Can’t spot migratory birds at Sukhna Lake? Head to Motemajra village

With the onset of winter, winged guests have started arriving at the numerous water bodies in the area, with a sizable population gathering at Motemajra here.

The otherwise solitary spot, the place near Motemajra village these days is buzzing with migratory bird activity early in the morning and evening, and a handful of bird watchers clicking photos.

Birdwatchers have till now identified bar-headed geese, black-headed white ibises, ruddy shelducks and grey-headed swamphens, painted storks, common pochards, stilts, northern shovelers, evocets, cormorants, great blue herons among others.

The birdwatchers and local residents said it was still early days and the bird count would rise till December or January-end. “Birdwatchers, photography enthusiasts, nature lovers and children can spend quality time sitting here in solitude,” said Jatin Singhal, a Mohali resident and nature lover.

Every year, the sight of avocet — a long-legged, white-black shorebird with a long beak — draws many bird watchers here. It catches eye because of its rare upturned bill, distinctly opposite from all other migratory birds.

Nature photography enthusiasts say they eagerly wait for black-winged stilts every year, a bird which provides them countless clicks with its antics all day long.

The birdwatchers say the Motemajra village panchayat had stopped farming water chestnut in the waterbody for the past two years, which has minimised the disturbance for the migratory birds and further improved the conditions for their short stay. Additionally, the wild growth in the area has proliferated, providing favourable conditions for these birds.

“Wild growth provides adequate foraging opportunities and cover from potential predators to these birds.

For those who are disappointed with not enough showing of migratory birds at Sukhna Lake this year till now, they still can latch on to the opportunity here.

The arrival of migratory birds to Sukhna Lake and its surrounding areas has dropped substantially, with nearly 67 per cent fewer avian guests being spotted so far this year. The Chandigarh Bird Club identified 26 species of migratory birds and spotted 232 birds in a recent survey.

Rima Dhillon, club president, said, “There were hardly any birds to be seen on the Sukhna water.”