Overall thoughts
The Dubai traffic didn't disappoint, being truly horrendous. Louise wouldn't drive and I couldn't blame her. This made navigation tricky to say the least. I downloaded Google Maps for the UAE onto my phone which worked pretty well (and saved fortunes on data). Even so, negotiating some of the junctions with EIGHT lanes of traffic was...interesting!!! Louise wasn't impressed with the overall standard of driving...if you get my drift!
At least 8 days of the holiday was spent with Rob and Laura mainly sightseeing and dining. This still gave me plenty of time to look for some Birds. You won't be surprised to hear I'm not a fan of Cities but I do like smart buildings and there are plenty to see in Dubai.
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| Burg Khalifa |
The temperatures were at my upper limit but generally very pleasant, ranging from 25 - 30C with an almost constant gentle breeze, which helped. The time spent in the Mountains at Jebel Hafeet was particularly pleasant. Anyway, better than November in England (sorry).
The Birding trips made to different sites met with varying levels of success, from instant connections to complete failures. No matter, I'll be better informed next year...if they'll have us back. The information on the website is excellent and I had a couple of superb contacts (Tommy Pederson and Mark Smiles) who gave me some great tips during my visit.
Ebird as always was indispensable. Combined with Google Maps it enhanced my Birding experience immeasurably. The best example of this was how we negotiated the large City of Al Ain to Al Jimi's Oasis for the PALLID SCOPS OWL. Even Louise was impressed! I have added all my sightings to this wonderful site...like a good lad.
That will do I guess. So, what did I see? I've concluded my counts and decided I amassed a total of 100 species. As you know I'm reluctant to "over-do" the pics (still got camera issues) and stats, so I'm just listing the Lifers (personal highlights with comments and pic) I saw...or didn't (with excuses).
Lifers
Sand Partridge
Grey Francolin
Socotra Cormorant
Western Reef Heron
Striated Heron
Oriental Honey Buzzard
Great Spotted Eagle
CRAB PLOVER- a cracking bird I hope to get closer to next time
RED-WATTLED LAPWING - common but VERY smart!
SOOTY GULL - a VERY unusual and smart Gull
PALLID SCOPS OWL - gotta love eBird!
PHAROAH EAGLE OWL - great name, great Owl
Green Bee-eater
Indian Roller
House Crow
Brown-necked Raven
Common Myna
GREATER HOOPOE LARK - A large, distinctive Lark
Desert Lark
BLACK-CROWNED SPARROW LARK - Another smart Lark. Only a single bird seen.
Pale Crag Martin
White-spectacled Bulbul
White-eared Bulbul
Scrub Warbler
Graceful Prinia
Red-tailed Wheatear
Hume's Wheatear
MOURNING WHEATEAR - Always special to find a National Rarity!
Purple Sunbird
Striolated Bunting
Indian Silverbill
Not seen
Persian Shearwater
Indian Pond Heron - 2 concerted efforts but no luck from Khor Kalba bridge. Just out of view. eBird can sting sometimes!!!
Lappet-faced Vulture
Shikra
Pin-tailed Snipe
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse - considerable time spent in the right areas
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse - not enough time to try for
Namaqua Dove
Egyptian Nightjar - not enough time to try for
Alexandrine Parakeet - couldn't find one amongst the Rose-ringed
Red-tailed Shrike
Plain Leaf Warbler - no luck at Masafi Wadi on 2 visits
Clamarous Reed Warbler - not specifically looked for
Menetries Warbler - no luck at Masafi Wadi
Arabian Babbler - thought I would have stumbled on one in suitable habitat
Variable Wheatear
I also missed White-tailed Plover (not specifically tried for but present) and the increasingly rare Sociable Plover (eBird informed me on my return that I may have scored near Jebel Hafeet!) A few Eagles were possible including LIFE Eastern Imperial and Steppe as was Great Knot at Khor al Beida. Hypocolius was present but inaccessible.
Texas April 12th...
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