Author: abdulnasser eisa

Following our previous post on the migration of the Eurasian Stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) and its crossing of Libyan territory during its journey from southeastern Europe to Chad, we continue to highlight another scientific study revealing a different aspect of the species’ movements in the Mediterranean region.

The study, entitled “Inter- and intra-population variability of the migratory behaviour of a short-distance partial migrant, the Eurasian Stone-curlew – Burhinus oedicnemus,” was published in the Journal of Ornithology in 2022.

The study investigated variation in migratory behaviour both among and within populations of Eurasian Stone-curlews. Researchers tracked 40 birds from four Italian populations using geolocators and GPS-GSM tracking devices.

The study was conducted at four locations in Italy:

• Taro River, Parma Province, northern Italy
• Piave River, Treviso Province, northern Italy
• Grosseto Province, Tuscany, central Italy
• Viterbo Province, Lazio, central Italy

The birds were captured during the breeding season, between March and July, over the period 2013–2019.

🔹 Key findings

The study showed that the Eurasian Stone-curlew follows a partial migratory strategy, meaning that some individuals within a population migrate while others remain resident.

Among the GPS-tracked birds identified as migrants, researchers reconstructed 33 migration routes: 14 during autumn and 19 during spring.

Migration distances were relatively short, with birds travelling an average of less than 1,000 km in fewer than five days.

Most birds followed relatively direct and straight routes during both autumn and spring migration.

The birds spent the winter within the Mediterranean Basin, with wintering locations recorded in:

• Sardinia: 4 birds
• Sicily: 3 birds
• Tunisia: 12 birds
• Libya: 1 bird

The study also showed that the timing of migration was influenced by weather conditions, particularly temperature and wind.

The probability of autumn migration departure increased when temperatures approached or fell below 0°C, while favourable winds supporting southward movement were also associated with an increased likelihood of migration departure.

The researchers suggested that continued warming across the Mediterranean region could potentially lead to a reduction in the proportion of migratory individuals in some populations, which may in turn influence the species’ distribution throughout the year.

Why is this study important for Libya?

The significance of this study for Libya lies in its direct tracking-based evidence that Libyan territory is used as one of the wintering areas of the Eurasian Stone-curlew.

Thus, the two studies we have highlighted this week provide two different but complementary perspectives on the movements of this species:

🔹 The first study: documented a GPS-tracked Eurasian Stone-curlew from Montenegro crossing Libya during its migration towards Chad.

🔹 The second study: demonstrated that Libya was one of the wintering areas used by a tracked Eurasian Stone-curlew originating from Italian populations.

Together, these findings add to the growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating the importance of Libya within the movements of the Eurasian Stone-curlew across the Mediterranean and North African regions.

They also highlight the value of continued use of GPS tracking and other remote-tracking technologies to better understand bird movements and identify the sites and migration corridors that species rely on throughout their annual cycle.

A GPS-tracking study has revealed the migratory route of a Eurasian Stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) breeding in Montenegro, showing that the bird crossed Libya during its southward migration to the Sahel region, where it spent the winter in Chad.

The tracking device was deployed on 2 June 2022, when an adult bird was captured within its breeding area at Ćemovsko polje, Montenegro, and fitted with an OrniTrack-10 solar-powered GPS transmitter operating through the GSM/3G network.

The bird was tracked for 662 days, generating data covering two autumn migrations and one spring migration. This allowed researchers to investigate its migration routes, stopover sites, flight distances, and breeding and wintering areas.

🔹 Key findings of the study:

• The bird completed three trans-Saharan migratory journeys during the tracking period.
• The longest recorded migration covered approximately 3,992 km.
• The longest migration lasted approximately 31 days.
• One migration route extended from Montenegro through Albania, Greece and Libya to Chad.
• The longest recorded continuous flight covered approximately 859 km and lasted for more than 10 hours.
• The bird reached a maximum ground speed of approximately 135 km/h.
• The maximum recorded altitude was approximately 2,770 m above sea level.
• The tracking device recorded temperatures of up to approximately 53°C in the bird’s wintering area in Chad.
• The bird returned to the same breeding area in Montenegro in successive years.
• It also returned to the same wintering area in Chad, indicating strong site fidelity throughout its annual cycle.

The findings are particularly relevant to Libya, as the tracking data demonstrate that Libyan territory forms part of the migratory route used by this bird between its breeding grounds in southeastern Europe and its wintering areas in the Sahel.

This provides further evidence of Libya’s importance within the network of bird migration routes connecting Europe and Africa, and highlights the value of continued GPS- and satellite-tracking studies for revealing migration routes that may be difficult to document through conventional field observations alone.

Such tracking data can also help identify important stopover sites, wintering areas, and migration corridors that may require further research and conservation attention.

The study recommends conducting additional tracking of Eurasian Stone-curlews to determine how frequently this route is used and to identify important sites along the species’ migratory pathway.

Source: Center for Protection and Research of Birds, Montenegro

It is worth noting that the Eurasian Stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) is recorded in Libya as a winter visitor and breeding resident.

Professor Dr. Khaled Etayeb, President of the Libyan Society for Birds (LSB), participated in a press report published by Sputnik, addressing the issue of illegal hunting of migratory birds in Libya. The report highlighted the challenges facing bird and habitat conservation and the importance of strengthening national efforts to protect biodiversity.

During his statements, Dr. Khaled highlighted several key issues, including:

🔹 Declining numbers of migratory birds: He noted that studies conducted by the Society in cooperation with several organizations estimate that approximately half a million birds are subjected to illegal hunting in Libya, coinciding with an annual increase in the number of hunters.

🔹 Environmental impacts of illegal hunting: He explained that unregulated hunting poses a threat to birds and ecological balance, emphasizing the need to reduce practices that negatively affect migratory bird populations.

🔹 Updating hunting legislation: He stressed the importance of updating and strengthening hunting regulations, identifying species that may legally be hunted, establishing clear limits and controls, and setting hunting seasons that reflect current environmental conditions.

🔹 Strengthening monitoring and awareness: He emphasized the importance of establishing a specialized authority to monitor hunting activities, intensifying public awareness campaigns, and encouraging compliance with hunting regulations to protect birds and biodiversity.

The Libyan Society for Birds emphasizes the importance of cooperation among government institutions, environmental organizations, researchers, and local communities to protect migratory birds and their habitats and to reduce illegal hunting.

For the full press report, please visit the following link:

https://sarabic.ae/20260921/%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%8A%D8%AD%D8%B0%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B2%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D9%88%D9%8A%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%AF-%D8%A3%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B6-1117130100.html?fbclid=Iwb21leAUfXntwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHifHlpwV-LTnAlKg4KgdRxQvNra0PWEZQgjPmmxiaHNQfmuyFA6j2ofC1GX0_aem__OQZJSkY2pc97LwqN2x_Vw

Report prepared by: Journalist Maher Al-Shaari — Sputnik News Agency.

The Libyan Society for Birds (LSB) has received a video circulating on social media showing a Black Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina), reportedly filmed in Tripoli.

We would like to provide some scientific context regarding this species and highlight its previous confirmed record in Libya.

First Record in Libya:

On 7 August 2025, a team from the Libyan Society for Birds, in cooperation with a local resident, observed and photographed an adult Black Crowned Crane in Tripoli. The bird was seen perched on a domestic water storage tank in a residential area. This observation represents the first confirmed record of the species in Libya and was subsequently published in the Libyan Journal of Ecological & Environmental Sciences and Technology (LJEEST), Volume 7, Issue 2, 2025.

Geographical Distribution:

The Black Crowned Crane is primarily distributed across the Sahel region of Africa, with its known range extending from Senegal and The Gambia in the west to Ethiopia and Sudan in the east. The species is associated with wetlands, floodplains, and grasslands.

Its occurrence in Libya, outside its usual geographical range, is therefore scientifically noteworthy. The 2025 record represented a northward extension of the species’ known range.

Possible Explanations:

Several possible explanations have been proposed for the species’ occurrence in Libya, including:

▪️ Natural vagrancy: The bird may have naturally wandered beyond its usual range as a result of dispersal or unusual movements.

▪️ Displacement: The bird may have been temporarily displaced by environmental, climatic, or habitat-related factors.

▪️ Escape from captivity: The possibility that the bird escaped from captivity cannot be excluded, particularly because Black Crowned Cranes are kept in some public and private collections.

However, the actual origin of the bird cannot be determined conclusively from the observation alone. Additional evidence would be required to support any of these hypotheses. The original scientific report likewise identified natural vagrancy, displacement, and escape from captivity as possible explanations.

The Libyan Society for Birds (LSB) emphasizes the importance of documenting rare bird sightings and sharing photographs, videos, locations, dates, and other relevant information. Such records have considerable scientific value for improving our understanding of bird movements, distribution, and the occurrence of rare species in Libya.

A scientific study published in the Journal of Ornithology in 2026, titled “Unexpected variation in migration routes and nonbreeding residency of Tree Pipits (Anthus trivialis) from a central European breeding population,” provides new insights into the diversity of migration routes used by the Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) and documents its passage through Libya during seasonal migration.

The study was conducted in the Křivoklátská vrchovina region of Central Bohemia, Czech Republic, where researchers fitted male Tree Pipits with geolocators.

Fieldwork was conducted over five breeding seasons between 2019 and 2024. A total of 75 males were captured, and geolocators were deployed on 54 individuals. The researchers successfully retrieved devices from seven birds, allowing them to reconstruct their movements throughout the annual cycle.

The study revealed substantial variation in migration routes among individuals from the same breeding population. Key findings included:

🔹 Different Mediterranean crossing routes:
The birds crossed the Mediterranean Sea along different western, central, and eastern routes.

🔹 Diverse wintering areas:
Wintering areas ranged from West Africa to Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.

🔹 Extended winter residency:
The birds spent an average of approximately 160 days in their wintering areas.

🔹 Movements between wintering sites:
Some individuals moved between different wintering sites, with distances of approximately 101 km and 403 km separating some of these locations.

🔹 Different migration durations:
The median duration of autumn migration was 52 days, compared with 20 days during spring migration, meaning that spring migration was approximately 61% shorter according to the study’s results.

Overall, the findings demonstrate that migration routes are not necessarily fixed for all individuals within the same breeding population. Instead, routes may vary according to the individual, season, and prevailing environmental conditions.

The Tree Pipit’s passage through Libya:

The tracking maps presented in the study show migration routes extending through the geographical range of Libya during both autumn and spring migration, with stopover locations also recorded within Libyan territory during the two migration periods.

This finding is particularly relevant to ornithological research in Libya, as the country lies within the North African region used by migratory birds travelling between their European breeding grounds and sub-Saharan African wintering areas.

The maps, particularly the tracks of individuals 230K, 25PX, and 25US, indicate that the birds crossed the Libyan region along different trajectories, with stopover locations appearing along some of these seasonal migration routes.

These findings highlight the need to strengthen migratory bird monitoring programmes in Libya, particularly in wetlands, plains, and other sites that may provide suitable stopover and feeding habitats during seasonal migration.

The Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) is recorded in Libya as a passage migrant, and the study provides evidence of its movement through and stopover within the Libyan region during both autumn and spring migration

The Libyan Society for Birds (LSB) is deeply concerned about the increasing number of photographs and videos showing large numbers of European Turtle Doves (Streptopelia turtur) killed through unsustainable hunting, including recently circulated images from the Tazirbu area in Libya.

The continuation of such practices without effective action places additional pressure on a species that is globally classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.

The Libyan Society for Birds (LSB) warns of the consequences of continued unsustainable hunting and urges relevant authorities, environmental institutions, and conservation organisations in Libya and across the Mediterranean region to work together urgently to develop practical solutions, strengthen enforcement, and improve the protection of migratory birds.

Without cooperation and concrete action, pressure on this species will continue. This makes it essential to intensify public awareness efforts and support the effective implementation of wildlife protection and sustainable hunting regulations.

Yes to regulated and sustainable hunting — no to unsustainable hunting.

Protecting migratory birds is a shared responsibility among all countries along their migration routes

A new update from the satellite-tracking project monitoring migratory birds shows the routes followed by two White Storks (Ciconia ciconia), Massimo (PA740) and Danilo (PA731), during their autumn migration in 2026, after leaving Calabria in southern Italy and heading towards Africa.

The use of satellite tracking devices has made it possible to follow the movements of both birds with high precision and identify the routes they take during their migration between their breeding grounds in Europe and wintering areas in Africa.

The newly published tracking routes highlight the importance of Libya as part of the White Stork migration route between Europe and Africa. The latest maps show both birds crossing Libyan territory, alongside previous tracking data from the White Storks Massimo (PA740) and Marta (PA733).

These tracking data highlight the importance of continuing to study the migration routes of birds crossing Libya. Such research contributes to a better understanding of migration pathways, helps identify important areas used by migratory birds, and supports international cooperation to protect migratory species and the habitats they rely on for resting and refuelling.

Source: LIPU – ISPRA – e-distribuzione
📸 Photos: LIPU ©
Tracking data: Movebank

A scientific study published in 2025 in the journal Movement Ecology, titled “The spatial consistency and repeatability of migratory flight routes and stationary sites of individual European nightjars based on multiannual GPS tracks,” investigated the seasonal migration patterns, movement routes, stopover sites, and wintering areas of the European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), a long-distance migratory bird that travels between Europe and Africa.

The study focused on a population of European Nightjars breeding in southeastern Sweden, using miniature GPS tracking devices to investigate the birds’ movements throughout their annual cycles and to assess the consistency of their migration routes, breeding and wintering sites, and stopover areas.

The research included tracking data collected during breeding seasons from 2015 to 2022, allowing the researchers to compare individual movements across multiple years and examine variation in migration strategies.

Key findings:

🔹 Consistency in breeding and wintering sites:
The results showed that European Nightjars generally returned to similar breeding and wintering areas across different years, with relatively limited spatial variation between seasons.

🔹 Variation in migration routes:
The birds did not necessarily follow the same route on every journey. Migration routes varied both among individuals and between years, particularly in the selection of stopover sites.

🔹 Repeatability of flight routes:
The study found a relatively high degree of route repeatability in some individuals. However, differences between birds were greater than the year-to-year variation observed within individual birds.

🔹 Influence of geographical barriers:
The results indicated that major geographical barriers, including the Baltic Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Sahara Desert, and Alps, can influence flight routes and the degree of variation in migratory movements.

🔹 Stopover areas before crossing major barriers:
Some birds tended to use stopover areas before crossing the Mediterranean Sea and Sahara Desert, which may allow them to build up energy reserves and prepare for crossing these extensive ecological barriers.

🔹 Role of environmental conditions and wind:
The researchers discussed the potential influence of wind conditions and previous migration experience on flight directions and stopover-site selection. These factors may help birds optimize their movements and reduce the energetic costs associated with migration.

Libya’s potential role along the migration route:

The migration maps presented in the study also show some routes extending across North Africa, within a geographical range that includes Libya or areas close to its territory. This highlights the potential importance of Libya’s geographical position for understanding migratory movements between Europe and Africa.

These findings further emphasize the importance of strengthening migratory bird monitoring programmes in Libya, documenting potential migration routes and stopover sites, and investigating the natural habitats used by migratory birds throughout their seasonal journeys, particularly along coastal areas, wetlands, and open habitats.

It is worth noting that the European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) is recorded in Libya as a passage migrant, passing through the country during both spring and autumn migration, without remaining in Libya to breed or spend the winter

A scientific study published in 2026 in the journal Movement Ecology, titled “The global importance of grasslands underlined by the combination of multiple telemetry tracking techniques of a trans-equatorial loop migrant bird, the European roller (Coracias garrulus)”, provides new insights into the seasonal migration patterns, movement routes, stopover sites, and wintering areas of the European Roller (Coracias garrulus), a long-distance migratory bird that travels between Europe and Africa.

The study investigated European Rollers breeding in Hungary and Romania, within the Carpathian Basin, using several modern tracking techniques, including GPS-UHF tags, PTT satellite transmitters, and geolocators. These technologies allowed researchers to track the birds throughout their annual cycle and identify important stopover sites and habitats used during migration and the non-breeding period.

Key findings:

🔹 Multiple migration routes:
The study revealed that European Rollers use multiple migration routes, with their wintering distribution extending widely from east to west across southern Africa.

🔹 Stopover sites:
Researchers identified 108 stopover sites during the non-breeding period, including 77 sites during autumn migration and 31 during spring migration.

🔹 Importance of the sub-Saharan region:
Two major areas were identified as important stopover regions during autumn migration: the sub-Saharan region and the subtropical region. The birds spent a longer period in the sub-Saharan region.

🔹 Wintering areas:
Wintering areas extended across large parts of the southern African savanna zone, including Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Tanzania.

🔹 Importance of grasslands:
The study highlighted the important role of grassland habitats in providing suitable environments for European Rollers during the breeding season, migration, and wintering period.

Libya’s importance along the migration route:

The migration maps presented in the study indicate that Libya lies along the autumn migration route of some tracked individuals, with birds crossing Libyan territory as they travel from their European breeding grounds toward their sub-Saharan African wintering areas.

The maps also show stopover locations during autumn migration in parts of Libya, highlighting the potential importance of the country as a passage and stopover area for migratory birds. Some of Libya’s natural habitats may provide important feeding and resting opportunities for birds during their autumn journey.

These findings further emphasize the importance of strengthening migratory bird monitoring programmes in Libya, documenting passage and stopover sites, and studying the natural habitats used by migratory species throughout their seasonal movements.

It is worth noting that the European Roller is recorded in Libya as a passage migrant, passing through the country during migration without breeding or remaining there for the winter

The Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), known as BARBER, continues its return journey across Africa after crossing eastern Libya on September 12, 2026, on its way from its breeding grounds in Asia.

After passing through the Central African Republic, BARBER continued moving southwest, crossing into the Republic of the Congo. It then reached the Congolese coast before continuing south along the coastline and crossing into Angola.

The latest tracking data place BARBER approximately 140 km south of Luanda, the capital of Angola, after covering more than 2,000 km since Monday

September 16 marks Plover Appreciation Day, an awareness occasion dedicated to highlighting the importance of plovers and the challenges they face as a result of habitat loss and human activities, particularly along coastlines and in wetland environments.

Plovers belong to the family Charadriidae, a diverse group of shorebirds that exhibit a wide range of feeding, breeding, and behavioral adaptations.

Many plover species lay their eggs in shallow scrapes on the ground. Their nests and eggs are often highly camouflaged, helping them blend into their surroundings. Despite this adaptation, adults, eggs, and chicks remain vulnerable to trampling, disturbance, and predation.

Some species also use distraction displays, such as the broken-wing display, to lure potential predators away from their nests and young.

The Libyan bird list includes 12 species of plovers and lapwings recorded in Libya, with their status varying from winter visitor and passage migrant to resident breeder and occasional visitor:

1️⃣ Little Ringed Plover – Charadrius dubius

2️⃣ Common Ringed Plover – Charadrius hiaticula

3️⃣ Kentish Plover – Anarhynchus alexandrinus

4️⃣ Siberian Sandplover – Anarhynchus mongolus

5️⃣ Greater Sandplover – Anarhynchus leschenaultii

6️⃣ Eurasian Golden Plover – Pluvialis apricaria

7️⃣ Grey Plover – Pluvialis squatarola

8️⃣ Egyptian Plover – Pluvianus aegyptius

9️⃣ Spur-winged Lapwing – Vanellus spinosus

🔟 White-tailed Lapwing – Vanellus leucurus

1️⃣1️⃣ Northern Lapwing – Vanellus vanellus

1️⃣2️⃣ Eurasian Dotterel – Eudromias morinellus

Libya’s coastlines, wetlands, and open habitats play an important role in providing feeding and resting sites for both migratory and resident birds. Protecting these habitats and reducing human disturbance, particularly during breeding and migration periods, are therefore essential steps towards conserving biodiversity.

How can we help protect plovers?

▪️ Keep a safe distance from birds and their nests.

▪️ Avoid walking through breeding areas.

▪️ Keep dogs under control near sensitive habitats.

▪️ Support scientific monitoring and environmental awareness programmes.

▪️ Help protect wetlands and coastal habitats from pollution and degradation.

On this occasion, the Libyan Society for Birds (LSB) encourages for greater awareness of the importance of plovers and other shorebirds in Libya. Respecting their natural habitats—particularly breeding sites, wetlands, and coastal areas—and working to reduce the threats they face are essential for ensuring their continued survival and conservation