Srinagar

Navigating with instinct and skill, hundreds of migratory birds have reached Kashmir from far off lands to ward off the extreme cold of their summer homes.

Migratory birds come to Kashmir every year by the end of October, flying through the central Asian fly zone from Siberia, north China and north Europe to spend the winter months in the less harsh winter here.

The arrival of these avian visitors also heralds the beginning of winter in Kashmir.

According to Rashid Naqash, Regional Wildlife Warden (Kashmir), the bird reserves of Hokersar, Mirgund, Hygam and Shallabugh are the main water bodies where these migratory birds arrive at the beginning of the winter season.

"In addition to these, migratory birds also come to the Wular Lake and the Dal Lake apart from other water bodies spread all over the Valley. These birds live here from late October to the end of April. Most of the time, they live inside the water bodies except during their nocturnal visits to the paddy fields to pick fallen grain from there," Naqash said.

The navigational skills of the migratory birds are a marvel of aviation travel. It is always the eldest bird of the flock, which is well acquainted with the route, who leads the flock in flight.

Over 3 lakh migratory birds have reached the valley

"If the leader bird dies due to some reason, the next in line takes over the lead. In this manner, the birds cover thousands of miles without losing the track to reach the Valley," Naqash added.

So far, over 3 lakh migratory birds have reached the Valley and their number is likely to increase manifold during November and December.

Species of migratory birds which come to Kashmir each year include mallard, teal, pochard, wigeon, shoveler, coot, gadwall, pintail, ruffed duck, shelduck and greylag goose.

The bar-headed goose does not come to the Valley, as they go to the Gharana wetland reserve in Jammu division.

Gadwall - one of the birds that visit Kashmir during winter months

In addition to these winter dwellers, some species of birds called the 'birds of passage' like the cormorant and sandhill crane also spend some time in the Valley in early winter and late spring while flying to and going back from the Indian plains.

"During extreme winter when the water bodies inside the bird reserves are frozen, the department has to arrange feed by way of rice for the birds inside the reserves. "

As they descend from the sky into the water bodies, the migratory birds create a spectacle of colour and cackle that is unmatched even by the best ceremonial bands in the world.

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For hundreds of years, braving the vagaries of weather and other odds, these avian visitors have never failed to keep their tryst with Kashmir.