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Western Marsh Harriers are large raptors, which migrate from their breeding grounds in Europe to overwinter in the UAE. Flying low over the reed beds, catching prey on water or sometimes in the air, their diet consists of small mammals, reptiles and shorebirds, passerines and ducks and they can be observed hunting Little Grebes in Qatra. They also like to perch on high shrubs to preen, and rest between hunting periods. They are considered Near Threatened on the Regional IUCN Red List. Up to 8 individuals were seen at one time and best to see early morning or late afternoon (between late September and end of March).

A flock of around 50 gulls travel between Qatra and the adjacent Waste Management Site, they come to drink and rest in the ponds. During winter, they have a noticeable black spot behind the eyes, changing to a much darker grey head over summer months and their legs and beak are red in colour.

Western Reef Herons, Grey Herons and Little Egrets hug the edge of the ponds and all have a varied diet from fish and aquatic invertebrates to snakes and even small birds. A large heron standing almost 1m tall, Grey Herons are considered Near Threatened on the Regional IUCN Red List, Qatra provides important habitat for the species during the winter months and can be heard calling ‘waak’ during flight.
Western Reef Herons have white and dark morphs, the white morph is similar to a Little Egret and can be distinguished by the colour of the bill – Little Egrets have all black bills, black legs and yellow feet and Western Reef Herons have yellow bills. They like to feed from rocks or slowly wading in water to find their food.

A small-sized waterbird, the Little Grebe, occupies all the ponds in Qatra, they are quick divers and prefer well-vegetated pools to escape to when the Western Marsh Harriers are hunting. They are resident all year, and most likely breed in the Qatra reeds, and have a distinctive, loud high-pitched trilling call.

A black bird, with a distinct red bill with yellow tip, a very shy bird that is rarely seen in open water and seeks vegetation quickly when disturbed, they also walk on aquatic vegetation searching for insects, seeds, small fish and snails.

Ferruginous Duck’s preferred habitat are marshes surrounded by reeds to shelter and hide, you are more likely to hear Ferruginous Duck than see them as they are very shy birds, but when they fly they have a very distinct white strip along their rusty-brown wings. They migrate through UAE during winter, but occasionally can still be found here in summer. They are considered Near Threatened on the Regional IUCN Red List.