View of part of the Fujairah Corniche and the Hajar Mountains in the Background

Thursday, September 11, 2008

The Amazing Wildlife of the Emirates

Rich Bird Life
I was writing an article for the Fujairah in Focus site to highlight the rich bird life in the UAE and especially on the east coast.

When I looked at the UAE Birding site I was staggered by the sensational gallery of birds such as the Indian Pond Heron (pictured) which was photographed by UAE’s Bird Recorder, Tommy Pedersen, at Khor Kalba. This rare bird is found in Khor Kalba only between September and May.

Have a look at another specimen and the spectacular photo at this post on Fujairah in Focus. Click on the photo to see the image magnified.

Diverse Wildlife
Tommy Pedersen is currently moving photographs from the old site to a new site at this link. Check it out.

The Home Page points to pages for news, forums, reports on bird outings and what birds were spotted, the main birding sites in the UAE and there is the opportunity to join up with this group or go on a guided visit.

I was surprised when I clicked on the Photo link. There are scores of bird photos (or if they are not there yet you can change back to the old site which will eventually be closed down when the job is done).

The new site also has galleries that contain photos of the UAE’s wildlife.

There are galleries of the following:

UAE mammals (camels, donkeys, foxes, gazelles, goats, gerbils)
UAE reptiles and amphibians (Arabian agamas, lizards, geckos, skinks)
UAE damselflies and dragonflies
UAE insects (varieties of wasps, bees and beetles)
UAE spiders (they are coming)
UAE aquatic life (turtles, crabs, sea snails)

This site is a visual feast.

Thanks to Tommy Pedersen for permission to post the photograph.

Dr Geoff Pound

Image: Indian Pond Heron, Khor Kalba.