The location of NWRC was not chosen on conservation grounds - the 
initial area being intrinsically uninteresting, flat, overgrazed sandy semi- 
desert. However, the exclusion of domestic livestock has resulted in 
excellent recovery of the original vegetation and the site is now attractive 
to a wide variety of migrants and winter visitors. The breeding densities 
of resident species suchas Black-crowned Finch Larks Eremopterixnigriceps 
are considerably greater than those recorded outside. However, in 
spring and summer 1991, groups of up to 15 Bald Ibises Geronticus eremita 
were regularly present in an area immediately adjacent to NWRC. The 
birds foraged on rather degraded desert for beetles and roosted in 
mature Acacia trees. The origin of these birds is rather puzzling, since 
none bore rings of breeding programmes in Israel or Turkey, and it can 
only be inferred that they are non-breeding subadults wandering about 
their former range. Unfortunately, there has been no similar recurrence 
to date in 1992, though up to two were seen briefly in early spring. 
Harrat al-Harrah 
This enormous reserve in the extreme north of the Kingdom, adjacent to 
the Jordan border, is protected by a large vehicle-based ranger force 
backed up by aerial reconnaissance. Bedu camps and their associated 
flocks of sheep and goats are excluded, although camels are still allowed 
to graze. The habitat comprises undulating black lava desert, including 
abundant extinct volcanic cones, cut by very shallow, though better- 
vegetated wadis. The site is renowned as the last stronghold of the 
Houbara in Saudi Arabia, with a small, resident breeding population 
which is augmented by overwintering birds from other breeding sites 
farther to the north. Sand Gazelles are still present in reasonable 
numbers. A long-term field research programme on the Houbara has 
been started in which flock size, distribution, movements, habitat use 
and feeding ecology will be examined. Ground and aerial surveys are 
2 
