A short summary of my trip to Dubai this week in the hope that it might help anyone out here on a short business trip and also fancies some simple birding.
I stayed at the Grand Hyatt Creek Park (on business) and from there the Ras al Khor sanctuary is easy. In fact after the first afternoon I walked back, so not too far.
The sanctuary is situated at the southern end of the Dubai Creek. It is an area of mudflats and mangroves basically. There are three hides but I only got to two of them. The third (most northerly) seems to have access cut off by building works. The most southerly is a little disappointing but without going there you'd miss out quite a lot of the action to be had during the walk between the two. The main hide is closest to the mangroves and gives, at high tide, the closest views of some of the waders, including some of the flamingoes. Having said that, there are flamingoes everywhere. So, my recommendation? Take a taxi (or drive yourself) to the Mangrove hide. It is well sign posted. From there walk the perimeter fence round to the southern hide (or beyond). On the way there are many different habitats and a lot to see. To get the best views of the eagles you need to get to the southern end anyway. So, what did I see in two short afternoons (total 4 hours)?:
Mangrove hide round to Southern hide:
Greater Flamingo (100s)
Ringed Plover (100s)
Kentish Plover (num)
Curlew (2)
West Reef Heron (2)
Osprey (1)
Marsh Harrier (3)
White Wagtail (2)
White-eared Bulbul (numerous)
Red-vented Bulbul (1)
Great Grey Shrike (1)
House Sparrow (num)
Redshank (4)
Crested(?) Lark (1)
Grey Francolin (5) plus chicks
Red-wattled Lapwing (5)
Black-headed Gull (num)
Black-tailed Godwit (8)
European Spoonbill (5)
Graceful Prinia (?) (10+)
Shelduck (6)
Mallard (6)
Isabelline Shrike (1)
Grey Heron (20+)
Socatra Cormorant (num)
Great White Egret (3)
?? Pratincole (1)
Avocet (10+)
Teal (10+)
Spotted Eagle (5)
Black-winged Stilt (numerous)
Laughing Dove (5)
Collared Dove (num)
Water Pipit (10)
Green Bee-eater (1)
Well, that's it. I hope this helps. One last thing ... no entrance fee!
I wanna go! Thanks for the info on a place I Don't necessarily think of as a birding destination. Although, I found that when you're a birder, anyplace is a birding destination. Thanks for posting!