West Asia Conflict Hits Bird Migration to Telangana

Hyderabad: The fragile chain connecting Siberia to the lakes of Telangana may be under pressure as conflicts in West Asia begin to interfere with one of the world’s most important bird migration systems, according to bird watchers who track seasonal arrivals.

The ‘Central Asian Flyway’ connects breeding grounds in Siberia, Central Asia and parts of Europe to wintering grounds in India, with the birds passing through West Asia before reaching Telangana. Every winter ducks, herons, birds of prey and small birds arrive as part of this long journey, creating a continuous ecological network across continents.

“Iran and surrounding regions serve as important stopover areas where birds rest and refuel before continuing their journey,” said expert bird watcher and wildlife photographer Sriram Reddy. “The flyway consists of a series of interconnected routes, and Iran is an important crossroads that supports hundreds of species.”

He noted the risk during reverse migration between March and May. “Birds leaving India are bound to predictable stopovers in West Asia. If these are disturbed, they may skip stops or take longer routes, which can delay their arrival at breeding grounds and affect breeding success,” he said.

This dependence is strongest among waterfowl wintering in Telangana. Species such as the northern pintail, garganey, teal, Eurasian wigeon, northern shoveler, shepherd and spiny goose rely on a chain of wetlands that includes significant areas in Iran and extends into the Caspian region and Europe. Shorebirds such as black-tailed sandpiper, rivet, little stint, redshank and marsh sandpiper follow similar routes, relying predominantly on coastal and inland wetlands in western Asia.

Bird watcher Anita Negi of the Deccan Birders group explained how the conflict could change what is seen locally. “Think of West Asia as a giant highway for migratory birds. This route has been partially blocked by conflict and confusion,” he said. “Birds may have longer detours, meaning they may arrive late, in fewer numbers, or not at all due to fatigue.”

He added that some species are currently in a vulnerable stage. “Birds such as ruff, black-tailed sandpiper and wood sandpiper begin their return journey in April,” he said. “If their stopover sites are affected, their migration may be delayed.”

Birds of prey and flocking birds also depend on this corridor. The great spotted eagle and the booted eagle pass through narrow migration routes in western Asia before dispersing further north, while the barn swallow and the rosy starling travel in large numbers in the same region, often at night. Species such as Demoiselle cranes are also part of this movement.

Asif Husain Arastu, an avid birdwatcher, noted the scale of the network. “The Central Asian Flyway covers around 30 countries in North, Central and South Asia and more than 180 migratory species come to India through this route,” he said. “If an important region, especially an important link like Iran, is disrupted, the impact is felt throughout the system.”

As a distant crisis begins to impact the well-established migration cycle, impacts may begin to show through changes in timing of arrival in Telangana, decline of birds in wetlands or changes in species diversity, bird watchers say.