In an extraordinary development for ornithology and Western Palearctic birding, the Reed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus) has bred in Egypt for the first time in more than 100 years. This historic record was confirmed when two juveniles were photographed at Lake Nasser on 23 August 2025 by a group of Egyptian birders: Mahmoud Elshamy, Ismael Khalifa, Ahmed Dawoud, and Noha Mohi.
A Rediscovery After a Century
According to Birds of Egypt (1989), the Reed Cormorant formerly bred in the country, but the last confirmed record dates back to 1903. After more than a century of absence, the trail was revived on 26 March 2024, when a flock of at least 20 individuals was observed by Thomas Chinnick at Lake Nasser, near Egypt’s southern border with Sudan.
This year, the team’s observation of active nests with chicks finally provided irrefutable evidence that the species is once again reproducing in Egypt: a monumental event in the nation’s ornithological history.
The Significance of Lake Nasser
Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest man-made lakes, has long been recognized as a key refuge for birdlife. Its vast shorelines and scattered islands provide crucial foraging grounds and safe nesting habitats for a wide variety of species.
The confirmation of breeding Reed Cormorants underscores the lake’s importance as a sanctuary for both resident and migratory birds. It suggests that this artificial waterbody, created less than 60 years ago, has evolved into an ecosystem capable of sustaining species once thought lost from Egypt’s landscape.
Why This Record Matters
The successful breeding of the Reed Cormorant in Egypt is more than just an exciting sighting. It carries broad ecological and conservation implications:
Range Expansion: The species may be expanding its distribution northward, possibly driven by environmental change or new habitat opportunities.
Ecosystem Health: The ability of Lake Nasser to support a breeding colony signals a productive and resilient ecosystem.
Citizen Science: This milestone is a testament to the dedication of local birders. Without the persistent fieldwork of Mahmoud Elshamy, Ismael Khalifa, Ahmed Dawoud, and Noha Mohi, this record might never have come to light.
A New Chapter for Egyptian Ornithology
The discovery of a breeding colony after more than a century demonstrates the resilience of nature and the importance of local conservation efforts. For the Egyptian birding community, it is also a moment of pride and proof that passionate observation and careful documentation can yield discoveries of global significance.
As a detailed report on this breeding record is being prepared, the Lake Nasser cormorants remind us that Egypt’s landscapes still hold many secrets. And sometimes, with patience and dedication, a chapter closed for a century can be rewritten.
