Isabelline Shrike. Photo: Steve Young 

The document was signed by the Secretary General of the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, Majid Al Mansouri, and by Simon Aspinall and Tommy Pedersen, Chairman and Secretary of the EBRC respectively.

The entire EBRC database of records is to be integrated into the EAD environmental database, covering both Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates. This will provide EAD with one of the most extensive national databases of wild bird records in the Arabian Peninsula.

The EBRC, founded over 15 years ago, collects data from both visiting and resident birdwatchers throughout the country, and researches historical data going back to before the formation of the UAE federation in 1971. It also assesses reports of rare birds seen in the country and maintains the UAE's Bird Species List, now standing at over 420 species.

“We are delighted to have reached agreement with the EBRC on ways in which we can work together to ensure the long-term conservation of our wild birds, which are crucial indicators for the health of the country's environment and wildlife,” said Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the EAD.

"The Agency has a policy of building effective partnerships with all those bodies that share its vision for the conservation and protection of the UAE's environment and wildlife," he added. "The EBRC and its members and contributors have worked over many years to collect and maintain this important database, which will provide us with valuable information to assess the changing patterns of wild bird populations throughout the country.”

Al Mansouri noted that EBRC members and supporters have also provided valuable help to EAD in the monitoring of wild birds as part of the National Avian Flu monitoring campaign.

Ibrahim Al-Khader, Head of BirdLife Middle East, said that the area is very important for birds: “The UAE represents a major stopover site for migrating and wintering waders, with several million shorebirds occuring during migration.”

“Birds Conservation has always been based on voluntary efforts and contributions from bird lovers and enthusiasts and represents a major pillar of BirdLife International’s work,” he added. “This will form an important step towards the establishment of a national monitoring scheme that is hoped to be updated regularly. It will help build local capacity through mobilising interested people to contribute their records.”

Erik Hirschfeld, Editor of the Rare Birds Year Book and one of the founders of the EBRC, commented: “I think this is a great example of how amateur and leisure birders can contribute their observations to be used scientifically to aid conservation in a rapidly developing country. This is especially important in the UAE, which is very proud of its abundant birdlife. The records will now be kept safe for future generations to use.”