Kuwait city: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) organized the "World Winter Bird Count Day" event at Sulaibikhat beach on Saturday. The event was held under the patronage of Social Affairs and Family and Childhood Affairs Minister Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, with participation from government and community bodies, volunteer teams, and members of the diplomatic corps.
According to Kuwait News Agency, field monitoring and documentation by the specialized team recorded a large number of birds. The recorded species included Dunlin (500), Black-headed Gull (300), Greater Flamingo (200), Common Redshank (200), Kentish Plover (50), and Mallard (30). Also noted were Grey Heron (20), Grey Plover (20), Laughing Dove (20), Common Shelduck (12), Slender-billed Gull (10), Common Ringed Plover (10), and varying numbers of other species.
KEPS Chair Dr. Wijdan Al-Oqab stated that the activity is part of the Society's contribution to international environmental initiatives. It aims at reinforcing environmental awareness and highlighting the importance of preserving Kuwait's migratory and resident birdlife. She emphasized the need to protect and clean beaches and reduce waste, particularly plastics, to safeguard biodiversity.
Dr. Al-Oqab commended the patronage of Minister Al-Huwailah and the participation of the Ministry of Interior, including the environmental police's awareness role and the presence of emergency medical services. She noted the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and BirdLife International as strategic international partners for the activity. The diversity of participants reflects growing environmental interest in Kuwait.
The event, which ran from noon to 4 p.m., included birdwatchers, environmental experts, photography enthusiasts, and student groups. It featured fixed viewing platforms, binoculars, a photo exhibition, and a beach clean-up campaign.
Head of KEPS' Bird Monitoring and Protection Team, Mohammad Shah, mentioned that the best time for counting in Kuwait is during December and January when migration movements decline. This timing allows for more accurate monitoring of wintering species. Shah noted that KEPS has organized the activity since 2012, expanding this year's count to cover January 1-17 across Kuwait. Systematic monitoring at different times and locations will be included in the Society's annual 2026 monitoring report. The event is scheduled on the third Saturday of January due to high tide conditions, which bring wading and seabirds closer to shore, facilitating accurate counting from fixed observation points.