Large Flock of Bar-headed Geese Spotted at the Basai Wetland

Finally, a large flock of Bar-headed Geese was spotted at the Basai Wetland today. Unfortunately, the flock spotted was less than half the size of the one spotted in the year 2017. There is an apparent change in the migratory patterns of Bar-headed Geese headed towards the plains of India which is prompted by a reduction in the availability of food and the steady disappearance of Wetlands and other Biodiversity hotspots. 

This flock of Geese was preceded by a pair early in the week of December. Looking at the lone pair of Bar-headed Geese earlier I was under the impression that no more would be coming to the Basai Wetland in Gurugram. Apparently, I was wrong! It was a great relief to see a large flock of about fifty birds on the ground. I have always looked forward to spotting the annual visitors to the wetland every year. 

Bar-headed Geese are known to be among the only birds that can fly at an altitude of 20,000 feet, a feat that is remarkable especially because few birds can survive without Oxygen at such heights. Moreover, Bar-headed Geese have remarkable navigational skills since they land up in the same spot year in and year out. The Basai Wetland incidentally is a stopover for these birds that migrate to the warmer climate in the Northern plains of India for the purpose of breeding from the months of December to March.

Bar-headed Geese are also spotted at the Sultanpur National Park at some distance from the Basai Wetland, however, I haven't been to the National Park since the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Bar-headed Geese are a noisy flock that advertise their arrival long before they are seen. I have seen them alight on the drier grassy parts of the Basai wetlands. In all probability, they'd rather feed on insects and small crustaceans left behind in receding waters. At the Sultanpur National Park, however, I have seen them settle on the water itself.

The Bar-headed Geese that visit the Basai Wetland in Gurugram are very shy in nature and it is often very difficult to get close to them without startling them. Additionally, they can be found only in the early mornings from seven to eight. The early morning mist rising from the wet ground can often make it a challenge to get clear photographs of them.

I hope to see these birds return to the same spot next year though I don't see that happening with all the draining of the water of the wetland and the filling up of low-lying areas for development-related purposes. The construction of a flyover close by and the Dwarka Expressway will change the very shape of the Wetland.