• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

Oman - December 2024 (1 Viewer)

Hi, great report! We have been to Oman in the early November. We wanted only Arabian birds and saw most of out targets.

We missed Omani Owl in Wadi Muaydin too, despite spending much time there during two evenings. I feel the whole north of the country was very dessicated with few birds. In the south, we saw the target seabirds on the Mirbat pelagic, and many sea turtles, but did not see a single cetacean anywhere. I think two pelagics would be better. We camped at the Muntasar oasis and saw Egyptian Nightjars and vagrant Olive-backed Pipit and Sykes Nightjar (apparently the second for Oman). However, no Spotted Sandgrouse which were supposedly in the hundreds. Lower Wadi Darbat, the road to the lake with swan-shaped boats is apparently good for mammals after dusk. French birders reported a hyena, wolves and a ratel. We saw some canine, probably a Wolf, and Arabian Scops Owl and Arabian Eagle Owl.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the read and also for the additional information - it may be useful some time.
 
Hi, great report! We have been to Oman in the early November. We wanted only Arabian birds and saw most of out targets.

We missed Omani Owl in Wadi Muaydin too, despite spending much time there during two evenings. I feel the whole north of the country was very dessicated with few birds. In the south, we saw the target seabirds on the Mirbat pelagic, and many sea turtles, but did not see a single cetacean anywhere. I think two pelagics would be better. We camped at the Muntasar oasis and saw Egyptian Nightjars and vagrant Olive-backed Pipit and Sykes Nightjar (apparently the second for Oman). However, no Spotted Sandgrouse which were supposedly in the hundreds. Lower Wadi Darbat, the road to the lake with swan-shaped boats is apparently good for mammals after dusk. French birders reported a hyena, wolves and a ratel. We saw some canine, probably a Wolf, and Arabian Scops Owl and Arabian Eagle Owl.

The Sykes's Nightjars seem interesting records. I had noticed those:-



All the best

Paul
 
I think one of the main dangers in our hobby, especially if you prefer to go out independently, is comparing our trips and sightings with the entirety of eBird! or against someone who is living in the area birding there daily.
That way expectations can be ridiculously over ambitious.

Looking purely in terms of numbers of species, if you can look at the target list after the trip and see that it wouldn't justify going back, that's about as good as it gets! Of course there is more to our hobby than just numbers, and there are favourite places we'd like to return to regardless.
So true. For instance Wadi Muaydin. You think Omani Owl would be a piece of cake, but when you arrive at the scene you will notice it is an immense wide canyon and you have to be really lucky to hear or see one, especially when you have wind blowing through. It can be anywhere. Not over expectate the possibilities. I missed out on the Arabian Babbler and AGW Grosbeak. The latter is more difficult than you think. Especially if you are unlucky that there are people with mopeds and camels at the drinking place. Right time , right moment. They come in for a drink and are gone again. But 214 species of birds is pretty good for our group.
 
Last edited:
Hi Pete, I also really enjoyed your report and found it quite refreshing against a number I've read recently: these reports had obviously clocked up some truly amazing species but read a little like 'we went to X where Y had been clocked on ebird 100 times this week, spent 30 mins wandering about before Y showed and we left for Z'.

The beauty of independent trips is that it isn't (generally) a testimony to ability, but to the vagaries of bird behaviour and local movements (maybe luck?) and the intersection of these with your time in a landscape - a much more rewarding and at times frustrating experience, but one that perhaps reflects a more realistic birding experience - some are successful, others aren't so lucky.

I'm sure birding wouldn't be the enriching pursuit it is if we all saw what we hoped/expected to see!
 
Hi Pete, I also really enjoyed your report and found it quite refreshing against a number I've read recently: these reports had obviously clocked up some truly amazing species but read a little like 'we went to X where Y had been clocked on ebird 100 times this week, spent 30 mins wandering about before Y showed and we left for Z'.

The beauty of independent trips is that it isn't (generally) a testimony to ability, but to the vagaries of bird behaviour and local movements (maybe luck?) and the intersection of these with your time in a landscape - a much more rewarding and at times frustrating experience, but one that perhaps reflects a more realistic birding experience - some are successful, others aren't so lucky.

I'm sure birding wouldn't be the enriching pursuit it is if we all saw what we hoped/expected to see!
Recently, in south Africa, I'd spent an hour or so, unsuccessfully scanning the waves for Southern Right Whale, which are supposed to be everywhere in the bays in October. But no joy.
I literally put my key in the ignition to leave, when a minibus hurtled into the car park, people seemingly jumping out before it had stopped, running to the rocks and waving frantically!
3 Southern Right Whales were just coming into view from round the bay, really close, audible blows, breaching, the lot.
The minibus presumably saw them heading my way and went to intercept.
Sorry, not Oman! But sums up all the jeopardy, luck, range of emotions.
 
Hi Pete, I also really enjoyed your report and found it quite refreshing against a number I've read recently: these reports had obviously clocked up some truly amazing species but read a little like 'we went to X where Y had been clocked on ebird 100 times this week, spent 30 mins wandering about before Y showed and we left for Z'.
I'd also add, the overuse of ebird probably isn't helping ebird achieve it's fundamental goals, if everyone is chasing the same bird.
However, with limited time, and so many enigmatic birds, it's a brave birder who doesn't follow the data on once in a lifetime trips, at least for the most wanted species.
 
Hi Pete, I also really enjoyed your report and found it quite refreshing against a number I've read recently: these reports had obviously clocked up some truly amazing species but read a little like 'we went to X where Y had been clocked on ebird 100 times this week, spent 30 mins wandering about before Y showed and we left for Z'.

The beauty of independent trips is that it isn't (generally) a testimony to ability, but to the vagaries of bird behaviour and local movements (maybe luck?) and the intersection of these with your time in a landscape - a much more rewarding and at times frustrating experience, but one that perhaps reflects a more realistic birding experience - some are successful, others aren't so lucky.

I'm sure birding wouldn't be the enriching pursuit it is if we all saw what we hoped/expected to see!

Thanks, Dan, couldn't agree more.
 
... a thermal bino ... I didn't bring one as Omani customs will take them.

Perhaps I'm out of the loop and this is widely known but it is the first I've heard of it. While rock temperature might make thermaling challenging in the evening, the morning is still fair game, but obviously I wouldn't take a thermal to Oman if there were a risk of losing it or worse, ending up in legal jeopardy. Do you know more about this thermal restriction or is there any govt webpage regarding it? Some googling didn't turn much up.

I ask as I know people who have taken thermals to Oman within the past few years and while googling just now I turned up references to mammal watching tours to Oman that advertise driving at night with thermals...

Cheers for any info!
 
Last edited:
Perhaps I'm out of the loop and this is widely known but it is the first I've heard of it. While rock temperature might make thermaling challenging in the evening, the morning is still fair game, but obviously I wouldn't take a thermal to Oman if there were a risk of losing it or worse, ending up in legal jeopardy. Do you know more about this thermal restriction or is there any govt webpage regarding it? Some googling didn't turn much up.

I ask as I know people who have taken thermals to Oman within the past few years and while googling just now I turned up references to mammal watching tours to Oman that advertise driving at night with thermals...

Cheers for any info!

In general terms, I think that clear guidance and legislation on thermal imagers is limited and experiences are very mixed.

If (which is not admitted 😀) you took a thermal to Oman, you could theoretically sail through whilst your friend's 1980s draw scope Optolyth drew all the attention from massed security who were no doubt wondering if it deserved a place on the Omani version of Antiques Roadshow! 😅

I found a thermal useful for Omani Owl when it flew - and it was really high up in the Wadi so otherwise it was very tricky to pick up - & really useful for Desert Owl where two were active and sat on the top of a ledge against a cool background. It made Arabian Scops Owl & Arabian Eagle Owl pretty easy.

Other participants were questioned on entry whether any of their equipment was night vision....

In Sri Lanka, it was invaluable for Sri Lanka Thrush. In Thailand, it was invaluable for Oriental Bay Owl.

Thermals are really useful but it is probably best when they are a bit beaten up and you are resigned one day to parting company with it & upgrading. At one airport, I recall that the only thing that they were interested in was checking for drones.

All the best

Paul
 
In general terms, I think that clear guidance and legislation on thermal imagers is limited and experiences are very mixed.

Absolutely.

Other participants were questioned on entry whether any of their equipment was night vision....

I know, for instance, that India is very serious about banning many GPS devices and people do get into trouble for it, but I've yet to hear of a genuine problem with a thermal. That said, I'm cognizant of where I travel with mine. It's been a godsend though for owling, I get so much more sleep and see so many more mammals.

In Sri Lanka, it was invaluable for Sri Lanka Thrush. In Thailand, it was invaluable for Oriental Bay Owl.

I found my Nilgiri Thrush with my thermal at like 11AM on a warm morning recently, but there was still enough temp difference to pick up a terrestrial bird in a well shaded bit of the forest. Also found a Sunda Owlet midday in warm tropical forest - but it was overcast and I could still find the bugger in the canopy, really well hidden.

Thermals are really useful but it is probably best when they are a bit beaten up and you are resigned one day to parting company with it & upgrading. At one airport, I recall that the only thing that they were interested in was checking for drones.

I would guess I've taken my thermal to 20 or so countries by now. I'm also pondering an upgrade and having a "good thermal" and a "I would cry less if I lost it thermal" is part of the logic, as you suggest...

All that said, I'm still curious if Oman has any official position on night imaging gear or if anyone has actually lost a thermal to customs there.
 
Maybe I should have said. There is a chance Omani customs will take them. I also am not sure if they are illegal to bring them, but I heard it is better not to bring a thermal device.
 
Maybe I should have said. There is a chance Omani customs will take them. I also am not sure if they are illegal to bring them, but I heard it is better not to bring a thermal device.

Do you know of any actual cases of them being taken or is this supposition? If there are cases of them being taken, were they held until the owner left the country or completely confiscated and not returned, or was there any legal fallout? Not trying to be obstinate here but genuinely curious as I will likely visit Oman in the next year or two.
 
Do you know of any actual cases of them being taken or is this supposition? If there are cases of them being taken, were they held until the owner left the country or completely confiscated and not returned, or was there any legal fallout? Not trying to be obstinate here but genuinely curious as I will likely visit Oman in the next year or two.
Same here. When would they be taken? Your bags are searched generically at the UK/departing airport.
I don't think I've ever been questioned at the destination, or had bags searched? so that's a really low probability before we even start.?
They would confiscate as you leave Oman at the security check?
 
Same here. When would they be taken? Your bags are searched generically at the UK/departing airport.
I don't think I've ever been questioned at the destination, or had bags searched? so that's a really low probability before we even start.?
They would confiscate as you leave Oman at the security check?
We were in Oman last March and there is certainly a baggage search after the Immigration desk. They weren't stopping everyone, but they went through my friend's backpack very thoroughly, inspecting camera, lenses, scope etc. He didn't have a thermal so cannot comment on that.

Chris
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top