ENHG Field Trip Oct 19: Birding Trip Al Mamzar Park & Wasit Reserve

MEETING POINT FOR TOMORROW. Please call me 0566501620 if there are any delays  

Dropped pin
Near E1 - Abu Dhabi
https://goo.gl/maps/cqCpWJWEpv5DZJDN8

When : Saturday October 19, 2019. Leave Abu Dhabi @ 0615 to reach the park by 0745.

Where : Mazmar Park, Dubai and Al Wasit Wetland, Sharjah 

Family friendly trip ! Kids welcome, but there is a bit of walking so the trip is best suited to children aged 8 and above.

Trip open only to ENHG Abu Dhabi 2019-2020 members only. Those who are not members could sign up for Membership on the day of the event by filling up the form with the field trip coordinator Desmond Lobo and paying the membership fees ( 100Dhs/yr per individual or 150Dhs/yr per family)

Stop 1: 7:45 am to 10:30 am Mamzar Park (Dubai):

Best for bird watching during migration and winter

Al Mamzar Park is one of the main migration hotspots in the Dubai area. It is under-watched, and has turned up rarities on a regular basis. It is now considered to be the best birding site in Dubai, with Safa Park reduced in size construction and the Dubai Pivot Fields gone.

Birds we expect to see :

176 species (excluding escapees) have been recorded in the park and on the nearby scrubland as of December 2018. Regular migrants in April & May are White-throated Robin and Semicollared Flycatcher, with Masked Shrike on migration and during winter. Socotra Cormorant sometimes seen offshore, but since Great Cormorant is present during autumn, winter and spring, care must be taken in separating the two. Thrush Nightingale, Olive-backed Pipit and Eastern Cinereous Bunting have been recorded on several occasions.

Rarities have included Asian Koel, White-throated Kingfisher, Ashy Drongo, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Green Warbler, Icterine Warbler and Mistle Thrush.

Note: Park opens at 0800 hours. We plant to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to avoid any queue. Each individual is responsible to buy his/her pass : Fees are AED 5 per individual or AED 30 per car. Kids under 2 free.  

Stop 2: Wasit Nature Reserve Ramsar Site :

Known as the green lung of the city, this centrally located reserve is home to an exceptional wetlands centre that is run by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority of Sharjah and the site is designated as a wetland of international importance (Ramsar Site). It is very popular with bird-watchers.

With a diverse ecosystem of coastal sand dunes, salt flats, ponds and a large lake, Wasit Nature Reserve is home to more than 200 bird species. It also attracts species of small mammal, reptile and insect, some of which were discovered for the first time in the UAE.

Bird-lovers should make a beeline for the Wasit Wetland Centre. There are eight hides with binoculars and information boards, while families can take a tour of the wetlands by golf buggy.

Notes: Entrance fees AED 15 per person, free for children under 12 years. Park opens at 1100 on Saturday. So we plan to be there at least half an hour prior.

Special Notes: 

Dress appropriately. Wear breathable, loose clothes and sturdy boots you’d wear for long treks through forests or fields.

• Wear waterproof boots, so you’ll be prepared if you encounter puddles or mud.
• Wear dark, neutral colors, like brown and gray, so you don’t frighten birds away.
• Bright or white colors enhance movement around them.

Be quiet. Loud talking or laughing can cause birds to flee before you even get close. Put your phone on silent, and speak softly or use hand signals and gestures to communicate with a group. 

• A whisper can often communicate the same thing.
• Avoid flash and camera noises.Use your field guide. You might want to use Birds of the MiddleEast  by Richard Porter. Your field guide is going to be increasingly important as you fine tune your birding skills and encounter similar looking birds. Compare markings and colors of birds with your guide. Learn about bird songs and calls as well. Other things to consider include:
• The shape and size of the bird, including whether it’s big, small, round or oval.
• What the bird is doing. Is it searching for insects, circling overhead or soaring?
• Places where field markings are normally, like wing bars or the tail feathers.

What to bring with you:

• Binoculars if you have them
• Bird ID guides if you have them (checkout the ENHG bookstall on the webpage)
• Snacks and water 
• Cameras 

For any questions, please contact : Desmond-0566501620

Please sign up on the ENHG-AD events page specifying the number of people in your party