Bird observers call for migratory bird conservation

It is of vital importance to protect the migratory birds that flock to the Ramsar site and inland regions for winter in Myanmar.
Every year, migratory birds flock to the freshwater lake, where there is abundant food, away from colder regions with frozen lakes and a short food supply that make it difficult for them to survive. The primary habitats of the winged visitors are Indawgyi Lake, Innlay Lake, Paleik Lake, Pyu Lake, Moe Yoon Gyi Lake, the Gulf of Mottama, Nantha, Mainmahla and other islands in the Taninthayi Region and then, they travelled long distances to the north in May for breeding grounds.
“Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the population of migratory birds were registered. According to January 2020 survey, over 3,800 birds (42 species) in Paleik Lake, over 680 (19 species) in Banaw Lake and over 4,500 (32 species) in Pyu Lake were registered. The COVID-19 travel restrictions limit the bird observers to collect the list of those winged visitors. Additionally, some migratory bird species were found in the cage of bird sellers. The protection of migratory birds is crucial for environmental conservation,” said a bird observer from Mandalay city.
There are 1,136 bird species found in Myanmar, including 400 migratory bird species, as per the bird researchers’ data.
The population and some species of migratory birds are declining due to the decline in habitats, wetlands disappearing, habitat loss due to urban development and illegal hunting of migratory birds. – Min Htet Aung (Mandalay Sub-Printing House)/GNLM