As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Friday, 19 January 2018

Lack of wild birds in Delhi hint at a serious problem in health of region's ecosystem


Bird lovers are now venturing farther to Haryana's pristine Dighal and Yamunanagar wetlands, which are still unspoilt by development.

Baishali Adak | Posted by Christopher Gonsalves
New Delhi, January 1, 2018 | UPDATED 11:06 IST

Exotic wild birds are being sighted farther away from Delhi-NCR as the region's own wetlands shrink into nothing. This stands true for Haryana's Sultanpur and Basai, Uttar Pradesh's Surajpur and Dadri, and Delhi's own Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Sanjay Jheel and Yamuna Khadar - former rich habitats of winter-roosting avians.

Dr. Surya Prakash, a renowned biologist from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), indicated towards this in a retrospective of rare birds seen in Delhi and NCR in year 2017, on Sunday.

Wild birds are natural indicators of a healthy ecosystem. They thrive only in peaceful habitats and pollution-free environment.

Dr. Prakash said, "This year was good for birding primarily due to rains. Dhanauri wetlands in UP remained on top in number of birding trips being a 'Sarus crane paradise.' For many birders, Najafgarh jheel attracted due to its Greater flamingos and Common cranes."

"Birders enjoyed Sultanpur National Park (SNP) flats to witness Stoliczka's Bushchat's mesmerising 'puff-n-roll' display. Indian Pitta and Cuckoo Shrike showed up as usual at Mangar but the highlights were Jungle Bush Quail and Greater Rackettail drongo seen at SNP and Mangar forests each," he said.


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