Fahl Island (8223)
Oman, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Jazirat al Fahl
Central coordinates: Latitude: 23.6833, Longitude: 58.5000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 77
Area of KBA (km2): 6.6699
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A rocky island, 77 m high, near Muscat. There is a navigation beacon on top.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: See box for key species. An important site for breeding Falco concolor; other breeding species include Phaethon aethereus (8 pairs). Non-bird biodiversity: The sea between the island and the mainland has a particularly high coral diversity and is included within the site's area. Mammals: unidentified baleen whales Balaenoptera are occasionally seen feeding around the island.
Delineation rationale: 2010-01-18 (BL Secretariat): international site name adjusted to match the gazetteer in: Eriksen, J. and Sargeant, D. E. (2000) Oman bird list, edition 5. Muscat: Oman Bird Records Committee (privately published).
Habitats
Land use: urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 90 | |
| Desert | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Disturbance of nesting birds by human activities is not significant, due to the precipitous nature of the island. The proposed Qurm–Fahal National Nature Reserve (1,000 ha) would cover both this site and the two khawrs at Al Qurm (site 010) nearby on the mainland.