Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Oued Sed is a watercourse located 20 km north of Sousse. In very wet years, it is part of the outlet from Sebkhet Kelbia (site TN020) to the sea via Sebkhet Sidi Khelifa (TN016). Oued Sed receives some water in normal winters through local run-off; it also appears to be fed by local springs, since it retains water throughout the summer and the vegetation (
Phragmites communis and
Typha angustifolia) is characteristic of freshwater sites.
See Box for key species. Because of its freshwater character and thick vegetation, not common in central Tunisia, this small site is important for a number of breeding birds. Apart from
Marmaronetta angustirostris, breeding species include
Tadorna tadorna,
Ixobrychus minutus,
Acrocephalus arundinaceus,
A. scirpaceus and, probably,
Porphyrio porphyrio.
Aythya nyroca has been recorded wintering in small numbers (3–10). At the end of the dry summers, large numbers of waders, notably
Charadrius alexandrinus, may congregate. Located near the coast, the site also provides habitat for passage migrants.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Threats include pollution (particularly by residues from the olive-oil industry), human disturbance, reed-cutting and hunting. This small site is crossed by the main north–south motorway and the main north–south trunk road, and is inevitably a prey to constant disturbance. Some form of habitat conservation is urgently necessary if it is to survive.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Oued Sed (Tunisia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/oued-sed-iba-tunisia on 23/11/2024.
