Greater flamingos return to Singur reservoir after four years as water levels recede

Greater flamingos have returned to Singur reservoir in Sangareddy after nearly four years, following a drop in water levels due to repair works. Bird watchers welcomed the development and expressed hope for more migratory birds during summer

Sangareddy: The depletion of the Singur reservoir might have negative implications for farmers and citizens due to a lack of irrigation and drinking water, but the shallow waters have brought greater flamingos back to Sangareddy after nearly four years.

Water bodies in the district were once sought-after destinations for bird watchers and wildlife photographers, as they attracted a number of migratory birds every year, with greater flamingos being among the most striking species. However, bird watchers had not sighted flamingos in Sangareddy district water bodies since 2022. Experts cited the lack of suitable habitat as the sole reason for their absence. As flamingos prefer feeding in shallow waters, they did not return to Singur since 2022 as the reservoir remained full during the last four years.

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As irrigation authorities began draining the reservoir to take up repair works on the project this year, the avian species have returned to Singur. Until 2022, flamingos were regular visitors to Singur, Manjeera and other water bodies in the district. Ameenpur Pedda Cheruvu, Anna Sagar and several other lakes also attracted flamingos. However, they had stopped visiting Ameenpur since 2022, and no flamingo activity was recorded at Manjeera since 2021.

Seasoned bird watchers Sriram Reddy and Gopalakrishna were elated after sighting a flock of flamingos flying over Singur on Sunday during a routine visit. Speaking to Telangana Today, Sriram Reddy said they were really happy to see the birds return after four years and noted that apart from flamingos, there was increased activity of other migratory birds at Singur.

Bird watchers expressed hope that more migratory birds would visit Singur during the summer, as irrigation authorities were preparing to further reduce water levels in the reservoir.