UAE - Club 300/400 - an informal look at the more-or-less active UAE toplisters.

Rarity report assessments, taxonomic changes and status reviews will sometimes cause the numbers listed here to go up or down … rather like the stock-exchange, in fact! The Lesser Black-backed Gull complex and Stonechats are prime examples.

Species not formally submitted, or awaiting assessment by the EBRC, are not displayed, unless conclusive photos have been presented.

Above 400 species:

1. Simon Aspinall - 414 species (all in the UAE database)
What list? In danger of becoming a Mammal Lister as a result of having seen all the birds of the UAE.
In UAE from 1993 until today.

Last additions:

• 410 - Dusky Warbler - 30.03.2008 (Abu Dhabi)
• 411 - Sooty Tern - 07.11.2008 (Khor Kalba Harbour)
• 412 - Red-flanked Bluetail - 08.12.2008 (Safa Park)
• 413 - Pied Cuckoo - 05.01.2009 (Ajban Farms)
• 414 - Wilson's Phalarope - 04.01.2010 (Al Wathba Lake)

2. Steve James - 401 species (all in the UAE database)
Cares mostly about his Year List where he usually leads supreme. Finds most of the UAE Mega's listed on other birders Lists.
In UAE from 1992 until today.

Last additions:

• 393 - Lesser Yellowlegs - 28.11.2007 (Neima Pools)
• 394 - Red-crested Pochard - 06.03.2008 (Al Ain)
• 395 - Great Spotted Cuckoo - 21.03.2008 (Jebel Hafit)
• 396 - Alpine Swift - 21.06.2008 (Abu Dhabi)
• 397 - Sooty Tern - 09.08.2008 (Fujairah)
• 398 - Red-flanked Bluetail - 08.12.2008 (Safa Park)
• 399 - Pied Cuckoo - 07.01.2009 (Ajban Farms)
• 400 - Grey Phalarope - 17.05.2009 (Al Wathba Lake
• 401 - Wilson's Phalarope - 09.01.2010 (Al Wathba Lake)

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Above 300 species:

3. Colin Richardson - 384 species
Former UAE Bird Recorder, currently Cyprus Bird Recorder. Founding father of this whole List-thingie.
In UAE from 1981 to 2004.

Last additions:

• 381 - Red-knobbed Coot - 22.08.2002 (Wimpey Pits)
• 382 - Whooper Swan - 09.02.2003 (Wimpey Pits)
• 383 - Mute Swan - 09.02.2003 (Wimpey Pits)
• 384 - Spur-winged Lapwing - 13.02.2004 (Al Wathba Lake)

4. Rob Quested - 373 species (274 species in the UAE database)
Has a List. Keen to add more.
In UAE from 1993 until today.

Last additions:

• 370 - Sykes's Nightjar - 22.12.2007 (FNDF)
• 371 - Asian Martin - 07.03.2008 (Ain al Fayda Park)
• 372 - Sooty Tern - 07.11.2008 (Khor Kalba)
• 373 - Brown Shrike - 13.11.2008 (Jebel Hafit)

5. Andrew Twyman - 365 species (all in the UAE database)
Has a List. Keen to add more.
In UAE from 1993 until today.

Last additions:

• 361 - Sooty Tern - 12.09.2008 (Fujairah Port Beach)
• 362 - Little Gull - 12.09.2008 (Khor Kalba Harbour)
• 363 - Red-flanked Bluetail - 19.12.2008 (Safa Park)
• 364 - Brown Shrike - 01.01.2009 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
• 365 - White-breasted Waterhen - 09.04.2009 (Dubai Pivot Fields)

6. Nick Moran - 360 species (all in the UAE database)
Cares about his List (though not as much as he cares about, say, his wife or the tertials of Paddyfield Warblers).
In UAE from 2004 until July 2009.

Last additions:

• 356 - Black-winged Kite - 08.12.2008 (Sila Harbour)
• 357 - Golden Eagle - 09.12.2008 (Sila Peninsula)
• 358 - Red-flanked Bluetail - 10.12.2008 (Safa Park)
• 359 - Pied Cuckoo - 05.01.2009 (Ajban Farms)
• 360 - Red Knot - 08.03.2009 (Khor al Beida)

7. Tommy Pedersen - 354 species (all in the UAE database)
Cares more about other people's Lists (too busy fathering and website updating to worry about birding for his own List)
In UAE from February 2002 until today.

Last additions:

• 341 - Pied Cuckoo - 05.01.2009 (Ajban Farms)
• 342 - Macqueen's Bustard - 17.02.2009 (Abu Dhabi emirate)
• 343 - Black Scrub Robin - 05.04.2009 (Sila Peninsula)
• 344 - Thrush Nightingale - 08.05.2009 (Khalidiyah)
• 345 - Garden Warbler - 08.05.2009 (Khalidiyah)
• 346 - Grey Phalarope - 19.05.2009 (Al Wathba Lake)
• 347 - Corncrake - 23.05.2009 (Safa Park)
• 348 - Pied Stonechat - 12.09.2009 (Wamm Farms)
• 349 - Barn Owl - 05.10.2009 (Dubai; Westin Hotel)
• 350 - Short-eared Owl - 23.12.2009 (Madinat Zayed desert)
• 351 - Wilson's Phalarope - 09.01.2010 (Al Wathba Lake)
• 352 - Golden Eagle - 22.01.2010 (Liwa Oasis)
• 353 - Spur-winged Lapwing - 21.02.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 354 - Flesh-footed Shearwater - 12.06.2010 (Khor Kalba Harbour breakwater)

8. Neil Tovey - 342 species (all in the UAE database)
Lists eagerly (often seen Listing to the right when out on the town with Steve, pre- or post burding). Now married.
In UAE from 2005 until today.

Last additions:

• 332 - Mistle Thrush - 07.11.2008 (Abu Dhabi)
• 333 - Brown Shrike - 18.11.2008 (Jebel Hafit)
• 334 - Red-flanked Bluetail - 09.12.2008 (Safa Park)
• 335 - Hume's Leaf Warbler - 03.01.2009 (Jebel Ali)
• 336 - Pied Cuckoo - 06.01.2009 (Ajban Farms)
• 337 - White-breasted Waterhen - 11.04.2009 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
• 338 - Pied Stonechat - 11.09.2009 (Wamm Farms)
• 339 - Eurasian Dotterel - 12.12.2009 (Ghantoot)
• 340 - Wilson's Phalarope - 09.01.2010 (Al Wathba Lake)
• 341 - Black-legged Kittiwake - 11.02.2010 (Fujairah Port Beach)
• 342 - Spur-winged Lapwing - 16.02.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)

9. Derrick Wilby - 340 species (all in the UAE database)
Twitches more eagerly than most.
In UAE from August 2006 until today.

Last additions:

• 335 - Hume's Leaf Warbler - 14.01.2010 (Safa Park)
• 336 - Steppe Buzzard - 29.01.2010 (Al Warsan Water Treatment Plant)
• 337 - Wire-tailed Swallow - 11.02.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 338 - Spur-winged Lapwing - 14.02.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 339 - Common Grasshopper Warbler - 16.04.2010 (Wamm Farms)
• 340 - Flesh-footed Shearwater - 11.06.2010 (Offshore Khor Kalba)

10. Oscar Campbell - 337 species (all in the UAE database)
Most definitely does not care about his List. Has defiantly tried to keep it below 300.
In UAE from August 2006 until today.

Last additions:

• 326 - Golden Eagle - 09.12.2008 (Sila'a Peninsula)
• 327 - Red-flanked Bluetail - 12.12.2008 (Safa Park)
• 328 - Pied Cuckoo - 05.01.2009 (Ajban)
• 329 - Streak-throated Swallow - 17.01.2009 (Al Warsan Lakes)
• 330 - Pied Kingfisher - 26.01.2009 (Abu Dhabi; Eastern Lagoon)
• 331 - Icterine Warbler - 08.05.2009 (Sila'a Peninsula)
• 332 - Eurasian Dotterel - 11.12.2009 (Ghantoot)
• 333 - Wilson's Phalarope - 03.01.2010 (Al Wathba Lake)
• 334 - Black-legged Kittiwake - 12.02.2010 (Fujairah Port Beach)
• 335 - Spur-winged Lapwing - 13.02.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 336 - Bay-backed Shrike - 11.06.2010 (Masafi Wadi)
• 337 - Flesh-footed Shearwater - 11.06.2010 (Offshore Khor Kalba)

11. Peter Hellyer - 336 species (187 species in the UAE database)
Casual'ish Lister grateful for every new addition that happen to pass close to his office or is found for him by others (especially
Simon or Steve!).
In UAE from 1975 until today.

Last additions:

• 330 - Intermediate Egret - 23.10.2007 (Abu Dhabi)
• 331 - Brown Noddy - 12.09.2008 (Fujairah Port Beach)
• 332 - Lesser Noddy - 12.09.2008 (Fujairah Port Beach - thanks to Steve)
• 333 - Shikra - 18.10.2008 (Safa Park - thanks to Simon)
• 334 - Red-flanked Bluetail - 19.12.2008 (Safa Park)
• 335 - Grey Phalarope - 06.03.2009 (Al Wathba Camel Racetrack)
• 336 - Wilson's Phalarope - 09.01.2010 (Al Wathba Lake)

12. Adrian Chapman - 333 species
One of the first pioneers here, who took birding to a new level in the UAE.
In UAE from 1981 to 2000; sadly passed away in 2009.

Last additions:

• 333 - Lesser White-fronted Goose - December 2007 (Al Ain)

13. Graham Talbot - 321 species (all in the UAE database)
Avid twitcher, the fastest climber on the Club 300 list. Ever.
In the UAE off and on from 2007 until early 2010.

Last additions:

• 310 - Forest Wagtail - 22.10.2009 (Safa Park)
• 311 - Eastern Imperial Eagle - 20.11.2009 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 312 - Little Swift - 04.12.2009 (Al Warsan Water Treatment Plant)
• 313 - Steppe Buzzard - 03.12.2009 (Al Warsan Water Treatment Plant)
• 314 - Eurasian Dotterel - 12.12.2009 (Ghantoot)
• 315 - Redwing - 08.01.2010 (Sila'a Peninsula)
• 316 - Wilson's Phalarope - 07.01.2010 (Al Wathba Lake)
• 317 - Mourning Wheatear - 27.01.2010 (Liwa Oasis East)
• 318 - Spur-winged Lapwing - 24.02.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 319 - Bay-backed Shrike - 19.03.2010 (Wamm Farms)
• 320 - Brown Booby - 28.05.2010 (Fujairah Port Beach)
• 321 - Flesh-footed Shearwater - 11.06.2010 (Offshore Khor Kalba)

14. Dave Clark - 307 species (all in the UAE database)
The main Al Ain Lister.
In UAE in 2000 and from 2005 until today.

Last additions:

• 301 - Forest Wagtail - 22.10.2009 (Safa Park)
• 302 - Wood Warbler - 22.10.2009 (Safa Park)
• 303 - Spotted Sandgrouse - 24.10.2009 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 304 - Peregrine Falcon - 04.11.2009 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 305 - Hume's Leaf Warbler - 15.01.2010 (Safa Park)
• 306 - Wire-tailed Swallow - 06.02.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 307 - Spur-winged Lapwing - 02.03.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)

15. Alan Galbraith - 305 species
Now listing Australian birds out of Perth.
In UAE from 2001 - 2006.

Last additions:

• 303 - Pale Martin - 13.01.2006 (Al Wathba Lake)
• 304 - Streak-throated Swallow - 13.01.2006 (Al Wathba Lake)
• 305 - Little Swift - 17.03.2006 (Abu Dhabi)

16. Andrew Ward - 303 species (254 species in the UAE database)
Former Mr Lulu, now rapidly becoming Mr Emirates Palace.
In UAE from 1996-2002 and from 2007 until today.

Last additions:

• 290 - Semi-collared Flycatcher - 17.04.2009 (Khalidiyah)
• 291 - Cinereous Bunting - 19.04.2009 (Khalidiyah)
• 292 - Masked Booby - 11.09.2009 (Khor Kalba)
• 293 - Pied Stonechat - 11.09.2009 (Wamm Farms)
• 294 - Booted Eagle - 01.10.2009 (Khor Kalba)
• 295 - Wilson's Phalarope - 09.01.2010 (Al Wathba Lake)
• 296 - Spotted Redshank - 29.01.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 297 - Wire-tailed Swallow - 12.02.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 298 - Ashy Drongo - 07.03.2010 (Safa Park)
• 299 - Jack Snipe - 28.03.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 300 - Little Bittern - 08.05.2010 (Sila'a Peninsula)
• 301 - Bay-backed Shrike - 18.06.2010 (Masafi Wadi)
• 302 - Pomarine Skua - 18.06.2010 (Fujairah Port Beach)
• 303 - Brown Noddy - 18.06.2010 (Offshore Khor Kalba)

17. Clive Temple - 302 species (all in the UAE database)
Lists mainly at the Dubai Pivot Fields.
In UAE from 2000 until today.

Last additions:

• 291 - Oriental Turtle Dove - 10.10.2008 (FNDF)
• 292 - Brown Shrike - 02.12.2008 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
• 293 - Red-flanked Bluetail - 16.12.2008 (Safa Park)
• 294 - Hume's Leaf Warbler - 02.01.2009 (Jebel Ali)
• 295 - Eastern Orphean Warbler - 03.01.2008 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
• 296 - Pied Cuckoo - 07.01.2009 (Ajban Farms)
• 297 - Streak-throated Swallow - 16.01.2009 (Al Warsan Lakes)
• 298 - Eurasian Dotterel - 12.12.2009 (Ghantoot)
• 299 - European Robin - 17.12.2009 (Safa Park)
• 300 - Pied Kingfisher - 07.01.2010 - (Dubai Media City)
• 301 - Wilson's Phalarope - 09.01.2010 (Al Wathba Lake)
• 302 - Crested Honey Buzzard - 04.05.2010 (Abu Dhabi)

18. Bruce Hansen - 302 species (all in the UAE database)
Visiting Norwegian birder annually seen in the UAE since October 2001.

Last additions:

• 295 - Moustached Warbler - 29.12.2008 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
• 296 - Hume's Leaf Warbler - 01.01.2009 (Jebel Ali)
• 297 - Peregrine Falcon - 03.11.2009 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 298 - Amur Falcon - 17.12.2009 (Ghantoot)
• 299 - Eurasian Dotterel - 17.12.2009 (Ghantoot)
• 300 - Little Swift - 21.12.2009 (Al Warsan Water Treatment Plant)
• 301 - Yellow-browed Warbler - 22.12.2009 (Al Warsan Water Treatment Plant)
• 302 - Short-eared Owl - 23.12.2009 (Madinat Zayed desert)

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With heads held high, but still below the much dreaded "Line of Shame" are:

19. Simon Peter Lloyd - 287 species (all in the UAE database)
Finder of an 'Arabian First' and has Safa Park as his local patch.

Last addition:

• 281 - Garden Warbler - 27.04.2010 (Dubai)
• 282 - European Nightjar - 30.04.2010 (Mirfa)
• 283 - Sooty Shearwater - 15.05.2010 (Fujairah Port Beach)
• 284 - Brown Booby - 03.06.2010 (Khor Kalba Harbour)
• 285 - Flesh-footed Shearwater - 11.06.2010 (Offshore Khor Kalba)
• 286 - Pomarine Skua - 18.06.2010 (Fujairah Port Beach)
• 287 - Brown Noddy - 18.06.2010 (Offshore Khor Kalba)

20. Alan Jones - 286 species (all in the UAE database)
Lists as often as his busy work schedule allows it. New UAE authority on plumage of 1st summer Sooty Tern.
In UAE in the early days and from 2007 until today.

Last additions:

• 281 - Brown Shrike - 08.11.2008 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
• 282 - White-breasted Waterhen - 08.11.2008 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
• 283 - Red-flanked Bluetail - 08.12.2008 (Safa Park)
• 284 - Mediterranean Gull - 09.01.2009 (Dubai)
• 285 - Streak-throated Swallow - 16.01.2009 (Fruit and Vegetable Lakes)
• 286 - Macqueen's Bustard -17.02.2009 (Abu Dhabi emirate)

21. Huw Roberts - 282 species (all in the UAE database)
One of our two main Al Ain residents, aiming to overtake Dave in 2009.

Last additions:

• 270 - Eurasian Golden Plover - 06.01.2010 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
• 271 - Northern Lapwing - 06.01.2010 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
• 272 - Pied Kingfisher - 07.01.2009 (Dubai)
• 273 - Oriental Skylark - 08.01.2010 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
• 274 - Pallid Scops Owl - 08.01.2010 (Mushrif National Park)
• 275 - Wilson's Phalarope - 09.01.2010 (Al Wathba Lake)
• 276 - Wire-tailed Swallow - 09.02.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 277 - Spur-winged Lapwing - 13.02.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 278 - Booted Eagle - 06.03.2010 (Al Ain Water Treatment Plant)
• 279 - Pomarine Skua - 21.05.2010 (Fujairah Port Beach)
• 280 - Sykes's Warbler - 21.05.2010 (Khor Kalba)
• 281 - Bar-tailed Lark - 28.05.2010 (Bab al-Shams desert)
• 282 - Golden-backed Weaver - 03.06.2010 (Abu Dhabi Island)

22. Ian Boustead - 282 species
Frequent visitor.

Last additions:

• 280 - Red-flanked Bluetail - 09.01.2009 (Safa Park)
• 281 - Olive-backed Pipit - 09.01.2009 (Safa Park)
• 282 - Plain Leaf Warbler - 10.01.2009 (Green Mubazzarah)

23. Mark Smiles - 277 species (all in the UAE database)
Extended visitor, resident since 2010.

Last addition:

• 275 - Sooty Tern - 09.06.2010 (Khor Kalba Harbour breakwater)
• 276 - Little Owl - 11.06.2010 (Masafi Wadi)
• 277 - Flesh-footed Shearwater - 11.06.2010 (Offshore Khor Kalba Harbour)

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Rapid risers, aiming for 250 species are:

Mike & Mary Hooper - 244 species (all in the UAE database)
The only duo-contenders from Abu Dhabi. Left the UAE in 2010.

Last addition:

• 247 - Crested Honey Buzzard - 30.03.2010 (Mushrif Palace Garden)

Knut A. Hansen - 243 species (all in the UAE database)
Living in Seattle, flying for Jet Blue, visiting Tommy often enough to make an impact.

Last addition:

• 243 - Bar-tailed Lark - 06.04.2009 (Bab al-Shams desert)

Mike Barth - 234 species (all in the UAE database)
Aviation photographer turned Orni - 5-star photos all around.

Last addition:

• 233 - Bay-backed Shrike - 12.06.2010 (Masafi Wadi)
• 234 - Brown Noddy - 25.06.2010 (Offshore Khor Kalba)

Ahmed Al Ali - 216 species (204 species in the UAE database)
Finder of Pied Cuckoo!

Last addition:

• 215 - Arctic Skua - 25.06.2010 (Offshore Khor Kalba)
• 216 - Golden Eagle - 03.07.2010 (Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve)

Shah Jahan - 181 species (all in the UAE database)
Aims to photograph all birds on his UAE list.

Last addition:

• 181 - Common Black-headed Gull - 05.02.2010