Introduction: At fairly short notice I decided to undertake a short trip to Oman spending 4 days in the north & 4 days in the south. As I would be travelling alone it was clear at the planning stage I could not possibly consider visiting the Barr Al Hikman area. I also decided that given the time constraints I would overfly the Central Desert area rather than undertake the long drive from Muscat to Salalah. In the event a one way hire might have been possible with a flight back to Muscat.
Flights: I had accumulated a significant number of Airmiles over the years so happily used up 5285 flying with BA to Muscat via Abu Dhabi. The flights from Muscat to Salalah return were easily booked on line with Oman Air www.omanair.com.
Car hire: I booked the car hire at both Muscat & Salalah through Holiday Auto’s www.holidayautos.co.uk. Their agents, Thrifty, www.ThriftyOman.com. allocated me a Toyota Yaris at both locations which was ideal. My experience of the roads in Oman was excellent although I understand that in some parts they are not so good but are being upgraded. As you would expect Petrol was rather inexpensive!
Currency: During my visit the exchange rate was 1 Omani Rial (OMR) = £1.68.
Accommodation/food: I pre-booked all of my hotels on line before leaving the UK with the exception of the Green Oasis Hotel, Sohar. If you spend a little time on the internet you can usually find a good rate as most hotel companies have a deal out there somewhere its just takes time to find it.
Holiday Inn Al Madinah, Ghala (2nights) www.ihg.com
Green Oasis Hotel, Sohar (2 nights) www.greenoasishotel.com
Al Bahjah Hotel, Seeb (1 night) www.albahjahhotel.com
Salalah Beach Villas, Dhariz South, (3 nights) www.beach-villas-salalah.com
There are a wide range of restaurants available in most towns including a lot of familiar branded names. Some of the large supermarkets have an incredible range of cooked & fresh produce notably the Lulu Stores.
Sites/field guide/maps: All of my planning was based around the excellent 2nd edition (2008) of Dave Sargeant and Hanne & Jens Eriksen’s Birdwatching guide to Oman published by Al Roya Publishing, ISBN 978-9948-03-643-2. This was an invaluable book containing full site details and maps for every location visited plus a great deal more. Several trip reports were also used notably the Birdquest visit between 23 Oct. & 08 Nov. 2009 & Jan Vermeulen’s visit in January 2008. I pre-purchased the International Travel Map for Oman & UAE & used this for most of the trip planning. Whilst in Oman I obtained a copy of the Apex Map of Muscat and a map of the Salalah area published by the Governorate of Dhofar.
The Birds Oman website was also very useful www.birdsoman.com .
Daily log
15th January. Arrived late in the evening at Muscat International Airport situated c12 miles to the east of the city. Collected the Toyota Yaris hire car from Thrifty and drove to the Holiday Inn Al Madinah in Ghala situated near the As Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque for a two night stay.
16th January. Spent the first day in & around Muscat. Most of the morning was spent at Al Qurm Natural Park before visiting Al Amrat dump. Later in the afternoon I went to Yiti returning on a back road to Al Humriyyah. With some difficulty I managed to get into Al Ansab lagoons due the major construction work taking place at the time for the Southern Expressway but viewing conditions were very poor.
17th January.Left Muscat early & drove along the Al Batinah coast to Sohar for a two night stay at the Green Oasis Hotel. Visited Ras As Sawadi on the way & spent the afternoon & evening at Sohar Sun Farm.
Highlights: Ras As Sawadi, Lesser Sand Plover, Red-necked Phalarope (250), Great Black-headed Gull (60), Crested Tern (70). Sohar Sun Farm, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse (250), Namaqua Dove (19), Southern Grey Shrike (2), Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark (45), Spanish Sparrow (2), Indian Silverbill (8), Masked Wagtail (3), Water Pipit (5), Trumpeter Finch (12). Sohar Fish Port, Masked Wagtail.
18th January. Early in the morning continued along the Al Batinah coast as far as the Abu Dhabi border visiting Liwa & Khatmat Milahah before returning to Shinas & spending the late afternoon & evening again at Sohar Sun Farm.
19th January. Drove from Sohar to Nizwa via Yanqul & Kubarah then onto Birkat Al Mawz. Unable to proceed past the checkpoint above Birkat as only 4 wheel drive vehicles are allowed to access the Sayq Plateau. Spent the afternoon in Wadi Al Muaydin before returning to Muscat for a late look at Al Qurm NP from the road bridge at the beach. Overnight at Al Bahjah Hotel in Seeb.
Highlights: Nizwa to Birkat Al Mawz, Lappet-faced Vulture, Brown-necked Raven (5), Southern Grey Shrike (3), Rufous-tailed Wheatear (4), Hume’s Wheatear. Wadi Al Muaydin, Plain Leaf Warbler (2), Hume’s Wheatear (3), Purple Sunbird (6). Al Qurm, Greater White-fronted Goose, Great Black-headed Gull (7), Brown-necked Raven (2), Grey Hypocolius.
20th January. Left the hotel in plenty of time for the early flight to Salalah but failed to make it due to traffic. Re-booked onto a late morning flight and arrived in Salalah at lunchtime. Collected the hire car & checked into the Salalah Beach Villas for 3 nights. Visited East Khawr before spending the rest of the afternoon & early evening at the excellent Jarziz Farm fields.
21st January. Spent the day from first light visiting most of the sites to the east of Salalah – East Khawr, Ayn Sahnawt, Sahnawt Farm, Ras Mirbat, Wadi Hanna, Tawi Atayr sinkhole, Khawr Rawri before a late visit back at Jarziz Farm.
22nd January. Again spent most of the day at sites east of Salalah – Ayn Hamran, Khawr Taqah, the road to Nashib & Sahnawt Farm. In the late afternoon visited Salalah dump before finishing off at Jarziz Farm fields.
23rd January. From early morning drove west of Salalah to Al Mughsayl and several miles beyond to find some heavily scarred roadside Frankincense trees. Visited Wadi Ashawq before returning to Salalah Port, East Khawr & Jarziz Farm before taking the evening internal flight back to Muscat for the BA overnight flight back to Heathrow.
Arabian Partridge Alectoris melanocephala
A party of six birds showed very well close to the car park at Ayn Hamran on 22nd.
Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus
A total of 30 seen in the north, largest numbers being 10 at around a village near Ras as Sawadi & 9 at Sohar Sun Farm.
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons
A single at Al Qurm on 19th, 6 at Khawr Rawri on 21st & another single at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Cotton Teal Nettapus coromandelianus
Four on a small satellite pool part way up the wadi at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Gadwall Anas strepera
Four at Al Ansab Lagoons on 16th.
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
Ten at Khawr Rawri on 21st, 2 at Al Mughsayl & one at East Khawr on 23rd.
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
6 at Al Ansab Lagoons on 16th, 6 at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th & 18th and one at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
Four at Al Qurm on 16th & 50 at Khawr Rawri on 21st.
Northern Pintail Anas acuta
Five at Al Qurm on 16th , 15 at Khawr Rawri on 21st & 5 at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Garganey Anas querquedula
One at Al Qurm on 16th , 5 at East Khawr on 20th, 20 at Khawr Rawri on 21st & 11 at East Khawr on 23rd.
Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
A total of 88 seen at 4 sites with a maximum in the north of 50 at Al Ansab Lagoons on 16th & 18 in the south at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Common Pochard Anthya ferina
A female at Al Qurm on 16th.
Ferruginous Duck Anthya nyroca
Six at Al Ansab Lagoons on 16th & 6 at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Tufted Duck Anthya fuligula
A female at Al Qurm on 16th.
Persian Shearwater Puffinus (lherminieri) persicus
A total of 14 passed Ras Mirbat mid-morning on 21st.
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Five at Al Qurm & 6 at Al Ansab Lagoons on 16th.
Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus
Three at Shinas on 18th were the only birds seen in the north. In the south, one at East Khawr & 67 at Khawr Rawri on 21st, 3 at Khawr Taqah & 6 at Salalah Port on 22nd and 8 at Al Mughsayl & 5 at Salalah Port on 23rd.
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
In the north the only record was two at Sohar Sun Farm on 18th. In the south at least 250 at Jarziz Farm on 20th & 100 at Salalah dump on 22nd.
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
One at Al Qurm on 16th, 7 at Sohar Sun Farms on 17th and 9 next day. Six at Khawr Rawri on 21st and a single at Khawr Taqah on 22nd.
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
Seven at Shinas on 18th, 6 at East Khawr on 21st & 2 at Salalah Docks on 23rd.
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Single in the mangroves at Liwa on 18th.
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
Two at Khawr Rawri on 21st, 2 at Khawr Taqah on 22nd & 3 at Al Mughsayl on 23rd with a further two birds with a passing resemblance to Indian Pond Heron A. grayii.
Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Recorded on 4 dates, maximum 110 at Jarziz Farm on 22nd.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Recorded on 7 dates. Maximum counts, 42 at Shinas on 18th & 30 Khawr Rawri on 21st.
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Single at Khawr Taqah on 22nd.
Great White Egret Ardea alba
Singles at Shinas on 18th and Al Qurm on 19th & 5 at Khawr Rawri on 21st.
Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia
Singles at Jarziz Farm on 20th, Khawr Rawri on 21st & Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Seen on 5 dates, maximum 5 at Shinas on 18th.
Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis
Seen on all dates. A total of 29 recorded with a maximum 5 at Ras as Sawadi, Shinas & Salalah Port.
Masked Booby Sula dactylatra
Six passing Ras Mirbat on 21st & 15 offshore from Khawr Taqah on 22nd.
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
30 at Al Qurm on 16th & 50 there on 19th.
Socotra Cormorant Leucocarbo nigrogularis
A single walked onto a sandbar at the harbour in Yiti on 16th.
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
A total of 5 seen on 4 dates.
Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides
Single over the fields at Sohar Sun Farm on 18th & one causing chaos at Jarziz Farm on 20th.
Osprey Pandion heliaetus
Two at Yiti on 16th, one at Ras Mirbat & 4 at Khawr Rawri on 21st, one at Salalah Port on 22nd , one at Al Mughsayl & one at East Khawr on 23rd.
Crested/Eurasian Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus apivorus
A Pernis spp soaring high over East Khawr on 20th was thought most likely a Crested Honey Buzzard.
Black Kite Milvus migrans
One was seen over Salalah Town on 22nd.
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
Two at Yiti & at least 50 at Al Amrat dump on 16th plus a single near Kubarah on 19th.
Lappet-faced Vulture Aegypius tracheliotus
Two at Al Amrat dump on 16th, one near Kubarah on 19th & one close to Tawi Atayr Sinkhole on 21st.
Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus
One at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th & 18th.
Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
A total of 22 birds recorded, 3 in the north & 19 in the south, max. 7 at Jarziz Farm on 21st.
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus
Male and female/imm at Jarziz Farm on 20th & 22nd and two female/imms there on 21st.
Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus
Male at Jarziz Farm on 20th and an immature male there on 22nd.
Pallid/Montagu’s Harrier Circus spp
In addition to the birds mentioned above there were at least six other birds seen at Jarziz Farm that went unidentified.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
One at Seeb on 20th on the way to the airport.
Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus
Two birds seen c7.5km along the Nashib Road on 22nd.
Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga
Singles at Al Amrat dump on 16th, Sohar Sun Farm on 18th & Jarziz Farm on 20th.
Steppe Eagle Aquila nepalensis
Four at Al Amrat dump on 16th, 1 at Khawr Rawri on 21st , 2 at Ayn Hamran & at least 50 at Salalah dump on 22nd.
Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca
Singles at Al Amrat dump on 16th, Sohar Sun Farm on 18th, Jarziz Farm on 20th & 23rd, Ras Mirbat on 21st & Khawr Taqah on 22nd.
Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus
Fantastic views of an adult at Tawi Atayr Sinkhole on 21st where it is possible to actually look down on the bird.
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
One over East Khawr on 20th, 1 at Wadi Hanna & one over Tawi Atayr Sinkhole on 21st and one 7.5km along the Nashib road on 22nd.
Little Crake Porzana parva
Two showed very well from the hide at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Ten at Al Ansab lagoons on 16th, 1 at East Khawr on 20th, 6 at Khawr Taqah on 22nd and 59 at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Common Coot Fulica atra
Four at Al Qurm on 16th and 2 at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo
An elusive adult, apparently unable to fly, at East Khawr on 20th.
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
Twenty at Ras as Sawadi on 17th and singles at Shinas on 18th, Salalah Port on 22nd & East Khawr on 23rd.
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Six at Al Qurm & 10 at Al Ansab lagoons on 16th. At Sohar Sun Farms, 20 on 17th & 13 next day and finally 6 at Khawr Rawri on 21st.
Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus
Two at Al Qurm on 16th and 20 Sohar Sun Farms on 17th & 46 there next day.
Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius
Seeing this flock was possibly the surprise of the trip. 29 at Jarziz Farm on 20th & 22nd with 25 present on 23rd.
Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva
Ninety six at Jarziz Farm on 20th & 105 there 22nd. A single at Khawr Rawri on 21st, 34 at Khawr Taqah on 22nd and another single at East Khawr on 23rd.
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Two at Shinas on 18th & 3 at Salalah Port on 23rd.
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Three at Al Qurm on 16th, 2 at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th, 1 at Shinas on 18th, 2 at Al Mughsayl & 25 at East Khawr on 23rd.
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Single at Al Qurm on 16th with 9 at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th & 2 the next day. 25 at Jarziz Farm on 20th & 17 on 22nd with a single at Khawr Taqah on 22nd.
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
Six at Al Qurm on 16th & 10 there on 19th. 8 at Ras as Sawadi on 17th & 25 at Shinas on 18th.
Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus
Three at Yiti on 16th, 1 on 17th at Ras as Sawadi, 10 at Shinas on 18th and 4 at Salalah Port on 23rd.
Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii
Single at Yiti on 16th, 2 at Shinas on 18th and 1 at Salalah Port on 23rd.
Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirugus
Two at Khawr Rawri on 21st and one at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Pin-tailed Snipe Gallinago stenura
One at Khawr Rawri on 21st and 3 at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Recorded at Al Ansab Lagoons, Khawr Rawri, Al Mughsayl & Sohar Sun Farm with max. of 6 on 17th.
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Nine at Khawr Rawri on 21st & one at East Khawr on 23rd.
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
3 at Ras as Sawadi on 17th, 10 at Shinas on 18th, single at Al Qurm on 19th & 4 at Salalah Port on 23rd.
Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Three at Al Qurm on 16th with a single there on 19th, 2 at Yiti on 16th, singles at Shinas on 18th, Ras Mirbat on 21st & Jarziz Farm on 23rd with 6 at Salalah Port on the last date.
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
Two at Yiti on 16th, 2 at Ras as Sawadi on 17th, 5 at Shinas on 18th with one at Salalah Port on 22nd & 4 next day.
Common Redshank Tringa totanus
Three at Al Qurm on 16th & a single at Yiti on 16th, 6 at Shinas on 18th , 1 at Al Mughsayl & 3 at Salalah Port on 23rd.
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
A single bird at Khawr Rawri on 21st.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
A total of 24 recorded at Al Qurm, Yiti, Liwa, Jarziz Farm, Salalah Port, Khawr Rawri, Al Mughsayl & Khawr Taqah with max of 12 at last site on 22nd.
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
One at Al Qurm & 2 at Al Ansab lagoons on 16th. At Sohar Sun Farm, 3 on 17th & one next day.
Wood SandpiperTringa glareola
One at Al Qurm & 2 at Al Ansab lagoons on 16th. At Sohar Sun Farm, 4 on 17th & six next day.
1 at Jarziz Farm on 20th and 4 on 21st. Singles at Khawr Rawri on 21st, Salalah Port on 22nd & Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinerea
Five at Shinas on 18th and 41 at the mud flats adjacent to Salalah Port on 23rd.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
A total of 56 recorded, 49 in the north (max 20 at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th) & 7 in the south (max 3 at Al Mughsayl on 23rd).
Sanderling Calidris alba
17 at Ras as Sawadi on 17th.
Little Stint Calidris minuta
Twenty at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th with 8 there next day. Singles at Shinas on 18th & at Khawr Taqah on 22nd with 6 at East Khawr on 23rd.
Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminkii
Ten at Al Qurm on 16th, 2 at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th with 3 there next day. At Jarziz Farm 7 on 21st & 3 on 23rd. Elsewhere, 2 at Khawr Taqah on 22nd, 5 at Al Mughsayl & 1 at East Khawr on 23rd.
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Singles at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th and East Khawr on 23rd.
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Four at Al Qurm on 16th.
Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus
One at Salalah Port on 23rd.
Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Two at Al Qurm on 16th, 50 at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th rising to 67 next day, 40 at Jarziz Farm on 20th with a single there on 22nd, a single at Khawr Rawri on 21st & 8 at East Khawr on 23rd.
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus
At least 250 distantly offshore at Ras as Sawadi on 17th with a single showing much better at Shinas on 18th.
Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor
Fourteen at Sahnawt Farm on 21st with 15 there next day.
Sooty Gull Larus hemprichii
Recorded on 7 out of the 8 days. Maximum 130 at Mirbat Port on 21st & Al Mughsayl beach on 23rd. Smaller numbers in the north, maximum 10 at Ras as Sawadi on 17th.
Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
Only reliably recorded in the north, max. numbers 120 at Yiti on 16th and 75 at Ras as Sawadi on 17th.
Siberian Gull Larus (fuscus) heuglini
Other than 10 at Ras as Sawadi on 17th only recorded with certainty in the south with 70 at Mirbat Port on 21st, 400 roosting on the beach at Khawr Taqah on 22nd & 150 next day at Al Mughsayl beach.
Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichtyhaetus
Eleven at Yiti on 16th, 60 at Ras as Sawadi in 17th and 7 flew past Al Qurm on 19th.
Slender-billed Gull Larus genei
Thirty at Al Qurm on 16th with 60 there on 19th. 2 at Yiti on 16th, 100 at Ras as Sawadi on 17th, 21 at Khawr Taqah on 22nd & 8 at Salalah Port on 23rd.
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Twenty at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th.
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica
One at Khawr Taqah on 22nd & 2 at East Khawr on 23rd.
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
Three at Ras as Sawadi on 17th, 2 at Khawr Rawri on 21st & 14 at Salalah Port on 23rd.
Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis
Sixty five at Ras as Sawadi & 15 at Sohar Port on 17th, 4 at Khawr Taqah on 22nd and 50 at Al Mughsayl beach on 23rd.
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
Three at Ras as Sawadi & one at Sohar Port on 17th, one at Al Qurm on 19th & 7 past Ras Mirbat on 21st.
Greater Crested Tern Sterna bergii
Twenty five at Al Qurm & 8 at Yiti on 16th, 70 at Ras as Sawadi & 10 at Sohar Port on 17th, 40 at Al Qurm on 19th and 4 at Ras Mirbat on 21st.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Two at Sohar Port on 17th & 4 at Ras Mirbat on 21st.
Saunder’s Tern Sterna saundersi
Four at Shinas on 18th, 2 at Khawr Taqah on 22nd & 2 at Salalah Port on 23rd.
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida
Five at Al Ansab lagoons on 16th. At Jarziz Farm, 10 on 20th, 6 on 22nd & 25 on 23rd with 2 at Khawr Rawri on 21st.
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus
One at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th. At Jarziz Farm, 10 on 20th, 80 on 21st & 40 on 22nd.
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus
Two off Al Qurm on 16th.
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus
At Sohar Sun Farm, 250 on 17th increasing to 400 next day. At Sahnawt Farm, 80 on 21st & 40 next day.
Sixteen at Ras Mirbat on 21st.
Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii
Five at Khatmat Milahah on 18th.
Rock Dove Columbia livia
Birds recorded as looking likely to be wild were 2 in Wadi Birkat on 19th, 50 at Tawi Atayr Sinkhole on 21st & 100 in Wadi Ashawq on 23rd.
Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopilia decaocto
An exceptionally common bird, especially at the farms & dumps. Max. 1000 at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th and 300 at Jarziz Farm on 20th.
Laughing Dove Streptopilia senegalensis
Almost as common as the previous species. Max. 400 at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th and 200 at Jarziz Farm on 20th.
Namaqua Dove Oena capensis
A flock of nineteen at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th & 2 at Jarziz Farm on 23rd.
Bruce’s Green Pigeon Treron waalia
Three at Ayn Hamran on 22nd.
Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri
Eight at Al Qurm on 16th with 40 there on 19th & 4 at Khatmat Milahah on 18th. At Jarziz Farm, max 10 on 20th.
Pallid Swift Apus pallidus
Three at Al Qurm on 16th.
Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis
Three at al Qurm & 2 at Yiti on 16th & 2 around a village near Ras as Sawadi on 17th. At Sohar Sun Farm, 10 on 17th and a single next day. Singles at Shinas on 18th & at Wadi Al Muaydin on 19th.
Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris
Prolonged telescope views of a single bird at Liwa Mangroves on 18th.
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Two at Liwa on 18th & 2 at Al Qurm on 19th.
Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis
Recorded at Al Qurm, Yiti, Ras as Sawadi, Sohar Sun Farm, Liwa, Khatmat Milahah, Shinas & Wadi Ashawq, Max. 5 at Sohar Sun Farm on 18th.
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops
Two near the village at Ras as Sawadi on 17th, singles at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th & 18th and 5 at Khatmat Milahah on 18th.
Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus
One showed well at Ayn Hamran early on 22nd.
Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus
Singles at Al Qurm on 16th, Sohar Sun Farm on 18th and Jarziz Farm on 20th & 22nd. Two at both Khawr Rawri on 21st & Al Mughsayl on 23rd. None were assigned to the two races that occur, Daurian or Turkestan.
Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis
Two at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th, 2 at Khatmat Milahah on 18th, 2 between Sohar & Yanqul and 1 at Kubarah on 19th & 1 at Ayn Sahnawt on 21st.
Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius pallidirostris
Singles at Liwa on 18th & East Khawr on 20th.
African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis
Single at Tawi Atayr Sinkhole on 21st and at least 5 at Ayn Hamran on 22nd.
House Crow Corvus splendens
Widespread but no counts made.
Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis
At least 80 at Al Amrat dump on 16th. 3 between Sohar & Yanqul, 2 at Nizwa dump & 2 flew over Al Qurm all on 19th.
Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus
Three at Ayn Sahnawt, 3 at Ras Mirbat and 6 at Tawi Atayr Sinkhole on 21st & 2 at Ayn Hamran and 2 7.5km along the Nashib Road on 22nd.
Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus
One flew past at the bridge over the river at Al Qurm on 19th heading towards the gardens of The Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza at dusk.
Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Six at Jarziz Farm on 23rd.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
2 at Jarziz Farm on 20th, one at Salalah dump and 4 at Jarziz Farm on 22nd & 2 at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
African Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula
One at Yiti on 16th, 15 at Nizwa dump on 19th, 2 at East Khawr and 2 at Jarziz Farm on 20th & 6 at Ayn Sahnawt on 21st.
Singing Bushlark Mirafra cantillans
Beside two singing near east Khawr on 20th all others seen were at Jarziz Farm with 3 on 20th, 1 on 21st & 2 on 23rd.
Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti
One at Al Amrat dump on 16th, 2 at Nizwa dump & 3 at Wadi Al Muaydin on 19th and 3 at Wadi Ashawq on 23rd.
Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla
Thirty at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th & 18th, 60 at Jarziz Farm on 20th with 150 there on 23rd.
Crested Lark Galerida cristata
Seen on 7 out of the 8 days.
Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix nigriceps
At Sohar Sun Farm, 45 on 17th and 65 on 18th. Two at Ayn Sahnawt & 2 at Ras Mirbat on 21st and two at the entrance to Ayn Hamran on 22nd.
Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis
Four at Al Qurm and 2 at Al Ansab lagoons on 16th, 2 at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th, 1 at Wadi Al Muaydin on 19th & 1 at East Khawr on 20th.
White-cheeked Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis
Four at Al Qurm, 2 at Yiti & 2 at Al Ansab lagoons on 16th, 1 at Ras as Sawadi on 17th and 2 at Khatmat Milahah on 18th.
Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer
One in the car park of the Holiday Inn Al Madinah, Ghala on 16th.
Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos
A widespread species, seen on 7 days, max. 15 at Ayn Hamran on 22nd.
Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus
Three at Al Qurm on 16th, singles at East Khawr & Jarziz Farm on 20th & 3 at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Three at Al Qurm on 16th.
Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus
One in roadside scrub between Yiti & Al Humriyyah on 16th, one at Khatmat Milahah on 18th, two in the gardens & small fields at Wadi Al Muaydin on 19th & one at Ayn Hamran on 22nd.
Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
One at Al Amrat dump on 16th, one at the village near Ras as Sawadi on 17th and 5 at Khatmat Milahah on 18th.
Arabian Warbler Sylvia leucomelaena
Three at Ayn Hamran on 22nd.
Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana
One at Sohar Sun Farm on 18th.
Menetries’s Warbler Sylvia mystacea
Two at Khatmat Milahah on 18th.
Arabian Babbler Turdoides squamiceps
Two at Yiti & 4 between Yiti and Al Humriyyah on 16th, 18 around the village near Ras as Sawadi on 17th, 9 at Khatmat Milahah on 18th and 4 at Kubarah on 19th.
Abyssinian White-eye Zosterops abyssinicus
Two at Ayn Sahnawt on 21st & 8 at Ayn Hamran on 22nd.
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
Very common in the north, max. 400 on 17th at Sohar Sun Farm. Just 2 in the south at Salalah Beach Villas on 21st & 22nd.
Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus
Eighty at Jarziz Farm on 20th.
Tristram’s Grackle Onychognathus tristramii
Fifty at Ayn Sahnawt & 40 at Tawi Atayr sinkhole on 21st, 20 at Khawr Taqah on 22nd & 10 at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
Two at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros semirufus
Single at Yiti on 16th, two around the village near Ras as Sawadi, 1 at Khatmat Milahah on 18th & 3 at Wadi Al Muaydin on 19th.
Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina
Four at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th and 5 there next day. Three at the entrance to Ayn Hamran & one at Salalah Port on 22nd.
Rufous-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia
One at Yiti on 16th, 1 at Liwa & 1 at Khatmat Milahah on 18th, 2 between Sohar and Yanqul, 1 at Kubarah, 1 at Nizwa dump & 1 at Wadi Al Muaydin on 19th.
Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti
A total of 30 recorded at Ras as Sawadi (1), Sohar Sun Farm (6), East Khawr (2), Jarziz Farm (4), Sahnawt Farm (1), Ras Mirbat (5), Khawr Rawri (3) & Wadi Ashawq (8).
Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides
Three males & two females 7.5km along the Nashib road & 3 males at Wadi Ashawq on 23rd.
Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata
One at Khatmat Milahah on 18th.
Hume’s Wheatear Oenanthe albonigra
Two at Al Amrat dump & one between Yiti and Al Humriyyah on 16th, 1 at Nizwa dump and 3 at Wadi Al Muaydin on 19th.
Blackstart Cercomela melanura
One at Ayn Sahnawt & 1 at Wadi Hanna on 21st.2 at Ayn Hamran & one 7.5km along the Nashib road on 22nd. Three at Al Mughsayl & 1 at Wadi Ashawq on 23rd.
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius
One at Wadi Al Muaydin, Birkat on 19th. One at Wadi Hanna, 1 at Tawi Atayr sinkhole & Khawr Rawri on 21st. One 7.5km along the Nashib Road on 22nd & 1 at Wadi Ashawq on 23rd.
Palestine Sunbird Cinnyris osea
One at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
Shining Sunbird Cinnyris habessinicus
One at Jarziz Farm on 20th, 2 at Ayn Sahnawt & 3 at Tawi Atayr sinkhole on 21st and two 7.5km along the Nashib road on 22nd.
Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus
Six at Al Qurm, 2 at Al Amrat dump, 1 between Yiti & Al Humriyyah & 1 at the Holiday Inn Al Madinah, Ghala on 16th. Two at Ras Sawadi on 17th, 8 at Khatmat Milahah on 18th, one between Sohar & Yanqul and 6 at Wadi Al Muaydin on 19th.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Large number at Sohar Sun Farm, max. 200 on 18th.
Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
Two showed well drinking at a puddle at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th.
Rüppell’s Weaver Ploceus galbula
Ten at East Khawr on 14th, 2 at Tawi Atayr sinkhole on 21st & 15 at Ayn Hamran on 22nd. Four at Jarziz Farm on 20th & 23rd.
African Silverbill Lonchura cantans
Three at East Khawr on 20th & 5 there next day. One at Tawi Atayr sinkhole on 21st, 10 at Ayn Hamran and one along the Nashib road on 22nd. 12 at Jarziz Farm on 22nd with at least 30 there next day.
Indian Silverbill Lonchura malabarica
Eight at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th with 7 there next day. One at Khatmat Milahah on 18th.
Yellow Wagtail Montacilla flava
Small numbers in the north at Sohar Sun Farm with 4 feldegg on 17th, single lutea on 17th & 18th and a single thunbergi on 17th. Much larger numbers at Jarziz Farm max 500 on 20th of which 5 were assigned as feldegg on 20th & 2 as lutea on 20th. Most birds were most probably beema according to Sargeant and Eriksen.
Citrine Wagtail Montacilla citreola
Two at Al Mughsayl on 23rd.
White Wagtail Montacilla alba
Small numbers seen each day, max. 20 at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th & 10 at Jarziz Farm on 20th.
Masked Wagtail Montacilla (alba) personata
Three at Sohar sun Farm on 17th with one there next day. One at Sohar Port on 17th & one at Jarziz Farm on 22nd.
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi
Two at Jarziz Farm on 20th & one there on 23rd.
Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris
Two at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th with 8 there on 18th. One at Jarziz Farm on 20th & 22nd with two present on 23rd.
Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis
Three at Wadi Ashawq on 23rd.
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
At Jarziz Farm, 4 on 20th, 3 on 21st & 10 on 22nd.
Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus
One at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th and 2 at Jarziz Farm on 20th.
Water Pipit Anthus rubescens
At Sohar Sun Farm, 5 on 17th and one next day.
Yemen Serin Crithagra menachensis
Six of these small non-descript finches were seen very well drinking from a small puddle at Tawi Atayr sinkhole on 21st.
Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus
At Sohar Sun Farm, 12 on 17th & 2 next day.
Striolated Bunting Emberiza striolata
Three at Al Amrat dump on 16th. 20 at Sohar Sun Farm on 17th with 10 there next day.
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi
On 21st, 4 at Ayn Sahnawt, 4 at Wadi Hanna & 20 at Tawi Atayr sinkhole. On 22nd 20 at Ayn Hamran & 20 at Nashib road with 2 at Wadi Ashawq on 23rd.