Mysuru, surrounding areas see decline in bird arrivals two months into winter migration

Two months into winter migration, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of birds flying to Mysuru and surrounding areas to roost. This is part of a larger trend being observed across different regions.

The low numbers, especially of waterfowls, have been observed across wetlands in the Mysuru-Mandya-Chamarajanagar belt, where there had been regular sightings of migratory birds for years.

The migration, which began around November, has brought in over 80 species from the Himalayas and beyond, and these numbers are expected to increase during the next few weeks.

A. Shivaprakash, an avid ornithologist who has led bird censuses in the region for nearly three decades, said that the backwaters of Kabini have reported the presence of bar-headed geese, while a few arrivals have also been recorded at Hadinaru, which used to be their regular wintering site.

The subdued presence of birds has been attributed to a combination of factors, including higher winter temperatures en route, encouraging several species to roost further north — in central India or the Deccan — rather than fly all the way to the south.

Mr. Shivaprakash pointed out that the replenishment of lakes and water bodies during years with good monsoons may also have affected the distribution pattern of birds.

But as far as ducks are concerned, there has been a long-term decline, with species like Garganey and Shovellers reporting a decrease, in the range of 42% to 72% over the last 10 years, he added.

This has raised concerns over habitat disturbance and encroachment as also the lack of protection for Important Bird Areas (IBA).

In continuation of the nearly three-decade long tradition of estimating the bird population, volunteers and birders from Mysuru will conduct a single day count of birds — midwinter fowl census — on January 18.

As of today, 18 teams have been constituted and will fan out and take count of the birds in over 100 wetlands and lakes in and around Mysuru-Mandya-Chamarajanagar belt.

A single-day census conducted last year on January 15 covered 110 wetlands and recorded 224 bird species, including 157 resident species, 57 migratory species and 10 species from the Eastern and Western Ghats.

In all, 31,005 individual birds were counted during the single-day exercise, while in comparison, the 2024 census recorded 226 species and over 40,000 birds.

Some of the species recorded included bar-headed goose, cattle egret, barn swallow, spot-billed duck, and Eurasian coot. Among waterbodies, Nugu backwaters reported the highest overall count, followed by Rayana Kere, Kalluru, Kukkarahalli Kere and Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. The forthcoming census will provide a wider snapshot of the status of the bird population and their habitat in Mysuru.