MidEast BirdNet

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Recent Postings from
MidEast BirdNet

Updated on Tuesday, June 30 at 09:34 AM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.

30 Jun Re: Shikra in Armenia ["vasil_ananian" ]
29 Jun Shikra in Armenia [Vasil Ananian ]
28 Jun Statistical methods...Need help [basma sheta ]
19 Jun White Storks ringed in Armenia [Vasil Ananian ]
18 Jun OSME Summer Meeting, Saturday 18th July: BTO, Thetford, Norfolk ["ianbirds" ]
16 Jun Wings of Peace - new TV programme ["Keith Betton" ]
15 Jun Re: Yan: Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009 []
13 Jun Re: Re: [OB] Dark-eyed Egret ["Norman D.van Swelm" ]
12 Jun African Bird Ringing Scheme [Ian Harrison ]
11 Jun R: Re: [OB] Dark-eyed Egret [Andrea Corso ]
11 Jun R: Re: [OB] Dark-eyed Egret [Andrea Corso ]
10 Jun Re: Yan: Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009 [Barbaros Demirci ]
10 Jun Re: Yan: Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009 []
10 Jun Re: Yan: Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009 []
10 Jun Yan: Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009 [Barbaros Demirci ]
10 Jun Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009 []
7 Jun Re: Almaty, Kazakhstan [Charlie Moores ]
7 Jun Re: Little Egret with dark eyes ["Norman D.van Swelm" ]
06 Jun Almaty, Kazakhstan ["juleleanor" ]
05 Jun Turkey trip April 2009 ["ianbirds" ]
5 Jun Re: Little Egret with dark eyes [Andrea Corso ]
5 Jun Re: Little Egret with dark eyes ["Dick Hoek" ]
5 Jun Re: Little Egret with dark eyes ["Dick Hoek" ]
4 Jun Re: Little Egret with dark eyes ["ozkan uner | europho.to" ]
4 Jun Re: Little Egret with dark eyes ["ozkan uner | europho.to" ]
03 Jun Latest Issue of Sandgrouse ["ianbirds" ]
3 Jun Syria trip report [Tomas Haraldsson ]
2 Jun OROKLINI MARSH, CYPRUS ["Colin Richardson" ]
31 May Fwd: White Storks on-line in Poland. [Ian Harrison ]
31 May Mishmish 24 May 09 [kym beirut ]
27 May Re: Fwd: Re : Spoonbill newsletter, , [Malcolm Calvert ]
26 May Fwd: Re : Spoonbill newsletter, , [Ian Harrison ]
20 May Birdlife Press Release - Will Cyprus spring shooting be banned forever? ["Keith Betton" ]
20 May Birdlife News Update - The dawn of birdwatching in Iraq ["Keith Betton" ]
14 May Re: A ROUGH BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ARABIAN ORNITHOLOGY (MAY 2009) [Peter Hellyer ]
13 May A ROUGH BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ARABIAN ORNITHOLOGY (MAY 2009) []
13 May RE: visiting Kuwait [Yousef Ali Alzaoby ]
13 May Re: visiting Kuwait [Gordon Saunders ]
13 May visiting Kuwait ["Graham Langley" ]
13 May Birding Mongolia active again [Axel Braunlich ]
13 May Birding Mongolia active again [Axel Braunlich ]
29 Apr Wadi Tarbat - My very first trip to Wadi Tarbat. [Shah Jahan ]
29 Apr Green Mubazarah, Al Ain on 24th April, 2009 [Shah Jahan ]
29 Apr Ain Al Faida, Al Ain on 24th April, 2009 [Shah Jahan ]
29 Apr Zaker Pools, Al Ain on 24th April, 2009 [Shah Jahan ]
29 Apr Recent trip to Syria - Highlights [MARTIN SCOTT ]
29 Apr Dubai Pivot Fields - 24th April, 2009 [Shah Jahan ]
28 Apr Re: Pipit ID help (cervinus or gustavi) ["M.Istvan" ]
28 Apr Pipit ID help (cervinus or gustavi) ["asmustim" ]
28 Apr Re: Pipit ID help (cervinus or gustavi) ["M.Istvan" ]
28 Apr Mallard sightings from Egypt required ["M.Istvan" ]
28 Apr Pipit ID help (cervinus or gustavi) ["M.Istvan" ]
22 Apr Birding Report from Doha, Qatar! [Gordon Saunders ]
21 Apr Identifying and Conserving IBAs in Lebanon [Jeremy Taylor ]
21 Apr Identifying and Conserving IBAs in Lebanon [Jeremy Taylor ]
20 Apr Marsh Warblers & "Manna from Heaven" [James Wolstencroft ]
19 Apr Uncovering Iraqā€™s unique wildlife [Jeremy Taylor ]
19 Apr Uncovering Iraqā€™s unique wildlife [Jeremy Taylor ]
19 Apr Flying mouse-traps clean up fields [Jeremy Taylor ]
19 Apr Flying mouse-traps clean up fields [Jeremy Taylor ]
16 Apr Hamraniyah Fields & Dubai Pivot Fields [Shah Jahan ]
13 Apr Re: Request for data on European Roller in Iran [Abolghasem Khaleghizadeh ]
13 Apr CP Virginia Kuwait 11-12 APR [Randel Rogers ]
13 Apr Al Asad Iraq 7-10 APR my final report from here [Randel Rogers ]
13 Apr Re: The ringed Chaffinch ["thierry_bara" ]
12 Apr Re: Request for data on European Roller in Iran [Raffael Aye ]
10 Apr Emberiza godlewskii Kyrgyzstan ["asmustim" ]
10 Apr Re: Large-billed Reed-warbler (not so) new to Afghanistan and Kazakhstan ["asmustim" ]
10 Apr Large-billed Reed-warbler (not so) new to Afghanistan and Kazakhstan ["Keith Betton" ]
10 Apr Israel chooses Eurasian Hoopoe as its National Bird ["Keith Betton" ]
09 Apr Semi-collared Flycatcher ["ianbirds" ]
5 Apr RE: Al Asad, Iraq Raptor and Passerine Migration Continues [Albert de Hoon ]
5 Apr Al Asad, Iraq Raptor and Passerine Migration Continues [Randel Rogers ]
03 Apr Black francolin non-invasive DNA study - help for sampling ["barbanera.filippo" ]
2 Apr Al Asad Iraq - big passerine day [Randel Rogers ]
2 Apr Al Asad, Iraq Owl Update and other sightings [Randel Rogers ]

Subject: Re: Shikra in Armenia
From: "vasil_ananian" <vasil.ananian AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:33:54 -0000

Dear all, Our team revisited the site this morning and the breeding has been proven - a nest with at least two downy young. Photos of the birds could be viewed here: http://www.aua.am/shikra/male.jpg http://www.aua.am/shikra/female.jpg http://www.aua.am/shikra/female1.jpg http://www.aua.am/shikra/female_nest.jpg http://www.aua.am/shikra/female_chick.jpg Regards, Vasil -- Vasil Ananian Acopian Center for the Environment, AUA --- In MEBirdNet AT yahoogroups.com, Vasil Ananian wrote: > > Dear all, > > > > This morning a territorial pair of Shikra was found in Yerevan, Armenia. > Both male and female were observed (and heard) at close quarters for few > hours by four observers. Several pictures taken, we'll try to upload these > tomorrow. > > > > Regards, > > > > Vasil Ananian > > Acopian Center for the Environment, AUA > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >
Subject: Shikra in Armenia
From: Vasil Ananian <vasil.ananian AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:14:30 +0500

Dear all, This morning a territorial pair of Shikra was found in Yerevan, Armenia. Both male and female were observed (and heard) at close quarters for few hours by four observers. Several pictures taken, we’ll try to upload these tomorrow. Regards, Vasil Ananian Acopian Center for the Environment, AUA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: Statistical methods...Need help
From: basma sheta <basmasheta AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:39:12 -0700 (PDT)

Hi, I need Your help about the best way to show data of the relation between (Environmental factors effect & Birds abundance ). I do use CCA ordination and Corelation . is there other methods that is more recommended to use??? Need Your reply all who can help Thanks Basma M. Sheta Demonstrator in Ecology Zoology Department Faculty of Science New Dammietta Mobile No. 002 010 9145485 EGYPT [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: White Storks ringed in Armenia
From: Vasil Ananian <vasil.ananian AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:51:06 +0500

Dear all, The message below is circulated by the request of a colleague. Please feel free to forward it to appropriate parties. Regards, Vasil Ananian **********************Original Message************************* Dear birders, During 2007 – 2009 271 nestlings of White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) were ringed in Armenia. The birds possess black plastic rings (ELSA) on their tibia. The rings show bold white symbols: “DER” and capital “A” with four digits. The sequential numbers of used rings fall between A6651 – A7996. Sample photos of a ring can be viewed here: http://www.aua.am/storks/stork_ring_2.jpg http://www.aua.am/storks/stork_ring_1.jpg The project is supported by Whitley Fund for Nature. The rings were provided by Max-Planck-Institut fu”r Ornithologie, Vogelwarte Radolfzell. We would like to ask all observers, who encounter a White Stork with a corresponding ring, to email Max-Planck-Institut fur Ornithologie at fiedler[AT]orn.mpg.de or Acopian Center for the Environment at ace[AT]aua.am Any supplied information would be much appreciated and fully acknowledged. Many thanks in advance for your input. Karen Aghababyan, Ph.D. Director Acopian Center for the Environment, American University of Armenia 40 Baghramian Ave, Yerevan 0019 ARMENIA tel.: (+37410) 512518 (work); (+37491) 207751 (mobile) fax: (+37410) 287922 http://www.aua.am/ace/ ***********************End of Message************************** [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: OSME Summer Meeting, Saturday 18th July: BTO, Thetford, Norfolk
From: "ianbirds" <ianbirds AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:57:34 -0000

Dear All Just a reminder that the Summer Meeting and AGM of the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia will be held on Saturday 18th July, 2009. We shall be meeting again at at the British Trust for Ornithology in Thetford, Norfolk. The programme starts at 11.00 – but coffee and biscuits will be available from 10.00 onwards so do come early and meet old and new friends. The Programme this year is as follows: 11.00 Opening Remarks 11.10 Latest news from Yemen, including Socotra, and Iraq – Richard Porter 11.30 The Other Cyprus – Birding in Northern Cyprus - Steve Cale 12.15 The Aden Wetlands – Ian Harrison 13.00 Lunch break (A range of sandwiches and drinks will be available) 14.00 31st Annual General Meeting 14.30 Haya Water's protection of the Al Ansab Wetland, Oman. Dominic Harmer 15.15 Kuwait: Recent Advances In An Up-And-Coming Birding Hotspot – Richard Bonser 16.00 Waterbird monitoring in Iran, 2004-2009- Menno Hornman & Bas van den Boogaard 16.45 Drawing of raffle and closing remarks. 17.00 Close of meeting - join us for a glass of wine and then dinner at the Crown in Mundford (Please contact secretary AT osme.org for dinner details) After the meeting we will be repeating last year's very successful OSME dinner, this time at the Crown at Mundford (on the Thetford to King's Lynn road. The price will be in the region of £16.00 for a three course meal. We hope that you will be able to join us - please let me know as soon as possible. Ian Harrison Hon. Secretary, OSME
Subject: Wings of Peace - new TV programme
From: "Keith Betton" <keith_betton AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:44:13 -0000

This new programme (still in development) may be of interest. It looks at the issue of migrant birds reaching the Middle East and how birdwatchers in Israel and Palestine are overcoming political issues to achieve great results for bird conservation. You can view a short video here: http://www.visionmedia.org/media/wingsofpeace/wingsofpeacepromo.html Well done Yossi and Imad! Regards Keith Betton
Subject: Re: Yan: Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009
From: LGREUK400 AT aol.com
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:22:57 EDT

Guy Many thanks for your email relating to my recent Turkish sightings. Sadly, I do not have a copy of your Turkish tomb to refer to. The LESSER FLAMINGO I refer to is an adult videoed and photographed by Bodor Gibor at Kulu Golu on 3 June 2009 (see published photograph on Surfbirds European Stop Press) This is the SECOND record for Turkey and also follows records in Israel, Egypt and in Morocco. I consider the Goksu Delta gallinules as being closest in appearance to the Seistanicus group and therefore treat it as a species of GREY-HEADED SWAMP HEN. I am not sure if Paul Jeffery has photographs of the summer-plumaged adult BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLES but there is no doubt over the idenification: all four birds had completely BLACK underwing not rufous or chestnut and had no white trailing edge on the upperwings. They were rather short-tailed birds like Oriental and the primaries clearly extended beyond the tail at rest. Robert Fuge has a GPS co-ordinate if you wish to travel to see these birds. Guy has commented upon the first breeding record being in Turkey in 1969; I was unaware of this. I first found a pair at Bulanik (when Demoiselle Cranes were still common in the area, as well as displaying Great Bustards) in June 1978. As far as I am concerned, CAUCASIAN TWITE is a distinct species in its own right and this species was 'upgraded' to full specific status by the UK400 Club several years ago. It is quite different in vocalisations from its European counterpart and is very different in plumage. There do not appear to be any zones of overlap As for the Nemrut Dagi CINEREOUS BUNTINGS, I am confused, but yes they do have very pale lemon underparts extending right down to the undertail coverts suggesting semenowi. These are very different however to the very bright birds I see on passage in Israel in late March which I also refer to as being of this race. The Turkish birds were particularly drab and unassuming Best wishes Lee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Re: [OB] Dark-eyed Egret
From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl>
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:53:12 +0200

Andrea Corso wrote: >As I already wrote, it is quite normal during breeding season tio have dark eyed egrets and pink or red lores skin < Yes Andrea, you did! Up till now I have seen pictures of at most seven individuals taken in March, April and May during the last seven years including the ones taken by Alain. On the other hand, I know of hundreds if not more pictures that show birds like the ones you can see here: http://www.radioactiverobins.com/egretta%20garzetta/indexegrettagarzetta1.htm http://www.radioactiverobins.com/egretta%20garzetta/indexegrettagarzetta2%20-%20.htm So tell us more about the situation in Italy please. Do you have any pictures? Norman Deans van Swelm Alain FOSSĆ‰ wrote: It seems I also have some of that dark-eyed Little Egrets (taken in Western France), the three birds were in breeding plumage with purple lores and feet, see http://www.digimages.info/aiggar/aiggar.htm#300302> http://www.digimages.info/aiggar/aiggar.htm#310303> http://www.digimages.info/aiggar/aiggar.htm#210403 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: African Bird Ringing Scheme
From: Ian Harrison <ianbirds AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:33:37 +0100

The following email received today is of relevance given that so many of 'our' birds migrate to and from Africa. Ian Harrison MEBirdNet Moderator Dear colleagues (apologies for any cross-postings) The African Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) and the Animal Demography Unit (ADU) and pleased to announce that the AFRING (African Bird Ringing Scheme) website is now live. The URL is www.afring.org A media release, in this regard, is available on the AEWA website - click here < http://www.unep-aewa.org/news/latest_news.htm> to read more. The site's principle aims are to provide information and links to bird ringers in Africa and around the world relating to African bird ringing initiatives, access to ringing data and providing on-line mechanisms on reporting recovered rings or re-sightings of colour rings. This will all contribute to establishing regional cooperation and encouraging use of scientific data for bird and wetland conservation. The site will continually be updated and further developments are already in the pipeline to provide more information and resources. We would like to encourage you to promote the site as much as possible through your local or regional networks and, where appropriate, place a link from your organisation/institution's webpage. In return AFRING will place a link to your organisation/institution from its 'Links' page. If you have any comments regarding the website, would like to set up a web-link or would like further information about AFRING and its programmes please contact Doug Harebottle doug.harebottle AT uct.ac.za Best wishes,Doug -- Doug Harebottle Project Manager: Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2 AFRING Coordinator Animal Demography Unit Department of Zoology University of Cape Town Rondebosch 7701 South Africa Phone: +27 21 650 2330 Fax: +27 21 650 3434 Mobile: +27 82 736 3087 E-mail: Doug.Harebottle AT uct.ac.za Skype: doug_harebottle Website: http://adu.org.za Take part in the Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2 http://www.sabap2.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: R: Re: [OB] Dark-eyed Egret
From: Andrea Corso <voloerrante AT yahoo.it>
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:01:59 +0000 (GMT)

As I already wrote, it is quite normal during breeding season tio have dark eyed egrets and pink or red lores skin Ā Andrea Corso --- Mer 10/6/09, Alain FOSSĆ‰ ha scritto: Da: Alain FOSSĆ‰ Oggetto: [MEBirdNet] Re: [OB] Dark-eyed Egret A: "Norman D.van Swelm" Cc: orientalbirding AT yahoogroups.com, MEBirdNet AT yahoogroups.com, BirdsinRussia AT yahoogroups.com, BIRDWG01 AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU, "EuroBirdNet" Data: MercoledĆ¬ 10 giugno 2009, 14:16 Le 9 juin 09 Ć 16:48, Norman D.van Swelm a Ć©crit : > All pictures now available of Dark-eyed Egrets have been uploadedĀ > here: > > http://www.radioactiverobins.com/egretta%20garzetta/indexegrettagarzetta2%20-%20.htm > > My sincere thanks go to Ozkan Uner, Dick Hoek, Mike Parker and allĀ > others > who have commented so far. > Norman Deans van Swelm > Dear all, It seems I also have some of that dark-eyed Little Egrets (taken inĀ Western France), the three birds were in breeding plumage with purpleĀ lores and feet, see Best regards. ============================================ Alain FossĆ©, LPO Anjou, Angers, France 47Ā° 29ā€™ 06ā€¯ N, 0Ā° 33' 49" W My digiscoping My French List of the Birds of the World My bird society ============================================ ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: R: Re: [OB] Dark-eyed Egret
From: Andrea Corso <voloerrante AT yahoo.it>
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:01:59 +0000 (GMT)

As I already wrote, it is quite normal during breeding season tio have dark eyed egrets and pink or red lores skin Ā Andrea Corso --- Mer 10/6/09, Alain FOSSĆ‰ ha scritto: Da: Alain FOSSĆ‰ Oggetto: [MEBirdNet] Re: [OB] Dark-eyed Egret A: "Norman D.van Swelm" Cc: orientalbirding AT yahoogroups.com, MEBirdNet AT yahoogroups.com, BirdsinRussia AT yahoogroups.com, BIRDWG01 AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU, "EuroBirdNet" Data: MercoledĆ¬ 10 giugno 2009, 14:16 Le 9 juin 09 Ć 16:48, Norman D.van Swelm a Ć©crit : > All pictures now available of Dark-eyed Egrets have been uploadedĀ > here: > > http://www.radioactiverobins.com/egretta%20garzetta/indexegrettagarzetta2%20-%20.htm > > My sincere thanks go to Ozkan Uner, Dick Hoek, Mike Parker and allĀ > others > who have commented so far. > Norman Deans van Swelm > Dear all, It seems I also have some of that dark-eyed Little Egrets (taken inĀ Western France), the three birds were in breeding plumage with purpleĀ lores and feet, see Best regards. ============================================ Alain FossĆ©, LPO Anjou, Angers, France 47Ā° 29ā€™ 06ā€¯ N, 0Ā° 33' 49" W My digiscoping My French List of the Birds of the World My bird society ============================================ ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Yan: Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009
From: Barbaros Demirci <barbarsoft AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:49:07 -0700 (PDT)

Dear Lee, Numbers you have given are much more prodigious than the species, indeed I would not amazed as much if you mention a Condor over Ovit Pass:) This 54 000 should be a result of stable survey team, right? But I can understand that; given the demise of many wetlands where they feed and roost, it might be possible that few locations began serve larger numbers.If only there were regular counts from the areas so that we can evaluate the yearly performances... As for Levant Sparrowhawks, maybe we should ask birding group of Istanbul for their comments on status of Istanbul in spring. Apparently they pass through the plateau but probably not over the main areas. All photos are welcome. Best regards, Barbaros --- 10/06/09 Ć‡ar tarihinde LGREUK400 AT aol.com ÅĆ¶yle yazÄ±yor: Kimden: LGREUK400 AT aol.com Konu: Re: Yan: [MEBirdNet] Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009 Kime: MEBirdNet AT yahoogroups.com Tarihi: 10 Haziran 2009 Ć‡arÅamba, 22:35 Just as an aside Barbaros, Manyas Lake this spring has seen an exceptional 54,000 EUROPEAN WHITE PELICANS pass through to the north (between 15 April and 7 June. There have also been impressive numbers of LEVANT SPARROWHAWKS - a species I do not naturally associate with Turkey in spring. I also forgot to mention that the massive PAINTED LADY invasion is also taking place right throughout Turkey - from west to east - involving many millions of insects. Lee G R Evans British Birding Association UK400 Club, Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservation ist Discussion Forum/Email Group: _http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/UK400Club/ _ (http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/UK400Club/) Rare Bird Alert: _http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/RareBirdAl ertforBritainand Ireland_UK400Clu bBBA/_ (http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/RareBirdAl ertforBritainand Ireland_UK400Clu bBBA/) Email Address: LGREUK400 AT aol. com Website Address: _www.uk400clubonlin e.co.uk_ (http://www.uk400clu bonline.co. uk/) Blog Sites: _http://uk400clubrar ebirdalert. blogspot. com/_ (http://uk400clubrar ebirdalert. blogspot. com/) _ http://birdingamers ham.blogspot. com/_ (http://birdingamers ham.blogspot. com/) _ http://birdingtring reservoirs. blogspot. com/_ (http://birdingtring reservoirs. blogspot. com/) _http://calvertbirdi ng.blogspot. com/_ (http://calvertbirdi ng.blogspot. com/) Chaffinch House 8 Sandycroft Road Little Chalfont Amersham Buckinghamshire England HP6 6QL Telephones: 01494 763010 and 01494 581157 Mobile/Text Alerts: 07881 906629 (Lee Evans Enterprises incorporate documentation of rare bird occurrences in Britain & Ireland and elsewhere in the Western Palearctic and in North America; Rare Bird Information and Rare Bird Alerts; Rare Birds Magazine and other related publications; Bird Tours for Birders) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ___________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! TĆ¼rkiye aĆ§Ä±ldÄ±! http://yahoo.com.tr Ä°nternet Ć¼zerindeki en iyi iĆ§eriÄi Yahoo! TĆ¼rkiye sizlere sunuyor! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Yan: Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009
From: LGREUK400 AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:35:19 EDT

Just as an aside Barbaros, Manyas Lake this spring has seen an exceptional 54,000 EUROPEAN WHITE PELICANS pass through to the north (between 15 April and 7 June. There have also been impressive numbers of LEVANT SPARROWHAWKS - a species I do not naturally associate with Turkey in spring. I also forgot to mention that the massive PAINTED LADY invasion is also taking place right throughout Turkey - from west to east - involving many millions of insects. Lee G R Evans British Birding Association UK400 Club, Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservation ist Discussion Forum/Email Group: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/) Rare Bird Alert: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/) Email Address: LGREUK400 AT aol.com Website Address: _www.uk400clubonline.co.uk_ (http://www.uk400clubonline.co.uk/) Blog Sites: _http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/_ (http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/) _http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/_ (http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/) Chaffinch House 8 Sandycroft Road Little Chalfont Amersham Buckinghamshire England HP6 6QL Telephones: 01494 763010 and 01494 581157 Mobile/Text Alerts: 07881 906629 (Lee Evans Enterprises incorporate documentation of rare bird occurrences in Britain & Ireland and elsewhere in the Western Palearctic and in North America; Rare Bird Information and Rare Bird Alerts; Rare Birds Magazine and other related publications; Bird Tours for Birders) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Yan: Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009
From: LGREUK400 AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:31:22 EDT

Barbaros Many thanks for your email. I click-counted the Pygmy Cormorants at Manyas as this year they were absolutely everywhere in vast colonies. However, there were most likely as many Sinensis Cormorants nesting but I did not attempt to count them. They were particularly abundant from the Tower Hide. Both pairs of BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLES were nesting on the shallow river valley (very Bulanik style where I recorded the first breeding pair in Turkey in the late 1970's and again in the 1980's) about 2 kilometres SW of Horasan (and visible from the obvious road bridge that crosses the valley here). The two pairs were about 150 yards apart and on flat, shingle islands. I have a GPS co-ordinate if it is required. As for the LESSER FLAMINGO at Kulu Golu, received a text from Richard Bonser (presumably taken from his Netfugl WP news website). I have only recorded this species as a genuine vagrant to the Western P in Southern Israel, although many people now believe the French and Spanish birds (12+ birds) are of natural origin (I still believe they are of captive origin) Any further information you require, please do not hesitate to ask Some of my tour participants may have photographs of the pratincoles; I will check with them Very best wishes Lee G R Evans British Birding Association UK400 Club, Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservationist Discussion Forum/Email Group: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/) Rare Bird Alert: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/) Email Address: LGREUK400 AT aol.com Website Address: _www.uk400clubonline.co.uk_ (http://www.uk400clubonline.co.uk/) Blog Sites: _http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/_ (http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/) _http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/_ (http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/) Chaffinch House 8 Sandycroft Road Little Chalfont Amersham Buckinghamshire England HP6 6QL Telephones: 01494 763010 and 01494 581157 Mobile/Text Alerts: 07881 906629 (Lee Evans Enterprises incorporate documentation of rare bird occurrences in Britain & Ireland and elsewhere in the Western Palearctic and in North America; Rare Bird Information and Rare Bird Alerts; Rare Birds Magazine and other related publications; Bird Tours for Birders) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Yan: Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009
From: Barbaros Demirci <barbarsoft AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:13:52 -0700 (PDT)

Dear Lee, Apart from the absence of those 3 common species, your trip seems to be a great experience for any birder. 3 particular records drew my attention and your comments would, I am sure, provide new insights to us. First of all, those 2800 Pygmy Cormorants. This fellow species was quite common in many parts of Anatolia in the past, but in last two decades most of the breeding grounds were lost. However even in those epic years, a number as big as this was quite uncommon. Another issue that bothers me is that Kuscenneti (or Manyas) is a stronghold of (Great) Cormorant. Are you sure that 2800 does not partially refer to the flocks of the commoner species? As fas as I know status of Black winged pranticole is not a clear one here in Turkey and we would be delighted if you have any details for your observation. I guess you have already submitted this record to a rarities commitee as we have not got many breeding records of this creature. Last but not the least, could you share the story of that Lesser Flamingo observation at Lake Kulu please? Best regards, Barbaros --- 10/06/09 Ć‡ar tarihinde LGREUK400 AT aol.com ÅĆ¶yle yazÄ±yor: Kimden: LGREUK400 AT aol.com Konu: [MEBirdNet] Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009 Kime: MEBirdNet AT yahoogroups.com Kopya: Steve AT birdingworld.co.uk, arnoud.b.vandenberg AT gmail.com, arnoud.van.den.berg AT dutchbirding.nl, ebels AT wxs.nl, GMKirwan AT aol.com Tarihi: 10 Haziran 2009 Ć‡arÅamba, 19:35 A total of 215 species was recorded in 10 days, with 4,713 kilometres covered. Completely drew a blank on both Lammergeier and Semicollared Flycatcher despite searching extensively for both species. Also Spur-winged Plover not recorded, nor Cretzschmar' s Bunting or Ruppell's Warbler. Plain Leaf Warbler site not visited and Lesser Flamingo at Kulu Golu not known about. Due to a very wet winter with much snow and rain, mountain pass clearance only began on 1 June. GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus): 563+ (many adults with well-grown young) on Manyas Golu on 9 June EUROPEAN WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus) : a remarkable 678+ mainly non-breeding birds on floodwater just north of Manyas Golu on 9 June *DALMATIAN PELICAN (Pelecanus crispus): 137 at Cuscenetti Milli Park, Manyas Golu, on 9 June, including many small young on platforms provided by the reserve staff. EUROPEAN SHAG )Phalacrocorax aristotelis) : Large numbers nesting on rocky islets along Black Sea coastline off Goresun on 1 June. PYGMY CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax pygmeus): Large numbers still present on the River Euphrates at Birecik, with at least 2,800 birds (many pairs breeding) at the Cuscenetti Milli Park on 9 June. GREAT WHITE EGRET (Egretta alba): just 1 noted - at Manyas Golu on 9 June. BLACK STORK (Ciconia nigra): a pair near Torpakale and another pair just NW of Erzurum on 3 June. *NORTHERN BALD IBIS (Geronticus eremita): population at Birecik of at least 120 adults WHITE-HEADED DUCK (Oxyura leucocehala) : 7 drakes at Bendimahi Marsh on 4 June, with 5 at Ercek Golu on 5 June. EASTERN IMPERIAL EAGLE (Aquila heliaca): a displaying male at Kirik village on 3 June STEPPE EAGLE (Aquila nipalensis): an adult over hills north of Sorkunlu on 3 June EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD (Pernis apivorus): 1 dark morph at Akseki on 8 June. LEVANT SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter brevipes): 1 adult at Akseki on 8 June. CAUCASIAN BLACK GROUSE (Tetrao mlokosiewiczi) : 7 males on rhododendron slope near Sivri Kaya on 2 June. CASPIAN SNOWCOCK (Tetraogallus caucasicus): superb views of a male at Ovit Gecidi on 2 June. Two more in flight were noted nearby. BLACK FRANCOLIN (Francolinus francolinus) : only noted at Birecik, where 3 calling males on 6 June. SEE-SEE PARTRIDGE (Ammoperdix griseogularis) : a pair on the road near Siverek on 6 June and another pair close to the summit at Nemrut Dagi Milli Park. GREY-HEADED SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio caspius): just 2 adults at the Goksu Delta on 7 June. *BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE (Glareola nordmanni): 2 breeding pairs in shallow river valley just west of Horasan on 3 June. EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE (Streptopelia turtur) - population holding up well in Turkey with substantial numbers of birds seen, and fairly common in some areas. GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO (Clamator glandarius): an early juvenile at Akseki on 8 June. LONG-EARED OWL (Asio otus): pair with three well-grown young in Birecik Park on 6 June PALLID SCOPS OWL (Otus brucei): 'calling' male sound-recorded (by Arnoud van den Berg) in Birecik Park overnight on 6-7 June. BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER (Merops persicus): at the site where I recorded 40+ birds breeding in June 2008, just 1 male was located on 6 June. CITRINE WAGTAIL (Motacilla citreola): 5+ at South Van Marshes on 4-5 June. ALPINE ACCENTOR (Prunella collaris): 7+ near Sivri Kaya on 1-2 June RED-TAILED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe chrysopygia) : 7 at Nemrut Dagi Milli Park on 6 June. PADDYFIELD WARBLER (Acrocephalus agricola): pair at South Van Marshes on 5 June. GREEN WARBLER (Phylloscopus nitidus): 3 singing males in Fir Woods at Sivri Kaya on 1 June. IRAQ BABBLER (Turdoides altirostris) : Further expansion in numbers with at least 7 pairs now breeding in Euphrates Valley in Birecik. One pair in north workings were accompanied by five young. ROOK (Corvus frugeligus): an abundant species east of Erzurum ROSE-COLOURED STARLING (Sturnus roseus): 85 near Pazaryolu on 3 June, 12 at Tendurek Gecidi on 4 June and 850+ along east side of Lake Van on 4 June. A further 27 over Ercek Golu on 5 June. HILL SPARROW (Carpospiza brachydactyla) : 15+ singing males at Nemrut Dagi Milli Park on 6 June CAUCASIAN TWITE (Carduelis brevirostris) : particularly common at Ovit Gecidi on 2 June and Tendurek Gecidi on 4 June MONGOLIAN TRUMPETER FINCH (Bucanetes mongolicus): pair at Ishak Pasa Palace on 4 June, with 4+ nearby at Serpmentas. THICK-BILLED REED BUNTING (Emberiza schoeniclus caspia): common in large phragmites bed west of Ercek Golu on 5 June, with a further pair at South Van Marshes. ORTOLAN BUNTING (Emberiza hortulana): pleasingly common (almost abundant) in the east. GREY-NECKED BUNTING (Emberiza buchanani): at least 2 at Ishak Pasa Palace on 4 June, with a single male at Van Cutting on 5 June. CINEREOUS BUNTING (Emberiza cineracea cineracea): 25 at Nemrut Dagi Milli Park on 6 June. Lee G R Evans British Birding Association UK400 Club, Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservationist Discussion Forum/Email Group: _http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/UK400Club/ _ (http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/UK400Club/) Rare Bird Alert: _http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/RareBirdAl ertforBritainand Ireland_UK400Clu bBBA/_ (http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/RareBirdAl ertforBritainand Ireland_UK400Clu bBBA/) Email Address: LGREUK400 AT aol. com Website Address: _www.uk400clubonlin e.co.uk_ (http://www.uk400clu bonline.co. uk/) Blog Sites: _http://uk400clubrar ebirdalert. blogspot. com/_ (http://uk400clubrar ebirdalert. blogspot. com/) _ http://birdingamers ham.blogspot. com/_ (http://birdingamers ham.blogspot. com/) _ http://birdingtring reservoirs. blogspot. com/_ (http://birdingtring reservoirs. blogspot. com/) _http://calvertbirdi ng.blogspot. com/_ (http://calvertbirdi ng.blogspot. com/) Chaffinch House 8 Sandycroft Road Little Chalfont Amersham Buckinghamshire England HP6 6QL Telephones: 01494 763010 and 01494 581157 Mobile/Text Alerts: 07881 906629 (Lee Evans Enterprises incorporate documentation of rare bird occurrences in Britain & Ireland and elsewhere in the Western Palearctic and in North America; Rare Bird Information and Rare Bird Alerts; Rare Birds Magazine and other related publications; Bird Tours for Birders) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ___________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! TĆ¼rkiye aĆ§Ä±ldÄ±! http://yahoo.com.tr Ä°nternet Ć¼zerindeki en iyi iĆ§eriÄi Yahoo! TĆ¼rkiye sizlere sunuyor! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Highlights of an LGRE tour to Turkey in June 2009
From: LGREUK400 AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:35:41 EDT

A total of 215 species was recorded in 10 days, with 4,713 kilometres covered. Completely drew a blank on both Lammergeier and Semicollared Flycatcher despite searching extensively for both species. Also Spur-winged Plover not recorded, nor Cretzschmar's Bunting or Ruppell's Warbler. Plain Leaf Warbler site not visited and Lesser Flamingo at Kulu Golu not known about. Due to a very wet winter with much snow and rain, mountain pass clearance only began on 1 June. GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus): 563+ (many adults with well-grown young) on Manyas Golu on 9 June EUROPEAN WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus): a remarkable 678+ mainly non-breeding birds on floodwater just north of Manyas Golu on 9 June *DALMATIAN PELICAN (Pelecanus crispus): 137 at Cuscenetti Milli Park, Manyas Golu, on 9 June, including many small young on platforms provided by the reserve staff. EUROPEAN SHAG )Phalacrocorax aristotelis): Large numbers nesting on rocky islets along Black Sea coastline off Goresun on 1 June. PYGMY CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax pygmeus): Large numbers still present on the River Euphrates at Birecik, with at least 2,800 birds (many pairs breeding) at the Cuscenetti Milli Park on 9 June. GREAT WHITE EGRET (Egretta alba): just 1 noted - at Manyas Golu on 9 June. BLACK STORK (Ciconia nigra): a pair near Torpakale and another pair just NW of Erzurum on 3 June. *NORTHERN BALD IBIS (Geronticus eremita): population at Birecik of at least 120 adults WHITE-HEADED DUCK (Oxyura leucocehala): 7 drakes at Bendimahi Marsh on 4 June, with 5 at Ercek Golu on 5 June. EASTERN IMPERIAL EAGLE (Aquila heliaca): a displaying male at Kirik village on 3 June STEPPE EAGLE (Aquila nipalensis): an adult over hills north of Sorkunlu on 3 June EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD (Pernis apivorus): 1 dark morph at Akseki on 8 June. LEVANT SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter brevipes): 1 adult at Akseki on 8 June. CAUCASIAN BLACK GROUSE (Tetrao mlokosiewiczi): 7 males on rhododendron slope near Sivri Kaya on 2 June. CASPIAN SNOWCOCK (Tetraogallus caucasicus): superb views of a male at Ovit Gecidi on 2 June. Two more in flight were noted nearby. BLACK FRANCOLIN (Francolinus francolinus): only noted at Birecik, where 3 calling males on 6 June. SEE-SEE PARTRIDGE (Ammoperdix griseogularis): a pair on the road near Siverek on 6 June and another pair close to the summit at Nemrut Dagi Milli Park. GREY-HEADED SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio caspius): just 2 adults at the Goksu Delta on 7 June. *BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE (Glareola nordmanni): 2 breeding pairs in shallow river valley just west of Horasan on 3 June. EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE (Streptopelia turtur) - population holding up well in Turkey with substantial numbers of birds seen, and fairly common in some areas. GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO (Clamator glandarius): an early juvenile at Akseki on 8 June. LONG-EARED OWL (Asio otus): pair with three well-grown young in Birecik Park on 6 June PALLID SCOPS OWL (Otus brucei): 'calling' male sound-recorded (by Arnoud van den Berg) in Birecik Park overnight on 6-7 June. BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER (Merops persicus): at the site where I recorded 40+ birds breeding in June 2008, just 1 male was located on 6 June. CITRINE WAGTAIL (Motacilla citreola): 5+ at South Van Marshes on 4-5 June. ALPINE ACCENTOR (Prunella collaris): 7+ near Sivri Kaya on 1-2 June RED-TAILED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe chrysopygia): 7 at Nemrut Dagi Milli Park on 6 June. PADDYFIELD WARBLER (Acrocephalus agricola): pair at South Van Marshes on 5 June. GREEN WARBLER (Phylloscopus nitidus): 3 singing males in Fir Woods at Sivri Kaya on 1 June. IRAQ BABBLER (Turdoides altirostris): Further expansion in numbers with at least 7 pairs now breeding in Euphrates Valley in Birecik. One pair in north workings were accompanied by five young. ROOK (Corvus frugeligus): an abundant species east of Erzurum ROSE-COLOURED STARLING (Sturnus roseus): 85 near Pazaryolu on 3 June, 12 at Tendurek Gecidi on 4 June and 850+ along east side of Lake Van on 4 June. A further 27 over Ercek Golu on 5 June. HILL SPARROW (Carpospiza brachydactyla): 15+ singing males at Nemrut Dagi Milli Park on 6 June CAUCASIAN TWITE (Carduelis brevirostris): particularly common at Ovit Gecidi on 2 June and Tendurek Gecidi on 4 June MONGOLIAN TRUMPETER FINCH (Bucanetes mongolicus): pair at Ishak Pasa Palace on 4 June, with 4+ nearby at Serpmentas. THICK-BILLED REED BUNTING (Emberiza schoeniclus caspia): common in large phragmites bed west of Ercek Golu on 5 June, with a further pair at South Van Marshes. ORTOLAN BUNTING (Emberiza hortulana): pleasingly common (almost abundant) in the east. GREY-NECKED BUNTING (Emberiza buchanani): at least 2 at Ishak Pasa Palace on 4 June, with a single male at Van Cutting on 5 June. CINEREOUS BUNTING (Emberiza cineracea cineracea): 25 at Nemrut Dagi Milli Park on 6 June. Lee G R Evans British Birding Association UK400 Club, Rare Birds Magazine, Ornithological Consultant and Conservationist Discussion Forum/Email Group: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK400Club/) Rare Bird Alert: _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RareBirdAlertforBritainandIreland_UK400ClubBBA/) Email Address: LGREUK400 AT aol.com Website Address: _www.uk400clubonline.co.uk_ (http://www.uk400clubonline.co.uk/) Blog Sites: _http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/_ (http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingamersham.blogspot.com/) _ http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/_ (http://birdingtringreservoirs.blogspot.com/) _http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/_ (http://calvertbirding.blogspot.com/) Chaffinch House 8 Sandycroft Road Little Chalfont Amersham Buckinghamshire England HP6 6QL Telephones: 01494 763010 and 01494 581157 Mobile/Text Alerts: 07881 906629 (Lee Evans Enterprises incorporate documentation of rare bird occurrences in Britain & Ireland and elsewhere in the Western Palearctic and in North America; Rare Bird Information and Rare Bird Alerts; Rare Birds Magazine and other related publications; Bird Tours for Birders) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Almaty, Kazakhstan
From: Charlie Moores <charlie10000birds AT googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 14:07:25 +0100

Hi Julie Not quite answering your question, but a colleague of mine, Corey Finger, has just been to Kazakhstan and is writing about it extensively on the 10,000 Birds blog (http://10000birds.com/tag/kazakhstan). His posts will at elast gve you some idea what to look out for. Corey's an American, by the way, so you have to excuse his occasional use of the word 'bland' to describe acrocephalus warblers - try as I might I can't get him to accept that in its own way a Paddyfield Warber is just as beautiful as, say, a Magnolia Warbler or a Blackburnian Warbler (who am I kidding...). Incidentally, the blog also has an interview with the RSPB's Rob Sheldon on the Critically Endangered Sociable Lapwing (most of which of course breed in Kazakhstan) Good birding and good luck in Almaty Charlie Charlie Moores http://10000birds.com charlie10000birds AT gmail.com 2009/6/6 juleleanor <4july99 AT swissmail.org> > > > > Dear all, > > I'm moving to Almaty in early Sept for work. Does anyone know if there > are any English speaking birders there? > > Also what is the recommended field guide for the region? > > Many thanks > > Julie Alexander > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- Charlie Moores email: charlie10000birds AT gmail.com website: http://10000birds.com Birds Korea Advisor (http://www.birdskorea.org / http://birdskorea.or.kr) 10,000 Birds is proud to be a Species Champion of BirdLife International's 'Preventing Extinctions Programme' (http://www.birdlife.org/extinction/) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Little Egret with dark eyes
From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl>
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 02:32:03 +0200

Dick Hoek wrote: >Sorry for the loss of attached images of the Little Egret, photos can be seen at: MEBirdNet, album Miscellanea.< sorry Dick but still unavailable to me, would you mind sending some to my address please? : Norman Deans van Swelm E-mail Address(es): Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl Much obliged, Norman [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Almaty, Kazakhstan
From: "juleleanor" <4july99 AT swissmail.org>
Date: Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:44:10 -0000

Dear all, I'm moving to Almaty in early Sept for work. Does anyone know if there are any English speaking birders there? Also what is the recommended field guide for the region? Many thanks Julie Alexander [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Turkey trip April 2009
From: "ianbirds" <ianbirds AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:43:34 -0000

Some records from Malcolm Calvert, m.calvert4 AT ntlworld.com, from two weeks in Turkey in April: Side (Antalya) 14 - 28 April 2009 Based at the excellent Hemera Hotel, Side (on an all inclusive basis), transfer from Antalya Airport one hour by coach. Car hired 18 - 27 April. Hotel grounds had at least 3 pairs of White-spectacled Bulbul, House Sparrows, regular Blackcap amd Lesser Whitethroat, Goldfinch. Greenfinch, Great Tit, Collared Dove & nesting Hooded Crow. Spotted Flycatcher & Wood Warbler noted on 16 April. Antik Side, just 2 miles along the beach, had good growth of shrubs and scrub, ideal for migrants. The centres of attraction for passerines were three almond trees which were always well patronised by a variety of birds. One of the most numerous was Barred Warbler, with up to 20 on 23rd, and Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcaps were always present. The almond trees were also favourite with up to 3 Olive-tree Warblers. The site held singing Nightingale and Cetti's Warbler and 4 or 5 pairs of White-spectacled Bulbul. Reed Warblers were common on 27 April but all seemed to have moved through by the following morning. Common Whitethroats appeared on 23 April and they peaked with at least 10 on 26th. A few Orphean Warblers were present and I had a clear view of a single Ruppells Warbler on 24th. Individual Icterine Warblers were noted on 26th & 28th with 3 birds on 27th. Singles of Wood Warbler (19th), Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (26th), Willow Warbler (28th) and Spotted Flycatcher (25th) were recorded. Masked Shrikes were there most days with 6 noted on 23rd. Woodchat and Red-backed Shrike appeared from 20th and a single Lesser Grey Shrike was active on 26th. Great Reed Warblers were seen and heard daily with one chased out of an almond tree by a Red-backed Shrike. Bee eaters passed over almost daily from 22nd. Small parties of Turtle Dove flew over. Common Swift were seen each morning together with Swallow, House Martin and a few Red-rumped Swallow and Sand Martin. Northern and Black-eared Wheatears featured occasionally; regular Whinchat peaked with 12 on 26th. Goldfinch and Great Tit were often in evidence. I photographed a superb male White-throated Robin amongst ruins within a few metres of a busy road on 17th. Wrynecks visited on 25th & 26th, a Hoopoe on 22nd and a male Golden Oriole on 27th. Single Ortolans appeared on 22nd, 26th, 27th & 28th. Black-headed Bunting (male, female on 22nd, 8 males on 27th & 7 males on 28th ) were always accompanied by an Ortolan. Quail were disturbed off the coastal path on 19th, 21st & 22nd. The adjacent dunes had a shallow pool which attracted Moorhen,Wood and Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Common Snipe, Little Ringed Plover, (on 18th) a Collared Pratincole, (on 22nd) a Little Stint and (on 18th) a Kingfisher. Squacco, Purple Heron and Little Egret were at times resting at the pool during the period of observations. A few feldegg Yellow Wagtails were seen and on 19th 3 were accompanied by a female Citrine Wagtail. The most surprising bird to fly over was a single Black-bellied Sandgrouse on 20th. A Lanner appeared from the coast on the mornings of 27th (6.30 am) & 28th (7.15 am) carrying prey. The second prey item was a bird: I was able to see long trailing legs. On this sighting the golden crown of the raptor helped me to be sure I was watching Lanner. Daily Swallow passage was evident along the coast at Side, with several thousand birds passing on 16th. 4 Alpine Swift were seen on that day. A ringtail Montagu's Harrier appeared on 17th and 14 Gull-billed Terns on 18th. A few miles away near where the Manavgat River enters the sea was a Sand Martin colony with 120 nests, Mediterranean & Little Gull, Ruff and Black-winged Stilt. 80 Glossy Ibis fed on wet meadows amongst 45 Little Egret, a dozen Squacco and 6 Purple Heron. A flock of 80 Collared Pratincole flew over. Meadows at Bogazkent had 5 Cattle Egret and 10 Spur-winged Plover. Inland from Manavgat the valley held Long-legged Buzzard and I located a displaying pair of Honey Buzzard over a wooded hillside. The resort of Side and its historic buildings provide a most worthwhile bird-watching location in the spring, particularly for those of us prepared to make the most of the quiet times before breakfast. Malcolm Calvert Cheshire, England
Subject: Re: Little Egret with dark eyes
From: Andrea Corso <voloerrante AT yahoo.it>
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 08:43:50 +0000 (GMT)

Hi folk, for Little Egret in mating time its rather normal to show such bare parts and such iris colour...it changes due to breeding ormons active.... In all Herons could happen the same but in LE its mostly visible... all the best Andrea Corso --- Ven 5/6/09, Dick Hoek ha scritto: Da: Dick Hoek Oggetto: Re: [MEBirdNet] Little Egret with dark eyes A: MEBirdNet AT yahoogroups.com Data: Venerdģ 5 giugno 2009, 08:26 Sorry for the loss of attached images of the Little Egret, photos can be seen at: MEBirdNet, album Miscellanea. Dick Hoek ----- Original Message ----- From: Dick Hoek To: MEBirdNet AT yahoogrou ps.com Sent: Friday, June 05, 2009 8:06 AM Subject: Re: [MEBirdNet] Little Egret with dark eyes Norman, At 24 April 2009 in the colony on Bahrif island, Aswan, Egypt, I took also some photo's from 1Little Egret (attached) with about the same colours . As Ozkan Uner said, maybe only during a (short) period in breeding time these colours occur. It is certainly not a common phenomenon in Aswan. Regards, Dick Hoek ----- Original Message ----- From: Norman D.van Swelm To: UKBN ; MEBirdNet ; orientalbirding AT yahoogroups. com ; EuroBirdNet ; BirdsinRussia AT yahoogroups. com ; BIRDWG01 AT LISTSERV. ARIZONA.EDU Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 10:19 PM Subject: [MEBirdNet] Little Egret with dark eyes About a month ago I photographed an adult Little Egret Egretta garzetta with dark greyish eyes and a pink to purple facial skin. Pictures can be seen here: http://www.radioact iverobins. com/egretta% 20garzetta/ indexegrettagarz etta1.htm scroll down to the last pictures. As a rule the eyes of Little Egrets are pale yellow in both adults and juveniles. Are there any other records of Little Egrets with dark eyes? Cheers, Norman [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Little Egret with dark eyes
From: "Dick Hoek" <dickhoek AT planet.nl>
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 08:26:54 +0200

Sorry for the loss of attached images of the Little Egret, photos can be seen at: MEBirdNet, album Miscellanea. Dick Hoek ----- Original Message ----- From: Dick Hoek To: MEBirdNet AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, June 05, 2009 8:06 AM Subject: Re: [MEBirdNet] Little Egret with dark eyes Norman, At 24 April 2009 in the colony on Bahrif island, Aswan, Egypt, I took also some photo's from 1Little Egret (attached) with about the same colours . As Ozkan Uner said, maybe only during a (short) period in breeding time these colours occur. It is certainly not a common phenomenon in Aswan. Regards, Dick Hoek ----- Original Message ----- From: Norman D.van Swelm To: UKBN ; MEBirdNet ; orientalbirding AT yahoogroups.com ; EuroBirdNet ; BirdsinRussia AT yahoogroups.com ; BIRDWG01 AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 10:19 PM Subject: [MEBirdNet] Little Egret with dark eyes About a month ago I photographed an adult Little Egret Egretta garzetta with dark greyish eyes and a pink to purple facial skin. Pictures can be seen here: http://www.radioactiverobins.com/egretta%20garzetta/indexegrettagarzetta1.htm scroll down to the last pictures. As a rule the eyes of Little Egrets are pale yellow in both adults and juveniles. Are there any other records of Little Egrets with dark eyes? Cheers, Norman [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Little Egret with dark eyes
From: "Dick Hoek" <dickhoek AT planet.nl>
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 08:06:25 +0200

Norman, At 24 April 2009 in the colony on Bahrif island, Aswan, Egypt, I took also some photo's from 1Little Egret (attached) with about the same colours . As Ozkan Uner said, maybe only during a (short) period in breeding time these colours occur. It is certainly not a common phenomenon in Aswan. Regards, Dick Hoek ----- Original Message ----- From: Norman D.van Swelm To: UKBN ; MEBirdNet ; orientalbirding AT yahoogroups.com ; EuroBirdNet ; BirdsinRussia AT yahoogroups.com ; BIRDWG01 AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 10:19 PM Subject: [MEBirdNet] Little Egret with dark eyes About a month ago I photographed an adult Little Egret Egretta garzetta with dark greyish eyes and a pink to purple facial skin. Pictures can be seen here: http://www.radioactiverobins.com/egretta%20garzetta/indexegrettagarzetta1.htm scroll down to the last pictures. As a rule the eyes of Little Egrets are pale yellow in both adults and juveniles. Are there any other records of Little Egrets with dark eyes? Cheers, Norman [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Little Egret with dark eyes
From: "ozkan uner | europho.to" <ozkan AT europho.to>
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 23:53:39 +0300

Dear All, Sorry for the loss of attached images, photos can be seen at: http://www.europho.to/081-egrettagarzetta-2928.jpg http://www.europho.to/082-egrettagarzetta-2929.jpg Warm regards ozkan uner | www.europho.to ----- Original Message ----- From: "ozkan uner | europho.to" To: Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 11:45 PM Subject: Re: [MEBirdNet] Little Egret with dark eyes > Hi Norman > > May be because of breeding time colors change. I dont have any scientific > information but i find two photos from nearly same period of the year, > similar little egret photos. Photos taken in Meric Delta, near Greek > border > of Turkey. I attach them to the mail for you, mines eyes are also looks a > bit greyish. I havent noticed it before. > > Warm Regards > ozkan uner | www.europho.to > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Norman D.van Swelm" > To: "UKBN" ; "MEBirdNet" > ; ; > "EuroBirdNet" ; ; > > Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 11:19 PM > Subject: [MEBirdNet] Little Egret with dark eyes > > >> >> About a month ago I photographed an adult Little Egret Egretta garzetta >> with dark greyish eyes and a pink to purple facial skin. Pictures can be >> seen here: >> >> >> >> http://www.radioactiverobins.com/egretta%20garzetta/indexegrettagarzetta1.htm >> >> >> scroll down to the last pictures. >> >> As a rule the eyes of Little Egrets are pale yellow in both adults and >> juveniles. Are there any other records of Little Egrets with dark eyes? >> Cheers, Norman >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> >> >> ------------------------------------ >> >> This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, >> Caucasus and Central Asia. >> >> Read all about us at http://www.osme.org >> >> To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- >> MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, > Caucasus and Central Asia. > > Read all about us at http://www.osme.org > > To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- > MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > >
Subject: Re: Little Egret with dark eyes
From: "ozkan uner | europho.to" <ozkan AT europho.to>
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 23:45:32 +0300

Hi Norman May be because of breeding time colors change. I dont have any scientific information but i find two photos from nearly same period of the year, similar little egret photos. Photos taken in Meric Delta, near Greek border of Turkey. I attach them to the mail for you, mines eyes are also looks a bit greyish. I havent noticed it before. Warm Regards ozkan uner | www.europho.to ----- Original Message ----- From: "Norman D.van Swelm" To: "UKBN" ; "MEBirdNet" ; ; "EuroBirdNet" ; ; Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 11:19 PM Subject: [MEBirdNet] Little Egret with dark eyes > > About a month ago I photographed an adult Little Egret Egretta garzetta > with dark greyish eyes and a pink to purple facial skin. Pictures can be > seen here: > > > > http://www.radioactiverobins.com/egretta%20garzetta/indexegrettagarzetta1.htm > > > scroll down to the last pictures. > > As a rule the eyes of Little Egrets are pale yellow in both adults and > juveniles. Are there any other records of Little Egrets with dark eyes? > Cheers, Norman > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, > Caucasus and Central Asia. > > Read all about us at http://www.osme.org > > To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- > MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Latest Issue of Sandgrouse
From: "ianbirds" <ianbirds AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:43:42 -0000

Dear subscriber The latest issue of Sandgrouse, the Journal of the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia (OSME) - Volume 31,1 (2009) - was published recently and has been mailed to members on the current OSME membership list. If you have not renewed your membership you will not receive this issue! The List of Contents is given below. If you wish to receive this copy of Sandgrouse or if you are interested in getting future issues, please contact the Treasurer at treasurer AT osme.org, or join online at www.osme.org Ian Harrison Hon Sec, OSME secretary AT osme.org Sandgrouse 31(1) List of Contents 2 Preliminary comments on skua Stercorarius reports from Armenia. VASIL ANANIAN 6 Observations on the cooling behaviour, and associated habitat, of four desert lark species (Alaudidae) in two areas of Kuwait. GARY BROWN 15 Unexpectedly large number of Sociable Lapwings Vanellus gregarius on autumn migration in Turkey and some remarks on the stopover site. MURAT BIRICIK 18 On the status and distribution of Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia and Common Nightingale L. megarhynchos in Armenia. VASIL ANANIAN 24 First breeding record of Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia in Israel. NOAMWEISS, MIKOLAJ KOSS & REUVEN YOSEF 26 The timing of spring passage of soaring birds at Zait bay, Egypt. GUDRUN HILGERLOH, JANWEINBECKER & INGO WEISS 36 Use of nest baskets by Long- eared Owls Asio otus in Israel. MOTTI CHARTER, YOSSI LESHEM & SHAY HALEVI 38 The first Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris in Yemen. DAVID B STANTON 40 Food- dunking behaviour by a Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius. DONALD C DEARBORN & ANDREA B GAGER 42 First record of Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus in Armenia. MARTIN ADAMIAN & FRANCIS X MOFFATT 44 On the distribution and ecology of the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni in Armenia. VASIL ANANIAN 55 First confirmed breeding record of Spur- winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus for Lebanon, 2006. GHASSAN RAMADAN- JARADI & THIERRY BARA 57 Weight gains by re- trapped passerine migrants at an artificially vegetated site, Eastern Desert, Egypt. GUDRUN HILGERLOH & BERND RADDATZ 61 Status of selected migrant species in Kuwait: observations and ringing, spring 1997. NIGEL CLEERE & DAVID J KELLY 65 First breeding of Black- winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus on Socotra, Yemen. AHMED SAEED SULEIMAN 68 Nesting tree utilisation by Brown- necked Ravens Corvus ruficollis in west central Saudi Arabia. PETER CUNNINGHAM 73 Breeding and food habits of a pair of urban Desert Eagle Owls Bubo ascalaphus in Hurghada, Red Sea coast, Egypt. ISTVĮN MOLDOVĮN & ATTILA D SĮNDOR
Subject: Syria trip report
From: Tomas Haraldsson <tomasharaldsson AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2009 19:58:54 +0200

Hi all, The result of the first swedish birding team in Syria can be seen at my website www.tomasharaldsson.se , click on "In English" or just scroll down on the first page to "Reserapport Syrien 14-22/4 2009". It is in English and sprinkled with photos by Lars Pettersson. If you enter www.youtube.com there are also some short digi-scoped video sequences of White-tailed Lapwing and Lesser Kestrel, just search on the species name. Enjoy! Tomas Haraldsson _________________________________________________________________ Vårkänslor och pirr i magen? Hitta din drömpartner här! http://dejting.se.msn.com/channel/index.aspx?trackingid=1002952 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: OROKLINI MARSH, CYPRUS
From: "Colin Richardson" <Richar AT cytanet.com.cy>
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2009 10:46:22 +0300

In order to protect and preserve the nests, young and territories of the species breeding at Oroklini Marsh, Larnaca, BirdLife Cyprus urges that anyone visiting the site should view the birds from the edge of the site, and not walk on the causeways, canals banks or mudflats during this critical breeding period. This is most important in the light of this weekā€™s discovery of a breeding pair of Red-crested Pochards, the first for Cyprus and a declining species in the near east. In addition, several nests of Black-winged Stilt and Little Tern, also declining in Europe and the Middle East are under threat from vehicles and pedestrians at the site. Please let everyone enjoy the birds from outside the obvious territories of these birds to give them a chance to hatch their eggs and rear their young. Current moves are underway to progress the formal protection of this site. Apologies for cross-pointing. Many thanks Colin Richardson Bird Recorder - BirdLife Cyprus Please check our website www.birdlifecyprus.org and more info can be heard on the Birdline information service (00357) 2593 4076 where you can also leave your bird news. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Fwd: White Storks on-line in Poland.
From: Ian Harrison <ianbirds AT gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 31 May 2009 20:40:06 +0100

The following forwarded message may be of interest. Ian Harrison Hon. Sec., OSME ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Date: 2009/5/28 Subject: White Storks on-line in Poland. To: secretary AT osme.org Hallo! I want to inform you about special project in Poland "Close to Storks", and I want to invite you to visit our webpage http://www.bociany.ec.pl with online transmission from White Stork nest. We do hope that many ornithologists and nature friends in Britain and in Middle East as well should be interested in White Storks and in this project also. More details you can find in article of P. Dolata - project coordinator. Feel free to spread this information among your members and friends. Enjoy the online transmission from White Stork nest. Best wishes Sincerely yours Dr Zbigniew Urbańczyk Moderator [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: Mishmish 24 May 09
From: kym beirut <kymbeirut AT yahoo.es>
Date: Sun, 31 May 2009 17:49:01 +0000 (GMT)

Hi, 24/5/09 we walked sout east up the edge of Wadi Mishmish to the high ridge overlooking the pass to the Bekaa. A good day that turned to rain and thick mist by 2pm making it difficult to see anything at all, let alone birds. Still, we saw: Corn bunting ā€“ 3 Black headed bunting ā€“ 18+ Red backed shrike ā€“ 2 Masked shrike - 1 Syrian Serin ā€“ 2 Linnet ā€“ 28 Green finch ā€“ 1 Chaffinch - 1 Rock nuthatch ā€“ 1 Lesser Whitethroat ā€“ 20+ Wren ā€“ 3 Long legged buzzard ā€“ 4 Cettis Warbler ā€“ 1 Rock Sparrow ā€“ 3 Black Bird ā€“ 2 + 4 young Black red start semi-rufus ā€“ 1 Great Tit ā€“ 1 Mistle thrush ā€“ 2 Larks unidentified - 3 Also, since last year, many more Cypress trees have been uprooted to make way for apple trees, including some areas where lots of money is clearly being invested.in land clearance and road building. I thought these mature forests were protected - obviously not. mike [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re : Spoonbill newsletter, ,
From: Malcolm Calvert <m.calvert4 AT ntlworld.com>
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 14:54:44 +0100

Ian Harrison wrote: > > > This may be of interest. Some members may already have received it > directly > - apologies for possible duplicate posting therefore. > > Ian Harrison > Moderator, MEBirdnet > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Patrick Triplet > > Date: 2009/5/24 > Subject: Re : Spoonbill newsletter, , > Hi everybody > You can now load the Spoonbill action plan > http://www.unep-aewa.org/publications/ssap/eurasian_spoonbill/index.htm > > Many thanks > Patrick > Patrick Triplet > Syndicat Mixte Baie de Somme > 1, place de l'Amiral Courbet > F 80 100 Abbeville > +33 (0)6 86 67 97 92 > > *Objet :* Tr : Spoonbill newsletter, , > > Dear all > I would like to publish a seventh newsletter before the end of June. > At the > moment I have only some notes and articles (mostly in French). So If you > have any thing to publish, please, let me know as soon as possible, so > that > I could incorporate it in the newsletter > Patrick > Patrick Triplet > Syndicat Mixte Baie de Somme > 1, place de l'Amiral Courbet > F 80 100 Abbeville > +33 (0)6 86 67 97 92 > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > Hi Ian Would you like to have a brief resume of my trip to Side, Turkey in April? Best Wishes Malcolm
Subject: Fwd: Re : Spoonbill newsletter, ,
From: Ian Harrison <ianbirds AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 12:23:57 +0100

This may be of interest. Some members may already have received it directly - apologies for possible duplicate posting therefore. Ian Harrison Moderator, MEBirdnet ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Patrick Triplet Date: 2009/5/24 Subject: Re : Spoonbill newsletter, , Hi everybody You can now load the Spoonbill action plan http://www.unep-aewa.org/publications/ssap/eurasian_spoonbill/index.htm Many thanks Patrick Patrick Triplet Syndicat Mixte Baie de Somme 1, place de l'Amiral Courbet F 80 100 Abbeville +33 (0)6 86 67 97 92 *Objet :* Tr : Spoonbill newsletter, , Dear all I would like to publish a seventh newsletter before the end of June. At the moment I have only some notes and articles (mostly in French). So If you have any thing to publish, please, let me know as soon as possible, so that I could incorporate it in the newsletter Patrick Patrick Triplet Syndicat Mixte Baie de Somme 1, place de l'Amiral Courbet F 80 100 Abbeville +33 (0)6 86 67 97 92 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Birdlife Press Release - Will Cyprus spring shooting be banned forever?
From: "Keith Betton" <keith_betton AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 16:23:52 -0000

Will Cyprus spring shooting be banned forever? 19-05-2009 After a successful campaign led by BirdLife International and BirdLife Cyprus (BirdLife in Cyprus), the Cypriot Government has decided to stop the shooting of birds during the month of May on the island. "Banning hunting during May will greatly help to save migratory birds that pass through Cyprus", said Martin Hellicar, Executive Manager from BirdLife Cyprus. Prior to the new law, hunting was allowed in 2008 for eight days in May to control crows – particularly Carrion Crow Corvus corone and Black-billed Magpie Pica pica. This initiative was then seen as an excuse to allow hunters to also shoot migratory species like European Turtle-doves Streptopelia turtur. However, this year the `corvid control decree' has been reduced to just three days in June when the risk to migratory species is deemed to be low. When the measure was issued last year, BirdLife reacted immediately by contacting the European Commission to denounce it. The Commission heeded BirdLife's call and contacted the Cypriot Government; as a result the `crows control decree' has been recently modified. However this was not the first incident related to this measure. In 2007, BirdLife managed to ban spring hunting after another derogation from the EU Birds Directive related to the shooting of European Turtle-doves wrongly justified as `crop damage control'. The European Commission sent a letter of formal notice - a first warning - to Cyprus, who promised not to repeat this practice. Three years of continuous vigilance by BirdLife and its Partner in Cyprus finally paid off this year as now, not only European Turtle-dove, but also other migratory species such as European Bee-eater Merops apiaster and Common Quail Coturnix coturnix can fly more safely over the island.
Subject: Birdlife News Update - The dawn of birdwatching in Iraq
From: "Keith Betton" <keith_betton AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 16:21:31 -0000

The dawn of birdwatching in Iraq - A recent training course by Nature Iraq (BirdLife in Iraq) successfully recorded 128 birds species during ten days of intensive tuition in birdwatching techniques. "Birdwatching in Iraq is a relatively new activity, and we uncovered a huge amount during the training", said Mudhafar Salim from Nature Iraq. A team of ten trainees from across the country came together in Kurdistan (northern Iraq) to learn more about bird identification and counting methods, and how to input data and analyse threats. Notable observations during the course included: Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (Endangered), Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni (Vulnerable), Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata and Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea (both Near Threatened). The course was conducted by Nature Iraq staff with the help of Richard Porter – BirdLife's Middle East Advisor. "The training course provided crucial support to Nature Iraq's monitoring activities at Important Bird Areas (IBAs)", added Mudhafar Salim. "We also identified a number of potential IBAs, and agreed to undertake regular monitoring at these sites".
Subject: Re: A ROUGH BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ARABIAN ORNITHOLOGY (MAY 2009)
From: Peter Hellyer <hellyer AT emirates.net.ae>
Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 08:42:17 +0400

Mike a soft copy please! And one for Simon to hudhud10 AT gmail.com Regards Peter ----- Original Message ----- From: To: "MEBirdNet" Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 12:48 AM Subject: [MEBirdNet] A ROUGH BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ARABIAN ORNITHOLOGY (MAY 2009) > Part of the ABBA project has been to compile and keep up to date a listing > of published and unpublished papers relevant to Arabian ornithology. The > bibliography has been a useful tool in compiling the species accounts of > the atlas. This bibliography has been made available from time to time in > the past to anyone subscribing to the MEBirdnet who might find it useful. > > The last version of the bibliography was prepared in summer 2007. It has > now been brought fully up to date with all sources traceable to April > 2009, some 2100-2200 titles in total. > > The bibliography does not contain keywords although these may be added in > a subsequent iteration. However simple searches can be achieved by > searching for significant words, places, species names etc. > > The bibliography is in RTF format, about 0.5 mb. It prints out to about > 130 pages at 12 pt. If anyone would like a soft copy they should email > me, see below. > > Mike Jennings > Coordinator: Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia > and Editor of the Phoenix newsletter (ISSN 0268-487X) > Warners Farm House, Warners Drove, > Somersham, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3WD, UK. > Tel/Fax 01487 841733 (Intl 0044 1487 841733) > Email: ArabianBirds AT dsl.pipex.com > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, > Caucasus and Central Asia. > > Read all about us at http://www.osme.org > > To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- > MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com > Yahoo! Groups Links > > >
Subject: A ROUGH BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ARABIAN ORNITHOLOGY (MAY 2009)
From: <ArabianBirds AT dsl.pipex.com>
Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 21:48:49 +0100

Part of the ABBA project has been to compile and keep up to date a listing of published and unpublished papers relevant to Arabian ornithology. The bibliography has been a useful tool in compiling the species accounts of the atlas. This bibliography has been made available from time to time in the past to anyone subscribing to the MEBirdnet who might find it useful. The last version of the bibliography was prepared in summer 2007. It has now been brought fully up to date with all sources traceable to April 2009, some 2100-2200 titles in total. The bibliography does not contain keywords although these may be added in a subsequent iteration. However simple searches can be achieved by searching for significant words, places, species names etc. The bibliography is in RTF format, about 0.5 mb. It prints out to about 130 pages at 12 pt. If anyone would like a soft copy they should email me, see below. Mike Jennings Coordinator: Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia and Editor of the Phoenix newsletter (ISSN 0268-487X) Warners Farm House, Warners Drove, Somersham, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3WD, UK. Tel/Fax 01487 841733 (Intl 0044 1487 841733) Email: ArabianBirds AT dsl.pipex.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: RE: visiting Kuwait
From: Yousef Ali Alzaoby <DQRZ AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 22:15:33 +0200

Dear Graham Langley Yes' Mr.AbdulRahman Alsirhan very good man. email : alsirhan AT alsirhan.com Best trip yousef A project for Recording the birds in southern region of Syria(Dara'a & Sweida & Qunaitra ). Tel: +963944798034 Tel&fax: +96315248387 E-mail: dqrz AT hotmail.com Syria – Dara'a – Mousaifrh P.O.BOX \ 1 \ Yousef Ali Alzaoby-Freelance bird guide Member of Global Owl Project To: MEBirdNet AT yahoogroups.com From: grahamlangley AT yahoo.co.uk Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 15:53:53 +0000 Subject: [MEBirdNet] visiting Kuwait Hi everyone. I'm spending 24 hours in Kuwait City in a hotel within a short walk of the space age Kuwait Towers on the coast. I arrive early on Tuesday 16th June and leave the following morning. Can anybody suggest places to go for some local birding bearing in mind I'll have to use public transport or a taxi? Many thanks Graham Langley UK birder _________________________________________________________________ Invite your mail contacts to join your friends list with Windows Live Spaces. It's easy! http://spaces.live.com/spacesapi.aspx?wx_action=create&wx_url=/friends.aspx&mkt=en-us [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: Re: visiting Kuwait
From: Gordon Saunders <saunderstern AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 20:36:52 +0300

Graham A friend of mine Abdulrahman Al Sirhan .... email below is an excellent contact for Kuwait City. Drop him a note and he will promptly reply. Excellent birder and he knows where to go in KCity ... depending on his work, etc ... alsirhan AT alsirhan.com Let me know if you have problems with the address ... I can copy/forward your request, if needed Cheers, Best wishes and good birding Gordon > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: visiting Kuwait
From: "Graham Langley" <grahamlangley AT yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 15:53:53 -0000

Hi everyone. I'm spending 24 hours in Kuwait City in a hotel within a short walk of the space age Kuwait Towers on the coast. I arrive early on Tuesday 16th June and leave the following morning. Can anybody suggest places to go for some local birding bearing in mind I'll have to use public transport or a taxi? Many thanks Graham Langley UK birder
Subject: Birding Mongolia active again
From: Axel Braunlich <braunlich AT ipn.de>
Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 11:54:00 +0200

Dear All, after a period of inactivity I posted recently a few pieces on my blog BIRDING MONGOLIA (including many photos): Mongolian Important Bird Areas online Importance and conservation of Ulaanbaatar's Children's Park - the only downtown birding site of the city Observations at Ulaanbaatar ponds (14 species of duck and more...) A huge fall of migrants in Ulaanbaatar (800 Little Buntings and many other birds) To read more go to www.birdsmongolia.blogspot.com Happy birding! Axel PS sorry for cross postings! Please consider biodiversity and the environment before deciding whether to print this message and any attachments. ____________________________________________________________ Axel Braunlich Please visit my website about birding and bird conservation in Mongolia: BIRDING MONGOLIA http://birdsmongolia.blogspot.com ____________________________________________________________ ORIENTAL BIRD CLUB (OBC) Support conservation in Asia. Join OBC at www.orientalbirdclub.org ORIENTAL BIRD IMAGES - a database of the OBC >31,000 photos of >2,640 species: www.orientalbirdimages.org ____________________________________________________________ If you are not confused, you don't know what's going on!
Subject: Birding Mongolia active again
From: Axel Braunlich <braunlich AT ipn.de>
Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 11:54:00 +0200

Dear All, after a period of inactivity I posted recently a few pieces on my blog BIRDING MONGOLIA (including many photos): Mongolian Important Bird Areas online Importance and conservation of Ulaanbaatar's Children's Park - the only downtown birding site of the city Observations at Ulaanbaatar ponds (14 species of duck and more...) A huge fall of migrants in Ulaanbaatar (800 Little Buntings and many other birds) To read more go to www.birdsmongolia.blogspot.com Happy birding! Axel PS sorry for cross postings! Please consider biodiversity and the environment before deciding whether to print this message and any attachments. ____________________________________________________________ Axel Braunlich Please visit my website about birding and bird conservation in Mongolia: BIRDING MONGOLIA http://birdsmongolia.blogspot.com ____________________________________________________________ ORIENTAL BIRD CLUB (OBC) Support conservation in Asia. Join OBC at www.orientalbirdclub.org ORIENTAL BIRD IMAGES - a database of the OBC >31,000 photos of >2,640 species: www.orientalbirdimages.org ____________________________________________________________ If you are not confused, you don't know what's going on!
Subject: Wadi Tarbat - My very first trip to Wadi Tarbat.
From: Shah Jahan <sjahanmi AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:29:04 -0700

*Trip Details* Title Wadi Tarbat - The very first trip Date 24 Apr 2009 Country United Arab Emirates Site Wadi Tarbat Observers Shah Jahan, Mubeesh Species Count 7 Common Name Scientific Name Count Photographed? Photos Remarks Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 1 Yes Photo 1 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 15 No House Bunting Emberiza striolata 1 No House Sparrow Passer domesticus 12 No Sand Partridge Ammoperdix heyi 4 Yes Photo 1 Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida 1 Yes Photo 1 , Photo 2 White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis 1 No Regards Shah [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Green Mubazarah, Al Ain on 24th April, 2009
From: Shah Jahan <sjahanmi AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:18:27 -0700

*Trip Details* Title Green Mubazarah, Al Ain on 24th April, 2009 Date 24 Apr 2009 Country United Arab Emirates Site Green Mubazarah, Al Ain Observers Shah Jahan, Mubeesh Species Count 13 Common Name Scientific Name Count Photographed? Photos Remarks Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2 No Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti 12 No Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 15 No Feral Pigeon Columba livia 5 No Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus 4 No with chicks House Swift Apus nipalensis 4 No Hume's Wheatear Oenanthe albonigra 3 No Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 10 No Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis 2 No Rufous-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus 2 No Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus 1 Yes Photo 1 Sand Partridge Ammoperdix heyi 1 No Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis 1 No [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Ain Al Faida, Al Ain on 24th April, 2009
From: Shah Jahan <sjahanmi AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:17:47 -0700

*Trip Details* Title Ain Al Faida, Al Ain on 24th April, 2009 Date 24 Apr 2009 Country United Arab Emirates Site Ain Al Faida, Al Ain Observers Shah Jahan, Mubeesh Species Count 13 Common Name Scientific Name Count Photographed? Photos Remarks Arabian Babbler Turdoides squamiceps 3 No Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 10 No Bonelli's Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus 1 No Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 3 No Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 3 No Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis 1 No Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 2 No Little Stint Calidris minuta 1 No Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus 1 Yes Photo 1, Photo 2 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus 12 No Rufous-tailed Scrub-robin Erythropygia galactotes 3 No Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 4 No Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 1 No [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Zaker Pools, Al Ain on 24th April, 2009
From: Shah Jahan <sjahanmi AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:16:46 -0700

Title Zaker Pools, Al Ain on 24th April, 2009 Date 24 Apr 2009 Country United Arab Emirates Site Zaker Pools, Al Ain Observers Shah Jahan, Mubeesh Species Count 10 Common Name Scientific Name Count Photographed? Photos Remarks Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 10 No Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 4 No Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 7 No Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea 1 No Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 30 Yes Photo 1 Little Stint Calidris minuta 8 No Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 1 No Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus 10 No Approx. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 2 No Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii 1 No [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Recent trip to Syria - Highlights
From: MARTIN SCOTT <scillybirder AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:59:21 +0000

A summary of hightlights from our recent trip to Syria. Syria highlights 6/3/9-6/4/9 Hywel Maggs, Martin Scott, John Wills, Graham Rebecca Three sociable lapwing were seen between Al Raqqa and Al Hasakeh on the 6/3. During wetland counts at Bath Lake, Al Raqqa on the 8/3, 27 pygmy cormorant were counted. Passerines were represented by three woodlark, 25 citrine wagtail, 25 red throated pipit, 10 bluethroat (including one red spot), 22 iraq babbler and five dead sea sparrow. The following day 460 black necked grebes were counted at Lake Assad in the Euphrates Valley, as were 70 pygmy cormorants, 2548 pochard, 2111 tufted duck and 14460 coot. 225 common crane also flew north and 14 eastern stonechat were seen. On the steppe areas between Al Raqqa and Al Hasakeh there were four cream coloured courser, 10 greater sandplover and eight sociable lapwing. A visit to Lake Khatouniyeh and surrounding area, near Hasakeh between the 11 and 13/3, turned up 650 garganey, four see-see partridge, 2800 coot, four white tailed lapwing, 21 eatern stonechat including one caspian and desert wheatear. On nearby steppe areas, 26 sociable lapwing were present with one caspian plover, four dotterel and one male red tailed wheatear (xanth). At Mheimedah Lake, Der Azor 19 marbled teal and 27 ferruginous ducks were counted on the 15/3. One red necked phalarope was also present. An isabelline shrike (isabellinus) was present there on the 17/3. On steppe habitats near Der Azor between the 14 and 17/3, 59 dotterel, one sociable lapwing, two short eared owl, 82 bimaculated, eight hoopoe, two bar tailed and eight temmincks horned larks were present, along with thousands of short toed and skylark. Two white eared bulbul were seen in Der Azor city centre next to the Ziad Hotel. Counts at Lake Sabkah Jabbul on the 19/3 including 11530 greater flamingos, 9904 shoveler, 35 ferruginous duck and 298 white headed duck. Five iraq babbler were also seen. At Palmyra and Tallila Reserve, two northern bald ibis were seen on the 20/3 and three little crakes were at Sed Wadi Abied. Two eastern imperial eagles were seen on the 21/3. Monitoring between 24 & 29/3 at Jebel Abdul Aziz Protected Area, Hasakeh turned up four see-see partridge, 50 pintail sandgrouse, eagle and scops owl, male semi coloured flycatcher, two cyprus and four red tailed wheatear (xanth) (finches, pied, isabelline, black eared and northern wheatears were all common). 36+ desert finches were also counted. Abu Qubies Protected Area was monitored near Hama between the 31/3 and 5/4. A flock of c.300 white pelicans were seen on the 5/4 and over a five day period, two goshawk, four crag martin, 414 lesser whitethroat, nine orphean, two ruppells, one eastern bonellis warblers were recorded. Six thrush nightingales and 10 cretzchmars buntings were also seen. Durng 13 hours of vantage point counts on six occasions during this period, the following was recorded on northerly passage; 352 black stork, 3527 white stork, five griffon vulture, 97 short toed eagle, nine levants sparrowhawk, 202 steppe buzzard, eight long legged buzzard, 81 lesser spotted, 17 greater spotted and 1969 steppe eagle. Some photos can be found at http://gettingsociableinsyria.blogspot.com/ Martin Scott _________________________________________________________________ View your Twitter and Flickr updates from one place – Learn more! http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/137984870/direct/01/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: Dubai Pivot Fields - 24th April, 2009
From: Shah Jahan <sjahanmi AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:52:03 -0700

*Trip Details* Title Dubai Pivot Fields on 24th April, 2009 Date 17 Apr 2009 Country United Arab Emirates Site Dubai Pivot Fields, Dubai Observers Shah Jahan, Mubeesh Species Count 24 Common Name Scientific Name Count Photographed? Photos Remarks Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus 10 Yes Photo 1 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 12 No 2 Chicks and 2 eggs Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola 3 No Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 25 No Approx. Crested Lark Galerida cristata 25 No Approx. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 50 No Approx. Feral Pigeon Columba livia 25 No Approx. Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis 3 No Hoopoe Upupa epops 7 No House Sparrow Passer domesticus 100 Yes Approx. Indian Silverbill Lonchura malabarica 1 Yes Photo 1 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 50 No Approx. Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis 5 No Little Stint Calidris minuta 1 No Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana 2 No Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer 6 No Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus 15 No Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar 2 Yes Photo 1 , Photo 2 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 2 No White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis 50 No Approx. White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus 20 No Approx. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 1 No Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 3 Yes Photo 1 , Photo 2 Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer 1 No Regards Shah [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Pipit ID help (cervinus or gustavi)
From: "M.Istvan" <idegenvezeto AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:32:39 -0700 (PDT)

Szervus Bro ! I had the same toughts, but a birder imagination reach the sky high if has the smaller chance to see a lifer:) Unfortunatelly, no calls. I am familiar with the cervinus and pratensis call. They are pzzzzing me to death all day long. Looking forward to hear from you soon, Kuki Moldovįn Istvįn   Ornithologist     Contact person of OSME- Egypt Mobile: Egypt: [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Pipit ID help (cervinus or gustavi)
From: "asmustim" <asmus.schroter AT helsinki.fi>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:50:29 -0000

Hi all, I think it´s cervinus, gustavi should have more prominent and broader (clearly broader than the diameter of the eyes) white stripes on the back and more prominent white wingbars as well. I think the photos match quite well to the variable "female-type" of cervinus! As far as the white back stripes are concerned even single (mainly 1cy ?!) pratensis might show irritatingly the high-contrasting "cervinus-back", even though never that prominent like a typical gustavi. Did the bird call? Regards, Asmus Schröter
Subject: Re: Pipit ID help (cervinus or gustavi)
From: "M.Istvan" <idegenvezeto AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:16:07 -0700 (PDT)

Sorry Folks, I forgot that I can not send attachements to MEB net. I have uploaded them at the Photo Album of the group in a new folder: UNIDENTIFIED BIRDS . For the ease of acces, just click the following link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/photos/album/1258054719/pic/list Steve. Moldovįn Istvįn   Ornithologist     Contact person of OSME- Egypt Mobile: Egypt: [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Mallard sightings from Egypt required
From: "M.Istvan" <idegenvezeto AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:07:03 -0700 (PDT)

Dear Friends, If any of you have records of Mallard in Egypt, please forward it to my address directly. Please mention if they were wild birds, or semi domestic birds (in your opinion). Thanks a lot for your cooperation, Steve. Moldovįn Istvįn   Ornithologist     Contact person of OSME- Egypt Mobile: Egypt: [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Pipit ID help (cervinus or gustavi)
From: "M.Istvan" <idegenvezeto AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:02:47 -0700 (PDT)

Dear Friends, Today in the gardens of Wadi Dome (Gulf of Suez, Egypt) a strange pipit has been photographed. Attached are two photos, one of them showing the back with the white stripes, which are indicating cervinus or gustavi. On the geographical grounds, cervinus (Red-throated Pipit) is the one which winters in Egypt and is very common in passange. The Pechora instead has been never seen, as far as I am aware. Although at this time very few Red-throated are seen, still have one or two sightings a day. This one, photographed by Dick Hoeck shows some caracters of gustavi(Pechora Pipit) Maybee is just my imagination, but it seems to have the second white stripe. Contrast between white belly and buff breast (the moulting Red-throated can look similar). In the Birds of WP (Steve Madge and M.Beaman) the bird is shown to have a more whitish wingbar than the Red-throated. The malar stripe is more like a 2 year Red-throated. Hmm... Would you be kind to help to ID this bird? Best regards, Steve Moldovįn Istvįn   Ornithologist     Contact person of OSME- Egypt Mobile: Egypt: [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Birding Report from Doha, Qatar!
From: Gordon Saunders <saunderstern AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:46:47 +0300

The following is a summary of recent records of some migrants and some nesting observed in Qatar. Enjoy! Gordon ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary of records of some migrants and some nesting observed in Qatar up to April 18, 2009 · Note that many wintering birds such as Marsh Harriers, ducks, and shorebirds have migrated north. · Some evidence of nesting observed includes … o Several baby Kentish plover o One little-ring Plover chick o Ferruginous duck (m/f) nest building o Several baby Moorhen chicks o Two Southern Grey Shrike chicks in the nest o House Sparrow nesting o White-eared Bulbul nesting o Collared Dove on the nest · Signs of migration over the past 2 months includes … o Menetries’s Warbler o Barred Warbler o Willow Warbler o Upcher’s Warbler o Blackcap Warbler o Common Redstart o Common and Lesser Whitethroat o Graceful Prinia o Rock Thrush o Blue Rock Thrush o Pale Rock Sparrow o Yellow-throat Sparrow o Stonechat o Whinchat o Tree Pipit o Red-throat Pipit o European Bee-eater o Ortolan Bunting o Black-headed Bunting o Cinerous Bunting o Red-breasted Flycatcher o Spotted Flycatcher o Barn Swallow … *1 savignii ssp* o Red-rumped Swallow o House Martin o Sand Martin o Pallid Swift o Masked Shrike o Woodchat Shrike o Northern Wheatear o Black-eared Wheatear o Pied Wheatear o Isabelline Wheatear o Rufous Bush Robin o Black Bush Robin (1) o White-throat Robin o Wryneck [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: Identifying and Conserving IBAs in Lebanon
From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:02:03 -0700 (PDT)

Identifying and Conserving IBAs in Lebanon 21-04-2009 The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL; BirdLife in Lebanon) and A Rocha Lebanon have completed a three year, nationwide search for new Important Bird Areas (IBAs). In a country critical for many birds - such as migratory soaring birds, species with restricted ranges, and over-wintering waterbirds - Chris Naylor from A Rocha Lebanon said: ā€3,000 hours of monitoring has more than tripled the number of IBAs in Lebanon, marking the start of the conservation process for these sitesā€¯. Prior to the recent surveys, four sites in Lebanon had been recognised as IBAs. ā€It was essential to collect more information about our bird havens, and identify more Lebanese IBAsā€¯, noted SPNLā€™s Bassima Khatib. ā€Having identified the key sites, we can now seek to ensure their protection and management for the futureā€¯. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2009/04/lebanon_ibas.html
Subject: Identifying and Conserving IBAs in Lebanon
From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:02:03 -0700 (PDT)

Identifying and Conserving IBAs in Lebanon 21-04-2009 The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL; BirdLife in Lebanon) and A Rocha Lebanon have completed a three year, nationwide search for new Important Bird Areas (IBAs). In a country critical for many birds - such as migratory soaring birds, species with restricted ranges, and over-wintering waterbirds - Chris Naylor from A Rocha Lebanon said: ā€3,000 hours of monitoring has more than tripled the number of IBAs in Lebanon, marking the start of the conservation process for these sitesā€¯. Prior to the recent surveys, four sites in Lebanon had been recognised as IBAs. ā€It was essential to collect more information about our bird havens, and identify more Lebanese IBAsā€¯, noted SPNLā€™s Bassima Khatib. ā€Having identified the key sites, we can now seek to ensure their protection and management for the futureā€¯. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2009/04/lebanon_ibas.html
Subject: Marsh Warblers & "Manna from Heaven"
From: James Wolstencroft <gonolek AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:24:06 +0300

Hello there, I am engaged in a small discussion with Brian Roos (RSA) via Twitter regarding references to "manna from heaven" and specifically the spring 'harvesting' of migrant Marsh Warblers in Asir, Yemen and Oman as detailed in Roberts VII (Birds of South Africa). We get variable numbers of Marsh Warblers, dependent upon the amount of rainfall here, dropping into and refueling in our peri-urban 'wilding garden' on the slopes of Mount Meru in Arusha, northern Tanzania late in every April and at the beginning of May; and I reckon many of these birds, once fattened by us, continue directly to the Arabian peninsula! Any links to recent information would be much appreciated. Thank you. Best Wishes, James +255 (0) 765-676-514 or 784-596-209 http://birds.intanzania.com http://twitter.com/gonolek
Subject: Uncovering Iraqā€™s unique wildlife
From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:54:17 -0700 (PDT)

Uncovering Iraqā€™s unique wildlife 06-04-2009 Nature Iraq (BirdLife in Iraq) has completed their fifth winter survey of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) across the country. ā€From Kurdistan in the north, to the Mesopotamian Marshlands in the south, our surveys have highlighted the global importance of Iraq for birds, biodiversity and peopleā€¯, said Dr Azzam Alwash ā€“ CEO of Nature Iraq. Along with sightings of several Globally Threatened and endemic birds, the survey teams discovered an endemic sub-species of otter, and observed a worrying drought. Nature Iraq have been working in coordination with Iraqā€™s Ministry of the Environment to conduct survey and monitoring work at KBAs since 2005. ā€Nature Iraqā€™s KBA project has sought to locate and assess potential areas of biological diversity, and to install a programme of monitoringā€¯, said Dr Alwash. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2009/04/nature_iraq_surveys.html
Subject: Uncovering Iraqā€™s unique wildlife
From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:54:17 -0700 (PDT)

Uncovering Iraqā€™s unique wildlife 06-04-2009 Nature Iraq (BirdLife in Iraq) has completed their fifth winter survey of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) across the country. ā€From Kurdistan in the north, to the Mesopotamian Marshlands in the south, our surveys have highlighted the global importance of Iraq for birds, biodiversity and peopleā€¯, said Dr Azzam Alwash ā€“ CEO of Nature Iraq. Along with sightings of several Globally Threatened and endemic birds, the survey teams discovered an endemic sub-species of otter, and observed a worrying drought. Nature Iraq have been working in coordination with Iraqā€™s Ministry of the Environment to conduct survey and monitoring work at KBAs since 2005. ā€Nature Iraqā€™s KBA project has sought to locate and assess potential areas of biological diversity, and to install a programme of monitoringā€¯, said Dr Alwash. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2009/04/nature_iraq_surveys.html
Subject: Flying mouse-traps clean up fields
From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:51:20 -0700 (PDT)

Flying mouse-traps clean up fields 15-04-2009 Barn Owls Tyto alba and Common Kestrels Falco tinnunculus are being encouraged by farmers in Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority to control agricultural pests instead of using harmful chemicals. ā€The two species provide round-the-clock predation of mice, rats and voles and have been used throughout history as natural pest controllersā€¯, said Dr Yossi Leshem - Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI; BirdLife in Israel). ā€A pair of Barn Owls alone can eat over 2,000 rodents in a year!ā€¯ ā€Israel is very important for birds of prey - raptors living here year-round are joined by migrants which soar through on thermals in the spring, and birds which stay the winterā€¯, noted Yossi. Sadly, in 1997 large numbers of raptors were accidentally poisoned in Israelā€™s Bet-Sheā€™an and Hulas Valleys after eating prey which contained harmful levels of pesticides. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2009/04/barn_owls_israel.html
Subject: Flying mouse-traps clean up fields
From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:51:20 -0700 (PDT)

Flying mouse-traps clean up fields 15-04-2009 Barn Owls Tyto alba and Common Kestrels Falco tinnunculus are being encouraged by farmers in Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority to control agricultural pests instead of using harmful chemicals. ā€The two species provide round-the-clock predation of mice, rats and voles and have been used throughout history as natural pest controllersā€¯, said Dr Yossi Leshem - Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI; BirdLife in Israel). ā€A pair of Barn Owls alone can eat over 2,000 rodents in a year!ā€¯ ā€Israel is very important for birds of prey - raptors living here year-round are joined by migrants which soar through on thermals in the spring, and birds which stay the winterā€¯, noted Yossi. Sadly, in 1997 large numbers of raptors were accidentally poisoned in Israelā€™s Bet-Sheā€™an and Hulas Valleys after eating prey which contained harmful levels of pesticides. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2009/04/barn_owls_israel.html
Subject: Hamraniyah Fields & Dubai Pivot Fields
From: Shah Jahan <sjahanmi AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:45:26 -0700

Hi, Visited Hamraniyah Fields yesterday. Visited a number of fields. I didnt have any issues entering the fields. The records are as follows: 1. Bank Myna 2. Rose-ringed Parakeet 3. European Bee-eater http://www.birdsisaw.com/Photo.aspx?q=12110 4. Little Green Bee-eater 5. Graceful Prinia 6. Indian Roller 7. Hoopoe 8. Purple Sunbird 9. Common Myna 10. White eared Bulbul 11. Red vented Bulbul 12. House Sparrow 13. Red-wattled Lapwing 14. Collared Dove 15. Southern Grey Shrike 16. Isabelline Shrike 17. Crested Lark 18. Eurasian Skylark 19. Grey Francolin 20. Whinchat http://www.birdsisaw.com/Photo.aspx?q=12108 21. Purple Sunbird http://www.birdsisaw.com/Photo.aspx?q=12116 22. Cattle Egret 23. Collared Pratincole http://www.birdsisaw.com/Photo.aspx?q=12109 24. Common Redstart 25. Laughing Dove 26. Brown-necked Raven http://www.birdsisaw.com/Photo.aspx?q=12115 27. Feral Pigeon 28. Pallid Swift http://www.birdsisaw.com/Photo.aspx?q=12111 29. Common Cuckoo http://www.birdsisaw.com/Photo.aspx?q=12114 http://www.birdsisaw.com/Photo.aspx?q=12113 http://www.birdsisaw.com/Photo.aspx?q=12112 Also at Dubai Pivot Fields (Highlights) 1. Northern Wheatear 2. Spotted Crake 3. Ortolan Bunting 4. Collared Pratincole 5. Superb Starling 6. Water Pipit 7. Plus the normals Regards Shah __________________ My Photography records Total Species: 321 Species UAE: 198 Species - Whinchat Visit http://www.birdsisaw.com/Photographer.aspx for more information. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Request for data on European Roller in Iran
From: Abolghasem Khaleghizadeh <akhaleghizadeh AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:35:38 -0700 (PDT)

Dear Raffael Your records support my idea but are rising my another thought that Golestan plains are a hotspot for this species in Iran. Could you reacon how many days you have travelled in Iran? One of my calculation is number of records (and birds) over observation days. With best regards, Abolghasem --- On Sun, 12/4/09, Raffael Aye wrote: From: Raffael Aye Subject: Re: [MEBirdNet] Request for data on European Roller in Iran To: MEBirdNet AT yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, 12 April, 2009, 4:47 PM Dear Abolghasem Finally, I could make some time available over Easter to look up the requested information on European (or Eurasian) Roller. I guess I know what your hind-thought is when collecting data on the Euro- Roller: namely that numbers are still rather good in Iran (also maybe in Central Asia - I don't have enough historical data to compare...) and that maybe the decline hasn't been dramatic enough to warrant the IUCN status of Near-Threatened. If these are your thoughts, I have a tendency to agree with you and I think it would be great to collect data on this. Anyway, please find below my very limited data on Euro- Roller in Iran and I wish you good luck with the endeavour!!! ! 3rd May 2006, along road from Golestan Nationalpark (Tange Gol) to turn-off for Kalaleh (c. 16km before reaching Minudasht): 63 Eurasian Rollers on telegraph wires, poles etc along the road 28th April 2007, along road from Golestan Nationalpark (Tange Gol) to turn-off for Kalaleh (c. 16km before reaching Minudasht): c. 120 Eurasian Rollers (again: on telegraph wires, poles, trees and flying) 28th April 2007 Minudasht to Azadshahr: 25 Eurasian Rollers hope this helps! all the best, raffael ------- Raffael Ayé, Im Zimmerhof 7, 4054 Basel, Switzerland +41 (0)61 301 58 63, +41(0)76 568 01 30 skype: tjraffael On 9 Feb 2009, at 13:22, Abolghasem Khaleghizadeh wrote: > Dear all > > As you know BirdLife International has recently listed European > Roller as Near Thretened (NT) category. I would like to check the > status of this species in Iran by collecting and reviewing its > available data. Could you please send me results of your > observations by means of giving its records including date, place, > number and every valuable information in particular on its breeding. > > With best regards, > Abolghasem > > Get your preferred Email name! > Now you can AT ymail.com and AT rocketmail. com. > http://mail. promotions. yahoo.com/ newdomains/ aa/ > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] New Email addresses available on Yahoo! Get the Email name you've always wanted on the new AT ymail and AT rocketmail. Hurry before someone else does! http://mail.promotions.yahoo.com/newdomains/aa/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: CP Virginia Kuwait 11-12 APR
From: Randel Rogers <Randel_Rogers AT hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:34:13 -0400

CP Virginia, Kuwait 11-12 APR CP Virginia is a small camp in north central Kuwait. It is roughly square, with shower and laundry units around the perimeter of the living areas. Grey water from these drain into a series of small bermed leach beds, providing a source of water for plants and birds. Blackcap (common) reed warbler (small to medium sized) Yellow wagtails (both feldegg and lutea) Wryneck White throated robin Rock thrush (female) Whitethroat Lesser whitethroat Red-throated pipit Barn swallow Meadow pipit Common redstart Woodchat shrike Red-backed shrike Isabelline shrike Kestrel Icterine warbler Grey hypocolius Blue cheeked bee eater Bluethroat Hoopoe [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Al Asad Iraq 7-10 APR my final report from here
From: Randel Rogers <Randel_Rogers AT hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:31:52 -0400

Al Asad, Iraq 7-10 APR – My final observations here 7 APR: Namaqua dove. Male photographed. I thought this would be too far north for this species. Pair of Little bittern persists at oasis pond. Little grebes in stream, I have now recorded their constant presence in this spot from late AUG thru mid APR, am now assuming they do breed here Female Pintail duck. 8 APR: Lesser whitethroat flock of Willow warblers Black kite Black francolin 9 APR Black redstart Common redstart Black francolin Black kite Common buzzard dozens of Ortolan buntings feeding in a field of mustards and grasses scores of Barn swallows 3 Common snipe Night heron (male) 10 APR Common raven See-see partridge (a lone male then a pair in another spot) Orphean warbler Winchat increasing numbers of Woodchat shrike the usual wheatears in good numbers Got a report of 2 cattle egrets present on the 11th. In the last nine months I have recorded 124 species of birds here at Al Asad Airbase. Many of these were endemic species or subspecies and several were threatened or near threatened species. One (Sociable plover) is critically endangered. Another, Goshawk, was Iraq’s first accepted record. There had to be 20 others that I was unable to positively identify and many others I missed all together. Coupled with what appears to be a strong populations of mammals (all 3 foxes, jungle cat, Indian crested porcupine, honey badger, common jackal, striped hyena, cape hare and more), reptiles, insects, wildflowers, and other flora and fauna, Al Asad is a special place and I have had a great time exploring here. I only hope that both Coalition and Iraqi forces improve their stewardship of this unique ecosystem so that future naturalist can enjoy everything that I have! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: Re: The ringed Chaffinch
From: "thierry_bara" <tbara AT free.fr>
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:12:31 -0000

Hello, This chaffinch has probably been ringed in Hungary. The letters DAP matches the name BUDAPEST, like in the picture in the following link : http://www.holmer.nl/small_terns_and_large_passerines.htm Thierry --- In MEBirdNet AT yahoogroups.com, Jevgeni Shergalin wrote: >> > > Forwarded from BirdNewsMoscow mailing list with apologies for cross-posting. JS > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Victor Tyakht > > Sorting out the pictures I have discovered that one Chaffinch is ringed. > > General view - http://rbcu.ru/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18290 > The ring itself - http://rbcu.ru/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18291 > > Inscription is not seen very well. It is in two lines on light metal, in upper line there are letters DA, in lower line - digits 277. > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > News, entertainment and everything you care about at Live.com. Get it now! > http://www.live.com/getstarted.aspx > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >
Subject: Re: Request for data on European Roller in Iran
From: Raffael Aye <raffael.aye AT birding.ch>
Date: Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:17:02 +0200

Dear Abolghasem Finally, I could make some time available over Easter to look up the requested information on European (or Eurasian) Roller. I guess I know what your hind-thought is when collecting data on the Euro- Roller: namely that numbers are still rather good in Iran (also maybe in Central Asia - I don't have enough historical data to compare...) and that maybe the decline hasn't been dramatic enough to warrant the IUCN status of Near-Threatened. If these are your thoughts, I have a tendency to agree with you and I think it would be great to collect data on this. Anyway, please find below my very limited data on Euro- Roller in Iran and I wish you good luck with the endeavour!!!! 3rd May 2006, along road from Golestan Nationalpark (Tange Gol) to turn-off for Kalaleh (c. 16km before reaching Minudasht): 63 Eurasian Rollers on telegraph wires, poles etc along the road 28th April 2007, along road from Golestan Nationalpark (Tange Gol) to turn-off for Kalaleh (c. 16km before reaching Minudasht): c. 120 Eurasian Rollers (again: on telegraph wires, poles, trees and flying) 28th April 2007 Minudasht to Azadshahr: 25 Eurasian Rollers hope this helps! all the best, raffael ------- Raffael Ayé, Im Zimmerhof 7, 4054 Basel, Switzerland +41 (0)61 301 58 63, +41(0)76 568 01 30 skype: tjraffael On 9 Feb 2009, at 13:22, Abolghasem Khaleghizadeh wrote: > Dear all > > As you know BirdLife International has recently listed European > Roller as Near Thretened (NT) category. I would like to check the > status of this species in Iran by collecting and reviewing its > available data. Could you please send me results of your > observations by means of giving its records including date, place, > number and every valuable information in particular on its breeding. > > With best regards, > Abolghasem > > Get your preferred Email name! > Now you can AT ymail.com and AT rocketmail.com. > http://mail.promotions.yahoo.com/newdomains/aa/ > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Emberiza godlewskii Kyrgyzstan
From: "asmustim" <asmus.schroter AT helsinki.fi>
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:32:28 -0000

Dear all, I´m very interested in the piecemeal and puzzling distribution of Emberiza godlewskii in Centralasia, especially in Kyrgyzstan. Does anyone know recent kyrgyzs breeding records/singing probably non-magrating males etc. outside the Fergana/Chitkal-Range ? I would be grateful for any hints and observations that might indicate breeding like singing males outside the migration period etc. Kind regards Asmus Schröter
Subject: Re: Large-billed Reed-warbler (not so) new to Afghanistan and Kazakhstan
From: "asmustim" <asmus.schroter AT helsinki.fi>
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:29:51 -0000

--- In MEBirdNet AT yahoogroups.com, "Keith Betton" wrote: > > News from Birdife > > According to a recent paper in the Journal of Avian Biology by Svensson et al. Large-billed Reed-warbler Acrocephalus orinus can be added to the bird lists of Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, after finding 10 new specimens in museum collections. The Kazakhstan specimen was collected by N. Zarudny on 18 August 1900 in the south-east of the country. The four Afghan specimens were collected by W. N. Koelz in north-east Afghanistan in July 1937. Until recently Large-billed Reed-warbler was known only from one specimen, collected in the Sutlej Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India in November 1867. In March 2006 one was trapped at Laem Phak Bia, Phatchaburi Province, south-west Thailand. > > To read the full story click on link below. > > http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2007/03/acrocephalus_orinus_rediscovery.html >
Subject: Large-billed Reed-warbler (not so) new to Afghanistan and Kazakhstan
From: "Keith Betton" <keith_betton AT hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:19:41 -0000

News from Birdife According to a recent paper in the Journal of Avian Biology by Svensson et al. Large-billed Reed-warbler Acrocephalus orinus can be added to the bird lists of Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, after finding 10 new specimens in museum collections. The Kazakhstan specimen was collected by N. Zarudny on 18 August 1900 in the south-east of the country. The four Afghan specimens were collected by W. N. Koelz in north-east Afghanistan in July 1937. Until recently Large-billed Reed-warbler was known only from one specimen, collected in the Sutlej Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India in November 1867. In March 2006 one was trapped at Laem Phak Bia, Phatchaburi Province, south-west Thailand. To read the full story click on link below. http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2007/03/acrocephalus_orinus_rediscovery.html
Subject: Israel chooses Eurasian Hoopoe as its National Bird
From: "Keith Betton" <keith_betton AT hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:16:27 -0000

News from Birdlife Israel chooses Eurasian Hoopoe as its National Bird - Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops has been awarded the title of Israel's National Bird by President Shimon Peres. The colourful bird will be celebrated with the issue of new coins and stamps. The initiative to choose a national bird in Israel began two years before the celebrations for Israel's 60th birthday by the Israel Ornithological Center, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (BirdLife in Israel) and the International Center for the Study of Bird Migration. The 'National Bird election' events
Subject: Semi-collared Flycatcher
From: "ianbirds" <ianbirds AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:26:54 -0000

Dear MEBirdNet subscriber OSME has received a request from Kostadin Georgiev, Birdlife Bulgaria for unpublished information on Semi-collared Flycatcher. I hope you will be able to help. His email address is: kostadin.georgiev AT bspb.org. His message reads as follows. "This year BirdLife International has created a group of Single Species Action Plans (SSAP) for threatened species in the European Union. It has been decided the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds(BSPB) will be responsible for the development of the SSAP for the Semi-collared Flycatcher. I am the Compiler of the Plan and I contact you in order to help us in collecting unpublished information about the Semi-collared Flycatcher in the Middle East region. For this region we need a list of records when and where the species was seen (also number of birds). If you have information, could you specify (if appropriate) where is the border between migrating and breeding Semi-collared Flycatchers and the most southerly recorded breeding pair. Thank you in advance Kostadin Georgiev Compiler of the EU Species Action Plan for the Semi-collared Flycatcher/Ficedula semitorquata/ BSPB/BirdLife Bulgaria P.O. Box 50, BG-1111 Sofia, Bulgaria Mobile: +359 (0) 889 762 941 E-mail:kostadin.georgiev AT bspb.org" (End of message) If you could send any records you have that have not been published, this would help the project enormously. Best wishes. Ian Harrison Hon. Sec., OSME
Subject: RE: Al Asad, Iraq Raptor and Passerine Migration Continues
From: Albert de Hoon <albertdehoon AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Apr 2009 18:56:29 +0000

You made me jealous!!! Thé reason for me becoming a professional birder was the story about the declining numbers of Ortolan buntings!!!! http://www.bavarianbirds.net/ortolan/ortolan.htm Amazing other sightings as well!!!! Is there a lot of hunting around the airbase? Or is that a prejudice? > To: mebirdnet AT yahoogroups.com > From: Randel_Rogers AT hotmail.com > Date: Sun, 5 Apr 2009 14:44:29 -0400 > Subject: [MEBirdNet] Al Asad, Iraq Raptor and Passerine Migration Continues > > > Both passerine and raptor migration continues in full force. > > Additional bird on 3 April – Nightingale thrush > > 4 April – Purple heron, kettle of 10-15 Common buzzards headed north, Rock thrush, female Pallid harrier, 2 pairs of Garganey remain, Little grebe, Pied flycatcher, Common redstarts, Squacco heron > > 5 April – Northern wheatear, Desert wheatear, Finsch’s wheatear, Black-eared wheatear, Ortolan bunting (fantastic male), female Pallid harrier (perched from 30 yards), 15 or more very large raptors moving NNW in a kettle, Whinchat, Little bittern, Yellow wagtail. > > One great sight was 6 Hoopoes on a 20 foot section of fence, with at least a 7th in the bushes behind. > > Still a number of Common snipe, Green sandpipers, Marsh harriers, Kestrel, Grey hypocolius, Bluethroats, Woodchat shrikes, and the common warblers. Rooks are almost entirely gone, and Brown-necked ravens have either slightly increased, or are just more noticeable without hundreds or thousands of Rooks around. Black francolins are still noisy, a few Coots are still around, and there are tons of Moorhens. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. > > Read all about us at http://www.osme.org > > To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > _________________________________________________________________ Haal meer uit je leven met Windows Live http://www.microsoft.com/netherlands/windowslive/Views/index.aspx [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: Al Asad, Iraq Raptor and Passerine Migration Continues
From: Randel Rogers <Randel_Rogers AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Apr 2009 14:44:29 -0400

Both passerine and raptor migration continues in full force. Additional bird on 3 April – Nightingale thrush 4 April – Purple heron, kettle of 10-15 Common buzzards headed north, Rock thrush, female Pallid harrier, 2 pairs of Garganey remain, Little grebe, Pied flycatcher, Common redstarts, Squacco heron 5 April – Northern wheatear, Desert wheatear, Finsch’s wheatear, Black-eared wheatear, Ortolan bunting (fantastic male), female Pallid harrier (perched from 30 yards), 15 or more very large raptors moving NNW in a kettle, Whinchat, Little bittern, Yellow wagtail. One great sight was 6 Hoopoes on a 20 foot section of fence, with at least a 7th in the bushes behind. Still a number of Common snipe, Green sandpipers, Marsh harriers, Kestrel, Grey hypocolius, Bluethroats, Woodchat shrikes, and the common warblers. Rooks are almost entirely gone, and Brown-necked ravens have either slightly increased, or are just more noticeable without hundreds or thousands of Rooks around. Black francolins are still noisy, a few Coots are still around, and there are tons of Moorhens. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: Black francolin non-invasive DNA study - help for sampling
From: "barbanera.filippo" <barbanera.filippo AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:25:46 -0000

To all MEBirdNet Members: My name is Filippo Barbanera and I work as researcher at the Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy. My main research topic is conservation genetics of birds and reptiles. Since 2000, we started to work on Galliformes. We are used to apply molecular methods for population genetic structure analysis. Coming to point, we would be interested in collecting Francolinus francolinus (black francolin) samples from Middle East. With the exception of Cyprus, where sampling has been already done, we mostly need samples from countries such as Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran (less interested in samples from Israel or Lebanon, yet anyone would be highly welcomed). We have several samples from Nepal and many from Pakistan as well, and we are trying to get samples from Bangladesh. Our goal is mostly philogenetic, trying to clarify the evolutionary radiation of the different subspecies from Asia to Europe We would like to know whether you may help by providing us with feathers of black francolin (male of female, does not matter) collected on the ground (or taken from captive birds, if you do know any). Feathers work well either they are from wings or tail, yet the best are those just moulted with still living tissue inside. However, as said, we can use also old feathers found by chance on the ground. Even 1 feather could be important. We only need you provide us with samples in a plastic bag sent by standard airmail with your full name and the name of sampling location. You find my address here below. We wish to end sampling within end of May 2009. We would be obviously glad to cite both all of the name of people that will be so kind to collaborate with us in any official occasion (e.g., in scientific papers) we will use data dealing with your samples. I would be glad to send you a pdf copy of the paper once published Thanking you very much for your kind attention, I really look forward to your kind answer. Kind regards, Filippo Barbanera Department of Biology Protistology-Zoology Unit http://arp.unipi.it/listedoc.php?ide=009744&ord=C Via A. Volta, 6 I - 56126 Pisa (PI) Italy
Subject: Al Asad Iraq - big passerine day
From: Randel Rogers <Randel_Rogers AT hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 12:22:25 -0400

I got back out this afternoon and found large numbers of passerines. This was the first day I have found large numbers of grey hypocolius - several flocks of 6-8 birds each. Also, increasing numbers of common redstart, several pied flycatchers, whitethroats, and a couple of wrynecks. Thankfully for the next week or so I will have increased opportunities to go out and bird, unfortunately my time here is growing short - but I am still averaging a new bird here about every 2 days! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Al Asad, Iraq Owl Update and other sightings
From: Randel Rogers <Randel_Rogers AT hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 07:23:45 -0400

I finally got pics of the owl that was found in a building here last week - it is a scops owl, I think most likely European scops, rufous variety. It was released outside and likely has already continued its migration. Raptors are all over the marsh and palm areas. Several marsh harriers, common buzzard, long-legged buzzard and what appeared to be the same female pallid harrier from last week. As many as 3 female and 2 male marsh harriers are about, as well as at least 3 individual common buzzards, and at least 2 long-legged buzzards. An exciting find this morning was common cuckoo - a life bird for me. Menetries's warblers seem to breed here - have seen a pair on territory in the same place for the last 2 weeks. Also this morning, common teal mixed in with the shovelers in the stream and both black eared and desert wheatears, lots of gray wagtails and very active and noisy moustached warblers in all wet, reedy areas. Still flushing both common and jack snipe - flushed a pair of common off a nest yesterday, but did not try to photograph for fear of stepping on the nest trying to get to it in the heavy vegetation. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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