Data Zone
Country/territory: Israel
IBA Justification: A1, A4iv, B1i, B1iv, B2 (1994)
Area: 90,000 hectares (900.00 km2)
BirdLife Partner(s): Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel
| Conservation status of the Important Bird Area (IBA) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2013 | not assessed | high | very low |
Site description (1994 baseline)
A mainly desert area extending as far as Be'er Sheva, Ofakim and Nir Oz in the north and to Mash'abim Sands (1,300 ha), Shunra Sands (2,400 ha), Agur Sands (30°53'N 34°26'E, 24,800 ha) and the Nahal Be'erotayim area (c.5,000 ha, close to Nizzana and the Egyptian border) in the south. The region includes low rocky hills, dry riverbeds, steppe, dunes and scrub, and there is some agriculture, mainly in the Ze'elim and Agur Sands area.
Key biodiversity
Other breeders include Burhinus oedicnemus, Cursorius cursor, four species of sandgrouse and Eremophila bilopha. In winter the area supports notable numbers of Circus aeruginosus (50), Aquila clanga (21), Grus grus, Vanellus vanellus and Pterocles alchata (8,000).
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Meriones sacramenti (endemic) and Gazella gazella (V). Reptiles: Testudo kleinmanni (V). Flora: Allium papillare, Garhadiolus angulosus.
Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by S. Blitzblau, reviewed by R. Frumkin.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Western Negev (Israel). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/western-negev-iba-israel on 18/01/2025.