Egypt marked World Migratory Birds Day at the Galala Bird Observatory, a critical transit point for migratory birds on their way across Egypt, on 10 May. This year’s theme was “Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities” and was designed to draw attention to the importance of designing and managing urban landscapes that are hospitable to both avian and human populations.
In response to the alarming global decline in bird populations, Egypt is embracing bird-friendly practices to transform cities into safe havens for migratory species.
This year’s day was organised by Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and saw the participation of wildlife experts, ornithologists, journalists, and members of the Environment and Development Writers Association.
Bird sightings were recorded and uploaded to the global eBird platform to enhance scientific mapping efforts.
At the event, discussions to boost cooperation on biodiversity, especially the protection of migratory birds, were held between Yasmine Fouad, the minister of environment, Khaled Al-Noubi, president of the Egyptian Society for the Conservation of Nature, and Tim Appleton, founder and director of Global Birdfair.
The Galala Bird Observatory, located in the Eastern Desert, was presented with a mural depicting different species of migratory birds in the presence of Hoda Omar, assistant environment minister for ecotourism.
The key drivers of avian migration include the search for food, escape from extreme climatic conditions in native habitats, and the need for suitable breeding grounds. Birds instinctively seek environments conducive to nesting and chick-rearing, while also navigating the challenges posed by environmental degradation and climate change, such as fluctuating temperatures, water scarcity, and the pollution of natural ecosystems.
Fouad noted that the thematic day serves to spread awareness about the importance of protecting migratory birds and threats associated with their migration.
While the day is meant to point to the challenges that migratory birds can face during their long, arduous, and often perilous journeys, it is also aimed at shedding light on the importance of protecting migration routes, Al-Noubi said.
He referred to the Global Big Day, a citizen science initiative in which thousands of birdwatchers across the globe document bird sightings within a 24-hour period. The observational data, submitted to eBird, contributes to generating a comprehensive scientific portrait of bird populations, migratory patterns, and ecological trends, thereby informing and directing global conservation strategies.
Watter Al-Bahari, a field conservation officer, said the Galala Bird Observatory lies along a major migratory corridor. Since its inception four years ago, the Observatory has been managed by NCE to develop avian research and species preservation. He added that plans for the construction of the observatory’s main facility, cultural centre, and visitor walkway have been finalised, with implementation set to commence in the near future.
Al-Bahari said that the observatory is poised to become an ecotourism landmark in Egypt, drawing visitors from around the world to watch birds during their migratory journeys. It is built 750 metres above sea level.
OBSERVATION: The NCE has recorded the passage of 354,571 migratory birds this season.
Of these, the Galala Observatory has documented the passage of over 90 per cent of the global population of Steppe Eagles and more than 50 per cent of the global population of Levant Sparrowhawks, among 34 observed species, making it an important contributor to avian scientific data, Al-Bahari said.
Mohamed Hussein, energy programme manager at the NCE, referred to civil society initiatives to support biodiversity conservation. He said the NCE had conducted a series of field studies and environmental surveys between 2019 and 2022 in the Gulf of Suez and South Sinai, which are vulnerable to the impact of energy infrastructure on bird populations.
The studies were meant to identify power transmission lines with the highest risk of avian collisions by tracking migratory routes, pinpointing high-density crossing zones, and analysing the species most at risk.
The studies revealed that the White Stork and White Pelican were most at risk. Based on the findings, the NCE developed a guidance map outlining priority areas for intervention, including rerouting transmission lines or installing reflectors, he added.
In addition, the NCE coordinated with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company to modify 20 km of high-risk transmission lines in the Tor-Sharm El-Sheikh corridor, one of the most perilous areas for migratory birds. Reflectors were installed on these lines in January to enhance visibility for birds and reduce collision risks, Hussein said.
To assess the effectiveness of the measures, two field evaluation visits were conducted. Preliminary observations indicated a marked decrease in bird collisions. However, the NCE said final conclusions will be drawn following the end of the migration season and several consecutive monitoring cycles.
Hussein added that the NCE is working on finalising import arrangements to buy more reflectors in coordination with a leading wind energy facility in the Gulf of Suez. The reflectors will be deployed on a critical transmission line identified through field data as having high migratory bird traffic. Installation is scheduled for completion within the next two months, he noted.
Nadia Sherif, a conservation researcher with the Galala Bird Observatory, said that the observatory is partnering with Galala University to bridge the gap between academic research and fieldwork and qualify Egyptian experts in ornithology and biodiversity conservation.
Qamar Al-Kady, a communication officer, said the observatory has forged strategic international partnerships, including with Global Birdfair, which co-funded efforts to develop it. While cooperation with the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union and the Ornithological Society of the Middle East had resulted in the organisation of capacity-building programmes, collaboration with BirdLife International partners along the eastern flyway is continuing to enhance the observatory’s research and educational status, he said.
The observatory has also welcomed international volunteers to join its field team alongside national trainees. On World Migratory Bird Day, it received an official delegation from the Ministry of Environment to reinforce institutional support, Al-Kady said.
In addition, the observatory is collaborating with the Environment and Development Writers Association, a distinguished group of environmental journalists in Egypt aiming to increase awareness about bird migration corridors and the urgent need to protect them.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 22 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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