Guntur district forest officer Hima Shailaja said the breeding season of spot-billed pelicans has begun at the Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary, which has about 3,000 birds.
“During our recent visit, we identified 15 species of birds in the sanctuary, which may number more than 4,000. We also saw young Spot-billed Pelicans. The breeding season starts in November, after the nesting season, which usually starts here in October,” said Ms. Hima Shailaja. Spot-billed pelicans are local migratory birds that live in nearby areas and visit the sanctuary when the water level in its pond rises.
Some other bird species found there include Little Cormorant, Dalmatian Pelican and White Ibises. The sanctuary is commonly visited by openbilled stork, spot-billed duck, black-headed ibis, white-breasted waterfowl and other livestock.
winter retreat
Every year thousands of birds visit Uppalapadu, a village in Pedakakani mandal of Guntur district, to nest and breed. Currently, there is only one pond spread across nine acres, which provides space for these winged visitors. Although there was talk of expanding the pool and constructing artificial stands in two other nearby pools, the Budameru flood in September spoiled the game.
“The other two ponds have no nesting sites. There is a plan to build a stand in the pond, but the work can be started only in March after the water level decreases,’ the official said. with the villagers.
This time the floods also hampered weeding, a routine task undertaken ahead of the nesting season, the official said, though they removed plastic and other waste from the pond.
published – Dec 19, 2024 06:19 pm IST