28 migratory species spotted as birding season starts in Okhla

NOIDA: Traversing continents in flocks, at least 28 species of birds have arrived at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary in Noida over the past few weeks.

In the coming days, bird watchers can expect to see a large number of migratory birds like northern shoveler, of which 210 have arrived in the park. At least 200 barn swallows and 101 gadwalls have also arrived in the sanctuary.


“The birds have come in good numbers and we expect more to come over the next two months. The migration season peaks during mid-winter. We will be able to get a better sense of the migratory birds’ arrival when we conduct a census in December or January,” said an official of forest department.

Many other species like widgeons, lesser-whistling ducks, spot-billed ducks, black-crowned night heron, eurasian coots, tufted ducks and painted storks have also been spotted. The migratory period typically lasts from October to March. The migratory birds start arriving in the sanctuaries and wetlands of NCR from Eurasian countries during the winter months.

However, even as the season for bird watching and spotting is about to peak, the forest department had no information about the pending overhaul and maintenance of the bird park which was announced by the Union ministry of environment and forests earlier this year.

“We have no information yet about the overhaul and upgrade of Okhla bird sanctuary. However, at our end, we are working on developing a bird habitat at Okhla. New trees are being planted and the park is being cleaned and being made more accessible for bird watchers. The key to attracting birds is the provision of a good habitat and food source. We are working on these factors so that the park attracts birds,” said A K Srivastava, district forest officer, Gautam Budh Nagar.