Migratory birds add colours to water bodies in Hassan district

Purple moorhen. Credit: DH Photo

Snake bird. Credit: DH Photo

Water crows. Credit: DH Photo

Bar-headed geese. Credit: DH Photo

With the change in the climatic condition, a large number of birds from parts of North India and foreign countries are migrating towards the South, including the Hassan district.

Colourful and rare birds can be seen dotting Hemavathy backwaters in Gorur and several lakes in the district, much to the delight of the bird watchers and nature lovers.

As soon as the winter sets in, it becomes difficult for the birds to food in colder countries and also at the Himalayas and surrounding region due to heavy snowfall. Not able to withstand the freezing temperature levels, the birds migrate towards warmer places in the South. They stay here for breeding till March and return later. This is the best time for the bird watchers to identify rare birds and even capture them on their cameras.

Birds can be seen at Satyamangala Lake in the city, Hunasinakere, Gavenahalli Lake, Hemavathy backwaters, near Shettihalli Church and other water bodies. The birds are from Mongolia, Syberia, Atlanta, Himachal Pradesh, Tibet, Jammu and Kashmir and other places, according to experts.

The birds that are seen in large numbers are painted storks, woolly-necked storks, grey heron, blackhead ibis, little egret, purple moorhen, grey duck, great Indian cormorant, pelicans, red wattled lapwing, spot-billed grey ducks, bar-headed geese and others.

Striped ducks are seen in large numbers at Hemavathy backwaters. As the water level has receded, the ducks are feeding on the grains of grass. Even paddy fields are attracting birds.