Dubai, 15 July 2018: Dubai Municipality is currently studying birds that breed in the Al Marmoum Desert Conservation Reserve to identify breeding species and the important breeding areas in the reserve to nest and protect them during the breeding season.
“We also want to provide necessary guidance to the visitors and create awareness among them about the site, which is a protected nature reserve that provides a fertile and safe environment for wildlife,” said Eng. Alia Al Harmoudi, Director of Environment Department in Dubai Municipality.
“In spite of high temperature and burning sand, the summer season is an exceptional season for breeding birds throughout the Dubai Emirate and in Al Marmoum Desert Conservation Reserve in particular, which has gained its importance with its diverse natural environments and vast expansion to be the largest non-fenced natural reserve in the UAE,” she said.
Al Harmoudi said the reserve provides natural refuge, safe for multiple species, especially during the breeding season, which is an important stage in the proliferation and survival of the species and prosperity to ensure continuity and conservation from extinction, especially birds that breed and build their nests on the ground because they face many risks either natural or anthropogenic.
“Among the most important species that are currently being protected is Houbara Bustard, which are increasing annually due to the protection and conservation programs of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and his continuous instructions for providing favorable conditions for birds for breeding and stability, which gives motivation and inspiration to do more to protect endangered species and native birds,” said Aisha Al Murr Al Muhery, Head of Natural Resources Protection Section.
She said that the species of birds that breed in the reserve that are increasing annually include wading water birds, passerines, terrestrial birds and water birds, which reflect the success of the plans and site development to suit both the conservation programs and sustainable tourism to enjoy the nature without compromising the natural balance; and develop awareness programs by involving the public in the conservation and cleaning processes and introduce them to the importance of biological diversity.
“Despite the high ability of birds to camouflage with the local environment and hide their nests in places that are difficult to find or to lay eggs with the same color of the surrounding environment and soil, natural predators also have the skill to detect nest sites in addition to easily access to the nests, compared to the birds that build their nests on trees. Due to this, several species, such as lapwings, ducks, geese, and stilts lay their eggs on the islands inside the lakes in order to avoid the threats and reduce the risk of predation by predators such as foxes, cats, dogs and mice, but predating birds can overcome the trick,” she explained.
Al Muhery said that as the percentage of the visitors, who come to Al Marmoum Reserve to enjoy the beauty of the natural views of the lakes, sand dunes, and colorful birds increased, the percentage of disturbance and threats have also increased due to many misbehaviors by desert visitors, such as off-road driving, which pauses the greatest threat to birds nesting on ground as cars trample their eggs and young, besides, high speed and lack of caution also threaten the birds.
“In addition to that the visitors swimming in the lakes and the balloons, which are left by children in the water as well as the dogs that chase the birds on the shores of lakes, which are the same areas used by young birds for feeding after hatching and also the visitors who speak with loud sound are considered disturbances to these birds,” she said.
