When passing through Creek Park during a mid-day break I was rather surprised to see a labourer sharing his meal with a bunch of back-headed gulls.

In the park the gulls often mob school kids and snatch food from them or eat the tidbits thrown by the children.

After seeing the gulls close to within two metres of his feet the labourer felt obliged to tear off a piece of his bread and throw it towards one. The gulls rushed to fetch it.

All birds, like us, must drink and bathe once in a while – if not daily.

In parks, gardens and farming areas, and near human habitation birds share water that is readily available.

However, some birds have learnt that water drips from almost all the window air-conditioners.The first bird I saw using this dripping water was a sparrow.

With the increase in greenery around the city, more and more birds have made Dubai their permanent residence.

These well-irrigated green areas are home to a variety of insects and worms. And this has become the main source of food for birds that were earlier migrants here.

Many of these birds are seen nesting in Safa Park. The most common among them are mynahs, starlings, sparrows, crows, prinias, sunbirds and Indian rollers.

Most of us are averse to the destruction of the greenery in Dubai and our feeling is absolutely justified. In the recent past, many of us raised a hue and cry over the issue. Even the local media have highlighted this problem.

Over the last few months, many more trees have been felled to make way for major alterations to the streets of Dubai as well as the construction of the metro rail network.

Many trees from the Dubai Creek Park, Maktoum Bridge and Garhoud area have become victims of the Roads and Transport Authority’s ongoing projects. However, what people haven’t realised is that these trees, landscapes and flowering patches offer much-needed relief and beautify this otherwise concrete jungle.