Khor Kalba

(incl. Khor Kalba Harbour & Kalba Corniche)

25°00'32''N + 056°22'00''E

Khor Kalba is one of the best birding sites on the East Coast, consisting of tidal creek, mangroves and beach. As with so many birding sites in the UAE it is under threat of development, and a new artificial lagoon with a lighted corniche was constructed in 2005 and opened to the sea in 2006. Pedal boats and jet ski are sure to follow.

It is called Khor Kalba and beach on page 52 in the Shell Birdwatching Guide.

Green Turtles are often seen from the small bridge - this one in December 2006

This is the only place in the country the restricted-range Collared Kingfisher (ssp. kalbaensis) and Sykes's Warbler can be found. The best spot to see these delightful birds during 2006 & 2007 were along the small creek running  north from the bridge, but with the new artificial lagoon now opened to the sea this might be in jeopardy. The kingfisher can also be found along the creek running south from the bridge, and Sykes's Warblers used to be regular on the west side of the creek (mountain side), but access here might be difficult.

Khor Kalba is also the most reliable spot to see wintering Indian Pond Heron, up to 10 birds usually present from end August onwards. The best area is from the bridge and south along the creek. They can be very easy to see if feeding on the mudflats, and incredibly difficult if roosting in the mangroves.

Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters often assemble over the mangroves at dusk prior to roosting from March to October.

At low tide the creek can be full of waders, gulls and terns. Socotra Cormorants (all year) and Great Cormorants (winter) pass offshore.

In winter the beach and harbour holds thousands of gulls and terns, much like Fujairah Port Beach to the north (walk down from the track running south - do NOT drive! You will get stuck in loose sand.)

UAE rarities have included:

Sooty Shearwater (30.04.1995 off Kalba Corniche & 15.05.1997 same place)

Brown Booby (18.04.2000)

Greater White-fronted Goose (07.11.2001)

Sooty Falcon (26.06.1999 at the bridge at 19:20)

Small Pratincole (02.12.1995 in the harbour)

Eurasian Golden Plover (27.10.-09.11.1997)

Red-necked Stint (03.06.2004) - 5th UAE record

Long-toed Stint (01.12.2000 & unconfirmed 24.11.2005)

White-eyed Gull (09.05.1994 at the Kalba Corniche)

Common Gull (01.03.2000 & 30.01.2001 & 03.04.2003 & 25.02.2004 & 13.03.2004 & 22.04.2004 & 08.12.2005 & 20.02.-02.03.2006)

Little Gull (11.-28.03.1996 & 19.-20.01.2000 & 05.10.2000 & 07.01.2006 & 18.-23.02.2006)

Sabine's Gull (19.05.1995 at Kalba Corniche) - 2nd UAE record

Black-legged Kittiwake (17.04.1998. & 27.03.2001)

Black Tern (08.04.1993 & 29.-30.01.1994, both at Kalba Corniche, & 27.07.1998)

Pied Kingfisher (06.12.1999 - 25.02.2000)

Eversmann's Redstart (16.11.2005 in the mangroves)

A Sacred Ibis 14.-15.04.1998 might be a genuine vagrant from further south.