Ghantoot

24°52'11''N + 054°53'38''E

Ghantoot is an area consisting of a Polo Club, plantation and hotel. It is situated half way between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in the Abu Dhabi Emirate.

It is called Ghantoot/Jazira Resort on page 22 in the Shell Birdwatching Guide.

Plantation as seen from the Plateau, February 2005

Ghantoot is clearly signposted on the main Dubai to Abu Dhabi highway (Sheik Zayed Road). See the second map above for driving instructions.

For a chanse to see Cream-coloured Coursers, you can start by driving along the western fence of the Polo Club down to a small, unmanned gate-house. Park here and look through the closed gate out on to the grass in front of you.

The Coursers can also be seen with a good telescope from the man-made Plateau (see above map). Other birds regularly seen on the lawns are Pacific Golden Plover, pipits, Pied, Desert and Isabelline Wheatear. Caspian Plover and Sociable Lapwing have been recorded.

It is always worth a stop at Ghantoot for Grey Hypocolius between during late afternoons between November and mid April. This is currently the only site in the country the birds are seen with any regularity.

Grey Hypocolius feed quietly often providing only fleeting views at first, looking quite similar to a Southern Grey Shrike or a bulbul. Be patient and listen for their quiet Wigeon-like whistle. Flocks may perch up prominently in late afternoon when they come in to roost.

Abundant residents here are Grey Francolin, Rose-ringed Parakeet, White-cheeked Bulbul and Red-vented Bulbul, Indian Silverbill.

Other birds regularly recorded are; Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse (flying over at 8-9 AM), Song Thrush, Desert Whitethroat, Eastern Orphean Warbler, White-throated Robin (rare in April), Black Redstart, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin and Southern Grey Shrike.

UAE rarities have included:

Northern Goshawk

Merlin

Eurasian Black Tern

Egyptian Nightjar

Ring Ouzel

Eyebrowed Thrush

European Robin

Hume's Whitethroat.

A trip to the Ghantoot area is never complete without a walk through the Al Jazira Resort, where a Dusky Thrush was found by Norwegian birders  27.02. - 03.03.2005.