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UAE CLUB 300/400

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


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, the Grey Shrike complex and the Stonechats are prime examples.

Species not formally submitted are not displayed here.

 

Above 400 species - thus members of the über exclusive Club 400:

 

1. Steve James - 413 species (all in the UAE database)
Cared mostly about his Year List where he usually lead supreme. Potential new addition to his List will be twitched. Relentlessly.
In UAE from 1992 until August 2014, a very sporadic visitor since then.

Last additions:

  • 411 - Roseate Tern - 13.09.2013 (Fujairah Port Beach)

  • 412 - White-crowned Wheatear - 10.11.2019 (Al Jaroof village)

  • 413 - Pin-tailed Sandgrouse - 15.11.2019 (Al Qudra Lake).

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2. Simon Aspinall - 407 species (all in the UAE database)
What list? Was in danger of becoming a Mammal Lister as a result of having seen all the birds of the UAE.
UAE's top birder and naturalist. Always has been. Always will be.
In UAE from 1993 until 2009, a scarce but much appreciated winter visitor up to 2011. With us in spirit from 31 Oct 2011 onwards.

Last additions:

  • 405 - Red-flanked Bluetail - 08.12.2008 (Safa Park)

  • 406 - Pied Cuckoo - 05.01.2009 (Ajban Farms)

  • 407 - Wilson's Phalarope - 04.01.2010 (Al Wathba Lake)

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3. Simon Lloyd - 404 species (all int he UAE database)

Finder of an 'Arabian First' and had Safa Park as his local patch. Mostly finding his own rarities when not teaching or being a family man.

In UAE from 2008 until today.

Last additions:​​

  • 401 - Spanish Sparrow - 08.01.2022 (Sila'a--Harbour Marsh)

  • 402 - Dusky Thrush - 18.03.2022 (Emirates Palace)

  • 403 - Common Chaffinch - 06.05.2022 (Abu Dhabi Formal Park)

  • 404 - White-eyed Gull - 05.11.2022 (Kalba Corniche)


4. Tommy Pedersen - 404 species (all in the UAE database)
Cares more about other people's lists. Was too busy fathering, flying and website-updating to worry about birding for his own list, but was an avid twitcher when he lived in Dubai.
In UAE from 23 February 2002 until 6 August 2021.
Still needs 'easy' species like Little & Alpine Swifts, as well as his frenemy, the Spotted Sandgrouse.

Last additions:​​

  • 402 - Eurasian Woodcock - 09.10.2020 (Al Marmoom DCR--Workers Lake)

  • 403 - Wattled Starling - 23.11.2020 (Sila'a--Harbour Marsh)

  • 404 - Stejneger's Stonechat - 23.11.2020 (Sila'a Peninsula)

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5. Oscar Campbell - 401 species (all in the UAE database)
Will try to convince you that he most definitely does not care about his List. Out birding a lot; mostly finding his own MEGA's on Abu Dhabi island or areas further west, and helping others to twitch them.
In UAE from August 2006 until today.

Last additions:​​

  • 399 - Long-eared Owl - 09.01.2022 (Lulu Island)

  • 400 - Dusky Thrush - 18.03.2022 (Emirates Palace)

  • 401 - Large-billed Leaf Warbler - 10.09.2022 (Abu Dhabi Formal Park)

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Above 300 species:

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6. Mark Smiles - 397 species (all in the UAE database)
In UAE from July 2009 until March 2019, when he moved back to the UK. Holds the UAE record of number of species seen over a 5-year period!
In the field most days of the year, and prone to twitching.

Last additions:​

  • 395 - Leach's Storm Petrel - 25.05.2018 (Khor Kalba Pelagic)

  • 396 - Little Gull - 04.10.2018 (Kalba)

  • 397 - Great Crested Grebe - 29.12.2018 (Ra's al-Khor Wildlife Reserve--Lagoon Hide)

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7. Khalifa Al Dhaheri - 388 species (all in the UAE database)
Covering the Far West and most deepwater pelagics. Started recording his bird sightings in November 2009.
In the UAE since birth, and a voting member of the EBRC.

Last addition:​​

  • 380 - White-crowned Wheatear - 09.11.2019 (Al Jaroof village)

  • 380 - Indian Paradise Flycatcher - 02.01.2020 (Mushrif Palace Gardens)

  • 381 - Yellow-browed Warbler - 25.10.2020 (Abu Dhabi--Formal Park)

  • 382 - Wattled Starling - 19.11.2020 (Sila'a)

  • 383 - Stejneger's Stonechat - 2020 (Sila'a Peninsula)

  • 384 - White-throated Kingfisher - 12.12.2021 (Sila'a--Public Park).

  • 385 - Radde's Accentor - 15.12.2021 (Wadi Shees Park)

  • 386 - Black-legged Kittiwake - 14.03.2022 (Al Zora shoreline)

  • 387 - Common Chaffinch - 06.05.2022 (Abu Dhabi--Formal Park)

  • 388 - White-eyed Gull - 06.11.2022 (Kalba Corniche)

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8. Colin Richardson - 380 species (364 species in the UAE database)
Former UAE Bird Recorder and the backbone of UAE birding, then became the Cyprus Bird Recorder. Founding father of this whole List-thingie. Sorely missed.
In UAE from 1981 to 2004. As rare as a Radde's Accentor after that.

Last additions:

  • 378 - Long-eared Owl - 17.02.2003 (Mushrif NP)

  • 379 - Spur-winged Lapwing - 13.02.2004 (Al Wathba Lake)

  • 380 - Oriental Pratincole - 21.09.2004 (Al Wathba Camel Racetrack)

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9. Andrew Twyman - 374 species (all in the UAE database)
One of the great UAE birding veterans. Probably the luckiest twitcher ever to live in this country.
In UAE from 1993 until July 2012.

Last additions:

  • 372 - Great Spotted Cuckoo - 20.04.2012 (Wamm Farms)

  • 373 - Long-tailed Skua - 11.05.2012 (Khor Kalba pelagic)

  • 374 - White-rumped Sandpiper - 26.05.2012 (Al Ain WTP)

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10. Andrew Ward - 371 species (all in the UAE database)
Former Mr Lulu, then Mr Emirates Palace until his departure. Loves a Twitch when not too busy running things in Abu Dhabi.
In UAE from 1996-2002 and again from 2007 until 2017.

Last additions:​

  • 369 - Brambling - 11.11.2016 (Emirates Palace)

  • 370 - Little Bunting - 12.11.2016 (Emirates Palace)

  • 371 - Redwing - 03.02.2017 (Mushrif Palace Gardens)

 

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11. Neil Tovey - 367 species (all in the UAE database)
Lists eagerly (often seen listing to the left when out on the town with Steve, pre- or post twitching). Now married. Listing less.
In UAE from 2005 until 2014, when he started his Kuwait MEGA-list!

Last additions:

  • 365 - Great White Pelican - 22.02.2016 (Mangrove Hide)

  • 366 - Swinhoe's Storm Petrel - 24.06.2016 (Khor Kalba Pelagic)

  • 367 - Arctic Tern - 24.06.2016 (Khor Kalba Pelagic)​

 

 

12. Huw Roberts - 365 species (all in the UAE database)
Our main Al Ain birding resident, EBRC member, photographer of all wildlife and published author.
UAE bird sightings recorded from December 2003 onwards.

Last additions:​

  • 360 - Hume's Whitethroat - 13.03.2019 (Ain al-Waal)

  • 361 - Indian Paradise Flycatcher - 04.01.2020 (Mushrif PG)

  • 362 - Basra Reed Warbler - 30.05.2020 (Bab al-Shams desert lake)

  • 363 - Reed Bunting - 17.12.2021 (Wamm Farms)

  • 364 - Radde's Accentor - 17.12.2021 (Wadi Shees Park)

  • 365 - White-eyed Gull - 06.11.2022 (Kalba Corniche)

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13. Nick Moran - 360 species (all in the UAE database)
Cared a lot about his List during the years he was here, holds a respectable 357 species seen in 5 years.
In UAE from 2004 until July 2009, made UK Birdbrain 2010. Now with BTO, visiting rarely.

Last additions:​

  • 358 - Great White Pelican - 27.01.2018 (Ra's al-Khor)

  • 359 - Merlin - Saih al Salam - 22.01.2019

  • 360 - Little Gull - 24.01.2019 (Fujairah Port Beach)

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14. Derrick Wilby - 360 species (all in the UAE database)
Enjoyed birding, twitching and wildlife photography. Would NEVER give up on a twitch until the bird was duly documented with his Canon.
In the UAE from 2006 until 2017, and birding up with The Big Guy from January 2021 onwards. R.I.P. Derrick. Never a dull moment.

Last additions:

  • 358 - Jouanin's Petrel - 27.10.2017 (Khor Kalba Pelagic)

  • 359 - Pin-tailed Sandgrouse - 11.11.2017 (Bab al-Shams desert)

  • 360 - Superb Starling - 11.11.2017 (Sharjah University)

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15. Graham Talbot - 350 species (all in the UAE database)
Avid twitcher, the fastest climber on the Club 300 list. Ever. The founding father of the UAE pelagics.
In the UAE off and on from 2007 until 2012, then made Hong Kong his major twitching-grounds.

Last additions:

  • 348 - Kurdistan Wheatear - 31.03.2012 (Jebel Dhanna)

  • 349 - Great White Pelican - 07.02.2016 (Mangrove Hide)

  • 350 - Black Drongo - 09.02.2016 (Mushrif NP)

 

 

16. Mike Barth - 350 species (all in the UAE database)
Aviation photographer turned Bird photographer in March 2008 - 5 star photos all around.
In the UAE since 2004 until February 2017 when he moved back to the UK. We are all missing his superb photos and good company.

Last addition:

  • 348 - Superb Starling - 02.10.2016 (Sharjah University City)

  • 349 - Little Bustard - 03.12.2016 (Wamm Farms)

  • 350 - Little Swift - 28.01.2017 (Ajman WTP)

 

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17. Peter Hellyer - 350 species (338 species in the UAE database)
UAE veteran birder and archeologist supreme. Renowned author, columnist and cultural historian.
Casual Lister who was grateful for every new addition that happened to pass close to his office in Abu Dhabi.
A resident in the UAE from 1975, with us in spirit from 2 July 2023 onwards.

Last additions:​

  • 340 - Spotted Crake - 24.02.2017 (Fujairah Port Pond)

  • 341 - Shikra - 05.03.2017 (Mushrif Palace Gardens)

  • 342 - Bay-backed Shrike - 30.04.2017 (Mushrif Palace Gardens)

  • 343 - Wilson's Storm Petrel - 17.05.2019 (Khor Kalba Pelagic)

  • 344 - Sooty Shearwater- 17.05.2019 (Khor Kalba Pelagic)

  • 345 - Indian Paradise Flycatcher - 30.12.2019 (Mushrif Palace Gardens)

  • 346 - Asian Koel - 11.01.2020 - Balghelam Island

  • 347 - Eastern Cattle Egret - 07.04.2020 (Mushrif Palace Gardens)

  • 348 - Radde's Accentor - 15.02.2022 (Wadi Shees Park)

  • 349 - Grasshopper Warbler - 17.04.2022 (Balghelam jetty)

  • 350 - Merlin - 28.01.2023 (Al Rawafid St., AD Airport)

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18. Jacky Judas - 347.5 species (all in the UAE database)
Co-discovered the Omani Owl in the UAE, but still needs to see it for it to count more than half a point ;-)
In UAE from 2004 until 2021, when he moved to KSA.

Last additions:

  • 342.5 - White-crowned Wheatear - 09.11.2019 (Al Jaroof village)

  • 343.5 - Indian Paradise Flycatcher - 15.01.2020 (Mushrif PG)

  • 344.5 - Forest Wagtail - 12.02.2020 (Mushrif PG)

  • 345.5 - Basra Reed Warbler - 30.05.2020 (Bab al-Shams desert lake)

  • 346.5 - Long-tailed Shrike - 04.01.2021 (Al-Zora Nursery)

  • 347.5 - Grey-bellied Cuckoo - 05.03.2021 (Dibba--Karsha farms and coast)

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19. Ahmed Al Ali - 336 species (all in the UAE database)
Finder of UAE's first Pied Cuckoo and Long-billed Dowitcher.
Deeply involved with UAE nature and conservation. Will twitch! Unless he is out diving, photographing wildlife below the surface.
In UAE since birth. Plans to stay.

Last addition:

  • 329 - Icterine Warbler - 20.05.2022 (Al Mamzar Park)

  • 330 - Brown Booby - 05.06.2022 (Sharm breakwaters and beach)

  • 331 - White-eyed Gull - 20.11.2022 (Kalba Corniche)

  • 332 - Oriental Turtle Dove - 23.11.2022 (Al Marmoom)

  • 333 - Spur-winged Lapwing - 23.11.2022 (Al Marmoom)

  • 334 - Turkestan Lark - 16.12.2022 (Al Marmoom)

  • 335 - Meadow Pipit - 18.12.2022 (Al Hamiyah E-11 overpass)

  • 336 - Cinereous Bunting - 16.04.2023 (Khor Khalid--Al Majaz Park)

  • 337 - Alpine Swift - 18.05.2023 (Al-Zora Nursery)

 

 

20. Clive Temple - 329 species (all in the UAE database)
Listed mainly at the Dubai Pivot Fields. Twitched on occation.
In UAE from 2000 until 2012, and again from 2015 until 2017.

Last additions:

  • 327 - Redwing - 04.02.2017 (Mushrif Palace Gardens)

  • 328 - Mistle Thrush - 06.02.2017 (Safa Park)

  • 329 - Superb Starling - 10.02.2017 (Sharjah University)

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21. Dave Clark - 325 species (all in the UAE database)
Was one of the main Al Ain Listers and the first Al Ain resident to join the Club 300. Likes to photograph dragonflies in flight.
In UAE in 2000 and again from 2005 until September 2012, when he left for Sri Lanka.

Last additions:

  • 323 - Black Drongo - 19.01.2012 (Al Barsha Pond Park)

  • 324 - Black-naped Oriole - 24.02.2012 (Safa Park)

  • 325 - White-rumped Sandpiper - 18.05.2012 (Al Ain)

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22. Gregory Askrew - 312 species (all in the UAE database)

One of our trustworthy Al Ain rep's. Finder of many a local rarity. Deeply into the Graceful/Delicate Prinia taxonomy.

Present from 2010 to 2017, when he moved to KSA.

Last additions:

  • 310 - Little Bustard - 02.12.2016 (Wamm Farms)

  • 311 - Sykes's Warbler - 05.12.2016 (Khor Kalba)

  • 312 - Pin-tailed Sandgrouse - 04.08.2017 (Al Marmoom DCR--general area)

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23. Stewart Kirckaldy - 304 species (all in the UAE database)
Our resident Scot from 2013 until sprin g 2022; a superb bird-guide and photographer.

Last addition:

  • 300 - European Golden Plover - 08.01.2021 (Wamm Farms)

  • 301 - Spotted Crake - 06.10.2021 (Al-Zohra Golf Course)

  • 302 - Amur Falcon - 12.11.2021 (Al Maha Forest--Pivot Fields)

  • 303 - Spur-winged Lapwing - 18.11.2021 (Al Marmoom DCR--Pivot Fields)

  • 304 - Radde's Accentor - 15.12.2021 (Wadi Shees Park)

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24. Bruce Hansen - 301 species (all in the UAE database)
Visiting Norwegian birder who was annually seen in the UAE from October 2001 to 2019.

Twitched Dusky Thrush by plane from Oslo!

Last addition:

  • 300 - Grey Phalarope - 13.03.2011 (Al Wathba Lake)

  • 301 - Black Drongo - 17.06.2015 (Mushrif NP)

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25. Alan Jones - 301 species (all in the UAE database)
Listed as often as his busy work schedule let him. Often seen in the field with his lovely wife Anna.
In UAE in the very, very early days and again from 2007 until 2009. Semi-annual visitor after that.

Last addition:

  • 299 - Merlin - 11.02.2014 (Al Warsan Lakes)

  • 300 - Pied Kingfisher - 13.03.2019 (Palm Jumeirah)

  • 301 - Pin-tailed Sandgrouse - 19.03.2019 (Bab al-Shams Desert Resort)

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Reaching for 300 species, and in the UAE database records:

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Scott Young - 298 species

Present Sept 2010 to 2015.

296 - Buff-bellied Pipit - 19.12.2014 (Hamraniyah Nursery)

297 - Blyth's Pipit - 28.12.2014 (Wamm Farms)

298 - Pin-tailed Snipe - 28.12.2014 (Wamm Farms)

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Valentin Motteau - 282 species

Present 2016 to today.

279 - White Stork

280 - Eversmann's Redstart

281 - Radde's Accentor

282 - Ruddy Shelduck

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Peter Arras - 281 species - all from his 'garden' near Green Mubazzarah!

275 - Mistle Thrush

276 - Hume's Leaf Warbler

277 - Moustached Warbler

278 - Forest Wagtail

279 - Common Rosefinch

280 - Little Swift

282 - Short-eared Owl

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