U.A.E. - Club 300/400
an informal look at the more-or-less active UAE toplisters
Above 400 species:
1. Simon Aspinall - what List? In danger of becoming a Mammal Lister as a result of having seen all the birds of the UAE.
In UAE from 1993 until today; 415 species
Last additions:
406 - Northern Raven - 11.11.2005 (Abu Dhabi)
407 - Black Drongo - 18.11.2005 (Qurrayah Pools)
408 - Fan-tailed Raven - 20.02.2006 (Qusaihwira, Abu Dhabi western desert)
409 - Masked Booby - 04.05.2006 (Al Ghurfa Breakwater)
410 - Long-tailed Skua - 22.05.2006 (Al Ghurfa Breakwater)
411 - Ashy Drongo - 16.12.2006 (Abu Dhabi)
412 - Lesser Yellowlegs - 10.01.2008 (Neima Pools)
413 - Red Phalarope - 18.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
414 - Great Spotted Cuckoo - 21.03.2008 (Jebel Hafit)
415 - Dusky Warbler - 30.03.2008 (Abu Dhabi)
2. Steve James - cares mostly about his Year List where he usually leads supreme. Finds most of the Mega's listed on other birders Lists.
In UAE from 1992 until today; 406 species
Last additions:
394 - Flesh-footed Shearwater - 08.10.2004 (Fujairah Hilton)
395 - Jouanin's Petrel - 18.10.2004 (Al Ghurfa Breakwater)
396 - Northern Raven - 11.11.2005 (Abu Dhabi)
397 - Black Drongo - 18.11.2005 (Qurrayah Pools)
398 - Red-footed Falcon - 14.10.2006 (Fujairah National Dairy Farm at Dibba)
399 - Redwing - 15.11.2006 (Fujairah National Dairy Farm at Dibba)
400 - Ashy Drongo - 16.12.2006 (Abu Dhabi)
401 - Masked Booby - 29.04.2007 (Fujairah Hilton Hotel)
402 - Black Scrub Robin - 01.05.2007 (Abu Dhabi)
403 - Greater Painted Snipe - 04.11.2007 (Fujairah National Dairy Farm at Dibba)
404 - Lesser Yellowlegs - 28.11.2007 (Neima Pools)
405 - Red-crested Pochard - 06.03.2008 (Al Ain)
406 - Great Spotted Cuckoo - 21.03.2008 (Al Ain)
Above 300 species:
3. Colin Richardson - former UAE Bird Recorder, currently Cyprus Bird Recorder. Founding father of this whole List-thingie.
In UAE from 1981 to 2004; 386 species
Last additions:
383 - Red-knobbed Coot - 22.08.2002 (Al Warsan Lakes)
384 - Whooper Swan - 09.02.2003 (Al Warsan Lakes)
385 - Mute Swan - 09.02.2003 (Al Warsan Lakes)
386 - Spur-winged Lapwing - 13.02.2004 (Al Wathba)
4. Andrew Twyman - has a List.
In UAE from 1993 until today; 364 species
Last additions:
355 - Sooty Shearwater - 11.05.2006
356 - Great Snipe - 22.09.2006
357 - Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse - 07.10.2006
358 - Red-footed Falcon - 14.10.2006 (Fujairah National Dairy Farm at Dibba)
359 - Baillon's Crake - 14.09.2007 (Fujairah National Dairy Farm)
360 - Intermediate Egret - 26.10.2007 (Abu Dhabi)
361 - Greater Painted Snipe - 04.11.2007 (Fujairah National Dairy Farm at Dibba)
362 - European Stonechat - 14.11.2007 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
363 - Lesser Yellowlegs - 02.12.2007 (Neima Pools)
364 - Red-crested Pochard - 20.01.2008 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
5. Nick Moran - cares about his List (though not as much as he cares about, say, his wife or the tertials of Paddyfield Warblers).
In UAE from 2004 until today; 354 species
Last additions:
340 - Brown Shrike - 11.05.2007 (Abu Dhabi)
341 - Brahminy Starling - 29.06.2007 (Jumeirah)
342 - Savi's Warbler - 21.09.2007 (Green Mubazzarah)
343 - Eurasian Pied Flycatcher - 22.09.2007 (Khalidiyah)
344 - Paddyfield Warbler - 11.10.2007 (Abu Dhabi)
345 - Intermediate Egret - 23.10.2007 (Abu Dhabi)
346 - Ruddy Shelduck - 02.11.2007 (Zakher Pools)
347 - Greater Painted Snipe - 08.11.2007 (Fujairah National Dairy Farm at Dibba)
348 - Hume's Leaf Warbler - 17.11.2007 (Khalidiyah)
349 - Lesser Yellowlegs - 28.11.2007 (Neima Pools)
350 - Water Rail - 12.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
351 - Alpine Swift - 16.01.2008 (Abu Dhabi)
352 - Red Phalarope - 18.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
353 - Red-crested Pochard - 20.01.2008 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
354 - Marbled Duck - 01.02.2008 (Khor al-Beida)
6. Peter Hellyer - casual Lister grateful for every new addition that happen to pass by close to his office.
In UAE from 1975 until today; 336 species
Last additions:
333 - Ashy Drongo - 17.12.2006 (Abu Dhabi)
334 - European Stonechat - 22.12.2006 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
335 - Great Grey Shrike - 29.12.2006 (Abu Dhabi)
336 - Intermediate Egret - 23.10.2007 (Abu Dhabi)
7. Adrian Chapman - more rarely seen in the UAE than an Alpine Swift. Has a List.
In UAE from 1981 to 2000; 336 species
Last addition:
335 - Northern Raven - 11.11.2005 (Abu Dhabi)
336 - Lesser White-fronted Goose - December 2007 (Al Ain)
8. Tommy Pedersen - cares more about other people's Lists (too busy fathering to worry about birding for his own List?!)
In UAE from February 2002 until today; 335 species
Last additions:
324 - Brambling - 01.01.2007 (Jebel Hafeet)
325 - Great Grey Shrike - 02.01.2007 (Bateen Airbase Park)
326 - Common Gull - 18.01.2007 (Al Warsan Lakes)
327 - Olive-backed Pipit - 23.01.2007 (Safa Park)
328 - Long-tailed Skua - 06.06.2007 (Fujairah Port Beach)
329 - Green Warbler - 18.10.2007 (Jebel Hafeet)
330 - Intermediate Egret - 24.10.2007 (Abu Dhabi)
331 - Greater Painted Snipe - 05.11.2007 (Fujairah National Dairy Farm at Dibba)
332 - Lesser Yellowlegs - 02.12.2007 (Neima Pools)
333 - Sykes's Nightjar - 21.12.2007 (FNDF)
334 - Red-crested Pochard - 20.01.2008 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
335 - Marbled Duck - 01.02.2008 (Khor al-Beida)
9. Neil Tovey - Lists eagerly (often seen listing to the right when out on the town with Steve, pre- or post burding).
In UAE from 2005 until today; 331 species
Last additions:
311 - Barn Owl - 07.05.2007 (Mushrif National Park)
312 - Brahminy Starling - 30.06.2007 (Jumeirah)
313 - Eurasian Golden Oriole - 07.09.2007 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
314 - Baillon's Crake - 08.09.2007 (Fujairah National Dairy Farm)
315 - Little Swift - 21.09.2007 (Fujairah National Dairy Farm)
316 - Savi's Warbler - 29.09.2007 (Green Mubazzarah)
317 - Long-toed Stint - 29.09.2007 (Neima Pools)
318 - Sedge Warbler - 06.10.2007 (Fujairah National Dairy Farm)
319 - Intermediate Egret - 26.10.2007 (Abu Dhabi)
320 - Forest Wagtail - 26.10.2007 (Safa Park)
321 - Greater Painted Snipe - 05.11.2007 (Fujairah National Dairy Farm at Dibba)
322 - Ruddy Shelduck - 20.12.2007 (Neima Pools)
323 - Lesser Yellowlegs - 20.12.2007 (Neima Pools)
324 - Trumpeter Finch - 05.01.2008 (Wadi Bih)
325 - Scaly-breasted Munia - 11.01.2008 (Abu Dhabi)
326 - Brambling - 11.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
327 - Red-crested Pochard - 20.01.2008 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
328 - Marbled Duck - 01.02.2008 (Khor al-Beida)
329 - Black Tern - 28.02.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
330 - Ashy Drongo - 29.02.2008 (Ain al-Fayda Park)
331 - Lappet-faced Vulture
332 - White-throated Robin - 22.04.2008 (Dubai Creekside Park)
......several missing, to be updated shortly
10. Oscar Campbell - most definitely doesn't care about his List. Has defiantly tried to keep it below 300.
In UAE from August 2006 until today; 316 species
Last additions:
299 - Paddyfield Warbler - 11.10.2007 (Abu Dhabi)
300 - Intermediate Egret - 23.10.2007 (Abu Dhabi)
301 - Ruddy Shelduck - 02.11.2007 (Zakher Pools)
302 - Greater Painted Snipe - 16.11.2007 (Fujairah National Dairy Farm at Dibba)
303 - Dusky Warbler - 18.11.2007 (Abu Dhabi)
304 - Masked Booby - 01.12.2007 (Fujairah Hilton)
305 - Lesser White-fronted Goose - 02.12.2007 (Zakher Pool)
306 - Steppe Eagle - 02.12.2007 (Neima Pools)
307 - Lesser Yellowlegs - 07.12.2007 (Neima Pools)
308 - Water Rail - 09.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
309 - Moustached Warbler - 09.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
310 - Hume's Leaf Warbler - 11.01.2008 (Ruwais)
311 - Booted Eagle - 12.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
312 - Alpine Swift - 16.01.2008 (Abu Dhabi)
313 - Red Phalarope - 18.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
314 - Red-crested Pochard - 24.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
315 - Common Gull - 29.02.2008 (Mafraq)
316 - Bar-tailed Lark
11. Derrick Wilby - lists more eagerly than most listers, and photographs almost all of the listed birds listed below.
In UAE from August 2006 until today; 302 species
Last additions:
290 - Trumpeter Finch - 19.12.2007 (Wadi Bih)
291 - Long-legged Buzzard - 21.12.2007 (Zakher Pools)
292 - Sykes's Nightjar - 21.12.2007 (FNDF)
293 - Short-eared Owl - 28.12.2007 (Sila'a)
294 - Heuglin's Gull - 28.12.2007 (Sila'a)
295 - Common Gull - 01.01.2008 (Ra's al-Khor)
296 - Water Rail - 04.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
297 - Moustached Warbler - 10.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
298 - Red-crested Pochard - 20.01.2008 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
299 - Black Tern - 28.02.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
300 - Ashy Drongo - 29.02.2008 (Ain al-Fayda Park)
301 - Black-throated Thrush - 29.02.2008 (Ain al-Fayda Park)
302 - Pale Martin - 01.03.2008 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
......several missing, to be updated shortly
With heads held high, but still below the dreaded "Line of Shame" are:
12. Bruce Hansen - visiting Norwegian birder annually seen in the UAE since October 2001; 295 species
Last additions:
287 - Brambling - 01.01.2007 (Jebel Hafeet)
288 - Little Owl - 01.01.2007 (Huwaylat Road)
289 - Great Grey Shrike - 02.01.2007 (Bateen Airbase Park)
290 - Olive-backed Pipit - 16.12.2007 (Safa Park)
291 - Lesser Yellowlegs - 18.12.2007 (Zakher Pools)
292 - Bar-tailed Lark - 19.12.2007 (inland Ghantoot)
293 - Sykes's Nightjar - 20.12.2007 (FNDF)
294 - Short-toed Snake Eagle - 20.12.2007 (FNDF)
295 - Eastern Imperial Eagle - 25.12.2007 (Zakher Pools)
13. Clive Temple - in UAE from 2000 until today; 287 species
Last additions:
275 - Olive-backed Pipit - 19.12.2007 (Safa Park)
276 - Ruddy Shelduck - 20.12.2007 (Neima Pools)
277 - Lesser Yellowlegs - 20.12.2007 (Neima Pools)
278 - Trumpeter Finch - 05.01.2008 (Wadi Bih)
279 - Spanish Sparrow - 05.01.2007 (FNDF)
280 - Egyptian Nightjar - 05.01.2007 (FNDF)
281 - Scaly-breasted Munia - 11.01.2008 (Mushrif Palace Gardens)
282 - Red-whiskered Bulbul - 11.01.2008 (Mushrif Palace Gardens)
283 - Lesser Short-toed Lark - 11.01.2008 (Al Wathba Camel Racetrack)
284 - Brambling - 11.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
285 - Red-crested Pochard - 02.02.2008 (Dubai Pivot Fields)
286 - Blackcap - 25.04.2008 (Creekside Park)
287 - White-throated Robin - 26.04.2008 (Al Mamzar Park)
14. Dave Clark - in UAE in 2000 and from 2005 until today; 285 species
Last additions:
265 - Eastern Imperial Eagle - 02.12.2007 (Neima Pools)
266 - Pacific Golden Plover - 20.12.2007 (Neima Pools)
267 - Black-throated Thrush - 21.12.2007 (Jebel Hafit)
268 - Red-breasted Flycatcher - 31.12.2007 (Khalidiyah)
269 - Pallid Scops Owl - 10.01.2008 (Green Mubazzarah)
270 - Water Rail - 12.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
271 - Cream-coloured Cursor - 12.01.2008 (Al Wathba Camel Racetrack)
272 - Moustached Warbler - 12.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
273 - Bimaculated Lark - 12.01.2008 (Al Wathba Camel Racetrack)
274 - Common House Martin - 17.01.2008 (Al Wathba Lake)
275 - Red-crested Pochard - 01.02.2008 (Ain al-Fayda)
276 - Brown-throated Martin - 02.02.2008 (Ain al-Fayda)
277 - Streak-throated Swallow - 05.02.2008 (Ain al-Fayda)
278 - Grey Hypocolius - 16.02.2008 (Ghantoot)
279 - Ashy Drongo - 29.02.2008 (Ain al-Fayda Park)
280 - Great Spotted Cuckoo - 20.03.2008 (Jebel Hafit)
281 - European Robin - 22.03.2008 (Ain al Fayda)
282 - Brown Shrike - 19.04.2008 (Jebel Hafit)
283 - European Honey Buzzard - 28.04.2008 (Abu Dhabi)
284 - Willow Warbler - 28.04.2008 (Abu Dhabi)
285 - Eurasian Hobby - 10.05.2008 (Green Mubazzarah)
15. Alan Jones - in UAE in the early days and from 2007 until today; ca 240 species
Last additions:
241 -
A very informative article was written by Colin Richardson for EBR No 19 in 1997
Listing rules: Only seen species on UAE's Category A & C checklist can be counted. They must be accepted by EBRC.
For listing, please
send your relevant data to the UAE Bird Recorder
Post Black Bush Chat celebration, May 1st 2007 (Steve left, Oscar right)
The Nickster Moran caught in a classic Manlychestherhair'ean post-partum pose.
EBRC Chairman; Simon 'Hail to the Chief' Aspinall sneaking up on yet another unsuspecting but wary bush.
Simon Aspinall, Rob Quested & Steve James - Last of the Summer Wine birders.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/l/lastofthesummerw_7774090.shtml
2006 saw the introduction of Oscar from the western isles into the UAE birding society - nice chap, and an occasional nod in agreement when he talks seems to keep him happy and cheerful.
Steve 'Master Birder' wrok'ing the field.
Happy Jouanin chappy - a first for the UAE. 'The Master Birder' strikes again!
Steve 'Master Birder' does it again & flushes a Greater Painted Snipe at FNDF, a new species to the UAE. Here with co-finder Casper Kraan.
Out Ghurf'ing, but no Jouanin's for the Burd Recorder Tommy 'Mr Führer' Pedersen
'Mr Führer' Pedersen out (c)larking
Two Ghurf'ers braving the summer Centigrades - Steve 'Master Birder' James and Simon 'Hail to the Chief' Aspinall
Andrew over the River Twy, looking for Yellowlegs at Neima, 02.12.2007
Pelagig chaps post-Wilson's, pre-Tropicbird.
Left to right is Clive 'what's wrong with my shorts' Temple, Neil 'feldcraft' Tovey and Dave 'the Lark' Clark
10 Jacobin Cuckoo-searchers chilling at FNDF, 14.09.2007, needless to say no cuckoo was seen.
Part of the crew on the 2007 Pelagic (Neil, Nick Steve & Oscar)
The Nickster (here identified by his Tarantino-lookalike noseprotector gear) chumming the hungry Persian Shearwater seen waiting in the background.
Any resemblance of the above photos to any known UAE birder, present or past is purely intentional