The first annual waterfowl census for Keshopur and Shalapattan was conducted in 2013 by WWF-India with the support from the Pathankot Wildlife Division and Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board. More than 8500 individuals of 62 species belonging to 16 families were recorded and found to be water dependent. Huge flocks of ruddy shelduck were recorded, which was an interesting and rare sighting since most of the wetlands in Punjab as well as other parts of India are visited by only a few pairs. Over 1,100 ruddy shelduck were mostly distributed in the Shalapattan Wetlands. Flocks of bar-headed geese, around 1,100 in number, were recorded following the census. Close behind were the gadwal, the northern shoveller and the common coot that collectively stood at approximately 700 each. These species of birds were distributed evenly across the Keshopur Community Reserve. Five hundred common cranes were recorded from the Shalapattan Wetland, followed by the common teal that numbered at an approximate 400.
Interesting sightings included the spotting of more than 50 individuals of the northern lapwing in the Shalapattan Wetlands. Threatened and rare species like the openbill stork, painted stork, black-headed ibis, ferruginous pochard and black bittern were also recorded during the bird count. A total six pairs of the sarus crane and one juvenile were also recorded during the bird count.
Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve is an ideal habitat for small diving and dabbling ducks because of its shallow waters, rich aquatic vegetation and fishes. Shalapattan Wetland is an ideal habitat for cranes and for the congregation of geese and larger ducks. A huge marsh with grasses, it is an ideal habitat for geese to forage in and for cranes to feed on paddy grains and plant tubers.
Interesting sightings included the spotting of more than 50 individuals of the northern lapwing in the Shalapattan Wetlands. Threatened and rare species like the openbill stork, painted stork, black-headed ibis, ferruginous pochard and black bittern were also recorded during the bird count. A total six pairs of the sarus crane and one juvenile were also recorded during the bird count.
Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve is an ideal habitat for small diving and dabbling ducks because of its shallow waters, rich aquatic vegetation and fishes. Shalapattan Wetland is an ideal habitat for cranes and for the congregation of geese and larger ducks. A huge marsh with grasses, it is an ideal habitat for geese to forage in and for cranes to feed on paddy grains and plant tubers.
