The Kuwait Society for Environmental Protection has identified 24 species of birds that spend the winter season in Kuwait, following an extensive field monitoring expedition conducted in the Al-Abraq area and its surrounding regions in northwestern Kuwait.

The field trip was organized as part of preparations for the final bird monitoring report for 2025, aiming to document recent bird activity, track seasonal visitors, and record new species and population numbers across the country.

Full-Day Field Expedition

Mohammed Shah, leader of the bird monitoring and protection team, explained that the field survey began at 8:00 a.m. and continued until 8:00 p.m., covering different time periods to observe both daytime and nocturnal species.

He noted that the team successfully monitored several winter migratory birds, including the European Robin and the Common Thrush, in addition to resident species that are rarely seen during daylight hours, such as the Barn Owl.

One of the key objectives of the expedition was also to observe the Sand Cat, a rare desert mammal native to Kuwait. The nine-member team focused on locating the animal in its natural habitat as part of broader wildlife monitoring efforts.

Team Efforts and Observations

Shah stated that the participating team members included Mohammed Al-Hadheena, Ahmed Al-Shawaf, Dr. Fatima Dashti, Shatha Al-Hay, Alaa Al-Ruwaished, Talal Al-Muwaizri, Athari Buhamad, Maryam Al-Mulla, and himself.

Birdwatching activities continued throughout the morning until midday, followed by a short break before resuming observations until sunset. After nightfall, the team resumed its search and successfully spotted and photographed the sand cat. The group then moved to the Sulaibiya farms area, where a barn owl was observed perched along farm walls.

24 Species Added to Global Monitoring Records

According to Shah, the team managed to record 24 bird species, most of which are winter visitors to Kuwait. These observations were officially documented across four research lists within the global eBird monitoring platform, contributing valuable data to international biodiversity records.

He added that the society will soon release its annual 2025 birdwatching report, which documents 424 bird species recorded in Kuwait, including five newly identified species added to the country’s official bird list.

Return of Long-Absent Bird Species

Shah highlighted a noticeable trend during 2025, noting that several bird species absent for many years have returned in significant numbers across different regions of Kuwait. Among these was the Red-shouldered Red-wing, reflecting positive indicators for environmental balance and habitat recovery.

Strengthening Environmental Awareness

The Kuwait Society for Environmental Protection continues its efforts to monitor wildlife, promote biodiversity conservation, and raise public awareness about the importance of protecting natural habitats. These initiatives play a vital role in safeguarding Kuwait’s ecological heritage and supporting regional and global environmental research.