Azraq Wetland Reserve

Azraq, whose name means blue, is an oasis in the middle of Jordan's vast eastern basalt and gravel desert, and the Azraq Wetland Reserve protects a remnant of what was once an enormous wetland fed by springs, a crucial stopover on the great flyway along which millions of birds migrate between Europe, Asia and Africa. A boardwalk loops through the reserve past pools, reed beds and marsh where, especially in the spring and autumn migrations, birdwatchers can spot herons, ducks, raptors and many other species resting and feeding, along with water buffalo. The reserve tells a sobering story too, for the springs that fed the oasis were largely pumped dry in the late twentieth century to supply distant cities, and much of the wetland vanished; a careful effort now channels water back to restore a fraction of it, and the reserve is a place both to enjoy the birds and to understand the value of water in the desert. Nearby stand the ruins of a black basalt desert castle.

History

The wetlands formed around 250,000 BC, fed by aquifers, and since ancient times Azraq has been a crossroads of trade routes, where caravans carrying spices between Arabia, Mesopotamia and Syria stopped, and of bird migration between Africa and Europe (Wikipedia, Azraq Wetland Reserve).

The landscape

• The migrating birds - herons, ducks, raptors and more on the flyway in spring and autumn.
• The boardwalk loop - the trail through pools, reeds and marsh.
• The water buffalo - grazing in the restored wetland.
• Qasr Azraq nearby - the black basalt desert castle near the town.

When to go

Spring and autumn, during the bird migrations, are by far the best times, when the reserve comes alive with passing species; summer is hot and quieter, winter cool. Early morning is best for birdwatching. Water levels and birdlife vary with the seasons and the ongoing restoration, so expectations should be modest.

Practical notes

This is a small remnant of a once-huge wetland, greatly reduced by decades of water extraction, so it is modest in scale and its richness depends on the season and the restoration effort; outside the migration periods there is much less to see. It appeals most to birdwatchers and those interested in conservation rather than casual sightseers. It is well out in the eastern desert, usually combined with the nearby desert castles to justify the trip.

Nearby

The desert castles of Qasr Azraq, Qasr Amra and Qasr Kharana are nearby; Amman is about 90 minutes west.

Key facts