Northern Borders Sees Fall Migratory Birds Arrive

The Northern Borders Region, centered on Arar, is welcoming a wave of diverse migratory birds this fall, as flocks use the area's valleys, plains, farmland, deserts, and shrublands as temporary stopovers to rest and feed. The seasonal arrivals are drawing growing interest from nature observers.

The autumn migration typically runs from September through November, with the first southbound arrivals appearing from mid-August and peak passage for many species in September and October. Documented species this season include the willow warbler, great grey shrike, yellow wagtail (known locally as "Al-Saawah"), Eurasian golden oriole, common cuckoo, and white egret, along with rollers and doves, among others.

The region forms part of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, which spans roughly 130,700 square kilometres across the Northern Borders, Jouf, Tabuk, and Hail areas. The reserve is a key resting point for birds arriving from Asia and Europe in autumn and heading north again in spring. It hosts more than 290 recorded bird species, with large migratory birds making up around 88 percent of the total; notable species include the great white pelican, heron, eastern imperial eagle, and houbara bustard.

Planning a visit

For those hoping to witness the migration, Harrat al-Harrah Protected Area within the wider reserve requires an advance visit permit issued through the King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority's online permit portal. As of mid-2026, no publicly listed entry fee has been specified for visitor permits, so conditions and any applicable costs should be confirmed directly with the authority before travelling.

For residents and expats across the Kingdom, the season offers a reminder of Saudi Arabia's role along major global flyways and the value of its protected areas in supporting biodiversity.

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