Migratory birds have started arriving right on cue at various water bodies in and around Udaipur. According to bird lovers, some species have been spotted and the number is expected to increase in the next few weeks with the onset of winter.

Anil Rodgers, involved in the study of migratory birds in his recent wild life trip in the wetland area here, reported spotting Verditter flycatcher, a migratory species of Himalayas which comes in Udaipur during winters. The bird is beautiful to watch with deep blue colour and blackness around the eye area. The bird, despite being one of the frequently visiting species here, is rarely seen in open, said Satish Sharma of the forest department.

Syberian stonechat, Indian Pitta were other birds spotted by wild life experts Vijyendra Prakash Parmar, Uttam Pegu and others during their recent bird watching sessions here.

The lake city which boasts of at least 400 species of birds within 100 km vicinity, is surrounded by many wetlands, lakes and wild life sanctuaries which attract hundreds of migratory birds from far and wide, every winters. Apart from the rare birds, Marsh Harrier, Red Shank, Bar Headed Goose, Grey Lag Goose, Greater Cormorant, Grey Francolin, Egrets, Crow Pheasants, Various Sandpipers, Lapwing, Wagtails, Pipits , Black Tailed Gotwit, Indian Roller, Black Ibis, Flamingos, Black Kites, Little Ringed Plover, Norther Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Common Cranes are the other common varieties being spotted here in good numbers.

Besides Pichhola, Fatehsagar and Badi lake in the city area, Panarva jungle, Madar, Menar, Bhatewar, Mangalwar and Ghasa water bodies attract large number of migratory birds with the onset of winters. The return journey of the birds starts after mid February. The water level has been on the higher side this year. Ornithologists believe this means there will be an abundance of food during the peak period of migration as insects, mollusks and other riverine fauna will breed in large numbers. Contributed by: Geetha Sunil Pillai