Migratory birds this year: More in number, less in diversity
Bird aficionados of the region have a statistic to rejoice as Rupnagar wetland, one of the Ramsar sites in Punjab, has witnessed an increased number of migratory birds this year, as compared to the figures last year, reports a cenus.punjab Updated: Jan 15, 2016 10:45 IST
Bird aficionados of the region have a statistic to rejoice as Rupnagar wetland, one of the Ramsar sites in Punjab, has witnessed an increased number of migratory birds this year, as compared to the figures last year, reports a cenus.
The asian waterbird census, Delhi, state coordinator and ecologist TK Roy conducted the census with the help of wildlife department and volunteers on Wednesday.
A total number of 3,114 migratory birds as compared to 1,649 last year were recorded. However, species diversity decreased to 33, it was 36 last year, said the census figures.
As many as 816 barheaded geese, long distance winter migratory birds, were found as compared to 95 recorded last year. Similarly, number of ruddy shelduck has increased to 1,028 this year as compared to 615 of last year.
The number of great cormorant birds has also increased to 485 as compared to 91 last year. Similarly, the number of eurasian coots has also increased to 296 as compared to 193 of last year. The number of redcrested pochard birds was recorded at 154 as compared to 28 of last year. Simialrly, 35 birds of pallas’s gull species were found at the wetland this year as compared to 14 last year. For the first time large flock of Comb Duck - 63 was also found at the wetland.
Migratory birds mostly from central and north Asia arrive at Rupnagar wetand for the winter abode every year.
According to TK Roy last year there was de-silting at the wetland which had stopped now and could be the reason for the increased number of migratory birds this year.
The convention on wetlands, called the Ramsar convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
First Published: Jan 15, 2016 10:43 IST