Avian Voyage – The fascinating world of migratory birds
Author: Silila Sandawala Bulathsinhala
Thousands of avian travellers nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka each and every year. Sri Lanka serves as a vital stopover for migratory birds with its diverse ecosystems, making it as a premier destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts too.
Every year, millions of birds leave their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere to migrate to warmer regions. They travel thousands of miles, often navigating treacherous weather conditions and natural barriers. From September to April when the northern hemisphere experiences winter, Sri Lanka welcomes plethora of migratory species. Birds such as sanderling (Wahilinna), Eurasian curlew (Yurasia Kalikaya), Indian pitta (Avichchiy), Barn swallow (Wahilihiniya) and greater flamingos, flocks to the island wetlands, mudflats, and coastal areas. These birds undertake incredible journeys, often flying thousands of miles to reach the island, where they find sufficient food and suitable habitats.
Birds possess an innate sense of direction, relying on a combination of environmental cues such as the sun, stars, and Earth’s magnetic field to guide them. Their migratory patterns are often honed over generations, passed down through instinct and learned behavior.
Our island nation is home to 522 total bird species belonging to 23 orders, 89 families and 266 genera (Red List, 2021).Many of them migratory. According to the 2021 Red List assessment 244 species that breed on the island. It is quite good country list, we could say. Now is the time of avian travellers’ arrival. Gradually we can see them in the shorelines and wetlands.
Sri Lanka; The final destination of migratory birds in central Asian flyway!
There are eight migratory routes for avifauna in the world. Two routes of them pass by Sri Lanka which is The Central Asian Flyway (CAF) and East Asian Australasian flyway. CAF covers a large continental area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans and the associated island chains. Although it’s the shortest of the world’s flyways, the Central Asia flyway is used by more than 600 migratory bird species and it also covers 30 countries. The most significant thing is, Sri Lanka is the final destination of this central Asian flyway. Many birds use our island because of this unique setting. On the other hand, the East Asian-Australasian Flyway also used by some migratory birds to visits Sri Lanka.
Migratory birds use three different routes to enter the island, Sri Lanka. Some use western route via cap of comorin and enter through Colombo, Anavilundawa and Mannar. Some use eastern route and enter through Pointpedro and Jaffna region. While some use Andaman route and entering through Mulledivu, Pigeon island side.
Due to the arrival of these fascinating travellers five wetlands have been categorized as internationally protected wetlands known as RAMSAR wetlands. Where there you can see many birds at once. Anawilundawa, Vankalai and Kumana are some of them. Also, they can be seen in other wetlands too. Environmentalist, Dr. Ravindra Kariyawasm stated that, the first three hours of light are best for most bird watch, while aquatic birds normally active when the ground warms up since afternoon is best to lookout them. Many avian travellers rely on specific stopover sites to rest and refuel during their journeys. Wetlands, estuaries, and coastal areas serve as vital pit stops where birds can replenish their energy.
The role of fascinating migrants’ add value for Sri Lankan culture!
The role of migratory birds extends beyond their impressive journeys; they play a vital part in maintaining ecological balance. As pollinators and seed dispersers, they contribute to the health of various ecosystems.
They acting as natural controls, and help regulate pests by reducing populations of potentially harmful insects such as caterpillars, weevils, cutworms and beetles. Our ancestors believe that arrival of Blue tailed bee-eater ‘nilpeda biguharaya’ to the paddy fields is a sign of better-quality harvest. It is because they eat pests in the yields. These birds can be seen in flocks or singly in open areas nowadays.
The Barn Swallow, “Wahilihiniya” is one of earliest migrants to Sri Lanka (the first waves reach our shores as early as middle August). Once peak season is here, they are abundant around the rice paddies, marsh lands, lakes and open areas. This species is one of very important bird for farmers as a biological pest controller.
When farmers see the very first arrival of “Vahilihiniya” is a signal that three monsoonal seasons are coming. So, farmers scheduled their cultivation based on these signs to increase their productivity said Dr. Gunawardena.
Farmers also believe Grey wagtail, yellow wagtail and golden pitta’s arrival is a sign of upcoming rain. This is the traditional knowledge used by our ancestors for hundreds of years, Dr. Gunawardena added. Even, Sri Lanka’s weather pattern have changed due to climate change we can still use this traditional knowledge as a parameter for weather prediction. It is important to convey this traditional knowledge to the next generations to upsurge climate resilience. “Even this year some things happen out of the pattern, we believe climate change have correlation, but then need regular research data to find it. There are research gaps in climate change impact on avifaunal migration. Fortunately, we can continue research based on these subtle bird observation/ traditional knowledge of our ancestors Dr. Gunawardena says.
Migratory birds are legally protected!
Dr jagath gunawardena stated that, According to the fauna and flora protection ordinance under section 31, all birds except five species of birds. All migrants are protected once they entered to the Sri Lankan ocean. Which means even if they are not on land, as soon as they reach the Sri Lankan sea limits, they are protected by the law under this Act.
Accordingly, harming migratory birds, destroy their habitats, hunt, shoot, kill or take or destroy their eggs and any nest is a punishable offence.
The threats facing migratory birds are alarming. Discussing the challenges Dr. Gunawardana said there is no direct harm like occasional reporting of hunting but then again loss of habitats, food shortage, climate change and pollution have been increased. These conditions are not healthy for them to stay. As stewards of the Earth, it is our responsibility to take care of them.
Eco tourism turnover with migratory birds; upcoming challenges to the government
Bird migration also supports local economies through eco-tourism, attracting birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts eager to witness these avian marvels. Environmentalist, Dr. Kariyawasam sasys, bird trails can be create all around the country since wetlands are widespread in the island also the shore lines to economic turnover from migratory birds.
While migration is a remarkable feat, it is not without its challenges. During the previous governments, the massive destruction of wetlands, for example the impact on Muthurajawela and Anavilundawa wetlands caused a great threat to the lives of migratory birds, Dr. Kariyawasm added. However pollution seems major challenge too. Plastic and polythene polluted migrants’ breeding grounds, destroy food sources, contaminate water bodies which affect bird cycle. It is responsibility of the government as well as public for keeping the beaches clean and promote ecofriendly tourism to enhances resilience.
Dr. Gunawardena explains development projects such as Mannar wind farm also harms significant number of migrants where Mannar is one of the main entrances. It’s substantial to reconsider the island’s coast moreover for the wellbeing of migratory species.
Not only coast, upcountry is also a paradise for avian travellers. The stunning highland scenery, verdant tea fields interspersed with forest, framed by dramatic mountains is an utterly picturesque backdrop for birding. Sri Lanka’s hills are home to several elusive migrants. Many Himalayan migrants such as the Kashmir flycatcher, pied thrush, Indian pitta, paddyfield pipit, pintail snipes, Pallas’s ‘grasshopper’ warbler can be seen in Nuwaraeliya and suburbs. Dr. jagath gunawardena reveals that upcountry is heavily contaminated with pesticides and this connect with water bodies which affects aquatic migratory birds. These are the main challenges to be faced in promoting tourism industry through migratory birds and conservation too. As the migratory season approaches, the importance of safeguarding these avian travelers cannot be overstated. Birdwatchers, researchers, and conservationists are coming together to educate the public about the significance of migratory birds and the need for their protection. By supporting conservation initiatives and responsible tourism, we can ensure that Sri Lanka remains a sanctuary for migratory birds for generations to come.
Sri Lanka’s role as a critical stopover for migratory birds is not just a testament to its ecological significance but also a reminder of the interconnectedness of our planet’s ecosystems. As these remarkable birds traverse vast distances, their journeys reflect the resilience of nature and the need for humanity to protect the fragile habitats that support them. The skies above Sri Lanka are alive with the promise of migration, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they continue to thrive in this island paradise.