• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (1994 baseline)
Part of a limestone and sand desert plateau c.30 km west-south-west of Haditha and c.200 km west-north-west of Baghdad. The area contains large, deep wadis surrounded by shallow depressions which are wet from November to March and carry a rich vegetation of Haloxylon, Artemisia and Astragalus. At least three water wells have been drilled, and since c.1960 part of the area has been farmed (dates, orchards, etc.) and there is some livestock grazing by nomads. Annual rainfall is 100-200 mm, mainly in December-February.

Key biodiversity
See box for key species. Other breeding species (known or assumed) include Cursorius cursor, Pterocles alchata, Eremophila bilopha, Pycnonotus leucotis and Oenanthe isabellina. Grus virgo (12 birds) has occurred on spring passage, and the area may lie on a main migration route for it.

Non-bird biodiversity: Reptiles: there is a rich reptile fauna.

Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by Dr Hanna Y. Siman.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Augla, Wadi Hauran (Iraq). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/augla-wadi-hauran-iba-iraq on 23/12/2024.