Data Zone
Country/territory: Saudi Arabia
IBA Criteria met: B1iv (1994)
For more information about IBA criteria please click here
Area: 35 ha
| Most recent IBA monitoring assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | Threat score (pressure) | Condition score (state) | Action score (response) |
| 2013 | high | not assessed | negligible |
| For more information about IBA monitoring please click here | |||
Site description
A natural lake near Haggag in Wadi Rabigh (c.35 km inland), fringed with reeds Phragmites and fed by several permanent freshwater springs. Such natural wetland habitat is unique on the Tihamah north of Jiddah. Fish are abundant. Surrounding land is primarily used for grazing, less so for agriculture. There is some recreational use by picnicers.
Key biodiversity
Breeding species include Ixobrychus minutus (1 pair), Glareola pratincola (1 pair), Sterna albifrons (possibly 1 pair) and Alcedo atthis (possibly 1 pair). Fourteen Ciconia nigra were present in mid-winter 1991-1992. The site is situated along the autumn raptor flyway to the Bab al-Mandab; Buteo buteo is especially common, and raptors roost on the cliffs adjacent to the springs.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by B. Meadows.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Wadi Rabigh springs. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 01/04/2023.
