Bird counting has begun today in Hima Hammana with the Swiss and Swedish birders.
Students from Ras el Maten visited the site and participated in this charming activity. They learned about this amazing phenomenon happening on the Lebanese skies every autumn!
everyone can learn to count and identify flying eagles, buzzards, kites, storks and other birds.
Join and listen to bird migration experts giving their best advice and helping you to become a skilled birdwatcher.
Species include thousands of Lesser Spotted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawks, Honey Buzzards, and White Storks. A smaller number of Common Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Montagues Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Hobby, Red-footed Falcon, Peregrine, Steppe Eagle, Osprey, and Black Stork.
Also migrants like Bee-eater, Roller, Turtle Dove, Short-toed Lark, Tawny Pipit, Red-backed Shrike, Golden Oriole, and Ortolan Bunting.
“I can’t wait to participate in the regular threat monitoring for Hima Hammana. I understand that migratory birds face many threats and I would like to contribute to the efforts to decrease them Lebanon,” said a volunteer from Houmat El Hima.
The event was also used as an opportunity to spread the message about the need for safe flyways for migratory birds. A new study by BirdLife International recently showed that every year, approximately 25 million birds are being killed illegally in the Mediterranean region.
“On top of this, migratory birds face a number of other threats along their journey through the Mediterranean, including collision with wind turbines, electrocution by power lines and loss of key breeding, stop-over and wintering sites to development”. Said Assad Serhal, SPNL Director General.
This pilot raptor count is a cooperation between Society for Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), BirdLife Sweden Birdlife Switzerland and Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia (OSME).
Lebanon is covered by mountainous terrain, and it lies in the east side of the Mediterranean Sea. It has diversified habitats and is a favorable location for birds. It attracts around 300 different kinds of birds. In Lebanon, you can watch endangered species like Social Lapwing and the Imperial Eagle. There are quite a few designated sites for birding, and you will be in awe to watch the different species soaring high in the sky.
It will be beneficial if you read the Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East. It will give you information about the birds you can expect to see.
