Invited by Dubai Chapter If interested, please contact Sonja at lavson@gmail.com   Trip to Jebel Asarh (Jebel Shams) in Oman for National Day Weekend (Thursday 1st December to Saturday 3rd December 2016)     DNHG is organizing a long weekend trip to Omani mountains, to Jebel Asarh, less known smaller brother of Jebel Shams.  We will do the spectacular Jebel Shams Canyon walk and explore the less known villages and canyons of Jebel Asarh, enjoying the cooler mountain climate.  If open, we will stop to visit Al Hoota Cave on the way.   The distance from Dubai to Jebel Asarh is about 450 km one way, approx 6 hrs drive. We will cross Omani border, so you will need to get the visa (exit UAE 35 AED, visa for Oman 5 OMR/50 AED). You will obviously need your passport, Omani car insurance and all necessary documents in case you drive rented or leased car.  4WD car is needed (however, there's an option to ask the resort to pick you up at the bottom of the mountain in case you don’t have a 4WD).    We have negotiated special package rate with Sunrise Resort on Jebel Asarh for DNHG members.  Reduced rate of 70 OMR/700 AED per Arabic tent (2 people) includes: -       2 x nights in Arabic tent for 2 people  (i.e. 350 AED per person) -       2 x HB (breakfast and dinner) -       Camp fire and barbecue -       Local Guides for Canyon walk and Jebel Asarh walk   The trip plan is as follows:   Thursday Dec 1: Morning departure from Dubai towards Al Ain and Mezyad border.  Omani Border formalities. Al Hoota Cave visit (if open, entrance 6.5 OMR/65 AED adults, 3 OMR/30AED children) (Optional, if Al Hoota is not accessible: Wadi Dam walk and swim) Late afternoon/early evening: arrival at the location, Sunrise Resort Evening camp fire and barbecue. Overnight in Arabic tents   Friday Dec 2: Breakfast in the resort Full day hike to Grand Canyon of Oman, to abandoned village, medium to difficult level, 5 hrs walk (Please note that this spectacular hike requires proper hiking shoes, a decent level of fitness and head for heights as we will walk on the ridge of a 1000m deep canyon) Alternatively, you can explore Jebel Asarh mountain villages and fields (by car + walk) Bring packed lunch (your own or prepared by the resort at 5OMR/50 AED for lunch) Dinner in the resort Overnight in Arabic tents.   Saturday Dec 3: Breakfast in the resort Morning walk to Jebel Asarh and small canyon Afternoon: departure towards Dubai.     Group is limited:    Sunrise resort is keeping 8 Arabic tents available for DNHG, i.e. max 16 people sharing.     Estimated cost: ·         Sunrise Resort discounted package rate of 70 OMR/700 AED per tent (2 pax, 2 nights), including the hiking guides  ·         UAE exit, Omani visa 85 AED ·         Al Hoota Caves (if open) 6.5 OMR/65 AED ·         Food & drinks: bring your own picnic lunch for Friday and Saturday hike. Alternatively you can buy lunch box in the resort at the cost of 5 OMR/50 AED per lunch box. Bring your own water, drinks, snacks, fruit, etc… There are no shops on the mountain, you can only purchase from resort or hotels.  ·         Petrol (about 900 km return journey)   IMPORTANT! ·         Passports and Omani car insurance are mandatory for this trip. 4WD is required.  ·         To book the tents and meals we need to collect your prepayment, 700 AED per tent.  ·         Group is limited to max 16 people sharing. The space will be assigned on first paid basis. Only participants with fully prepaid lodging will be considered as signed up, no waiting list.  ·         Prepayments are not refundable in case of last minute cancellations or no shows.  ·         If less than 5 prepayments will be collected by Nov 23, the trip will be cancelled.   Pls see also attached photos.     If interested, please contact Sonja atlavson@gmail.com

Join us of an informal get-together at B-Lounge, Sheraton Abu Dhabi. Take the opportunity to learn more about the group, or simply chat to fellow members about our favourite topic – Natural history!  Everyone is welcome, so feel free to bring friends and family. We’ll be there from 7pm, and conveniently it’s happy hour until 9pm which gets us 25% off drinks. B-lounge is an outdoor venue and most easily accessed from the health club entrance. See you there!

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, lecture from 7.30pm VENUE:  NYU Abu Dhabi, building A3, lecture room 001. Click here for a location map   https://nyuad.nyu.edu/content/dam/nyuad/departments/web-services/documents/maps/campus-map-with-directions.pdf  LECTURE TITLE:  Flora of the Kimberly Region in North West Australia by Tim Willing LECTURE SUMMARY: Tim will talk us through the varied habitats of the Kimberley region. Rugged sandstone savannahs dominate this remote corner of tropical Australia. Salt marshes, mangroves, monsoon rainforests and paperbark woodlands add diversity to a sparsely settled region. ABOUT THE SPEAKER:  Botanist Tim willing grew up in Africa and emigrated to Australia in 1973. Over the years he has become a leading expert on the flora of Western Australia, publishing several books and discovering a handful of new species.  He was a government conservation officer for many years but since 2005 he’s been working as a charter boat naturalist. 

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, lecture from 7.30pm VENUE: Salon 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi LECTURE TITLE:  ENHG Trans-Siberian Railway Adventure of July 2016 by Denis Cheng LECTURE SUMMARY: In this talk Denis will be sharing personal comments, anecdotes and photos of the ENHG field trip he took along with Valerie Lindsay (a member of the Dubai chapter) in July 2016. A journey on the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway that traverses the immense vastness from Moscow in European Russia to Vladivostok 10,000 km away on the eastern coast of Siberia has always been the stuff of dreams of many an extreme traveler and adventure seeker. Indeed, this train ride is also a trip through 1,100 years of anthropology, archeology, momentous political, and spectacular natural, history. As one of the Field Trip Coordinators of the Abu Dhabi chapter of the ENHG, Denis decided to realize his extreme traveler’s dream, and give the chance to many others to do the same, by organizing a trip on this iconic railway as an ENHG field trip in July of 2015. However, due to a “perfect storm” of unfortunate occurrences, he was not actually able to join in with the group of five ENHG members from various chapters who had answered his call. Upon hearing their accounts of how truly amazing and memorable the trip did indeed turn out to be, Denis determined to organize another such field trip for the ENHG this summer. For both participants the excursion on the world’s longest railway line, lived up to its billing as a “trip-of-a-lifetime” . ABOUT THE SPEAKER:  Denis is a senior lecturer of English at Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research. He is one of the Field Trip Coordinators, and a former Deputy Chair, of the Abu Dhabi Chapter of the Emirates Natural History Group. He has M.A.s in English and Applied Linguistics and Instructional Technologies and, as an undergraduate, studied geology, paleontology, anthropology and archeology. He is an avid scuba diver, backpacker and amateur astronomer.

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, lecture from 7.30pm VENUE: Salon 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi LECTURE TITLE:  The Gulf Green Turtle Project: tracking the path of green turtles in the Arabian region LECTURE SUMMARY: The Emirates Wildlife Society is an environmental non-governmental organization registered in the United Arab Emirates. Since its establishment in 2001, EWS has been working in association with WWF, and is focused on working with people and institutions within the UAE and the region, to conserve biodiversity, tackle climate change and reduce the ecological footprint through education, awareness, policy, and science-based conservation initiatives. Marine turtles are integral components of marine ecosystems in the Arabian region, and a conservation priority of national and regional conservation programmes. Even though Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are the most abundant sea turtle species in the inner Gulf, and the second most abundant in Oman, a small number of protected areas exist which encompass certain life stages of this endangered species, being spatially-limited given the lack of knowledge on turtle habitat use.  Post nesting behaviour, key foraging sites and development grounds remain unknown. In this talk I will present EWS-WWF’s journey on marine turtle conservation and describe how the recently launched Gulf Green Turtle project will close key information gaps by combining different scientific techniques and inform conservation management of this species in the region. Spanning the next four years, this initiative promises to be the first of its kind worldwide, and will produce the most comprehensive ecological database for green turtle populations in the world. Prepare yourself to enjoy the amazing footage captured in the recent 2016 green turtle tagging season.  ABOUT THE SPEAKER:  Jimena Rodriguez joined EWS-WWF in April 2016 to manage the Gulf Green Turtle Conservation project in the Gulf region. Prior to joining EWS-WWF, Jimena spent seven years in Adelaide, Australia, where she completed her Ph.D. on molecular ecology of the Eastern Pacific olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) in 2015. During her time in Australia, she worked on various research projects on bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, while also contributing to the restoration genetics project of five endangered fish species from the Murray-Darling Basin in South Australia. Her passion for marine conservation and marine turtles has led Jimena to 11 years of professional experience across several countries, giving her the opportunity to also interact with different cultures. Through her international experience, Jimena learned about the relevance of informed decisions in shaping the successful management of marine resources; to date, she has taken the lead in many research projects which have been successfully incorporated into conservation practices of endangered species. Jimena began her career empowering women on developing sustainable economic activities around biodiversity conservation while living in the remote areas of El Darien, Panama and the northern tip of Colombia, where she worked with indigenous communities (Kuna and Wayuu people, respectively). She was also a pioneer of the marine turtle conservation rehabilitation centre and marine turtle conservation program (ProCTM) established at the University Jorge Tadeo Lozano in Colombia, where she obtained a BSc degree in Marine Biology.

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, lecture from 7.30pm VENUE: Salon 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi LECTURE TITLE:  Protecting Gentle Giants at 20 Meters Deep: Six Senses Laamu and the Manta Trust by Megan Latta and Beth Taylor LECTURE SUMMARY: Six Senses Laamu, as is the case with almost every resort in the Maldives, relies heavily on the health and vibrancy of its surrounding marine life and reefs. What makes Six Senses Laamu especially unique, however, is not only its awareness of the stunning natural resources on its doorstep, but also its distinctive location as the only resort in the Laamu Atoll. With access to the famous Yin Yang surf break, multiple channel and beautiful lagoon dive sites, and the one-of-kind Hithadhoo Corner Manta Ray aggregation site just minutes away, Six Senses Laamu understands the importance of maintaining the pristine location and has committed to supporting marine conservation through various projects. Recognizing the rarity of its resident manta ray population at the region’s most consistent aggregation site, in 2013 Six Senses Laamu began supporting the Manta Trust, a UK based NGO that aims to protect the world’s manta ray population through research, awareness and education. Three years later, with over 100 individual mantas identified, nearly 2,000 sightings catalogued, and with the completion of the country’s' first ever manta ray measurement study using lasers, the partnership between the resort and the Manta Trust has developed to levels never anticipated. The continuation of this unique collaboration and of the year-round research of these majestic creatures makes Six Senses Laamu the ideal location for not only divers hoping to explore stunning new dive sites, but also cutting edge marine research. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:  Beth Taylor, a graduate of the University of York's Marine Environmental Management Masters Program, is the Project Manager of the Manta Trust's Laamu Atoll project. Having led the project for this international NGO for the past three years, Beth has managed the manta identification project at Six Senses Laamu and has since elevated manta ray research there by introducing various new methods of data collection not only to Laamu, but also to manta ray research in the Maldives itself. Prior to her work at the Manta Trust, Beth worked on numerous coral reef health and shark population projects in various locations in the Caribbean. Megan Latta is the current manager of sustainability projects at Six Senses Laamu, a five star luxury resort in the southern Maldives. A recent but dedicated inductee into the world of marine conservation, Megan helps manage projects on site, including the Manta Trust's research at the local manta ray cleaning station and dive site, Hithadhoo Corner. Manta Trust researchers are now undergoing manta ray imagery and a type of measuring that takes place nowhere else in the Maldives and only a few other locations throughout the world. With this research, Six Senses Laamu hopes to contribute to the worldwide campaign of protecting the limited and unique manta ray population. Six Senses Laamu also recently began a partnership with Blue Marine Foundation to improve not only local grouper spawning sites, but also the grouper fisheries of the Maldives as a country. This project, which officially began on site in July of 2016, hopes to investigate what measures should be taken in order to establish a healthy grouper fishery while also managing the country's grouper export trade. With these projects, Six Senses Laamu not only hopes to educate their guests on the importance of marine conservation, but also make a lasting and important impact on the ocean's on which it relies. This talk has been arranged with the support of Elegant Resorts.  Renowned for excellence, Elegant Resorts is a luxury travel specialist established in the UK in 1988.  The Dubai office launched in 2015, catering to discerning individuals seeking tailor-made  holidays and experiences. From sophisticated city breaks to hideaways and eco-retreats, Elegant Resorts creates bespoke itineraries to suit all tastes.   For more information please visit www.elegantresorts.ae

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, lecture from 7.30pm VENUE: Alyazya 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi LECTURE TITLE:  Do zoos hold species representing the greatest conservation priorities? By Dr Tom Martin LECTURE SUMMARY: Modern zoos and related ex-situ conservation institutions have now been in existence for almost 200 years. During this time they have possessed multiple and evolving roles; as hubs of scientific research, as recreational ‘amusements’, as showcases of colonial and civic prestige, and as centers of environmental education. In recent decades, however, they have become increasingly vital components of global conservation networks, with numerous species being saved from extinction primarily through the intervention of ex-situ breeding programmes. The looming 21st century biodiversity crisis, and its associated predictions of species becoming extinct in the wild, could potentially mean that zoos are poised to play an even more urgent conservation role in the coming decades. However, while the potential of zoos for mitigating species extinctions has been theoretically discussed, little research has examined whether the species currently held in global zoo networks are representative of those most likely to be facing imminent extinction threats in the wild. This talk will summarize recent research examining this issue at Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, which used a matched species-pairs approach to determine whether birds, mammals, and amphibians currently held in zoos around the world are as likely to be threatened as their close relatives not held in zoos, and will then discuss how paradigms of the way zoos are run may need to change if they are to exert the maximum possible influence on reducing future extinctions. ABOUT THE SPEAKER:  Dr Tom Martin is a zoologist and conservation biologist with a wide range of research interests. His recent fieldwork projects have focused on conservation projects in the Mesoamerican and Wallacean biodiversity ‘hotspots’ and the deserts and steppes of Central Asia. He was until last year also part of a theoretical research project, run in collaboration with Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, examining coverage of mammals, birds, and amphibians held in global zoo networks, and examining the extent to which the composition of these ex-situ holdings match the composition of species facing the highest threats of extinction in the wild. Originally from south-west England, Tom has been living in Abu Dhabi for the last six months.

Join us for the first meeting of the new season.  This event is open to the public and a great opportunity to socialise with like-minded people, browse our bookstall, sign-up as a member or renew your membership and of course, learn about fossils.   TIME: Refreshments from 7:00pm, lecture from 7:30pm VENUE: Alyazya Ballroom 3, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi LECTURE TITLE:  Vignettes of eons past by Nirmal Rajah, Education coordinator at Mleiha Archaeological Centre, Sharjah LECTURE SUMMARY: This talk about fossils will give a brief glimpse into the history of life on planet earth. Nirmal will explain why it is important to learn about the past and how this knowledge can help us in the future. ABOUT THE SPEAKER:  With degrees in Zoology and Biotechnology, Nirmal Rajah is currently the Education coordinator at Mleiha Archaeological centre in Sharjah. More than passionate palaeontology enthusiast, Nirmal has been collecting and studying fossils for more than a decade. Nirmal believes that the study of fossils can unravel a world of wonder and learning for young, eager minds. In 2015 Nirmal led an expedition to discover fossils in Ariyalur district in Tamil Nadu, India which was later released as the aptly titled documentary ‘’Unearthing the Treasures of Ariyalur’’, the documentary was greatly appreciated within the academic circles in India and abroad.    

Summer Field Trip, answer directly to Denis  spacemandc@gmail.com 20-day group adventure traveling on the famous Trans-Siberian Railway from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, Russia, July 6 – July 25. Along the way, we will explore some of the more significant and famed cultural and natural delights of Russia and Siberia. This field trip worked out so well last summer that I’m organizing it again for this summer. Here is the full itinerary:  ·         St. Petersburg (inc. the Hermitage, Peterhof, etc. – 3 days) ·         Moscow (inc. the Kremlin and the “Golden Ring” – 3 days) ·         Kazan (1 day) ·         Novosibirsk (1 day) ·         Krasnoyarsk (1 day) ·         Irkutsk (inc. cruise on Lake Baikal with stop-off on Olkhon Island – 3 days) ·         Ulan-Ude (1 day) ·         Vladivostok (1 day) There are an additional 6 days on the train for a total of 20 days – 8800 km! – for the entire journey. During this “train time,” we will be treated to scenic views of the unique natural beauty of the Siberian tundra and forests. In fact, this whole trip will be a real “journey of discovery.” Every participant will learn about, and experience, the culture, history, geography and natural wonders of Russia and Siberia. Of particular interest to ENHG members are Lake Baikal – the largest and deepest fresh water lake in the world, Olkhon Island, Stolby Nature Reserve in Krasnoyarsk, Ulan Ude with its unique and colorful Mongolian-Buddhist culture and, finally, Vladivostok – the San Francisco of Russia!   Approximate price is 2800 EUR per participant all inclusive (i.e., train tickets – berth in 2nd class 4-berth cabin, hotels including breakfast and local transportation). Not included are all other meals and roundtrip airfare to and from Russia (i.e., from Abu Dhabi to St. Petersburg and return home from Vladivostok to Abu Dhabi or elsewhere). Participants would be responsible for arranging their own visas. Full instructions and advice on the most efficient and expedient way to do this, as well as a more accurate and updated price (which depends on how many people sign-up) and more complete details on the trip itinerary, will be provided to all those who respond to this announcement (send to the email address below my signature).   The deadline to sign-up for this adventure is May 31. Please include full contact information, i.e., email address, phone number, etc., with your sign-up message. Please DO NOT sign-up unless you are really interested in, and committed to, participating. The size of this group is limited to 12 participants, so, hurry and grab your spot before someone else gets it!   Denis Cheng Field Trip Coordinator spacemandc@gmail.com

Join us for a get-together to celebate a wonderful season, chat about common interests and ENHG activities. All welcome, however we will need everyone to register before 18th June 2016.  Location: Fanr @ Manarat Al Saadiyat, Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi  Date: Tuesday, 21st June 2016. Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm Price: AED 135 per person   Sign up: http://goo.gl/forms/rtrZwezmqrgaqVZr2      Menu 135 AED per person   APPETIZER Lobster Salad (D, S) Poached lobster tail with avocado, iceberg lettuce, cherry tomato, fresh chives and marie-rose sauce OR Beetroot Salad (D, N) Pickled beet, mesclun, goat cheese and toasted walnut   MAIN COURSE Confit Chicken (D) Confit chicken leg with creamy polenta, sauteed broccoli, green peas, sage cream sauce and sweet potato chips OR Beef Stew (D) Stewed beef mushrooms, carrots, fresh herbs, new potatoes and toasted baguette OR Penne Pasta (D) Homemade arrabiata sauce with fresh basil and parmesan cheese   DESSERT Tiramisu (D) Homemade tiramisu with savoiardi, cocoa dust and fresh strawberry

TIME: Refreshments from 7:10pm, lecture from 7.30pm VENUE:  Alyazya 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi ABOUT THE LECTURE: In this talk we’ll not only take a look at the conservation ecology of a rare moth from the island of Mull, but also learn about some of the natural history and geology of this beautiful Scottish island, with a little bit of Celtic mythology thrown in as well ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Oscar Campbell, originally a chemistry teacher at the British School Al Khubairat, is the chairman of the Emirates Bird Records Committee. He has carried out original research and published extensively in local, as well as international scientific publications, recording and counting populations of important resident and migratory birds around the UAE. He plans to continue researching and recording rare and endangered bird species such as the Socotra cormorant, of which Abu Dhabi hosts 35 percent of the world’s population. His diligent work in the research of birds has awarded him Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak prize for Natural History in June 2013. 

We have a great opportunity to see the three biggest “planetary crowd pleasers” – marvelous Mars, gigantic Jupiter and stunning Saturn – this coming Friday evening, May 27, during this time of an opposition of the earth and Mars. What this means is that the earth and Mars will be in a direct line with the sun and, so, will be at their closest approach to one another in their respective orbits around the sun. This in turn, means that this is the best time for us earthlings to get a good look at our closest planetary neighbor (and maybe even for us to take a quick trip over there – or for the Martians to take a quick trip over here! Think about that…). Here is a link for more detailed info. What’s more, Mar’s planetary brothers, Jupiter and Saturn, will also be on splendid display in the same night sky, so, we will be treated to a real celestial “triple header!”   The exact opposition of the earth and Mars will actually take place on May 22, but, that date won’t be such a good one to observe the “Red Planet” as there will be a slightly waning full moon (also known as a “Blue Moon”) in the sky that same night which will “wash out” Mars and the other planets. But, Mars will still remain in good opposition – and close view – to the earth for the next couple of months to come, so, I’ll go out to the desert this coming Friday evening to set up the ENHG’s 5 inch/130 cm (magnifying mirror) telescope and my own 8 inch/203 cm to have a good “close up” look at Mars and his other 2 “planetary buddies.”   For those who would like to join me in taking in this “planetary splendor,” meet-up time will be 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 27, at the ADNOC station on the Airport Road highway (E-20) heading out of Abu Dhabi just before the turnoff (on the left) for the airport. The number of participants will be limited to the first 20 persons who send me an RSVP (include your mobile phone number) at spacemandc@gmail.com. Efforts will be made to find rides for those who need one. For those who make the list, remember that it will be hot, so, bring something liquid to keep yourself hydrated, and a comfy folding camp chair to lounge on between peeks through the telescopes. This "star party" should last about 2 - 3 hours and "break-up" at about 11:00 p.m.    May you have dark skies (the standard greeting of all amateur astronomers),  

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, Quiz from 7.30pm VENUE: Salon 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi LECTURE TITLE:  Abu Dhabi Wildlife Quiz by Arabella Willing ABOUT THE QUIZ: Join us to test your knowledge of the UAE wildlife in this fun and hands-on quiz night. The quizmaster is a marine biologist by trade, so expect a focus on the creatures of the Arabian Gulf and its shoreline. Five teams will be formed on the night and there will be several rounds including a sound round, puzzle round, Saadiyat species & ENHG lectures this season. ABOUT THE QUIZMASTER:  In June 2013, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi welcomed its first resident marine biologist to the team. She joined the ENHG almost immediately and by January 2016 she had found herself chairing the committee. Arabella studied marine biology at St. Andrews University but is no stranger to the middle-east; she grew up travelling the world, spending four years in Oman as a teenager. When she’s not planning ENHG events, Arabella organises workshops and excursions to educate and entertain guests at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, whilst ensuring that the hotel adheres to strict environmental standards and driving their corporate social responsibility programme “Hyatt Thrive”. Saadiyat is home to an abundance of wildlife including hawksbill turtles and humpback dolphins which Arabella monitors on a daily basis.

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, lecture from 7.30pm VENUE: Salon 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi LECTURE TITLE:  Abu Dhabi, flying and the ENHG in "the old days" by John Stewart-Smith ABOUT THE SPEAKER: John was a founding member of the ENHG and the first Chair of the group. He lived in the UAE for many years prior to the formation of the ENHG, arriving in 1968, and was dedicated to the recording and observing of biodiversity, his motto of ‘observe, record, report’ is a main mission of all ENHGs. This motto continues to be paramount and is the foundation of publications such as the newsletters and Tribulus. In June 2011 AD ENHG awarded John a Lifetime membership. John used every opportunity to capture information about the natural world. With his day-job as a pilot, John spent many years photographing the UAE from the air. In a very generous gesture, he donated aronud 1000 negatives of these photos to Sheikh Nahyan. John took the recording of natural history to another level. He was allowed to use military equipment to do bird watching. Thus, he would fly a 10 seater Islander to the most remote areas of the UAE and simply land, therefore truly recording data that would otherwise never have been possible. John would birdwatch whenever he could. A favourite haunt was close to Sheikh Zayed’s sea palace, where there were mangroves and mud flats. John would regularly go and one day one of Sheikh Zayed’s aids joined John asking on Sheikh Zayed’s behalf which birds he was observing and what else there was of interest. John used the opportunity to talk about conservation and nature reserves, needing fences to keep those out that may damage the delicate ecosystem. To his amazement, both positive and negative, the next time he visited his words had been taken very seriously and a fence had been erected to protect the bird habitat, something he ‘almost’ regretted but was also very pleased about. He recollects that Sheikh Zayed was very interested about natural history. John is full of these amazing stories. N.B. This talk will be in place of the lecture scheduled for 3rd May. 

Dear All, Leslie Butler from Al Ain Chapter is inviting Abu Dhabi Members to a Geological tour in Oman, If you want to participate, please email directly Leslie Butler On Friday the 22nd of April, our Field Trip will be a highly photogenic geological tour of the Al Ain-Sohar road (Oman Route 7) We will meet at 09:00 in Oman at the car park of the little mosque just past the Omani Immigration post at Wadi Jizi. That’s 56°10’09.3” E, 24°12’58.9” N; or 24.2163611° N, 056.1692500° E decimal.  This is just a small, local mosque, not in use on Friday morning. BASIC FEATURES This is about beautiful or interesting geology. There’ll be some excellent photo-ops, and a couple of shaded picnic-ops away from traffic noise. However, most of the drive and stops will be along the main road, which usually isn’t too busy on a Friday morning. We won’t stray far from our vehicles, except at one magnificent broad wadi where a 15-20 minute walk (plus same back again) is well justified, and that’ll be late in the morning with no shade, other than at the point where we turn back. DURATION How long the whole trip will take depends on how much time folk want to spend in particular places.  My basic schedule is three to four hours, not counting getting there and back, but we can extend or curtail on demand. I cvan provide a list of coordinatesto anyone wishing to follow the route at their own pace.  We won’t be going all the way to Sohar. GEOLOGY Although I’m billing this as a geology trip, I am not a geologist, and I’ve selected the stops on the basis of their attractiveness or interest. The tour is based on Route 6 of Ben Jordan’s excellent ‘Geotrekking in Southeastern Arabia’. I’ll have notes available for interested parties, but I won’t be lecturing. COST For most foreign UAE residents, visas will cost AED 85: 35 Dirhams to exit the UAE, and 5 Riyals to enter Oman. They usually prefer you to pay by credit card.  Omani charges vary by nationality and even occupation (no charge for children), so if you’re not sure of your status, check www.rop.gov.om/english/dg_pr_visas_agcc.asp You can claw back some of your visa expense by stocking up on cheap Omani petrol. There’s a gas station about 6km before the Wadi Jizi border post, and they accept Dirhams. INSURANCE.  If you don’t have Oman vehicle insurance, you can obtain from a 24/7 office by the first roundabout you come to after you pass the Emiurati Al Shiklah border post. TAKE the usual water, snacks, hats and good shoes for the loose surfaces. There are some wadi pools you might want to wade into, though only at one site. A camera, of course. Polarised shades enhance the view. CONVOY ARRANGEMENTS It would help to let me know if you're planning to attend, but I’m not setting a limit on numbers. A few vehicles is preferable to lots, of course, so please pool as much as possible. There are places to park before you enter the Emirati border zone, or you could seek travel partners through this Yahoo ENHG Group. There's a good phone signal everywhere along the route, by the way. DIRECTIONS to the UAE Shiklah border post from Dubai, you should follow signs for Al Ain centre. You go through some roundabouts with no left turn (because the Omani border fence is in the way), and then go left at the first opportunity. Follow that road (past a border post which only GCC citizens can use) until you come to a roundabout with only a right turn, and follow that to a wadi bridge and a T junction at which you turn left. That gets you on to Khatam Al Shiklah street which you follow (passing the Al Ain Hilton and Danat hotels on your left) to the Khatam al Shikhla border post.  from Al Ain: Proceed along Khatam Al Shakhla Street, past the Danat, Sand Golf club etc to the Khatam al Shikhla border post. You don’t have to get out of your car here, but make sure you have passports and cash handy. Once through, do not take the truck road to your right but keep straight on, and straight on too through the next two roundabouts. The petrol station above mentioned is a few km after the 2nd roundabout. from Abu Dhabi: Enter Al Ain on the E22 and keep going as the E22 turns into Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street. Go straight at the big Tawam Roundablout, then turn right after UAE University, marked by an overpass above and a large rounded blue-ish building on your right. Go straight through the next r/a, which has a sort of gazebo on it, then left at the next r/a. That puts you on ‘Schools Road’ aka Khalid Bin Sultan or 147th Street which will take you past Etisalat, the Hilton and Danat hotels and so on to Shiklah. Alternatively, you could join the E30 AD-Al Ain truck road which by-passes the city before becoming the E7 which takes you to the Shiklah border crossing. OR COME THROUGH HILI Alternatively, if you’re familiar with the Hili-Buraimi crossing, it may be more convenient to use that, and then follow signs for Sohar or Muscat as the route to Muscat is via Sohar.   After Shiklah Follow the road to Sohar/Muscat. There have been road works and diversions lately, but they’re pretty good at putting up helpful signs. Next stop is the Omani border post. Here you park and enter the building. At the desk on your right, you’ll see a queue and some piles of forms one each of which you should complete before joining the queue. Visas are usually paid for with a credit card. Once back in the car, you’ll be checked by customs, then a tad further on you hand over the paper you received at the desk, and you’re free. Our meeting point, the mosque car park, is 100m or so on your right. That’s also our first stop, as there are ancient copper workings just up from the trees in this rather pretty location. FINALLY One reason for entering Oman through Shikhla is the immediate array of contrasting colours and textures nearby and on the horizon. After you clear UAE controls, note the layers of what look like mud slabs to your left, but which are actually . . . well figure it out yourself. Please Contact directly Leslie Butler  lesliebutler@yahoo.com Field Trips are open to paid-up members of one of the ENGH Chapters under their own responsibility  Yves Queromain