Leading Tours since 1987

This was the third birding tour to the United Arab Emirates by Birdwatching Breaks and the first during the 'northern' winter period. We recorded 184 species well above average for December. There were many highlights during our week-long stay. Interesting species of note included Sociable Lapwing, Crab Plover, Grey Hypocolius, Masked Shrike, Citrine Wagtail, Mourning, Pied, Hume's and Hooded Wheatears and several regional specialities - Socotra Cormorant, Striated Scops Owl, Desert Eagle Owl, Sand Partridge, Sooty Gull and Collared Kingfisher. Raptors also featured with excellent views of Greater Spotted, Short-toed and Eastern Imperial Eagles.

I would like to thank Steve James for his guiding in and around Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and inland at Al Ain. I am sure the following trip report and bird report will bring back memories of an excellent tour both for birds and camaraderie among the group members. In total we travelled 1345 kilometres and visited all the sheikhdoms of the UAE.

December 2nd/3rd: Heathrow - Dubai - Al Warsen - Pivot Fields - Ra's al Khor - Mushrif National Park

Weather: Overcast and warm with occasional showers, south-east wind 17c/26c

We met up at Heathrow for the flight to Dubai passing over Eastern Europe and the Middle East en route. Arrived later than scheduled with passport control being particularly slow at Dubai Airport. At 0730 on the morning of the 3rd we met up with Steve for a days birding around Dubai. Al Warsen, a flooded gravel pit ensured a good start to our weeks birding. Thankfully the area appears to be secure from the rampant development of Dubai. Open waters here attracted Little and Black-necked Grebes, Common Pochard, Ferruginous and Tufted Ducks, Slender-billed Gulls and returning Great Cormorants. Around the reed-edge Purple Swamphen, Squacco, Purple and Grey Herons and hunting Marsh Harriers. A walk adjacent to the pools added White, Grey, Citrine and Yellow Wagtails feeding on a grassy roundabout. Pivot Fields are only a short drive away an expanse of turf, long and short grasses and seasonal pools. Before arriving a group of White-tailed Lapwings and a vagrant European Golden Plover flew over the road. On entering the fields recent rains had made the tracks rather slippery and muddy. We parked up and started to scan around this wonderful place for birds. Shorter grasses attracted Water, Tawny, and at, least two Blyth's Pipits, Black-headed Wagtail, Isabelline Wheatear and Eurasian Hoopoes. In the distant pools a wide range of shorebirds comprising of Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Marsh, Wood, Green and Common Sandpipers, Ruff, Little and Temminck's Stints, Black-necked Stilts, Northern, White-tailed and Sociable Lapwings, Common Snipe, Common Ringed, Little Ringed and Kentish Plovers. We walked alongside the reeds looking for birds adding Indian Grey Francolin, Eurasian Skylark, Siberian Stonechat, Barn Swallow and Sand Martin. On the sprinkler system a single Rosy Starling. Further ponds yielded a pair of Garganey and dozens of Red-wattled Lapwings. After lunch we walked into an area of longer grass intermingled with rather wet patches. Excellent for larks and pipits with Meadow, Tree, Long-billed and Richard's Pipits, Oriental Skylark, and a wintering Bluethroat being observed. First-winter Pallid Harrier flew past and Jack Snipe and Common Quail were flushed from cover. Time was pressing as we left Pivot Fields and visited two hides at Ra's al Khor. Spectacular numbers of Greater Flamingos plus a lone Lesser Flamingo, Greater Spotted Eagle, Osprey and a party of Pacific Golden Plovers lifted the day list up. At the second hide Grey Plover, Terek Sandpiper, Eurasian Oystercatcher and two Caspian Terns. Last stop was Mushrif National Park where we located Desert Lesser Whitethroat and Purple Sunbird. The finale however was at dusk as we watched at least two Striated Scops Owls catching insects. Returned to base a happy, but tired and contented group.

December 4th: Ghantut - Abu Dhabi - Al Wathba Camel Track and lakes

Weather: Hot and sunny with light winds, 24c/28c

We checked out at Dubai and proceeded west towards Abu Dhabi along the coastal highway. Even at this time of the day traffic was on the heavy side entering Dubai. Our first stop was Ghantut an extensive plantation of trees bordering the sea. As we entered the trees we flushed a European Nightjar. The next few hours were spent wandering around the groves recording Southern Grey Shrike, Common Chiffchaff, Blackcap and a single Plain Leaf Warbler. On the 'return' route we noticed bulbuls mobbing something in a tree. After, careful searching a perched Eurasian Scops Owl roosting against the trunk. It disappeared almost as quickly as it was found much to my frustration. However, luck was with us as a Grey Hypocolius flew above our heads towards the derelict hotel. At the latter site Indian Roller and Pale Crag Martins plus a wintering Eurasian Sparrowhawk. Next stop was a remaining relict of coastal habitat adjacent to a manmade harbour. Scrub here held Desert Wheatear, Daurian Shrike and a fly-by Eurasian Whimbrel. In the harbour excellent views of Lesser-crested and Sandwich Terns, Slender-billed Gulls and a perched Socotra Cormorant the latter a regional endemic. We drove up to an elevated position overlooking the polo fields. This rather lush habitat attracted over 40 Cream-coloured Coursers, Pacific Golden Plover, Ruff, Kentish Plover and Isabelline Wheatears. We made brief stops in Abu Dhabi for Black Redstart, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Masked Shrike the latter returning for its third year. Next was Abu Dhabi camel track formerly a premier site for birds but now mainly a dust bowl. A short walk produced Bimaculated, Crested, Greater and Lesser Short-toed, and Eurasian Skylarks, and an Isabelline Wheatear being accompanied by an Asian Desert Warbler. A short drive to Al Wathba Lakes was probably one of the highlights so far. The first pool was crammed full of various ducks and waders including our first Gadwall and Northern Shovelers of the tour. On the lake hoards of shorebirds including Avocet, Curlew and Broad-billed Sandpipers. We walked between the reeds where views of Bluethroat, Menetries Warbler and Clamorous Reed Warbler were obtained. Best of all was an immature Eastern Imperial Eagle which allowed fantastic views as it flew slowly across the lake and perched on a sand-dune. Dusk was falling as we drove towards Al Ain and our base at Jebel Hafit for the night.

December 5th: Al Ain including Jebel Hafit, Green Mubazzarah and Neima Pools.

Weather: Warm and sunny 22c.

The day started with a walk around the hotel grounds. Although reduced in size they still attract a few birds. Yellow-vented Bulbuls singing from bushes were first on the list followed by a fine Hume's Wheatear. The surrounding cliffs had higher than average numbers of Blue Rock Thrushes. Luck was with us as a male Hooded Wheatear was located picking up dead insects from hotel balconies. After breakfast we added Desert Larks feeding on a lawn. We went up the road for a short distance towards the sheikh's palace before dropping down to Green Mubazzarah literally a green manmade oasis in an extremely barren and arid region. Spectacular views of Short-toed Eagle and, a wintering Pied Wheatear on a green fence. High in the sky above us Egyptian Vultures and an unidentified falcon. By the river we located Red-tailed Wheatears in good numbers, two White Storks and excellent views of Sand Partridges perched on an exposed rock. Mourning Wheatear was next a rare winter visitor to the UAE. We were having a good day for birds of prey with Bonelli's Eagles circling around the mountain faces. Lunch taken at a roadside café. Here we had an unexpected bonus in the form of Eurasian Crag Martins. The afternoon was slower in pace and produced fewer birds apart from four Brown-necked Ravens and brief views of Barred Warblers. We ended the day at Neima Pools which produced the now familiar wetland birds. After this we embarked on the long drive to the east coast via some spectacular mountains roads. Arrived in Fujairah at 2000 hours our base for the next two nights.

December 6th: Fujairah - Khor Kalba

Weather: Warm and sunny 21c.

A later start today with our main focus on the birds at Khor Kalba. House Crows were noisy from first light in the hotel gardens. After breakfast Mike located a pair of wintering Eurasian Wrynecks feeding around a small brick wall. Picked up supplies and headed towards the Omani border stopping at Kalba Harbour. We located Sooty, Siberian, Heuglin's, Caspian, Slender-billed and Black-headed Gulls along with Greater, Lesser-crested, Sandwich and a single Common Tern. Checked Khor Kalba creek but it was high tide, I decided to visit at low tide later in the day. Desert and Isabelline Wheatears were perching on rocks or low bushes in the area. A bonus came when I noticed movement in a mangrove bush. Luck was with us as up to three Sykes's Warblers showed well on the ground. We checked acacia scrub around the Oman border but with no success so I headed north beyond Fujairah and checked another stretch of beach for birds. This produced an amazing range of plovers - Greater and Lesser Sandplovers, Ringed, Kentish and Grey plus a group of wintering Sanderlings. Returned to Khor Kalba harbour and promptly found White-cheeked Tern. The remainder of the day was spent exploring the creek area at low tide. Our main target Mangrove Kingfisher was quickly located hunting for crabs. Other species present included the common waders and herons plus Common Kingfisher, Indian Pond Heron and Striolated Bunting. Near the border post flight views of Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse. Returned to base via the harbour area where Eurasian Curlew was added to the trip list.

December 7th: Fujairah - Dibba Dairy Farm and Park - Masifa - Ras-al-Kaimah

Weather: Warm and humid with late afternoon showers, 25c.

After breakfast we joined the coast road north towards the town of Dibba on the Omani border. The usual gulls and terns along the shoreline. On entering Dibba a pair of Brown-necked Ravens attending a rubbish container. Shortly afterwards we entered Dibba Dairy Farm a green expanse overlooked by stark mountains. In the cow pens Masked and White Wagtails, Green and Common Sandpipers, Ruff and Common Redshank. By the pens a rocky habitat with various forms of rusting machinery attracted a host of species. Close views of Eastern Pied and Red-tailed Wheatears, Richard's and Tawny Pipits, Daurian and Turkestan Shrikes and Striolated Bunting. We walked towards the grass fields flushing a first-winter Purple Heron. Almost every sprinkler on the field hosted an Indian Roller. Also present were Siberian Stonechats and Red-throated Pipits. Stands of acacia bordering the roadside attracted Desert Lesser Whitethroat and Menetries Warbler. In fields across the road White Stork and flying groups of Cattle Egrets. Returned to the bus and proceeded to Dibba Park for our lunch. A walk around the park produced a few Common Chiffchaffs. At 1400 we left Dibba to visit a wadi close to the town of Masifa. The first wadi had a female Black Redstart and the second Streaked Scrub Warbler, Eastern Pied Wheatear and a stunning male Black Redstart (eastern form). As dusk fell we travelled to Ras-al-Kaimah on the Persian Gulf for a nights stay.

December 8th: Ras-al-Kaimah - Dreamland Beach - Umm-al-Qawain - Qarn Nazwa - Dubai
Final Species Total: 184
Weather: Warm and sunny with occasional showers, 20c.

Today we headed back towards Dubai along the coast road visiting several birding sites along the way. Our first stop at Dreamland Beach was good for shorebirds and herons. Offshore we noted Greater Flamingos and Crab Plovers resting with other waders. Large expanses of mud attracted flocks of Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Greater and Lesser Sandplovers, Common Greenshank, Ruddy Turnstone and Terek Sandpipers. Returned to the bus and drove towards Umm-al-Qawain a relatively poor area by Emirate terms. We went past a palace bordered by huge white walls to visit another section of mangroves and shallow waters. Large roost here of c200 Crab Plovers mixed with Eurasian Oystercatchers and four Spoonbills. A walk through scrub produced several Desert Wheatears and an Asian Desert Warbler - the latter being a very showy individual. Next on the agenda was the northern peninsula where we watched birds in the Persian Gulf. Highlights here included close, long straggly flocks of Socotra Cormorants. Further down the coast a mixed flock of feeding terns comprising of Great and Lesser Crested, Sandwich and Saunders's the latter being a regular winter visitor. After lunch we headed inland to Qarn Nazwa a village on the main Dubai-Hatta road. On the sandstone cliffs a Desert Eagle Owl was observed a fitting finale to our week long tour.

For details of the full species list or to request further information about the next time we will be offering this trip. Contact us at enquiries@birdwatchingbreaks.com.