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Phoeniconaias minor
Year on year we have been seeing abandoned nests of Flamingoes with eggs in the nests, many dead Flamingoes (adults & juveniles) too around these nesting sites. We have also seen Hyenas, Wolves, and Eagles scavenging in these places. I have heard various theories behind the cause of the abandonment of eggs, one being the incorrect nest site selection by (inexperienced) Flamingoes, second being the decreasing water salinity due to the dumping of excess water from man-made canals & dams. The drastic/sudden increase in water level creates a temporary (but replicate) habitat which triggers breeding in flamingos. And when the flow of fresh-water is stopped/moderated by the authorities and the birds have no other option but to abandon the nesting site.
Wild Ass Sanctuary encompasses an area of 4953.71 sq. km. of the Little Rann of Kutch, India. Its unique habitat comprises of a vast expanse of saline mudflats, marshes, scrub-land and large seasonal wetlands.
24 Comments
Congratulations Vipul :) A sad image that highlights the need to protect our precious wildlife. Thank you for sharing.
Congratulations on the win Vipul. Great foto of a very sad situation. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. Good write-up.
Congratulations, Vipul! This image had such an impact on me.
Congrats Vipul,great shot,thanks for sharing
can't really say it's my favorite spotting, seeing all destruction - but amazing work Vipul, Congrats! Sad to see this happening.
Congratulations Sir....thanks for sharing such infos and spotting....👍
If a photo speaks a thousand words, this one does that and more. Nicely done on a tragic story, Vipul.
Congratulations Vipul!
I am happy for you but so sad about the photo....
Congratulations Vipul, this spotting came first in our 2018 Best Wildlife Photo Competition, Bird category! This is undoubtedly the most striking image we received last year:
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How sad!
What an incredible sight...congrats on your SOTW!
Powerful image! Congrats, Vipul.
Where have all, the Flamingo's gone? Gone to God's earth, everyone. When will men, ever learn? When will men, ever learn?
Very good spotting Vipul,congrats on the well deserved SOTW and thanks for sharing
A very interesting, graphic, landscape photo....
Heartbreaking.
Congratulations Vipul, this has been voted Spotting of the Week. Thank you for contributing this story to Project Noah. It deserves broad coverage, and fits in perfectly with our special theme on habitats this year.
"This tragic and powerful image of abandoned nests of lesser flamingoes surrounded by dead adult and juvenile birds has been voted Spotting of the Week, illustrating how the fragile equilibrium needed for the breeding of a species may be threatened by human activity. Lesser flamingoes (Phoenicoparrus minor) are classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN; their overall population is declining as they have few breeding sites. The Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, India, is a unique habitat comprising saline mudflats, marshes, scrub-land and large seasonal wetlands. Supplemented by an influx of fresh water nutrients from nearby rivers it makes an ideal breeding ground for the flamingoes. Project Noah member and photographer Vipul Ramanuj writes: "Year on year we have been seeing abandoned nests of Flamingoes with eggs in the nests, many dead Flamingoes (adults & juveniles) too around these nesting sites. We have also seen Hyenas, Wolves, and Eagles scavenging in these places. I have heard various theories behind the cause of the abandonment of eggs, one being the incorrect nest site selection by (inexperienced) Flamingoes, second being the decreasing water salinity due to the dumping of excess water from man-made canals & dams. The drastic/sudden increase in water level creates a temporary (but replicate) habitat which triggers breeding in flamingos. And when the flow of fresh-water is stopped/moderated by the authorities and the birds have no other option but to abandon the nesting site".
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Photo captures well a sad story. Apparently there is movement between Africa and India which is probably good but chemicals plants are wrecking some populations in Africa as well. I hope it is minimal.
A very graphic, educational photo....
Sad but educational posting
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!
Wow, that is so incredibly sad. Thanks for sharing and for the info.
A very sad photo....