Flamingo colony makes UAE home

The rare Greater flamingo, has been discovered breeding in large numbers in the wild in the UAE.

A new breeding colony of the Greater flamingo recently discovered by a team of biologists within the Bu Al Siaief Marine Protected Area.

For the first time in the UAE, the rare Greater flamingo, has been discovered breeding in large numbers in the wild. A colony of 18,000 birds, including 800 chicks, was discovered earlier this year in an intertidal area close to Abu Dhabi city. The site, near the Musaffah Channel, is the largest of its kind in the UAE. The number of the birds is large enough to put the site on the world map for bird conservationists and is significant in that it shows flamingos breeding outside of their usual habitat. Flamingos usually spend winter in the UAE but do not breed here, preferring the shores of the Caspian Sea and other parts of Central Asia. The discovery was made by scientists from the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) during a routine monitoring trip. "The discovery of this successful breeding colony is significant because flamingos have only bred twice in the UAE," said Majid al Mansouri, the EAD secretary general. "The first time was almost a decade ago at Abu Dhabi's Al Wathba Wetland Reserve and the second time in Shahama." "The fact that there were more than 800 chicks in the colony makes this the biggest successful nesting in the UAE and possibly in the entire Arabian Peninsula," said Mr al Mansouri. Dr Salim Javed, EAD's deputy manager for bird conservation, said flamingos can breed year-round but usually prefer the the cooler months from November to February or March. The Abu Dhabi colony was found in April this year but the announcement was delayed because of concerns that an influx of curious visitors might scare the birds away. "People are enthusiastic and their intention is not to disturb the birds," he said. But if human activity increases, the birds could very quickly abandon the area. "Flamingos are very sensitive breeders," said Dr Javed. "Any kind of human activity might affect them, especially during their breeding period." Since the discovery EAD has regularly monitored the colony at Al Siaief, which is a restricted area. The numbers have remained high with about 10,000 birds present throughout the summer months. Although it now enjoys the status of a de-facto protected area, the colony is not protected by law. It could soon have as its neighbours the Abu Dhabi Industrial City and other industrial projects. EAD has submitted a proposal to ensure the colony remains undisturbed. "This discovery once again demonstrates the importance of the area. It also highlights the urgency with which such areas need to be protected, as rapid development engulfs the coastal areas of Abu Dhabi, particularly in the coastal area of Musaffah," said Mr al Mansouri. Dr Javed said: "It is a very important tidal habitat. This is one of the best such habitats, located close to Abu Dhabi." EAD is also collaborating with the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council on coastal profiling of areas earmarked for protection within the Abu Dhabi capital area. Meanwhile, people keen to get a glimpse of a flamingo chick should visit the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort. It recently welcomed three new arrivals to its 4,300-strong animal family with the birth of a white-bellied bustard and two Chilean flamingos. The Chilean flamingos were born to a first-time mother four weeks ago and are in good health. Native to temperate climates of South America, the flamingos can grow as large as 110-130 cm when in full size and are closely related to the flamingos of the UAE. Wild flamingos can be seen in the mangrove forests of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Khor Kalba. These wild flamingos are listed as 'near threatened' because of habitat loss and pollution. The Chilean flamingos are a stunning species varying in colour from pale to dark pink - a colour that changes depending upon the diet of the bird. Visitors can catch a glimpse of the white-bellied bustard chick with its mother in the aviary with the grey parrot, near to the popular gibbon exhibit. The flamingos can be seen near the main entrance to the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort. [e-mail]