Oman Update 1 - The Start of an Amazing Month

Oman has provided exceptional birding during November and the quality of rare birds has been above and beyond my wildest expectations. My Oman Birding website (www.oman-birding.com) has no doubt contributed to more birders than ever before visiting but also now with the WhatsApp Group as well providing a real sense of community and the ability to twitch rarities easier than ever before has resulted in much bigger lists for everyone. SO i'm going to give an overview in 3 parts of the major highlights during this peak period.....

And there was phenomenal birding right from the get-go.

I was pleased to contribute to a fine set of rarities when I found a male Eversmann’s (Rufous-backed) Redstart at Shisr Fields (a dream bird of mine to find here), which was hot on the heels of another found near Muscat a few days earlier. 

Rufous-backed Redstart - what a stunner!

I took my group down to Khawr Mughsayl for a stunning Black Heron (3rd for Oman) and just across the road at Wadi Ashawq was the very rare Watercock – so vagrants from Africa and India meeting here in Oman. 

Black Heron - Khawr Mughsayl

Watercock - Wadi Ashawq

Oh, and we also saw a Sociable Lapwing at Raysut Settling Pools as well, whilst 2 days previous we were watching the 1st Plain (Brown-throated) Martin for Oman! We also saw White-tailed Lapwing, Shikra, Oriental Turtle Dove, Green Warbler, Wattled Starling, Forest Wagtail, had multiple Asian Koels and a Common Rosefinch.

Plain Martin - Muntesar Oasis

Shikra - Masirah Island

Green Warbler - Qatbit Gardens

Wattled Starling - Masirah Island

Forest Wagtail - Masirah Island

Oriental Turtle Dove

Other mega birds around the country at the start of the month include a Bay-backed Shrike at Mirbat Public Park – another mega rare bird, Black-headed Heron (6th for Oman) hiding somewhere around Salalah, Streak-throated Swallow (v rare) at Al Qurm Park in Muscat, Little Bunting & White-breasted Waterhen at Muntesar Oasis, Caspian Plover at West Khawr, Siberian Stonechat at Wadi Darbat, Fulvous Whistling-Duck (4th for Oman) somewhere around Salalah, and there’s been Pied Bushchat at Khawr Durf (10th for Oman) earlier this month, plus a Malachite Kingfisher, Eastern Yellow Wagtail and several Amur Falcons.

Bay-backed Shrike - Mirbat Public Park

I’m sure I’ve forgotten something but you get the idea. 

Best birding in Arabia….? I think so!

Oman rocks!