Blog by: Ismael Khalifa
I’m taking a moment to express my deepest gratitude to an extraordinary birder and friend, Dick Hoek. Since 1993, Dick has been a regular visitor to Aswan, sharing his passion for birds and enriching our understanding of the local avifauna.
I’ve had the privilege of learning from Dick’s vast expertise, particularly in bird ID.
His guidance has been invaluable, and I’m grateful for the many birding walks we’ve shared in Aswan’s diverse hotspots.
Dick’s fascination with breeding colonies has led to significant contributions to our knowledge of Aswan’s resident birds. His scientific papers on the subject are a testament to his dedication and expertise. Our recent meeting was a wonderful opportunity to discuss a list of breeding birds in Aswan.
I’ll never forget Dick’s thoughtful gift of the Collins Bird Guide, 2nd edition, which sparked my passion for birding. Dick’s recommendation of me as a birding guide to visiting Dutch birders has also been a tremendous boost to my career.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Dick for everything he’s done for me and for the birding community in Aswan. Your friendship, guidance, and shared passion for birds have made a lasting impact on my life.
Thank you, dear Dick! 💐🙏
Dick Hoek has many scientific publications on the birds of Egypt.