Thousands of migratory birds are flocking to Baikka Beel at Srimangal upazila in Moulvibazar.
They have started arriving in the beel since the winter set in two to three weeks ago, said Mirash Mia, manager of the beel, which was declared a sanctuary for birds and fishes in 2003.
A new species of spotted duck has been found here for a few days, he said, naming it ‘Daagi Raj Hansh’ in the colloquial language.
There is no bird hunting in the beel territory but locals catch birds by setting up traps in the paddy fields, the manager said. There are 17 beels, including the Baikka beel, in the Hail haor.
Once upon a time, the haor itself used to host 175 species of birds in the winter season, but the number has drastically fallen because of the hunting and many other adverse conditions.
Non-government organisation Climate Regional Ecosystem Livelihood activist Moniruzzaman Chowdhury however said the number of the guest birds is higher this year than last year.
“The number may keep increasing in future if this place can be kept safe for the birds all the year round.”