The Osprey is one of the most spectacular birds to occur around Abu Dhabi island and can sometimes be seen flying along the Corniche, perching on lamp posts on the bridge to Al Hudayriyat or at Eastern Mangroves National Park. If you are lucky enough to be on a boat out, particularly in the waters beyond Al Hudayriyat, the species is hard to miss - Ospreys perch on many of the navigation buoys and nest on many of the islands.
Almost all nests in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea are built on the ground, usually on a low rise or outcrop. Nesting in trees is normal in northern Europe but, for obvious reasons, almost never happens here in the Arabian Gulf – as there are no trees in the right locations! However, during some recent work, NEA surveyors were surprised to find an Osprey nest in a tree – and it looked like it was about to be used! In the UAE, Ospreys nest in the winter; this nest, found in November, had adults in attendance. As for any bird’s nest, disturbance is a big problem – so if you find the nest of any species, please just have a quick look and then move away!
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