SOCIABLE LAPWING (Vanellus gregarious) SPRING MIGRATION SURVEY IN SYRIA 13 FEB 11 MAR 2011

Report to General Commission for Al Badia Management and Development (GCB) Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife (SSCW) Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

DAVE THURLOW / NABEGH GHAZAL ASSWAD / NIK ASPEY

Photo: Sergey Dereliev (AEWA)

SUMMARY Between 13th Feb 11th Mar 2011, 23 days were spent surveying sites with habitat assumed suitable for Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarious, or SL), thus becoming the most intensive period of search during the spring migration period since 2007. During the survey only 23 SL were sighted, spread over three separate days at three different sites; two adult males on 19/02 at AshShola (Ghdeiwer), one adult male on 21/02 at Al Hawl (East of Lake Khatuniyeh) and 15 adult males / five adult females on 25/02 at Al Aumair. No colour-ringed birds were noted during the survey period. This represents the lowest total of SL seen since annual Spring migration surveys* began in 2007, despite all the known key SL sites having been visited on two to three occasions in 2011. (*2008 figures are based on only a few days visit by Hofland). Speculative reasons for this low figure include late movement from the wintering grounds (satellite tag data: Rob Sheldon pers. comm.) and near drought conditions at most of the sites during the survey period, exasperated by a very dry 2010-11 winter. INTRODUCTION The SL is a globally threatened species (IUCN Red List Category: Critically Endangered (CR) breeding mainly in Northern Kazakhstan, with a minor extension into Southern Russia. Its wintering grounds are divided between 2 areas, with an Eastern flyway leading to Pakistan and NW India and a Western flyway , through which the majority of the population pass, to Sudan and reportedly Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Israel, Saudi Arabia Yemen and Oman, as was recently recorded. Reports of SL from the Talila reserve area in Feb-Mar 2001 & 2003 (Serra et al 2005) were backed up during a wetland expedition to Northern Syria in Jan-Feb 2004 (Murdoch et al 2005), when three SL were noted amongst a flock of Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). These sightings prompted a 2007 expedition running from 18th Feb to 26th Mar (Hofland et al 2008) which revealed flocks peaking at an estimated 2000 birds counted on the 8th and 9th March. At the same time surveys in SE Turkey revealed up to 1017 individuals at one steppe site near Ceylanpinar on the 7th March. Since 2007 yearly recording of SL has occurred in spring in Syria (Hofland in litt. 2629 Feb 2008, Maggs et al. 6-18 Mar 2009, Kemp et al. 17 Feb-11 Mar 2010). This survey therefore concludes a five year period of SL spring migration recording in Syria.

As in previous surveys the main aims of the mission were: Survey all previously recognised SL stop-over sites and identify new stop-over sites. Collect habitat information. Sex, age, grid reference and check for rings any SL sighted. Identify, monitor & collate information on the effects of hunting To contribute to improving awareness of the importance of conserving the SL as a Critically Endangered species and an important component of the biodiversity of the Syrian steppe among local communities where birds spend some time and involve the local hunters in the project to help encouraging them to be stakeholders in the conservation efforts.

These actions were undertaken in the context of improving the conservation status of the SL at its key stop-over sites in the Syrian steppe and thus contributing towards the conservation of SL as per the AEWA SSAP. The western population (our concern for the area) wintering in Sudan and Saudi Arabia usually takes a wide flyway that passes Eastern and Central parts of Syria, the Western and Northern corner of Iraq and South Eastern Turkey. Individuals from this population use these areas as stop-overs for a short period before resuming their journey onto the breeding grounds. They will head North to the Western shores of the Caspian Sea before turning to cross over this water body heading to central Khazakhistan. However, it was reported that SL might deviate Eastward from this track and move North straight to the Eastern shores of the Caspian Sea before turning Eastward to the breeding plains. Individuals from this population would either use the Western plains for breeding or continue further East towards the Central or Eastern parts of Kazakhstan to join their Eastern population counterparts. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Funding was gratefully received from the RSPB / Darwin Initiative and the Ornithological Society of the Middle East (OSME). Additional funding was received by Swarovski Optik as the Sociable Lapwing Species Champion through Birdlife Internationals Preventing Extinctions Programme. We would like to make special mention of and our sincerest gratitude to the Syrian team who accompanied us throughout the 4 week search for SL: Ahmed J. Abdallah, Mahmoud S. Abdallah and Yehia Al-Zoubi (GCB). Special thanks are also given to the following: Dr Rob Sheldon (RSPB), Sharif Jbour (Birdlife Middle East), Osama Al Nouri (SSCW), Dr Akram Issa Darwish (Head of Biodiversity unit, Ministry of Environmental Affairs, SSCW), Ahmad Aidek, Yousef Maao, Dr Malaz Ali (GCB); Issa Ibrahim, Yassin Mujawer, Ahmed Mawass (Jabbul: SSCW); Mohamed AlTammas (GCB), Aroub Al-Masri, Rola Raya (SSCW); Dr Ahmad Kanani (GCB), Geoff Welch (OSME); Mel Kemp, Graham White and Mark Nowers (RSPB).

Finally thanks to assistance given by local staff from Governorates, local community leaders, district offices of the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture & Agrarian Reform and Ministry of the Interior.

Team 2011: Yehia Al-Zoubi, Nik Aspey, Ahmed Abdallah, Nabegh Ghazal Asswad, Dave Thurlow & Mahmoud Abdallah.

METHODS & DAILY ITINERARY Following the 2010 survey, we made two circuits of the main sites concentrated in the central and eastern regions of northern Syria, moving between the towns of Palmyra, Deir Ezzor, Al Hassakeh (from which the extreme north-east could be reached), Ar Raqqa and the rural areas of Aleppo. GCB provided a transporter-style van and driver which easily accommodated four to five passengers as well as coping with off road access to all sites unless heavy rainfall occurred, this happened only once in 2011 causing a slight re-ordering of site visits. Targeted surveying for SL took place on 23 of 26 days (the first two days were spent organising in Damascus and travelling to Palmyra whilst another day was lost to a sandstorm). This is summarised at Table 1 below. Surveying consisted of driving through areas of habitat deemed suitable for SL and stopping at vantage points (usually higher ground) to scan with binoculars and telescope. All scanning locations were registered using a GPS and a brief summary of habitat recorded (i.e. what was the dominant vegetal sp/spp present in the shrub and sward layers and at what estimated frequency did they occur). In sites were SL were present a slightly more comprehensive survey of habitat was conducted within an approximate 50m radius of the birds first sighted location. This involved dividing the area into three structural components (shrub, sward and bare ground layers) and assigning a % coverage to each. Within the shrub & sward layers, a rough % presence was also assigned to the dominant sp or spp which composed the layer (and if time allowed a + was used to indicate an interesting sp being present at very low cover levels). The 50m radius habitat was then put into context by quickly

describing the habitat immediately surrounding it using the same procedure in order to show the level of continuity or discontinuity of the observed selected SL site within its surrounding vegetation stand. As in previous years another component of the field survey was to establish from Bedouin, villagers and hunters whether SL had been seen in the areas visited, not only in Spring but also in Autumn. The best way to do this was by showing P.137 of the Collins Bird Guide (Mullarney et al, 1999) (as per Hofland). Care should be taken in order to exclude Cream-coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor) as it is a regular passage migrant and summer resident in Syria (Murdoch & Betton, 2008).

Above: Mahmoud talking to a shepherd about SL, using the Collins Bird Guide.

TABLE 1 Sociable Lapwing Survey 14 February to 11 March 2011

DATE 14-Feb 15-Feb 16-Feb 17-Feb 18-Feb 19-Feb 20-Feb 21-Feb 22-Feb 23-Feb 24-Feb 25-Feb 26-Feb 27-Feb 28-Feb 01-Mar 02-Mar 03-Mar 04-Mar 05-Mar 06-Mar 07-Mar 08-Mar 09-Mar 10-Mar 11-Mar ITINERARY Damascus: SSCW office meet-up Damascus Palmyra GCB meeting (Talila) SE of Palmyra (Badiyat AshSham area) Palmyra - Deir Ezzor (Lake Mheimideh) SW of Deir Ezzor (AshShola area) N of Deir Ezzor (Al Hdjeifat area) Deir Ezzor - Hassakeh (via new road) (Az Zalla, Lake Khatuniyeh) W of Hassakeh (Kharbaga, Ar Ruweira, Eiwa) NW of Hassakeh (through Al Qamishli, Al Malikiyah to Ayn Diwar) Hassakeh - Ar Raqqa (Kharbaga) N of Ar Raqqa (Bir Said, Al Aumair area) Ar Raqqa - Lake Jabbul (via Ar Russafa, AthThawrah) W & S of Lake Jabbul Lake Jabbul - Palmyra (N of Lake Jabbul, Athriya) N of Palmyra (Bald Ibis Protected area) S & SW of Palmyra (Sabkhat S of Palmyra)- Damascus Damascus; visa extension - Bloudan - Athriya SW, SE & N of Athriya - Khanasir Khanasir - Lake Jabbul - Ar Raqqa (E of Lake Jabbul, Bir Said) NE of Ar Raqqa (Eiwa, Al Aumair) Ar Raqqa - Hassakeh ( No survey due to heavy sandstorm) Hassakeh - Deir Ezzor (via old road)(Az Zalla, E,N & S Lake Khatuniyeh, Jalib al Hokuma) Deir Ezzor; visa extension (Al Hdjeifat area) SE of Deir Ezzor (S edge of Ar Rawda ) Deir Ezzor - Palmyra (AshShola, AsSekhneh) OVERNIGHT Damascus Palmyra Palmyra Palmyra Deir Ezzor Deir Ezzor Deir Ezzor Hassakeh Hassakeh Hassakeh Al Raqqa Al Raqqa Jabbul Jabbul Palmyra Palmyra Damascus Athriya Khanasir Al Raqqa Al Raqqa Hassakeh Deir Ezzor Deir Ezzor Deir Ezzor Palmyra

WEATHER CONDITIONS - SPRING 2011 The winter and spring of 2010/11 was generally reported to be drier than average. Some local variation was evident with for example Ar Rawda in the east experiencing draught conditions while Wadi Al-Azib was wetter than usual. The dry conditions had an adverse effect on the condition and suitability of many sites for SL during the spring of 2011. The team experienced rather cool conditions during the survey with some deep depressions moving in from the Mediterranean causing strong winds and sand storms on some days making survey very hard or impossible. It is also believed these weather conditions delayed the spring migration of SL.

SOCIABLE LAPWING SIGHTINGS & ASSOCIATED HABITAT TABLE 2

DATE LOCATION FLOCK SIZE NUMBER SEX / AGED 2 AGE / SEX RATIO 2

19/02/2011 AshShola (Ghdeiwere) 2 50m Radius Habitat: Bird found feeding here only. Shrub Layer 60% (Haloxylon s. 60%, Anabasis s. 40%) Sward Layer 40% (Poa spp 50%, Hordeum spp 50%) Bare Ground Layer 0% (Uncultivated) Surrounding Habitat: Shrub Layer 60% Sward Layer 10% Bare Ground Layer 30% (Haloxylon s. 60%, Anabasis s. 40%) (Poa spp 50%, Hordeum spp 50%) (Uncultivated)

21/02/2011 Al Hawl (E of Lake Khatuniyeh) 1 1 1 50m Radius Habitat: Bird found feeding here. Shrub Layer 20% (Atriplex l. 70%, Alhagi m. 30%, Frankenia sp +) Sward Layer 15% (Aeloropus littoralis 100%, Poa spp +) Bare Ground Layer 65% (Uncultivated) Surrounding Habitat: Bird flushed to here and fed. Shrub Layer 20% (Atriplex l. 70%, Alhagi m. 30%, Frankenia sp +) Sward Layer 10% (Young sown cereal crop c. 5cm ht.) Bare Ground Layer 70% (Cultivated) 15 , 5 25/02/2011 E of Al Aumair 20 20 50m Radius Habitat: Birds found sheltering & feeding here. Shrub Layer 20% (Peganum h. 95%, Artemisia h. +) Sward Layer 50% (Poa spp 70%, Carex s 20%, Plantago o.10%) Bare Ground Layer 30% (Uncultivated) Surrounding Habitat: Birds moved to feed here. Shrub Layer 20% (Peganum h. 95%, Artemesia h. +) Sward Layer 30% (Poa spp 70%, Carex s 20%, Plantago o.10%) Bare Ground Layer 50% (Uncultivated) Haloxylon salicornicum, Anabasis syriaca, Atriplex leucoclada, Alhagi maurorum, Peganum harmala, Artemisia herba-alba, Plantago ovata.

A total of 23 SL were located on three separate days at three different locations between the 19th & 25th Feb. (Table 2) As in 2010, all birds were located in areas containing short, patchy vegetation, often stony and with extensive bare ground. The 50m radius of habitat recordings showed the shrub layer (whose height rarely exceeded 0.5m) ranged between 20-60% (av.33.3%) of the total recorded area, the sward layer between 15-50% (av.35%) and the bare ground layer between 0-65% (av.31.7%). The surrounding habitat recordings showed the shrub layer % remained constant with that of the 50m radius recordings whilst the grass sward layer % decreased across all three sites, being replaced by bare ground. Though only from three sites, these findings support the 2010 observation that feeding birds were generally located in areas with noticeably lusher, more diverse vegetation. The notion that these lusher areas are more invertebrate rich was also born out by local staff observations (Ahmed Abdallah pers. comm.).

Above: Part of the flock of 20 birds seen at Al Aumair. Note the short patchy vegetation with stony extensive bare ground (Photo: M Abdallah). Only one individual bird at one site was not associated with feeding on uncultivated (natural) steppe habitat, this being at Al Hawl, where the individual was flushed from a ruderal bare ground site at the edge of a cultivated field into the field, where it continued to feed amongst the young cereal sward (c. 5cm height).

Above: The single bird at Al Hawl, first seen on a ruderal bare ground area. (Photo M Abdallah). Most of the steppe sites for SL in 2011 were considered to be too dry to hold SL during the survey period (A.& M. Abdallah pers. comm.), something underlined by the condition of the Eiwa site which was devoid of growing vegetation, showed early signs of desertification and most likely no longer represents a site that could hold SL. Exceptions included the high ground around the Areeba Tower in the Ar Ruweida Grazing Protected Area (referred to as Syriatel in 2007), which had a high percentage cover of sedge dominated green sward, and showed that the suitable habitats of fedahs and shallow wadis can occur at higher elevations in dry seasons. Although a lot of non-rangeland (i.e. non-GPA) habitat was viewed when travelling between rangeland sites, the latter held what was deemed to be the majority of potential suitable habitat for SL, although it was thought that excessive scrub height and coverage could be detrimental. SPRING MIGRATION TIMINGS This survey represents the fifth consecutive year of data collection on SL Spring migration through Syria, although Hofland only spent a few days at the major sites in 2008. No definitive Winter records from Dec and Jan of SL in Syria have been recorded in literature to date, though winter bird records are kept by GCB staff at rangeland reserves and by others in suitable habitats during these months (Ahmed Abdallah pers. comm.).

Historical records (see Appendix 2) show no sightings in the 1st week of Feb and only two from the second week (1 at Homs Lake on the 9th; (Murdoch 2004) and 5-15 around Talila on the 14th; (Serra 2005)). The majority of early records are from sightings in the third week and these then continue through until late Mar, with the last being recorded during the period 19-25th (Hofland et al 2007). Many reports from locals at various sites in 2011 noted high numbers of SL still present in the last weeks of Mar in previous years , something which may indicate the presence of birds even into early April. The following graph represent the dates and numbers (factored: see RHS of graph) for all Spring sightings of SL during the five year period 2007-11 inclusive.

Sociable Lapwing Numbers 2007-2011

70 60 50 Numbers 40 (2007/50 30 20 10 0 (2008/1 (2009/1 (2010/4 2011

Dates

From the graph it appears that a two peak migration occurs; the first running over an 11 day period between 20 Feb 2 Mar, peaking on the 25th Feb and the second running over a 17 day period between 2 18 Mar, peaking on the 10th Mar. This Feb peak is most likely associated with an earlier arrival of territorial males before the bulk of the population appears in Mar. For future monitoring a peak survey period would appear to be based around weeks two and three of March as earlier surveys may only record the first wave of SL, though all estimates are weather dependant and surround only five years data weighted towards late Feb and early Mar surveys. To date, 2011 appears to be anomalous, with only one peak of migration possibly representing a delay in the appearance of the main population which should appear later in March. Reasons for this are speculative but it may represent favourable feeding conditions still being present in the wintering grounds (satellite tag data: Rob

Sheldon pers. comm.) or poor weather conditions associated with the flyway across Syria. It will be interesting to note that if no more records do appear this year it may point towards the migration route changing within a season leading to an re-routing around or over-flying of Syria. As of the 22nd of March, when the field work had been completed and the activities of the International workshop on SL had taken place in Palmyra, no more sightings were recorded from any area of Syria, either from the rest of the team or contacts the team has made with locals and enthusiasts during the survey. This was also confirmed by information derived from tagged birds which indicated they had just started moving only short distances within but not away from the Wintering grounds both in Sudan and Saudi Arabia. Correspondingly, estimated peak counts of 1000s in 2007 also appear anomalous and lend more weight to the idea of a dynamic and changeable nature to the Spring SL migration across Syria. In light of this, Spring migration counts in surrounding countries become even more important in assessing and conserving the SL population. RECORD OF SOCIABLE LAPWING REPORTS FROM SHEPHERDS, HUNTERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES Bedouin, shepherds, hunters and local GCB staff were asked on a number of occasions if they were aware of SL. The following is a record of these conversations where a reliable report of SL was received: South of Palmyra/Station T3.

Hunter handed a pair of wings to GCB in Palmyra of a bird shot the previous autumn. Dr Kanani (Head of Bald Ibis project) reported the location to the team as south of Station T3, near the Iraqi border. A transect was carried out south of Station T3 with some suitable habitat seen although no sightings of SL. AshShola (north) Grazing Protected Area

A party of four hunters from nearby Deir Ezzor appeared to know SL well but only during the autumn when they stated birds may be present for up to 40 days. North of Deir Ezzor Al Hjeifat area

Shepherd appeared to know the bird well and said he has seen it in previous years during the spring. From his comments it would appear he expected it later in spring (we questioned him on Feb 20th). He also remarked on how dry conditions were. Seemetec, village near Al Hassakeh

Yousef Maao (GCB) reported a flock of almost 500 birds last autumn (15th Oct.). The birds were in a recently ploughed field. Village South of Al Hassakeh (N 3590427 E 4045406)

Local villager reported SL present last autumn, using an area of natural steppe with wetter conditions and some green vegetation still left.

NE of Kir Sharan (N 3706522 E 4159335)

Local shepherd reported seeing flocks of birds last autumn that may have been SL. Although he was not certain, this record is of potential interest as it was one of the areas explored for the first time to our knowledge. Lake Jabbul west shore

Although the habitat in this area is not prime SL habitat, our guide stated that hundreds of SL can be present in the area during March in some years, made up of scattered flocks of 20 to 30 birds. Wadi Al-Azib

This was another area that has not been reported to be searched in the past for SL to our knowledge and has plenty of excellent habitat. Although the team did not record any sightings on the two visits to the area, some reliable and corroborated information was received from local GCB staff that indicates SL passes through the area in both spring and autumn. A ranger reported seeing SL last autumn. Mohamed Al-Tammas (Head of local Planting and Restoration Section) reported that small numbers of Sociable Lapwing in flocks of 20 to 30 birds are seen regularly in spring just west of N 3530743 E 3767206 (near a dried up wadi). Birds utilized open areas and timing was given as mid-March. Sometimes Stone Curlew was seen associating with the flocks. He also stated that Rasam Al-Ahmar, approx 10km N of the above location and an extension of the same wadi also had similar habitat. Another GCB local worker also confirmed this report on a different occasion. Other staff and locals stated that birds had been seen at AshShakousieh aprrox 25 km NW of Rasam Al-Ahmar in small flocks of five to 10 birds. Habitat was described as being on the edge of the Badia with some scattered arable. A local farmer at Athriya (to the south west of Wadi Al-Azib) also reported seeing flocks of 10 to 20 birds in most springs from mid-March.

Two areas at Wadi Al-Azib showing very suitable habitat for SL. Al Aumair

Shepherd reported seeing SL in most years but in small groups only.

Kharbaga

Shepherds reported that SL is regular in spring but does not appear until towards the end of March. On point of interest that arose from these discussions was that most of the individuals talked to expect to see the birds in spring form mid-March onwards indicating that the 2009-11 surveys may have finished too early. HUNTING Although the hunting law in Syria gives protection to all species it is not enforced in practice (Eskelin & Timonen, 2010). Evidence of hunting was found at most scan points in the form of fired shot gun cartridges. Hunters were only seen on three occasions: 1. Four local hunters from Deir Ezzor were met in AshShola (north) area on Feb 18th within the Grazing Protected Area (GPA). They were informed about the importance of SL project and handed the SSCW leaflet. They were aware of SL and provided information on the birds presence during the autumn passage. 2. Two suspected hunters were seen on the south west shore of Lake Jabbul on Feb 27th and quickly departed when they became aware of our presence. 3. A hunter with a rifle was seen at Lake Khatuniyeh on Mar 8th. Local Bedouin were also questioned about the activity of hunting: 1. Bedouin questioned on Feb 19th at AshShola (south) area reported lots of local hobby hunters but no recent large hunting parties/camps. 2. Bedouin questioned on Feb 25th at Al Aumair reported he had seen no large hunting parties in the area and he had been in the area for 40 days. He did report some night time lamping taking place, presuming this was targeting wild rabbit and hare.

Above: Shotgun cartridges at Lake Jabbul. The one on the right is home made and exploded in the gun when fired.

RECCOMMENDATIONS MONITORING OF MIGRATION TIMINGS WINTER SL PRESENCE IN SYRIA: It would be beneficial to collate and add to data already present details concerning SL presence in Syria between the last Autumn and first Spring records (i.e. Nov, Dec, Jan). SPRING & AUTUMN SL PRESENCE IN SYRIA: Surveys to date have provided data on early Spring arrival times in Feb but little exists in record for late departure dates (i.e. mid Mar to early April). This period could reveal peak counts missed by surveys between 2007-11. It would be useful if Autumn migration data collection could be approached in the same manner as in Spring. MIGRATION MONITORING PROTOCOL: A timing window should be established using current data to highlight the optimal period for Spring and Autumn monitoring of SL so as to reduce the time impact on local bodies who have other duties to perform in the busy Spring period.

HABITAT USAGE It is of great importance to expand and improve methods used so far to collect data on habitat use by SL whilst in Syria. It will be fundamentally important in the understanding of which areas are available to SL for staging and therefore which should be monitored and protected for the future. Habitat questions arising to date which need to be investigated include the dichotomy between natural and cultivated steppe choice both within and between Spring and Autumn seasons, the connection between stop-over sights and open water or wetter habitats, implications of local and international weather patterns to the Syrian flyway habitats and the importance of steppe restoration and GPAs for SL.

DIET More direct observations of feeding are required to expand our knowledge of the feeding biology of SL including the range of invertebrates and other possible food sources used across different habitats and seasons. More indirect research could be achieved by undertaking invertebrate sampling at known or possible feeding sites and comparing and contrasting this with randomly sampled sites. Part of this research could be to collect & develop a reference collection of known prey items for aiding identification in the field during direct observations.

THREATS HABITAT LOSS: Something which can be monitored by condition assessment of habitat at known and potential stop-over sites. Eiwa is now a good example of how fragile the stop-over steppe habitat is and how quickly it can be degraded. Hopefully it will also be a good example of how restoration measures can bring back the habitat.

Above left: Eiwa 2011. Right Eiwa in 2007 (Photo: M Abdallah) HUNTING: A major source of threat to SL passing through Syria which is being actively engaged with by local bodies. Definitely a source of information from which to continue and develop the socio-economically related conservation studies & projects already being undertaken.

Appendix 1 - Scan points Date Location GPS Reading (lat/long) N 3449313 E 3850250 N 3448450 E 3847143 N 3451560 E 3851859 N 3450455 E 3866489 N3432829 E 3873650 N 3425313 E 3870487 N 3424276 E 3869987 N 3417347 E 3872219 N 3414756 E 3874142 N 3411268 E 3861484 N 3475652 E 3872959 N 3485215 Height Comments (mtrs)

16.02.11

Talila Protected Area

17.02.11

South of Palmyra / Station T3

Mosaic of scattered Carex, Poa and Anabasis syriaca bushes and stony bare ground. As Above. As Above. As Above. Two small watering holes in the area. Same habitat as above but in a strip in a hollow/wadi. Same as above but quite an extensive area. Approx 450 sheep seen grazing in scan area. Same as above in a wide valley/wadi. Sandy stony soil with scattered Achillea sp bushes.

18.02.11

On route between Palmyra and Deir Ezzor

Bare ground with scattered Poa.

AshShola (North) Grazing Protected Area West of Deir Ezzor 19.02.11 AshShola (South) Wadi Ghdeiwer and Bir-AdDokhuel

E 3897779 N 3485569 E 3903297 N 3491170 E 3922223 N 3494068 E 3944411 N 3515782 E 3978242 N 3521456 E 3990980 N 3517236 E 3986361 N 3509940 E 3986341 N 3508498 E 3980563 N 3510237 E 3984121 N 3508969 E 3985713 N 3546430 E 4021421 N 3547776 E 4021552

Bare ground, some Poa with large amount of Achillea/Anabasis scrub. Fallow arable field also present in scan area. Noaea bushes and Poa with bare ground. Sand dunes, scattered Poa and Noaea/Anabasis scrub. 329 Scattered Anabasis with scattered Poa patches (approx 20% cover). Conditions too dry for Sociable Lapwing. Sand with scattered Poa. Bare ground with limited amount of Poa and Astragalus spinosa / Anabasis scrub. As above. 301 Mosaic of Poa / Hordeum patches with Artemisia, Haloxylon salicornicum and Anabasis scrub and stony bare ground. Two Sociable Lapwings observed. Area known locally as Wadi Ghdeiwer Largely bare ground with scattered bushes and Poa. Approx 700 sheep seen in scan area. Approx 20% Poa and 80% bare ground with only occasional Anabasis. Restoration area bushes planted in rows with patches of Poa (approx 30% cover) in between rows. Probably too dry for Sociable Lapwing. As above.

20.02.11

NW of Deir Ezzor Al-Hjeifat Grazing Protected Area

21.02.11

NE of Deir Ezzor Al Howl Wadi AzZalla Lake Khatuniyeh east shore

N 3551797 E 4020620 N 3553388 E 4026735 N 3554664 E 4021090 N 3554820 E 4019204 N 3556755 E 4019457 N 3557340 E 4024264 N 3558417 E 4025826 N 3561096 E 4024226 N 3562683 E 4023407 N 3592060 E 4004029 N 3547759 E 4023576 N 3640746 E 4108126 N 3641885 E 4123141 N 3649608

Outside protected area. Only about 1km further on from above location and virtually devoid of vegetation. Highly degraded steppe with fallow ploughed field in scan area. Outside protected area. Scan point overlooking a wadi/shallow valley. Some Poa and scattered bushes in base of wadi. Outside protected area. Devoid of vegetation. Outside protected area. Some scattered bushes but otherwise devoid of vegetation. Outside protected area. Steppe restoration area. Protected area scattered bushes and good covering of Plantago ovata (approx 50:50 bare ground:Plantago). Bare ground:Plantago approx 50:50. Scattered Anabasis bushes. As above. Mosaic of Plantago/bare ground, barley arable and fallow fields. Degraded steppe, some scattered Poa and isolated bushes. Mosaic of barley arable, fallow fields and steppe habitat with good covering of Poa and scattered Atriplex leucoclada / Alhagi maurorum scrub. Small area of ground with 15% Aeloropus littoralis, 65% bare ground and 20% Atriplex leucoclada/Alhagi maurorum bushes otherwise barley arable and fallow fields. One Sociable Lapwing observed. Rolling steppe habitat with patches of Poa, Carex with scattered

22.02.11

Kharbaga Grazing

Protected Area

Eiwa 23.02.11 Area between Al Hassakeh and Al Qamishli

E 3992054 N 3651081 E 3987053 N 3650179 E 3987053 N 3649448 E 3984671 N 3648277 E 3981938 N 3645952 E 3947429 N 3668898 E 4082677 N 3686308 E 4098205 N 3706522 E 4159335 N 3706472 E 4199538 N 3699963 E 4175420 N 3660999 E 4000404 N 3654699 E 3990723 N 3651547 E 3985529 N 3649480

Atriplex leucoclada. As above As above 439 As above. As above. Scattered Peganum harmala bushes otherwise devoid of vegetation. Flat terrain. Mixed barley (early crop stage) and fallow fields.

Arable plain with early crop (prob barley) and occasional fallow field. Sheep grazed Poa landscape with some bare ground, boulders/rocks overlooking reservoir. Arable landscape soil noticeably fertile and crop (early stage) mostly wheat. Area holding 1000s of Skylarks and Calandra larks. As above. Gentle undulating terrain (outside protected area) with early stage barley crop. Some scattered Atriplex and Poa. Outside protected area. Approx 750 sheep seen in scan area. Cover as follows: bare ground (70%), Poa (20%), Atriplex (10%). Rolling steppe habitat with patches of Poa, Carex with scattered

NE of Kir Sharan E of Al Qamishii

24.02.11

Kharbaga area

Kharbaga Grazing Protected Area

25.02.11

Al Aumair outside protected area Al Aumair Grazing Protected Area Al Aumair outside protected area

26.02.11

Ar Russafa

E 3984681 N 3662555 E 3977331 N 3622217 E 3925954 N 3631747 E 3934195 N 3641077 E 3960162 N 3641656 E 3967134 N 3645333 E 3968028 N 3644521 E 3967451 N 3643858 E 3967762 N 3643116 E 3966827 N 3579242 E 3877201 N 3571512 E 3876661 N 3618963 E 3794329 N 3686602 E 3763377 N 3586231

Atriplex leucoclada. Area of steppe under restoration and degraded steppe devoid of vegetation bisected by a road. Highly degraded steppe. Scattered Peganum harmala bushes otherwise devoid of vegetation. Gently rolling terrain. Scattered bushes (Salsola sp and Artemisia herba-alba) and scattered Poa patches. Controlled grazing in area. Highly degraded steppe and barley arable. Arable early stage barley and fallow. Area of gently rolling terrain. Scattered bushes with 50% green cover (75% Carex, 25% Poa). As above but only 25% green cover. Approx 280 sheep observed in scan area. As above but 50% green cover. 20 Sociable Lapwing observed. Approx 1350 sheep seen in scan area in three groups. As above with 30% green cover. Last four scan points should be regarded as a single block of suitable habitat for Sociable Lapwing. Gently rolling landscape with degraded steppe devoid of vegetation and barley arable / fallow fields. Over 3,000 sheep visible from scan point. As above. Over 700 sheep seen from scan point. Mosaic of barley, fallow fields and early stage olive groves. Hilly terrain. Not suitable for Sociable Lapwing. Gently rolling terrain consisting of barley arable and fallow fields. Soil very stony. As above

27.02.11

NW of Lake Assad on route to Jabbul West shore of Lake Jabbul

E 3764856 N 3587912 E 3762755 28.02.11 South of Lake Jabbul N 3573273 E 3753190 N 3571779 E 3754052 N 3567654 E 3757155 N3566314 E 3758885 N 3561858 E 3762052 N 3549577 E 3769670 N 3468383 E 3834373 N 3452603 E 3842082 N 3454071 E 3844389 N 3530743 E 3767206

As above. The last three scan points should be regarded as one block and Sociable Lapwings have been recorded in the area in the past. The only areas not arable are rocky outcrops or low lying wetter areas. Gently rolling terrain with barley arable and fallow fields. As above. Steppe habitat large patches of Poa and scattered bushes. Approx 500 sheep seen from scan point. As above approx 900 sheep seen from scan point. Good steppe habitat with good cover of Poa. Many established bushes (in some areas too tall and abundant for Sociable Lapwing). Approx 750 sheep seen, presumably controlled grazing. Bush cover much reduced but still very green with a good cover of Poa. Hundreds of sheep seen from scan point. 25% Poa/Hordeum cover with heavily grazed bushes (mostly Achillea sp). Approx 100 sheep seen from scan point. Sociable Lapwings recorded here in 2009. Gently rolling terrain. Very stony soil on higher areas with heavily grazed Anabasis. More dune like structure on lower areas with approx 20% cover Poa and scattered Anabasis. Stony bare ground with heavily grazed scattered Anabasis. Sociable Lapwing reported from area last autumn. Gently rolling terrain. Scattered bushes (Haloxylon salicornicum and Salsola spinosa) with good cover of Poa. Area under restoration with furrows ploughed ready for planting. Sociable Lapwing reported present in this area the previous spring.

Wadi Al-Azib outside protected area

Wadi Al-Azib Grazing Protected Area Wadi Al-Azib outside protected area N of Palmyra

01.03.11

02.03.11

N of Palmyra

04.03.11

Wadi Al-Azib Grazing Protected Area.

449

05.03.11

Wadi Al-Azib outside protected area East shore of Lake Jabbul

N 3528009 E 3769629 N 3528602 E 3772381 N 3521300 E 3768657 N 3566816 E 3757732 N 3576001 E 3788447 N 3594898 E 3769282

477

As above. As above but on edge of protected area. Non protected area devoid of bushes but still quite green with Poa. As above Heavily grazed bushes with scattered Poa. Extensive area of steppe habitat some under restoration. Some small patches of barley arable. Steppe habitat. High ground virtually devoid of bushes and only small amount of Poa. Lower areas more dune like with some large areas covered with Carex stenophylla .Approx 1,000 sheep seen from scan point. Mosaic of barley and fallow fields. Mosaic of steppe habitat (Poa on higher ground, Carex on more dune like lower areas) and arable (barley and fallow weedy fields). Flat terrain- arable (barley and fallow). Degraded steppe, virtually devoid of bushes. Some Poa patches in area around a large gulley. Surrounded by barley arable. Over 200 sheep seen from scan point. Degraded steppe. Scattered heavily grazed bushes and occasional clumps of Poa. Nice piece of steppe habitat. Some green patches of Carex with a good covering of Haloxylon and Noaea mucronata bushes. Area of steppe with a large green patch (Carex stenophylla with small amount of Poa) surrounded by otherwise barren steppe with only

489 347 318

ArRaqqa, Bir Said

N 3598423 E 3772223 N 3602621 E 3771181 N 3613802 E 3918710 N 3621959 E 3926516 N 3622716 E 3924265 N 3631568 E 3934399 N 3644165 E 3965075

330 313 295 362

354 423 423

06.03.11

North of Bir Said Al Aumair

Kharbaga

Kharbaga Grazing Protected Area

08.03.11

Al Howl Wadi AzZalla Jalib Al-Hokuma Grazing Protected Area

N 3643298 E 3967226 N 3650587 E 3982849 N 3649448 E 3984671 N 3650201 E 3987123 N 3650161 E 3989587 N 3649411 E 3992063 N 3648157 E 3993721 N 3649915 E 3987514 N 3640746 E 4108126 N 3544726 E 4047996 N 3545839 E 4044096 N 3546725 E 4043746 N 3556549 E 4022153

425 439 439 495 464 482 512 488

Peganum. Area of gently rolling terrain. Scattered bushes with 50% green cover (75% Carex, 25% Poa). SyriaTel Tower. Scattered Poa/Carex with Atriplex bushes. Rolling steppe habitat with patches of Poa, Carex with scattered Atriplex leucoclada. Scattered green patches of Poa/Carex with good cover of bushes. As above. As above. Good covering of bushes but little Poa/Carex. Good patch of Poa and scattered bushes. Mosaic of barley arable, fallow fields and steppe habitat with good covering of Poa and scattered Atriplex leucoclada / Alhagi maurorum scrub. Extensive area of rangeland. Flat terrain with uniform 30% cover of Poa and planted bushes (not yet too high for Sociable Lapwing). Appeared to be excellent habitat for Sociable Lapwing. As above. As above. Gently rolling terrain with scattered Poa, Plantago ovata and Hordium. Scattered bushes, all heavily grazed. Patches of Artemisia

224

227 228 228

09.03.11

Al-Hjeifat outside protected area

North of Al-Hjeifat

N 3583940 E 4020369 N 3523849 E 4080344 N 3529149 E 4088279 N 3534088 E 4095335 N 3531270 E 4098227 N 3509740 E 3984266 N 3508405 E 3980493 N 3517229 E 3976590 N 3513934 E 3975187

342

10.03.11

Ar Rawda outside protected area

233 192 176

scoparia. Dune like habitat with a good covering of Brassica sp almost forming a green sward with scattered Noaea, Artemisia, Astragalus and Salsola bushes. Flat terrain with scattered Poa and Plantago. Only shrub was Artemisia scoparia. Cover of up to 30% Poa/Plantago with scattered Salsola and Anabasis. Shallow valley/wadi with extensive cover of Poa and scattered bushes. An area of restoration that was washed away by heavy storms. At present excellent habitat for Sociable Lapwing. As above. Steppe habitat, good cover of Poa in large patches and scattered heavily grazed shrubs. Mosaic of Poa / Hordeum patches with Artemisia, Haloxylon salicornicum and Anabasis scrub and stony bare ground. Area known locally as Wadi Ghdeiwer Scattered Poa (up to 20% cover). Conditions too dry for Sociable Lapwing. As above.

Ar Rawda Grazing Protected Area

170 292 301

11.03.11

AshShola (south)

AshShola (north) Grazing Protected Area

329

330

Appendix 2 Historical Records

SITE Al-Mayadin Ar Ruw eida Rangeland Reserve Ard-es-Sot Buhayrat al-Assad (Lake Assad) Damas (Damascus) Deir ez-Zor Deir ez-Zor Deir ez-Zor/Ashhola Deir ez-Zor/Dayr az Saw r Eiw a Hassake/Al Hassakah Khatuniyah lake Lake of Homs/Hims Ramat Magshimim Raqqa/Al Raqqah Talila reserve near Palmyra (Tadmur) Talila reserve near Palmyra (Tadmur) Talila reserve near Palmyra (Tadmur) Talila reserve near Palmyra (Tadmur) Talila reserve near Palmyra (Tadmur) Tell Brak, NE-Syria Tell Tamir (Tell Tamer) Tell Tamir (Tell Tamer) Tell Tamir (Tell Tamer) Tell Tamir (Tell Tamer) Tual al-' Abba/Tiw al-al-Aba 36.498480 36.410600 34.645380 32.845800 35.952760 34.560240 34.560240 34.560240 34.560240 34.560240 36.669960 36.658630 36.658630 36.658630 36.658630 36.333330 41.227000 36.576550 35.809200 39.020690 38.276370 38.276370 38.276370 38.276370 38.276370 41.018660 40.380250 40.380250 40.380250 40.380250 39.366670 14/02/2001 07/03/2001 21/02/2004 22/02/2004 21/02/2004 06/09/1945 23/09/1945 13/10/1945 19/10/1945 October 35.900000 33.500000 35.479400 35.254100 35.180560 35.342570 38.400000 36.300000 40.551600 40.112800 39.822220 40.138180 LATITUDE LONGITUDE 34.991460 36.476440 40.429690 39.884360 26/02/2008 1931 September,1974 22/10/1919 27/02/2008 29/02/2008 24/02/1998 20 October 26/02/2008 40.767050 20 October, November 27/02/2008 09/02/2004 17/02/1984 DATE No of _BIRDS 0 1 male Aharoni, J. 40 1 male Meinerzhagen OBSERVER SOURCE Baumgart 1995 Finnish Museum of Natural History, museum specimen Evans 1994 Kumerloeve 1968 steppe marsh HABITAT

39 Remco Hofland et al. Hofland, R. in litt. 05/03/2008

12 Remco Hofland et al. Hofland, R. in litt. 05/03/2008 8 Remco Hofland et al. Hofland, R. in litt. 05/03/2008 7 Wester 30 10 1 2 0 15 Gianluca Serra 17 (flocks of 4 & 13) Gianluca Serra 4 4 Gianluca Serra 3 1 12 3 1 1 Murdoch & Serra 2006 Kumerloeve 1968, Baumgart 1995 Kumerloeve 1968 Murdoch et al. 2004 Shirihai 1996 Baumgart 1995 Serra, G. in litt. Serra, G. in litt. Serra, G. in litt. Murdoch et al. 2004 Serra, G. in litt. Murdoch et al. 2004 Kumerloeve 1968 Kumerloeve 1968 Kumerloeve 1968 Kumerloeve 1968 Evans 1994

39 Remco Hofland et al. Hofland, R. in litt. 05/03/2008 10 Remco Hofland et al. Hofland, R. in litt. 05/03/2008

hilly and shrubby steppe shrub steppe open steppe shrubby habitat

07/03/2003 5 (flock of 4 & 1 bird shot) Gianluca Serra

REFERENCES

Jbour, S. Proposed work plan for monitoring of Sociable Lapwing during spring migration, Syria Feb-March 2011. Murdoch, D.A. & Betton, K.F. A Checklist of the Birds of Syria. OSME, 2008. Murdoch, D.A, & Betton, K.F. 2008: A Checklist of the birds of Syria. Sandgrouse (supplement 2) : 48 p. Hofland R. & G.O. Keijl 2008. Syrian Sociable Lapwing survey, 18 February - 5 March 2007. WIWO-report 85, Beek-Ubbergen, The Netherlands.
Maggs, H., Rebecca, G., Scott, M. & Wills, J. Sociable Lapwing Survey Syria

February-March 2009 Interim report on sites visited and birds found.

Kemp, M., Nowers, M., & White, G., RSPB Sociable Lapwing Survey in Syria 17 February 9 March 2010

Eskelin, T. & Timonen, S. AEWA LWF Goose Working Group Report Series No 1, 2010 Porter, R F, Christensen, S, Schiermacker-Hansen, P, 1996. Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East. T & A D Poyser. Mullarney, K., L. Svensson, D. Zetterstrom & P.J. Grant 1999. Collins Bird Guide. The most complete field guide of birds of Britain and Europe. Harper Collins Publishers. Murdoch, D.A., R. Vos, A. Abdallah, M. Abdallah, I. Andrews, A. al-Asaad, R. Van Beusekom, R. Hofland, T. Roth, B. Saveyn, G. Serra & G. Wells 2005. A winter survey of Syrian wetlands. Final report of the Syrian Wetland Expedition, January February 2004. London Serra G., M. Abdallah, A. Asaad. G. al Qaim and A. Abdallah 2005. A long-term bird survey in the central Syrian desert (2000-2003) - Part 1. Sandgrouse 27: 9-23. Aidek A. 2010. A Guide to the Biodiversity of Dier Ezzor area. SSCW, OSME & AviFauna. Dier Ezzor, Syria. Serra G. 2007. El Badia, a world of animals. (Talila Reserve Pamphlet). MARR, Cooerazione Italiana, FAO, Palmyra, Syria.