Current view: Text account
Site description (2014 baseline):
Site location and context
Limestone hills, cliffs and plateaux, rising to 700 m, in northern Socotra between Wadi Ayhaft and Wadi Di Negehen. One of the wettest areas on the island, catching monsoon rain (especially June–September) and subject to very strong winds.
Surveyed 1999–2011. A1—Endangered: Egyptian Vulture (10–20 pairs, also an important roosting site with over 350 regularly). Vulnerable: Socotra Buzzard (>5 pairs), Socotra Bunting. A2—Eight of the eleven range-restricted species confined to Socotra EBA breed: Socotra Buzzard, Socotra Scops Owl, Socotra Warbler, Socotra Starling, Socotra Sunbird, Socotra Sparrow, Socotra Grosbeak, Socotra Bunting (all SMbrsa). A further two SMbrsa spp, not range-restricted, also breed: Abyssinian White-eye, Somali Starling.
Vegetation largely comprises sub-montane, semi-deciduous woodland and areas of open shrubland with woody herb communities. Also, areas of luxuriant thicket dominated by Buxus hildebrandtii with emergent Dracaena cinnabari and other endemic trees and shrubs. Well grazed by goats and harvested for timber.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Threats: apparently none.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: North slopes of the Haggeher Mountains (Socotra) (Yemen). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/north-slopes-of-the-haggeher-mountains-(socotra)-iba-yemen on 23/11/2024.
