Rare Black-necked-Grebe Confirmed in J-k Hokersar Wetland: Breakthrough Sighting by Photographer Reyan Sofi

Rare Black-necked-Grebe Confirmed in J-k Hokersar Wetland: Breakthrough Sighting by Photographer Reyan Sofi

Asif Iqbal | December 25, 2023 | 10:31 AM IST | Jammu Kashmir | Follow on Google News

Rare Black-necked Grebe Confirmed in J-k Hokersar Wetland: Breakthrough Sighting by Photographer Reyan Sofi

Rare Black-necked Grebe Confirmed in J-k Hokersar Wetland: Breakthrough Sighting by Photographer Reyan Sofi

In a significant environmental breakthrough, a Black-necked Grebe was recently spotted for the first time at the Hokersar wetland in the valley, a designated Ramsar site. This marks a confirmed record of the documentation of the Grebe species in the Jammu and Kashmir region.

The discovery, made by the skilled bird photographer Reyan Sofi, holds great importance. The sighting was officially published in Indian Birds, a well-known bi-monthly ornithology journal/newsletter.

The Black-necked Grebe is a small and social species with a broad distribution spanning from Europe through Asia. It winters in the southwestern Palearctic, east Asia, and east Africa. Notably, it has been observed breeding in various regions, including southern Africa, southwest Canada, western USA, and central Mexico.

Reyan Sofi stated that previous reports indicated the breeding of the Black-necked Grebe in the Union Territory of Ladakh in India. During winter, these birds are known to migrate to the western Gangetic Plains, Gujarat, and central Nepal. Occasionally, they appear in regions further east, such as the eastern Assam Valley and Bangladesh, and as far south as coastal Orissa and Pune, Maharashtra.

“The significant observation occurred at Hokersar wetland, a protected Ramsar site located 10 km northwest of Srinagar city in Jammu and Kashmir,” as reported in Indian Birds.

Reyan Sofi mentioned that there were earlier unconfirmed sightings of Black-necked Grebes along with common Coots Fulica in March of the current year. “The bird, identified by its basic plumage and distinctive features such as a bright red iris, black top of the head and mantle, black neck on the back and grey on the front, white breast, rump, and belly, exhibited a shy behavior and was not seen in subsequent visits,” he added.

Despite expectations of a reappearance in March 2023 at the same location, the species remained elusive. “After a couple of days of observation, the bird was no longer sighted. Ward No (1907) initially reported the sighting as doubtful for Kashmir. Our documentation is reportedly the first confirmed record of the Black-necked Grebe in Jammu and Kashmir,” Reyan Sofi stated.

In neighboring regions, the species has been documented in the Union Territory of Ladakh, including Gilgit-Baltistan (eBird 2023).

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Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.