"Are there more birds around than usual?"

If there is some upside to the pandemic, that would be people paying more attention to the natural world. Across countries, citizens seem to be noticing the inhabitants of the world around them, especially the winged creatures that greet them outside their windows. A cursory glance at the posts under #BackyardBirdPhotography seems like the only affirmation one needs – that there are indeed more birds around. Sadly, that's not true.

In February this year, State of India's Birds, a comprehensive assessment report on bird species frequently found in the country was presented at the 13th Conference of Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 13) held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The report showed a 52 per cent decline in the population of about 261 bird species. According to the report, open-country raptors and migratory birds face an alarming level of decline, and the conference emphasised the need to safeguard them.

A crucial part of protecting our birds is protecting the habitats they are dependent on. Did you know that about 12 per cent of the globally threatened bird species depend on wetlands as habitats? India has more than 67,000 wetlands, which are spread over 4.1 million hectares. Many of them are connected to the country’s key rivers and contribute to their health. While wetlands support a diverse range of plants and animals, the birds sure do love them. Lakes, ponds, marshes and swamps are some of the most important types of water bodies for birds. But the wetlands are no longer the haven they once were. Conversion of wetlands to urban construction sites and agricultural land, and pollution of water bodies through industrial and domestic effluents are some of the major factors damaging our wetlands. These activities affect the water quality as well as impact the biodiversity the wetlands support.

To raise awareness about the state of some of our wetlands and gather glimpses of the birds that visit them often, we reached out to our photographer friends asking them to share their favourite moments from these scenic locations. Here’s what they came up with.

Mangalajodi

Tangi, Odisha 

Ramesh Karmakar (Wildlife Photographer)

Mangalajodi is a freshwater swamp situated on the banks of Chilika, Asia's largest brackish water lake. The swamp is famous for wintering migratory waterfowls and waders. Mangalajodi also supports a wide variety of fish, amphibians, reptiles and other small invertebrate species. The picturesque congregation of migratory birds is a spectacle that people come to witness from all over the world. Apart from this, Mangalajodi also sustains many of the fisherfolk living in the villages nearby. Previously, hunting was a major issue here. But tourism has played a positive role in the region, and local people partake in conservation activities. Ecotourism has also provided them employment opportunities and given them a modest lifestyle. One issue that continues to remain is excessive fishing. 

Seen Often: Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveller, Grey-headed Swamphen, Glossy Ibis, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Balck-tailed Godwit, Sanderling

Seen Rarely: Australian Stilt

Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus
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Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) | Photograph: Ramesh Karmakar
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
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Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) | Photograph: Ramesh Karmakar

Gajoldoba

Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

Shamik Sanyal (Documentary Filmmaker)

The Gajoldoba wetland is the result of a meander-cutoff of the Teesta River in the Jalpaiguri district. The Teesta Barrage Division manages this beel or lake, and the water level in the lake fluctuates based on the levels in the river. During winters, Gajoldoba experiences high water levels as most of the gates in the barrage remain closed, making it an ideal habitat for migratory birds. Previously, Gajoldoba was a hunting ground, but this has decreased remarkably in recent years. The sudden influx of tourists and birders from around the world has created ample employment opportunities for the local boatmen. Many of them have become guides, and they often provide information on where to spot birds. Don't forget to carry your tripod as you will be photographing while you are on the boat.

Seen Often: Ruddy Shelduck, Red-crested Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Lapwing, Bar-Headed Goose, Lesser Whistling Teal, Great Crested Grebe, Black Stork

Seen Rarely: Red-breasted Merganser

Here's a travel guide to help you plan a trip to Gajoldoba.

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
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Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) | Photograph: Shamik Sanyal
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina
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Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina) | Photograph: Shamik Sanyal

Pallikaranai

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Ananth Ramasamy (IT Professional)

A freshwater marsh, Pallikaranai is the only rainwater harvesting wetland in the city of Chennai. The marsh is home to about 115 bird species during the winter season. Sadly, like many marshlands in the country, the Pallikaranai area is subject to intense developmental activities. Construction of IT parks, residential complexes and shopping malls around the wetland has greatly impacted the flow of water and has reduced the marshland to a tenth of its original expanse.

Seen Often: Spot-billed Pelican, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Painted Stork, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Common Coot, Common Moorhen, Grey-headed Swamphen

Seen Rarely: Red-necked Falcon, Gadwall, Eurasian Teal

Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgusNorthern Pintail Anas acuta
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Left: Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus). Right: Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) | Photographs: Ananth Ramasamy

Sarkhej

Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Ravi Patel (Wildlife Photographer)

Sarkhej is situated beside the Sabarmati river in western Ahmedabad. The region became an industrial hub around 1998, and following the construction of several high-rise buildings along the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway, a significant portion of its greenery was lost. Treated industrial waste and sewage are discharged into the water, and the mixed water stagnates in a pool as a result of sand mining along the banks of the river. The vegetation that grows in this pool creates a habitat for birds that often visit the region, and some even build nests along this water body. I often try to photograph the birds against the backdrop of these developmental and destructive activities in an attempt to highlight them.

Seen Often: Greater Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo

Seen Rarely: Egyptian Vulture

Greater Flamingos at Sarkhej, Ahmedabad
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Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) | Photograph: Ravi Patel
Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus
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Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) | Photograph: Ravi Patel

Bhigwan

Pune, Maharashtra

Daksha Bapat (Wildlife Photographer)

Bhigwan is a small town located near the Pune-Solapur district border. The backwaters of the Ujjani Dam have created a wetland here which is a paradise for ornithophiles. Several species of ducks, herons and egrets are spotted here along with other raptors and waders. Greater Flamingos attract a large number of people who visit Bhigwan just to photograph them. This wetland is a scenic destination, and the sunrise and sunsets here are worth your time. The dry grasslands, woodlands and backwaters of the region also provide an ideal habitat for many species of fish, amphibians, lizards and snakes. Although people living here care for nature and the biodiversity Bhigwan supports, the place fosters a large-scale fishing industry. A large number of birds get caught in these nylon fishing nets and die. We must find ways to protect the birds from these nets or create safer alternatives.

Seen Often: Painted Stork, Glossy Ibis, Osprey, Eurasian Spoonbill, Collared Pratincole, Demoiselle Crane, Greater Flamingo

Seen Rarely: Common Shelduck

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida
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Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) | Photograph: Daksha Bapat
Greater Flamingos at Bhigwan
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Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) | Photograph: Daksha Bapat

Keoladeo National Park

Bharatpur, Rajasthan

Rathika Ramasamy (Wildlife Photographer)

The Keoladeo National Park is home to varying habitats of wetlands and woodlands that support a variety of flora and fauna. Wetlands cover a third of the region and are frequented by more than 370 bird species. No wonder the park is referred to as a bird paradise. Keoladeo National Park is also home to mammals such as the Nilgai, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, and several flowering plants, many of which are wetland species. The region provides an excellent opportunity for photographers to observe and photograph birds during various seasons. In summer, one can find the resident birds busy nesting and breeding. During the monsoon, it is a beautiful sight to see the birds come out of their shelters after the rains, spreading their wings to dry themselves. This is definitely a well-maintained bird sanctuary. 

Seen Often: Painted Stork, Grey Heron, Greylag Geese, Sarus Crane, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Pintail

Seen Rarely: Siberian Crane

Here is a travel guide to help you plan a trip to Keoladeo National Park.

A flock of birds at Bharatpur Keoladeo National Park
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A flock of Northern Shovelers (Spatula clypeata), Northern Pintails (Anas acuta), Gadwalls (Mareca strepera) and others. Photograph: Rathika Ramasamy
Red-crested Pochard at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
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Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina) | Photograph: Rathika Ramasamy


Hoskote Lake

Bengaluru, Karnataka

Senthil Murugan (Creative Artist & Photographer)

Situated along the Bengaluru-Tirupati Highway, close to the city of Bengaluru, Hoskote Lake is a delight for ornithophiles and bird photographers. A combination of wetland, grassland and shrubland, Hoskote is home to a large number of resident and migrant birds. The best time to visit Hoskote is during the monsoon and winter seasons. If you visit the lake in the early hours, you will find many birds resting around the lake or foraging for food. Hoskote Lake once provided enough water for the local residents and for agricultural purposes around the region. But with the city expanding, the lake is now threatened by developmental activities. One can see a lot of new construction projects cropping up around the lake, including residential complexes. Apart from land encroachment, indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste and glass bottles is also an issue here.

Seen Often: Spot-billed Pelican, Yellow-billed Babbler, Indian Pond Heron, Common Kingfisher, Red Avadavat, Painted Stork

Seen Rarely: White Stork

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopusLittle Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
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Left: Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus). Right: Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) | Photographs: Senthil Murugan

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary

Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Amit Chavan (Doctor)

Nalsarovar is one of the largest wetland bird sanctuaries in the state of Gujarat. Located near Sanand, it spans over 120km and is visited by more than 200 bird species during the winter. Crowds throng the region between November and January to see winter migrants such as flamingos, ducks, coots and pelicans that travel here all the way from parts of Europe and Central Asia. The wetland also supports a wide variety of fauna, including the endangered Wild Ass and the near-threatened Blackbuck. As a freshwater lake, Nalsarovar depends on the annual rainfall for water. In December 2018, the wetland went completely dry as a result of scanty rainfall in the catchment area, which led to birds moving to another lake about 28km away. Be sure to hire one of the bigger boats and opt for longer trips so that you can photograph easily and at your own pace. If you are interested in photographing flamingos, make sure to visit around the end of March.

Seen Often: Common Pochard, Tufted Pochard, Glossy Ibis, Greylag Geese, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Red-headed Bunting

Seen Rarely: Spotted Crake, Sociable Lapwing

Dalmatian Pelican in Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
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Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) | Photograph: Amit Chavan
Bar-headed Geese Anser indicus
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Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) | Photograph: Amit Chavan

Pangong Tso

Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir

Shreeram MV (Wildlife Photographer)

Most high-altitude lakes of Ladakh, including Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri and Tso Kar are saltwater lakes. They are spread over vast areas, and their waters and shores harbour good biodiversity. The rampant tourism has had an impact on the biodiversity of the region, especially at Pangong Tso. As the number of footfalls has increased over the past decade (thanks in part to Bollywood), the infrastructure boom has resulted in a large area of the shoreline becoming unviable for nesting birds. Thankfully, the district administration had taken tough measures last summer to restrict tourism.

Seen Often: Black-necked Crane, Bar-headed Geese, Goosander, Brown-headed Gull, Lesser Sand Plover, Brown-headed Gull, Horned Lark

Seen Rarely: Arctic Skua

Lesser Sand Plover in Pangong Tso, Ladakh
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Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus) | Photograph: Shreeram MV
Brown-headed Gull in Pangong Tso
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Brown-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus) | Photograph: Shreeram MV

Magadi Lake

Gadag, Karnataka

Arun SK (Doctor)

Situated in Magadi village, about 350 km from Bengaluru, this saline lake is spread over almost 200 acres. Around 30 species of birds have been documented in this region, and the most important of them is the Bar-headed Goose. Every year, during the month of December, thousands of Bar-headed Geese embark on a long journey from Central Asia during the winter to this tiny village in Karnataka, where they stay till the month of March. The forest department along with the village panchayat has done a wonderful job in implementing conservation activities around the lake. The villagers are especially proud of these birds that visit the Magadi lake every winter, and they have been documenting their arrival for more than two decades now.

Seen Often: Bar-headed Goose, Demoiselle Crane, White-fronted Goose

Seen Rarely: Greater White-fronted Goose

Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus
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Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) | Photograph: Arun SK
Bar-headed Geese in Magadi Lake, Gadag
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Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) | Photograph: Arun SK

Dhanauri Wetlands

Thrasana, Uttar Pradesh 

Pramod CL (Telecom Professional)

Located in Greater Noida's Gautam Budh Nagar, the Dhanauri Wetlands are spread over 101.21 hectares. In December 2019, the process to designate Dhanauri as a Ramsar Site was initiated, emphasising the need for its protection. The lake is an important habitat for a significant population of Sarus Cranes that feed, roost and nest here. There are several farms that surround Dhanauri, and agricultural land has slowly expanded to invade these wetlands. But the farmers here consider the birds a good omen and do not prevent them from feeding on grains. A recent census in the wetland identified more than 6227 water birds spread across 59 species, which is reflective of a healthy ecosystem. Mammals such as jackals and mongooses are also present in Dhanauri. The road connecting to Dhanauri is also used by the resident villagers and their children. Travel in smaller vehicles so that you don’t inconvenience them.

Seen Often: Sarus Crane, Oriental Darter, Painted Stork, Common Pochard, Spotted Redshank, Black-bellied Tern, River Tern

Seen Rarely: Eurasian Bittern

Sarus Crane in Dhanauri Wetlands, Uttar Pradesh     pramod cl cl      sc close | Nature Infocus
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Sarus Crane (Antigone antigone) | Photograph: Pramod CL

Purbasthali Bird Sanctuary

Purbasthali, West Bengal

Aparupa Dey (Student)

Located approximately 120km away from Kolkata, Purbasthali is an oxbow lake created by the Ganges, that spreads over an area of 3.50 sq.km. A paradise for bird lovers, one can find a wide variety of kingfisher species here throughout the year. Early in the day, the kingfishers are often seen catching fish and frogs and tossing them in the air to eat them head first. Purbasthali is also famous for the many migratory species that come from distant lands. Between 2004 and 2010, researchers have recorded a decrease in the population of almost 14 migratory bird species in Purbasthali.

Sanjay Sen (Teacher & Wildlife Photographer)

As a frequent visitor to Purbasthali for the last six years, I can say that the place has changed with time and has grown to be more than just a wetland for bird watchers. Every year, more than 50 migratory bird species visit Purbasthali. However, last December, the number of birds were a lot lesser than what one would normally expect to see. This is probably down to the increase in human interference in the region, as the area around the lake gets more and more crowded. A personal observation has been that birds are no longer spotted so easily in the open. They hide within the many water hyacinth plants that cover the surface of the lake. 

Seen Often: Red-crested Pochard, Bronze-winged Jacana, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Lesser Whistling Duck, Tufted Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Pintail, Grey-headed Swamphen

Seen Rarely: Red-necked Grebe, Striated Heron

Here is a travel guide to help you plan a trip to Purbasthali Bird Sanctuary.

Osprey Pandion haliaetusGrey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio poliocephalus
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Left: Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). Right: Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) | Photographs: Aparupa Dey
White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensisRed-crested Pochard Netta rufina
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Left: White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis). Right: Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina) | Photographs: Sanjay Sen

The team wishes to thank Shreeram MV and Karthikeyan Srinivasan for their inputs.