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Photo: K.R. Deepak

Winged wonders Many species of birds are found in Vizag

This is the time when millions of winged creatures run over, rather, fly over to this side of the world from the northern latitudes, flying away from the freezing cold, traversing through the Himalayan passes to the warmth and comfort of the subcontinent.

Many places within the city foster a diversity of bird-life. The green-carpeted area of Kambalakonda Wild Life Sanctuary is home to a host of bird species. At a few hours drive from the city, the scenic Kondarkarlava also hosts a number of birds, some migratory ones too. Here, you can see large flocks of winged wonders leaving their roosting site in the mornings.

Grey pelicans were also spotted here. Normally, these birds that come from Siberia make transient halts at certain places where they find sufficient food, water and nesting ground in a tranquil surrounding.

The migratory birds stay here for 75-80 days and then leave for their home country. While the most popular spot for birds is the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in the north, around 2000 migratory birds come down every year to Telineelapuram in the Srikakulam district.

In and around the city, quite a few species of birds can be spotted. The great egret, two species of cormorant, Indian pond heron, snakebird, crow pheasant and dabchicks are found in good numbers. You can watch the darter or snakebird take early-morning diving lessons. Or see the magnificent transformation of the Indian pond heron in flight.

The bio-diversity park situated at the R.C.D. Government Hospital and nurtured by the Dolphin Nature Conservation Society, is visited by more than 50 varieties of birds.

“We have listed quite a few species of the birds so that it helps nature lovers and ornithologists in their study and research,” says Rama Murty, founder member of the park. Endangered species of birds like the coppersmith barbet and golden oriole were also spotted at the park.

Birds found in the region also include the painted stork, moorhen, spotted bill duck, coot, teal and the grey pelican that can be spotted among the greens. The resident bird population, which comprises sparrows, parrots, pigeons, hornbills, kingfishers and kites, keeps the birders busy.

Bird watching does not require a lot of equipments -- just a good pair of binoculars and a field guide who can help identify the bird.

The best way to start is to accompany someone who has been birding for a while. There are quite a lot of books and magazines on bird watching. Birding is also a popular Internet subject. Learn to identify common local species using your field guide or a reference book.

The easiest thing to do for beginners is to make a list of all the birds that are commonly found in your neighbourhood. Another way to eliminate choices is to consider the time of year the bird species are spotted in the region. The range maps included in field guides display this information. Look out for the basic clues that will allow you to successfully identify the bird like the bird’s silhouette, its plumage and coloration, behaviour, its habitat, and its voice. Birds have unique songs and calls. Spending time in the field helps when you are trying to identify birds by their call.

The more time you spend amidst the greens, the more easily you would be able to identify distinguishable characteristics of birds. On a lazy afternoon, you can spot a woodpecker climb up the sides of tree trunks searching for insects.

The patient flycatchers spend most of their time perching on a suitable spot. In a flash of second, they set off flying to catch their meal before returning to the same perch or another nearby. Some wading birds are very active foragers and chase their prey around in shallow waters. Other wading birds are less impetuous and hunt slowly with great patience and stealth.

Birds segregate themselves according to habitat type and are sometimes quite picky in selecting an area as home. For example, waders and waterfowl prefer watery habitats. So do most of the Kingfisher species. If you are a beginner, you will need to spend some time in the field to be able to associate different species with different habitat types.

Be quiet; don’t disturb the tranquility of birds.

Be extra careful during the breeding season of the birds.

Do not handle eggs at nests.

Don’t use birdcalls audio recordings to attract birds.

Follow all rules of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

Divide larger groups of people into smaller more manageable numbers.

Leave no litter or trash; carry it back with you. Ingested trash items can kill.

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