Mongolia to Hadinaru lake! A long flight of Bar Headed Geese
3 min read
Mysuru: Unlike other lakes in Mysuru district, a lake here continues to be the bird watchers delight for over several decades.
Hadinaru lake in Nanjangud taluk dates back to Wadiyars of Mysuru, the erstwhile rulers, who are believed to have started their reign from Hadinadu (which later became Hadinaru), in 1399 AD.
According to the lore that is on the tongue of all in the village, the lake area extending up to 200 acres and more has been a birds paradise since several generations. The villagers have innate concern for birds and is evident with the way they have turned birders or bird watchers, having every minute details of the birds they saw and record them for their own statistics.
During January, Bar Headed Geese from far away Mongolia start to arrive in groups and it is already a week since over 200 birds have already arrived, much to the delight of native bird enthusiasts. It’s just a beginning of the migratory birds like Bar Headed Gheese to fly several lakhs of kms from Mongolia to Hadinaru lake in Mysuru crossing Himalayas, before reaching here.
Within a span of one month by February, the numbers are expected to grow touching more than 1,000 birds of this species, as during the previous migratory season, 1,200 and more such birds were counted in this lake.
When www.mysoorunews.com visited the lake on Monday, Mongolian Bar headed Geese were seen swimming in water in groups, fluttering wings and flying with a quackling sound.Â
Mahadev of Hadinaru who keeps guard of fishes in the lake said “Parvathada Hakki (In local parlance the villagers call Mongolian bar headed geese as Parvatha Hakki as it crosses high-altitude Himalayas before reaching Hadinaru) started arriving a week ago. Many more will be coming till February. During morning, they will be moving in groups spread in lake, paddy fields for feed, pond and backwaters. They won’t feed on fishes.”
From local to International bird watchers many throng the lake during this season for the sight of these birds, says Mahadev.
Naveen a volunteer of Hadinaru Nature Foundation, an organisation of like-minded bird watchers of the village said “We have been recording these birds since a decade. Even before that our ancestors had the information about the migratory birds like Mongolian Bar Headed Geese and several others. As the years passed by, we acquired more knowledge on the winged species and resolved to work towards their conservation.”
It’s soothing to hear the night calls of these geese. The villagers are used to their sound. Let me clarify, it’s not a nocturnal bird, but may have changed its behaviour to avoid threat to life. It is believed that, this species of birds were poached in large numbers by the British during colonial rule, when hunting was a popular game, Naveen said.
Naveen with a tinge of pride says “Hadinaru lake is a fine example for bio-diversity.
Pelican birds can also be seen here breeding on the trees in the lake, while white and black egrets are commonly spotted here. But for now the Bar Headed Geese is the cynosure of all the eyes.
Hadinaru can be reached both from Mysuru side and Suttur also. After reaching Basavanapura village on Mysuru- Nanjangud road, take left and drive down the Railway underbridge, with the destination located at 9 km distance.
After traversing through Kempisiddanahundi, Immavu, Hulimavu and Bokkahalli, arrives the destination- Hadinaru where the sound of chirping birds greet all.Â
– Team MysoorunewsÂ
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