One of the largest counts was in Odisha where around 16.56 lakh birds of over 200 species were sighted during the mid-winter census carried out in three major wetlands – Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika National Park and Hirakud Reservoir.
By Salam Rajesh
January saw a massive exercise of bird count all across India’s landscape as part of the larger Asian Water Bird Count, covering different hotspots of congregation of the winged winter visitors, and resident avifauna. This is part of the annual International Waterbird Census (IWC) usually carried out in over 100 countries all across the globe within a specific period, to cover an approximate number of 30 to 40 million water birds.
The IWC is a monitoring program on reading the current status of water birds globally, and is operated across 143 countries in five zones, namely, Asia-Pacific, Africa-Eurasia, Caribbean, Neotropics, and Central America. Professional and amateur bird watchers collect information on various water bodies – lakes, rivers, reservoirs, swamps, mangroves, mudflats, coral reefs, rice fields, and ponds.
In India, one of the largest counts was in Odisha where around 16.56 lakh birds of over 200 species were sighted during the mid-winter census carried out in three major wetlands – Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika National Park and Hirakud Reservoir.
11,27,228 birds were counted in Chilika Lake, where the highest sighting was of 201,926 Gadwalls, followed by Northern Pintails at 193,394, and Eurasia Wigeons at 154,937. 196 species was sighted this year, as against 187 species sighted in 2024. Bhitarkanika National Park recorded 151,614 water birds, including 44,825 Lesser Whistling Ducks and 18,776 Northern Pintails. Hirakud Reservoir recorded 377,732 birds of 122 species.
In the Bengal Sundarbans, bird watchers sighted 154 species of birds, which included 51 species of migratory birds and 103 species of resident birds. The total count was 31,926 birds, of which 100 bird species were recorded in the core area of the Sundarban Tiger Reserve, 90 species were spotted in the buffer zone, and 129 species outside the protected area.
In the Matla forests of the Sundarbans, 108 species of birds were recorded, Kalas recorded 95 species, and Sajnekhali recorded 64 species. In the National Park West area, 81 species were recorded, the National Park East area recorded 70 species, and the Basirhat area recorded 73 bird species.
In terms of different kinds of birds spotted along the protected areas, 45 species of waders, mudflat birds and shore birds were recorded, and eight species of raptors, 91 species of forest birds, three species of waterfowls, and seven species of other birds were recorded.
In Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) a significant total count of 112,062 migratory water and wetland-dependent birds of 124 species was achieved. Of the 124 species sighted, 62 of them were winter migrants. Deepor Beel, the only Ramsar Site in Assam accounted for 17,623 water birds while the wetlands in Laokhowa Burhachapori accounted for 54,961 water birds.
Key sightings included the critically endangered Baer’s Pochard and the endangered Pallas’s Fish Eagle. The Bar-headed Goose had the highest count at 20,845 individuals, while five other species, namely, the Knob-billed Duck, Baer’s Pochard, Falcated Duck, White-tailed Eagle, and Greater White-fronted Goose were observed for the first time in the domain of the Asian One-horned Rhino.
During December 2024 census, a total of 92,885 migratory birds, expected to cross one lakh, were counted in Himachal Pradesh’s Pong Dam. In comparison, between October 2023 up to January 2024, around 85,000 birds visited the dam. On average, 100 species of migratory birds visit Pong Dam annually.
The Travancore Nature History Society supported by the State Forest department conducted bird census from January 08 to 12 at Mathikettan Shola National Park (84 species), Pambadum Shola National Park (72 species), Anamudi Shola National Park (53 species), Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary (68 species), Eravikulam National Park (115 species), and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (173 species).
A total of 217 species of birds were documented during the survey, including 11 new species – Brown Hawk Owl, Barred Buttonquail, Spotted Owlet, Mottled Wood Owl, Baya Weaver, Red Munia (Red Avadavat), Richard’s Pipit, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Golden-Headed Cisticola, Large Grey Babbler, and Chestnut-Bellied Nuthatch.
The survey team also sighted Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Great Eared Nightjar, Steppe Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Eurasian Sparrow Hawk, Lesser Fish Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Indian Eagle Owl, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Indian Grey Hornbill, and Blue-eared Kingfisher.
In Goa, bird watchers reported a total of 56 bird species as facing conservation threats due to habitat loss, climate change and human activities. These included 4 critically endangered species, 5 endangered species, 15 vulnerable species, and 31 near threatened species. The critically endangered birds reported are Lesser Florican, White-rumped vulture, Indian vulture, and Yellow-breasted Bunting.
At the time of filing this report, information on Manipur’s bird count held earlier in January was not available. Manipur’s version of the Asian Water Bird Count was jointly conducted by the Indian Bird Conservation Network, Loktak Development Authority, and Wildlife Division of State Forest Department.
In line with the annual water bird count is the observation of the World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), a global campaign that serves as a beacon for conservation efforts aimed at protecting migratory birds and their journeys across borders. Observed twice a year (10 May and 11 October) the WMBD reflects the cyclical nature of bird migration and the varying peak periods in the northern and southern hemispheres. This worldwide campaign triggers countless educational events, uniting people in a common goal to protect migratory birds and their habitats.
The theme for the 2025 campaign is being dedicated to creating bird-friendly cities and communities, highlighting the need for healthy coexistence between humans and birds. It will focus on creating and adapting environments that support migratory bird populations across all communities, from bustling cities to smaller towns and communities.