As part of my weekly field trips, I often pass through the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary – the first Ramsar site (wetlands of international importance) in the country and the third in the GCC (there are two such sites in Bahrain).

I have seen something unique every time I pass through the sanctuary.

Last weekend, I entered the sanctuary in the morning. At a distance of 20 metres from gate number 4, there is a flat area with water flooding a portion of it.

When I was trying to manoeuvre my way through the eastern parts of Nad Al Sheba, to the east of Al Ain road, I was surprised to see two water bodies that were being pumped with Dubai Municipality’s sewage-treated water.

Both the areas, around 500 metres apart, were fenced off, with an entrance to each body.

When making a complete round of the first water body, I caught sight of a few clumps of a local shrub called ethel along the banks.

The UAE has a few species of dove. One of these is the palm or the laughing dove.

It used to be and still is the most common bird not just in cities, suburbs and neighbourhoods, but also in Bedouin camps and where herds of camels, goats and sheep are kept.

It has a marvellous capacity to adapt to conditions created by human beings.

There is a unique farm along the Dubai-Aweer-Hatta road just after International City.

If you take a right turn just after the city and follow the road that goes towards the sewage treatment plant and Tasjeel, you will hit a fenced area on the left within the first 100 metres or so.