Spectacular aerial scenes of flocks of different species of birds flying over a lush green valley or foraging on paddy fields, wetlands, resting on trees, rooftops in Assam always leave the nature lovers spellbound. For the creative writers, they are endless source of inspiration and for the weather scientists they are the harbingers of a new season. Sometimes some of these birds fall prey to hunters.  

Flocks of colourful birds in and around the wetlands of Kaziranga, Nameri, Pabitora, Deepor Beel always enthral me. Playful flocks of Lesser Whistling-Duck, Little Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Indian Pond Heron, Asian Pond Heron on these wetlands, winter visitors like ‌Ruddy Shelduck,  Falcated Duck, Lesser White- Fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, Wagtail, Burn swallow or the flocks of Parakeets, dove, Starling, White-breasted Waterhen foraging on yellow paddy fields add to nature’s montage. Activities of these bird folks are also indicative of ecological balance and environment of a particular place.  Highly sensitive to ecological changes, some of these birds are on the verge of extinction in some places. However, a little bit of understanding and care for them can make huge difference.   

Photo and text - Girimallika Saikia

( Girimallika Saikia teaches in a High School in Golaghat district of Assam. A nature lover, Saikia also loves to spend time with children. She has  special interest in photography.  She can be reached at [email protected])