This Migratory Bird Day, we look back at the past few months of 2026 spent in the fields, standing guard for migratory pipits and larks against poaching across central West Bengal.

Every winter, birds travelling along the Central Asian flyway arrive in these agricultural landscapes to rest and refuel before continuing towards breeding grounds across Mongolia, Russia and beyond. And it is here that a parallel system operates. 

As these small passerines gather in open fields, large-scale trapping begins. Locally made illegal mist nets are stretched across fallow lands, capturing entire flocks. The birds are then sold as meat through a seasonal, organised trade.

Since 2022, HEAL has been working in these landscapes to interrupt this cycle. This year was no different.

During the 2026 season, field teams were present every morning and evening to monitor, remove nets, and deter poaching activity. Across 23 locations in Murshidabad, Birbhum and East Bardhaman, an estimated 3–4 lakh migratory birds moved through these high-risk sites as per our observations. 

In several areas, forest department and police personnel joined our field patrols taking prompt action of destroying nets and arresting poachers. Local residents came forward too with information on suspected poaching.

At the same time, the system is adapting. Nets are now being placed across multiple locations simultaneously to avoid interception. What this season reinforced is that consistent, daily presence across the landscape is the only effective deterrence.

We were able to prevent a significant amount of trapping this season but the work continues. On #WorldMigratoryBirdDay, this is not a message about celebration. It is about the dangers lurking in the path of the birds and our intent to remain their guardians when the #migratorybirds return next year. 
Learn More: https://healearth.in/end-migratory-bird-poaching/