Thanks to one of the most comprehensive studies ever undertaken in the region, the rich and often surprising biodiversity of AlUla has been illuminated in unparalleled detail.

24 months of research and many intensive weeks in the field have culminated with the publishing of the AlUla Field Guide Series – four wonderfully illustrated books covering the birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates found in the county. Available in both English and Arabic and freely downloadable below, we hope they will be a resource for both researchers in AlUla, Saudi Arabia and beyond, as well as for visitors to AlUla, guides and anyone with an interest in the natural world.

Many different methods were employed to gather as much data as possible. 541 sites were chosen to represent the varied landscapes and habitats of AlUla, taking in volcanic harrat plateaus, wadis, the Oasis, canyons, dunes and more. Each site was visited on four sampling missions at different times of day to cover behavioural and seasonal variation.

The results were truly remarkable. Over 31,000 observations were made with 622 taxa identified, mostly as species with a handful of invertebrates only identified to the genus level. Out of these, some 59% were newly reported for the AlUla region, for the Kingdom, or for science.

These discoveries are now captured in an expertly curated series of field guides highlighting:

• 165 bird species, including resident and seasonal migrants
• Scorpions, spiders, butterflies, and dragonflies – fascinating invertebrates of the desert ecosystem
• Reptiles, perfectly adapted to AlUla’s diverse landscapes
• Mammals, including bats, elusive wild cats and gazelle