Small Skylark Alaiida gulgula, Abual Abyadh, February 1992 {Photograph R P 
Morris) 
Wadi Bih on 20 March (also heard 
calling in February), indicating breed- 
ing activity, a first for Arabia.* 
Scops Owl Otus scops Mushrif Park, 
Dubai on 6 April * 
Striated Scops Owl Otus brucei Two, 
heard, Wadi Bih, 1 March - 1 May. 
Scarce, status uncertain, no confirmed 
breeding records, cf recent records in 
Bahrain (Bull 28:52) R P Morris, C 
RicJmrdson 
Short-eared Owl Asio flamnieus Abu al 
Abyadh, 23 March. Late record of an 
uncommon winter visitor. R P Morris. 
Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus 
aegypius In a Dubai garden, 30 April-3 
May.* 
White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon 
smyrnensis Ramtha tip in Sharjah from 
28 August, still present mid Septem- 
ber. Second UAE record.* 
Alpine Swift Apus melba Dubai, mid 
March. Fourth record. C Richardson 
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops 
superciliosus Mating seen in May, with 
young in late July at Al Habab 50km 
south-east of Dubai. UAE's third con- 
firmed breeding site.* 
Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha 
bimaculata Abu al Abyadh, 30 March. 
Very rare passage migrant, first March 
record. (Richardson 1990). RP Morris. 
Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella 
rufescens Seven, singing, Ras 
Ghanadah, 3 February - early April. 
Again raises possibility of breeding R 
P Morris 
Small Skylark Alauda gulgula Two 
Abual Abyadh, 18-24 February. Three, 
al Wathba, 18 March. First substanti- 
ated record. R P Morris 
Richard's Pipit y4;/f/7z/5 novaeseelandiac 
Three remained at Al Habab, near 
Dubai until 7 April and one was on 
Das island on 19 April.* 
Long-billed Vvp^iiAnthussimilislnsong 
on plateau above Wadi Bih 
(Musandam). 20 March. Extension of 
known breeding range.* 
Grey Hypocolius Hypocoliusampelinus. 
Eight, Bida Zayed, 11 March. Three, 
Abual Abyadh, 31 March. Scarce pas- 
sage migrant, recent records in Saudi 
Arabia (Bull 26:57). R P Morris. 
Black Bush Robin Cercotriclms podobe 
Male, Emirates Golf Club, 15-19 April. 
First record for UAE and southern Gulf 
region. C Ricliardson 
47 
