Kuwaiti ornithologist charts 230 bird species in Iran, discovers 30 new ones

In an unprecedented two-stage expedition, Mohammad Shah, head of the Bird Monitoring and Protection Team at the Kuwait Environment Protection Society, monitored 230 bird species across Iran’s Khuzestan and Khorasan provinces, discovering 30 species new to him.

Shah is the first Arab to conduct such a mission in the region, which was carried out in collaboration with the Khuzestan Biodiversity Group. The expedition began at Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait and concluded at Khorramshahr Port in Khuzestan, covering diverse terrains including rivers, wetlands, mountains, and agricultural areas, reports Al-Rai daily.

The first stage of the trip took Shah to northern Khuzestan, where he explored the Dez River Dam Lake, Mount Salan, and the Mesopotamian Forests along the Dez and Karun Rivers. Observations included Syrian woodpeckers feeding their young, white stork nests, eagles soaring over mountains, and water birds such as marbled, chestnut, and green ducks.

“This stage ended with a total of 193 species, highlighting Khuzestan as a major migration hub linking Asia, Europe, and Africa,” Shah said.

The second stage focused on Mashhad and surrounding areas, where Shah recorded 26 additional species including warblers, nightingales, and blackbirds. Visits to Rezaei and Maleki Lakes, Kujaki Heights, and Jahjeh Lake Dam revealed eagles, vultures, long-legged buzzards, and waterfowl like red-crowned ducks and glossy ibis. This brought the total to 230 species, including 30 new observations.

Keramat Hafezi, head of the Khuzestan Biodiversity Group, noted that Khuzestan is home to 405 bird species, representing 71% of Iran’s bird population. With its rivers, wetlands, deserts, mountains, and seashores, the province offers habitats for a wide array of wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Hafezi added that Iran’s rich bird diversity makes it an ideal destination for both amateur and experienced birdwatchers.

Shah’s expedition not only highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in biodiversity monitoring but also emphasized the vital role of Kuwait and Khuzestan as key hubs for bird migration across continents.

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