The Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA) has initiated a groundbreaking project to create artificial nests for ospreys, aiming to protect their habitat, support wildlife, and conserve biodiversity.
The first artificial nest was constructed in the Sir Bu Nair Island Reserve, with plans to install additional nests in various coastal areas across Sharjah, including several nature reserves. These nests provide safe and suitable locations for ospreys to breed, particularly during their mating season from December to March.
To monitor and study the ospreys, the nests will be equipped with surveillance cameras. These cameras will help track osprey numbers, flight patterns, movements, behaviors, and diet.
The project has gained international recognition, with the first nest being registered on the Osprey Watch initiative platform. This global effort, led by specialists and environmentalists, aims to gather extensive data to support environmental decision-making.
Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, chairperson of the EPAA in Sharjah, emphasized the importance of the osprey, which is fully protected under Executive Council Decision No. (9) of 2016. This law prohibits the hunting, selling, and possessing of endangered migratory land and sea birds in Sharjah.
“The osprey is one of the endangered birds of prey in the UAE, known for its exceptional fishing skills, its primary food source,” Al Suwaidi said. “However, many of the shorelines, where they build nests, are frequented by visitors, posing potential threats.”
To mitigate these threats, the EPAA’s artificial nest project aims to provide fixed, well-prepared nesting sites for ospreys in their natural habitats along Sharjah’s coasts and islands. These locations offer a peaceful environment away from human disturbances, ensuring the birds can breed safely.
The EPAA conducts regular surveys to monitor the breeding populations of ospreys across all coastal sites, beaches, and the Sir Bu Nair Island Reserve.
By taking these measures, Sharjah is setting a precedent in wildlife conservation, helping to secure a future for the osprey and maintaining the region’s biodiversity.
