Basra could become a haven for bird watchers

[semillama]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2982493/Iraq-to-promote-its-tourist-potential.html

"Mr Hayward said: "Basra itself was a medieveal town, and you have the cradle of civilization here. You could have people's cruise ships come back here to see the hanging gardens of Babylon.

"We are on major bird migration routes, you could do that. In five years you can have a significantly improved city. It is potentially a hugely civilised and cultured place."

Although the British suggestions are at least five years away from fruition because of the poor state of Basra's infrastructure, among other more advanced ideas are trips on Saddam Hussein's luxury presidential train between Baghdad and Basra."

I have a birding buddy in Iraq right now and he's seeing some awesome birds. In a better world, I could really see the marshes around Basra becoming a great birding destination.

[XemaSab]

1. Home of the Basra reed warbler

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