muscat birding sites

This is the view of the first lagoon from behind the Visitor Centre. it's a good spot to scope from as you're in the shade and it's a pretty good view. There's always Greater Flamingo's present, along with Eurasian Spoonbills & Black-winged Stilts, and a good selection of shorebirds are usually present at the right time of year such as Common Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Little & Temminck's Stints, Wood, Green & Common Sandpipers and it's always worth checking for Long-toed Stint. Keep an eye on the back of the lagoon for Ferruginous Duck, as this is one of the few places it can be seen in Oman. Regular wildfowl here during November include Eurasian Teal, Garganey & Shoveler, but Northern Pintail and Common Pochard are becoming more frequent. Both Little & Great Egrets are normally present, Grey & Purple Herons are present, and watch out for Western Marsh Harrier and Great Spotted Eagle.

This is a good area for Grey Francolin, Red-wattled Lapwings are often around the first lagoon, several races of Western Yellow Wagtail occur on the nearby playing field, Quite often a Citrine Wagtail can be found around the first lagoon (above), Delicate Prinias are common, Arabian Green Bee-eaters haunt the more open, bushy slopes, Clamorous Reed Warblers can be heard "chacking" in the dense waterside vegetation, Purple Sunbirds are normally vocal and obvious as well.

There's a nice selection of birds to kick-start your Oman list and this is usually one of your first stops after arriving at the airport, as it's only a 6 minute drive away.

VISITING: to gain access you need to book a visit through the Nama Company website - so just follow this link: BOOK A VISIT
ACCESS: It can be tricky to find your way in, especially if you've just arrived in Oman and aren't used to the driving here. So put the following GPS co-ordinates into your Google Maps and it will take you to the roundabout just above the wetland and follow the road down and take the first right and stay right to the iron gates. GPS: 23°34'02.4"N 58°19'53.7"E There's a big parking area and someone will come to you to check you have booked a visit on the Nama website.

VISITING: Easy parking along the coastal road (Al Shati Street) where you can scan the beach for shorebirds and gulls. You could spot a Pallas's Gull if you're lucky here, but there's usually a good selection of shorebirds present at low tide such as Terek Sandpiper, Greater & Tibetan Plovers, and others. Always scan through the gulls and terns present for something unusual. You can also scan inland, which is Wadi Adai Nature Reserve and a good place to do this is from the perfectly placed Starbucks on the coast road - it's hard to miss!

Scan from here: GPS 23°37'23.4"N 58°28'33.5"E and then work your way up the coast for several hundred metres.

TO VISIT THE eBIRD HOTSPOT INFO: Wadi Adai and Al Qurum Beach

To book a boat trip out to AL Fahal Island contact via WhatsApp: +968 9400 0245

The main targets are Sooty Falcon and Red-billed Tropicbird, but if you're lucky in the right conditions you could get Persian Shearwater or Red-necked Phalarope as well.

You can park here, if there's space, GPS: 23°37'37.2"N 58°29'01.6"E The boat leaves from the small jetty here. Further parking can be found along nearby streets.

TO VISIT THE eBIRD HOTSPOT INFO: Al Fahal Island

The Muscat Rivermouth is a good site to check for a variety of shorebirds, gulls & terns. Also Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse inhabit the surrounding area.

Park here and scan the channel GPS: 23°36'26.7"N 58°19'18.1"E before walking out to check the beach.

TO VISIT THE eBIRD HOTSPOT INFO: Muscat Rivermouth

Seeb Beach Park is another lesser-known site that's worth a quick check for shorebirds such as Broad-billed Sandpiper, Tibetan Sandplover & others.

Park here: GPS 23°41'21.5"N 58°10'19.8"E
TO VISIT THE eBIRD HOTSPOT INFO: Seeb Beach Park & Corniche