The dawn chorus of birds at Al Ansab Lagoons fills the air. The
noisy black-winged stilts (Himantopus himantopus), of which more
than 150 have been counted at this site recently, are easily recognised.
So is the relentless questioning by the Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus
indicus): ‘Did-he-do-it? Did-he-do-it?’ A large flock of teal
(Anas crecca) with several other species of duck mixed in with
them fly overhead. A marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) probably
put them up.
Is this place Arabia? Indeed it is and it is all man-made.
Al Ansab Lagoons lie about 30kms west of Muscat, the capital of
the Sultanate of Oman. The lagoons were made about ten years ago
as a series of sewage settling ponds, but with the construction
of a large sewage treatment plant adjacent to the lagoons a few
years ago, only treated effluents are now fed into the ponds.
The water level fluctuates as the need for treated water for irrigationof
ornamental plants along the major highways variues during the
year. In summer hardly any water can be spared for the ponds and
water-level drops daramatically, exposing large muddy areas –
ideal for waders. During the winter months when less water is
needed for irrigation, the ponds fill up again.
The lagoons have turned into the most interesting site for birds
in the capital area. To date almost 200 species of birds have
been recorded here. A visit any time from september to May is
likely to produce a list of over 50 species. Migration time is
very exciting as almost anything can turn up. From early autumn
waders from their high Arctic breeding grounds start to arrive.
Little stint (Calidris minuta), Temminck’s stint (C.temminckii),
dunlin (C. alpina) and curlew sandpiper (C.ferruginea) are there
in good numbers. The noisy wood – and green sandpipers (Tringa
glareola and T.ochropus) are easy to find and even the two uncommon
Tringa species, spotted redshank (T.erythropus) and marsh sandpiper
(T.stagnatilis) usually put in an appearance.
Members of the crake family are usually very hard to see as they
tend to hide in reedbeds and other dense vegetation during the
day. At Al Ansab Lagoons, however, we have often seen spotted
crake (Porzana porzana) and Baillon’s crake (P.pusilla) completely
out in the open in clear sunshine.
During the autumn months the number of black-necked grebes (Podiceps
nigricollis) gradually increases at the lagoons until a maximum
of 30 to 40 is reached in December. The fact that the numbers
build up slowly indicate that these birds regularly migrate through
the area. The grebes must just have continued unnoticed before
the lagoons came into existence. Now the birds find the area to
their liking and settle in for winter. Their cousin, the little
grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) stay all year and a few pairs have
nested in recent years.
From November raptors of several species become more apparent.
On hot days we have seen 25 to 30 steppe eagles (Aquila nipalensis)
sitting next to each other drinking water from one of the ponds.
In addition to steppe eagles, imperial (A.heliaca) and great spotted
eagles (A.clanga) are commonly encountered. The whole area must
be one of the best in the world for large birds of prey. More
than once have we seen five species of eagles within half an hour.
In mid-winter ducks are common. About ten species are usually
seen with green-winged teal (Anas crecca) being the most numerous.
Various species of herons frequent the ponds and even white spoonbill
(Platalea leucorodia) and glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) are
regularly recorded.
During the spring months the number of birds gradually declines
as they start to move north. Attention now turns to the breeding
populations of black-winged stilts and red-wattled lapwings. It
is amazing that the eggs and chicks can survve, as both species
breed in the hottest time of the year: May and June. The first
breeding record of black-winged stilts in Oman was here at Al
Ansab lagoon in 1987, when three pairs successfully raised their
young. Since then up to 15 pairs have nested there each season.
On a recent late afternoon visit to the lagoons we decided to
stay till late in order to witnmess the arrival of Lichtenstein’s
sandgrouse (Pterocles lichtensteini). These birds come to drink
only when it is almost dark. Then they seem to drop straight out
of the sky. Suddenly they are there. Half an hour earlier we had
seen hundreds of pied wagtail (Motacilla alba) take off in groups
of 20 to 50, presumably to head north towards their breeding grounds.
Scores of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) and sand martins (Riparia
riparia) were replacing the wagtails. As we were driving away
two nightjars (Caprimulgus europaeus) were caught in the car’s
headlights, while we were resting on the road. Such are the surprises
of these fascinating lagoons.
Although water in a desert country is in short supply we can only
hope that some can be spared to keep Al Ansab Lagoons alive in
future. A great number of birds depend on this area and there
is nowhere else to go. For now, however, the area is blessed by
a rich avifauna. Many visitors have been de-lighted and surprised
to see so many birds, and students from Sultan Qaboos Univer-sity
use the area as an outdoor laboratory. In addition to birds the
area is well endowed with plant and insect life. We’ve even seen
the shy Arabian gazelle (Gazella gazella) come down to drink at
midday.