M

any of us

migrate to

faraway

lands in

search of

the best life. We look for cleaner

cities, bigger pay packets, and

more freedom. Nevertheless,

migration is not exclusive to us.

Even birds migrate for the same

reasons except for earning more in

powerful currencies. The winged

creatures relocate to friendly

places providing hospitable climate

for breeding, nesting, relaxing,

privacy, and / or good amount

of conducive

food.

We may

migrate

solitarily. The

birds generally

migrate in big groups. Species

specific groups are a norm. Even

different species migrate together

and live together in new temporary

homelands. For instance, I saw

most of the time ruddy shelducks

stayed with the big groups of

barheaded geese in Nagrota Surian

at the banks of the Pong Dam Lake

on February 24, 2019. It was a

Sunday.

We were the first one to enter

the Pong Dam Lake Wetland

Sanctuary on the Sunday. Groups

of barheaded geese and a few pairs

of ruddy shelducks strolled beside

our vehicle, whereas solitary big

birds like eagle enjoyed sun in

quiet pockets. Gulls and terns

ambled along the shore. Teals and

many more ducks never posed for

my camera. Big flocks of greylag

geese with pink beaks crowded

narrow swamp strips in the lake

away from its shores. Stilts and

herons met me at the shores. There

were many more avians to meet

in a short day trip. About 15, 000

birds arrived in Nagrota according

to the ticket clerk. It was sheer fun,

especially, for birdwatchers.

Gulls and terns ambled along

the shore. Teals and many more

ducks never posed for my camera.

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