The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, in partnership with King Saud University, documented the first confirmed scientific observation of nine species of migratory and rare birds within the reserve, an environmental achievement that enhances its status as a leading national destination for biodiversity conservation.

The official spokesperson of the Authority, Abdulaziz Al-Furaih, revealed that these species were documented through a comprehensive field survey that lasted a full year, conducted by a joint research team that adopted a precise scientific methodology known as the 'fixed-radius point count method.' The study included monitoring birds belonging to five orders and eight taxonomic families, ranging from terrestrial and water birds to others straying from their usual migration routes.

The list of species documented for the first time includes: the Saker Falcon, Long-eared Owl, Rosy Starling, Yellow-throated Sparrow, Black-headed Bunting, Slender-billed Gull, Eurasian Golden Plover, Spur-winged Plover, in addition to the Greater Flamingo, indicating an environmental diversity that reflects the reserve's ability to attract rare species crossing long distances across the Arabian Peninsula.

The study results were published in the international peer-reviewed journal 'Check List,' one of the leading scientific journals specialized in documenting biodiversity and ornithology data, which establishes these findings as a reference scientific documentation of bird diversity in the Kingdom and contributes to updating geographical maps of migration routes.

The study recorded its results through the topographical diversity of the reserve, which extends over an area exceeding 28,000 square kilometers and includes valleys rich in vegetation, water bodies, and artificial lakes behind dams, which have become vital habitats for migratory birds, thanks to protection measures and the prevention of overgrazing and poaching.

This achievement is an extension of a series of scientific accomplishments that culminated in the inclusion of the reserve in the Green List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), enhancing its status as a national and international platform for environmental research and monitoring.

The Authority continues to implement monitoring programs and scientific studies in partnership with academic and research institutions, aiming to document wild species and monitor their migration patterns and distribution, and to build accurate scientific databases that support environmental decision-making and contribute to the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.