Does anyone know when crested larks will be migrating out of the UAE?
I've been visiting Ajman Wastewater Treatment Plant over the last 6 years and this year (ie the last 12 months) surpasses all previous years in variety and quantity of birds. Over this time the reed beds in particular have matured and the weaver population has thrived. To my knowledge there has always been a small, strong resident population of Streaked Weavers here and in, or before, May 2018 this was joined by a small group of Baya Weavers. Again, at the beginning of April this year (2019) the Baya Weavers returned in force and with the Streaked Weavers, were active nest builders for the next 3 months. Maximum counts (seen) were 40 Streaked and 16 Baya, although I would consider these numbers conservative. Baya Weavers, of course, are presently considered as of escape origin, but it will be interesting to see if this population can become self-sustaining over the next few years. In any case, I have had great fun watching them. I've seen many first (for me) at this site in the last 12 months including Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Indian Pond Heron, Shikra, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Osprey, Jack Snipe, Grey Wagtail, Great Cormorant (3 have stayed through the summer), Black-eared Kite, Common Nightingale and, of course, Mark's Pheasant-tailed Jacana. I have seen a few 'escapes' here in the last 12 months (water attracts) including 3 Black Swan, a Fulvous Whistling Duck, a Yellow-crowned Bishop and a Red-billed Quelea (which joined the weavers one day). The duck and wader populations continued to thrive with good numbers in the last 12 months and I am already looking forward to their return in the next few weeks with great anticipation. This is a place where I believe anything can turn up and maybe the next 12 months will be even better...…...
From the online checklist: https://www.uaebirding.com/bird-checklists Crested Lark Galerida cristata
Very common to abundant resident; numbers and range increasing. Other larks, that ARE migratory:
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis
Fairly common winter visitor, November to mid-March, rarely in April and October.
Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula
Uncommon and localised migrant and winter visitor in small numbers, October to April. First record Ruwais 18 Nov 1991 (NARC).
Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata
Uncommon migrant and localised winter visitor, November to mid-March.
Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla
Subspecies artemisianaconfirmed, and nominate brachydactylapresumed regular visitor.
Common migrant, mid-February to early April and mid-August to November; may breed.
Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens
Breeding birds probably belongs to subspecies persica.
Localised breeding visitor and fairly common migrant and winter visitor, September to April.
Asian Short-toed Lark, part of the cheelensissubspecies-groupnot reliably reported.
Oh great he is not migratory! I have rescued one with broken wing, and it heal now, but still needs to recover to get full mobility over it's wing
Well done & happy healing :-)