Birds of many colours and species have come to Rangabali from colder countries. They are as beautiful to look at as their play is charming, and they are seen only in winter. Sonar Char and Jahajmara sea beaches have now become a home for the birds.

At dawn the beaches fill with birds, sometimes diving and swimming in the water, sometimes flying in flocks across the open blue sky. When dusk spreads its golden light, the procession begins, and the birds return in rows to their temporary nests, chattering as they go.

As every year, thousands of birds have gathered this year on Sonar Char and Jahajmara beaches in Rangabali upazila of Patuakhali. With the winter season, the various char areas of Rangabali have become home to migratory birds.

The sight of birds flying from one end of the beaches to the other and gathering food enchants visitors, and their chatter can be heard from afar. The birds have multiplied the beauty of the beach, and tourists come from far away to see it, though fewer have come because of the coronavirus.

AKM Rakib Hossain, visiting Sonar Char, said: "I think the main beauty of Sonar Char is the migratory birds. Those who have not seen this cannot understand its attraction. It was hard for me to get from Barishal to Sonar Char, but when I reached the beach, saw the flocks flying and feeding and heard their chatter, I forgot all the hardship."

Locals said birds roam Sonar Char, Jahajmara, Char Andha, Tufaniar Char, Kalagachhia Char and other chars on the edge of the Bay of Bengal. Joining the migratory birds are local mynas, sparrows, waterhens, cormorants, egrets, whistling ducks and thousands of other birds whose names are unknown.

Sonar Char beat officer Md Abdur Razzak said birds begin arriving at the start of winter and migratory birds are seen on various chars of Rangabali. Bird hunting is a punishable offence, and anyone who commits it will be punished under the wildlife protection law. Patrols have been stepped up to prevent hunting.

He said migratory birds are seen in Rangabali from late October and early November, and return to their own destinations towards the end of March.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.