Oman is too far south and east for most mainstream Africa to Europe passage. Birds heading to Iran, Azerbaijan and south east European Russia are mostly to come this way.
The small orchard at Al Beed farm had a small collection of warblers, all of which were concentrated in four or five trees. The rest of the orchard was barren of passage birds. I have seen this phenomenon regularly. Passage is patchy.
Eastern olivaceous warbler 1
An eastern olivaceous warbler was the most showy warbler.
Eastern olivaceous warbler 2
lesser whitethroat
There were two lesser whitethroat on site. Both were darker birds than those we normally see in Arabia. They were more akin to Sylvia curruca curruca than Sylvia curruca blythi or the now-believed hybrid Sylvia curruca/minula halimodendri.
This set of sub-species has been a mess but is becoming clearer following more DNA work.
A willow warbler was the other warbler in this small patch. Elsewhere on the farm I only saw one more lesser whitethroat and one common whitethroat.
The most common passerine on passage in either season and north or on the southern foothills of the Dhofar mountains is rufous bush robin (though marsh warbler in late spring must run them close).
I counted seven at Al Beed farm. Two were in the orchard and five in patch of short palms.
They are not very tame but there being so many means you will get good photos in the end.
All the desert farms are accumulating European turtle dove. There were eight in the parts of Al Beed I visited. They don't appear to be going anywhere. These farms are likely to be their breeding grounds.
Last year I didn't visit the desert stops much and so I missed this happening.
On the first field next to the farm entrance, the male black-headed bunting was still present. I have seen it continually for well over a month now.
Though it spent a lot of its time preening, most of its plumage still looks winter.
I counted 26 rosy starling. They have been at the farm all winter. The ready supply of locusts is fine food for this bird.
willow warbler
A willow warbler was the other warbler in this small patch. Elsewhere on the farm I only saw one more lesser whitethroat and one common whitethroat.
rufous bush robin
The most common passerine on passage in either season and north or on the southern foothills of the Dhofar mountains is rufous bush robin (though marsh warbler in late spring must run them close).
I counted seven at Al Beed farm. Two were in the orchard and five in patch of short palms.
rufous bush robin in palm
They are not very tame but there being so many means you will get good photos in the end.
rufous bush robin
All the desert farms are accumulating European turtle dove. There were eight in the parts of Al Beed I visited. They don't appear to be going anywhere. These farms are likely to be their breeding grounds.
three European turtle dove
Last year I didn't visit the desert stops much and so I missed this happening.
Two European turtle dove
On the first field next to the farm entrance, the male black-headed bunting was still present. I have seen it continually for well over a month now.
black-headed bunting
Though it spent a lot of its time preening, most of its plumage still looks winter.
preening black-headed bunting
I counted 26 rosy starling. They have been at the farm all winter. The ready supply of locusts is fine food for this bird.
rosy starling
Next stop was once again Dowkah farm on a dull day which eventually lead to significant rain in the desert. I will blog about this next.
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