Sunday, January 26, 2014

Unusual winter visitors in Kolkata

Desert Wheatear
Two very unusual winter visitors were sighted in Kolkata's Rajarhat area. It is a well known-fact that birds migrate to warmer climate during winter, and some of the migratory birds that are usually sighted during winter in Kolkata and nearby areas are ducks and waders of different kinds, shrikes, wagtails, flycatchers, and a few others. 

But these two visitors have taken the birdwatchers in Kolkata by surprise. The Desert Wheatear which, by its very name, suggests that they are found mainly in 
Rajasthan, Gujarat and Ladakh. It is quite surprising how such a bird could land up here right in the heart of the city! You can spot this bird in the midst of all the construction work that is happening in Rajarhat. I guess that is because there is still some greenery left there. I wonder what will happen to these birds once all the greenery disappears...


The Dark-throated Thrush, usually seen in the Himalayas, and so far could be seen as far south as Siliguri region in winter. This year, a pair of them decided to fly all the way, at least 600 kms further to Kolkata! 

These bird pictures have been taken by Soma Jha, who is an avid birder.

Desert Wheatear
Kolkata
Dark-throated
Thrush, Rajarhat
Kolkata


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