‘Solomon’s Messenger’ arrives in Kuwait as migratory bird season takes flight
. . . heralds arrival of cooler days
The arrival of a hoopoe bird in Kuwait has marked the beginning of the country’s autumn migratory bird season, offering an early sign that the scorching summer is gradually giving way to more moderate weather.
The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) spotted the bird, traditionally known as the messenger of Prophet Solomon, peace be upon him, in the institute’s garden last week, alongside small groups of other migratory species.
Dr Sarah Al-Dosari, an academic researcher at KISR, told Al-Rai that the institute also recorded coastal birds including grey herons and rock herons, while flocks of flamingos were seen along Shuwaikh Beach.
She said more migratory birds, including flamingos, are expected to arrive in Kuwait in waves over the coming weeks, with their numbers likely to reach their seasonal peak during winter.
KISR monitoring teams will track the migratory birds throughout the season, recording their numbers, behavior and activities from their arrival in Kuwait until their departure.
The researchers will also closely monitor the flamingo flocks to determine when they leave Kuwait this season.
Al-Dosari said the institute will be watching to see whether they depart in March, as they did last year, or return to their traditional pattern of remaining in the country until April or May.
The seasonal return of migratory birds provides researchers with valuable data on bird movements while adding a striking natural spectacle to Kuwait’s changing landscape as the summer heat begins to ease.
