Palm Islands Nature Reserve is rich in biodiversity.

TRY TO SPOT THESE FLORA AND FAUNA DURING YOUR VISIT TO THE RESERVE.

BIRDS GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea) A passage migrant in large numbers and a winter visitor in fair numbers. The Grey Heron is typically seen in small numbers (4-7 at a time) from late-August to late-May. However, as many as 25 wintering herons have been spotted on the Palm Islands. They can be found roosting on rocks.     WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba) Scarce and irregular summer breeder (though formerly bred on the Palm Islands in the early part of the 20th century). The Wagtail is a common passage migrant and winter visitor that may be seen between mid-September and early-April on the Palm Islands in suitable habitats near water.     RUFF (Philomachus pugnax) A common to abundant passage migrant in the spring, from mid-February to late-May. Migrating birds are in the thousands, but wintering birds are very few and summer non-breeders are very few or casual. The Ruff is more likely to be seen on the Palm Islands and Sheikh Zennad than elsewhere.

REPTILES GREEN SEA TURTLE (Chelonia mydas) A globally threatened species. The Green Sea Turtle winters in the waters of the Palm Islands. They are largely herbivorous, spending most of their time feeding on algae and sea grass that grows in shallow waters. Juveniles eat plants and other organisms, such as jellyfish, crabs, sponges, snails, and worms.     LOGGERHEAD TURTLE (Caretta caretta) A globally threatened species. Loggerhead Turtles live in the shallow waters of continental shelves, often in water only a few tens of meters deep. Females nest on sandy beaches, usually just above the average high-tide line, between late-May and August. On the Palm Islands, the annual number of nests varies from 20 to 36. Many females nest on the same beach each second year, but a few nest on different beaches from one season to the next. Loggerheads are mainly carnivorous. They spend much of their time near reefs or along the shelf bottom hunting jellyfish, sponges, crabs, clams, fish, squid, and oysters. Hatchlings and young loggerheads do not dive, staying near the surface and often floating with mats of seaweed.   WALL LIZARD (Lacerta laevis laevis) This species of lizard is common and widespread in Lebanon and can be found from the sea shore to an altitude of 1,800m. A different variety of Lacerta laevis laevis is found on the Palm Islands than on the mainland, but it is not yet considered to be a subspecies. It is diurnal (enjoys the warm light of day), and eats both insects and plants. On the Palm Islands, you may be able to spot the Wall Lizard in sandy areas where there is suitable refuge (wood, wreckage, etc.), but the rocky areas are where the lizard is more likely to be seen.

MAMMALS COMMON PIPISTRELLE (Pipistrellus pipistrellus pipistrellus) This bat is the smallest (3.5-5.0cm) and most plentiful bat in Lebanon. It emerges soon after sunset and can consume up to 3,000 insects in one night (over 1 million a year), therefore doing much to control the insect population. Female Pipistrelle bats can live up to 16 years, while males live at least 5 years. They usually have a single offspring in June or July, which feeds on its mother's milk for the first three months after birth until the young bat makes its first flight. On the Palm Islands, you can find the Pipistrelle in the walls of wells and in small crevices during the summer.

BUTTERFLIES PAINTED LADY (Vanessa cardui) The Painted Lady is a long-distance migrant, which causes one of the most spectacular butterfly migrations observed in Lebanon. This butterfly can be found in open and sunny places all over Lebanon, from the coast to the highest mountain peaks. The number of Painted Ladies fluctuates from year to year. Locals believe that when a sizeable number of Painted Ladies arrive (typically in March), the quail will not be far behind. The butterfly breeds in April and May and reappears as a migrant in the autumn. The false eyes on the wings of the Painted Lady make its enemies (birds, lizards, frogs, spiders, mice, praying mantis, etc.) think that they are being watched at all times.

PLANTS ROCK SAMPHIRE (Crithmum maritimum) Native to seacoasts along the Mediterranean and Europe, this perennial is considered to be a threatened species. Highly valued by people for its iodine richness, the green part of the plant can be pickled using vinegar or eaten directly in a salad.     SEA POPPY (Glaucium flavum) This annual plant has a yellow flower and silver-green foliage and is found near the sea. The juice of this regionally threatened species is used as eye drops for the treatment of conjunctivitis and other diseases of the eyelid. It can also be used to make eyeliner.     SEA DAFFODIL OR SAND LILY (Pancratium maritimum) The Sea Daffodil produces beautiful large white blooms in summer. It is found in coastal dunes. On the Palm Islands, the Sea Daffodil may be managed commercially, since it is expected to disappear along the mainland coast because of urbanization.