Over 100 Migratory Waterbirds Spotted at Arunachal Pradesh's Siikhe Lake

More than 100 migratory waterbirds from nine different species have been recorded at Siikhe Lake in Arunachal Pradesh's Lower Subansiri district — a sighting that underscores the lake's rising importance as a seasonal bird habitat in Northeast India.

The observation was documented by Koj Mama, honorary wildlife warden of the district, and was witnessed by Divisional Forest Officer Tilling Taker, Range Forest Officer Kago Oniya, and wildlife filmmaker Millo Tako.

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The species identified during the latest count include Mallard Duck, Northern Shoveler, Ferruginous Duck, Eurasian Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Garganey, and Great Crested Grebe.

Observers expect more species to arrive in the coming weeks as the migration season progresses.

Siikhe Lake sits about 12 km from Ziro, the Lower Subansiri district headquarters. It was originally a wetland paddy field before being developed into an artificial lake by former minister Tage Taki, primarily to support groundwater recharge in the area.

Over time, the site has quietly transformed into a significant habitat for both resident and migratory birds. More than 15 species are recorded at the lake each year, including the rare Mandarin Duck — a species that has drawn growing interest from birdwatchers and conservationists across the region.

Bird migration monitoring at Siikhe Lake has been ongoing since 2019, led by a team from Ziro Birds Walk with support from the Siikhe Multipurpose Society, which manages the lake. Counts are conducted annually during peak migration months, from November to May.

The first formal waterbird census at the site was carried out in 2019 by birders Prof Ranjan Kumar Das and Manash Pritam from Assam.

That same year, Prof Daniel Mize of the Zoology Department at Rajiv Gandhi University conducted ornithological research at the lake, examining bird community diversity, migration patterns, habitat suitability, and the seasonal and altitudinal factors that influence them. The research was done in collaboration with Prof Franz Bairlein of the Institute of Avian Research in Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

Siikhe Lake's journey — from a paddy field to a hub for migratory bird research — reflects a broader pattern of wetland ecosystems gaining recognition for their conservation value in Northeast India.

With migration season still ongoing, birders and researchers are watching closely to see which species arrive next.