Ras al Khor
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Ras Al Khor, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is a wetland reserve renowned for attracting migratory birds in large numbers. The wetlands have large numbers of birds, crustaceans, small mammals and fish.
Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary represents an enclave of relative wilderness amidst swirling traffic and sprawling urban infrastructure. Located just as the name in Arabic suggests - at the 'head of the creek,' it is among the few urban protected areas of the world.
The Dubai Municipality has taken great efforts to protect and preserve the biodiversity of this delicate ecosystem. The wetland has been fenced off from the public and three birding hides have been built. The bird hides are a first step towards development of more elaborate visitor education facilities in the protected area. WWF UAE Project Office collaborated with Dubai Municipality's Environment Department, in setting up the facilities that were sponsored by the National Bank of Dubai.
Opportunities for experiencing a natural environment in this rapidly building-up emirate are so limited that the opening of Ras Al Khor to visitors is a boon to present and potential nature lovers.
Presently there are three birding hides located on the perimeter of the sanctuary open to the public. Entrance is free and operate from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday to Thursday.
Ras Al Khor is also home to about 500 Greater Flamingoes (Phoenicopterus roseus), which has become somewhat of a mascot for Dubai's Wild Life protection program.
[edit] Species
Some of the regular visitors to the Snactuary are:
Asian Pied Myna
Black-winged stilt
Caspian Tern
Common Greenshank
Common Hoopoe
Common Kingfisher
Common Sandpiper
Common Snipe
Curlew
Dunlin
Eurasian marsh-harrier
Great Black Backed Gull
Great White Egret
Greater Flamingo
Grey Francolin
Grey Heron
Grey Plover
Indian Peafowl
Indian Roller
Indian Silverbill
Isabelline Shrike
Little Bittern
Little Green Beeeater
Malabar Lark
Mallard
Osprey
Pied avocet
Purple Sunbird
Red-vented Bulbul
Red-Wattled lapwing
Ringed Plover
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Snowy Plover
Socotra Cormorant
Spotted Eagle
Terek Sandpiper
Western Reef Heron
White Wagtail
White-eared bulbul
Yellow Billed Stork
