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Author: abdulnasser eisa

Preliminary Results of the 8th International White Stork Census (Ciconia ciconia): Libya Among the Participating Countries for the First Time.

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The International White Stork Census (Ciconia ciconia) is one of the most prominent long-term scientific monitoring programs for birds at the global level. Conducted roughly every ten years, the census aims to assess the population status, geographical distribution, and breeding rates of White Storks across their main range in Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia.

The program is implemented under the supervision of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) in Germany, in coordination with BirdLife International and its network of national and regional partners. It relies on the collection of precise field data by scientists, environmental observers, and volunteers to analyze population dynamics and evaluate the impact of environmental, climatic, and urban changes on this species.

In 2024, the 8th International White Stork Census was carried out with the participation of 55 countries from the species’ main distribution areas — including Libya, which joined this global program for the first time. The census in Libya was coordinated by the Libyan Society for Birds (LSB) in collaboration with the Alhaya Organization for the Protection of Wildlife and Marine Organisms.

According to preliminary results recently released by NABU, data from 38 countries have been received so far, including Libya, Turkey, and Ukraine, while several countries continue their data analysis through 2025. Early indicators suggest a continued positive trend in White Stork populations compared to previous censuses, showing an increase of approximately 40% since the 1994/1995 census, largely attributed to improved environmental conditions and the restoration of wetlands in breeding areas.

Libya’s participation in this program highlights the importance of integrating national efforts into international scientific initiatives for monitoring migratory birds. It also represents a significant scientific milestone toward assessing the status of bird populations in Libya and supporting strategies for the conservation of natural habitats and biodiversity across the country.

Field Scientific Trip to Farwa Island to Enhance Cooperation in Wetland Research.

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Today, Saturday, November 11, 2025, the Libyan Society for Birds participated in a field scientific trip to Farwa Island, in collaboration with the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science – University of Tripoli, and  Besida Society for the Protection of Farwa Island and Lagoon, as part of the field activities for postgraduate students enrolled in the “Wetlands” course.

This participation comes within the framework of enhancing scientific collaboration, and the trip included several scientific activities, such as observing and recording bird species present on the island and the Lagoon, in addition to the Fumm Al-Waad area, east of Farwa Island. During the trip, participants were also provided with scientific information on the importance of wetlands and their rich biodiversity. These activities contributed to raising environmental awareness and enhancing field knowledge among the participating students.

The Libyan Society for Birds extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of this scientific trip, especially Besida Society, the Department of Zoology – Faculty of Science, University of Tripoli, and the Movement Department at the university for their support and logistical facilitation.

The Libyan Bird Society Continues Its Efforts to Restore Wetlands through Awareness Activities in Tawergha (PROZHUM Project).

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As part of the Engaging the Local Community in the Restoration of Tawergha Wetland project, implemented by the Libyan Bird Society in collaboration with the Tawergha Municipal Council, a comprehensive awareness program was held on Wednesday, October 23, 2025. The initiative aimed to enhance environmental awareness regarding the threats of plastic pollution and its negative impacts on ecosystems.

The program included a field campaign to collect plastic waste in the Ain Tawergha area, with active participation from the Tawergha Scout Group. An educational discussion session was also conducted for Cubs and Scouts to introduce them to the environmental consequences of plastic pollution on wildlife and to highlight practical solutions for reducing plastic use and ensuring its safe disposal.

At the end of the event, the Libyan Bird Society expressed its sincere appreciation to all participants from the Tawergha Scout Group for their positive engagement and contribution to the success of this environmental activity. Special thanks were extended to Mr. Saleh Al-Qadi, Head of the Tawergha Municipal Council, for his continuous support of the project, as well as to Mr. Mokhtar Shartil, Director of the Entrepreneurship Office in Tawergha, for his efforts in coordinating and supporting environmental awareness initiatives in the city.

Celebration of World Migratory Bird Day in Tripoli under the theme “Shared Spaces: Creating Cities and Communities Friendly to Birds”.

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In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, the Libyan Society for Birds, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, organized an environmental awareness event on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Zawiyat al-Dahmani Park in Tripoli. This year’s celebration was held under the theme “Shared Spaces: Creating Cities and Communities Friendly to Birds.”

The event targeted youth and children, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of birds and their crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Participants included members of the Third Scout Troop of Shatt Al-Hanshir, along with groups of young visitors to the park.

Among the day’s highlights were informative sessions introducing migratory birds and their environmental significance, as well as a plastic recycling workshop where participants created bird feeders and water stations from reused materials. The event also featured a hands-on telescope observation session, allowing children to experience birdwatching firsthand.

At the end of the event, the Libyan Society for Birds extended its sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Environment for its support and cooperation in ensuring the success of the celebration, and to the Third Scout Troop of Shatt Al-Hanshir for their active participation. The Society also appreciated the children’s active engagement with the activities and the environmental messages of the celebration

Awareness Workshops within the Project on Engaging the Local Community in the Restoration of Tawergha Wetland.

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As part of the activities of the Engaging the Local Community in the Restoration of Tawergha Wetland project, implemented by the Libyan Society for Birds in collaboration with the Tawergha Municipal Council, an integrated awareness program was held on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, featuring two workshops addressing key environmental issues related to wetlands and bird conservation.

The program began with a workshop entitled “Wetlands and Their Vital Role in Maintaining Ecosystem Balance”, presented by Ms. Majdoline Al-Faqi, a member of the Libyan Society for Birds, at the Faculty of Humanities and Applied Sciences in Tawergha. The session highlighted the ecological importance of wetlands in water purification, providing habitats for wildlife, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. The workshop saw enthusiastic participation from university students, who showed interest in environmental sustainability concepts.

The second workshop, entitled “Illegal Killing of Birds (IKB)”, was presented by Prof. Khaled Etayeb, Head of the Libyan Society for Birds, The session discussed the crucial ecological role of birds in maintaining natural balance, reviewed the scale of IKB in Libya and neighboring countries, and introduced the main international conventions protecting migratory birds. Several relevant local offices and environmental stakeholders took part in the event.

Finally, the Libyan Society for Birds extends its sincere appreciation to all participants for their positive engagement, with special thanks to Mr. Saleh Al-Qadi, Head of the Tawergha Municipal Council, for his continuous support of the project’s activities, and to Mr. Mukhtar Sharteel, Director of the Entrepreneurship Office and Business Incubator in Tawergha, for his dedicated efforts in making this important awareness event a success.

An Online Coordination Meeting to Discuss Mechanisms for Combating the Illegal Killing of Birds (IKB) in Libya within the Mediterranean Cooperation Framework.

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An online coordination meeting was held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, via Google Meet to discuss the project and file on combating the illegal killing of birds. The meeting was organized under the supervision of Tour du Valat (France) and convened by the project coordinator and the Coordinator of the Mediterranean Waterbirds Network (MWN).

The meeting brought together the president and members of the Libyan Society for Birds, along with the president of the Life Organization for the Protection of Marine and Terrestrial Wildlife.

The objective of this meeting was to define a clear goal for advocacy and action against the illegal killing of birds, as well as to identify key objectives and a roadmap for achieving them within the framework of regional cooperation across the Mediterranean Basin.

The agenda included a roundtable discussion addressing related issues, a PESTEL context analysis, a brainstorming session to set the advocacy goal, stakeholder mapping, and the discussion of communication and coordination matters among partners

Libyan Bird Society Conducts Field Survey to Monitor Migratory Birds in Celebration of World Migratory Bird Day.

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As part of the celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, held this year under the theme “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities,” the Libyan Bird Society conducted a field activity on Saturday, 11 October 2025, in coordination with the Bessida Society for the Protection of Farwa Island and Lagoon. The activity focused on documenting and counting bird species in the Fumm Al-Waad area, east of Farwa Island.

This initiative forms part of the Society’s participation in the Global Birding Day program, which aims to update global bird databases and contribute to ongoing research efforts on migratory patterns and species distribution.

During the field survey, a total of 26 bird species were recorded, as follows:

Phoenicopterus roseus – Greater Flamingo
Platalea leucorodia – Eurasian Spoonbill
Egretta garzetta – Little Egret
Ardea cinerea – Grey Heron
Pluvialis squatarola – Grey Plover (Black-bellied Plover)
Charadrius hiaticula – Common Ringed Plover
Anarhynchus alexandrinus – Kentish Plover
Calidris minuta – Little Stint
Calidris alpina – Dunlin
Limosa lapponica – Bar-tailed Godwit
Numenius arquata – Eurasian Curlew
Actitis hypoleucos – Common Sandpiper
Tringa stagnatilis – Marsh Sandpiper
Tringa totanus – Common Redshank
Arenaria interpres – Ruddy Turnstone
Chroicocephalus genei – Slender-billed Gull
Ichthyaetus audouinii – Audouin’s Gull
Larus fuscus – Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus michahellis – Yellow-legged Gull
Thalasseus sandvicensis – Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus bengalensis – Lesser Crested Tern
Alcedo atthis – Common Kingfisher
Lanius excubitor – Great Grey Shrike
Galerida cristata – Crested Lark
Hirundo rustica – Barn Swallow
Sturnus vulgaris – Common Starling

Farwa Island is considered one of the most important coastal sites in western Libya, serving as a key stopover for migratory birds crossing the Mediterranean. The island represents a priority area for monitoring and conservation efforts, highlighting its ecological significance and the need to preserve its natural habitats.

Participation of the Libyan Society for Birds in the National Workshop on Marine Biodiversity Monitoring and Protected Areas Management in Zuwara.

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The Libyan Society for Birds participated in the National Training Workshop on Marine Biodiversity Monitoring and Protected Areas Management, which began on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in Zuwara, organized by the Ministry of Environment, in partnership with the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (SPA/RAC), the World Wide Fund (WWF), and the Besida Society for the Protection of Farwa Island and Lagoon.

The five-day workshop aims to enhance national capacities in the fields of marine biodiversity monitoring and conservation, through a series of key thematic areas, including:

  • Conservation of marine turtles.
  • Marine seagrasses and algae.
  • Seabirds.
  • Marine mammals.
  • Management of marine protected areas.

The workshop featured an active participation by the Libyan Society for Birds, represented by its president, Prof. Khaled Etayeb, as a trainer in the field of seabirds. On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, he delivered a series of specialized training sessions covering:

  • Identification and classification of seabirds.
  • Scientific techniques for bird census and monitoring.
  • Field survey planning and sampling strategies.
  • Methods for monitoring bird nesting activities.
  • Bird tagging and ringing for research purposes.

A practical field training session was also conducted in the Fumm Al-Waad area at Farwa Lagoon on Thursday, October 9, 2025, focusing on species identification, bird counting, and nesting monitoring.

The Society also participated with three trainees, namely Elias Alhelali, Mahmoud Abu Hajar, and Majdoline Al-Faqi. In addition, several members of the Society were involved in the organizing committee of the workshop, Ashraf Glidan (Administrative and Financial Director of the Society), Ala Nuwayji, and Abdulnasser Eisa.

The Libyan Society for Birds expressed its appreciation to all organizing and partner institutions for their efforts in supporting marine biodiversity conservation programs in Libya. The Society emphasized the importance of continuing such initiatives to enhance environmental knowledge and strengthen national capacities for the protection and sustainable management of marine ecosystems.

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Libyan Society for Birds Participates in a Workshop on the Green List of Protected Areas.

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At the invitation of the Ministry of Environment, the Libyan Society for Birds participated in a media workshop entitled “Media Day on the Green List of Protected Areas”, held on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, at the Natural Resources Department of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The workshop was organized in cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, with the participation of several civil society organizations and relevant institutions. The event also featured virtual participation via Microsoft Teams by a representative of the World Wide Fund for Nature – North Africa (WWF NA), in addition to contributions from representatives of the International Union for Conservation of Nature – Mediterranean (IUCN).

The workshop program included several presentations:

  • Overview of the Green List Programme: global and regional objectives, standards, and implementation (a presentation by WWF – North Africa).
  • Green List Standard: structure, theory of change, evidence, challenges, and outcomes (a presentation by IUCN – Mediterranean).
  • COMPASS Platform: an overview of the platform (delivered by IUCN – Mediterranean).
  • Protected Areas in Libya: a presentation by the Ministry of Environment.

The workshop concluded with an open discussion session, during which the importance of strengthening national and regional coordination was emphasized, and a plan was announced to organize follow-up workshops aimed at preparing the technical files required for the nomination of two Libyan protected areas to be accredited under the Green List of Protected Areas Programme.

The Habitrack Project reveals the arduous migration journey of the European Turtle-dove Streptopelia turtur across Libya and the Sahara Desert.

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As part of the EU-funded Habitrack Project, BirdLife Malta successfully tracked a full migration cycle of a European Turtle-dove (Streptopelia turtur) named “May”. The bird was tagged in April 2024 at the Comino ringing station, using a lightweight, solar-powered tracking device.

Data revealed that May migrated from her breeding grounds in Sicily, passing through Libya and across the Sahara Desert to Mali, where she spent the winter after covering more than 3,300 km. In spring 2025, she returned again via Libya in a challenging journey that included a failed attempt to cross the Mediterranean due to storms, before finally succeeding in reaching Sicily and settling back at her previous nesting site.

These findings highlight the crucial role of Libyan territory as an important corridor for migratory birds, while also revealing the significant natural and human-induced challenges these species face. They further underline the urgent need to strengthen conservation efforts, particularly given the continuation of unsustainable hunting practices that pose a direct threat to birds during migration.

Photos: BirdLife Malta.

Falcons in Libya: Between Biodiversity and Threats.

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With the onset of autumn, falcons of the genus Falco begin their migration across Libyan skies. These birds represent an important component of local ecosystems and serve as a valuable symbol of the country’s biological heritage. However, these species face increasing threats in Libya from illegal capture and trade, particularly during migration periods.

Eleven species of the genus Falco have been recorded in Libya, namely: Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus, Vulnerable – VU), Merlin (Falco columbarius), Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo), Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae), Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor, VU), Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus), Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug, Endangered – EN), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), and Barbary Falcon (Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides).

Unfortunately, illegal methods are used to capture these falcons, including the use of smaller birds, such as kestrels or doves, as bait to lure them into traps. This practice constitutes a serious threat to the targeted species, particularly those listed on the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable or Endangered.

In addition, the cross-border trade of these birds is regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Libya is a party. Any illegal capture or trade thus represents a clear violation of international obligations.

Protecting falcons in Libya is a shared responsibility of local communities, government authorities, and civil society organizations. Halting illegal capture and regulating the trade of these birds is essential to ensure the survival of these species and to safeguard our natural heritage and ecosystem balance for future generations.

Libyan Society for Birds.

The 3rd Ordinary Meeting of the Libyan Society for Birds for 2025.

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The third meeting of the Libyan Society for Birds was held on the morning of Saturday, 20 September 2025, at the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science – University of Tripoli, starting at 10:00 AM.

The meeting was opened by the Society’s President, Prof. Khaled Etayeb, with a welcoming speech to the attending members. Several items on the agenda were then reviewed and discussed, including:

  • The BROZHUM Project titled “Engaging the Local Community in Wetland Rehabilitation in Tawergha,” implemented by the Libyan Society for Birds in collaboration with the Tawergha Municipal Council branch.
  • The Plastic Control Project on Farwa Island, carried out by the Bessida Society for the Protection of Farwa Island and Lake under the supervision of the Libyan Society for Birds.
  • The Society’s activities and participation in environmental events.
  • The World Migratory Bird Day celebration – October 2025.
  • The Libyan Society for Birds participation in the environmental camp on Farwa Island, supervised by the Ministry of Environment in cooperation with the Bessida Society.

Under the “Other Business” item, the following points were discussed:

  • Participation of the Society in an environmental camp organized by the Ministry of Youth at the end of September.
  • Launch of the English version of the “Libya Bird Observation” platform.
  • Submission of a project under CEPF programs.

The meeting concluded at 12:00 PM after a productive discussion emphasizing the Society’s ongoing role in strengthening national efforts to protect birds and conserve biodiversity.