SEASONAL FLUCTUATION IN AVIFAUNAL DIVERSITY AND SPECIES RICHNESS IN AND AROUND HATNUR RESERVOIR, JALGAON DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

Diversity and species richness of avifauna in and around Hatnur reservoir in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra state was studied from April 2019 to March 2020. A total 282 species of birds belonging to 18 orders and 53 families were recorded around the study area. Hatnur reservoir attracts several species of migratory birds during winter season and many of which stay back till March. During summer, due to release of water many small islands are formed in the backwater side of the reservoir attracting many ground nesting birds to breed in colonies. This site helps more than 20,000 birds to find food, breeding and nesting ground and hence recently the site is declared as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs).