Data Zone
Country/territory: Kuwait
IBA criteria met: A1, B1iv, B2 (1994)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 250 hectares (2.50 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2013 | not assessed | medium | not assessed |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (1994 baseline)
The only significant area of non-marine wetland in the country, man-made by effluent (sewage plus a variety of pollutants) coming from Al-Jahra town and flowing across sandy sabkhah to the sea, forming stagnant, open, shallow pools and extensive beds of Phragmites. There are scattered halophytes on the sabkhah, and some old plantations of Tamarix in poor condition. The site has great value as a potential field study centre for all educational levels up to university research, and if properly zoned could also provide for recreation. Part of the site is a designated camping area.
Key biodiversity
See box for key species. A wet and green area attracting a very wide variety of migrants and winterers, and providing an important refuge from hunting: 220 species have been recorded. An important raptor migration bottleneck, with a maximum daily passage total of 410 (17 species), and estimated spring/autumn totals of 2,000–3,000, including Buteo buteo (85, September), Aquila clanga (10, March and October), Aquila nipalensis (343, March and October) and Circus aeruginosus (5, September and October).
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by Prof. C. W. T. Pilcher.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Al-Jahra Pool Nature Reserve (Kuwait). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/al-jahra-pool-nature-reserve-iba-kuwait on 24/12/2024.