Iran - Northwest

02 May 2018 – 21 May 2018

Fabian Schneider and Reto Burri

Participants: Niloofar Alaei Kakhki, Reza, (Ali & Morteza during the first half of the trip)

We prospect mainly the Elburz Mountain range between Semnan and Tabriz to study the hybridization zone between Pied Wheatear and Eastern Black-eared Wheatears. Most of the visited sites correspond to the different samples places. The year before we covered the area between Mashhad and Baladeh (North of Tehran).

May was a nice month to travel there. The temperatures were nice (not so hot than in June) and, in addition to the local species, we observed many migrant species.

On site, it is not possible to withdraw money. So you have to take with you Euros or USD.

It is virtually impossible to explore well the country without some local persons. For a good guide to Iran I can recommended Ali, he is friendly, he knows most of the birding places and the most common species.

Visited Sites

General Travelling Information

This scientific trip was all organized by Reto Burri in collaboration with the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The weather was mainly sun and the temperatures pleasant. Only in Shemshak, the weather was cloudy, wet and rather cold.

Recommended Literature

Birds of the Middle East, Helm Field Guides, R. Porter & S. Aspinall

Firuzkuh–Semnan road

The whole area between Firuzkuh and Semnan worth the trip. Whith more than 50 birds species encountered, it is one of the best visited place during our trip. The green surroundings of the river hosts many species included several migrant birds. 

Some of the good areas for the migrant passerines are around Seranza. A small valley located west of Seranza (35°44'20.3"N 52°50'42.8"E) host some nice species such as White-throated Robin, Menetries's Warbler (migrant), Plain Leaf-warbler and Grey-necked Bunting.

The north of Aftar (35°37'50.5"N 53°06'42.2"E) are good for steppic species like Desert Lark. A Hume's Wheatear was also observed there and some possible Pale Crag Martin.

The bushy area near the pass 15km north of Aftar (35°42'28.1"N 53°01'34.1"E) offers some nice view of Isabelline Shrike and Eastern Orphean Warbler.

Target species

  • Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus

  • White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis

  • Gray-necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani

Absard–Eyvanekey road

The north of Eyvanekey seems good for raptors. We observed Egyptian Vulture and Saker Falcon.

One of the most interesting areas was a small dry valley (35°24'41.7"N 52°05'29.6"E)  where we observed See-see Partridge,Pale Crag Martin, Desert Lark, Rufous-tailed Scrub-robin, and Streaked Scrub-warbler. The place is also really good for wheathers: we saw some Hume's Wheatears and, Ali and Morteza, photographed a Mourning Wheather.

A small dam just before Ahmad?b?d (35°25'43.2"N 52°08'44.5"E) looks pretty good. We observed a few waders, some migrant passerines andTrumpeter Finch.

In the upper part of the Valley, around Zeyarat is interesting for wheaters: many Red-tailed and Pied/Eastern Black-eared/hybrid Wheatears.

Target species

  • See-see Partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis

    Northeast of Eyvanekey

  • Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus

  • Saker Falcon Falco cherrug

  • Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti

  • Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula

  • Hume's Wheatear Oenanthe albonigra

Eyvanekey

The southern part of Eyvanekey worth the detour.

We explored a bit the agricultural area in the south of the town. The fields are interspersed by bushes and we observed many shrikes (Lesser Grey, Red-backed and Isabelline), Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Greater Short-toed Lark, many Rufous-tailed Scrub-robin: very common here, as the Black-headed Buntings.

The lake located just south of Eyvanekey was very good for the water birds. Some interesting sightings inclued Northern Pintail, Collared Pratincole,Terek Sandpiper and a group of 70 Red-necked Phalaropes!

Target species

  • Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas galactotes

Farahabad

The area around Farahabad and the valley coming from Amin Abad seem good for many warblers. We encountered, for example, Upcher's, Eastern Olivaceous and Great Reed Warblers.

Target species

  • Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida

Solehbon

The lake located near Solehbon look good for bird species linked with water. We observed one male of Citrine Wagtail in a wet meadow and some Red-necked Phalaropes, Slender-billed Gulls and White-winged Terns on the lake.

Near Solehbon we saw two Bearded Vultures.

Lasem–Firuzkuh road

The avifauna here was almost the same as the areas between Firuzkuh and Semnan with some rocky slopes hosting, for example, Grey-necked Bunting and Rock Sparrow, but the average diversity was a bit lower.

Shemshak

We just did a small walk during the afternoon in the village of Shemshak. One of the most interesting observation there was an Olivaceous Warbler apparently in a stoppover at 2'650 m.a.s.l. (pretty high elevation for this species)!

The place was pretty cold and the weather cloudy.

Ziyaran

We mainly visited two areas, one in a small valley east of Ziyaran (36°06'30.3"N 50°34'25.9"E) and this other southwest of Ziyaran (36°05'23.3"N 50°29'27.5"E). The first place holds See-see Partridge and Trumpeter Finch and we observed several Pale Sparrows at the second place.

Target species

  • Pale Rockfinch Carpospiza brachydactyla

Lowshan–Barehsar road

We observed a few raptors along this road like Eurasian Griffon and Short-toed Snake Eagle. We encountered several times some Streaked Scrub-warblers, as well as Trumpeter Finches.

From this region and further west the Woodchat Shrike start to be relatively common.

Hashjin–Barandagh road

This region is really remarkable and one of the most productive in term of species that we visited with more than 50 birds species encountered. The region is good for shrikes, wheaters and warblers. The open grasslands with a lot of bushy areas attracted many species and appear to be really good for migrant species such as Blue-cheecked Bee-eater, Sedge Warbler, Barred Warbler and Rosy Starling. 

Some good spots:

The bushes around this spot (37°20'34.3"N 48°22'52.3"E) seem to hold many birds (included some migrants like Sedge and Barred Warblers) and the little water point attract for example Desert Finches.

The small valley located southeast of Damdool was very interesting, particularly around some ruins and agricultural fiels (37°19'18.9"N 48°24'52.2"E). In the bushes we observed some White-throated Robin, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Sedge Warbler, Upcher's Warbler and Eastern Orphean Warbler. We also saw some flocks of Blue-cheecked Bee-eaters and Rosy Starlings. But the highlight of the spot was the presence of two Caspian.

The area with scattered trees in the east of Damdool (37°20'01.0"N 48°26'06.8"E) was attractive for many species. We observed many White-throated Robin, Upcher's Warbler and Eastern Orphean Warbler as well as Streaked Scrub-warbler.

Target species

  • Caspian Tit Poecile hyrcanus

  • Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida

  • Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta

  • White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis

Sarein–Ardabil road

The most interesting species were observed in the west of Ardabil where the landscapes are green. We saw Little Bittern, Ruddy Shelduck, Great Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Common Rosefinch.

Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road

The area was not so interesting but Isabelline and Northern Wheatears where common there.

Germi area

The grassland areas in the south of Germi were good for Calandra Lark and Eurasian Skylark. Some Desert Finches occure in the rocky slopes and we hearded Green Warbler and Common Chaffinch in the wooded area along rivers.

Ahar–Tabriz road

Some interesting species observed along this road included Eurasian Crimson-winged Finch, just southwest of Ahar.

The fields zones around Goouydaraq (38°20'13.2"N 46°51'45.5"E) host many Bimaculated Larks.

Target species

  • Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata

Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area

The whole region seems good for Bimaculated Lark, Finsch's Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear and Desert Finch.

We observed several water birds included Armenian Gull on the lake near Nahand.

Species List

Order: systematic | alphabetic | highlights first
  • # Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea  sounds
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
      2018-05-16 3 ind. 2+1
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
  • # Northern Pintail Anas acuta  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 1 ind. On the lake south of the town
  • # See-see Partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-07 3 ind.
      2018-05-08 ≈ 12 ind.
      2018-05-09 ≥ 3 ind.
    • Ziyaran
      2018-05-12 1 ind.
  • # Common Quail Coturnix coturnix  sounds
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 1 ind. (heard only)
  • # Chukar Alectoris chukar  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road

      Relatively common

    • Absard–Eyvanekey road

      Relatively common

    • Eyvanekey
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
    • Farahabad
    • Solehbon
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road

      Relatively common

    • Germi area
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-18 1 ind.
    • enroute
  • # Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus  sounds
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-20 2 ind. Nahand Dam
  • # Rock Pigeon Columba livia
  • # Common Wood-Pigeon Columba palumbus  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-06 1 ind.
      2018-05-09 ≥ 3 ind.
    • Ziyaran
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 ≈ 12 ind.
    • Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road
      2018-05-17 1 ind.
  • # Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-05 1 ind.
  • # Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 1 ind.
    • Ziyaran

      A few encountered.

    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
    • enroute
      2018-05-14 ≈ 10 ind. Common in the region
  • # Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
    • Farahabad
    • Ziyaran
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
    • Germi area
    • enroute
  • # Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
    • Farahabad
    • Ziyaran
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
    • enroute
  • # Common Swift Apus apus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
    • Eyvanekey
    • Ziyaran
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
  • # Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 3 ind. around the lake south of the city
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 1 ind.
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-20 1 ind.
  • # Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola  sounds
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 ≥ 2 ind.
  • # Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 ≥ 2 ind. Around the lake south of the town
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 ≈ 5 ind.
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
      2018-05-16 2 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 2 ind.
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
      2018-05-20 ≥ 4 ind.
  • # Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus  sounds
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-19 2 ind.
  • # Kentish Plover Anarhynchus alexandrinus  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 3 ind. Around the lake south of the town
  • # Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 1 ind. On the shore of the lake south of the town
  • # Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 ≈ 70 ind. On the lake south of the town
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 ≈ 10 ind.
  • # Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 2 ind. On the shore of the lake south of the town
  • # Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-08 2 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
      2018-05-20 1 ind.
  • # Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-06 1 ind.
  • # Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 1 ind.
      2018-05-05 1 ind.
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-08 1 ind.
      2018-05-08 3 ind.
      2018-05-09 2 ind.
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 ≈ 20 ind. Around the lake south of the town
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
      2018-05-10 1 ind.
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 ≈ 10 ind.
  • # Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 1 ind. On the shore of the lake south of the town
  • # Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 3 ind. Around the lake south of the town
  • # Little Stint Calidris minuta  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 ≈ 50 ind. Around the lake south of the town
  • # Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 3 ind. On the lake shore south of the city
  • # Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei  sounds
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 ≈ 30 ind.
  • # Armenian Gull Larus armenicus  sounds
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-20 2 ind.
  • # Little Tern Sternula albifrons  sounds
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 1 ind.
  • # Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida  sounds
    • Solehbon

      Common at this site.

  • # White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus  sounds
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 5 ind.
  • # Common Tern Sterna hirundo  sounds
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 ≥ 2 ind.
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-20 ≥ 3 ind. On the Nahand Dam
  • # Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus  sounds
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
      2018-05-16 1 ind.
  • # Gray Heron Ardea cinerea  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 8 ind. Around the lake south of the town
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-20 2 ind. Nahand Dam
  • # Osprey Pandion haliaetus  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-06 1 ind.
    • Eyvanekey

      Common just north of Eyvanekey

    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
  • # Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus  sounds
    • Farahabad
      2018-05-10 1 ind.
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 2 ind.
  • # Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-07 2 ind.
      2018-05-08 1 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
  • # European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus  sounds
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
      2018-05-11 2 ind. In migration
    • enroute
      2018-05-18 ≥ 4 ind. South of Molan
  • # Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus  sounds
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-13 4 ind.
  • # Short-toed Snake-Eagle Circaetus gallicus  sounds
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-13 1 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 1 ind.
  • # Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-06 1 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-14 1 ind.
  • # Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-04 1 ind.
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-06 2 ind.
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
      2018-05-10 1 ind.
      2018-05-11 2 ind.
    • Ziyaran
      2018-05-12 1 ind.
      2018-05-13 1 ind.
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 1 ind.
    • Germi area
    • enroute

      1 NW of Qazvin

  • # Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-06 1 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 1 ind.
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-20 1 ind.
  • # Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-06 1 ind.
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-20 1 ind.
  • # Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus  sounds
    • Farahabad
      2018-05-10 1 ind.
  • # Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
    • Eyvanekey
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
    • Ziyaran
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
    • Germi area
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
    • enroute
  • # Little Owl Athene noctua  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-06 1 ind.
    • Germi area
    • enroute

      A few encountered.

  • # Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
    • Eyvanekey
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
    • Ziyaran
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
    • Germi area
    • Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
    • enroute
  • # Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 ≈ 100 ind. in migration
      2018-05-04 ≥ 1 ind. (heard only)
      2018-05-05 ≥ 1 ind. (heard only)
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-06 ≥ 1 ind. (heard only)
      2018-05-09 ≥ 10 ind. (heard only)
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-06 ≈ 40 ind. resting in a field and in some trees south of the city
      2018-05-07 4 ind. South of the city
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 ≥ 8 ind. 2 groups observed in migration
    • Germi area
      2018-05-17 ≥ 10 ind. (heard only)
    • enroute
      2018-05-03 ≈ 200 ind. Ca. 300 birds in migration during this day aroud Firukuh
  • # European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
  • # European Roller Coracias garrulus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-06 ≈ 10 ind.
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
    • Ziyaran
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
    • Germi area
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
    • enroute

      A few encountered.

  • # Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 1 ind.
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road

      A few encountered.

    • Farahabad

      A few encountered.

    • Solehbon

      Encountered only once.

    • Shemshak

      A few encountered.

    • Ziyaran

      Encountered only once.

    • Hashjin–Barandagh road

      A few encountered.

    • enroute
      2018-05-19 1 ind. In Tabriz
  • # Eurasian Green Woodpecker Picus viridis  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-07 2 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 2 ind.
  • # Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
    • enroute
      2018-05-02 ≈ 15 ind.
  • # Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-09 1 ind.
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-13 1 ind.
      2018-05-14 1 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 1 ind.
  • # Saker Falcon Falco cherrug  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-06
  • # Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-06 2 ind.
      2018-05-09 2 ind.
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-06 2 ind. 1 in the town and 1 in the agricultural areas
    • Farahabad
      2018-05-10 3 ind.
    • Ziyaran
      2018-05-12 3 ind.
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 1 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 3 ind.
    • Germi area
      2018-05-17 2 ind.
    • Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road
      2018-05-17 1 ind.
    • enroute

      A few encountered.

  • # Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road

      A few encountered.

    • Absard–Eyvanekey road

      A few encountered.

    • Eyvanekey

      A few encountered.

    • Farahabad

      A few encountered.

    • Ziyaran

      A few encountered.

    • Hashjin–Barandagh road

      Pretty common

    • Sarein–Ardabil road

      A few encountered.

    • Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road

      A few encountered.

    • Ahar–Tabriz road

      Pretty common

    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area

      Encountered only once.

  • # Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 1 ind. phoenicuroides
      2018-05-04 1 ind. phoenicuroides
      2018-05-05 3 ind. 1900-01-02 00:00:00
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 1 ind. isabellinus, in the agricultural area
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 1 ind. Hybrid Red-backed x Isabelline Shrike
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
      2018-05-16 1 ind. isabellinus
  • # Lesser Gray Shrike Lanius minor  sounds
    • Eyvanekey

      A few encountered.

    • Hashjin–Barandagh road

      Common at this site.

    • Germi area

      A few encountered.

    • Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road

      Encountered only once.

    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area

      A few encountered.

    • enroute
  • # Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus  sounds
    • enroute
      2018-05-14 1 ind. Between Manjil and Hachjin, south of Barandagh); outside its normal range
  • # Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator  sounds
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 1 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 6 ind.
    • Germi area
      2018-05-17 1 ind.
      2018-05-18 2 ind.
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-20 1 ind.
    • enroute
      2018-05-14 2 ind.
  • # Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius  sounds
    • enroute
      2018-05-18 2 ind. South of Molan
  • # Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road

      A few encountered.

    • Absard–Eyvanekey road

      A few encountered.

    • Farahabad

      A few encountered.

    • Shemshak

      A few encountered.

    • Lowshan–Barehsar road

      A few encountered.

    • Hashjin–Barandagh road

      A few encountered.

    • enroute

      A few encountered.

  • # Rook Corvus frugilegus  sounds
    • Ziyaran

      A few encountered.

    • Sarein–Ardabil road

      Common at this site.

    • Ahar–Tabriz road

      A few encountered.

  • # Common Raven Corvus corax  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-06 1 ind.
      2018-05-07 4 ind.
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 2 ind.
    • Germi area
      2018-05-17 1 ind.
  • # Coal Tit Periparus ater  sounds
    • enroute
      2018-05-18 ≈ 5 ind. South of Molan
  • # Caspian Tit Poecile hyrcanus  sounds
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 2 ind.
  • # Great Tit Parus major  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road

      A few in the valley, included 1 Cinereous Tit (Parus cinereus)! Outside knowed range...

    • Absard–Eyvanekey road

      A few encountered.

    • Farahabad

      intermediate between major and cinereus

    • Shemshak

      Common at this site.

    • Hashjin–Barandagh road

      A few encountered.

    • enroute

      A few encountered.

  • # Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-04 ≥ 6 ind.
      2018-05-05 3 ind.
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road

      Relatively common in the northeast of the Eyvanekey

  • # Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-04 3 ind.
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
      2018-05-11 2 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 4 ind.
  • # Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla  sounds
    • Eyvanekey

      Common south of the town in the agricultural areas

    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 2 ind.
  • # Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata  sounds
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 ≈ 10 ind. Around Goouydaraq
      2018-05-19 ≈ 20 ind. Rather common along the road to Jiga No
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-20 1 ind.
  • # Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra  sounds
    • Germi area

      relatively common in the region

  • # Wood Lark Lullula arborea  sounds
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 2 ind.
    • Germi area
      2018-05-17 3 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 2 ind.
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-20 1 ind.
    • enroute
      2018-05-16 ≥ 1 ind.
  • # Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis  sounds
    • Germi area

      Relatively common in the southwest of Germi

  • # Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida  sounds
    • Farahabad (heard only)
      2018-05-10 1 ind.
    • Shemshak
      2018-05-11 1 ind.
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 1 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
  • # Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida  sounds
    • Farahabad
      2018-05-10 2 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 4 ind.
    • Germi area
      2018-05-18 1 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-20 1 ind.
  • # Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus  sounds
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 1 ind. (heard only) In stopper in a cereal field!?!
      2018-05-15 2 ind. In stopover in bushes
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
      2018-05-16 1 ind.
  • # Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum  sounds
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 1 ind. In a small bush in a garden
  • # Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 1 ind. (heard only)
    • Farahabad
      2018-05-10 2 ind.
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
      2018-05-16 3 ind.
  • # Bank Swallow Riparia riparia  sounds
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
      2018-05-11 4 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road

      A few encountered.

    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
  • # Eurasian Crag-Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 1 ind.
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
    • Farahabad
    • Ziyaran
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
  • # Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica  sounds
    • Eyvanekey

      Over the agricultural areas south of the town

    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
  • # Western House-Martin Delichon urbicum  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
    • Eyvanekey
    • Ziyaran
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
    • enroute
  • # Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-04 1 ind.
  • # Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road

      A few encountered.

    • Absard–Eyvanekey road

      Common at this site.

    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road

      A few encountered.

    • Lowshan–Barehsar road

      A few encountered.

    • Hashjin–Barandagh road

      A few encountered.

    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
  • # Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-05 2 ind. menzbieri
    • Shemshak
      2018-05-11 1 ind. menzbieri
    • enroute
      2018-05-18 ≥ 2 ind. menzbieri
  • # Green Warbler Phylloscopus nitidus  sounds
    • Germi area
      2018-05-17 1 ind. (heard only)
  • # Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-07 1 ind.
      2018-05-08 1 ind.
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 2 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 ≥ 6 ind. Probable family
  • # Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
    • Farahabad
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 2 ind.
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
      2018-05-16 3 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-18 1 ind.
  • # Garden Warbler Sylvia borin  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-10 1 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
  • # Barred Warbler Curruca nisoria  sounds
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 1 ind. (heard only)
  • # Lesser Whitethroat Curruca curruca  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 1 ind.
      2018-05-05 1 ind. ssp
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road

      A few encountered.

    • Shemshak

      A few encountered.

    • Hashjin–Barandagh road

      Encountered only once.

    • Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road
      2018-05-17 1 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 2 ind.
    • enroute
      2018-05-16 ≥ 4 ind. 1 halimodendri?
  • # Eastern Orphean Warbler Curruca crassirostris  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-05 4 ind.
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 3 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-14 1 ind. (heard only)
      2018-05-15 ≥ 2 ind.
    • enroute
      2018-05-14 1 ind. (heard only)
  • # Menetries's Warbler Curruca mystacea  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 1 ind.
  • # Greater Whitethroat Curruca communis  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 2 ind.
      2018-05-04 2 ind.
      2018-05-05 1 ind.
      2018-05-10 ≥ 4 ind.
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-06 2 ind.
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-08 3 ind. North of the town
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 1 ind.
    • Ziyaran
      2018-05-13 2 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 ≥ 3 ind.
    • Germi area
      2018-05-18 1 ind.
  • # Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer  sounds
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 1 ind.
    • Germi area

      A few encountered.

    • Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road
      2018-05-17 1 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road

      A few encountered.

    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area

      Common at this site.

  • # Eastern Rock Nuthatch Sitta tephronota  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
    • Farahabad
    • Ziyaran
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
    • enroute
      2018-05-16 1 ind.
  • # White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-10 1 ind.
    • Shemshak
      2018-05-11 1 ind.
  • # Rosy Starling Pastor roseus  sounds
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 ≈ 370 ind. Important migration
    • Germi area
      2018-05-18 ≈ 20 ind.
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-19 ≈ 10 ind.
  • # Common Myna Acridotheres tristis  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-06 1 ind.
  • # Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula  sounds
    • Shemshak
      2018-05-11 2 ind.
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 2 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 2 ind.
    • enroute
      2018-05-10 ≈ 5 ind. Relatively common here
      2018-05-18 2 ind. South of Molan
  • # Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-06 1 ind.
      2018-05-08 1 ind.
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-06 1 ind.
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 1 ind.
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
      2018-05-16 2 ind.
    • enroute
      2018-05-21 1 ind. In Tabriz
  • # Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas galactotes  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-05 1 ind.
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-08 3 ind.
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 12 ind. Common in the bushes of the agricultural areas
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 2 ind.
  • # White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 2 ind.
      2018-05-04 1 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 1 ind.
      2018-05-15 3 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
      2018-05-19 2 ind.
    • enroute
      2018-05-16 2 ind.
      2018-05-16 1 ind.
  • # Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
    • Farahabad
    • Shemshak
    • Ziyaran
      2018-05-13 1 ind.
    • enroute
      2018-05-18 1 ind. South of Molan
  • # Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 ≈ 6 ind.
      2018-05-10 2 ind.
  • # Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-10 1 ind.
    • Shemshak
      2018-05-11 1 ind.
  • # Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush Monticola saxatilis  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 1 ind.
      2018-05-04 2 ind.
      2018-05-10 2 ind.
    • Germi area
      2018-05-17 1 ind.
  • # Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 3 ind.
    • Farahabad
      2018-05-10 2 ind.
  • # Whinchat Saxicola rubetra  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-09 1 ind.
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 1 ind.
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
      2018-05-16 3 ind.
  • # Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus  sounds
    • enroute
      2018-05-18 2 ind. variegatus; South of Molan
  • # Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-08 1 ind.
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 1 ind.
    • Sarein–Ardabil road

      Common at this site.

    • Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road

      Common at this site.

  • # Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road

      Encountered only once.

    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road

      Common at this site.

    • Ziyaran

      A few encountered.

    • Lowshan–Barehsar road

      A few encountered.

    • Hashjin–Barandagh road

      A few encountered.

    • Germi area

      Common at this site.

    • Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road

      Common at this site.

    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area

      Common at this site.

  • # Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe melanoleuca  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road

      Common in the valley with many hybrids

      2018-05-09 ≈ 10 ind.
    • Eyvanekey
    • Ziyaran
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
    • Germi area
    • Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
    • enroute
  • # Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
    • Eyvanekey
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
    • Farahabad
  • # Hume's Wheatear Oenanthe albonigra  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-04 1 ind.
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-08 1 ind.
      2018-05-09 1 ind.
  • # Finsch's Wheatear Oenanthe finschii  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road

      A few encountered.

    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road

      Encountered only once.

    • Ziyaran

      Common at this site.

    • Lowshan–Barehsar road

      Common at this site.

    • Ahar–Tabriz road

      Encountered only once.

    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area

      Common at this site.

    • enroute

      A few encountered.

  • # Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-08 1 ind. Observed and photographed by Ali and Morteza
  • # Persian Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road

      Common at this site.

    • Absard–Eyvanekey road

      A few encountered.

    • Farahabad

      A few encountered.

    • Lowshan–Barehsar road

      A few encountered.

    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area

      A few encountered.

  • # House Sparrow Passer domesticus
  • # Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
    • Germi area
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
    • enroute

      A few encountered.

  • # Pale Rockfinch Carpospiza brachydactyla  sounds
    • Ziyaran

      A few observed around Ziyaran

  • # Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-10 2 ind.
    • enroute

      Encountered only once.

  • # Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava  sounds
    • Eyvanekey
      2018-05-07 1 ind.
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 ≥ 3 ind. feldegg
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 1 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 2 ind. 1+1
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
      2018-05-16 ≈ 5 ind.
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-19 2 ind.
  • # Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola  sounds
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 1 ind. werae
  • # White Wagtail Motacilla alba  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road

      personata & personata x alba

    • Absard–Eyvanekey road

      alba & personata x alba

    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road

      personata x alba

    • Shemshak

      personata x alba

    • Ziyaran

      personata x alba

    • Sarein–Ardabil road

      alba

    • Germi area

      alba

    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area

      alba

    • enroute
  • # Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-04 ≈ 6 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 2 ind.
    • Germi area
      2018-05-17 2 ind.
  • # Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 2 ind.
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 2 ind.
  • # Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta  sounds
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
      2018-05-16 1 ind.
  • # Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs  sounds
    • Germi area
      2018-05-17 ≥ 3 ind.
    • enroute
      2018-05-18 1 ind.
  • # Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 4 ind.
      2018-05-05 1 ind.
    • Shemshak
      2018-05-11 1 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 1 ind. (heard only)
    • Sarein–Ardabil road
      2018-05-16 7 ind.
    • Germi area
      2018-05-18 1 ind. (heard only)
    • Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road
      2018-05-17 1 ind. (heard only)
    • enroute
      2018-05-14 1 ind. (heard only) In Harzevil
  • # Crimson-winged Finch Rhodopechys sanguineus  sounds
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
  • # Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-09 ≥ 3 ind.
    • Ziyaran
      2018-05-12 ≥ 8 ind.
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 1 ind.
  • # Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta  sounds
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
      2018-05-11 3 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 3 ind. 2+1
    • enroute
      2018-05-18 1 ind. Near Gowdeh Kahriz
  • # European Greenfinch Chloris chloris  sounds
    • enroute
      2018-05-16 1 ind. In Ardabil
  • # Eurasian Linnet Linaria cannabina  sounds
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-19 3 ind. 1+2
      2018-05-20 2 ind.
  • # European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-04 2 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-14 1 ind.
      2018-05-15 3 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 3 ind.
    • enroute
  • # Fire-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road

      A few encountered.

    • Absard–Eyvanekey road

      A few encountered.

    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road

      A few encountered.

    • Farahabad

      A few encountered.

    • Ziyaran

      Encountered only once.

    • Lowshan–Barehsar road

      A few encountered.

    • enroute

      A few encountered.

  • # Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala  sounds
    • Eyvanekey

      In the agricultural areas south of the city

    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
      2018-05-11 2 ind.
    • Solehbon
      2018-05-10 3 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road

      Common in the region

    • Germi area

      Common in the region

    • Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-20 1 ind.
  • # Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra  sounds
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-09 1 ind.
    • Farahabad
      2018-05-10 1 ind.
    • Solehbon

      Common

    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 3 ind.
    • Germi area
      2018-05-18 1 ind.
    • Arbab Kandi–Dadeh Beyglu road
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
    • enroute
  • # Rock Bunting Emberiza cia  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 2 ind.
    • Shemshak
      2018-05-11 5 ind.
    • Lowshan–Barehsar road
      2018-05-14 2 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 ≥ 2 ind.
    • Germi area
      2018-05-17 3 ind.
    • Ahar–Tabriz road
      2018-05-19 1 ind.
    • enroute

      A few encountered.

  • # Gray-necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-03 2 ind. 1+1
      2018-05-04 ≥ 10 ind.
      2018-05-05 ≥ 4 ind.
    • Lasem–Firuzkuh road
      2018-05-11 3 ind. 2+1
  • # Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana  sounds
    • Firuzkuh–Semnan road
      2018-05-05 1 ind.
    • Absard–Eyvanekey road
      2018-05-06 1 ind.
    • Hashjin–Barandagh road
      2018-05-15 1 ind.
    • Germi area
      2018-05-17 1 ind.
    • Yengi Ispiran–Nahand–Khaje area
      2018-05-20 ≥ 2 ind.
Published: 12 February 2019
Last updated: 21 December 2020
Iran - Northwest - Orniverse
BESbswy