Bird census at Kolleru spots thriving migratory populations

The two-day bird census at Kolleru Lake began on Wednesday (January 28), drawing wildlife officials and nature lovers to one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes, a lifeline for thousands of migratory birds every winter.

Joint teams comprising Forest Department officials, environmental experts, local volunteers and birdwatchers have begun documenting bird species, population strength, nesting behaviour and habitat conditions. Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) B. Vijaya said the data would play a crucial role in shaping conservation strategies, strengthening habitat protection and addressing threats such as encroachments and pollution.

The census will conclude on Friday, with a break scheduled on Thursday, after which the findings will be analysed and shared with State and national wildlife authorities. The first day of the census revealed rich avian diversity across wetlands and tank areas, underlining the ecological importance of the Kolleru region.

Northern pintails were sighted at Pallewada and flamingos at Madhavapuram. Godwits and Little Stilts were seen along the Dosapadu–Kovvali border, and nearly 200 godwits along with black-winged stilts were counted at Bobbili Lanka. Painted storks and egrets were found nesting and foraging in the Nidamarru area, with Godwits again being found at Sriparru and Bobbili Lanka, indicating favourable wetland conditions.

Officials also identified rosey pastors, bee-eaters, glossy ibises, mynas, wagtails, pipits, open-billed storks, herons, black-winged stilts, little stints and painted storks in the Adavikolanu area. The census further documented the presence of whistling teals, brown-winged jacanas, pheasant-tailed jacanas, coots, purple moorhens, grey herons, dabchicks, rose-ringed plovers, sandpipers and ruff, along with large numbers of lapwings, weaver birds, starlings and egrets. Notably, higher populations of black-tailed godwits, northern shovelers, garganey ducks and about 15 flamingos were recorded. The rare grey-headed lapwing was sighted at China Yedlagadi, forest officials said.

The annual census aims to assess the overall health of the wetland ecosystem and track changes in bird populations, particularly migratory species that arrive at Kolleru during the winter months from Siberia, Central Asia and Europe. Species such as pelicans, painted storks, spot-billed ducks, herons and egrets are expected to feature prominently in this year’s count, reaffirming Kolleru Lake’s status as one of India’s most important bird habitats.