Srinagar, May 16: After remaining invisible from the green swathes of Kashmir for past many years, Hoopoe, a popular seasonal bird, has resurfaced this summer following sufficient rains proving it conducive environs.
 Hoopoe also called Hudhud or Sattut, familiar to Kashmiris for its sweet voice and festive colour, has remained out of scene from the Valley for years which the experts ascribe to prolonged periods of drought posing problems for its feeding.
 “Hoopoe had left the Valley after droughts ravaged its vast patches leaving the soil dry and waters depleted.
 Besides drought conditions, the dwindling meadows and shrinking pastures are also responsible for the bird’s disappearance from Kashmir,” Professor Mustafa Shah, HOD Zoology Kashmir University told Greater Kashmir.
 Shah said Hoopoe migrates to Kashmir for breeding in April and leaves for the plains in other states by September.
 “However, the arrival or departure timings may vary in keeping with the climatic conditions,” he added. 
 Hoopoe is an irresistible attraction mainly for children and its absence from Kashmir over years had made it unfamiliar among people. “With tufted head, the bird feeds on pupae and grubs of insects which are found under soil and moisture is imperative for the curved beak of the bird to pick up its food. In drought conditions, the bird migrates to some other place,” said Dr Abdul Hai, Head of Zoology Department, SP College.
 A bird with lot of attraction and fun, Hoopoe is a like for even adults in Kashmir. “It gives me joy to see Hoopoe re-emerging here. I was looking for it over past almost a decade, but this year I found it in my apple orchard dispelling my allying apprehensions for the bird’s extinction.” says an orchadist, Dr Basharat Ahamad.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 May 2011 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 17 May 2011 00:00:00 IST