Tarash Correspondent
In search of food, openbill storks are suddenly flocking to the crop fields of different areas of Chalanbil. Which is a sight to behold for nature lovers.
Bird-lovers have said that after a long period of 7-8 years, a large number of openbill storks have become famous for their chirping again in the area.
Maqbool Hossain, a veteran teacher from Kohit village, said that in the 60's and 70's, mainly in the Chalanbil area, after the monsoon , different species of native and guest birds flocked to the lowlands to collect food. In recent times, the adverse effects of the weather, the use of excessive pesticides in crop fields, the scarcity of food for birds and the indiscriminate killing of birds have led to a decline in the number of birds. But after many years, this year there has been an exception in the case of openbill storks coming to Chalanbil.
It has been seen that suddenly, in the month of August, openbill storks have started coming to the empty crop fields in different parts of the upazila. Usually very early in the morning again at mid-afternoon they go down to the fields to collect food. These birds have long gray legs and weigh about one to one and a half kg.
Dr Nazrul Islam, Dean of the Department of Biology and Professor of Zoology at Rajshahi University, said openbill stork is known as Shamuk Khail in the region. These birds eat small snails, fish and insects. openbill stork is one of the many native birds in the Indian subcontinent.
On the other hand, Abdul Jabbar, a veteran teacher in Laluamajhira village of Tarash, said that 20-22 years ago, a large number of openbill storks used to come to different fields of Chalanbil with other birds and used to stay in big trees of the region. However, in the last 7-8 years, the sightings of openbill storks have not matched in Chalanbil. Recently, in different parts of Chalanbil, for a week, openbill storks have come down to the field to collect food.
Dr Nazrul Islam, Professor, Department of Zoology, Rajshahi University, said, This year may be due to food shortages, their habitat problems, unfavorable environment may be the reason for the untimely arrival of birds in Chalanbil.
Kafil Uddin of Dahiya village in Singra upazila of Chalanbil said, "Every morning, people on the banks of the beel are watching the colorful Shyamkhail birds in flocks." Again, many are trying to catch birds.