Current view: Text account
Site description (1994 baseline):
Site location and context
A sheltered lagoon north-east of Umm al Quwain, containing intertidal mudflats (up to 400 m wide), islands and sparse mangrove
Avicennia bounded inland by sabkhah and rolling dunes with salt-tolerant scrub. The area is difficult of access. Siniyah island (site 003) lies offshore. The site is used for small-scale fishing and for recreation.
See box for key species. The site has been little investigated but held c.10,000 waterbirds in October-November 1986. The wintering
Dromas ardeola are believed to breed on Abu al Abyadh island (site 017). At least 30 pairs of
Egretta gularis breed on the adjacent island of Ghubbah.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
There is no formal protection, but the site is monitored regularly and the ruler of Umm al Quwain would be advised in the event of any threats, though none appear imminent. The inaccessibility of the area may protect it somewhat, though there is a danger of destruction of the desert crust and some low-flying by micro-light aircraft from a nearby airfield.
Data-sheet compiled by Colin Richardson.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Khor Al Beidah (United Arab Emirates). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/khor-al-beidah-iba-united-arab-emirates on 22/11/2024.
