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‘Kuwait’s Environment Protection Society’ engages with public in “Bird Counting” event

The Head of Kuwait Environment Protection Society, Dr. Wijdan Al-Aqab, emphasized the significance of the “World Winter Bird Count Day event”, highlighting its crucial role in supporting the environmental movement and raising awareness in society about preserving Kuwait’s wealth of migratory and resident birds.

In a press statement during the event organized by the association at the popular café in the Sulaibikhat area, under the patronage of the Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, Dr. Al-Aqab emphasized that the bird counting event featured various workshops aimed at conveying key messages.

Interestingly, the most important of these messages was the need to protect and clean the beaches, as well as reduce all types of waste, particularly plastic, to preserve biodiversity.

Dr. Al-Aqab added that the public’s participation in the celebration, across all segments of society, reflects “the growing interest in the environmental dimension in Kuwait”.

In appreciation, Dr. Al-Aqab praised the involvement of members of the diplomatic corps, including ambassadors from Arab countries and friendly foreign nations, who have increasingly become engaged in the field and its activities.

Dr. Al-Aqab stated that the celebration was also attended by bird watchers, environmental experts, and bird enthusiasts, as well as representatives from government agencies, civil organizations, volunteer teams, and groups in the country.

Additionally, photography enthusiasts, student groups from the 14th season of the Green Schools Program, and members of the Environmental Youth and Friends of the Environment teams, along with the general public, participated in the event.

Awareness

The head of the Bird Monitoring and Protection Team at the society, Muhammad Shah, confirmed in a similar statement that the event aims to raise awareness about the importance of birds in the Kuwaiti environment. He explained that the timing of bird counting varies by country, noting that December and January are the best months for winter bird counting in Kuwait.

Shah stated that the activity, which began in 2012 as a one-day event, has expanded this year to include multiple days of bird counting. He explained that the event now documents all the birds visible from the beginning of the year until January 18, with monitoring taking place across Kuwait.

Moreover, Shah pointed out that the team documented several bird species that were being observed for the first time during this period. Notably, observer Mohammed Al-Hadina spotted 300 Syrian or Northern Plovers in the Al-Sulaibiya farms earlier this month, while observer Talal Al-Muwaizri observed seven Purple Date birds in the Bnaider area.

Regarding the counting methods and techniques used by the team, Shah explained that they were divided between monitoring stations in specific areas and occasional observations. He highlighted that species such as the Greater Flamingo, Grey and Rocky Plovers, Alexandrian Plover, Hankur, and Loha were observed, with the Brown-necked Crow also being spotted at one of the monitoring sites.

The high tide, occurring on the third Saturday of this month, enables wading and marine birds to come closer to the beach, making it easier to monitor and count them accurately. The tide, which exceeds 3 meters, provides optimal conditions for bird observation.

Shah stated that the association has set up fixed viewing platforms equipped with binoculars, along with a photographic exhibition showcasing various types of birds of prey, including marine, aquatic, and wading species, both resident and migratory. The event also featured beach cleaning activities and provided books for children to promote environmental awareness.

To continue with “World Winter Bird Count Day” Shah emphasized the aim to expand this event in the coming years by implementing a specific mechanism, inviting volunteers to register on a dedicated platform for the winter bird census.

Source: Al Rai



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