In a promising development for bird conservationists, a team of birders has reported the rare sighting of at least 74 Indian Skimmers near the Ganga River in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. This endangered bird species, typically found along rivers and estuaries, has seen a sharp population decline in recent years. The discovery marks a significant rise from last year's count of just 15 birds at the same location near Hastinapur Sanctuary.
The Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) is known for its distinctive black-and-white plumage and knife-like orange beak, which it uses to skim the water's surface while flying low to catch fish. These birds nest on sandy riverbanks and are highly sensitive to human disturbance.
According to Ashish Loya, a birder and head of the Wildlife Trust of India’s Nest Guardian Programme in Bijnor, the birds have been returning annually but are facing growing difficulties in nesting due to sand mining, agricultural encroachment, and human activity on sandbars. Despite their return, many Indian Skimmers are unable to nest properly, reducing their breeding success.
The team tracking the birds' migration and nesting behavior has noted an encouraging increase this year. “This year, it seems like Indian Skimmers from downstream areas are also trying to nest on the sandbars here,” said Ashish Gujjar, another birder involved in the project. However, he stressed that disturbances caused by farming and movement of people on these sandbars continue to threaten the fragile ecosystem.
Experts estimate that there are only 2,450 to 2,900 Indian Skimmers left in the wild, with the population now almost completely restricted to India. Once found across South Asia, the species has seen a dramatic contraction in its range due to habitat degradation. Occasional breeding is still reported in western Bangladesh, but India remains their last major refuge.
Besides Indian Skimmers, other endangered birds like the Black-bellied Tern, Great Thick-knee, and River Lapwing also use these sandbars and are similarly affected. These species too require protection as their numbers continue to dwindle.
Local forest officials in Bijnor are taking notice. Gyan Singh, district forest officer, mentioned that surveillance has increased in the nesting areas, particularly near the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary. “Boating activities in sensitive stretches have been suspended,” he said. Authorities are also planning to barricade the nesting areas and collaborate with global conservation organizations to develop a long-term protection strategy.
Indian Skimmers typically begin mating in March and nest in April. Their presence in such large numbers offers hope that conservation efforts, if intensified and sustained, can lead to a revival of this critically threatened bird.
This rare congregation of Indian Skimmers near the Ganga is not just a visual delight for birders but also a clarion call for urgent, continued action to safeguard India's vanishing riverine biodiversity.