"The Mysterious Case of the Disappearance of Brahminy Starlings from Lahore"

02nd December, 2023

The scientific name of the Brahminy Starling is "Sturnia pagodarum."

Brahminy Starlings are commonly found in the Indian subcontinent, including countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. They typically inhabit various habitats such as open woodlands, gardens, cultivated areas, and urban environments. These birds are known for their adaptability and can thrive in diverse landscapes, often seen in parks, farmlands, and even near human settlements.

Twenty-five years ago, Lahore echoed with the melodious tunes of Brahminy Starlings that filled the city's skies. Their graceful flights and harmonious songs epitomized Lahore's avian diversity. However, a shift occurred as other Myna species became more prevalent, gradually leading to the disappearance of Brahminy Starlings from Lahore's ecosystem, leaving behind an enigmatic absence.

Salman Rashid, a prominent travel writer, reminisced about observing Brahminy Starlings amidst towering banyan trees near Kot Lokhpot. These recollections evoked memories of an era when these exquisite birds were an integral part of Lahore's ecological fabric. I, too, witnessed their presence during my school days in the '90s, cherishing their existence in the school gardens.

Surprisingly, nearly two decades later, during my visit on December 2, 2023, I observed the resurgence of Brahminy Starlings in the border areas of Lahore. Several of these birds were perched on a tree, a hopeful sign of their attempt to reclaim their once-familiar habitat.

This resurgence emphasizes the imperative need to protect nature and foster a harmonious coexistence with other wildlife.

"Lahore's Vanishing Avian Beauty: The Imperiled Pheasant-tailed Jacanas"

 14th May 2023

These could possibly be the final glimpses of Lahore's avian beauty, as three Pheasant-tailed Jacanas can be seen together. The urbanization of the city has resulted in the loss of many of its marshy regions, making it increasingly difficult for these birds to find in the city.

The paragraph highlights the potential decline of Lahore's avian beauty and specifically focuses on the presence of three Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, indicating that their sighting might become increasingly rare.

The Pheasant-tailed Jacana is a species of bird known for its vibrant colors and long, slender legs. It is primarily found in wetland areas and marshes, where it can navigate through the vegetation using its long toes. However, the urbanization of Lahore, the city being referred to, has led to the destruction and loss of many of these marshy regions.

Urbanization involves the expansion of cities, which often results in the conversion of natural habitats into built-up areas, infrastructure, and human settlements. As a consequence, the wetlands and marshes in Lahore have been significantly reduced in size or completely eliminated, giving way to residential and commercial developments.

The reduction in marshy regions has negatively impacted the Pheasant-tailed Jacanas and their ability to find suitable habitats within the city. These birds rely on wetland environments for foraging, breeding, and nesting. Marshes provide them with ample food sources, such as insects, aquatic invertebrates, and plant matter. Additionally, the dense vegetation and shallow water in marshes offer protection from predators.

With the loss of marshy regions due to urbanization, the Pheasant-tailed Jacanas face challenges in finding suitable areas to feed and reproduce. The remaining wetlands may be fragmented, isolated, or insufficient in size, unable to support healthy populations of these birds. Consequently, the sighting of three Pheasant-tailed Jacanas together in Lahore could be considered a rarity, potentially indicating a decline in their population within the city.

The paragraph implies that these glimpses of avian beauty might be among the last ones, suggesting that if the trend of urbanization and habitat loss continues, the Pheasant-tailed Jacanas may eventually disappear from Lahore altogether. This serves as a reminder of the impact that human activities can have on the natural world and the importance of conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity and protect vulnerable species.