India, Oct. 14 -- Lesser rainfall in parts of Maharashtra and a shortage of water in smaller wetlands around the Ujani reservoir may have contributed to the early arrival of migratory birds at the Ujani backwaters, located along the border between Pune and Solapur districts; according to researchers. The Ujani reservoir has recorded 82.06% live storage this year as per the water resources department.

Researchers from the Wildlife Research and Conservation Society (WRCS), which has been monitoring the wetland in association with the Maharashtra forest department, have recorded early sightings of several migratory bird species this year at Ujani, which serves as an important habitat for waterbirds travelling to India for the winter. Osprey...