In my garden today 18.03.2021 Nad Al Sheba2

Passing over my home today heading towards RAKWS (I'm guessing). As the bird canted and was lit underneath the wing feathers (Both secondaries and primaries) shone whitish.

My attention was drawn to this sighting when seated quietly in my garden, totally unaware, I heard a commotion just above me in a Ficus tree. Low and behold, crows were giving this Honey Buzzard a hard time and it quickly departed and eventually landed on this lamppost on the opposite side of the street. I shot the images from inside my garden wall.

It appeared in the garden this afternoon (Dec. 1st. 2020). Spectacular coloring.

Appeared in the garden on 1st May 2020. Thanks to Mark for helping out with the I.D.

Seen and photographed in my garden today 01.05.2020

This splendid example is still around in Nad Al Sheba2 this morning (03.03.2020) Such a thrill to see this here.

I was out again in Nad Al Sheba2 yesterday evening before the curfew. 2 Male Pied Wheatears 1 Upcher's Warbler - After Sunset 1 Common Chiffchaff - After Sunset Stay Safe everyone

Whilst walking the dog on my local patch in Nad Al Sheba2

I was totally thrilled on 24th March to find this beautiful Woodchat on my local patch in Nad Al Sheba2. Particularly so because it is at least 3 to 4 years since I last saw one in the area. Yippeee! H

Desert White(Pontia glauconome) - top. and Caper White(Belenois aurota) Both images taken very recently in Nad Al Sheba2. Caper White actually taken in my garden.

Could it be juvenile Lesser Spotted? Sighted close to Saih Al Salam Street west of Bad Al Shams

Photographed in my garden on 13.03.2020

12.03.2020 Also observed Lesser Whitethroat and Common Chiffchaff both of which were in the trees on the islands.

I am truly saddened (though not entirely surprised) by the rapidly diminishing desert in my neighborhood of Nad Al Sheba2. In the past week alone I have observed a growing number of migrating bird and butterfly species passing through this little corner of remaining scrubland. My recent sense of foreboding however has come true and yesterday the Bulldozers truly "moved in" and began the merciless devastation of this rich and productive land. No doubt there is a need for improved infrastructure, housing and communication links throughout the city but this does not ease my sense of loss of an area that has been in many respects a small haven for me over the last 12 years. I will continue to trawl my shrinking patch in an effort to record what I can until the final desert shrub is up-rooted and laid to dust. As a footnote, at least the few remaining Ghaff Trees have been spared as they are being conserved under a Municipal Preservation Order. Hats off to DM for this.

Seems they have suddenly dropped out of the skies and I'm seeing them from Nad Al Sheba to the Desert Lake Saih Al Salam. This one I spotted just off the cycle track going towards Bad Al Shams from Last Exit.

The one single highlight on an otherwise very ordinary visit to the lakes behind the cycle centre. I suppose the 60 Glossy Ibis did present a decent spectacle when in the air but apart from that, rather a dull hour. Most of the reeds have been either hacked down or even up-rooted, including those that housed the three Grey-headed Purple Swamphens I've been seeing for a while. They are not apparent any longer of course. I've seen the Shrike on previous recent visits but not photographed it. This time I was close enough for a decent shot.