From Siberia to Sahibganj: Migratory birds arrive across Jharkhand as temperatures drop

As Jharkhand’s temperatures dip, waterbodies across the state are witnessing the arrival of thousands of migratory birds making their annual winter stopover. The influx has turned dams, lakes and sanctuaries into busy habitats, drawing bird watchers to the colourful, chirping visitors.

Thousands of birds travel from different countries to escape extreme cold conditions in their native regions. “The winged visitors take shelter in various waterbodies such as dams, lakes, rivers and sanctuaries during winter season in Jharkhand for food and to protect themselves from extreme cold in Central Asia, Himalayan Region, Mongolia and Tibetan plateau,” Satya Prakash, Jharkhand coordinator of the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), told PTI.

Birds have begun flocking to Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary in Sahibganj, Patratu Dam in Ramgarh, Topchanchi Lake, Tilliya and Maithan dams in Dhanbad, Kanke and Rukka dams in Ranchi, Dimna Lake in Jamshedpur, Baska Dam in Chatra and several other waterbodies.

Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary remains one of the most preferred destinations for winter visitors. Spread over 565 hectares, the sanctuary comprises two natural backwater lakes of the Ganga – Pataura and Berhale – in Sahibganj district. It is the state’s only Ramsar site and home to around 160 bird species, Sahibganj Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Prabal Garg told PTI.

From October to March, large numbers of birds arrive from Siberia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Frequent winter visitors include bar-headed geese, northern pintails, common teals, greylag geese, gadwalls, spot-billed ducks and red-crested pochards. Purple herons, Asian openbills, little grebes and kingfishers contribute to the sanctuary’s year-round avian population, he said.

A weather official said Jharkhand’s current temperatures make the state suitable for the birds’ survival. Minimum temperatures are hovering between 8 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius, while maximum temperatures range from 20 degrees Celsius to 27 degrees Celsius, according to the Ranchi Meteorological Centre.

Experts estimate that around 25,000 to 30,000 migratory birds visit Jharkhand’s waterbodies every year. However, forest officials remain alert as the birds continue to face threats from poachers and some villagers.

To strengthen protection, the forest department has asked divisional forest officials to activate Van Suraksha Samitis (forest protection committees), which play a key role in monitoring activities around waterbodies. Officials have also been told to report any suspected activity immediately, a forest official said.

(With inputs from PTI)