Hi All,
Im from Durban,KZN , South Africa.
Ive been pretty active in the bird club there for a few years now.
I have just arrived in Dubai to work permanently and I'd love to get stuck in to some birding , get a UAE list going and get involved in the community here.
Could please anyone give me some advice on good places near Dubai where I could start birding and what books and or apps you would recommend? Ive already ordered Birds of the Middle East on Amazon.
Thanks for letting me join this group.
Best,
Derek
It's ak.nitc@gmail.com
Hi guys,
Since you've found this forum, I assume you're aware of the wealth of information available on the UAEBirding.com website - in particular the pages listing the main birding sites in the UAE? This is the page for the greater Dubai area: https://www.uaebirding.com/central-region. As a former Dubai-based birder (2009-2019), I know how fast development can change things and that even some of those listed are already no longer accessible, but most should still be worth checking out.
Above all the sites listed, I can strongly recommend my former patch of Mamzar Park where I found many good birds, including a couple of UAE 'firsts' (Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Oct 2014 & Collared Flycatcher, Oct 2015). To stand any chance of success, you need to get there early - try to be the first ones in - and slowly work the park methodically, checking the Ghaf trees for warblers whilst watching for stuff dropping down to drink, flying between the trees or hopping around the hedges. Don't bother on a weekend after 11am - too hot & too busy. Spring can be excellent for migrants, but the real good stuff is Sept-Nov and continuing through the winter.
There have hardly been any good birds reported from there since my departure early in 2019. Unless it's undergone massive changes, this has got to be because it's not worked regularly & thoroughly, so if you fancy a challenge, this is the site to try. Be warned, it's not always easy birding - leaf-blowers drown out bird calls & the birds don't offer themselves up easily, often giving tantalizing glimpses amongst the branches, but the potential rewards make it very much worth the effort.
Sadly, Safa Park is now a shadow of it's former glorious self since over half was lost to the Dubai Canal construction. It's worth the occasional visit, but for me, Mamzar was a must at least once a week outside of the summer months. Good luck and I look forward to seeing lots of Rare Bird Reports from you!
Why don't we try Safa Park on Friday? Buzz me on email
Hi Varun, Im keen , I a good birder in SA here its all new! Lets pick a spot on friday morning
Hi,
I am Arun from the South of India.
I have moved into Dubai to work permanently. Would love to get connected with the birding community and hence joined here.
Birds of the middle east and a trip to the Mamzar park is all I could do so far. I am reachable at ak(dot)nitc(at)gmail(dot)com, if anyone is looking for some company birding, though I must confess that I am pretty amateur myself though.