Noida: The next two weeks are all that is left for bird lovers of NCR to catch sight of the annual visitors at Okhla Bird Sanctuary before they start their homeward flight. Only 4,000-5,000 birds are now left in the sanctuary, including some flamingos.Noida’s Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Surajpur wetland in Dadri and Dankaur are some of the major hubs of migratory birds during the winter months in Gautam Budh Nagar.Starting October, the birding season peaks during January — this year, there were some 20,000 winged visitors — with most beginning to leave from March.“This year with our effort at habitat building, we saw at least 4,000-5,000 more birds visiting and staying back in the park through the migratory season. Even now at the end of season, we are left with a good number of migratory birds. Those who have missed earlier weeks of bird watching can now catch a glimpse of flamingos which are yet to leave,” PK Srivastava, district forest officer, told TOI.According to Srivastava, the forest department has been intimated by the Union environment and forest ministry that a proposal for the upgrade of the bird park has already been sanctioned.“However, we have still not received a letter and the final amount has also not been ascertained so far,” Srivastava said.The forest department made 10 bird perching floating platforms, four mounts and sitting perches to retain birds this year.At least 65 species visited the park this year. Some are still there for last-minute visitors to catch a glimpse of them. Some of the bird varieties to look for at the sanctuary now are, European Hobby, Pelicans, Falcons, Greater Spotted Eagle, Lapwigs, Pochjards, Pelicans and Flamingos.Other species which can be spotted at this time are Marsh Harriers, Gull-billed Terns, Pied Avocats, Common Teals, Comb Ducks, Gadwalls, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintails, Brown-headed Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Peregrine Falcons, Black Kites, Indian Pond Herons, Common Kingfishers, and Purple Herons.

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