<i>Migratory birds chirping in thousands in coastal areas</i>
Migratory birds swimming in a water body, while some others fluttering over it at Dhalchar in Charfashion upazila under Bhola district, offer a captivating sight. Photo: STAR
Vast coastal areas, especially the forests and marshy lands in Patuakhali and Bhola districts, are now lively with fluttering and chirping of thousands of winter migratory birds. A visitor to Sonar Char, Char Bestin, Char Kazal, Char Biswas in Patuakhai and Dhal Char and Char Kukrikuki in Bhola would often see flights of the birds that have found the areas their temporary abode. Eagle, falcon, cedar waxwing, wall creeper, white-throated dipper, vultures, buzzards, bar-tailed godwit, swallow, pink-footed goose, black-tailed godwit, northern pintail, patisarali, rajsarali, heron, and pochard are some of the most common migratory birds thronging the forests and wetlands in Patuakhali and Bhola region. To protect themselves from the terrible cold of the northern countries, migratory birds start coming to Bangladesh in November and stay till late January, said Pijush Kanti Hori, former chairman of zoology department of Patuakhai Government College. "During winter, around 1.50 lakh migratory birds belonging to at least 130 species come from cold countries like Siberia to the coastal areas of Patuakhali, Bhola and Noakhali districts. The birds prefer forests and wetlands that provide them sufficient food and shelter," said Pijush, also a bird specialist. "But the number of birds sees decrease every year due to various causes like disturbance by local hunters, increased salinity on land and consequent food shortage, depletion of forest lands in these areas. We should create awareness among the people to ensure better protection for the birds as they are part of our environment," he added. Devdas Mukharjee, range office of forest department at Char Montaz under Rangabali upazila in Patuakhali district, said, "Despite manpower crisis, we are trying our best to save abode of the migratory birds from hunters."
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments