Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 146, February 2017, pp. 1-25. | Page 13

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Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa and his beloved daughter Nora Norman Ali
Khalaf at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai, UAE. 13.06.2015.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/18547679153/

The flamingos at Ras Al Khor are entering their breeding season, but none has
ever bred there (Simpson, 2012).
Some individuals are showing their breeding colours and, encouragingly, a
number are building nests, although fewer than in recent years.
It is thought that they are put off by traffic noise and the flash of headlights from
nearby roads, and by disturbance from passing aircraft (Simpson, 2012).
Other species such as black-wing stilts, Kentish plovers and red mottled
lapwings do manage to breed despite the distractions (Simpson, 2012).
They and the flamingos share the reserve, which is run by Dubai Municipality,
with many other types of bird, including marsh harriers, grey herons, eagles,
ringed plovers, avocets, pintails, teal, kingfishers, spoonbills and snipe (Simpson,
2012).
Lurking in the nutrient-rich waters are queenfish and milkfish measuring up to a
metre long (Simpson, 2012).
Less welcome residents include foxes, which prey on the birds, while a member
of staff on his way to feed the flamingos last week was startled by the sudden
appearance of a snake (Simpson, 2012).

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 146 – February 2017