Amur Falcons arrive in Ri Bhoi

SHILLONG: The visiting Amur Falcons have expectedly arrived in Ri Bhoi and will settle there before the onset of the cold months. Avid bird watchers would be able to sight the birds at the fourth edition of the two-day Amur Falcon Festival to be held on November 7-8 at Tyrso Pyllun, Ri Bhoi.
Interestingly, the birds have begun settling in Umru village which falls in the disputed Meghalaya-Assam border, informed secretary of Tyrso Valley Wildlife Protection Society, Alos Nongpoh, at a press conference on Wednesday.
Local residents of Umru have alleged that the Assam government has identified tourist spots in Umru.
Alos further informed the Assam government even attempted to set up a police battalion which was met with stiff resistance from the locals.
The arrival of the birds has apparently caused Assam to intensify its bids to encroach in Meghalaya territory, he added.
Oblivious to the Meghalaya-Assam boundary issue, these visiting birds have begun settling down in Tyrso and Umru and will remain there for a month or so before resuming their annual migration trip during which they will cross the Indian mainland and the Arabian Sea to land in southern Africa.
“We welcomed the first group of birds on October 14 and 15. We are hopeful of the arrival of more birds in the days to come,” Alos said.
He added that the birds usually stay for a month at Tyrso and start their migratory journey again around November 21 or before the cold season starts.
Prior to the festival, Alos informed that the Tyrso Valley Wildlife Protection Society will hold a football tournament for U-15 and U-18 players, drawing and painting competition for Lower and Upper Primary students, and an Amur Falcon marathon for under 60 participants.