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Dear Susan
Thanks for your email, I will be glad to help and also to spread the information and awareness to the Syrian people.
A general idea about your team who visited Syria recently?
We were six (men between 29 and 40) Swedish birdwatchers, people that have travelled a lot to other countries to see birds before. I planned and organized the trip and I brought these five friends of mine. From other European birdwatchers that have been here recently, I knew where to go, who to contact and so on. We had a one week route around the country, aimed at seeing as many good bird areas and bird species as possible.
The aim or goal of your trip? Did you visit Syria before and when?
To visit the areas known to be very good for birds (like Palmyra, the Euphrates Valley and Sabkhat al-Jabbul) and to get as many good bird experiences as possible. We also wanted to help and support the efforts of saving birds and wildlife and show that we come here for this and that we care.
I was in Syria in September 2008 with a tourist group, not for birds that time but for history and culture.
What areas you went to, what is the result of your search or watch?
After landing in Damascus we headed straight for Palmyra and two nights there, desert birds and migratory birds. Then to Deir ez-Zor and birdwatching along the river valley (small wetlands and villages). Two nights in Aleppo to visit the huge wetland of Sabkhat al-Jabbul, fantastic place. The next morning we were in Slenfeh to see mountain birds and we returned to Damascus that evening. Our last day was in the Yarmuk area, very beautiful and with several exclusive birds.
Our impression is that Syria is an amazing and VERY good country for birds and birdwatching. Many excellent areas and high numbers of both birds and different species. We saw about 210 different species in our trip, very happy with that.
I want to know your point of view about Syria nature and people?
The Syrian people we met where amazingly hospitable, friendly and helpful. Very nice experience and we appreciated them very much. We were offered tea in the villages and played with the children, gave them some pens and gifts. People were of course curious who we were and where we came from, but always very polite, charming and friendly.
The Syrian nature is in some places very rich and wonderful, but in many areas also destroyed and too exploited. In the Euphrates Valley we found some small wetlands and areas with genuine nature, otherwise it was all cultivated and used very intense by the people. The care for the nature does not seem to be high on the agenda with rubbish on many places, waste water just out in the river, cutting down trees and have sheep grazing in all areas. But the areas rich in birds were still in good condition, we hope it can stay that way please!
Do you think that Syria is a rich region as for birds?
Yes Syria is very rich in birds and a fantastic destination for bird watchers. Both migratory birds, wintering birds coming from East Europe and Asia as well as breeding birds in the summer. Very rich in species and exciting for visitors like us to see. The combination of desert, river, wetlands, mountains and green areas is the key to the rich diversity.
Did you find what you search for in southern area in Syria?
We had this time only one day so southern Syria would need more time to see. Very good areas around Suweida and Bosra we couldn´t see this time. But we went to the Yarmuk gorge and saw several good species with the help of a local bird guide, mr. Yousef. Thanks to him we found the rare Long-billed Pipit as well as other good birds.
What world organizations that assist your job? Did any Syrian ministry help you?
We found most our useful information on the Internet (when to go, where to go, where to stay etc.) from trip reports of other birdwatchers. We had a local travel agency in Damascus to arrange with minibus and driver for our trip, and book some hotels for us. We had no help from Syrian ministries this time and had no contact with any I think. Our passports were asked for on few occasions. There are great opportunities and potential in nature tourism and eco tourism so if some ministry could help and develop such things it would be great.