Lebanon’s coastline, stretching from Batroun to Cheikh Zennad, serves as an essential habitat for migrating and breeding marine birds. Despite the country’s relatively small size, its strategic location along the Mediterranean Flyway makes it an important stopover for thousands of seabirds. A study by Dr. Ghassan Ramadan-Jaradi, published in the Lebanese Science Journal in 2017, provides the most comprehensive assessment yet of the status and distribution of marine bird species in northern Lebanon.
A Rich but Threatened Biodiversity
The study recorded 2,681 individual birds, representing 86 species, classified into various ecological groups: foreshore birds, coastal species, maritime species, ducks, herons, and saltwater-related birds. Among the most numerous were the Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) and the Common Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus), which dominate the region’s coastal environment.
However, the research also highlights a crucial finding—the presence of globally vulnerable species, including the Yelkouan Shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan), an endemic species to the Mediterranean. Ranking ninth in seabird abundance, its presence underscores Lebanon’s potential role in improving the conservation status of at-risk marine bird species.
Seasonal Shifts and Population Trends
The study categorized the bird populations based on their migratory and residency patterns:
- 48 species are passage migrants and winter visitors.
- 31 species are passage migrants.
- 5 species are strictly winter visitors.
- 2 species are classified as vagrants.
This classification reveals that many species once considered rare—such as the Armenian Gull (Larus armenicus), Slender-billed Gull (Chroicocephalus genei), and Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis)—are actually fairly common winter visitors, challenging previous assumptions about their presence in Lebanon.
Conservation Challenges and Habitat Threats
Lebanon’s marine bird populations face several threats, primarily habitat destruction and pollution. The study notes that habitat loss along the coast has significantly contributed to the decline of several species over the past 22 years. Coastal areas, once abundant with marine bird activity, are being disrupted by urban expansion, unregulated tourism, and industrial waste dumping into the sea.
Additionally, ingestion of pollutants and entanglement in plastic waste further endanger seabirds, particularly those that rely on Lebanon’s shores for feeding and resting. Studies elsewhere have shown that seabirds are among the most threatened bird groups worldwide, and this research confirms that Lebanon is not an exception.
Breeding and Nesting: A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the challenges, the study documented significant breeding activity among marine birds in North Lebanon. Most notably, the Yellow-legged Gull breeding population was estimated at 160 pairs, indicating a stable presence. Moreover, the study confirmed the second and third national breeding records of the Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), a species previously thought to have extremely limited breeding activity in Lebanon.
A Call for Action: What Can Be Done?
Given Lebanon’s role as a critical migratory corridor, conservation efforts must be strengthened to ensure the protection of marine bird populations. The study provides several recommendations to address these threats:
- Habitat Protection: Preserve and expand protected coastal zones, ensuring undisturbed nesting sites for vulnerable species.
- Pollution Control: Implement stricter waste management policies to reduce plastic pollution and chemical runoff into the sea.
- Sustainable Development Regulations: Limit construction and urban expansion in key bird habitats along the coast.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Educate local communities and stakeholders about the importance of marine birds and their role in maintaining ecological balance.
- Continuous Monitoring and Research: Enhance seabird monitoring programs to track population trends and detect emerging threats early on.
Looking Forward
Lebanon’s marine bird diversity is both a treasure and a responsibility. The findings from this study emphasize the urgency of conservation action. While some species have shown resilience, others remain vulnerable to environmental pressures that could dramatically alter their populations in the coming years.
By prioritizing habitat conservation, pollution control, and scientific research, Lebanon has the opportunity to solidify its role as a guardian of the Mediterranean’s rich avian biodiversity. The question remains: will we take action before it’s too late?
We hope you enjoy reading the study
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