Dubai’s sky riders

It is rare to see hundreds of birds flying over any city in the UAE Recently I noticed some birds sky-riding along the Oud Metha Road. They were black-headed gulls. During winter this is the only species that invades almost all human habitation bordering coastal areas in the UAE.

If you are an early riser or heading for office on week days through the Al Wasl Road, you will often be welcomed by dozens of these gulls. They roost on lamposts and often form a loose flock and start swooping on the verges and the road proper for the tidbits or food items thrown by people or brought there by wind action.

There is a small population of this gull resident in the Safa Park area during the winter months. Some others are found in the fish market and different parks of Dubai other than the large population living in the coastal areas where the largest number of migratory birds pass through every year.

A small population of this gull can even be found in desert pools like the one in the middle of the desert beyond Al Ain City; small pools and puddles formed due to winter rain in depressions along the highways; the Hatta Dam; ponds at golf and racing courses, etc.

The skies are normally dull most of the year, but winter is the only season in the UAE when clouds can be seen in the skies and flocks of gulls patrol our cities.