In 2025, every checklist I submitted to eBird became part of a global conservation effort. This article reflects on a year of birding in the field, highlighting species recorded, life birds added, media contributions, key locations, and the role of consistent data in turning personal passion into scientific impact.
The first weeks of 2026 brought exceptional birding moments to Aswan, with two notable lifers recorded during field and training trips. A Black Scrub Robin was documented for the first time in the governorate, followed days later by a rare Song Thrush — only the second record in Aswan and the first with photographic evidence, highlighting both personal milestones and the ongoing importance of careful bird documentation.
Winter Count 2026 marked the beginning of the year with purpose, uniting birdwatchers, nature lovers, and volunteers in a shared effort to record wintering birds. More than a simple field activity, the count highlighted the value of citizen science, community engagement, and long-term conservation data that help protect vulnerable species and key habitats.
In this 2025 recap, we highlight the top TripAdvisor reviews for Aswan Birdwatching trips. Through the words of guests from around the world, discover what made birdwatching along the Nile one of the most memorable nature experiences in Aswan – from expert local guiding to rich bird diversity and personalized outings.
تستكشف هذه المقالة دور الطيور في مصر القديمة، بين الواقع والرمز، وتكشف كيف ارتبطت بالحياة اليومية والطقوس الدينية، وظهورها في المقابر والمعابد والتحنيط، ما يعكس احترام المصريين القدماء للطبيعة وعلاقتهم الروحية بالعالم الحيواني.
Lifers are more than names on a checklist. In 2025, several remarkable species added to Ismael Khalifa’s Egypt Life List gained scientific and national importance, marking milestones not only in personal birding, but in Egypt’s growing contribution to global bird records.
Aswan Birdwatching proudly participated in the global Wader Conservation World Watch 2026, joining birders worldwide in documenting wader species for conservation. This annual event by Wader Quest brings together observers from all continents to highlight the importance of shorebirds and the habitats they depend on.
The second edition of Aswan Birdwatching’s ‘Birding For All’ initiative welcomed participants with visual, hearing, speaking, and intellectual disabilities, along with their families, for an inclusive birdwatching experience on the Nile islands.
Ismael Khalifa has achieved a milestone as the first Egyptian bird guide to be featured on the renowned 10,000Birds. His recognition brings new international attention to Aswan and highlights Egypt’s growing presence in the global birding community.
Last August, a two-day birding trip to Abu Simbel with wildlife photographer Mahmoud Elshamy turned into an unforgettable adventure. From the first-in-a-century breeding record of Reed Cormorant to the largest flock of Crimson-rumped Waxbills ever seen in Egypt, “the trip of blessings” revealed Lake Nasser’s hidden wildlife treasures in breathtaking fashion.
