Seasonal visitors Bar-headed geese decline at Magadi and Bagalkot wetlands

HUBBALLI: Magadi Lake, a bird sanctuary, has witnessed 83% fewer bar-headed geese this year. The steep dip in their numbers in the Bagalkot wetlands has come after five years.
A study conducted by a team of bird enthusiasts and forest officials has revealed that depression, cyclones, heavy rain, longer clouds and increased water levels are the reasons for their absence. However, the report suggests the need for another study on whether the birds are moving to other wetlands in the state.

Manjunath Nayak, a biodiversity researcher in Nargund, said that migration trends of the geese were observed and recorded with the help of forest officials like SL Vibhuti, Prakash Ganiger, SS Pashupatihal in Magadi lake.
"Seeing the statistics, it looks like the number of geese increased from 3,500 in 2012-13 to 7,500 in 2022-23. However, if we look at the projected growth, it was supposed to be about 18,000 at Magadi lake this year. Even Shettikere, nearby, is witnessing a declining trend of the arrival of geese," he said.
Vibhuti, deputy range forest officer (RFO), Laxmeshwar section, said the geese want some unwatered empty place for resting in the night. "As the lake has more water after heavy rain, the geese are hesitating to land here. They like shallow water to eat plankton. We are hopeful that this habitat loss will be reversed next year if the rain is normal," he said.
Praveen Baddi, the RFO of the research range in Badami, said that change in food habitat in the surrounding areas was a push factor for the geese. "In the Bagalkot wetlands like Herakal, Anawadi, Mallapur and Bennur, farmers are shifting from crops like groundnut to commercial crops like cotton. The geese eat groundnut and buds of plants," he said.
Nayak said the geese may be shifting to Bankapur lake and Hadinaru Lake, near Nanjangud and Kunduvada Lake in Davangere and other lakes in the state. "Wildlife lovers like Sangamesh S Kadagad from Jakkali, Sharanu K Goudar and Harish N from Kanakapur have started observing, recording and documenting these birds. They have diligently used the Block Counting Method (Block of Flocks) to count the Bar Headed Geese which have a slightly larger wing area to aid their yearly, long migration of thousands of kilometres," he said.