Ras al Hadd (8229)
Oman, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Ra's al Hadd
Central coordinates: Latitude: 22.5333, Longitude: 59.7667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 23.63645
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Two major tidal inlets with mangrove Avicennia, Khawr al Jaramah and Khawr al Hajar, part of the major headland east of Sur. The intertidal flats at Khawr al Jaramah are particularly extensive.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: See box for key species. Other notable wintering species include Ardea cinerea (89) and Calidris alba (800). In autumn, large numbers of migrant Ciconia ciconia (150, September) and Larus argentatus (1,600, September) rest on the intertidal flats. Marine upwelling offshore provides rich feeding grounds (especially in June–August) for non-breeding and passage seabirds, with large numbers of Puffinus persicus (see box), Oceanites oceanicus (400, July) and Phalaropus lobatus (see box). A total of 87 species has been recorded. Non-bird biodiversity: Reptiles: the most important nesting beach in Oman for the sea-turtle Chelonia mydas (E) lies immediately adjacent to the the south (and is protected by the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Environment).
Delineation rationale: 2010-01-18 (BL Secretariat): Coordinates and 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
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 33 | |
| Marine Neritic | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The area lies within a proposed National Scenic Reserve (8,000 ha).