Sharjah Environment is launching a project for artificial nests for the “toy” osprey.

The Sharjah Environment and Natural Reserves Authority launched the artificial nesting project dedicated to the nesting of the osprey in the Emirate of Sharjah, by placing the first nest in the Sir Bu Nair Island Reserve in the emirate.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Head of the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority, said: “The new project is the latest environmental project launched by the Authority in the emirate, as part of its efforts to improve the environment and protect life and protect biological diversity. in their natural environments and original habitats, by launching various initiatives at protection levels.”

She said: The idea of ​​the project came out of the importance of preparing sustainable artificial nests for nesting eagles, known as (the doll), in the distribution areas and food habitats in the emirate, especially on the islands. and coastal areas that are considered natural habitats for it.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi explained that this bird is one of the endangered birds of prey that live in the UAE, and that it differs from the real ability in catching fish, which is the main source of food, which makes it focus on areas near the beaches to build its nests, indicating that most beaches have become… Visitors and the public ‘ stay on the current one, so the Authority launched this special project by building artificial nests to ensure that suitable sites would be available for this bird to nest. and reproduction, away from possible dangers and the noise that surrounds him.

It should be noted that the nest was registered within the platform “Osprey Watch Campaign – www.osprey-watch.org”, making it the first nest in the country to be registered on the This platform, established by a group of experts and those interested in environmental issues, aims to collect data on a large scale widely used to support environmental decisions.

The Authority established the first nest in Sir Bu Nair Island Reserve, where the presence of the bird was monitored there. a suitable and safe place for it, especially during the mating and breeding seasons The period from December to March, and preparing artificial nests for eagle pairs to use as new nests.

It is worth noting that the eagle bird is called “Osprey” in English and its scientific name is (Pandion haliaetus), and its size is between 52 and 60 cm, while the width of its wings is reach about 170 cm, while the weight of an adult osprey The bird is about 1.4 kilograms.