12 lakh migratory birds flock to Kashmir Valley

Over 12 lakh migratory birds from Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Japan have flocked to Kashmir, giving a vibrant look to the wetlands and water bodies in the Valley.
"Our conservative estimate is that there are over 12 lakh migratory birds in various wetlands and water bodies of Kashmir at present," Wildlife Warden Mohammad Maqbool Baba told PTI.
Brahminy Duck, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Garganey, Greylag Goose, Mallard, Common Merganser, Northern Pintail, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Pochard, Red-Crested Pochard, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Common Teal, and Eurasian Wigeon are some of the winged visitors sighted in the wetlands of Kashmir.
The birds - which feed on insects, worms and fish in these water bodies - present a beautiful hue, changing the colour of the Valley landscape amid the onset of gloomy winter.

These birds start a long distance flight from several Asian regions like Siberia, China and Japan in the month of October due to freezing temperatures, which makes food scarce for them in their natural habitats, Baba said.
The birds return to their habitats by the end of January, he added.
The number of birds arriving this year is a record as last year only eight lakh winged visitors came to the Valley in search of food.
The official said the numbers will start dwindling in next three weeks as the birds migrate further south to wetlands in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in view of dropping temperatures in the Valley.