998 Light Brown Apple Moth 2
2190 Hebrew Character 2
Sunday, 5 April 2015
Garden Moth Update - Friday 3rd April 2015
Minimum Overnight Temperature was 6.6°C.
998 Light Brown Apple Moth 2
2190 Hebrew Character 2
998 Light Brown Apple Moth 2
2190 Hebrew Character 2
Garden Moth Update - 27th March 2015
Overnight minimum temperature was 6.0°C.
998 Light Brown Apple Moth 1
1524 Emmelina Monodactyla 1
2187 Common Quaker 3
2188 Clouded Drab 1
2190 Hebrew Character 3
998 Light Brown Apple Moth 1
1524 Emmelina Monodactyla 1
2187 Common Quaker 3
2188 Clouded Drab 1
2190 Hebrew Character 3
Common Quaker
Hebrew Character
Light Brown Apple Moth
Dubai March 2015 - 21st March 2015
For our last birdwatching session of this fantastic holiday under Dubai skies we returned to Ras La Khor Wildlife Sanctuary and in particular the Mangrove hide.
In a small bush near the hide sat a Striated Heron waiting patiently for some unsuspecting prey to pass by.
Greater Flamingoes, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Western Reef Heron (dark phase) were all feeding in front of the hide.
Pintail and Teal were also present closeby.
Just before we left Ras La Khor as the light was starting to drop I took a couple of photos to show its close proximity to the high-rise modern world of Dubai.
Back in the garden with the sunshine fading, we were rewarded with a drop in by two Indian Sliverbills.
I finished the holiday, with 134 bird species (including 6 lifers) and 3 butterfly species (Plain Tiger, Swallowtail & Desert White).
We had a great time, seeing some fabulous birds and amazing scenery. All birds were self-found by my family and although we tried to make sure everybody saw the same birds there were a few that were missed. I would estimate that my family saw 145+ bird species during our stay.
In a small bush near the hide sat a Striated Heron waiting patiently for some unsuspecting prey to pass by.
Greater Flamingoes, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Western Reef Heron (dark phase) were all feeding in front of the hide.
Pintail and Teal were also present closeby.
All the birds were on high alerted when a Greater Spotted Eagle flew over a few times before stopping to perch on a small tree. The Red-Wattled Plovers did not stop harassing the eagle until it left the tree.
In the distance an Osprey was flying above the Dubai Creek to distant to photograph, but an another bird to add to our lists.
Back in the garden with the sunshine fading, we were rewarded with a drop in by two Indian Sliverbills.
I finished the holiday, with 134 bird species (including 6 lifers) and 3 butterfly species (Plain Tiger, Swallowtail & Desert White).
We had a great time, seeing some fabulous birds and amazing scenery. All birds were self-found by my family and although we tried to make sure everybody saw the same birds there were a few that were missed. I would estimate that my family saw 145+ bird species during our stay.
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
Dubai March 2015 - 20th March 2015
Our penultimate birding day of our fantastic holiday, so we went to the Pivot Fields.
The usual birds were feeding and drinking around the irrigation area, but no new species were spotted. As we moved to another part of the area we sat watching a beautiful Black-headed Yellow Wagtail when a Bluethroat jump out of the long grass. It hopped around with the House Sparrows picking up bits off the grass and then disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
Then a female Hen Harrier flew past the car, initially I had expected it to be a Marsh Harrier, but the white rump was very apparent as the bird came closer over the reeds.
We moved again, a scanned the area with our binoculars. In the sky, I noticed a bird hovering and when I found it in the telescope the bird turned into a male Black-Shouldered Kite (or Black-winged Kite). We watched this bird for sometime and we were lucky to see it perch on the water irrigation gantry. Another birdwatcher approach, to show us his photos and when I reported the sighting to the UAE bird recorder it is the 19th record for UAE.
The usual birds were feeding and drinking around the irrigation area, but no new species were spotted. As we moved to another part of the area we sat watching a beautiful Black-headed Yellow Wagtail when a Bluethroat jump out of the long grass. It hopped around with the House Sparrows picking up bits off the grass and then disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
Then a female Hen Harrier flew past the car, initially I had expected it to be a Marsh Harrier, but the white rump was very apparent as the bird came closer over the reeds.
We moved again, a scanned the area with our binoculars. In the sky, I noticed a bird hovering and when I found it in the telescope the bird turned into a male Black-Shouldered Kite (or Black-winged Kite). We watched this bird for sometime and we were lucky to see it perch on the water irrigation gantry. Another birdwatcher approach, to show us his photos and when I reported the sighting to the UAE bird recorder it is the 19th record for UAE.
Dubai March 2015 - 19th March 2015
Today, we drove to Wamms Farm area and as we got out of the car I noticed a Namaque Dove (lifer) sitting on the top of a bush. It didn't stay long, just enough time for all of us to see it before it flew off out of sight.
As we stood watching an area being watered, the bird number were significant with several Daurian Shrikes and at least two Southern Grey Shrikes. A Lesser Kestral was hunting between the irrigation heads giving us some great views. Two little Green Bee-eaters came and settled on the fence and two Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse appeared on top of a wall.
After leaving Wamms Farm, we drove to Ras La Khaimah on the coast in the hope that the tide would be favourable for Waders. We were lucky and soon found a Pacific Golden Plover and a single Grey Plover on the shore.
We moved on further to Um Al Quwain which is an area I love to visit because of the shear numbers of waders that feed and roost in the area. We park the car and scanned through the large flock with the telescope.
Knot
Bar-tailed Godwit (some in breeding plumage)
Curlew
Curlew Sandpiper
Broad-billed Sandpiper
Oystercatcher.
Every time we visit this area we look for Crab Plover, keeping our fingers and toes crossed because I am the only person in the family not to have seen one before. Crab Plover is also a bird present in 3rd place on my list top 20 birds to see.
We scanned up and down the inter-tidal edges as the tide was dropping. Then all of a sudden a single Crab Plover was spotted giving us a distance view, but the best view!!
Record shots below:
Fantastic, and they were two birds present, catching crabs.
As we stood watching an area being watered, the bird number were significant with several Daurian Shrikes and at least two Southern Grey Shrikes. A Lesser Kestral was hunting between the irrigation heads giving us some great views. Two little Green Bee-eaters came and settled on the fence and two Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse appeared on top of a wall.
After leaving Wamms Farm, we drove to Ras La Khaimah on the coast in the hope that the tide would be favourable for Waders. We were lucky and soon found a Pacific Golden Plover and a single Grey Plover on the shore.
We moved on further to Um Al Quwain which is an area I love to visit because of the shear numbers of waders that feed and roost in the area. We park the car and scanned through the large flock with the telescope.
Knot
Bar-tailed Godwit (some in breeding plumage)
Curlew
Curlew Sandpiper
Broad-billed Sandpiper
Oystercatcher.
Every time we visit this area we look for Crab Plover, keeping our fingers and toes crossed because I am the only person in the family not to have seen one before. Crab Plover is also a bird present in 3rd place on my list top 20 birds to see.
We scanned up and down the inter-tidal edges as the tide was dropping. Then all of a sudden a single Crab Plover was spotted giving us a distance view, but the best view!!
Record shots below:
Fantastic, and they were two birds present, catching crabs.
Dubai March 2015 - 18th March 2015
After leaving the hotel, we drove along the coast to Khor Kalba. Stopping opposite a sand bank full of birds we spotted:
Sooty Gull
Sandwich Tern
Lesser Crested Tern
Swift Tern
Heuglin's Gull
Sanderling
Golden Plover
Whimbrel
Great Black-headed Gull (2)
When we arrive at the bridge, near the Khor kalba wildlife reserve we spotted at least 5 Green Turtle
We searched the mangroves for a White-collared Kingfisher, but sadly no luck. Although we did have a second sighting of a Common Kingfisher for the trip.
As we heading for the hotel, we spotted an Indian Roller sitting on a roadside lamp.
Sooty Gull
Sandwich Tern
Lesser Crested Tern
Swift Tern
Heuglin's Gull
Sanderling
Golden Plover
Whimbrel
Great Black-headed Gull (2)
Beside the car, two Common Myna birds were calling from a tree.
When we arrive at the bridge, near the Khor kalba wildlife reserve we spotted at least 5 Green Turtle
We searched the mangroves for a White-collared Kingfisher, but sadly no luck. Although we did have a second sighting of a Common Kingfisher for the trip.
As we heading for the hotel, we spotted an Indian Roller sitting on a roadside lamp.
Dubai March 2015 - 18th March 2015
After travelling all day on the 17th, we woke in Fujairah Rotana Spa Resort alongside the Al Aqua beach on the western side of UAE. The beautiful ocean waves crashed against the shoreline and the sound carried to my room.
As the sun rose, a tiny Graciful Prina was searching for insects in the grass outside.
The birds were making use of the quiet hotel grounds.
After breakfast, the dragonflies were stopping and resting in the gardens.
Shells seen during a walk on the beach.
As the sun rose, a tiny Graciful Prina was searching for insects in the grass outside.
The birds were making use of the quiet hotel grounds.
After breakfast, the dragonflies were stopping and resting in the gardens.
Shells seen during a walk on the beach.
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