Migratory Waders Nest Across Hirakud Islands in Spectacular Summer Breeding Season

Sambalpur: The Hirakud Wetland, a Ramsar Site since 2022, has transformed into a vibrant cradle of life this summer as thousands of migratory waders and shorebirds have descended upon its 26 emerging islands for nesting and rearing their young.

From River Terns and Pratincoles to Gull-billed Terns, Little Terns, Whiskered Terns, Ringed Plovers, Oriental Pratincoles, and Egrets, over 10 species of waterbirds have laid eggs and are actively rearing chicks across the newly exposed sandy and rocky terrains of the wetland. The dazzling courtship displays, elaborate nesting rituals, and tender chick-rearing efforts have painted Hirakud with both sound and motion.

The nesting season, which began in mid-April following the receding winter waters, has been particularly notable for the large breeding colonies of River Terns and Pratincoles. Mothers can be seen tirelessly guarding nests from the scorching sun, while simultaneously engaging in post-fledging care for their hatchlings. The islands, which remain isolated and free from human and cattle interference, offer an ideal refuge with ample fish supply to sustain both adult birds and their growing young.

In a notable observation, five Indian Skimmers have been spotted among flocks of terns—though nesting by the endangered species is yet to be confirmed.

To safeguard these fragile breeding sites, the Debrigarh Forest Authorities have erected over 100 red flags across key nesting islands. These serve both as warning signals to fishermen and as tools for generating awareness. A dedicated river patrolling team, aided by two speedboats, has been deployed to monitor the area and restrict tourist boats from disturbing the nesting grounds.

The nesting process is marked by well-camouflaged ground scrapes on sandy and rocky patches, with gestation periods ranging between 20 to 30 days and incubation lasting 7 to 25 days. The nesting and chick-rearing activities are expected to continue over the next few months in staggered phases.

Despite nature’s camouflage, predators such as snakes, raptors, jackals, hyenas, and wolves pose a significant threat. However, the remoteness of the islands offers a critical buffer from stray dogs, cattle, and other terrestrial threats. Authorities have designated these zones as strict “No-Go” areas to minimize disturbance, noting that exposure to heat or abandonment due to predator approach can destroy vulnerable eggs and chicks.

To further strengthen conservation efforts, nine awareness squads and four frontline forest staff have been trained on wader nesting behavior. They are actively engaging with fishermen and cattle herders from three surrounding districts, while community initiatives like the Chadhei Club of Sambalpur are helping monitor nesting activity in more human-dominated areas.

During the 2025 Hirakud Bird Census, conducted on January 18, a remarkable 3.77 lakh migratory birds across 122 species were recorded—an increase of 35,000 birds from 2024, underscoring the growing importance of Hirakud as a critical breeding and stopover site for avian life.