The number of birds at Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, spotted by Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) in 2019, has increased by almost 75 per cent. Besides, 11 threatened species have also managed to thrive at the sanctuary.

Ecologist, conservationist and AWC Delhi state coordinator TK Roy said that the census is carried out at important wetlands across the country to help identify and protect new sites for birds. 

There has been an increase in diversity of waterbird species. A total of 4,844 birds of 65 species were spotted. This is in comparison to the 55 species and 2,768 total birds in 2018. In 2017, total number of birds were 3,920 and 56 species. Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is a unique wetland for waterbirds located on the banks of Yamuna and it’s one of the important bird and biodiversity areas (IBAs) in India. 

65 species spotted during the census, 28 were of resident waterbirds and 37 species of long distant winter migratory waterbirds such as the great cormorant (migrates from East Asia), common teal (migrates from North Asia), northern shoveler (migrates from North Asia), northern pintail (migrates from North Asia), etc. 

No new species were found, but a large flock of greater flamingos and mixed flock of pelicans (green white and dalmatian) were spotted

The 2019 census was carried out in collaboration with the National Chambal Sanctuary Project, Uttar Pradesh Wildlife department and there was an active participation by volunteers from Wildlife SOS, Agra and wildlife staff of the sanctuary AWC 2019.