SURPRISE! SURPRISE! Migratory Birds in Vizag

The author takes us on a visit to an unconventional birding spot.

- SHAKTI BISHNOI & AS BISHNOI

The nip in the air in Visakhapatnam and its surrounding districts signals the onset of winter and the arrival of a few winged visitors from local and distant lands. The various species make it an ideal site not only for casual visitors but also for the avid bird watchers and professional ornithologist.

VISAKHAPATNAM (VIZAG)

 Along the coast of the Bay of Bengal is the port and industrial city of Vizag. Among the beautiful places to visit in Vizag, is the Kondakarla Ava Bird Sanctuary. Apart from Kondakarla, the following water bodies also support these avian worlds - Kaplapadu, Mudasarlova, Megadripeta dam, Thatipudi Reservoir, and Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary.

CANAL NEAR AIRPORT

The canal near the airport is my regular birding area. Defying all the parameters for survival, the bird community consists of migratory birds namely pied avocet, ruddy shelduck, large egret, median egret, cattle egret, Indian pond heron, water cock, common sandpiper, blacktailed godwit and stints, pheasant- tailed jacana, oriental white ibis, and many others. These species are regular visitors to this highly isolated and encroached place near the airport from OctoberMarch. While these winter visitors fly down to escape the harsh weather of their natural habitat, they are not completely safe here either. Apart from the predators like civet cats and dogs, humans also hunt them for food.

OUR INTERACTION WITH MIGRATORY BIRDS AT VISAKHAPATNAM