Latest news with #Al-Hudhaina
Kuwait Times
26-05-2025
- Science
- Kuwait Times
Rare oceanic bird species spotted in Kuwaiti waters
KUWAIT: A team of Kuwaiti and international bird experts recorded the sighting of rare oceanic bird species during a recent expedition in Kuwaiti territorial waters, the Environment Public Authority's bird monitoring and protection team member Mohammad Al-Hudhaina said on Sunday. Among the notable discoveries were the short-tailed shearwater and the arctic skua, both considered unusual sightings in the region. According to Al-Hudhaina, this marks only the fourth recorded appearance of the short-tailed shearwater in Kuwait. The bird was previously observed in 2014, 2021, and again earlier this month during the current voyage. Al-Hudhaina noted that the short-tailed shearwater is typically found across the Pacific Ocean, ranging from the North to the South Pole. 'Its presence outside its native migratory route is rare,' he said, adding that the bird is similar in size to the common gull and is distinguished by its unique and efficient hunting style. Short-tailed shearwater Commenting on the arctic skua, Al-Hudhaina said it appears sporadically in small numbers in Kuwait during migration periods. 'It is one of the fastest and most agile seabirds in flight, capable of sharp acceleration that gives it a predatory profile,' he explained. Known for its opportunistic feeding behavior, the arctic skua often chases gulls and terns mid-air and is notably larger than the common gull, making it identifiable from a distance. These rare observations underscore Kuwait's role as a significant environmental station along the migratory routes of seabirds, Al-Hudhaina affirmed. He emphasized that the continued efforts of local and international experts contribute to documenting the rich biodiversity of Kuwait's marine ecosystem. The survey team included Kuwaiti birdwatchers Abdulrahman Al-Sarhan, Omar Al-Shaheen and Hamoud Al-Shaiji, as well as European specialists Peter Alfre from England and Belgian observers Vincent Legrand and Julien Hainaut. — KUNA
Arab Times
25-05-2025
- Science
- Arab Times
Kuwaiti-international team spots rare oceanic birds in Kuwaiti waters
Arctic Skua in Kuwaiti waters. KUWAIT CITY, May 25: A team of Kuwaiti and international observers has recorded sightings of rare oceanic bird species during a recent voyage in Kuwaiti waters, including the Short-tailed Shearwater and the Arctic Skua, Mohammad Al-Hudhaina, a member of the bird monitoring and protection team, told KUNA on Sunday. This marks the fourth time the Short-tailed Shearwater has been spotted in Kuwait, with the first recorded sighting in 2014, the second in 2021, and the third occurring during the past two weeks of this current voyage, Al-Hudhaina said. He noted that the bird is widely distributed from the North Pole to the South Pole across the Pacific Ocean, making its appearance outside this natural range 'rare.' The Short-tailed Shearwater is similar in size to the common gull and is distinguished by its unique hunting style. Regarding the Arctic Skua, Al-Hudhaina explained that it appears in small numbers in Kuwait during migration seasons. Known as one of the most agile and fast-flying birds, it exhibits great acceleration, which gives it the appearance of a predator in flight. The Arctic Skua is an opportunistic feeder, larger than the common gull, and can be easily identified from a distance when chasing seagulls and terns. Al-Hudhaina emphasized that these rare sightings highlight Kuwait's significance as an important environmental station along seabird migration routes, underscoring the ongoing efforts of observers to document the biological diversity of the local marine ecosystem. The observation team includes Kuwaiti members Abdulrahman Al-Sarhan, Omar Al-Shaheen, and Hamoud Al-Shaiji, along with European observers Peter Alfre from England, and Vincent Legrand and Julien Hainaut from Belgium.
