E-Paper
Sangam?winter home for these birds
Different species of migratory birds in the Sangam area can be easily espied in winter season. But the uniqueness of the area lies in the black headed gulls, which are found nowhere in the State but only in Sangam area here.
Different species of migratory birds in the Sangam area can be easily espied in winter season. But the uniqueness of the area lies in the black headed gulls, which are found nowhere in the State but only in Sangam area here.
According to Chief Conservator of Forest, Ashwini Kumar, the black headed gulls stay only in those areas where there is large water body and open space.
Migrating from Ladakh and Tibet side, these birds come here during the month of October and stay till March.
"A peculiar feature of the species is that the colour of the head changes with the passage of time. It changes from white to grey, then dark grey and ultimately black", adds Kumar. The other feature is that the colour of wings is black from inside and white from outside.
Not only this, these birds are human friendly and can be mostly seen sitting on the boats on which people are sailing. They survive on edibles thrown by the visitors who come to visit Sangam.
By end of March, they move back to Ladakh. During migration from Ladakh, it is the female birds which lead the group. But when they fly back, it is the young ones who lead the entire flock of birds.
"Nothing concrete has been discovered as to what guides the birds to such far off places", says Kumar. He adds that the breeding place of these birds is Ladakh. Very few birds are now left under this species, he informs.
Apart from the black headed gulls, Siberian crane is also seen in the area around Sangam. They migrate from the northern region of Russia (Siberia).
Danger of bird flu is mostly from these species. But, since Sangam is not their final destination, the chances of bird flu spreading here are negligible.
However, regular survey is carried out as a precautionary measure", says Kumar..
