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Zoology in the Middle EastPublication details, including instructions for authorsand subscription information:http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tzme20

On the breeding bird communityof Wadi Al-Kharrar, JordanValleyFares Khoury aa Department of Biological Sciences , HashemiteUniversity , P. O. Box 150459 , Zarqa 13115 , JordanE-mail:Published online: 28 Feb 2013.

To cite this article: Fares Khoury (2001) On the breeding bird community ofWadi Al-Kharrar, Jordan Valley, Zoology in the Middle East, 22:1, 37-44, DOI:10.1080/09397140.2001.10637847

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2001.10637847

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On the breeding bird community of Wadi Al-Kharrar, Jordan Valley

by Fares Khoury

Abstract: The breeding birds of Wadi Al-Kharrar on the eastern banks of the Jordan River north of the Dead Sea comprise 35 species, whose frequency and density has been assessed. Blackbirds and Nightingales breed, at the edge of their breeding ranges, in a dense Tamarix thicket. Their density is very low compared to European habitats. The same is true for Reed Warblers which breed in the reed beds. A small population of Clamorous Reed Warbler (11 pairs) was found breeding, now representing the only site of this species in Jordan. Occurrences of the Indian Silverbill and of the Namaqua Dove indicate range extensions.

Kurzfassung: Die Brutvögel des Wadi Al-Kharrar am Ostufer des Jordans, nördlich des Toten Meeres, umfassen 35 Arten, von denen die Häufigkeit und die Dichte ermittelt wurde. Amsel und Nachtigall brüten in einem Tamarisken-Dickicht am Rande ihres Verbreitungsgebietes. Ihre Dich-te ist im Vergleich zu europäischen Vorkommen sehr gering, ebenso die des Teichrohrsängers, der in den Schilfbeständen brütet. Neu entdeckt wurde eine Population des Stentorrohrsängers (11 Bp.), die einzig derzeit bekannte in Jordanien. Vorkommen des Indischen Silberschnäbelchens und des Kaptäubchen geben Hinweise auf Arealexpansionen.

Key words: bird communities, habitats, wetlands, range extension, Jordan Valley, Middle East.

Introduction Due to limited access to areas along the Jordan River, the birds on the Jordanian side and adjacent Wadis, including Wadi Al-Kharrar, have not been studied thoroughly. This is the first detailed report on the breeding birds of the eastern banks of the Jordan River.

Wadi Al-Kharrar has recently been recognised as the site where Jesus Christ was baptised by John the Baptist. Due to its historical and religious importance, the site is attracting in-creasing numbers of tourists. A management plan to develop and use the area for tourism is being carried out by the Ministry for Tourism. The fauna and flora of this area have been studied recently by Jordanian Universities with the aim of determining the biodiversity of this relatively unknown area and to make recommendations to manage the area adequately.

Description of the study area The study was carried out in a fenced area of approx. 400 ha known as Wadi Al-Kharrar or Bap-tism site. The Wadi itself is a narrow shallow valley with a perennial stream flowing from a spring for approximately two km in a westerly direction before entering the Jordan River. Lying to the north of the Dead Sea at an altitude of 350 m below sea level, the climate of this area is hot and arid, but the winter seasons are mild and warm.

Zoology in the Middle East 22, 2001: 37–44. ISSN 0939-7140 © Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg

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38 Zoology in the Middle East 22, 2001

Little of the natural, subtropical vegetation has remained in the Jordan Valley, which is exten-sively irrigated for fruit and vegetable production (cf. ANDREWS 1995). Remnant natural habitats are found along the Jordan River, and include reed beds and stands of willow, tamarisk and halo-phyte associations, some species of which seem to thrive under the increasing salinity of water and soil. The southern banks of the Jordan River, including Wadi Al-Kharrar, are less affected by direct human impact, due to limited access. Water springs produce salt marshes amidst the saline, arid landscape bordering the Dead Sea and the Jordan River.

Land use in Wadi Al-Kharrar includes grazing by sheep and goats and tourism, which is in-creasing rapidly; access is, nevertheless, still limited to the areas adjacent to the river due to the presence of the military at the border site. The site to be managed for tourism has been fenced and includes the entire Wadi Al-Kharrar and adjacent areas. A trail along the wadi is being main-tained and two asphalt roads now cross the site. It may be expected that traffic will increase in the future. There are plans to divert the water of the stream into large pools; this may lead to the drying out of long stretches of the stream and to subsequent habitat loss. Archaeological excava-tions are being carried out locally. To the east, extensive, irrigated fields of vegetables and ba-nanas are not affecting the site directly, but indirect impact may include lowering of the water table, a further increase in salinity, and a flow of pesticides into the water resources of the site.

Methods Breeding bird surveys were carried out in Wadi Al-Kharrar once a week between late May and June 2000. Additional visits were made during May 1999 and July–September 2000. Those birds were regarded as breeding birds which were either proven to breed, or of which males were hold-ing territories for at least three successive weeks during May and June. Territorial males/pairs along Wadi Al-Kharrar were plotted on a map. This procedure was repeated twice in the course of three weeks during June 2000, so as to locate the territories exactly. Relative densities were estimated for some species, after carrying out counts in line transects.

Results and discussion Bird habitats

35 bird species breed or are likely breed in the area. The area of Wadi Al-Kharrar can be divided into the following bird habitats (due to recent changes in land use, succession can lead to rapid changes in the vegetation):

Reed beds: The small stream in the bottom of Wadi Al-Kharrar supports large patches of dense reed beds (Phragmites and Typha), with scattered palm trees (Phoenix). This habitat type is up to 50 m wide and persists along the stream for up to 1 km (i.e. total area approx. 4 ha). This was the preferred breeding habitat of Acrocephalus warblers and Prinia gracilis. Scrub: Around reed beds, and in some areas where reeds used to be grazed to the ground by cattle, a more diverse vegetation of halophytic, low and high shrubs and thorny bushes cov-ers the ground. In water-logged sites, Tamarix, Suadea and Prosopis are most common, while drier areas are covered by Nitraria and Atriplex bushes and Alhagi dwarf shrubs. This habitat type was also found parallel to the banks of the Jordan River. This habitat type in-cluding its variations, but excluding stands dominated by Tamarisks and low scrub, covers up to 30 ha, with less than 20% water-logged or directly bordering open water. A variety of

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bird species breed in this habitat type, including three dove species, Cercotrichas galactotes, Turdoides squamiceps and Hippolais pallida. Tamarix thickets: Closer to the Jordan River, i.e. after crossing the Katarat hills, the Wadi Al-Kharrar and adjacent areas are covered by Tamarix shrubs forming closed and dense thickets in water-logged areas, and becoming more open where dry. This area is subject to occasional flooding if the water level of the Jordan River rises substantially. Flooding is nevertheless becoming rare due to the extremely low water level in the river. Tamarix thick-ets, in addition to scattered reeds and a few Populus trees cover the sides of the Jordan River. Up to 50 ha were partially or completely covered by this habitat type, though less than 25% of the stands were growing on water-logged soil. Many species were holding territories and breeding in this habitat type, particularly in the moister thickets. Streptopelia turtur, Hippo-lais pallida, Cercotrichas galactotes and Passer moabiticus were fairly common in this habitat, while Turdus merula, Luscinia megarhynchos and Sylvia melanocephala were found breeding in or on the edge of water-logged, dense patches, with a moister and cooler micro-climate than the surroundings. Plateau: The flat plateau-like area above the Wadi (east of the Katarat) is partially covered by low dwarf shrubs, mainly halophytes and succulents. It appears that parts of this area were previously cultivated, representing abandoned fields or disturbed land covered now mainly by Alhagi dwarf shrubs. High shrubs or trees (Tamarix and Ziziphus) also occur singly. This extensive, open area covers approximately half of the site, totalling over 250 ha. Only three species bred in this habitat type, the most dominant being Galerida cristata. Arid slopes: This habitat type is dominant along the edges of the Wadi Al-Kharrar and locally near the banks of the Jordan River. The sedimentary hills running parallel to the Jordan river and bordering the plateau-like area from the west (named by locals Katarat) are separated from the river by the low lying banks and flood plains which are covered by a vegetation varying from Tamarix thickets to the open, dry scrub already described. These hills are almost devoid of vegetation and contain small ridges and caves. There are over 50 ha of this habitat type within the site. Typical birds were Ammoperdix heyi and Ammomanes deserti. River side: The immediate banks of the Jordan River are often very steep, thus offering important breeding sites for bird species such as Bee-eaters. A building on the opposite side of the river offered nesting sites mainly for Passer domesticus.

Species accounts Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus Three singing males during late May-June: two along Wadi Al-Kharrar and one just to the north near the Jordan River. Males were singing on elevated sites in the early morning. Males and females, and in September two juveniles, were recorded near water. In Jordan this species occurs only along the Jordan Valley, near well vegetated, swampy areas and in farm-land near the River Jordan, with a small, apparently isolated, population in Ghor Fifa, south of the Dead Sea (ANDREWS 1995; pers. obs.). Densities are relatively low throughout the Jordan Valley. The national breeding population is estimated at 300 pairs, and is locally affected by hunting pressure and decrease of suitable habitat.

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40 Zoology in the Middle East 22, 2001

Tab. 1. Birds recorded at Wadi Al-Kharrar during the breeding season (migrants and other visi-tors omitted). Birds proven to breed or holding territories for at least three successive weeks within the site are marked B in the column of breeding status. The density is given in pairs/ha. Conservation status according to IBA criteria (EVANS 1994), except for “National” conservation priorities, which are set by the author. – PM: passage migrant, R: resident, SV: summer visitor, WV: winter visitor, B: breeds; P: Plateau, Re: Reeds, Ri: River, S: Slopes, Sc: Scrub, Sc* only water-logged scrub, Ta: Tamrisks (all included) Ta*: only water-logged Tamarisks.

species status breed. status

habitat no. of breeding pairs

density conserv. status

Ixobrychus minutus PM ? Re 0-1 National Falco tinnunculus R ? S 0-1 Francolinus francolinus R B Sc 3 0.1 Regional Ammoperdix heyi R B S 4 Restricted

range Gallinula chloropus R, WV B Re 1-2 0.2 Streptopelia decaocto R B Sc/Ta 20-40 0.5 Streptopelia senegalensis R B Sc/Ta 10-20 0.1 Streptopelia turtur PM, SV B Sc/Ta 15-30 0.4 Oena capensis R? ? Sc? 0-1 Halcyon smyrnensis R B Ri, Sc 2-3 Ceryle rudis R ? 0-1 National Merops apiaster PM, SV B Ri, S? 2-4 Merops superciliosus PM, SV B Ri, S? 5-10 National Coracias garrulus PM, SV ? Ri/S? 0-1 National Upupa epops PM, R? ? S? 1 Galerida cristata R B P 20-40 Ammomanes deserti R B S 2-4 Hirundo daurica PM, SV B S/Ri 3-6 Luscinia megarhynchos PM, SV B Ta* 1-2 0.1 National Cercotrichas galactotes PM, SV B Sc/Ta 22-40 1.1 Turdus merula R, WV B Ta*/Sc 1-2 <0.1 Prinia gracilis R B Re/Sc* 25-40 2.0 Cettia cetti R B Re/Sc* 3-6 0.3 Acrocephalus scirpaceus PM, SV B Re 12-17 3.5 National Acrocephalus stentoreus R B Re 10-15 3.0 National Sylvia melanocephala R, WV B Ta*/Sc 2-3 0.1 Hippolais pallida PM, SV B Sc/Ta 20-40 0.9 Pycnonotus xanthopygos R B Ta/Sc/Re 20-40 1.1 Turdoides squamiceps R B Sc 5 Restricted

range Nectarina osea R ? Sc 1-2 Lanius excubitor R B P 1 Passer domesticus R B Ri 10+ Passer hispaniolensis PM, SV,

R? ? Ta/Sc 1+

Passer moabiticus R B Ta 15-30 3.0 National, restricted range

Euodice malabarica R ? Sc? 1-5

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Namaqua Dove Oena capensis A male was seen flying over Wadi Al-Kharrar on 13. September. Although breeding was not proven, this bird seems to be expanding its range northwards along the Jordan Valley and was recorded in July 1999 at Damia, to the north of the study area, and in Ghor Fifa, south of the Dead Sea. It is also becoming regular in the Azraq wetland, eastern Desert, where it is usually recorded between April and September (cf. KHOURY 1996; pers. obs.). Bee-eater Merops apiaster In the study area, at least two pairs bred on the banks of the Jordan River, apparently in a mixed colony with Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters. Unlike the following species, the Bee-eater is a more widespread summer visitor and breeder in Jordan, occurring also in the rift margins and highlands (ANDREWS 1995). Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops superciliosus More common in the study area than the previous species. In May 1999 over 20 birds were seen in Wadi Al-Kharrar, while in May-June 2000 a daily maximum of 12 birds was noted. Definitely bred on the steep banks of the Jordan River. Nest holes were also seen in the Al-Katarat hills and along the sides of Wadi Al-Kharrar but they did not seem to be occupied during the study period. Small numbers of the species were also recorded in the central parts of the Jordan Valley and Ghor Fifa in July 1999. The Jordan River and Fifa areas are thus of great importance for this species (cf. ANDREWS et al. 1999), which formerly bred at Azraq and has probably decreased in the last decades in Jordan (ANDREWS 1995). The national population is currently estimated at 30–60 pairs. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Recorded regularly; daily counts in May and June varied from 2 to 8 birds flying over Wadi Al-Kharrar. A few, including juveniles and possibly some migrants, were recorded as late as 12th September. The birds most probably bred in the caves and ridges of the Katarat. This is a new breeding site for this species, which is known to breed mainly in the rift margins of central and northern Jordan (ANDREWS 1995). Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos A singing male was holding its territory throughout May and June in Tamarix thickets grow-ing on waterlogged soil. Although known to breed along the Jordan River (SHIRIHAI 1996, ANDREWS et al. 1998), this is the first strong evidence of breeding within Jordanian territo-ries. Blackbird Turdus merula Rarely singing and with a rather inconspicuous behaviour, territories of this species could not be mapped in the study area. Nevertheless, singles were regularly seen in a small, shady area of waterlogged scrub and tamarisks. A small group of two males (an adult and one partly with juvenile plumage, suggesting early breeding) and a female was observed feeding on the berries of Nitraria bushes during June. This is a new breeding site for this species in Jordan, and an expansion of the known breeding distribution into the Jordan Valley (cf. ANDREWS et al. 1999).

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42 Zoology in the Middle East 22, 2001

Fig. 1. Wadi Al-Kharrar: hills almost devoid of vegetation, with dense reed beds in the valley bottom (photograph: Max KASPAREK).

The fact that this and the former species breed in very low densities in the Jordan Valley is

due to the presence of small patches of suitable breeding habitat with a moist, cool microcli-mate: dense scrub and Tamarix thickets growing on water-logged soil. The study area also lies on the edge of the breeding range of this species, which enhances the effects of sub-optimal environmental conditions and habitat patchiness on population density. Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Up to 15 pairs/territories were distributed in the dense reeds. Fledged young were observed in early June. The density was estimated at around 3 pairs per ha reed bed. Given the suitable habitat, the population may have been underestimated. Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus At Wadi Al-Kharrar this conspicuously singing species was occupying most of the dense reeds, with nine territories recorded along this Wadi and at least two more on the banks of the river. The highest density (c. 3 pairs/ha) was noted in the large patches of mature and dense reed beds of Wadi Al-Kharrar. Along the river, the birds were recorded in stands of Tamarix mixed with small patches of Phragmites. The same territories were held for at least

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three successive weeks during May–June, suggesting breeding although no nests or young were seen. Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala At least two territories within 300 m along Wadi Al-Kharrar, notably between the Katarat hills and the Jordan River. This is a new breeding site; previously known to breed in Jordan only in the mountains and rift margins (cf. ANDREWS 1995, SHIRIHAI 1996). The low density and very localised breeding is also due to patchy habitat. The birds were singing and appar-ently nesting on the edges of dense, moist Tamarix thickets, but were frequently observed in the adjacent open areas of dry scrub. Arabian Babbler Turdoides squamiceps Up to 10 recorded regularly along Wadi Al-Kharrar, May–September. Birds were usually present in scrub with scattered tamarisks, but when flushed, occasionally entered the reeds for cover. This is a new breeding site, although known to be a local resident around the Dead Sea (pers. observ.). This species thus reaches the northern edge of its distribution in the southern Jordan Valley (cf. ANDREWS 1995). The fact that this species breeds in the same area as the Blackbird and Nightingale shows the complexity of bird communities, resulting from the geographical location and variations in environmental conditions. Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica A group of four recorded once at the Jordan River in early June, but there is no evidence of breeding in the study area. This species, which appeared in the Jordan Valley in the 1980s (ANDREWS 1995), is rapidly expanding its distribution in the central and northern Jordan Valley, and is becoming locally common. Groups of up to 15 were recorded in the northern Jordan Valley in July–October 1999 and breeding was recently proven in the Fifa area, south of the Dead Sea (March 2000; pers. obs). Dead Sea Sparrow Passer moabiticus The tamarisks between the Katarat hills and the Jordan River contained a loose colony of up to 30 pairs. Five occupied nests were recorded within 100 m of Tamarix along Wadi Al-Kharrar from late May to June. The national population of this species badly needs assess-ment in view of extensive developments in its breeding range in Jordan, which extends from the central Jordan Valley south to the northern shores of the Dead Sea, and again from Ghor Mazra’a south to Fifa (ANDREWS et al. 1999).

Discussion Regarding its habitats and associated bird communities, the Wadi Al-Kharrar itself, with its reed beds and scrub vegetation including tamarisk thickets, held most breeding bird species. The local and limited grazing of reeds by cattle has apparently led to an overall increase of habitat and bird diversity.

Although covering a relatively small area in the bottom of Wadi Al-Kharrar, the dense reeds were found to be very important habitats for migratory and breeding species. The

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44 Zoology in the Middle East 22, 2001

discovery of 10 or more territorial Clamorous Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus stentoreus) is of great significance on a national level as a small colony used to exist at Azraq in the 1960s but has not been recorded since then (ANDREWS 1995). The species has also been recently recorded at the northern banks of the Jordan River (two near Al-Mashare’, September 1999, pers. observ.), accounting for the first records on the eastern banks of the River for many decades (cf. SHIRIHAI 1996).

Dead Sea Sparrow bred solely in Tamarix stands bordering Wadi Al-Kharrar and the Jor-dan River. It is thus the most typical bird of this habitat type, which offers a variety of spe-cies nesting, feeding and roosting sites. The large nests of Dead Sea Sparrows (Passer moabiticus) are built low in the shrubs and are easily accessible. It is thus of great impor-tance to protect this unique habitat and avoid any disturbance by visitors during the breeding season.

The flat plateau area above Wadi Al-Kharrar was used only by three species for breeding: Crested Lark (Galerida cristata), Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor), which apparently bred in one of the remnant Ziziphus trees on the edge of the site, and the Rufous Bush Robin (Cercotrichas galactotes). However, the latter species was much more common in the scrub habitats and tamarisks of Wadi Al-Kharrar and along the banks of the Jordan River.

It is recommended that all the natural vegetation at the site should be protected and that limited grazing of the reeds by a small number of cattle should be allowed only after the breeding season (i.e. August–February). The conservation of the water resource feeding the perennial stream of Wadi Al-Kharrar would be necessary to maintain natural vegetation and habitats. Development should be carefully planned, and human disturbances to breeding species avoided, especially in view of the presence of small breeding populations of highly sensitive species such as Acrocephalus stentoreus and Francolinus francolinus.

Acknowledgements. The author would like to thank the following persons for their company and help during the survey: Dr. A. DISI, N. ABU-LABAN and Dr. A. KATBEH (Jordan University), Dr. Z. AMR and L. RIFA’I (University of Science and Technology) and Ahmad DHEIB.

References ANDREWS, I. J. (1995): The Birds of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. – Musselburgh, 185 pp. ANDREWS, I. J., H. KHOURY & H. SHIRIHAI (1999): Jordan Bird Report 1995-1997. – Sandgrouse

21(1): 10–35, Sandy. EVANS, M. (1994): Important Bird Areas of the Middle East. – BirdLife Conservation Series No.

2: 1–410, Cambridge. KHOURY, F. (1996): Observations on the avifauna of Azraq wetland, Jordan, June 1995. – Sand-

grouse 18(2): 52-57, Sandy. SHIRIHAI, H. (1996): The Birds of Israel. – London, 692 pp. Author’s address: Dr. Fares Khoury, Department of Biological Sciences, Hashemite University, P. O. Box 150459, Zarqa 13115, Jordan. Email: avijordan2000@yahoo.com.

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