By The News Observer Desk,
Ankola: The coastal village of Keni ion Ankola taluk (Karnataka), long in the news for a proposed commercial port project, now brings joyful tidings for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts alike. In recent days, thousands of migratory seagulls have arrived along the beaches of Keni and nearby Belekeri, filling the coastline with their graceful flights and melodious calls.
These striking birds, also known as Seabirds and locally as “samudra kaage” or “kadala hakki” (sea crows), belong to rare species listed under protected bird complexes. Native to frigid regions such as Siberia, Russia, and the Arctic, they undertake an extraordinary journey each year when harsh winter winds set in, migrating thousands of kilometres to warmer shores like India’s west coast.
Interstingly Asia’s biggest naval base in Karwar (Project Seabird) is named after this this bird.
https://youtu.be/EnXJZtjBado
This season, an estimated 4,000 seagulls have descended upon the beaches of Keni and Belekeri in Ankola taluk. Locals say the birds have been visiting these shores regularly over the past few years. Feeding primarily on fish and other marine creatures, they spend their nights roosting in nearby trees and return at dawn to frolic along the shoreline.
For many years, large flocks were a familiar December sight at Karwar’s Rabindranath Tagore Beach. Interestingly, while their numbers have declined there in the last two to three years, this year they have appeared in spectacular thousands at Keni — a heartwarming and wondrous phenomenon.
To the local people, these visitors feel like long-lost relatives who arrive unannounced, delight everyone with their presence, and then depart, leaving behind a poignant sense of loss. Seagulls are remarkably intelligent birds; they hunt fish with impressive skill and quickly learn to read human movements and behaviour. Among the thousands that migrate here, a few even choose to stay back permanently.
These graceful creatures have become the star attraction of Keni beach at present. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure they face no disturbance during their stay.
Sidebar: A Rare Haven for Rare Species
Keni beach is far more than just a fishing shore — it is a unique coastline that shelters rare and precious biodiversity. Migratory seagulls spend priceless moments of their lives here each winter. Olive Ridley sea turtles travel vast distances to lay their eggs on these very sands. Occasionally, rare fish species end up in local fishermen’s nets.
For all these reasons, the ongoing struggle by Keni’s fishermen to protect their beach and traditional livelihood is deeply meaningful. Sadly, the government and authorities pushing for a commercial port seem blind to this extraordinary ecological treasure.
