PC(The ok travel)
A surprising sighting during a routine bird census adds to the wetland’s avian wonders
Exciting Discovery at Pong Lake.Birdwatchers across India were greeted with exciting news as a rare Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos), a species that breeds mainly in Europe, made an unexpected appearance at Pong Dam Lake (also known as Pong Lake Wetland) in Himachal Pradesh.
The Sighting and Habitat
The unusual visitor was observed near Sathana village, close to the outflow area of the Shah Nehar Barrage. The area – wet grassy patches interspersed with reeds, low shrubs, and scattered trees provided an ideal micro-habitat for the species. The bird remained visible for a few minutes, allowing observers to capture photographs before it quietly slipped away.
Identification by Experts
Initially unidentified in the field due to its extreme rarity in India, the photographs were later examined by bird experts Abhinav and Himanshu Chaudhary. They confirmed the species based on its distinct features: warm brown upperparts, well-defined wing bars, creamy underparts marked with bold arrowhead-shaped spots, and a characteristic upright thrush posture. A follow-up visit to the site did not yield further sightings.
Breeding Range and Rarity in India
The Song Thrush widely breeds in Europe and West Asia, with wintering populations typically found in southern Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. Indian records are exceptionally scarce. The last known sighting in Himachal Pradesh dates back to August 2018, when birder Ankit Vikrant recorded the species at Rangrik Na in the Spiti Valley.
Limited National Records
Nationwide, fewer than five confirmed sightings exist, with previous records from Ladakh, Bharatpur, Harike, and the Delhi region.
Pong Dam as a Biodiversity Hotspot
A Ramsar site renowned for hosting thousands of migratory waterbirds every winter, Pong Lake continues to solidify its reputation as one of India’s most significant wintering grounds for both waterfowl and passerines. This new sighting highlights not only the region’s ecological importance but also the role of scrublands and grasslands as crucial habitat patches for rare and migratory species.