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Kolleru Lake: A Winter Haven for 96,000 Birds
13 Jan
Summary
- Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary hosted over 96,000 birds of 116 species.
- Asian Openbill ducks formed dense feeding congregations with 1,004 birds.
- Migratory birds will stay until the Maha Sivaratri festival.
Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary is currently experiencing a spectacular influx of avian visitors, with a total of 96,195 birds from 116 species recorded in early January. This makes it one of South India's most significant wintering grounds. The wetlands are alive with a diverse range of species, from the prominent Asian Openbill, numbering 1,004 individuals, to thousands of ducks like the Northern Pintail and Gadwall. These birds create dynamic scenes of movement and feeding across the vast water bodies.
The sanctuary's ecological richness is evident in the sheer abundance and variety of its feathered inhabitants. Species such as the Ashy Prinia dart through reeds, while rarer sightings like the Baillon's Crake add to the sanctuary's ecological significance. Shorebirds, including Bar-tailed Godwits and Common Sandpipers, actively forage along the fringes, highlighting Kolleru's role as a key stopover on the Central Asian Flyway.
These migratory birds are expected to continue gracing Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary with their presence until the Maha Sivaratri festival. Following this period, as temperatures begin to rise, the birds will commence their long journeys back to their native habitats, marking the end of another successful winter season at this vital wetland ecosystem.
