Amur falcons appear in Pangti village skyline

WOKHA — With the retreating monsoon season, the migratory Amur falcons have started appearing in the skyline of Pangti village in Wokha district.

Pangti villagers told this correspondent that the annual visitors have started arriving in groups and on October 9, they sighted dozens of the small raptors at Tzüza Eryü area under Pangti village.

Villagers also informed that usually, the Amur falcons roost in large numbers in a specific location. But on October 9, the villagers could not trace where the raptors were headed to as the sun began to set.

During the arrival of the Amur falcons, the local people usually ban loud music, use of firecrackers and honking to welcome their long-distance flying guests, said P Thungchumo Shidio, president of Amur Falcon Roosting Area Union (AFRAU).

Every year, thousands of Amur falcons migrate to various districts of Nagaland between October and November, with the Doyang Hydro reservoir bank emerging as their favourite roosting area.

During this period, the raptors feed on termites.

After a round trip from East Siberia to southern Africa, the Amur falcons roost for about four weeks at the reservoir bank, before resuming their journey to their final destination – South Africa

It is reported that the falcons travel up to 22,000 km a year — known to be one of the longest distance migration of birds.

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