UAE - late January (1 Viewer)

[foresttwitcher]

Is the last week in January a good time of year to visit UAE? I've not been to the Middle East before and may have the chance to be in Abu Dhabi in the last week in January.

I've checked out the eBird hot spots but are there any recommendations for good sites? I would hope to hire a car.

 

[Phil Andrews]

What are your targets? Only ever done Dubai

 

[foresttwitcher]

Just general good birding really Phil. The nearest I've been to the area is Lesvos so anything that is regional or I would likely not have seen in Europe would be a bonus.

I'd be willing to travel around and I assume the distances are not great so information on Dubai or elsewhere in the Emirates would be welcome.

 

[DMW]

If you are prepared to travel within the region and have a few days, it might be worth considering going to Oman or even Saudi Arabia.

 

[foresttwitcher]

Thanks DMW, I really meant travel by car around the Emirates. Oman is on the wish list for the future - but you never know, I may reconsider.

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

It is possible to do the Emirates in a week, a group of 3 of us did that many moons ago by hire car. Would have to check the details, but it was reasonably straightforward.

 

[foresttwitcher]

It is possible to do the Emirates in a week, a group of 3 of us did that many moons ago by hire car. Would have to check the details, but it was reasonably straightforward.

Thanks, I was thinking of about a week. Did you do a trip report?

 

[Jos Stratford]

This report is quite a while back, and also includes Oman, but does give some idea of midwinter UAE ... it does offer some excellent birding

Jos Stratford, Birding Lithuania & Beyond - Oman & United Arab Emirates

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

I didn’t do a report, but did do a complete list, I need to locate it. One thing I recall; it is impossible to get any useful paper maps in the UAE, probably not as crucial nowadays with smartphones.

 

[foresttwitcher]

Thanks Jos, that has certainly whetted the appetite.

Thanks WP - it would be good to see but no worries if you can't find the list.

 

[albatross02]

Is the last week in January a good time of year to visit UAE? I've not been to the Middle East before and may have the chance to be in Abu Dhabi in the last week in January.

I've checked out the eBird hot spots but are there any recommendations for good sites? I would hope to hire a car.

I visited Abu Dhabi, Al Ain middle of Oktober an Dubai begin of April.

So I can only advice this homepage

Home | uaebirding

Info on UAE bird and wildlife

www.uaebirding.com

Kee species

Key Species | uaebirding

www.uaebirding.com

 

[foresttwitcher]

Thank you albatross02 for the links to that excellent site, that is very useful.

 

[Phil Andrews]

I have done several family holidays in Dubai in January; sadly a number of the sites visited then are now degraded (eg Al Safa Park) or lost totally (eg the Pivot Fields).
Would still recommend Mushrif Park (Oriental Honey Buzzard, Babblers), Qarn Nazwa (Wheatears, Brown-necked Raven, Pharoah Eagle Owl), Ras Al Khor (waders, raptors) and the Al Qudra area (warblers, sandgrouse etc).

 

[Jos Stratford]

I have done several family holidays in Dubai in January; sadly a number of the sites visited then are now degraded (eg Al Safa Park) or lost totally (eg the Pivot Fields).
Would still recommend Mushrif Park (Oriental Honey Buzzard, Babblers), Qarn Nazwa (Wheatears, Brown-necked Raven, Pharoah Eagle Owl), Ras Al Khor (waders, raptors) and the Al Qudra area (warblers, sandgrouse etc).

That's sad to hear that the pivot fields are gone, they were really good. Access denied or built on?

 

[Phil Andrews]

That's sad to hear that the pivot fields are gone, they were really good. Access denied or built on?

Access closed then cultivation abandoned; appears to have returned to desert (you can still see the circular sweep of the sprinkler). As you say was a cracking site - look one way for Red-tailed Shrike, another for Pallid Harrier and a third for a rare plover.

 

[foresttwitcher]

I have done several family holidays in Dubai in January; sadly a number of the sites visited then are now degraded (eg Al Safa Park) or lost totally (eg the Pivot Fields).
Would still recommend Mushrif Park (Oriental Honey Buzzard, Babblers), Qarn Nazwa (Wheatears, Brown-necked Raven, Pharoah Eagle Owl), Ras Al Khor (waders, raptors) and the Al Qudra area (warblers, sandgrouse etc).

Thanks Phil, much appreciated. Yes, shame about the Pivot Fields but it looks like access to Khor Kalba is again possible.