Jamui district in south Bihar, bordering Jharkhand, is welcoming avian visitors from far-off lands this winter, something that local forest officials are attributing to conservation efforts. This photo shows a black-headed ibis. Photo: Mohd Imran KhanNagi and Nakti, two dams in the district, have been declared a protected area. This winter, they have attracted 222 types of birds from Europe, Russia, Central Asia and Tibet. Jamui Divisional Forest Officer Piyush Kumar Barnwal told this reporter, “Our conservation efforts, suitable climate and availability of food have attracted migratory birds in such large numbers.” This photo shows a flock of bar-headed geese. Photo: Mohd Imran KhanBarnwal added that two pairs of Indian Skimmers had been spotted recently in the area after a gap of 13 years. It is a rare water bird and on the verge of near extinction. This photo shows a Coppersmith Barbet. Photo: Mohd Imran KhanRosy Starlings and Northern Lapwings have also been spotted by a team engaged in conducting a census of birds in the area, according to Barnwal. This photo shows Red-crested Pochards. Photo: Mohd Imran KhanAccording to Sandeep Kumar, a bird guide from the forest department in Nagi and Natki bird sanctuary, several migratory birds including tufted duck, Northern pintail, bar-headed goose, Northern tepehun, Common redshank, Tring totanus, Common greenshank and Tringa nebularia have also been spotted. This photo shows a black-winged stilt. Photo: Mohd Imran KhanAccording to the National Wetland Atlas, Bihar has a total of 4,416 wetlands spanning an area of 385,627 hectares. This photo shows a tricoloured munia. Photo: Mohd Imran Khan