Winter delight: Over 1 lakh migratory birds arrive

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, October 14

With the onset of winter, migratory birds from various countries have started flocking to shallow water bodies in Rohtak, Jhajjar, Rewari and nearby areas.

As per bird watchers, around 100 species of the birds have already arrived here, while some like Crake, Dunlin, Jack Snipe and Whimbrel Terek Sandpiper have been spotted here after several years.

However, the bird watchers in less number are reaching here from other states this time due to the Covid pandemic but their number is likely to rise in days to come.

“Baland, Aasan, Masudpur, Karontha, Polangi, Bhaloth in Rohtak, Chhudani, Mandhothi, Dhaud, Dighal, Dubaldhan and Bhindawas bird sanctuary in Jhajjar and Masani village in Rewari are the villages where migratory birds from Siberia, Russia, Magnolia, Alaska and other parts of America can be seen chirping and swimming,” said Rakesh Ahlawat, a bird watcher from Dighal village.

Ahlawat claimed Crake, Dunlin, Jack Snipe, Whimbrel and Terek Sandpiper had been seen after several years in Mandhothi and Dubaldhan villages this month. Winged guests in large numbers had also made their habitats at Sultanpur bird sanctuary in Gurugram and its surrounding areas.

Bird watchers across the nation used to come to this region every season to spot migratory birds but the Covid effect has reduced their number this time, he added.

“Over one lakh migratory birds have so far arrived at various places in Rohtak, Jhajjar, Rewari and Gurugram districts. The main attraction of this season so far is the presence of Pacific golden plover, which migrates from Alaska and other parts of America. It has, for the first time, been spotted in Masani village,” said Sunder Sambharya, District Forest Officer, Rewari.

Sambharya said the species of birds arrived so far were Godwit, four species each of Sandpiper and plover, 15 species of raptors, wagtails and pipits, seven species of ducks, avocet, cracks, locally migrated cormorants, darters, flamingo etc. Many more species from overseas were likely to arrive here at the end of October, he added.

Officialspeak

“The main attraction of this season so far is the presence of Pacific golden plover, which migrates from Alaska and other parts of America. It has been spotted for the first time,” said Sunder Sambharya, DFO, Rewari.