Migratory birds flock to ponds in Bagan-NyaungU cultural zone

The ponds in Bagan cultural heritage zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, became a stopover for the migratory birds this winter.
Bagan and Ngathayouk cities in NyaungU District are included in the tropical region, however, the highest rainfall in the area last year is approximately 46 inches, keeping the ponds across the Bagan-NyaungU cultural heritage zone full. The ponds have not dried out until winter and it became one of the destinations of the migratory birds, U Nay Win Maung, a resident said.
The ponds and lakes across the zone, including Alan Bagan, Ale, Laydauntkan, Nyaunglatphat, Sulamani, Shwenanyintaw, Shwehtee, Magee, Kyaukyoe and other ponds for drinking water supply, are filled with water. Some migratory birds might stop over the ponds in Bagan before their final destinations to the freshwater lakes where there is abundant food, U Shwe Htay Aung, a warden of Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary pointed out.
Those ponds and lakes dried out in the previous years. This year, they stay full of water. The Black-headed Ibis, Glossy Ibis, common moorhen, Asian Openbill, Cormorant, blue whistling thrush, kingfisher and other resident birds are found in the ponds. Moreover, some bird species can be identified only with bird watching telescope, U Nay Win Maung elaborated. —Ko Htein (KPD)/GNLM