KUWAIT, Jan 17 (KUNA) -- The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) organized on Saturday the "World Winter Bird Count Day" event at Sulaibikhat beach.
The event was held under the patronage of Social Affairs and Family and Childhood Affairs Minister Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah and with broad participation from government and community bodies, volunteer teams and members of the diplomatic corps, the KEPS said in a press release.
Field monitoring and documentation by the specialized team recorded large and diverse numbers of birds, topped by Dunlin (500), Black-headed Gull (300), Greater Flamingo (200), Common Redshank (200), Kentish Plover (50) and Mallard (30).
The list also included Grey Heron (20), Grey Plover (20), Laughing Dove (20), Common Shelduck (12), Slender-billed Gull (10), Common Ringed Plover (10), as well as varying numbers of other species.
KEPS Chair Dr. Wijdan Al-Oqab said on the sidelines of the event that the activity is part of the Society's contribution to international environmental initiatives, aimed at reinforcing environmental awareness and highlighting the importance of preserving Kuwait's migratory and resident birdlife.
She added that a key objective is to underline the need to protect and clean beaches and reduce all kinds of waste, especially plastics, to safeguard biodiversity in the area.
Al-Oqab praised the patronage of Minister Al-Huwailah, and commended the participation of the Ministry of Interior, including the environmental police's awareness role, as well as the presence of emergency medical services as a precaution. She noted the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and BirdLife International are strategic international partners for the activity.
She said the diversity of participants - including government entities, civil society organizations, volunteer groups, large numbers of youth and families, and several Arab and foreign ambassadors - reflects growing environmental interest in Kuwait.
She added the event ran from noon to 4 p.m., with birdwatchers, environmental experts, photography enthusiasts and student groups taking part, alongside fixed viewing platforms, binoculars, a photo exhibition and a beach clean-up campaign.
Head of KEPS' Bird Monitoring and Protection Team Mohammad Shah said the best time for counting in Kuwait is during December and January, when migration movements decline, allowing more accurate monitoring of wintering species.
He said KEPS has organized the activity since 2012 and, after initially holding it for one day, expanded this year's count to cover January 1-17, across Kuwait, with systematic monitoring at different times and locations to be included in the Society's annual 2026 monitoring report.
Shah said KEPS schedules the event 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. (end) oys.ibi