The Avian treasures of Bangladesh

Up to the far horizon stretching for many miles, my eyes fail to meet another soul. Suspended in a mudflat jutting out from the Bay of Bengal, I experience serenity like nowhere else.

My feet dig deep into the soft clay and I observe the lonely island through a spotting scope. I am here on a mission -- to observe the Spoon-billed Sandpiper -- a small wader with a characteristic spoon shaped bill that is fighting a battle for existence -- only about a hundred breeding pairs remaining in the wild today.

They fly many thousand miles from Russia to the coastal mudflats of Bangladesh which is their wintering ground. The coastal islands of Sonadia, Kaladia, Nijhum Dwip are perfect places to visit to spend some quality time watching these and other migratory birds while immersed in a tranquil beauty.

During winters one can find the Common Sandpiper bobbing its rear and feeding on small insects on the coast; Eurasian Curlews with their long down-curved bills; Whimbrels, which look strikingly similar to the Curlew, only with a shorter bill; Ruddy Turnstone, named because they overturn small stones in search of a good meal while feeding. A keen eye and some patience is required and one can be sure to be privy to these beautiful shorebirds, sometimes flying in huge flocks and then resting on the soft mud as they busily feed on the many small insects occupying the mudflat.

The coast of Bangladesh boasts many pockets of treasures, like Sonadia, where spending a quiet day submerged in the play of the tide, watching birds flock the coastline and the waters slowly submerge the planted mangroves of the Island is nothing short of paradisiacal.

Nijhum Dwip is another such place with a similar aviary population as Sonadia. West of Cox's Bazar, it can be reached via Feni. It is not as isolated as Sonadia -- the island sees many fisherman and farmers bringing their livestock to graze. The place promises sightings of Pied Avocets, dainty birds with upturned bills.

Going farther west along the coast from Cox's Bazar is the mystical Sundarbans. Many bird species share their home with the mighty Bengal Tiger, the King Cobra, Chital Deer and saltwater crocodiles in this tidal mangrove forest.

The riverine country woven with many million creeks is blissfully quiet -- punctuated with the bright flurry of colours distinct to the birds that thrive here. The striking blue wings of the Black-capped Kingfisher, a winter visitor to Bangladesh adds a majestic hue. The Sunderbans is magical as it is and if you plan on getting some bird-watching done it is all the more rewarding. One can also find many birds of prey, including the Peregrine Falcon, here.

Moving away from the coast, there are the many wetlands of Sylhet. Both Tanguar Haor and Baikka Beel, are home to vast expanses of water bodies dotted with water lilies, and endless horizons.

The Ruddy Shelducks, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Common Pochard, fly here in large flocks as the small country boats row deeper into the wetland. One can also spot a great many migratory birds in the many chars of Brahmaputra and Jamuna and if lucky, may even be privy to a Steppe Eagle. Mighty in its posture, this raptor soars through the skies with regal grace.

And finally, closer to Dhaka, the place to observe migratory birds is Jahangirnagar University. With its many lakes and growth of shrubs, Jahangirnagar has welcomed many migratory birds who come over to winter here.

Common Snipes, Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtails, Common Kestrel, White Wagtails -- some of the few that can be seen in the marshes and adjacent areas of Jahangirnagar University. Besides, a large number of migratory birds flock the countless beels, chars and marshy wetlands of rural areas.

Observing migratory birds is a wonderful recreation for many and all that is needed is a pair of good binoculars or a spotting scope, a field guide to identify all the birds and enthusiasm.

Many of these migratory today face severe threats as their wintering and breeding grounds face the onslaught of development. Measures need to be taken both here and internationally to save these winged treasures.

Birds have been a source of many an inspiration to our poets and the beauty of Bengal is further enhanced. The deep melodious call of a bird, roosting on the branches of a large banyan tree is the picture of quintessential Bengal.

By Abida Rahman Chowdhury
Photos: Sayam U Chowdhury
Thanks to Sayam U Chowdhury (Ornithologist and Principle Investigator - Bangladesh Spoon-billed Sandpiper Conservation Project)