Meera Bhardwaj:
Come December, they can be seen in large numbers in Gadag district of Karnataka. The Bar Headed Goose migrate across the Himalayas to reach India to escape the harsh winters of Russia, Mongolia and Central Asia.
The Bar Headed Goose are known to fly more than 7000- 8000 meters to reach the warm climates of Peninsular India during the winter season.
Now why do these birds fly at such high altitudes and not use the Himalayan passes at lower altitudes has baffled researchers.
They come from Mongolia, Russia, China, and Kyrgyzstan to find food, warmth and shelter in water bodies from northern to southern India. Called as “Parvata Hakki” in Kannada, they land in Magadikere (a protected waterbody), Gadag district of Karnataka.
Right from December to March, thousands of these birds can be seen in certain designated water bodies of Karnataka. These birds have a slightly larger wing area compared to their weight which enables them to fly at high altitudes.
Some of the tagged birds that land in Magadikere Conservation Reserve have been found to have migrated from Mongolia.
Making typical goose honking sound, the Bar Headed Goose has a whitish-grey body with two distinctive black bars on its head.
So, birders and foresters from Karnataka go in search of these tagged birds which land in different waterbodies of Gadag (Magadikere), Raichur (Maski Nala Dam), Davangere, Mysuru (Hadinaru kere), Mandya (KRS Dam) and Chamrajnagara (Kabini backwaters) districts.
Studies have been conducted and the details of their journey and other information are shared with the home country (Mongolia) from where they migrated.
In fact, the birds forming new habitats in Karnataka has been observed and recorded in the recent times.
The Bar Headed Goose usually migrate to those lakes which are around agricultural fields of paddy, groundnuts, etc.
Most of the collared/tagged Bar Headed Goose that come (from Mongolia) for roosting and wintering at suitable habitats in India have been observed and found in Magadikere Conservation Reserve, Gadag district.
At 6 pm, they usually fly off to the fields to feed on grains while in the mornings, they can be found in groups resting and congregating in the islands of the Magadikere.
The migration of these high flying birds to this conservation reserve has attracted many studies, research and observations from forest officials, birders and researchers in Karnataka.
Local people have cooperated with the state forest department in the protection of the Bar Headed Goose and till date, no incidents of poaching has been reported from this lake.
(ALL PHOTOS EXCEPT 4th ONE BY MEERA BHARDWAJ @ MAGADIKERE CONSERVATION RESERVE)