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BH004
Hawar Islands
Location Bahrain, Southern
Central coordinates 50o 45.17' East  25o 39.46' North
IBA criteria A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3
Area 22,800 ha
Altitude 0 - 28m
Year of IBA assessment 2001

Bahrain Natural History Society (Affiliate)



Ornithological information The islands support the largest known breeding concentration in the world of Phalacrocorax nigrogularis. The main breeding site is on Suwad al Janubiyah island, where 200,000 to 300,000 adults were conservatively estimated to be present in November 1992, along with thousands of nests with eggs. Other breeding species include Sterna caspia (max. 10 pairs), S. anaethetus (max. 100 pairs) and Pandion haliaetus (max. 9 pairs). Wintering species include Podiceps cristatus (min. 50) and Phoenicopterus ruber (750).

Site description A group of 16 small, limestone, desert islands and islets in the Gulf of Salwah, some with cliffs up to 20-30 m high. There is c.20% vegetation cover of saltmarsh bushes, and very extensive seagrass beds in the shallow, clear sea offshore. A highly productive nursery and feeding area for fish. The islands are uninhabited apart from a military garrison.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Western Reef-egret Egretta gularis passage  1991  200 individuals  poor  B1i  Least Concern 
Western Reef-egret Egretta gularis resident  1991  10-100 breeding pairs  poor  B1i  Least Concern 
Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis breeding  1992  200,000-300,000 adults only  medium  A1, A4i, B1i, B2  Vulnerable 
Sooty Falcon Falco concolor breeding  1991  13 breeding pairs  good  B2  Near Threatened 
Saunders's Tern Sterna saundersi breeding  1991  10-100 breeding pairs  poor  B3  Least Concern 
White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa breeding  1991  10-100 breeding pairs  poor  B3  Least Concern 
White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa passage  1991  2,000 individuals  poor  B3  Least Concern 
A4iii Species group - waterbirds breeding  1992  200,000-300,000 adults only  medium  A4iii   

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
Hawar Islands Protected Area 5,150 protected area contained by site 5,150  
Hawar Islands Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar) 5,200 protected area contained by site 5,200  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Desert Hot  22%
Coastline Brackish & saline lagoons; Intertidal mud, sand & salt flats; Rocky shores; Sand, shingle & pebble shores; Shallow marine waters; Subtidal aquatic beds  78%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
military 20%
Notes: A military base was established in Hawar Islands in 1984. During the last years, however, military activities have continue to show steady decline.
fisheries/aquaculture 10%
Notes: Fishing with nets and any destructive gear is legally prohibited around Hawar Islands. Artisanal fishing with hook and line is often practiced.
tourism/recreation 15%
Notes: Situated along the western coastline of the main island (Hawar) are a resort hotel and around 100 chalets. Tourist activities peak during the period from May to November. It is estimated that around 23,500 tourists (85% are Bahraini) visit Hawar Islands annually. In addition to bus tours organized to selected terrestrial sites, recreational activities include swimming, surfing and jetting. Almost all these activities are restricted to the main island (Hawar). Opportunistic boat trips (principally for bird watchers) are occasionally organized.
not utilised 80%
Notes: Most of the landmass of Hawar Islands has been preserved in a pristine condition with no evidence of current human activities. Fortunately, most of present human uses are confined to the main Island (Hawar) which is not very important for birds.

Other biodiversity Mammals: the second largest population in the world of Dugong dugon (V) occurs here (700+); unspecified Gazella spp. on Hawar island (apparently introduced). Reptiles: the sea-turtles Chelonia mydas (E), Eretmochelys imbricata (E), Dermochelys coriacea (E) and Caretta caretta (V) occur, and Chelonia mydas may breed.

Management considerations The islands are a restricted military area and access by the general public is prohibited, thus they receive some unintentional protection from non-military disturbance. However, over-collection of eggs and capturing of birds (especially chicks of Phalacrocorax nigrogularis) by fishermen is a problem, although the scale has not been quantified. Disturbance by human visitors also greatly facilitates predation of P. nigrogularis chicks by gulls, e.g. Larus cachinnans/L. argentatus. The site has been affected by major oil spills in the past (e.g. during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war), and this is a critical potential threat, especially during the breeding season. The Hawar islands have a fauna and flora which is perhaps typical and representative of the few remaining unspoilt islands in the whole Arabian Gulf, and they are thus increasingly unique in the region. The islands have been proposed as a Wildlife Reserve.

Acknowledgements The information on Key Biodiversity Areas for birds is based on ; full acknowledgements are listed in that publication. Some updating of site information may have occurred since then, according to available resources. Comments, corrections and updates are encouraged and should be directed to the BirdLife A for Bahrain:

Bahrain Natural History Society

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Hawar Islands. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013

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