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Birdwatching trip to Oman 2017
January 22th to 31th
Contact: pierrick.devoucoux[at]gmail.com
Participants: Julie Pernin, Benjamin Vollot, Pierrick & Gautier Devoucoux.
Foreword:
Oman is an exceptional country for tourists in Middle East: no political tension, high security
level, very tolerant residents. Although mass tourism is growing, it remains confined to some
large beach resorts near Mascate and Salalah. Infrastructure development is fast-growing,
with very good roads everywhere and low gas prices. Locals are remarkably welcoming,
especially in remote places with few tourists.
This trip had two goals. Two of us had visited Oman in the past and had two targets among
wintering birds (especially Abdim’s Stork and Grey Hypocolius). For the two others who were
not particularly addicted to birdwatching, it was a first time in Oman, and thus an opportunity
for general tourism and diving experience.
This report contains general maps, detailed spots list, observed species lists
(birds, mammals, reptiles, odonates, butterflies) for this trip (January 2017),
and some notes about a precedent trip (March 2015).
Target species:
Grey Hypocolius, Abdim’s Stork, Verreaux’s Eagle, Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak, Nile
Valley Sunbird, African Collared Dove, Spotted Thick-knee, Yellow Bittern, Lichtenstein
Sangrouse, Crowned Sandgrouse, Namaqua Dove, Brown Noddy*, Arabian Babbler*,
Hooded Wheatear*
*: birds dipped
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Practical information
Global cost:
- We bought flight for ca. 400€ with KLM/Air France company, departure at 06:45 AM from Marseille Airport. Other costs during the trip represented ca. 600€ per person for 10 days, including hotels and restaurants every evening (diving session costs excluded, ca. 100€). Alhtough we selected cheap hotels, accomodation remained the highest part of the total budget (43%).
Visa and change:
- Touristic visa is available at airports, costing 5 OMR (ca. 12-15€) for a 10 days stay which can be paid in € or OMR in cash or by credit card. ATM are easy to find.
Weather:
- Warm and dry, from 15-20°C at night to 25-30°C during the days. Some windy and cloudy days without rain (but few rainfalls possible at this season).
Transport:
- Car rental is easy to book by internet, but delivery of the car may require some patience…
- 4WD are useful to reach some spots located in rocky, sloppy, muddy or sandy areas, but it comes with a high cost. For this trip, a 2WD (VW Polo) was sufficient. The road network is well developed, and most spots described in this report can be reached on asphalted road, except a few very good tracks between Mudayy and Aydam (72 km), to reach farms (Al Beed) or Oasis (Qitbit).
- Price per litre of gas (Super unleaded for rental cars) is very cheap (ca. 0.40€/L).
Navigation:
- We used the Maps.me app for Android on smartphone with a .kml file compiled prior to the trip.
- Some navigation errors occur in Salalah only due to new road construction. - A google maps file with spots visited, some precise sightings, some interesting non
prospected sites and some indications to reach spots is available online. - All spots names are listed at the end of this report, with latitude and longitude, and
some other names used. Index numbers used in Birdwatching guide to Oman 2nd
edition were reported.
Accommodation:
- Oman is a very safe country, where you can stop for wild camping anywhere with a good sleeping bag, as we did in 2015.
- Because of 2 non-birdwatchers in the team, we opted for nights in hotels every night for this trip. We easily found decent hotels between 15 and 25 OMR for double room without breackfast in Mascate and Salalah.
- In the Empty Quarter desert we stayed at Qitbit Motel (expensive for the quality, as said in other reports, 25 OMR/room/night), and Thumrait Palace Hotel (very kind staff, rooms clean and correct price, 15 OMR, and excellent restaurant!).
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Food:
- We chose to have breakfast on the field to take the outmost of early mornings, picnic on the spots at midday, and dining at restaurant.
- Huge supermarkets (Carrefour, Lulu) are available in big cities for on-road food and water.
- Restaurants are easy to find everywhere and practice cheap prices and good food. Bin Ateeq Restaurant is a must for Omani Food (restaurant company in Oman), where to taste local food sitting on carpet, especially seafood and fish.
- At Salalah, fresh fruits (bananas, coconuts…) sold along the road and fresh juices available everywhere are very tasty.
Tourism:
- We have visited Matrah Souk, Natural History Museum and Sultan Al Qaboos Grand Mosque at Mascate, and Al Husn Souk, Samahram Old City, Mughsayl Blowhole at and around Salalah. We enjoyed all these visits, especially the impressive Grand Mosque.
Diving:
- For diving, we asked ABT divers, based in Crowne Plaza at Salalah (43 OMR/person for a first dive). Very kind and experimented teacher!
Documentation:
- Guides: o Birdwatching guide to Oman 2nd edition, J. & H. Eriksen
(essential), with updates from birdsoman website o Birds of the Middle East 2nd edition, R. Porter and S. Aspinall (essential) o Le guide ornitho (=Birds of Europe) by L. Svensson, D. Zetterström and K.
Mullarney (occasional use)
- Trips reports on cloudbirders (https://www.cloudbirders.com): o OIle et al. 2016, Hirschfeld & Elmberg 2016, and Hofland 2016 provided very
useful information.
- Websites:
o http://www.birdsoman.com (J. & H. Eriksen website) o birdingforalark.blogspot.nl o oman.observation.org
Aknowledgments: Jens Eriksen and Jean-Yves Barnagaud for their usefull advices and corrections.
Photo credits:
JPe: Julie Pernin BVo: Benjamin Vollot GDe: Gautier Devoucoux PDe: Pierrick Devoucoux
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Schedule:
Date Area Spots
21/01/2017 Mascate -
22/01/2017 Mascate Al Qurm park, Wadi Aday, Yiti beach
23/01/2017 Mascate - Qitbit Grand Mosque, Al Ghaftayn, Qitbit oasis at night
24/01/2017 Qitbit - Salalah Qitbit oasis and garden, Al Beed farms, Raysut dump, Raysut seewage plant, Khawr Al Mughsayl, Al Balid, East Khawr
25/01/2017 Salalah East Khawr, Al Dahariz park, Khawr Taqah, Taqah cliffs, Wadi Darbat, Khawr Rawri East and Samharam
26/01/2017 Salalah Ayn Razat, Ayn Hamran, Ayn Tobruq intersection, Ayn Athum, Tawi Atayr sinkhole, Jabal Samhan, Khawr Rawri West, Al Husn Souq
27/01/2017 Salalah East Khawr, Al Dahariz park, Eagle beach, Raysut dump, Raysut seewage plant, Raysut lighthouse
28/01/2017 Salalah Ayn Tobruq intersection, Ayn Tobruq, Hadbin, Mirbat dump, Raysut dump, Raysut lagoons
29/01/2017 Salalah - Mudayy - Thumrait Khawr Al Mughsayl, Wadi Al Mughsayl, Al Fazayah beach, Mudayy
30/01/2017 Thumrait - Mascate Muqshin, Al Ghaftayn, Mutrah Souq
31/01/2017 Mascate Al Ansab wetland, Al Qurm park
Mascate from mountains (JPe)
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Figure 1: Global trip in January 2017
Figure 2: Trip around Salalah
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Annotated diary
Mascate (22-23 and 30-31/01/2017):
Common species contacted on (virtually) every spots:
Rose-ringed Parakeet, Common Myna, White-eared Bulbul, White-spectacled Bulbul, Indian Silverbill, House Sparrow, Graceful Prinia, Rock Dove, Laughing Dove, Heuglin’s Gull, Caspian Gull, Sooty Gull, House Crow, Red-wattled Lapwing, Common Sandpiper
22/01/2017 Mascate (Al Qurm beach and park, Wadi Aday, Yiti beach)
Breakfast at Starbuck, view on the beach, mangrove and North part of al Qurm Park.
Beach: Common species for the place, incl. Terns, Gulls, Great Cormorants, big flock of Red Phalaropes foraging offshore.
Mangrove: many waders (Tereck Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers, etc.) and herons (Striated Heron, Western Reef Heron, etc.)
Al Qurm Park: Bulbuls, Sunbirds, Green Bee-eater, Isabelline Shrike, displaying Indian Roller (at least 6) on street lights and trees, Crested Honey Buzzard soaring and many Grey Francolin.
Picnic at Yiti Beach, view on Wadi Aday and dry wadi behind beach
Wadi Aday/Yiti beach: roosting gulls on sand (Pallas’s Gulls (80), commons gulls and terns) Egyptian Vulture (>13), Wheatears on rocks (Hume and Red-tailed).
Dry wadi: Long-billed Pipit, Grey Francolin
Iranian meal for Dinner
23/01/2017 Mascate, road to Qitbit (Grand Mosque, Al Ghaftayn, Qitbit oasis)
Along the road: Lappet-faced Vulture
Picnic in the middle of nowhere
Al Ghaftayn Motel: 1 Black-throated Thrush very elusive, mainly seen flying
Dinner and Night at Qitbit
Qitbit oasis at night: lizards and insects
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24/01/2017 Qitbit, road to Salalah (Qitbit oasis and gardens, Al Beed farms,
Raysut dump and water plant, Al Mughsayl, Al Balid Park, East Khawr)
Qitbit oasis at dawn: Egyptian Nightjar flying very close to reeds, hunting Red Fox,
Bluethroat, Corn Bunting, Southern Grey Shrike, an Asian Desert Warbler following a Desert
Wheatear, Greater Hoopoe-Lark
Qitbit gardens: one very demonstrative Hume's Leaf Warbler, lots of Common and Siberian
Chiffchaffs, an indeterminate Phylloscopus and lots of Song Thrushes
Al Beed Farm: Many birds in ploughed land (Greater Hoopoe-Larks, Tawny Pipit, Black-
crowned Sparrow-Lark, flock of Spotted Sandgrouse), some hunting raptors (Hen and
Western Marsh Harrier, Barbary and Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common
Kestrel) and Southern Grey Shrikes
Road to Salalah, Thumrait area: one Griffon Vulture soaring
Raysut waste disposal site: at least 1500 eagles soaring, laying in the dump and on
surrounding hills (mainly Steppe Eagle, some Greater Spotted Eagle, at least 10 Eastern
Imperial Eagle), flocks of Western Cattle Egrets and Tristram's Starlings, Wild dogs
Raysut sewage treatment plant: large flock of White Storks with one Demoiselle Crane, 70
Abdim's Stork and some Glossy Ibis, lots of Swallows and Wagtails (1 Masked Wagtail), 8
Ruddy Shelduck
Al Maghsayl beach: at least 3 Brown Boobies fishing along the beach and some dolphins
Meal at Al Maghsayl beach fast-food restaurant
Al Maghsayl Blow Holes: lots of confident Tristram's Starlings, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, an
Indo-Pacific humpback Dolphin very close to the shore, and a breaching Ray
Khawr al Maghsayl: 1 Intermediate Egret, 1 Great Egret and 1 Little Egret, 1 Yellow
Bittern, different ducks (1 Greater White-fronted Goose and 1 Tufted Duck, some Gadwall,
Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Teal, Garganey)
Al Balid Archeological Park: at least 8 Spotted Thick-knee resting under bushes of
Archeological Park, easily seen from the road
East Khawr: lots of waders (Ruff, Temminck's and Little Stint, Dunlin, Wood Sandpiper,
Eurasian Curlew), herons (Indian Pond Heron, Squacco Heron) and ducks (Cotton Pygmy
Goose, Northern Pintail, Garganey)
Dinner and night at Dhofar Hotel and Restaurant
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Salalah (24-29/01/2017):
Common species contacted on (virtually) every spots:
Rose-ringed Parakeet, Common Myna, White-spectacled Bulbul, African Silverbill, House
Sparrow, Graceful Prinia, Rock Dove, Laughing Dove, Heuglin’s Gull, Caspian Gull, Sooty
Gull, House Crow, Abyssinian White-eye, Rüppell's Weaver, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting,
Blackstart
25/01/2017 East of Salalah Khawr and Wadis, Sumhuram Old City
East Khawr: same birds as the day before, with Sanderlings, Pheasant-tailed Jacana,
Ferruginous Duck, 7 Greater White-fronted Goose, Purple Heron, some Water Pipit
At least 3 Masked Boobies and 1 Brown Bobby fishing along the shore, dolphins
Breakfast at Ad Dahariz Park
Al Dahariz Park: common species, Eurasian Wryneck, African Paradise Flycatcher, some
Scaly-breasted Munias, 1 Yellow-billed Kite soaring and a large flock of hundreds Socotra
Cormorants from the beach
Khawr Taqah: 1 Siberian Stonechat and 1 Little Ringed Plover, some eagles (one fulvescens
Greater Spotted Egale)
Picnic on Taqah cliffs
Taqah beach and cliffs: lots of gulls and terns (Common, Gull-billed, Caspian, Sandwich,
Lesser and Greater Crested Terns)
Wadi Darbat: many African Paradise Flycatcher, some Tree Pipit, some raptors (Eurasian
Hobby, Imperial, Short-toed Snake, Bonelli's, Steppe and Booted Eagles), at least 2 Eurasian
Stone-curlew heard, a pair of Arabian Wheatears building a nest
Visit of Sumhuram Old City and East part of Khawr Rawri: many herons (Indian Pond and
Squacco herons, 1 Intermediate Egret), lots of terns (Caspian, White-winged and Whiskered
Terns), many plovers (Grey, Common Ringed, Little Ringed, Kentish, Lesser and Greater
Sand Plovers), 1 White-tailed Lapwing, at least 3 Red-knobbed Coot and some Pheasant-
tailed Jacanas, Pin-tailed and Common Snipes, 9 Greater White-fronted Goose,
demonstrative Western Ospreys and Greater Spotted Eagles, one Arabian Red Fox at dusk
Dinner at Salalah Gardens Mall
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26/01/2017 East Khawrs and Wadis, Dhofar Mountains
Fresh coconut breakfast at Ayn Razat
Ayn Razat: Arabian Partridges heards, Arabian Warbler, Black-crowned Tchagra, at least 3
Bruce's Green Pigeon, 2 Song Thrushes, 3 African Paradise Flycatcher, some wild dogs
Ayn Hamran: local pair of Bonelli's Eagles, 3 Eurasian Hoopoe, 1 Short-toed Snake Eagle, 1
Black-crowned Tchagra, 1 African Paradise Flycatcher, some Isabelline Shrikes
Ayn Tobruq intersection: 1 Menetries's Warbler
Road between Ayn Tobruq intersection and Ayn Athum: 1 Caracal crossing road at 11h40
on a shady curve in front of car, stopping 5 seconds to look at us, then running away
Picnic at Ayn Athum
Ayn Athum: 1 dead Desert Owl, at least 8 African Paradise Flycatcher and lots of common
species
Tawi Atayr Sinkhole: at least 1 flying Yemen Serin, local pair of Bonelli's Eagles,
Jabal Samhan: amazing sighting of 1 Verreaux's Eagle soaring along cliffs, some other
raptors (Long-legged Buzzard, Peregrine Falcons)
West part of Khawr Rawri: 1 shy Grey Hypocolius and 1 Rosy Starling, many diving ducks
(Red-crested and Common Pochards), some Eurasian Spoonbill
Visit of Al Husn Souq and Dinner in Omani Food Restaurant
27/01/2017 Diving in Mirbat and Raysut
East Khawr: 1 Long-toed Stint
Breakfast at Ad Dahariz Park
Ad Dahariz Park: common species
Mirbat: diving and snorkelling at Eagle Beach, Green turtles, Eagle Ray, Moray Eels, etc.
Picnic at Ad Dahariz Park
Raysut waste disposal site: very disappointing session, with only ca. 50 Eagles, and 15
Abdim's Storks flying with White storks
Raysut sewage treatment plant: very disappointing too, with only wagtails and swallows
In Salalah: at least 4 Spotted Thick-knee in lawns at night
Spotted Thick-knees – Al Balid Archeological Park (PDe)
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28/01/2017 East Wadis and East of Mirbat Coast, Raysut
Ayn Tobruq intersection at dawn: 2 Namaqua Doves, 2 Arabian Golden-winged
Grosbeaks and 1 Red-tailed Shrike at Water Station
Breakfast at Ayn Tobruq
Ayn Tobruq: 1 dead Steppe Eagle), 1 Green Sandpiper, common species
Khawr Sawli: a flock of 30 Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouses flying
Road to Sadah and Hadbin: 1 Mountain Gazelle
Picnic at Hadbin
Hadbin: some Masked Booby and Pallas's Gull fishing, a group of 10 Lichtenstein's
Sandgrouses disturbed by a Steppe Eagle seen very close to the car
Raysut waste disposal site: ca. 300 Eagle, few number but good view of at least 1 Greater
Spotted, 3 Eastern Imperial and 200 Steppe Eagle, 2 Black-eared Kite and lots of White
Storks without Abdim’s Storks
Raysut lagoons: Some ducks (Common and Ruddy Shelducks, Greater White-fronted
Goose), roosting flocks of hundreds Gulls and House Crow, 1 Pin-tailed Snipe, 1 Black-
crowned Night Heron, and a Black-necked Grebe
Dinner in Omani Food Restaurant
29/01/2017 West Salalah, Road to Mudayy and Thumrait
Al Maghsayl beach: more than 10 fishing Brown Boobies, dolphins
Breakfast at Khawr al Maghsayl
Khawr al Maghsayl: some ducks (Cotton Pygmy Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Common
Pochard) and raptors (Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli's and Eastern Imperial Eagle), 1
Intermediate Egret and 2 Purple Heron
Wadi Al Maghsayl: 1 Long-billed Pipit, 1 Blue Rock Thrush, 1 Lesser Kestrel, and 1 Steppe
Grey Shrike
Al Fazayiah beach: 1 Blue Rock Thrush and commons species, turtles from the shore, last
swimming session
Road to Aydam: little group of Greater Short-toed Larks along road, and some Desert Larks
in wadis crossed by track (72km without asphalt between Aydam and Mudday !)
Picnic at Mudday oasis
Palm-trees in Mudayy village and Camels farm: some Lesser Whitethroat and Asian Desert
Warblers, at least 3 Nile Valley Sunbird, some African Collared Doves
Dinner and night at Thumrait Palace Hotel and Restaurant (amazing Tikka Massala
Chicken !)
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30/01/2017 Road to Muscat
Breakfast at Muqshin oasis
Muqshin: at least 50 Spotted Sandgrouse and many Asian Desert Warblers
Road to Muscat: 1 Crowned Sandgrouse
Picnic at sand dunes area
Muscat beach at dawn: some waders, Ruddy Turnstones
Visit of Matrah Souq and Dinner on Matrah Harbour
31/01/2017 Al Ansab Wetland and Al Qurm Park
Breakfast at Al Ansab Lagoon
Al Ansab Lagoons: (booking at http://www.haya.com.om/AlAnsabWetland.aspx) many ducks,
waders and herons, some Streaked Weavers (resident in Al Qurm and Al Ansab), some
Pallid Swift, 1 White-tailed Lapwing
Visit of Natural History Museum of Muscat and picnic at beach
Al Qurm Park: an Alexandrine Parakeet flying over, some waders at night (Pacific Golden
Plovers), some Black-crowned Night Herons and Song Thrush. Dozens of Egyptian fruit
bats feeding in trees at night
Indian Roller – Al Qurm Park (PDe)
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Annotated bird list
*Taxonomy follows Oman Bird List online (edition 7.6, http://www.birdsoman.com/) and Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (http://www.hbw.com/).
** Detailed sightings are reported on http://observation.org
*** No indication = common species, Bold characters = notable species
# Species Name Latin Name
1 Arabian Partridge Alectoris melanocephala Often heard, randomly encountered in wadis and Mountains around Salalah
2 Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus common in Al Qurm Park and around Mascate
3 Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons Very widespread and numerous this year on wetlands
4 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Uncommon, only at Raysut Sewage Plant and Lagoons
5 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Very uncommon, only at Raysut Sewage Plant and Lagoons
6 Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus Fairly common, little groups on khawrs (Rawri, East, Mughsayl)
7 Gadwall Anas strepera Fairly common
8 Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope Common (Al Mughsayl, East, Rawri)
9 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
10 Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
11 Northern Pintail Anas acuta
12 Garganey Anas querquedula
13 Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
14 Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina Uncommon, only on Khawr Rawri
15 Common Pochard Aythya ferina Fairly common
16 Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Fairly common (East, Rawri)
17 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Fairly common (Al Mughsayl, Al Ansab)
Ruddy Shelduck (JPe)
Arabian Partridge (PDe)
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18 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis (ssp capensis)
19 Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Fairly common, in winter (Al Qurm, Raysut lagoons)
20 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus
21 Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii Uncommon, max. 70 individuals on Raysut seewge plant and dump
22 White Stork Ciconia ciconia Common (Numerous in Raysut dump and sewage plant)
23 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
24 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Khawr Rawri, Raysut lagoons
25 Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Very elusive in reeds at Khawr Al Mughsayl
26 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Roost at Al Qurm Park, 1 on Raysut Lagoons
27 Striated Heron Butorides striata (ssp atricapilla and/or brevipes)
28 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
29 Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Fairly common, some birds hard to distinguish from Squacco Heron
30 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
31 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
32 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
33 Great Egret Ardea alba
34 Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia Khawr Rawri and Al Mughsayl
35 Little Egret Egretta garzetta
36 Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis (ssp schistacea)
37 Masked Booby Sula dactylatra Common along coast from Salalah to Hadbin this year
38 Brown Booby Sula leucogaster 1 bird at Dahariz beach and some at Mughsayl beach
39 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (ssp sinensis)
Abdim's Stork (JPe)
Yellow Bittern (PDe)
Masked Booby (PDe)
Brown Booby (PDe)
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40 Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis One flock at Dahariz beach, at Mughsayl in 2015
41 Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus
42 Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus Only one soaring over Al Qurm
43 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus Common around Muscat
44 Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus Only one soaring over reed banks on Thumrait RAFO military base, seen from road
45 Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos (ssp negevensis)
46 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus
47 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
48 Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Uncommon, only one female hunting in Al Beed farm
49 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
50 Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus (ssp cirtensis) 1 bird at Wadi Al Mughsayl (seen from observatory) and 1 on bush in Jabal Samhan
51 Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga Some 10s in Dhofar, 1 fulvescens at Khawr Taqah
52 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis (ssp orientalis) Most common eagle around Salalah
53 Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca Some 10s in Raysut and Dhofar mountains
54 Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii 1 superb sighting at Jabal Samhan
55 Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata Common in Dhofar mountains
56 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus One white morph at Wadi Darbat
57 Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius 2 over Salalah and at Ad Dahariz Park.Often perched on red and white antenna at Ad Dahariz Park at dusk.
58 Black-eared Kite Milvus migrans (ssp lineatus) 2 2cy birds feeding on Raysut, interacting amongst themselves and with eagles
59 Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni 2 birds in flight in Dhofar mountains
Black-eared Kite (PDe)
Yellow-billed Kite (PDe)
Bonelli’s Eagle (PDe)
Verreaux’s Eagle (PDe)
Steppe Eagle (PDe)
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60 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
61 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 1 bird in flight at Wadi Darbat
62 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
63 Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides 1 perched on electrical wire in Al Beed farm (seen in Dhofar moutains in 2015)
64 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
65 Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata 3 internuptial birds at Khawr Rawri, hard to distinguish from coot at first sight, check frontal shield form behind eye carefully
66 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
67 Demoiselle Crane Grus virgo 1 2cy bird at Raysut Seewage Plant
68 Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus Heard at Wadi Darbat
69 Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis (ssp dodsoni) Easily seen from road at day roosting under bushes in Al Balid archaeological park, and at night in Salalah lawn
70 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus very common on wetland
71 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus (ssp aigneri)
72 White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus 1 elusive selffound at Khawr Rawri and 1 staying at Al Ansab Wetland (like in 2015)
73 Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Only 3 birds (1 quasi full nuptial) at night on Al Qurm lawn
74 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
75 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
76 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius (ssp curonicus)
77 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus (ssp alexandrines)
78 Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus (ssp atrifrons)
79 Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii
80 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus East Khawr and Khawr Rawri (Khawr Taqah in 2015)
Demoiselle crane (JPe)
Pheasant-tailed Jacana (PDe)
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81 Pin-tailed Snipe Gallinago stenura Some at Khawr Rawri, 1 at Raysut Lagoons (Wadi Darbat in 2015)
82 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
83 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
84 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
85 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata (ssp orientalis)
86 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
87 Common Redshank Tringa totanus
88 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
89 Common Greenshank Tringa
nebularia
90 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
91 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
92 Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Only one bird at Al Qurm mangrove
93 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
94 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
95 Sanderling Calidris alba
96 Little Stint Calidris minuta
97 Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii
98 Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta Selffound at East Khawr
99 Dunlin Calidris alpina
100 Ruff Philomachus pugnax
101 Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatusA flock of 50s birds foraging from Al Qurm beach
102 Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei
103 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus
104 Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans (ssp cachinnans and barabensis)
Long-toed Stint (PDe)
Common & Pin-tailed Snipes (PDe)
Common & Pin-tailed Snipes (PDe)
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105 Heuglin's Gull Larus fuscus (ssp heuglini)
106 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica
107 Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Big roost at Khawr Rawri at dusk
108 Common Tern Sterna hirundo Only 1 bird at Taqah beach gulls roost
109 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis
110 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida
111 White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus With whiskered terns at Khawr Rawri
112 Pallas's Gull Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus 80 birds roosting at Yiti beach, 1 full nuptial
113 Sooty Gull Ichthyaetus hemprichii
114 Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis Only 2 birds at Taqah beach gulls roost
115 Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii (ssp velox)
116 Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus (ssp erlangeri) 1 pair along Haima-Thumrait road, a flock of 30 flying over Khawr Sawli
117 Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus Many groups feeding in plough soil and flying at Al Beed farms, lots of group flying over Muqshin oasis
118 Crowned Sandgrouse Pterocles coronatus (ssp saturates) 1 colourful male along Thumrait-Haima road
119 Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii (ssp arabicus) 10 birds disturbed by an eagle and feeding at Hadbin. Rocky habitat unusual for other
sandgrouse
120 Rock Dove Columba livia (ssp palaestinae)
121 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
122 African Collared Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea (ssp arabica) At least 3, maybe more birds at Mudayy, on bushes and electric wires (especially camel farm). White belly diagnostic but sometimes hard to see
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse (JPe)
Pallas’s, Heuglin’s and Sooty gulls (PDe)
Sooty gull (PDe)
African Collared Dove (PDe)
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123 Namaqua Dove Oena capensis (ssp capensis) Only 2 birds at dawn at Ayn Tobruq intersection
124 Bruce's Green Pigeon Treron waalia Only 3 birds at Ayn Razat Park, easily heard
125 Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis (ssp senegalensis (North Oman) and cambayensis (South Oman))
126 Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria 1 bird flying over Al Qurm beach: firstly heard (unusual parakeet sound) then seen (pink patches on wings)
127 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri
128 Desert Owl Strix hadorami Only one dead bird found at Ayn Athum
129 Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius (ssp aegyptius) One hunting at dawn at Qitbit oasis
130 Pallid Swift Apus pallidus (ssp pallidus)
131 Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis (ssp benghalensis) Common around Mascate and displaying at Al Qurm Park
132 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis (ssp atthis)
133 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis (ssp muscatensis (North Oman) and cyanophrys (South Oman)) Common in parks, wadis, khawr…
134 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops (ssp epops) 3 birds at Ayn Hamran
135 Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla (ssp torquilla) 1 bird feeding in Ad Dahariz Park
136 Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus (ssp percivali) Some birds at Ayn Hamran and Ayn Razat
137 Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus most common “isabelline type” in khawrs, wadis…
138 Red-tailed Shrike Lanius phoenicuroides 1 bird at Ayn Tobruq intersection
139 Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis (ssp aucheri) in oasis and farms
140 Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius pallidirostris 1 bird at Wadi Al Mughsayl
Green Bee-eater (PDe)
Black-crowned Tchagra (PDe)
Namaqua Dove (PDe)
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141 African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis (ssp harterti) More sites this year than in 2015: Ad Dahariz (1), Ayn Razat (3), Ayn Hamran (1), Ayn Athum (8), Ayn Tobruq (2), Wadi Darbat (8+)
142 House Crow Corvus splendens Large roost at Raysut Lagoons at dusk
143 Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis Common in desert and around Muscat
144 Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus (ssp stanleyi) Common in Dhofar mountains
145 Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus 1 selffound at Khawr Rawri, very agitated bird, often flying
146 Greater Hoopoe-Lark Alaemon alaudipes (ssp doriae)
147 Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti
148 Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla 10 birds along road from Fazayiah beach to Aydam
149 Crested Lark Galerida cristata
150 Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix nigriceps (ssp melanoauchen) Some birds feeding in plough soil at Al Beed farms
151 White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis
152 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Some birds at Al Qurm Park
153 White-spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos
154 Sand Martin Riparia riparia
155 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
156 Pale Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne obsoleta
157 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Some birds looking like P.c.collybita (yellowish parts) but calling like P.c.tristis !
Siberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita (ssp tristis)
158 Hume's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus humei 1 heard then seen in Qitbit gardens, very colorless bird with 1 wingbar
159 Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus 1 bird at least at Khawr Rawri
African Paradise Flycatcher (BVo)
Grey Hypocolius (PDe)
Hume’s Leaf Warbler (PDe)
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160 Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus (ssp brunnescens)
161 Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis (ssp carpenteri (N) and yemenensis (S))
162 Desert Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca (ssp halimodendri)
163 Arabian Warbler Sylvia leucomelaena (ssp leucomelaena) 1 bird at Ayn Razat
164 Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana Very common at Muqshin oasis
165 Ménétriés's Warbler Sylvia mystacea 1 female near Ayn Tobruq intersection
166 Abyssinian White-eye Zosterops abyssinicus (ssp arabs)
167 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
168 Tristram's Starling Onychognathus tristramii
169 Rosy Starling Pastor roseus 1 2cy bird at Khawr Rawri
170 Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis 1 very elusive bird at Al Ghaftayn
171 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Many birds in oasis, wadis and parks (no one in 2015)
172 Bluethroat Luscinia svecica (ssp svecica)
173 Eastern Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros (ssp phoenicuroides)
174 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
175 Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus 1 bird in Khawr Taqah
176 Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina
177 Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti (ssp deserti and oreophila)
178 Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides (ssp boscaweni)
179 Hume's Wheatear Oenanthe albonigra
180 Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia
181 Blackstart Oenanthe melanura (ssp neumanni)
182 Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius (ssp longirostris) 1 in Wadi Al Mughsayl and 1 atFazayiah beach
Red-tailed Wheatear (JPe)
Hume’s Wheatear (PDe)
Arabian Wheatear (PDe)
Tristram’s Starling (PDe)
Asian Desert Warbler (PDe)
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183 Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas galactotes (ssp familiaris) 1 bird near Al Mughsayl Blowholes (1+ at Ayn Razat in 2015)
184 Nile Valley Sunbird Hedydipna metallica 3+ birds in palm trees crop at Mudayy village
185 Palestine Sunbird Cinnyris osea (ssp osea)
186 Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus (ssp brevirostris)
187 Shining Sunbird Cinnyris habessinicus (ssp hellmayri)
188 House Sparrow Passer domesticus (ssp indicus and hufufae)
189 Rüppell's Weaver Ploceus galbula
190 Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata 4 in Ad Dahariz park (1 in Al Qurm in 2015)
191 Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica
192 African Silverbill Euodice cantans (ssp orientalis)
193 Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Undeterminate ssp for some birds, many ssp recorded (lutea, “superciliaris”, flava…)
Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava (ssp feldegg)
194 Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola (ssp citreola) common on lawn and wetlands
195 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea (ssp cinerea)
196 White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Masked Wagtail Motacilla alba (ssp personata) One in Raysut Seewage Plant
197 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris
198 Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis (ssp decaptus(North Oman) and arabicus (South Oman)) 2 birds near Yiti beach, 1 bird in Wadi Al Mughsayl
199 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Some birds in Raysut SP and Wadi Darbat
200 Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta (ssp coutellii) At least 3 birds at East Khawr
Palestine Sunbird (PDe)
Citrine Wagtail (PDe)
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201 Yemen Serin Crithagra menachensis Heard and seen flying over the sinkhole of Tawi Atayr
202 Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus percivali 1 adult and 1 immature at Ayn Tobruq intersection at dawn
203 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra (ssp buturlini) 1 bird heard in Qitbit oasis at dawn
204 Striolated Bunting Emberiza striolata (ssp striolata) Sometimes hard to distinguish from Cinnamon-breasted bunting. 10+ at Ayn Razat
205 Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi
E Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar Resident Al Ansab and Al Qurm
E Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus Escape in Al Qurm Park
Mystery birds:
- 2 Acrocephalus sp (Khawr Rawri & Al Qurm park): Acrocephalus palustris/scirpaceus
- 1 enigmatic Phylloscopus in Qitbit Resthouse gardens, at the same time we observed Hume's Leaf Warbler. B. Vollot briefly seen a long browned phylloscopus (brow exceeding the eye), dark green back with pale belly, dark legs. Because the bird was seen only from below, we can't check for wing bars. This bird was very agitated, with brief and loud calls, and very long time between calls. Checking immediately calls in our playbacks (in phone), it sounds like a Phylloscopus trochiloides, but with very low rhythm (call one by one, with long delay). We unsuccessfully tried to catch a sound or a picture of this elusive bird.
Rüppel’s weaver – Ad Dahariz Park (PDe)
Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak (PDe)
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List of Dragonflies:
Latin Name Species Name Site
Anax imperator Emperor Dragonfly Ayn Athum
Anax parthenope Lesser Emperor Ayn Athum
Ceriagrion glabrum Common Pond-damsel Ayn Tobruq
Crocothemis erythraea Scarlet Darter everywhere
Ischnura senegalensis African Bluetail Raysut Lagoons
Lindenia tetraphylla Bladetail Wadi Darbat
Orthetrum chrysostigma Epaulet Skimmer Mudayy
Orthetrum sabina Slender Skimmer everywhere
Pantala flavescens Globe Skimmer Khawr Rawri
Rhyothemis semihyalina Phantom Flutterer Khawr Taqah
Tramea basilaris Keyhole Glider Ad Dahariz
Trithemis annulata Violet Dropwing everywhere
Trithemis arteriosa Red-veined Dropwing Mudayy, Khawr Sawli
2015:
Diplacodes lefebvrii Black Percher
Crocothemis servilia (?) Scarlet Skimmer
Trithemis festiva Indigo Dropwing
Zygonyx torridus Ringed Cascader
Urothemis edwardsii Blue Basker
Macrodiplax cora Coastal Glider Khawr Durf
Orthetrum sabina – Mudayy (JPe) Pantala flavescens – Khawr Rawri (JPe)
Rhyothemis semihyalina – Khawr Taqah (JPe) Trithemis arteriosa – Mudayy (JPe)
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List of Butterflyes:
Latin Name Species Name Site
Belenois aurota African Caper White Ayn Razat
Charaxes varanes Pearl Emperor Wadi darbat
Colotis phisadia Blue-Spotted Arab Al Ansab
Papilio demoleus Lemon Butterfly Mascate
Vanessa cardui Painted Lady Raysut Lagoons
Danaus chrysippus African monarch Al Qurm, Dhofar mountains…
A big arachnid was seen at Wadi Darbat trees this year and in Ayn Hamran in 2015:
Red-legged nephila (Nephila inaurata)
Danaus chrysippus – Dhofar mountains (PDe) Papilio demoleus – Grand Mosque (JPe)
Nephila inaurata – Wadi Darbat (JPe)
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List of Reptiles (and Amphibians):
Latin Name: Common Name: Sites
Hemidactylus flaviviridis Yellow-bellied House Gecko Qitbit resthouse
Bunopus tuberculatus Baluch Rock Gecko Qitbit oasis
Stenodactylus doriae Dune Sand Gecko Qitbit oasis
Stenodactylus doriae or leptocosymbotus
Yellow or Eastern Sand Gecko Qitbit oasis
Cyrtopodion scabrum Rough Bent-Toed Gecko Qitbit oasis
Pristurus sp Indeterminate Rock Gecko Ayn Athum
Pseudotrapelus sinaitus Sinai Agama Sumhuram, Ayn Razat
Ptyodactylus hasselquistii (dhofarensis)
Yellow Fan-fingered Gecko Khawr Al Mughsayl observatory
Calotes versicolor Indian Garden Lizard Salalah parks and wadis
Phrynocephalus arabicus Arabian Toadhead Agama Sand dunes in empty quarter
Chelonia mydas Green Turtle Mirbat beach, Fazayah beach
2015:
Platyceps rhodorachis Wadi Racer Al Ansab Wetland
Echis khosatzkii Khosatzki's Saw-scaled Viper Hasik
Acanthodactylus masirae Masira Fringe-fingered Lizard Masirah island
Chamaeleo arabicus Arabian Chameleon Ad Dahariz, Al Balid
Pristurus carteri Carter's Rock Gecko East coast between Sour and Masirah
Pristurus minimus Arnold's Rock Gecko East coast between Sour and Masirah
Uromastix sp (aegyptia, benti or thomasi)
Spiny-tailed Lizard Mountains between Hasik and Mirbat
Hydrophiidae sp. Indeterminate Sea-snake Yiti beach
Only one toad species was recorded, a chorus of Arabian toad (Duttaphrynus arabicus) was
heard at night along Al Qurm Park River.
Chamaeleo arabicus – Al Balid (PDe)
Phrynocephalus arabicus – Empty Quarter (PDe)
Stenodactylus doriae – Qitbit oasis (JPe) Ptyodactylus hasselquistii – Khawr Al Mughsayl (GDe)
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List of Mammals:
Common Name: Latin Name: Sites
Egyptian Roussette Rousettus aegyptiacus Al Qurm Park at night
Chiroptera sp. Al Qurm Park and Salalah at night
Indo-Pacific Humpbacked Dolphin Sousa chinensis Al Mughsayl blowholes
Dolphin sp. Al Dahariz and Al Mughsayl beach
Caracal Caracal caracal Ayn Athum
Arabian Red Fox Vulpes vulpes ssp arabica Qitbit oasis, Khawr Rawri
Mountain Gazelle Gazella gazella Mirbat-Hadbin mountains
2015:
Cape hyrax Procavia capensis Wadi Ayn Razat
Nubian ibex Capra nubiana Hadbin-Hasik mountains
Arabian red fox – Sumhuram old city (PDe) Dolphin from the beach – Taqah beach (PDe)
Mountain gazelle – Dhofar mountains (PDe) Caracal – Ayn Athum (PDe)
Cape hyrax – Ayn Razat (PDe) Nubian ibex – Ayn Razat (PDe)
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Notes on trip in March 2015:
Figure 3: Trip during March 2015
Most remarquable species seen along coast trip (from North to South):
- Road from Mascate to Sour: Lappet-faced Vulture - Mangrove West of Ras al Hadd: Pallas’s Gull, Crab plover, Terek Sandpiper - Between Daffah and Al Khabbah: Red-billed Tropicbird, Pale Rockfinch - Shanna beach: Great Knot, Pallas’s Gull, Crab plover ++, Terek Sandpiper, Curlew
Sandpiper …
- Masirah island: Persian Shearwater from coast, Red-throated Pipit,
- Filim Bay: Great Knot, Long-toed Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit,
Broad-billed Sandpiper
- Track North-West to Filim: Cream-coloured Courser, Sand Partridge
- Wadi 19km West to Ash Shuwaymiyyah: Desert Owl (heard at night)
- Road between Hasik and Sadah: Echis khosatzkii, Nubian Ibex, Mountain Gazelle
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Other bird species not contacted in 2017:
African Sacred Ibis (long stayer at East Khawr), Spur-winged Lapwing (long stayer at
Raysut Seewage Plant), Little Bittern (Al Mughsayl), Pallid Harrier (Shannah, farms),
Montagu's Harrier (farms), Eurasian Oystercatcher, Small Pratincole (Taqah), Saunders's
Tern (Mascate and along coast), Roseate Tern (Al Qurm beach), European Turtle Dove,
Arabian Scops Owl (heard at Ayn Razat), Common Swift, Little Swift (Ayn Hamran at dusk),
Singing Bush Lark (Dhofar mountains), Bimaculated Lark, Common House Martin, Willow
Warbler, Garden Warbler, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wheatear (Khawr Durf), Red-breasted
Flycatcher (Wadi Darbat), Richard's Pipit (Muntasar oasis), Meadow Pipit.
Comments on March 2015 trip:
- Location of a 4WD vehicule, very useful for sand/mud tracks, rocky wadis and
occasional off-road.
- Only 3 nights of Hotel in Salalah, all other nights “under the stars”.
- Some migrants birds yet presents in March:
o Red-billed Tropicbirds very demonstrative at Raysut Lighthouse
o Saunders and Roseate terns, especially at Al Qurm beach
o Some swifts and swallows around Salalah
- Some wintering birds absent in March:
o No Abdim’s Stork at Raysut Seewage Plant
o No Grey Hypocolius (Muntasar)
Crab Plover – Masirah island (PDe)
Pygmy Pratincole – Khawr Taqah (PDe) Red-billed Tropicbird – Raysut lighthouse (PDe)
Crested Honey Buzzard – Al Ansab Wetland (PDe)
List of notable species per visited areas
Muscat - Al Qurm Park
Grey Francolin - Francolinus pondicerianus
Black-crowned Night Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax
Striated Heron - Butorides striata
Squacco Heron - Ardeola ralloides
Western Reef Heron - Egretta gularis
Crested Honey Buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus
Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus
Pacific Golden Plover - Pluvialis fulva
Lesser Sand Plover - Charadrius mongolus
Greater Sand Plover - Charadrius leschenaultii
Terek Sandpiper - Xenus cinereus
Laughing Dove - Spilopelia senegalensis
Alexandrine Parakeet - Psittacula eupatria
Indian Roller - Coracias benghalensis
Green Bee-eater - Merops orientalis
Isabelline Shrike - Lanius isabellinus
House Crow - Corvus splendens
White-eared Bulbul - Pycnonotus leucotis
Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer
Pale Crag Martin - Ptyonoprogne obsoleta
Clamorous Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus stentoreus
Graceful Prinia - Prinia gracilis
Song Thrush - Turdus philomelos
Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus
Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica
Muscat – Yiti beach
Egyptian Vulture - Neophron percnopterus
Long-billed Pipit - Anthus similis
Brown-necked Raven - Corvus ruficollis
Slender-billed Gull - Chroicocephalus genei
Sandwich Tern - Thalasseus sandvicensis
Sooty Gull - Ichthyaetus hemprichii
Hume's Wheatear - Oenanthe albonigra
Red-tailed Wheatear - Oenanthe chrysopygia
Pallas's Gull - Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus
Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus
Greater Crested Tern - Thalasseus bergii
Western Osprey - Pandion haliaetus
Muscat - Al Ansab Lagoons
Common Pochard - Aythya ferina
Black-necked Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis
White-tailed Lapwing - Vanellus leucurus
Dunlin - Calidris alpina
Pallid Swift - Apus pallidus
Streaked Weaver - Ploceus manyar
Muscat - Al Qurm Beach
Red-necked Phalarope – Phalaropus lobatus
Oman - Ad Dakhliyah
Lappet-faced Vulture - Torgos tracheliotos
Oman - Al Ghaftayn Motel
Black-throated Thrush - Turdus atrogularis
Oman - Qatbit
Egyptian Nightjar - Caprimulgus aegyptius
Southern Grey Shrike - Lanius meridionalis
Greater Hoopoe-Lark - Alaemon alaudipes
Hume's Leaf Warbler - Phylloscopus humei
Clamorous Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus stentoreus
Asian Desert Warbler - Sylvia nana
Song Thrush - Turdus philomelos
Bluethroat - Luscinia svecica
Eastern Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros
phoenicuroides
Corn Bunting - Emberiza calandra
Oman – Mudayy
African Collared Dove - Streptopelia roseogrisea
Asian Desert Warbler - Sylvia nana
Nile Valley Sunbird - Hedydipna metallica
Oman - Al Beed Farm
Hen Harrier - Circus cyaneus
Barbary Falcon - Falco pelegrinoides
Spotted Sandgrouse - Pterocles senegallus
Southern Grey Shrike - Lanius meridionalis
Greater Hoopoe-Lark - Alaemon alaudipes
Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark - Eremopterix
nigriceps
Bruce’s Green Pigeon – Wadi Darbat (PDe)
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Salalah - Tawi Atayr
Bonelli's Eagle - Aquila fasciata
Blackstart - Oenanthe melanura
Palestine Sunbird - Cinnyris osea
Shining Sunbird - Cinnyris habessinicus
Yemen Serin - Crithagra menachensis
Salalah - Khawr Rawri
Greater White-fronted Goose - Anser albifrons
Red-crested Pochard - Netta rufina
Eurasian Spoonbill - Platalea leucorodia
Indian Pond Heron - Ardeola grayii
Intermediate Egret - Egretta intermedia
Red-knobbed Coot - Fulica cristata
White-tailed Lapwing - Vanellus leucurus
Pheasant-tailed Jacana - Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Pin-tailed Snipe - Gallinago stenura
Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybrida
White-winged Tern - Chlidonias leucopterus
Isabelline Shrike - Lanius isabellinus
Grey Hypocolius - Hypocolius ampelinus
Great Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Rosy Starling - Pastor roseus
Salalah - Khawr Sawli
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse - Pterocles exustus
Salalah – Khawr Taqah & Taqah beach
Little Ringed Plover - Charadrius dubius
Gull-billed Tern - Gelochelidon nilotica
Caspian Tern - Hydroprogne caspia
Common Tern - Sterna hirundo
Sandwich Tern - Thalasseus sandvicensis
Lesser Crested Tern - Thalasseus bengalensis
Greater Crested Tern - Thalasseus bergii
Siberian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus
Salalah - Wadi Darbat
Booted Eagle - Hieraaetus pennatus
Eurasian Hobby - Falco subbuteo
Eurasian Stone-curlew - Burhinus oedicnemus
Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybrida
African Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone viridis
Abyssinian White-eye - Zosterops abyssinicus
White-spectacled Bulbul - Pycnonotus xanthopygos
Arabian Wheatear - Oenanthe lugentoides
Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea
Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting - Emberiza tahapisi
Salalah - Ayn Tobruq
African Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone viridis
Abyssinian White-eye - Zosterops abyssinicus
White-spectacled Bulbul - Pycnonotus xanthopygos
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting - Emberiza tahapisi
Salalah - Ayn Hamran
Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops
Black-crowned Tchagra - Tchagra senegalus
African Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone viridis
Abyssinian White-eye - Zosterops abyssinicus
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting - Emberiza tahapisi
Salalah- Ayn Razat
Arabian Partridge - Alectoris melanocephala
Bruce's Green Pigeon - Treron waalia
Black-crowned Tchagra - Tchagra senegalus
African Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone viridis
Arabian Warbler - Sylvia leucomelaena
Song Thrush - Turdus philomelos
Palestine Sunbird - Cinnyris osea
Striolated Bunting - Emberiza striolata
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting - Emberiza tahapisi
Abyssinian White-eye - Zosterops abyssinicus
Salalah - East Khawr
Greater White-fronted Goose - Anser albifrons
Cotton Pygmy Goose - Nettapus coromandelianus
Ferruginous Duck - Aythya nyroca
Glossy Ibis - Plegadis falcinellus
Squacco Heron - Ardeola ralloides
Indian Pond Heron - Ardeola grayii
Masked Booby - Sula dactylatra
Pheasant-tailed Jacana - Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Wood Sandpiper - Tringa glareola
Sanderling - Calidris alba
Temminck's Stint - Calidris temminckii
Long-toed Stint - Calidris subminuta
Dunlin - Calidris alpina
Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola
Water Pipit - Anthus spinoletta
Salalah - Ad Dahariz Park
Yellow-billed Kite - Milvus aegyptius
Eurasian Wryneck - Jynx torquilla
African Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone viridis
Clamorous Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus stentoreus
Abyssinian White-eye - Zosterops abyssinicus
Rüppell's Weaver - Ploceus galbula
Scaly-breasted Munia - Lonchura punctulata
Western Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava
Salalah - Ad Dahariz beach
Socotra Cormorant - Phalacrocorax nigrogularis
Salalah - Ad Balid Archeological Park
Spotted Thick-knee - Burhinus capensis
Salalah - Raysut lagoons
Greater White-fronted Goose - Anser albifrons
Ruddy Shelduck - Tadorna ferruginea
Black-necked Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis
Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola
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Salalah - Raysut - waste disposal site
Abdim's Stork - Ciconia abdimii
White Stork - Ciconia ciconia
Western Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis
Greater Spotted Eagle - Clanga clanga
Steppe Eagle - Aquila nipalensis
Eastern Imperial Eagle - Aquila heliaca
Black-eared Kite - Milvus migrans lineatus
Salalah - Raysut - sewage treatment plant
Ruddy Shelduck - Tadorna ferruginea
Abdim's Stork - Ciconia abdimii
Glossy Ibis - Plegadis falcinellus
Demoiselle Crane - Grus virgo
Black-headed Wagtail - Motacilla flava feldegg
Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola
Salalah - Khawr al Maghsayl
Greater White-fronted Goose - Anser albifrons
Cotton Pygmy Goose - Nettapus coromandelianus
Yellow Bittern - Ixobrychus sinensis
Intermediate Egret - Egretta intermedia
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus
Isabelline Wheatear - Oenanthe isabellina
Salalah - Wadi Al Maghsayl
Steppe Grey Shrike - Lanius pallidirostris
Blue Rock Thrush - Monticola solitarius
Long-billed Pipit - Anthus similis
Salalah - Al Maghsayl - Blow Holes
Blackstart - Oenanthe melanura
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin - Cercotrichas galactotes
Steppe eagles – Raysut dump (PDe)
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin – Ayn Razat (PDe)
Oman 2017
32
Names and coordinates of sites
List of touristic sites:
Named used in this report Other names Latitude Longitude
Mutrah Souq Matrah 23°37'16.74"N 58°33'46.06"E
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque 23°35'01.17"N 58°23'28.13"E
Natural History Museum of Muscat 23°35'55.52"N 58°25'21.16"E
Al Mughsayl blowholes Al Maghsayl 16°52'29.17"N 53°45'58.86"E
Al Husn Souq Al Hosn, Al Hisn 17°00'04.49"N 54°06'04.06"E
Sumhuram Old City Samharam 17°02'23.27"N 54°26'02.05"E
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque – Mascate (JPe)
Oman 2017
33
List of ornithological spots:
Named used in this report Other names Index Latitude Longitude
Al Ansab wetland Ansab [1.1] 23°34'02.16"N 58°20'07.44"E
Al Balid archeological park Al Baleed
17°00'34.16"N 54°08'08.23"E
Al Beed farms
[7.5] 18°21'56.89"N 54°00'20.20"E
Ad Dahariz park
[10.2] 17°00'41.45"N 54°10'19.85"E
Al Fazayah beach Al Fizayah beach
16°48'58.92"N 53°41'26.92"E
Al Ghaftayn
[7.2] 19°36'51.69"N 55°31'04.33"E
Al Mughsayl lagoons Al Maghsayl, Al Mugsayl [10.15] 16°52'52.26"N 53°46'38.97"E
Al Qurm park Al Qurum, QNP [1.2] 23°36'59.20"N 58°28'55.47"E
Ayn Athum
17°07'05.16"N 54°21'58.59"E
Ayn Hamran
[10.4] 17°06'00.09"N 54°17'02.13"E
Ayn Razat
[10.3] 17°07'44.96"N 54°14'18.18"E
Ayn Tobruq Ayn Tabraq
17°06'02.08"N 54°19'35.93"E
Ayn Tobruq intersection
17°05'26.28"N 54°19'59.70"E
Eagle beach
16°56'25.11"N 54°47'53.93"E
East Khawr Khawr Al Dahariz [10.2] 17°00'42.26"N 54°10'37.91"E
Hadbin Hadbeen
17°11'56.90"N 55°13'30.59"E
Jabal Samhan
[10.16] 17°06'07.67"N 54°41'51.21"E
Khawr Al Mughsayl Al Maghsayl [10.15] 16°53'03.85"N 53°46'54.75"E
Khawr Rawri East
[10.7] 17°02'12.75"N 54°26'09.69"E
Khawr Rawri West
[10.7] 17°01'51.74"N 54°26'05.84"E
Khawr Taqah
[10.6] 17°02'05.58"N 54°22'41.61"E
Mirbat dump
17°01'19.35"N 54°44'09.16"E
Mudayy Mudhay, Mudday, Muddai [10.18]
17°28'37.25"N 53°21'09.46"E
Muqshin
19°35'07.11"N 54°53'03.88"E
Qitbit garden Qatbit garden [7.4] 19°10'26.42"N 54°30'11.56"E
Qitbit oasis Qatbit oasis [7.4] 19°09'20.52"N 54°30'27.40"E
Raysut dump
[10.17] 16°59'15.87"N 53°57'26.70"E
Raysut dump viewpoint
[10.17] 16°58'55.20"N 53°57'03.60"E
Raysut lagoons
[10.18] 16°57'27.80"N 53°59'31.82"E
Raysut lighthouse
16°55'47.86"N 54°00'18.79"E
Raysut seewage plant
[10.17] 16°59'46.89"N 53°56'14.33"E
Salalah nature reserve
[10.12] 16°59'40.31"N 54°03'56.02"E
Taqah cliffs
17°01'56.27"N 54°24'36.97"E
Tawi Atayr sinkhole
[10.9] 17°06'50.12"N 54°33'28.69"E
Wadi Aday
23°32'21.43"N 58°40'34.26"E
Wadi Al Mughsayl Al Maghsayl [10.15] 16°54'01.41"N 53°46'00.86"E
Wadi Darbat [10.8] 17°06'17.14"N 54°27'09.67"E
Yiti beach Yitti, Yeti
23°31'55.55"N 58°40'49.95"E
* [ ] numbers refers to Birdwatching guide to Oman 2nd edition (J. & H. Eriksen)
