a quarter of the sites have some form of legal protection of their biodiversity, Arabic on Worldbirds representing more than a third of the total Arabic is now available as a language area covered by IBAs. Thus the majority of all option on the following WorldBirds (www. IBAs in the Middle East are unprotected by worldbirds.org) family systems: Middle East law. About two-thirds of IBAs in the Middle Birds; North Africa Birds; East Africa Birds; East are not immediately threatened, or are West Africa Birds. under a low degree of threat of destruction The implementation of Arabic is still in or degradation of their habitats. The IBAs in development and the organisers note the most urgent need of attention are those whose following points. There is still some work to important habitats or bird populations are do in redirecting the primary language for under a high degree of threat of destruction some countries to Arabic, so that new users or elimination, and where most if not all of who visit the login page get this instead the habitat(s) or population(s) are likely to of English as the default (they can change be irreversibly lost unless immediate action language at login or while in the system). is taken. The system cannot at this stage cope with For more information on the Middle the right-to-left orientation of the whole East IBA Programme contact sharif.jbour@

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Sandgrouse33-2-110726.indd 197 7/26/2011 9:27:06 AM birdlifemed.org (BirdLife Middle East ABBA 2011 records Division Office). Although the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia was published last summer, the ABBA rEQuEStS For project continues to collect records of bird InFormAtIon distribution within the Arabia peninsula and publish the Phoenix each year. Current Request for photos observers living in Arabia or visiting are The Atlas of Birds of Iran is in the final invited to send appropriate records to the stages and photographs of some of the rarer project. Iranian species are sought. The Atlas will be The ABBA database is primarily interested bilingual Persian/English. If you can provide in breeding species, including breeding photographs of publication quality please visitors, and other species that show signs of contact Mohammad Kaboli at [email protected]. breeding. This includes exotics that appear ir or [email protected]. (Contributed to be becoming established, visiting species by Mohammad Kaboli) which now find suitable breeding habitat in the region through habitat change and those Weavers in the UAE species that, increasingly, over-summer and In the UAE there are now six species of weavers thus might breed. Information is scheduled that are breeders or potential breeders. These according to a half degree grid square and a are vitellinus, breeding evidence code that generally accords P. cucullatus, Golden- with other similar international atlas projects. backed Weaver P. jacksoni, P. Records information is held against five philippinus, Bengal or Black-breasted Weaver basic data fields; species and species number; P. benghalensis and P. manyar. a grid scale reference; a breeding evidence code; date and remarks. Information collected The first three are of African origin, the others is not confined purely to breeding activities, are from the Indo-malayan region. Pictures the remarks column (which can be a few of all these birds and their nests (which are words of explanation or a whole page of often diagnostic identification clinchers) can notes) may be used for comments on ecology, be found on the web site of Tommy Pedersen, food taken, habitats, interactions with other the UAE recorder, at http://www.uaebirding. species and man. In addition information is com/photos-birds.html. increasingly being collected not just on birds Few birdwatchers report presence or but in respect of specific habitats, conservation breeding activity of exotics. The result is subjects and a range of environmental issues information is desperately needed of this relevant to birds. group in the UAE and in Arabia generally. Those interested in contributing to the For example, although all the above have built project and have not already received a set nests and they are regarded as breeding by of ABBA instructions should let me know so many there is no confirmed breeding reported that I can send them the documentation (pdfs for four of them. Weavers seem to build nests and MSWord). This includes Instructions for continuously and very often do not take Contributors, a list of Arabia breeding birds breeding any further, so perhaps some of the with short notes on status, a grid map of the above do not breed? Any evidence of breeding Arabian peninsula, the breeding evidence weavers would be gratefully received, as code and report forms. There is also a sample would information on the of local completed report form to illustrate the sort of populations, interspecific competition with information that is being sought. Contributors indigenous or other species and interaction will receive Phoenix the annual project with man/utilisation of man-made habitats newsletter as well as various ABBA survey etc. Information sent to ABBA (ArabianBirds@ and other reports which become available. dsl.pipex.com) should be copied to the UAE The ABBA project has involved a great recorder Tommy Pedersen at 777sandman@ many people contributing records and data gmail.com, or other local recorders as over a long period. It has been a principle of appropriate. (Contributed by Mike Jennings) the project since it started to share as much

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Sandgrouse33-2-110726.indd 198 7/26/2011 9:27:06 AM data as possible among observers and other active in Arabia and with their ornithological individuals and also to groups and other recorders, so that benefits may accrue to all organisations interested in Arabian birds. For parties. Information is regularly passed to example, the project has provided information such groups and individual contributors are for many scientific papers by various authors encouraged to copy their own ABBA reports and has made its database available to those to their local group or bird recorder. All preparing various handbooks and field guides. information passed on by the project does, Contributors who are intending to publish wherever possible, credit the original observer their own observations can be provided but observers do have the option of remaining with up to date details of the distribution of anonymous when records are passed on and individual species or the birds occurring in can put any reasonable embargo on their finite areas. A close working relationship has own records once on the ABBA database. been built up with all natural history groups (Contributed by Mike Jennings)

The OSME region Lies between Europe, and the Horn of Africa on two major migration fl yways 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.

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Encourages Publishes SANDGROUSE conservation and research an internationally respected journal with papers on through a fund the birds of the OSME region written by local and for small-scale projects. visiting scientists and enthusiasts.

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