ABSTRACT Like other famous bird-rich areas such as Morocco, Israel, Turkey and Thailand, the location of the United Arab Emirates has created an avifauna with elements from more than one zoogeographical area. This meeting place of Afrotropical, Palearctic and occasionally Oriental species is a rich area for study by local ornithologists and acts as a magnet to today's travelling birders.
The excitement of birdwatching in the Trucial States (as the eastern Gulf States were called prior to full independence in the early 1970s) was first recognised by the British Forces stationed in the area. As die Gulf States started to grow in political and economic importance (Dubai was a main stopover for flying-boats to the Far East in the 1930s), British servicemen were tasked with subduing coastal piracy and calming tribal insurgencies. As these outbreaks were minimal, the expeditionary forces' policing duties declined and many spent much of their time documenting the local wildlife, sometimes with the blessing of their commanders.
Now, thanks to them and to a handful of dedicated people during the 1970s and 1980s, the United Arab Emirates has perhaps the most comprehensively studied avifauna in the whole of Arabia. The area remained undiscovered by itinerant birders (as opposed to ornithologists), however, until about 1983. Shortly afterwards, enough information had been assembled to compile the country's first birdwatching guide, The Birds of the United Arab Emirates (Richardson 1990a).
Visiting birdwatchers soon started arriving, though rather hesitantly at first, encouraged by a species list close to 400, which included several Western Palearctic specialities which were difficult to find elsewhere. At last, Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis, Sooty Gull Lams hemprichii, White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocks exustus, Black-crowned Sparrow-lark Eremopterix nigriceps, Hume's Wheatear Oenanthe alboniger, Plain
Plate 95. White-tailed Lapwing Chettusia leucura, Oman, November 1992 (Hanne & Jens Eriksen). Uncommon passage migrant in the UAE.
2 2 2 Richardson: The United Arab Emirates
Leaf Warbler PhyUoscopus negkaus and Yellow-throated Sparrow Petronia xanthocollis were within reach.
The United Arab Emirates is relatively small (about the size of Scotland) and fast dual carriageways link all cities and towns. Most sites are within an easy day's drive. In consequence, a visit of eight to 12 days should allow enough time to see all the resident specialities and most of the migrants for which the region is famous. The latest official checklist (Richardson & Aspinall 1996)* includes 395 species, but the number likely to be seen varies from month to month. For instance, the Emirates Bird Report:18 (1994) published a list of 309 species seen during the whole of 1993, with a maximum of 237 in October, and 225 in March. Winter months offer about 190 species, while in July numbers dip to about 105 species.
Fig. 1. Map of United Arab Emirates. Place names are those mentioned in the text.
A visit between September and April using a good, well-organised itinerary should produce around 180 species, a worthy total for such a small, desert country. The UAE is situated on a migratory crossroads (Richardson & Chapman 1988). A north-south flyway conveys species between the main Palearctic landmass and Africa, while a less-used east-west route takes birds between the Near East and the Indian subcontinent. Add to this an influx of Indian Ocean seabirds in summer and a scattering of Siberian vagrants in autumn and you have a recipe for exciting birdwatching throughout the year.
The country can be divided simply into four habitat zones: 1. Coasts and mudflats. 2. Mountains and wadis (dry/wet watercourses). 3. Deserts and gravel plains. 4. Gardens and agricultural areas (man-made irrigated habitats). •Available (Dhs 40 or UK cheque for £7.00) from Colin Richardson, PO Box 50394, Dubai, UAE.
British Birds, vol. 89, no. 5, May 1996 223
Coasts and mudflats The Arabian Gulf, with its shallow saline lagoons and extensive mudflats, serves as an important winter feeding ground for millions of Arctic and central Asian migrant shorebirds. A total of 126,000 wetland birds was counted in January 1995 during the Asian Waterfowl Census (Aspinall & Richardson 1994), including 41,000 wildfowl, 42,000 waders, 38,000 gulls and 4,200 terns.
Khor Dubai is the most interesting of the country's natural wetlands. It holds the densest assembly of waders, with up to 12,000 present at any one time. It is the only site in the country where Broad-billed Sandpiper Limkola falcinellus can be found reliably, sometimes in flocks of up to 4,000 (Utdey et al. 1988). Other species of interest there are Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga (late October to March only), Greater Sand Plover Charadrius kschenaultii, Lesser Sand Plover C. mongolus and Pacific Golden Plover Plmnalis fulva (September to April). Khor al Beidah, at Umm al Quwain, is the most accessible site at which to see Crab Plover Dramas arckola (plate 93) in winter, when over 300 are present at the species' high-tide roost. Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris is regular there, too. One of the World's largest colonies of Socotra Cormorants (plate 92) nests nearby in late autumn (Howe 1989) and there are often flocks of several thousand flying offshore, visible from the coast. About 100 km northeast of Dubai is Al Jazeerah Khor, another network of lagoons. It is a good place to see Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus, while flocks of Slender-billed Gulls Larus genei and Saunders's Terns Sterna saundersi (plate 96) occur in winter, best viewed from the high dunes which guard the bay. These scrub-covered dunes usually host several species of Sylvia warbler in winter and spring, including Desert 5. nana, Orphean 5. hortensis and Men6tries's Warblers S. mystacea (plate 105) and Lesser Whitethroat S. curruca of the Siberian race blythi.
On the east coast, south of Fujeirah, lies Khor Kalba. Facing the Gulf of Oman, this tidal creek has a unique area of relict mangrove forest, inhabited by the endemic kalbaensis subspecies of Collared Kingfisher Todirhamphus Moris (plate 100). Fewer than 50 pairs remain and the authorities have still not taken steps to protect the area. Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata of the race (or species?) rama breeds in the mangroves and is usually present at least from February to June (Ffirschfeld 1994). This is also the country's only wintering site of Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii, present from October to early April. Great care should be taken in separating it from Squacco Heron A. ralbides, which also occurs (Richardson & Bannon 1991a). Sadly, the mudflats are increasingly being damaged by four-wheel-drive vehicles, while fishermen catch the crabs which are the kingfishers' primary food.
The sea there is rich in marine life (including several species of turtles, sharks, rays and dolphins) and seabirds are usually abundant. Sooty Gull, Bridled Tern Sterna anaeihetus, Crested Tern S. bergii, Lesser Crested Tern S. bengalensis, White-cheeked Tem, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus and Arctic Skua S. parasiticus are seasonally common. The less common Audubon's Shearwater Puffinus Iherminieri of the race (or species?) persicus and Wilson's Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus are sometimes visible from this 80-km-long coastline.
Mountains and wadis The UAE has a 40-km-wide easterly backbone of mountains, which rise to about 1,000 m. The highest mountain is Jebel Hafit, near Al Ain, which, at 1,500 m,
Plate 99. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis, UAE, November 1989 (D. Robinson)
Plate 100. Collared Kingfisher Todirhamphus Moris, UAE, November 1989 (D. Robinson)
226 Richardson: The United Arab Emirates
towers above the surrounding plain. Although widespread in most mountain areas, Hume's Wheatear (plate 102) can often be difficult to find, and Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha can be even more elusive.
Most of the indigenous species inhabiting the mountains rarely stray far from this habitat, so it is always worth searching some of the acacia plains and the more-promising-looking wadis. Those in the cretaceous hills north of the small market town of Masafi, for instance, can produce a good selection of species, particularly in spring (Richardson 1988). Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti, White-spectacled Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthopygos and Pale Crag Martin Hirundo obsokta are easy to find, but Sand Partridge Ammoperdix heyi, Streaked Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inqukta and House Bunting Emberiza striolata need a bit more work. Arabian Babbler Turdoides squamiceps favours areas with cover, sometimes in short supply in this overgrazed land. Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii can be encountered anywhere in the mountains, but is more reliably seen (or at least heard) shortly after dusk at a favourite waterhole.
Of the migrants, Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna (plate 103) and SmaE Whitethroat Sylvia minula are the most common. Less common, Plain Leaf Warbler—looking like a tiny grey Chiffchaff Phylbscopw collybita—rarely keeps silent, and can therefore be located by its quiet, though insistent 'tch, tch, tch....' call.
Birds of prey are rather scarce in the Emirates. A few pairs of Barbary Falcons Falco pelegrinoides nest on the higher crags, while the mountains are also favoured by migrant Short-toed Eagles Circaetus gallicus and Long-legged Buzzards Buteo rufinus. The most interesting raptor in the area is the Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheUotus. This negevensis dark race can be a real prize if encountered, usually soaring high, like a giant flying carpet, north and east of Al Ain.
Deserts and gravel plains
The desert region lies almost entirely to the west of the mountains. It ranges in width from 20 km in the north to over 150 km in the south and west. Inland, Abu Dhabi emirate consists almost entirely of sand dunes and gravel plains, where birdlife is very sparse. In the northern emirates, the sand desert is punctuated by groves of trees, Prosopis cineraria, which host Small Whitethroat in winter, Upcher's Warbler Hippohis languida in spring and nesting Yellow-throated Sparrow from April to August. Open desert is the best place to find Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes, Desert Warbler and Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti, while the flat gravel areas between the dunes are favoured by flocks of Black-crowned Sparrow-larks (plate 98). Brown-necked Raven Corvus rufieollis is usually encountered in the sand-desert areas, particularly inland from Umm al Quwain.
Nearer the mountains, east of a line from Al Ain to Ras al Khaimah, the sand dunes give way to a broad gravel plain scattered with Acacia tortilis. This savannah plain is relatively rich ornithologically, particularly close to the base of the mountains. Red-tailed Wheatear (mid October to March) and Arabian Babbler are most likely there, while Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata (of the nominate subspecies) is a scarce winter visitor from late September to February and is likely to be found perched low in a tree at the base of the foothills. The picata subspecies of Variable Wheatear looks superficially like Hume's Wheatear, but, when directly
British Birds, vol. 89, no. 5, May 1996 227
compared, the latter is obviously strong-billed and large-headed, with a shiny black body and bright-white belly and back, whereas the smaller Variable looks rather sooty black (the female is dark brown), and the white beEy looks rather dirty in comparison. Twelve species of wheatear occur in the Emirates and are best separated in all seasons using Clement & Harris's excellent identification paper (Brit Birds 80: 137-157, 187-238).
Gardens and agricultural areas
Without the irrigated man-made habitats, many Arabian migrants would probably not survive the rigours of the desert. The United Arab Emirates' rulers have planted tens of thousands of trees in the desert. There are vast grass fields in the oases and golf-courses and parks in all the large cities. These sites attract thousands of migrant birds. All are irrigated by desalinated water or from fast-depleting prehistoric aquifers beneath the desert.
The well-established agricultural area around Digdaga and Hamraniyah, south of Ras al Khaimah, has produced more than its fair share of excitement in the last few years (Richardson 1991). Besides its resident population of hundreds of Indian Rollers Coraaas benghaknsis (plate 99) and Little Green Bee-eaters Merops orientalis, the area is well known for its ability to draw in migrant birds of prey. Six species of eagle have been recorded, including Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca and Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus, and both Pallid Circus macrourus and Montagu's Harriers C. pygargus are regular from September to March. The most interesting phenomenon was the number of Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni attracted to the grass fields in the springs of 1993 and 1994. Numbers reached a peak of 109 in early April 1994, with most departing by 19th April (Aspinall 1993, 1994). They were found to be feeding on caterpillars of the Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agnus convolvuli, which were abundant during those years. Unfortunately, the quality of water pumped from the wells dropped in late 1994, many fields were abandoned, and Lesser Kestrel numbers were lower in 1995. The varying ecology of these large fields seems to appeal to a number of opportunist colonists. The site hosts the country's only breeding Spanish Sparrows Passer hispaniolensis (largest flock, of over 300, recorded in March 1995) and European Rollers Coraaas garmlus (Richardson 1990b), while Bank Mynahs Acridotheres ginginianus take their chances nesting in old wells between some of the fields. Flocks of over 500 Pale Rock Sparrows Petronia brachydactyla (plate 107) are recorded there from mid March to early April.
Also regular at cultivations are a number of interesting central Asian subspecies which occur from September to April. These include 'Masked' Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba personata (plate 104), 'Siberian' Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata maura, 'Caucasian' Bluethroat Luscinia svecica magna, 'Eastern' Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros phoenkuroides and 'Steppe' Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor pallidirostris. The last species is a regular migrant and it is interesting to compare pallidirostris with the very black-masked local subspecies, aucheri (Richardson 1989).
The camel race tracks at Al Ain and Al Wathba (Abu Dhabi) are grassed and irrigated inside the race-track perimeter. These large areas act as magnets for larks, pipits, wheatears and other tired and hungry migrants. The rare specialities found there from October to February include Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha
228 Richardson: The United Arab Emirates
Plate 101. Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus, UAE, March 1990 (D. Robinson)
Plate 106. Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica, UAE, April 1990 (D. Robinson). Very common breeding resident.
Plate 107. Pale Rock Sparrows Petronia brachydactyla, UAE, April 1994 (D. Robinson)
230 Richardson: The United Arab Emirates
bimaculata, Oriental Lark Alauda gulgula and Blyth's Pipit Anthus godkwskii (James 1994). Between 08.00 and 09.30 hours throughout the year, flocks of up to 200 Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse (plate 97) arrive, and by mid morning from September to March half-a-dozen Pallid and Montagu's Harriers can often be seen foraging over the fields, providing opportunities to study the different face* and wing patterns (Hirschfeld & Richardson 1992). Small groups of Cream-coloured Coursers Cursorius cursor (plate 94) are attracted to the Al Ain camel track in autumn and winter, while Caspian Plover Charadrius asiatkus and Long-toed Stint CaUdris subminuta can occur between August and October. Since 1993, the nearby plantations at Al Wathba have regularly attracted small groups of Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinns (plate 101) in November and March. Numbers reached 60 or more throughout most of March 1994 and 1995, while up to ten have been seen together on several occasions in November. As the fruit trees mature, it is expected that this may become a regular stopover site for this enigmatic species.
Striated Scops Owl Otus brum occurs only 15 minutes' drive from the centre of Dubai. Several pairs nest in Mushrif National Park, and individuals can sometimes be seen after sunset, feeding under spotlights near one of the leisure centres. At least one pair of Pharaoh Eagle Owls Bubo ascalaphus nests on the rocky outcrop at Qarn Nazwa. A trip there at sunset can be rewarded by a pair calling from the summit, just visible in silhouette against the glow from a nearby oilfield flare.
Late autumn is the traditional time for Siberian and other vagrants, and the parks and gardens of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the best places to find them. Such interesting species as Oriental Pratincole Glareoh maldwarum, Pintail Snipe GaUinago stenura, Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris, White-throated Bee-eater Merops albkottis, Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indkus, Dusky Warbler Phylbscopus juscatus, Radde's Warbler P. schwargi and Chestnut-breasted Bunting Emberiza stewarti have been recorded in October-November (Richardson & Pitt 1990; Bannon & Richardson 1993; James 1993a, 1993b; Richardson 1993). In 1991, it was estimated that at least a further 50 species were likely to occur in the UAE (Richardson & Bannon 1991b), and in the subsequent five years no fewer than 20 of them have been reliably reported: testimony to the amazing potential of the region for new discoveries to be made.
References
ASPMALL, S. 1993. Spring migration of Lesser Kestrel. Emirates Bird Report 17: 47-48. 1994. Spring migration of Lesser Kestrel through the UAE and northern Oman in 1994.
Emirates Bird Report 18: 96-99. — & RICHARDSON, C. 1994. Asian Waterfowl Census 1994. Emitutes Bird Report 18: 117-123. BANNON, J. K., & RICHARDSON, C. 1993. White-capped Buntings Emberiza stewarti in the United
Arab Emirates, Emirates Bird Report 17: 3-5. CLEMENT, P., & HARRIS, A. 1987. Field identification of West Palearctic wheatears. Brit. Birds
80: 137-157, 187-238. HIRSCHFELD, E. 1994. On the status of Booted Warbler in the UAE. Emirwm BitdRep. 18: 100-104.
& RICHARDSON, C. 1992. Distribution of harriers {Circus pygarguslmaa-ourus) in Arabia and their identification in subadult, juvenile and female plumages. Tribulus 2(2): 8-10.
HOWE, S. 1989. Socotran Cormorant {Phalacrocorax nigrogukms) breeding in the UAE. Emirates Natural History Group Bulletin 37: 20-22.
JAMES, S. L. 1993a. Dusky Warbler in Bateen Wood, Abu Dhabi. Emirates Bird Rep. 17; 51-52. 1993b. The occurrence of Forest Wagtail in the United Arab Emirates. Emirates Bird Rep.
17: 58-59.
British Birds, vol. 89, no. 5, May 1996 231
1994. The Blyth's Pipit story. Emirates Bird Rep. 18: 110-112. RICHARDSON, C. (compiler) 1987-93. Emirates Bird Reports 1-18.
1988. Sites of interest: The Masafi Area, UAE. Phoenix 5: 7-8. 1989. Status of Great Grey Shrike iMnius excubitor in the UAE. Emirates Natural History
Group Bulletin 38: 2-6. 1990a. 77K Birds of the United Arab Emirates. Warrington & Dubai. 1990b, New breeding species: European Roller Coracias garrulus. Phoenix 6: 2. 1991. Sites of interest: Digdaga and Hamraniyah, United Arab Emirates. Phoenix 8: 12-13. & ASPINALL, S. 1996. A Checklist of the Birds of the United Arab Emirates. Dubai. &BANNON,J. K. 1991a. Notes on identification of non-breeding Indian Pond Heron Ardeola
grayii in the UAE. Emirates Bird Report 15: 34-35. & 1991b. Prospective new bird species for the UAE. Tribulus 1(1): 9-13. & CHAPMAN, J. A. D. 1988. Migration patterns through Dubai 1984-88. Sandgrouse 10: 71-
80. —— & PITT, M. 1990. Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura at the fish farm, a first for Dubai. Gazelle
5(11): 4. UTTLEY, J. D., THOMAS, C. J., GREEN, M. G., SUDDABY, D., & PLATT, J. B. 1988. The autumn
migration of waders and other waterbirds through the northern United Arab Emirates. Sandgrouse 10: 58-70.
Colin Richardson, PO Box 50394, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A joint British Birds-SUNBIRD trip to the United Arab Emirates, led by Paul Holt and Colin Richardson, will take place during 27th November to 8th December 1996. Until 1st October 1996, bookings will be accepted only from British Birds subscribers, who also qualify for a 10% discount on the full price. For details, contact SUNBIRD, PO Box 76, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 IDF; phone Sandy (01767) 682969; fax Sandy (01767) 692481.
Publication with this paper of plates 91-107 in colour has been subsidised by a donation from the bird-tour company SUNBIRD.
