Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2017 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Partridge Ammoperdix heyi | LC | resident (2006–2017) | 250-999 birds | B2a |
| Pallid Scops-owl Otus brucei | LC | resident (2014–2015) | 90–165 males | A3, B2a |
| Omani Owl Strix butleri | LC | resident (2014–2015) | min 1 males | A3, B2a |
| Plain Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus neglectus | LC | winter (2006–2017) | 1,000-2,499 birds | B2a |
| Arabian Babbler Argya squamiceps | LC | resident (2006–2017) | 50-249 birds | B2a |
| Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha | LC | resident (2006–2017) | < 50 birds | B2a |
| Hume's Wheatear Oenanthe albonigra | LC | resident (2006–2017) | 1,000-2,499 birds | A3, B2a |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2017. The most recent assessment (2017) is shown below.
| IBA conservation assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2017 | moderate | low | high |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | habitat | good | |
| State (condition of the trigger species' habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Quantity (% remaining) | Quality (% carrying capacity) | Result |
| Shrubland | good (>90%) | moderate (70–90%) | moderate |
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Natural system modifications | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Biological resource use | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Energy production and mining | likely in long term (>4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Whole area (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation | A comprehensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species | The conservation measures needed for the site are being comprehensively and effectively implemented | high |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Wadi Wurayah | Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance (II) | 100 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | major (>10) | Subtropical & tropical dry |
| Wetlands (inland) | minor (<10) | Permanent rivers, streams & creeks; Freshwater springs & oases; Seasonal/intermittent/irregular river/stream/creek |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| nature conservation and research | major (>10) |
| other | minor (<10) |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Wadi Wurayah (United Arab Emirates). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/wadi-wurayah-iba-united-arab-emirates on 23/12/2024.