Aurangabad, April 10:
Despite the delay of nearly two months, greater flamingos and other migratory birds have started arriving at the Jayakwadi dam area, which is also a breeding spot for native and migratory birds. At present, flamingo birds are being spotted in large numbers.
Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary is spread over an area of 34,105 hectares. Due to a large area of wetlands, the dam has become a popular destination for bird watching. Rich in biodiversity, the sanctuary is home to a large number of migratory birds, especially at the onset of winter. However, this year the bird watchers were waiting for the arrival of migratory birds. Despite the onset of January, there was a little sign of migratory birds at Jayakwadi and Sukhna lake. In spite of the abundant availability of water, the arrival of birds to the Jayakwadi dam had slowed down. However, the migratory birds including greater flamingos, glossy ibis, teal, pochard and brahminy ducks started arriving in February in large numbers. In April, the area is filled with a large number of birds, including bar-headed goose, common crane, osprey, barn swallows, river terns, eurasian wigeons, shoveller ducks, plover birds and different types of storks and ducks are visible nesting in villages and other locations near the dam wall and the Godavari river. The population of greater flamingos have increased at the Jayakwadi dam. The attractive birds can now be seen in large flocks, said environmentalist Kishor Pathak. He also said that the number of birds travelling for the first time is 30 to 40 per cent.