For many bird lovers in Qatar, the onset of summer signals the start of filling their birdbaths daily with fresh water to help birds cope with the searing temperatures.
A small garden serves as an ideal area to set up birdbaths, but a balcony can also offer a splendid view for people living in apartments to watch birds sip, and in many occasions, take a quick dip to “cool down”.
Apart from providing a pleasant respite for birds, many residents in Qatar also find this an opportunity for them to reconnect with nature, especially during the restrictions in place due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Setting up a “mini sanctuary” for birds in the country has become an increasingly popular hobby, or for others, a passion due to its therapeutic and mental health benefits, especially for many who experienced working or staying at home for a long time.
Filipino expatriate Jomar R says that watching birds bathe in a water-filled container is a joy to his family, especially for the children, who seemed to have found an exciting way to beat boredom.
“Such an endeavour offers a lifeline to birds as the mercury rises, and we feel happy and entertained as we watch them drink from the saucer. For me it is very relaxing,” he said.
He added that such an activity substantially helped in reducing the time spent by his children on watching television, using mobile devices, or playing online games.
On the positive side, Jomar said that his daughter is now using the Internet to look for information on the different species of birds, to identify those that frequently visit their balcony: “This seems to be a White-eared Bulbul, I think that one is a Rustic Bunting over there, and this one over here is no doubt a Mynah.”
“It’s a good learning experience for my children, they’ve become inquisitive. They enjoy taking videos and photos as well, and suddenly you’ll hear them laugh and jump,” he said.
Jomar shares a similar experience of a compatriot who bought three birdbaths and placed them in an unused metal stove stand, and started building a temporary hangout for birds at the rooftop.
An Indian expatriate, who has been keeping an improvised birdbath in his backyard since last winter, describes it as “an immensely satisfying” experience.
"I have birds coming regularly to drink water and bathe, in addition to laughing doves nesting on a lemon tree," he said.
He added that a garden needs no accessories or decorations other than birdbaths and birdfeeders to serve as a home to many species of birds, including a parakeet in rare cases.
Apart from providing a pleasant respite for birds, many residents in Qatar also find this an opportunity for them to reconnect with nature, especially during the restrictions in place due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Setting up a “mini sanctuary” for birds in the country has become an increasingly popular hobby, or for others, a passion due to its therapeutic and mental health benefits, especially for many who experienced working or staying at home for a long time.
Filipino expatriate Jomar R says that watching birds bathe in a water-filled container is a joy to his family, especially for the children, who seemed to have found an exciting way to beat boredom.
“Such an endeavour offers a lifeline to birds as the mercury rises, and we feel happy and entertained as we watch them drink from the saucer. For me it is very relaxing,” he said.
He added that such an activity substantially helped in reducing the time spent by his children on watching television, using mobile devices, or playing online games.
On the positive side, Jomar said that his daughter is now using the Internet to look for information on the different species of birds, to identify those that frequently visit their balcony: “This seems to be a White-eared Bulbul, I think that one is a Rustic Bunting over there, and this one over here is no doubt a Mynah.”
“It’s a good learning experience for my children, they’ve become inquisitive. They enjoy taking videos and photos as well, and suddenly you’ll hear them laugh and jump,” he said.
Jomar shares a similar experience of a compatriot who bought three birdbaths and placed them in an unused metal stove stand, and started building a temporary hangout for birds at the rooftop.
An Indian expatriate, who has been keeping an improvised birdbath in his backyard since last winter, describes it as “an immensely satisfying” experience.
"I have birds coming regularly to drink water and bathe, in addition to laughing doves nesting on a lemon tree," he said.
He added that a garden needs no accessories or decorations other than birdbaths and birdfeeders to serve as a home to many species of birds, including a parakeet in rare cases.