Al Jazeerah Khor

25°43'01''N + 055°51'29''E

Al Jazeerah Khor is a wetland site consisting of tidal mudflats and coastal dunes with trees 10 kilometers southwest of the city of Ra's al-Khaimah. As with so many birding sites in the UAE it is under heavy development, and as of spring 2006 access is severely restricted due to the construction of the huge Mina al Arab resort  http://www.minaalarab.net/amaa_main.html

Spring 2008 sees access more restricted, but the sand dune with trees still accessible.

It is called Al Jazeerah Khor on page 36 in the Shell Birdwatching Guide.

Spring 2008 update; no more access as drawn above. Explore area on foot.

The new resort planned will cut the wetland in half. Hopefully some of the lagoons and wetlands will be left alone, as seen on the Master Plan; Environmental Learning Centre and Wetlands. Only time will tell.

How to get there:

From Khor al-Beida and Dreamland Beach you continue north along the main highway, pass through the village of Jazirat al-Hamra, continue until you see Al Jazeerah Khor on your left. There is a U-turn after 4 km (opposite Rifaa village); turn back here and look for the gravel road going down to the construction area. Park here. From here you can walk the sanddunes on foot as well as continue down along the shoreline.

Birds to look for in the khor and offshore; Socotra Cormorant (thousands often present, but note that Great Cormorant also occurs here), waders incl. Terek Sandpiper and Crab Plover, Saunders's Tern, White-cheeked Tern.

The trees on the sand dunes holds Arabian Babbler and Southern Grey Shrike all year, and in season Desert Whitethroat, Menetrie's Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Asian Desert Warbler, Eastern Orphean Warbler and White-throated Robin (April).

Red-breasted Merganser has been seen here in winter (a rarity in the UAE).