The Egyptian Nightjar has been seen again in Fujairah’s Wadi Wurayah Biosphere Reserve, five years after it was first recorded there in 2021. This rare return highlights the importance of the reserve for wildlife conservation in the region.
In January 2026, a team from the Fujairah Environment Authority recaptured the same bird during their regular monitoring activities. The bird was identified through a long-term ringing and tracking program, which helps researchers recognize individual birds over time. This confirmed that the nightjar had returned to the same location after several years.
Such monitoring programs allow experts to better understand bird migration patterns, how often birds return to the same areas, and how they use different habitats during their journeys. These studies are especially important for migratory and nocturnal birds, which are often difficult to observe in the wild.
Wadi Wurayah Biosphere Reserve is located in the Hajar Mountains and offers a safe and natural environment for many species. Its gravel plains, valleys (wadis), and permanent water pools provide essential shelter and food sources for birds traveling across the region.
The return of the Egyptian Nightjar shows that Wadi Wurayah continues to play a key role as a stopover point along important migratory routes. It also reflects the success of conservation efforts aimed at protecting fragile ecosystems and supporting wildlife in the UAE.
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