ShareKUWAIT: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) organized an event at Sulaibikhat Beach on Saturday, Jan 27, 2024, aimed at conducting a bird counting exercise and fostering public awareness regarding the diverse species of birds during this season.
During the event, Mohammad Shah, Head of the Bird Monitoring and Protection at KEPS, told Kuwait Times that the purpose of this work is primarily aimed at raising awareness among individuals and fostering a closer connection to birds, while promoting environmental conversation.
The endeavor revolves around conducting bird counting activities. “Within this bird population, various categories are observed, including resident birds and migratory birds, including those that arrive during the colder months and subsequently depart when the weather gets warm.
KEPS chose to hold the event during this time because Kuwait serves as a temporary home for many species during the winter months. “Consequently, this provides an optimal occasion for acquiring more precise information regarding bird populations,” Shah added.
He also said that Sulaibikhat Beach is known for the presence of flamingos, along with other migratory birds like black seagulls, diverse gull species, sea crows, Andalusian sparrows, and starlings. Thus, this location has been chosen for the event. The event included multiple activities, such as engaging children in coloring pictures of birds featured in brochures to instill awareness and interest from an early age.
Additionally, birdwatching platforms were set up, allowing children and adults to participate in the counting process, which serves as a data source for KEPS annual reports that are given to interested parties both within the state of Kuwait and beyond Kuwait’s borders.
The presence of birds can also be a sign of environmental safety, providing KEPS with another indicator to monitor. An abundance of birds generally indicates a healthy environment. On the other hand, few birds indicate environmental unsustainability, resulting from several factors such as illegal hunting and construction. In instances where threats to environmental safety are observed, the relevant authorities are immediately notified.
