Seasonal variations and migration phenology of the avifauna of Mandothi wetlands, India

Abstract The Mandothi wetlands, a lesser-known but ecologically significant ecosystem in Haryana, India, serve as an excellent habitat for diverse flora and fauna. This wetland plays a vital role in groundwater recharge, flood control, and climate regulation while supporting livelihood for local communities. Using scan sampling and point-cum-line transect techniques, the region was surveyed fortnightly from April 2022 to March 2024. A total of 79 migratory bird species were identified, classified into 12 orders, 25 families, and 48 genera. Out of these, 20 species were summer migrants and 59 were winter migrants. The order Charadriiformes exhibits the highest diversity of avian fauna with 24 migratory species. Among all guilds, insectivores were the most prevalent, according to the classification into feeding guilds. As per the IUCN Red List criteria, 71 species were classified as Least Concern (LC) whereas five species were classified as Near Threatened (NT) [Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) , Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) , Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) and three species were classified as Vulnerable (VU) such as Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) , Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga) and Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) ]. The study area plays a significant role in sustaining the diversity of birds and facing various stress factors, thus, it needs to be conserved effectively.