Migratory flamingos keep their date with Mumbai

MUMBAI: Migratory flamingos, visiting this city since 1994, kept their date with it this winter with 40 of the pink-plumed birds reportedly sighted by bird-watchers.

Scientists of the Bombay Natural History Society have sighted the birds at Sewri - one of the important bird areas in central Mumbai - and nearby Uran.

"We saw about 40 flamingos at Uran, and at Sewri they were seen a few times in the past few days," said Rushikesh Chavan, a BNHS conservation officer.

"These are signs that they have started arriving in Mumbai this season. Although their arrival was delayed, we expect them in huge numbers at Sewri."

BNHS director Asad Rahmani said Sewri bay is known for other migratory birds as important as flamingos. The bay was declared an important bird area by BNHS, Birdlife International and the Royal Society for Protection of Birds.     

Rehmani said, "Flamingos are marking their magnificent presence in some parts of the city and are painting Mumbai's landscapes with a beautiful pink. 15,000-20,000 flamingos visit Mumbai every year from October-November to March-April.

"In India we have two of the world's six species. We have greater and lesser flamingos, and both visit Mumbai every year," he said.