Birds of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East – An Annotated Checklist. Dominic Mitchell. 2017. Lynx Edicions. Barcelona, Spain

Let’s cut to the chase. There are no pictures between the covers – this book contains data, the condensed relevant information that comprises the first comprehensive 21st-century checklist covering an updated and well-rationalised definition of the Western Palearctic bird checklist. Superficially, this is a book for data junkies who like birds, and yes, doubtless they will appreciate it for that reason. However, it is far more than that, for not only does this book deserve to sit on academics’ shelves, for once it has been examined closely, it also will appeal to those who are hooked on the way science uncovers mysteries and the way it often producing counter-intuitive results that disturb comfortable, long-held assumptions.

A Birdwatcher's Guide to Madaba

Recent publication by Jordan Birdwatch Association (JBW) - A Birdwatcher's Guide to Madaba written by Fares Khoury. This describes 15 sites in the Madaba region which comprises a variety of bird habitats and scenic landscapes overlooking the Dead Sea. Chapter headings include maps, site coordinates, accommodation details, habitat descriptions, systematic checklists as well as explaining why the Madaba region is a definite place for a birder to visit.

Fares is OSME Country Contact in Jordan and secretary of JBRC (Jordan Bird Records Committee) and provides regular reports for Sandgrouse.

Turkish Bird Records Committee

Kerem Ali Boyla reports that Turkish birdwatchers have set up a committee to assess claims of rare bird sightings.

The Turkish Bird Records Committee (TBRC) was formed in 2015. It is co-owner of the Turkish eBird Portal, together with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Doğa Derneği. The committee has acted as reviewers for the online Kusbank Bird Database in the past and is now fulfilling the same function for eBird Turkey.

The OSME Summer Meeting and 39th AGM

The OSME Summer Meeting and 39th AGM will be held at BTO Headquarters, Thetford, Norfolk on Saturday 1st July. Doors will open at 10.00am for members and non-members to meet old and new friends over coffee and cake. There is no charge for attending the summer meeting and non-members are most welcome. There is an exciting range of talks lined up focussing on bird conservation

Fifa Nature Reserve: the lowest Ramsar Site on Earth

Guest Blog by Yehya Khaled & Nashat Hamidan of RSCN

On the 4th of December 2016, Fifa Nature Reserve in Jordan was declared a Wetland of International Importance. The Site’s lowest point stands at 420 meters below sea level, making it the world’s lowest location of a Ramsar Site.

World Migratory Bird Day: Bar-tailed godwit

The different migration routes used by Bar-tailed Godwits (Jesse Conklin at TeamPiersa.org)

With distribution and migration routes across many areas of the planet with vastly differing climates, the Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica is certainly a wading bird worth looking at in more detail. A heavily built wader, a member of the Sandpiper and allies family, its long and sturdy legs and bill are designed for