Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2017 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('key species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus | LC | winter (2009–2017) | 3,000–18,000 individuals | A4, B3a |
| Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus | LC | breeding (2009) | 2,000 breeding pairs | A4, B3a |
| Western Reef-egret Egretta gularis | LC | breeding (2009–2017) | 50–100 breeding pairs | B3a |
| Western Reef-egret Egretta gularis | LC | non-breeding (2009–2017) | 20–300 individuals | B3a |
| Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica | NT | passage (2009–2017) | 300–1,300 individuals | B1a, B3a |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2017. The most recent assessment (2017) is shown below.
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2017 | unfavourable | low | low |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | population | medium | |
| State (condition of the key species' populations) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Actual vs Reference (units) | % remaining | Result | ||
| Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus | 4,000 / 6,150 (individuals) | 66 | unfavourable | ||
| Western Reef-egret Egretta gularis | 250 / 170 (individuals) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica | 400 / 1,200 (individuals) | 34 | not assessed | ||
| Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Transportation and service corridors | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | rapid deterioration (>30% over 3 generations) | low |
| Biological resource use | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Human intrusions and disturbance | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Residential and commercial development | likely in short term (within 4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | rapid deterioration (>30% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the key species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation | No management plan exists, but the management planning process has begun | Some limited conservation initiatives are in place | low |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Bul Syayeef | Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance (IV) | 100 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | major (>10) | |
| Marine Intertidal | major (>10) | |
| Marine Neritic | major (>10) | |
| Forest | minor (<10) | Subtropical & tropical mangrove |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| nature conservation and research | 100 |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Abu Al Sayayif (United Arab Emirates). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/abu-al-sayayif-iba-united-arab-emirates on 24/01/2025.