Every year, something truly magnificent unfolds above Egypt’s skies —hundreds of thousands of migratory soaring birds arrive to rest, feed, and continue their journey between Eurasia and Africa. On May 10th, we honor these incredible travelers by celebrating Migratory Birds Day and reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding their ancient routes.

The Heart of Migration: Egypt’s Critical Flyway

The Rift Valley and Red Sea flyway forms the second most important corridor worldwide for migratory soaring birds, including raptors, storks, pelicans, and ibises. Each year, over 2 million birds from 37 species traverse this route, among them five globally threatened species. They journey from their breeding grounds in Europe and West Asia to wintering areas across Africa — a route vital for global biodiversity.

Egypt's strategic geographical location positions it at the heart of the Red Sea flyway, acting as a bridge between continents and making it a vital hub for migration. Yet, this precious passage faces challenges — especially as the country aims to generate 42% of its energy from renewables by 2035. Wind energy development, while crucial for sustainability, overlaps with key bird flight paths, posing risks to these magnificent migrants.

Balancing Green Energy and Bird Conservation

In response, Egypt launched the Migratory Soaring Birds (MSB) project in 2010, implemented by the Ministry of Environment, in partnership with UNDP, BirdLife International, and supported by the Global Environment Facility. The project has pioneered innovative measures like the Shutdown on Demand (SOD) programme, which temporarily halts turbines during peak migration periods using advanced radar technology, ensuring both renewable energy growth and bird conservation.

This project not only conserves the flyway but also promotes inclusive development. It has trained 200+ staff (75 women) and engaged local communities — including university students and bird observers — fostering green jobs and empowering local stewards of the environment.

Thanks to these efforts, Egypt has drastically reduced energy loss from 9% to just 0.03% annually and cut greenhouse gas emissions from wind projects by approximately 3.3 million tons of CO₂. The MSB project has cemented partnerships with private sector entities, integrating bird conservation into energy contracts and ensuring sustainable practices.

Celebrating the Birds of Egypt

Protecting these migratory birds is vital for maintaining biodiversity and the health of ecosystems. As key indicators of environmental health, these birds contribute to ecosystem functions such as pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal. By safeguarding their migratory routes and habitats, we help preserve the intricate balance of our shared ecosystems, benefiting both nature and humanity.

This World Migratory Bird Day, let’s highlight some of the incredible species that migrate through Egypt: