Qatar Celebrates International Migratory Bird Day

Doha, May 10 (QNA) -The State of Qatar represented in the Friends of the Environment Center (FEC) is to celebrate tomorrow, Saturday the International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) which falls on 11 May of every year. The celebration comes in response to an appeal from the International Committee for Bird Preservation which Qatar is one of its members The FEC's celebration will be under the slogan "The information network for the birds and catching PUPILS when they are young." On the occasion, Qatar's Birds Project held a press conference at the FEC headquarters. This year’s IMBD theme is "Life Cycle of Migratory Birds." Dr. Saif Ali Al-Hajari, the Founder and Chair of Friends of the Environment Center (FEC), Vice Chairman of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (Qatar Foundation), and Head of ecoQs Advisory Committee said the year's programme includes two-day of activities today, Friday and tomorrow, Saturday noting that the events of the first day includes assembly of a selected group of 50 pupils at the FEC's Camp at Ras Al Matbakh area, about 65 kilometers from Al-Khor under the supervision of Shakeel Ahmed Kakoe, the head of the species foundation. Dr. Al-Hajari said that Mr. Dilip, a bird watching expert, will deliver a lecture in the evening at the camp about birds of Qatar and how to wartch them. Whereas Saturday morning celebrations include students' watching the birds of the area in preparation to leave the camp early in the morning to go to "Arkia" farms on the outskirts of Doha, accompanied by experts Dilip and Gordon Sundars to watch the migratory birds from that location during the morning period and three hours from 05 to 08 AM and then all participants will return back to the camp where the festivities continue with the participation of about 200 students representing 7 schools . The students will present scientific papers about Qatar's birds and bird migration. FEC is a non-government, non-profit organization (NGO) depending on the support of the private sector, companies, government and non-government institutions concerned with environmental protection. Funding of phase one of QBP came from a number of oil and gas companies operating in Ras Laffan Industrial City under the umbrella of Qatar Petroleum (QP) and the guidance of Laffan Environmental Association (LEA). FEC is hoping that these companies under QP and LEA will continue funding phase two of QBP. To celebrate International Migratory Bird Day 2013 with a focus on life cycles. This theme details all aspects of a migratory birds' life, from nesting and migration to breeding and raising young. Most importantly, it addresses the need for conservation throughout the life cycle. As always, the annual conservation theme is relevant to host organizations and participants throughout the world. Taking the opportunity to incorporate the education materials and information we provide into your activities will inform people young and old. The Friends of the Environment Center (FEC), established within its declared objectives and its interest in local, visiting and migratory birds, Qatar Bird Project (QBP) in 2007. Under the umbrella of QBP, three important programmes are operating. These are: Qatar Bird Club,,Hima Fund, My Country Birds Programme. Each programme has its own objectives and methods to achieve them within the larger aim of obtaining the full knowledge on Qatar birds. The goal has always been conserving these birds and their habitats besides spreading the importance of environmental awareness among the new generation in schools, institutes and universities, encouraging them to promote their civilized behavior towards these creatures which are important for humans and the environment. Migratory bird conservation requires our participation every month of the year. Habitat conditions in one season may affect the survival and nesting success of birds in another. Winter habitats are just as important as nesting sites, and their quality influences nesting success. Stopover sites, the places where birds rest and refuel during migration, are also critical. Sandy beaches, forests, grasslands, and other habitats must be present for birds flying long distances. Along every leg of the journey and at non-breeding and breeding sites, birds also face threats from free-roaming cats, tall buildings and towers, chemicals, wind turbines, and more. (QNA)