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Migratory birds in UAE [Free report February] |
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by Tuvimanyu Gautam | 23-02-2024 02:18
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The bird population of a region is a healthy barometer of its ecosystem. It’s a given that without foliage, food and protected habitat the avian population, even the indigenous kind, is not able to thrive. On the contrary, availability of precisely these elements encourages even the visiting birds to prolong their stay. This has been the case with the desert nation of the UAE.
Every winter migratory birds make a journey of thousands of kilometres to the United Arab Emirates with the primary aim to nest and breed. On the face of it, it looks like an unlikely scenario. Desert climates are not ideal living habitats for flora and fauna. Yet, here these winged guests arrive year after year knowing the exact spots where they can comfortably nestle away the onslaught of severe winter back home. This has been largely made possible by the focused environmental policy in the country leading to implementation of eco-friendly measures to increase the nation’s green cover. Plantation of species which can thrive in the desert environment, regular cloud seeding, extensive landscaping of areas as well as construction of numerous freshwater lakes has sufficiently enriched the region to make it an attractive destination for avians. The routine pattern of migration of flamingoes at beginning of winter season has been happening for many years now. The Ras-Al-Khor sanctuary is, in fact, a designated Ramsar protected area. Flamingoes here come from the lakes in Northern Iran, Turkey and Central Asia. Interestingly, between 1989 to 1996, only 60-70 flamingoes used to arrive at Dubai Creek in summer. But, since the declaration of the area as sanctuary and ample provision for foliage and food, their number has grown to a thousand in summer. For last some years, largely due to the above mentioned measures the population of other migratory birds has also grown. To the delight of conservationists, ornithologists and bird-watchers in UAE various bird species have begun to make UAE either a destination or a stop-over in their migratory journey. In the 1990s, some 300 species of birds were sighted here. The number has now gone up to close to 500. The migration season has also widened considerably. The winter migrants includes waders, waterfowls, shorebirds or some wetland birds like ducks, geese, gulls, cormorants as also the birds of prey and perching birds. The passage migrants, those who just pass by the UAE flyway, arrive even during winter and spring. It has been noted that many such birds which earlier used to pass through the UAE on their migration route are now staying longer and some of them are even opting to stay here for through out the year. To the surprise of environmentalist, the enriched man-made environment has caught the fancy of summer breeders like European Turtle Dove and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters who arrive from northern part of Iran and Central Asia braving the summer heat.
UAE has designated thirty important bird areas spread over Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah which provide safe haven to the birds. They are among the few urban protected areas in the world. Apart from Ras Al Khor wildlife sanctuary, Al Qudra lake in Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, Jabal Nazia Conservation Reserve , Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi, Houbara reserve in Al Dafra, Al Zoraida Natural Reserve in Ajman, and Wasit Wetland Centre in Sharjah are some other protected habitat sheltering the wildlife in UAE. Just as the UAE is a melting pot of cultures with about 200 nationalities co-existing peacefully, similarly these new bird visitors seem to enhance the existing rich biodiversity of this nation. Above all, it is a pointer to the things moving in a right direction. All due to human efforts. |
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Former E-gen Ambassador
Tuvimanyu Gautam 
Previous : [February Thematic Report] Slo...
2 Comments
Hello Tuvimanyu, this is mentor SangHyeon. Your report beautifully highlights the positive impact of environmental policy in the UAE, fostering a thriving habitat for migratory birds. Keep celebrating conservation successes! Thank you for this report :)
Posted 06-03-2024 03:45
Hello, this is mentor Seeun.
Migratory birds often navigate by starlight, wind, and sight. With mankind altering natural terrain, plus all the noise and light we emit at night, it has become difficult for migratory birds to find safe passage.
I??m glad to hear that there are some people trying to make a change.
Thank you for your report.
Posted 23-02-2024 14:42