Extended winter prolongs stay of migratory birds
KOTA: Migratory birds have extended their stay at the wetlands of Rajasthan’s Hadoti region, all thanks to the extended winter this year.
Winter season has extended to the month of March, providing suitable conditions for the winged guests coming from Europe, Russia, China and Central Asia. It has proved to be an unexpected bonanza for bird watchers.
The Hadoti region, which has Chambal river, dams, canal network and wetlands, every years hosts a large number of migratory bird species.
Abdul Haneef Zaidi, a bird watcher and senior vice president, Hadauti Naturalists Society (HNS), Kota, said that over 50 migratory bird species and around 150 resident species of birds are seen these days at the wetlands of Hadauti region.
“Over 4,000 different species of migratory birds and resident birds are seen at the Kishore Sagar Lake situated at the heart of Kota city, while over 4,000 common coot can be sighted at the Ummedganj pond in Kota,” he said.
Migratory birds, including Bar Headed Goose, Grey Leg Goose and Ruddy Shelduck, can be spotted at the wetlands in Kota and other districts of Hadoti region, he said.
Bird watcher Banwari Yaduvanshi said that wetlands of Hadoti region including Wardha dam, Kishore Sagar lake, Abhera pon,d Girdharpura pond, Sawan bhado pond, Krishna Sagar pond, Udpuria pond, Ummedganj pond, Abhera pond, Kanak Sagar, Kishore Sagar lake of Dara, Lakhawa and several others are a big draw for the migratory birds. “Usually migratory birds starts reverse migration to their native countries with the onset of March, but extended winters in Hadoti region and snowfall in the native countries of these birds and northern part of India has forced these birds to delay their return,” he said.