Migratory Birds Begin Returning South as Summer Approaches in Nepal

Chitwan. Birds that arrived from across the Himalayas to escape the cold are starting to return. The birds, which began arriving in October with the onset of the winter season, are now leaving as summer begins.

Duck species typically arrive in the wetlands around Chitwan National Park to escape the cold. These birds, which arrive every October, have started returning with the onset of summer. According to Basu Bidari, Chairman of the Bagmati Province chapter of the Bird Conservation Association of Nepal, these birds started returning in the last week of February and will all have left by the end of March.

Birds arrive here from countries including Mongolia, Russia, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and China. These birds, which came to escape the cold, reached Chitwan via the Kali Gandaki gorge. Species like the Bar-headed Goose, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Common Teal, Gadwall, Garganey, along with eagles and kites, arrive here to escape the cold. Chairman Bidari also mentioned that forest-dependent species such as the Eurasian Spoonbill, Common Sandpiper, and Indian Roller also arrive.

Such birds settle near the riverbanks and wetlands here. According to him, 12 to 15 species of ducks arriving from outside Nepal enjoy the Narayani and Rapti rivers and the Reu stream here. A total of 150 species of birds arrive in Nepal as winter visitors. Chairman Bidari informed that these birds return north after six months when it is time to hatch their young from the south. Experts say that these birds arrive because the Northern Hemisphere has short days and long nights, leaving them insufficient time for foraging.

In Nepal, birds that primarily inhabit wetlands, grasslands, forests, and farmlands arrive. Chitwan National Park is considered an excellent habitat for birds. Migratory birds enjoy the Rapti and Reu rivers flowing through the park, the Narayani River, and the wetlands and forest areas within the park. The national park, buffer zones, and community forests are also good areas for bird observation. Nepal is home to 902 bird species, while Chitwan alone hosts 652 species.

Along with this, birds that arrive during the summer season have also started arriving. According to Chairman Bidari, these birds are entering Nepal via India. He stated, "Birds that came to escape the cold are starting to return, and birds that come in the summer have started arriving." Birds arriving in the summer hatch their young here and then return as winter begins.