This is the first confirmed breeding of this species in Egypt since 1922, 
when chicks were taken from a nest found at the Giza Zoological Gardens 
(Goodman and Meininger 1989). These authors assessed the current 
status of the species in Egypt as being 'probably a rare breeding resident 
in the Upper Nile Valley.' 
Green Heron Butorides striatus 
This species has quietly colonised the southern half of the Egyptian Nile 
Valley. The first record from this region appears to be on 4 November 
1982 at As wan (Goodman and Meininger 1989). Today Green Herons are 
recorded regularly in suitable habitats as far north as Asiut. Although no 
nests have been found yet, birds of this species, including very young 
juveniles, have been seen year round throughout its range. There is little 
doubt that Green Herons breed in the Egyptian Nile Valley. 
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 
The species was regarded as a 'rare and local breeding resident in the 
Upper Nile Valley' (Goodman and Meininger 1989). The only known 
breeding site for the species was a very small colony at Aswan. 
On 18 July 1992, hundreds of Squacco Herons (probably over 1,000), 
including recently fledged young, were noted around Damietta at the 
western edge of Lake Manzala. The birds abounded in the rice fields in 
this agricultural landscape. No such concentrations have been reported 
elsewhere in Egypt, particularly during the summer. The birds must 
have bred in nearby reed swamps, along with Little Egrets Egretta 
garzetta (see below). 
In July and August 1992, a total of about 100 nests were found in three 
separate colonies to the northeast of Bilbeis. This is the first confirmed 
record of breeding of the species in the Nile Delta. The nests found 
contained chicks and nearly fledged young. 
Cattle Egret Egretta ibis 
There is clear evidence that the Cattle Egret's numbers are now increasing 
dramatically in the Nile Delta. The species suffered during the 1970s and 
early 1980s, probably as a resul t of tlie heavy use of pesticides (M ullie and 
Meininger 1985; Mullie et al 1992). 
Pineau (1992) estimates that there has been a four-fold increase in the 
numbers of egrets nesting at the infamous Giza Zoo colonv between 1987 
and 1990 (from 1,604 nests in 1987 to 7,269 nests in 1990). In 1992, the 
colony must have grown even bigger because the birds extended their 
activity (for the first time outside the zoo boundaries) to a 'sub colony' on 
a group of trees shading the local police station, about 0.5 km fartlier 
13 
