What are some of the best bird watching places in Oman? What are some common bird species there?
Oman witnesses huge swarms of migratory birds during their seasonal journey between their nesting habitats and the places where they spend winters, especially birds migrating from Europe and East Asia. Many birds, especially water fowl, migrate from far away regions like northern Siberia, and travel about five thousand kilometres.
In this article we will show you some of the best Birdwatching sites in Oman:
Birdwatching sites in north Oman and Musandam
The most productive birdwatching site in the capital area is the sewage treatment ponds at Al Ansab Lagoons. They are truly a manmade bird paradise and well over 50 species could be recorded on a single visit. Waders are much in evidence most of the year with breeding Black-winged Stilt and Red-wattled Plover. White - tailed Plover, March Sandpiper, Spotted REd-shank and Common Snipe are present all winter. Mid winter is time for several species of duck including the threatened Ferruginous Duck. Steppe, Greater Spotted and Imperial Eagles, Lappet-faced and Egyptian Vultures as well as Marsh Harriers make regular appearances.
Birdwatching sites in central Oman and Masirah Island.
During the migration many birds are attracted to manmade water pools. Masirah Island can be reached by car ferries running high tide from Barr al Hikman. Masirah and Barr al Hikman are home to hundreds of thousands of birds during the winter months, mainly Greater Flamingos, herons, wanders, gulls and terns. Great Knots are known to winter here. This is probably the most important wintering area in all of Arabian for waders, but the most interesting areas can be difficult to find without local knowledge.
Birdwatching sites in south Oman
The southern province of Dhofar is quite unlike any other in Oman. A summer monsoon from June to September dramatically changes the mountains and foothills into rolling grasslands and dense woodlands. All the main birdwatching sites are conveniently located within and hour's drive from Salalah - from Mirbat 60 km in the east to Mughsayl 45 km in the west. Seabirds abound in autumn and can be seen from vantage points near Mirbat, Raysut and Mughsayl. The coastal lagoons, called khors, from Khor Rouri in the east to Khor Mughsayl are always worth a visit and usually hold Greater Flamingo, Glossy Ibis and Spoonbill plus a variety of herons, ducks and waders. The spring at Ain Razat and Ain Hamran east of Salalah are well sign posted on the route towards Mirbat and are excellent for the local bird specialities. The farmlands around Salalah should be checked for raptors, White Storks, larks wagtails and pipits.
The best time for birdwatching
Timing is critical for a successful visit. The great majority are passage migrants and/or winter visitors. The fall migration of waders is impressive from late August. Gulls and terns arrive in September and October which are peak months for warblers as well. By the end of October the numbers of eagles build up with a peak in early November when Sooty Falcons depart for their wintering grounds. December, January and February are ideal months Weatherwise with maximum temperatures in the mid to upper 20's. Great Black - headed Gulls change into their breeding dress during February. Pied Wheatears and Menetries's Warblers herald the start of the spring migration in early March with European and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters following in mid month. Ducks, raptors and gulls will be heading north in March. A strong migration of shrikes, warblers and buntings may be seen in April with European Rollers arriving by the end of the month. The migration ends with a massive concentration of Marsh Warblers in mid May.
Looking for more information?
For further information on birds in Oman, visit the website:
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