Safa Park

25°11'05''N + 055°14'35''E

Safa Park is a large park in the center of Dubais Jumeirah-district consisting of grassland, park woodland, a boating lake and a pond.

It is called Safa Park on page 20 in the Shell Birdwatching Guide.

Safa park is open every day from 08:00 - 22:00, no Ladies Day or Family Day.

The park is a shadow of its pre-1990 former self, when it was one of the few wooded areas in Dubai and the best site in the country for passerine migrants. These days the Dubai area has a lot of greenery, but the park can still be alive with migrants in spring and autumn. Introduced birds are common, including Shikra, Alexandrine Parakeet (fairly common), Rose-ringed Parakeet (abundant), Plum-headed Parakeet (uncommon), Blossom-headed Parakeet (rare).

Good areas to bird include the wooded area (pipits, wagtails, warblers and flycatchers) and ponds (herons, ducks, waders).

Click here for a short Safa Park story from Charlie Moores.

UAE rarities have included;

Greater White-fronted Goose (14.11.2001)

Ruddy Shelduck (2005)

Eleonora's Falcon (22.04.2004) - a UAE first!

White-breasted Waterhen (1997, 2002, 2003)

Eurasian Woodcock (04.12.2002)

Common Wood Pigeon (02.-12.03.2006)

Asian Koel (01.03.1996 and 21.03.2003)

Pied Kingfisher (25.10.1996 - 22.01.1997)

Forest Wagtail (the only place outside Abu Dhabi this species is recorded)

Olive-backed Pipit (up to 6 birds recorded - 23.12.2007)

Black-throated Thrush (up to two birds 05.11. - 05.12.1998, one 21.-28.11.2002, one 10.02. - 06.03.2003

Dusky Thrush (12.-24.03.1998 - reportedly over-wintering here since December 1997)

Blyth's Reed Warbler (07.-08.05.2003)

Dusky Warbler (19.10.1990)

Yellow-browed Warbler (02.01.1999)

Hume's Leaf Warbler (13.04.2006)

Taiga Flycatcher (19.11.2002 - 14.03.2003 and again 14.12.2003)

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (07.03.1984 and again 19.11.1984)