As many as 387 species were recorded in the summer bird count that was conducted on Saturday and Sunday across districts of West Bengal.
The bird count was initiated to prepare a record of birds found in the state during this time of the year. One of the coordinators of the project said bird counts are done during winter and spring. Hardly had such an exercise been carried out in summer before.
Sujan Chatterjee, one of the coordinators of the weekend’s bird count, said the appearance of birds varied between winter and summer. Birds look brighter and more colourful in the summer months.
Chatterjee, also a participant in the count, spotted Golden plovers at Kamduni in North 24-Parganas district on Sunday morning. “These birds have buff and white plumage in winter. Now, they have golden and black plumage,” he said.
Curlew sandpiper, sighted in Bakkhali in South 24-Parganas district on Sunday, also has a different plumage in summer. Its deep chestnut breeding plumage now is different from the grey plumage in winter.
Chatterjee also spoke about Cattle egret, a common species sighted in the state, which changes plumage with the change in season. “Cattle egrets have all white plumage in winter. Now, they have orange on their head and neck,” he said.
Sandip Das, a Kolkatan who rode a two-wheeler to Frasergunj in South 24-Parganas district on Saturday morning to participate in the bird count, said most birds there were in their breeding plumage.
Bird Watchers Society, which has around 250 members in West Bengal and a few from other states, organised the count in partnership with Bird Count India.