Al-Hamad Desert

Al-Hamad Desert is a desert area in the Northern Borders Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, close to the city of Arar and Al-Uwayqilah Governorate.[6] It is one of the most prominent crossing stations for migratory birds, especially falcons, during the al-Maqnas season, which begins in October each year.[1][2]

Falconers travel to it from across the Kingdom and from the Gulf Cooperation Council states to practise al-Maqnas; each year the area records a high rate of prized falcons taken and strong sales at auction.[1]

Al-Hamad Desert lies in the Northern Borders Region, and attention turns to it to follow the movement of falcons and to choose the sites suited to al-tarh.[6] The al-Maqnas season begins in October each year, a time when the passage of the peregrine falcon is abundant and the camps of hunting enthusiasts spread across the area in preparation for the season.[1][5]

Al-Hamad Desert is one of the most prominent stations that migratory falcons cross during their annual migration.[2] Falconers prepare for the season by equipping camps, al-tarh gear and desert journeys in anticipation of the passage of the falcons, a practice that those interested in this heritage have inherited generation after generation.[2] This migration falls within the routes of migratory birds that cross the airspace of the Kingdom.

The movement of the peregrine falcon is concentrated in the Al-Hamad area, which makes it a principal destination for enthusiasts of al-Maqnas.[4] The chances of al-tarh begin in the first hours of dawn and are highest before the birds feed, then resume shortly before sunset until the sun sets, with the camp and nets of every kind made ready.[4]

Falconers come to Al-Hamad from inside the Kingdom and from abroad, and auctions for the sale of falcons are held there.[1] The Saudi Falcon Club accompanies the season by organising an auction for the sale of falcons from October until the end of November.[4]

Visitors are keen to camp in the desert areas surrounding Al-Hamad to benefit from the mild weather and the flatness of the land.[3] The plant diversity of the area, which contributes to the sustainability of wildlife, adds further appeal.[3]

Harrat al-Harrah extends across the Northern Borders and Al-Jawf regions and lies within the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, with an area of 13,775 square kilometres.[7]

The surface of Harrat al-Harrah consists of a volcanic plateau in which black basalt rocks abound, together with low volcanic mountains rising between 800 and 1,150 metres above sea level; Jabal Amud al-Harrah is among its highest volcanic hollows.[7] It lies in the north of the Kingdom at the border with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, east of Wadi al-Sirhan, and holds one of the largest volcanic craters in the Kingdom.[8]

Harrat al-Harrah was formerly a separate reserve, until it was merged with a number of reserves and sites within the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve.[8]

Harrat al-Harrah is marked by the diversity of its vegetation cover, which includes tarfah, athl, ghada, arti and awsaj trees, and shrubs among them qaysum, shih and damran.[7]

The area also contains animals, most notably the reem gazelle, the idmi gazelle, the wolf, the Arabian fox and the sand fox, alongside many species of resident and migratory birds.[7] The number of bird species recorded in the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve rose from 190 species to 296 species, so that it includes about 60% of all bird species recorded in the Kingdom.[10]

Entry to the desert areas within the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve is regulated, and violations connected with the entry of vehicles without a permit into the fiyad and desert rawdahs are controlled, with the value of the violations ranging between 500 and 2,000 riyals.[9]

Q: Where is Al-Hamad Desert located? A: In the Northern Borders Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, close to the city of Arar and Al-Uwayqilah Governorate.[6]

Q: What is the importance of Al-Hamad Desert for migratory birds? A: It is one of the most prominent stations that migratory falcons cross during their annual migration, especially the peregrine falcon.[2]

Q: When does the al-Maqnas season begin in Al-Hamad Desert? A: It begins in October each year, when the passage of the peregrine falcon is abundant and the camps of hunting enthusiasts spread across the area.[1][5]

Q: How many bird species are recorded in the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve? A: 296 species, about 60% of all bird species recorded in the Kingdom.[10]

Al-Hamad Desert brings together the al-Maqnas season, the migration of falcons and natural diversity in the Northern Borders Region.[1][2] Related topics on the platform include the Northern Borders Region, Harrat al-Harrah, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve and falconry.