Greater flamingos among feathered guests spotted in exercise

First-ever water fowl survey finds dozens of wading birds

KARACHI:

Over a dozen wading birds have been spotted near the port city's water during the first ever waterfowl survey. The survey team of the Sindh wildlife department (SWD) visited islands, including Bhunar and Bhuddo, Ibrahim Haidery, Rehri Goth, Port Qasim and other areas and counted thousands of migratory birds in the area.

"We have been conducting the survey each year since 1980, but never been in this area before," said the head of the team Abdul Rasheed Khan. Carrying a long list of birds species in his hands, Khan seemed surprised seeing the number of birds, especially Greater Flamingos. "This is an amazing sight and I have not seen this number anywhere else," he said.

The month-long survey was started from different parts of the province in January. The officials have yet to share the total number of birds in Sindh. It is pertinent to mention that over 600,000 migratory birds were recorded in 2021.

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During the survey near the city, a number of species including Greater Flamingo, Pied Avoced, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Gray leg Goose, Little Stint, Dunlin, Greater Creasted Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, Lesser Sand plover, Greater Sand Plover, Eurasian Curlew and Eurasian Whimbrel were spotted.

PHOTO: Yasir Pechuho

The wildlife conservationists were surprised seeing the Greater Flamingos at different sights, especially around the twin islands. "We had to survey this area years ago," commented SWD's Provincial Head Javed Ahmed Mahar. "This is a perfect sight to view the birds resting everywhere without any fear," he commented. Ahmer Rizvi, a wildlife photographer who accompanied the team, told The Express Tribune that he had already seen a great number of birds in this area.

"The number was great a couple of months ago. Most of the birds have left this area," he added. "This seems an ideal environment for waders," Mahar said. He said that these birds love to consume crabs and small fish. "I need to stay here for a few nights," commented Yasir Pechuho, the wildlife photographer.

He said that he has spotted some rare birds in the area. In 2020, the survey counted 741,042 migratory birds in the province this year - a huge leap from the 248,105 birds that flew here in 2019. In 2018, the number was 511,112, while in 2017, it was 384,790 and in 2016, it was 375,000. SWD officials said that in the early 1990s, Sindh would have over 1.6 million birds flying here each year.

However, the number decreased with the passage of time as 'gun culture' became a norm in the country. They said that the number of birds has increased over the last couple of years because of an ideal environment and a complete ban on poaching and hunting of the birds.