India, April 10 -- The much-awaited arrival of flamingos in Navi Mumbai has brought with it an alarming ecological warning; the migratory birds are actively avoiding several key wetlands in Nerul, once considered reliable feeding grounds.

Early morning birders observed flocks flying over DPS, NRI and T S Chanakya lakes, satellite wetlands linked to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, without landing. Environmentalists say this behaviour signals a sharp decline in habitat quality.

At the NRI jetty, only a few flamingos were spotted at a distance. "Residents saw flocks flying in, but they simply bypassed DPS lake. It's clear the birds do not want to land in these conditions," said Rekha Sankhala of the Save Mangroves and Flamingos Forum. ...