Author(s)

Bilal Bashir Bhat

Affiliation(s)

Environmental Specialist, ABC Techno Labs India Pvt. Ltd., India.

Corresponding Author

Bilal Bashir Bhat

ABSTRACT

Jammu and Kashmir are rich in natural resources, especially in Wetlands. These Wetlands provide wintering, feeding and breeding grounds for millions of resident (local), and non-resident summer migrants and Migratory birds especially waterfowl (ducks, geese and swans) visiting from different countries. The research studies the status & diversity of various avifauna populations of (Resident, Summer Migrants & Migratory) in Hygam Wetland Reserve a Ramsar Site in Jammu & Kashmir. The study was conducted in 4 seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn and winter) from January 2022 to December 2023. Visual basis and strip-transit methods were used for the counting of avifaunal populations in the study site. With the help of a expert field guide, monographs and Standard books identification of birds was done. In the study area the Species diversity of the identified birds showed variation between the sites. The highest number & density of avifauna was observed at 1 – site (emergent & dense vegetation) followed by 2-site (Radhiam/Akhnoonpora). Out of the total identified avifauna population in winters (winter miratory birds), Mallards were counted highest followed by Northern Pintail and Gadwall. The other species (Residents/Summer mirants) observed were Pond heron, little egret, common coot, Purple swamphen, common teal, Northern Shoveller and goose were also observed in te study area. Out of 42 species of birds recorded from the study area, 19 species were the residents, 11 species found were summer migrants and 12 species represented the winter migrant community. From residential birds, the grey pigeons makes up 70% of the bird diversity followed by the golden finch, blue billed magpie, Streaked laughing thrush, blue whistling thrush & Purple Moorhen. From summer migrants Starlings, dominate the area followed by Tickle’s thrush, Indian ring dove, Indian Whiskered tern, European hoopoe etc. The total number of Winter migratory birds that make up 75 to 80% of bird diversity in winter are Mallards, Northern Shoveller, Common Teal, Pin Tail, Geese and common coots.

KEYWORDS

Present status of water birds; Bird diversity; Hygam wetland; Ramsar Site; Migratory birds; Resident and non-resident birds; Threats; Conservatio; Kashmir

CITE THIS PAPER

Bilal Bashir Bhat. Evaluation of avifauna diversity in hygam wetland (Ramsar Site) . Frontiers in Environmental Research. 2024, 2(2): 25-31. DOI: 10.61784/fer3002.

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