Rise in waterbird count recorded in kerala's capital

Rise in waterbird count recorded in kerala's capital

Safe haven: (from left) Common Greenshank, Black-capped Kingfisher and White Wagtail.

The Asian Water bird Census (AWC) 2023 has recorded a 65% increase in water birds in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram district, albeit with a slight dip in the count of species. Instilling hope among nature lovers despite concerns posed by anthropogenic activities, the annual census that was jointly conducted by WWF-lndia and the social forestry wing of the Forest Department recently enumerated 5,396 birds belonging to 70 species from 11 sites spread across the district.

This was a considerable increase from the count of 3,270 birds belonging to 72 species recorded last year. Barring a slight decline that was observed in Poovar estuary and the Punchakkari Vellayani wetland complex, all the other locations reported a trend of increasing population. However, the birders raised concerns on the quality of habitats across all the wetlands. Except Pazhanchira wetlands near Attingal, all the other wetlands have been facing multiple and severe threats from anthropogenic activities.

The Punchakkari-Vellayani wetland complex, regarded the birding hub of the capital city, has been experiencing threats in the form of solid waste dumping, shift from paddy cultivation to fertilizer-intensive vegetable cultivation, and noise pollution from crackers that are used by farmers to scare away birds. A growing trend of wedding and other photo shoots has also driven away birds from the area.

Nonetheless, the wetland is home to many bird species including migratory ones like Pacific Golden Plover, Western Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Painted Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill, Wood Sandpiper and Grey-headed Lapwing. The team counted 1,419 birds belonging to 51 species on this location.

Shore birds such as Great Crested Terns, Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers, Kentish Plovers and Western Reef Herons were sighted in the Poovar estuary. The paddy field maintained by the Agriculture Department at Mosque Lane, Kesavadasapuram, reflected a disappointing picture with only few Wood and Green Sandpipers reported. The team visited the comparatively less disturbed Pazhanchira wetlands, near Attingal, and counted 1,298 birds belonging to 34 species.

The census found that the museum and zoo compound still remained a safe haven for the endangered Oriental Dater. A crowd of 22 Black-Crowned Night Herons and other waterbirds were also seen around the two large ponds there.

The Akkulam wetlands reported an increase in bird count. Species including the Bronze-winged Jacanas and Oriental Darters were seen there.

Whimbrels, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, and Asian Open bills were the highlights from Kadinamkulam wetlands.