Jamshedpur : With the onset of winter, the arrival of migratory birds has given a reason to cheer for the bird watchers of the city.
The flight of migratory birds to the city from Russia, Baluchistan, Myanmar and thefoothills of Himalaya got delayed this season. However with the spotting of some of the rare birds, the bird lovers are happy.
According to the bird watchers, heavy snowfall and cold wave hitting the European and few Asian countries rare species of birds have been compelled to migrate to the warmer zones for survival. A number of aquatic birds � Common Teal and Shoveller from Myanmar and Cotton Teal and Brahminy Duch (commonly known as Lalsar) from the foothills of Himalaya have been spotted at Dimna and Jubilee Lake this weekend.
K.K. Sharma, in charge of Jharkhand and Bihar chapter of Ornithology Society of India, birds are staying away from the city due to increased human activities along water bodies in Jubilee Park and Dimna Lake.
“However non-aquatic birds, including Wage Tail from Russia and Red-headed Bunting from Baluchistan, have arrived in the city and adjoining areas,” he informed.
It may be mentioned that a number of aquatic birds � Common Teal and Shoveller from Myanmar and Cotton Teal and Brahminy Duch (commonly known as Lalsar) from the foothills of Himalaya � to Jubilee Park began to diminish after the creation of zoo there. However, with the increase in human activities and pollution, their arrival have minimized over the years.
Ranjan Prasad, a city-based avid bird watcher said that extreme cold conditions force these birds out of their habitation during the winter season.
�Migratory birds generally come from South-East Asia and the Siberian region which, at this time of the calendar year reels under severe cold conditions. To protect themselves, these birds migrate thousands of miles to find a safer place in the relatively warmer geography.They stay here for about three to four months and then return to their original homeland,� he added.
Among the popular varieties that are sighted at the Dalma hills and Jubilee Lake include Ruddy Shelducks, Great Crested Grebes, Coots, Tufted Pochards and Bar-Headed Geese.
Though egrets and ducks can be seen in plenty but their counter parts, which migrate from nearby areas, are appearing in thin strength, complained few bird watchers and members of Nature’s Trail, who regularly come to the zoo for morning walks. These migratory birds generally arrive at the lake around October and stay still February.
Members of the Nature’s Trail are confident that with further chill in the air migratory birds would be tempted to fly into the city for safer destination, which would give the bird watchers a visual treat.