The two winter migratory birds that have stayed back at Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary appear to be adapting to the harsh summer season in the region.
Two migratory birds, one each of species — Grey lag Goose and Ferruginous Duck — have not returned to their native abode this year after the onset of summer season and are now surviving at Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary
These two migratory birds were spotted on Friday last by ecologist and environmentalist TK Roy, who is also the coordinator of the Asia Waterbird Census (AWC).
While talking to The Pioneer, TK Roy said, “These winter migratory birds have adapted to the weather conditions of the area and have managed to survive in the scorching heat.”
“This is for the first time that migratory birds have stayed back at Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary after the onset of summer. These two birds are wounded hence could not fly back home with other migratory birds that had visited the Sanctuary during mid-November last year,” said Roy.
The ecologist added, “The concerned forests officials need to keep a check on these migratory birds as they are wounded. The authorities concerned have to make an effort so that these migratory birds can survive here for long.”
The migratory bird —Ferruginous Duck is listed as near threatened on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list of threatened birds. The Ferruginous Duck is a little studied, partial migrant, widely distributed in Europe, and Asia. Since past few decades, this migratory bird species have undergone a large, long-term decline globally.
The winter migratory bird species — Grey lag Goose is found across Asia to China.
A large number of water birds migrate long distances globally during winter. Escaping cold biting conditions in their areas and braving the high snow-laden peaks of Himalayas, the migratory birds reach north India every year.
After covering the distance of more than 5000 kms, the water birds reach Nangal by mid-November from Siberia, Central Asia, and the upper Himalayas and their stay lasts till March or April.
Roy said, “By late April, almost all the winter migrants leave northern India as the mercury starts soaring. However, it is surprising that despite the scorching heat in Nangal and nearby areas of Punjab, these migratory birds are surviving in the sanctuary.”
The temperature levels have reached as high as 45 degree Celsius in various parts of Punjab during this summer.
“last year, a number of winter migratory birds including the bar-headed geese, common coot, black-tailed godwit among others had stayed back at Delhi even after the beginning of summer season,” added Roy.
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.
Around 30 water bird species including migratory and resident birds were spotted during a survey conducted at Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary this year. The census held at Nangal on January 21 by AWC’s Delhi state coordinator TK Roy showed up 3,463 birds from 22 species.
When contacted, Balbir Singh, Divisional Forest officer (DFO), Ropar said, “The two migratory birds are surviving in the Nangal wildlife sanctuary.”
“Every year, a large number of migratory birds reach the sanctuary and return by April end. These two migratory birds have not returned to their native place and have adapted to sanctuary’s habitat now. The forest guards are aware about the presence of these migratory birds and are keeping a close vigil on them,” he added.
Notably, both the Ferruginous Duck and Grey lag Goose are the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Water birds (AEWA) applies.
The agreement adopts a flyway approach, and provides for co-ordinated conservation action to be taken by the range states throughout the migration systems of the 235 species of water birds to which it applies.