As temperature rises, migratory birds start leaving water bodies
KOTA: After completing over four months of stay during winters in the wetlands of Rajasthan, migratory birds have begun their return flight home with rise in temperature due to approaching summers.
Migratory birds from colder areas of Europe and Central Asia flock to the water bodies of Rajasthan in winters every year as temperature remains relatively higher in the state.
“There are reports from almost all parts of the state that migratory birds have started congregating for return to their native places,” said Anil Kumar Chhangani, head of department of environmental sciences, Maharaja Ganga Singh University in Bikaner.
“Migratory birds will start leaving for their respective places soon as summer is round the corner and temperature has started to soar,” he said. “Resident migratory birds like vultures have started returning from other states like Gujarat to Jodhpur.”
Abdul Haneef Zaidi, bird expert of Hadoti Naturalists Society, said migratory birds have started departing from Alniya dam, Wardha dam, Lakhawa, Kishore Sagar lake and other water bodies of Kota.
“Migratory birds like greylag goose, red-crested pochard, ruddy shelduck, common teal, common pochard, tufted northern shawler, northern pintail, and gadwell have begun to depart to their respective countries following rise in the temperature these days,” said Zaidi. “These birds arrive from places as far as 6000 km and depart in moonlight.”
Bird watcher Sunil Singhal said bar-headed goose can be seen in the wetlands of Jhalawar, including Khandiya talab, Gomatisagar abd Krishna sagar, but they are all set to return to Ladakh and the Himalayas from where they come.