Annual migration of birds across the Indian subcontinent has begun

As billions of birds take wing for migration, one of Nature’s greatest spectacles, over 400 species congregate across the Indian subcontinent. Where can you see them?

Last month, in a first, bird watchers from across the country congregated at Bhuj in Kutch district, Gujarat. They documented eight birds — European roller, red-backed and red-tailed shrike, spotted flycatcher, rufous-tailed scrub-robin, greater white throat, common cuckoo and blue-cheeked bee-eater — that landed in Gujarat after marathon flights from Central Asia and Europe.

“These birds, called passage migrants, take a short break to rest and rejuvenate in western India before crossing the Indian Ocean to reach their wintering grounds in Africa,” says P Jeganathan of Tamil Birders Network who took part in the survey, adding that one can catch a glimpse of these birds only during this short window at the stopover.

Over 400 species of migratory birds are reported to visit India annually at this time of the year signifying the beginning of migration. They take nine flyways (including the Central Asian Flyway that covers 30 countries along with India) across the world and some unusual routes during this flight. “It’s an exciting time as a number of incredibly beautiful birds pass through India, and many stay here for the winter,” says Bengaluru-based Ashvin Viswanathan, a scientist at Bird Count India, which supports listing and monitoring of birds across India.

Two weeks ago, the greenish warbler arrived in Bengaluru, after flying thousands of kilometres from the mountains of Central Asia. “The ashy drongos that breed in the Himalayas have started coming. I am hoping to see flycatchers next week,” adds Ashvin.

In Chennai, water birds are among the first to arrive and can be spotted around Pallikaranai, Sholinganallur marsh, Kelambakkam and Pulicat.

“We encounter a variety of migratory birds in different habitats,” says Aravind AM, a birder in Chennai who documents bird behaviour on his YouTube channel Neenglaum Aagalaam Birdwatcher. “Multiple small birds in different sizes can be found at the edge of wetlands — these are grouped as waders and many of them visit us. Among sandpipers which arrive quite early, wood sandpipers and common sandpipers are easily found in shallow water-bodies,” he adds.

Chennai also gets species like yellow wagtail, citrine wagtail and white-wagtail that can be seen at Pallikaranai marsh (Marshland Park and Radial Road), Sholinganallur or Perumbakkam marsh, near Mohamed Sathak College.