Birdwatchers Chronicle 114 Species Near Airport and Khambala Cheruvu in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: The bird-watching community, led by some ornithologists, have compiled remarkable records of the city’s often-overlooked ecological wealth.

In one day, they documented 64 species at a wetland near the airport and 50 species at Khambala Cheruvu, a lake nestled within the city's sprawl. Together, these findings underscore the resilience of urban biodiversity.

The water body adjacent to Vizag airport has yielded a total of 141 species over time, with 64 of them observed on December 21 alone. Khambala Cheruvu boasts the sighting, overall, of 149 species, of which 50 were noted on that same day.

In the early morning, a group of birdwatchers, led by Vivek Rathod, a member of the Wildlife Conservation Through Research and Education, gathered along the airport perimeter, where a 1.1-km stretch of wetland lies in the shadow of the runways and terminals.

For nearly two hours, they logged their sightings through eBird India. The tally included a stunning variety of waterfowl: 21 Red-crested Pochards gliding across the surface, while Fulvous and Lesser Whistling-Ducks made sounds in a chorus. Other species, such as Cotton Pygmy-Geese, Gadwalls, and Indian Spot-billed Ducks, added splashes of colour to the scene.

Waders were equally prominent, with 31 Black-winged Stilts, Grey-headed and Red-wattled Lapwings, and Jacanas delicately stepping across lily pads. Glossy Ibises, Painted Storks, Oriental Darters, and herons filled the margins, while raptors such as Shikras and Black Kites circled overhead.

Smaller species enriched the atmosphere: Barn Swallows swooped down in large numbers, bulbuls and babblers chattered away, and kingfishers flashed brilliant hues of blue and green. Even the tiny Purple-rumped Sunbird found its place in this vibrant mosaic of habitats.

"It is unusual to find such an abundance near a busy airport. Wetlands adjacent to aviation hubs are often dismissed as marginal land. Yet, this birdlife demonstrates their role as refuges for migratory and resident species," said S. Ajay, who participated in the birdwatching walk.

At Vizag airport, these findings raise pressing questions about conservation priorities in rapidly urbanising areas, where habitats remain vulnerable to encroachment and pollution.

Later in the day, attention shifted to Khambala Cheruvu. Within two hours, birdwatchers recorded 50 species along a 0.41-mile stretch. Cotton Pygmy-Geese dominated the waters with 25 individuals, while Indian Spot-billed.

Ducks contributed to the diversity. Raptors again made their mark, with a Shikra and a Black Kite patrolling the skies. The lake's surface and margins teemed with activity: Eurasian Moorhens, Coots, Grey-headed Swamphens and White-breasted Waterhens navigated the reeds, while Black-winged Stilts, Red-wattled Lapwings, and Jacanas probed the shallows.

Wood Sandpipers hinted at the lake’s importance as a migratory stopover. Herons and egrets were well represented alongside Oriental Darters, Little Cormorants and Asian Openbills. Kingfishers provided vibrant flashes of colour, joined by the iridescent Indian Roller, while bee-eaters showcased their aerial skills.

In the trees and scrub, parakeets, flamebacks, tailorbirds, bulbuls, babblers and sunbirds filled the air with song. Barn Swallows swooped down in great numbers, starlings chirped noisily in clusters, while the Indian Robin and Scaly-breasted Munias rounded out the list.

"Khambala Cheruvu, like many urban lakes in Andhra Pradesh, faces pressures from encroachment, pollution, and neglect. Yet, the presence of 50 species in a single afternoon demonstrates resilience and ecological value. Such wetlands serve as breeding grounds, migratory stopovers, and feeding habitats, weaving themselves into the broader tapestry of biodiversity conservation," said Vivek Rathod.

Each entry, from the solitary Greater Coucal to the flock of Brahminy Starlings, adds weight to the argument for protecting urban wetlands.

Taken together, the two observations present a compelling narrative. Documenting 114 species across two sites in one day provides snapshots of biodiversity that challenge assumptions about where nature can thrive.

Even in the shadow of airports and amid the pressures of urban sprawl, the dawn chorus continues, resilient and resonant, a reminder of the urgent need to protect these vital habitats.