Waterbirds !

I noticed these waterbirds, Herons, in  different plumage and body postures, beside the stream flowing along our farm! 

I spotted them at dawn, and I wondered whether they were in the same place for their night shelter. With temperature in 15-20 celsius ranging at night, one can expect water birds to come to marshy areas in search of food and for their nesting. 

We normally see flocks of them during this season. I wonder why there are only a few of them! It is probably due to the heavy use of insecticides in the field, which deplete the soil of vegetation, which is  what is needed for insets, fish, crabs, etc to survive for the herons to feed on.

The wild flowers normally found in the wild overgrowth in the farm attract the bees, butterflies and dragon flies. They are also scarce in the garden! Something to do with the overuse of herbicides!

Normally cattle feed on the overgrowth. That is less common to see now. There is a definite change in the avian movements during this season. The agricultural activity has resumed after the COVID season!  So the avians get displaced! It is vicious cycle related to existential compulsions!

Our practice of social ethics ought to include an attitude towards ecological equity for the avians who cannot defend themselves. 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)