On Friday, the first group of approximately 50 Ruddy Shelducks, also known as 'Surkhab' birds, arrived in Uttarakhand for their winter retreat, lasting six months. The Chakrata forest department has increased security measures around Asan Barrage, in line with their customary preparations for the birds' arrival.
According to the forest department sources, since 2015, 47,463 migratory foreign birds have found hospitable refuge in Uttarakhand. Every winter, an impressive array of 70 to 80 bird species undertakes a migratory journey from the high Himalayan region and the chilly corners of Europe to settle at the Asan Barrage wetlands for an extended six-month stay, shared Pradeep Saxena, a knowledgeable forester and avian expert from the Chakrata forest division. Among these avian visitors, the initial contingent of 50 Ruddy Shelducks, affectionately known as 'Surkhab' birds, made their appearance on Friday to commence their winter vacation.
Among these 80 bird species, the bar-headed goose stands out as a truly exceptional aviator, capable of flying at impressive altitudes ranging from 5,000 to 6,000 meters above sea level, and astonishingly, even reaching heights of up to 7,290 meters," mentioned Saxena. He went on to explain, "After their six-month winter stay, these birds possess a remarkable ability to communicate using a beautiful, innate sound, ensuring they regroup and fly together. If any bird in their collective is inadvertently left behind, they decide to postpone their flight for that day.
He also mentioned that These birds travel over 5,000 kilometres in just two months, all without GPS or a map. Preserving and protecting them should be a major focus for us.
The Brahminy ducks, being the first to arrive this season, are birds that prefer the night. They have a diverse diet, eating things like grass, young plant shoots, grains, water plants, and various water or land-based small creatures. They often hang out in pairs or small groups and aren't commonly seen in large flocks. Originating from central Asia, these ducks have a strong bond between males and females, often forming lifelong partnerships. Locally, they're referred to as 'love birds.' It's believed that if one of the pair passes away, the other may slowly stop caring for itself, ultimately leading to a decline in health.
Uttarakhand's Bhimgoda Barrage in Haridwar, Veerbhadra Barrage in Rishikesh, and Asan wetland in Garhwal are vacation spots for many foreign birds. The lush green areas, grassy shrubs, and mud islands in these places create the perfect home for them. These birds, who are just passing through, include white-bellied herons, purple swamphens, yellow bitterns, median egrets, painted storks, black bitterns, black storks, Asian Openbills, northern pintails, mallards, spot-billed ducks, tufted pochards, coots, and black-winged kingfishers, among others.
