Why Kerala is witnessing a decline in winter migratory birds
Birdwatchers in Kerala are reporting a noticeable decline in the number of migratory birds arriving from the Arctic and Central Asia. These seasonal visitors, which typically arrive between August and March, are becoming less frequent, raising concerns about environmental changes.
Why it matters
The decline of migratory bird populations serves as a critical indicator of broader ecological shifts and habitat degradation in coastal and wetland regions.
From the Arctic, northern Eurasia and wetlands of Central Asia, flocks of migratory birds undertake journeys spanning thousands of kilometres to reach Kerala’s coasts, wetlands and forests every year. Among them are Greater Sand Plover ( Anarhynchus leschenaultii ) and Tibetan Sand Plover ( Anarhynchus atrifrons ), which descend on sandy stretches of Vellanathuruthu in Kollam, and Northern Pintail ( Anas acuta ) and Garganey ( Spatula querquedula ), which winter in the wetlands of Pavumba and other waterbodies in the district. All four species are also found in other parts of the State.
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