Two pairs (O I lugens?), between Doha 
and Tabuk in sandstone outcrops 
(Hisma formation), 1-2 May. New 
breeding locality, only found in this 
biotope in 1986 (Bm//26: 63). BS Meadows 
African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus 
baeticatus Up to 30 pairs in mangroves, 
Yanbu al Sinaiyah, March to April. 
This species was discovered here in 
1984, with specimens obtained in 1986 
(see Bull BOC 109: 36-43). BS Meadows 
Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis 
Eighteen, Fort Farrah, 15 February; up 
to 150 Yanbu al Bahr, 21 February to 3 
March. Only second winter influx in 
11 years recording around Yanbu. BS 
Meadows 
Pale Rock Sparrow Petronia 
brachydactyla Four hundred, Wadi 
Rabigh, 1 March. Only two previous 
records by this observer in the Hejaz 
since 1984, and the largest flock to 
date. BS Meadows 
Riippell's Weaver Ploceus galbula Two 
colonies nest-building, Wadi Qudah 
(near Masturah), 22 March; nine nests, 
Rabigh, 35 July Previously unrecorded 
north of latitude 22°N. BS Meadows 
United Arab Emirates 
Greylag Goose/lnser^zns^r Two, Zabeel 
eater treatment plant, Dubai, 22 March 
to 9 April. Larger wild flock reported 
in palace grounds near Dubai during 
same period. C Richardson, K Hyland 
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 
Two, Ramtha tip, Sharjah, 10 May. 
Seventh UAE record. S Turner, C 
Richardson, J Bannon 
Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus 
Three young (second year) males, 
summering in fodder fields. All Habab, 
19 July to 9 August. Only fifth positive 
record of males in UAE. C Richardson, 
E Hirschfeld et al 
Sooty Falcon Falco concolor Flying over 
alfalfa field, Digdaga, 21 March. First 
mainland record for seven years. C 
Richardson 
Quail Coturnix coturnix Up to six. 
calling in field at Digdaga, 22 March to 
5 April, but not after harvest in mid- 
April. First breeding evidence. C 
Richardson, J Bannon 
Corncrake Crex crex Saffa park, 23-27 
March; another there, 13 May; Sir Bani 
Yas Island, 2-3 May; and one with 
injured leg. Emirates golf course, 7 
May. Less than 10 previous records. / 
Bannon, C Richardson 
Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus 
New Dubai creek golf course, 20 
August, and two there, 27 August. Rare, 
seldom lingering on passage in UAE. 
C Richardson 
Dotterel Charadrius morinellus Emirates 
golf course, 18 July. Thirteenth UAE 
record. C Richardson 
Sabine's Cull Larus sabini Summer 
plumaged individual, Ramtha tip, 24 
June to 26 July. First record for UAE 
and probably Arabia. C Richardson 
Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 240 
feeding on alfalfa stubble (with c. 7,000 
Collared Doves S decaocto), 
Hamraniyah, 16 May. Noteworthy 
numbers. C Richardson 
Namaqua Dove Oena capensis Asab, 3- 
29 April; Digdaga, 19 April; and Bu 
Hasa, 6 May. Only five previous 
record s, but apparently becoming more 
common. L Reaney, J Bannon, C 
Richardson 
Long-billed Pipit Anthea similis Up to 
three, Masafi, 15-22 February; one in 
song there, 4-16 April. First breeding 
record since 1972. C Richardson, J 
Bannon 
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 
Bu Hasa, 14 April. Fifth UAE record. D 
Robinson 
Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia 
Bu Hasa, 3 April; Saffa park, 23 April 
and 10-11 May; Emirates golf course, 
25 April. Less than 10 previous 
confirmed records. D Robinson, J 
Bannon, C Richardson 
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Sixty, Abu 
al Abyadh, and 13, Emirates golf 
course, 17 May (sites 170 km apart). 
46 
