Wadi Bih

24°47'40''N + 056°04'45''E

Wadi Bih is another under-watched mountain site 15 kilometers east of the city of Ra's al-Khaimah.

It is called Wadi Beah on page 40 in the Shell Birdwatching Guide.

The sign immediately after the disused Army-camp

The beginning of Wadi Bih

How to get there from Ra's al-Khaimah;

At the Clocktower Roundabout turn right, after 5.5 km you reach the giant paraffin lamp roundabout where you pass straight through, drive another 5.2 km through the Coffepot Roundabout heading towards the massive mountains in the distance. As you pass over 3 speedbumps and a disused Army-camp on your left side, look out for the sign saying 'W. Al-Baih". Turn right here and as you pass the man-made dam you are entering Wadi Bih!

Birding is good early morning (sunrise to 10:00) as well as late afternoon

Wadi Bih is a good place to look for resident mountain species like Chukar, Barbary Falcon, Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse, Striated Scops Owl, Pale Crag Martin, Desert Lark, White-spectacled Bulbul, Scrub Warbler, Hume's Wheatear, Striated Bunting and Trumpeter Finch.

In winter the avifauna is augmented by Red-tailed Wheatear, Plain Leaf Warbler and Sylvia-warblers.

A note regarding Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse; very hard to see during daytime, but if you happen to find ANY water, however small, during your exploration of this beautiful wadi, return here at sunset. The sandgrouse will fly in to drink appx. 20 minutes after sunset, and with a bit of luck you can spotlight them from your car.