Birding 9th June 25 Dubai
Birding Blog Summary – 9 June 2025
Locations: Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary (Mangrove Hide) & Al Qudra Lakes, Dubai, UAE
Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary – Mangrove Hide
Time: 1:53 AM | Duration: 20 minutes | Type: Stationary | Species Count: 13
A brief but rewarding visit to the Mangrove Hide revealed a mix of wetland and urban-adapted species. Highlights included:
20 Greater Flamingos, glowing pink under early morning light
3 species of herons: Western Reef-Heron, Striated Heron, and the elegant Black-crowned Night Heron
Common residents such as Laughing Doves, House Sparrows, and House Crows rounded out the count
The presence of both Great Egret and Gray Heron offered a nice size and shape contrast for comparison.
Al Qudra Lakes
Time: 4:20 PM | Duration: 2 hours | Distance Covered: 15 km | Type: Traveling | Species Count: 26
A richer afternoon outing through Al Qudra’s diverse habitats yielded 26 species, showcasing desert, wetland, and farmland edge birds.
Key Sightings:
4 Egyptian Geese and 4 Southern Pochards among several waterfowl species
Rare find: 1 Common Pochard, an unusual visitor for this time of year
4 Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse – excellent desert specialists
Little Owl spotted perched in the open – a highlight!
Great Gray Shrike and Clamorous Reed Warbler added variety to the passerine mix
Insectivorous birds such as the Arabian Green Bee-eater and Purple Sunbird added color and movement
Summary:
The day offered a fantastic variety across two prominent birding locations in Dubai. From the peaceful flamingos and wetland specialists at Ra’s al-Khor to the rich mosaic of species at Al Qudra, the sightings spanned waterfowl, raptors, desert birds, and songbirds. A total of 39 bird species were recorded, showcasing Dubai’s surprising biodiversity even in summer heat.
