Remarkable Bird Watching in Egypt
Egypt is at the junction of three continents: Asia, Europe and Africa. Egypt’s unique location means that the country is fortunate to have a large selection of habitats. Ecosystems vary from deserts and oases, to wetlands and cultivated areas. Each of these varying habitats has a number of diverse bird species. Egypt is, indeed, a birder’s paradise.
The Western Desert of Egypt is one of the most arid regions in the world and in some parts there is no bird life at all. However, in other sections of the Western Desert you will find saline lakes and oases which provide the ideal conditions for a diverse range of fauna and flora. The Eastern Desert of Egypt is located in the middle of the Red Sea and the Nile Valley, near the boarder of Sudan and the Elba Mountains. These areas are rich in plant and animal species some of which are found nowhere else but here. The Sinai Desert of Egypt is made up of sand dunes, gravel plains, several mountain ranges and lagoons and is a biodiversity hotspot, thus a great region for bird watchers to tour. Most of the wetlands and cultivated areas can be found in the Nile Valley and Delta. The wetlands are some of the richest habitats in Egypt when it comes to bird life.
Egypt is located along major bird migration routes. Over a billion birds travel this particular route twice a year, during autumn and spring. Many of the bird species that take part in the migration are Western Palearctic. The soaring birds that migrate to Egypt include the Black and White Stork, White Pelican and the European Crane. The birds of prey that come to Egypt are the Booted Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Steppe Buzzard and the Levant Sparrow Hawk.
Many species of water birds will use the Egyptian wetlands as wintering sites. During the spring and autumn seasons a large variety of passerines, near passerines and other types of water bird species will come visit Egypt. Egypt’s wintering sites have become internationally recognized for the important role that they play. Many threatened species around the world can be found in Egypt. These birds include the Pallid Harrier, Imperial Eagle, White-eyed Gull, Spotted Eagle, African Skimmer Duck, the Lappet-faced Vulture, Ferruginous Duck and the Great Snipe.
Some of the best birding locations in Egypt include Egypt’s cultural heritage sites, which attract many tourists to the country. Egypt is a perfect location for birding all year round. The season you would choose to come depends on what bird species you are keen on spotting. During the spring season (March to May) you can see the largest number of bird species that have migrated to the area. Birds like storks and raptors are seen here during this season.
