Diversity and status of migratory and resident wetland birds in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Migration is the seasonal habitual movement, exhibited by many avian species along a flyway from breeding to wintering grounds and vice versa all over the world. Migratory birds are very sensitive to even small changes in water level which may be affected by flood or drought on their breeding and wintering grounds. High rains during monsoon season can cause flood conditions in the lower hills and Gangetic plains including Haridwar district. In our study, conducted during last ten years (2009-2018), we covered Bheemgoda Barrage and Missarpur Ganga Ghat of Haridwar, Uttarakhand, where 46 species of Migratory (M) and Resident Migratory (RM) wetland birds were observed. Bird survey indicated that there was a significant increase (p = 0.064, t-test) in the population of certain species such as Bhraminy Shelduck (67%), Black Headed Gull (31%), Gadwall (7%), Northern Pintail (59%), Red Crested Pochard (10%) and Tufted Pochard (47%) in Missarpur Ganga Ghat as compared to Bheemgoda Barrage (based on the average abundance of the species observed during study period). It may be pointed out that after flood and loss of vegetated island, there was significant decrease (p= 0.023, t-test) in the population of species such as Black necked stork (76%), Great crested grebe (56), Pallas gull (47%) at Bheemgoda barrage, while some species such as Bar headed goose, Common pochard did not arrive in Bheemgoda barrage after the flood. The study would help to understand the effect of climatic change on water birds species distribution in natural and man-made wetlands.

A survey of Avifauna in aquatic habitat and their adjoining areas of Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, India

“…Some previous studies (Tanveer et al, 2019, Ahmed et al, 2019, Ghosh, et al, 2018, Bhattacharjee and Bargali, 2013) also indicated that aquatic habitats are best for residential as well as visiting avifauna species. The aquatic habitat adjoined with forest, shrub, and agricultural patches attracts more numbers of avian species due to good sources of food and nesting shelters (Singh et al, 2019). During this study period, we were able to make observations in different habitats (Figure 2-4).…”

“…The study area is listed as an important bird area (Islam and Rahmani, 2004). Many avian species migrate from a short to a very long distance every year while other species are non-migratory and spend their life cycle in a particular area (Arya et al, 2019). Our study area hosts many types of resident and migratory species.…”

The Survey of Avifauna in the natural habitat and their adjoining areas of Harbhajwala, Dehradun, India

“…They remove animal waste like carcasses of livestock and wild animals and carrion from the environment (Singh and Bisht, 2019). Water streams provided a suitable habitat for many waterbird species such as kingfishers and duck species (Arya et al, 2019). The study covers some agricultural land and agricultural land to support avian diversity due to some alternative food resources such as seeds and invertebrates (Figueroa & Corales, 2005).…”

“…The last decade has been devoted to avian variety and conservation. (Naithani and Bhatt, 2010, Bhatt and Joshi, 2011, Joshi and Bhatt, 2015, Saini et al, 2017, Arya et al, 2019 where studies have been conducted on avifaunal diversity in forest habitat, wetlands, mangroves, and agriculture habitat in India (Singh, 2002). The Himalayan foothills are globally identified as a good biological diversity, supported by the complex and consequent climatic and edaphic conditions.…”

Waterbird survey at Bheemgoda Barrage and Missarpur Ganga Ghat wetlands of Haridwar district in Uttarakhand, India

“…Several studies have been mentioned that wetland provides a unique habitat for many residential bird and migratory bird species (Zhijun, et al, 2010;Ghasemi, et al, 2012;Shao et al, 2014;Bhatt, 2015;Saini et al, 2017;Arya et al, 2019;Wanna et al, 2020. Some studies in India (Kaushik et al, 2013, Bhatt et al, 2015, Saini et al, 2017, Arya et al, 2019 have been reported wetland provides good shelter, food, and enhance the waterbird diversity.…”