CAMPING 101
Desert Dwellers You’re likely to encounter desert life in the form of plants and animals on your adventure. Here are just some that you can expect to find in the Qatari desert… TRUFFLES Though they’re not easy to find, wild truffles can be discovered in certain desert areas of Qatar. Usually found after the heavy winter rains, around March or April each year, these truffles like to hide amidst the sand under bushes and it is quite a common sight to see whole families methodically combing an area in search of their prize. The truffles are brownish in colour, with a fungus type appearance and can sometimes be up to four inches (10cms) in circumference.
THE GREY MANGROVE Qatar is home to the Avicenna Marina, also known as the grey mangrove or white mangrove tree, communities of which form several forests around Qatar’s shores. These mangrove swamps are home to a wealth of life, including a plant new species of sea slug that was found in 2007 by a member of the Qatar Natural History Group. The largest area of mangroves - and the oldest - can be found in Al Thakira and Al Khor.
QUAILS Also known as Houbara, people have always speculated where the Asian houbara bustard, the favoured prey of Arab falconers, migrates from to reach the Arabian peninsula each winter. From mere curiosity and speculation, the need to piece together a more comprehensive picture of the houbara bustards’ movements has become essential due to the continued decline in the houbara’s numbers. This decline is believed to be as a result of destruction of their wintering and breeding habitat, over trapping and over hunting. 32
fact magazine
LIZARD Dhabs, or spiny-tailed lizards, there are more than 15 species of these gentle giants distributed from north Africa to India, some of which reach a bulky 65 cm. All are characterised by an elaborate suit of armour, consisting of a tail adorned with daggersharp spines and a head that would not look out of place on the end of a medieval battering ram. They are usually only spotted at a distance through the shimming Arabian heat-haze, which is a pity, for there are relatively few people who have had the chance to study the amazing mechanics and colours of the dhab from close up.
FALCONS Falconry has been practiced in this part of the world for centuries. Primarily, falcons were used for hunting, to supplement an otherwise meagre Bedouin diet with some
meat, such as hare or houbara bustard (a large bird in the bustard family). But hunting expeditions also provided the ideal setting for tribal sheikhs to tour their area and connect with the people. Preceding the autumn south-bound flight of the houbara bustard was the migration of peregrine and saker falcons. Falconers would hide in a hole in the sand, and if they managed to trap one of the highly prized birds, they had only weeks to train the falcon before the migrating houbaras started to arrive. The handler’s main task was to develop a strong bond of trust with the wild captured bird as part of the training. Today, falconry is practiced mainly for sport, but the skill of a falconer is still highly esteemed, whilst the beauty and strength of a falcon is very much treasured in Qatar. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll get to see some of these incredible birds in flight. ✤