From Grey-headed Fish Eagle to Woolly-Necked Stork: Bird lovers spot several species at Kawal

Hyderabad: Kawal Tiger Reserve in Jannaram mandal of Mancherial district organized a two-day bird walk event for bird enthusiasts across the state on 12 February and 13 February.

On 12 February, a total of 61 participants had registered for the Bird Walk from various places like Hyderabad, Hanmakonda, Jagtial, Karimnagar, Kamareddy, CCC Mancherial, Secunderabad, Balharshah, Delhi, Rajahmundry, Nirmal, and Warangal.

All the participants reached the Forest Guest House in Jannaram at 11.00 am and completed the registration process. The Forest Division Office, Jannaram explained about Kawal Tiger Reserve and its management and also gave instructions to the participants i.e., 'Dos and Don'ts during bird watching'. After that, the participants were divided into two teams, 30 of them in a group heading to Ghanishettikunta of Indanpalli Range and 31 of them in the group to Gondguda base camp of Jannaram Range.

The first team covered Indanpally Range, Maisammakunta, Ghanishettikunta, Kalpakunta and visited the 'I love Kawal' logo in Udhampur Range and returned to allotted camp in Ghanishettikunta whereas the latter visited Jannaram range, up to the Mallial watchtower, percolation tank, and back to the allotted camp in Gondguda.

On 13 February, several forest officers including R. Shobha, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Telangana; Chief Conservator of Forests & Field Director of Project Tiger, Kawal Tiger Reserve, Nirmal; Chief Conservator of Forests, Adilabad; DFOs of Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Nirmal, Adilabad, Mancherial, Nizamabad; and Forest Divisional Officers of Adilabad and Kawal Tiger Reserve Circles participated in the bird walk.

The participants spotted various species of birds like Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Woolly Necked Stork, Egrets, Carmoreds, Darters, Gadwall Ducks, Northern Pintails, Spot-Billed Ducks, Kingfishers, Bee Eaters, White Breasted Water Hen, Bronze Winged Jacana, Munias, Red Collared Doves, Black Dragos, etc.

After completing the bird-watching feedback sessions were also conducted. The participants gave some suggestions and explained their views about nature and its conservation. This was followed by the distribution of certificates to the participants by the head of the forest department.