"Birds are indicators of the environment. If they are in trouble,
we know we'll soon be in trouble." Roger Tory Peterson
To protect birds it is essential to protect their natural habitat first and protect them in our urban vicinity futhermore. Sultanpur national park formerly known as Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary located in Gurgaon District in Haryana State. Approximately 250 species of birds are found at Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. This Bird Sanctuary, ideal for nature lovers, birding and bird watchers, is best visited in winters when a large number of migratory birds come here and make the region Ornithologists paradise. Sultanpur has the typical North Indian climate of harsh summers (up to 46 Degree C) and cold winters (Low of up to 0 Degree C). Rainy season is short, from early July to late August. Some birds are resident, while others come from distant regions like Siberia, Europe and Afghanistan. Trees which are popular with the birds like Acacia nilotica, Acacia tortilis, Berberis spp. and Azadirachta indica (Neem) have been planted. Moreover habitat modeling, mapping of migratory route and flyways and formulation of new action plans can give a better approach of conservation of birds and the associated flora and fauna in the Sanctuary. As a bird sanctuary it was the find of Peter Jackson, famous ornithologist, and Honorary Secretary of the Delhi Birdwatching Society, who wrote to Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, founder of the Society, in 1970 about the need to declare the Sultanpur jheel near Delhi, a bird sanctuary.
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"Maybe we are all prospective migrants. The lines of national borders on maps are artificial constructs to birds flying overhead." |
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| Birds' play great role at recycling seeds and regeneration of trees |
Resident Birds
Resident birds comprise the Common hoopoe, Paddyfield pipit, Purple sunbird, Little cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Common Spoonbill, Gray Francolin, Black francolin, Indian roller, White-throated kingfisher, Spotbill,Painted stork, Crested lark, Red-vented bulbul, Rose-ringed parakeet, Shikra, Eurasian collared dove, Red-collared dove, Eurasian Thick-knee, White Ibis, Black headed Ibis, Little Egret, India Crested Lark, Laughing dove, Red-wattled lapwing, Spotted owlet, Rock pigeon, Magpie robin, Greater coucal, Weaver bird, Bank, Mynah, Black-necked stork, Great egret, Cattle egret, Common Mynah and Green Bee-eater.
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| It's a gloomy morning at Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary |
Migratory birds
Every year over a hundred migratory bird species visit here to feed. In winter the sanctuary provides is a panorama of migratory birds such as Siberian Crane, Greater Flamingo, Ruff, Black-winged Stilt, Common Teal, Common Greenshank, Northern Pintail, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Northern Shoveler, Rosy Pelican, Spot-billed Pelican, Gadwall, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Eurasian Wigeon, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Starling, Bluethroat and Long-billed Pipit. In summer about 11 species of migratory birds such as Asian Koel, Black-crowned Night Heron, Grey heron, Indian Golden Oriole, Comb duck, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Bee-eater and Cuckoos come here. In addition to the many birds, animals such as Blue Bull and Black Buck are also seen here.
"We cannot win this battle to save species and
environments without forging an emotional bond between ourselves and nature as
well - for we will not fight to save what we do not love." Stephen Jay Gould
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| God loved the birds and invented trees |
The forest is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence that makes no demands for its sustenance and extends generously the products of its life and activity, it affords protection to all beings. There can be no greater issue than that of conservation of forests in this planet.
"The best time to plant a tree is now"
