Ruddy shelducks and black-winged stilts in flight at a pond near the airport in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit: KR Deepak

We are almost in the second half of winter, which may seem like a tad late to get started on birdwatching in the Indian subcontinent. Warmer days are getting closer in Visakhapatnam – aren’t we late already to spot winged winter visitors?

Not really, say birdwatchers of the city, who are witnessing an intriguing shift. Traditionally associated with peak birdwatching season, January this year has surprised enthusiasts with a late arrival of migratory birds. But rather than being discouraged, Visakhapatnam’s birders see this as an opportunity to extend the joys of birdwatching well into the year.

According to seasoned birders in the city, as many as 113 species have been spotted and recorded on eBird, an online database of bird observations, in the month of January so far. This list includes both resident species and migratory visitors who have seemingly adjusted their arrival schedule to align with the delayed onset of winter in the region. While the numbers of birds is low this year, there is diversity and many important species like cotton pygmy-goose, Eurasian wigeon, Indian spot-billed duck, great crested grebe, oriental darter, black bittern, grey headed lapwing, Pacific golden-plover, watercock have been sighted.

A birdwatcher making his way through the pathway that leads to the airport estuary in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Vivek Rathod of Wildlife Conservation Through Research and Education (WCTRE), says that the delay in bird arrivals is attributed to shifting climatic patterns. “Fluctuating weather conditions across migratory routes are believed to have impacted the timings. Winter started late in Northern India; as a result, the birds arrived late here,” says Vivek, who has been leading birding walks across various water-bodies in Visakhapatnam this season.

Despite this, the birding community remains optimistic. The water-bodies behind Visakhapatnam airport, Boni Lake, Tagarapuvalasa and Podugullapalem Lake, Kondakarlava and urban greenspaces of the city like Kailasagiri are now bustling with life, from the majestic paradise flycatcher to colourful purple moorhen and northern pintail. For those interested in shorebirds, Pudimadaka Beach is alive with the activity of migratory waders such as sandpipers, plovers, and other coastal species. 

A flock of Indian skimmer near Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“Birdwatching is not just a hobby but a way to reconnect with Nature. This delay doesn’t dampen our spirits— it only gives us more time to marvel at these avian wonders. Photographing birds is a great way to de-stress for me after all the workload of the week,” says PSN Murthy, a passionate photographer and chief manager of a bank. Murthy, who took to photography two years ago, has been a regular participant at birding walks and visited most of the birding spots this season. “The golden hours of morning and evening are the best time to spot birds and for photography. The golden light enhances visibility, and the birds are most active during these hours,” says Murthy, who carries his 400 mm prime lens to photograph the birds.

A pair of northern pintail.
| Photo Credit:
KR Deepak

Environmental groups like WCTRE and Indira Gandhi Zoological Park are organising morning outings to hotspots like Meghadrigedda downstream channel, the city zoo and Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary. These excursions are attracting not just veteran birders but also a wave of newcomers drawn by the thrill of spotting rare and vibrant species.

The bigger picture

Shravya Garuda and her two daughters go well prepared for these sessions. The children pack their notebooks, binoculars and birding booklets. “The focus is always on trying to get the children to see the physical characteristics rather than focusing on the names. I encourage them to name the birds whatever they want; they have a process for naming them,” says Shravya. In their recent visit to the waterbody behind airport, they initially identified a bird as “blue fast diving bird”. “Which we later identified as kingfisher,” she adds. Shravya has been a regular participant in these walks for a few years now. The biggest takeaway, she says, is how drastically the numbers have dwindled, and the rapid loss of habitat. “Places like Kondakarla Ava, the estuary by the airport and Meghadrigedda, all have shrunk with debris being dumped in each of these places,” she rues.

The delayed migration serves as a reminder of the larger environmental challenges at play. “The shift in birding seasons is a wake-up call to the impacts of climate change. It’s crucial that we protect habitats to ensure these beautiful creatures continue to visit,” says Vivek, who has been studying the migratory birds in Vizag for over a decade.

For bird lovers, January is proving to be a rewarding time to explore Visakhapatnam’s natural landscapes. As the city warms up, the birds have indeed arrived, bringing with them a melody of hope and a call to action for conservation. So, are we late for birdwatching? Not at all. In fact, the season is just beginning to take flight.