Hypocolius?

[Heidi Malmgren]

We are a birding couple from Sweden, Göran Cederwall & Heidi Malmgren.
The last two years we have travelled around in Oman twice 2008 and Yemen and Socotra in 2009.
(if anyone is interested, look at the marvellous pictures on our blog http://socotra2009.blogspot.com/ )
Now we will return to UAE on sunday the 28th for a holiday week.

Except the regular species such as Plain Leaf Warbler and White-Collared Kingfisher we also want to try for Hypocolius, Pharao Eagle Owl and perhaps there are some late Pale Rock Sparrows for instance.
Or if some rare vagrant appears.
Are there any kind birders we can contact during our stay?

Best regards,

Göran & Heidi

[MarkS]

Hi Goran & Heidi,

Welcome to the forum! There are many kind birders here, but it depends on what you are asking for. If you're looking for the species you mention, then most of the information is easily available on either this forum or the main www.uaebirding.com (http://www.uaebirding.com) website (see "Sites" for directions). However, I suspect you have already done that.

Plain Leaf Warbler should be easy at Green Mubazzarah or Masafi Wadi and the kingfisher in the mangroves and tidal creek at Kalba. Pharoah Eagle Owl is regular on the crags of Qarn Nazwa at dusk. There have been up to 18 Hypocolius at Sila for at least 2 weeks now, I will attach a map later. Pale Rock Sparrow? Usually pass through in Spring in varying numbers, but really hard (impossible?) in autumn.

I'll send you my details by PM in case you want further info whilst you're over here.

Have a good trip!

[MarkS]

Hypocolius location: http://www.uaebirding.com/sites/western_desert/silaa.html in the area labelled "Sila harbour, lake and marsh" (2nd, 4th & 5th images after the map). They favour the date plantation at the farm marked on the map.

[khalifa]

Hi
I just came from Sila and 14 Hypocolius are still there