Sunday 20 September 2015

How life began and attracted birds in a lake which was totally dry for years

Muttanalluru Lake,

One of my favorite places around my residence in Attibele where I will be frequenting for birding since 4 years. The lake remained totally dry all these years (Though some small water pockets formed for a short term during rain).  Muttanalluru lake is an excellent habitat for many grass land birds and raptors. A small patch of forest around the lake supports several woodland birds like wood pecker. This lake also hosts good number of migratory bird species.

This lake is also abused with all anthropogenic pressures from near by towns, severely polluting the lake bed with garbage dumping and waste from butcheries. Pesticide pollution is another contributor.

Asian Paradise flycatcher

But recent visit to the lake on 20.09.2015 was totally different unlike any other visits. Yes, there was inflow of water to the lake forming large portion of the lake with water. This started to happen just a fortnight before when the area received heavy rain fall on 06.09.2015. 

What exited is this short time of 15 days attracted much of local waders and water birds and they are residents now! 

Lake 20.09.2015

Since there is abundance of food to feed on, especially fish and aquatic insects, it attracted water birds. The question that tickles is from where the fish and other aquatic insects come to a lake which is full dead dry for years? How did the life and nature's arrangements began there in as less as week's time?

purple heron 

The Nature is always mystery is it? It is very complex relationship among species with-in the ecology exists. Every species has a definite role to play in balancing act of nature. In this case, for example the waders (birds) make local migration in search of food from one water body to other. By doing so, they carry the eggs of various aquatic insects, fish which sticks to its legs, feathers etc., from already existing water. These waders when land on the fresh water body, they disperse the eggs and thus distribute the species giving life to new water body. The dispersed species multiplies and attract more birds and create abundance of food supporting other life forms. The flowing water will also contribute to support distribution.

Little ringed plover

Fruit and seed eating birds distribute seeds from one place to other place making vegetation to spread. Certain animals also helps for dispersal of seeds. The bees and nectar feeding birds/ insects helps pollination. Carnivorous, insectivorous species control over population of those at lower levels of food chain, creating a balance.  This is the Nature's own mechanism of inter-dependency among lives.

The new life begins!!!!




















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