The news of a Stepped Gull being spotted has excited birdwatchers and wildlife researchers in Chhattisgarh. The rare winter migratory bird, the Stepped Gull (Larus fuscus barbadensis), has been sighted again at the Ruse Reservoir in Khairagarh after five years. This observation is considered a significant achievement for bird diversity in central India.

This significant discovery was made during a bird walk organized by the Atavi Foundation. According to experts, the Stepped Gull is a rare subspecies of the Lesser Black-backed Gull, which is seen only in select areas of India during winter. Rousay Reservoir is already known for migratory birds like the Common Crane and Eurasian Spoonbill, but the Stepped Gull being spotted further strengthens its ecological importance.

The bird walk, held on December 14th, recorded 51 bird species within just two hours. Another migratory bird, the Sand Martin, was also confirmed during the walk. The program was guided by BNHS-certified field ornithologist Prateek Thakur, while participants included Dr. Dinesh Sinha, Yogendra Sahu, and Somendra Sahu.

This record of the Steppe Gull is also special because it was previously sighted in Bhilai in 2019 and Raipur in 2020. Now, its return to the Ruse Reservoir in 2025 has thrilled experts. This is not just a bird sighting, but a sign of the region's healthy ecosystem.

Experts identified the Steppe Gull based on characteristics such as a lighter inner primary wing, strong wingbars, second-generation median coverts, light brown wings, a deep, slender bill, and a striped head. This incident of the Steppe Gull being spotted is being considered a valuable achievement for bird science in Chhattisgarh.