OMAN / DHOFAR– October 2009 Lasse Olsson – www.birding.se

Although primarily a family trip to Oman and staying at the luxurous Hilton resort, I managed to spend quite some time behind my binoculars and my photo-gear. Leaving Sweden in mist and with a temperature a few degrees above zero we headed for Salalah on 22nd October. Well there we picked up the car we’d arranged from home, a Toyota Yaris – €232 a week from Thrifty cars – and were soon installed in our convenient room. Weather was clear and sunny throughout the week with very occasional light cloud and with a temperature averaging around 30 degrees Celsius at the hottest time of the day you have to choose, either air conditioning in your car or long mid-day siestas – the latter was my prime choice. During my desert trip temperature did exceed 40ºC! As water is more expensive than petrol and the roads are excellent you can easily cover quite distant locations in a week. The main habitats are the coastal lagoons, or khawrs, that attract many species of wildfowl, herons and egrets. If I have to pick a favourite here it’ll be Khawr Rawri, less than 50 km’s east of Salalah and situated at the ancient city of Sumhuram, once the main port for the flourishing frankincense trade. There’s an entrance gate where you have to pay OR1 to get in, officially not before 8.00AM – even though I didn’t have any problem arriving at 6.15 AM. The well-wooded wadis are another habitat in need of a thorough exploration for migrants, raptors and the numerous Dhofar specialities. I visited Ayn Hamran twice, and completed the list of expected species fairly easy, with a howling Grey Wolf being a welcomed bonus. 300 km’s inland the feeling of finding whatever is even greater. Anything can show up in the oases or farms being scattered as green dots in an otherwise barren land. Places like Qatbit, Muntasar and Al Beed Farm offers prime hunting grounds for a birdwatcher as well as for the photographer. If one add the rocky promontories and coastline, which offer some really exciting sea-watching opportunities, and the farms around Salalah, with their abundance of birdlife, it’s easy to understand why a week here goes so quickly. “Some km’s from Ayn Hamran past the roundabout back towards Salalah a flock of Cream-coloured Coursers drew my attention and when approaching five Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouses took air just 20 meters away. This is bird-watching in Oman as I will remember it – you never know where and when the unexpected will happen”.

Lasse Olsson http://www.birding.se

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF BIRDS 1. Eurasian Wigeon / Bläsand Anas penelope

2 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10.

2. Gadwall / Snatterand Anas strepera 25+ Khawr Rawri 23.10.

3. Eurasian Teal / Kricka Anas crecca 25+ Khawr Rawri 23.10, 10 Khawr Rawri 24.10, 15 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10 and 5 East Khawr 29.10.

4. Mallard / Gräsand Anas platyrhynchos 10+ Khawr Rawri 23.10 and 1 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10.

5. Pintail / Stjärtand Anas acuta 1 Khawr Rawri 23.10 and 10 Khawr Rawri 24.10.

6. Garganey / Årta Anas querquedula The most frequent dabbling duck in the area, seen in many places along the coast, with a maximum of 100+ Khawr Rawri 23.10.

7. Northern Shoveler / Skedand Anas clypeata 50+ Khawr Rawri 23.10, 20 Khawr Rawri 24.10 and 2 East Khawr 29.10.

8. Ferrugineous Duck / Vitögd dykand Aythya nyroca 8 Khawr Rawri 23.10 and 4 Khawr Rawri 24.10.

9. Arabian Partridge / Arabisk rödhöna Alectoris melanocephala Definitely more often heard than seen! 2 heard Khawr Rawri 24.10, 2 seen Ayn Hamran 25.10, 4 in the wadi north of Al Mughsayl 26.10 and 5 -6 heard Ayn Hamran 27.10.

10. Little Grebe / Smådopping Tachybaptus ruficollis 5 Khawr Rawri 23.10, 3 Khawr Rawri 24.10 and 1 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10.

11. Greater Flamingo / Större flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus 25 Khawr Rawri 23.10, 30+ at the same place 24.10 and 3 on the beach Khawr Mughsayl 26.10.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus Al Mughsayl 26.10

12. Pale-footed Shearwater / Ljusfotad lira Puffinus carneipes 1 off Al Mughsayl 26.10.

13. Jouanin’s Petrel / Arabpetrell Bulweria fallax 20+ off Khawr Rawri 24.10 and 50+ off Al Mughsayl 26.10.

14. Persian Shearwater / Audubonlira Puffinus lherminieri persicus 30+ off Khawr Rawri 24.10 and 20+ off Al Mughsayl 26.10.

15. Masked Booby / Masksula Sula dactylatra 1 adult bird off Khawr Rawri 24.10 is the only observation!

16. Socotra Cormorant / Socotraskarv Phalacrocorax nigrogularis 11 birds – adults as well as juvenile birds – together off Al Mughsayl 26.10.

17. Yellow Bittern / Kinesisk Dvärgrördrom Ixobrychus sinensis 1 adult exposing itself well Khawr Mughsayl 26.10.

18. Cattle Egret / Kohäger Bubulcus ibis Locally common. Larger concentrations at Khawr Rawri 23.10, Al Beed farm 28.10 and Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10.

19. Squacco Heron / Rallhäger Ardeola ralloides 10 Khawr Rawri 23 - 24.10, 5 Khawr Taqah 23.10 and 27.10, 3 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10, 3 East Khawr 29.10 and finally 2 Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10.

20. Indian Pond Heron / Rishäger Ardeola grayii 2 Khawr Rawri 23.10 and 1 Khawr Taqah 23.10. Not too difficult when seen well.

21. Western Reef Heron / Revhäger Egretta gularis Scattererd along the coast with a maximum of 4 Khawr Rawri 24.10.

22. Little Egret / Silkeshäger Egretta garzetta Fairly common i suitable areas.

23. Great White Egret /

Ägretthäger Egretta alba Scattered singles Khawr Rawri 23.10, Khawr Taqah 23.10 and Khawr Mughsayl 26.10.

24. Grey Heron / Gråhäger Ardea

cinerea Widespread and common with a maximum of 50+ i Khawr Rawri 23.10 and – most unexpected – 1 flying by at Qatbit 28.10.

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Khawr Taqah 23.10

25. Purple Heron / Purpurhäger Ardea purpurea 5 Khawr Rawri 23.10, 1 - 2 Khawr Taqah 23.10 and 27.10, 2 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10 and 1 Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10.

Purple Heron Ardeola ralloides Khawr Taqah 23.10

26. White Stork / Vit stork Ciconia ciconia

Scattered singles seen at the khawrs, with larger concentrations at Raysut waste disposal with 30+ 26.10 and at the Salalah farms, with a maximum of 50+ Jarziz farm 29.10.

27. Glossy Ibis / Bronsibis Plegadis falcinellus

25+ Khawr Rawri 23.10, 3 Khawr Taqah 23.10 and 10 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10. 28. Eurasian Spoonbill / Skedstork Platalea leucorodia

5 Khawr Rawri 23.10.

Crested Honey Buzzard / Tofsbivråk Pernis ptilorhyncus A compact Honey Buzzard at Jarziz Farm 29.10 may well have been a C.H.B! Unfortunately it didn’t expose itself long enough for a definite ID.

29. Black Kite / Brun glada Milvus migrans aegypticus 1 at the Raysat Waste Disposal 26.10.

30. Short-toed Eagle / Ormörn Circaetus gallicus

1 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10 and 1 adult Jarziz Farm 29.10.

31. Marsh Harrier / Brun kärrhök Circus

aeruginosus Scattered singles seen every day of the week.

32. Pallid Harrier / Stäpphök Circus macrourus

1 adult male and 1 1y Al Beed Farm 28.10 and 1 1y Jarziz Farm 29.10.

Black Kite Milvus migrans aegypticus Raysut 26.10

33. Montagu’s Harrier / Ängshök Circus pygargus

1 adult male seen from the car along the road from the desert to Salalah 28.10.

34. Common Buzzard / Ormvråk Buteo buteo 1 Tawi Atayr 25.10 and 1 Jarziz farm 29.10.

35. Greater Spotted Eagle / Större skrikörn Aquila clanga

2 Khawr Rawri 23.10, 2 Khawr Taqah 23.10, 4 Khawr Rawri 24.10, 3 Raysut 26.10, 3 Khawr Taqah 23.10 and 4 Jarziz farm 29.10.

36. Steppe Eagle / Stäppörn Aquila nipalensis

2 An-Nabi Ayyub 24.10, 1 Tawi Atayr 25.10 and maybe 250 at Raysut Waste Disposal 26.10. Couldn’t think of a better place to watch Steppe Eagles!!!

37. Eastern Imperial Eagle / Kejsarörn Aquila heliaca

1 juvenile Khawr Rawri 23.10, , 1 3y+ Khawr Taqah 23.10, 2 juveniles Raysut Waste Disposal 26.10 and 2 juveniles Jarziz Farm 29.10.

Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca Raysut 26.10

38. Verreaux’s Eagle / Klippörn Aquila verreauxii

2 adults Ayn Hamran 25.10 and 27.10. 39. Booted Eagle / Dvärgörn Hieraaetus pennatus

1 light phase Jarziz Farm 23.10. 40. Bonelli’s Eagle / Hökörn Hieraaetus fasciatus

1 juvenile in the wadi north of Khawr Mughsayl 26.10 and 1 3y+ Jarziz farm 29.10.

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus Al Mughsayl 26.10

41. Osprey / Fiskgjuse Pandion haliaetus Scattered singles seen every day of the week, except in the desert .

42. Kestrel / Tornfalk Falco tinnunculus

Fairly widespread, mostly in small numbers, and seen every day 43. Peregrine / Pilgrimsfalk Falco peregrinus

1 juvenile Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10. 44. Demoiselle Crane / Jungfrutrana Anthropoides virgo

1 found on the ground at Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10 but flew SE after a short rest.

45. Moorhen / Rörhöna Gallinula chloropus Scattered sightings along the coast, with a maximum of 30+ Khawr Rawri 23.10 and Khawr Mughsayl 26.10.

46. Coot / Sothöna Fulica atra

10 Khawr Rawri 23.10. 47. Black-winged Stilt / Styltlöpare Himantopus himantopus

20 Khawr Rawri 23 - 24.10, 2 Khawr Taqah 23.10 and 2 East Khawr 29.10.

48. Cream-coloured Courser / Ökenlöpare Cursorius cursor 15+ Bait Al Mahmurrah 27.10.

Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor Bait Al Mahmurrah 27.10

49. Little Ringed Plover / Mindre strandpipare Charadrius dubius 2 Khawr Rawri 23.101 Khawr Taqah 1.11.

50. Ringed Plover / Större strandpipare Charadrius hiaticula

2 Khawr Rawri 24.10, 10 Khawr Taqah 27.10 and 10 East Khawr 29.10. 51. Kentish Plover / Svartbent strandpipare Charadrius alindandrinus

5+ Khawr Taqah 27.10 and 25+ East Khawr 29.10. 52. Lesser Sand Plover / Mongolpipare Charadrius mongolus

1 Khawr Rawri 23.10, 15 Khawr Rawri 24.10 and 1 Hilton Hotel, Salalah 26.10. 53. Red-wattled Plover / Rödflikvipa Vanellus

indicus 2 Al Beed farm 28.10.

54. Little Stint / Småsnäppa Calidris minuta

Common and widespread, with a maximum of 40+ Khawr Rawri 23 - 24.10. 55. Temminck’s Stint / Mosnäppa Calidris temminckii

Fairly common in small numbers, with a maximum of 10+ Khawr Rawri 23.10. 56. Curlew Sandpiper / Spovsnäppa Calidris ferruginea

1 Khawr Rawri 23.10, 3 at the same location 24.10 and 1 East Khawr 29.10. 57. Dunlin / Kärrsnäppa Calidris alpina

1 at Khawr Rawri 23.10 is the only observation. 58. Ruff / Brushane Philomachus pugnax

1 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10 and 5 East Khawr 29.10. 59. Common Snipe / Enkelbeckasin Gallinago gallinago

Widespread in the khawrs along the coast, with a maximum of 8 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10. In addition four were seen at Al Beed farm 28.10

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Khawr Taqah 27.10

60. Pintail Snipe / Sibirisk beckasin Gallinago stenura 1 Khawr Taqah 23.10 and 1 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10. Also a very probable at Al Beed farm 28.10.

61. Black-tailed Godwit / Rödspov Limosa limosa

15 - 20 Khawr Rawri 23 - 24.10, 1 Khawr Taqah 23.10 and 2 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10. 62. Bar-tailed Godwit / Myrspov Limosa lapponica

1 Al Mughsayl 26.10 and 11 East Khawr 29.10. 63. Curlew / Storspov Numenius arquata

3 Khawr Rawri 23.10, 3 Al Mughsayl 26.10 and 3 Bait Al Mahmurrah 27.10. 64. Common Redshank / Rödbena Tringa totanus

Widespread in small numbers in suitable locations. 65. Spotted Redshank / Svartsnäppa Tringa andropus

2 Khawr Rawri 23.10.

66. Marsh Sandpiper / Dammsnäppa Tringa stagnatilis 5 Khawr Rawri 23.10 and 3 at the same place 24.10.

67. Greenshank / Gluttsnäppa Tringa nebularia

Fairly widespread, with a maximum of 20+ Khawr Rawri 24.10. 68. Green Sandpiper / Skogssnäppa Tringa andropus

Scattered records of single numbers, except 2 Khawr Rawri 23.10. 69. Wood Sandpiper / Grönbena Tringa glareola

Fairy widespread, with 20+ Khawr Rawri 23.10 being a maximum. One sighting at Qatbit 28.10 well ”out of range”.

70. Terek Sandpiper / Tereksnäppa Xenus cinereus

3 Khawr Rawri 24.10. 71. Common Sandpiper / Drillsnäppa Actitis hypoleucos

Fairly widespread in small numbers along the coast. 72. Sooty Gull / Sotmås Larus hemprichii

Very common, with 1000+ Hilton Hotel, Salalah 25.10 and 1000+ Al Mughsayl 26.10 beeing the highest estimated numbers.

73. Slender-billed Gull / Långnäbbad mås Larus genei

Scattered singles at the khawrs, with a maximum of 30+ Al Mughsayl 26.10.

Slender-billed Gull Larus genei Al Mughsayl 26.10

74. Heuglin’s Gull / Tundratrut Larus fuscus heuglini As far as I can judge the most frequent gull, with a maximum of 300+ Al Mughsayl 26.10.

75. Steppe Gull / Stäpptrut Larus cachinnans barabensis

Scattered singles at the khawrs along the coast, with a maximum of 5+ Al Mughsayl 26.10. 76. Greater Crested Tern / Swift Tern / Tofstärna Sterna bergii

Locally common, with 50+ Al Mughsayl 26.10 being the highest count . 77. Lesser Crested Tern / Iltärna Sterna bengalensis

Patchily distributed along the coast, with a maximum of 10+ Al Mughsayl 26.10. 78. Sandwich Tern / Kentsk tärna Sterna sandvicensis

Scattered singles along the coast, with a maximum of 5 Khawr Rawri 24.10. 79. Common Tern / Fisktärna Sterna hirundo

Scattered records of small numbers along the coast. 30+ on the beach at Al Mughsayl 26.10.

Roosting terns at the Mughsayl beach 26.10

80. White-cheeked Tern / Vitkindad tärna Sterna repressa

10+ first-winter birds together with other terns and gulls on the beach at Al Mughsayl 26.10. 81. Bridled Tern / Tygeltärna Sterna anaethetus

5+ off Al Mughsayl late afternoon 26.10 82. Saunders’s Tern / Persisk småtärna Sterna albifrons saundersi

2 Khawr Rawri 23.10, 4 Khawr Rawri 24.10, 3 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10. Also a single bird seen at Hilton Hotel, Salalah all week.

83. Whiskered Tern / Skäggtärna Chlidonias hybrida

20+ Khawr Rawri 23 - 24.10, 2 Khawr Taqah 27.10 and 10 Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10. 84. Black Tern / Svarttärna Chlidonias niger

5 Khawr Rawri 23.10. 85. White-winged Black Tern / Vitvingad tärna Chlidonias leucopterus

10+ Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10.

86. Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse / Strimmig flyghöna Pterocles lichtensteinii

5 were flushed near Bait Al Mahmurrah 27.10. 87. Crowned Sandgrouse / Kronflyghöna Pterocles coronatus

6 Muntasar 28.10 and singles along the Qatbit – Thumrayt road 28.10. 88. Spotted Sandgrouse / Ökenflyghöna Pterocles senegallus

250+ Muntasar 28.10 and 200+ along the Qatbit – Thumrayt road 28.10.

89. Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse / Brunbukig flyghöna Pterocles industus

15+ Khawr Rawri 23.10 and 16 Khawr Rawri 24.10. 90. Rock Dove / Klippduva Columba livia

Apparently wild birds in small groups at Ayn Hamran and Tawi Atayr. 91. Eurasian Collared Dove / Turkduva Streptopelia decaocto

Common and widespread, with high concentrations at the farms – Jarziz and Al Beed. 92. Laughing Dove / Palmduva Streptopelia senegalensis

Common and widespread except in the desert areas. 93. Namaqua Dove / Långstjärtduva Oena capensis

A pair near Sawnaht farm, Salalah. 94. Bruce’s Green Pigeon / Gulbröstad grönduva Treron waalia

15+ feeding on fruiting figs in one tree, Ayn Hamran 25.10 and 12 in the same tree 27.10. 95. Ring-necked Parakeet / Halsbandsparakit Psittacula krameri]

Scattered records of small numbers. Only high number was 50+ Jarziz farm 29.10.

Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10

96. Common Cuckoo / Gök Cuculus canorus 1 An-Nabi Ayyub 24.10.

97. Barn Owl / Tornuggla Tyto alba

First bird seen in Oman. 1 eastern parts of Salalah 23.10 and 1 at night outside Central Mosque, Salalah 27.10.

98. Eurasian Scops Owl / Dvärguv Otus scops

1 Muntasar 28.10. 99. African Scops Owl / Afrikansk dvärguv Otus senegalensis pamelae

3 calling before dawn Ayn Hamran 25.10 and 2 heard at the same place 27.10. 100. Common Nightjar / Nattskärra Caprimulgus europaeus

1 Hilton Hotel, Salalah 23.10,1 Ayn Hamran 25 and 27.10, 1 Al Mughsayl 26.10, 1 - 2 Muntasar 28.10,and 1 Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10

101. Egyptian Nightjar / Ökennattskärra Caprimulgus aegyptius.

1 Muntasar 28.10. 102. Forbes-Watson’s Swift / Somaliaseglare Forbes-Watson's Swift Apus berliozi

10+ Khawr Taqah 23.10, 100+ over the wadi north of Khawr Rawri 24.10, 50+ Ayn Hamran 25.10 and 100+ Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10.

103. Grey-headed Kingfisher / Gråhuvad kungsfiskare Halcyon leucocephala

3 Ayn Hamran 25.10, 1 Hotel Hilton, Salalah 25.10 and 1 Ayn Hamran 27.10.

104. Common Kingfisher / Kungsfiskare Alcedo atthis

1 Khawr Rawri 24.10. 105. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater / Grön biätare Merops persicus

8 in the wadi north of Khawr Rawri 24.10, 2 Qatbit 28.10, 5 Muntasar 28.10, 1 Al Beed Farm 28.10 and hela 25+ Jarziz Farm 29.10.

106. European Roller / Blåkråka Coracias garrulus

Single birds seen every day, with a maximum of 25+ på Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10.

107. Eurasian Hoopoe / Härfågel Upupa epops

1 An-Nabi Ayyub 24.10, 1 Tawi Atayr 25.10 and 1 Al Mughsayl 26.10. 108. Wryneck / Göktyta Jynx torquilla

1 in the wadi north of Khawr Rawri 24.10

109. Singing Bushlark / Sångbusklärka Mirafra cantillans 2 displaying Jarziz Farm 29.10.

110. Black-crowned Finch-lark / Svartkronad finklärka Eremopterix nigriceps

6 Khawr Rawri 24.10, 20+ Hotel Hilton, Salalah 25.10, 10+ Bait Al Mahmurrah 27.10, 4 Muntasar 28.10, 20+ Al Beed Farm 28.10, at least 20 along the Qatbit -Thumrayt road 28.10 and 5 Jarziz Farm 29.10.

111. Desert Lark / Stenökenlärka Ammomanes deserti

2 Muntasar 28.10. 112. Greater Hoopoe Lark /

Härfågellärka Alaemon alaudipes 3 Muntasar 28.10, 3 Al Beed Farm 28.10 and 3 along the Qatbit - Thumrayt road 28.10.

113. Greater Short-toed Lark /

Korttålärka Calandrella brachydactyla 1 Qatbit 28.10 and 11 Muntasar 28.10.

114. Crested Lark / Tofslärka Galerida

cristata Common and widespread. Greater Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes Muntasar 28.10

115. Sand Martin / Backsvala Riparia riparia 1 Khawr Taqah 27.10 and 1 Muntasar 28.10.

116. Rock Martin / Afrikansk klippsvala Hirundo fuligula

Seen in pairs or small numbers, mainly in rocky vincinity, but also seen catching insects over the khawrs.

117. Barn Swallow / Ladusvala Hirundo rustica

Common and widespread. 118. Richard’s Pipit / Större piplärka Anthus richardi

1 Khawr Rawri 23.10. 119. Tawny Pipit / Fältpiplärka Anthus campestris

2 Muntasar 28.10. 120. Tree Pipit / Trädpiplärka Anthus trivialis

1 Khawr Rawri 24.10, 1 Qatbit 28.10, 1 Muntasar 28.10 and 2 Al Beed farm 28.10. 121. Red-throated Pipit / Rödstrupig piplärka Anthus cervinus

3 Khawr Rawri 23.10, 2 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10, 1 Khawr Taqah 27.10 and 2 Muntasar 28.10. 122. Yellow Wagtail / Gulärla Motacilla flava

15+ Khawr Rawri 23.10, 10 Hotel Hilton, Salalah 23.10, 5 Khawr Kughsayl 26.10, 50+ ind Al Beed Farm and maybe as many as 250+ Jarziz Farm, Salalah 29.10. Identified subspecies: Motacilla flava beema: 1 Jarziz Farm 29.10. Motacilla flava lutea: 1 Jarziz Farm 29.10.

Syke’s Wagtail Motacilla flava beema Yellow-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava lutea 123. Citrine Wagtail / Citronärla Motacilla citreola

2 Khawr Rawri 23.10, 1 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10, 3 Khawr Taqah 27.10, 2 Muntasar 28.10 and 10+ Al Beed Farm 28.10.

124. Grey Wagtail / Forsärla Motacilla cinerea

1 Ayn Hamran 25.10. 125. White Wagtail / Sädesärla Motacilla alba

Fairly common in suitable areas. A group of 100+, with at least 2 ssp. personata, outside a shopping centre in Salalah in late afternoon 24.10 was surprising though.

126. White-spectacled Bulbul / Levantbulbyl Pycnonotus xanthopygos

Common and widespread. 127. Grey Hypocolius / Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus

1 Muntasar 28.10 was flushed by the Scops Owl and than impossible to relocate. 128. Rufous Scrub-Robin / Trädnäktergal Cercotrichas galactotes

1 around the tables at the coffee-house in An-Nabi Ayyub 24.10.

129. Common Nightingale / Sydnäktergal Luscinia megarhynchos 10+ Ayn Hamran 25 and 27.10.

130. Common Redstart / Rödstjärt Phoenicurus

phoenicurus 1 Qatbit 28.10.

131. Blackstart / Svartstjärt Cercomela melanura

4 Khawr Rawri 24.10, 5+ Ayn Hamran 25.10, 3 Tawi Atayr 6.11 and 7+ Al Mughsayl.

132. Stonechat / Vitgumpad buskskvätta Saxicola

torquata maurus 1 female-coloured Khawr Taqah 27.10 and 1 female-coloured. Muntasar 28.10.

Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Ayn Hamran 24.10

133. Isabelline Wheatear / Isabellastenskvätta Oenanthe isabellina Fairly widespread in suitable areas – and there are plenty of them.

134. Desert Wheatear / Ökenstenskvätta Oenanthe deserti

Common. 135. Mourning Wheatear / Sorgstenskvätta Oenanthe lugens

1 Tawi Atayr 25.10, and 4 + 3 Al Mughsayl 26.10. The Oenanthe lugens boscaweni subspecies occurs in the southern part of the Arabian peninsula, and is sometimes treated as an own species South Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides.

South Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugens boscaweni Al Mughsayl 26.10

136. Blue Rock Thrush / Blåtrast 1 female-coloured Khawr Rawri 24.10 and 2 - male/juvenile - Al Mughsayl 26.10.

137. Graceful Prinia / Streckad prinia Prinia gracilis

Fairly common. 138. Sedge Warbler / Sävsångare Acrocephalus shoenobaenus

1 singing Khawr Taqah 27.10

139. Eurasian Reed Warbler / Rörsångare Acrocephalus scirpaceus 1 singing Khawr Mughsayl 26.10.

140. Clamorous Reed Warbler / Papyrussångare Acrocephalus stentoreus

2 Khawr Taqah 23.10, 3 Khawr Rawri 24.10, 2 Khawr Taqah 27.10 and 2 East Khawr 29.10.

141. Upcher’s Warbler / Orientsångare Hippolais languida

1 Khawr Taqah 23.10, 1 Khawr Rawri 24.10 and 1 Ayn Hamran 27.10.

142. Olivaceous Warbler / Eksångare Hippolais pallida 2 Khawr Rawri 23.10, 1 Khawr Rawri 24.10, 3 Ayn Hamran 25.10 and 1 Qatbit 28.10.

143. Ménétries’s Warbler / Östlig sammetshätta Sylvia mystacea 2 Khawr Rawri 24.10 and 5+ in a family group Qatbit 28.10.

Ménétries’s Warbler Sylvia mystacea Qatbit 28.10

144. Desert Warbler / Ökensångare Sylvia nana

1 Muntasar 28.10. 145. Arabian Warbler / Arabisk sångare Sylvia leucomelaena

2 Khawr Rawri 24.10, 2 Ayn Hamran 25.10 and 2 Ayn Hamran 27.10.

146. Lesser Whitethroat / Ärtsångare Sylvia curruca

Sylvia c. curruca-type: 1 Khawr Rawri 24.10 and 1 Ayn Hamran 27.10. Sylvia c. jaxartica/minula-type: 10+ Qatbit 28.10, 3 Muntasar 28.10 and 10+ Al Beed Farm 28.10.

147. Common Whitethroat / Törnsångare Sylvia communis

1 Ayn Hamran 25.10 and 1 Qatbit 28.10. 148. Barred Warbler / Höksångare Sylvia nisoria

1 first-winter in the wadi north of Khawr Rawri 24.10. Desert Warbler Sylvia nana Muntasar 28.10

149. Blackcap / Svarthätta Sylvia atricapilla 1 honf. Qatbit 28.10.

150. Wood Warbler / Grönsångare Phylloscopus sibilatrix

1 Ayn Hamran 25.10 and 27.10. 151. Willow Warbler / Lövsångare Phylloscopus trandilus

1 Ayn Hamran 27.10. 152. Common Chiffchaff / Gransångare Phylloscopus

collybita Very common in the oases in the desert, with a maximum of 15+ Qatbit 28.10.

153. Spotted Flycatcher / Grå flugsnappare Muscicapa

striata Scattered singles in several places, with 5 Qatbit 28.10 as highest number.

154. Red-breasted Flycatcher / Mindre flugsnappare

Ficedula parva 1 female-coloured Qatbit 28.10.

Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva Qatbit 28.10 155. African Paradise Flycatcher / Afrikansk

paradisflugsnappare Terpsiphone viridis harteri 3 Ayn Hamran 25.10 and 2 Ayn Hamran 27.10.

156. Arabian Babbler / Arabskriktrast Turdoides squamiceps

7 east part of Salalah 23.10. 157. Palestine Sunbird / Palestinasolfågel Nectarinia osea

1 Ayn Hamran 25.10.

158. Shining Sunbird / Abessinsk solfågel Nectarinia habessinica 4 Khawr Taqah 23.10, 3 Khawr Rawri 24.10 and 10+ Ayn Hamran 25.10 and 27.10.

Shining Sunbird Nectarinia habessinica Ayn Hamran 24.10

159. Abyssinian White-eye / Abessinsk glasögonfågel Zosterops abyssinicus

2 Ayn Hamran 25.10 and 4 same place 27.10. 160. Eurasian Golden Oriole / Sommargylling Oriolus oriolus

1 female-coloured Muntasar 28.10 161. Isabelline Shrike / Isabellatörnskata Lanius isabellinus

Singles seen frequently. According to my observations it seems that most of the birds in the Dhofar area belongs to ssp. phoenicuroides and birds in the desert area belongs to ssp. isabellinus.

Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus Khawr Rawri 23.10

162. Masked Shrike / Masktörnskata Lanius nubicus

1 male Qatbit 28.10.

163. Southern Grey Shrike / Ökenvarfågel Lanius meridionalis Lanius meridionalis aucheri: 1 Khawr Rawri 24.10, 1 Qatbit 28.10, 1 Muntasar 28.10 and 1 Al Beed Farm 28.10. Lanius meridionalis pallidirostris: 1 An-Nabi Ayyub 24.10.

164. Black-crowned Tchagra / Svartkronad tchagra Tchagra senegalus percivali

2 hörda Ayn Hamran 25.10 and 1 Ayn Hamran 27.10. 165. House Crow / Huskråka Corvus splendens

Daily records of small numbers near och in Salalah. 166. Brown-necked Raven / Ökenkorp Corvus ruficollis

10+ Qatbit 28.10, 2 Muntasar 28.10 and 10 along the Qatbit – Thumrayt road 28.10. 167. Fan-tailed Raven / Kortstjärtad korp Corvus rhipidurus

Singles or pairs seen every now and then. Larger groups: 15 in the wadi north of Khawr Rawri 24.10, 15+ An-Nabi Ayyub 24.10 and 10+ Ayn Hamran 25.10

168. Tristram’s Grackle / Sinaiglansstare Onychognathus tristramii

Common. Small numbers recorded every day.

169. Common Starling / Stare Sturnus vulgaris 3 Tawi Atayr 25.10.

170. House Sparrow / Gråsparv Passer domesticus hufufae

5 Qatbit. 171. Rüppell’s Weaver / Rödahavsvävare Ploceus galbula

Common and widespread. Daily records, with a maximum of 50+ Ayn Hamran 25.10 and about as many Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10.

172. African Silverbill / Afrikansk silvernäbb

Euodice cantans Common. 500+ in the same field Jarziz Farm, Salalah 29.10 was an extremely high count - though estimated.

[Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata] 2 Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10

173. Yemen Serin / Yemensiska Serinus

menachensis 5 Tawi Atayr 25.10.

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura puntulata 174. Striolated Bunting / Bergsparv

Emberiza striolata 2 along the Qatbit – Al Beed road 28.10.

Jarziz farm, Salalah 29.10

175. African Rock Bunting / Afrikansk klippsparv

Emberiza tahapisi Common.

176. Ortolan Bunting / Ortolansparv Emberiza

hortulana 2 Qatbit 28.10.

Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana Qatbit 28.10

OTHER NOTABLE OBSERVATIONS DURING MY TRIP – Arabian Fat-tailed Scorpion Androctonus crassicauda 1 seeking shelter from the sun under one of the used barrels at Al Beed farm 29.10. Green Turtle / Soppsköldpadda Chelonia mydas 15+ just off Al Mughsayl 26.10.

Wagner’s Gerbil / Wadispringråtta Gerbillus dasyurus 3 along the Thumrayt – Qatbit road 28.10 Red Fox / Rödräv Vulpes vulpes 2 Khawr Rawri 24.10 and 1 Qatbit 28.10.

Grey Wolf / Varg Canis lupus 1 heard howling and seen at Ayn Hamran 25.10. Mountain Gazelle / Arabisk gasell Gazella gazella 2 Khawr Rawri 23.10

Indian Humpback Dolphin Sousa plumbea 50 Khawr Mughsayl 26.10 and 10 off Hotel Hilton, Salalah 27.10.