The now already 7th Lake Nasser expedition was, as expected, very successful. From 6 to 22 February 2026, Jens Hering and Olaf Geiter once again traveled the desert lake in southern Egypt with a 13-member team, including six DOG members. Among the highlights of the research trip was undoubtedly the first breeding record in the Western Palearctic of the little-known Afrotropical subspecies minor of the Brown-throated Sand Martin. While the sand martin was one of the target species, several Striped Owls were a surprise far away from the known range. The first breeding site of the Village Weaver in the land of the Pharaohs, found by the Lake Nasser team in August 2024, was also confirmed, and the search for further colonies was successful. In addition to more than 3 100 ringed birds of 66 species, there were again many recaptures of individuals ringed there in previous years. These are important insights into the little-studied site fidelity in this region. Notable examples include the Stripe-prinia, Stentorian Cisticola, Pale Warbler, Nile Valley Sunbird, Desert Stonechat, and House Sparrow. Winter visitors and migratory birds already heading north were also trapped. The most frequently ringed were Chiffchaff (631 ringings), Reed Warbler (418), and Lesser Whitethroat (290). Also noteworthy are 135 trapped Clamorous Reed Warblers. A very full logbook and ringing register now awaits analysis. This also includes new findings on the so-called Sooty Chats (see Vogelwarte 62: 339-340).

Jens Hering & Olaf Geiter