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11 May Birding Report from Doha, Qatar for May 3 and May 6, 2008 ["Gordon Saunders" ] 11 May References on Ardeidae in Iran.. [mohammad tohidifar ] 11 May References on Ardeidae in Iran.. [mohammad tohidifar ] 10 May Birding Report from Doha, Qatar. ["Gordon Saunders" ] 7 May Foto Pied Steppe Eagle at migration count at Bosphorus, Turkey ["Luke Smith" ] 6 May Re: Female Marsh Harrier ["Luke Smith" ] 5 May Re: egretta gularis in italy for farzaneh [farzaneh eti ] 5 May egretta gularis in italy for farzaneh ["Violetta Longoni" ] 5 May RE: Female Marsh Harrier [richard prior ] 05 May Female Marsh Harrier ["basmasheta" ] 2 May BirdLife condemns Cypriot government's spring hunting endorsement [Jeremy Taylor ] 2 May BirdLife condemns Cypriot government's spring hunting endorsement [Jeremy Taylor ] 02 May help me with your experiences ["farzaneh_eti" ] 30 Apr Re: Photos of Birds in Arabia [thaju cm ] 30 Apr Photos of Birds in Arabia ["Mike Jennings" ] 29 Apr Oriental Cuckoo - A potential 2nd for Israel ["Avner Cohen" ] 28 Apr Re: birding in Istanbul - to Luke Smith or others ["Julie Alexander" ] 28 Apr fethiye info ["richard brown" ] 28 Apr Athene Noctua Little owl subspecies in Turkey? ["Luke Smith" ] 27 Apr EU expects Malta's spring birdKilling to stop [david camilleri ] 22 Apr Honey Buzzards when are they coming from Israel ["Luke Smith" ] 21 Apr Ask for help [Valéry ] 17 Apr Out of office [Yousef Ali Alzaoby ] 16 Apr Eurasian Oystercatcher [Gyorgy Szimuly ] 15 Apr Reminder_AEWA Waterbird Conservation Award 2008 ["Sergey Dereliev \(UNEP/AEWA Secretariat\)" ] 15 Apr Bird migration documented as hunters stay at home [david camilleri ] 12 Apr Re: Lycium barbarum (Garothi) another major food item of Grey Hypocolius in Kutch, Gujarat, India. [mudhafar salim ] 12 Apr Re: Lycium barbarum (Garothi) another major food item of Grey Hypocolius in Kutch, Gujarat, India. [mudhafar salim ] 12 Apr Kuwait 11-12 April 2008 ["Richard Saval" ] 12 Apr Birding Report from Doha, Qatar ["Gordon Saunders" ] 10 Apr A Lesser Frigatebird 1st for Kuwait 4th for WP. ["Abdulrahman" ] 10 Apr Re: Phoenix 24 - a bit late but still full of good stuff ["Gordon Saunders" ] 10 Apr Re: Phoenix 24 - a bit late but still full of good stuff [Peter Hellyer ] 9 Apr Phoenix 24 - a bit late but still full of good stuff ["Mike Jennings" ] 4 Apr Antakya - Turkiye ["ali atahan" ] 4 Apr Bateleur record, 7th for Israel ["Avner Cohen" ] 2 Apr March sightings from Israel - Monthly summary ["Avner Cohen" ] 1 Apr North African houbara release 'very exciting' [Jeremy Taylor ] 1 Apr North African houbara release 'very exciting' [Jeremy Taylor ] 30 Mar Re: Birding Report from Doha, Qatar ["Gordon Saunders" ] 29 Mar Eurasian Spoonbill lands at Malta's Ghadira Nature Reserve [david camilleri ] 29 Mar An extraordinary weekend at Eilat (28-29/Mar/08) ["Avner Cohen" ] 28 Mar RE: Re: Up to date - where are the records? ["M.Istvan" ] 27 Mar Re: What is this common bird, please? ["Richard Klim" ] 27 Mar What is this common bird, please? ["tilmanthecat" ] 27 Mar Re: Birding Report from Doha, Qatar ["Ian Harrison" ] 27 Mar Desert Eagle Owl recording ["Dave Sargeant" ] 27 Mar Birding Report from Doha, Qatar ["Gordon Saunders" ] 26 Mar Re: Up to date - where are the records? ["Keith Betton" ] 25 Mar No Subject [Tomas Haraldsson ] 25 Mar RE: Re: Up to date - where are the records? [Tomas Haraldsson ] 25 Mar Apus apus [Vasil Ananian ] Subject: Birding Report from Doha, Qatar for May 3 and May 6, 2008 From: "Gordon Saunders" <saunderstern AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 19:43:54 +0300 Greetings from Doha, Qatar. The following are 2 reports of recent visits to some birding sites here in Qatar. There are still many good varieties of birds migrating through the region. Enjoy! Gordon ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Birding Report *by Shirley Carter-Brown, Michael Grunwell and Gordon Saunders * * * Saturday, May 3, 2008 · Al Khor area and north towards Al Ruwais … Very pleasant conditions from very early morning to midday. *2 Isabelline Shrike* *1 Masked Shrike* *1 Southern Grey Shrike* *1 Lesser Grey Shrike* *1 Woodchat Shrike* *2 Red-backed Shrike* 2 Flamingo 1 Grey Heron 10 Reef Heron (9d/1w) 3500+ Socotra Cormorant … *flying north in line just above the water!* 1 Squacco Heron 4 Cattle Egret 1 Purple Heron *1 Little Bittern * 1 Glossy Ibis 1 Curlew 1 Whimbrel 1 Mallard (m) …. *Sleeping?* 20+ Moorhen … *with juveniles* 1 Coot 1 Spotted Crake … *(Michael and Shirley … I was looking elsewhere … grrh!)* 1 Osprey *8 Lesser Kestrel … magnificent display of hunting for crickets in a recently cut * * field and close enough for great in flight and on the ground field * * markings and observations … textbook study!* 5 Grey Francolin *20+ European Bee-eater … near the bee keeper's farm!* 1 Rufus Bush Chat 10 Dunlin 20 Black-winged Stilt 2 Little Ringed Plover 2 Ring Plover 2 Grey Plover 1 Sanderling 1 Little Stint 5 Kentish Plovers ... *with some chicks!* 4 Curlew Sandpiper 4 Greenshank 5 Redshank 2 Wood Sandpiper 5 Terek Sandpiper 5 Ruddy Turnstone 1 Common Sandpiper 1 Heuglini Gull 20 Slender-billed Gull 1 Caspian Tern 10 Lesser Crested Tern 5 White-cheeked Tern 10 Barn Swallow 4 Sand Martin 2 Hoopoe lark 10 Crested Lark 1 Tree Pipit 2 Red-throated Pipit 12 Yellow Wagtail at least one each of … - 1 Blue-headed - 1 Black-headed *2 Whinchat* 1 Rock Thrush 2 Clamorous Reed Warbler 1 Lesser Whitethroat 2 Common Whitethroat 10 Willow Warbler 10 Spotted Flycatcher *10 Spanish Sparrow* 2 Namaqua Dove Usual good numbers of … - House Sparrow - Common Myna - Collared Dove - Palm Dove - White-cheeked Bulbul _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Birding Report *by Ed Smith and Gordon Saunders* * * Tuesday, May 6, 2008 near the Independent School at the Jail Ponds (Abu Nakhla) … very pleasant conditions *8 European Bee-eater* 10 Spotted Flycatcher *3 Red –backed Shrike* 2 Isabeline Shrike 3 Rufous Bush Robin 2 Willow Warbler 2 Orphean Warbler 1 Upcher's Warbler 1 Grace Prinia Warbler 2 Clamorous Reed Warbler … many others calling! 4 Crested Lark 30+ Night Heron 30+ Moorhen 1 Purple Gallinule 2 Common Snipe 1 Ruff 10 Black-winged Stilt 2 Wood Sandpiper 4 Little Ring Plover *1 Great Bittern* 10 Purple Heron 2 Cattle Egret 10 Great Crested Grebe 2 Little Grebe 5 Ferruginous Duck 1 Cormorant 12 Barn Swallow 10 Sand Martin Usual good numbers of … - Collared Dove - Palm Dove - Common Myna - House Sparrow - White-cheeked Bulbul · *1 Desert Fox* · *1 Tomcat fishing and successful!* [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: References on Ardeidae in Iran.. From: mohammad tohidifar <mohammad_8463 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 09:09:45 -0700 (PDT) Sorry about forgeting attach... --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: References on Ardeidae in Iran.. From: mohammad tohidifar <mohammad_8463 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 09:03:40 -0700 (PDT) Dear Farzaneh, Following attachment consist of some reffrences on southern Iran ecosystems with specific regards to birds and family of Ardeidae,resepectively. Hope to be helpfull for my old classmate. Best regards Mohammad Tohidifar --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birding Report from Doha, Qatar. From: "Gordon Saunders" <saunderstern AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 18:03:49 +0300 Greetings from Doha, Qatar. The following are sightings from recent visits. Enjoy! Birding Report *by Gordon Saunders and Shirley Carter-Brown* * * Friday, May 2, 2008 * Al Wahkra and area south towards Mesaieed *by Gordon Saunders* Very pleasant conditions from 12n – 3pm for early May in Qatar. * * 4 Yellow Wagtail 12 Lesser Sand Plover 1 Greater Sand Plover 15 Grey Plover ** 5 Reef Heron (d) *2 Broad-billed Sandpiper* 5 Redshank 2 Greenshank 2 Ruff 12 Kentish Plover … * some with chicks !* 20 Dunlin 1 Curlew 6 Ruddy Turnstone 5 Terek Sandpiper * *Shorebirds were in excellent breeding plummage* 1 Osprey … * feeding!* 1 Socotra Cormorant 10 Slender-billed Gull 10 Little Tern …. *Saunders??* 30 White-Cheeked Tern 5 Lesser Crested Tern 1 Hoopoe Lark 2 Spotted Flycatcher *1 Red-backed Shrike (m) ** … beauty!* 10 Barn Swallow 2 Sand Martin *2 Lesser Grey Shrike ** … beauties!* * * · Jail Ponds (Abu Naklah) near Doha, Qatar *by Gordon Saunders and Shirley Carter-Brow. * · Very pleasant conditions from late afternoon until sunset. *1 Masked Shrike* *1 Red-backed Shrike (f)* 2 Isabelline Shrike 1 European Nightjar 1 Orphean Warbler 2 Clamourous Reed Warbler … *many others singing!* 2 Wood Sandpiper 2 Common Snipe 20+ Moorhen … * with juveniles* 2 Grey Heron 10 Black-crowned Night Heron 8 Spotted Flycatcher 2 European Bee-eater 1 Rufus Bush Robin 10 Black-winged Stilt … *some appeared nervous with around …nesting?* 1 Little-Ringed Plover 2 Little Grebe 3 Grey Francolin 1 Graceful Prinia …* calling* * Usual good numbers of … - Common Myna - Whitecheeked Bulbul - Palm Dove - Collared Dove - House Sparrow [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Foto Pied Steppe Eagle at migration count at Bosphorus, Turkey From: "Luke Smith" <birdbrain7 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 04:43:51 -0500 Thought some people might enjoy this photo of a strange colored steppe eagle we saw the other day. Foto by Haldun Savas four the last four years we have seen regular passage of steppe eagles here. someone said this could be the whole european population. Is someone studying them in Europe? Istanbul Bird Watching Society [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Female Marsh Harrier From: "Luke Smith" <birdbrain7 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 03:17:45 -0500 Hello from Istanbul Turkey we see about 200 marsh harriers every year and they use the same route I think the use the same route in other places because it depends on food. On Mon, May 5, 2008 at 2:29 AM, basmasheta wrote: > hi all > i want to ask about Female Marsh Harrier if it has diffierent > migratory route from male?. if anybody know plz tell me. > i saw in kassara only (a place in damietta on north coast of EGYPT) > 10 female marsh harrier and along the shore of damietta about 15 > female marsh harrier. > i miss informations about marsh harrier and raptors on north coast. > > Note: i also recorded a Short toed eagle in kassara > > regards, > > B. M. Sheta > Demonstrator in Ecology > Zoology Department > Faculty of Science > New Dammietta > Home tel. 002 057 24045093 > Work tel. 002 057 2403980 (ext. 166 office/264 Lab.) > Fax No. 002 057 2403868 > Mobile No. 002 010 9145485 > alternative e-mail: basmasheta AT mans. edu.eg > EGYPT > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: egretta gularis in italy for farzaneh From: farzaneh eti <farzaneh_eti AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 12:55:26 -0700 (PDT) Dear Violetta, I found a large breeder mixed colony of reef heron (Egreta gularis ) and great white egret (Egreta alba) in mangrove. The colony is far from human settlements. there is not enough information about them. I will be happy if I receive any information, research or article about this species. Regards farzaneh Violetta Longoni wrote: Dear Farzaneh, I'm an italian resaercher and therefore I do not have any experience aboute mangrove. The only data on this species I could provide you are the rare sightings in Italy. I fear it't useless for your research but if you are interested in let me known. Sincerely, Violetta > Dear friends, > Hi, I am a student of biodiversity and habitats from Iran. > I am studying about breeding of birds in mangrove forests in queshm > island ( south of Iran). > Now, I am studying about Western reef heron (Egretta gularis) in > mangrove. Please advise me with your experiences or references that > you know. > > Best wishes > Farzane.E > > > > Violetta Longoni Dipartimento di Biologia Animale Università ¤egli Studi di Pavia Piazza Botta 9 I - 27100 Pavia Italy Email: violetta.longoni AT unipv.it --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: egretta gularis in italy for farzaneh From: "Violetta Longoni" <violetta.longoni AT unipv.it> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 11:50:19 +0200 (DFT) Dear Farzaneh, I'm an italian resaercher and therefore I do not have any experience aboute mangrove. The only data on this species I could provide you are the rare sightings in Italy. I fear it't useless for your research but if you are interested in let me known. Sincerely, Violetta > Dear friends, > Hi, I am a student of biodiversity and habitats from Iran. > I am studying about breeding of birds in mangrove forests in queshm > island ( south of Iran). > Now, I am studying about Western reef heron (Egretta gularis) in > mangrove. Please advise me with your experiences or references that > you know. > > Best wishes > Farzane.E > > > > Violetta Longoni Dipartimento di Biologia Animale Università degli Studi di Pavia Piazza Botta 9 I - 27100 Pavia Italy Email: violetta.longoni AT unipv.it Subject: RE: Female Marsh Harrier From: richard prior <richwprior AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 08:34:20 +0000 Dear Basma It could be that you were in Kassara AFTER the male Marsh Harriers had already passed through, because I believe they migrate earlier than the females, in Lebanon our studies at Aammiq Marsh showed the number of males decreased but females continued to pass north later into April.Also I assume males are less numerous, because one male will have two or three females. I hope this helps richard Prior To: MEBirdNet AT yahoogroups.comFrom: basmasheta AT yahoo.comDate: Mon, 5 May 2008 07:29:04 +0000Subject: [MEBirdNet] Female Marsh Harrier hi alli want to ask about Female Marsh Harrier if it has diffierent migratory route from male?. if anybody know plz tell me.i saw in kassara only (a place in damietta on north coast of EGYPT) 10 female marsh harrier and along the shore of damietta about 15 female marsh harrier.i miss informations about marsh harrier and raptors on north coast.Note: i also recorded a Short toed eagle in kassara regards,B. M. ShetaDemonstrator in EcologyZoology DepartmentFaculty of ScienceNew DammiettaHome tel. 002 057 24045093Work tel. 002 057 2403980 (ext. 166 office/264 Lab.)Fax No. 002 057 2403868Mobile No. 002 010 9145485alternative e-mail: basmasheta AT mans. edu.egEGYPT [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Female Marsh Harrier From: "basmasheta" <basmasheta AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 07:29:04 -0000 hi all i want to ask about Female Marsh Harrier if it has diffierent migratory route from male?. if anybody know plz tell me. i saw in kassara only (a place in damietta on north coast of EGYPT) 10 female marsh harrier and along the shore of damietta about 15 female marsh harrier. i miss informations about marsh harrier and raptors on north coast. Note: i also recorded a Short toed eagle in kassara regards, B. M. Sheta Demonstrator in Ecology Zoology Department Faculty of Science New Dammietta Home tel. 002 057 24045093 Work tel. 002 057 2403980 (ext. 166 office/264 Lab.) Fax No. 002 057 2403868 Mobile No. 002 010 9145485 alternative e-mail: basmasheta AT mans. edu.eg EGYPT Subject: BirdLife condemns Cypriot government's spring hunting endorsement From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 15:38:26 -0700 (PDT) BirdLife condemns Cypriot government's spring hunting endorsement 30-04-2008 BirdLife International and its national Partner BirdLife Cyprus (BirdLife in Cyprus) strongly opposed today’s decision by the Cypriot government to allow spring shooting of Carrion Crow Corvus corone and Black-billed Magpie Pica pica. This is viewed as a backdoor allowing hunters to shoot European Turtle-doves Streptopelia turtur. The EU Birds Directive prohibits the shooting of wild birds in spring to ensure they get a chance to breed and raise their young. Last week the European Court of Justice ordered Malta not to open a spring hunting season for European Turtle-dove and Common Quail Coturnix coturnix. In today’s announcement, the Cypriot government justified the decision by referring to the damage Carrion Crows and Black-billed Magpies cause to crops and livestock. BirdLife however, stressed that no evidence was produced for such damage, and that instead the government tried to provide a cover for illegal hunting of European Turtle-dove and other species protected during their spring migration such as European Bee-eater Merops apiaster and Common Quail. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/04/cyprus_corvid_shooting.html Subject: BirdLife condemns Cypriot government's spring hunting endorsement From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 15:38:26 -0700 (PDT) BirdLife condemns Cypriot government's spring hunting endorsement 30-04-2008 BirdLife International and its national Partner BirdLife Cyprus (BirdLife in Cyprus) strongly opposed today’s decision by the Cypriot government to allow spring shooting of Carrion Crow Corvus corone and Black-billed Magpie Pica pica. This is viewed as a backdoor allowing hunters to shoot European Turtle-doves Streptopelia turtur. The EU Birds Directive prohibits the shooting of wild birds in spring to ensure they get a chance to breed and raise their young. Last week the European Court of Justice ordered Malta not to open a spring hunting season for European Turtle-dove and Common Quail Coturnix coturnix. In today’s announcement, the Cypriot government justified the decision by referring to the damage Carrion Crows and Black-billed Magpies cause to crops and livestock. BirdLife however, stressed that no evidence was produced for such damage, and that instead the government tried to provide a cover for illegal hunting of European Turtle-dove and other species protected during their spring migration such as European Bee-eater Merops apiaster and Common Quail. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/04/cyprus_corvid_shooting.html Subject: help me with your experiences From: "farzaneh_eti" <farzaneh_eti AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 12:07:23 -0000 Dear friends, Hi, I am a student of biodiversity and habitats from Iran. I am studying about breeding of birds in mangrove forests in queshm island ( south of Iran). Now, I am studying about Western reef heron (Egretta gularis) in mangrove. Please advise me with your experiences or references that you know. Best wishes Farzane.E Subject: Re: Photos of Birds in Arabia From: thaju cm <mcthaju AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:36:41 -0700 (PDT) I have some pic of Socotra cormornat and ortalan bunting check with my flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/keralabirder/ this Ortalan Bunting is common in Qatar???? Thajudeen from Qatar --- Mike Jennings wrote: > The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia, which > will shortly be complete, will include photos of a > number of birds and habitats. I am still looking > for a small number of photos of key species for use > in the atlas and I would be very interested to hear > from anyone who has good photos of the following > species. > > All endemic species and subspecies (Arabian > mainland, Arabian seas and Socotra) > > Notably: > > White-eyed Gull Larus leucophthalmus > Socotra Scops Owl Otus sokotranus > Asir Magpie Pica pica asirensis > Arabian Golden Sparrow Passer euchlorus > > The publishers of the atlas will pay a fee for > one-time reproduction rights. > > If you have photos (slides or digital) that you > think I might be interested in please email in the > first instance. > > Mike Jennings > > Coordinator: Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia > and Editor of the Phoenix newsletter (ISSN > 0268-487X) > Warners Farm House, Warners Drove, > Somersham, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3WD, UK. > Tel/Fax 01487 841733 (Intl 0044 1487 841733) > Email: ArabianBirds AT dsl.pipex.com > Website: http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/arabian.birds/ > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Subject: Photos of Birds in Arabia From: "Mike Jennings" <ArabianBirds AT dsl.pipex.com> Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:31:57 +0100 The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia, which will shortly be complete, will include photos of a number of birds and habitats. I am still looking for a small number of photos of key species for use in the atlas and I would be very interested to hear from anyone who has good photos of the following species. All endemic species and subspecies (Arabian mainland, Arabian seas and Socotra) Notably: White-eyed Gull Larus leucophthalmus Socotra Scops Owl Otus sokotranus Asir Magpie Pica pica asirensis Arabian Golden Sparrow Passer euchlorus The publishers of the atlas will pay a fee for one-time reproduction rights. If you have photos (slides or digital) that you think I might be interested in please email in the first instance. Mike Jennings Coordinator: Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia and Editor of the Phoenix newsletter (ISSN 0268-487X) Warners Farm House, Warners Drove, Somersham, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3WD, UK. Tel/Fax 01487 841733 (Intl 0044 1487 841733) Email: ArabianBirds AT dsl.pipex.com Website: http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/arabian.birds/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Oriental Cuckoo - A potential 2nd for Israel From: "Avner Cohen" <AvnerCo AT fundtech.co.il> Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:35:59 +0300 Greetings all, On the morning of the 27th - APR, Yosef Kiat of the Jerusalem Bird Observatory caught and ringed a bird showing characteristics of an Oriental Cuckoo (Cuculus saturatus). If concluded as one, this will be the 2nd record for Israel of this species (Previous one being a bird ringed by Hadoram Shirihai back in 1985). Comments on the Identity of the bird will be very much appreciated, Images can be seen at the Cuckoo thread in : http://www.israbirding.com/israelbirdsforum/forum.php Best Regards, Avner Cohen, Israbirding.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: birding in Istanbul - to Luke Smith or others From: "Julie Alexander" <4july99 AT swissmail.org> Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:36:57 +0300 Dear Luke, I've seen one or two messages from you and reckon you are the person to contact. I'm planning to move to Istanbul in Oct and would like to do some birding and it seems you are involved with the bird group. If you can let me know how to make contact I'd be grateful. Thanks Julie Alexander [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: fethiye info From: "richard brown" <twitcher39 AT yahoo.co.uk> Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:05:34 -0000 hi all,im staying in fethiye South West Turkey from the 9 may for seven nights, and wondered if they is any other birders in the area that i could meet up with? or possibly give me some information on any good local sites. Subject: Athene Noctua Little owl subspecies in Turkey? From: "Luke Smith" <birdbrain7 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:56:11 -0500 Hello from Turkey we are starting a small project with the Istanbul University to determine the boundaries of different little owl subspecies in Turkey. If you have photos from different places you have been in Turkey could you please send them. and if you are planning to go can you please take photos. Thanks Dogan, Umit, Zeynel [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: EU expects Malta's spring birdKilling to stop From: david camilleri <ghawdex40 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 07:08:36 -0400 UPDATE: READ FULL TEXT OF EUROPEAN COURT DECISION No spring hunting in 2008, EU courts rules The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has on Thursday decided to ban spring hunting in Malta as an interim measure, preventing the government from opening the 2008 hunting and trapping season for Turtle Dove and Quail. Click here to read the full text of the European Courts http://www.maltastar.com/pages/msrv/msfullart.asp?an=20641 ----------------------------------------------- Brussels expects spring hunting to stop The European Commission yesterday made it clear that, although the European Court of Justice (ECJ) did not agree to issue interim measures banning spring hunting in the 2009 season, it still expects the Maltese government not to allow hunting next spring. A spokesman for the Commission yesterday told The Times that Thursday's court decision sets a precedent and spring hunting in Malta should not be allowed any longer. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080426/local/brussels-expects-spring-hunting-to-stop -------------------- European Court of Justice interim decision follow-up - No spring hunting this year, government says Police pledge to enforce the law The government said yesterday it would be respecting the decision by the European Courts of Justice on spring hunting, adding that, in view of the ruling in favour of interim measures, the spring hunting season will not be opening this year. A five-line statement was the government's only reaction to the news on the ECJ decision handed down on Thursday evening. As expected, BirdLife Malta and BirdLife International welcomed the decision to order Malta not to open the 2008 spring hunting season for turtle dove and quail. According to the organisations, the order implied that the Court saw an "urgent need to prevent irreversible damage to these migratory bird species while a final ruling on this case is pending and not expected before 2009". http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080426/local/no-spring-hunting-this-year-government-says ------------------------------------------------ A day after the European Court ruled that the 2008 spring hunting season should not be permitted, most Maltese hunters, and the organisations representing them, are still silent, mulling over the next move, while green NGOs and the EU are over the moon. http://www.maltastar.com/pages/msrv/msfullart.asp?an=20670 _________________________________________________________________ Back to work after baby–how do you know when you’re ready? http://lifestyle.msn.com/familyandparenting/articleNW.aspx?cp-documentid=5797498&ocid=T067MSN40A0701A ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Honey Buzzards when are they coming from Israel From: "Luke Smith" <birdbrain7 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:31:43 -0500 hello we here at the Bosphorus in Turkey would like to know when the honey buzzards start passing Israel in numbers this season. we have started to see some this last week. Can some one tell this? thanks Istanbul Bird Watching Society [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ask for help From: Valéry <valeryschollaert AT scarlet.be> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 05:15:52 -0000 Hi all, I'd like to ask you to have a look on this link: http://www.valeryschollaert.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=9&Itemid=349 It gives interesting websites and recommanded field guides for every country of the world. It's a first try, and it has to be improved. This service can be understood easily whatever is your language as it works with maps, but the whole website, mostly in French, will be soon (next month) translated in English, Spanish and Portuguese (we have natives of these language working on it). We are looking for persons that could help us to keep those pages up-to-date, and improve actual information if needed. If you are interested in joining our team (http://www.valeryschollaert.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=643&Itemid=368) your help would be greatly appreciate. We hope to find one person for Middle-East, but if you can help for only one country or another area it can be accepted as well. Our website is fully non commercial and only volunteers work for it. Thank you for contacting me if you can help! Regards, Valéry Schollaert and the team "Le Monde de l'Ornithologie" Subject: Out of office From: Yousef Ali Alzaoby <DQRZ AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:50:31 +0200 Dear all My apologies.. may be I am can't reply for some E-mails because I out of office with distinguished contract for recording & documentation the birds of Asswydaa governorate(south far of Syria) from April 15 through 75 days . Regards A project for Recording the birds in Daraa & Asswydaa area.Syria – Daraa – Mousaifrh P.O.BOX \ 1 \ Tel: +963944798034 Tel&fax: +96315248387 E-mail: dqrz AT hotmail.com Yousef Ali Alzaoby-Freelance bird guide _________________________________________________________________ Connect to the next generation of MSN Messenger  http://imagine-msn.com/messenger/launch80/default.aspx?locale=en-us&source=wlmailtagline [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Eurasian Oystercatcher From: Gyorgy Szimuly <gyorgy.szimuly AT mac.com> Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:07:52 +0200 Hi Friends, I am looking for recent sources of breeding distribution and population size of Eurasian Oystercatcher in inland Turkey. How big the population is and where they breed? Anyone being an expert of shorebirds within the network please contact me. Comments are highly appreciated. BR: Szimi ------ Gyorgy Szimuly (SzimiStyle) Skype: szimistyle Web: http://www.szimistyle.com Blog: http://web.mac.com/gyorgy.szimuly Sent from my iPhone Subject: Reminder_AEWA Waterbird Conservation Award 2008 From: "Sergey Dereliev \(UNEP/AEWA Secretariat\)" <sdereliev AT unep.de> Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:45:04 +0200 Dear all, This is a reminder that the extended deadline for nominations for the AEWA Waterbird Conservation Award 2008 is 30 April. The AEWA Award 2008 will be presented in two categories - institutional and individual, and in addition each of the winners will receive a cash prize of US $ 5,000. We welcome nominations of governmental and non-governmental organisations, enterprises and individuals, which have made a significant contribution towards long-term conservation and sustainable use of waterbirds, especially pioneer initiatives or ones that serve as models for others. For more information please visit the AEWA web site at: http://www.unep-aewa.org/aewa_award/index.htm Kind regards, Sergey Dereliev __________________________________ Sergey DERELIEV (Mr.) Technical Officer UNEP/AEWA Secretariat African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement UN Campus Hermann-Ehlers-Str. 10 53113 Bonn Germany Tel.: +49-228-815-2415 Fax: +49-228-815-2450 E-mail: sdereliev AT unep.de Web: www.unep-aewa.org To subscribe to our monthly AEWA E-newsletter please go to [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bird migration documented as hunters stay at home From: david camilleri <ghawdex40 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:40:28 -0400 Bird migration documented as hunters stay at home Over 150 people joined BirdLife Malta's Spring Watch teams on Sunday for a stroll in the countryside in the first spring without hunting. Numerous environmental organisations joined the international ornithologists who are here to document migration over a two-week period and report any illegal hunting and trapping, BirdLife said. The hike started at the Red Tower in Mellieħa. BirdLife officials provided information about the flora and fauna they came across during the walk. BirdLife Malta executive director Tolga Temuge described the event as a "true celebration" with many walking through the countryside to admire the natural heritage. "It is clear the Maltese people truly appreciate their wonderful environment, given the chance. "The government must put much more effort into safeguarding what is left of the countryside for its inhabitants and visitors to be able to enjoy to the full, now and in the future," Mr Temuge said. The opening of the spring hunting season is on hold as Malta awaits a decision on the matter by the European Court of Justice, with environmentalists revelling in the situation but hunters and trappers feeling increasingly frustrated as peak migration season nears. Article may be viewed at: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080415/local/bird-migration-documented-as-hunters-stay-at-home _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Going green? See the top 12 foods to eat organic. http://green.msn.com/galleries/photos/photos.aspx?gid=164&ocid=T003MSN51N1653A Subject: Re: Lycium barbarum (Garothi) another major food item of Grey Hypocolius in Kutch, Gujarat, India. From: mudhafar salim <mudhafarsalim AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:02:15 -0700 (PDT) Dear Jugal and All, During the summer stay of Gray Hypocolius in Iraq (at least over the central area) , I used to see this bird having the dates as main food. All of the families observed, including juveniles, were foraging over the date palms eating date. Mudhafar jugal tiwari wrote: Lycium barbarum family Solanaceae (Garothi = Local name) another major food item of Grey Hypocolius in Kutch, Gujarat, India. Although the major food item still remains the ripe and unripe berries of Salvadora persica (Khari jar_local name), Grey Hypocolius do feed on the berries and flower buds of Lycium bush in Kutch, this was observed on many ocassion. The identity of this was was established yesterday while discussing this with Botanist Dr. Pankaj Joshi. Here in this picture you can see a grey hypocolius male on Lycium bush. They do roost in these bushes. grey Hypocolius are still in Kutch till 12 th April 2008. I am going to check their roost tomorrow. Last year the last sighting was on 16 th April 2008. Jugal Tiwari Centre for Desert and Ocean village Moti Virani Taluka-Nakhtrana Kutch, Gujarat, India 370665 www.cedobirding.com http://www.indianaturewatch.net/view_cat.php?tag=Jugal+Tiwari&sid=31c18d790e11cc49d50a02f46108ea17 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Lycium barbarum (Garothi) another major food item of Grey Hypocolius in Kutch, Gujarat, India. From: mudhafar salim <mudhafarsalim AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:02:15 -0700 (PDT) Dear Jugal and All, During the summer stay of Gray Hypocolius in Iraq (at least over the central area) , I used to see this bird having the dates as main food. All of the families observed, including juveniles, were foraging over the date palms eating date. Mudhafar jugal tiwari wrote: Lycium barbarum family Solanaceae (Garothi = Local name) another major food item of Grey Hypocolius in Kutch, Gujarat, India. Although the major food item still remains the ripe and unripe berries of Salvadora persica (Khari jar_local name), Grey Hypocolius do feed on the berries and flower buds of Lycium bush in Kutch, this was observed on many ocassion. The identity of this was was established yesterday while discussing this with Botanist Dr. Pankaj Joshi. Here in this picture you can see a grey hypocolius male on Lycium bush. They do roost in these bushes. grey Hypocolius are still in Kutch till 12 th April 2008. I am going to check their roost tomorrow. Last year the last sighting was on 16 th April 2008. Jugal Tiwari Centre for Desert and Ocean village Moti Virani Taluka-Nakhtrana Kutch, Gujarat, India 370665 www.cedobirding.com http://www.indianaturewatch.net/view_cat.php?tag=Jugal+Tiwari&sid=31c18d790e11cc49d50a02f46108ea17 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Kuwait 11-12 April 2008 From: "Richard Saval" <kwibirder AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:02:50 +0300 11 April 2008 Drainage area at Jahra Rd & Rd 605 Little Ringed Plover Sulaibikhat Bay Osprey 12 April 2008 Sewer Plant Reeds Little Bittern Corn Bunting Rick Saval kwibirder AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birding Report from Doha, Qatar From: "Gordon Saunders" <saunderstern AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:36:36 +0300 The following are reports of some bird sightings from recent birding trips in and near Doha, Qatar ... enjoy! Gordon Birding Reports *by Gordon Saunders, Ed Smith, Thaju Chirakuzhi, and Shirley Carter-Brown* * * Tuesday, April 1, 2008 *by Gordon Saunders* Green Patch in Doha … conditions were very hot and breezy * * · usual good numbers of … - Collared Dove - Palm Dove - House Sparrows - White-Cheeked Bulbul · Grey Francolin · *1 Rufus-tailed Bush Robin* · 2 Parakeets flying in distance … presumably Ring-neck Parakeets · Calling … - Indian Silverbill - Chiffchaff · Note: 1000's of bees/wasps (reddish color bodies) clinging in a disc shape high in Acasia Tree! Friday, April 4, 2008 *by Gordon Saunders, Thaju Chirakuzhi, and Ed Smith. * Beach, Intertidal and Mangrooves south of Al Wahkra … very pleasant conditions · 2 Indian Silverbill (AJ #3 Compound) · 3 Common Kestral · 10 Pallid Swift · 5 Sand Martin · 6 Barn Swallow · 8 Crested lark · *1 Pallid Harrier (f)* · 1 Hoopoe Lark · 10 Issabeline Shrike … *at least 2 Turkestan!* · *1 Masked Shrike (f) … a cracker …bird of the day!* · 1 Rufous Bush Robin · 20 Greater Flamingo · 4 Tree Pipit · 1 Osprey · 1 Pied Wheatear (m) · 1 Isabelline Wheatear · 4 Curlew · 5 Greenshank · 4 Western Reef Heron · 2 Little Egret Saturday, April 5, 2008 *by Gordon Saunders, Ed Smith and Shirley Carter-Brown* Simaisma and Al Khor sewage lagoons near AK Community and water tower … very pleasant conditions · *1 Little Owl … at Simaisma* · *4 Northern Wheatear … males in cracker breeding plumage* · 5 Isabelline Shrike · 15 Barn Swallow · 12 Sand Martin · 1 Slender-billed Gull · 1 Marsh Harrier · *2 Pallid Harrier (1m/1f) … male was sheltering behind a bush from the wind* · 6 Ringed Plover · 3 Little Ring Plover · *2 Red Throat Pipit* · 3 White Wagtail · 4 Isabelline Wheatear · 3 Little Stint · 1 Temmink's Stint · 5 Kentish Plover · *2 Chicks … presumably Kentish plover because of aggressive* * behavior of the adults* · *2 Black-eared Wheatear* · 5 Green Sandpiper** · 2 Wood Sandpiper** · 1 Common Sandpiper** · 50+ Moorhen** · 2 Little Grebe** · *1 Collared Pratincole* · 6 Mallard** · 3 Grey Heron** · 1 Little Egret** · 1 Squacco Heron** · 5 Crested Lark** · 8 Black-winged Stilt** · #'s Clamorous Reed Warbler … * calling!* · 1 Greenshank** · 1 Redshank …*in very nice breeding plumage* · 2 Namaqua Dove** · 3 Grey Francolin** · 2 Ring-neck Parakeets** · Usual good numbers of …** - Palm Dove - Collared Dove - House Sparrows** - Common Myna** - White-cheeked Bulbul** · *4 Mystery birds together as a group … ??? * - pink/fleshy legs - short tail** - nondescript … very uniform olive/brown from beak base to ** rump … no streaking - primaries were darker and extended near tail tip - secondaries were lighter - wingbar like a larks … not really distinct, faint but visible - no forehead - small dark eye in a very bland face** *Most probable is Pale Rock Sparrows. ??? * [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: A Lesser Frigatebird 1st for Kuwait 4th for WP. From: "Abdulrahman" <alsirhan AT alsirhan.com> Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:00:21 -0000 A Message forwarded from WestPalBirds AT Yahoogroups Hi All A Lesser Frigatebird has been seen and photographed this evening at Zour Port, southern Kuwait by visiting English birders- a national first and as I understand it the 4th Western Palearctic record and the first away from Israel (birds at Eilat on 1st December 1997, 6th May 1999 and 16th April 2005). Of interest a single Socotra Cormorant, 100 Bridled and 4 White-cheeked Terns were also at this site today. Cheers and good birding Rich__ Subject: Re: Phoenix 24 - a bit late but still full of good stuff From: "Gordon Saunders" <saunderstern AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:28:26 +0300 Hi Mike I am interested in a copy .. I think you have my address, but here it is again Gordon Saunders C/O College of the North Atlantic PO Box 24449 Doha, Qatar Thanks in advance Gordon On 4/9/08, Mike Jennings wrote: > > Phoenix 24, the newsletter of the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia > project, was published a few weeks late this year due to circumstances > outside my control, blah, blah! This year there are notes and longer > articles contributed by Khalid al Ghanem, Salah al Mahdhoury, Simon > Aspinall, Pekka Fagel, George Gregory, Peter Hellyer, Salim Javed, Mike > McGrady, Brian Meadows and co-authors. > > The issues contents include: > > Four reports on new breeding species for the Arabian Peninsula; Common > Babbler Turdoides caudatus, Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Superb > Starling Lamprotornis superbus (exotic) and Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula > cyanocephala (exotic). > > Progress report on the atlas - it will be finished this year. > > Changes in nomenclature and taxonomy affecting Arabia species and the > future names to be used by the project. > > Recent Sooty Falcon Falco concolor research and census in Oman. > > Satellite tracking of Red-billed Tropic birds Phaethon aetherius (one > travelled over 5000 kms to south-west India in 55 days!) > > Satellite tagged Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus movements between > Arabia and the north Caspian region. > > More about the Meinertzhagen mysteries. > > Notes on Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio and Little Grebe Tachybaptus > ruficollis both breeding again in Kuwait after a gap of several years. > > Birds in Arabian caves. > > Crocodile records from Arabia (Health and Safety for birders?) > > Grey Shrike taxa in eastern Arabia. > > Birds sites in Yemen > > Clamorous Warblers Acrocephalus stentoreus in the Eastern Province. > > African Collared Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea and Eurasian Collared Dove > S. decaocto in western Arabia. > > Sandgrouse Ecology in central Oman > > Report of a Saw-scale Viper killing and eating a wheatear. > > Arabia's largest Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens colony discovered > in Yemen. > > 16 colour plates and 10 line drawings. > > Plus the usual recent reports of unusual records, reviews, announcements > and request for information. > > Subscribers and observers in Arabia will get their copies soon - if not > already received. Others resident in Arabia can collect a copy from their > local natural history group. Those who have difficulty getting a copy > locally or are just interested in Arabian birds and would like a copy, > please send details to me. > > Mike Jennings > Coordinator: Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia > and Editor of the Phoenix newsletter (ISSN 0268-487X) > Warners Farm House, Warners Drove, > Somersham, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3WD, UK. > Tel/Fax 01487 841733 (Intl 0044 1487 841733) > Email: ArabianBirds AT dsl.pipex.com > Website: http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/arabian.birds/ > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Phoenix 24 - a bit late but still full of good stuff From: Peter Hellyer <hellyer AT emirates.net.ae> Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:28:00 +0400 Good on yer, Mike. What's a few weeks between friends. Tribulus Vo. 17 (2007), now a single issue for the whole year, is about to go to press... Rgds Peter ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Jennings" To: "MEBirdNet" Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:08 AM Subject: [MEBirdNet] Phoenix 24 - a bit late but still full of good stuff > Phoenix 24, the newsletter of the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia > project, was published a few weeks late this year due to circumstances > outside my control, blah, blah! This year there are notes and longer > articles contributed by Khalid al Ghanem, Salah al Mahdhoury, Simon > Aspinall, Pekka Fagel, George Gregory, Peter Hellyer, Salim Javed, Mike > McGrady, Brian Meadows and co-authors. > > The issues contents include: > > Four reports on new breeding species for the Arabian Peninsula; Common > Babbler Turdoides caudatus, Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Superb > Starling Lamprotornis superbus (exotic) and Plum-headed Parakeet > Psittacula cyanocephala (exotic). > > Progress report on the atlas - it will be finished this year. > > Changes in nomenclature and taxonomy affecting Arabia species and the > future names to be used by the project. > > Recent Sooty Falcon Falco concolor research and census in Oman. > > Satellite tracking of Red-billed Tropic birds Phaethon aetherius (one > travelled over 5000 kms to south-west India in 55 days!) > > Satellite tagged Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus movements between > Arabia and the north Caspian region. > > More about the Meinertzhagen mysteries. > > Notes on Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio and Little Grebe Tachybaptus > ruficollis both breeding again in Kuwait after a gap of several years. > > Birds in Arabian caves. > > Crocodile records from Arabia (Health and Safety for birders?) > > Grey Shrike taxa in eastern Arabia. > > Birds sites in Yemen > > Clamorous Warblers Acrocephalus stentoreus in the Eastern Province. > > African Collared Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea and Eurasian Collared Dove > S. decaocto in western Arabia. > > Sandgrouse Ecology in central Oman > > Report of a Saw-scale Viper killing and eating a wheatear. > > Arabia's largest Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens colony discovered > in Yemen. > > 16 colour plates and 10 line drawings. > > Plus the usual recent reports of unusual records, reviews, announcements > and request for information. > > Subscribers and observers in Arabia will get their copies soon - if not > already received. Others resident in Arabia can collect a copy from their > local natural history group. Those who have difficulty getting a copy > locally or are just interested in Arabian birds and would like a copy, > please send details to me. > > Mike Jennings > Coordinator: Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia > and Editor of the Phoenix newsletter (ISSN 0268-487X) > Warners Farm House, Warners Drove, > Somersham, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3WD, UK. > Tel/Fax 01487 841733 (Intl 0044 1487 841733) > Email: ArabianBirds AT dsl.pipex.com > Website: http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/arabian.birds/ > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > ------------------------------------ > > This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, > Caucasus and Central Asia. > > Read all about us at http://www.osme.org > > To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- > MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > Subject: Phoenix 24 - a bit late but still full of good stuff From: "Mike Jennings" <ArabianBirds AT dsl.pipex.com> Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 21:08:41 +0100 Phoenix 24, the newsletter of the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia project, was published a few weeks late this year due to circumstances outside my control, blah, blah! This year there are notes and longer articles contributed by Khalid al Ghanem, Salah al Mahdhoury, Simon Aspinall, Pekka Fagel, George Gregory, Peter Hellyer, Salim Javed, Mike McGrady, Brian Meadows and co-authors. The issues contents include: Four reports on new breeding species for the Arabian Peninsula; Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus, Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Superb Starling Lamprotornis superbus (exotic) and Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala (exotic). Progress report on the atlas - it will be finished this year. Changes in nomenclature and taxonomy affecting Arabia species and the future names to be used by the project. Recent Sooty Falcon Falco concolor research and census in Oman. Satellite tracking of Red-billed Tropic birds Phaethon aetherius (one travelled over 5000 kms to south-west India in 55 days!) Satellite tagged Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus movements between Arabia and the north Caspian region. More about the Meinertzhagen mysteries. Notes on Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio and Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis both breeding again in Kuwait after a gap of several years. Birds in Arabian caves. Crocodile records from Arabia (Health and Safety for birders?) Grey Shrike taxa in eastern Arabia. Birds sites in Yemen Clamorous Warblers Acrocephalus stentoreus in the Eastern Province. African Collared Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea and Eurasian Collared Dove S. decaocto in western Arabia. Sandgrouse Ecology in central Oman Report of a Saw-scale Viper killing and eating a wheatear. Arabia's largest Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens colony discovered in Yemen. 16 colour plates and 10 line drawings. Plus the usual recent reports of unusual records, reviews, announcements and request for information. Subscribers and observers in Arabia will get their copies soon - if not already received. Others resident in Arabia can collect a copy from their local natural history group. Those who have difficulty getting a copy locally or are just interested in Arabian birds and would like a copy, please send details to me. Mike Jennings Coordinator: Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia and Editor of the Phoenix newsletter (ISSN 0268-487X) Warners Farm House, Warners Drove, Somersham, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3WD, UK. Tel/Fax 01487 841733 (Intl 0044 1487 841733) Email: ArabianBirds AT dsl.pipex.com Website: http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/arabian.birds/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Antakya - Turkiye From: "ali atahan" <mezgeldek AT mynet.com> Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 15:03:44 +0300 (EEST) Dear all, The interesting species that observed in Antakya (Southern Turkiye) in last 20 days:   Aquila nipalensis, 1 at Subasi, 28 Mar and 2 Apr. Aquila clanga, 1 at Subasi, 29 Mar. Oenanthe cypriaca, 1 at Subasi, 16 Mar and 1 at Milleyha - Samandag, 31 Mar. Bucanetes githagineus, 1 at Milleyha - Samandag, 1 Apr. Melanocorypha bimaculata, 3 at Milleyha - Samandag, 1 Apr. Sula bassana, 1 at Milleyha - Samandag, 31 Mar. Oenanthe pleschanka, 1 at Samandag, 30 Mar. Motacilla citreola, 3 at Milleyha - Samandag, 31 Mar and 1 Apr.   regards Ali Atahan www.aliatahan.com     [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bateleur record, 7th for Israel From: "Avner Cohen" <AvnerCo AT fundtech.co.il> Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 13:54:49 +0300 All, Just wanted to point out that images of the Batelur, seen on the 28th-Apr over Eilat are now published at : http://www.israbirding.com/reports/rarity_alerts/bateleur_eilat/ Good birds are still daily recorded at the Arava region with Basra Reed Warbler, Pine Bunting - the 3rd record around Eilat and a new Caspian Plover being the highlights. Best Regards, Avner Cohen. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: March sightings from Israel - Monthly summary From: "Avner Cohen" <AvnerCo AT fundtech.co.il> Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 12:11:07 +0300 Greetings all, March was a great month with many good birds and surprises, good part of it due to the many talented foreign visitors to southern Israel. Summary with photographs of the month is available at: http://www.israbirding.com/reports/monthly_summaries/mar_08/ Any one who has additional contributions, kindly let me know, we will happily publish new updates. Best Regards, Avner Cohen, Israbirding.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: North African houbara release 'very exciting' From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 22:47:11 -0700 (PDT) North African houbara release 'very exciting' Staff Report Published: April 02, 2008, 00:01 Abu Dhabi: In line with the UAE's strategic efforts to increase the number of houbaras in the wild, General Shaikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has participated in the release of more than 5,000 North African houbaras. General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed participated in the event which happened in an area of about 300km inside the eastern desert of Morocco. General Shaikh Mohammad said: "This release of the houbaras in North Africa was necessary to meet the continuous decline of houbara numbers due to the destruction of their wintering and breeding habitat, over-trapping and over-hunting in addition to illegal trade, all of which require insistent steps to restore a healthy houbara population in the wild." Full story at http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10202367.html Subject: North African houbara release 'very exciting' From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 22:47:11 -0700 (PDT) North African houbara release 'very exciting' Staff Report Published: April 02, 2008, 00:01 Abu Dhabi: In line with the UAE's strategic efforts to increase the number of houbaras in the wild, General Shaikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has participated in the release of more than 5,000 North African houbaras. General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed participated in the event which happened in an area of about 300km inside the eastern desert of Morocco. General Shaikh Mohammad said: "This release of the houbaras in North Africa was necessary to meet the continuous decline of houbara numbers due to the destruction of their wintering and breeding habitat, over-trapping and over-hunting in addition to illegal trade, all of which require insistent steps to restore a healthy houbara population in the wild." Full story at http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10202367.html Subject: Re: Birding Report from Doha, Qatar From: "Gordon Saunders" <saunderstern AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:28:01 +0300 Hi Ian How are things? The heat haze hindered getting good makrings on the dark (gull like) bird off shore. I think possibly Soothy Gull. However, the bird was very busy .. ie, swerving, diving, changing directions ... etc. Re; the Plover in question. We observed it at very close range on a soccer pitch. We did not see it fly and thus could not see the underwing markings. I will forward your comments to Mike Chalmers, the birder from Hong Kong who was with me on that date in January ... and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then!!! I will keep you updated Thanks for the great questions ... makes me a better birder! Cheers Gordon On 3/27/08, Ian Harrison wrote: > > Hi Gordon > > as always, I enjoy your reports. > > Your dark bird off shore - a skua? > Lesser black-backed - fuscus presumably? > > re the Golden plover and Pacific GP that we discussed briefly a week or so > ago: Eurasian has paler almost white underwings. This is the key feature I > think. Paciifc is also slimmer and slighter (Eurasian is somewhere in > between Grey and Paciifc in bulk to my mind). Eurasian in winter is also > more marked on the breast. > Ian > On Thu, Mar 27, 2008 at 9:25 AM, Gordon Saunders > wrote: > > > The following are recent reports from a few sites near Doha, Qatar. > > Enjoy! > > > > > > Birding Report *by Gordon Saunders* > > > > * * > > > > Sunday, March 9th, 2008 … Al Wahkra and Jail Ponds from Abu Nakla side. > > > > > > > > *Al Wahkra* > > > > Slender Billed Gull > > > > Redshank > > > > Greenshank > > > > Kentish Plover > > > > Curlew Sandpiper > > > > Curlew > > > > Lesser Black backed Gull > > > > Black Head Gull > > > > Grey Plover > > > > Little Ring Plover > > > > Ring Plover > > > > House Sparrow > > > > Barn Swallow > > > > Red Rump Swallow > > > > Little Stint > > > > Turnstone > > > > Terek Sandpiper > > > > 3 Isabelline Shrike > > > > 2 Isabelline Wheatear > > > > *1 Pied Wheatear … vittata! …. cracker*! > > > > 3 Pied Wheatear (2m/1f) > > > > 1 Menetries's Warbler > > > > > > > > *Jail Ponds … Abu Nakhla side* > > > > Black Crowned Finch Lark > > > > Crested Lark > > > > Tawny Pipit > > > > Green Sandpiper > > > > Wood Sandpiper > > > > Common Snipe > > > > Greenshank > > > > 5 Water Pipit > > > > 10 Little Egret > > > > *2 Woodchat Shrike* > > > > 3 Mallard > > > > 2 Purple Heron > > > > 2 House Martin > > > > 5 Barn Swallow > > > > 4 Red Rumped Swallow > > > > 3 Hoopoe > > > > > > > > > > > > Birding Report *by Gordon Saunders, Shirley Carter-Brown, Di Heathcote, > Ed > > Smith, Roman and Libby Turzycn* > > > > * * > > > > Friday, March 14th, 2008 at the Abu Nakhla (Jails Ponds) west of Doha > > > > > > > > 6 Common Snipe > > > > *1 Jack Snipe* > > > > 12 Barn Swallow > > > > *1 Sand Martin* > > > > 2 Grey Francolin > > > > *8 Night Heron* > > > > 5 Green Sandpiper > > > > 12 Wood Sandpiper > > > > 1 Yellow Wagtail …*flying and sound* > > > > 4 White Wagtail > > > > 2 Moorhen > > > > 8 Wigeon (f) > > > > 1 Citrine Wagtail … *a real beauty and bird of the day**?* > > > > 20 Teal … *in flight* > > > > 5 Isabelline Shrike > > > > 2 Isabelline Wheatear > > > > 1 Southern Grey Shrike > > > > 8 Marsh Harrier (1 male) > > > > 5 Greenshank > > > > 10 Redshank > > > > 2 Bluethroat (1male/1female) > > > > 1 Graceful Prinia *… calling*** > > > > 20+ Clamorous Reed Warblers … *calling* > > > > 3 Black Winged Stilt > > > > 2 Ruff > > > > 1 Common Sandpiper > > > > 2 Ring Plover > > > > 10 Little Stint > > > > 5 Water Pipit > > > > 12 Cattle Egret > > > > 1 Little Egret > > > > 1 Great Egret > > > > 10 Purple Heron > > > > 50+ Grey Heron > > > > 1 Black Headed Gull > > > > 5 Little Grebe > > > > 2 Great Crested Grebe > > > > 50+ Cormorant > > > > Usual good numbers of .. > > > > Palm Dove > > Common > > Myna > > > > House Sparrow > > White-cheeked > > Bulbul > > > > Collared Dove > > > > > > > > > > > > *1 Stone Curlew … in the vehicle of a falconer! * > > > > * * > > > > *1 Male Peacock walking across the birding site* > > > > ** > > > > ** > > > > ** > > > > *Birding Report by Gordon Saunders* > > > > * * > > > > *Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Simaisma, North of Doha* > > > > * * > > > > *Simaisma* > > > > * * > > > > 2 Red Rumped Swallow > > > > 2 Barn Swallow > > > > 1 Pallid Swift > > > > 1 Little Owl > > > > 2 Woodchat Shrike … birds of the day! > > > > 25 House Sparrow > > > > 2 Northern Wheatear (f) > > > > 10 Tawny Pipit > > > > 20 Grey Plover … *some in partial breeding plumage* > > > > 25 Terek Sandpiper > > > > 30 Kentish Plover > > > > 50 Little Stint > > > > 10 Bar-tailed Godwit … *3 males on full breeding plumage … crackers!* > > > > 10 Crested Lark > > > > 8 Slender-billed Gull > > > > 15 Lesser Sandplover > > > > 10 Greater Sandplover … *2 in breeding plumage* > > > > 20 Eurasian Curlew > > > > 20 Dunlin > > > > 5 Turnstone > > > > 10 Redshank > > > > 15 Greenshank > > > > 2 Oyster Catcher > > > > 10 Common Myna > > > > 10 Collared Dove > > > > 5 Palm Dove > > > > 2 Hoopoe > > > > 2 Hoopoe Lark > > > > 500+ Flamingo > > > > 1 Dark seabird (gull-like) flying off-shore ?? > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle > East, > > Caucasus and Central Asia. > > > > Read all about us at http://www.osme.org > > > > To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- > > MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > ------------------------------------ > > This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, > Caucasus and Central Asia. > > Read all about us at http://www.osme.org > > To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- > MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Eurasian Spoonbill lands at Malta's Ghadira Nature Reserve From: david camilleri <ghawdex40 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:06:38 -0400 Photo here:- http://maltastar.com/pages/msrv/msfullart.asp?an=19906 Rare visitor lands at Ghadira Nature Reserve Fri, 28 March 2008 The Eurasian Spoonbill (Paletta), a scarce and irregular species in the Maltese islands during migration, was sighted at the Ghadira Nature Reserve, Birdlife said in a statement. The Eurasian Spoonbill had no sightings whatsoever in Malta in some years. Less than 5,000 pairs can be found within the European Union (EU). The Eurasian Spoonbill is a Species of Conservation Concern and is given extra protection under Annex 1 of the EU Birds Directive. Its global population is concentrated in Europe, although the bird remains rare throughout the continent, and therefore throughout the world. Serious international conservation efforts have however seen an increase in its population in recent years. The Eurasian Spoonbill is still resting at the Ghadira Nature Reserve to date. Those wishing to try to catch a glimpse of this rare visitor can try their luck this weekend, although the bird may chose to move on to its European breeding grounds at any given moment. The Ghadira Nature Reserve is open on the weekends between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and entrance is free of charge. Photo: Christopher Cachia Zammit _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live Hotmail is giving away Zunes. http://www.windowslive-hotmail.com/ZuneADay/?locale=en-US&ocid=TXT_TAGLM_Mobile_Zune_V3 Subject: An extraordinary weekend at Eilat (28-29/Mar/08) From: "Avner Cohen" <AvnerCo AT fundtech.co.il> Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:02:35 +0300 Greetings all, Below is a short (ok, medium-sized) summary of the exciting observations at the weekend that concluded the birding festival at Eilat: *AUDUBON'S/LITTLE SHEARWATER* - 28-29th/March. A Shearwater probably of the Audubon's/Little complex was seen of the north beach of Eilat. An initial description, photo and discussion of the ID can be seen at: http://www.israbirding.com/israelbirdsforum/forum.php Marco Witte of the Netherlands was the first to note the Shearwater and called the attention of some 100 birdwatchers on the evening of the observation. This would be the 3rd record for Israel if accepted. *BATELAUR* - The 28th was a peak day for Steppe Buzzard migration with some 30,000 passing through. While watching the migrating birds, Noam Weiss who is well familiar with this species from Africa was the first to call the "Batelaur"!! Rami and I soon located the bird and Rami took few record shoots of the bird. In the flocks of Steppe Buzzards, the bird had a striking appearance; it was darker, almost twice as big and was holding its wings in an extreme V shape. My first impression of the bird was that it was "hanged" in the air rather than soaring or gliding. This would be the 8th record for Israel if accepted. Crested Honey Buzzard - The bird representing the 1st wintering record in Israel was still present by the 29th of March. *CRESTED TERN* - 29th/Mar. Daniel V. Lopez of Spain reported a bird of this species during the morning of the 29th. There are less than 30 records of this species in Israel. (While waiting for the Tern to return, the Shearwater from last evening made a return and allowed those who missed it in the previous day to see it this time). Thick-billed Lark - Through out the weekend, at least 4 birds were seen at the green patch of the Meyshar. This seems to be a rather good year for this species with many sightings around the Arava. Olive backed Pipit - at least 3 birds are still present at Eliot's northern date plantation by the 29th of March. *BLACK BUSH-ROBIN* - The morning of the 29th started when I received a call from Daniel V. Lopez, reporting a Black Bush-Robin from the bird watching park. The bird was obliging and showed well for many happy observers who flocked to the park. Good Birding & Peace, Avner Cohen, Israbirding.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Re: Up to date - where are the records? From: "M.Istvan" <idegenvezeto AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 04:17:38 -0700 (PDT) Dear Tomas El Birder Kibir, All the reports subbmited on Egypt Bird Group can be find iat the web pages archieve, and also I colect them and planing to put them together. Of course, I am aware that I am a lazy kind of secretary ( more closer to a dead one..) and I hate to compile these datas and at the moment I just update a checklist with the rarities records. All the reports and a compiled one will be available at the end of summer at the EGyBirdgroup web page under the FILES topic. So, any data which is send by anyone is saved in a special folder and I store them at the moment. The idea of Keith is great. I have checked once thet web site but I already forget about it. Maybee is due to the hot weather??? Or it can be something genetic which is specific to the eastern Transylvanians..... Rubbish Tip Steve PS. You did not call me regarding the cars, so my 100LE as an advance for the cars is lost. That means 15 beers. If I` ll catch you.....hmmm.....:)) Tomas Haraldsson wrote: Of course all your records are very interesting for those of us trying to piece together a full picture of the egyptian birdlife. They should be made public in some way, or published, I guess there are lots of good stuff there! I hope we can contribute with some nice records on our trip 25/4 - 4/5 soon. Is there a good spot by the shore somewhere north of Fowzy´s in Ain Sukhna? To look for gulls and terns and waders, I saw you were there recently. all the best http://get.live.com/photogallery/overview [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Moldován István Tour&Birding guide Contact person of OSME- Egypt Mobile: Egypt: 002-0161472905 www.osme.org --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: What is this common bird, please? From: "Richard Klim" <rdklim AT yahoo.co.uk> Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:13:40 -0000 It's Pycnonotus leucotis, White-eared Bulbul. Richard Klim Somerset, UK www.freewebs.com/holarcticlisting ----- Original Message ----- From: "tilmanthecat" To: Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 2:46 PM Subject: [MEBirdNet] What is this common bird, please? I see a lot of these birds in Riyadh. What are they? Thanks http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j304/awhitecat/? action=view¤t=birdriyadh2.jpg http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j304/awhitecat/? action=view¤t=birdriyadh1.jpg Subject: What is this common bird, please? From: "tilmanthecat" <macarmody AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:46:27 -0000 I see a lot of these birds in Riyadh. What are they? Thanks http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j304/awhitecat/? action=view¤t=birdriyadh2.jpg http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j304/awhitecat/? action=view¤t=birdriyadh1.jpg Subject: Re: Birding Report from Doha, Qatar From: "Ian Harrison" <ianbirds AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:12:11 +0000 Hi Gordon as always, I enjoy your reports. Your dark bird off shore - a skua? Lesser black-backed - fuscus presumably? re the Golden plover and Pacific GP that we discussed briefly a week or so ago: Eurasian has paler almost white underwings. This is the key feature I think. Paciifc is also slimmer and slighter (Eurasian is somewhere in between Grey and Paciifc in bulk to my mind). Eurasian in winter is also more marked on the breast. Ian On Thu, Mar 27, 2008 at 9:25 AM, Gordon Saunders wrote: > The following are recent reports from a few sites near Doha, Qatar. > Enjoy! > > > Birding Report *by Gordon Saunders* > > * * > > Sunday, March 9th, 2008 … Al Wahkra and Jail Ponds from Abu Nakla side. > > > > *Al Wahkra* > > Slender Billed Gull > > Redshank > > Greenshank > > Kentish Plover > > Curlew Sandpiper > > Curlew > > Lesser Black backed Gull > > Black Head Gull > > Grey Plover > > Little Ring Plover > > Ring Plover > > House Sparrow > > Barn Swallow > > Red Rump Swallow > > Little Stint > > Turnstone > > Terek Sandpiper > > 3 Isabelline Shrike > > 2 Isabelline Wheatear > > *1 Pied Wheatear … vittata! …. cracker*! > > 3 Pied Wheatear (2m/1f) > > 1 Menetries's Warbler > > > > *Jail Ponds … Abu Nakhla side* > > Black Crowned Finch Lark > > Crested Lark > > Tawny Pipit > > Green Sandpiper > > Wood Sandpiper > > Common Snipe > > Greenshank > > 5 Water Pipit > > 10 Little Egret > > *2 Woodchat Shrike* > > 3 Mallard > > 2 Purple Heron > > 2 House Martin > > 5 Barn Swallow > > 4 Red Rumped Swallow > > 3 Hoopoe > > > > > > Birding Report *by Gordon Saunders, Shirley Carter-Brown, Di Heathcote, Ed > Smith, Roman and Libby Turzycn* > > * * > > Friday, March 14th, 2008 at the Abu Nakhla (Jails Ponds) west of Doha > > > > 6 Common Snipe > > *1 Jack Snipe* > > 12 Barn Swallow > > *1 Sand Martin* > > 2 Grey Francolin > > *8 Night Heron* > > 5 Green Sandpiper > > 12 Wood Sandpiper > > 1 Yellow Wagtail …*flying and sound* > > 4 White Wagtail > > 2 Moorhen > > 8 Wigeon (f) > > 1 Citrine Wagtail … *a real beauty and bird of the day**?* > > 20 Teal … *in flight* > > 5 Isabelline Shrike > > 2 Isabelline Wheatear > > 1 Southern Grey Shrike > > 8 Marsh Harrier (1 male) > > 5 Greenshank > > 10 Redshank > > 2 Bluethroat (1male/1female) > > 1 Graceful Prinia *… calling*** > > 20+ Clamorous Reed Warblers … *calling* > > 3 Black Winged Stilt > > 2 Ruff > > 1 Common Sandpiper > > 2 Ring Plover > > 10 Little Stint > > 5 Water Pipit > > 12 Cattle Egret > > 1 Little Egret > > 1 Great Egret > > 10 Purple Heron > > 50+ Grey Heron > > 1 Black Headed Gull > > 5 Little Grebe > > 2 Great Crested Grebe > > 50+ Cormorant > > Usual good numbers of .. > > Palm Dove > Common > Myna > > House Sparrow > White-cheeked > Bulbul > > Collared Dove > > > > > > *1 Stone Curlew … in the vehicle of a falconer! * > > * * > > *1 Male Peacock walking across the birding site* > > ** > > ** > > ** > > *Birding Report by Gordon Saunders* > > * * > > *Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Simaisma, North of Doha* > > * * > > *Simaisma* > > * * > > 2 Red Rumped Swallow > > 2 Barn Swallow > > 1 Pallid Swift > > 1 Little Owl > > 2 Woodchat Shrike … birds of the day! > > 25 House Sparrow > > 2 Northern Wheatear (f) > > 10 Tawny Pipit > > 20 Grey Plover … *some in partial breeding plumage* > > 25 Terek Sandpiper > > 30 Kentish Plover > > 50 Little Stint > > 10 Bar-tailed Godwit … *3 males on full breeding plumage … crackers!* > > 10 Crested Lark > > 8 Slender-billed Gull > > 15 Lesser Sandplover > > 10 Greater Sandplover … *2 in breeding plumage* > > 20 Eurasian Curlew > > 20 Dunlin > > 5 Turnstone > > 10 Redshank > > 15 Greenshank > > 2 Oyster Catcher > > 10 Common Myna > > 10 Collared Dove > > 5 Palm Dove > > 2 Hoopoe > > 2 Hoopoe Lark > > 500+ Flamingo > > 1 Dark seabird (gull-like) flying off-shore ?? > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > ------------------------------------ > > This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, > Caucasus and Central Asia. > > Read all about us at http://www.osme.org > > To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- > MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Desert Eagle Owl recording From: "Dave Sargeant" <akalat AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:58:08 +0400 To help with surveying the presence of this species in Oman, does anyone have a recording of Desert Eagle-Owl they could send me by email? Many thanks Dave -- Dave Sargeant - Oman Bird Recorder Muscat Oman [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birding Report from Doha, Qatar From: "Gordon Saunders" <saunderstern AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:25:07 +0300 The following are recent reports from a few sites near Doha, Qatar. Enjoy! Birding Report *by Gordon Saunders* * * Sunday, March 9th, 2008 … Al Wahkra and Jail Ponds from Abu Nakla side. *Al Wahkra* Slender Billed Gull Redshank Greenshank Kentish Plover Curlew Sandpiper Curlew Lesser Black backed Gull Black Head Gull Grey Plover Little Ring Plover Ring Plover House Sparrow Barn Swallow Red Rump Swallow Little Stint Turnstone Terek Sandpiper 3 Isabelline Shrike 2 Isabelline Wheatear *1 Pied Wheatear … vittata! …. cracker*! 3 Pied Wheatear (2m/1f) 1 Menetries's Warbler *Jail Ponds … Abu Nakhla side* Black Crowned Finch Lark Crested Lark Tawny Pipit Green Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Common Snipe Greenshank 5 Water Pipit 10 Little Egret *2 Woodchat Shrike* 3 Mallard 2 Purple Heron 2 House Martin 5 Barn Swallow 4 Red Rumped Swallow 3 Hoopoe Birding Report *by Gordon Saunders, Shirley Carter-Brown, Di Heathcote, Ed Smith, Roman and Libby Turzycn* * * Friday, March 14th, 2008 at the Abu Nakhla (Jails Ponds) west of Doha 6 Common Snipe *1 Jack Snipe* 12 Barn Swallow *1 Sand Martin* 2 Grey Francolin *8 Night Heron* 5 Green Sandpiper 12 Wood Sandpiper 1 Yellow Wagtail …*flying and sound* 4 White Wagtail 2 Moorhen 8 Wigeon (f) 1 Citrine Wagtail … *a real beauty and bird of the day**?* 20 Teal … *in flight* 5 Isabelline Shrike 2 Isabelline Wheatear 1 Southern Grey Shrike 8 Marsh Harrier (1 male) 5 Greenshank 10 Redshank 2 Bluethroat (1male/1female) 1 Graceful Prinia *… calling*** 20+ Clamorous Reed Warblers … *calling* 3 Black Winged Stilt 2 Ruff 1 Common Sandpiper 2 Ring Plover 10 Little Stint 5 Water Pipit 12 Cattle Egret 1 Little Egret 1 Great Egret 10 Purple Heron 50+ Grey Heron 1 Black Headed Gull 5 Little Grebe 2 Great Crested Grebe 50+ Cormorant Usual good numbers of .. Palm Dove Common Myna House Sparrow White-cheeked Bulbul Collared Dove *1 Stone Curlew … in the vehicle of a falconer! * * * *1 Male Peacock walking across the birding site* ** ** ** *Birding Report by Gordon Saunders* * * *Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Simaisma, North of Doha* * * *Simaisma* * * 2 Red Rumped Swallow 2 Barn Swallow 1 Pallid Swift 1 Little Owl 2 Woodchat Shrike … birds of the day! 25 House Sparrow 2 Northern Wheatear (f) 10 Tawny Pipit 20 Grey Plover … *some in partial breeding plumage* 25 Terek Sandpiper 30 Kentish Plover 50 Little Stint 10 Bar-tailed Godwit … *3 males on full breeding plumage … crackers!* 10 Crested Lark 8 Slender-billed Gull 15 Lesser Sandplover 10 Greater Sandplover … *2 in breeding plumage* 20 Eurasian Curlew 20 Dunlin 5 Turnstone 10 Redshank 15 Greenshank 2 Oyster Catcher 10 Common Myna 10 Collared Dove 5 Palm Dove 2 Hoopoe 2 Hoopoe Lark 500+ Flamingo 1 Dark seabird (gull-like) flying off-shore ?? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: Up to date - where are the records? From: "Keith Betton" <keith_betton AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:46:41 -0000 Regarding the suggestion about a place where images can be posted, OSME has a plan to add a photo facility to our website. The Oriental Bird Club and African Bird Club have this facility - but there are software issues to be resolved first. In the meantime - remember that there is a photo-sharing facility on this email group: http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/photos Keith Betton Subject: No Subject From: Tomas Haraldsson <tomasharaldsson AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:12:18 +0100 sorry all, that last one was for Ahmed Riad only... Tomas _________________________________________________________________ Spara, redigera och organisera dina foton enkelt med Photo Gallery! http://get.live.com/photogallery/overview [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Re: Up to date - where are the records? From: Tomas Haraldsson <tomasharaldsson AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:10:27 +0100 Of course all your records are very interesting for those of us trying to piece together a full picture of the egyptian birdlife. They should be made public in some way, or published, I guess there are lots of good stuff there! I hope we can contribute with some nice records on our trip 25/4 - 4/5 soon. Is there a good spot by the shore somewhere north of Fowzy´s in Ain Sukhna? To look for gulls and terns and waders, I saw you were there recently. all the best http://get.live.com/photogallery/overview [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Apus apus From: Vasil Ananian <vananian72 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:39:38 -0700 (PDT) Just seen a party of first 5-7 Common Swifts in Yerevan, Armenia. Regards, Vasil -- ================== Vasil Ananian www.armeniabirding.info ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs