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1988 was a very good and active year in the Ornithological Section of the ENHG. There were more members birdwatching on a regular basis than ever before, both in Abu Dhabi and further afield. The four ENHG weekends away at Umm al Qaiwain in March and December and Fujairah in April and October were joint archaeological and birdwatching trips. Our sightings for these visits were reported in the monthly Newsletters. There were also two birdwatching trips to the Hatta area in March and October organized by the Dubai Group, in which we participated. Apart from these there were numerous unofficial trips by members to nearby islands and all parts of the UAE and our records for the year reflect this fact. There were few records from Das Island since Len Reaney's departure early in the year, but many more from the Western Region and the East Coast. There was close liaison with the Dubai birdwatching section and several of our members contributed records to Colin Richardson's quarterly reports on the more unusual birds reported in the UAE.
Our species list was updated to January 1 1989 to include the new sightings for 1988 and some records that were not previously included. Eleven more species, viz. Herring Gull, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Caspian Tern, White-cheeked Bulbul, Whimbrel, Terek Sandpiper, Hoopoe, Olivaceous Warbler, Great Grey Shrike and Isabelline Shrike were added to the list of birds present throughout the year, bringing the total in this category to 36.
New species for our list were:
| Red-necked Grebe | Podiceps grisegena | previous record | AC |
| Jouanin's Petrel | Bulweria fallax | 8/5/88 Abu Dhabi | WD & MH |
| Wedge-tailed Shearwater | Puffinus pacificus | previous record | AC |
| Marbled Teal | Mammaronetta angustirostris | 1972 record | JSS |
| Red-breasted Merganser | Mergus serrator | 1972 record | JSS |
| Honey Buzzard | Pernis apivorus | 1987 record | WD & JMH |
| Hen Harrier | Circus cyaneus | 16/9/88 Abu Dhabi | DR & AC |
| Rough-legged Buzzard | Buteo lagopus | 17/5/88 Asab | DR |
| " " | " " | 14/10/88 Abu Dhabi | JMH & LJG |
| Spur-winged Lapwing | Hoplopterus spinosus | 7/1/88 Abu Dhabi | PH |
| Namaqua Dove | Oena capensis | 22/5/88 Asab | DR |
| Little Swift | Apus affinis | 24/1/88 Das Island | LR |
| Koel | Eudynamys scolopacea | Abu Dhabi | AC |
| Pechura Pipit | Anthus gustavi | -- | AC |
| Eastern Pied Wheatear | Oenanthe picata | 21/10/88 Al Rawdah | JMH & LJG |
| Blackbird | Turdus merula | 22/1/88 Das Island | LR |
| " " | " " | 1/3/88 Das Island | EL |
| " " | " " | 19/3/88 Abu Dhabi | PH |
| Redwing | Turdus iliacus | 23/12/88 Abu Dhabi | LJG & JMH |
| Eye-browned Thrush | Turdus obscurus | 3/10/88 Asab | DR |
| Greenish Warbler | Phylloscopus trochiloides | 29/3/88 | DR |
Observers:
AC -- Adrian Chapman
EL -- Eric List
JMH -- Jenny Hollingworth
JSS -- John Stewart-Smith
LJG -- Lynda Graham
LR -- Len Reaney
MH -- Maarten der Haag
PH -- Peter Hellyer
WD -- Wilhelm Dolleman
In order to keep our records as accurate as possible we have adopted the system of asking observers for field notes of rare or confusing species.
Meetings are held to discuss the type of computer and a program to suit our needs. Hopefully this project will be completed early in 1989, along with new recording forms and location references.
Jenny Hollingworth 16.01.89