We stopped off here to break up the journey home from the Maldives, spending just two days in Dubai. Staying at the Jebel Ali Hotel (very posh), which turned out to be mentioned in the birding literature of the area as a place to visit. So I didnt stray far from the hotel birding, with the surrounding desert and the well watered golf course in the hotel grounds plus the beach and marina, I didnt have time to go anywhere else even if I wanted too. Even from a short visit, it was obvious that UAE would be worth a full week or two in the future.
Grey Francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus)
At least 9 around the grounds of the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02, often heard calling.
Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva)
A single on the beach of the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Sooty Gull (Larus hemprichii)
Two adults seen close inshore amongst other gull species off the beach at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans)
3 offshore at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Baltic Gull (Larus fuscus)
A minimum of 7 just off the beach at Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Great Black-headed Gull (Larus ichthyaetus)
Nine adults, 3 immatures on the sea off the beach at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)
Seven off the beach at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Slender-billed Gull (Larus genei)
The commonest gull seen with at least 24 off the beach at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Lesser Crested-tern (Sterna bengalensis)
Seven feeding close inshore at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)
Two roosting on a bouy in the marina of the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Saunders' Tern (Sterna (albifrons) saundersi)
A minimum of 15 seen feeding offshore and a few in the marina of the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
White-cheeked Tern (Sterna repressa)
Four off the beach at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis)
Common here at least c.25 in the grounds of the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Eurasian Collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
2 at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)
12 at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus)
Nine screaming around the grounds of the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Little Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)
6 at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)
A single by the golf course of the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
A single by the golf course of the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Crested Lark (Galerida cristata)
At least 16 outside the grounds of the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Eurasian Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
6 at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris)
Three singing in desert surrounding the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Long-billed Pipit (Anthus similis)
Two in song outside the hotel grounds on 13/02.
White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
4 at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
White-cheeked Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys)
9 at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)
Common, with at least 10 at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka)
2 at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Red-tailed Wheatear (Oenanthe xanthoprymna)
A single male at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
2 at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Graceful Prinia (Prinia gracilis)
A single at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
2 at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Purple Sunbird (Nectarinia asiatica)
2 at Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor)
A single at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
6 at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
c.100 at the Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai on 13/02.