Why Syria?

1. On a migration route of primary importance

The geographical location of Syria is unique as it lies at the junction of three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. This particular position, right along the major migration route passing between Asia, Africa and Europe, makes Syria one of the most important countries for bird conservation and for research on bird migration. In the South, a large part of the country is occupied by desert regions and a number of birds must adjust their migration route to fit with rare stop-over opportunities. In this particular context, an element of primary importance is, without a doubt, the Euphrates River which makes the North-South bi-annual migration route achievable.

2. What we know about Syria’s avifauna?

Little is known about Syrian avifauna. Many parts of the country have never been visited by birdwatchers and there has been almost no systematic fieldwork (Evans 1994). The IBA Inventory was based on observations by Kumerloeve in the 1960s (Kumerloeve 1967, 1969, 1972), Mac Farlane in the 1970s (Mac Farlane 1978) and Baugmart & Stephen in the early 1980s (Baugmart, Kasparek and Stephen 1995). Most of these observations were made over 20 years ago, a time period over which the Syrian human population has increased rapidly and there have been major changes in agricultural practices. It is likely that Syria’s wildlife has changed dramatically over this time. Independent visits by holidaying birdwatchers have indicated that much of the information in the IBA Inventory is outdated. Although some areas have been severely damaged (Murdoch, 2002), there have also been significant range expansions, notably that of the Irak Babbler (Turdoides altirostris), an endemic to the Mesopotamian basin (Vandemeuter and Soors 2001, Murdoch 2003, Liger et al., 2005). There are only two recents expeditions made in Syria. The first one was organized in 2003-04 and its main objective was to assess Syrian wetlands in winter (Murdoch et al. 2005). The second, was done in February and March 2007 and the main goal was to identify wintering areas of the critically endangered Sociable lapwing (Chettusia gregaria) (Hofland & Keijl 2007). Even despite the lack of regular and systematic expeditions, Syria’s avifauna has given us some of the most exciting recent conservation discoveries in the Western Palearctic: the locating of a new breeding population of Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) and of the largest wintering population of Sociable Lapwings, two of Eurasia’s most endangered birds.

3. Euphrates valley (IBA 010)

The entire Syrian Euphrates valley (420Km long), was included in the IBA Inventory, although very few data were available when it was compiled. The IBA Inventory indicated that the valley was a very important migration route for birds, yet only one winter survey was realized there in the past few decades (Murdoch et al. 2005). The little information we have on migration is from holidaying birdwatchers' brief visits (e.g. Hofland 1994, Wester 1998, Murdoch 2002, 2003, Liger et al., 2005, Dubois et al., 2006). Given the clear importance of this green corridor, a thorough survey of the Euphrates Valley is a key aim of the IFOSS. The specific aims are to: 1) precisely assess its importance for migratory birds and 2) identify areas that might qualify for individual IBA status in regard to their migratory importance.

Euphrate River

Euphrates valley, a green North-South corridor which links Asia and Europe to Africa and Arabian Peninsula.

Euphrates River near Halabbieh (Nidal ISSA, September 2005).