Abu Dhabi Week grabs some binoculars and goes looking for feathered friends

Despite being a fast-developing city, Abu Dhabi is home to a surprisingly large array of wildlife – and, in particular, birds.
Abu Dhabi only has a few serious birdwatchers. But what they lack in quantity, they certainly make up for in knowledge. We chatted with bird enthusiasts and people-in-the-know Peter Hellyer, Oscar Campbell and Nick Moran to discover Abu Dhabi’s hotspots for bird watching and learn a bit more about some of the feathered varieties descending on our capital.

Eastern and Western Lagoon
First on our bird-spotting expedition is a visit to the Western and Eastern Lagoon areas of Abu Dhabi. We’re told that Abu Dhabi in general is a fantastic location for a wide variety of water birds; but sadly, many species are decreasing in number as habitats are quickly being taken over and destroyed due to fastpaced development around the city.
Still, a trip along the secluded, watery areas of Abu Dhabi proves a great spot to find some birdlife. Herons can quite often be sighted, and at times, Greater Flamingos. Many other water birds and wading varieties enjoy the quieter, shallow waters and deep plantation that makes nesting and feeding possible. It’s clear that all three of our birders are keen spotters; Oscar enthusiastically tells me that there’s activity all year round in Abu Dhabi. “Abu Dhabi is actually on path with a major migration route,” he says. “From August to November, birds stream south through the region to spend the winter in South and East Africa. A few species also head to the Indian subcontinent through our region.
“The return northwards migration takes place mid-February to mid-to-late May, depending on the species.”

Khalidiya
Next on our list for some binocular scrutiny is Khalidiya, a popular residential area for many and an increasingly popular spot for a variety of birds. A number of gulls flock around the area, including the Greater Black Headed Gull. In fact, it’s believed that at present there are 12 species of gulls that nest around the Corniche and surrounding green areas, including Khalidiya Park. Also on our spot list is the Masked Shrike, another regular flyer in the area.

Mushrif Palace Gardens
We’re told the Mushrif Palace Gardens area is one of the best places to find the Crested Honey Buzzard and the Red Whiskered Bulbul. Hoping that someone will point out these birds to our novice eyes, we perch patiently.
While we sit, binoculars glued to our eyes, we’re told that Abu Dhabi really is rather unique when it comes to the vast variety of birds that fly through our region.
“Abu Dhabi has an amazing array of birdlife to keep us on our toes,” says Nick. “Few places can have as long a list of rarities and scarce migrants as the capital. Abu Dhabi is the best place to see both European and Crested Honey Buzzards. And it is also the only place with breeding Eastern Olivaceous Warblers and Red Whiskered Bulbuls.”
He adds: “It’s the unpredictability of species that really keeps bird enthusiasts keen. On a select few days a year, migration can be spectacular and almost anything can – and does – turn up. That’s what makes birding in Abu Dhabi so exciting.”

Al Wathba
Heading away from the city centre we venture out further to the dusty and remote area of Al Wathba. The Al Wathba Camel Track is known as a popular spotting sight for the Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse and on occasion, the Egyptian Nightjar. We wait until sundown to catch a glimpse of the small nightjar, as apparently dusk is its preferred time to fly. We also make sure we pass Al Wathba Lake where both birds can frequently be spotted.

Al Ain
Al Ain takes a fair bit of exploring to uncover it’s secretive spots and we’re glad birding involves some sitting and waiting, but the Garden City has a vibrant mix of birdlife. The city is a rugged mix of ponds and craggy mountains. Jebel Hafeet itself is home to a multitude of birds, as is the Green Mubazzarah area, which has the Red Tailed Wheatear.

Umm Qasar
Last, but certainly not least in bird sighting credentials, we make the short crossing to Umm Qasar – one of Abu Dhabi’s many small islands. This tiny spot of land just off Al Gharbia is rather special to bird enthusiasts. Umm Qasar is home to colonies of Socotra Cormorant, a highly endangered species that is considered to be vulnerable to extinction. In fact this is one of only five colonies of this seabird in the world.
With the ongoing work and protection from the Environment Agency, the island is a safe haven for the species – and for the endangered Osprey, too. Visiting the island is a unique and captivating experience as thousands of the birds cover land, air and sea in the area.
At the end of our birding experience we can confidently distinguish the difference between your average pigeon to the slightly more exotic Pipit and we’re impressed by the multitude of birdlife living in the capital. We head home to the sound of birdsong – we’re not quite sure if it’s an Egyptian Nightjar or maybe even a Red Whiskered Bulbul –we’re just impressed we can remember the different names.

[writer] Charlie Kennedy

 

Spotted!

Regular visitors

They’re rare species to many parts of the world, but Abu Dhabi is a frequent destination for some of the following...

Greater White-fronted Goose
The Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser Albifrons) is a species closely related to the smaller Lesser White-fronted Goose (A. Erythropus), distinguishable by its bright orange legs and mouse-coloured upper wing-coverts. The birds have a very conspicuous white face and broad black bars which cross the belly.

 

Olive-backed Pipit
The Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus Hodgsoni) is a small passerine bird (sometimes referred to as a ‘perching bird’) which breeds across South, North Central and East Asia, as well as in the northeast of European Russia. It is a long-distance migrant moving in winter to southern Asia and Indonesia.

 

White-Throated Robin
The White-Throated Robin (Irania gutturalis) is another small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World Flycatcher, family Muscicapidae. The White-Throated Robin and similar small European species are often called chats.

 

Occasional visitors

These birds may be slighter rarer, but you can still spot these varieties from time to time ...

Black-Winged Kite
The Black-Winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) is unmistakable in appearance. With a white head and a black ‘mask’ and white under parts except for black tips on its falcon like wings. The Black-Winged Kite is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which includes members such as Eagles, Buzzards and Harriers.

 

Amur Falcon
The Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis), formerly known as the Eastern Red-Footed Falcon, is a small raptor. It breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China, wintering in Southern Africa.

 

 

 

Oriental Turtle Dove
The Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis) is a member of the family Columbidae which includes doves and pigeons. Southernmost populations are resident, but most other birds migrate south to winter in India, Southeast Asia, and southern Japan



[Originally published in Abu Dhabi Week vol 2 issue 18]