Exotic avians make a flying visit to Shidlaghatta

Flocks of open-billed storks and painted storks descend here every year. These birds come visiting every year when it’s time for them to lay their eggs and hatch the young ones.

During this period they make the trees and bushes around the lakes their homes and can be seen looking for food on the banks of the lakes.

The cranes and egrets together with the storks convert the lakes here into mini Ranganathittu. The lakes are now awaiting the arrival of stilts, plovers, snipes and sandpipers from snow-capped regions like Siberia and Alaska.

Less rainfall

Since the region received relatively less rain this year compared to last year, the water levels in the lakes are much lower. Yet sights of these water birds bending over and patiently waiting to catch small fish, crabs and frogs can be seen every day.

One of the residents, Gopalappanavar Murthy points out that the lakes are covered with weeds and needs to be maintained better.

“If officials pay some attention towards this, then we may not have to take our children to Ranganathittu,” he optimistically adds.

The visit of the migratory birds to an otherise drought-prone area is itself an avenue to set-up a sanctuary.

The taluk, devoid of any other development projects so far, it is hoped may get some funds at least through its winged visitors.