Ziwira Travel August

Weekend GetawaysEnvironment Birds PlantsThe natural environment of Ras AlKhaimah consists of sandy desert, coastalstrips with parts of salt flats, mangrovesand mountains. All these areas have variedecosystems which makes the Emirate afascinating place for nature lovers. Apartfrom cultivated plants there are threecategories of flora in Ras Al Khaimah –the salt loving vegetation, mountains anddesert plants which are plentiful afterrainfall. The Emirate is also home to anumber of mammals, mainly foxes, jerboasor wildcats as well as hundreds of birdspecies.Both Ras Al Khaimah in particular and theUAE as a whole are of great ornithologicalimportance being home to many residingand migrating bird species. Prime birdspotting periods are between July andNovember as well as between April andMay, when many different birds can beobserved. The mountains and valleysoften host wheatears, partridges, warblers,falcons and sometimes even vultures. Inthe desert you are likely to find spot larks,babblers and ravens. Sunbirds, bee-eaters,hoopoes and ring-necked parakeets arefound aplenty in the towns and plantations.The most impressive gang of birds can bespotted along the lagoons and coastline.To the large group of shorebirds belongwaders, sandpipers, plovers, herons, ternsand gulls.A surprisingly large diversity of plants haveadapted to the Ras Al Khaimah climate andharsh environment. The desert vegetationconsists largely of shrubs, bushes and trees.Of the trees the most common are ghaftrees, acacias and so called desert thorns.The desert is also home to many plantssuch as desert ephemerals, hyacinths andthumbs which flourish mainly during thewinter and spring season turning the desertinto a sea of blossom.The mountains of Ras Al Khaimah turncolorful and green in the spring timescaused by rainfall in the winter months.You will be able to find purple lilies,wild irises, and white daisies. High in themountains is an interesting tree calledAmygdalus Arabicus, meaning the Arabianalmond. This tree produces small and bitteralmonds. There are also numerous herbsto be seen, which are used for medicalpurposes.www.ziwira.com