Brahminy Shelduck arrive in Kaliasoth

Water collected during rains this season from bhadbhada has attracted many migratory birds especially the Brahminy shelducks which come from Tibet, Leh and Ladakh. They are seen in groups of 20-30 here in Kaliasoth. I have been watching them since Nov 20th. First pair was seen in Van Vihar National Park on the 19th morning that marked the arrival of these beautiful ducks.

It has been observed that migratory birds mainly water birds come to bhopal in mid of october and stay here till march. But this year they are bit late and and now being seen in small numbers. Although many of the terrestrial migratory birds arrived in last week of september and first week of october.

Brahminy shelduck or the Ruddy Shelduck as its now called is a bright orange brown duck. Male develops a black collar in breeding season. Its a common winter migrant to large open lakes and rivers with mud flats and shingle banks and are attracted to the wetlands like that of Van Vihar and Kaliasoth. They breed in high altitude lakes and swamps in Ladakh and Tibet and arrives in North India by October and departs by April.

For more description about Brahminy Shelduck, Click here.