As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Wednesday, 24 July 2013

Greater flamingos have best year for breeding yet in Abu Dhabi

Flamingos breeding at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve

July 2013. The Greater flamingo has successfully bred once again at the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi. Around 200 chicks were born in the last six weeks - the highest number recorded since the species first returned to the Reserve to breed back in 2011 and experts say it is an indication of improved conditions for birds to breed, according to The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD).

The first chicks hatched on June 1, 2013 and by July 16, a total of 201 chicks had been observed. These numbers are significantly higher than the 39 chicks born during the last breeding season in 2012-2013. Today, around 2,000 Greater flamingos can be spotted residing in Al Wathba, with a high percentage of these being adult breeding birds.

"The breeding is a result of sustained efforts to improve habitat conditions and management in the Reserve. This record further enhances Al Wathba's status as a key bird site," said Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director, Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD.

"The landscape around Al Wathba has changed considerably over the past decade and we are making sure that the necessary resources are allocated to the Reserve to ensure its proper protection. Protecting such an area is crucial in the preservation of Abu Dhabi's biodiversity," she added.

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