Tuesday 10 March 2009

March 10th

We moved out of ar-Raqqa this morning and have set up base in al-Hassahak in the far NE, sandwiched between the borders of Iraq and Turkey. Staying in a government apartment. Birded en-route to hear. Pallid Harrier, Greater Sandplovers and 4 Cream coloured Coursers were seen in the steppe desert. Great birds. Additionally another eight Sociable Lapwings were noted. As the weather (and dust) has cleared we feel more positive, as birding is much easier. Hopefully lapwings will begin to move

Late news: the satellite tagged bird is still in Iraq and hasn’t moved. Hopefully it (and others) will soon and we can try and relocate them in Syria