Gunnar Gundersen and Vegard Bunes visited UAE for our second time in late February 2004. Our major goals were to get more experience with potential vagrants to Norway, to extend our Western Palearctic lists, and to see some of the wintering species that we missed on a trip in late April 2003. Because of the few days we had available we did not give much focus on all the localities visited or all the species seen well in 2003. The total number of species on this trip was 176, but could easily have been higher if this had been a priority.

We stayed at the Princess Hotel in the Al Qusais area in Dubai (along D93 - Al Nahda Rd). The surroundings were a bit dull, but the Hotel had a nice standard and was not too expensive. And it was located perfect in respect of not having to drive through the intense Dubai traffic every morning and afternoon. Car rental was made through Europcar which we had good experience with last year. In two hours they had a brand new Nissan Sunny ready outside our Hotel. Dubai is in our eyes the ideal base for a birding trip to the UAE with all birding localities within two hours drive.

In addition to a Dubai map and the useful UAE "satellite map" we recommend the following literature when visiting UAE;

-    The Birds of the United Arab Emirates (Colin Richardson 1990)
-    The Shell Birdwatching Guide to the United Arab Emirates (Richardson & Aspinall 1998)
-    Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East (Porter et al. 1996)
-    Collins Field Guide to Britain and Europe (Svensson et al. 1999)
-    Emirates Bird Report No.20 (2003)

Congratulations to Colin Richardson and other UAE birders with the outstanding 324 pages EBR No.20 which undoubtedly will be one of the most important publications for birders visiting UAE the next years. With this and the Shell Guide you get all the information you need for a successful trip to the UAE.

In the listings below are all localities visited and the most interesting sightings (in our view). Some common or "less interesting" species are usually left out, like Laughing Dove, Collared Dove, Crested Lark, Graceful Warbler, Purple Sunbird, House Sparrow, mynahs, bulbuls and likewise.

Emirates Golf Club, Dubai. Feb 23rd   0800-1100

About 15-20 minutes from Dubai city, along the Dubai-Abu Dhabi road (E11), opposite Hard Rock Café. We consider it easiest to visit EGC by taxi from Dubai. This costs 30-50 Dhs depending on where in Dubai you go from. Due to a huge international golf tournament in March-April there were some restrictions on the golf courses, and a lot of busy workers everywhere. This made EGC a bit disappointing. When you arrive at the entrance, remember to sign in with the friendly gatekeeper. Check also the dam outside the fence on the southwest side.

Dubai Pivot Fields. Feb 23rd   1615-1815

Along the Dubai-Hatta road (E44), only 20 minutes from Dubai. Follow the orange "wastewater trucks" towards the Sewage Treatment Plant, and take left after a few hundred meters. Our definite favourite location in the Dubai area and maybe in the whole UAE, visited four times on this trip. The gates are closed at night, but are open from around 0600 AM to 0600 PM. If you are stopped at the gate just show your binoculars and they'll happily let you drive and walk around. You can walk everywhere, but don't drive onto the grass or block the tracks when parking.

Fujairah Dairy Farm, Dibba. Feb 24th   0630-1100

This little agricultural area on the northeast coast right next to the border of the Omani enclave Musandam is a magnet to rare birds. Follow the description in the "Shell Guide" to get there. Park the car beside the administration office, and walk around. The dry rocky area along the border fence and the fence along the main road can be very productive. Check also the irrigated fields and the cattle bins. It is one of the best if not the best location for eastern vagrants in UAE.

Ras Dibba, East Coast. Feb 24th   1130-1300

This is one of the major seabird localities in UAE only minutes south of Dibba on the northeast coast. Drive up to the small plateau on the north end of the beach and check the fish farm area out at sea. Unfortunately we still haven't seen any Persian Shearwater, but the compensation in a Common Noddy resting on the fish farm was remarkable.

Masafi Area, Fujairah. Feb 24th   1330-1615

This Wadi area is one of the prime localities for rocky desert species like Long-billed Pipit, Scrub Warbler and Plain Leaf Warbler. Follow the detailed description in the Shell Guide, and take a walk around in the Wadis. It might seem quite lifeless at start, but there are birds around! Listed here are also some observations along the Masafi-Dibba road.

Dubai Pivot Fields. Feb 24th   1715-1800

Khor Kalba, East Coast. Feb 25th 0645-1100

A good locality for gulls and terns, but more famous for hosting wintering Indian Pond Herons, and breeding White-collared Kingfisher (the endemic kalbaensis form) and Syke's Warbler. Low tide is best for the Indian Pond Herons. Unfortunately they are making a huge lagoon on the inside of the mangroves, which probably will ruin some of the best areas in a few months and at least ruin the access to our favourite birding spot (site 3 on map 16 in the Shell Guide).

Fujairah Area, East Coast. Feb 25th   1100-1530

The coastline north of Kalba to Fujairah port is very productive for gulls and terns, but the flats and pits north of Fujairah (north of the oil tanks, on both sides of the road) are also very good for herons, waders and gulls.

Qarn Nazwa, Dubai. Feb 26th   1200-1330

Another 25-30 minutes along the Hatta road (E44), you will see the small mountain rise on the right side of the road. The dirt track behind the mosque might be a bit sandy for a two wheel drive, but there was an opening in the fence a few hundred meters after the mosque on the main road E44 (right by the first "turnabout" and stop sign). The flat stony area is good for wheatears, but the mountain and small wadis also hosts Desert Eagle Owl. We spend a lot of time with the EPW, and did not check the Wadis or mountain well. We had Desert Eagle Owl there last year.

Lahbab fields, Dubai. Feb 26th   1400-1500

Lies between Qarn Nazwa and Dubai Pivot Fields. The location was a big disappointment last April, but better this time. Ask some of the workers, and they'll let you drive in through the gates (but remember to close the gates to prevent camels of entering).

Wimpey Pits, Dubai. Feb 26th   1530-1630

One of UAE's prime wetland areas, hosting hundreds of grebes and ducks. The access had changed much since April 2003. We entered through one of the construction workers gates right opposite the Pivot Fields dams (workers village), and pretended to have business to take care of. This way we managed to drive around the Pits, away from all the workers and close to the birds. The Pits were much reduced since last April. When is it gone? PS! The numbers of ducks are estimates as we did not count them properly.

Khor Dubai. Feb 26th   1645-1715

An interesting site for waterbirds and raptors, but the intense traffic is a bit disturbing. The parking along the road was also partly blocked by some construction work, and we were companied by some very curious workers. We only had a short stop.

Al Wathba Camel Racetrack, Abu Dhabi. Feb 27th   0630-1200 and 1730-1930

A very good locality, much visited by Abu Dhabi birders. We would have made more visits if time had allowed. Together with Fujairah Dairy Farm and Dubai Pivot Fields one of the most productive sites for passerines that don't prefer the dry rocky desert areas. A good site for Egyptian Nightjar.

Al Wathba Lake, Abu Dhabi. Feb 27th   1245-1300

Only a short stop looking for a Spur-winged Plover and Wire-tailed Swallow. Kindly guided by Steve James. Not the best timing in the mid day heat.

Abu Dhabi city. Feb 27th   1330-1700

We went into town looking for Forest Wagtail, Masked Shrike and Taiga Flycatcher. We only saw the latter. Thanks to Simon Aspinall for detailed information on where the birds were, and Steve James for guiding us all the way to the Mushrif Palace Garden Wood.

Mushrif Palace Wood:

Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain. Feb 28th   0830-1200

A spectacular mountain and a good location far inland close to the Omani border. Finally reached, a bit late, after hundred roundabouts and a labyrinth track through Al Ain city. Most birds were found at the Mercure Hotel area almost at the top.

Khor al Beidah, Umm al Qaiwan. Feb 29th   0700-1000

This is one of the most important UAE site for waders. The road passing the Palace was signposted "No entry" due to some construction work on the beach, but we took the chance instead of driving through the sand dunes with a two wheel drive. We were told that the best time to visit was 3 hours before high tide. We arrived one hour after high tide, but found what we sought (Great Knots). We did not spend any time on counting all the waders along the mangroves, as the mudflats increased rapidly. The numbers are therefore mostly estimates.

Umm al Qaiwan Breakwater. Feb 29th   1030-1200

A note: The numbers of cachinnans/barabensis in this report might also include some heuglini gulls. If you don't find the "hole in the wall" in Umm al Qaiwan, we recommend a lunch stop at KFC.

Dreamland Beach, Umm al Qaiwan. Feb 29th   1300-1315 and 1730-1800

This is another good site for waders. The beach was literally filled with waders as far as eye could se, but time and heat prevented us from a total check. A total count along the beach would probably have given much higher numbers on many species.

Al Jazeerah Khor, Ras al Khaimah. Feb 29th   1330-1430

The sand dunes seemed quite lifeless, and the stop was most productive for Gunnar's EOS D10. Much lower numbers of waders than Khor al Beidah and Dreamland Beach.

Hamraniyah Fields, Ras al Khaimah. Feb 29th   1500-1700

A positive surprise and probably a good place to find rarities if you have the time to check properly (must take days.). This was our first visit to the area.

Dubai Pivot Fields. March 1st   0700-0800 and 1000-1300

We never get tired of the Pivot Fields, but this foggy morning we also checked Wimpey Pits for hirundines (although most hirundines were at the Pivot Fields.). It is interesting to see how the numbers of birds change from day to day at the Pivot Fields. Are the pipits and wagtails on the move?

Wimpey Pits, Dubai. March 1st   0800-1000

Again the ducks were not counted properly as they flushed up because of us or the construction work around the Pits.

Al Mamzar Park, Dubai. March 1st   1600-1800

Our final birding after returning the rental car. A taxi from Princess Hotel is about 15-20 Dhs.

Total species list

1. Little Grebe
2. Black-necked Grebe
3. Great Cormorant
4. Socotra Cormorant
5. Little Green (Striated) Heron
6. Indian Pond Heron
7. Cattle Egret
8. Western Reef Heron
9. Little Egret
10. Great White Egret
11. Grey Heron
12. Glossy Ibis
13. Spoonbill
14. Greater Flamingo
15. Wigeon
16. Gadwall
17. Teal
18. Mallard
19. Pintail
20. Garganey
21. Shoveler
22. Pochard
23. Ferruginous Duck
24. Tufted Duck
25. Egyptian Vulture
26. Short-toed Eagle
27. Marsh Harrier
28. Pallid Harrier
29. Greater Spotted Eagle
30. Steppe Eagle
31. Booted Eagle
32. Bonelli's Eagle
33. Osprey
34. Lesser Kestrel
35. Kestrel
36. Sand Partridge
37. Grey Francolin
38. Quail
39. Moorhen
40. Coot
41. Red-knobbed Coot
42. Oystercatcher
43. Black-winged Stilt
44. Crab Plover
45. Little Ringed Plover
46. Ringed Plover
47. Kentish Plover
48. Lesser Sand Plover
49. Greater Sand Plover
50. Pacific Golden Plover
51. Grey Plover
52. Red-wattled Plover
53. White-tailed Plover
54. Great Knot
55. Little Stint
56. Temminck's Stint
57. Curlew Sandpiper
58. Dunlin
59. Broad-billed Sandpiper
60. Ruff
61. Common Snipe
62. Black-tailed Godwit
63. Bar-tailed Godwit
64. Whimbrel
65. Curlew
66. Spotted Redshank
67. Redshank
68. Marsh Sandpiper
69. Greenshank
70. Green Sandpiper
71. Wood Sandpiper
72. Terek Sandpiper
73. Common Sandpiper
74. Turnstone
75. Sooty Gull
76. Great Black-headed Gull
77. Black-headed Gull
78. Slender-billed Gull
79. Siberian Gull (heuglini)
80. Caspian Gull (cachinnans/barabensis)
81. Gull-billed Tern
82. Caspian Tern
83. Swift Tern
84. Lesser Crested Tern
85. Sandwich Tern
86. Common Tern
87. White-cheeked Tern
88. Whiskered Tern
89. White-winged Black Tern
90. Common Noddy
91. Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
92. Rock Dove
93. Collared Dove
94. Laughing (Palm) Dove
95. Ring-necked Parakeet
96. Cuckoo
97. Egyptian Nightjar
98. Common Swift
99. Pallid Swift
100. White-collared Kingfisher (kalbaensis)
101. Common Kingfisher
102. Little Green Bee-eater
103. European Bee-eater
104. Indian Roller
105. Hoopoe
106. Wryneck
107. Desert Lark
108. Bimaculated Lark
109. Short-toed Lark
110. Lesser Short-toed Lark
111. Crested Lark
112. Skylark
113. Sand Martin
114. African Rock Martin
115. Barn Swallow
116. House Martin
117. Richard's Pipit
118. Blyth's Pipit
119. Tawny Pipit
120. Long-billed Pipit
121. Meadow Pipit
122. Red-throated Pipit
123. Water Pipit
124. Buff-bellied Pipit
125. Yellow Wagtail
126. Citrine Wagtail
127. Grey Wagtail
128. White Wagtail
129. White-cheeked Bulbul
130. Yellow-vented Bulbul
131. Red-vented Bulbul
132. Bluethroat
133. Black Redstart
134. Redstart
135. Siberian Stonechat (maura)
136. Isabelline Wheatear
137. Pied Wheatear
138. Desert Wheatear
139. Red-tailed Wheatear
140. Eastern Pied Wheatear
141. Hooded Wheatear
142. Hume's Wheatear
143. Rock Thrush
144. Blue Rock Thrush
145. Song Thrush
146. Graceful Warbler
147. Scrub Warbler
148. Eastern Reed Warbler (fuscus)
149. Clamorous Reed Warbler
150. Olivaceous Warbler (elaeica)
151. Syke's Warbler
152. Ménétries Warbler
153. Desert Warbler (nana)
154. Lesser Whitethroat (curruca/minula)
155. Plain Leaf Warbler
156. Chiffchaff
157. Taiga Flycatcher
158. Arabian Babbler
159. Purple Sunbird
160. Isabelline Shrike
161. Southern Grey Shrike (aucheri/pallidirostris)
162. Woodchat Shrike
163. Long-tailed Shrike
164. House Crow
165. Brown-necked Raven
166. Starling
167. Rosy Starling
168. Pied Mynah
169. Common Mynah
170. Bank Mynah
171. House Sparrow
172. Spanish Sparrow
173. Indian Silverbill
174. Goldfinch
175. House Bunting (striolata)
176. Corn Bunting