Vadodara: It designs and makes one of the largest and safest nests among the local migratory birds in Gujarat. But that fact is relatively theoretical knowledge as abodes of black-necked storks, that are on the verge of extinction, had always been a mystery for the bird lovers.
However, one located on top of a tree next to Simaliya lake fell off few days ago. Interestingly, it was the only nest of the black-necked stork in Vadodara. Forest officials, for the first time in the state, have decided to preserve and put it on display for ornithologists and bird watchers to get a rare closer view of this famed nest.
The black-necked stork’s nest will be kept on display at the eco camp site near Wadhwana Lake in Dabhoi about 34 kilometres from Vadodara city. Apart from educating people about the ecology and habitat of birds, this nest may also help in preserving the bird itself.
“They build nests at the top of the tree so there are little chances of getting a closer look. We have decided to preserve the nest and put it on display at our ecological camp site near Wadhwana lake. It is the for the first time that the nest of this bird is being put on display in the state and I have already contacted the experts for consultation,” said Baldevsinh Waghela, divisional forest officer (wildlife), Vadodara.
“The population of these birds is dwindling in the state and they may go the vulture way. Once we study the nest, we will know what material the bird uses and how it designs its abode. We can then provide an ideal environ for the black-necked storks to build nest and breed,” said Ranjitsinh Devkar, assistant professor of zoology at MS University.
Devkar said that the stork is very protective about its babies and that he is planning to write a paper on the black-necked stork’s nest in a journal.
“I knew that this bird builds a big nest but even I was surprised to see it from up close. Such complex structure was built so beautifully,” said Kartik Upadhyay, a bird watcher who is helping the forest officials in the project.
The bird uses thorny bushes to build the nest in such way that reptiles cannot enter it from any direction. It is like a fenced fort. For the hunters who may swoop down from above, the stork is always prepared and combative.