Affects of global warming notwithstanding, Pong dam — an internationally-famous Ramsar site in the Himalayan ranges, has once again emerged as the favoured destination of migratory birds. What, however, has thrilled the conservationists and bird watchers at Pong Dam is that in spite of Russian migratory birds coming here every year, now the state’s wildlife department has authentic proof of their visit.

State’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vinay Tandon confirmed that the wildlife teams spotted a Great Cormorant, when it accidentally got trapped in a fishing net. When rescued, it was found that the bird was wearing a metal ring on the left leg.

The ring carried a number - G005111VI,MOSKWA-VEHTP-KONBUB-144480. That showed the place and the date where the bird was earlier spotted and ringed.

“We have started the investigations as to when the bird was banded and if any study was being conducted on the bird in Russia.The Ramsar secretariat has been approached to seek details,” Tandon said.

The bird-banding techniques, said wildlife officials at Pong dam, help generate vital information about breeding sites, migratory routes, habitats and important stop-overs during their migration over hundreds of miles.

The Great Cormorant is a large voracious dark-coloured long-necked water bird, whose eyes are equipped with crystalline lenses to adapt to vision under water. The bird, which was released after collecting details, had a wingspan of 53 inches.

Data available with the wildlife officials reveals that over 70,000 migratory birds of 65 species have reached Pong dam during December last. Of these, About 2500 are Great Cormorants. The largest influx is of the Bar-Headed Goose, Coot, Common Pochard, Red-Crested Pochard and the Spotbill Duck. In 2007, four new species - the Slender-Billed Gull, Common Snipe, White-tailed Lapwing and the Ferruginous Pochard - were spotted here.