Bird Monitoring Across Hima Sites Continues Amid Escalation in Lebanon

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon, SPNL, affirms that bird monitoring activities across Lebanon’s Hima sites are continuing despite ongoing military escalation and security challenges, underscoring the resilience of both nature and community-based conservation efforts.

From the wetlands of the Ammiq Wetland to the landscapes of West Bekaa and the migratory corridors crossing Mount Lebanon and Beirut, local observers and citizen scientists continue to document birdlife, providing critical data at a time when environmental monitoring is under threat.

Field observations conducted by Lebanese birder Chadi Saad in April 2026 documented more than 12 nesting pairs of Little Egret and Black-crowned Night Heron during the peak of the breeding season. This discovery represents a critical indicator of ecological resilience and habitat suitability within the Bekaa Valley’s wetland systems.

Resilience in the Field

Recent field observations by Chadi Saad manager of SPNL’s Hima Hammana Raptor Observatory highlight the importance of sustained monitoring:

• In Mansura, more than 12 breeding pairs of Little Egret and Black-crowned Night Heron were documented nesting during the peak breeding season.
• At Ammiq Wetland, surveys recorded over 27 night herons and 23 little egrets, alongside a rich diversity of wetland species.
• Along migration routes, observers reported large flocks of Common Crane and up to 500 White Stork, confirming that Lebanon remains a vital flyway despite current conditions.

These findings demonstrate that ecological processes, including migration and breeding, continue even in times of conflict, making their documentation more urgent than ever.

The Hima Approach: Protecting Life at Its Source

SPNL emphasizes that such breeding success underscores the importance of community-based conservation through the Hima approach, which integrates local stewardship with biodiversity protection.

Wetlands like those in West Bekaa are not only habitats for birds but also:

• Natural water filtration systems
• Buffers against climate variability
• Sources of livelihoods for surrounding communities

Protecting these ecosystems is essential to maintaining both ecological balance and human resilience.

A Call for Protection and Support

In light of these findings, SPNL calls for:

• Strengthened protection measures for wetland habitats in the Bekaa Valley
• Support for local communities engaged in conservation efforts
• Increased monitoring and research to document breeding populations
• Urgent investment in nature-based solutions to safeguard fragile ecosystems

A Sign of Resilience

At a time when Lebanon faces multiple environmental and socio-economic challenges, the nesting of herons and egrets in Mansura offers a powerful message:

Nature persists, if given the chance.

SPNL reaffirms its commitment to protecting Lebanon’s natural heritage, working hand in hand with communities to ensure that landscapes like Mansura continue to support life, today and for generations to come.