Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information See table for key species. The most complete and representative breeding assemblage of Afrotropical woodland species known in Yemen, characteristic of the Red Sea foothills (see table for key species). At least 46 species are known or presumed to breed within the site’s small area, notably Numida meleagris, Oxylophus jacobinus, Caprimulgus inornatus, C. nubicus and Tchagra senegala, as well as very high densities of Streptopelia semitorquata and Phylloscopus umbrovirens. There is a high diversity of resident birds of prey, including Milvus migrans, Accipiter badius, Aquila chrysaetos, A. verreauxii, Hieraaetus fasciatus, Falco tinnunculus, Otus scops pamelae and Bubo africanus. A major raptor migration route passes over the site in autumn, following the Red Sea foothills and dominated by Buteo buteo (daily max. 200, September) and Aquila nipalensis (daily max. 200, October); Pernis apivorus is also suspected to pass through in large numbers (daily max. 200, September; thought to be this species). The passage has not been studied in detail, but it is certain that its magnitude exceeds 3,000 birds per season. Wintering raptors include Circaetus gallicus, Accipiter nisus and Falco peregrinus; Terathopius ecaudatus and Melierax metabates are occasional visitors from the Tihamah plain.

Site description One of two deep valleys (300-1,000 m) on the west side of Jabal Bura, a granite massif which rises very steeply from the Tihamah foothills to 2,200 m, 60 km east of Al-Hudaydah.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Habitats

Land use

Other biodiversity Mammals: Papio hamadryas (endemic), Panthera pardus (rare; one shot in 1989). Reptiles: Varanus yemenensis (endemic), Pristurus flavipunctatus (endemic), Agama adramitana (endemic), Coluber variabilis (endemic). Amphibians: Bufo tihamicus (endemic), Euphlyctis ehrenbergii (endemic). Butterflies: Charaxes bernstorffi (endemic). Flora: the 'Acacia abyssinica' population may be an undescribed species.

Management considerations A rough vehicle track was constructed up the valley in 1983-1984, damaging the small area of gallery forest remaining and leading to erosion of adjacent slopes locally due to the high rainfall. The small banana plantations have also destroyed the gallery forest locally; it is not known whether associated pumping of irrigation water is depleting groundwater levels. Current exploitation of forest products appears to be for local use only and may be at a sustainable level. Any increases in the human population, through for example immigration, may threaten this balance.

Conservation response No formal conservation measures are known to have been taken. Local residents recognize and value the unusually intact nature of the forest, and the Local Council of the Bura administrative district is taking steps to ban the commercial cutting of wood, and has pointed out that local residents must be given access to cheap alternatives to firewood, i.e. butane gas cylinders, if the forest is to be preserved in the longer term. One Local Council member has recommended protection of trees and animals, and a ban on hunting.

References Scholte and Evans (in prep.), Shu' (1989), Wood (1982).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Jabal Bura. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/05/2013

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