The Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate

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G REATER F LAMINGO D ISTRIBUTION & O BSERVATIONS The Greater Flamingo ( Phoenicopterus roseus ) has the most widespread distribution of all flamingo species, ranging from Africa to southern Asia and the western Mediterranean; populations are also found in southern Europe. Greater Flamingos require shallow, salty lagoons, lakes and creeks ( khors ) in which to breed and feed successfully. They filter food from the water, feeding mostly on protozoa, algae, crustaceans, molluscs and insects. During breeding, flamingos seek out large, remote expanses of water free from human disturbance. A common visitor to the United Arab Emirates, the Greater Flamingo is a flagship species for conservation in Abu Dhabi Emirate and the United Arab Emirates.

4500

Flamingo Population Numbers The EAD bird monitoring programme routinely monitors flamingo populations at coastal and other favoured sites in the Emirate. In 2009, a colony of 18,000 flamingos, including 800 chicks, was discovered in Bul Syayeef, an intertidal area close to Abu Dhabi – to date the largest breeding population recorded in the UAE. This discovery is significant given that flamingos typically winter in the UAE, tending to select areas of Central Asia for breeding. During 2010, flamingo numbers in Bul Syayeef remained high but decreased because of high outward migration and disturbance, which may have limited

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000

FLAMINGOS IN ABU DHABI EMIRATE Greater Flamingos are commonly observed along the UAE coastline from Fujairah in the east to Faziya in the west. There are key sites, shown here, where populations congregate in large numbers along the coast and in several inland wetlands. The main flamingo sites in the Abu Dhabi Emirate include Al Wathba and Musaffah channel up to Al Aryam, where they can be seen year-round. Populations are also regularly observed near Dabb’iya, Bu Tinah and Marawah.

1500

1000

Number of Flamingos 0 500

Umm al-Qaiwain

additional breeding opportunities that year. Monitoring surveys indicate the flamingo population increased at Al Wathba, a protected wetland reserve. Between July 2009 and November 2010, the number of birds increased by over 3,000.

Aug - 09

Jul - 09

Sep - 09

Oct - 09

Nov - 09

Aug - 10

Oct - 10

Nov - 10

Jan - 10

Mar - 10

Apr - 10

May - 10

Jun - 10

Dec - 09

Jul - 10

Sep - 10

Feb - 10

Al Wathba: from July 2009 to November 2010

Ajman

18000

Sharjah

16000

14000

Dubai

12000

Flamingo Breeding Areas The first flamingo breeding colony to be recorded in the UAE was in Al Wathba in 1993, and then again in 1999, when 10 chicks successfully fledged at the reserve. A breeding colony was also discovered in Shahama. The most successful and by far the largest breeding colony to date occurred at Bul Syayeef, in 2009. Continued regular monitoring of this flagship species coupled with habitat protection, is essential to conserving flamingo populations in the UAE. Sites that support flamingo populations in the Emirate, such as Bul Syayeef, must be afforded additional formal protections to ensure continued breeding.

10000

8000

6000

4000

Number of Flamingos

0 2000

Jun - 10

Jul - 10

Aug - 10

Jul - 09

Aug - 09

Sep - 09

Oct - 09

Nov - 09

Dec - 09

May - 10

Sep - 10

Oct - 10

Nov - 10

Jan - 10

Feb - 10

Mar - 10

Apr - 10

Bul Syayeef: from July 2009 to November 2010

A r a b i a n G u l f

Taweela

Shwaib

Al Faq

Samha

Bu Tinah

Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve

Mkasib

Al Hayer

Abu Dhabi

Qaffay

Sadiyat

Shahama

Dalma

Muhayyamat North

Al Yasat MPA

Shahama

East Corniche

Muhayyamat South

Sweihan

Khardal

Ghagah

Musaffa Water Channel

Bul Syayeef

Fiya

Marawah

Al Ain

Sir Bani Yas

Bani Yas

Al Aryam

Yasat

Yahir

Jenana

Al-Sulaimat

Jebel Dhanna

Al Wathba

Umm Amin

Bu Samra

Al Wathba Wetland Reserve

Faziya

Gerain Al Aish

Abu al-Abyadh

As Sad

Remah

Salaha

Abu al-Abyadh

Jebel Dhanna

Al Khatim

Al Bazm Al Garbi

Al Khazna

Ghuweifat

Shweihat

Mirfa

Ruwais

Zakher Pools

Sila'a

Al Hamra

Radaim

Roads, Towns and Borders Dual Carriageway Single Carriageway/Graded

Tarif

Sila'a

Barakah

Houbara Protected Area

Large/Medium Towns Small Towns Regions

Abu Dhabi Western Region

Al Arad

Habshan

Al Ain Abu Dhabi

Ghayathi

Flamingo Observations <10 11 to 25

Bid al-Mutawa

26 to 75

75 to 150

Madinat Zayed

Al Wijan

151 to 500

Bu Hasa

501 to 2000

Al Bida'a

Flamingo Chicks Though flamingos commonly winter in the UAE, a recent discovery of a large breeding colony indicates suitable breeding habitat exists in the UAE. Preferred breeding habitats include open lakes, lagoons, artificial salt pans, seashores and freshwater marshes.

2001 to 9000

Special Conservation Areas Terrestrial Protected Areas Terrestrial Protected Area

Greater Flamingo The Emirate’s extensive coastline, along with several inland wetlands, provides ideal feeding and staging habitat for the Greater Flamingo.

Arabian Oryx Protected Area

Al Ramla

Marine Protected Area

Shah

Mouzaira'a

Khannur

20

0

20

40

Al Delfawiyah

Kilometres

Liwa

Qiesah

52°E

53°E

54°E

55°E