Winter guests reach Ottu Barrage; Ghaggar pollution hits bird count

The winter migration season has begun at Ottu Barrage and Ludesar Lake in Sirsa district, with early flocks from Asia and Europe arriving after the first snowfall in their native habitats. Common coots, northern shovelers, common pochards, sandpipers and wagtails are among the first visitors, and most are expected to stay until mid-February.

With the arrival of the initial groups, the Wildlife Department has stepped up security at both sites to curb poaching. Officials said the birds are flying in from regions including France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Croatia, Sweden and Siberia, seeking food-rich wetlands and milder weather.

Situated nearly 4,000 km from major Asian habitats and about 8,000 km from parts of Europe, Sirsa has long been a key winter refuge for migratory species. Over the years, nearly 20 types of winter migrants have been recorded at the two water bodies, drawing bird lovers from across the district.

Local researchers — Dr Vivek Goyal, Dr Sanjeev Goyal and Dr Nisha — have documented more than 250 bird species in Sirsa. They say Ottu Barrage and nearby ponds, including the one at Ludesar village, hold strong potential to host large numbers of winter migrants each year.

Ottu Reservoir, an important wetland supporting irrigation in the region, has once again turned into a vibrant seasonal habitat. Dr Vivek Goyal said the return of migratory birds marks one of Sirsa’s most vibrant wildlife periods and underlines the ecological significance of this often-overlooked wetland.

Each winter, birds using the Central Asian Flyway — a major migratory route stretching from Mongolia and Kazakhstan to the Indian subcontinent — reach Ottu after journeys of several thousand kilometres. Early counts indicate that 2,000 to 3,000 birds are currently present, with more expected as temperatures dip further. The shallow waters, aquatic vegetation and abundance of insects make the reservoir a safe feeding ground.

Species recorded this year include common coots, northern shovelers, common teals, gadwalls, Eurasian wigeons, greylag geese and bar-headed geese. Waders such as black-tailed godwits, common redshanks and ruffs have also been sighted, while marsh harriers circling overhead point to a robust food chain.

However, District Wildlife Inspector Jayvindra Nehra said the overall number of migratory birds is lower than last year due to rising pollution levels in the Ghaggar. “People may say different things, but the truth is that pollution is keeping many migratory birds away,” he said. “Only territorial birds are being seen in good numbers, while migratory species are fewer.”

He said black-winged stilts — a species known to tolerate polluted water — are more prominent this year. Nehra also flagged manpower shortages, noting that the department has only one wildlife guard for the entire district, making monitoring difficult. Still, he said local residents and NGOs are assisting in safeguarding the birds and preventing poaching.

Conservationists warn that unless issues such as water scarcity and pollution are addressed, Ottu’s ecological balance may deteriorate in the coming years.