Delma Island, the next UAE hotspot

[Sandman]

Just uploaded this (http://www.uaebirding.com/Sites/Offshore/delmaisland.html)
Not much, but at least a start. Anybody going?

[MarkS]

Sooty falcon will be one of my next targets if/when I'm back...

unfortunately they're grey, occur on offshore islands and are hard to find. Sound familiar?

...and Delma sounds a bit outside of my paddling range. Thank goodness there's a ferry!

[khalifa]

for me it would be ok if it is on wednsday :)

[Mike Barth]

I'm up for a trip out if anyone's interested ;)

[Neil Tovey]

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/delma-plays-to-its-strength-as-reservoir-of-a-rich-tradition-1.503687

[Steve James]

Hi everyone,
Delma Island has long been an excellent site for birding. Migrants a plenty + a top spot for both Grey Hypos & Sooty Falcon at different times of year. Adrian Chapman & Dave Robinson visited a few times in the 1989 -1991 period. Both rated it.
The so called 'Hotel' used to be famous as a place to pick up things, like bed lice & the Delma Island quickstep!
Delma is steeped in history & the government in the last few years have poured money in, as part of the western region tourism plan, which includes other islands like Sir Bani Yas. I believe the hotel has been upgraded & is now OK. The island is a delight to visit & walk around.
In the old days ferry times over the weekend period were problematic, in that you could get there, no problem, but couldn't get back in time for work on Sunday morning. This cut down on the number of potential visitors to the island.
You need to speak Arabic, in order to get the latest information on ferry times. I don't know the present number.
Good luck to all.

[Sandman]

I spoke to a pleasant man in a small office at the ferry terminal (terminal clearly signposted) and he told me of the ferry-times posted on the Delma page.
I am busy until end February, but will definitely be going this spring!

[simonpeterlloyd]

yep, looks rather interesting.
what's the score with Sir Bani Yas Island as well??? is that open to the public??

[simonpeterlloyd]

this looks promising...

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=/data/theuae/2010/March/theuae_March467.xml&section=theuae

just in time for Spring then!

[Sandman]

Very promising Simon. Well spotted. Now all I need is some time off.....

[khalifa]

Im interested during this days im planning to visit Delma