After rains, it will be a deluge of birds in Bangalore tanks

After rains, it will be a deluge of birds in Bangalore tanks
Deccan Herald

The overflowing lakes in Bangalore may have caused hardships to the nearby residents. But Bangalore and its surroundings will have something to cheer about when they see more number of birds (waterfowls) than usual during this yearís migratory season.

Beginning end of November till April, 10 to12 species of birds, including pin-tailed ducks, pochards, gargany, bar-headed geese, grey wag-tail, pallied harrier, marsh harrier, bonell’s eagle, plover, pelicans, Mallards and others, migrate to Karnataka and Bangalore, from Europe, China, Siberia and other parts of India.

“In the last two or three years, the number of migratory waterfowls was less than 1,000, due to the drought and unfavourable habitat conditions. Besides, they were concentrated in a few tanks which had water,” says Harish Bhat, researcher at the Indian Institute of Science.

But this year, nearly all of the 80 tanks in Bangalore are full, there are a good number of aquatic plants and the fish population too is high. These are sure to attract more birds, he said, adding that this time, the birds would be more evenly distributed among the water bodies.

That the migratory season is due soon has been evidenced by the spotting of three to four flocks of pin-tailed ducks near Hesaraghatta tank two weeks ago. “They did not land but are expected to come back as they are still sorting out locations,” Mr Bhat said.

Under ideal conditions, 5,000-10,000 birds are found at the big tanks, while nearly1,000 are seen at the smaller tanks.

He said the bar-headed geese were found at Tippagondanahalli and Nelligudda tanks in Bangalore and sometimes in Kunigal and also in Haveri and Gadag in North Karnataka.

Strict vigil

But with the bird flu scare around the world, birdwatchers and the Forest department officials are planning to keep a close watch. “A group of birdwatchers have agreed to watch the tanks in the northern part of Bangalore and report to the Forest department if there is any case of unnatural death of birds,” Mr Parameshwara, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bangalore (Urban) said, adding that the department would have its own monitoring team, which would be trained with regard to bird flu measures.

“However, with expectations of large-scale migration, we foresee possibilities of poaching. Hence, we have requested the Forest department to step up patrolling and regulation, particularly in the Hebbal, Hessarghatta and Puttenahalli lakes,” said Mr Bhat.