Séjour ornithologique aux Émirats Arabes Unis en mars 2003

The United Arab Unit is a federal state, situated in the Golfe region. At any one time during migration periods (July-November and April-May) probably in excess of 250,000 waders are present on intertidal areas of the country’s Gulf coast. The habitats of this country are varied: mountains, desert, tidal lagoons, parks and golfe courses and mangroves (including the famous Khor Kalba, home of the endemic subspecies kalbaensis of the White-collared Kingfisher (Todirhamphus chloris) which breeds only here).
The main birding specialities are tropical seabirds, waders (including Crabe Plover, Lesser Sand Plover and Greater Sand Plover), desert birds such as the Desert Lark, the Desert Warbler and the Cream-Coloured Curser, indo-malaysian birds such as the Indian Roller and rare wintering birds such as the Hume’s Wheatear, the Red-tailed Wheatear, the Plain Leaf Warbler and the Blyth’s Pipit.
This report, written by 4 Belgian birders (Marc Ameels, Thomas de Thier, Jacques-André Leclercq and Didier Vieuxtemps) during their 9-days trip in March 2003, presents you numerous birding spots with the birds you can watch, and practical informations to visit this country.