HASSAN: During winter season every year, mainly between December and March, thousands of migratory birds flock to Hassan. This time, thousands of winged guests have checked into the Hemavathi backwaters. Environmentalists and officials said they have not yet seen any deaths due to bird flu in Hassan district. The animal husbandry department has increased — by four-fold — the process of collecting samples of birds as part of surveillance owing to bird flu. Artist and birds’ photographer BS Desai said during this season, birds from the coldest regions prefer Hassan weather for reproduction. Also, they like to feed on the weed here. Painted storks, pelicans, ibises and other birds come from Siberia and the Himalaya region. “Bar-headed geese from Mongolia and Tibet arrive at Hemavathi backwaters near Rosary Church in Shettihalli for the sprouting grass there. A flock of woolly-necked storks are seen near millet or paddy heaps,” he said, adding: “In Hassan city, red-capped ibises can be spotted at Maharaja Park, Master Control Facility and All-India Radio campus. I have seen many bird deaths over the years, but not any in the recent past.”