Current view: Text account
Site description (1994 baseline):
Site location and context
Two extensive tidal inlets on the northern Batinah coast, which support extensive mangrove
Avicennia, and are near the towns of Shinas and Liwa respectively.
See box for key species. The endangered subspecies
Todirhamphus chloris kalbaensis occurs irregularly in the mangrove as a non-breeder.
Hippolais rama probably breeds. Roosting
Larus ichthyaetus (max. 103),
L. ridibundus and
L. cachinnans/
L. argentatus occur at the khawrs and on nearby beaches in winter. A total of 118 species has been recorded.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Despite the efforts of the local municipality, garbage dumping still occurs in some khawrs. The area is covered by two proposed Nature Conservation Areas: Khawr Shinas National Nature Reserve (2,100 ha) and Khawr Nabr National Nature Reserve (2,300 ha).
Data-sheet compiled by Simon Albrecht; summary bird data supplied by Oman Bird Records Committee (per Jens Eriksen).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Khawr Shinas and Khawr Liwa (Oman). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/khawr-shinas-and-khawr-liwa-iba-oman on 23/12/2024.
