Masafi Wadi

(incl. Wadi Nakh & Old Antrobus Track)

25°20'36''N + 56°10'17''E

Masafi Wadi is a rocky wadi (dry river bed) near the town of Masafi.

It is called Masafi on page 51 in the Shell Birdwatching Guide.

Masafi Wadi, February 2005

From the large Masafi roundabout (signposted to Fujairah and Dibba); take the road towards Dibba for appx. 3 km over speedbumps and one right hand bend, over a small bridge and, before the start of the first long steep hill, turn right on to a small track beside the pale limestone hills. Drive about 200 m to the wadi edge and park the vehicle near the town dump.

You can walk the bottom of the dry wadi for some distance, see detailed map below.

Adobe-drawing of the general area

This area hosts a great selection of the typical mountain species, plus wintering species and spring migrants. It is the most reliable place to see Long-billed Pipit (as is Fujairah National Dairy Farm at Dibba in winter), a resident and often overlooked bird despite of its singing from the tops of the surrounding hills. Be careful with identification, as Tawny Pipit winters here, usually feeding in small parties.

Other resident species include Sand Partridge, Chukar Partridge, Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse, Little Owl, Pallid Scops Owl, Desert Lark, Pale Crag Martin, White-spectacled Bulbul, Scrub Warbler (a typical mountain species never encountered in the lowlands), Hume's Wheatear, Purple Sunbird, Arabian Babbler, Brown-necked Raven, Indian Silverbill and Striated Bunting.

Winter visitors Red-tailed Wheatear, Desert Whitethroat, Plain Leaf Warbler and Black Redstart are almost guaranteed here. Less common in winter, but still likely are Variable Wheatear.

From February onwards there should be the added bonus of Pied Wheatear, Blue and Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Menetrie's Warbler, Upcher's Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Woodchat Shrike, Steppe Grey Shrike and Yellow-throated Sparrow. Pale Rockfinch can be common during spring, and might breed when conditions suit them. They can also be totally absent; always a problem with nomadic species!

Look out for raptors; Bonelli's Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Lappet-faced Vulture (rare), Common Kestrel and Lesser Kestrel are all possible.

Trumpeter Finch has never been recorded in the wadi itself, but should be looked for as it is recorded along the road to Dibba.

UAE rarities have included:

Golden Eagle (12.03.2003)

Blue-and-white Flycatcher (11.02.1999)

Mourning Wheatear (23.02.2000)

Finsch's Wheatear (09.03.1998)

Common Linnet (13.02.1984)