ShareKUWAIT: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) emphasized on Saturday that Kuwait plays a pivotal role in global bird migration, serving as a vital stopover due to its abundance of suitable habitats for rest and nourishment. Key areas supporting this migration include the Jahra Nature Reserve, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) Reserve in Kabd, Abraq Al-Houbari and the agricultural regions of Wafra, Sulaibiya and Abdali.
Talal Al-Muwaizri, a member of KEPS’ bird monitoring and protection team, stated in a press release that bird migration is a remarkable natural phenomenon demonstrating the adaptability of species to environmental conditions. He noted that the spring migration season spans from mid-February to the end of May, a period when birds display their most vibrant and striking plumage.
“Every year, migratory birds travel from northern to southern regions, crossing continents to escape harsh winters and shorter daylight hours in search of milder climates and longer days,” Al-Muwaizri explained. “In our region, these birds typically travel from Europe and Central Asia, passing through Kuwait and the wider Middle East en route to their wintering grounds in Africa and India. This journey is known as the autumn migration.”
Al-Muwaizri added that migratory birds follow several navigational routes during the autumn migration, including coastlines, river paths, and celestial navigation using stars during the night. This migration begins in mid-August and continues through mid-October, during which birds settle in warmer regions for the winter months. As spring approaches and conditions improve — with rising temperatures, increased food availability, and longer daylight hours — birds once again take flight. This return journey to Europe and Central Asia, where they breed and rear their young, is referred to as the spring migration.
Highlighting notable bird species observed during the spring migration, Al-Muwaizri said the arrival of the hoopoe marks the beginning of the season and signifies the end of winter. The hoopoe’s appearance also signals that vegetation has reached peak bloom. Following its arrival, other migratory species appear in succession, including various small passerines such as the za’ara, yikiki, crucifix, mardam, hammer, hamira ras, sweida ras, hamroush, shola, baghl as-saman, bint al-sabbagh, qalliba, humimij, eagles, gulls, fri and the wild turtledove.
He also noted the arrival of several shrike species — small birds of prey — beginning with early migrants such as the qahfi, Arabian pigeon, and the so-called “left-handed one.” These are followed by one of the most striking of the shrikes, the Husseini shrike, also known as the masked shrike or polar shrike, named for its distinctive beauty. Al-Muwaizri concluded by stating that the spring migration season wraps up with the arrival of latecomers in April and May, including the Hasawi pigeon and members of the cage pomegranate and chatbi families. The pomegranate bird, in particular, is considered a marker of the end of the migration season. — KUNA
