Rare arctic bird spotted in Prayagraj
PRAYAGRAJ: A rare Arctic migratory bird Red-necked phalarope has been spotted and clicked in Prayagraj—a city witnessing record-breaking heat wave this summer. The small, dainty shorebird usually breeds on the Arctic tundra and during autumn migrates inland or on the ocean stopping on lakes while on its way. They take a round trip, covering thousands of miles from Arctic regions, and return for breeding. Red-necked phalarope’s conservative status is “Least Concern” i.e. facing lowest risk.
The bird was spotted and clicked by city-based laparoscopy surgeon, wildlife photographer and birder Dr Arpit Bansal in Jhunsi area.
Dr Bansal, who claimed that the rare bird was spotted in the state the first time, also reported his sighting and clicking of the bird to ‘eBirds.org’— the world’s largest online database of birds launched in 2002 by Cornell Lab of Ornithology of Cornell University, US and the National Audubon Society to document the presence and absence of bird species the world over.
“It is a rare sighting. I was on my usual birding trip when I spotted the rare Arctic migratory bird Red-necked phalarope near Chattnag ghat of Jhunsi on April 29 morning when the city was witnessing a record rise in temperature. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a male Phalarope standing between a flock of Stilts which are small waders or shorebirds,” said Dr Bansal.
“The bird could be easily identified as male as it was in red-coloured breeding plumage. It’s during the breeding season that the plumage around the neck turns red. Otherwise, it is completely white and grey,” claimed Dr Bansal who is also credited for spotting the rare mottled wood owl in Jhunsi area of Prayagraj the first time a few months back.
“In India, there are some recorded sightings of it from Pune and Mumbai in Maharashtra and a few places in Gujarat and Rajasthan, as this bird normally prefers coastal areas. It was very unusual for this bird to be spotted in the extreme weather conditions of Prayagraj,” he said.