Migratory birds extend their stay in Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur, Feb 24: Despite a rise in mercury, the migratory birds have been overstaying in and across the city. These include cattle egret, night heron, large egret, and darters. At Dimna late a large number of different birds chirping all around the trees make for a spectacular sight. A number of bird watchers throng the area in the early morning to have a glimpse of the birds.

Forest Department officials said that the migration season for the birds normally is restricted to six months from November to February. “Although these birds reached the sanctuary in November last year, they have been overstaying here beyond February this year,” said a Forest Department official.

In fact, the population of the birds dwindled to some extent around March but it stabilised after the birds had sensed the availability of water. The birds which are overstaying include cattle egret, night heron, large egret, and darters.

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 counterparts, 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 until 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 destinations, which would give the bird watchers a visual treat.

It may be mentioned that a number of aquatic birds — Common Teal and Shoveller from Myanmar and Cotton Teal and Brahminy Duck (commonly known as Lalsar) from the foothills of Himalaya — to Jubilee Park began to diminish after the creation of the zoo there. However, with the increase in human activities and pollution, their arrival has been minimized over the years.