Once again in Kolkata

In our childhood, we were asked to write essays on winter and all the activities we can do during it and birdwatching is one of them.

Now, birdwatching is a very interesting hobby that allows us to enjoy these innate beauties in their natural habitat. The excitement and anticipation to watch these foreign birds are euphoric.

This year few of the migratory birds are returning to the city. For the past few years, they were not spotted here, though the reason is not known clearly for that. Birds migrate in winter in search of food and shelter and spotting these migratory birds here this winter is a positive sign and determines the fact that Kolkata is able to provide them their required food and shelter. The city authorities have also done a commendable job of keeping the places clean enough for the migratory birds to return.

Here is a list of those birds that have been seen this winter:

7. Siberian Rubythroat:

Found in: Coniferous forests with undergrowth in Siberia. It was spotted in Rajarhat.

6. Black Redstart:

Found in: South and Central Europe apart from Asia and northwest Africa. Spotted at Salt Lake and Rabindra Sarobar.

5. Blue Throat:

Found in: Woody or bushy swamp in Europe and Asia. during the winter, they migrate to North Africa and India. Spotted in Rajarhat’s wetlands.

4. Scarlet-backed flowerpecker:

Males with a navy blue upper body with bright red streak from their crown till its tail and females mostly olive green in color are found in tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests. They are sometimes spotted in South and East Asia. Seen in Rajarhat.

3. Verditer Flycatcher:

The distinctive copper-sulfate blue and a dark patch between the eyes and above the bill base earned it its name. Found in: the Himalayas through Southeast Asia to Sumatra. Spotted in Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary.

2. Black-headed Ibis:

Found in: Native of India and Bangladesh and also found in some parts of Europe and Asia.

1. Square-Tailed Drongo Cuckoo:

Belonging to the cuckoo family it looks very much like a black drongo. Found in: Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Visits the Himalayas in summer, but it was spotted in Kolkata at the Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary last month.