NASHIK: The Nature Conservation Society of Nashik (NCSN) conducted a bird count session at Waghad Dam. The bird sighting organised by NCSN (attended by more than 15 volunteers); was led by Shantaram Shirsat, Pratiksha Kothule and Pooja Kothule.
It was observed during the survey that the number of migratory birds was very less compared to previous years. The number of species registered in this survey was also few. “The water level ar the dan is still high even in January, which has affected the migration”, informed NCSN’s Pratiksha Kothule.
The NCSN team in its survey observed 24 species in Waghad Dan backwaters. More than 150 birds were sighted in the survey including, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Eurasian/Green-winged Teal, Grey Francolin, Common Crane, Red-wattled Lapwing, River Tern, Little Cormorant, Grey Heron, Great White Egret, Intermediate Egret more than Black-headed Bunting and other species too.
The volunteers included Darshan Bankar, Abhijeet Mahale, Priti Hambir, Shalini Daryani, Kirti Ramesh Waghate, Swati, Monica Gadre, Mr and Mrs Joglekar, Laxmi Shiveshvarkar, Adwait, Dr. Tembe and Varsha Deo.
“In the survey at backwaters of Waghad Dam, we recorded around 24 species of birds. The number of species and individuals were quite low as compared to last year. This might be due to unseasonal rains and the water level being high. Such water level is observed in October, November. The migratory birds need shallow waters for the availability of food” – Pratiksha Kothule, NCSN
