Al Ansab Wetlands in Oman a safe haven for birds

Muscat: Al Ansab Wetlands are one of the natural sites in Muscat. They provide a fascinating spectacle and landscapes that host some important elements of wilderness and wildlife in the Sultanate.
They are located in Al Ansab in the Wilayat of Bausher in the Governorate of Muscat, just a few kilometres from Muscat International Airport.
Al Ansab Wetlands are considered a popular destination for visitors interested in nature and wildlife, researchers, students of universities, colleges and schools and the amateur photographers of wildlife.
The management of the wetlands provide them with special places to capture some images of local and migratory birds.
The wetlands represent a safe haven for more than 290 species of birds that visit the wetlands at different times of the year.
Al Ansab Wetlands are not only a private sanctuary for birds, but also represent a safe environment for Omani plants, butterflies and other species of wildlife. There are four different types of natural habitats, which attract different types of birds, such as the open ponds that attract many bird species.
Mohammed bin Mansour Al Barwani, Wetland Specialist at Haya Water Company in Al Ansab Wetlands said there
are five large ponds that were dug to collect the filtered water, as between 3,000 to 5,000 cubic metres of filtered water is pumped out daily. The main pond is 3.5 meters deep.
He added that the ponds are used for breeding and propagation of fish. The goal of breeding these fish is to eliminate mosquito larvae, as these fish feed on the larvae. He added that this method is used in order to avoid the use of chemical pesticides that affect birds and plants.
On the number of birds and diversity in the ponds, Al Barwani explained that the number of birds is increasing, with more than 290 species of birds currently registered in the ponds, most of which come in the winter, and most of them are immigrants from Europe, Africa and Asia, as well as Iraq, Iran, besides the local birds.
The wetlands stretch over 40 hectares in area or about 18 square kilometres while for trees located in the area are a natural variety of local trees, along with a special nursery for Omani trees.
Al Barwani noted that the Mesquite trees, sea Ghaf, were removed from the area and replaced by other local trees from the Governorate of Dhofar and Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, as well as other governorates of the Sultanate.
He added that the removed Mesquite trees are used to make chairs and fences for the ponds, which add more beauty to the scene.