BH003
South-west Coast


Site description (1994 baseline):

Site location and context
Long, sand beach on the south-west coast of the main island. An isolated area, relatively undisturbed by humans.

Key biodiversity
Important numbers of Sterna repressa breed along the mainland coast in several colonies.

Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: introduced Gazella spp. (some indigenous) are free-living in the desert inland.



Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Although no formal protected area for nature conservation exists, public access to most of southern Bahrain is restricted to people with special permission, thus affording considerable protection. Disturbance from human activities remains a threat however, and the colonies are vulnerable to oil pollution of the beaches (as happened in 1980).

Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by T. Nightingale, reviewed by Dr K. Fakhro.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: South-west Coast (Bahrain). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/south-west-coast-iba-bahrain on 23/11/2024.