JBW Reports

Common Myna or Indian Myna in Jordan

The following is a list of titles of unpublished reports prepared by JBW as part of their projects supported by sGEF and GGF. (please contact us if you require more information about the subjects covered in the reports)

JBW (2020)

Unpublished report by Jordan BirdWatch, about the economic benefits of harvesting the invasive mesquite shrub in Jordan as means of controlling it spread.

JBW (2022)

  • Towards the protection of threatened birds in Jordan: Assessing the current status of the near endemic Syrian Serin Serinus syriacus in Jordan. 

Unpublished report by Jordan BirdWatch including status, threats and results of a workshop with local authorities and groups of interest to develop an action plan for saving the breeding population of Syrian Serin at Dana.

JBW (2023)

  • Using Prosopis juliflora pods as feed supplements for small ruminants at Wadi Gharaba (Jordan Valley). 

Unpublished report by Jordan BirdWatch on how to harvest and use the pods of alien invasive mesquite as supplementary fodder, as one of the means of controlling its spread.

JBW (2023)

  • Report on the impacts of the Common Myna Acridotheres tristis on agriculture and wild birds, and results of monitoring invasive species in Wadi Gharba (Jordan Valley). 

Unpublished report of the first study about the impacts of  invasive common myna in Jordan, by Jordan BirdWatch, Amman.

Syrian Serin in Jordan

Syrian serin reported vulnerable IUCN
Syrian serin shrub land habitat, JBW
Syrian serin habitat, south-west of Jordan

English name: Syrian Serin

Scientific name: Serinus syriacus

The Syrian Serin, a small passerine bird belonging to the finch family, is endemic to parts of the Levant, namely in southwestern Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.   It breeds in semi-arid, rocky slopes at high altitudes above 900 m a.s.l. with open woodland containing a mix of conifers (e.g. junipers and/or cedars) and evergreen oak and other shrubs, which are important for nesting and roosting.   

It frequents during autumn and winter more open steppe habitats (usually Artemisia steppe) with scattered trees or shrubs. Observations of Syrian Serins apparently migrating and overwintering in northwestern Jordan indicate that some populations (e.g. those breeding in Syria and Lebanon) are short-distance migrants, moving to lower areas for the winter.

The Syrian Serin is a rare species with a restricted geographical range; In Jordan, it breeds solely in the Dana Nature Reserve ( See Dana Biosphere Reserve… ). In 2022, Jordan Birdwatch researchers estimated around 450-490 pairs still remaining in part of the reserve, in an area not larger than 12 sq.km.   The population and breeding area thus decreased by c. 30% during the last decades due to habitat destruction and degradation caused by a combination of overgrazing, prolonged drought, unregulated picnicking and wood cutting. Other recent threats include wind farm developments and plans to mine copper and other metals at or near its habitats.

Syrian serin in Dhana, Jordan
Syrian serin in Dhana, Jordan

Jordan BirdWatch made a recent assessment of the Syrian Serin in Jordan, and recommends upgrading the species category to “Critically Endangered” according to IUCN / Redlist criteria* (Criteria B1a, B1b) at the national level, and to “Endangered” at the global level (B2a, B2b).  

In an attempt to raise awareness among decision makers and stakeholders, meetings and a workshop are being held to discuss the management of the threatened woodland where the species breeds. Posters were also printed and distributed to schools. The activities on Syrian Serin in 2022 in Jordan were supported by Global Greengrants Fund.

Syrian serin communication
Posters for communication and workshops
Jordan BirdWatch, JBW
Global Green Grants Fund
Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature

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