Abstract
Systematic surveys of mainly coastal wetlands in Libya were carried out for the fi rst time in January 2005 and 2006, to identify sites of major importance for waterbirds in winter. In 2005, nearly 30,000 waterbirds were found, and in 2006 over 52,000, with large numbers of gulls recorded in both years. The surveys showed that Libyan wetlands are used by a range of species, notably the near-threatened Mediterranean endemic Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii, several other gull species, wildfowl and waders. Eurasian Cranes Grus grus were found well into the desert. Overall, Libyan wetlands are internationally important for waterbirds of Mediterranean lagoon ecosystems, including Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus, Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus and Slender-billed Gull Larus genei. They also provide different types of typical Mediterranean wetland habitat. A number of species rarely recorded were observed, including birds new to Libya, but the Critically Endangered Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris was not found. Waterbirds previously considered to winter exclusively south of the Sahara, such as Purple Heron Ardea purpurea, Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides and Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus were also observed. Sightings of colour-ringed birds indicated that waterbirds wintering in Libya had migrated there from eastern, northern and western Eurasia. Key words: Libya, wetlands, waterbirds, winter, Mediterranean lagoons.