In the spring of 2021, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve’s team of ornithologists conducted baseline bird surveys within the Reserve to catalog bird species during the spring migration. Amid the whispers of the acacia, an unfamiliar yet jubilant melody rose. What began as a hopeful survey for the Reserve’s team soon turned into an extraordinary event when they recorded the Syrian Serin on ten separate occasions within a 15-day window. These sightings ranged from solitary birds to flocks of up to 80 individuals, a significant number considering the species’ overall population size. With an estimated population of only 4,000 mature individuals, and declining, this bird’s presence in the Reserve offers significant hope for conservationists.

This groundbreaking discovery has established the Reserve as the southernmost refuge for the Syrian Serin, Serinus syriacus. This Vulnerable songbird, listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as vulnerable, has found an unexpected sanctuary within the Reserve, expanding its known range and underscoring the vital role the Reserve plays in biodiversity conservation.

Documented in Volume 45 No. 2 of Sandgrouse, the journal of the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, these sightings are the first of their kind in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant expansion of the bird’s wintering range. Previously, the southern boundary of its range was thought to be around Jebel al Lawz, at latitude 28° N on the Arabian Peninsula. The discovery at the Reserve, particularly around Al Disah at latitude 27.6° N, pushes this boundary further south.

The Syrian Serin is a small, brightly colored finch with yellow and pale grey feathers and a distinctive yellow ring around its eyes. It typically inhabits desert and semi-desert areas with thorn trees and thorn-scrub habitats. It also frequents vegetated wadis and the edges of cultivated lands and orchards.

The observations were made in well-vegetated wadis, mountainous areas, and near water sources, suggesting that the Reserve’s diverse habitats provide the necessary conditions for the Syrian Serin’s wintering needs. These habitats include reliable water sources from manmade wells, irrigation systems, and natural springs, providing the Serin with the sustenance it needs to thrive.

The presence of the Syrian Serin in the Reserve underscores a critical ecological principle: the interconnectedness of ecosystems. The health and movements of one species reflect broader environmental dynamics, making the protection of such habitats crucial. This discovery also underscores the importance of the Reserve as a sanctuary for vulnerable species, adding the Syrian Serin to the 227 bird species (figures from May 2024) already recorded within the Reserve.

Future research will focus on confirming the size and range of the wintering population within Saudi Arabia and determining whether these birds are from known populations or less observed regions. This research will be crucial in developing conservation strategies to ensure the long-term survival of the Syrian Serin and other species within the Reserve.

The collaboration with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Beacon Development, Turnstone Ecology, and insights from Laith El-Moghrabi and Tareq Qaneer have been pivotal in this groundbreaking discovery. Their combined efforts have highlighted the Reserve’s conservation value and the importance of continued protection, research, and engagement.

The discovery of the Syrian Serin in the Reserve is not just a new chapter in the species’s life story; but a testament to the Reserve’s role in safeguarding our natural heritage. As we continue to protect and study these remarkable birds, we reaffirm our commitment to conserving the rich biodiversity that defines the Reserve.

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