A group of UAE birders met up in the Stables Bar in Dubai last Thursday evening (24th May).The occasion was Andrew's leaving party. Andrew, will very shortly be leaving us after 19 years in the UAE.
I met Andrew in September 1993, when he moved into the apartment that I was vacating here in Abu Dhabi. He quickly got into his birding stride & was a frequent member of the group that birded Al Wathba Fields for over a decade. He was also a very keen birder on Abu Dhabi Island and we all enjoyed his company on many really good birding days.
We had quite a lot in common apart from our love of birds & birding. Andrew had lived in Zambia for 14 years and married a local girl. They still have a house & farm there. He also has a small house in Southhampton and another residence on the Isle Of Wight which is rented out.
A slightly more unusual residence of his, is his railway carriage on the beach on the Isle Of Wight! It is strategically positioned to keep an eye on a small Little Tern colony. I am sure he will divide his time between all these places now he has the time to do as he pleases. I know he is particularly looking forward to birding this autumn in England. Something which he has never done, as for many years he has been overseas.
We wish him all the very best in his twilight years and look forward to birding with him again in both Zambia & the UK.
I met Andrew in September 1993, when he moved into the apartment that I was vacating here in Abu Dhabi. He quickly got into his birding stride & was a frequent member of the group that birded Al Wathba Fields for over a decade. He was also a very keen birder on Abu Dhabi Island and we all enjoyed his company on many really good birding days.
Andrew, notice the empty glass!
Nora & Carol.
Simon & Grace
Andrew, one pint later!
Me & the boy!
Another pint later! Andrew trying to
master modern technology!
A few years ago, he moved first to Sharjah & then Dubai, with his job working for the Higher Colleges of Technology, so I saw a little less of him. But he continued to be a passinoate birder in his new surroundings and was a regular visitor to the Dubai Pivot Fields and more recently Mamzar Park.
Andrew, with his famous white socks!
A slightly more unusual residence of his, is his railway carriage on the beach on the Isle Of Wight! It is strategically positioned to keep an eye on a small Little Tern colony. I am sure he will divide his time between all these places now he has the time to do as he pleases. I know he is particularly looking forward to birding this autumn in England. Something which he has never done, as for many years he has been overseas.
We wish him all the very best in his twilight years and look forward to birding with him again in both Zambia & the UK.
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