"The three-week survey in January and February will endeavour to count all the wintering waterbirds between the southernmost part of Oman - Dalqut on the border with Yemen - and Musandam on the Straits of Hormuz in the north.

The survey is being run under the auspices of the Oman Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs in conjunction with the Oman Bird Group/Environmental Society of Oman and the Ornithological Society of the Middle East and will provide crucial information on birds using the West Asian flyway between west and central Siberia and the Arabian Gulf, southern Arabia and East Africa.

It will be the first time ever that such a comprehensive survey has been undertaken.

Birds using this flyway need a number of places where they can stop off and feed in order to replenish their food reserves so that they can continue on their long journey.

It is therefore very important to obtain data for the tidal creeks and mudflats such as those at Qurum, Shinas, Liwa and Yiti in the north, Duqm, Kahil, Dirif in the centre and Taqah, Mughsayl and Salalah in the south so that they continue to be protected.

Large numbers of birds also use Oman's beaches and seas for food and for roosting - over 70,000 waterbirds (herons, waders, gulls, terns) for example, use the stretch between Nuqdah and Al Ashkarah, which is only a small portion of Oman's 1,000 kilometre long coastline.

Article written by Mick Green and Ian Harrison