Second record of Amur Falcon for Iran

On October 28, 2016, Shobeir Fakourian recorded the second Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) for Iran in Bushehr province, south of Iran.

Amur Falcon

3 days later Shobeir recorded another Amur Falcon 7 km away from the first one; probably same bird:

Amur Falcon

Amur Falcon

Amur Falcon

Abr Forest, 30 June 2016

Abr Forest is one of my favorite places in Iran. Every year I guide at least one hiking tour in there. Located in north-east of Iran, is an ecotone zone between Hyrcanian forests and semi-desert plains of Shahrud.

On June 30 we went there for a one day birding and hiking.

There were 5 juvenile Lesser Grey Shrikes on a Apricot tree begging for food from parents.

Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor)

Lesser Grey Shrike

There were also Linnets, Chaffinches, Tree and House Sparrows

Linnet

In the heights we saw Rock Thrush, Siberian Stonechat, Red Fronted Serin and ...

Female Siberian Stonechat on a Juniperus communis