Guests From Siberia: Annual arrival of migratory birds begins

Birds take the famous route of Siberia as they migrate from Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: The arrival of migratory birds from Europe, Central Asian States and India has started through the Indus Flyway.

Talking to APP, Director Zoological Sciences Division, Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), Dr Muhammad Rafiq said around 700,000 to 1,200,000 birds come to spend winter in Pakistan every year. The famous route from Siberia to various destinations in Pakistan over Karakorum, Hindu Kush, and Suleiman ranges along the Indus River down to the delta is known as the International Migratory Bird Route Number 4or the Indus Flyway.

The birds start on this route in November. February is the peak time and by March they start flying back home. There are a total of seven identified flyways in the world.

A large number of birds of diverse species, including water fowls, cranes, teals, pintail, mallard and gadwall, take this route. Some extinguishing species like white-headed duck, houbara bustard and Siberian crane also travel on this route, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2012.