Scottish biologists head to Syria to search for critically endangered Bald ibis and Sociable lapwing.

02/03/2009 01:19:31 March 2009. Four Scottish conservationists have left for Syria to search for the critically endangered Sociable Lapwing and bald ibis. The RSPB team, Hywel Maggs, Graham Rebecca and John Wills from Aberdeenshire and Martin Scott from the Isle of Lewis, will be swapping the damp climate of March in Scotland to search for the Lapwing-like species in the dry arid steppes of Syria.

Satellite tracking sociable lapwing
Target species include Sociable Lapwing, a species that has declined sharply in recent years and breeds in Kazakhstan and migrates south in winter to Sudan. Recently satellite tracking of this species has shown that the northern Syrian steppes are a critical stop-over area for these plovers on migration and it is hoped that the Scottish team will be able to locate groups in the north eastern deserts.

Bald ibis nests
Syria is also crucial for the fabled Bald Ibis. Only two pairs are known from the Middle East, all nesting in Syria, and these birds too have been satellite tagged. It is thought that they will return to their nesting ledges in central Syria in early March.

Martin Scott, RSPB Scotland Western Isles Officer said: "All four of us are very excited. Syria looks to have some breathtaking habitats, from the lush Euphrates Valley to the dry steppes and stony deserts of the north. We hope to see lots of amazing birds, but more importantly pass on our knowledge and expertise to a nation that hosts some critical areas for wildlife. Of course, escaping the North of Scotland for six weeks at this time of year has certain appeal too!"

"This is a key international project. Work has been undertaken in Kazakhstan, Sudan and India on Sociable Lapwings, now it is Syria's turn to be in the limelight. It is a vast country, but not enough is known about its stunning birdlife."

Bald ibis foraging. Photo credit RSPBimages.com.

IBA
Areas have already been earmarked as under the international designation of IBA - Important Bird Areas. This has helped to attract sponsorship from acclaimed Austrian company Swarovski, the optical manufacturer, and from the Darwin Initiative which assists countries that are rich in biodiversity but poor in financial resources.

All four Scots hope to promote conservation through direct contact with local people and government officials, in a partnership first bringing together Britain's RSPB, The Syrian Ministry of the Environment and the Syrian Society for Conservation of Wildlife through the Darwin Initiative.