No effect of rains on birds migrating to Andhra Pradesh sanctuaries

Vijayawada: Incessant rainfall under the influence of southwest monsoon seems to be having no major impact on arrival of several species of migratory birds spotted at several bird sanctuaries and water bodies in AP.

According to an estimate, nearly six lakh migratory birds of 100 to 130 varieties from parts of Central Europe, Mongolia, Central, West and South Asia, Siberia, Tibet and others visit Pulicat and Kolleru lakes, Avanigada and Hamsaladeevi in Krishna delta, Telukunchi, Teline-elapuram, Naupada in Srikakulam, Coringa sanctuary and Punyakshetram in East Godavari and others in the state.

Water birds like great crested grebes, great knots, the ruff, bar-headed geese, red-crested pochards, ospreys, sandpipers, pacific golden plovers, Eurasian wigeons, peregrine falcons, Asian openbill storks, spot-billed pelicans, bar-headed geese, black-tailed godwits and several others start arriving from early October and stay up to March or mid-April the next year before they return. Some birds arrive early while others come late, even in December or January, depending upon climatic conditions in their places of origin.

Chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Rahul Pandey said, “We have spotted openbill storks at Telukkunchi and spot-boiled pelicans at Telineelapuram bird sanctuaries in Srikakulam district recently.

Migratory birds have arrived in AP. As the state has been witnessing a series of cyclonic storms like Titli, Hudhud and others during the monsoon season, these migratory birds have adapted themselves to survive except in worst case scenarios, like uprooting of trees with high velocity winds and devastation. We don't expect any major impact on the arrival of migratory birds to AP this season.”

However, bird experts say that as these migratory birds fly thousands of kilometres of distances to arrive to parts of South India, including AP, to avoid bad weather conditions and lack of feed. They can survive here with the availability of vegetation and water bodies as they get good feed. However, they say that if the birds find no vegetation, no trees to take shelter and flooding of water bodies, they will move to some other place. They say that as AP is witnessing a prolonged spell of rainfall at present and all water bodies are filled to the brim and there are no high velocity winds and devastation, the birds will continue to arrive and take shelter as usual unless they find major disturbances in nature.

Deccan Birders executive committee member, Bhamidipati Srikanth, said, “Though nature is supportive to migratory birds, we are facing the challenge of the destruction of their habitats."

Nature lover, Dr. K. Mrutyumjaya Rao, said, "Several species of birds like the great knot, the bar headed goose and others used to visit Coringa sanctuary and Punyakshetram but with encroachment and destruction of their habitats, their arrivals are dwindling year after year. There is a need to protect several endangered and threatened species of birds by protecting their habitats."