Birders look forward to arrival of bar-headed geese

Survey counts 429 migratory birds of 34 species of waterfowls at Sukhna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 13

Birders are looking forward to having a glimpse of bar-headed geese, a migratory bird that reaches the Sukhna Lake from Siberia after flying over the Himalayas during winter.

Rima Dhillon, secretary, Chandigarh Bird Club, said the migratory bird was likely to arrive in the city next month. The club had identified 34 species of waterfowl in a survey conducted yesterday at the Sukhna Lake and adjoining areas. A total of 429 waterfowls were spotted during the survey conducted from 7am to 10am by members of the club, said Rima.

During the survey, a maximum of 141 birds of the most common species of Ruddy Shelduck were spotted. Other migratory birds spotted included Black-winged Stilt (23), Eurasian Coot (27), Great Cormorant (47), Indian Spot-billed Duck (40) and Northern Pintail (23). However, only one bird each of White-breasted Waterhen, White-browed Wagtail, Pied Kingfisher, Citrine Wagtail and Common Kingfisher were spotted during the survey which is conducted every year by the club on November 12, the birth anniversary of Dr Salim Ali, an ornithologist.

Rima said the birds’ arrival had just started. It has showed a drop in the number of migratory birds in comparison to the previous years. The final count would become clearer by the end of next month. She said no new species arrived here this year so far.

She said in a survey conducted in November last year, 620 migratory birds of 33 species of waterfowls were spotted. In November 2018, 417 birds of 31 species of waterfowls were sighted and in November 2017, 717 waterfowls of 91 species were spotted.

Regarding a decrease in the number of winged guests, Rima said it was just a beginning of the winter season and more birds would arrive with temperature dropping further.

Rima said the number of migratory birds also came down after the desilting of Sukhna Lake, as the birds preferred shallow water for feeding.

Box

Year Species of waterfowls Total No. of winged guests

2020 34 429

2019 33 620

2018 31 417

2017 28 717

Box

Survey of 2020

Species Count

Ruddy Shelduck 141

Great Cormorant 47

Indian Spot-billed Duck 40

Eurasian Coot 27

Black-winged Stilt 23

Northern Pintail 23

Little Cormorant 15