Jem Babbington from Saudi Arabia told me they have on record a Whooper Swan sighting as well as a couple of Mute Swan records but the latter were deemed to be escapees.
Mike Pope from Kuwait told me they have a vagrant Mute Swan record dated November 1997 from Jahra Pool Reserve.
Mark Smiles from U.A.E also kindly supplied the following information. They have 4 records of vagrant Mute Swans. One adult and two immature birds from Abu Dhabi in December 1984, six birds ( 2 groups of 3) flying near Bahrain Island in December 1993, two birds from Abu Dhabi Eastern Lagoon in October 2000 and three immature birds at Al Warsan Lakes between December 2002 and March 2003.
They also have some information on releases. A pair nesting at Sir Bani Yas April 1989 with four birds present July - September 1989, a flock of up to nineteen birds in Abu Dhabi Al Reem Island and Eastern Lagoon May 2008 - May 2009, one bird at the International Media Production Zone March 2010, two birds at the Jumeirah Golf Estate June 2010, and six birds in the Saih al Salam Desert Reserve 2013 - 2014.
The Qatar Birding Rarities Committee (QBRC) has one record of two adult Whooper Swans that were seen at Abu Nakhla and Irkayya Farm in February 2008.
Does anybody have any knowledge of any Captive Swans in Qatar? If so please post a comment on the blog or contact me by e-mail