Hunt for rare birds begins
Over 400 Enthusiasts Participate In Annual Race ……….Simit Bhagat
Over 400 Enthusiasts Participate In Annual Race ……….Simit Bhagat
Developmental activities and dwindling natural habitats in the city may be cause for concern for nature lovers, but theres some good news as well. Over the last few years, bird watchers participating in the annual HSBC Mumbai Bird race, to be held today, have spotted some of Mumbais rarest birds.
The bird race eventheld in several cities including Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Pune and Hyderabadis known to throw up a number of surprise and welcome sightings. Sunjoy Monga, naturalist and author of Birds of Mumbai, who has helped organise the event said, In the past five years, participants have consistently recorded over 240 species of birds in and around the city. In fact, some of species recorded are seen only sporadically during winter.
Last years bird race saw participants record a Male Pied Harrier, believed to be a rarity in the region during the winter months. In 2007, birdwatchers even spotted rare migratory birds like the Black Stork and White Stork, which have never seen in the city before. The bird race in Bangalore that was held earlier this year recorded a Grey-Necked Bunting the first sighting of the species in the city.
In the 2005 Mumbai Bird Race, a whopping 286 species were spotted in a day, which is also the highest tally of species spotted in any race to date. In 2008, a team of bird watchers recorded 176 bird species during the daythe highest number of species tally by any team in any bird race.
In the 2009 event, teams spotted the elusive Yellow Wattled Lapwing, the Ashy Woodswallow, Comb Duck, Black Capped Kingfisher and Red Spurfowl in and around Mumbai, said Monga. Even the Grey Jungle fowl, which has become increasingly rare, was spotted by teams stationed at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Karnala Bird and Phansad Sanctuaries.
For ornithologists, the sight of the endangered White Rumped Vulture and the Long Billed Vulture, was the biggest prize. A total of 21 species of raptors were sighted last year,said Monga, adding that participants in Sundays event will not be disappointed.
Spot them if you can
* During the 2009 Mumbai Bird Race, participants recorded a male Pied Harrier, which is believed to be a rarity in the region during winter
* During the 2009 Mumbai Bird Race, participants recorded a male Pied Harrier, which is believed to be a rarity in the region during winter
* In the 2007 event, birdwatchers enjoyed the unique sight of migratory birds like the Black Stork and White Stork, which have never been recorded in the city before
* Other rare birds include the uncommon and elusive Yellow-wattled Lapwing, the Ashy Woodswallow, Comb Duck, Black Capped Kingfisher and Red Spurfowl
– Pied Harrier
– Black Capped Kingfisher
– White Stork
– Black Capped Kingfisher
– White Stork