Over 400 kinds spotted in Kuwait

A migratory bird spotted in Kuwait.

KUWAIT: The world marks today the World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD); an annual awareness-raising campaign that highlights the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. Initiated in 2006, the WMBD has a global outreach and is an effective tool to help enhance knowledge of the threats facing migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.  Every year, action is taken and public events are organized, including bird festivals, education program, exhibitions and bird-watching excursions, to mark the occasion.

Such activities are undertaken through the year because that countries or regions observing the peak of migrations at different times, but the main day for the international celebrations is 10 May. Through the 2017 theme 'Their Future is our Future,' WMBD will throw light on the 'Sustainable Development for Wildlife and People.'

WMBD 2017 will also highlight the interdependence of people and nature, and more especially people and migratory animals - in particular birds, as they share the same planet and thus the same limited resources.  This year's campaign aims at increasing awareness on the need for a sustainable management of our natural resources, demonstrating that birds conservation is also crucial for the future of humankind.

Important stopover

Ghanim Al-Sanad from Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) stressed the distinct geographical location of Kuwait as an important stopover for migratory birds during their seasonal perilous journey.  Many rare birds stopover on Kuwait's coasts and islands on their way to the final destination, which urges harder work to provide better hosting environment and safer flyways, Sanad added.

Marking the WMBD is an occasion to highlight the importance of birds as a key element of biodiversity and promoting environmental tourism, he said. Sanad said that that there was more than a billion around the world.  There are many different migration patterns. The majority of birds migrate from northern breeding areas to southern wintering grounds.

However, some birds breed in southern parts of Africa and migrate to northern wintering grounds, or along lines of latitude, to enjoy the milder coastal climates in winter.  Other birds reside in lowlands during the winter months and move to higher altitudes for the summer.

Two routes

According to the PAAAFR official, birds arrive in Kuwait through two routes: the first from East Europe, to Turkey, Syria, then Kuwait. The second from Central and Southern Russia, crossing Kuwait to the Arabian Peninsula. The two migration seasons are in the Spring, February and March, an Autumn, October.

Birds that come to Kuwait's skies include eagles, hoopoes, cranes and flamingos.  Kuwait has established some 11 natural protectorates to attract more migratory birds, in addition to several public and private parks, as well as green areas on roadside, Sanad said. The number of migratory birds spotted in Kuwait has exceeded over 400 kinds, of which usually build nests and hatch. - KUNA