The largest reserve in Kuwait
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve, the main gate to the desert section
Introduction
Location Coordinates at the gate N 29 31.489, E 047 49.064
Size: 331 Km2 (both sections).
In 1988, it was officially designated as a national park. Following the Gulf War, it was cleared of mines, re-fenced, and officially reopened on March 3, 2004, as the Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve, in honor of the late Amir for his environmental conservation efforts.
Located along Subiya Road, which divides it into coastal and desert sections, the reserve is situated north of Kuwait Bay and Jahra City. The desert area features Jal Al-Zor escarpments, flat deserts, and small wadis, while the coastal section contains subkhas and rocky deserts. Vegetation in the subkhas includes tamarisk and halophyte plants.
The reserve hosts over 250 bird species. Macqueen’s Bustard used to winter here in small numbers. Recorded species include Hume’s Wheatear, Mongolian Finch, Radde’s Accentor, Crowned and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Asian Shikra, Dunn’s Lark, and Caspian Plover. Breeding residents include Little Owl, Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Brown-necked Raven, and nine species of larks. Wintering birds feature Eurasian Skylark, Bimaculated Lark, and Oriental Skylark. Woodchat Shrike and Yellow-throated Sparrow have bred at Tulha, where Pale Rockfinch also nests along the wadis.
During migration, Tulha, within the reserve and equipped with two pools and trees, serves as a crucial stopover for migrating passerines and raptors. In the autumn heat, many eagles and buzzards descend to the pools to drink before resuming their journey.
Below are photographs from inside the reserve after good winter rain. (click on photographs to see a larger version of each photograph)
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve showing annual plant in 2010
5/2/10 4:30:27 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve showing annual plant in 2010
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve showing annual plant in 2010
7/2/10 1:47:34 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve showing annual plant in 2010
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve showing annual plant in 2010
7/2/10 2:36:51 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve showing annual plant in 2010
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
7/2/10 2:58:07 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
7/2/10 2:59:26 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
7/2/10 3:02:01 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
7/2/10 3:05:34 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
7/2/10 3:10:07 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
7/2/10 3:12:42 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
7/2/10 3:34:06 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
7/2/10 3:34:55 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
7/2/10 3:55:51 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
7/2/10 4:02:23 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
9/2/10 12:47:54 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve showing annual plant in 2010
9/2/10 3:51:50 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve showing annual plant in 2010
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
9/2/10 3:51:50 PM Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Nature Reserve February 2010
07/02/2010 Kuwait. © 2010 A Al-Sirhan
Sabah Al-Ahmad Nature Reserve February 2010
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
07/02/2010 Kuwait. ©2010 A Al-Sirhan
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve in 2010
The enterance to the coastal side of Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 9:12:12 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
The enterance to the coastal side of Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve, the main gate to the desert section
12/11/11 9:15:11 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve, the main gate to the desert section
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 9:57:46 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 9:59:54 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 10:20:37 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 10:21:25 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 10:42:39 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Birding Sites: Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Birdwatching Sites in Kuwait
Birdwatching Sites in Kuwait: Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 10:47:15 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 10:57:21 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 10:57:40 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 10:58:34 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 11:06:39 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 11:07:33 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 11:17:24 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 11:19:08 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 11:19:45 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Tulha pools inside Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve.
12/11/11 11:56:38 AM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Tulha pools inside Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve.
Wadi Um Erimam pool inside Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
12/11/11 1:33:45 PM Kuwait. © 2011 A Al-Sirhan Alenezi
Wadi Um Erimam pool inside Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Tulha pools inside Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Tulha pools inside Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
Tulha pools inside Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
The entrance to the coastal side of Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve
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