Winged visitors descend on wetlands as winter arrives

With the advent of winter season in the region, migratory birds from northern and Central Asian countries, some parts of Europe and the upper reaches of the Himalayas have started descending on the wetlands across Haryana.

Birds of various species have been sighted at lakes, other water bodies, farmlands and even waterworks in Rohtak and nearby districts of the state.

However, poor air quality, smog and somewhat high temperatures during daytime are likely to hit the arrival of the winter guests, the number of which has declined in the recent years.

"The birds sense the high pollution, smog and adverse weather conditions and make long stopovers on the way to delay their arrivals," maintains Sunder Sambharya, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Rohtak division.

The birds may make/extend stopovers at Pong Dam Lake in Himachal Pradesh and Harike Wetland in Punjab, he states.

The officer, who is also an avid bird-watcher himself, points out that the installation of electric wires, increased use of pesticides and insecticides in agricultural fields, windmills and poaching have also led to the decline in the number of birds.

Birds of numerous species, including ducks, pochards, greylag geese, bar-headed geese, common teals, wagtails, plovers and sandpipers of different kinds, have been sighted in the district and its vicinity during the recent days. Some bird-watchers state that not many winged visitors have arrived in the state so far.

"Few migratory birds have been spotted at the locations/wetlands where these are usually found in abundance around this time of the year. High temperatures during daytime may be the reason behind the delay in their arrival," says HS Yadav, an officer at Haryana Tourism Corporation Ltd, who is also a keen bird-watcher.

Bird-watchers also state that a comparative analysis of the arrival of migratory birds with the previous years cannot be made due to lack of maintenance of a proper record.

"Nonetheless, a digital database regarding the number and species of migratory birds is now being maintained on ebird mobile App," observes Sambharya.

The bird-watchers hope to see more winged visitors in the coming days as the smog gets washed down and quality of air improves in the region.