The Radde's accentor at Wadi Shees Park is classified as a 'vagrant' – a species outside of its normal range. It may have been blown off course by storms while travelling to lower-lying winter grounds.
Radde's accentor, a small brown bird with black patches over its eyes and crown and distinctive white eyebrows, has been spotted in Wadi Shees Park in Khor Fakkan, Sharjah. All photos: Reza Khan
This in only the second time Radde's accentor has been recorded in the UAE. The previous occasion was in 2012.
Although a rare visitor to the Emirates, Radde's accentor is found from Turkey to parts of Syria and Iran, east to Turkmenistan.
Named after German naturalist Gustav Radde, who first described the species in 1884, Radde's accentor – scientific name Prunella ocularis – breeds in rocky areas, near the treeline, in bushes and scrub.
The bird was spotted in Wadi Shees Park by Reza Khan, the former manager of Dubai Zoo, who is now principal wildlife specialist at Dubai Safari Park.
Unable to identify the species, he shared a photograph with birdwatching friends on WhatsApp groups. They told Mr Khan that he had 'hit the jackpot'.
Mr Khan took more photos of the bird – including these – at Wadi Shees Park, which is a renowned haven for plants and wildlife.
The Radde's accentor at Wadi Shees Park is classified as a 'vagrant' – a species outside of its normal range. It may have been blown off course by storms while travelling to lower-lying winter grounds.
Radde's accentor, a small brown bird with black patches over its eyes and crown and distinctive white eyebrows, has been spotted in Wadi Shees Park in Khor Fakkan, Sharjah. All photos: Reza Khan
This in only the second time Radde's accentor has been recorded in the UAE. The previous occasion was in 2012.
Although a rare visitor to the Emirates, Radde's accentor is found from Turkey to parts of Syria and Iran, east to Turkmenistan.
Named after German naturalist Gustav Radde, who first described the species in 1884, Radde's accentor – scientific name Prunella ocularis – breeds in rocky areas, near the treeline, in bushes and scrub.
The bird was spotted in Wadi Shees Park by Reza Khan, the former manager of Dubai Zoo, who is now principal wildlife specialist at Dubai Safari Park.
Unable to identify the species, he shared a photograph with birdwatching friends on WhatsApp groups. They told Mr Khan that he had 'hit the jackpot'.
Mr Khan took more photos of the bird – including these – at Wadi Shees Park, which is a renowned haven for plants and wildlife.
The Radde's accentor at Wadi Shees Park is classified as a 'vagrant' – a species outside of its normal range. It may have been blown off course by storms while travelling to lower-lying winter grounds.
Rare UAE bird sighting excites birdwatchers – in pictures
