Al Warsan Lake

In Dubai International City, there are two lakes called Al Warsan Lakes that are connected to one another.

In the past, this prominent birding location in the desert of Dubai was known as Wimpey Pits. Since International City's construction was completed in 2005, it has drastically decreased in size and lost 90% of the birds that once frequented the area.

The Wimpey Construction Company, which began the initial digging out here in the vast desert, is the reason why the Al Warsan Lakes were once known as the Wimpey Pits. A sizable body of water was formed in the desert as a result of the massive spill water dump. Officially known as Al Warsan, the location is currently home to a massive development site dubbed Dubai International City and Dragon Mart.

Since early 2009, the lakes have been surrounded by a thick cement fence, and it appeared that they will be turned into a nature reserve, but no information on how this will be handled is available as of today.

Since early 2012, local security has requested birders to leave the area and obtain entry clearance from the Dragon Mart office, but the specifics of how to do so are unknown. Some birders get in without being chased away, so it's worth a shot.

Location: Next to International City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates