Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary - Heronry

Heronry

Global population of the Asian openbill is estimated to be 130,000 by Wetland International, and around half of them live in Asia. The species is known to breed in a colony, called heronry, but there are very few heronries in India, particularly those that are well protected against human greed. Ornithologically, Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary is a very important heronry. As per the breeding population data of Asian openbills, the sanctuary reveals that it regularly supports 32 - 40 percent of the existing population of Asian openbills of South Asia. A heronry, which supports such a high percentage of Asian openbills, is not only a nationally important heronry but also an internationally important heronry.

Birds forms heronry

1. Asian Openbill Stork 2. Little Egret. 3. Little Cormorant. 4. Night Heron. 5. Pond Heron.

The time of formation of heronry is July to December. Asian open Bill Stork generally started nesting during mid of June, though the migration depends upon the Rain. It is seen that if monsoon starts early the Asian Openbill also comes early. The other Four Spp started nesting during mid of May.