Jamshedpur: With the city all set to begin in the winter season, 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, Balochistan, Myanmar and the foothills of Himalaya got delayed this season. However with the spotting of some of the rare birds, the bird lovers are happy.
According to bird watchers, due to recent cold waves in European and Asian countries rare species of birds have been forced to migrate to warmer areas. 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 have been spotted at Dimna and Jubilee lake.
An official of Jharkhand and Bihar chapter of Ornithology Society of India, birds have been staying away from the city due to increased human activities. However, he has spotted several migratory birds at Sitarampur Dam at Gamharia.
“During my visit I have witnessed several rare species. Several non-aquatic birds, including Wage Tail from Russia and Red-headed Bunting from Baluchistan, have arrived,” he conceded. He said that availability of food and sense of security are the two main reasons that attract the birds in and across the city.
Meanwhile, Bird Watchers Club at XLRI that also keeps a track on the birds informed that they have spotted some of the migratory birds near their campuses.
“Every year we have spotted numbers of birds at our campus area. This year too we have tracked some of the rare birds that migrate from colder regions. Though due to noise pollution the numbers have diminished over the years but this year the numbers are good,” said a member.
Roshan Gupta, 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 year, reels under severely cold conditions. To protect themselves, these birds migrate thousands of miles to warm regions. They stay for four months of winter and then return to their original homeland,” he added
Among the popular varieties that are sighted 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 still in 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.