Warangal: In a first, Spur-winged Lapwing sighted at Ammavaripet Lake, thanks to zoologist Dr Jagan

Warangal: For the first time in India, an extremely rare Spur-winged Lapwing was spotted at Ammavaripet Lake in Warangal.

All credit goes to Dr Jagan Pannala, the bird photographer who spotted this winged visitor.

Dr Jagan, who holds a Doctorate in Zoology from Kakatiya University, spotted this rare bird at Ammavari Peta Lake in Warangal on January 15. Now, the lake has become a birding paradise for many photographers.

"After a long break post-Covid, I started bird photography this year. My wife Dr Jyothi took me to Ammavaripet Lake. On January 15, I was clicking photos of the regular migratory winter birds at the lake, and I saw this Spur-winged Lapwing from a long shot, but I mistook it as a common lapwing. I spotted the same bird three times when I went along with my friends. However, I did not know it was spur-winged. I was lucky the fourth time when I went along with two of my friends, Nageshwar Rao and Abdul Raheem. I waited at the spot where this spur-winged frequents. Luckily I saw it again and took a few pictures. Me and my friends waited for two hours. We spotted it again at 20 feet distance. We sat inside the car so that bird does not get disturbed," Dr Jagan told NewsMeter.

He said they even thought that it could be a River Lapwing. “When we posted the photos on social media, the Deccan Birders group quickly reported that it is not a River Lapwing but a rare bird seen in the Indian subcontinent for the first time. What's most special is that this Spur-winged Lapwing was part of the common lapwings' flock, which is a strange and baffling phenomenon," said Dr Jagan, who has been a regular birder at Ammavari Peta Lake since 2016.

Who are Spur-winged Lapwing?

This Spur-winged Lapwing is a native of North Africa, the Mediterranean region. The species is declining in its northern range. However, in much of tropical Africa, the bird could be seen in almost all wetlands. The Spur-winged Lapwing is one species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds applies. This species prefers marshes and similar freshwater wetland habitats.

The Spur-winged Lapwing is now one of 23 species placed in the genus Vanellus introduced in 1760 by the French naturalist.

The Spur-winged Lapwing is known to sometimes use its wing claws in an attack on animals and, rarely, people who get too close to the birds' exposed offspring.

Ammavaripet Lake: Second home for migratory birds

Warangal has many freshwater lakes and good birding spots. Ammavaripet Lake is significantly a second home for many migratory birds.

After Dr Jagan spotted Spur-winged Lapwing, bird lovers from across the nation made a beeline to Ammavaripet Lake to catch a glimpse of the rare bird. Several winter migratory birds are found in and around the lakes in Warangal from December to April.

"Being the first, I was against revealing the lake's name. I did not want people to disturb the bird's habitat. I remember the times when I worked at Ameenpur Lake in Hyderabad, which has now become a bird paradise and a popular spot. I don't want these freshwater lakes to be disturbed by the public as they attract poachers," said Dr Jagan who has won several international awards for his bird pictures.

"Now, at least 20 vehicles stop at the spot daily to see the new bird spotted. Now, I wonder what the situation of this lake is, which is becoming popular," said Dr Jagan, who is currently working as a senior zoological lecturer at Narayana Institutions in Warangal.