In a remarkable natural moment, the visit of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Members’ Network delegation to the Patriarchal See in Bkerke coincided with the passage of migrating storks overhead, creating a striking panoramic scene that symbolically united nature with spiritual significance, carrying a message of hope and peace.
أسعد سرحال مسؤول BirdLife International في الشرق الأوسط والمدير العام ل SPNL: الهجرة معجزة طبيعية ولبنان ممرّ أساسي للطيور pic.twitter.com/bXJLmrmip8
— GHADI NEWS (@GHADINEWS) March 20, 2026
Members of the delegation shared their observations with His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, who expressed keen interest in the phenomenon and emphasized the importance of protecting nature and preserving Lebanon’s rich biodiversity.
In this context, Assad Serhal, Director General of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) and Regional Representative of BirdLife International in the Middle East, noted that the visit took on a special dimension with the storks’ migration. He stated that “bird migration is one of the most extraordinary natural phenomena, reflecting the resilience and balance of ecosystems, as if nature itself is sending a living message of continuity despite all challenges.”
He highlighted that Lebanon is a critical stop along global migratory routes, where birds rely on ancient, well-established flyways. He further stressed that the Hima approach, promoted by SPNL, provides an effective model for protecting these routes by engaging local communities and ensuring safe habitats for migratory birds.
Serhal added that expanding the Hima network not only safeguards bird populations but also strengthens a sustainable environmental culture that restores harmony between people and nature, ensuring the continuity of this unique phenomenon for future generations.
For his part, Fadi Ghanem, Coordinator of the IUCN Members’ Network and President of Ghadi Association, described the sight of storks flying over Bkerke as deeply symbolic, going beyond its natural beauty to reflect a meaningful connection between sky and earth, especially in light of the challenging circumstances facing Lebanon and the region.
He stressed that Lebanon plays a vital ecological role as a global corridor for migratory birds, which calls for increased responsibility to protect these species and their natural pathways. He also noted that migratory birds serve as key indicators of ecosystem health and environmental balance.
Ghanem concluded by calling for strengthened national efforts to conserve natural habitats, particularly through Hima initiatives, and to foster a culture of respect for wildlife, stating: “Let them pass in peace, they carry messages of hope from the sky to the earth.”
Scientific Brief on the White Stork
The white stork is among the most prominent migratory bird species passing through Lebanon each year along the Europe–Africa flyway. It relies on thermal air currents to glide long distances with minimal energy use. Lebanon lies along the “Eastern Flyway,” one of the world’s three main bird migration routes, through which millions of birds travel annually.
Storks play an important ecological role by helping maintain natural balance through feeding on insects and small organisms, making them a valuable indicator of ecosystem health. Their conservation is closely linked to the protection of natural habitats, particularly wetlands and open agricultural landscapes.
SPNL experts emphasize that strengthening Hima sites and protected areas is essential for conserving biodiversity in Lebanon and reinforcing the country’s role as a key link in the global bird migration network.
