Qatar/Doha Birding Spots (2 Viewers)

[crettie]

I'm going to be in Qatar for part of the world cup and I'm planning to do some birdwatching whilst I'm out there.

Are there any locations in Doha or further afield (if accessible by public transport) that are worth checking out in particular?

 

[crettie]

For future reference of anyone interested in birding in the Doha area:

1) Doha in General
There's plenty of green spaces around the city containing the following species almost wherever there is a hint of green:

• Common Myna
• Indian Silverbill
• White-Eared Bulbul
• Laughing Dove
• Plus a smattering of common European birds such as house sparrow, feral pigeons and collared doves

2) The Corniche
The main bay area of the city with unusually few birds, although the common birds listed above are all easily found. Managed to get one life tick with the western reef heron but other than this it was a couple of common sandpipers, lesser black backed gulls and a lone whimbrel that made up the list.

3) Al Bidda Park
Probably the highlight so far a large park with a mixture of manicured lawns and bushy scrubland the latter of which was best for birding. Finds included:

• Grey Francolin
• Hoopoe
• Masked Shrike
• Isabelline Shrike
• Great Grey Shrike
• Red Vented Bulbul
• Barred Warbler
• Long Tailed Glossy Starling
• Ring-Necked Parakeets
• House Crow
• Delicate Prinia* (visually confirmed but due to recent split with Graceful Prinia song ID is required for full confirmation - I plan to revisit to confirm but recent logs on eBird along with sound recordings show it's present in the park)
• All the common birds listed above

 

[MJB]

For future reference of anyone interested in birding in the Doha area:

1) Doha in General
There's plenty of green spaces around the city containing the following species almost wherever there is a hint of green:

• Common Myna
• Indian Silverbill
• White-Eared Bulbul
• Laughing Dove
• Plus a smattering of common European birds such as house sparrow, feral pigeons and collared doves

2) The Corniche
The main bay area of the city with unusually few birds, although the common birds listed above are all easily found. Managed to get one life tick with the western reef heron but other than this it was a couple of common sandpipers, lesser black backed gulls and a lone whimbrel that made up the list.

3) Al Bidda Park
Probably the highlight so far a large park with a mixture of manicured lawns and bushy scrubland the latter of which was best for birding. Finds included:

• Grey Francolin
• Hoopoe
• Masked Shrike
• Isabelline Shrike
• Great Grey Shrike
• Red Vented Bulbul
• Barred Warbler
• Long Tailed Glossy Starling
• Ring-Necked Parakeets
• House Crow
• Delicate Prinia* (visually confirmed but due to recent split with Graceful Prinia song ID is required for full confirmation - I plan to revisit to confirm but recent logs on eBird along with sound recordings show it's present in the park)
• All the common birds listed above

Long-tailed Glossy Starling presumably are escapes; I haven't heard that they've become established...
MJB

 

[crettie]

Long-tailed Glossy Starling presumably are escapes; I haven't heard that they've become established...
MJB

Yeah I'd imagine so they weren't something I was expecting to see!

 

[GulfCoastBirder]

Any idea if there are bird guides available in Doha?