Last updated 23 June 2000
There can be little doubt that some of Jordan's best birdwatching sites remain to be discovered. The following sites supplement those already published in Andrews (1995).
Wadi Kharrar ('Baptism Site' at the Jordan River) This is the first area by the Jordan River to become open to tourists, and as such gives birdwatchers access to a different avifauna. It opened in April 2000. It is signposted north from the Kufrayn - Suwayma road, north of the Dead Sea.
Fares Khoury has noted the following: "2-3 pairs of Black Francolin, a few Sand Partridges, one singing Nightingale, 8+ territorial Clamorous Reed Warblers, 10+ singing Eurasian Reed Warblers, 2+ pairs of Sardinian Warblers and 1+ pair of Blackbirds (both previously not known to breed in the area), also 6+ Red-rumped Swallow and up to 6 Little Swifts are seen regularly; European Bee-eaters (max. 2 pairs) and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (3+ pairs) and tens of pairs of Dead Sea Sparrow nesting. Up to 40 species breed in this site. The habitats are diverse and range from riverine wetland with dense reeds, tamrisks, dry salt marsh and open, bushy wetland (kept open by a few grazing cows!) in addition to the dry "plateaux" - Lisan-type sediments - surrounding the wadi. It is expected that the area will attract at least tens of 1000s of tourists every season once developed. Disturbance could affect the breeding populations and unfortunately the building of several roads crossing the 3-4 kmē area of the site could also have an impact. Surveys are being conducted to write a report with recommendations for the management of the site, taking into consideration its natural value."
Al Faqou' (near Marsa') (Northern Highlands): open, deciduous oak woodland surrounded by olive plantations and fields, SE of the Zarqa River valley. Syrian Woodpecker and winter finches.
Disi and Sahl as Suwwan (Rum Desert): extensive irrigated agricultural area on former mudflats. Access to Disi is from Ar Rashidiyya and then the left fork at Wadi Rum. Ask for permission to enter as the farm is private. Sahl as Suwwan is reached via a dirt track from At Tuwaysa (near Disi), again it is private. A 10-year-old, bunded pool (0.75 ha) is fringed by mature Casuarina trees and full of tall reeds Phragmites.
Dyke 10 wetland, As Safi (Southern Ghor): a moderately large wetland site formed where a potash lagoon dyke (embankment) has dammed the flow of relatively deep ditches which bring spring-fed fresh water and waste water from irrigated areas closer to As Safi (and at a slightly higher elevation). The area consists of a flooded sabhka/salt flat with limited vegetation. Access is from farm tracks which run west from the Tomato Paste Factory below the Lot's Cave archaeological site.
Al Burbayta springs (Central Rift Margins): a small area of natural reed Phragmites growth around hot water springs on the southern side of Wadi al Hasa. The site is signposted from the King's Highway south of Wadi al Hasa.
Mouth of Wadi al Mujib (Central Rift Margins): a well-vegetated gravel delta formed where Wadi al Mujib flows into the Dead Sea. Access has been improved by the new Suwayma-Mazra'a road opened in March 1995. Ask for permission to enter the enclosed area on the S side of the river (a former agricultural station) as this now lies within the RSCN's Wadi al Mujib Reserve. There is no general access to the RSCN's Ibex captive breeding station at Raddas, which lies 3-4 km S of Wadi al Mujib. The Dead Sea coast is best avoided on Fridays, as it becomes excessively busy.
Qa' al Buq'awiyya (Basalt Desert): seasonally-flooded mudflat on the edge of the Basalt Desert 15 km S of As Safawi. Reached by 4WD along the old TAPLINE road which crosses the Azraq-As Safawi road. The qa' was flooded in spring 1995, at least.
Wadi Selma (Basalt Desert): a 'nature reserve' of the Badia Research and Development Project of the Higher Council for Science and Technology about 30 km north of As Safawi. As a result of relatively light grazing the wadi vegetation is thick and dense. The wadi itself is deeply incised (by c. 10-20 m) into the surrounding basalt plateau. Access is by 4WD only.