Some birdwatchers have voiced concern over indiscriminate shooting of birds by hunters for the sake of cheap thrill in Sailiyah, a famous birding site in Qatar.

Located around 20km west of Doha, the area has been a favourite spot for photographers and birdwatchers who come to see abundant species of birds, but lately has become a favourite site for hunters who have turned to shooting birds as a new hobby.

"I have seen carcasses of birds scattered in the place in the last three months," a birding enthusiast who has been a frequent visitor to the area told this daily.

A visit by this reporter to the area revealed a heartbreaking scene as dozens of birds, mostly cormorants, were spotted lifeless, floating in the pond or left rotting on the ground.

The remains of the birds reveal the extent and span of hunting in the area.

There are at least five ‘Important Bird Areas’ in the country, including Al Dhakhira mangrove area in the northeast, Al Alyah Island, Sharawh Island, Al Shat Island, all off the eastern coast, and Khor Al Udaid. [Read more on The Peninsula]