Did you do it? - How Arrival of Migratory Birds, Cyclone, Summers, Superstition and Red-wattled lapwing are related.

With the arrival of month of May, the advent of a hot blazing summer was bound to occur. Then came the mid of the month, where the warmth was taken over by humid, scorching heat and no gusty wind. The days were brutal but the nights too didn't offer the expected relief fromsolar wrath. Mornings escaped like sweet summer child and transformed into Helios by noon, riding across the radiant sky in a chariot until the dusk, settling above the horizon. We, earthlings are cursed to suffer the fury till the monsoon arrives, when the sky will gradually turn part cloudy with plenty of rains and thunder shower, hoping that mercury level will decline after sometime. 

Arrival of migratory birds including the Red wattled lapwing in Northern part of India from western Asia into the Indian subcontinent. 

Anyways, since the last two days, the weather turned a little pleasant. Occasional showers and lashing thunder, played peekaboo in the evening sky. It rained but not the incessant and heavy sort. After the heavy rains prediction for next couple of days, due to Yaas cyclone, now I really hope it won't damage our cherished Malihabadi Dussehri orchards which are home to mangoes, having exquisite taste, aroma and juicy flavour. 

Cyclone ‘Yaas’ completed its landfall Wednesday morning near Odisha’s Dhamra port. After Tauktae, cyclone ‘Yaas’ is the second super cyclone to hit an Indian coast in just a week. Following Tauktae and Yaas, the next cyclonic storm erupting out of the Indian Ocean will be named ‘Gulaab’.

Yaas, named by Oman, means Jasmine-like tree with sweet fragrance. What? The havoc it has wrecked in coastal areas isn't what the name suggests. Weird! Whereas Tauktae was a Burmese name meaning 'gecko' highly vocal lizard. No offence to the organism but the name at least looks relatable. Following the two, the next cyclonic storm ‘Gulaab’ or a rose, has been already named by Pakistan. How deceptive and totally not done! Rose? 

Folks come on!! It's like naming your stubborn and rambunctious kid, 'Adarsh' or the idol one. See? I remember in high school, the English teacher appointed the most notorious boy in our class as the class monitor. Most unforgettable person of our batch. 

We had a discussion on snakes one day in the class and this boy returned from Australia after a summer visit. He told everyone in the class that he saw varieties of snakes in Australia. When the teacher asked, "OK which species of snake are you talking about?'' This fellow removed two desks from the classroom, bent down and literally rolled and wriggled all over the class floor like a snake, in order to demonstrate the snake's wriggling movements 'accurately' to all. We were speechless, flabbergasted and died laughing that day, readers. (Which snake? Only he might have known as we never got to know because no one ever asked. It was too hilarious for us and tongue in cheek kind of situation for him.) My stomach hurts to this day, thinking about the class monitor incident. 

Anyways, we were on summers and then we transitioned to rain and cyclone and snakes! 

So, last week we saw the arrival of birds taking flight across the globe, flapping their feathers, singing songs of migration. Commemorating the arrival of numerous migratory bird species between their summer nesting habitats in the west to India including Pelicans, Plovers, Falcons, Hawks etc. International Migratory Bird Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of May (May 8, this year). People are encouraged to come out in the open and observe the visit of these birds for summering, breeding and feeding grounds. These vagabonds travel thousands of miles each year. This year, the theme of International Migratory Bird Day was “Sing, Fly, Soar Like a Bird”. Inspiring! Right? 

Listen here -

But dried wetlands due to inadequate monsoon & delay in the onset of winter in Central Asia poses a threat to their existence. Some of the Wildlife Sanctuary wetlands have shown marked decrease this year with only half of the birds making it to the sanctuary. Eg Hastinapur, Bijnor etc. Reduced wetlands has resulted in shrinking habitats of these birds. Mass mortality or deaths was also observed this year when bar-headed geese whose large population was found dead in Pong Dam lake wildlife sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh. Back in January, large number of red-wattled lapwing. 53 birds were found dead on Kharo reservoir bank in Junagad. Later found that the cause of death was Avian Flu. Authorities negligence was undeniable as they kept Informing the media that it was food poisoning which was denied after the medical examination. Later, carcasses of five egrets and four crows were also recovered from Junagad. With this, Gujarat recorded its first confirmed case of avian flu and migratory birds are at a greater risk of infection.

 Avian habitats include receding shore-line (for lapwings, egrets, Grey Herons, Purple Herons); open deep water (mainly for grebes and cormorants); dry sand banks with little or no vegetation (for stone curlews and pratincoles); waterside vegetation and swamps below the out-fall from the dam (warblers, babblers, munias, kingfishers, moorhens, herons and predators); and shallow water at the reservoir margin for dabbling ducks such as pintails, shovellers, gadwalls and wigeon.

 Just a day before, Bird flu gets confirmed at farm in Punjab’s Ludhiana, 90,000 birds are to be culled. While the world is grieving and coping with the spread of corona. 2020 witnessed an explosion in bird flu cases. Already Reported in 46 Countries, Researchers are warning about the next pandemic ahead of 2021. In Japan 9.6 million chicken/ducks have been culled. In Poland too, similar news have been reported. 

Several of the H5Ny AIVs have zoonotic and pandemic potential as they can cross the species barrier, transmitting to mammals, including humans. Eurasia and Africa are experiencing a new wave of highly pathogenic H5Ny AIV outbreaks. Due to Zoonotic potential or ability to transfer from animals to humans, of AIVs requires continuous vigilance to prevent spillovers that could result in disastrous pandemics. Awareness, outreach and personal protection measures, during influenza season, while keeping away from wild birds, and avoiding hunting and eating wild and migratory birds must be done to remain on a safer side. 

Lineage of the Avian flu virus and prediction for the future. 

How the first human infection case for H5N8 reported in Russia 2020. 

Human cases of the virus have also been discovered in recent times. After an outbreak of the avian flu in Russia in December 2020, seven people on a farm in South Russia had signs of infection – representing first time H5N8, ever to be found in humans. The most vulnerable animals to H5N8 are different kinds of birds including farmed chicken/ducks, the wild and migratory birds are  at a greater risk. 

As I gaze the evening sky and for long, follow the storks and cranes, flying together in symmetry, shrieking in their shilling voices retuning to their resting spots, I wonder how we, as humans couldn't do enough for controlling the pandemic. Whether it's wet markets, lab leakage, zoonotic spillovers or our own selfish interests in not acknowledging the blunders, end results are straight out of an apocalypse zombie thriller. 

The empty sky when gets more darker and all other birds have returned, there comes a shrill sound sustained for too long, singing in a top note while, cursing and questioning us - 

"Did you do it? Did you do it? 

Did you? Did you.. really do it? 

If you do it, why you do it? 

Did you? Did you.. really do it?" 

I had just finished my lunch the previous day. Though it was bit early, I felt relieved to not wait till late noon as it was humid as well as hot day. Suddenly I heard do it.. do it...sound alternately, I ran to my balcony and was surprised to see the pair hopping, flying and running in the park. It was too hot and they were shrieking, way too much as if searching for something and digging around. One of them found a cement mound to sit but the other one was just so restless. I threw a handful of some soaked peas towards them which they ate hesitantly. Then walked and flew towards the banana plant and sat under the shed. That was a good choice as the spot  had plenty of small insects and moisture for them to choose from. They stayed for an hour and then flew away. May be they were deserted from their group or intentionally searching for nesting ground. 

Red wattled lapwing is fond of moisture and habitually soakes it's belly with lot of water to keep the summer heat away. Smart! 

As they were strolling on the road, I was worried that they might get attacked due to stray dogs or get hit by the vehicle so I watched closely. I clicked them when they were bit relaxed and felt safe around. 

That's the red wattled lapwing, or “did-you-do-it” bird which casts an unforgettable impression in both the urban as well as rural landscape, whenever it flies over anyone's home or terrace. Accusatory, yet known for it's ceaseless vigil and alertness in the vast sky, leaving the trails of collected intelligence for the other migratory birds, like a freedom fighter igniting the hearts of fellow citizens or the woke investigative journalists and non fiction writers, questioning the current status of the government, asking the self anointed Prime Minister to hold a decent press conference. Yes, a decent one, which he never did in seven years of taking hold of the office. Where there was self promotional PR events on hijacked community radios but never came face to face with the national media that would've held him accountable for his failed tenure, riots in the western state, mob lynching by his vigilants in streets of the country, unleashing online hate campaigns on dissenters by trolls, over night diktat to dissolve the national currency, forcing the downtrodden and rural folks to die in lines outside the banks, in roads, in summer waiting to get their currency replaced by the new one. All because the naked emperor wanted to be the messiah of the majoritarian state where the "tribals and dalit lives matter" only on his manifesto, just before the elections. Poor died on streets walking thousands of kilometres home under the sun after an unannounced lockdown, cancelling trains and bus services the very minute of announcements. The poor died of hunger, of broken heart and of no prospect to feed his family. 

At least, the voices of these migratory birds force us to think, how these tiny creatures' piercing calls are enough to shake the sky. Questioning our silence, our own actions, our failure in addressing the issues of climate change and shrinking ecosystems. So, why don't we question governments in our own country? If the tiny bird has so much courage what stops us citizens then? Cowardice or self obsession? 

The cycle of exploitation needs to be broken at one point. At least Red wattled lapwing reminded me and the families in vicinity this summer. Interestingly Lapwing’s Tamil name is  “aalkatti” or “one who points out people” as it quickly detects any intruder in its territory and raises a loud alarm that alerts all creatures nearby. Interesting! Right? It is definitely not a favourite of poachers and hunters who rely on deception to capture their prey. Take the clue for up coming elections y'all. Exploiters and imposters need to be shown the exit door and trialed internationally for their mass murders, series of communal riots, unethical surveillance of it's own citizen, siphoning money out national treasury or banks and embezzlement of national wealth in name of PM care funds when there was already PM relief funds for national donation during disasters or pandemic, misuse of power by slapping the students, scholars, writers with sedition charges. Who is the traitor sucking wealth and life from it's own nation? We truly need constant reminders because we have short lived memories and habit of moving on too easily. 

"Oh dear Lapwings! When will we raise our voices like you do? With red, fleshy protuberances near your round eyes, back and wings in dull brown, with two white bars on your wings so distinctly visible from above, When you fly, it's so breathtaking."

Red-wattled lapwing are often seen in pairs. They often take care of their eggs one by one and use different tactics to ward off predators. 

Lapwings eggs are perfect examples of camouflage. Though laying eggs on ground isn't very great decision for survival but they keep constant watch over they eggs to ensure security. 

Lapwings nest on the ground. It's the perfect breeding season from summer till the monsoon. I hope to see them soon and hear them more often. In western parts of India, superstitious beliefs still exists that if lapwing picks lower ground to make its nest, monsoon would be poor.

In an absurd superstitious incident, khap panchayat, a self organised village level council, ordered a 5 year old girl Khushboo, who accidentally stepped on the birds egg who happened to lay it on the ground in camouflaged manner and not to enter the house for 3 days, while isolating her in a hut in the backyard. 

Enrolled in class 1 of a government school in Haripura where the school children were being distributed milk for the first time under the Annapurna milk scheme in school, Meena was happy that her child will get to consume milk in school every day. While standing in the queue the girl mistakenly stepped on the egg shell of Titihari (Red Wattled Lapwing). Soon, a large crowd surrounded her screaming, that the child had committed a sin by stepping onto the egg remains. She was therefore, forced by the caste panchayat to stay away from her house for ten days. Her mom, Meena said the punishment was extended to 11 days when the girl’s father, a daily wager, confronted the khap for his child, refused to accept the diktat.

Khusboo’s family was forced to distribute five-kilogram namkeen (snacks) and grams in the village as part of a ritual for pardon. Shameful and unacceptable act! How can he afford to distribute expensive snacks to pair up with your desi liquor or relinquishments for your greed and desire and also for the whole village, when the father of the child barely managed to feed his wife pregnant with her unborn child and the daughter, two meals a day. The witch hunt didn't stop here, the panchayat later ordered the entire village to shun the family and not to assist or help Meena with the pregnancy due after a few months. Don't know how much protection the Lapwings are getting from these absurd inhumane beliefs but the opportunists and monstrous lot are readily ceasing opportunities to use it for unleashing caste level atrocities and discrimination. This gives enough thought for us to ponder over our belief systems that doesn't treat humans as humans but worst than animals. 

If we observe closely, Lapwings also go through elaborate charades to distract potential enemies, squatting on imaginary nests that are far away from the real ones. During the summer months, when ground temperatures shoot up, lapwings go for a belly soaking. They squat for nearly ten minutes in puddle or nearby water body to absorb plenty of moisture. When they return to their nests, body temperature gets regulated, cools their eggs, supplies drinking water for hatchlings. Lapwing chicks are quick to develop and soon leave the  nests to fly and soar, like their parents do. Irony! Khushboo had to face the discrimination when kids of her age visit museums, amusements parks, travel the world with their parents. Hoping for the world to be little kinder and understanding for not so privileged kids, having humble origins from dalit and tribal communities in India. 

May be, we need lapwings as our conscience keeper if our core doesn't get awakened knowing what the children face in third world countries with broken systems, discrimination and exploiting government, ceasing every opportunity to play politics over the death of the  folks from endangered communities. 

 Those who are silently watching the trauma unfold, those who are plagued by bystanders complex and those who passively or actively support the actions of apartheid state, will never be able to look in the eyes of the children and say, "I am not the one to exploit you. I am not the one to support actions that discriminate one citizen from the other. I condemn the actions of those who reap benefits from your stolen childhood. I did not do it." 

“Did-you-do-it” isn't just a question it's a war cry, looking right into the exploiters eye for the answers. As I returned back from my evening walk, the sky turned darker with clouds in grey and pale black moving from one end to another. It will rain today, little heavier than the last one. Pair of lapwings are in a hurry, flapping their wings faster and screaming louder than ever, returning to their homes. Meanwhile, alerting the rest of us about the downpour and questioning one more time, 

"Did you do it? Did you do it? 

Did you? Did you.. really do it? 

If you do it, why you do it? 

Did you? Did you.. really do it?"

Premonitions aren't unusual in folklores and urban legends. Who knows, may be the change is about to come, if we earnestly wish to be the agent of the real change. 

Evening sky filled with echoes of red-wattled lapwings. Signing, flying, soaring high and giving hopes for a pandemic free world. 

Sky looks darker than a few moments back. Songs of migration and movement, can long be heard after the birds departure, with reminiscences occasionally interrupted by flash and thunder. I too believe now that the Change will surely come. Soon.. 

You and I can sense that!