Muscat – A study conducted by the Environment Authority (EA) in Khor Salalah Nature Reserve in Dhofar has revealed the conspicuous absence of local and migratory birds and the spread of the house crow, considered an invasive species.

The ongoing study found that house crows have a wide nesting area. The species is spreading in the city of Salalah, posing an imminent threat to local and migratory species of birds.

The study is being carried out by the Office for Conservation of Environment in Dhofar on the diversity of birds in the Khor Salalah Nature Reserve, one of the important wetland reserves of the sultanate.

The study aims to identify bird species, their numbers and behaviour in the reserve.

According to Ahmed bin Said, an environmental specialist of EA, the study began on August 1 and will continue until the end of the year.

“Teams are making morning and evening visits to specific areas within the reserve and documenting their observations, creating a database on the environment of the governorate.”

Invasive alien species of birds have done great damage to ecological balance and agricultural crops, and are considered a major challenge facing many countries.

Oman is exerting efforts to confront invasive species like house crows. A national team of competent authorities has been formed to develop an action plan to manage and combat such birds.

An international expert has also been contracted to benefit from the management and control experiences that have been applied in other countries through the International Union for Conservation of Nature.