Rare migratory birds spotted near Gurugram parks

By Pradeep Singh

Gurugram, Jan 5 (IANS) Rare migratory birds are being spotted in and near Sultanpur National Park here, including the white-tailed eagle and yellow-legged button quall in neighbouring Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary, for the first time in 90 years, wildlife officials said on Thursday.

According to officials, about 35,000 birds have been spotted in Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary till now as compared to over 25,000 birds last year.

Besides Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, rare birds have been spotted near Mangar in Faridabad and Aravalli forest area.

"White-tailed eagle, yellow-legged button quall and lesser white-fronted goose have been in neighbouring Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary in Jhajjar district of Haryana, for the first time in 90 years," District Forest Officer (wildlife) Shyam Sunder Kaushik told IANS.

"It's a great thing and we have decided to celebrate World Wetland Day on February 2 in Bhindawas. This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands," Kaushik said.

He said that Sultanpur park has recorded first sightings of Brown-breasted flycatcher, Scaly thrush, Asian brown flycatcher, Besra and Large-tailed nightjar in Mangar.

Birdwatchers said that many birds have been spotted for the first time in over 50 years.

Birdwatcher Suresh Kumar said that White-capped redstart in Haryana's Sonipat, Grey- headed lapwing, Montague's harrier, Singing bush lark and Tickell's leaf warbler were spotted at Sultanpur park.

Kumar said that the rare bird Black-naped tit, which was recorded as first sight, was spotted in Rewari.

"These birds are not common in the region and have been spotted first time this year. The pattern of migratory birds has changed due to urbanisation at a global level," he added.

Other spotted rare birds include Chestnut-tailed starling, Blue-capped rock thrush, Common grasshopper warbler, Whimbrel, Hume's lark, Northern lapwing, Demoiselle crane, Spotted crane and Great bittern.

"Birds are very sensitive and migrate according to safety and food and water availability," said an expert.

Migratory birds start coming in from different parts of the world beginning October and return to their respective homelands in March, which is also their breeding season.

(Pradeep Singh can be contacted at pradeepsinghrao@gmail.com)