This is the first volume in a comprehensive six part series which charts the flora of the Arabian Peninsula and the Socotran archipelago for the first time. It covers all native flowering plants and ferns as well as major cultivated and amenity plants. The region studied includes: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, The Sultanate of Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. The first part of this volume gives a concise introduction including sections on topology and geology, climate, vegetation, floristics, phytogeography, and conservation. Part two begins the systematic study of the flora. Each species is separately mapped with notes on ecology and distribution. Illustrations and keys are provided to aid identification. With descriptions of around 700 species in each volume, this will become an essential reference source on Arabian flora, valuable to non-specialists and professionals alike.

Snakes of the Arabian Gulf and Oman
Michael Gallagher

Written and published by Michael Gallagher, this is a slim but extremely useful booklet. An illustrated guide to the venomous and harmless snakes of the Arabian Gulf and the Sultanate of Oman, it is designed not only to help human beings to avoid danger, but also the needless killing of harmless snakes, since, apart from the sea snakes, only nine out of 22 species of land snakes are actually dangerous. The booklet also includes practical tips on snakebite prevention and first aid.

Habitats of the Jubail Marine Wildlife Sanctuary
An Introduction and Field Guide

Written by David Jones, Roderick Fleming and Huda Hajjar At-Tayyeb, this is a superbly produced account of the Jubail Marine Wildlife Sanctuary which stretches from Ras az-Zaur to Jubail Industrial city and extends offshore, encompassing a total area of 2,000 square kilometres, and including the five coral islands of Harqus, Karan, Kurain, Jana and Juraid. It is a well chosen area that contains a wide range of coastal and marine habitats, including some that are of great importance to the survival of certain species. The book draws upon the research carried out by a large number of marine scientists, stretching back to the early investigations by Basson, Burchard, Hardy and Price which were recorded in Aramco's: Biotopes of the Western Arabian Gulf; and drawing upon subsequent research by David Jones whose Field Guide to the Seashores of Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf is a classic among tropical marine field-guides; and upon other academic reviews such as Sheppard, Price and Roberts' Marine Ecology of the Arabian Region. It also pulls together much of the recent research that has taken place under the aegis of the Jubail Marine Wildlife Sanctuary since the devastating effects of the 1991 Gulf War (eg. Abuzinada and Krupp's: The Status of Coastal and Marine Habitats Two Years After the Gulf War Oil Spill), a project that has been supported by the European Commission and the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development in Riyadh.

Following an introduction to the region, the text is arranged into a series of chapters dealing with specific habitats: the coastal desert, wetlands, intertidal, shallow sub-tidal, open water and offshore coral reefs and islands. The book concludes with a code of conduct for the sanctuary and a short bibliography. In addition to the information being scientifically accurate, the text is clearly written and the illustrations are of a very high quality - with Dr Friedhelm Krupp being responsible for the superb photographs whilst Pascale Vantieghem Symens deserves high praise for the fine illustrations.

There is very little to criticise about this wonderful addition to the literature on the Arabian Gulf. The only question marks concern the choice of format: A4, which does not seem appropriate for a field-guide; and the absence of an index. Neither of these points detract seriously however from the book's considerable contribution to the region's marine conservation through an enhancement of public awareness and knowledge. (ISBN 3-929907-21-6, distributed free of charge by Senckenbergische Naturforschende Gesellschaft, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt a.M., Germany; and by NCWCD, POB 61681, Riyadh 11575, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; also by Jubail Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, PO Box 11071, Jubail 31961, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).

An Interim Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Arabia

Prepared by Michael Jennings, this is a book that has been long in coming but well worth the wait. It is the product of ten years work by a dedicated and enthusiastic group of amateurs and professionals, ably coordinated by Michael Jennings who deserves full credit for the incredible effort that he put into the creation of this interim atlas. The NCWCD should also be congratulated for realising the importance of the project at an early stage and for staying the course.

Ever mindful of the fact that more work is needed, Michael Jennings points out that this 134 page volume is merely a preliminary report of the ABBA project with maps compiled from observer reports received between 1 January 1984 and 28 February 1995. In all, over 30,000 records are stored in the ABBA database.

The book aims to present a broad outline of the current breeding ranges of Arabian birds and provide some very basic information on their status, distribution, habitat and breeding biology. Its secondary aim is to stimulate the new research that is now needed in order to create a more thorough picture of Arabia's breeding birds. Michael is now working on a final atlas that will contain reports from the literature and museum records as well as the field-work that he coordinated. The book lists records for 245 breeding birds and includes an appendix on birds whose status is in doubt. It is a must for any Arabian-based bird-watcher. (published jointly by NCWCD and ABBA; interested readers could write to Michael Jennings, 1 Warners Farm, Warners Drove, Somersham, Cambridgeshire, PE17 3HW, UK; or contact the NCWCD).

Birds of the Riyadh Region
An Annotated Checklist. Second Edition, by Arthur Stagg.
Published by NCWCD, Riyadh. 1994

The author is almost a living legend among bird watchers in Arabia. His sustained observations and infectious enthusiasm for ornithology has done much to encourage the development of bird research and conservation efforts in recent years. The original Riyadh checklist was compiled in 1987 and this updated version brings records up to date. For the uninitiated it is a most revealing publication, highlighting the tremendous variety of birdlife that can be enjoyed in central Arabia; the book actually lists a staggering 311 species. Furthermore, many of the species are water-birds - an apparent anomaly that is explained by the man-made watercourse which runs some 40 kilometres southward, beyond the boundaries of Riyadh city, and out across the desert. The treated and purified water is used for irrigation as well as forming some pools and streams in which Tilapia fish flourish. Among the shallow pools, dense reed beds and clusters of tamarisk that line the water course one can observe warblers, bluethroats, moorhen, crakes, bittern, stilts, avocet, herons and a host of other fascinating birds. It is truly a rich area for birdwatching and one that will no doubt attract increasing numbers of ornithologists in the years to come.

RISALA: Newsletter published by NCWCD on behalf
of IUCN's members of North Africa, West Asia and Central Asia Region

Volume 1, Number 1 of this new newsletter was issued in November 1995 and contains news of the October '95 IUCN Workshop (Riyadh Conservation Forum) on regional conservation held at NCWCD's headquarters. RISALA is itself one of the first concrete outcomes from the meeting and is to be welcomed as such. The main objective and theme is one of fostering cooperation, a subject that Dr Abdulaziz Abuzinada covers in his editorial. It has been widely acknowledged however that action, rather than words, is the key to saving the region's wildlife and that in certain cases the need to take effective action is extremely urgent if further species extinctions are to be avoided. The Riyadh Conservation Forum, as reported by RISALA, has set forth a clear programme for the forthcoming period, aimed at meeting the infrastructural demands that will support effective conservation efforts.

Fauna of Saudi Arabia
Vol. 14 1994

This is the latest volume in a continuous series on the animal life of Saudi Arabia which is published by the Natural History Museum Basel/Switzerland and the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development. The editors, Prof. Dr. W. Buttiker, Basel, and Dr. F. Krupp, Frankfurt, in collaboration with over 150 eminent specialists worldwide, are continuing this series which was commenced in 1979. Contributions to the series mainly cover taxonomy, faunistics, zoogeography, ecology and animal conservation, but also medical, veterinary and other zoological aspects of Saudi Arabia. All volumes are high-quality productions, with copious illustrations, including colour photographs.

This volume is no exception. Impressively produced, it contains contributions by specialists from all over the world, focusing on the scorpions, insects, fishes, reptiles and the birds of Arabia.

Ornithological Society of the Middle East
Bulletin 34
Spring 1995

Contains articles on the status of warblers in Kuwait; raptor migration in the north-east of Turkey; foraging behaviour of Arctic, Pomarine and Long-tailed Skua on migration in the Red Sea; observations on copulating Crab Plovers in Kuwait; news and information; book reviews and much more.

The Birds of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Ian J Andrews

Although it is a relatively small country, Jordan has a great variety of dramatic bird habitats, ranging from mountain forests to desert oases, from mountains and cliffs to sweeping deserts, and from deep gorges to broad wadis. In addition, the country is located on the junction of the Mediterranean and Arabian faunal regions, as well as lying on a major bird migration route from Africa to Eurasia. However, despite its large and varied avifauna, this is the first comprehensive summary of the Kingdom's bird population. Compiled and published by Ian Andrews, he, himself acknowledges that it should only be considered a beginning, and that much work remains to be done. Nevertheless, his is an important contribution: 374 species are detailed in the main bird list, of which about 220 are migrants or winter visitors.

Although not a field identification guide, there are 33 pages of colour photographs and delightful black and white drawings by John Busby of Jordanian birds in their habitats. Information on a selection of the most productive and easily accessible bird-watching sites is also included. A well-produced and delightful book.

Collins Photo Guide
Wild Flowers of East Africa
Michael Blundell

This guide, in true Collins tradition, is highly accessible to both the general reader and the expert botanist. Detailed descriptions of the most common and some of the rarer specimens of East African flora are included. However, the guide also has over 860 colour photographs which are of invaluable help to the enthusiast who would dearly like to be able to name a particular flower but baulks at counting stamens and measuring calyx tubes. The photographs are thoughtfully arranged according to colour in a sequence from white to yellow and through orange o red, purple and blue.To aid identification a simple key based upon conspicuous features is included to guide readers to broad groups of families. If all that fails then it is time to get out the measuring tape!

Collins Photo Guide
Larger Mammals of Africa
Jean Dorst and Pierre Dandelot

As the authors readily acknowledge, many books have been published on African mammals. Most, however, are of limited help to the wildlife enthusiast or occasional visitor who would like to be able to identify mammals observed in the field. This practical guide covers the whole of the continent south of the Tropic of Cancer, its scope logically limited to species which a mammal watcher can identify in the wild, especially, big game, carnivores and primates. Other frequently sighted animals such as big diurnal rodents, squirrels, a few shrews and even pangolins, aardvvark and manatee are also included. Smaller mammals, difficult to observe and identify, have been omitted. Neither will you find comprehensive descriptions of the animals, their coat, horns, skull and teeth, their ecology and behaviour. However all the species listed in the guide are beautifully illustrated in colour with distinguishing features clearly highlighted - an invaluable aid to identification. In addition, the text provides sufficient information on habitat and behaviour to whet the appetite - even if it is a little obscure at times. For example, the authors refer to elephant movements which 'have an alimentary origin'. Surely, it could simply be said that elephants travel in search of food and/or water? But this is just a small quibble in an otherwise invaluable book. An essential addition to your African library.

Collins Field Guide
Birds of East Africa
J.G. Williams & N. Arlott.

It is for their immensely successful pocket field guides to birds of various regions that Collins have become famous. Compiled by experts in the field and richly illustrated by talented artists, these guides satisfy the need in so many of us to put a name on what we see. This particular volume on the birds of East Africa is no exception to the rule. The most common species of birds to be found in the vast region and those which draw attention by their spectacular appearance or loud calls are all here: 665 species are fully described and illustrated in colour with key characters clearly marked. The well-informed text provides useful information on distribution, habitat and habits, as well as listing the essential field characters of a further 633 species. The commonplace and spectacular, richly-plumaged and dull, majestic and ordinary share the pages of this invaluable field guide - enough to satisfy even the most determined birdwatcher.

Collins Field Guide
National Parks of East Africa
J.G. Williams, N. Arlott & R.Fennessy.

If you do not wish to lug the two volumes described above on your trip around the National Parks of East Africa then this guide is for you. It incorporates nearly 400 mammals and birds, the commoner East African birds most likely to be encountered in the National Parks as well as the larger and more commonly observed smaller species of mammal. As always, diagnostic field characters and distributions are listed. The bird illustrations are beautifully executed by Norman Arlott, as in the previous volume, however mammal illustrations painted by Rena Fennessy are of a much finer quality than those in the guide to the larger mammals of Africa. National Parks, Game Reserves and other areas of special zoological importance and tourist appeal are also detailed, each with a list of its characteristic mammals and birds.

In addition, the author, John Williams, expresses a wish to meet with and advise naturalist visitors on their itineraries - an offer that should be taken up.