OMAN

Indian, Arabian and African specialities

Lesser Sand Plovers

For far too long birdwatchers were denied access to the fabulous birds of Oman. This has all changed now. On our extended recce we found a peaceful, friendly country with strong connections to the UK, virtually no crime, and masses of great birds. At this time of year, when the weather is just perfect, there is a very high density of wintering raptors.

Great Spotted, Steppe and even Eastern Imperial Eagles are plentiful and give excellent views. Now rare and local, the huge negevensis race of Lappet-faced Vulture is regular at a couple of sites.

Along the northern coasts magnificent Great Black-headed Gulls are in full breeding plumage, beside the Sooty, Siberian and Slender-billed Gulls. Crested Terns may be joined by an early Bridled Tern returning to the breeding islands just offshore. We have permission to visit a couple of large private farms where irrigated grasslands attract masses of waders and small birds which, in turn, attract raptors including Pallid and Montagu's Harriers.

Our inshore boat trip will give us close views of many seabirds, including Red-necked Phalaropes. Our excursion to the deserts of central Oman is to witness the great flocks of sandgrouse, as well as to search the oases for other specialities.

The southern region is influenced by the monsoon winds, making the lowlands particularly lush. The birds here have an African influence, with Bruce's Green Pigeon, African Rock Bunting and African Paradise Flycatcher alongside South Arabian Wheatear and Pheasant-tailed Jacana.

Oman is a safe, welcoming country, if anything somewhat old-fashioned in terms of good manners and public behaviour, with good food, especially at our amazing five star hotel in Salalah.

ITINERARY

AL BATINAH COAST

After our flight we will go straight to our hotel near Muscat. The next morning we set off for a leisurely drive along the Al Batinah coast for a one night stay at Sohar. Near here are wintering sites for Plain Leaf Warbler and Eastern Pied Wheatear, plus mangroves favoured by Sykes's Warblers.

Most of the third day will be spent at the outstanding Sohar Sun Farms. Pallid Harrier, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Tawny and Long-tailed Pipits, Isabelline Wheatear, Indian Roller and Black-crowned Finch-lark are amongst the commoner species. Flocks of wagtails include White, Yellow, Masked and Citrine. A small flock of Sociable Plovers have become increasingly regular winterers.

MUSCAT

We then return to our hotel near Muscat for a further three nights. From this base we have easy access to the great raptor scavenging sites near town. Wintering eagles gather alongside Brown-necked Ravens, and Egyptian and Lappet-faced Vultures. These dry hills are also regular sites for the much sought-after Hume's and Red-tailed Wheatears.

The verdant parks and gardens are good places to catch up with the commoner species of the area such as Grey Francolin, Little Green Bee-eater, Pallid Swift, Laughing Dove, Isabelline Shrike, Pale Crag Martin, White-eared and Yellow-vented Bulbul, Graceful Prinia, and Purple Sunbird. The Indian influence is felt by the presence of Indian Rollers, Common Mynas and Indian Silverbills.

On one morning we will visit the old port of Muscat with its Sooty, Siberian and Slender-billed Gulls, Crested Terns and Western Reef Herons. From here we will take an inshore boat trip on the sheltered azure waters, where Red-necked Phalaropes congregate around pods of feeding dolphins. Common, Bottlenose and Spinner Dolphins are the most numerous. In 2004 we were treated to the spectacle of over 500 Spinners all around our launch.

Whilst looking for our first Red-wattled Lapwing, Isabelline Shrike, Arabian Babbler, and Clamorous Reed Warbler we will search the local wetlands for the less common wintering species such as White-tailed Plover and Pintail Snipe.

THE DESERT

Oman is isolated from the rest of Arabia by a vast desert named the Empty Quarter. This desert encroaches into the middle of the country thereby dividing it up, roughly, into three zones: the Indian influenced north, the central desert and the African influenced south.

On day six we will take the short flight south to Salalah then drive back into the desert to the Qit-bit oasis for a two-night stay. The next morning we will position ourselves at a nearby spring to witness the arrival of hundreds of sandgrouse. Spotted, Crowned and Chestnut-bellied are all likely. The gentle yet far-carrying calls of these hardy birds are a memorable sound in this spectacular landscape.

The trees and pools around our comfortable guesthouse within the oasis attract Desert Wheatears, Eastern Black Redstarts, and Ménétries's and Asian Desert Warblers, while Hoopoe Larks are common and often display at this time. The list of migrant birds and rarities at this place is amazing, which has made it one of the hotspots for the ex-pat birdwatchers. Even the Grey Hypocolius has wintered here a few times.

Our drive back to the southern coastal region takes us through a mountain pass that is excellent for South Arabian Wheatear. Our first groups of Tristram's Grackles should be seen in the frankincense trees that are common here and once provided Oman with its biggest trading resource.

SALALAH

In the quiet seaside town of Salalah we will settle into the magnificent Crowne Plaza five star hotel for a luxurious three night stay on the coast, with Masked Boobies and Indo-pacific Humpback Dolphins feeding just offshore. Ospreys are frequent, and a little further out, large flocks of Socotra Cormorants pass by. Brown Booby is less common, but still quite regular, as are a few Red-billed Tropicbirds returning early to their nesting sites.

This region has a monsoon season, so the vegetation is quite different. Baobab trees are found, giving the region a real African feel. African Silverbill replaces the northern species, Fan-tailed Raven is the common corvid, Verreaux's Eagles are resident and the striking African Rock Bunting is easily seen.

Wooded valleys are home to African Scops Owl, African Paradise Flycatcher, Arabian Warbler, White-breasted White-eye, Black-crowned Tchagra. Any fruiting fig tree is worth checking for the handsome Bruce's Green Pigeon. The coastal lagoons have a good range of waterbirds including Caspian Gull, Ferruginous Duck and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas. There are a couple of large farms here too, where we will look for Singing Bush-larks, Cream-coloured Coursers and Yellow-billed Kite.

Rufous Turtle Dove quite often turns up around the farm drinking holes and Abdim's Storks sometimes join the migrating White Storks that rest here. A small breeding population of the localised Yemen Serin has recently been found in the hills.

AS SAWADI

We will drag ourselves away and fly back to Muscat and settle for our last three nights on the Ras Sawadi peninsula. There is a magnificent coral reef just offshore, and the attractive gardens give us birding right on our doorstep. We can compare Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers and pick out Terek Sandpipers amongst the many more familiar species. Lesser Crested, Caspian and Saunder's Terns rest up on the sand, dwarfed by the Great Black-headed Gulls. We will then fly home overnight, touching down on the Saturday morning.

PACE On some days breakfast will be taken at 8.00am, allowing time for productive pre-breakfast walks. On other days breakfast will be at 7.00am so that we can get into the field quite early. Basic fitness is all that is required. Full days will be spent in the field with short walks on the flat. A little uphill walking is necessary, but this will be at a slow pace. On hot days there will be a longer break in the middle of the day, with birding in the mornings and late afternoons.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD Full board accommodation is provided, with four (one and three) nights at the Majan Hotel near Muscat, one night at the Al Wadi Hotel at Al Batinah, two nights at the Qit-Bit Hotel, three nights at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Salalah and three nights at the Sawadi Beach Resort. All hotels are of good or excellent standard and all rooms are en suite. Packed lunches will be taken when we expect to be away from the hotel in the middle of the day.

PRICE INCLUDES ….. All birdwatching excursions with expert leader, full-board accommodation, soft drinks at meal times, local transport by mini-bus, boat trip, domestic flights, international flight to Muscat, and flight and airport taxes.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Cost of travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Cost of obtaining a visa (£9). Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, laundry, etc.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Return flight from London Heathrow to Muscat using the scheduled services of British Airways. Outbound flight departs mid-morning, return flight arrives back early morning. Connecting shuttle flights are available on this tour for £60 return (due at time of booking), from Manchester and other regional airports.

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