eNewsletter January 2011
In this issue
In this month´s issue you will get to know about the latest finding on Sir Bani Yas Island where the Desert Islands Conservation Team discovered a number of new bird species not yet seen on the island before. Guests to the island may be lucky to spot these species while out on a mountain biking journey with one of the specialised Desert Islands mountain biking guides or while they dine in luxury at the Desert Islands Resort & Spa. However, those who can’t make it out to Desert Islands this month can learn about it via the Desert Islands website, blog or Facebook page.
Exciting and Rare Bird Discoveries
Four new species of bird were discovered recently on Sir Bani Yas Island when Tommy Pedersen, UAE documenter of all resident and visiting birds in the UAE, conducted a bird survey this month.
The most exciting find were thirty five Grey Hypocolius (Hypocolius ampelinus), which had not been previously seen in this region, and were spotted roosting and foraging in groups around Sir Bani Yas Island. They were observed feeding on fruits in particular those from the Toothbrush Tree (Salvadora persica).
Grey Hypocolius is an extremely exciting bird to find, as it is the only bird in the Family Hypocoliidae. For this reason, many bird enthusiasts will travel internationally for a slim chance of seeing this small but beautiful little bird.
Other interesting visitors spotted during the survey included the Black-eared Kite (Milvus migrans lineatus), Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus), Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fluva) and the European Golden Plover (Pluvalis apricaria altifrons), which are currently wintering on the island.
The Conservation Team also recorded sightings of a Mourning Wheatear (Oeanthe lugens) and Spur –winged Plover (Hoplopterus spinosus), which stayed on the island for several weeks in October. This is only the fourth sighting of the Spur-winged Plover in the UAE.
The new discoveries take the count of bird species at Desert Islands up to 180. The Conservation Team will be continuing to monitor the birds of Sir Bani Yas with advice and guidance from the top bird enthusiasts in the UAE, and are looking forward to finding more new and exciting species.
Conserving a Precious Environmental Legacy
Sir Bani Yas Island was established as a nature and wildlife reserve by the late founder and President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in 1971, to ensure the survival of Arabia’s endangered species of animals and plants.
This legacy continues today, with a number of conservation initiates that aim to preserve the habitats of the marine, avian and terrestrial life of the island.
The island is a sanctuary to more than 10,000 indigenous and non indigenous terrestrial mammals, including one of the largest Arabian Oryx herds in the world. The Arabian Oryx is ‘Extinct in the Wild,’ and some of the Oryx bred on the island are part of a program headed by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi to reintroduce animals back into their natural range.
The Desert Islands Conservation Team, in conjunction with other organisations in the UAE, has started breeding programmes for the Striped hyena and the Northern Cheetah. Both carnivores are ‘locally extinct’. The Northern Cheetah is a close relative of the cheetah that would have originally occurred in the UAE and the Striped hyenas are the same species that would previously have inhabited this region.
The sanctuary extends beyond the limits of the terrestrial environment. The establishment of a 8km no-fishing zone around the island, plantation of over 30,000 mangroves, and the installation of environmentally friendly erosion prevention sandbags has created important habitat and breeding zones for fish, turtles, dugongs and dolphins who favour these sheltered waters.
Navigation routes are being designated to mitigate the impact of maritime traffic on the dugongs and sea turtles feeding on local sea grass beds. Development of wind turbines farm will not commence without important studies on bird migration routes.
The untouched coastal habitats of the Discovery Islands are home to vibrant marine life, and serve as breeding grounds for migratory birds and turtles. While a number of ecology surveys have been carried out to document nesting of animals on the islands, no developments will commence on the islands - they will remain undisturbed to ensure the preservation of marine and bird life for future generations.
Dine & Discovery Escape
Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara is offering a special new package that blends the relaxing environment of Sir Bani Yas Island with a true gourmet journey this month.
Each day starts with a replenishing breakfast buffet of international and Middle Eastern favourites. Guests may then choose to participate in two exhilarating excursions with the Desert Islands guides. After all the action guests will enjoy a 3 course set menu at The Palm restaurant to round off an extraordinary day.
The package starts from 1,585AED and includes accommodation, daily buffet breakfast for two people, 2 island activities per person per stay, one dinner for 2 persons (3 course set menu at The Palm restaurant), and return boat transfers between the mainland and Desert Islands.
To book please visit the website or call 02 801 5400
All rates are in AED and subject to 10% service charge and 6% tourism fee.
Staying in tune with Desert Islands
There are now a number of easy ways to keep updated on all the news from Desert Islands thanks to the gift of technology allowing you to view videos, newspaper clippings, blogs and much more.
The Desert Islands blog provides behind the scenes updates on a day in the life of the Desert Islands Conservation team and the Desert Islands animals.
The Desert Islands Facebook page is the best way to stay updated on all the news from Desert Islands. Newspaper clippings, website links, videos and photographs are uploaded here for easy access.
The Desert Islands e-newsletter will continue to keep you updated on all the big stories from Desert Islands and special offers from the hotel.
Mountain Biking Experts Recruited.
Mountain biking enthusiasts will be pleased to know a number of specialised biking experts have joined the Desert Islands guiding team.
Familiar with the bumps and excitement of serious mountain biking, the new team members were handpicked from across the world for their sense of adventure, love for adrenalin and knowledge of the sport.
The guides are on hand to offer expert guidance and advice to guests as they tour any one of the various mountain biking routes around the bird lagoons or through the Arabian Wildlife Park, which are chosen based on guest skills and request.
Twenty high quality Scott Aspect and Scales 9 speed bikes have been purchased with 2.2 ml tread continental Mountain king tyres and rock shock dart. The mountain biking activity is open to anyone over the age of one as there is a range of sizes for children and buggies for under 3 year olds.
The Desert Islands guides keep up their peak fitness condition by taking early morning mountain biking sessions through the Arabian Wildlife Park in training for the Dibba Fujairah mountain biking race, which they are planning to compete in this February.