Worrying time for many birders currently on holiday in Oman and neighbouring Gulf states

                                                                   

Oman is a favourite destination for British birders at this time of year

THE flare-up in the Middle East has created a worry for the many birders currently on holiday in Oman and other parts of the region during for the spring migration.

There are already deadly missiles in the sky, and the situation will only get more dangerous if Iran decides to expand the conflict.

Among tour companies currently running holidays in Oman is Naturetrek whose customers are believed to be midway through a 13-day break in pursuit of  desert specialities (including sandgrouse and Greater Hoopoe-Lark), seabirds (such as Persian Shearwater, Jouanin’s Petrel and Red-billed Tropicbird) and numerous waders, plus exciting residents including Arabian Eagle-Owl, Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak and Arabian and Hume’s Wheatears. 

Oman is not in the front line of conflict apart from one incident at  the commercial port, Duqm, which  was targeted by two drones, one of which struck a mobile workers' housing unit, injuring an expatriate worker

Debris from the second drone landed in an area adjacent to fuel storage tanks, with no resultant loss of life or material damage. 

However, Foreign Office advice to nationals is not to travel to the southern city of Salalah (or within 100km) where the last four days of the birding holiday are due to be spent before the flight back to Heathrow.

Gone but not forgotten - the last-known example of the now-extinct Slender-billed Curlew

Extinct but definitely not forgotten - Chris captured this unique photograph of the world's last-known Slender-billed Curlew 

THERE are still a few limited-edition prints available of the last-known Slender-billed Curlew, a species that was officially declared extinct in October last year.

In what must have been an unforgettable encounter, it was snapped by former RSPB photographer Chris Gomersall  at at Merja Zerga, Morocco, in February, 1995.

Says he: "The image was  originally shot on film but subsequently re-scanned and digitally restored to the highest standard possible. 

"Unmounted prints - the edition has been limited to 50 - are signed on the reverse, authenticated by an emboss stamp plus accompanying certificate, and posted flat-packed (to UK addresses only). 

"The initial offer price is £95 per A3 print, including postage (image size 375 x 250mm).

"For each print sold I will make a donation of £10 to Curlew Action (registered charity no. 1187172)."

Prospective purchasers can email Chris at chris@chrisgomersall.co.uk with contact details, including postal address, and he will reply with information on how to pay securely.

Sixty-minute twitch: Pode Hall and Willow Tree Fen, near Spalding, Lincolnshire

Was a  Snow Goose among these Whooper Swans? Too far away to tell 

Date: February 22, 2026

Time: 3.55pm - 4.55pm

Weather: Sunny but blustery

Target species: Snow Goose (one had been reported here earlier in the week)

Star species seen: Crane

Other species seen included: 

* Long-tailed Tit

* Blue Tit

* Marsh Harrier

* Red Kite

* Little Egret

* Whooper Swan

* Shoveler

* Barn Owl

* Wigeon

* Mallard

* Cormorant

The copse at Pode Hall provides habitat for Long-tailed Tits and other passerines 

Distant view of Red Kite on the move

This group of birders' quest for an elusive Snow Goose proved in vain 

As many as 11 Marsh Harriers were counted at the two sites 

Willow Tree Fen is noted for its all-year population of wetland birds

Cranes - the star attraction at Willow Tree Fen

Likely to be plenty of bidding interest when Sir Peter Scott's captivating Cuckoo painting goes under hammer

THERE is likely to be interest from birders as well as art collectors when this study of a Cuckoo flying over sand dunes goes under the hammer next month.

It is the work of Sir Peter Scott (1909-1989) who is far better known for his paintings of waterfowl.

Signed and dated 1971 by the artist, it is an oil-on-canvas, measuring 49.5cm x 59.5cm (19.5in x 23.5in).

According to Knightsbridge-based auction house, Bonhams, it is expected to fetch between £2,500 and £3,500 at their sale of British and Irish Art which is being conducted online between March 9-18.  

More information from Catherine.King@bonhams.com or  tel 020 7393 3884.                                                   

Intriguing new book by Dumfries-based birder will explore journey of raindrop from source to sea

The countdown is on for the eagerly-awaited fifth book by Dumfries-based Stephen Rutt (pictured) who has been an avid birder since he was 14. The Waterlands tells the story of a single raindrop on its journey from source to sea - and the many lessons it teaches us. It is due to be be published by Elliott and Thompson on  March 26.     

                                                     

Sad fate of slaughtered Stone Curlews is to find themselves up for sale at Yorkshire auction house

                                                  

The days when Stone Curlews were killed for sport - and/or profit - will be recalled when a pair of stuffed and mounted birds are due to go under at a sale in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, on April 22. They date back to between 1870 and 1900 when the birds fell into the hands of Roberts and Son, so-called 'naturalists', of Cattle Market Street in Norwich. Auction house Tennants  expect the birds, which are in a glass display case, to sell for between £150 and £200.                                        

Twenty-minute twitch: East Hide, RSPB Frampton Marsh, near Boston in Lincolnshire

A party of Golden Plover coming in to land

Date: February 22, 2026

Time: 12.55pm - 1.15pm

Weather: Sunny but blustery

Target species: Scaup

Star species seen: Pintail

Other species seen included: 

* Snipe

* Wigeon

* Pochard

* Gadwall

* Shoveler

* Tufted Duck

* Linnet

* Skylark

* Lapwing

* Golden Plover

* Dunlin

The East Hide provides fabulous view of wetland birds 

This drake Pintail was one of up to 20 present

These plentiful Wigeon were briefly joined by a Skylark

A group of about five Linnets spent a minute or two looking for seeds before flying off

Like the Linnets, this Snipe could scarcely have been better camouflaged

Lapwings galore!

A single Dunlin was on the prowl