Bird-watchers rally to support winged friends.

Byline: Various species migrating to warmer climates tend to stop over in the UAE.

Dubai/Ras Al Khaimah: During the winter migration period, the UAE has always featured as a stopover for thousands of birds thanks to the warm climate it offers, but the development boom is resulting in fewer areas for the birds to land.

Dubai's Ras Al Khor bird sanctuary is home to up to 153 bird species spotted by members of the well-established bird watching community.

"It's the only area sign-posted," Tommy Pedersen, a pilot and official bird recorder of the Emirates Bird Recording Committee, said.

"But there are some other really good areas to see rare and common birds."

Up to 193 bird species can be found at Safa Park, but their wintering ground is being lost due to development.

The latest is Khor Al Beida in Ras Al Khaimah where mangroves provide the perfect resting place for waders to feed and spend the winter.

According to Pedersen, 143 species of birds have been spotted, "which is quite significant." But the construction of a Dh10 billion marina called Mina Al Arab that will cover 2.8 million square metres of coastline, is encroaching on the birding site.

"It's an important wader wintering spot, but the marina planned there will create a loss of habitat," said Pedersen.

Mina Al Arab will eat into approximately two-thirds of the environmental reserve, according to Dr Saif Al Ghais, head of Environmental and Industrial Authority in RAK.

Birds like Crab Plovers, a 'fantastically big' black and white wader or shorebird is frequently seen there, Pedersen said.

Another birder recently spotted a Red Knot. "This bird breeds in Siberia and has only been recorded [seen] seven times in the UAE. It was here for a single day," Pedersen added.

The Mina Al Arab proj-ect is expected to have two eco-friendly hotels, an ecological reserve and environmental learning centre, as well as a theme park, harbour and lagoon.

The developers had no comment about the impact on wildlife.

Dr Al Ghais said part of the area has been kept as a natural habitat and he is collaborating with the project developers on best management practices.

"Any human development will have an impact& An area has been reserved which has a lot of Cormorants, Crab Plovers and Herons on the north side of the Mina Al Arab. We insisted on that.

"We also want to protect it from four-wheelers and reduce the direct access of cars," he said.

In counterbalance perhaps, Ain Dhaiah on Al Khalalaih Island in RAK has been approved for full environment protection.

"The area connects the mountain with the sea. It has migratory birds and marine species. It is a natural habitat with mangroves that we have got approved for conservation," Dr Al Ghais said.

Bird watching in the UAE benefits tourism with birders travelling specifically to 'twitch' birds - a birding term for spotting a bird already seen by others.

The Emirates Bird Records Committee receives several emails a week from tourist groups looking for a guide.

"The migrating season is now until mid-May. There are some good local [migratory] birds that people come from far away to see. The Persian Shearwater for instance, has 440 species, of which a lot stay here for the winter," he said. "Sighting a bird you've been looking for is like pulling a big fish out of the water!"

Like spotting the Long Tail Shrike, for instance.It has only been recorded eight times in the UAE. Or the Red Flanked Blue Tail, which had never been seen in Arabia until last December.

"New species are being found here." Pedersen said. He agrees that with more birdwatchers, more birds will be recorded.

Developments must incorporate water features

Kevin Hyland, eologist at the Wildlife Protection Office in Dubai, believes developments that incorporate "green space" or water features can benefit migratory birds. "Design is crucial... if it is to have any value as a conservation measure. Buffer zones are also essential in the design of any feature designed for wildlife - if the acceptable approach limits [of people to birds] are exceeded, the birds simply take wing and relocate elsewhere."

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