An Egyptian nightjar has been recorded once again in UAE's Wadi Wurayah National Park after a five-year absence, marking a significant ecological and scientific milestone that underscores the park’s growing importance.
The Fujairah Environment Authority confirmed the rare sighting in early 2026, noting that the observation was far more than a chance encounter.
Scientific analysis revealed that the bird recorded is the same individual documented at the site in December 2021, as part of a long-term bird monitoring and research program.
During routine environmental monitoring activities conducted in January 2026, field teams successfully re-identified the nightjar within the boundaries of the reserve.
The bird had previously undergone an observing process that included the fitting of an identification ring and the recording of key biological data such as weight, body length and general health indicators, before being released to continue its seasonal migration.
The precise identification was made possible through a long-term ringing and monitoring program run by the Fujairah Environment Authority, which allows researchers to track bird movements over extended periods and study patterns of site fidelity, migration routes, and temporary settlement.
The Egyptian nightjar is a ground-nesting nocturnal species that relies on undisturbed gravel plains and open wadis, making it particularly sensitive to human activity.
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