Around the Region Ian Harrison & Chris Lamsdell (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 2013 unless stated otherwise. Records and photographs for Sandgrouse 36 (2) should be sent by 15 June to atr@ osme.org.

AFGHANISTAN pits 22 Oct while the eighth record of Pacific Single Sulphur-bellied Warblers Phylloscopus Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva was at Larnaca griseolus were seen in Kabul 18 and 20 May. sewage works 21 Sep–10 Oct. A juvenile Red Knot Calidris canutus was at Akrotiri salt lake 7–19 Oct, the ninth record since 2000. A single juvenile Egyptian Vulture Neophron A Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica was percnopterus was at Paphos and Akrotiri 24–26 there May–17 Aug, with another at Akrotiri Sep and one at Phasouri reedbeds 9/10 Oct gravel pits 30 Sep and another long stayer at while three Levant Sparrowhawks Accipiter Larnaca sewage works 29 Sep–29 Nov. Terek brevipes were at Bishop’s pool 1 Oct. A Sandpipers Xenus cinereus were at Akhna Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla was at Akhna dam 17 Aug with a long stayer at Oroklini dam 26/27 Aug while the third live record of 10 Oct–17 Nov. An Arctic Skua Stercorarius Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax was recorded in parasiticus off Agios Amvrosios, , 12 the buffer zone near Geri, , 3–5 Dec but Sep and two past on 13 Sep. was shot by hunters. Three Eurasian Dotterels A single Laughing Dove Stigmatopelia Charadrius morinellus were at Akrotiri gravel senegalensis at Mila Milia, Nicosia, 19 Oct was

Plate 1. Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus (rubescens) japonicus 17 November 2013, Akhna dam, Cyprus. © Stavros Christodoulides

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Sandgrouse36-1-140325.indd 129 3/25/14 9:14 AM presumed to be a wild . Two Little Swifts reedbeds 4 Oct while the second record of Apus affinis (fourteenth record) at Palodeia, Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus (rubescens) japonicus near , from at least 27 Jun–4 Jul. was at Akhna dam 17 Nov–8 Dec (Plate 1) at were seen at the same location in 2010 and least. while the first breeding record for Cyprus was suspected, it was not proven. A White- EGYPT throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis was Yellow Bitterns Ixobrychus sinensis bred at at Zakaki marsh 9 and 16 Oct while Pied Hamata, with two males trapped and three Kingfishers Ceryle rudis were at Evretou dam nests discovered. A Striated Heron Butorides 10–26 Dec and at Lady’s Mile 6 Dec. A Yellow- striata was at Ras Gharib-Hurghada 17 Oct browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus was and two, together with a Western Reef ringed at Polis 23 Oct with another seen Heron Egretta gularis were there 18 Oct. Two at Mandria 25 Oct (12th & 13th records). Northern Gannets Morus bassanus were seen Wallcreepers Tichodroma muraria returned to at Ras Gharib-Hurghada 18 Oct, 13th record. Avagas gorge with two from 3 Nov and three on 14 Nov. A Rose-coloured Starling IRAN Sturnus roseus was at Petounta 14 Aug (a less The first record of White-breasted Waterhen than annual migrant). A Rufous-tailed Scrub Amaurornis phoenicurus, found dead, was at Robin Cercotrichas galactotes, also a less than the Mugger Crocodile conservation centre, annual migrant, was at Agia Napa on 14 Aug Rikokesh, 27 Dec. An Asian Koel Eudynamys while a Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti scolopaceus was at the Chabahar-Konakar was at Larnaca sewage works 1 Oct with sweetwater facilities 27 Dec while a Black two there 23 Oct. Red-breasted Flycatchers Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus was there 26 Dec Ficedula parva were at Akhna dam 20 Sep, and (a Black Drongo was at Qishm island 2 Dec one at Larnaca sewage works 29 Sep, with 2012). A Pallas’ Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus another seen Oct 4. A Richard’s Pipit Anthus proregulus was in the Naybandan wildlife (novaeseelandiae) richardi was at Phasouri refuge, south of Tabas, 27 Oct (Plate 2).

Plate 2. Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 27 October 2013, Naybandan wildlife refuge, Iran. © Amir Talebi Gol

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Sandgrouse36-1-140325.indd 130 3/25/14 9:14 AM IRAQ macqueenii were recorded in Dalmaj during The following observations relate generally to the period as were 3400 Black-tailed Godwits the period July–December unless otherwise Limosa limosa. specified. 17 Namaqua Doves Oena capensis were at 40 Marbled Ducks Marmaronetta angustirostris the east Hammar marsh in September. Two were in the Central marshes in December Tawny Owl Strix aluco territories (singing and while 130 were recorded during the period calling) were found at Peramagroon late Sep/ in the Dalmaj area, southern Iraq. 400 pairs of early Oct while two Little Swifts Apus affinis Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus were were there 30 Sep. Three European Rollers found in the east Hammar marsh in June. Coracias garrulus were in the east Hammar 700 Western White Storks Ciconia ciconia marsh September. Five Pied Wheatears were in the Central marshes in December Oenanthe pleschanka were at Peramagroon 4–7 while a juvenile White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus Oct while there were still pairs of Kurdistan albicilla was also seen there then, the first time Wheatears Oenanthe xanthoprymna (Plate 3) for fifty years. Three Cinereous Vultures on territory at Peramagroon late Sep/early Aegypius monachus were also there then Oct. A flock of 2500 House Sparrows Passer but one of these was captured by locals. A domesticus was located at Hazermerd 27 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus was at the Sep while 440 Dead Sea Sparrows Passer east Hammar marsh in September while a moabiticus were recorded in Dalmaj during Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes was at the period. Three pairs of Eastern Cinereous Peramagroon 29 Sep. A Greater Spotted Eagle Buntings Emberiza semenowi were seen in Aquila clanga was seen in the Central marshes Kurdistan in August. December. 42 Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni were recorded during the period in Dalmaj ISRAEL while Barbary Falcons Falco pelegrinoides were A Bean Goose Anser fabalis at Agamon at Peramagroon and Hazermerd late Sep/early Hula, Hula valley, 6 Nov–end of Dec was Oct. 18 Macqueen’s Bustards Chlamydotis the third record. There were 40 plus adult

Plate 3. Female Kurdistan Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna Peramagroon, Iraq. © Richard Porter

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Sandgrouse36-1-140325.indd 131 3/25/14 9:14 AM Marbled Ducks Marmaronetta angustirostris individuals recorded elsewhere in the at a pond in the western Jezreel valley country. 14 Jun, two pairs having eight and ten Three Little Bustards were in Lakhish ducklings. Red-breasted Mergansers region, 20/21 Dec and one at Kfar Ruppin Mergus serrator at Haifa 9–20 Nov and at 22–25 Dec. A Purple Swamphen Porphyrio Nakhsholim, Carmel coast, 23 Nov with porphyrio was at Ma’agan Michael from a further two at Acre all Dec and a single 22 Jul. A Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides at Dalton lake, upper Galilee, 16–19 Dec. virgo was seen in the Hula valley 8 Nov. A A Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica was Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva was at at Ma’agan Michael 10 Oct–end of month. Yokne’am 7 Oct and another at Maoz Hayim Two Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon 27 Nov while a Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius aethereus at North Beach, Eilat on 13 Jul. mongolus atrifrons was seen along the Carmel Yellow-billed Storks Mycteria ibis were coast 25 Jul–Aug (first found near Bet Yanai still at Tel Yosef, late May–5 Aug with a and then at Ma’agan Michael, 21 km north, second individual at Bet Netofa valley, the fifth record). A Great Snipe Gallinago lower Galilee, 12 Jul–7 Aug and another at media was at Hamadiya, Jordan valley, 24/25 Ein Hamifratz fishponds, Acre valley, 3–5 Sep while a Pin-tailed Snipe Gallinago stenura Sep. A Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax was at was at Ma’agan Michael, 10–16 Oct. As with Adorayim, north Negev 10/11 Aug, the fifth all previous records in Israel of the latter record, while a Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila species that did not involve ringed birds (up verreauxii was in the Eilat mountains 22 to five field records and another three ringed), Dec. Six Oriental Honey Buzzards Pernis Swinhoe’s Snipe Gallinago megala cannot be ptilorhynchus were recorded on migration excluded. An Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea during the month with another two was at Eilat 8 Aug while the fifth record

Plate 4. Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis 26 December 2013, Acre beach, Israel. © Yoav Perlman

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Sandgrouse36-1-140325.indd 132 3/25/14 9:14 AM of Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus was at Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii was at North Beach, Eilat, 25 Jul, the first since 1988. Borohudzir, Almaty region, 30 Jun. Two Also at North Beach July/August were up to White-tailed Lapwings Vanellus leucura were 35 White-cheeked Terns Sterna repressa, 30 at Sorbulak lake 27 Jul while a Sociable Bridled Terns Onychoprion anaethetus and four Lapwing Chettusia gregaria was there 8 Sep. A Lesser Crested Terns Thalasseus bengalensis. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminate was A Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius (meridionalis) at Sorbulak, Almaty region, 11 Aug. Yellow- pallidirostris was at Yotvata 7 Nov and another browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus at at Hanegev junction 14/15 Dec. Oriental Ust-Kamenogorsk 2 Sep and Mangystau Skylarks Alauda gulgula were recorded at Bet oblast, Buzachi, 3 Oct were the first records for Kama, north Negev, 18/19 Sep, while several western Kazakhstan while a Pallas’s Warbler individuals were seen in the Bet She’an Phylloscopus proregulus at Dzhabagly, south valley (six), Bet Kama (one) and Yotvata Kazakhstan, 22 Oct was the 12th record. A (four) later in the early winter period. A Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus was at Ein Gedi was in Almaty 2 Nov while a Blackcap Sylvia 19–23 Nov. A Kurdistan Wheatear Oenanthe atricapilla was seen on Ustyurt plateau 15 Oct xanthoprymna was at mount Gilboa 30 Nov (the previous closest recording sites were while a Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka on the Mangishlak peninsula). A Dunnock was at Hemar reservoir 10 Oct with one Prunella modularis was at Karamendy village, ringed at Nafha, central Negev, on 1 Nov. Naurzum region, Kostanay oblast, 19 Oct A Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca was while a Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus (rubescens) seen at Tel Aviv, 13 Sep. Yellow-browed japonicus was at Sorbulak lake 20 Oct. Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus were seen in good numbers (by Israeli standards)—about ten, mainly in the central Negev and at Eilat, The fourth record of Lesser Whistling Duck with a Hume’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus Dendrocygna javanica, a single, was at Sun humei at Nir Moshe, north Negev, 25–27 farms Sohar (SFS) 11–18 Aug. Two Greylag Oct and another at Tel Aviv 19 Dec–end of Geese Anser anser arrived at Al Ansab wetland the month. The ninth record of Paddyfield 24 Nov and were still there 31 Dec while the Warbler Acrocephalus agricola was ringed at first record for Oman of Red-breasted Goose Hula 6 Oct while the tenth record of Common Branta ruficollis, a single, was at Sur sewage Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia was at treatment plant 20 Nov–19 Dec. A boat trip Yotvata 13 Sep. Several Siberian Buff-bellied off 19 Aug produced 25 Jouanin’s Pipits Anthus (rubescens) japonicus were seen Petrels Bulweria fallax, 60 Wilson’s Storm at Ma’agan Michael and Bet Shean valley Petrels Oceanites oceanicus and six Swinhoe’s during November, and an Olive-backed Pipit Storm Petrels Oceanodroma monorbis while 125 Anthus hodgsoni returned to Elkana 26 Oct Wilson’s Storm Petrels were in the while one was ringed at Yeruham, central area including 80 off Taqah on 16 Oct with Negev, 15 Nov and another at Samar, south one unusually in Khawr Rouri 9 Nov. A Arav, 19 Nov. A Red-fronted Serin Serinus Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel was off Salalah 17 pusillus was ringed on mount Hermon 12 Jul. Oct. 480 Abdim’s Storks Ciconia abdimii (a A Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla was found new maximum and the second year there has dead at IBRCE, Eilat, 10 Nov, and another been an influx of this species) and 1500 White was seen at Meitar, north Negev, 12–22 Nov Storks Ciconia ciconia were at Raysut sewage while a third was ringed at Tsor’a 14 Nov. A treatment plant (RSTP) 11 Nov. A Great Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica was at Be’er White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus (ninth Ora, south Arava, 26 Oct. Israel’s first Snow record) was on Khawr Rouri 23 Oct and 9 Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis was at Acre Nov. A Brown Booby Sula leucogaster was off beach 20 Dec–end of month (Plate 4). Mughsayl 14 Oct. A single African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus was at Khawr KAZAKHSTAN Rouri 18 Nov. A Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus Altai Snowcocks Tetraogallus altaicus were sinensis was at Al Mughsayl 8 Nov while seen in the Altai mountains 20 May. An the first record of Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus

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Sandgrouse36-1-140325.indd 133 3/25/14 9:14 AM sturmii was found at RSTP on 1 Nov. An Larus leucophthalmus was at Raysut 9 and 23 Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia was at Aug. A Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus Khawr Rouri 13 Oct. A European Honey unusually was inside Khawr Rouri 9 Nov. Six Buzzard Pernis apivorus was at Khawr Rouri Pomarine Skuas Stercorarius pomarinus were 13 Oct while three Crested Honey Buzzards recorded at Ras Al Hadd 16 Aug. Pernis ptilorhynchus were at East Khawr 21 Over 700 Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Nov with singles in the area 12 and 13 Dec. Pterocles exustus were concentrated on SFS 15 Four Eurasian Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus Nov. An Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia were seen in the 21 Nov. A orientalis was at Qatbit 18 Nov while an Common Buzzard Buteo buteo briefly visited African Collared Dove Streptopelia risoria Al Ansab wetland 25 Dec. A juvenile Amur was at East Khawr 21 Nov and another at Falcon Falco amurensis was seen at Dalqut Mudday 23 Nov (ninth and tenth records). 12/13 Nov while there was a Sooty Falcon 13 Namaqua Doves Oena capensis (of which Falco concolor 6 Jul on . eight were males) were at SFS 16 Nov. A A single White-breasted Waterhen Pied Cuckoo Oxylophus jacobinus was at East Amaurornis phoenicurus was at RSTP 13 Dec Khawr 21 Nov while on the same date there while the fifth record of Purple Swamphen was a Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus at Jarziz Porphyrio porphrio was at Al Ansab wetland farm, Salalah. A Little Swift Apus affinis 29 Oct–8 Dec (the first record for this site). was at Khawr Al Balid 12 Dec. The second An Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni was record of Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus was at RSTP 9 Aug with two there on 24 Aug at Barr Al Kikman 13 Dec while a late Masked while there was a late record at Thumrait 15 Shrike Lanius nubicus (a male) was at Wadi Nov (first inland record). This species is a Darbat 19 Nov. Ten Hypocoliuses Hypocolius visitor to southern Oman during the monsoon ampelinus were noted at Mudday 23 Nov. Two period but is elusive and these are only the Wire-tailed Swallows Hirundo smithii were ninth and tenth records. Ten Red-knobbed at Khawr Taqah 26 and 29 Dec. Nine Asian Coots Fulica cristata (a new maximum) were Desert Warblers Sylvia nana were at SFS 24 at West Khawr 15 Oct—this species appears Nov. At least 200 Rose-coloured Starlings to have established a breeding population Pastor roseus were counted on Sahanawt farm at this site—while there was one on East 21 Nov together with two Wattled Starlings Khawr 21 Nov. Five Common Cranes Grus Creatophora cinerea (four there 14 Dec). Three grus were at Sahanawt farm, Salalah, 22 Nov. Common Starlings Sturnus vulgaris were at Eight Sociable Lapwings Vanellus gregarius the Wave, Muscat, 31 Dec. A Black-throated were at SFS 15 Nov and 61 on 17 Nov at Thrush Turdus atrogularis was at Zigi bay, Sahnawt farm, Salalah. A Eurasian Golden Mussandam, 27–30 Dec. A Caspian Stonechat Plover Pluvialis apricaria was at Khawr Dirif Saxicola maurus variegatus was at SFS 16 Nov— 16 Oct while two Caspian Plovers Charadrius was this the same individual seen in Jan/Feb asiaticus were at East Khawr 7 Aug and singles 2013 returning to the same site? An Eastern at SFS 10 Sep and 8 Nov. A Long-billed Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe (hispanica) Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus was at melanoleuca was seen on Jebel Qara 4 Oct Khawr Sawli 8 Nov and probably the same while a Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata bird at nearby Khawr Rouri 28/29 Nov. Two was at Zigi bay, Mussandam, 27–30 Dec. A Long-toed Stints Calidris subminuta were at Al Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis was Ansab wetland 4 Sep while an early record of at Qatbit 18/19 Nov while three Blue Rock Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus was Thrushes Monticola solitarius were at Zigi there 7–10 Jul. A Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris bay 27–30 Dec. Four Nile Valley Sunbirds melanotos was at Sur sewage treatment plant Anthodiaeta metallica were at Mudday 12 Aug 19 Sep. A Small Pratincole Glareola lactea was – this was an interesting record but eclipsed at East Khawr 8 Nov. Two Lesser Noddies by the 20+ that were found at the same general Anous tenuirostris were near Salalah and one location on 23 Nov. Six House Sparrows at East Khawr on 9 Aug. The first Oman Passer domesticus were found there 12 Aug— record of Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini was off the first record for the area and an indication Mirbat 19 Nov while a White-eyed Gull of how this species has spread through

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Sandgrouse36-1-140325.indd 134 3/25/14 9:14 AM Oman. The ninth record of Forest Wagtail aegyptius, a scarce passage Dendronanthus indicus was seen at Ayn migrant, were at Irkayya farm on 26 Aug. Hamran 11 Nov. An Ashy-headed Wagtail Single Pied Kingfishers Ceryle rudis, a rare Motacilla (flava) cinereocapilla was at SFS 15 winter visitor, were at Ras Al Shindwee 3 Nov Nov while the third record of Green-headed and at Al Ruwais 30 Nov. There were two Yellow Wagtail Motacilla (flava) taivana was records of Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha first found at the same location 20 Sep and bimaculata, a rare winter visitor, at Irkayya then seen on various dates until 16 Nov farm (two on 5 Nov and one on 2 Dec). when two birds were present. Also at SFS, The second record of Paddyfield Warbler a Yellow-headed Wagtail Motacilla (flava) Acrocephalus agricola was at the same location lutea was found 15 Nov (two 16 Nov), three 14 Nov. A female/first winter male Eurasian Masked Wagtails Motacilla (alba) personata Blackbird Turdus merula at Al Ruwais 30 Nov were present 26 Oct while the second record was the second record, the first record being of Amur Wagtail Motacilla (alba) leucopsis was nearly thirty years ago. A European Robin found there 23 Oct and 8 Nov. The fourth Erithacus rubecula at Irkayya farm 7 Dec was record of Black-backed Citrine Wagtail the fifth record while two male and a female Motacilla (citreola) citreola (an adult male in Caspian Stonechat Saxicola maurus variegatus, breeding plumage) was at Khawr Rouri on a scarce winter visitor, were recorded there 9 Nov and what was presumably the same 26 Nov. bird was at Wadi Darbat 14 Dec. A male Brambling Fringilla montifringilla was at Ayn Hamran 14 Nov while a Trumpeter Finch Ten Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca were Bucanetes githagineus was at Muntasar 10 Nov. at Malaki dam lake 20 Nov. An adult Western White Stork Ciconia ciconia at Dhahran hills QATAR 17 Sep–20 Oct (Plate 5) was unusual for the The first record of Black Kite Milvus migrans Eastern province. A Eurasian Bittern Botaurus was at Al Shamal park on 3 Nov. Single stellaris was at Tabuk wetlands 25 Oct. A Short-toed Snake Eagles Circaetus gallicus, a Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala rare passage migrant and winter visitor, were was at Sabya waste water lagoons 10–22 at Irkayya farm 6 Jul and 6 Nov. A juvenile Nov, only the fifth record for the country. A Amur Falcon Falco amurensis Irkayya farm second calendar year Crested Honey Buzzard 27 Oct was the fourth record while an adult Pernis ptilorhynchus was at Tanumah park, Sooty Falcon Falco concolor at Al Kharaana , 5 Jul, the second summer lagoons 6 Nov was the second record. Merlin record for Saudi Arabia; an adult female Falco columbarius is a rare passage migrant and two first calendar year birds were seen and winter visitor but a female was at Irkayya together at Dhahran hills 30 Nov. A Baillon’s farm 9 Nov and a male there 12 Nov. A Crake Porzana pusilla was at Dhahran settling juvenile Corncrake Crex crex Ras Al Shindwee pond 24–30 Nov. A Small Buttonquail Turnix 13 Sep was the sixth record while a juvenile sylvaticus was seen near Sabya 2 Jul with two Little Crake Porzana parva Irkayya farm 29 others at Malaki dam lake 3 Jul, both Jizan Nov–13 Dec was the fifth record. A juvenile Province, the first documented records for Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus, a rare almost 20 years. Two adults and a juvenile passage migrant, was at Irkayya farm 1 Sep Crab Plover Dromas ardeola were at Dhahran and a winter adult was there 5 Nov, while the expro wader roost, Tarut bay, 26 Jul with third record of Eurasian Dotterel Charadrius eight at nearby Dammam/Al Khobar wader morinellus, a winter adult, was there 5 Nov. roost south on 6 Sep and 14 on 5 Oct. A The second record of Arctic Skua Stercorarius satellite-tagged Sociable Lapwing Vanellus parasiticus was at Fuwairit spit 18 Nov (a gregarius ringed in central Kazakhstan 4 Jun dark morph adult) while a pale morph adult was near Tabuk by 28 Oct and remained into was seen between Al Khor and Simaisma 18 November at least, this area being a regular and 24 Nov (third record); the fourth record wintering/staging area for the species. Seven was at Fuwairit spit 24–29 Nov (also a pale additional birds were in fields near Sabya, morph adult). At least 15 Egyptian southwest Saudi Arabia, 19 Nov with six there

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Sandgrouse36-1-140325.indd 135 3/25/14 9:14 AM Plate 5. Western White Stork Ciconia ciconia 17 September 2013, Dhahran, Eastern province, Saudi Arabia. © Jem Babbington

Plate 6. Pharaoh Eagle Owl Bubo ascalaphus showing characteristics of sub-species ascalaphus 15 November 2013, Sabkhat Al Fasl, Jubail, Saudi Arabia. © Jem Babbington

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Sandgrouse36-1-140325.indd 136 3/25/14 9:14 AM 22 Nov. A Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis and at Al Habala 18 Aug. A Yellow-browed apricaria was at King AbdulAziz University of Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus was 60 km Science and Technology, near Jeddah, 9 Nov east of Haql in the northwest of the country and two Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus 17 Oct with another at Yanbu dump 25 were at Dhahran expro wader roost 28 Jul Oct. Two ‘Mangrove White-eyes’ Zosterops with 14 birds at a farm to the south of Wadi (abyssinicus?) sp, an as yet unidentified white- Dawasar in the west of the country 28 Nov. A eye, were at Either mangroves, Jizan province, Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni 2 Jul, the first documented records for 19 was at a lake near Riyadh cricket club 5 Oct, years and 75 kilometres south of their known one at Tabuk 19 Oct and two at Yanbu dump range. A Kurdistan Wheatear Oenanthe 25 Oct. xanthoprymna was at Rabigh 9 Nov with a Two different Pharaoh Eagle Owls Bubo Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia at ascalaphus were at Sabkhat Al Fasl 1 Nov and Dhahran hills 29 Nov–7 Dec. A Red-breasted 15 Nov (Plate 6) both showing characteristics Flycatcher Ficedula parva was at Sabkhat of the sub-species ascalaphus rather than the Al Fasl 12 Oct with an Eastern Cinereous normally occurring desertorum. A first calendar Bunting Emberiza (cineracea) semenowi at year Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei Riyadh University farm 5 Sep and a Little was well inland at Riyadh 10–11 Nov with Bunting Emberiza pusilla at Haql 18 Oct. a further three seen in the same area in mid Nov. A satellite-tagged Baltic Gull Larus f. TURKEY fuscus ringed at Ume river delta, Sweden, Cold weather arrived early this winter which on 28 Jun was on the coast south of Jizan 21 brought some interesting waterfowl before Sep–early December at least, where it appears the end of the year. There was a Common it will spend the winter. A count of 178 Merganser Mergus merganser at Samsun Caspian Terns Hydroprogne caspia at Sabkhat Kurupelit marina on 14 Dec, two at İğneada Al Fasl 31 Aug with 207 there on 7 Sept were forest 14 Dec and one at Kocaçay delta 29 the highest numbers recorded in the Eastern Dec. Away from the central Anatolian lakes, province. Three Red-necked Phalaropes a White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala Phalaropus lobatus were at Sabkhat Al Fasl 14 was at Hersek lagoon, Yalova, 22 Nov with Sep with another there 9 Nov. A male Dideric four at Kocaçay delta 1 Dec. A single Red- Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius was at As Sudah, throated Diver Gavia stellata was present Asir mountains, 5 July. A European at Göksu delta on the Mediterranean coast Caprimulgus europaeus unwinii was at Yanbu 30 Dec. The waters off Didim, Aydın, are dump 25 Oct while two Egyptian Nightjars noted for European Storm Petrel Hydrobates C. aegyptius were at Sabkhat Al Fasl 17 and pelagicus and three were recorded there 24 31 Aug with four near Tabuk 23 Aug and Aug. Two Horned Grebes Podiceps auritus one at Wadi Dawasar 29 Nov. A Nubian were at Karaburun, Istanbul, 3 and 13 Dec, Nightjar C. nubicus was seen at Thuwal, north but a single bird photographed at Samsun’s of Jeddah, 15 Sep, the northernmost extent of Kurupelit marina 29 Dec (Plate 7) drew more their currently known Saudi Arabian range. A attention and even reached the national press. Montane Nightjar C. poliocephalus was on the Two Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus Raydah escarpment ridge, Asir mountains, at Büyükçekmece, İstanbul, 28 Aug increased 4 Jul and another nearby at Azizah 12 Aug. to four by December. Glossy Ibis Plegadis An adult White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon falcinellus seems to be regular at Kızılırmak smyrnensis was at Sabkhat Al Fasl 31 Aug delta where they were recorded 22 Dec. Late and 8 Oct with another at Qaryat Al-Ulya 27 Red-footed Falcons Falco vespertinus appeared Sep—this species is a vagrant to the Eastern at Samandağ Hatay 2 Nov and Göksu delta 3 province. Three Arabian Magpies Pica (p.) Nov, probably being pushed through by the asirensis, two adults and a juvenile, were seen cold weather front mentioned earlier. Lanner at Dahna waterfall, Asir mountains, 5 Jul. Falcons Falco biarmicus were at Sultansazlığı Blanford’s Short-toed Larks Calandrella 22 Sep and Kocaçay delta 1 Dec, this an blanfordi were seen at Tale’a valley and uncommon species. A long-staying Black- Azizah near Abha, Asir mountains, 5–6 Jul winged Kite Elanus caeruleus was at lake

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Sandgrouse36-1-140325.indd 137 3/25/14 9:14 AM has been seen since Sep 2005. Two first year Black-legged Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla were at Karaburun, Istanbul, on 3 Dec. A single wintering Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis at Samandağ beach in Hatay on 15 Dec is one of the wintering birds along the east Mediterranean coast—the highlight certainly being 120 at the (former) Ereğli marshes 17 Dec, where the local hunters say there is a sizeable wintering population. Several Eurasian Eagle Owls Bubo bubo at wetlands may be wandering immatures; one at Ayvalık, Cunda island, 1 Oct, one at Kocaçay delta 30 Nov and another Plate 7. Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus 29 December at Sultan marshes 15 Dec. Single Short-eared 2013, Kurupelit marina, Samsun, Turkey. © Nizamettin Owls Asio flammeus appeared along the coast Yavuz at Kocaçay delta on 13 Oct, Rize on 2 Oct and Kızılırmak delta on 21 Oct. The first Mogan, Ankara, 13–28 Jul while there were wintering Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator two at Şanlıurfa on 18 Jul. glandarius was at Milleyha Hatay 7 Dec. A Late autumn was also productive for single Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba was migrant Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax arriving in downtown Kırklareli 6 Dec, one of the few from across the Black sea: two at Kızılırmak late records outside Istanbul. A single migrant delta on 29 Oct, one at Yedikır dam lake, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus was Amasya, 26 Nov, a group of six at Göksu delta at Osmaniye Kırmıtlı 31 Aug and a wintering 12 Dec (the highest count for a decade) and a Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops on 5 Dec was single at lake Büyükçekmece 17 Dec. Earlier at the same site. in the autumn single Corncrakes Crex crex Two Bohemian Waxwings Bombycilla were in Samsun 8 Oct and Kızılırmak delta garrulus were at Kızıırmak delta 24 Dec (Plate 13 Oct. A Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla was 8). One of the few records of Blyth’s Reed on the Mediterranean coast at Osmaniye 31 Oct. Last recorded in 1912 in Kars, a single Macqueen’s Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii was found injured in Konya province 17 Dec; the bird was restored to health and fitted with a satellite transmitter before being released 25 days later. Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus is a regular winter visitor, 19 were in Osmaniye at Ceyhan river on 14 Dec. A late Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius was in Karakaya Barajı 10 Nov. A Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus was sighted at Hatay Samandağ beach 31 Aug. Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni seems to be regular at Hancağız dam lake, Gaziantep, where a single was resting on 10 Sep. Audouin’s Gulls Larus audouini regularly roost at Göksu delta but until now have not been seen further east—one was seen in Hatay at Samandağ beach 23 Nov. The single adult Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus at Plate 8. Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus 24 Istanbul’s Haydarpaşa harbour on 3 and 7 December 2013, Kızıırmak delta, Turkey. © Nizamettin Dec might be the long staying individual that Yavuz

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Sandgrouse36-1-140325.indd 138 3/25/14 9:14 AM Plate 9. Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus 24 October 2013, Kızıırmak delta, Turkey. © Nizamettin Yavuz

Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum was at the bellied Pipits Anthus rubescens which were ringing station at Cernek, Kızılırmak delta, 31 recorded there 9 Nov (one) and 15 Dec (two). Aug. The regular passage of Booted Warblers A single Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis Hippolais caligata is once more proven with one arrived at İğneada forests 8 Dec. at Yorma Trabzon 2 Sep, two at Rize coastland 3 Sep and one in Antakya on 19 Sep. A single Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana arrived A Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus at Antalya 5 Dec after cold weather arriving coromandelianus arrived 21 Nov at Abu Dhabi in the highlands. Spectacled Warbler Sylvia golf and equestrian club, only the 11th record. conspicillata was at its second known location, Most of the tubenoses present in June had Hatay Balık lake, 21 Dec. There was an influx departed by July although good numbers of of Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus Wilson’s Storm-Petrels Oceanites oceanicus inornatus across Turkey in autumn; one at were present until Sept. A most unseasonal Kızılırmak delta 13 Oct, one 19 Oct, two 20 record of a Black Stork Ciconia nigra came Oct and two 27 Oct, one in Osmaniye along from Al Ain on 7 Jul; of unknown origin this the Ceyhan river 27 Oct and three at the bird was still present into Oct in the area. Olympos ruins, Antalya, 8 Nov. An organised A Brown Booby Sula leucogaster, the first search for other species yielded the first record since 2010, was seen offshore from Dibba of Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus, at port 4 Oct. A European Honey Buzzard Kızılırmak delta 24 Oct (Plate 9). Desert Pernis apivorus was at Wamm farms 16 Aug, Wheatears Oenanthe deserti seem to arrive along with a single Oriental Honey Buzzard later than warblers—singles at Samandağ, Pernis ptilorhynchus; records of the latter were Hatay, 2 Nov and Zonguldak on 3 Nov. A regular from Abu Dhabi into the winter and single Richard’s Pipit Anthus (novaeseelandiae) as far west as Sila, where a pale juvenile richardi was at Milleyha beach, Hatay, 15 was seen 23 Nov. Black-winged Kite Elanus Dec—this is also a regular site for Buff- caeruleus is a rare winter vagrant to the UAE,

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Sandgrouse36-1-140325.indd 139 3/25/14 9:14 AM Falcon Falco concolor remains a very rare, and very rarely observed, breeding bird in the UAE, especially on the mainland. One was located at Faziaya in the far west in July, with a pair present there 21 Sep. Breeding seemed not to have occurred at this site; however a juvenile was present at nearby Ghagah island on 16 Oct (and another, presumably from an Omani breeding site) at Khawr Kalba 20 Oct. White-breasted Waterhens Amaurornis phoenicurus whilst rare typically arrive in Nov and 2013 saw two such records—at Al Hamrania nursery on 8 Nov and in an urban park in Dubai Silicon Oasis 25 Nov. A juvenile Little Crake Porzana parva was recorded on exactly the same dates in the same location in Abu Dhabi as 2012 (23–26 Sep)—was it the same bird? A Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla was at Green Mubazzarah, Al Ain, Plate 10. Amur Falcon Falco amurensis 19 December from 13 Nov onwards. A Spotted Crake 2013, Al Qua’a fodder field, UAE. © Tommy Pedersen Porzana porzana was in Abu Dhabi with the Little Crake mentioned above. Two Sociable so the re-appearance of last winter’s bird on Lapwings Vanellus gregarius were present at Yas island from 11 Nov was most welcome. Dubai pivot fields from early Nov while four An Amur Falcon Falco amurensis was nearby were at Wamm farms 9 Dec. It also proved a on Lulu island on 15 Nov with two more at Al very good autumn for Pacific Golden Plovers Qua’a fodder field 15–21 Dec (Plate 10). Sooty Pluvialis fulva with small groups recorded

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Sandgrouse36-1-140325.indd 140 3/25/14 9:14 AM at many sites. A Caspian Plover Charadrius mangroves. A Calandra Lark Melanocorypha asiaticus was found at Wamm farms 1 Nov, calandra at Wamm farms on 31 Oct was only with others reported from Dubai pivot fields the eighth record, and several weeks earlier in early Sept and Al Hamrania nursery in Nov. than any previous record. The seventh record The rarest bird of the reporting period was the of Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus was in UAE’s first record of Pheasant-tailed Jacana Mushrif palace gardens 15 Dec while a Yellow- Hydrophasianus chirurgus which appeared all browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus was on too briefly at Wamm farms on 31 Oct. Another Delma island on 30 Nov—Hume’s Warbler bird was located at Zakher lake 28 Nov which Phylloscopus humei is much more likely this remained until 6 Dec. A Eurasian Woodcock late in the season but none were noted during Scolopax rusticola was in Safa park 18 Dec. A the reporting period. Encouraging early signs Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta, the first of the possibility of a good thrush winter (the since 2007, was at Al Hamrania nursery 22 first since 2010/2011) came in the form of a Nov–6 Dec. A Mediterranean Gull Larus Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis on melanocephalu was located at Mafraq 7 Dec; 10 Nov at Wadi Wurrayh with another in this is the third winter that an individual Wadi Bih 27 Nov. A Mistle Thrush Turdus has been present at this site. A Baltic Gull viscivorus was in Al Ain (14–15 Nov) with two Larus f. fuscus was well inland at Zakher lake, at Ajban farms 26 Nov. At least four European Al Ain, from 13 Sep until late in the month; Robins Erithacus rubecula were recorded in this species is very rare (or at least rarely various locations from late Nov, a notable recognised) in the UAE. Up to 11 Brown influx. An Eversmann’s Redstart Phoenicurus Noddies Anous stolidus were seen on pelagic erythronotus was in Al Ain from 15 Nov into trips 16 Aug–13 Sep with up to three Lesser December, one in Wadi Bih 27 Nov and Noddies Anous tenuirostris (only five previous two 29 Nov. A Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus records) while Sooty Terns Onychoprion indicus was found on Abu Dhabi island on 25 fuscatus were recorded on trips on 12 and 19 Nov; formerly virtually annual at this site, this Jul and also at Fujairah port beach 10–20 Sep. was the first record here since 2008. The only Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii is a very rare Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni record for vagrant to the UAE (two previous records, the period, on 3 Nov in Abu Dhabi, showed the last being in 1989) so a marked influx in characters of the nominate subspecies; there September was most unexpected; at least nine are now three proposed UAE records of this individuals (seven adults, two juveniles) were form. Buff-bellied Pipits Anthus (rubescens) located on various dates 6 Sep–4 Oct, with japonicus have recently been recorded almost all records coming from Fujairah port annually at several sites and late 2013 proved beach. a good time for this species—records came A large fall of migrants in early Oct from Al Hamrania nursery from 16 Nov (at produced an exceptional count of 41 European least two birds), Wamm farms 29 Nov, Delma Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus on 4 Oct. island 30 Nov and Emirates Palace from 7 Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius has Dec onwards (the third successive winter not been confirmed breeding in the UAE, that birds have been seen at this site). The although there is strong circumstantial UAE’s seventh Red-headed Bunting Emberiza evidence that it has. Up to 25 at Ajban farms bruniceps was at Wamm farms 31 Aug–1 Sep in late Aug and early Sept was a significant and a Brambling Fringilla montifringilla was at concentration, although all appeared to have , Al Ain, 2–3 Dec. dispersed by late Sept. Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus is a classic wintering species in the UAE and small numbers arrived from A female Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus late Oct. By late Nov wintering flocks were coromandelianus was at Sirihin lagoons on 28 established at the regular wintering sites on Mar. 150 Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon Lulu island and Sila’a (30 birds each), Delma aethereus including pairs in courtship flight island (100 on 1 Dec) and, for the second and individuals alighting on ledges and under year in succession, at Yas island where up overhangs were seen 31 Mar at southern to 145 could be seen flying into roost in the cliffs of Ras Momi to the east of Mityaf.

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Sandgrouse36-1-140325.indd 141 3/25/14 9:14 AM 100 Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus were seen roosting on pylons between Taiz and Mafraq al Mokha on 25 Oct. This is the area where a female Egyptian Vulture radio-tagged in Bulgaria spent last autumn and winter and much of this autumn before moving across Bab al Mandab to Djibouti and then . On 26 Oct there was a comparatively small passage of raptors at Bab Al Mandab—c2000 birds were seen flying above the mangroves north of Guarayrah 08.00–10.00 h. An approximate count included 50 Black Kites Milvus migrans, an Egyptian Vulture, four Western Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus, 25 Eurasian Sparrowhawks Accipter nisus, c900 Steppe Buzzards Buteo buteo vulpinus, c1000 Steppe Eagles Aquila nipalensis, two Eastern Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca, ten Booted Eagles Aquila pennata and six Common Kestrels Falco tinnunculus. A Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola was at Sirihin lagoons on 28 Mar.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Cyprus: Colin Richardson; Egypt: EgyBirdGroup@ yahoogroups.com; Iran: Ali Sangchooli, www.bird- sofiran.com; Iraq: Laith Ali Al Obeidi, Mudhafar Salim, Richard Porter, Nature Iraq, Friends of Dalmaj; Israel: Yoav Perlman; Kazakhstan: www. birds.kz/bkrarities.php?l=en; Oman: Jens Eriksen (www.birdsoman.com/); Qatar: Jamie Buchan; Saudi Arabia: Jem Babbington (www.birdsofsau- diarabia.com), Philip Roberts; Turkey: Ali Atahan, Nizamettin Yavuz, Kerem Ali Boyla; United Arab Emirates: Oscar Campbell, Tommy Pedersen (www.uaebirding.com/uae_news.html); Yemen: David Stanton. Ian Harrison, Llyswen Farm, Lôn y Felin, Aberaeron, SA46 0ED, UK. [email protected] Chris Lamsdell, 4 Hardings Close, Iver, Bucks SL0 0HL, UK. [email protected]

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