Current view: Text account
Site description (1994 baseline):
Site location and context
Lying c.15 km west of Abha, the site is a very steep west-facing slope with crags, falling from 2,700 to 1,600 m in less than 3 km. The soil is very thin. There are permanent streams and the climate is generally cool and wet, the area being frequently cloud-covered. The escarpment supports a more-or-less intact forest, predominantly
Juniperus excelsa, with
Olea europea on upper and north-facing slopes and more deciduous trees (
Nuxia,
Ficus,
Acacia) lower down and in valleys and gullies. The bottom third and south-facing slopes are often dominated by
Buddleja and by tree aloes
Aloe sabaea and other succulents. Bee-keeping is a common human activity and there is moderate to heavy use of the area for recreation.
Possibly the most important compact site in Saudi Arabia for south-west Arabian endemic, and other, woodland species. See box for key species. Other breeding species include
Accipiter badius (1-2 pairs),
Aquila verreauxii,
Columba arquatrix (probable),
Streptopelia lugens,
Treron waalia,
Otus scops pamelae,
Monticola rufocinereus,
Phylloscopus umbrovirens,
Terpsiphone viridis,
Zosterops abyssinicus and
Pica pica asirensis. There may be a considerable raptor passage through the area, and many
Sylvia (especially
S. atricapilla) stop off on migration. Many warblers winter, especially
Phylloscopus collybita.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Papio hamadryas (endemic), Caracal caracal (rare) and Canis lupus (V).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The site is an established NCWCD Special Nature Reserve with two rangers, but there is no control over livestock grazing, vehicular access and road maintenance. A road recently bulldozed along the steep slope requires frequent clearance due to continuing rock fall, and spoil from this has destroyed large areas of forest. Soil-water retention is probably reduced by the road, and most
Juniperus are in poor condition. A small, previously abandoned farm within the reserve has been reoccupied, and this may encourage illegal agricultural development.
Data-sheet compiled by Dr Stephen F. Newton.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Raydah escarpment (Saudi Arabia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/raydah-escarpment-iba-saudi-arabia on 22/12/2024.
