Most birds depart the delta in March-April, but 100s are present until early May, and small numbers have been reported at Lake Manzala in July-August (Goodman & Meininger 1989). Although Ticehurst (1912) reported that several Whiskered Tern were at Lake Maryut on 15 May 1909 and according to local people 'many arrive there towards the end of the month and breed in reed-beds', Goodman & Meininger (1989) stated that there was no conclusive evidence that it had bred in Egypt.

In spring 1990, 100s were present at several localities in the southern part of Lake Manzala until at least 24 May, when observations ceased. Although birds were seen displaying and carrying fish, there was no proof of breeding (Meininger & Atta 1994).

On 7 June 1997, JV visited Lake Maryut in a small fishing boat, accompanied by a local fisherman. In a large, open and shallow (< 0.5 m) part of the lake, within two km of Alexandria city limits, the submerged aquatic vegetation, probably principally Potamogeton pectinatus became so dense, that the boat almost got stuck. Here, c. 12 Whiskered Tern appeared, vigorously alarming and regularly performing 'attacks' on the boat, approaching to within one metre. On returning, at least 30 birds were found attending c. 20 nests in a loose colony, built on floating aquatic vegetation. The nest contents were not examined, principally because JV was unaware that this would be the first documented breeding of the species in Egypt. Although the local guide gestured 'eggs, good to eat', the difficulty in accessing this site probably made it a relatively safe breeding place.

Whiskered Tern bred in north Israel until the early 20th century (Shirihai 1996). The nearest regular breeding areas to the Nile Delta are in Turkey (Cramp 1985). This observation confirms that the species breeds, at least irregularly, in the Nile Delta. Breeding in other lakes seems likely. It lends support Ticehurst's (1912) statement that the species bred at Lake Maryut nearly 90 years ago. The breeding fauna of these lakes is still very poorly known (Meininger et al. 1986, Goodman & Meininger 1989, Meininger & Atta 1994) and breeding Whiskered Tern (and perhaps other species) may have escaped notice. Unfortunately, throughout the delta lakes, habitat destruction through reclamation, urbanisation and pollution is occurring so rapidly that, in some cases, we will probably not even know what has disappeared.

CRAMP, S. (ed.) (1985) The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol.
      4. Oxford University Press.
GOODMAN, S. M AND MEININGER, P. L. (eds.) 1989) The birds of
      Egypt. Oxford University Press.
MEININGER, P. L. AND ATTA, G. A. M. (1994) Ornithological studies
      in Egyptian wetlands 1989/90. FORE report 94-01 & WIWO
      report 40, Vlissingen & Zeist.
MEININGER, P. L., SÖRENSEN, U. G. AND ATTA, G. A. M. (1986)
      Breeding birds of the lakes in the Nile Delta, Egypt. Sandgrouse 7:
      1-20.
SHIRIHAI, H. (1996) The birds of Israel. Academic Press, London.
TICEHURST, C. B. (1912). The birds of Lower Egypt. The Zoologist.
      Ser. 4. 16: 41-59.

Peter L. Meininger, Lisztlaan 5, 4384 KM Vlissingen, The Netherlands.
A. (Janus) Verkerk, Roerdompstraat 86, 3291 VM Strijen, The Netherlands.