An account concerning arrival and departure time of few selected winter migratory birds in Haryana rural ponds

Abstract

The present study has been carried out in few selected Northern Districts of Haryana State for a period of three years w.e.f. 2005-08. Attention has been focused on winter migratory birds that sojourn in Haryana and other parts of north Haryana. These birds come to Haryana from far off places, across the rim of great Himalayas and beyond. Only eighteen birds’ departure and arrival time was recorded for study convenience. These migratory birds do not arrive in Haryana in one lot, on one date and at one time. Instead, these display a definite, pattern, decorum and time table, specific to species and even specific to place subject to varying temperature barometer.
 The present study reveal that Northern Shoveller (Anas clypeata) Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) Common Teal (Anas crecca) and Gadwall (Anas strepera) arrive in October; Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) Graylag Goose (Anser anser) Spot billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) arrive in November. As far as departure time is concerned, it is interesting to note that Mallard generally depart in February. Birds like Greylag Goose (Anser anser) Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha), Common Pochard (Aythya ferina), Eurasion Wigeon (Anas penelope), Tufted Pochard (Aythya fuligula) Red-crested Pochard (Rhodonessa rufina) and Rudy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) departs in March every year. On the other hand, Common Coot (Fulica atra) Northern Shoveller (Anas clypeata) Northern Pintail (Anas acuta), Common Teal, (Anas crecca), Gadwall (Anas strepera) and Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) depart as late as April. Simultaneously, another aspect of gradual increase in number from October to December and conversely gradual decrease in number from January to February was also analyzed in case of few birds only. Greatest flocks of nearly 250 or so were in case of Northern Shoveller (Anas clypeata), Northern Pintail (Anas acuta), Common Teal (Anas crecca) and Common Coot (Fulica atra). Contrary to this, least number in a flock less than fifteen was seen in case of Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus), Greylag Goose (Anser anser)  etc.