Notes on recent changes in the status 
of breeding herons in the 
Egyptian Nile Valley and Delta 
SherifM Baha El Din 
In recent years, there has been a noticeable change in the status of most 
of the herons breeding in the Egyptian Nile Valley and Delta. This 
change is probably partly due to increased ornithological coverage of 
various areas of this region, particularly during the summer. However, 
the rapidly altering ecology of the highly manipulated environment in 
the Egyptian Nile Valley is certainly the main cause for these changes. 
Fortunately, the recent changes have been increases in numbers, expansion 
in range and establishment of new breeding colonies of all species known 
to breed in the Nile Valley and Delta. This article reviews the most 
notable recent obser\^ations reflecting these changes. 
Little Bittern Icxobrychus 
minutus 
There is some evidence of an 
increase in the abundance of this 
species. In recent years it has been 
seen more regularly, even along 
the smallest canals in cultivated 
areas. Over 100 individuals were 
counted from a train travelling 
between Qena and Aswan during 
the summer of 1991. Goodman 
and Meininger (1989) state that the 
species is known to breed only in 
the Nile Delta and northern Valley. 
Night Heron Nycticorax 
nyticorax 
Three small colonies containing a 
total of over 150 nests were found 
in the summer of 1992 in marshy 
localities northeast of Bilbeis, 
eastern Delta. On 4 August 1992, 
the nests still contained young. 
