RIYADH, 15 April 2004 — The pleasant morning weather in the capital is encouraging large numbers of bird watchers to the banks of the stream of Hayer, some 40 km from the city. There they can observe a colorful range of species of migratory and resident birds.
The watercourse that meanders through Hayer and the adjacent dam forms a natural habitat for thousands of migratory birds that come to the Kingdom every year. The plush green lands and the variety of fish in the waters are the main attractions for the birds to fly thousands of kilometers to escape the cold. It was estimated that millions of birds visit the Gulf coast during winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
“The National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD) has spotted more than 35 species of birds on the banks of Hayer, which provides a conducive environment and good food for these birds,” Muhammad Al-Salama, an ornithologist with the commission, told Arab News.
These birds come from Siberia, Europe, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Turkey. They stay in the Kingdom till the end of April and return to their places of origin by early May, when the summer rages here.
The Kingdom has nine endemic species — the Arabian red-legged partridge, Philby’s partridge, the Arabian woodpecker, thrush, warbler, Arabian accentor, Arabian waxbill, Arabian serin and the South Arabian wheatear.
They are mostly found in the southwest of the Kingdom, which offers a diverse habitat for birds. Tihama, the stretch of plains between foothills and the west coast is a haven for doves and afrotropical birds.
The NCWCD in cooperation with the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT) has set up observation points for bird watchers in Hayer.
The best time for bird watching is either dawn or just before dusk when the birds return to their nests. The species commonly seen here include ibis, white stork, coot, heron, sandpipers, terns, stork and egret.
The birds, Al-Salama said, conserve enough fat and energy to fly a long distance for migratory purposes. “Some birds fly non-stop for distances ranging from 500 to 1,000 miles,” he said. Domicile cranes fly from Port Sudan to Jeddah without a stop, he added.
The warbler is another bird that flies non-stop to its destination no matter how far. Another expert said some birds develop migratory restlessness during the season even in the cages.
The authorities have identified 35 sites of wetlands that could be developed into suitable tourist resorts for bird watching. People who visit Hayer have been advised that hunting in the area is strictly prohibited. The place is studded with eye-catching posters highlighting the importance of wildlife conservation in the Kingdom.
Ornithologists raise serious concerns over the hazards the birds face, especially as some of them breed here. Human interference, live naked current wires and pollution are possible threats not only to migratory birds but to the endemic species. Another problem is fishermen who pick out the eggs these birds lay and sell them.
