A 9 day blast of Oman by 3 young British Birders

Introduction

This trip was created on the back of hearing Stephen Menzie drown on about the country

whilst in Morocco and Western Sahara with him in 2015 and further research showing it to

have lots of waders and raptors with the potential for some cool vagrants and crazy

residents.

Participants

Dan Branch, Tim Jones and Jonnie Fisk. L-R below.

Highlights

The sheer number of raptors at Raysut Tip was incredible

THE Verraux’s Eagles at Jabal Shaman were ridiculous

The Dhofar mountain habitat of dry forest and change in species composition was nuts

Literature

-Birdwatching guide to Oman, 2nd edition, by Jens & Hanne Eriksen, indispensable (big

thanks to Dave Tucker for lending us his copy).

Logistics

We flew direct from London Heathrow to Muscat with British Airways, costing just over

£300 each including 23kg of luggage each. We hired a class 3 car from Interrent for £242 for

the 9 days, although we didn’t realise at the time of booking they have a 200km a day limit,

we exceed this by someway but didn’t have to pay the expected extra charge! Fuel was

cheap with petrol being around 40p per litre. We changed currency (Omani Rial) through

the Post Office before we left. We camped for all but 3 nights when we paid between £40-

£60 for 3 bed rooms in Hijj, Muscat and Mirbat, accommodation was easy to find and we

didn’t book anything in advance.

Day 1 18/02/17

Our flight to Muscat from Heathrow took 8 hours. We set off at 20.00 on the 17th and, as a result of

the 4 hour time difference, arrived at around 7.00 the following morning. It took us over 2 hours to

get through customs and pick up the car but were finally ready to go just before 10.00 that morning.

The first birds we saw besides Feral Pigeon were Common Mynas and Laughing Doves, which we

found to be extremely abundant in the capital. We decided to drive through to a small park/nature

reserve on the eastern side of the city called Al Qurm. Our drive across provided us with the first of

our trip target species in the form of Indian Roller, which were fairly abundant along grassy verges

and gardens in the capital.

Indian Roller, classy city birds! DB.

Al Qurm

The park itself did not open its doors until 15.00 so we decided to set up on the adjacent beach and

bird around there. The birding was easy here, with both Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers, Slender-

billed and Heuglin’s Gulls and an assortment of Terns; Saunder’s, Greater Crested and Lesser

Crested. From the gull flock we picked out a superb full summer plumaged Pallas’s Gull, which was

one of the highlights for the whole trip. Looking behind us out over the reserve itself gave us our first

wetland species such as Great White and Western Reef Egret. The scrub alongside the shore also

contained our first Crested Lark of the trip.

Pallas’s Gull very approachable on the beach. DB.

After an hour or so biding the beach we decided to move back bird the outskirts of the park. We

walked around the perimeter of the park where we managed to pick up a surprising number of

northern Oman species. Little Green Bee-eater was abundant, as was Purple Sunbird and both Red-

vented and White-cheeked Bulbul. A small grassy football pitch provided Red-wattled Lapwing and

Grey Francolin, although the former was fairly common of rough areas of ground around Muscat.

Continuing to work the bushes and looking into the park itself produced more results, with Isabelline

Shrike, Indian Silverbill, Graceful Prinia and Eastern Black Redstart all using the area.

By lunchtime we decided to head off east, our target destination being Ras Al Hadd on the north-

east coastline. We made a supply stop in Oman and topped up on food and water. The drive across

took between 2-3 hours, but we picked up more species on the drive across.

Egyptian Vulture was the only raptor in any abundance, but we did also have a Short-toed Eagle. We

also had our first wheatears of the trip with a cracking male Variable Wheatear a nice surprise,

several Red-tailed and a female Desert Wheatear all sat up on the roadside.

Variable Wheatear at the roadside. TJ.

Ras Al Hadd

Once we arrived at Ras Al Hadd it was already early evening and the light was beginning to fade. We

checked the shoreline for waders and gulls, which produced a good number of common waders plus

Caspian Tern, Sooty Gull and more Pallas’s Gulls. A check of the scrub behind the shore, even in the

low light, produced a good number of commoner desert species; Tawny Pipit, Black-crowned

Sparrow Lark and more Desert Wheatears.

We chose to camp in a small area of desert just inland from Ras Al Hadd. By the time we camped it

was already dark but a search of the scrub found us a number of Ground Geckos, a Worm Snake and

a Sochurek's saw-scaled viper that Jonnie nearly trod on! The Worm Snake is particularly impressive

as they very rarely come up above ground.

Day 2 19/02/17

Ras Al Hadd

We spent the first bit of light birding around our campsite. A Southern Grey Shrike was the first

shrike of our trip. We continued to find species which were common in the desert, such as singing

Red-tailed (their song doesn’t resemble a usual Wheatear song!) and Desert Wheatear. We also

flushed a couple of Grey Francolin from the bushes surrounding our campsite, but our attempts to

relocate them were unsuccessful.

Ras Al Jinz Turtle Sanctuary

We then moved down the road to the Turtle Sanctuary. Sadly we arrived too late to see any turtles

but there were large numbers of tracks up and down the beach which indicated they had been

present during the night. By far the most abundant species at the site were the Sooty and Pallas’s

Gulls, which formed large flocks roosting on the beach. The cliffs alongside the beach were a good

spot to get views of Brown-necked Raven, a species common by roadsides. Also along the cliffs was

the only Blue Rock Thrush of our trip.

Once we had walked along the beach, and with the morning warming up, we decided to check the

desert behind. The vegetation cover was limited here, with no trees and only low bushes. We added

Asian Desert Warbler, Desert Lark and Isabelline Wheatear to our collection of desert species, as

well as the regular Red-tailed Wheatear, Desert Wheatear and Crested Lark. A surprise addition to

our list was a Quail. The bird looked to have come in off the sea, before crashing into the desert

where we subsequently lost it.

Once the morning had fully warmed up we began our journey south to Shannah where we hoped to

be able to see a number of wader species. On our drive south we racked up several Black-crowned

Sparrow Larks, as well as our first Greater Hoopoe Lark of the trip.

Dawn at Raz al Jinz. TJ.

Shannah/Barr Al Hickman

We arrived at Shannah late morning/early afternoon. We first headed to the fish port where there

were thousands of Sooty Gulls and other large white headed gull species. A scan out into the bay

itself produced 3 Black-necked Grebes, which were an unexpected bonus to our trip list.

We tried to head down the coast towards Barr Al Hickman, we tried the track by the

communications tower (8.1/H02/H04) but found it unpassable without a 4x4. As a result we decided

to head back to the mudflats at Shannah and scope out waders from there. Our main target was

Crab Plover but we were disappointed to find that there were none around. There were plenty of

other waders though including both Greater and Lesser Sand Plover, as well as Marsh and Terek

Sandpiper. Greater Flamingo was also present along the shoreline and a Gull-billed Tern flew over.

The mangrove themselves were full of Fiddler Crabs.

Filim

After a couple of hours at Shannah with the tide coming in and still no sign of any crab plovers, we

headed down the coast to the small town of Filim. Here there was more marsh, although not really

mudflat and we hoped that the crab plovers might have moved down the coast. They had not. There

continued to be good numbers of waders however, including more Terek and our only Broad-billed

Sandpipers of trip with 2 present.

We also checked the mangroves behind the mudflats for any other birds. Another Gull-billed Tern

was fishing here and showed much better than the bird at Shannah. The mangroves themselves

were alive with the sound of Clamorous Reed Warbler and we had brief views of a couple of

individuals as they flew between patches of reed. A Common Kingfisher was also present here.

Day 3 20/02/17

Shannah

After dipping on crab plover the previous day we decided to stay overnight in Al Hijj and try again at

Shannah early morning. We were on site for first light as the tide was just falling from high, but again

there was no sign of any Crab Plovers. Scanning the waders produced the same selection as

yesterday only today there was the addition of Great Knot, with a couple of individuals among the

Bar-tailed Godwits. 2 Spoonbill present were also the first of the trip.

The highlight of the morning without doubt was a cracking male Pallid Harrier which was hunting

over the mangroves. At times it flew fairly close to where we were watching it from. Also in the

mangroves were a number of Asian Desert Warblers.

JF watching the Pallid Harrier. TJ.

Once we decided there was no chance of crab plover we continued to head south. The journey south

was fairly long and involved large swathes of desert with little birdlife. The highlight of our journey

south was a stunning male South Arabian Wheatear which was picked out at the side of the road,

and was quickly joined by a female. It showed well by the roadside before flying off into the

mountains.

TJ and JF enjoying Great Knot at Shannah. DB.

Ash Shuwaymiyyah Town

Our final destination for the day was the town of Ash Shuwaymiyyah. It was late afternoon when we

arrived. We first stopped at the beach to the north of the town, where we had our first seabirds of

the trip, including plenty of Masked Booby diving close to shore. Amazingly despite there being the

potential for 30,000 we managed just a single Socotra Cormorant that flew south, not that we were

really complaining. A few Common and Greater Crested Tern were also fishing close in shore. A

small pod on Indo-Pacific Humpbacked Dolphin also swam past close in shore, which were a nice

bonus.

On the southern side of the town there is a small area of wetland. We pulled over after we spotted a

Pheasant-tailed Jacana on the pond-side vegetation. Once we started birding the pond we picked up

more wetland species, including our first Indian Pond Herons of the trip. We also had more

Clamorous Reed Warblers and an array of commoner wetland species, a 1w Pallas’s Gull flew

towards the town.

Plenty of boobies were showing well from the beach. TJ.

Ash Shuwaymiyyah Wadi

Before dark we headed up into the Wadi adjacent to the town, to a vegetated area known as the

hanging gardens. Here we waited for Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse to come in and drink. A small flock

appeared in the gloom at around half 6 and drank for around 10 mins before flying back off into the

dark. We set up camp in the Wadi with at least 2 Hume’s Owls calling away along the side of the

Wadi. Driving up and down the Wadi produced a Mountain Gazelle with a badly broken leg, Wolf

food!

DB waiting for the Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse to come into drink at the Hanging Gardens. TJ.

Day 4 21/02/17

Ash Shuwaymiyyah Wadi

We started our day birding an area at the top of the Wadi known as the date plantation, where

there was more vegetation and a small stream. We were woken up by the calls of Spectacled

Bulbuls which were common up the valley. Equally common and vocal were Tristram’s Starlings

which were an abundant species all through south Oman.

Working the wadi produced a number of species. Several Sand Partridge and Arabian Partridge

were easily found and here we had our first Ménétries Warblers, with 6+ seen. A Striolated Bunting

came into drink and was our only one of the trip, a male Eastern Black Redstart showed well.

Without doubt the highlight for us was just as we were leaving when a stunning adult male Black-

throated Thrush flew across the road and landed in the trees in front of us. It sat up for around 60

seconds before flying off up the wadi, mega! South Arabian Wheatear remained common here, and

we also had our first Lesser Whitethroats of the trip.

Spanking male Black-throated Thrush. DB.

We left the date plantation mid-morning and headed back to the Hanging Gardens from the

previous evening, but we were disappointed with the lack of birds in what seemed ideal habitat.

Rock Martin and House Martin were the only birds using the oasis. Further down the Wadi we had

an Eastern Imperial Eagle flew over, and several Desert Lark.

DB in Wadi Ash Shwaymiyyah. TJ.

Ash Shuwaymiyyah Town

By late morning we headed back to the small area of wetlands we had explored the previous

evening. The lake was being used by fishermen, who had flushed most of the Greater Flamingos and

other herons. There were still 3 Indian Pond Herons on the other small ponds and 2 Pheasant-tailed

Jacana were also present. A Pallid Swift, buzzed through.

The fisherman did us a favour though, flushing out a Baillon’s Crake, which showed well as it ran

across a ditch away from them! Also in the reedbeds were more Clamorous Reed Warblers. On the

beach we had a couple of larks, which when they flew called to reveal themselves as Oriental

Skylarks. As we were leaving we noticed a large raptor sat on the pylons alongside the road, which

turned out to be a Bonelli’s Eagle. We got some pretty awesome views before it took off and flew

off up the Wadi.

We left Ash Shuwaymiyyah late morning with the intention of reaching Mirbat and the Dhofar

Region in time to bird some of the area before dark. Our trip south went through some pretty

spectacular scenery but was fairly thin on birdlife. We saw several pods of Indo-Pacific Humpbacked

Dolphins and one pod was seemingly very close to shore, so stopped and went swimming out to

them, they weren’t particularly coopearative always staying about 10m away but still a cool

experience. We continued south and racked up several roadside Blackstarts, a male Hooded

Wheatear promptly cleared off after perching on a road sign, was frustratingly the only one of the

trip.

Tawi Atayr Sinkhole

The impressive sink hole. DB.

As soon as we arrived in the Dhofar region of Oman there was a change in the variety of birds. Not

long after Mirbat on the road to Tawi Atayr the road climbs steeply, we stopped the car half way up

and instantly racked up several new birds, Rüppell’s Weaver, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, African

Silverbill, White-breasted White-eye and Fan-tailed Raven were all seen in a couple of minutes by

the roadside, the change of scenery from desert to dry forest including Baobab trees made it fell like

we had switched continents to Africa! We headed onto the Tawi Atayr Sinkhole, the only site in

Oman for Yemen Serin, but we were unable to locate any in a couple of hours search during the

evening. However the variety of birdlife present around the area was phenomenal. There were a

host of new species that we found later to be abundant throughout the Dhofar region; Rüppell’s

Weaver, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, African Silverbill, African Paradise Flycatcher, White-

breasted White-eye and Shining Sunbird. A pair of African Paradise Flycatcher in the bushes around

the sinkhole rim was certainly a trip highlight. Arabian Partridge was also common here, and could

be seen roaming the scrub in small parties, presumably heading to the sink hole to roost. Overhead

we had our first Fan-tailed Ravens, as well as Short-toed Eagle and Eastern Imperial Eagle. A Red-

breasted Flycatcher was also seen briefly.

JF doing everything to save looking for Yemen Serin. DB.

Dusk at Tawi Atayr. TJ.

Wadi Hanna

We camped the night in the well wooded Wadi Hana. It was dark when we arrived but searching a

small spring in the valley provided us with evening’s entertainment. We tracked down Arabian and

Dhofar Toad and Ali Kiymi’s Leaf-toed Gecko. Egyptian Fruit Bat was also common in the valley, and

in the water we found Water Scorpions over 5 inches long. Later on at least 3 Arabian Scop’s Owl

were calling away.

TJ and DB spotlighting in Wadi Hanna. JF.

Day 5 22/02/17

We spent the morning birding around Wadi Hanna but with a lack of variety of species in the heavily

wooded Wadi we decided to return to the sinkhole to try again for Yemen Serin.

Sunrise at Wadi Hanna. DB.

Tawi Atayr Sinkhole

Our second attempt to spot the Yemen Serin was more successful. In the hour that we spent looking

we managed 2 sightings of 1 and 2 individuals rather briefly. Still, it was hardly the most exciting bird

of our trip. Most of the other birds present were the same as the previous evening, but there were a

few additions; 2 Black-crowned Tchagra showed very well and were appreciated.Palestine Sunbird

was our third of Oman’s sunbird species. Raptors continued moving overhead where we had our first

Steppe Eagle fly over, as well as another Eastern Imperial Eagle.

Mirbat Tip and Sewage Works

For the afternoon we had arranged to go out on a pelagic from Mirbat, so birded the wider Mirbat

area. We made a call to the local tip and sewage works on the recommendation of a trip report but

there was not much in the way of birdlife and the tip appeared to no longer be dumping food waste

so no eagles were seen. A Tawny Pipit and a handful of Yellow Wagtail were about the best of it on

the bird front, but we also had 3 Mountain Gazelles.

Khawr Rawri

It was now mid-morning, and we had a few hours to kill before heading off to the pelagic, we chose

to head west of Mirbat to Khawr Rawri. Here we had a host of wetland species. Whiskered, Gull-

billed, Caspian and White-winged Black Terns were all present and all showed well. There was also

a good numbers of herons around the lake; Glossy Ibis, Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Greater

Flamingo, Cattle Egret and Little Egret. On the water itself we had our first real numbers of wildfowl,

with Pintail, White-fronted Goose (15 of them, pretty scarce in Oman, presumably the eastern

albicans race but time and bad light conditions didn’t allow us to check them out properly) and 3

Red-crested Pochard all being new additions to our trip list. Among the wildfowl we also picked out

2 Red-knobbed Coots, which were a vagrant to Oman that winter, probably from Ethiopia! Waders

were also in abundance; Black-winged Stilt, Marsh Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper all present, as well

as several Pheasant-tailed Jacana.

A single Arabian Warbler showed extremely well in the bushes above the lake, and there were

plenty of Graceful Prinia in the reeds around the Khawr. By the lakeside was a single Isabelline

Shrike. A cracking juvenile Pallid Harrier also flew low over us whilst we were scanning the lake

edges.

Arabian Warbler often showed very well. TJ.

Mirbat Pelagic

We had booked our Pelagic for 14.00 with Hateem via Whatsapp (+968 9908 8815, email

say_ary@hotmail.com). We’d certainly recommend him, decent English and knows how far out to go

for Jouanin’s (dark petrels) or Persian Shearwater (pale). He uses a small traditional wooden boat

that can hold 8 although any more than 4/5 might be a bit cramped, it cost 20 OR each, well worth

it. Once out at sea it didn’t take long till we had fantastic views of Jouanin’s Petrels coming

extremely close to the boat, and Hateem even managed to race alongside one coming to within 10m

of the boat! In total we had over 200 Jouanin’s fly past us whilst we were out. We also had 3 Persian

Shearwaters fly past us, they came fairly close but didn’t linger. Masked Boobies were also present,

and good numbers of Sooty Gulls came to the fish thrown out by Hateem, more serious chumming

might produce better results for Petrels etc.

This Jouanin’s showed down to 10m thanks to Hateem’s boat skills! TJ.

On our way back in the evening we had fantastic views of Osprey fishing just offshore. As we passed

the breakwater on our way back in we were picked out a Black-crowned Night Heron perched up.

This quickly became 2 Night Herons, then more, followed by insane views of a Striated Heron which

was perched up with them.

There was also a wealth of oceanic life on display. We got close to up to three Sea Turtles, probably

Green, which had surfaced for air. We also had good views of Triggerfish and Pufferfish in the

harbour. Large fish were seen jumping but we could not identify them from the views obtained.

JF as we headed out from Mirbat. TJ.

After dark we headed to Ayn Hamran to try and find some owls or large mammals. The only thing we

found in the darkness was a Black-crowned Night Heron perched up a tree. It would seem the bins

that Stephen Menzie had Honey-badger in 2013 have been removed.

Day 6 23/02/17

Ayn Hamran

We camped to the west of Ayn Hamran, and started our birding there in the morning. The usual

Dhofar species were abundant; African Silverbill, Tristram’s Starling, Spectacled Bulbul, White-

breasted White-eye, Shining Sunbird etc. The Cinnamon Breasted Buntings here showed incredibly

well coming down to drink at a camel drinking rough, and there was also Arabian Warbler and

Black-crowned Tchagra present, both showed well.

In the bushes around the trough there were several Isabelline Shrikes chasing each other around,

with both adults clearly showing features of Turkestan Shrike. Also in the bushes we found our first

Namaqua Dove of the trip, a cracking male. We had waited about 2 hours for the Grosbeaks to show

up and were at the point of giving up when a single Arabian Golden Winged Grosbeak alighted in

the Acacia next to the trough. It sat for around 30 seconds before flying off up the valley.

After scoring on the Grosbeak front we headed into Ayn Hamran itself to hopefully catch up with

green pigeons. Again at Ayn Hamran the species composition was very similar. Here we had our first

Hoopoe of the trip, but they were quite common in the valley. A Wryneck was seen briefly as well as

a Ménétries Warbler. At the top of the Wadi there was a small flock of Arabian Golden-winged

Grosbeaks, including a singing male. Their goldfinch-like calls could be occasionally heard across the

valley. We soon found several Bruce’s Green Pigeons, they were easily flushed out of their favoured

fig trees but perched views were tricky. We did eventually enjoy scoped views though and as we

returned towards the car at least 13 came out of 3 or 4 trees. The road runs alongside a small

stream, and this was a great spot for drinking and bathing birds. A Red-breasted Flycatcher all drank

from the stream and several Snipe were flushed from it, those seen well enough proved to be

Common Snipe. An unexpected bonus, and a trip highlight, was an Arabian Chameleon found

walking along the floor in this area. A stunning animal and a species really not expected to actually

encounter.

JF doing his best Green Pigeon impression. TJ.

Jarziz and Sahnawt Farm

By mid-morning we wrapped up our time at Ayn Hamran and headed into the Dhofar capital of

Salalah. We decided to have a look in the Salalah farmlands for Sociable Plover, specifically Sahnawt

Farm. We first asked permission at Jarziz Farm where they were very relaxed, but at Sahnawt it took

all of Jonnie’s charm to gain access to the farm, and in the end we were only allowed in for an hour

but could drive the central track to the main set of buildings, although the perimeter track proved

more productive. We disappointingly failed to find any Sociable plover on the fields, but had a flock

of 30+ Little Ringed Plover in one of the fields, we also had amazing views of Black-headed Wagtails

(feldegg) and Sykes’ Wagtails (beema) from the car. White Storks could also be seen using the

fields. We found Singing Bush-lark to be fairly common within the farm, with a number of birds

singing from the crop fields. A single Namaqua Dove was perched up on the farms perimeter fence,

and in the car we were able to get quite close to it. A flock of 20+ Rose-coloured Starlings were also

extremely vocal sticking to a single tree at the entrance to Jarziz Farm that was flowering.

East Khawr

East Khawr is another large water body on the outskirts of Salalah. The species composition was

generally very similar to Khawr Rawri with good numbers of wader, Heron and wildfowl species.

There were a few additions however, such as Ferruginous Duck, Spotted Redshank and Citrine

Wagtail. More unexpected additions included 3 Spur-winged Lapwing on the bank of the lake, which

are unusual at this time of year. 2 Collared Pratincole were also on the scrapes at the south end, as

was a stunning Long-toed Stint with a small group of Temminck’s Stint. Long-toed Stint was one of

our most wanted species for the trip so we were pleased to connect with one.

Offshore from the Khawr we had our only Brown Boobies of the trip with at least 3 kicking around.

As we left the Khawr we experienced a raptor extravaganza. Our first stop was for a fulvescens

Greater Spotted Eagle which was soaring over the north end of the Khawr. Just a little further up the

road into Salalah we pulled over again to find a Barbary x Peregrine Falcon hybrid mobbing a pale

Booted Eagle and an Oriental Honey Buzzard all in the sky directly above us! It was quite a sight to

jam in on.

fulvescens Greater Spotted Eagle. JF.

Aggressive falcon mobbing OHB. TJ.

Ar Dahariz Park Salalah

Late afternoon we stopped off at a park on the coastline of Salalah, hoping for views of Oriental

Honey Buzzard that are often found in the park. The grassy areas of the park had Hoopoe, Sykes’

Wagtail and Citrine Wagtail feeding on them, and the trees of the park had Rüppell’s Weaver nests.

House Crow was a common species in the park area.

Al Baleed Archaeological Park

For the last hours of daylight we headed to the Al Baleed Archaeological Park in the hope of seeing

the parks resident Spotted Thick-knees. It was late before we located them, under the trees on the

north side of the river, but we found them they showed extremely well. We even encountered 2

chicks on the south side of the river. Along the river itself we had outstanding views of Indian Pond

Heron, with multiple individuals all of which were very approachable. Both Caspian and White-

winged Black Tern were flying up and down the river.

We headed down the park river to a view-tower which overlooked the whole of the park, in the

hope of seeing raptors coming into roost. The tower provided an opportunity to scope the open

areas of the park and as a result we added a flock of Pacific Golden Plover to our trip list. Purple

Heron and Great Reed Warbler were also picked out in the reeds at the side of the river. From the

tower we spotted a kingfisher fly in behind us. As it perched up it was immediately recognisable as a

Malachite Kingfisher. The bird did not sit for long, soon moving from the near side to the far side of

the river. And then, after less than 2 minutes it flew off up-river. We were all somewhat stunned.

This is the 11th/12th record for Oman.

Luminous in the light of dusk. TJ.

Day 7 24/02/17

Jabal Sanham

We set off before light, heading for the cliffs of Jabal Sanham in the hope of Verreaux’s Eagle. Driving

out of Salalah we had a cracking male Montagu’s Harrier fly over the car and a Long-legged Buzzard

perched up in a date plantation. As we started to climb up into the Dhofar Mountains a Rock Hyrax

ran across the road and into the safety of the mesh cages around the rocks on the roads, no way a

Verraux’s could catch it through that! Unfortunately when we arrived at Jabal Sanham we found that

the cliffs were bathed in low cloud! We decided to head back down the road to an area nearby

where visibility was much better and we had a chance of picking out raptors, hoping that the cloud

would lift and we could get back higher.

We stopped near a camel drinking trough (17.115835, 54.631644) and started scanning. In the

bushes around our watchpoint we encountered more African Silverbills and Cinnamon-breasted

Buntings. We also had an Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak briefly drop in, but it did not stick

around for long, but assume this could be a decent drinking spot for the species. We moved slightly

further down the road to a better vantage point (17.120124, 54.595955). A Long-billed Pipit was

here, which was the only one we encountered on our trip. Arabian Partridge was also common in

this area. A flock of around 10 Short-toed Larks flew over us calling and kept going north.

All too brief Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak. TJ.

There were good numbers of raptors around, with Aquillas always on view; Short-toed Eagle, Steppe

Eagle, Eastern Imperial and Bonelli’s Eagle were all seen from our vantage point. We hoped to see

more vultures soaring but it was mid-morning before we saw any. First a single Griffon Vulture, then

the beast we were hoping for a single Lappet-faced Vulture, came cruising past quite close with a

bulging full crop. Please with the Lappet-faced and with the cloud higher up not showing any signs of

clearing despite strong winds we headed off to Ayn Hamran, 7 Griffon Vultures were seen over Tawi

Atayr village, with Fan-tailed Raven showing superbly in the village.

Ayn Hamran

In complete contrast to Jabal Sanham Ayn Hamran was bathed in sunshine so we set up scanning the

cliffs for Verraux’s. Not long after setting up an Accipiter rose up out of the trees around the spring,

a female Shikra! It then flew over the car park and down the Wadi, a cracking surprise. This

represented the 30th record for Oman. Short-toed Eagle and Steppe Eagle were soaring along the

cliffs, but no Verraux’s. We chatted to some friendly locals here, who were very generous and gave

us lots of tasty chai coffee, bananas and tuna curry! We decided to call time on the Verraux’s,

knowing that a raptor bonanza awaited us on the other side of Salalah.

Shikra, mega! TJ.

Raysut Tip

Eastern Imperial Eagle with a backdrop of Heuglin’s Gulls. TJ.

Stunningly close Steppe Eagles. TJ.

We headed back into Salalah to Raysut Tip which is well known for its eagles. They did not

disappoint! It’s difficult to judge how many eagles were present, as birds were constantly coming

and going, but it would be likely around 200 different individuals were present, all giving

extraordinary views. Steppe Eagle was by far the most abundant species, and probably made up 90%

of the total Eagles on site, mainly 2k birds with no full adults seen, presumably already headed off

north. Eastern Imperial Eagle was also present but in fewer numbers, and in fewer numbers again

were Greater Spotted Eagles. Black Kite was the only other raptor we saw, with 2 individuals, but

they were extremely high up, so further ID was not possible. It was quite a surreal sight seeing the

‘usual’ throng of large gulls (although virtually all Heuglin’s here) feeding on the tip with the Eagles

mixed in! Citrine, Black-headed and Sykes’ Wagtails were both present but distant as they picked

their way through the rubbish.

Eagles everywhere! JF.

TJ soaking up the Aquilla action at Raysut Tip. JF.

Greater Spotted Eagles messing about. TJ.

Amazing views of most of the eagles. TJ.

Raysut Sewage farm

For the last hour or so of light we had a look into the sewage farm that was adjacent to the tip. The

large numbers of storks we had been expecting had already departed to roost it seemed, with only 4

White Storks remaining. However, they were joined by a cracking Demoiselle Crane. Citrine

Wagtails and Black-headed Wagtails were both common, and there were decent numbers of

waders and wildfowl present too, although nothing different from previous sites.

DB at Raysut Sewage Farm. TJ.

Wadi Darbat

We chose to spend our night in Wadi Darbat. We had foolishly forgotten to download a recording of

Arabian Scops Owl but it did not matter, as there were easily over 30 birds calling all around the

Wadi and with a little searching on foot with a torch we soon enjoyed good views of 2, seemingly

unbothered by our presence underneath them. Black-crowned Night Heron could be seen in trees

along the side of the river.

A very non-fussed Arabian Scops Owl. DB.

Day 8 25/02/17

East Khawr

This was our last full day in Dhofar, and we still had a number of species that we wanted to connect

with. We started the day at East Khawr, this time walking down the east side of the Khawr which

was much more productive, we located 6 Cotton Pygmy Teal showing well at the south end of the

Khawr. Many of the other species we saw were the same as our previous visit, including the 3 Spur-

winged Lapwing and the Long-toed Stint. Large numbers of herons could be seen coming out of the

roost at the south end of the Khawr, with over 200 Cattle Egret and well over 50 Glossy Ibis flying

north as we arrived. Species we encountered that we had not seen on our previous visit included a

stunning Bluethroat, a brief Savi’s Warbler and an Alpine Swift that was first seen as it was grabbed

by a Peregrine, it managed to get free of the Peregrine but the Peregrine gave chase giving us

amazing views as the sped past, the rather battered Alpine Swift eventually managed to get away.

Crippling views early morning of Peregrine trying to take out the Alpine Swift! TJ.

Jarziz Farm

Our next stop was Jarziz Farm in Salalah itself. Again a wrong turn thanks to Google maps lead to us

jamming in on a kettle of raptors over the airport that contained another juvenile fulvecens Greater

Spotted Eagle, an Oriental Honey Buzzard and several Greater Spotted Eagles as well as the usual

Steppe Eagles. Once at the farm there continued to be decent numbers of raptors soaring, but the

highlight was a perched up adult male Oriental Honey Buzzard in the farm compound, we edged

closer trying to get around the sun, when the bird took off and flew straight at us! Mega! An

awesome encounter! The very vocal Rose-coloured Starlings were still in the same tree, but

otherwise not much happening but we weren’t allowed to bring our car in, but were allowed on

foot.

Raysut Sewage Farm

We headed back to the Sewage farm late morning in the hope of being able to find the large

numbers of White Storks that the site is known for. As soon as we arrived an African Collared Dove

was singing near the car, on closer inspection the only Collared Dove sp we found was a leucistic

individual! Was it the African? Think we can wait for that one! We could see that there was a

massive increase in the stork numbers, with over 200 birds present as well as large numbers of

Cattle Egrets on the infrastructure of the facility. Unfortunately we were unable to locate any

Abdim’s Storks.

There were also good numbers of waders around the edges of the ponds. Marsh Sandpiper,

Temminck’s Stint and Black-winged Stilt were all present, a White-tailed Lapwing was flushed and

we got good flight views but went down out of sight, and we were unable to relocate it, and there

also singles of Red-wattled and Spur-winged Lapwing.

Jabal Samhan

After midday we returned to Jabal Samhan in the hope of improved visibility and Verreaux’s Eagle.

The wind had dropped and the air was clear so we were optimistic that we would connect with this

very desirable species. Fan-tailed Ravens cruised the impressive cliffs with good views looking down

to the coast and Mirbat. A large Falcon sp went tanking through, but we weren’t sure where the

Verraux’s would show, surely they would be distantly along the cliff edge further along, so this is

where we concentrated on scanning. However after only 30mins of scanning (long enough for Jonnie

to fall asleep) 2 adult Verreaux’s Eagles came cruising towards us, below the cliff edge we were

standing on! At first we were looking down on the birds as they flew below us, then they flew above

us and then even landed on the cliff, all the while being mobbed by the ravens. They were with us

for around 15 minutes before they continued flying down the cliff. An amazing birding experience to

say the least! Even after the eagles had left and we were taking in what had just happened, the

Falcon from earlier came back and checked us out for long enough to confirm it was an adult

Barbary Falcon. Sheer elation with the amazing views of Verraux’s that we really didn’t expect!

Amazing display from a pair of Verraux’s Eagle. DB.

Salalah Nature Reserve

Having connected with Verreaux’s earlier than expected meant we had a little more time to bird in

the afternoon. We decided to have a look at Salalah Nature Reserve on the coast of the south side of

the city. We did not really look at the wetland area of the reserve, more working through the rough

ground on the seaward side. Here we had an adult Daurian Shrike a mixed flock of Pacific Golden,

Greater Sand and Kentish Plovers roosting, as well as Grey Plovers on the beach. A single Oriental

Honey Buzzard flew overhead. The scrub was a great place for dragonflies, the highlight of which

was a stunning adult male Phantom Flutterer.

Al Baleed Archaeological Park

For the last hours of daylight we returned to the Archaeological Park. The Spotted Thick-knees were

still present and showed well as the light dwindled. Once again there were c150 Pacific Golden

Plover roosting on the ruins and giving good views, not quite the 600+ that we’d seen on our way

past earlier. On the riverbank there was again a large roost of easily 200+ Common Sandpiper, really

impressive. Indian Pond Herons showed very well and Great Reed Warbler were both present again.

Common Sandpiper everywhere! JF.

Day 9 26/02/17

Mudday Oasis

During the previous evening we drove down from Salalah to Mudday to camp, ensuring we would be

on site for first light, we passed through our first police/army checkpoints, but compared to other

countries we have travelled in these were very relaxed and easy to get through. We knew that the

majority of the day would be spent travelling back north to Muscat for our flight tomorrow, so it was

important to make the most of the morning birding. We started birding around the oasis, and quickly

connected with the ridiculous looking Nile-valley Sunbird, which we found abundant in the valley.

Date plantation, Hypocolius seen just a bit further down the road. DB.

In the open areas just down the valley from the oasis there were a number of desert species. We

had only our second encounter with Sand Partridge here and several Desert Larks finally showed

well, feeding with the House Sparrows. At least 3 Asian Desert Warblers were seen in the scrub at

the side of the town.

Our most wanted species for this site was Hypocolius, and in the bushes down the road from the

oasis we connected with a female. It showed on and off whilst we watched, and got good views at

times as it ate olives just like a Desert Waxwing! After half an hour it flew off, so we decided to make

our move and begin our journey back north. On our way out of Mudday we had a small group of

Mountain Gazelle feeding on the roadside, as well as our only Bar-tailed Desert Larks of the trip.

Showy Hypocolius. JF.

We joined the main road north at Thumrait, and a last minute decision to get some petrol paid off

big style! At the side of the petrol station there was a dripping tap and we had an incredible

encounter with a flock of 10 Crowned Sandgrouse and possibly as many as 150 Chestnut-bellied

Sandgrouse. We pulled in just before 09:45 and almost all the activity ended by 10, we had just

completely jammed in on the right time! A male Black-crowned Sparrow Lark also came in and

joined them. This fuel station is an al Maha station (one with jumping Oryx as its sign) just to the

south of Thumrait at 17.605153, 54.032418.

Sandgrouse drinking puddle! TJ.

Quitbit

On our journey north we made a brief stop at Quitbit. Several Eastern Black Redstarts, Isabelline

Wheatear, Ménétries Warbler and another female Hypocolius seen in flight! The small pool of

water was a good site for dragonflies.

Adam

By late afternoon and having made it through the very aptly named Empty Quarter, we decided to

spend the last few hours of light looking through the scrubby ground of the town of Adam, hoping to

be able to find Plain Leaf Warbler but none were found. We had a few bits and pieces that we had

not seen since out first day in the north; Purple Sunbird, Indian Silverbill, White-cheeked Bulbul and

an Indian Roller. Looking under rocks also produced our first and only Scorpions of the trip. We

finished birding here at dark and continued our journey north to Muscat.

TJ failing to find Plain-leaf Warbler in Adam. JF.

Little claws, steer clear! JF.

Day 10 27/02/17

In a bizarre turn of events, once we arrived in Muscat the previous evening the heavens had opened

and a torrential rainstorm had ensued, we decided against camping and found some

accommodation on the outskirts of the town, rather more luxurious than what we were used to, Tim

managed to haggle the price down to an affordable night, much to the amazement of Jonnie and

Dan! As a result of the previous nights rain many of the dry spots around Muscat had been turned

into wetland the following morning. It was a shame that we did not have time to look round them

but on our drive to the airport we spotted Red-wattled Lapwing and Black-winged Stilt on the fresh

water bodies. A pair of Grey Francolins was also seen on the grassy verges at the edge of the airport.

The final species we saw on our Oman adventure was Common Myna.

Trip List

Birds 1. Arabian Partridge Alectoris melanocephala: 2 Wadi Ash Shuwaymiyyah, common Tawi Atayr

Sinkhole, several seen on drive to Jabal Sanham

2. Sand Partridge Ammoperdix heyi: 4 Ash Shuwaymiyyah, 4+ Mudday

3. Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus: 2 Al Qurm Muscat, 2 Ras al Hadd

4. Common Quail Coturnix coturnix: 1 in off Ras al Jinz

5. Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons: 15 Khawr Rawri

6. Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus: 6 East Khawr

7. Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope

8. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata

9. Gadwall Anas strepera

10. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

11. Northern Pintail Anas acuta

12. Garganey Anas querquedula

13. Eurasian Teal Anas crecca

14. Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 3 Khawr Rawri

15. Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca: 10+ Khawr Rawri, 4 East Khawr

16. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

17. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis: 3 Shannah Harbour

18. Persian Shearwater Puffinus persicus: 3 Mirbat Pelagic

19. Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax: 200+ Mirbat Pelagic

20. Masked Booby Sula dactylatra: Common offshore around Mirbat and Salalah. First seen Ash

Shuwaymiyyah

21. Brown Booby Sula leucogaster: 3+ offshore from East Khawr

22. Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus: Common on water bodies

23. White Stork Ciconia ciconia: 200+ Raysut Sewage Farm

24. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus: Common, 50+ East Khawr

25. Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

26. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax: Common, 5+ Mirbat, 1 Ayn Hamran after

dark

27. Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis: Common, 200+ East Khawr

28. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides: 5+ Khawr Rawri, 5+ East Khawr

29. Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii: 5+ Ash Shuwaymiyyah, 5+ Al Baleed Archaeological Park

30. Striated Heron Butorides striata: 1 Mirbat Pelagic

31. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

32. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea: Common

33. Great White Egret Ardea alba

34. Little Egret Egretta garzetta

35. Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis: Common

36. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

37. Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis: 1 flew south at Ash Shuwaymiyyah

38. Osprey Pandion haliaetus: Common

39. Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus: 4 around Salalah, 1 perched at Jarziz Farm

40. Black Kite Milvus migrans: 2 Raysut Tip

41. Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus: 7+ Jabal Sanham

42. Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos: 1 Jabal Sanham

43. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus: Common in north, plenty seen from car

44. Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus: Common

45. Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

46. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus: 1 male Shannah, 1 juv Khawr Rawri, 1 ringtail Ayn Hamran

47. Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus: 1 male over road east out of Salalah

48. Shikra Accipiter badius: 1 female over Ayn Hamran. 30th record for Oman

49. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus: 2 Jabal Sanham

50. Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus: 1 in date plantation on east side of Salalah

51. Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga: Plenty in the south, 5+ Raysut Tip. ssp. fulvescens 1

East Khawr, 1 Salalah Airport

52. Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis: 150+ Raysut Tip, common elsewhere in south

53. Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliacal: 40+ Raysut Tip, plenty elsewhere in south

54. Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreauxii: 2 Jabal Sanham

55. Booted Eagle Aquila pennata: 2 around Salalah

56. Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciata: 2 Ash Shuwaymiyyah, 1 Jabal Sanham

57. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

58. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1 East Khawr

59. Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides: 1 Jabal Sanham

60. Demoiselle Crane Grus virgo: 1 Raysut Sewage Farm

61. Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla: 1 Ash Shuaymiyyah

62. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

63. Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata: 2 Khawr Rawri

64. Eurasian Coot Fulica atra

65. Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis: 14 Al Baleed Archaeological Park, including chicks

66. Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

67. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

68. Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus: 2 Ash Shuwaymiyyah, 4 East Khawr, 10+

Khawr Rawri

69. Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus: 3 East Khawr, 1 Raysut Sewage Farm

70. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus: Common around Muscat, 1 Raysut Sewage Farm

71. White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus: 1 Raysut Sewage Farm

72. Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

73. Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva: 600+ at Al Baleed Archaeological Park and c40 at Salalah

Nature Reserve

74. Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

75. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

76. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrines: Common

77. Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus: Common esp. Shannah

78. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultia: Common esp. Shannah

79. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

80. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

81. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica

82. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

83. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata

84. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

85. Common Redshank Tringa totanus

86. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis: 2 Shannah, 2 Khawr Rawri

87. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia

88. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

89. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

90. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus: 30+ Shannah & Filim

91. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

92. Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris: 2 Shannah

93. Little Stint Calidris minuta

94. Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii: 5+ East Khawr

95. Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta: 1 East Khawr

96. Sanderling Calidris alba

97. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

98. Dunlin Calidris alpina

99. Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus: 2 Filim

100. Ruff Philomachus pugnax

101. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

102. Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola: 2 East Khawr

103. Sooty Gull Ichthyaetus hemprichii: Very common

104. Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

105. Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei: Very Common

106. Pallas’s Gull Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus: Common in north, 20+ Ras al Jinz, 1 Ash Shuwaymiyah

107. Heuglin’s Gull Larus heuglini very common

108. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica: 1 Shannah, 1 Filim, 2+ Khawr Rawri

109. Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia: Common, 3 Khawr Rawri, 3 Al Baleed Archaeological Park

110. Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis: Common

111. Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii: Common

112. Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis

113. Common Tern Sterna hirundo

114. Saunders’s Tern Sternula saundersi: 2 Al Qurm, Muscat

115. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida: 1 Khawr Rawri

116. White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 6 Khawr Rawri, 20 Al Baleed Archaeological

Park

117. Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus: 150+ Thumrait

118. Crowned Sandgrouse Pterocles coronatus: c10 Thumrait

119. Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii: 6+ Ash Shuwaymiyyah Wadi ~18.30

120. Rock Dove Columba livia (palaestinae)

121. Bruce’s Green Pigeon Treron waalia: 12+ Ayn Hamran

122. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

123. African Collared Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea: 1 heard and a leucistic Streptopelia sp seen

at Raysut Sewage!

124. Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis common

125. Namaqua Dove Oena capensis: 1 Ayn Hamran, 1 Sahnawt Farm

126. Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri

127. Arabian Scops Owl Otus pamelae: 30+ Wadi Darbat, 3 Wadi Hanna

128. Hume’s Owl Strix hadorami: 2+ calling Ash Shuwaymiyyah Wadi

129. Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba: 1 East Khawr, narrowly escaped a Peregrine

130. Pallid Swift Apus pallidus: 2 Filim, 1 Ash Shuwaymiyyah

131. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis: Common on verges around Muscat

132. Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops: 2 Ayn Hamran, 1 Ar Dahariz Park

133. Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata: 1 Al Baleed Archaeological Park, 11th/12th record Oman

134. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

135. Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis: Common around north

136. Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla: 1 Ayn Hamran

137. Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala: 2 Tawi Atayr, 2 Ayn Hamran

138. Daurian Shrike Lanius isabellinus: abundant most juvs assumed to be isabellinus

139. Turkestan Shrike Lanius phoenicuroides: 2 Ayn Hamran

140. Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis: Common, 1 Ras al Hadd, 1 Shannah etc.

141. African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis: 1 pair Tawi AtayrSinkhole, 2 Wadi Hanna, 2

Ayn Hamran

142. House Crow Corvus splendens: Common in Salalah & Muscat

143. Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis: Common in north

144. Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus: Common in south; Jabal Sanham, Tawi Atayr etc.

145. Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus: 1 Mudday, 1 Quitbit

146. White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis: Common in north

147. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer: Common in north

148. White-spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus erythropthalmos: Common in south

149. Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix nigriceps: Common esp. in north

150. Singing Bush Lark Mirafra cantillans: 5+ singing birds Sahnawt Farm

151. Greater Hoopoe-lark Alaemon alaudipes: Common on roadsides

152. Crested Lark Galerida cristata

153. Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula: 2 Ash Shuwaymiyyah

154. Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla: 10+ over Jabal Sanham

155. Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti: Common

156. Bar-tailed Lark Ammomanes cincture: 2 just north of Mudday

157. Sand Martin Riparia riparia

158. Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula: Common

159. House Martin Delichon urbicum

160. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

161. Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis: 3 Al Qurm, 1 Khawr Rawri, 1 Sahnawt Farm, 3+ East Khawr

162. Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides: 1 briefly East Khawr

163. Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus: 1+ Al Baleed Archaeological Park, 2+ East

Khawr

164. Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus: Common Filim, Ash Shuwaymiyyah

165. Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

166. Arabian Warbler Sylvia leucomelaena: 1 Khawr Rawri, 1 Ayn Hamran

167. Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana: 1 Ras al Jinz, 1 Shannah, 2 Mudday

168. Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca several noted including presumed halimodendri and blythi

169. Ménétrie’s Warbler Sylvia mystacea: Common Ash Shuwaymiyyah Wadi

170. White-breasted White-eye Zosterops abyssinicus: Common around Dhofar

171. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis: Common in Salalah & Muscat

172. Rose-coloured Starling Pastor roseus: 20+ Jarziz Farm

173. Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 15 Filim

174. Tristram’s Starling Onychognathus tristramii: Very common in south

175. Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis: 1 Ash Shuwaymiyyah Wadi

176. Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 2 Ash Shuwaymiyyah Wadi, 3 Quitbit

177. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica: 2 East Khawr, 1 Jarziz Farm

178. Eastern Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros phonenicuroides 1 Al Qurum, 2 Quitbit, 1 Ash

Shuwaymiyyah Wadi

179. Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina: Common

180. Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

181. Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti: Common

182. South Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides: 4 Ash Shuwaymiyyah Wadi, 1 Jabal Sanham

183. Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata: 1 between Muscat & Ras al Had

184. Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia: Common esp. in north

185. Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha: 1 seen very briefly south of Ash Shuwaymiyyah

186. Blackstart Cercomela melanura: Common in south

187. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitaries: 1 Ras al Jinz

188. Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva: 1 Tawi Atayr Sinkhole, 1 Ayn Hamran

189. Nile Valley Sunbird Hedydipna metallica: Common around Mudday

190. Palestine Sunbird Cinnyris osea: 3+ Tawi Atayr Sinkhole

191. Shining Sunbird Cinnyris habessinicus: Common around Dhofar

192. Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus: Common in north ~Muscat

193. House Sparrow Passer domesticus

194. Rüppell’s Weaver Ploceus galbula: Common in Dhofar

195. African Silverbill Lonchura cantans: Common in Dhofar

196. Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica: 2 Muscat, 4 Adam

197. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1 Wadi Hanna, 1 Ayn Hamran

198. White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba

199. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava (Sykes’s M.f.beema and Black-headed M.f.feldegg) Common

esp. Sahnawt Farm

200. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola: Fairly common in south esp. East Khawr

201. Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris: Common

202. Long-tailed Pipit Anthus similis: 1 Jabal Sanham

203. Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis: many at Tawi Atayr Sinkhole

204. Yemen Serin Serinus menachensis: 2+ briefly Tawi Atayr Sinkhole

205. Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus percivali: 7+ Ayn Hamran, 1 Jabal

Sanham

206. Striolated Bunting Emberiza striolata: 1 Ash Shuwaymiyyah Wadi

207. Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi: Very common around Dhofar esp. Tawi

Atayr Sinkhole & Ayn Hamran

Mammals 1. Egyptian Fruit Bat Rousettus aegyptiacus: Wadi Hana, Wadi Darbat, Salalah

2. Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis: Tawi Atayr Sinkhole

3. Arabian Red Fox Vulpes vulpes arabica: Ash Shuwaymiyyah, Shannah

4. Indo-Pacific Humpbacked Dolphin Sousa chinensis: Ash Shuwaymiyyah

5. Bottlenose Dolphin sp. Tursiops truncates/aduncus: South of Ash Shuwaymiyyah

6. Mountain Gazelle Gazella gazelle: Ash Shuwaymiyyah, Mudday, Mirbat Tip

Reptiles 1. Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas: Mirbat Pelagic, but skeletons common around Shannah

2. Sochurek's saw-scaled viper Echis carinatus sochureki: Ras al Hadd

3. Hooked Thread Snake Leptotyphlops macrorhynchus: Ras al Hadd

4. Middle Eastern Short-fingered Gecko Stenodactylus doriae: Ras al Hadd

5. Ali Kiymi’s Leaf-toed Gecko Hemidactylus alkiyumii: Wadi Hana

6. Carter's Semaphore Gecko Pristurus carteri: Ras al Jinz Turtle Sanctuary

7. Rock Semaphore Gecko Pristurus rupestris: Filim

8. Arabian Chameleon Chamaeleo arabicus: Ayn Hamran

9. Variable Agama Calotes versicolor: Ayn Hamran, Tawi Atayr Sinkhole,

10. Dhofar Agama Pseudotrapelus dhofarensis: Khawr Rawri

11. Sinai Agama Pseudotrapelus Sinai: Khawr Rawri, Ras al Jinz*

*Agamas in Oman have recently undergone genetic revision and have been split into a number of

poorly described species. In time it may be that the individuals we photographed on our trip may

turn out to be different species to P.sinai

Amphibians 1. Dhofar Toad Bufo dhufarensis: Wadi Hana

2. Arabian Toad Bufo arabicus: Wadi Hana

Fish 1. Manta Ray sp. Manta birostris/alfredi.: Mirbat, East Khawr

2. Masked Triggerfish Sufflamen fraenatum: Mirbat

3. Indo-Pacific Sergeant Damselfish Abudefduf vaigiensis: Mirbat

4. Chrysiptera unimaculata: Mirbat

5. Porcupinefish sp.: Mirbat

Dragonflies

1. Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator: Ash Shuwaymiyyah

2. Lesser Emperor Anax Parthenope: Ash Shuwaymiyyah

3. Scarlet Darter Crocothemis erythraea: Salalah Nature Reserve

4. Epaulet Skimmer Orthetrum chrysostigma: Ayn Hamran

5. Slender Skimmer Orthetrum Sabina: Tawi Atayr Sinkhole, Salalah Nature Reserve, Quitbit,

6. Globe Skimmer Pantala flavescens: Quitbit

7. Phantom Flutterer Rhyothemis semihyalina: Salalah Nature Reserve

8. Red-veined Dropwing Trithemis arteriosa: Ash Shuwaymiyyah

9. Black Percher Diplacodes lefebvrii: Ash Shuwaymiyyah, Salalah Nature Reserve

10. Coastal Glider Macrodiplax cora: Ash Shuwaymiyyah, Salalah Nature Reserve

Damselflies 1. African Bluetail Ischnura senegalensis: Ash Shuwaymiyyah, Quitbit

Butterflies 1. Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus: Tawi Atayr Sinkhole, Mirbat Tip

2. Pearl Charaxes Stonehamia varanes: Wadi Hana

3. Cream Bordered Charaxes Charaxes hansali: Ayn Hamran

4. Common Three Ring Ypthima astrope: Mirbat

5. Small Cupid Chilades parrhasius: Abandoned village between Shannah & Ash

Shuwaymiyyah

Other butterfly species were seen, but either did not land or insufficient notes were taken to be

confident of their identity.