New Delhi: A rare White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) sighting at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary has thrilled local birdwatching community. First seen by birder Dr Tejaswi on Nov 1, the bird’s three-day stay at the wetland has drawn a steady stream of photographers and ornithologists to catch a glimpse of the winged visitor.The Central Asian species is highly uncommon for Delhi-NCR, with a global population of under 2,000. It breeds in Uzbekistan and southern Kazakhstan. This isolated population migrates south during winter, ranging from Iran to the Indian subcontinent.The latest sighting is highly significant for local birdwatchers because White Stork appearances in Delhi-NCR are exceptionally rare. Previous records span over three decades, with only a handful of sightings at Okhla (March 1992 and Feb 2005), Palwal (2004–05) and Jewar ( March 2019).Naturalist and wildlife photographer Nikhil Devasar described the sighting as a memorable moment for Delhi’s birdwatchers.“It is always humbling when the avian world reminds us of its boundless capacity to surprise. To encounter a White Stork right here in our backyard after so many years is a phenomenal treat. For anyone passionate about India’s rich birdlife, moments like these underscore why field observation remains such an endlessly rewarding pursuit,” he said.The sighting comes as the winter migration season gathers pace, highlighting the importance of the Yamuna floodplains as a habitat for migratory and rare bird species.“Word spreads fast among the birding fraternity, and for good reason — storks of this stature are not something you come across every day in Delhi. Seeing this magnificent bird foraging peacefully in the sanctuary highlights the unique ecological heartbeat of the Yamuna basin and why protecting these spaces is so vital,” said birder Rohit Sharma.For Delhi’s birding community, the unexpected arrival is not just an exciting sighting but also a reminder of the ecological significance of the capital’s wetlands and their connection to the Central Asian Flyway.
