Waterfowl number down at Sukhna Lake this year

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 11

Increase in the water level of Sukhna Lake has reduced the number of migratory birds, particularly waterfowl, visiting the lake area. This has been revealed in the Waterfowl Census and Species Count for Sukhna Lake conducted by the Chandigarh Bird Club (CBC) today.

The census was conducted at the lake, Sukhna Forest and Nagar Van on the birth anniversary of Dr Salim Ali. Fourteen bird watchers, divided into three teams, combed the entire area from 6:30 am to 10:30 am. The census results were not very encouraging as only 417 waterfowls were seen compared to 717 found in the last census conducted on November 12, 2017.

The number of species has shown an increase from 91 species in 2017 to 98 species today. The increase in the number could be because of development of the Nagar Van area on more scientific lines.

Meanwhile, MS Sekhon, who led the census, said an increase in the depth of Sukhna Lake could be a reason for the decrease in the number of waterfowl, as waders and dabbling ducks preferred shallow waters. Bar-headed geese, red-crested pochards and brown-headed gulls are some of the prominent migrant birds that are not here yet, though they were recorded last year.

Osprey, bar-tailed treecreeper, ashy drongo and peregrine falcon were some of the species of altitude migrants which were not recorded last year.