Re: [MEBirdNet] Red-backed & Lesser Grey shrikes et al. on the African

"Yes, it really seems that some African migrants are in smaller numbers in Finland this year. By mid-May, Luscinia luscinia was almost absent here. Other species that I'd like to mention in this context are Lanius collurio, Hippolais icterina and Acrocephalus palustris. As opposite, for example Acrecephalus schoenobaenus and Jynx torquilla are in good numbers (for example I heard two new singing male Wrynecks in Imatra yesterday). Interestingly, it seems that numbers of L. luscinia and L. collurio have increased little by little till the end of May. I will inform you what the case will finally be.

By the way, some species that are traditionally considered as nocturnal migrants, migrate in good numbers also in day light. My friend was observing here http://kansalaisen.karttapaikka.fi/linkki?scale=200000&text=Observation+point&srs=EPSG%3A3067&y=6898360&x=627172&lang=fi yesterday morning. Among other things, he counted 1700 Willow Warblers, 2 Greenish Warblers, 150 Spotted Flycatchers and 22 Red-backed Shrikes. The birds gathered to tip of the point and intensively continued NW over the lake."

[This day migration may be a regular phenomenon as I heard about it in Finland 2 years ago - Clive.]

Clive Mann

On 3 June 2011 06:47, James Wolstencroft <gonolek@gmail.com> wrote:

http://afrotropical.posterous.com/is-a-natural-east-africa-going-going-gone

Many thanks to Tommy Pedersen, Nick Moran, Steve Tibbett, Phil Roberts
and especially to Oscar Campbell in Abu Dhabi for providing some more
information on the passage of certain "bird migrants of concern" [to
me anyway!] at/across Oman and the Arabian Gulf this April/May.

I've updated the above blog and will continue to do so for as long as
possible!

Cheers,
James Wolstencroft

in Arusha, Tanzania
cool & cloudy - 1,450m; 3 degrees South

June 3, 2011

On 3 Jun 2011, at 07:48, Philip Roberts wrote:

Red Backed Shrikes are regular passage migrants in the Eastern
Province of Saudi Arabia.

This year I saw them in Dhahran and Sabkat as Fasl from May 5th
through May 19, 2011 when I had to briefly travel outside the
Kingdom. The highest count was five birds.

Two were still present at Sabkat as Fasl on June 2nd.

Phil Roberts
c/o Saudi Aramco
Box 11507
Dhahran 31311
Saudi Arabia
+966 3 878 3355
phil0562000@yahoo.co.uk