With the onset of snowfall in the Northern Hemisphere, the wetlands of Kailali and Kanchanpur districts have recently seen an influx of migratory birds. These birds flock to wetlands in Nepal and other low mountainous areas seeking safe habitats, food, and nesting grounds, especially as snow covers regions like Siberia, explained Hirulal Dagaura, a member of Bird Conservation Nepal.

A variety of bird species are now visible in these wetlands, including the maalak duck (ferruginous duck), green-headed duck, kajijure duck (tufted duck), suirepuchhre duck (northern pintail), kharakhare duck (gadwall), kal duck (greylag goose), thulo jalewa (great cormorant), and chakhewa (ruddy shelduck).

These wetlands temporarily shelter migratory birds escaping the intensifying cold in countries like Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan. Dagaura noted that migratory birds have arrived at various sites, including Ghodaghodi Lake in Kailali, the Karnali river basin, Puraini Lake, Kalikich wetlands, ponds in Shuklaphanta National Park, Rani Lake, Sikari Lake, Mahakali, and Chaudhar river basin areas. -- RSS