The number of migratory birds flying to the country has increased this year despite continuous destruction of wetlands, said bird experts.
A team of bird experts and environmentalists last month conducted a census of migratory birds in different coastal areas and chars.
Bangladesh Bird Club president Enam Ul Haque said despite continuous destruction and grabbing of the existing wetlands they have seen 50,040 birds of 66 spices during this year’s census.
He said last year they had seen 35,500 birds of 65 spices and in 2012 they had seen 22,849 birds of 65 spices.
During the census, they have seen many extinct birds like Spoon-Built Sand Pipers but they did not see any Lesser Adjutant which they had seen last year.
Enam said that the census team had seen 3 critically extinct Spoon-Built Sandpipers at Char Shahjalal of Bhola district. The bird is critically endangered and small in size.
He said this year they have seen 1,060 Indian Skimmer though they had seen 600 in last year. It is a vulnerable species and it is found on large rivers, lakes, swamps, and coastal wetlands such as estuaries.
During census 2014, they have seen 4,421 nearly threatened Black-Tailed Godwit, two endangered Nordmann’s Greenshank, 550 Black-Headed Ibis, 423 Eurasian Curlew, 300 Large Great Knot, seven River Terns and four Ferruginous Pochards, Enam said.
But the survey team did not come across any locally called Jhinukumar and Boro Mota Hatutu, though they saw seven Nodia Panchil, four Morcherong Vhuti Hash, 10,000 Siti Hash, 3,000 Pati Chokha-Chokhi, 8,000 Saikat birds, 12 spices of Gang Chil and Pang Chil, Meteraj, Dagi Hash, Khoira Chokha Chokhi, Piang, Tili, Langcha and Khunte.
They have conducted the census at different Chars like Bheduria, Majher Char, Gazipur, Kolatoli, Domar Char, Char Pial, Kalkini, Char Shahjalal, Dhal Char, Kukri-Mukri, Andar Char, Sonar Char, Char Mantaj and Tengrar Char.
Courtesy of New Age
