Greylag geese arrive in the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh

Greylag geese are migratory birds and have arrived in the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh. Along with them are other birds like the migratory waterfowl, including the iconic wetland species. Their arrival is strange because it is virtually the middle of March.
Five geese were seen near the observatory tower of the lake in the company of mixed flocks of Eurasian coots, Northern pintail ducks, Common pochards, Eurasian wigeons, Tufted ducks etc. Nowadays, the geese do not come to the Sukhna in very large numbers or stay for long duration.
This is reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 16 March 2017.

The presence of the Greylag goose in good numbers and for lengthy duration of stay means the quality of a wetland is healthy. This species likes to roost, forage and generally just loaf around a wetland where it is not disturbed. They are never seen in a village pond neither in the depths of the south. It characteristic is its constant honking and it resonates across a wetland.
The bill, legs and feet of this species of geese are pink in color and not grey. It feeds at night and day, and is known to be a favored gamebird for hunters and poachers across the globe.


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Rare migratory birds make a stopover in Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Delhi

Bird lovers of Delhi are excited at the sight of at least 30 species of winter migratory birds in the Okhla Bird Sanctuary. The winged visitors have arrived this winter despite global climate change which has had an impact on the migratory birds and have disturbed bird habitat.
This has been reported in thehindu.com dated 1 March 2017.

Such a sighting has happened after nearly a decade and among the birds were winter migratory duck called greater scaup - these had lat been seen in the Sultanpur National Park in Gurugram. Then there were two pairs of common shelduck which were seen after four years and flocks of greater flamingo seen after a year. There were also the unusual sighting of a few migratory raptor species like peregrine falcon and the greater spotted eagle apart from birds included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Okhla Bird Sanctuary falls in the central flyway migratory route of water birds.


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Unchecked prawn farming a threat to the Chilika lagoon in Odisha

Chilika lagoon in Odisha is the largest brackish water lake of Asia and it is faced with heavy silting and unchecked prawn farming which are posing a serious threat to this lagoon. It is believed that the prawn culture is a major factor that has given rise to the silt load of the lake and is, in turn, adversely impacting its bio-diversity.
There are fears that the silting could lead to the shrinkage of the lake area - this fluctuates between 1,165sqkm and 906sqkm. The net result could be that the lake would become shallow.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 26 February 2017.

In the opinion of environmentalists the combined effect of prawn culture and the growing silt load would have an adverse impact on the salinity level and affect its flora and fauna - part of this is food for local and migratory birds. The catchment area of Chilika covers parts of Khurda, Puri and Ganjam districts and has a rock, sand and mud substratum. It also has a wide range of sedimentary particles like clay, silt, sand and gravel and silt is more.
Prawn farming in Chilika is illegal but it continues with the support of powerful businessmen, bureaucrats and even politicians have stakes in it.


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Migratory birds from Chilika are leaving early because of soaring temperatures

Migratory birds had made the Chilika their winter home and have started to leave early and begin their homebound journey because of soaring temperatures. Over 50 per cent of them have already left while the rest are likely to fly off shortly. Same is observed in the Bhitarkanika National Park also.
Usually, the migratory birds arrive from Siberia, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan in October and return by March but, this year, the return is early, about a week before their usual time of departure.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 21 February 2017.

It is estimated that around 9.47 lakh birds belonging to 176 species had arrived this year to spend the winter at the wetland spread over 1,100sqkm. - it has been designated as a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance). The corresponding figures for 2015 was more than 4.6 lakh birds of 161 species. However, in the Bhitarkanika wetland sites, there was a drop in the number of winged visitors from trans-Himalayan region.
In the opinion of ornithologists, the duration of stay of migratory birds is on the decline and this can be ttributed to early arrival of summer. Earlier, summer used to set in from mid-March.


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Less number of migratory birds in Bhitarkanika National Park worries bird lovers

This year there has been a considerable drop in the number of migratory birds that have arrived in the Bhitarkanika National Park and it is a matter of worry for bird lovers. As per the annual census report of Bhitarkanika's winged species released by the forest department, the number of avian winter species had dropped to 76,268 from 106,156 last year.
This has been reported in telegraphidia.com dated 16 January 2017.

Of course, there is a bright side because several rare winged species of central Asian origin have been spotted in the wetlands of Bhitarkanika.
Wildlife officials are examining the factors that could have led to the drop in the number of migratory birds. These birds usually like to be around water bodies. However, a number of water bodies had dried up at the park.This could be attributed to the prawn dykes in the close vicinity of the park which might have restricted the flow of tidal water. Raising such prawn dykes in the sanctuary area is illegal and these need to be demolished in order to conserve the ecosystem and the flora and fauna of Bhitarkanika.


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Annual bird count begins in Nalabana bird sanctuary, Chilika

With the beginning of the annual bird count begins in Nalabana bird sanctuary, Chilika, there is a restriction on entry of visitors into the 15.59 sq km bird sanctuary - the restriction has been imposed for three days due to the annual bird count in the lagoon. Tourist boats will also not venture into Mangalajodi.
Most of the migratory waterfowls that visit the lake are concentrated in Nalbana. The migratory birds also descend upon Mangalajodi, Bhusandapur, Sorana Prikuda and Chadheighara islands.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 8 January 2017.

The restriction has been imposed to ensure that the birds are not disturbed and also for smooth conduct of the census. Fishing would not be restricted in other parts of the 1,100 sq km lake during the period.
The enumerators will be given necessary training one day before the actual count. Experts from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), noted ornithologists, research scholars and forest and wildlife officials, forestry students of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) will be participating in the exercise.
This will be the first time ever that all 20 DFOs (wildlife) in the state will be involved in the mammoth exercise because, the annual bird census this time assumes significance due to the impact of climate change on migration pattern of birds.


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Number of migratory birds increase in Santragachi Jheel - whistling ducks sighted

On a rough estimate, so far more than 6000 migratory birds have arrived in the Santragachi Jheel and, it appears that the number may cross 8000 before the end of the month. This is the indication from a migratory bird census and a bird watching programme, that has ended. These were organised at the jheel last week.
The sighting of the fulvous whistling duck is considered to be irregular and it made an appearance this year bringing more and more bird enthusiasts to the lake.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 9 June 2017.

The annual bird watching has become a regular affair at the lake and it began a little over a decade back - over the years, it has become extremely popular among birdwatchers and environment activists. The fulvous whistling duck made its appearance for the first time on the day of Christmas, breeds in tropical regions of Mexico and South America, the West Indies and sub-Saharan Africa and is rarely spotted anywhere in India. The sighting started with just a pair and the number grew in the past one week.
The census is organized every year and a species-wise classification is released to the district authorities and the state forest department at the end of the event. This year, a large number of telescopes and binoculars were made available for enthusiasts to watch the winged visitors, along with live demonstration from experts.


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Revamp of Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh on the cards

Sukhna Lake is a man-made water mirror in the city and it will soon be completing 50 years of its prime existence and will no longer need to worry about depleting water levels. It will bounce back to life come 15 January - from that date, it will start to receive 60 lakh additional litres of water every day from seven tube wells which have been identified near the adjoining Golf Course.
Chandigarh administration has chosen these seven tube wells because of their proximity to the Sukhna Lake.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 7 January 2017.

The authorities have confirmed sufficient availability of underground water in Chandigarh to meet the daily needs of Sukhna. A pipeline that is half a kilometre in length is being laid for the purpose of providing the water from the tube wells. Incidentally, Chandigarh has 240 tube wells and will be drawing water from only seven of these for replenishing the lake.
Sukhna Lake has gradually developed into the most sought after picnic spot and venue for the photographers and nature lovers. It has already been declared as a reserved national wetland by the Government of India and it plays host to migratory birds like Siberian cranes and ducks every year.


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Migratory birds from Siberia, Australia and Eurasia arrive at Santragachi Jheel

The Santragachi jheel has been cleaned of water hyacinth and other major pollutants and, as a result, hundreds of migratory birds have begun to arrive from faraway places like Siberia, Australia and Eurasia for their regular "winter break".
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 18 December 2016.

Observers feel that this year, the visitors have touched down earlier than other years - thanks to a thorough clean-up of the 13,75,000-sq ft water body which is almost adjacent to the Santragachi railway station. The cleaning move was prompted by a Green Tribunal order that had been passed at the beginning of the year. It had ordered the Howrah Municipal Corporation and the state forest department to keep the jheel clean through the year.
The regular visitors are usually the lesser whistling duck (south east Asia), common teal (Eurasia), baikal teal (Russia) and cotton pygmy goose (south east asia).
This year, new arrivals include rare species of northern pintail (Europe and North America), gadwal (Europe, Eurasia and North America) and Firruginous pochard (Eurasia).
Bird watchers and photographers are making a beeline for Santragachi and the annual bird counting program would be held on January 7 and 8.


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Decline in arrival of migratory birds in Hunasinkere tank in Hassan

Hundreds of migratory birds of varied species have arrived at the Hunasinkere tank in Hassan, but there is a decline in their numbers. These birds fly from far off places to Hunasinkere in November every year and feed on the fish in the tank - but, their numbers are on the decline.
The arrivals include pelicans, painted storks, spoon-billed storks, purple moorhen and grey hornbills.
This has been reported in thehindu.com dated 29 November 2016.

AS a birdwatcher has revealed - spoon-billed storks are there in good numbers but there is a steep decline among ducks, purple moorhen, jacana and a few others.
Various factors could have contributed to this. Over the years the water level in the tank has come down because of decrease in rainfall. Moreover, there are more people living closer to the tank now. This reduces the space for trees on the bank. Consequently, less trees mean less of the birds.
Another aspect is that many local farmers pumping water from the lake to their land. Many private agencies take the water from the tank for construction work. Obviously, such activities disturb the birds and they shift to other locations.


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Sharp decline in arrival of migratory birds in Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary

This year, there is a sharp decline in the arrival of migratory birds in the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary at Kodiakarai in Nagapattinam district. It usually attract several thousands of migratory birds every year but, this year there is a sharp decline according to a top ornithologist of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
Point Calimere usually receives birds from other countries but, this year, Indian birds are coming in large numbers.
This has been reported in deccanherald.com fated 19 November 2016.

So far, a few thousands of flamingos, shore birds, particularly wader and seagulls have arrived The migratory birds usually start to arrive at the sanctuary during the first half of October this year. Last year the area had received 656 mm rain in October and 660 mm in November. Against this, in the current year, the area has received only 145 mm during October and just 92 mm during the first half of November.
Normally, during the same time last year, nearly 1.5 lakh birds had arrived but,this year, the figure is around 40,000. Certain species like the slender-billed gulls, Ibis, painted storks, spoon-bills and pelicans that fall in the rare worldwide category, could arrive during December because this sanctuary usually serves as a temporary halt location for them as they wing across to other countries like Sri Lanka.


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Bird lovers of Indore are a happy lot because the winged visitors have started to arrive to keep their winter date. The absence of large flocks of the Rosy starling birds has become a concern for them because these birds come in huge flocks and usually kick start the arrival of birds in the region. But - this time they are missing.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 6 November 2016.

Experts feel that the arrival of birds this year has been less and slow when compared to last year but expect the numbers to go up because the region had experienced good rainfall this year. Expectations are that nearly 30,000 birds could arrive by December to spend the winter days till February next year.
Once the temperature drops with the start of snowfall in Himalayas the arrival of the birds will be more evident. They will traverse thousands of kms from their breeding grounds to escape the harsh temperatures there. Most of the duck species will be seen in shallow ponds and lakes with abundant floating, emergent and fringing vegetation which is not too tall or dense. Then there will be the grassy environments like swampy meadows, flooded fields, and shallow freshwater marshes that are aplenty in the outskirts of Indore.


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Migratory birds from Siberia, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan have started to arrive in the Chilika Lake

It is good news for bird watchers as migratory birds begin to arrive at Chilika Lake, India's largest brackish water lagoon. The birds like wigeon, pintail and gadwall have been spotted at Mangalajodi and Nalabana island - this is the designated bird sanctuary within the 1,100 sq km lake. These birds have started to flock to their winter home.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 28 October 2016.

The birds have started to arrive and, once the water level recedes and mudflats are exposed, their numbers will increase during December and January. The authorities have taken measures to protect the avian guests. The focus is not only on ensuring a disease-free stay for the birds but also take steps against poaching. About 18 camps have already been set up and the chief district veterinary officers have been asked to remain vigilant and step up surveillance to prevent avian influenza.
There are around 1,600 tourist boats plying on Chilika Lake in both Satapada and Balugaon regions and the annual arrival of migratory birds from Siberia, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan is a regular feature. They visit the lake in October and return in March.


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Arrival of migrant birds increases in Bhitarkanika National Park to over one lakh

Arrival of migrant birds has shown an upward trend in Bhitarkanika National Park. It has increased to to over one lakh against around 97,000 last year. Therefore, this national park has yet again reinstated its place in the state of Odisha as one of the congenial heronries for the migrant water birds.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 3 September 2016.

Prominent among the species that arrived for nesting were grey heron, purple heron, darter, cormorant, large egret, intermediary egret and little egret.
The counting began on August 22. It was a week-long drive for the head count of seasonal monsoon birds. There were two teams comprising 10 ornithologists besides wildlife personnel of the national park. Since the rainfall was not uniform, arrival of the birds was delayed.
Still, as many as 21,204 nests were spotted on 2,098 treetops. Out of the counted birds, 42,408 adults were enumerated arriving here for monsoon sojourn. The heronry at Bagagahana attracted the highest number (46,322) of birds. The teams took into account all major congregation zones both in and out of the park. Apart from the core area of the national park, peripheral wetland sites like Satabhaya and Barunei were also included in the census.
It may be recalled that noted ornithologist Salim Ali had made a chance discovery of this habitat of the birds while he was a visit to Bhitarkanika in 1981.


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