HobbyBoy
05-02-2010, 18:10
just joined the blog and really good news to see that UAE birding is in such good hands these days. Everyone seems so professional compared to the late 1980s, when Colin (Richardson) and I plus Adrian Chapman, Bish Brown, Peter Hellyer, et al, spent hours wondering why some of the Tawny Pipits looked so odd (they were Blyth's thats why -thanks to Steve James clinching ID in the early 90s). We did manage eventually, to clinch 'funny' Common Snipe as Pintail Snipe; but left the LBJs to Simon and Steve.
In 1987, The Trade Centre was the tallest building, the Abu Dhabi road had only just made into a dual-road as far as Jebel Ali and I used to watch the football, drink coffee and partake of the hubbly-bubbly pipe, with most of the local Dubai sheiks/royals in a small tent just by Mo's palace. Colin had also arranged access into his palace grounds and the fish farm and Sheikh Mohammed came and chatted with us on occasion. (What's about lads?)
Interesting to see the constant and regular addition of NEW birds over the past 20 years, which increased greatly when our Abu Dhabi cousins, Simon (the Great) Aspinall and Steve (the Tyke) James arrived on the scene in the early 1990s. We Dubains were then gradually relegated to the Northern Premier League as these 'Young Turks' set the pace.
At least we made a contribution by producing the very well received 'Birds of the United Emirates' in 1990, but so fast has been the rate of continuous development, that it's more of a historical record of the landscapes these days. Just look at the back cover, with only the Trade Centre, 'towering' over the Creek.
Anyway, keep up the good work and as I will be staying over on the way to the Far East in mid-April; I look forward to renewing old acquaintances and making new ones. You never know, I might even find another White-throated Bee-eater or White-capped Bunting at the EGC, that's if it's still there, of course.
Go well
John Bannon (JKB)
PS
Still think the Dubai Shikra's and the White eyed Buzzard made their own or dhow-assisted passage to Dubai and should be promoted to the Premier League. Also had two/three identical-call 'lorenzi-type' Chiffchaffs at several localities over the years, so keep at it lads.
Also just take a look at the last section of the BoUAE p168 - Species Not on Main List - most of them are now. Time for an updated BoUAE methinks!
In 1987, The Trade Centre was the tallest building, the Abu Dhabi road had only just made into a dual-road as far as Jebel Ali and I used to watch the football, drink coffee and partake of the hubbly-bubbly pipe, with most of the local Dubai sheiks/royals in a small tent just by Mo's palace. Colin had also arranged access into his palace grounds and the fish farm and Sheikh Mohammed came and chatted with us on occasion. (What's about lads?)
Interesting to see the constant and regular addition of NEW birds over the past 20 years, which increased greatly when our Abu Dhabi cousins, Simon (the Great) Aspinall and Steve (the Tyke) James arrived on the scene in the early 1990s. We Dubains were then gradually relegated to the Northern Premier League as these 'Young Turks' set the pace.
At least we made a contribution by producing the very well received 'Birds of the United Emirates' in 1990, but so fast has been the rate of continuous development, that it's more of a historical record of the landscapes these days. Just look at the back cover, with only the Trade Centre, 'towering' over the Creek.
Anyway, keep up the good work and as I will be staying over on the way to the Far East in mid-April; I look forward to renewing old acquaintances and making new ones. You never know, I might even find another White-throated Bee-eater or White-capped Bunting at the EGC, that's if it's still there, of course.
Go well
John Bannon (JKB)
PS
Still think the Dubai Shikra's and the White eyed Buzzard made their own or dhow-assisted passage to Dubai and should be promoted to the Premier League. Also had two/three identical-call 'lorenzi-type' Chiffchaffs at several localities over the years, so keep at it lads.
Also just take a look at the last section of the BoUAE p168 - Species Not on Main List - most of them are now. Time for an updated BoUAE methinks!