2008-10-24: Al Wakrah Ramble

Trip Report: 2008-10-24 to Al Wakrah Lagoons

From David Mundie: Turnout was excellent, it was a beautiful day, and the company was exceptional – I actually ran into an acquaintance of an old friend of mine who was my roommate in college – that does not happen every day. Parag’s leadership was as usual masterful, and the only dicey moment was when my sandles got stuck in the mud. Due to logistical difficulties, there were no rambling songs; we'll make up for it next time. For some reason no one has taken seriously the photographic policy I announced during the walk (which is that photographs are allowed on rambles only if the best ones are mailed to the ramble coordinator), so all I can post are the two pictures I took myself, one showing Daryle trying to teach us how to use a Garmin, the other recording the Great Lagoon Crossing.

Lagoons Lagoons
Daryle’s Garmin The Great Lagoon Crossing

From Sherif Baha El Din: Birds observed: Socotra Cormorant, Pintail, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Reef Heron, Gree, Shank, Red Shank, Terek Sandpiper, “Yellow-legged Gull”, Slender-billed Gull, Kentish Plover, Grey Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Oyster Catcher, Curlew, Whimbrel (one dead amongst other shot birds), Kestrel (one used as decoy by Iranian falcon catcher), Swallow, Desert Warbler, Desert Wheatear, European Nightjar, Crested Lark. In addition there was a sad pile of recently shot birds dumped in a heap including several grey herons, purple heron, whimbrel, lamingo and gulls (that was at the beginning of the track across the sabkha). Reptiles observed: Cerastes gasperetii (horned viper) tracks, Lytorhynchus diadema (Shovel-nosed sand snake) track, Mesalina sp. (lizard) seen speeding into bush on coast. By the way, the whole site we visited is earmarked as the location of the new sea port for Doha, so its life span in its current shape is short!

Ramble 2008-10-24: Al Wakrah

Information

Date: 2008-10-24

Time: 08:30. This is a compromise between the need to sleep, and the need to be finished before we blister.

Venue: Lagoons between Al Wakrah and Mesaied.

Ramble Time: Approximately two hours, depending on how people move.

What to expect: Plenty of greenery, a variety of water birds, beautiful crabs, and a lovely beach. Sometimes camels.

Meeting Place: Al Seleen Petrol Station. When you come to the last roundabout of Wakrah and the start of the Mesaied highway, go straight towards Mesaied. The Petrol Station is about 9 km from Wakrah to your right, on the main highway. It's hard to miss, but phone Parag at 559 5245 if you do. The GPS coordinates are 25.1034427781, 51.5782386385. Here's a map from Google Earth (sorry I got the name wrong, but I am too lazy to go back and change it now):

Vehicles: You can easily get to the lagoons in a saloon, but there will probably be spare seats in 4WDs if you feel that would be safer.

Requirements: Brunch, water, hat, sun cream and general solar protection, as there is no natural shade. If you think you might want to linger on the beach after the walk, consider taking a gazebo or chairs.

FAQ: Swimming? Uncertain. Tide will be coming in, with high tide around 13:00. Good for wader-watching (shorebird-watching for North American types!), especially with a telescope.

Rules: For the enjoyment of the group as a whole, please, no dogs and no small children.

Leader: Parag Pratap Parelkar, assisted by David Mundie