OVER 20,000 migratory birds of 115 bird species are taking shelter at Moeyungyi Lake, the Ramsar Site, in Bago Region, according to the warden of Moeyungyi Wildlife Sanctuary.
This winter, over 3,700 water birds of 30 migratory bird species are residing at Moeyungyi Lake in Bago Region. This year, the water level of lake is high, and it is over five feet in depth of minimum, and over 10 feet in depth of maximum. Therefore, the arrival of migratory birds is lower than last year, and the officials expect high arrival by the end of this month.
A migratory birds and water birds including black-headed ibis, northern pintail, garganey, Eurasian coot, red-wattled lapwing, grey heron, ruddy shelduck, Pacific golden plover, purple swamphen, sandpiper, river tern and lesser whistling duck and so on, cab be seen in the lake and surrounding areas of the lake.
“We haven’t seen four migratory species this winter. It might be for high rainfall and rising temperature. We might be able to know the exact bird population by the end of this month. Their grouping style is strange this year. They come here via central Asian and East Asian-Australasian Flyway. The arrival of migratory birds shows the bountiful food and safety of this region. We have to protect their safety. About 10 rare bird species take shelter here, and we have found five species this season. We can see them all next month,” said the warden.
The migratory birds start taking shelter in Moeyungyi Wildlife Sanctuary in the last week of October, and fly to the northern pole in the last week of April.
Wintering and migratory birds migrate and feed in the regions of Indawgyi Lake, Inlay Lake, Moeyungyi Lake, Mainmahla Island, Wethti Lake, Pyu Lake, Paleik Lake, Nantha Island, Gulf of Mottama, and beaches of Ayeyawady and Chindwin rivers.
This winter, the number of migratory birds of four species in Moeyungyi Lake is lesser over 640 birds than last year, the lake is home to over 3,700 birds of 30 migratory bird species, over 8,900 birds of 19 resident species, over 7,500 birds of 66 terrestrial bird species, totalling over 20,000 birds of 115 bird species. It is also home to 120 mammals, 28 amphibians and reptile species, 33 types of insects, 44 fish species and 74 aquatic plants. — Nyein Thu (MNA)/KTZH
