Bird Watch: Waders arrive to escape the harsh climate in upper regions

Among these visitors are Ruff, Common Snipe, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, and various sandpipers.

The Common Redshank is one of the birds that has become abundant in the seasonal streams of the Inter State Chandigarh Region.

With the onset of winter, avian visitors have descended to lower regions, seeking refuge from the harsher climates in the upper reaches.

Wading birds, commonly known as waders, particularly favour marshes and have become abundant in the seasonal streams of the Inter State Chandigarh Region (ISCR). Notable species observed in these flocks include Ruff, Common Snipe, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, and various sandpipers.

These winter visitors, who like to stay in flocks, are categorised as very common, common, or fairly common depending on their sightings. Waders arrive in ISCR at the outset of winter in October and stay until April.

Visit any of the water bodies anywhere, you will find these birds in flocks flying and wandering around their shores. Sukhna Lake, Dhanas Lake in Chandigarh, and River Ghaggar crossing through trans-Ghaggar sectors in Panchkula, etc are a few sites among many where these birds can be easily spotted.

The level of water in the water bodies is also a factor on which the arrival of waders depends. Wading birds prefer to stay in shallow water bodies because it is easy for them to find their diet in shallow water instead of deep.

The most common similarity among these wading birds is the long beaks that help them pick their food in the shape of fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and plants found in shallow wetlands. Waders and shorebirds breed in marshes.

Except for Ruff, it is not easy to tell the male and female birds apart in the Common Snipe, Spotted Redshank, and Common Greenshank. Male and female wader Ruffs are different from each other in their appearances.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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