Manjunath Nayak:
It is time for winter migrant species to go back to their home range countries after having spent a fruitful 4-5 months in Karnataka and other states of the country. This winter season, we sighted a tiny but rare migrant species – the Chiff Chaff in our backyard. Now, they are on their way back home to the breeding grounds of Siberia, Russia and other cold countries.
The bird was recorded for the first time in the Almatti backwaters of Herakal village, Bilgi taluk in Bagalkot district. To our amazement, we spotted these birds in Holehadagali village, Rona taluk of Gadag district, Karnataka.
Common Chiff-chaff was recently recorded by Praveen Baddi, RFO, Mudhol Range, Bagalkot district, Sangamesh Kadagad, co-researcher, Raju Manta, R A Kunnibhavi, Sharanu Goudar and Ganesh Kodakeri. Earlier it was observed in Gajendragad, Gadag district in 2017.
COMMON CHIFF CHAFF – A SIBERIAN SUB-SPECIES
The Common Chiffchaff which in fact, migrates to the Indian sub-continent is the Siberian subspecies. This species often found near water bodies – makes its way from Siberia, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, and northwest China.
The common Chiff Chaff which is a leaf warbler are often spotted in the Northern Plains and the Himalayas during the winter months. Apart from this, they are seen in some districts of Karnataka.
Olive-green or brown back and a light white or yellow mixed, they are very tiny, active and can be seen feeding on insects. As the chirping sound they make – sounds like chiff chaff, so they have been named.
DISTINCTIVE MIGRATORY BEHAVIOR
According to Praveen Baddi and Sangamesh Kadagad, the migratory behavior of such birds is instinctive. Once their ancestors migrated to a place and when they found it safe, they migrated to that area or the surroundings during every winter months. They follow the Central Asian Flyway path from these cold countries to migrate to India during harsh winters.
These birds have been recorded in the forests and Western Ghats regions of Karnataka and that too around the water bodies of Kodagu, Mysuru, Bidar, Ballari, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura and Hubli.
Recently, the chiff chaff was spotted in Ninganagouda Kenchanagoudra ‘s farm on Malaprabha river bank and Almatti backwaters – Herakal village of Bagalkot district. On the banks of Malaprabha River – we spotted them again in Holehadagali village of Ron Taluk.