This was the inaugural Field Guides Inc tour to the UAE and Oman, based around some four previous visits by Phil. This is a trip that attracts some folks looking for new familes, with the legendary Hypocolius as one of the flagship species, though finding the bird itself proved to be quite a tale!
Dubai is like falling down the rabbit hole in "Alice in Wonderland", a bizarre and irrational place where nothing is quite what is seems and not much makes environmental sense. The sheer number of huge high-rise buildings and construction work is simply staggering, including the world's tallest building which looms way above its neighbors, is sometimes mist shrouded at the top and is actually almost alarming (what if there's a fire? How do the elevators and plumbing work?) That said, it does have some very striking buildings and it is quite fascinating to see all this unfolding.
The birding in the Emirates is actually quite rewarding, there is a keen band of local birders and there are always a number of rarity surprises and scarce Middle Eastern migrants about. This trip we saw Namaqua Dove and Brown Shrike as vagrants, and logged a good number of specials such as Socotra Cormorant, Indian Pond Heron, Spotted Eagle the amazing Crab Plover, Cream-colored Courser, White-tailed Lapwing, Great Knot, Red-tailed, Hume's and Hooded Wheatear.
Lots of wintering migrants add zest too, with such goodies as White, Yellow, Citrine, Gray and Masked Wagtail, Desert Lesser Whitethroat, Menetries's Warbler and Eurasian Hoopoe. The star of the show however proved elusive despite three checks at the site where it had been present immediately before our arrival, and reflecting it's alignment with the Waxwing assemblage, with erratic and unpredictable wanderings.
Our foray into northern Oman was excellent, getting into the desert environment proper and finding Sand Partridge, Asian Desert Warbler, Plain Leaf Warbler, Arabian Babbler and Black-crowned Sparrowlark. A rare migrant here was Pale Martin, another surprise for us.
Going down to the Dhofar Province of southern Oman was a total contrast and gets us into a transition zone between the Palearctic and Africa. African species included local forms of Shining Sunbird, African Paradise-Flycatcher, Bruce's Green Pigeon, White-breasted White-eye, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting and Ruppell's Weaver. Middle-eastern specials included Persian Shearwater, White-cheeked Tern, Saunders's Tern, Arabian Partridge, the rare Hume's Owl, Palestine Sunbird, Blackstart, South Arabian Wheatear, Arabian Warbler, Yemen Serin and the semi-mythical and hard to find Golden-winged Grosbeak. We also got onto some neat vagrants with the second Oman record of Lesser Whistling Duck, two Black Storks, a Pheasant-tailed Jacana and surprise finds of Ferruginous Duck and White-fronted Goose, both well south.
Going into the edge of the Empty Quarter was quite an experience and got us into some amazing desolate scenery. It was also the scene of our very own miracle in the desert when we found a male Hypocolius at Muntasar oasis. Tom wishes he had recorded my bellow when I found it, and it was a huge buzz to finally connect with the beast. It sat for ages in the lovely afternoon light and was busy flycatching off a thorn tree, what a bird! Another memorable experience here was the flyover of hundreds of Spotted Sandgrouse coming in to drink, with great guttural calls. Exciting migrants included Black-throated Thrush, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Hume's Warbler.
The final leg of the trip was in beautiful Muscat, a haven of good taste and lovely buildings and an amazing contrast to the metastasizing Dubai. Muscat is one of the ancient centers of Arab culture, so naturally being birders we headed for the sewage ponds and rubbish tip, though some of us did make a foray to the wonderful old Muscat souk one evening. Here in Muscat too we got a vagrant, with a long-staying Pied Kingfisher, and the rubbish dump gave us Spotted, Lesser-spotted and Steppe Eagle and over 30 Egyptian Vulture, a good count for once of this seriously declining species. Notable species included a fantastic flock of over 70 Great Black-headed (Pallas's) Gulls, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Clamorous Reed Warbler, a surprise Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and Black-necked (Eared) Grebe at Al Ansab.
This first run through went very well and we had some really exciting and enjoyable birding in a seldom visited part of the world. Our thanks to Sharon in the office for grappling with the sometimes erratic logistics, to the enthusiastic and tireless local driver and fixer Justin, the excellent Qasim in the UAE who got us everywhere we wanted to go, and to Steve James for local advice. Thanks also to co-leader George Armistead who got lots of lifers and who ably played good cop to my not so nice one when we had logistic problems to unravel.
It is hoped this tour will be a regular feature now, and our initial adventure certainly played out nicely, our thanks to the group for coming along and sharing what was a terrific experience.
List total: 212 bird taxa and 2 mammal taxa
N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
If marked to left of list, * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic,
Podicipedidae
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Three at Al Wassem and one at Wadi Darbat, then 4 at Al Ansab lagoons.
EARED (BLACK-NECKED) GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis)
Two at Al Ansab lagoons were a good trip tick.
Procellariidae
E PERSIAN SHEARWATER (Puffinus persicus)
Two singles at some range off Maghsayl beach, a late save and another great spot from Ellen, a shame that not everyone got onto them.
Sulidae
MASKED BOOBY (Sula dactylatra)
A fine adult off Ras Mirbat was unexpected.
BROWN BOOBY (Sula leucogaster)
One off Maghsayl beach was another good trip tick.
Phalacrocoracidae
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
The race sinensis was widespread in small numbers, some in breeding dress already.
E SOCOTRA CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis)
Four off our hotel near Dibba, and one was claimed by a few off Ras al Sawadi.
Ardeidae
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
Widespread in small numbers.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea)
An immature at Al Wassem and 3 at Khor Maghsayl.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
Very small numbers, with 3 at Ras al Khor the most.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia)
Just one single at Khor Maghsayl.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
Three singles only, with the white phase dark legged with yellow feet and dark bill Western Reef Heron a major identification pitfall.
WESTERN REEF-HERON (Egretta gularis)
Dark phase birds predominated, but there was quite a scattering of confusing white phase birds too, notably at Qurum estuary. The long rather heavy bill is a good character to tell it from the rather slender billed Little Egret, as both may have dark legs and yellowish feet.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)
Four at Al Wassem and 2 at Khor Taqa.
INDIAN POND-HERON (Ardeola grayii)
One in the mangroves at Khor Kalba swiftly vanished, but seen well at Khor Maghsayl and Qurum estuary, with indeterminate Ardeola sp. at Raysut khor. You need to see the colour of the lores to be sure, though this bird tends to be darker and more heavily streaked in some plumages.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
Small numbers were widespread, max. 30 at Al Wassem.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
A few folks saw one at Sandy Beach, then there was a fine adult at the Qurum estuary.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Two at Al Wassem.
Ciconiidae
BLACK STORK (Ciconia nigra)
Two vagrants were with a White Stork at Khor Maghsayl.
WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia)
Harry picked up a long range soaring bird over Ras al Khor, then we had one at Khor Maghsayl.
Threskiornithidae
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)
A few at Ras al Khor, seen by a few at Khor Taqa and then 10 at Khor Maghsayl.
EURASIAN SPOONBILL (Platalea leucorodia)
Thirty at Ras al Khor, 30 at Buraimi SP and 6 at Khor Maghsayl.
Phoenicopteridae
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus)
Surprisingly widespread, with 1100 at Ras al Khor, 15 at Khor Rori and 2 at Qurum estuary.
Anatidae
LESSER WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna javanica)
Four vagrants at Khor Maghsayl may be just the second record for Oman!
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Anser albifrons)
A fine adult at Khor Maghsayl was very unexpected and is way south for this species.
I EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiacus)
A couple of folks saw these flying at Ghantoot.
COMMON SHELDUCK (Tadorna tadorna)
Forty at Ras al Khor were a good count here.
EURASIAN WIGEON (Anas penelope)
A female at Buraimi SP and 12 at Khor Rori.
GADWALL (Anas strepera)
A female at Al Ansab was the sole sighting.
EURASIAN TEAL (Anas crecca)
Small numbers at various wetland sites, with 70 at Khor Rori the most.
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos)
Three day records with 40 at Ras al Khor the most. There were 10 at the Qurum estuary and Al Ansab.
NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta)
Five day records with 24 at Khor Rori the most.
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata)
Four records, with a female at Ras al Khor the first and 15 at Khor Rori, a few at Maghsayl and 12 at Al Ansab.
COMMON POCHARD (Aythya ferina)
110 at Al Wassem and 4 at Al Ansab.
FERRUGINOUS POCHARD (Aythya nyroca)
A fine drake at Khor Maghsayl and 3 or 4 at Al Ansab, one of which skulked off into the reeds.
TUFTED DUCK (Aythya fuligula)
Ten at Al Wassem, 11 at Khor Rori and 10 at Al Ansab.
Pandionidae
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Just 3 day records, first seen at Ras al Khor. The IOC make this a split from the Australian ones but bizarrely not from the American taxa. A 3-way split makes better sense and was I thought indicated by the genetic data.
Accipitridae
EGYPTIAN VULTURE (Neophron percnopterus)
This species is becoming rare, we had 5 at Al Ain including one immature, then singles at Al Ansab and Ras al Sawadi with a count of 32 at the rubbish dump near Muscat. This included many immatures.
SHORT-TOED EAGLE (Circaetus gallicus)
Four day records, total 5 birds, the first at Ain Hamran, and one was seen carrying a snake in the mountains en route to Al Ain.
WESTERN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus)
Widespread and seen almost every day, in small numbers. Only one adult male was noted, but two dark phase birds with almost black plumage, yellow eyes and grey tails at Al Wassem were very striking.
EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter nisus)
Three singles in Oman.
EURASIAN BUZZARD (Buteo buteo vulpinus)
A pale buzzard at Ain Hamran would be expected to be this taxon, sometimes proposed as a split, the Steppe Buzzard.
LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD (Buteo rufinus)
Just one sighting, of one soaring distantly high over Raysut and bearing a passing resemblance to a Rough-leg.
LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE (Aquila pomarina)
I think the lightly built small headed immature bird at the Muscat dump was this species, but wish I'd seen it in flight.
GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE (Aquila clanga)
Five day records, first being 2 at Ras al Khor then up to 5 at Taqa and Khor Rori and 2 at the Qurum estuary, with at least 4 at the Muscat tip.
STEPPE EAGLE (Aquila nipalensis)
Two on the bare hills near Tawi Attayr, and at least 3 at Muscat tip.
IMPERIAL EAGLE (Aquila heliaca)
Four in the Tawi Attayr area, and singles at Ain Hamran, Raysut and near Thumrait.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE (Aquila verreauxii)
Fantastic views of an adult with an immature right over the wadi at Ain Hamran, with two adults there next day.
Also a single adult at the wadi inland from Khor Maghsayl.
BONELLI'S EAGLE (Aquila fasciatus)
Tremendous views of two fine adults at Tawi Attayr.
BOOTED EAGLE (Aquila pennatus)
A single at Ain Hamran on Jan 18 was a good pick-up.
Falconidae
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)
Small numbers were widespread.
BARBARY FALCON (Falco pelegrinoides)
The Armisteads (major and minor) saw one shoot by at the Green Mubazzarah, and that was it for the trip! A large falcon flying by and roosting on a pylon at Samharam Village Resort was interesting and frustrating, as we never nailed it.
Phasianidae
E ARABIAN PARTRIDGE (Alectoris melanocephala)
Eight at Ain Hamran gave great looks, and there were 3 by the roadside as we came over the escarpment that night, with 3 more at Ain Hamran next day. This is an elusive Arabian endemic and impressively big for a partridge.
SAND PARTRIDGE (Ammoperdix heyi)
Two at Jebel Qatar and three singles there next day, but the views were modest as they are quite wary.
GRAY FRANCOLIN (Francolinus pondicerianus)
Quite common around Dubai and Al Ain, dwelling in flowerbeds, and also seen at Al Ansab. Regarded as native here, but there seems to be some doubt.
COMMON QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix)
Four flushed from the fields at Fujaira Dairy farm were a good find and new for many folks.
Rallidae
BAILLON'S CRAKE (Porzana pusilla)
Great looks at two adults and an immature at Khor Maghsayl in the late afternoon.
PURPLE SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)
Two adults at Al Wassem are of one of the Asiatic taxa, with greyish heads, slaty blue backs and greeny wings. Origin uncertain, they might be vagrants but equally may be feral. Sometimes split as Gray-headed Swamphen which makes sense to me.
COMMON MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)
Four day records, with 9 at Khor Maghsayl the max.
EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)
Fifteen at Khor Rori and 5 at Al Ansab.
Jacanidae
PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA (Hydrophasianus chirurgus)
A single non-breeding dress bird was at Khor Maghsayl, these Dhofar khors seem to get this species annually.
Dromadidae
CRAB PLOVER (Dromas ardeola)
Our first visit to Umm al Quwain drew a blank as the tide was too high, but the rematch was great and we had lovely views of some 75 of this declining species. It's a monotypic family too and was one of the trip highlights for sure.
Haematopodidae
EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ostralegus)
Forty at Umm al Quwain, then a single at Mirbat and 2 at Raysut.
Recurvirostridae
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)
Four day records, max. 30 at Ras al Khor and Umm al Quwain.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Fourteen at Ras al Khor were the only sighting.
Burhinidae
EURASIAN THICK-KNEE (STONE-CURLEW) (Burhinus oedicnemus)
Ellen spotted one of this rare wintering species at Fujaira Dairy Farm, a very good pick up.
Glareolidae
CREAM-COLORED COURSER (Cursorius cursor)
The polo field at Ghantoot had 21 birds on Jan 12 and 9 next day, always a great species to get.
Charadriidae
NORTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus vanellus)
A single at the pivot fields.
RED-WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus indicus)
Quite common in the UAE, but just 5 at Buraimi and 4 at Al Ansab in Oman.
WHITE-TAILED LAPWING (Vanellus leucurus)
Sixteen at the pivot fields gave good looks and were a great trip addition.
PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis fulva)
Nine at the polo fields at Ghantoot were unexpected.
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)
Twenty at Umm al Quwain and a couple at Taqa.
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula)
One at Umm al Quwain and another at Taqa.
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius)
One at Ras al Khor and 2 at Taqa, with singles at Khor Rori and Maghsayl beach.
SNOWY (KENTISH) PLOVER (Charadrius alexandrinus alexandrinus)
Three day records, at long last split from Snowy Plover by most. 8 at Ras al Khor were the most, and a few were on the beach at Taqa.
LESSER SANDPLOVER (Charadrius mongolus)
Twenty at Umm al Quwain and one at Ras al Sawadi.
GREATER SANDPLOVER (Charadrius leschenaultii)
100 at Umm al Quwain and 30 off Ras al Sawadi, with odd birds at Mirbat and Taqa.
Scolopacidae
COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago)
Small numbers at all the wetland sites.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa)
Forty at Ras al Khor.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica)
Forty also at Ras al Khor.
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus)
Just a single of the nominate race at Khor Kalba, often split from the dark rumped American hudsonicus taxon.
EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata)
Four day records, with 3 at Ras al Khor and singles at Khor Rori, Mirbat and Ras al Sawadi.
COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus)
Sixty at Ras al Khor and curious yellow-orange legged immature birds at Sandy Beach and Ras al Sawadi.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis)
Just a single flying by at Umm al Quwain.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)
Small numbers at various sites, max. 15 at Umm al Quwain.
GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus)
A couple of singles at Fujaira Dairy Farm and Muntasar.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola)
Singles at Khor Rori and Khor Mughsayl.
TEREK SANDPIPER (Xenus cinereus)
Three at Umm al Quwain and one at Ras al Sawadi.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)
Widespread in small numbers at most wetland sites.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)
Fifteen at Umm al Quwain and seen by some at Sandy Beach.
GREAT KNOT (Calidris tenuirostris)
Up to 6 birds at Umm al Quwain, one of the most westerly regular wintering sites and a very good trip bird.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta)
Forty at Umm al Quwain on the sandflats, and four at Taqa.
TEMMINCK'S STINT (Calidris temminckii)
A single at Taqa beach gave nice looks, good to hear the rather trilling call again.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea)
We saw about 150 at Umm al Quwain.
DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)
Ten at Umm al Quwain and about 7 at Ras al Sawadi.
RUFF AND REEVE (Philomachus pugnax)
Nine at Ghantoot polo fields, with 13 there next day. The reeve is the female of the species, I have no idea why Clements names it in this ridiculous way as the species is simply the Ruff.
Laridae
SOOTY GULL (Larus hemprichii)
The first were on the coast near Fujaira, and it was common on the Omani coasts.
HEUGLIN'S GULL (Larus heuglini)
The dark gray mantled Lesser Black-backs looked to be mostly of this taxon, now (probably prematurely) subsumed once again into LBB Gull in the new Clements and IOC updates.
CASPIAN GULL (Larus cachinnans)
This is the common pale grey mantled white headed gull with yellowy legs on the coasts of both countries.
STEPPE GULL (Larus barabensis)
Some of the big streaky headed pale mantled gulls with pinky legs in Oman could be assigned here, but it has been probably prematurely subsumed into Caspian Gull in the new updates for both checklists.
GREAT BLACK-HEADED GULL (Larus ichthyaetus)
Harry found one flying at Khor Maghsayl beach, then we had an amazing 70+ at Ras al Sawadi with some birds coming into black headed summer dress. Also one at the Qurum estuary. Now often called Pallas's Gull, it is a really spectacular large bird and a great trip tick.
BLACK-HEADED GULL (Larus ridibundus)
Hundreds at Al Wassem and Umm al Quwain, and odd birds at Raysut in Oman.
SLENDER-BILLED GULL (Larus genei)
Two at Umm al Quwain and 6 at Ras al Khor, then 7 at Ras al Sawadi.
Sternidae
GULL-BILLED TERN (Sterna nilotica)
Just a couple at Umm al Quwain.
CASPIAN TERN (Sterna caspia)
One at Al Wassem and a couple at Raysut.
LESSER CRESTED TERN (Sterna bengalensis)
One of Sandy Beach, and a couple at Taqa and Ras al Sawadi.
SANDWICH TERN (Sterna sandvicensis)
Five off Sandy Beach.
GREAT CRESTED TERN (Sterna bergii)
Quite common along the coast, this race velox is quite dark and is often known as Swift Tern.
SAUNDERS' TERN (Sterna saundersi)
A couple off Taqa Beach and great views of one at Raysut harbor, the grey rump and tail being very distinctive.
WHITE-CHEEKED TERN (Sterna repressa)
Three non breeding dress birds at Raysut harbior gave very close views and an invaluable lesson in tern identification. This is a quite small tern really, it was good to see them out of breeding dress in a way.
BRIDLED TERN (Sterna anaethetus)
One off Raysut and another off Maghsayl beach.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida)
Two at Raysut and one at Al Ansab.
WHITE-WINGED TERN (Chlidonias leucopterus)
Just a single winter dress bird at Al Wassem, flying over.
Pteroclidae
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles exustus)
Five flew over at Al Beed farm, identified later from photos as the light was so poor at the time!
SPOTTED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles senegallus)
Ninety in small flocks in the desert around Thumrait, and about 530 at Muntasar on the morning of the 21st, flighting in to drink. This was a great sight, with marvellous calls, one of the trip highlights. Yet again we could find no Crowned Sandgrouse with them despite careful checking.
CROWNED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles coronatus)
A small flock flew through at Al Beed, but views were brief and distant and I think maybe only George got a countable view? A pity, this species is elusive and I seem to dip on it each time.
Columbidae
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
Seen every day of the trip, and with some birds of genuine wild stock such as those at Jebel Qatar.
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto)
Common in the UAE, scarce in southern Oman.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis)
Seen on every day of the trip.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis)
One flew through at the pivot fields and was a UAE tick for Phil, it's a rare bird here.
BRUCE'S GREEN-PIGEON (Treron waalia)
Great looks at Wadi Hamran where they like the fruiting figs, but none were calling this year. We saw at least 5 birds.
Psittacidae
I ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET (Psittacula krameri)
This introduced species is quite common in the northern emirates, and we saw a few in Muscat as well.
Strigidae
E HUME'S OWL (Strix butleri)
One of the great prizes of the trip, my site from a previous trip paid off again and we were able to get a couple of birds calling here. We eventually got one onto a cliff face and saw it in the light amongst the boulders, regrettably flying just as I got my scope on it. It's a rare and little known species of rocky desert habitats. Thanks to Meegs for the recording of the call.
LITTLE OWL (Athene noctua)
One of the taxon lilith was on the lights by the crazy golf at the Jebel Hafeet Mercure and some of us got quite good looks, though it sadly vanished later. This form is listed as a split in the new Owls book by Koenig and Weick, the Lilith Owl.
Apodidae
PALLID SWIFT (Apus pallidus)
A few in the UAE and good views at the Qurum estuary near Muscat.
Alcedinidae
COMMON KINGFISHER (Alcedo atthis)
Two at Khor Khalba and one at the Qurum estuary.
COLLARED KINGFISHER (Todirhamphus chloris)
Nice views of two of the race kalbaensis at Khor Kalba, this is a restricted range endemic taxon that is endangered due to land clearance and disturbance of the mangrove habitat.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis)
A single at Qurum estuary had been found by Justin about a month ago, it's a vagrant to Oman so this was nice pick-up. Nice one mate!
Meropidae
GREEN BEE-EATER (Merops orientalis)
Widespread in the UAE and a few around Muscat and Al Beed in Oman, this is a very attractive race with a bright blue throat, very different to the African birds.
Coraciidae
INDIAN ROLLER (Coracias benghalensis)
We had about 10 around Dibba and towards Al Ain, but in Oman we only saw it at Muscat.
Upupidae
EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops)
Widespread in the UAE but scarce in Oman, it is a great looking species.
Alaudidae
SINGING BUSHLARK (Mirafra cantillans)
One right by the roadside near some Crested Larks en route to Tawi Attayr was a surprise find, and it sat long enough for photos.
BLACK-CROWNED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix nigriceps)
The first were a pair by Buraimi SP, then we had a few odd sightings at Ras Mirbat, Thumrait and Al Beed.
DESERT LARK (Ammomanes deserti)
Up to ten on the mist shrouded car park at Jebel Hafeet, and common at Jebel Qatar, but then almost none.
GREATER HOOPOE-LARK (Alaemon alaudipes)
Five on fodder pasture at Al Beed, always a major crowd pleaser as this is one of the most spectacular of all the larks.
GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK (Calandrella brachydactyla)
There were about 10 of this species at Al Beed, but we were never able to confirm the suspected Lesser Short-toed that day.
CRESTED LARK (Galerida cristata)
Common in the north but none in Dhofar,
EURASIAN SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis)
Quite widespread in the northern emirates but none in Oman.
Hirundinidae
PALE SAND MARTIN (Riparia diluta)
Two birds at Buraimi SP showed the characters of this recent split, being small with narrow breast bands and a grayish cast to the plumage. It's a Kazakhstan bird and seems to be quite regular in the UAE and northern Oman.
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula obsoleta)
The Pale Crag Martin is now split again from Rock Martin, a larger and darker species of sub-Saharan Africa. It is the widespread hirundine on this trip, found in all the rocky and desert areas. Hirundines were otherwise amazingly scarce this time.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Harry saw two in southern Oman, astonishingly the only ones of the trip.
NORTHERN HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon urbica)
There were about 5 distant birds over the Green Mubazzarah.
Motacillidae
WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba)
Common and seen more or less daily,
WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba personata)
This very distinctive taxon was seen at Fujaira Dairy Farm, where three birds lived around the cow byres. The sexes are similar too and I am sure it will be a split in due course, it seems just as distinctive as say Mekong Wagtail.
CITRINE WAGTAIL (Motacilla citreola)
One at the pivot fields, two at Khor Rori and about 7 at Khor Maghsayl.
YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)
Indeterminate Flava wagtails were at Fujaira, Al Maghsayl, Muntasar and Al Ansab.
YELLOW (GRAY-HEADED) WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava thunbergi)
Good male thunbergi were at Fujaira and Al Maghsayl.
YELLOW (BLUE-HEADED) WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava flava)
A single male at the Qurum estuary.
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea)
A few at Fujaira and Khor Rori.
TAWNY PIPIT (Anthus campestris)
One at the green Mubazzarah and 3 at al Beed. The two puzzling birds at Fujaira Dairy Farm were I think actually
Long-billed Pipits as I suspected initially, I saw them again post trip and had a good check.
BLYTH'S PIPIT (Anthus godlewskii)
Good news for Tom and a few others- the large pipit that flew over calling at Fujaira Dairy Farm was actually this species, as I suspected at the time based on the distinct call. I went back there post trip and had a chance to work on them, and I am happy that this is what it was.
LONG-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus similis)
The two puzzling birds at Fujaira Dairy Farm were I think actually Long-billed Pipits as i suspected initially, I saw them again post trip and had a good check. Mantle streaking can vary. I suspect this will prove to be Arabian Pipit in time, as its very distinct to the African birds currently lumped with it. We also saw them well at Ain Hamran. The taxon throughout is arabicus.
RED-THROATED PIPIT (Anthus cervinus)
A few at Fujaira and al Beed, also at Muntasar.
WATER PIPIT (Anthus spinoletta)
About 30 at Fujaira Dairy Farm, and again at Al Beed and Muntasar.
Pycnonotidae
WHITE-SPECTACLED BULBUL (Pycnonotus xanthopygos)
This endemic bulbul of the rocky hills was quite widespread in the northern Emirates around Fujaira, and at Jebel Qatar and Muscat. It is confusingly called Yellow-vented Bulbul in the Oman guide, which is actually sometimes used for a related African species.
I WHITE-EARED BULBUL (Pycnonotus leucotis)
This bulbul is widespread in the UAE and gets into Oman at Buraimi and Muscat, apparently introduced, though the natural range is not that far away.
I RED-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus cafer)
Sparse in the UAE and at Buraimi, another introduced species.
Hypocoliidae
HYPOCOLIUS (Hypocolius ampelinus)
The star of the show led us a real dance this year, being absent from Ghantoot despite 3 visits. Happily we found a superb male at Muntasar in Oman and got wonderful looks at it flycatching from a thorn bush late one afternoon, talk about a late save, this sure was one, our own miracle in the desert!
Turdidae
RUFOUS-TAILED ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola saxatilis)
George found a fine winter plumage male at the dump near Muscat, quite unusual here in winter.
BLUE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola solitarius)
A few sightings with some nice blue males at Jebel Hafeet, Green Mubazzarah, Ain Hamran and the dump near Muscat.
DARK-THROATED THRUSH (Turdus ruficollis atrogularis)
A shy and skulking male gave brief views for some of us at Qitbit, they are rare but regular in winter in UAE and Oman.
SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos)
A few shy birds at Ghantoot, giving the quiet "tip" call before flying high, and some saw it at Qitbit too.
Cisticolidae
STREAKED SCRUB-WARBLER (Scotocerca inquieta)
This was a really good find at Jebel Hafeet, where two pairs proved quite responsive and gave good views.
GRACEFUL PRINIA (Prinia gracilis)
Widespread and vocal throughout, though the streaks on the mantle and head can be amazingly hard to see.
Sylviidae
E CLAMOROUS REED-WARBLER (Acrocephalus stentoreus)
One at Mughsayl caused some angst as many folks missed it, but they came good at Al Ansab and we got some terrific looks. This is a middle eastern special, Australian birds are now split from it.
COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita)
One at Buraimi and quite a few at Qitbit and Al Ansab, singing strongly at the latter site.
PLAIN LEAF-WARBLER (Phylloscopus neglectus)
This is one of the real special birds of the trip, and we had nice looks on two occasions at Jebel Qatar, though they are very flighty and move a great deal along the thorn trees.
HUME'S WARBLER (Phylloscopus humei)
This was a neat find at Qitbit, where one was calling loudly which made it easier to track down. It is a long time split from Yellow-browed Warbler and is a duller grayer version of that species with a quite different call and song. They are rare but probably regular in Oman and the UAE.
LESSER WHITETHROAT (Sylvia curruca)
One at Jebel Qatar looked like this form, and there was at least one at Qitbit.
E SMALL WHITETHROAT (Sylvia minula)
The Desert Lesser Whitethroat was quite widespread and the distinct dry rattly call is a real help in identifying it. We saw them well at Jebel Qatar and Qitbit. It's another of the middle eastern specials of the trip.
ASIAN DESERT WARBLER (Sylvia nana)
Amazingly scarce, we only saw it at Jebel Qatar , I was surprised to see so few this time. Often split from African Desert Warbler too.
EASTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER (Sylvia crassirostris)
This was the trip finale bird, a fine adult male complete with pale yellow eye at the wadi near Muscat. It is a split from Western Orphean Warbler (cf. Eastern Bonelli's and Eastern Olivaceous) and is a likely tick for most folks.
E RED SEA WARBLER (Sylvia leucomelaena)
Great views of Arabian Warbler (not restricted to the Red Sea so the Clements name is not helpful) at Ain Hamran. It is like a duller and dark eyed Orphean Warbler and is another of the middle eastern endemics we get on this trip.
E MENETRIES' WARBLER (Sylvia mystacea)
A good view of a male at Ghantoot, and and then another at Jebel Qatar, this is can be an elusive bird and is another of the middle-eastern specials.
Muscicapidae
RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula parva)
One in the grounds at Qitbit; this is a scarce migrant and wintering bird in Oman.
BLUETHROAT (Luscinia svecica)
Great views at Fujaira Dairy Farm, Al Beed and Muntasar.
BLACK REDSTART (Phoenicurus ochruros)
Seen at Ghantoot, Fujaira and Qitbit. This race semirufus has reddish underparts and looks quite like Common Redstart.
EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola)
Two at the pivot fields and one at Fujaira Dairy farm were clearly in the Common Stonechat group. A bird at Khor Mughsayl is more likely with the maura group but we didn't see it for long.
E HOODED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe monacha)
Frustrating, a brief fly-by of a male at Jebel Hafeet was it, the fog not helping matters!
E HUME'S WHEATEAR (Oenanthe alboniger)
We did very well for this middle eastern endemic of the dry rocky hills, seeing them in Ras al Khaimah, then at Jebel Hafeet, Jebel Qatar and Muscat dump.
E MOURNING (ARABIAN) WHEATEAR (Oenanthe lugens lugentoides)
This is an Arabian endemic, usually split these days as the plumage differences from Mourning Wheatear are quite marked. We saw a fine bird en route to Tawi Attayr, and there was another at Wadi Darbat.
E RED-TAILED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe xanthoprymna chrysopygia)
Another split, this is the Red-tailed or Persian Wheatear which lacks marked sexual dimorphism. It is one of the special birds of the trip as they winter in the northern Arabian Peninsula. We had great looks at Fujaira Farm, the Green Mubazzarah and then Jebel Qatar, where we saw up to 5 birds.
DESERT WHEATEAR (Oenanthe deserti)
Widespread, the common wheatear of the trip.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR (Oenanthe isabellina)
Also quite widespread but not as common as Desert Wheatear.
BLACKSTART (Cercomela melanura)
This great little bird was seen very nicely at Ain Hamran and later at Ain Sahnawt, subtle but distinct and another of the trip specials.
Monarchidae
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis)
The local race harterti is pretty distinctive, being small with a well defined white belly and broad white wing patch in the males, which often have a white tail. The call seems less harsh too. They gave great looks at Aim Hamran and there were a couple of stunning males at Ain Sahnawt.
Timaliidae
E ARABIAN BABBLER (Turdoides squamiceps)
Good views of a group of 3 at Jebel Qatar, the only ones of the trip of this Arabian endemic,
Nectarinidae
E PALESTINE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris oseus)
Two fine males at Ain Hamran, quite a local bird and another trip special.
SHINING SUNBIRD (Cinnyris habessinicus)
Great looks at Ain Hamran where several males showed very nicely. Oman is one of the best places to see this species.
PURPLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris asiaticus)
Small numbers in the northern emirates and a few around Muscat.
Zosteropidae
WHITE-BREASTED (ABYSSINIAN) WHITE-EYE (Zosterops abyssinicus)
This diminutive white-eye was quite common in Dhofar at Ain Hamran and Ain Sahnawt; the local race is the taxon arabs and it seems quite different to Kenyan birds.
Laniidae
RUFOUS-TAILED SHRIKE (Lanius isabellinus)
Widespread in small numbers, the first at Ghantoot then at the pivot fields, Fujaira Dairy Farm and finally a few in Oman.
BROWN SHRIKE (Lanius cristatus)
A single at the pivot fields was a nice find of a vagrant here, superficially quite like Isabelline Shrike but duller, lacking a red tail and with no white in the wing.
SOUTHERN GREY SHRIKE (Lanius meridionalis)
The local race is aucheri and they were widespread, the first being 3 at Ghantoot where they were actually singing from the treetops.
Malaconotidae
BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegala)
The small race percivali gave great looks at Ain Hamran. They have a distinct call too, a dry tearing scold, and some genetic work on these poorly known South Arabian taxa would be interesting.
Corvidae
HOUSE CROW (Corvus splendens)
Regrettably common in the northern emirates, around Salalah and at Muscat, this is an unwelcome introduction.
BROWN-NECKED RAVEN (Corvus ruficollis)
The first were distant birds in Ras al Khaimah, then more at Jebel Hafeet, Jebel Qatar, Qitbit, Muntasar and Muscat. Another of the middle eastern and maghreb specials.
FAN-TAILED RAVEN (Corvus rhipidurus)
Common in Dhofar but not going far inland over the escarpment.
Sturnidae
I BANK MYNA (Acridotheres ginginianus)
A flock of about 60 were on one of the roundabouts in Dibba, they seem to be becoming more common.
I COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis)
Common in the UAE and a few around Muscat. A melanistic bird near Sandy Beach was of note, looking very strange.
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris)
A sparse winter visitor in the UAE, we saw 2 then 14 at Ghantoot.
E TRISTRAM'S STARLING (Onychognathus tristramii)
Common in coastal Dhofar and a nice middle eastern endemic.
Passeridae
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
Common in the UAE and northern Oman, but not in Dhofar. They look quite pale and may be the race hufufae.
SPANISH SPARROW (Passer hispaniolensis)
Great looks at 3 males at Fujaira Dairy Farm, new for many of the folks.
Ploceidae
RUEPPELL'S WEAVER (Ploceus galbula)
Female plumage or non-breeding birds were widespread at Ain Hamran and Ain Sahnawt, also Wadi Darbat. These have pinkish bills and orange eyes. Amazingly there were a few at our hotel at Raysut and this included the first breeding dress male I've seen, with a small black mask, dark eye and bright yellow underparts, with a narrow orangey brown smudgy border to the black mask. This was out of season as breeding is meant to be in spring here. Oman is one of the best places to see this species, Somalia tours being scarce these days!
Estrildidae
AFRICAN SILVERBILL (Euodice cantans)
Small numbers in Dhofar, beginning at Salalah airport and our hotel, then at Ain Hamran.
WHITE-THROATED MUNIA (INDIAN SILVERBILL) (Euodice malabarica)
This sibling species (ignore the Clements name!) has a white rump but is otherwise very like the African species. They were seen at Ghantoot, Fujaira Diary Farm and finally at Al Ansab.
Fringillidae
E GOLDEN-WINGED GROSBEAK (Rhynchostruthus socotranus)
This is perhaps the hardest of the Arabian endemics to see in Oman, its winter movements being almost unknown. Luckily for us Ain Hamran was greener than on my previous visits, and some bushes were fruiting, and this seems to have lured in up to 4 birds just before we arrived in Salalah. George and Bill got a glimpse of one on our first day, and on our return next day Yen and Rosia spotted one fly into a dense bush and vanish. We waited some minutes then approached slowly, and most folks got to see it fly out, whilst a couple of lucky ones got views in Phil's scope. This was a lifer for him too. Yay!
E YEMEN SERIN (Serinus menachensis)
This outlying population is found some hundreds of km east of the nearest known others, living around the huge limestone sinkhole at Tawi Attayr. We got quite good scope views of some half a dozen birds.
Emberizidae
E HOUSE BUNTING (Emberiza striolata)
The streak-throated taxon striolata is often now split as Striolated Bunting from House Bunting of the Maghreb. We saw a fine pair at Fujaira Dairy Farm, 2 at Jebel Hafeet and about 10 at Jebel Qatar and Buraimi SP. Telling them from imm. Cinnamon-breasted Bunting is a challenge too and we did not see them in Dhofar.
CINNAMON-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza tahapisi)
Common in Dhofar, black-throated males are obvious but telling females from imm. Striolated Bunting is a challenge, and we did not see that species in Dhofar.
CORN BUNTING (Emberiza calandra)
Three at Muntasar were a total surprise, it is a scarce winter visitor and these were well south. Curiously I then saw 7 at Fujaira Farm post-trip so it looks as if this was good year for them.
MAMMALS
RED FOX (Vulpes vulpes)
Ruth saw one at Ghantoot.
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis)
One at Ain Hamran was a very pleasing find; this is a major prey item for Verreaux's Eagle.
Additional Comments
Bird of the trip was not surprisingly the Hypocolius, especially as the proverbial fat lady was clearing her throat in the wings before we found it! Other major crowd pleasers were Crab Plover, Spotted Sandgrouse, Persian Shearwater, Hume's Owl, the various large eagles, wheatears and the legendary Arabian (Golden-winged) Grosbeak. Justin unearthed several scorpions for us, including the very venomous Hottentotta jayakari at Al Ansab. A snake called the Wadi Racer was wriggling in the talons of a Short-toed Eagle as we came through the mountains to Al Ain. Several large sea turtles with smooth plastrons were visible off Ras Mirbat.