Bird Monitoring and Protection T

Bird Monitoring and Protection Team (BMAPT)

At the Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS)

ANNUAL REPORT 2001

CONTENTS

Membership and Contacts Page 2

The Year 2001 Page 4

The Need for Bird Monitoring and Protection in Kuwait Page 5

The Kuwait Bird List Page 7

The Commoner Species of Birds Page 9

The Vagrant Species of Birds Page 22

The Species of Birds Requiring Confirmation Page 23

The Species of Birds of Captive Origin Page 25

Notes on Selected Bird Species in the Year 2001 Page 26

Recent Bibliography Page 47

MEMBERSHIP AND CONTACTS

Board of Directors

Chairman:			Khalid Al-Nasrallah
Deputy Chairman and Bird Recorder:			Mahmoud Shihab
Secretary:			George Gregory
Liason Officer:			Abdalla Al-Fadhel


Kuwait-Based Members

Shaikha Amthal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Abdalla Al-Fadhel			abdallaaa@hotmail.com
Mish'al Al-Jeriwi			mishal@kuwaitbirds.com
Fahad Al-Mansori			info@kuwaitbirds.com
Khalid Al-Nasrallah			khalid@kuwaitbirds.com
Abdul-Muhsen Al-Suraye’a
Andrew Bailey			Andrew.Bailey@kw.britishcouncil.org
Mark Chichester			MChichester@chevrontexaco.com
Guillaume Dallemagne			guidal@qualitynet.net
George Gregory			ggoldie51@hotmail.com
Eisa Ramadan			ramedan57@yahoo.com
Peter Robertson			probertson1945@hotmail.com
Mahmoud Shihab			mahmoud@kuwaitbirds.com

Overseas-Based Members

Jeremy Gaskell			impennis44@hotmail.com
Stan Howe			SHoweMBOU@aol.com
John Middleton			johnmiddleton@bmarket.freeserve.co.uk
Gunhild Ostero			gun@udlst.dk
Mike Reed
Gavin Rowlands			growlands@stavangeroilfield.slb.com
Ole and Solveig Schroder			Soes.schroeder@get2net.dk
Graeme Wright			graeme.wright@parkhr.com

Bird Records Committee

Bird Recorder:			Mahmoud Shihab
Secretary:			George Gregory
Other Members:			Mish’al Al-Jeriwi
			Khalid Al-Nasrallah
			Abdul-Muhsen Al-Suraye’a
			Andrew Bailey
			Eisa Ramadan

Communications With The Team

All communications with the team, including records of the occurrence and breeding of the commoner and vagrant species of birds,, descriptions of the vagrant species of birds, and notice of intended visits to Kuwait should be addressed to:

Khalid Al-Nasrallah, Chairman, BMAPT

post: P.O.Box 1896, Safat 13019, KUWAIT

tel: (965) 484 8256

pager: 960 6799

fax: (965) 483 7856

and/or George Gregory, Secretary, BMAPT

post: KES, PO Box 8640, Salmiya 22057, KUWAIT

tel: (965) 565 5216 (leave message)

fax: (965) 562 9356 (clearly address to Mr. G. Gregory)

email: ggoldie51@hotmail.com

THE YEAR 2001

The year 2001 saw further developments in the fields of bird monitoring and protection in Kuwait.

During the year:

BMAPT transferred its base to the headquarters of KEPS in Shuwaikh;

BMAPT published the Second, then the Third Editions of the Kuwait Bird List, on its website;

BMAPT sent all available omithological data to the OSME Library;

BMAPT and other bodies were involved in environmental clean-up operations at a number of coastal and inland sites;

Several bird species were proved to breed in Kuwait for the first time, namely Little Crake, White-breasted Kingfisher, Bank Mynah, Short-toed Lark and Lesser Short-toed Lark;

Other important breeding records were of Greater Sand Plover, White-winged Black Tern, Grey Heron, Western Reef Heron, Yellow-throated Sparrow and Spanish Sparrow;

Improvements in the management of the National Park led to important changes in bird life there; fencing of more oil fields resulted in further protection of birds there from shooting and disturbance.

Greater coverage of previously known areas, and visits to new areas, resulted in an increase in bird records during the year.

This annual report, the second for Kuwait, demonstrates the increasing influence and effectiveness of BMAPT in the fields of bird monitoring and protection.

THE NEED FOR BIRD MONITORING AND PROTECTION IN KUWAIT

Bird populations are being monitored in Kuwait to find out if human activities or environmental changes are affecting them.

The most common breeding birds in Kuwait are House Sparrow, Laughing Dove, White-cheeked Bulbul, Common Mynah and Feral Pigeon. These species have increased in numbers because the greening of Kuwait has provided food and habitat for them.

Many species pass through Kuwait on spring and autumn migration because it is at a crossroads of migration routes between breeding grounds in Asia and winter quarters in southern Arabia, Africa and the Indian subcontinent. The most common migrant landbirds are the Swift, Bee-eater, Blue-cheeked bee-eater, short-toed Lark, sand Martin, Wheatear, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.

Mud-flats around the coast are important resting and feeding areas for migrant herons, egrets, waders, gulls and terns. A number of reedbeds, freshwater pools, sewage outfalls and flooded sabkha areas are used by migrant waterside birds.

Birds arriving in Kuwait for the winter include White Wagtail, Robin, Bluethroat, Song Thrush and Desert Warbler.

Some birds, such as the Greater Flamingo, Barn Owl and Ring-necked Parakeet, can be found in Kuwait in various seasons without necessarily breeding.

Kuwait’s small islands are important because they support breeding colonies of seabirds such as Swift Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, White-cheeked Tern and Bridled Tern.

Bird populations in Kuwait have completely recovered from the environmental damage at the end of the Iraqi occupation, and some have increased. The main threat to birds in Kuwait now, are overgrazing, shooting, disturbance, building and oil lakes.

Overgrazing reduces both plants and animal food for birds, and removes shelter for nests and roosting birds.

Shooting is mainly for sport, although some birds, such as Turtle Dove and Barred Warbler, are eaten as delicacies. The species most commonly shot in Kuwait are Turtle Dove, Bee-eater, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater and Swallow. Significant numbers of locally uncommon species, such as Grey Hypocolius, Yellow-throated Sparrow, Lesser Kestrel and White-breasted Kingfisher, are also shot, as well as large numbers of other species.

Disturbance by camping and other activities is now prevented by the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources and the Environmental Public Authority in the National Park and at the Nature Reserves at Jahra Pool and at Doha.

The security fencing and various oil fields by the Kuwait Oil Company has stopped grazing, shooting and most disturbance there, and has effectively created very large nature reserves where vegetation is regenerating naturally.

Building sometimes creates habitats for birds to nest or roost on, but chalet-building along the coastline prevents the breeding of Kentish Plover and possibly of other species.

The Kuwait Oil Company has recently announced that almost all of the oil lakes in Burgan oil field will be covered over. However, others remain, for example at Bahra, where many birds die by being trapped in oil.

The establishment of more nature reserves, control of shooting, education and publicity to increase public awareness are the best ways of safeguarding Kuwait’s birds.

THE KUWAIT BIRD LIST
(Third Edition)

The Kuwait Bird List has been divided, for present convenience, into:

The Commoner Species of Birds, the Vagrant Species of Birds, the Species of Birds Requiring Confirmation and the Species of Birds of Captive Origin.

Both of these are analyses of the records of Ahmadi Nat. Hist. and Field Studies Group,
S. Al-Ahmadi, M. Al-Jeriwi, F. Al-Mansori, K. Al-Nasrallah,
Shaikha A. Al-Sabah, A. Al-Suraye’a, A. Bailey, W. Bindl, R. P. Blacker, G. Bundy,
H-M. Busch, A. Caldwell,R.E. Cheeseman, M. O. Chichester, D. A. Clayton, N. Cleere,
P. Cowan, P. Z. Cox, A. J. Crease, A. Cross, G. Dallemagne, H.R.P. Dickson,
V. Dickson, M. Evans, P. Fraser, J. Gaskell, G. Gregory, P.R. Haynes, S. Holliday,
P. A. D. Hollom, S. Howe, A. Lange, F. Lange, R. Meinertzhagen, J. Middleton,
N. Montfort, Nat. Hist. Mus. Tring, M. Newhouse, D. L. Newman, G. Ostero,
C. W. T. Pilcher, E. Ramadan, P. H. Rathbone, J. Rathgeber-Knan,
M. Reed, P. Robertson, A. Ross, G. Rowlands, L. Sager, V. A. D. Sales,
O. and S. Schroder, R. Seargent, J. Shaw, M. Shihab, S. T. Spencer, W. A. Stuart,
B. Thomas, C. B. Ticehurst, A. Tye, G. Walker, F. E. Warr, J. Webb, R. Williams,
G. Wright, and Anon, published in a wide variety of sources.

Particular thanks must go to the OSME librarian, Ray Daniel, the ABBA Co-ordinator, Michael Jennings, the former Kuwait Bird Recorder, Effie Warr and the former Chairman of the Ahmadi Natural History and Field Studies Group, Stanley Howe for their help in making records accessible. Thanks must also go to the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development in Riyadh, whose sponsorship of ABBA enables such work to continue.

The work of Gavin Rowlands, David Hellam and Zainab Khalil in formatting versions of this list is gratefully acknowledged.

The Kuwait Bird List has not been easy to compile, due to loss, destruction and inaccessibility of records, nor is it immutable, and BMAPT would welcome any comments, suggested changes or constructive criticism concerning the list so that it can be kept up to date and accurate. The list, of course, is constantly changing, as every year brings new data and new discoveries about Kuwait's birds.

THE COMMONER SPECIES OF BIRDS

The Commoner Species of Birds are those species which are judged to have occurred at least 10 times in total.

Seasonal Status

The seasonal status of each species is judged to be one of the following categories:

Abundant: occurs annually in very large numbers (10,000+)

Very Common occurs annually in large numbers (1,000 – 9,999)

Common: occurs annually in moderate numbers (100 – 999)

Uncommon: occurs annually in small numbers (10 – 99)

Scarce: occurs annually in very small numbers (1-9)

Rare: does not occur annually

Common Name	*Scientific Name*	Status
Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	Scarce winter visitor. Scarce passage migrant. Rare summer visitor. Has bred.
Great Crested Grebe	Podiceps cristatus	Scarce winter visitor. Scarce passage migrant.
Black-necked Grebe	Podiceps nigricollis	Uncommon passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	Very common winter visitor. Very common passage migrant.
Socotra Cormorant	Phalacrocorax nigrogularis	Uncommon disperser in spring, summer and autumn. Has bred.
White Pelican	Pelecanus onocrotalus	Rare disperser in all seasons. Has bred.
Dalmatian Pelican	Pelecanus crispus	Rare disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Bittern	Botaurus stellaris	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Little Bittern	Ixobrychus minutus	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare summer visitor. Rare winter visitor. Has bred.
Night Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare summer visitor. Rare winter visitor. Has bred.
Squacco Heron	Ardeola ralloides	Common passage migrant. Rare summer visitor. Rare winter visitor.
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	Uncommon disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Western Reef Heron	Egretta gularis	Very common winter visitor. Common resident. Has bred.
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	Uncommon passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Great White Egret	Egretta alba	Uncommon passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	Very common winter visitor. Common passage migrant. Uncommon resident. Has bred.
Purple Heron	Ardea purpurea	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare summer visitor.
White Stork	Ciconia ciconia	Scarce passage migrant.
Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	Uncommon passage migrant.
Spoonbill	Platalea leucorodia	Uncommon passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor. Rare summer visitor. Has bred.
Greater Flamingo	Phoenicopterus ruber	Very common winter visitor. Common passage migrant. Common resident. Has bred.
White-fronted Goose	Anser albifrons	Rare winter visitor.
Greylag Goose	Anser anser	Rare winter visitor.
Ruddy Shelduck	Tadorna ferruginea	Rare passage migrant and winter visitor.
Shelduck	Tadorna tadorna	Uncommon winter visitor. Uncommon passage migrant.
Wigeon	Anas penelope	Uncommon winter visitor. Uncommon passage migrant.
Gadwall	Anas strepera	Uncommon winter visitor. Uncommon passage migrant.
Teal	Anas crecca	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	Uncommon passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Pintail	Anas acuta	Uncommon passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Garganey	Anas querquedula	Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Shoveler	Anas clypeata	Uncommon winter visitor. Uncommon passage migrant.
Marbled Teal	Marmaronetta angustirostris	Rare disperser in all seasons.
Pochard	Aythya ferina	Uncommon winter visitor. Rare passage migrant.
Ferruginous Duck	Aythya nyroca	Rare passage migrant and winter visitor.
Tufted Duck	Aythya fuligula	Uncommon winter visitor. Uncommon passage migrant.
Honey Buzzard	Pernis apivorus	Uncommon passage migrant.
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Egyptian Vulture	Neophron percnopterus	Uncommon passage migrant.
Griffon Vulture	Gyps fulvus	Scarce disperser in spring, autumn and winter.
Black Vulture	Aegypius monachus	Rare disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Short-toed Eagle	Circaetus gallicus	Uncommon passage migrant.
Marsh Harrier	Circus aeruginosus	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor. Rare summer visitor.
Hen Harrier	Circus cyaneus	Rare passage migrant and winter visitor.
Pallid Harrier	Circus macrourus	Common passage migrant.
Montagu’s Harrier	Circus pygargus	Uncommon passage migrant.
Goshawk	Accipiter gentilis	Rare passage migrant and winter visitor.
Sparrowhawk	Accipiter nisus	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Shikra	Accipiter badius	Rare passage migrant and winter visitor.
Levant Sparrowhawk	Accipiter brevipes	Scarce passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Buzzard	Buteo buteo	Very common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Long-legged Buzzard	Buteo rufinus	Common passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Lesser Spotted Eagle	Aquila pomarina	Rare passage migrant.
Spotted Eagle	Aquila clanga	Common passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Steppe Eagle	Aquila nipalensis	Very common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Eastern Imperial Eagle	Aquila heliaca	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Golden Eagle	Aquila chrysaetos	Rare disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Booted Eagle	Hieraaetus pennatus	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Bonelli’s Eagle	Hieraaetus fasciatus	Rare disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Lesser Kestrel	Falco naumanni	Very common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus	Common passage migrant. Common winter visitor. Uncommon resident. Has bred.
Merlin	Falco columbarius	Rare winter visitor. Rare passage migrant.
Hobby	Falco subbuteo	Common passage migrant.
Lanner	Falco biarmicus	Rare disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Saker	Falco cherrug	Rare passage migrant and winter visitor.
Peregrine	Falco peregrinus	Rare disperser in all seasons. Rare resident.
Barbary Falcon	Falco pelegrinoides	Rare disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Quail	Coturnix coturnix	Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor. Rare summer visitor.
Water Rail	Rallus aquaticus	Uncommon winter visitor. Uncommon passage migrant.
Spotted Crake	Porzana porzana	Uncommon passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Little Crake	Porzana parva	Uncommon passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor. Has bred.
Baillon’s Crake	Porzana pusilla	Scarce passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Corncrake	Crex crex	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	Common resident. Uncommon winter visitor. Breeds.
Purple Gallinule	Porphyrio porphyrio	Rare resident and disperser in all seasons. Has bred.
Coot	Fulica atra	Uncommon passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor. Rare resident. Has bred.
Common Crane	Grus grus	Rare winter visitor and passage migrant.
Demoiselle Crane	Anthropoides virgo	Rare passage migrant.
Houbara Bustard	Chlamydotis undulata	Rare passage migrant. Rare winter visitor. Rare summer visitor. Has bred.
Oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor. Rare summer visitor.
Black-winged Stilt	Himantopus himantopus	Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor. Scarce summer visitor. Has bred.
Houbara Bustard	Chlamydotis undulata
Oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus
Black-winged Stilt	Himanoptus himanoptus
Avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta	Uncommon winter visitor. Uncommon passage migrant. Rare summer visitor.
Crab Plover	Dromas ardeola	Common winter visitor. Uncommon resident. Has bred.
Stone Curlew	Burhinus oedicnemus	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Cream-coloured Courser	Cursorius cursor	Common passage migrant. Uncommon resident. Breeds.
Collared Pratincole	Glareola pratincola	Common passage migrant. Scarce summer visitor.
Black-winged Pratincole	Glareola nordmanni	Uncommon passage migrant.
Little Ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor. Rare summer visitor.
Ringed Plover	Charadrius hiaticula	Common passage migrant. Common winter visitor. Rare summer visitor.
Kentish Plover	Charadrius alexandrinus	Very common resident. Breeds.
Lesser Sand Plover	Charadrius mongolus	Very common passage migrant. Common winter visitor. Scarce summer visitor.
Greater Sand Plover	Charadrius leschenaultii	Very common passage migrant. Very common winter visitor. Scarce summer visitor. Has bred.
Caspian Plover	Charadrius asiaticus	Common passage migrant.
Dotterel	Charadrius morinellus	Rare passage migrant and winter visitor.
Pacific Golden Plover	Pluvialis fulva	Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.
Grey Plover	Pluvialis squatarola	Common winter visitor. Uncommon passage migrant. Scarce summer visitor.
Red-wattled Plover	Hoplopterus indicus	Rare disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Sociable Plover	Chettusia gregaria	Rare disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
White-tailed Plover	Chettusia leucura	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Lapwing	Vanellus vanellus	Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.
Sanderling	Calidris alba	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Little Stint	Calidris minuta	Very common passage migrant. Common winter visitor.
Temminck’s Stint	Calidris temminckii	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Curlew Sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea	Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor. Rare summer visitor.
Dunlin	Calidris alpina	Very common passage migrant. Common winter visitor. Rare summer visitor.
Broad-billed Sandpiper	Limicola falcipennis	Uncommon passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.

Ruff	Philomachus pugnax	Uncommon passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor. Rare summer visitor.
Jack Snipe	Lymnocryptes minimus	Scarce passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Snipe	Gallinago gallinago	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Great Snipe	Gallinago media	Rare passage migrant.
Black-tailed Godwit	Limosa limosa	Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Bar-tailed Godwit	Limosa lapponica	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus	Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Curlew	Numenius arquata	Very common winter visitor. Common passage migrant. Scarce summer visitor.
Spotted Redshank	Tringa erythropus	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Redshank	Tringa totanus	Very common passage migrant. Very common winter visitor.
Marsh Sandpiper	Tringa stagnatilis	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Greenshank	Tringa nebularia	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	Uncommon passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola	Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Terek Sandpiper	Xenus cinereus	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Turnstone	Arenaria interpres	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Red-necked Phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Pomarine Skua	Stercorarius pomarinus	Common passage migrant. Scarce summer visitor. Rare winter visitor.
Arctic Skua	Stercorarius parasiticus	Common passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor. Rare summer visitor.
Little Gull	Larus minutus	Rare winter visitor and passage migrant.
Great Black-headed Gull	Larus ichthyaetus	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Black-headed Gull	Larus ridibundus	Abundant passage migrant. Abundant winter visitor.
Slender-billed Gull	Larus genei	Abundant passage migrant. Common winter visitor. Uncommon summer visitor. Has bred.
Common Gull	Larus canus	Scarce winter visitor.
Lesser Black-backed Gull	Larus fuscus	Very common passage migrant. Common winter visitor.
Siberian Gull	Larus heuglini	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Yellow-legged Gull	Larus cachinnans	Very common passage migrant. Very common winter visitor. Uncommon summer visitor.
Gull-billed Tern	Gelochelidon nilotica	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor. Uncommon resident.
Caspian Tern	Sterna caspia	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor. Scarce resident. Has bred.
Swift Tern	Sterna bergii	Uncommon summer visitor. Scarce resident. Breeds.
Lesser Crested Tern	Sterna bengalensis	Common summer visitor. Scarce resident. Breeds.
Sandwich Tern	Sterna sandvicensis	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor. Scarce resident.
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo	Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor. Scarce summer visitor.
White-cheeked Tern	Sterna repressa	Very common summer visitor. Rare resident. Breeds.
Bridled Tern	Sterna anaethetus	Very common summer visitor. Scarce resident. Breeds.
Little Tern	Sterna albifrons	Common passage migrant. Rare summer visitor.
Whiskered Tern	Chlidonias hybridus	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
White-winged Black Tern	Chlidonias leucopterus	Uncommon passage migrant. Scarce summer visitor. Breeds.
Spotted Sandgrouse	Pterocles senegallus	Irregular (has been common) summer visitor. Uncommon disperser in autumn, winter and spring. Has bred.
Black-bellied Sandgrouse	Pterocles orientalis	Uncommon winter visitor. Rare passage migrant.
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse	Pterocles alchata	Irregular (has been common) summer visitor. Uncommon passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor. Has bred.
Rock Dove	Columba livia	Abundant resident (Feral Pigeons, Tumbling Pigeons, etc). Breeds.
Woodpigeon	Columba palumbus	Rare disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Collared Dove	Streptopelia decaocto	Very common resident. Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor. Breeds.
Turtle Dove	Streptopelia turtur	Very common passage migrant. Rare summer visitor. Rare winter visitor. Has bred.
Laughing Dove	Streptopelia senegalensis	Abundant resident. Breeds.
Namaqua Dove	Oena capensis	Uncommon resident. Scarce disperser in spring and autumn.
Ring-necked Parakeet	Psittacula krameri	Very common winter visitor. Uncommon resident.
Cuckoo	Cuculus canorus	Uncommon passage migrant.
Barn Owl	Tyto alba	Scarce disperser in spring and autumn.
Scops Owl	Otus scops	Common passage migrant.
Eagle Owl	Bubo bubo	Scarce resident. Breeds.
Little Owl	Athene noctua	Uncommon resident. Breeds.
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus	Scarce passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Nightjar	Caprimulgus europaeus	Common passage migrant. Rare summer visitor.
Egyptian Nightjar	Caprimulgus aegyptius	Common passage migrant. Rare summer visitor. Rare winter visitor.
Swift	Apus apus	Abundant passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Pallid Swift	Apus pallidus	Very common passage migrant. Common summer visitor. Common winter visitor. Breeds.
Alpine Swift	Apus melba	Scarce passage migrant.
White-breasted Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis	Uncommon winter visitor. Scarce resident. Breeds.
Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	Scarce winter visitor. Scarce passage migrant.
Pied Kingfisher	Ceryle rudis	Scarce disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater	Merops superciliosus	Abundant passage migrant. Rare summer visitor. Has bred.
Bee-eater	Merops apiaster	Abundant passage migrant.
Roller	Coracias garrulus	Common passage migrant.
Indian Roller	Coracias bengalensis	Scarce disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Hoopoe	Upupa epops	Common passage migrant.
Wryneck	Jynx torquilla	Uncommon passage migrant.
Dunn’s Lark	Eremelauda dunni	Scarce disperser in spring, summer and autumn. Rare disperser in winter.
Bar-tailed Desert Lark	Ammomanes cincturus	Uncommon resident. Breeds.
Desert Lark	Ammomanes deserti	Uncommon resident. Breeds.
Hoopoe Lark	Alaemon alaudipes	Common resident. Uncommon disperser in spring and autumn. Breeds.
Thick-billed Lark	Ramphocoris clotbey	Rare winter visitor.
Bimaculated Lark	Melanocorypha bimaculata	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor. Rare summer visitor. Has bred.
Short-toed Lark	Calandrella brachydactyla	Abundant passage migrant. Scarce summer visitor. Scarce winter visitor. Has bred.
Lesser Short-toed Lark	Calandrella rufescens	Very common passage migrant. Very common winter visitor. Scarce summer visitor. Has bred.
Crested Lark	Galerida cristata	Very common resident. Breeds.
Wood Lark	Lullula arborea	Rare winter visitor and passage migrant.
Small Skylark	Alauda gulgula	Scarce disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Skylark	Alauda arvensis	Uncommon winter visitor. Uncommon passage migrant.
Temminck’s Horned Lark	Eremophila bilophus	Scarce disperser in autumn, winter and spring. Rare resident. Has bred.
Sand Martin	Riparia riparia	Abundant passage migrant. Uncommon summer visitor. Rare winter visitor.
Crag Martin	Ptyonoprogne rupestris	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Swallow	Hirundo rustica	Abundant passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor. Scarce summer visitor.
Red-rumped Swallow	Hirundo daurica	Common passage migrant.
House Martin	Delichon urbica	Abundant passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Tawny Pipit	Anthus campestris	Very common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Olive-backed Pipit	Anthus hodgsoni	Rare winter visitor.
Tree Pipit	Anthus trivialis	Very common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Meadow Pipit	Anthus pratensis	Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor.
Red-throated Pipit	Anthus cervinus	Very common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Water Pipit	Anthus spinoletta	Common winter visitor. Common passage migrant.
Yellow Wagtail	Motacilla flava	Very common passage migrant. Scarce summer visitor. Rare winter visitor.
Citrine Wagtail	Motacilla citreola	Rare passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	Uncommon passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	Abundant winter visitor. Abundant passage migrant.
White-cheeked Bulbul	Pycnonotus leucogenys	Very common resident. Breeds.
Red-vented Bulbul	Pycnonotus cafer	Common resident. Breeds.
Grey Hypocolius	Hypocolius ampelinus	Common passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Dunnock	Prunella modularis	Rare winter visitor.
Rufous Bush Robin	Cercotrichas galactotes	Common passage migrant. Uncommon summer visitor. Breeds.
Robin	Erithacus rubecula	Common winter visitor.
Thrush Nightingale	Luscinia luscinia	Uncommon passage migrant.
Nightingale	Luscinia megarhynchos	Uncommon passage migrant.
Bluethroat	Luscinia svecica	Common winter visitor. Common passage migrant.
White-throated Robin	Irania gutturalis	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Eversmann's Redstart	Phoenicurus erythronotus	Rare winter visitor.
Black Redstart	Phoenicurus ochruros	Common passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Redstart	Phoenicurus phoenicurus	Very common passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Whinchat	Saxicola rubetra	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Stonechat	Saxicola torquata	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Isabelline Wheatear	Oenanthe isabellina	Abundant passage migrant. Common winter visitor.
Wheatear	Oenanthe oenanthe	Abundant passage migrant.
Pied Wheatear	Oenanthe pleschanka	Abundant passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Black-eared Wheatear	Oenanthe hispanica	Uncommon passage migrant.
Desert Wheatear	Oenanthe deserti	Abundant passage migrant. Common winter visitor.
Finsch’s Wheatear	Oenanthe finschii	Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.
Red-tailed Wheatear	Oenanthe xanthoprymna	Scarce passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Mourning Wheatear	Oenanthe lugens	Scarce disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Hooded Wheatear	Oenanthe monacha	Rare disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
White-crowned Black Wheater	Oenanthe leucopyga	Rare disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Rock Thrush	Monticola saxatilis	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Blue Rock Thrush	Monticola solitarius	Uncommon passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Blackbird	Turdus merula	Scarce winter visitor.
Dark-throated Thrush	Turdus ruficollis	Rare winter visitor.
Fieldfare	Turdus pilaris	Rare winter visitor and passage migrant.
Song Thrush	Turdus philomelos	Common winter visitor. Common passage migrant.
Redwing	Turdus iliacus	Rare winter visitor and passage migrant.
Cetti’s Warbler	Cettia cetti	Uncommon disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Fan-tailed Warbler	Cisticola juncidis	Rare disperser in autumn, winter and spring.
Graceful Warbler	Prinia gracilis	Common resident. Breeds.
Grasshopper Warbler	Locustella naevia	Scarce passage migrant.
River Warbler	Locustella fluviatilis	Uncommon passage migrant.
Savi’s Warbler	Locustella luscinioides	Uncommon passage migrant.
Moustached Warbler	Acrocephalus melanopogon	Common winter visitor. Common passage migrant. Scarce summer visitor.
Sedge Warbler	Acrocephalus schoenobaenus	Common passage migrant.
Marsh Warbler	Acrocephalus palustris	Common passage migrant.
Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus scirpaceus	Very common passage migrant. Uncommon summer visitor. Rare winter visitor. Breeds.
Clamorous Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus stentoreus	Common passage migrant. Scarce resident.
Great Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus arundinaceus	Very common passage migrant. Scarce summer visitor. Has bred.
Basra Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus griseldis	Common passage migrant. Scarce summer visitor.
Olivaceous Warbler	Hippolais pallida	Very common passage migrant. Scarce summer visitor. Rare winter visitor.
Syke's Warbler	Hippolais rama	Uncommon passage migrant.
Upcher’s Warbler	Hippolais languida	Very common passage migrant.
Icterine Warbler	Hippolais icterina	Scarce passage migrant.
Ménétries’s Warbler	Sylvia mystacea	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Desert Warbler	Sylvia nana	Common passage migrant. Common winter visitor.
Orphean Warbler	Sylvia hortensis	Uncommon passage migrant.
Barred Warbler	Sylvia nisoria	Uncommon passage migrant.
Lesser Whitethroat	Sylvia curruca	Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Hume's Lesser Whitethroat	Sylvia althaea	Rare passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Desert Lesser Whitethroat	Sylvia minula	Uncommon passage migrant. Scarce winter visitor.
Whitethroat	Sylvia communis	Very common passage migrant.
Garden Warbler	Sylvia borin	Scarce passage migrant.
Blackcap	Sylvia atricapilla	Very common passage migrant.
Green Warbler	Phylloscopus nitidus	Rare passage migrant.
Wood Warbler	Phylloscopus sibilitrax	Scarce passage migrant.
Mountain Chiffchaff	Phylloscopus sindianus	Rare passage migrant and winter visitor.
Chiffchaff	Phylloscopus collybita	Abundant passage migrant. Abundant winter visitor.
Willow Warbler	Phylloscopus trochilus	Abundant passage migrant.
Spotted Flycatcher	Muscicapa striata	Very common passage migrant.
Red-breasted Flycatcher	Ficedula parva	Scarce passage migrant.
Semi-collared Flycatcher	Ficedula semitorquata	Uncommon passage migrant.
Penduline Tit	Remiz pendulinus	Uncommon passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Golden Oriole	Oriolus oriolus	Common passage migrant.
Isabelline Shrike	Lanius isabellinus	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor. Scarce summer visitor.
Red-backed Shrike	Lanius collurio	Common passage migrant.
Lesser Grey Shrike	Lanius minor	Uncommon passage migrant.
Southern Grey Shrike	Lanius meridionalis	Common passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Steppe Grey Shrike	Lanius pallidirostris	Uncommon passage migrant. Uncommon winter visitor.
Woodchat Shrike	Lanius senator	Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Masked Shrike	Lanius nubicus	Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
House Crow	Corvus splendens	Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds.
Brown-necked Raven	Corvus ruficollis	Scarce summer visitor. Scarce resident. Breeds.
Starling	Sturnus vulgaris	Very common winter visitor. Common passage migrant.
Rose-coloured Starling	Sturnus roseus	Scarce passage migrant. Rare summer visitor.
Bank Mynah	Acridotheres ginginianus	Common resident. Breeds.
Common Mynah	Acridotheres tristis	Very common resident. Breeds.
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	Abundant resident. Breeds.
Spanish Sparrow	Passer hispaniolensis	Very common winter visitor. Irregular (has been common) summer visitor. Has bred.
Pale Rock Sparrow	Petronia brachydactyla	Uncommon passage migrant. Rare summer visitor. Has bred.
Yellow-throated Sparrow	Petronia xanthocollis	Uncommon passage migrant. Scarce summer visitor. Breeds.
Indian Silverbill	Euodice malabarica	Uncommon resident.
Chaffinch	Fringilla coelebs	Rare winter visitor.
Brambling	Fringilla montifringilla	Rare winter visitor.
Goldfinch	Carduelis carduelis	Rare winter visitor.
Siskin	Carduelis spinus	Rare winter visitor.
Linnet	Carduelis cannabina	Rare winter visitor.
Trumpeter Finch	Bucanetes githagineus	Scarce disperser in all seasons.
Common Rosefinch	Carpodacus erythrinus	Uncommon passage migrant.
Cinereous Bunting	Emberiza cineracea	Scarce passage migrant.
Ortolan Bunting	Emberiza hortulana	Common passage migrant. Rare winter visitor.
Little Bunting	Emberiza pusilla	Rare passage migrant and winter visitor.
Reed Bunting	Emberiza schoeniclus	Rare winter visitor.
Black-headed Bunting	Emberiza melanocephala	Rare passage migrant.
Corn Bunting	Miliaria calandra	Common winter visitor. Uncommon passage migrant.

THE VAGRANT SPECIES OF BIRDS

The Vagrant Species of Birds are those species that are judged to have occurred fewer than 10 times in total, with each record supported by a written description available to BMAPT, acceptable by modern standards.

If new species are supported by acceptable descriptions, then they will be added to this list.

Common Name	Scientific Name
Slavonian Grebe	Podiceps auritus
Pygmy Cormorant	Phalacrocorax pygmeus
Black Stork	Ciconia nigra
Sacred Ibis	Threskiornis aethiopicus
Red-breasted Merganser	Mergus serrator
Sooty Falcon	Falco concolor
Black Francolin	Francolinus francolinus (caveat escapes)
Knot	Calidris canutus
Spur-winged Plover	Hoplopterus spinosus
Woodcock	Scolopax rusticola
Slender-billed Curlew	Numenius tenuirostris
Grey Phalarope	Phalaropus fulicarius
Long-tailed Skua	Stercorarius longicaudus
Mediterranean Gull	Larus melanocephalus
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse	Pterocles exustus
Rufous Turtle Dove	Streptopelia orientalis
Great Spotted Cuckoo	Clamator glandarius
Long-eared Owl	Asio otus
Calandra Lark	Melanocorypha calandra
Richard's Pipit	Anthus richardi
Yellow-vented Bulbul	Pycnonotus xanthopygos (caveat escapes)
Wren	Troglodytes troglodytes
Black-throated Accentor	Prunella atrogularis
Ring Ouzel	Turdus torquatus
Dusky Thrush	Turdus naumanni
Olive-tree Warbler	Hippolais olivetorum
Yellow-browed Warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus
Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler	Phylloscopus humei
Bearded Tit	Panurus biarmicus (caveat escapes)
Common Babbler	Turdoides caudatus (caveat escapes)
Black Drongo	Dicrurus macrocercus (caveat escapes)
Rook	Corvus frugilegus
Dead Sea Sparrow	Passer moabiticus
Rock Bunting	Emberiza cia
Rustic Bunting	Emberiza rustica
Red-headed Bunting	Emberiza bruniceps (caveat escapes)

THE SPECIES OF BIRDS REQUIRING CONFIRMATION

The Species of Birds Requiring Confirmation are those species which have been published as occurring in Kuwait, but which require confirmation because:

no description was written for any record,

no description is available for adjudication of any record by BMAPT,

one or more descriptions are available to BMAPT, but are judged not to be acceptable by modern standards, or

the identification was not claimed or listed as completely certain.

Common Name	Scientific Name
Persian Shearwater	Puffinus (lherminieri) persicus
Red-billed Tropicbird	Phaeton aethereus
African Darter	Anhinga rufa
Indian Pond Heron	Ardeola grayii
Goliath Heron	Ardea goliath
Lesser White-fronted Goose	Anser erythropus
Long-tailed Duck	Clangula hyemalis
Common Scoter	Melanitta nigra
Velvet Scoter	Melanitta fusca
Red Kite	Milvus milvus
Eleonora’s Falcon	Falco eleonorae
Golden Plover	Pluvialis apricaria
Purple Sandpiper	Calidris maritima
Armenian Gull	Larus armenicus
Great Black-backed Gull	Larus marinus
Kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla
Roseate Tern	Sterna dougalli
Saunders’s Tern	Sterna saundersi
Black Tern	Chlidonias niger
Stock Dove	Columba oenas
Striated Scops Owl	Otus brucei
Tawny Owl	Strix aluco
Hume’s Tawny Owl	Strix butleri
Little Swift	Apus affinis
Little Green Bee-eater	Merops orientalis
African Rock Martin	Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Long-billed Pipit	Anthus similis
Güldenstädt’s Redstart	Phoenicurus erythrogaster
Blackstart	Cercomela melanura
Eastern Pied Wheatear	Oenanthe picata
Hume’s Wheatear	Oenanthe alboniger
Mistle Thrush	Turdus viscivorus
Scrub Warbler	Scotocerca inquieta
Paddyfield Warbler	Acrocephalus agricola
Blyth’s Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus dumetorum
Melodious Warbler	Hippolais polyglotta

Common Name	Scientific Name
Spectacled Warbler	Sylvia conspicillata
Subalpine Warbler	Sylvia cantillans
Sardinian Warbler	Sylvia melanocephala
Cyprus Warbler	Sylvia melanothorax
Rüppell’s Warbler	Sylvia rueppelli
Bonelli’s Warbler	Phylloscopus bonelli
Radde’s Warbler	Phylloscopus schwarzi
Dusky Warbler	Phylloscopus fuscatus
Collared Flycatcher	Ficedula albicollis
Pied Flycatcher	Ficedula hypoleuca
Iraq Babbler	Turdoides altirostris
Hooded Crow	Corvus corone cornix
Arabian Golden Sparrow	Passer euchlorus
Serin	Serinus serinus
Yellowhammer	Emberiza citrinella
House Bunting	Emberiza striolata
Cretzschmar’s Bunting	Emberiza caesia

THE SPECIES OF BIRDS OF CAPTIVE ORIGIN

The Species of Birds of Captive Origin are those species whose occurrence is judged to involve only deliberately released or escaped individuals of species which have bred or been recorded in the wild elsewhere in the OSME region.

Common Name	Scientific Name
Chukar	Alectoris chukar
See-see Partridge	Ammoperdix griseogularis
Grey Crowned Crane	Balearica regulorum
African Collared Dove (inc. Barbary Dove)	Streptopelia roseogrisea
Alexandrine Parakeet	Psittacula eupatria
Budgerigar	Melopsittacus undulatus
Brahminy Mynah	Sturnus pagodarum
Zebra Waxbill	Amandava subflava

NOTES ON SELECTED BIRD SPECIES IN THE YEAR 2001

Theses notes are based on the bird records of S.Al-Ahmadi, M.Al-Jeriwi, F.Al-Mansori, K.Al-Nasrallah, A. Al-Sarhan, A.Al-Suraye’a, A.Bailey, M.O.Chichester, G.Dallemagne, G.Gregory, , G.Ostero, E.Ramadan, P.Robertson, G.Rowlands, O.Schroeder, S.Schroeder M. Shihab and S.T.Spencer, from a variety of sources, either submitted to BMAPT or in the public domain.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Maximum 3 at South Doha Nature Reserve on 12.3.2001.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Maximum 1200 at Sulaibikhat Bay on 26.12.2001.

Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis

Recorded from 8.2.2001 to 7.9.2001 with maximum of 10 at Al-Zour on 3.8.2001.

Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus

Two at Jahra East Outfall on 10.3.2001 (first record for Kuwait).

Bittern Botaurus stellaris

Maximum two (one dead) at Sabah Al-Salem on 31.12.2001.

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus

One flushed from reeds at Jahra East Outfall on 1.6.2001 was a possible breeder.

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Two flushed from reeds at Jahra East Outfall on 1.6.2001 were possible breeders.

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides

Maximum 12 at Sabah Al-Salem on 29.3.2001. 6 flushed from reeds at Jahra East Outfall on 1.6.2001 were possible breeders.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Maximum 9 at Jahra Farms on 2.2.2001 and at Khor Ala’ma on 31.8.2001.

Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis

4 pairs were found nesting on a wrecked ship in the Bubiyan Channel in March 2001.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Maximum 13 at Wafra Oil Field on 27.3.2001.

Great White Egret Egretta alba

Maximum 17 at Jahra Bay on 5.4.2001

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Maximum 150 at Sulaibikhat Bay on 26.12.2001. 9 pairs were found nesting on a wrecked ship in the Bubiyan Channel in March 2001.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

Maximum 15 at Al-Zour on 7.9.2001.

Black Stork Ciconia nigra

One shot at Al-Abraq Al-Khabari on 2.11.2001.

White Stork Ciconia ciconia

One found dead at Jahra East Outfall on 14.9.2001.

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Maximum 8 at Al-Zour on 14.4.20001.

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

Maximum two at Sulaibikhat Bay on 8.3.2001, 5.4.2001 and 4.10.2001.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber

Maximum 3000 at Sulaibikhat Bay on 8.2.2001. An inland record of one at Wafra Oil Field on 27.3.2001.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

3 at Sulaibikhat Bay on 18.1.2001, one at Jahra East Outfall on 26.3.2001 and one shot at Ratqa on 17.11.2001.

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

One at Sulaibikhat Bay on 5.3.2001.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Maximum 146 at Sulaibikhat Bay on 18.1.2001.

Wigeon Anas penelope

Maximum 15+ at Jahra Pool Area on 4.1.2001.

Gadwall Anas strepera

Maximum 2+ at Jahra Pool Area on 4.1.2001.

Teal Anas crecca

Maximum 6 at Jahra East Outfall on 19.10.2001.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

Maximum 7 at South Doha Nature Reserve on 19.3.2001.

Pintail Anas acuta

Maximum 4 at Sabah Al-Salem on 30.11.2001.

Garganey Anas querquedula

Maximum 23 at South Doha Nature Reserve on 19.3.2001.

Shoveler Anas clypeata

Maximum 65+ at Sulaibikhat Bay on 8.2.2001.

Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris

Four flew off north-east at Sabah Al-Salem on 9.2.2001.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

Maximum two at Sabah Al-Salem on 15.10.2001.

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus

Maximum 3 at Bneid Al-Gar on 17.4.2001.

Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus

Singles at Qaisat on 26.3.2001 and at Jahra East Outfall on 14.9.2001.

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus

One on 11.3.2001, two on 27.4.2001 and up to 5 during November 2001, all in the National Park.

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis

A female on Failaka Island on 8.2.2001.

Shikra Accipiter badius

An adult male at Mishref on 7.12.2001.

Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes

An immature at Shaab on 4.10.2001.

Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus

One in the National Park on 23.11.2001.

Merlin Falco columbarius

A female of the subspecies pallidus captured for falconry at Ratqa in November 2001.

Hobby Falco subbuteo

Maximum 5 at Sabah Al-Salem on 17.4.2001.

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

One roosted on a tall bank building at Mirqab for most of the year.

Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides

One at Al-Abraq Al-Khabari on 19.5.2001.

Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus

A male in the coastal section of the National Park on 14.3.2001 (first Kuwait record).

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

Maximum 4 at Jahra Pool on 20.3.2001.

Spotted Crake Porzana porzana

Maximum 5+ at Sabah Al-Salem on 29.3.2001.

Little Crake

Maximum 7 at Sabah Al-Salem on 16.2.2001, when definite breeding was discovered there (first breeding record for Kuwait).

Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio

One at Sabah Al-Salem on 29.12.2001.

Coot Fulica atra

Maximum 23 at South Doha Nature Reserve on 9.2.2001. An inland record of one dead at Wafra Oil Field on 14.11.2001.

Common Crane Grus grus

One at Sulaibikhat Bay from January through March. Two shot at Habari Al-Awazen on 17.2.2001.

Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum

One shot and captured at Al-Zour in September 2001 presumably originated from the feral colony in the U.A.E.

Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata

One killed by a falcon at Al-Abraq Al-Khabari on 3.9.2001.

Oystercatcher Haemotopus ostralegus

Maximum 154 at Jahra Bay on 21.3.2001.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Maximum 26 at Jahra East Outfall on 22.3.2001.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Maximum 40 at Sulaibikhat Bay on 14.9.2001.

Crab Plover Dromas ardeola

Maximum 450 at Sulaibikhat Bay on 4.10.2001.

Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor

Maximum 11 at Khor Ala’ma on 20.7.2001.

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola

Maximum 37 at Jahra East Outfall on 26.3.2001.

Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni

Maximum 3 found dead at Bubiyan Bridge on 3.5.2001.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

Maximum 11 at Sabah Al-Salem on 16.3.2001

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Maximum 28 at Sabah Al-Salem on 28.12.2001.

Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus

Maximum 50 at Sabah Al-Salem on 28.12.2001.

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii

Maximum 450 at Sabah Al-Salem on 31.12.2001. One pair bred again at Sabah Al-Salem, with two chicks observed on 12.5.2001.

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva

3 at Jahra Bay on 21.3.2001 and one at Sulaibikhat Bay on 14.9.2001.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Maximum 120+ at Sulaibikhat Bay on 5.3.2001.

Red-wattled Plover Hoplopterus indicus

Two at Jahra Bay on 21.3.2001 and one in the National Park on 22.12.2001.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

One at Sulaibiya on 16.11.2001, one at Wafra Road on 18.11.2001 and 2 at Sabah Al-Salem on 30.11.2001.

Sanderling Calidris alba

Maximum 60 at Sabah Al-Salem on 16.3.2001.

Little Stint Calidris minuta

Maximum 60 at Ras Subiya on 3.5.2001.

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii

Maximum 4 at Sabah Al-Salem on 28.12.2001.

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

Maximum 25+ at Sabah Al-Salem on 30.4.2001.

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Maximum 1200 at Jahra Bay on 19.3.2001.

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Maximum 37 at Jahra Pool on 30.3.2001.

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Maximum 20+ at Jahra Pool on 28.2.2001.

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola

One at Jahra Pool on 23.11.2001, then one (possibly same bird) at Sabah Al-Salem from 24.12.2001 onwards.

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica

Maximum 300+ at Sulaibikhat Bay on 5.3.2001.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Maximum 55 at N.W.Road on 18.4.2001.

Curlew Numenius arquata

Maximum 300+ at Sulaibikhat Bay on 3.3.2001.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus

Maximum 3 at Jahra Bay on 21.3.2001.

Redshank Tringa totantus

Maximum 250+ at Sulaibikhat Bay on 5.3.2001.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

Maximum 18 at Khor Al-Mufateh on 4.8.2001.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

Maximum 8+ at Jahra Pool on 28.2.2001.

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

Maximum18 at Sewer Plant Reeds on 14.4.2001.

Terek Sanpiper Xenus cinereus

Maximum 80+ at Sulaibikhat Bay on 5.3.2001.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Maximum 3 at Al-Zour on 11.5.2001 and at Sulaibiya on 14.9.2001.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Maximum 150 at Jahra Bay on 21.3.2001.

Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus

Maximum 22 at Jahra Bay on 30.3.2001.

Great Black-headed Gull Larus icthyaetus

Maximum 542 at Doha on 12.3.2001.

Common Gull Larus canus

Singles at Jahra Bay on 2.1.2001, 19.3.2001 and (possibly same bird) at Jahra Pool on 26.3.2001.

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica

Maximum 16 at Jahra Pool on 20.3.2001. Inland records included 9 at Wafra Oil Field on 27.3.2001 and 3 in the National Park on 6.4.2001.

Caspian Tern Sterna caspia

Maximum 120 at Sulaibikhat Bay on 14.9.2001.

Swift Tern Sterna bergii

Maximum 7 at Al-Zour on 11.1.2001.

Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis

Maximum c600 on Kubbar Island, breeding, on 9.6.2001.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

Maximum 20 at Al-Zour on 15.3.2001.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

Maximum two at Saqr Harbour on 26.4.2001.

White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa

Maximum c4000 at Kubbar Island, mostly breeding, on 9.6.2001.

Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus

Maximum c4000 at Kubbbar Island, breeding, on 9.6.2001.

Little Tern Sterna albifrons

Maximum 20 at Dai’ya on 13.4.2001.

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus

Maximum 12 at Shaab on 4.10.2001.

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus

Maximum 10+ at Shaab on 20.9.2001. Found breeding at Jahra East Outfall on 25.5.2001; two pairs eventually raised one juvenile each.

Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis

7 at Ratqa on 17.12.2001.

Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus

Hundreds shot in North-West Demilitarized Zone in February, preventing breeding for the first time since 1994.

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata

Hundreds shot in North-West Demilitarized Zone in February, preventing breeding for the first time since 1994.

African Collared Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea

One, presumed escaped, at Salmiya in spring 2001.

One pair of Barbary Doves found breeding at Wafra on 31.5.2001.

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto

Maximum 38 at Jahra Farms on 19.3.2001.

Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis

A group of 6 at Sulaibiya on 1.10.2001, of which one juvenile/1Y was wounded and captured, proving to be of subspecies meena.

Namaqua Dove Oena capensis

Another increase in records during the year. On 26.3.2001, one male at Sulaibikhat Bay and one male and two females at Qaisat. One male south at Jebel Benayeh on 30.3.2001. One male and one female at Sabah Al-Salem on 30.4.2001. Singles at Al-Zour on 11.5.2001, at Wafra on 31.5.2001 and at Al-Zour on 26.7.2001. One female at South Doha Nature Reserve on 3.11.2001. Two at Salwa on 8.11.2001.

Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria

One at Shaab on 20.9.2001.

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

One hepatic female was at Al-Zour on 3.5.2001.

Little Owl Athene noctua

Maximum 5+ at Jal Az-Zor on 4.1.2001.

Eagle Owl Bubo bubo

Recorded several times at Wadi Ar-Rimam and at Jal Az-Zor in National Park in March and June 2001, with a used nest with pellets found.

Long-eared Owl Asio otus

One found dead at Sabriya on 26.12.2001.

Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius

Summer records were 1+ in National Park on 7.6.2001, and singles at Al-Zour on 15.7.2001 and (probably same bird) 16.7.2001.

Alpine Swift Apus melba

Two at Qaisat on 26.3.2001 and 10 at Jahra Park on 26.3.2001.

White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis

One pair found breeding at Jahra Farms on 4.5.2001, with 3 young raised later.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

One at Shaab on 28.9.2001.

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

Singles at Sulaibikhat Bay on 4.1.2001 and at Bneid Al-Gar on 12.2.2001.

Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis

Singles at Jahra Farms on 4.1.2001 and 2.2.2001, and two there on 9.11.2001.

Hoopoe Upupa epops

Maximum 12 at Al-Zour on 20.9.2001.

Black-crowned Finch Lark Eremopterix nigriceps

Found breeding at Wafra Farms on 31.5.2001, with 10+ birds in a small colony. Otherwise recorded from February to May and from September to October at Wafra Oil Field, and from July to August at Sewer Plant Reeds.

Bar-tailed Desert Lark Ammomanes cincturus

Maximum 6 in North-West Kuwait on 25.1.2001 and in National Park on 23.11.2001.

Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti

Maximum 5 in National Park on 24.3.2001.

Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata

Maximum 18 in National Park on 10.3.2001.

Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla

Maximum 500 (with 3 singing) in National Park on 15.2.2001. One pair found breeding at Jahra East Outfall on 28.5.2001, with two newly-fledged juveniles observed. Also found breeding in National Park on 7.6.2001, with three newly-fledged juveniles observed. Additionally, two were singing at Wafra Oil Field on 6.4.2001, so may breed more widely.

Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens

Maximum 70 at Ras Subiya on 7.12.2001. Found breeding in National Park on 7.6.2001, with one newly fledged juvenile observed.

Crested Lark Galerida cristata

Maximum 13 in North-West Kuwait on 25.1.2001.

Small Skylark Alauda gulgula

One at Jahra Pool Area on 19.10.2001. Probably under-recorded.

Temminck’s Horned Lark Eremophila bilopha

Maximum 22+ in National Park on 10.3.2001.

Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris

One at Wafra Oil Field on 5.12.2001.

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris

Maximum 7 at Wafra Oil Field on 31.10.2001.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Maximum 10 at Sabah Al-Salem on 25.1.2001.

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola

Singles at Jahra Pool on 28.2.2001 and at Sulaibiya on 14.9.2001.

White-cheeked Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys

Maximum 17 at Al-Zour on 2.11.2001.

Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus

Singles at Jahra Gardens on 4.1.2001 and Salwa on 3.2.2001, 5 at Sabah Al-Salem on 29.3.2001, 3 at Al-Zour on 30.3.2001, 9 at Wafra Oil Field on 12.4.2001, and 20 at Shaab on 23.11.2001.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

One at Sulaibiya on 1.2.2001.

Rufous Bush Robin Cercotriches galactotes

Found breeding at Abdali Farms on 17.5.2001, with 18+ birds, including two fledglings, observed.

Bluethroat Luscinia svecica

Maximum 12 at Sabah Al-Salem on 30.11.2001.

Eversmann’s Redstart Phoenicurus erythronotus

One female at Mishref on 16.2.2001.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

Maximum 4 at Jahra Farms on 25.5.2001.

Stonechat Saxicola torquata

Maximum 20+ at Jahra Pool on 28.2.2001.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Maximum 14 in National Park on 13.3.2001.

Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka

Maximum 13 at Khor Mufateh on 23.3.2001.

Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha

Singles in National Park on 10.3.2001 and (probably same bird) 13.3.2001.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

Maximum 15 at Jahra Farms on 2.2.2001.

Graceful Warbler Prinia gracilis

Maximum 15 at South Doha Nature Reserve on 3.5.2001.

Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon

Two singing at South Doha Nature Reserve on 9.2.2001 and c5 at Jahra East Outfall on 1.6.2001 were possibly breeding.

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus

3 singing at Jahra East Outfall on 23.3.2001, two singing at Sabah Al-Salem on 14.5.2001 and 7 at Jahra East Outfall were possibly breeding.

Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis

Two singing at South Doha Nature Reserve on 9.3.2001, one there on 3.5.2001 and one carrying food at Jahra East Outfall on 25.5.2001 were possibly breeding.

Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida

Maximum 8, including three pairs visiting possible nest sites and one singing, at Abdali Farms on 17.5.2001.

Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis

Singles in National Park on 24.3.2001 and at Wafra on 25.3.2001. Probably under-recorded.

Mountain Chiffchaff Phylloscopus sindianus

One possible individual of this difficult taxon seen at Jahra Farms on 23.11.2001.

Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva

One at Rumaithiya on 31.10.2001 and two at Wafra Oil Field on 13.11.2001.

Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus

One remained at Al-Zour all year.

House Crow Corvus splendens

Maximum 8 at Shuwaikh in 11.9.2001.

Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis

One found dead near Bubiyan Bridge on 3.5.2001 was outside the usual breeding area in the National Park.

Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus

One male and one female at Al-Abraq Al-Khabari on 31.5.2001 and (probably same birds) 26.6.2001. Singles at Wafra Oil Field on 5.6.2001 and 6.8.2001. One juvenile at Sulaibiya on 14.9.2001.

Bank Mynah Acridotheres ginginianus

Breeding colony of c100 pairs found in wells at Jahra Farms on 11.5.2001. Eventually c300 juveniles fledged.

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis

A colony of c60 pure pairs bred in National Park, commercing nest-building in February and finishing in April. About 200 young fledged. Also c10 hybrid Spanish x House Sparrow pairs bred nearby, producing c30 juveniles. Other records in late spring included 6 at Abdali Farms on 17.5.2001 and one at Wafra Oil Field on 11.6.2001.

Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia xanthocolli

One early migrant at Salwa on 3.4.2001. Found breeding at Al-Zour on 4.5.2001 and at Jahra Farms on 25.5.2001. Maximum 9 at Al-Zour on 31.8.2001.

Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica

One at Sabah Al-Salem on 30.3.2001, 7 at Al-Zour on 31.5.2001 and 20 at Doha on 29.11.2001. Probably under-recorded.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Maximum 6 at Jahra Farms on 16.11.2001.

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

One at Jahra Farms on 23.11.2001

Siskin Carduelis spinus

Maximum 3 at Fahaheel on 23.12.2001.

Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus

Two at Jal Az-Zor on 1.1.2001, two males and two females there on 4.1.2001, and one at Wafra Oil Field on 16.6.2001.

Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus

Maximum 4 at Jahra Gardens on 23.9.2001.

Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea

One in National Park on 28.3.2001.

Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana

Maximum 18+ at Sabah Al-Salem on 26.4.2001.

Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla

Singles at Sabah Al-Salem on 11.10.2001 and at Al-Zour on 7.12.2001.

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniculus

One female/juvenile at Jahra East Outfall on 19.10.2001.

Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala

Two, not adult males, at Al-Abraq Al-Khabari on 2.8.2001.

Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra

Maximum 30+ at Jahra Pool Area on 4.1.2001.

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RECENT BIBLIOGRAPHY

Al-JERIWI, M. and Al-MANSOORI, F. (2001) Colonial breeding of Spanish Sparrow in Kuwait. Phoenix 18:7

AL-NASRALLAH, K. and AL-AHMED, M.S. (2001) New records of Herons nesting in Kuwait. Phoenix 18:5.

COWAN, P.J. and BROWN, G.M. (2001) Prostrate desert gourd plants as apparent cooling sites for larks in heat of day. Sandgrouse 23(1): 59-60.

GASKELL, J., AL-NARALLAH, K., GREGORY, G. and ROBERSTON, P. (2001) White-throated Kingfisher - A New Breeding Species for Arabia. Phoenix 18:2.

GREGORY, G. (2001) Recent Breeding Data from Kuwait. Phoenix 18: 8-9.

GREGORY, G. and AL-NASRALLAH, K. (2001) The establishment of Bank Mynah Acridotheres gininianus as a breeding species in Kuwait. Sandgrouse 23(2): 134-138.

GREGORY, G., ROBERTSON, P. and THOMAS, B. (2001) Reduction of bird shooting in Kuwait. Sandgrouse 23(1): 34-38.

REED, M. and CROSS, T. (2001) The first Dunnock Prunella modularis in Kuwait. Sandgrouse 23(1): 61-62.

ROWLANDS, G. (2001) Little Crake – A New Breeding Species for Kuwait. Phoenix 18:20.