Patna: Migratory birds have started arriving in Bihar earlier than usual this year, raising expectations of a colder winter, according to local experts. Dr Gopal Sharma, Bihar coordinator of the Indian Bird Conservation Network under the Bombay Natural History Society and interim director of the National Dolphin Research Center in Patna, said the early arrival of birds such as the grey-headed lapwing, common sandpiper, glassy ibis, red-necked falcon, stark-billed kingfisher and white wagtail could indicate a particularly severe cold season. “We are seeing these species in the plains of Bihar in the first week of September, whereas previously they usually appeared in mid-October,” he noted.
Experts attribute the shift to changing temperatures, irregular weather patterns, and improved conservation of water habitats. Some also see it as a positive sign of the restoration of natural habitats such as rivers, ponds, forests and fields, which provide better conditions for birds to thrive and breed.
The District Coordinator of the Asian Waterbird Census reported a significant increase in the numbers of baya and sparrows this season. Factors contributing to the rise include abundant grains and insects in fields after harvest, regional conservation efforts, and the arrival of winter migratory birds.
Local residents have welcomed the sudden influx, saying it enhances the natural beauty of their surroundings while serving as a reminder of changing weather patterns. The state forest department has stepped up patrolling to protect the migratory birds and plans to launch public awareness campaigns.
Meanwhile, dozens of species, including Siberian ducks, green-shanks and red-shanks, are being spotted daily in reservoirs around Buxar, Bhagalpur, Patna and Darbhanga, highlighting Bihar’s growing importance as a winter haven for migratory birds.
