A number confirmed by expat residents of nearby houses who although not birders have kept a constant watch. Numbers start to rapidly decline from Mid February however good numbers can still be found well into March. On March 2nd 1997 I was informed that 50 plus birds were feeding in a compound garden near Janubiyah while over 200 still remain at the Saar roost as of this date March 25 1997. The incidence of birds being seen in compound gardens is also increasing I have received several requests this year from casual observers to identify a silky grey and brown bird seen in compounds around the west coast. This was the case til the end of March when it stopped.
Tonight is a very sad night.
We looked hard but could not find any of our friends, the Grey Hypocolius, in the scrub opposite our house. We shall have to wait until next October to hear their soft mewing again. They will be missed.