With only 738 birds, Passage Migrant Count records lowest numbers in three years; clear weather a reason, say experts
In 2023, a total 1,221 individuals of these eight species were sighted directly in Kutch. In the inaugural PMC, the count of direct sightings of birds of these eight species was 1,214.
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The exercise was conducted in Kutch district a few days ago. ExpressThe Passage Migrant Count (PMC), 2024, in Gujarat’s Kutch district last weekend threw up the lowest numbers of birds which made stopover while migrating from Central Asia and eastern Europe to Africa in the last three years with experts ascribing the phenomenon to clear weather in September so far.
According to primary data of the PMC 2024, birdwatchers could observe and record only 738 individuals of the eight species of passage migrant birds during the two-day exercise, which concluded on September 15. The eight species which were the focus group of birds of the exercise include European roller, blue-cheeked bee-eater, rufous-tailed scrub-robin, greater whitethroat, spotted flycatcher, common cuckoo, red-backed shrike and red-tailed shrike. These numbers are the lowest since 2022 when Bird Conservation Society, Gujarat (BCSG), Bird Count India (BCI) and Gujarat forest department jointly launched the annual exercise (see table).
Passage Migrant Count in Kutch. Source: PMC e-Bird trip reports
In 2023, a total 1,221 individuals of these eight species were sighted directly in Kutch. In the inaugural PMC, the count of direct sightings of birds of these eight species was 1,214.
Ashwin Viswanathan, a scientist with the Mysore-based Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), who is also among the key functionaries of BCI, agreed that the numbers of passage migrants were low this year. “The primary figures based on the trip report of the PMC 2024 generated by eBird platform suggest that the number of passage migrants sighted this year is low. This was the perception during the count also,” Ashwin told The Indian Express on Thursday.
“Especially, the numbers of rufous-tailed scrub robins, greater whitethroats, and red-tailed shrikes seem to be very low,” he added.
Greater whitethroat
These eight species of birds migrate from their nesting grounds in central Asia and eastern Europe to Africa via the Indian sub-continent during springs. Along the way, they make their passage through India, hence the name passage migrant. It is believed that these birds fly across the Arabian Sea during their long and arduous journey after making stopovers in Kutch for resting and replenishing their energy reserves. Since 2022, BCSG, BCI and Gujarat government have been making a systematic effort to understand migration patterns of these eight species by conducting PMC every September.
This year, the BCSG, BCI and Gujarat forest department have also started a project of ringing individual birds from these eight species.
Rufous-tailed scrub-robin
However, this year, the number of birds of these eight species sighted directly remained sizeably low.
“While the primary figures that we have are likely to be revised upwards as some survey teams are yet to upload their check-lists for the trip report, we believe weather was a major factor for the low numbers this year. It was raining when the PMC was conducted in 2023. In 2022 also, skies were overcast and it had rained around the time of the exercise. That type of weather could have hampered the onward journey of these birds whereas this year, it was bright and sunny with no rains. We believe the birds could have taken off for their journey onwards from Kutch due to the favourable weather and hence the lower count,” Ashwin, who was in Kutch and was among those coordinating the PMC, further said.
Blue-cheeked bee-eater
Although, Bonneli’s eagle was recorded for the first time in Kutch during this time of the year, he said. “Also, this year, a few common rose finches were sighted, a phenomenon not common in Kutch in September. Secondly, tree pipits were seen all over in Kutch which is not that common,” said Ashwin.
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