Migratory birds

Liton Rahman / driknewsShohag Mostafij, MBA (Strategic & International Management), University of Dhaka

Bird migration is the usual cyclic flight undertaken by numerous species of birds. Bird movements take in those made in response to changes in food availability, habitation or climate. Migration is marked by its annual seasonality. On the contrary, birds that are non-migratory are assumed to be sedentary or resident.

Bangladesh is a favourite place for many migratory birds, especially some of the exotic places such as the campus of Jahangirnagar University, National Monument and many more. People tend to visit those places to enjoy the movement of these pretty visiting birds. We are lucky to receive these seasonal guests.

However, human behaviours have threatened lots of migratory bird species. The distances concerned in bird migration indicate that they frequently cross political boundaries of countries and conservation measures require global collaboration. A number of international treaties have been signed to conserve migratory species including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 of the US and the African-Eurasian Migratory Water bird accord.

The concentration of birds during resettlement can put species at risk. A number of stunning migrants have already left extinct, the most distinguished being the Passenger Pigeon. Hunting along the migratory route can also take a heavy toll. The populations of Siberian Cranes that wintered in India declined because of hunting along the route, particularly in Afghanistan as well as Central Asia. Birds were last seen in their favourite wintering grounds in Keoladeo National Park in 2002.

Structures such as power lines, wind farms and offshore oil-rigs have also been known to have an effect on migratory birds. Surroundings annihilation by land use changes is nevertheless the largest threat and shallow wetlands which are stopover and wintering sites for migratory birds are mostly threatened by draining and reclamation for human use. To invite these seasonal guests and provide them the best hospitality, the ideal conditions have to be retained.

Source: The Daily Star, December 30, 2009

Migratory birds...

Migratory birds...

A flock of migratory birds has found a safe haven at Bodormokam in Teknaf adding to beauty of the coastal area this winter. Photo: Courtesy

Source: The Daily Star, 2009-12-27

Migratory bird fair rally

Migratory bird fair rally

Six organisations and the Department of Forest brought out a joint procession from TSC of Dhaka University yesterday, marking the beginning of the two-day Migratory Bird Fair 2009 at TSC. Photo: STAR

Source: The Daily Star 2009-05-09

Migratory birds double in Hakaluki Haor this year

Migratory birds double in Hakaluki Haor this year

Arrival of migratory birds in Hakaluki Haor this year is more than double than that of last year. About 1, 26, 800 birds of 41 species were counted during a survey done on December 29 and 30. The number was 51,528 last year. A team led by prominent bird specialist Inam Al Haque conducted the survey under the Coastal and Wet Land Bio-diversity Management Project (CWBMP) of Directorate of Environment (DoE). He also conducted last year's survey during February 12-13 under the same project. This year, the bird watchers also found Bears Pochard and grey headed lapwing birds of rare species. The vast water body covers parts of Moulvibazar and Sylhet districts. Birds of different species found during this year's survey include Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveller, Graganey, Blue-winged-Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Common Teal, Tuffed Duck, Ferruginous Pochard, Common Pochard, Ruddy Shell Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Lesser Whistling Duck, Falcated Duck, Gray-leg-Goose, Common-Shell-Duck, Indian-Pond-Heron, Grey Heron, Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Large Egret, Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Purple Swamphen, Pheasant-tailed-Jacana, Little Grebe, Great-Crested-Grebe, Little Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Asian Openbill, Common Coot, Pintail Snip, Marsh Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Green shank, Red shank, Red-Wattled Lapwing, Wattled, Brown-Headed-Gull and Black-Headed-Gull. This correspondent visited Kulaura portion of Hakaluki Haor recently. It was an eye-soothing scene with flocks of flying birds chirping and fluttering, thanks to the government's initiative to create bird sanctuaries there. In the survey done in February 2006, 46, 712 birds of 49 species were found. But Spot Bill Duck, Comb Duck and Grey Headed Lapwing were not found during the survey in 2006. Spot Bill Duck and Comb Duck are local species or 'permanent residents' of Hakaluki Haor and Grey Headed Lapwing is a Siberian bird. Hakaluki haor is spread over Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts. Eleven unions under six upazilas of Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts cover 40,000 hectares of the water body spread in Fenchuganj, Beanibazar, and Golapganj upazilas in Sylhet district and Baralekha, Juri and Kulaura upazilas in Moulvibazar. About 70 percent of the water body of the Haor is in Moulvibazar and rest 30 percent is in Sylhet. In 1999, the DoE declared Hakaluki Haor an ecologically critical area as its natural environment with aquatic trees and plants like Hijal and Koroch were being destroyed, resulting in decrease in arrival migratory birds. To save the environment, the Coastal and Wet Land Bio-diversity Management Project' (CWBMP) is being implemented by the DoE. Md Shibli, assistant director of CWBMP at its Kulaura office said, guards have been appointed to protect Hijol and Koroch plants in the haor. A large number of aquatic trees have been planted and birds sanctuaries created at different points. Arrival of birds is increasing after the steps, he said. Source: the daily star

28 Jan 2008