Whilst
ringing at Sabkhat Al Fasl ten Savi’s Warbler we have trapped and ringed in the
last two years. Birds have occurred mainly in the spring with seven records
from 20 March until 18 April and three in the autumn from 26 September until 24
October. This year we trapped and ringed three birds on 23 September 2016. Savi’s
Warbler previously had a status until this ringing project as a scarce passage
migrant but our ringing records show the species is in fact an uncommon passage
migrant through the Eastern Province of the Kingdom at least. The subspecies
fuscus we get in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia is darker coloured, has
more obvious under-tail covert tips and some streaking/spotting on the throat
making it look more like a River Warbler than the nominate subspecies. The
throat markings are not as dark and well defined and the undertail coverts more
warm toned than in River Warbler though and the supercilium is more obvious
behind the eye. The photos below show two of the three birds trapped.
