Introduction:
Bird migration is one among the good wonders of the wildlife. A huge
variety of birds make the journey. Migration may be a huge feat of endurance
requiring great strength and stamina.
Winters are an excellent time to ascertain migratory birds as they
create their way from colder climes to warmer climates during this point.
There are all types of birds that come to India within the winters.
Birds visit India from Europe and Africa. There are also local migrants that
move from the northern parts of the country to its southern parts.
And then there are ‘altitudinal’ migrants that move from higher
altitudes up within the mountains to lower altitudes- the plains across India.
A few owl species, including the short-eared owl and therefore the snowy owl,
are here only within the winter, so this is often the sole time of year to
catch a glimpse.
The snowy owl is additionally an example of a bird whose numbers
fluctuate from year to year. Some years they're here in large numbers, called
irruptions, while other times there aren't nearly as many.
The reasons for these irruptions vary among species. For example,
snowy owls have winter irruptions within the northern us supported food
availability within the ire breeding grounds in the Arctic.
“Birders always hope for irruptive species,” Guttmann said, adding
that other species that sometimes winter here in large numbers include Bohemian
waxwings, common redpolls, crossbills, evening grosbeaks and pine siskins.
One more bird to stay an eye fixed out for in our area this winter is
that the American eagle, especially along our area rivers. In fact, Illinois
may be home to one of the largest winter populations of bald eagles in the
country, according to Bird Watchers Digest.
In dense foliage, you’re often lucky to catch even a glimpse of a
pileated woodpecker. But once the leaves fall, you can often observe these
striking birds at close range.
My favorite thanks to watch them are to quietly ski up to a lively feeding
tree. What you'll notice first, of course, is their legendary wood pecking.
Their large, strong bill is a strong chisel on dead trees.
The pileated woodpecker will eat a spread of foods, including seeds
and variety of insects, but carpenter ants structure their primary diet.
The woodpeckers attend great lengths to extract these ants. They pound
out large, square holes in soft, dead wood. They use their barbed tongues to
extract their prey from deep within the hole.
Dead trees with abundant ant populations are foraged repeatedly by the
woodpeckers. You can often see a tree full of holes from a distance (especially
in winter) and piles of wood-chips will pile up on the snow.
Some species of migratory ducks that are seen in India during winters
are the Common Teal, Common Pochard, Red Crested Pochard, Northern Pintail, and
Northern Shoveler. These species of ducks are a common sight across many parts
of the country during winters. Geese also migrate to India during winters.
Places for
birding in India:
Rann of Kutch,
Gujarat
Gujarat may be a haven that gives the experience of bird watching
altogether its glory. The Rann of Kutch may be an excellent spot for birding
ranging from the month of December to March.
Its avian diversity includes an eclectic mixture of lovely birds
including flamingos, pelicans, waterfowl, waders, crab plovers, sociable
lapwings, gulls and terns that flock to varied destinations.
Besides these, desert specialties like Great Indian and Macqueen’s
bustard, grey hypocolius, white-browned bush chat and Asian Desert Warbler make
Gujarat the bird capital of India.
Bird watching within the Rann of Kutch is one among the foremost
exciting things on the bucket list of all travelers and tourists. The Modhva
village is legendary for its flamingo colonies. The Rann of Kutch is that the
resting place for various migratory birds and is home to 200 species of birds.
Ranganathittu
Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka
Ranganathittu may be a good place for birding throughout the year.
Though, the simplest time to go to this place is within the months of January
and February. The best thanks to go bird watching is by taking a ship down the
Cauvery River which can take you to the bird colony.
The place is home to 170 species of birds like Asian openbill storks,
common spoonbills, woolly-necked storks, black-headed ibis', Indian shags,
river terns to call a couple of .
If you would like to be really lucky with bird watching, then you want
to awaken early within the morning before the place gets too crowded because
birds enjoy their solitude.
Keoladeo National
Park, Rajasthan
Popularly referred to as Bharatpur aviary, this place hosts thousands
of birds, especially during the cold winter months. You will find over 230
species of birds here. This is a perfect place if you enjoy both walking and
birding.
If you are feeling tired there are cycle rickshaws and horse buggies
to require you inside the park. The place is understood for its mesmerizing
scenic beauty with colonies of birds and delightful sunrise. The place is completely
pollution free and a perfect destination for those that want to run far away
from the maddening crowd.
Ladakh, Jammu and
Kashmir
Since Ladakh is remote and isolated, its home to several bird species.
Despite the tough weather, the place is home to around 310 species of birds. In
the Suru Valley, you'll be ready to spot rare birds just like the long-billed
bush, warbler, white-tailed ruby throat, fire capped tit and tiny fork tail.
The region around Rizong Monastery is understood for species like
brown dipper, Eurasian, sparrow hawk sparrow hawk and wall creeper tichodroma
muraria. The Nubra valley and Pura valley also are known for its rare species.
Mangalajodi
Ecotourism, Odisha
Located on the northern banks of Chilika Lake, Mangalajodi hosts
around 3,000 species birds. The best thing about this place is that it is the
villagers of this place who take care of the eco-tourism and takes the tourists
on birding trips.
The villagers here believe that protecting the ecosystem is their
primary duty. They take the birding enthusiasts on their boats so that they can
have a close view of the birds. Winter months are the best time to visit this
place as migratory birds can be spotted during this time of the year.
Things to carry
for birding:
While birding with the naked eye is good, a decent pair of binoculars
magnifies the pleasure by a great amount. A good pair of binoculars and
sometimes a camera equipped with a telephoto lens (ideal is 500mm upwards)
helps a birder not only view the bird but also take photos of it.
The more you take advantage of great winter birding, the more you'll
come to see the coldest season as the hottest one for birding.This makes Winter
Birding so exciting.
Written by - Arpit Mallah
Edited by - Umme Amara Shaikh
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