SALALAH: For a brief but memorable spell, three wandering pelicans - unseen in Salalah since 2019 - transformed the calm waters of Dahreez lagoon into a scene of quiet wonder, drawing residents, photographers and nature lovers to the shoreline.
The rare sighting began as an ordinary afternoon for Dr S M Ziaul Haque, a cardiologist at Salalah Heart Centre and an avid wildlife photographer. While driving his daughter to swimming lessons, he noticed unusually large birds circling above the lagoon.
At first, he assumed they were ospreys or eagles, species more familiar to the region. A closer look - and a photograph - revealed otherwise. “At first I thought it must be an eagle, but when I saw the photo properly, I realised - these are pelicans. It felt like nature had given us a surprise,” he said.
News of the birds spread quickly, and small groups of residents gathered at a respectful distance along the khor as the pelicans moved deeper into the lagoon. Dr Zia remained for hours, observing their behaviour from his car as the birds glided across the water, dipped their bills to feed and settled as evening fell.
Under streetlights, the large birds could be seen swimming silently, their pale bodies glowing against the dark lagoon. Before dawn the following morning, just after prayers, Dr Zia returned, finding the three pelicans resting mid-water as the first sunlight broke across the surface.
Pelicans are migratory birds that often escape extreme cold temperatures by moving toward relatively warmer regions such as the Middle East. Many populations travel from parts of Europe along routes that extend toward the Indian subcontinent. They typically remain at favourable stopover locations for two to three weeks, depending on food availability and weather conditions.
This year, the birds were also sighted near Mirbat, east of Salalah, where they reportedly stayed for only two days before moving on - too brief a window for many observers to document them. Their short stay in Salalah similarly suggested a transient pause in a much longer journey.
One bird slowly stirred, stretching and opening its large throat pouch in a display that briefly eclipsed the observer is instinct to reach for his camera. The quiet rhythm of their movements contrasted sharply with the pace of life beyond the lagoon. After about a day, the pelicans disappeared from the khor and were later spotted at sea. One briefly returned alone before eventually departing again, continuing its migratory path.
Beyond their striking size and graceful presence, pelicans play a vital ecological role. As top predators, they regulate fish populations by removing weak or diseased prey, maintaining balance in aquatic ecosystems. Their nutrient-rich droppings fertilise coastal vegetation and support marine food chains, while scientists regard them as environmental indicators, as their health reflects changes in water quality, pollution levels and climate patterns.
Their visit underscored Salalah’s role as a welcoming ecological refuge along major migration routes - and served as a vivid reminder that even familiar landscapes can host rare visitors, and that nature’s most remarkable moments often arrive without warning.
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