There are also many fruits growing in the delta and these range from oranges and other citrus trees to figs, bananas and mangos. Date palms flourish everywhere and have become quite an Egyptian symbol. To add to this variety, many flowers and grasses flourish too. Hot and dry is the way Egypt can mostly be summed up although coastal communities at get a little relief from sea breezes but the heat inland is quite fierce. Temperatures in winter can fall below freezing and the spring, although pleasant suffers from the Khamsin, the scathing wind bringing dust storms in off the desert.
Heavy rains fall in coastal areas during winter.
Egypt is well know for it's migratory as well as more than 150 species of local birds. These range from sandpipers, spoonbills, herons and storks to quails, egrets, flamingos and almost all the birds of prey one can think of. The Nile can boast almost 200 species of fish with of course the Mediterranean and Red seas offering many more. Insects can be somewhat of a plague for humans and the animals alike. In spite of the lack of rainfall, the natural vegetation of Egypt is varied.