Graceful Prinia Warbler

The Graceful Prinia, Prinia gracilis, is a small warbler (in some older works it is referred to as Graceful Warbler). This prinia is a resident breeder in Northeast Africa and Southwest Asia, from Egypt and Somalia east to Pakistan and North India, where it is sometimes called Streaked Wren-Warbler.^[2]This active passerine bird is typically found in shrub or tall grass in a variety of habitats with thick undergrowth, tamarisks or similar cover. Graceful Prinia builds its nest in a bush or grass and lays 3-5 eggs.  These 10-11 cm long warblers have short rounded wings, and a long tapering tail with each feather tipped with black and white. In breeding plumage, adults are grey-brown above, with dark streaking. The underparts are whitish with buff flanks, and the bill is short and black.  The sexes are similar. In winter, adults are brighter sandy brown above with weaker streaking, there is more buff on the sides, and the bill is paler.  There are 12 subspecies, of which P. g. akyildizi, of southern Turkey is the darkest, brownest, and most heavily streaked above, and has the brightest buff flanks.  The long tail is often cocked, and the flight of this species is weak. Like most warblers, Graceful Prinia is insectivorous. The call is a rolling trilled breep, and the song is a hard rolling repletion of zerlip.  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia  

Ghaf tree-The Umbrella Tree

I learned something new today that the UAE has a National tree called the Ghaf tree, but I am surprised that it is not the Date Palm.   It is sad to here that the tree is endangered and the WWF has partnered with the UAE to help bring awareness to the problem of  it being cut down and eaten by camels and other wild animals.

Ghaf – The Umbrella Tree
Family – Fabaceae
Species – Prosopis cineraria

These are ever green trees. It has a valuable part in the UAE heritage and culture. It is found in desert regions of the Middle east and Asia. It can be seen in all emirates and is common in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai. It is the ancient native tree of the Arabian Peninsula and it is designated as UAE national tree.

It provides shelter and shade for man and animals especially in summer days. It has a good medicinal value and well known to cure most diseases. So the Ghaf trees are most lovable and respectable to the people.

Ghaf trees are very important in the desert ecosystem .
1.The desert animal camel can eat the fruits and leaves of this tree.
2. Bees can collect nectar from the ghaf flowers.
3.Some small animals making burrows between the roots.
4.Desert birds can make nest in this tree
5. Desert animals getting shade and shelter under the tree inorder to survive from the hot summer days.

Umbrella Tree:- Ghaf tree is popularly known as “Umbrella Tree or The Tree of the Dunes".As a sapling it is known as “ haddeb” “nashwa “ as a young tree. Many have shown their love by naming their children after the tree name such as Ghafa,Ghafan,Ghuafa etc.

Peculiarities of the Ghaf Tree
It can survive in desert climate and ability to withstand prolonged drought and high salinity. So it can live hundreds of years with little water. The growth of the tree is very slow due to its habitat and lack of water and nutrition in its surroundings. It can grow approximately 1.5 m in five years.
The fruits, flowers, leaves are rich in protein. Its Wood is an important soure of timber. It releases more carbondioxie at night than any other tree. It has a very strong root system which can penetrate as deep as 30 metres.When they became damaged or die root nodules release nitrogen in to the soil.

Campaigns: - Numerous campaigns have been introduced for giving awareness about this tree to protect from endangering and preserve the tree. Various laws are implemented to protect the gifted tree of the desert.

It is really something that the tree can survive on little water and do so much for us and for animals and one would ask themselves why is in endangered?  That is why we need to raise awareness and stop the cutting down of this tree and save the animals and ourselves.  So take the time to read about this tree and most importantly if you can donate to help save the Ghaf tree.

 http://npqueen.hubpages.com/hub/Ghaf-The-Umbrella-Tree

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/project/projects/index.cfm?uProjectID=AE0013&source=ge

 

 
Graceful Prinia warbler perched on a Ghaf tree in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates

 

Paul's birthday

I am finally posting about Paul's birthday back in April.  I booked him a once in a life time chance to scuba dive with a dolphin and we went to Aquaventure at Atlantis the palm.  I think it will go down as a birthday he will never forget.  I also booked a sitter and we got to have lunch just the two of us which is special since we have little ones.  He also got a few ps 3 games and some shirts.  Not to bad if you ask me.

Spoon

Tonight at dinner Heather feed herself with a spoon. She also continues to climb and climb on almost everything, I think I need to find a baby gate for the upstairs asap. Praying she doesn't figure out how to climb out of the baby bed anytime soon.