Field Guides Tour Report & THE UAE: BIRDING ARABIA 2011

Jan 13, 2011 to Jan 29, 2011 Phil Gregory

This was the third Field Guides trip to Arabia, and it was as ever an entertaining and adventurous experience with some great and seldom- seen and a fascinating cultural mix.

Dubai is, shall we say, completely bonkers, but it has some incredible buildings amongst the excesses and the birding is remarkable for the number of rare and unexpected species that can turn up--this time they included Ruddy Shelduck, Sociable Plover, Eversmann's Redstart, and Ring Ouzel amongst the migrants. The resident birds of course aren't too shabby either with Sand Partridge, Cream-colored Courser, Chestnut- bellied Sandgrouse, Desert Eagle-Owl, Pallid Scops-Owl, and a great run of wheatears including Variable, Hooded, Hume's, and Red-tailed.

Oman is an oasis of sanity and good taste by comparison, welcoming tourists with friendly people and some amazing desert scenery. Highlights included Hume's Owl, Spotted, Steppe, Eastern Imperial, Booted, and Bonelli's eagles, Great Black-headed Gull, White-cheeked , the scarce Nile Valley , South Arabian Wheatear, Serin, and Trumpeter Finch.

We enjoyed dining out at numerous local cafes, saw an incredible truck on fire with its cargo exploding, visited the ancient frankincense trade center of Sumharam, saw frankincense trees in the wild, visited the souk in Muscat (which was flooding after a rainstorm!), had some wonderful Palestine Sunbird (Photo by guide Phil wild, arid land scenery at Jebel Akhdar and the desert plains of Qitbit Gregory) adjoing the Empty Quarter, saw a huge limestone sinkhole which Justin had abseiled down, learned how to tie a shemag on the head, and generally kept ourselves entertained and amused on what is an adventurous but not overly demanding tour.

My thanks to the group for the chance to make the trip again, we hope you enjoyed the experience. Also thanks to Justin for being a great local fixer and enthusiastic helper, Steve "Madman" James for being an energetic and knowledgeable guide in UAE, and to Sharon at Field Guides HQ for good logistics. Happy Trails, hope to see you again at some point.

--Phil in Kuranda, Feb 2011

KEYS FOR THIS LIST One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant

BIRDS

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Anser albifrons) – A single seen at Khor Rouri, two at Khor Mughsayl and 6 at East Khor, it is really odd to see this Siberian goose in the deserts of Dhofar! [b] EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – A couple at Safa Park. [I] RUDDY SHELDUCK (Tadorna ferruginea) – One at Ras al Khor in Dubai, then two at Kor Taqah and one at Khor Rouri; this was a new Arabian for Phil and there seems to have been an influx this winter. GADWALL (Anas strepera) – Two at Safa Park, a female at Al Ansab and a drake at East Khor. [b] EURASIAN WIGEON (Anas penelope) – 5 at Al Ansab and a few at Khor Rouri. [b]

Ras Mirbat seen from Wadi Hanna (Photo by guide Phil Gregory)

MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos) – Small numbers in the UAE, also at Buraimi SP and Al Ansab. [b] NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata) – 35-50 seen at Al Warsan, Al Ansab and Khor Rouri. [b] NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta) – Two or 3 seen on five dates in both countries. GARGANEY (Anas querquedula) – Four day records, with 2 at Al Warsan, one at Al Ansab and a couple at Khors in Dhofar, all in eclipse or female . One that was especially wanted by Mary Ann! [b] GREEN-WINGED TEAL (EURASIAN) (Anas crecca crecca) – 70 At Al Warsan and a few at wetlands in Oman. [b] COMMON POCHARD (Aythya ferina) – 9 at Al Warsan and 5 at Al Ansab. [b] FERRUGINOUS DUCK (Aythya nyroca) – 7 at Al Warsan, 21 at Al Ansab and at least 14 at Khor Rouri, this was an exceptionally good year for what is quite a rare species. [b] TUFTED DUCK (Aythya fuligula) – Three at Al Warsan and one at Al Ansab. [b]

ARABIAN PARTRIDGE (Alectoris melanocephala) – Outstanding views of a flock of 10 just feeding quietly in the early morning at Ayn Hamran, one of the birds of the trip for sure. [E] GRAY FRANCOLIN (Francolinus pondicerianus) – Widespread in the UAE and seen at Muscat, they may well be native here but no-one seems to be certain. SAND PARTRIDGE (Ammoperdix heyi) – We did well for them after initially hearing one away one morning at Jebel Hafeet! Marj later spotted one walking across the wadi there and we got great views. 5 were at Jebel Qatar, then 3 up on the Sayq Plateau, with some folks seeing a couple at the Hume's Owl wadi too.

LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – 10 at Al Warsan and 20 at Al Ansab.

GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus) – 300 at Ras al Khor, a few at Khor al Beida, then small numbers in Oman including 7 over the sea at Salalah, just wonderful in flight.

MASKED BOOBY (Sula dactylatra) – A few off Dhofar. BROWN BOOBY (Sula leucogaster) – Just one off Khor Maghsayl.

GREAT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – 300 in the UAE around Ras al Khor and Al Warsan; smaller numbers in the UAE with 70 at Al Warsan and a few in Dhofar. SOCOTRA CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis) – A good trip for this middle eastern special, we saw 100 off Umm al Quwain, 150 off Khor Taqah and 50 off Khor Maghsayl. Very few nesting colonies are known, and the birds seem to aggregate in tight flocks which are very vulnerable to oil spills. LITTLE BITTERN (Ixobrychus minutus) – Joe and Dean saw one at Qurum Park, but it flushed very quickly and low down. GRAY ( cinerea) – 150+ at Al Warsan was a high count, and they were widespread in Oman. PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – Just 3 at Al Warsan on the first day. GREAT (Ardea alba) – 7 day records, mostly ones and twos but 30 on the first day. INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia) – Just a single sighting from Khor Rouri. LITTLE EGRET ( garzetta) – Six day records, mostly of singles. WESTERN REEF-HERON (Egretta gularis) – This big billed, pale legged species was widespread in 3 color morphs- blackish, grey or white. Structurally quite distinct from Little Egret. EGRET ( ) – Just 4 day records, max. 7 in UAE, and just two sightings of 3 birds in Oman. This is the western form, often split these days from the Eastern . SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides) – Two at Al Warsan and one at East Khor. INDIAN POND-HERON (Ardeola grayii) – More widespread than usual, we saw 2 at Qurum Park, 5 at Khor Taqah and 3 at Khor Rouri and Khor Mughsayl. STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – Just one at Qurum Park estuary this trip. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – 20 at Al Warsan on day one were the only record.

GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – One at Khor Rouri was the only sighting. SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – Up to 4 were at the Green Mubazzarah, they may be becoming established here. [I] EURASIAN SPOONBILL (Platalea leucorodia) – Six day records, max. 30 at Ras al Khor.

OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – Six day records, mostly singles apart from 3 at Khor Rouri.

ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD (Pernis ptilorhynchus) – These were a great find at Jarziz Farm, soaring high over with very broad wings, small heads and distinctively banded tails. they seem to be quite regular these days, probably previously overlooked as Honey Buzzard I suspect BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) – One at the pivot fields may be of the nominate race, I have some good photos and need to check against the references as the immatures are not straightforward. Steve thinks it may be a new species for the UAE where lineatus and aegyptius are the usual forms, I found it the previous day at Al Warsan when doing a recce. EGYPTIAN VULTURE (Neophron percnopterus) – Five day records of what is becoming a rare species, Jebel Hafeet remains good for them and we had 30+ at Al Amrat dump. SHORT-TOED EAGLE (Circaetus gallicus) – Two up near Tawi Atair and one at Ayn Hamran. EURASIAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus) – Widespread with 7 day records, including some fine males. PALLID HARRIER (Circus macrourus) – Seen nicely at Jarziz Farm with a Pallid Scops-Owl (Photo by guide Phil spanking male, and one at Al Beed looked like an immature. Gregory) MONTAGU'S HARRIER (Circus pygargus) – Was it or wasn't it? The male bird that was sat on the wires on the plateau near Tawi Atair had rufous streaks on the breast, and I saw black lines on the upper secondaries as it flushed, which makes me think it was this species, though folks who got better aspected views thought it was Pallid. They can be tricky if not seen closely, I wish we'd got a photo! SHIKRA (Accipiter badius) – A couple of folks got brief looks at one at Safa Park, still very scarce in the UAE but becoming more frequent. EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter nisus) – Joe saw one at the pivots, there was one perched at Ayn Hamran that showed very well and flew over later for all of us, whilst another flew by at Salalah on the last day. [b] EURASIAN BUZZARD (STEPPE) (Buteo buteo vulpinus) – Just one single over a motorway in the UAE, a poor winter for the mid-size raptors it seems. GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE (Aquila clanga) – We had some fine views, starting with one being mobbed by a Western Marsh Harrier at Ras al Khor. Also seen at Qurum Park, Al Amrat dump, and especially at Khor Rouri where there were several birds. STEPPE EAGLE (Aquila nipalensis) – Just a few, from Ras al Khor and Al Amrat IMPERIAL EAGLE (Aquila heliaca) – One at Ras al Khor, 1 at Al Amrat, 2 at Ayn Hamran that gave a fabulous perched view, and then a fine gold naped adult at Al Beed. A rare and declining species. BONELLI'S EAGLE (Aquila fasciata) – Fantastic perched views of one at Tawi Atair once again, this is a good site for the species. BOOTED EAGLE (Hieraaetus pennatus) – A dark morph flew right over us at Al Ansab.

EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) – Widespread, we had 8 day records with a max. of 9 on the Ayn Hamran/Tawi Atair day. BARBARY FALCON (Falco pelegrinoides) – Fantastic views of one at the cliff at the Green Mubazzarah, it soared along the top then landed for great scope views. Easily missed, this was a very good find.

COMMON MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – Five day records, most at Khor Taqah and Khor Mughsayl. EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra) – Four day records with very small numbers only.

RED-WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus indicus) – A few at Al Warsan and the pivots, also at Buraimi and Al Ansab. SOCIABLE LAPWING (Vanellus gregarius) – One at the pivot fields was a very nice pick-up of an Endangered species, which gave great views. WHITE-TAILED LAPWING (Vanellus leucurus) – 5 at the building site at Al Warsan, and then 9 at Al Ansab which was my highest count ever. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – Small numbers ai Dhofar and also 20 at Khor al Beida. PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis fulva) – Distant views in flight at Ras al Khor, then one at Qurum estuary in Muscat. LESSER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius mongolus atrifrons) – About 100 at Khor al Beida, and 6 at Yiti; these are from the atrifrons group which may well be a split from the more easterly mongolus group in due course. GREATER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius leschenaultii) – Small numbers at Khor al Beida, Qurum estuary and Yiti. SNOWY PLOVER (KENTISH) (Charadrius alexandrinus alexandrinus) – Now at last Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, split from Snowy Plover, though Clements has yet again still to catch up. in Dubai (Photo by guide Phil They were quite common on sandy beaches in Oman and there were a few at Gregory) Khor al Beida. COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) – Just 3 sightings with 2 at Al Warsan, 5 at Khor al Beida and a single Yiti. LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius) – Just a single at the pivots was it for the trip.

CRAB PLOVER (Dromas ardeola) – We had to wait till the tide was right, but eventually a great flock of these odd striking bids came through and settled. I counted 121, and this was one of Marilyn's big wants, a species most people first see in coastal .

EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ostralegus) – 30 at Khor al Beida, then one at Qurum, 5 at Taqah and a single past the beach by the hotel at Salalah.

BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – Small numbers at a couple of the wetlands. PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) – Two singles, at Khor Taqah and then Khor Rouri.

TEREK SANDPIPER (Xenus cinereus) – A few at Khor al Beida, and again at Qurum estuary. COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – Widespread in small numbers, even out at Muntasar. GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus) – A couple at Al Warsan, 6 at Al Ansab and one at Jarziz Farm. COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – Small numbers at several wetlands. MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis) – 3 at Al Warsan, which quickly departed. WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – Three day records with 2 at Al Warsan, 3 at Buraimi and 3 at Al Ansab. COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus) – 70 at Khor al Beida and odd singles in Oman. WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) – Just one bird at Khor al Beida. EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata) – Two at Khor al Beida, singles at Qurum and Yiti, and 3+ on the beach at Salalah. BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa) – 30 at Khor Rouri. BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica) – 50 at Khor Beida, and 4 at Yiti. Jebel Akhdar in the Al Hajar Mountains of Oman (Photo by guide Phil Gregory) RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – 50 at Khor al Beida. GREAT KNOT (Calidris tenuirostris) – 12 at Khor al Beida, this may be the most westerly regular wintering site and is a good pick-up. SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – Three day records, with 4 at Umm al Quwain and a couple on the beaches in Dhofar. LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta) – 8 at Al Warsan, 40 at Khor al Beida and one at Khor Maghsayl. TEMMINCK'S STINT (Calidris temminckii) – Two at Al Warsan then one at Taqah and one beside a Little Stint at Khor Maghsayl. DUNLIN (Calidris alpina) – 200 at Khor al Beida and singles in Oman. CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – Just one at Khor al Beida. RUFF (Philomachus pugnax) – 30 at Al Warsan, 15 at Khor al Beida, 5 at Ghantoot and 3 at Khor Taqah, with a final bird at Khor Rouri. COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago) – Five day records, with 15 at Al Warsan and the pivots and 7 at Al Ansab the maxima.

CREAM-COLORED COURSER (Cursorius cursor) – A good trip for this charismatic desert species, we had 6 on the polo field at Ghantoot, 5 by Ayn Hamran, then 25 at Al Beed with 4 there next day.

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (Phalaropus lobatus) – 150+ in small flocks on the sea off Yiti were a great surprise, probably driven inshore by the low pressure system that brought all the rain to Muscat, and Phil's first sighting in Arabia.

SLENDER-BILLED GULL (Chroicocephalus genei) – Four day records, mostly singles with 7 at Yiti the maximum. Some had the beautiful pink flush of summer plumage on the underparts. BLACK-HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) – Five day records, max 70 at Al Warsan. SOOTY GULL (Ichthyaetus hemprichii) – A few around Muscat then hundreds if not thousands along the Dhofar coast. GREAT BLACK-HEADED GULL (Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus) – 2 of this striking large gull at Al Warsan were a surprise, then we had 22 at Yiti one day and 28 there next day, some well into summer plumage with the black head. CASPIAN GULL (Larus cachinnans) – This is the common white headed "Herring Gull" of the region, with hundreds along the Dhofar coast and quite good numbers in Dubai. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (HEUGLIN'S) (Larus fuscus heuglini) – One black backed gull with yellowy legs was at Yiti, maybe Heuglin's or perhaps what is now known as Baltic Gull. I don't comprehend the comments in the new edition guide, but both taxa are lumped by Clements in Lesser Black-back anyway! GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) – A few at Ras al Khor and a couple at East Khor. CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia) – Two singles in Dhofar, at Raysut and Salalah. WHITE-WINGED TERN (Chlidonias leucopterus) – One at Khor Mughsayl. WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – One at Khor Mughsayl and another at Qurum Park. WHITE-CHEEKED TERN (Sterna repressa) – After a couple of poor views in the morning, we got a small flock one late one evening and then fine views next morning for everyone. All in winter dress, like small greyish Common , quite marsh-tern like. [E] GREAT CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bergii) – Quite widespread along the coast, a dark form, presumably velox. SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis) – Only seen at the beach at Qurum estuary. Note the American one is now split by most authorities. LESSER CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bengalensis) – Two sightings, with 3 on the beach at Qurum estuary and one off Dhofar.

CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles exustus) – Good views at the pivots, where flyby flocks eventually produced one group that came in and sat for us. SPOTTED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles senegallus) – Great looks at Al Beed Farm, and Evelyne went out with Justin to see the drinking flocks at Muntasar while we were on Hypocolius watch.

ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Feral Pigeons were all over, and wild type birds on the jebels and cliffs at various sites, where the indigenous stock still survives. EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) – Very common but patchier than Laughing Dove. A leucistic bird was at Qitbit and was very striking, with a shadow brownish neck collar and tail pattern. LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis) – Abundant more or less throughout. BRUCE'S GREEN-PIGEON (Treron waalia) – Great looks at Ayn Hamran as usual, feeding on the figs there, and 2 were at the Hume's Owl wadi.

ALEXANDRINE PARAKEET (Psittacula eupatria) – Two flew over at the park in Al Ain and were seen by a couple of folks. [I] ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET (Psittacula krameri) – Common un Dubai and Muscat, also in Salalah. [I]

PALLID SCOPS-OWL (Otus brucei) – Many thanks to Dave Clark at Al Ain who showed us the 2 roosting Pallid Scops Owl, tucked away in an in Jimi Park- we got fantastic looks! PHARAOH EAGLE-OWL (Bubo ascalaphus) – The trip to Qarn Nazwa worked out well, as we got one sat up on the rock face at dusk for nice scope views. Also heard briefly at Al Wathba camel track but sadly did not come in to the illuminated sign with the sheiks pictures. HUME'S OWL (Strix butleri) – One of the great birds of the trip, we got two calling at the wadi and one was close enough for us to walk down Village ruins at Izni (Photo by guide Phil and spotlight it sat on the cliff, where we got nice scope views of this Gregory) rare and little known desert bird. [E]

PALLID SWIFT (Apus pallidus) – A few around in the UAE and some distant birds at Al Amrat dump.

COMMON KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis) – Just one at Yiti was the only record of the trip. GREEN BEE-EATER (Merops orientalis) – Five day records of small number; birds in the north should be cyanophrys.

INDIAN ROLLER (Coracias benghalensis) – Lovely looks in the UAE and Muscat.

EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops) – Four days records, the dull grayish plumaged ones in UAE may be the eastern race saturata.

BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegalus percivali) – Fantastic looks at the small grayish race percivali at Ayn Hamran.

RUFOUS-TAILED SHRIKE (Lanius isabellinus phoenicuroides) – The Turkestan Shrike has a rusty crown, and we saw one at Khor Rouri, much less common than Daurian Shrike. These two taxa are sometimes split, with Russian researchers pointing out different song, moult, plumage and migration routes, plus sympatry in some zones. RUFOUS-TAILED SHRIKE (Lanius isabellinus isabellinus) – The Daurian form of Isabelline Shrike was widespread in one's and two's. SOUTHERN GRAY SHRIKE (Lanius meridionalis aucheri) – Relatively few, with nice looks at Ghantoot and Muntasar being memorable.

AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – Good looks at females of the race harterti at Ayn Hamran.

HOUSE CROW (Corvus splendens) – Way too common around Salalah and a few in the UAE. [I] BROWN-NECKED RAVEN (Corvus ruficollis) – Nice looks in the mountains near Muscat and in Dhofar as well as at Qitbit. FAN-TAILED RAVEN (Corvus rhipidurus) – Only seen on the escarpment in Dhofar.

SINGING BUSHLARK (Mirafra cantillans) – A few at Jarziz Farm on the last morning. GREATER HOOPOE-LARK (Alaemon alaudipes) – Two at Al Beed were a very nice addition to the trip. BLACK-CROWNED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix nigriceps) – These were common at Al Beed, but none in the UAE this trip. Did anyone photograph that close female? It had a stout decurved pinkish bill and streaks on the back, plus some facial pattern....I wish the light had not been so strong as we need to eliminate the chance of Dunn's Lark. DESERT LARK (Ammomanes deserti) – Great looks at Jebel Hafeet and a few around Muscat. There was a pure albino at the Green Mubazzarah, an amazing sight. GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK (Calandrella brachydactyla) – A few at Al Beed were a good trip . LESSER SHORT-TOED LARK (Calandrella rufescens) – Two at Al Beed on the first visit were frustratingly hard to pick out in the furrows, but the flyby of one calling the dry short "prrt" note was good. CRESTED LARK (Galerida cristata) – Widespread and showed well. SKY LARK (Alauda arvensis) – A few around in UAE, especially at the pivots.

BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) – Only seen at Al Warsan and Al Ansab this trip. ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula obsoleta) – Pale Crag Martins are often split from Rock Martin, and were common in the hilly desert areas. BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Just a few at Al Warsan and Al Ansab. WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – One at Al Ansab was distant and stayed out of view for most, it's a vagrant here. COMMON HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon urbicum) – One at Buraimi SP was the only sighting.

RED-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus cafer) – Fairly common in Dubai. [I] WHITE-SPECTACLED BULBUL (Pycnonotus xanthopygos) – Good views at Jebel Hafeet and in the mountains around Muscat, then common at Ayn Hamran. [E] WHITE-EARED BULBUL (Pycnonotus leucotis) – Common in the UAE and some around Muscat too. [I]

COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita) – Widespread, found in small numbers in all the wooded sites, with over 30 at Qitbit one morning, many of which were singing. COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (ABIETINUS) (Phylloscopus collybita abietinus) – Many of the pale birds have the whistled call of abietinus/tristis, and one had a distinct wingbar which is sometimes found in the more eastern birds. PLAIN LEAF-WARBLER (Phylloscopus neglectus) – One of the key birds of the trip, a classic birder's bird being nondescript and quite uncommon with this a main wintering area. We had great views of 2 in the wadi at the Green Mubazzarah, and then 2 in Wadi Beni Habib near Muscat. WOOD WARBLER (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) – One at Qitbit was unexpected, sorry Mary Ann never got onto it.

CLAMOROUS REED-WARBLER (Acrocephalus stentoreus) – Glimpsed at Al Warsan, and seen nicely at Al Ansab, Qurum Park and Khor Mughsayl. This is the race brunnescens and it may well be a split from the more westerly and nominate birds. [E]

STREAKED SCRUB-WARBLER (Scotocerca inquieta) – Another key trip bird, we had two very nicely at Jebel Qatar, and then one at Jebel Akhdar. They have a soft rising call rather like a Bullfinch. This inquieta group will be a split from the saharae group of North Africa, as they are quite distinct in morphology, song and DNA. One in the bank! GRACEFUL PRINIA (Prinia gracilis) – Widespread in small numbers, starting at Al Warsan.

SMALL WHITETHROAT (Sylvia minula) – A poor winter for this species too, we only saw one at Qarn Nazwa, and none at the usual sites in Oman. [E] EASTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER (Sylvia crassirostris) – A fine bird at Buraimi SP, and Joe and Marj had one at Qitbit. ASIAN DESERT WARBLER (Sylvia nana) – A poor winter for them, we only saw two at Qarn Nazwa, and none in Oman LESSER WHITETHROAT (Sylvia curruca) – Quite widespread, and some birds may be the eastern halimodendri form, as well as a possible Hume's Whitethroat at Qitbit, but field characters of the various taxa are unclear. RED SEA WARBLER (Sylvia leucomelaena) – Great views of two at Ayn Hamran. The Clements name is inappropriate and Arabian Warbler is far better. [E] MENETRIES'S WARBLER (Sylvia mystacea) – One at Al Wathba camel track did not show at all well and we abandoned it in a fruitless quest for Bimaculated Lark. Dean and Maggie saw one at Qitbit. [E]

RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula parva) – A beautiful red-breasted male was at Safa Park, way out of season for this plumage. A bird at Qitbit had black uppertail coverts and I thought it was going to be a Taiga Flycatcher, but the call was typical Red-breasted and the lower mandible pale. Maybe intermediates occur? BLUETHROAT (Luscinia svecica) – Two excellent males at Qitbit, one with a small red spot on the upper chest, and then 2 at Jarziz Farm. BLACK REDSTART (Phoenicurus ochruros semirufus) – The race here has a striking red belly in this race, which was quite widespread in small numbers. HOODED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe monacha) – A fine male was in the car park at Jebel Hafeet, the tame staked out one by the hotel being absent! It's a very local and uncommon bird of the middle-east mountains. HUME'S WHEATEAR (Oenanthe albonigra) – These were surprisingly widespread this trip with up to 10 on Jebel Hafeet and three day records from northern Oman. MOURNING WHEATEAR (Oenanthe lugens lugentoides) – South Arabian Wheatear is totally unlike Mourning as the female has an entirely different brown plumage; everyone except Clements now treats this as an Arabian endemic. [E] VARIABLE WHEATEAR (Oenanthe picata) – This is always a hard bird to get, but luckily Steve had a wintering site and after some while we got onto a fine male of the nominate race. RED-TAILED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe xanthoprymna chrysopygia) – An unusually good tour for them, seen on 8 days with up to 5 on Jebel Hafeet, also seen at Jebel Qatar, Wadi Beni Habib and a single at Qitbit. Note this is now usually split from Kurdish Wheatear O. xanthoprymna. [E] DESERT WHEATEAR (Oenanthe deserti) – Very few in the north, but widespread once we got to Dhofar, and a trip favorite. ISABELLINE WHEATEAR (Oenanthe isabellina) – Five day records, with most in Dhofar. WHINCHAT (Saxicola rubetra) – A single at Jarziz farm was a nice pick up. STONECHAT (SIBERIAN) (Saxicola torquatus maurus) – Split by most as Siberian Stonechat, we had 2 at the pivot fields. BLACKSTART (Cercomela melanura) – Great looks at Ayn Hamran, and one at Khor Mughsayl. BLUE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola solitarius) – Four day records, first at Jebel Hafeet, then at Ayn Hamran and Ayn Sahalnoot. RING OUZEL (Turdus torquatus) – Amazing, this was major influx year and we saw a flock of 14 at Jebel Hafeet, with great looks at them in the gardens. A single at Ayn Hamran spring was a surprise too. SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos) – Most folks saw this in Safa Park, and there were 2 at Qitbit.

ARABIAN BABBLER (Turdoides squamiceps) – Nice views of a couple at Buraimi SP, always a sparse species. [E] WHITE-BREASTED WHITE-EYE ( abyssinicus) – Small numbers of this small dull plumaged white-eye with the yellow chin and throat were seen at Ayn Hamran, and a few at Qitbit. This local race arabs looks quite different to the Kenyan birds.

BANK MYNA (Acridotheres ginginianus) – Seen very nicely at Al Warsan on the first day, this attractive introduced species seems to be spreading from the east of the UAE. [I] COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis) – Sadly very common in the north, and even a few at Salalah. [I] VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) – A flock of 5 starlings over Jarziz Farm appeared to be this species, later joined by about a dozen more but all way off, I wish we'd got better views. TRISTRAM'S STARLING (Onychognathus tristramii) – Some nice sightings in Dhofar, I was pleased to see my pair at the Shell Station at Taqah were still around. [E]

NILE VALLEY SUNBIRD ( metallica) – Two fine full-plumaged males at Qitbit, complete with long tail and a lifer for Phil. It is a scarce and hard to find wanderer in Dhofar, great to finally catch up with it. PALESTINE SUNBIRD ( osea) – Lovely views of both sexes at Ayn Hamran and Qitbit, and a fine male feeding on waxy bell flowers by the museum at Sumharam. [E] SHINING SUNBIRD (Cinnyris habessinicus) – This quite large striking sunbird was defending flowers against the smaller Palestine at Ayn Hamran, and both sexes gave good views. PURPLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris asiaticus) – Common enough in the north, with many brief looks at females or non-breeding males, then finally some good plumage males at Jebel Qatar and in Muscat.

WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava) – Rather scarce this trip, with very few at the pivot fields and Al Ansab; a couple there were of the beema type, and two birds at the pivots bore a distinct resemblance to taivana of the Eastern Yellow Wagtail complex. WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (GRAY-HEADED ) (Motacilla flava thunbergi) – One or two at Jarziz farm. WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (BLUE-HEADED) (Motacilla flava flava) – Nice looks at Jarziz farm, the only ones we saw. WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (BLACK-HEADED) (Motacilla flava feldegg) – A single male at Jarziz Farm on the last day; this is a very plausible split too as both vocals and plumage are very distinct from the flava group. This particular bird fits Eastern Black-headed from , race melanogrisea, as it had white sides to the chin. CITRINE WAGTAIL (Motacilla citreola) – 3 at the pivot fields and 2 at Al Warsan. GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea) – Amazingly the only sighting was of one at Ayn Hamran. I thought we were going to dip entirely! WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba) – Common throughout, seen on most days. RICHARD'S PIPIT (Anthus richardi) – One at the pivot fields gave good views. LONG-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus similis) – Just one that flew over in Wadi Beni Habib near Muscat. TAWNY PIPIT (Anthus campestris) – A few at the pivot fields, Al Beed and Jarziz Farm MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis) – A couple at Al Wathba camel track were a good trip bird. TREE PIPIT (Anthus trivialis) – Ten on wires by the road near Taiq Cave on the plateau near Tawi Atair were a surprise. [b] WATER PIPIT (Anthus spinoletta) – Widespread in small numbers, with a couple even at Qitbit, where one was coming into the pinkish breasted summer plumage. AMERICAN PIPIT (SIBERIAN) (Anthus rubescens japonicus) – One vagrant at the pivot fields in Dubai, the heavy breast streaks and dark malar were quite distinctive. Likely to be split from the American birds too, this is the Buff-bellied Pipit race japonicus. HOUSE (Emberiza striolata striolata) – The first were at Jebel Hafeet, then a few at Jebel Qatar, and again none in Dhofar where they are supposed to occur. Note this is now split from House Bunting (of North Africa) as . CINNAMON-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza tahapisi) – Common at Ayn Hamran.

TRUMPETER FINCH (Bucanetes githagineus) – Great looks at 2 at Jebel Qatar, the bill of one was orangey-yellow and not pink. A very scarce and local bird, this was our only site for it. YEMEN SERIN (Serinus menachensis) – Nice looks at a few at Tawi Atair, this is a very isolated population as far as is known, with the next birds being in Yemen. [E]

HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus hufufae) – The pale birds here are sometimes placed with Indian are are a possible split if so classified.

RUEPPELL'S WEAVER (Ploceus galbula) – Fairly common around Salalah, but only female plumaged birds this year, no out-of-season breeding dress males like we had in 2009.

INDIAN SILVERBILL (Euodice malabarica) – This white-rumped species was widespread in small numbers from Ghantoot to Muscat. AFRICAN SILVERBILL (Euodice cantans) – Widespread in small numbers in Dhofar, the first were at Ayn Hamran.

MAMMALS

ROUSETTE FRUIT BAT SP. (Rousettus aegyptiacus) – The large bat by the hotel at Salalah must have been this species as it is the only sizeable bat in the region. CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis) – Two at the camel track in Abu Dhabi, known as Arabian Hare and quite possibly a split. RED FOX (Vulpes vulpes) – One at Ghantoot looked very pale and with large ears, it is the desert form of this widespread species. ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis) – Three at Ayn Sahalnoot were quite obliging.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Birds of the trip were Arabian Partridge, which we saw so well, then Nile Valley Sunbird, Pallid Harrier, Barbary Falcon, Desert Wheatear, and a neat assortment of other goodies including Hoopoe Lark, Spotted Sandgrouse, Cream-colored Courser, Crab Plover, and Ring Ouzel.

Small bats seen at the Hume's Owl wadi probably belong in the genus Rhinopoma, with a different one at the Arabian Sea Villas.

Small gray dolphins off Taqah with a small rounded but recurved dorsal fin may have been Common Dolphin.

A jerboa seen briefly at Al Beed farm was quite large with a tufted tail, and seems likely to be Lesser Egyptian Jerboa, Jaculus jaculus.

A fantastic and quite large (15 cm) Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) at Ayn Hamran was a very unexpected find, only Justin's second sighting and amazing how Joe spotted it amongst the green foliage.

Rock Semaphore geckoes were seen several times.

Good views of a scorpion rejoicing in the name of Hottentotta jayakari on a couple of occasions, with a different one at Ayn Hamran.

Totals for the tour: 208 bird taxa and 4 taxa