after reaching delhi why do they choose the zoo the entire cycle appears as if they are leaving the zoo to make way for the winter migratory birds but why do they come from a place which is warm throughout the yearthe food cycle is linked to their flying to delhi in summers for example the pond in lodhi garden used to receive migratory birds till a few years ago but now the winged tourists have abandoned the place due to the citys humid climate theres a greater availability of insects and fruits like jamuns and berries for them moreover the zoo makes them feel safe and at home malhotra said malhotra said over the years the number of birds coming to the city has declined the male baya makes the nest and the female then inspects it while true migration when birds fly in from distant foreign lands like siberia takes place in winter local migration from other states in summer is also an annual feature said zoo curator a k malhotra unlike the other green areas here this place has adequate food and water for the birds in fact true migratory birds that come here in winters dont breed only the resident birds and birds of prey breed here then but delhis pollution is taking its toll on these birds too as delhiites dream of flying to cooler climes to escape the scorching heat thousands of birds from south india have come to the zoo to bask in the sun and breed over 100 species of birds like golden oriole hoopoo cuckoo barbet sunbirds and mynahs are breeding this is the peak breading season for them thats why they choose the place another zoo official said once here they are perhaps the only creatures which enjoy the extreme summer heat as the green cover declines the winged visitors in all the green areas here including the zoo declines he said the baya beaver birds give an insight into the birds lives the summer migratory species cant bear delhis winter and go down south very often the male has to make upto five or six nests before the female likes any of them malhotra said new delhi these birds start coming in april to breed and by the time they leave in september their young ones are old enough for the return journey he said the zoo is a green patch on the rocky landscape of delhi its a fallacy that migration of birds takes place only in winters mating is possible only after the female baya likes the nest