بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
I love birds, and I admire every bird that looks at me from the window. Birdwatching helps me to remember Allaah's perfect creation. It is indeed knowing your Lord through His signs, signs in His creation. Allaah says in the Qur'aan,
أَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَى الطَّيْرِ مُسَخَّرَاتٍ فِي جَوِّ السَّمَاءِ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
"Do they not see the birds held (flying) in the midst of the sky? None holds them but Allah [none gave them the ability to fly but Allah]. Verily, in this are clear proofs and signs for people who believe (in the Oneness of Allah)."
Soorah Nahl Aayah 79
(For those of you who are studying about Tawheed and its categories, can you guess which type of Tawheed is this aayaah talking about?)
Birdwatching means going outside to enjoy watching birds. Someone who does this is called a birdwatcher or birder. Ornithology is the study of birds, and the one who studies about birds is called an ornithologist.
This is my little fascinating, radiant birdwatching spot. It is where I read my books too! Can you see a big bird book waiting for me to read?
This is my big book of birds which helps me to identify different birds. It gives me information such as whether it is common or not, migrant or resident, in which months and seasons they can be seen and locations of where you can spot those different birds in Qatar.
These are some of the birds I hear and see a lot:
Common Myna, present all year: Common Nightingale, it is seen in parks, and gardens: Common Starling which is up north and is black with "stars". you can see them now.
The Spanish sparrow: The female house Sparrow on the ladder looking for me: The Cuckoo can be seen during Spring and Autumn. Blue Rock Thrush in February and October. Citrine Wagtail seen in the north and east of Qatar: White Throated Robin a migration visitor.
The book also has information of other birds that can be seen in deserts, coastal areas, farms and gardens.
I do not have a birdwatching kit with a binoculars and other things, but Inshaa Allaah I hope I will have one later, until then I enjoy watching birds from my rooftop and I look for them at many different parks in Qatar when I go out.
We hope to make our own wooden bird feeder at the co op inshaa Allaah and it is going to be thrilling watching birds coming and eating. I will share with you about it later inshaa Allaah. Do you like watching birds too? If you have not tried yet just look outside your window and see what birds come and what they do. Happy birdwatching!
Maimoonah
