Kuwait City

Greenery in the city and the foreshore may attract interesting birds at anytime, but especially during spring and autumn migration. Like most big cities, planning has not paid special attention to wildlife habitats and the usual city denizens dominate: Feral pigeon, Laughing and Collard Dove, House Sparrow, Common Mynah and White-eared Bulbul. To see a greater variety of species, try to explore the shoreline, for example Sharq Harbour is an excellent location to see gulls, terns and herons. In winter and spring one of the most interesting birds here is the Great Black-headed Gull and the big flocks of Great Cormorants. Sometimes rarities show up also, such as the Mediterranean Gull. One of the better places to see birds in the city is Green Island. This artificial peninsula is located just south of the Kuwait Towers on Gulf Road. There is public access and, as the gardens are continually watered, they offer refuge to tired migrants and wintering birds.
This is probably the best place in Kuwait to find naturalized Red-vented Bulbuls; although outnumbered by White-cheeked Bulbuls, they can be seen quite easily. Green Island hosts a thriving winter roost of Hypocolius – sometimes up to 120 birds! This remarkable Middle Eastern specialty roosts in the trees adjacent to the entrance gate; the birds fly off into Kuwait City each morning, an hour or so after sunrise, to feed for the day, and return in small groups just before nightfall. Early mornings in this park may provide surprises; migrating Indian Roller and Pallid Scops Owl, as well as various warblers and thrushes have been seen. The foreshore here can be good for sighting herons, egrets, waders, terns and gulls.