At the time when migratory birds from Siberia and Central Asia have returned to their native abode, two migratory birds have stayed back at Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary even after the onset of harsh summer.
Two migratory birds, one each of species — Greylag Goose and Ferruginous Duck — were spotted at Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary on Friday.
These two migratory birds were wounded hence could not fly back to their native habitat after the end of this winter season.
The ecologist and environmentalist TK Roy, who is the coordinator of the Asia Waterbird Census (AWC) while talking to The Pioneer said, “This is for the first time that two migratory birds have stayed back at Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary. The two migratory birds were spotted today.”
Roy said, “These migratory birds were wounded and did not fly back home with other migratory birds who had arrived at Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary. Two species namely Greylag Goose and Ferruginous Duck were spotted at the Sanctuary.”
The Ferruginous Duck is listed as near threatened on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list of threatened birds.
It is a little studied, partial migrant, widely distributed in Europe, and Asia. Since past few decades, this migratory bird species has undergone a large, long-term decline
globally.
Both the Ferruginous Duck and Grey lag Goose are the species to which
the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. The agreement adopts a flyway approach, and provides for coordinated conservation action to be taken by the range states throughout the migration systems of the 235 species of waterbirds to which it applies.
Roy informed that this year, around 30 waterbird species, including migratory and resident birds were spotted during a survey conducted in January at Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary.
The ecologist said, "All the migratory species have returned to their native place by April. Only these two birds have stayed back… As these two migratory birds are injured, it is difficult for them to cover distance of more than 5000 kilometers to reach their native habitat hence they did not return."
"It is surprising that these birds have survived in the scorching weather conditions till now. We have informed the concerned Wildlife Department and have asked them to take care of these migratory birds," he added.
Escaping cold biting conditions in their areas and braving the high snow-laden peaks of Himalayas, the migratory birds reach Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary every year.
The winged guests reach Nangal by mid-November from Siberia, Central Asia, and the upper Himalayas and their stay lasts till March or April. The distance covered by birds during migration is more than 5000 kilometres.
The visit of migratory birds depends on the climatic conditions every year. And, the birds' migration is response to the changes in habitat, weather and food availability in a particular area they are living.
Notably, the census held at Nangal on January 21 this year by AWC's Delhi state coordinator TK Roy showed up 3,463 birds from 22 species.