India, Nov. 3 -- After one of Maharashtra's wettest monsoons in recent years, waterbodies across the state are filled to the brim, and that abundance could make this year's migratory bird census unusually challenging.

In drier seasons, flocks tend to cluster around a handful of wetlands, but this year's widespread water has scattered them far and wide. Researchers say the dispersal is likely to reduce sightings, complicate surveys, and delay key studies that monitor bird populations and migration trends.

Each winter, Maharashtra's wetlands and reservoirs become havens for migratory birds that escape the colder regions. From October to February, sites such as Ujani Reservoir, Jayakwadi, Bhigwan, and Thane Creek attract flamingos, bar-hea...