Hotspots

There is so little recent ornithological information that it is difficult to define the current hotspots though the list of IBAs or along the coast would seem to be good places to start birdwatching.

The Sa’ada Ad- Din / Eebaad Islands cluster near Zeila town has magnificient gull, tern, wader and raptor populations.

Greater Hoopoe-Lark Alaemon alaudipes

Somalia

Photo: Abdi Jama

The expansive Giriyaad Plains between Zeila and Hargeisa towns in the Awdal / Salaal regions are famous for Arabian Bustard Ardeotis arabs and Kori Bustard A. kori as well as a great variety raptors. Two species of gazelle, Soemmerring’s and Pelzeln’s as well as Somali Ostritch Struthio camelus molybdophanes are easily seen.

Somali Ostrich Struthio camelus molybdophanes

Somalia

Photo: Abdi Jama

The flat Saraar Plains of eastern Somaliland on the way to Erigavo, we have three rare species of bustard Heuglin’s Neotis heuglinii, Buff-crested Lophotis gindiana and Little Brown Eupodotis humilis as well as at least a dozen lark species. Here also ranges the endemic Speke’s gazelle.

Buff-crested Bustard Lophotis gindiana

Somalia

Photo: Abdi Jama

Speke's Gazelle herd

Somalia

Photo: Abdi Jama

Daallo Forest Reserve on the Golis Range escarpment is a special location for Dodson's Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni, Brown-tailed Rock Chat Cercomela scotocerca and Sombre Rock Chat C. dubia as well as Warsangli Linnet Carduelis johannis, Somali Pigeon Columba oliviae, Somali Thrush Turdus olivaceus ludovicae and Somali Golden-winged Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus louisae.

Dodson's Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni

Somalia

Photo: Abdi Jama

With a large species list including several endemics and near endemics and with a coastline of 3,200 km, one might be tempted to say that birdwatching can start anywhere.

Except for Somaliland in the north-west, few people are likely to venture to Somalia until the safety situation improves considerably.

Last page update 20th July 2009