The Libyan Society for Birds announces the publication of the Technical Report of the International Waterbird Census (IWC) in Libya, presenting the results of systematic field monitoring conducted between 2019 and 2023. The report was prepared within the framework of the International Waterbird Census (IWC), in coordination with the Mediterranean Waterbirds Network and the Tour du Valat Institution.

This report reflects five years of structured and methodical fieldwork, documenting both migratory and resident waterbird populations across the Libyan state. It provides a comprehensive scientific assessment of the status of waterbirds and identifies key ecological trends affecting their populations, particularly in the context of increasing natural and human-induced pressures on wetland ecosystems nationwide.

The report represents the outcome of broad collaboration among national institutions, environmental organizations, experts, and volunteers, who sustained monitoring and data collection efforts despite the significant security and environmental challenges faced in Libya throughout the reporting period.

Institutions Involved in the IWC Implementation:

The International Waterbird Census in Libya was implemented through the participation of several GOs and NGOs including:

• Libyan Society for Birds (LSB)

• Ministry of Environment, Libya

• University of Tripoli

• Libyan Organization for Conservation of Nature (LOCN)

• Besida Society for the Protection of Farwa Island and Lagoon

• Al-Hayat Organization for the Protection of Wildlife and Marine Organisms

• National Research Center for Tropical and Transboundary Diseases

• Bado Society for the Protection of Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity

Key Findings:

• A total of 47 volunteers and experts contributed to field monitoring activities over the five-year period.

• Seventeen wetland sites were monitored regularly, with a minimum of seven visits per site, during the period 2009–2023.

• Twenty-three new wetland sites were surveyed for the first time between 2019 and 2023.

• Significant fluctuations in the population sizes of several species were recorded during 2019–2021, with an apparent decline largely attributed to reduced field coverage during years of armed conflict.

• Monitoring coverage improved substantially in 2022–2023 following enhanced coordination with environmental NGOs, enabling the documentation of broader species diversity.

• Notable population declines were recorded for several species, including the Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus), Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), and Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis), while population increases were observed for species such as the Great Black-headed Gull (Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus) and the Little Stint (Calidris minuta).

• The Slender-billed Gull (Chroicocephalus genei) showed a marked increase in 2023, with higher numbers compared to previous years and confirmed presence at 39 sites along the Libyan coastline.

Wetlands and Ramsar Sites:

The report indicates that the Ain Al-Zarqa and Ain Al-Shaqiqa wetlands – both designated as Ramsar Sites – have experienced a significant decline in waterbird numbers. This finding highlights the urgent need to strengthen conservation measures and ensure the long-term ecological integrity of these critical habitats.

The report also identifies additional Libyan wetlands that meet the criteria of the Ramsar Convention and warrant international protection, most notably:

• Farwa Island and Lagoon, located in western Libya near the Tunisian border. This rare tidal wetland system in the Mediterranean Basin serves as a vital stopover site for migratory birds traveling between Africa and Europe and supports high biodiversity, including loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). The area was designated as Marine Protected Area in 2009, with ongoing efforts to establish participatory management involving local communities.

• Jalyana Sabkha, near the center of Benghazi, which hosts more than 3,000 waterbirds representing approximately 40 species, including an important breeding colony of the Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis).

Environmental Challenges:

The report identifies several natural and human-induced pressures affecting waterbird populations in Libya, most notably climate change, associated drought and reduced rainfall, habitat degradation, and unregulated and illegal hunting.

Significance of the Report:

This report constitutes a key national scientific reference for understanding the status of waterbirds and the challenges they face in Libya. It serves as an essential tool for environmental planning, policy development, and decision-making, while supporting efforts to protect wetlands and biodiversity in alignment with Libya’s regional and international environmental commitments.

Over all, the Libyan Society for Birds emphasizes that this report provides a robust scientific foundation for the continuation of national monitoring programs, the strengthened protection of ecologically significant wetlands, and the enhancement of national and international cooperation frameworks, contributing to the long-term conservation of waterbirds and biodiversity in Libya.