Chennai, Jan 30 (BPNS)
The first phase of the Tamil Nadu Bird census that was carried out on January 28 and 29 have revealed the presence of about one million birds from 80 species.
The census carried out at Point Calimere, Valinokkam, Dhanushkodi, Thoothukudi, and Kanniyakumari revealed a large number of several species of birds with Flamingos having a major presence. More than 20,000 flamingos were detected from Point Calimere, Valinokam(10,000), Dhanushkodi (2000), Thoothukudi( 2000), and Kanniyakumari( 600).
Forest officials who were involved in the bird census told BPNS that the heavy rains that the state received during 2020 and 2021 have resulted in the presence of a large number of birds. A senior wildlife officer said,” The heavy rains of 2020 and 2021 have nourished the eco-system leading to the migration of shorebirds to nesting sites in Tamil Nadu”.
Several uncommon species like Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, and Ruddy turnstone were detected at Point Calimere, Pichavaram, Kaliveli Lake, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, and Adayar Creek. In addition to this common species like Marsh Sandpipers, Lesser Sand Plover, Redshanks, Great knots, Spotted Redshanks were also found in large numbers at these points, the wild like official who was leading a team told IANS.
World’s longest non-stop flying BIRD, bar-tailed godwit and ruddy turnstone, and the highest-flying bird, the bar-headed geese were recorded in large numbers during the two-day synchronized census.
Major duck congregations including northern pintails, northern shovellers, Eurasian wigeon, and garganey were also spotted during the census, the forest department officials said.
The two-day synchronized bird census was conducted by the Tamil Nadu forest department in association with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON). Wildlife department said that 45 civil society groups, NGO’s and ten colleges and universities participated in the two-day bird census.
