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YE041
Wadi Ayhaft, Socotra
Location Yemen, 'Adan
Central coordinates 53o 59.00' East  12o 36.00' North
IBA criteria A2, A3, B3
Area 1,300 ha
Altitude 50 - 800m
Year of IBA assessment 2001

Yemen Society for the Protection of Wildlife (Affiliate)



Ornithological information See table for key species. The site is also important for Otus scops socotranus (probably over 20 pairs).

Site description Granite and limestone slopes in northern Socotra.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Forbes-Watson's Swift Apus berliozi non-breeding  1993  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Socotra Warbler Incana incana resident  1993  10 breeding pairs  poor  A2, A3, B3  Least Concern 
White-breasted White-eye Zosterops abyssinicus resident  1993  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Somali Starling Onychognathus blythii resident  1993  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Socotra Starling Onychognathus frater resident  1993  15 breeding pairs  poor  A2, A3, B3  Least Concern 
Socotra Sunbird Nectarinia balfouri resident  1993  100 breeding pairs  poor  A2, A3, B3  Least Concern 
Socotra Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus socotranus resident  1993  50 breeding pairs  poor  A3, B3  Least Concern 

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest   minor
Rocky areas   minor
Shrubland   major
Wetlands (inland)   minor

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
rangeland/pastureland minor
tourism/recreation minor
military minor

Other biodiversity Reptiles: Chamaeleo monachus (the site may be particularly important for this species), Pristurus sokotranus, Mabuya socotrana (all endemic).

Management considerations Traditional land management is not threatened, as the resident communities' tribal authority is respected. In general, where motorable tracks provide access, wood-gathering occurs more systematically than elsewhere, but follows traditional practices.

Conservation response On Socotra, traditional controls on wood utilization are still adhered to by the tribespeople throughout the island. Only dead wood may be removed and replanting is practised where appropriate. Range enclosures and controlled grazing systems are used in the Hajhir mountains. Wild fruit trees are protected.

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Wadi Ayhaft, Socotra. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife