Current view: Text account
Site description (1994 baseline):
Site location and context
The area is part of a flat, desert plateau of hard-packed gravelly sand with numerous playas, at 240 m. Its northern side is bordered by Wadi Al-Batin, where the land falls away some 45 m and is characterized by shallow, rocky gullies. The plateau is dominated by
Haloxylon and, in spring and early summer, by
Stipa grass. In rocky gullies
Zilla is common, and many annuals flourish including
Diplotaxis species. Traditionally the area has been used for grzing, hunting and recreational camping; the main economic value of the land probably lies in its underground water reserves.
See box for key species. Until overgrazing severely damaged the vegetation in the early 1980s, a representative breeding bird community occurred, comprising
Cursorius cursor,
Bubo ascalaphus,
Athene noctua,
Eremophila bilopha,
Alaemon alaudipes,
Ammomanes deserti,
Ammomanes cincturus,
Melanocorypha bimaculata and
Galerida cristata. Proper management could see a return of these species.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Overgrazing in the last 12 years seriously reduced the wildlife value of the area, and movement of military vehicles during the 1990–1991 conflict with Iraq caused major damage to vegetation and desert crust. At present much scattered, unexploded ordnance is deterring grazing activity, and anecdotal reports from military pilots suggest that the area is fast becoming revegetated. A study was carried out by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research and Kuwait Municipality to designate the area as a National Park.
Data-sheet compiled by Prof. C. W. T. Pilcher.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Al-Batin Park (Kuwait). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/al-batin-park-iba-kuwait on 25/12/2024.
