The Kuwait Environment Protection Society affirmed that “the challenges and dangers facing birds in Kuwait represent a hardship for migratory birds, exposing them to multiple threats during their journeys and passage through the country. These threats include overhunting, pollution, and the degradation of natural habitats, in addition to indiscriminate hunting, which weakens species and reduces their numbers.” This statement was made by Mohammed Shah, head of the Society’s Bird Monitoring and Protection Team, during a scientific awareness lecture and workshop he presented to 40 students at Abbad Bin Bishr Intermediate School for Boys. The event was part of the team’s annual program, which is also participating in the 14th season of the Society’s Green Schools Program.
Mohammed Shah stated that “the efforts to protect birds in the State of Kuwait are represented in the endeavors of many entities, including the Kuwait Environment Protection Society, through enhancing community awareness of the importance of protecting birds, working to combat poaching, and raising awareness about the role of birds in maintaining ecological balance,” explaining “the importance of Kuwait to migratory birds as it plays a key role as an important passage in global migration routes, providing birds with food resources and shelters, which enhances the value of the country as a safe haven for migratory birds.”.
He noted that “bird monitoring sites in Kuwait vary to include different geographical areas, as they are abundant in the Abdali farms, the Sabah Al-Ahmad Reserve, Warbah and Bubiyan Islands, in addition to the eastern coast of Kuwait and Kubbar Island,” adding: “Kuwait is an important stopover for migratory birds that cross its lands twice a year during the migration seasons, as thousands of birds pass through on seasonal journeys between the north and the south, and the number of species recorded in Kuwait is about 416 species, of which approximately 100 species nest and breed in Kuwait.”.
Shah categorized the bird species in Kuwait into five groups, as follows: “Resident birds, which include species that live and breed in Kuwait throughout the year. Migratory birds, which stop during their passage in the spring and autumn seasons. Water birds, which depend on aquatic environments such as rivers and marshes for their livelihood. In addition to songbirds, which prefer to live in wooded areas and are famous for their songs. Finally, seabirds, which include species that live near the sea and feed on it, such as gulls, terns, and cormorants (or 'al-luwah' in the local dialect), which fill Kuwait Bay during this period and roam in it in flocks exceeding five thousand birds, and are considered winter visitors to our beloved country, Kuwait.”.
