7 
Isabel line Wheatear Oenanthe Isabelllna 
None seen, confirming the apparent scarcity of this species in 
spring/April. (A common autumn passage migrant.) 
Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha 
A male on a lava flow 5km north-west of Ha' rib on 14th appeared to 
be holding territory (two conflicts with a Desert Lark Aramomanes 
deser ti observed). The sevenLli record, the second in s pr i ng 
(previously March). There is one other post-1936 record and the 
status of this poorly known species remains unclear. It has perhaps 
been overlooked as, with one exception, all previous records are 
from the seldom-visited eastern regions. 
Yemen Thrush Tardus menachensis 
Two at Kawkaban, 4th; six at Wadi Maytam south of Ibb, 8th; four 2km 
north of Hajja, 13th. A three-note song heard at Kawkaban 
(1130-1230) and Wadi Maytam (0930), where a pair were clearly 
occupying a territory comprising an area of scattered Acacia over 
agricultural fields. Song was usually a simple "bu, preek-boo" , the 
first note sometimes omitted, sometimes followed by "prrruck", 
recalling Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthropygos , though less 
liquid . 
Yemen Warbler Parisoma bury! 
One at Kawkaban, 4th; seven in Wadi Maytam, south of Ibb, where, 
apparently, the second recorded nest containing three pulli, was 
found. Further details will appear elsewhere (Martins and Groh in 
prep.) . 
Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria 
Recorded 4th-16th; one at Kawkaban, 4th, Is the second record from 
highland regions; remarkably abundant at Wadi Siham ne\r labal Bura 
where 150 on 10th and near Al Midraan, where 500 on 11th, 
corresponding closely to April observations in 1986 (Martins 1986) 
and demonstrating that this must be one of the commonest spring 
passage migrants in lowland regions. 
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 
One in Wadi Siham near Jabal Bura, lOth. 
Garabaga Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa gambagae 
One singing 16.4kra by road south-west of Ma'bar, bth; one near 
Ta'izz sewage lagoons, 7th; five (Including two pairs') In Wadi 
Maytam, south of Ibb, 8th; up to five. Including a pair, at Hadda 
