As of today, out of season, returns ~September. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Off the southeast coast of Bahrain, scattered across the shallow turquoise waters near the Qatar peninsula, the low desert islands of the Hawar archipelago hold a globally important seabird spectacle.
On South Suwad Island, the world's single largest breeding colony of the Socotra cormorant gathers each breeding season — a Gulf near-endemic seabird that nests only on flat, bare desert islands.
Tens of thousands of pairs crowd the open ground, a black tide of birds wheeling out to sea in dense ribbons to feed and returning in great smoking columns at dusk.
The colony represents a substantial share of the entire world population of this near-threatened species, which makes the Hawar Islands one of the most significant seabird sites in the Middle East.
The islands are a protected area and Ramsar wetland, and access to the breeding island is restricted to safeguard the birds — but the sheer scale of the gathering is unmistakable even from the surrounding water.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
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| South Suwad Island, Hawar Islands |
This is the short version
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