Bird Recorder's Report, 1988

1988 was a very good and active year in the Ornithological Section of the ENHG. There were more members birdwatching on a regular basis than ever before, both in Abu Dhabi and further afield. The four ENHG weekends away at Umm al Qaiwain in March and December and Fujairah in April and October were joint archaeological and birdwatching trips. Our sightings for these visits were reported in the monthly Newsletters. There were also two birdwatching trips to the Hatta area in March and October organized by the Dubai Group, in which we participated. Apart from these there were numerous unofficial trips by members to nearby islands and all parts of the UAE and our records for the year reflect this fact. There were few records from Das Island since Len Reaney's departure early in the year, but many more from the Western Region and the East Coast. There was close liaison with the Dubai birdwatching section and several of our members contributed records to Colin Richardson's quarterly reports on the more unusual birds reported in the UAE.

Our species list was updated to January 1 1989 to include the new sightings for 1988 and some records that were not previously included. Eleven more species, viz. Herring Gull, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Caspian Tern, White-cheeked Bulbul, Whimbrel, Terek Sandpiper, Hoopoe, Olivaceous Warbler, Great Grey Shrike and Isabelline Shrike were added to the list of birds present throughout the year, bringing the total in this category to 36.

New species for our list were:

Name	Species	Date/location	Observer
Red-necked Grebe	*Podiceps grisegena*	previous record	AC
Jouanin's Petrel	*Bulweria fallax*	8/5/88 Abu Dhabi	WD & MH
Wedge-tailed Shearwater	*Puffinus pacificus*	previous record	AC
Marbled Teal	*Mammaronetta angustirostris*	1972 record	JSS
Red-breasted Merganser	*Mergus serrator*	1972 record	JSS
Honey Buzzard	*Pernis apivorus*	1987 record	WD & JMH
Hen Harrier	*Circus cyaneus*	16/9/88 Abu Dhabi	DR & AC
Rough-legged Buzzard	*Buteo lagopus*	17/5/88 Asab	DR
" "	" "	14/10/88 Abu Dhabi	JMH & LJG
Spur-winged Lapwing	*Hoplopterus spinosus*	7/1/88 Abu Dhabi	PH
Namaqua Dove	*Oena capensis*	22/5/88 Asab	DR
Little Swift	*Apus affinis*	24/1/88 Das Island	LR
Koel	*Eudynamys scolopacea*	Abu Dhabi	AC
Pechura Pipit	*Anthus gustavi*	--	AC
Eastern Pied Wheatear	*Oenanthe picata*	21/10/88 Al Rawdah	JMH & LJG
Blackbird	*Turdus merula*	22/1/88 Das Island	LR
" "	" "	1/3/88 Das Island	EL
" "	" "	19/3/88 Abu Dhabi	PH
Redwing	*Turdus iliacus*	23/12/88 Abu Dhabi	LJG & JMH
Eye-browned Thrush	*Turdus obscurus*	3/10/88 Asab	DR
Greenish Warbler	*Phylloscopus trochiloides*	29/3/88	DR

Observers:
AC -- Adrian Chapman
EL -- Eric List
JMH -- Jenny Hollingworth
JSS -- John Stewart-Smith
LJG -- Lynda Graham
LR -- Len Reaney
MH -- Maarten der Haag
PH -- Peter Hellyer
WD -- Wilhelm Dolleman

In order to keep our records as accurate as possible we have adopted the system of asking observers for field notes of rare or confusing species.

Meetings are held to discuss the type of computer and a program to suit our needs. Hopefully this project will be completed early in 1989, along with new recording forms and location references.

Jenny Hollingworth 16.01.89