The bird census at the Pong Dam wetland has revealed that 1.23 lakh birds arrived this year. The census was conducted on January 31 and February 1. The Wildlife Welfare of India, the World Wildlife Federation, the Chandigarh Bird Club, the Delhi Bird Club, Himachal Birds and other wildlife activists took part in this annual exercise. Assistant Wildlife Conservator DS Dadwal said the lake was divided into 23 sections and 80 persons participated in the census.
Bar-headed geese coming from Tibet and Mongolia outnumbered the rest of the migratory birds. 34,000 bar-headed geese arrived this year, which was the highest number of the species in the entire country. Scientists had attached radio transmitters to the geese last year to track the migratory routes. A few birds that were ringed last year returned to their favourite winter home.
Bar-headed geese coming from Tibet and Mongolia outnumbered the rest of the migratory birds. 34,000 bar-headed geese arrived this year, which was the highest number of the species in the entire country. Scientists had attached radio transmitters to the geese last year to track the migratory routes. A few birds that were ringed last year returned to their favourite winter home.
Other bird varieties recorded included the northern pintail (21,000), the common coot (14,000), the common pochard (12,000), the tufted pochard (8,000), the little cormorant (7,700), the common teal (6,800), the common shelduck (35), the ruddy breasted trake (1), the grey legged goose (50), the red crested pochard (110), the white fronted goose (60), the sarus crane (7) and the osprey (7).
Among the birds of prey following migratory birds, five western marsh harriers and a variety of falcons were also recorded. Last year, 1.19 lakh migratory birds were recorded at the Pong Dam lake. This year, there was a marginal increase in their number.
Principal Conservator of Forests-cum-Chief Wildlife Warden SB Islam confirmed that 1.23 lakh foreign migratory birds of 113 species visited the lake this year. He said the birds migrated from their breeding areas in the trans-Himalayan region in Tibet, Central Asia, Russia and Siberia.
The Pong Dam lake, a man-made wetland, was declared as an international wetland during the Ramsar convention.
Over the years, the calm and quiet waters had provided an ideal habitat for migratory birds during winter. Many birds had made the lake their permanent habitat.
No comments:
Post a Comment