BIRDING SITES IN THE AL HAJAR MOUNTAINS
A visit to the Al Hajar Mountains and Sayq Plateau is a must for every visiting birder. Targets include Lappet-faced Vulture, Hume's & Persian Wheatears, Menetries's Warbler, Plain Leaf Warbler, Streaked Scrub Warbler & Striolated Bunting. As for Omani Owl, there's a number of sites worth checking and they aren't such a secret as they used to be but you'll need to do your own research. We only ask that if you strike it lucky don't keep playing the call or keep the bird in your spotlight any longer than necessary!
NAKHL WADI
If you're staying at Barka this is only a 50 minute drive away and holds all the same target species as Wadi Al Muaydin: Red-tailed & Hume's Wheatear, Plain Leaf Warbler, Streaked Scrub Warbler, Striolated Bunting and it's a good site for wintering Menetries's Warbler too. As with most wadis in the mountains the road is uneven and a SUV with high clearance is recommended.
Head to this GPS Co-ordinate: 23°24'17.2"N 57°51'48.0"E
SAYQ PLATEAU
It's worth driving up the very steep road that passes Wadi Al Muaydin just for kicks - if you're brave enough! There's further chances of Lappet-faced Vulture up here. There's a pretty decent hotel - Jabal Akhdar Hotel (booking.com link) to start at, and it sometimes has decent birding in the gardens - a Black-throated Thrush was seen here once in November 2023. As you follow the paved road ever upwards from the turn-off here (GPS: ) you will eventually reach a steep, but short dip in the road here (GPS: ) and there is usually a pool on the right hand side. This was the site of a flock of Black-throated Thrushes in xxxx, but sometimes the pool can be dry in November. Drive past the pool and up the other side of the hill and park on the right-hand side where you see a pull-in and a roof covering where you can park your car in the shade. Walk back to view the pool. In some years the trees can literally be dripping with Eastern Black Redstarts & Lesser Whitethroats, as well as smaller numbers of Common Redstarts, Spotted Flycatchers and Common Chiffchaffs. There's usually one or two Menetries's Warblers & Streaked Scrub Warblers around and keep an eye out for Eurasian Wryneck. Once you've finished here, drive 200m further and take the road to the right that goes down to the plateau and alongside the pool, but be aware you will be 'off-roading' on a rocky, bumpy track. You can drive for several kilometres once you've passed the pool, which was now on your right. The rockier sections can be good for Common Rock-Thrush and Pied Wheatears, an further exploration can reveal Grey Francolin, Arabian Babblers, a variety of shrikes, as well as Brown-necked Ravens (common).
Once you've had enough of the bumpy track, retrace your steps to the main road and turn right to explore several kilometres further. There have been sightings of Common Woodpigeon from this area in the past.
TO VISIT THE eBIRD HOTSPOT INFO: SAYQ PLATEAU
Use of the map above courtesy of Jens Eriksen & The Birdwatching Guide to Oman. To purchase a PDF of this excellent site guide please email Jens Eriksen at: hjoman@gmail.com (EUR 15).
WADI AL MUAYDIN
Probably the most visited site and easily accessible wadi for birders, as it's an easy drive from Nizwa. All the main targets are here: Red-tailed & Hume's Wheatears, Plain Leaf Warbler, Streaked Scrub Warbler & Striolated Bunting. Some time spent raptor watching can produce Egyptian Vulture and more importantly Lappet-faced Vulture. Sometimes Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse are seen just before dusk, but a great deal of luck is required.
TO VISIT THE eBIRD HOTSPOT INFO: Wadi Al Muaydin
GPS Co-ordinates: 22°59'22.4"N 57°40'09.2"E
OTHER SITES
There are a number of other sites if you want to explore, and we would encourage you to do this. Most of the key target species can be found anywhere and the potential to find something good is ever present!
TO VISIT THE eBIRD HOTSPOT INFO: Al Ghubrah Bowl
GPS Co-ordinates: 23°15'32.4"N 57°42'09.4"E
There's also more sightings info on observation.org
TO VISIT THE eBIRD HOTSPOT INFO: Jebel Shams
GPS Co-ordinates: 23°14'16.6"N 57°15'52.2"E
TO VISIT THE eBIRD HOTSPOT INFO: Wadi Tanuf
GPS Co-ordinates: 23°03'40.2"N 57°28'05.0"E