Guest blog by Gregory Askew The Graceful Prinia (Prinia gracilis) is a small, brownish, long-tailed warbler of damp habits in otherwise arid environments, including in and around anthropogenic sites. Where it occurs, it’s often quite abundant—nigh ubiquitous....
Guest blog by Korsh Ararat Iraq’s geographical location connects three continents: Africa, Europe, and Asia making it an important area for both resident and migratory bird species. There are approximately 412 bird species in Iraq, of which 19 are globally...
It is pleasing to reflect on what has been another successful year for OSME despite ongoing and emerging challenges. This annual review is much longer than usual due to the staggering amount of work we’ve supported over...
Guest blog by Guy Shorrock An opinion piece on illegal bird killing in Cyprus by Guy Shorrock, a former UK police officer and a wildlife crime investigator for the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK). Unsurprisingly, the hunting...
Our most recent Sandgrouse (44/1) was a special issue featuring the proceedings of an international conference, ‘advancing the conservation of the Great Bustard in Asia.’ The research papers from Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East, clearly highlight...
OSME members may have noticed that they are yet to receive their second issue of Sandgrouse for 2022. Publication of Sandgrouse 44 (2) has been delayed for various reasons and we’ve now decided to wait until early in the New Year...
The Trevor Poyser Species Conservation Fund is now open for applications, with an extended deadline until the 16th of December, 2022. The fund supports research projects that lead to clear conservation benefits for a Globally Threatened species...
Our next online meeting will take place on Saturday, 19th November 2022. The meeting will be held using Zoom, and registration is now open. The meeting is free to attend, and all are welcome. Please register here:...
We will be holding this digitally via Zoom on Saturday, 26th November 2022, from 10.00 – 11.00 (GMT). You can register for the meeting using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpcumpqDIiGNNOS4ogkEdI9dZmol_cEg4R Copies of the draft minutes of the 43rd...
With our online meetings proving very popular with our members and supporters, we have decided to continue with these for the foreseeable future. Previous online meetings have been attended by members from all parts of the OSME...
The Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius is the most threatened bird in the OSME region and is the only species listed as Critically Endangered by BirdLife International. The Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris is also categorised as Critically Endangered,...
Guest blog by: Ali Yahya Mahrous and Nasser Abdulrahman Ahmed of the Socotra Wildlife Association Under the auspices of the Socotra Governor, the Socotra Wildlife Association celebrated International Vulture Awareness Day in September 2022. This was in...
Guest blog by Azzam Alwash Nature Iraq began as EDEN AGAIN, a project that focused the world’s attention on the drying of the marshes of southern Iraq. Our work was focused on informing the world that the...
Guest blog by Killian Mullarney and Oscar Campbell Introduction The OSME region is not short of bird species that present those of us who like an identification challenge with something to get our teeth into, ranging from...
Download the Arabic field guide to the birds of the Middle East
11th-13th July 2025, Global BirdFair, Lyndon Top, Rutland, UK
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