Birds of a feather start flocking together in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The nip in the air indicates winter is on its way to Delhi. Alongside, migratory birds have started arriving at Yamuna Biodiversity Park. However, the number of the species and the number of arrivals are lower this time than previous years. Experts said the delay in the withdrawal of the monsoons and excess rainfall in the northern region of the country may have affected avian movements.
Among the migratory birds that have flocked to the biodiversity park are the great cormorant, gadwall, tufted pochard and Eurasian coot.Many other seasonal guests are yet to reach the park. Last year, the northern pintail and common pochard had flown in at the park, respectively, on October 15 and 22, but they haven’t been sighted as yet this year. Apart from the number of species, the count of arrivals itself is lower than last year. Park officials said the great cormorant are present in big numbers, but the others are not so bountiful.

Faiyaz Khudsar, scientist, Biodiversity Parks Programme, said, “Most migratory birds come from Central Asia, Siberia and China and their migration route is through Afghanistan, Rajasthan and Delhi. Due to the delayed retreat of the monsoon and the record rainfall, many waterbodies in Rajasthan have become stopover spots for the migratory birds.” Khudsar hoped that more bird species would be in the park by mid-November.
Nearly 35 species of migratory birds, including aquatic and territorial birds, come to Yamuna Biodiversity Park every year to spend the winter. Over 200 species of migratory and residential birds are found there. Among the migratory birds whose presence is awaited are the red crested pochard, northern shoveler and the Eurasian wigeon.
According to the birders, the situation is no different at other sites in Delhi. Nikhil Devasar, founder, Delhi Bird, said, “Most migratory bird species haven’t arrived or their numbers are low. By the last week of October, a large number would have usually arrived, but not this year. We are expecting more to be here by mid-November.”
Sohail Madan of Bombay Natural History Society, added, “Nearly 10-14 species of migratory birds are usually seen at Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary. Unusually, however, only the black redstart, a forest bird, has arrived so far this year.” He added that it seemed the migratory birds had made abrief stopover somewhere before continuing their flight to Delhi and their count should go up in the coming weeks.