As part of ongoing the International Waterbird Census (IWC 2026) in Libya, census activities were conducted on 27 and 28 January 2026 in the Sawknah area. The survey targeted several ecologically important wetland sites.

Field teams surveyed the following locations: Wadi Al-Wishkah dam, Al-Arjah, Zawq, Al-Jurf Basin, and the Al-Hammam area, which are considered important habitats for both resident and migratory waterbirds.

The census was carried out by a joint national team that included the Libyan Society for Birds, the Ministry of Environment, the University of Tripoli, the Sokna Society for Wildlife, and the Faculty of Natural Resources at the University of Al-Jufra, as part of coordinated national efforts to monitor waterbirds and enhance national biodiversity records.

The Libyan Bird Society extends its sincere appreciation to the Ittihad Sokna Club and the Sokna Society for Wildlife for their warm welcome and generous hospitality. Thanks are also extended to the Sokna Agricultural Projects Administration (National Development Authority) and the Wadi Al-Wishkah dam Administration for their fruitful cooperation, which contributed to the successful implementation of the census activities in the area.