Coimbatore Nature Society (CNS) participated in the 8th year of the citizen - science programme of Asian Waterbird Census which was conducted between January 2 nd till 18th this year.
Coimbatore: Coimbatore Nature Society (CNS) participated in the 8th year of the citizen - science programme of Asian Waterbird Census which was conducted between January 2 nd till 18th this year.
The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) is part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC). This citizen-science programme supports conservation and management of wetlands and waterbirds worldwide.
Information from the organization helps to promote the designation and management of internationally important sites such as nationally protected areas, as well as helps in identifying and protecting new sites of importance for waterbirds.
Result of the census and information are also used to promote national waterbird and wetland conservation and international cooperation.
During this census about 28 wetlands in and around Coimbatore were surveyed in the exercise spanning three days (Jan 15th - 17th ) with 18 participants taking part in the exercise.
During the activities this year, the number of wetlands covered is up from previous years highest of 26. A total of 134 bird species have been recorded and the total bird count (bird population) is estimated to be at 7069.
Among the 134-bird species recorded, 103 of them are Resident and the remaining 31 are Migrants. The breakup between waterbirds and other birds stands at 45 and 89.
On the bird count, 6091 birds were Resident in nature and 978 birds were migrants. The breakup between Water birds and other land birds seen around the wetland is 3421 and 2670, respectively.
Most populous birds include Little Cormorant (508), Cattle Egret (498), Barn Swallow (405), House Crow (301), Common Myna (294), Indian Pond Heron (283) and Little Egret (254).
Among the migrant birds, the following were found in high numbers: Barn Swallow (405), Blue-tailed Bee-eater (105), Small Pratincole (100), Common Sandpiper (58), Wood Sandpiper (56), and Whiskered Tern (53).
Among waterbirds alone, the following were seen in high numbers: Little Cormorant (508), Cattle Egret (498), Indian Pond-Heron (283), Little Egret (254), Indian Spot-billed Duck (192), Spot-billed Pelican (151) and Grey-headed Swamphen (148).
Ukkulam with 67 bird species top the wetlands on species account followed by Achankulam (61 bird species), Ukkadam (61 bird species) and Selvampathy Lake (60 bird species). On population account, Singanallur topped the wetlands with 486 bird count followed by Kannampalayam (410 bird count), Achankulam (388 bird counts) and Kumaraswamy Lake (375 bird counts).
An average number of species found in a wetland stood at 43 while the average bird population of a wetland was at 252.
AWC Data over last 5 years show that the migratory bird population is on decline. The drop in migrant bird population is 62%.
CNS is planning to continue the exercise in the years to come by adding wetland managers to provide a suitable habitat for birds as it is one of the best-known functions of wetlands.
The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) is part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC). This citizen-science programme supports conservation and management of wetlands and waterbirds worldwide.
Information from the organization helps to promote the designation and management of internationally important sites such as nationally protected areas, as well as helps in identifying and protecting new sites of importance for waterbirds.
Result of the census and information are also used to promote national waterbird and wetland conservation and international cooperation.
During this census about 28 wetlands in and around Coimbatore were surveyed in the exercise spanning three days (Jan 15th - 17th ) with 18 participants taking part in the exercise.
During the activities this year, the number of wetlands covered is up from previous years highest of 26. A total of 134 bird species have been recorded and the total bird count (bird population) is estimated to be at 7069.
Among the 134-bird species recorded, 103 of them are Resident and the remaining 31 are Migrants. The breakup between waterbirds and other birds stands at 45 and 89.
On the bird count, 6091 birds were Resident in nature and 978 birds were migrants. The breakup between Water birds and other land birds seen around the wetland is 3421 and 2670, respectively.
Most populous birds include Little Cormorant (508), Cattle Egret (498), Barn Swallow (405), House Crow (301), Common Myna (294), Indian Pond Heron (283) and Little Egret (254).
Among the migrant birds, the following were found in high numbers: Barn Swallow (405), Blue-tailed Bee-eater (105), Small Pratincole (100), Common Sandpiper (58), Wood Sandpiper (56), and Whiskered Tern (53).
Among waterbirds alone, the following were seen in high numbers: Little Cormorant (508), Cattle Egret (498), Indian Pond-Heron (283), Little Egret (254), Indian Spot-billed Duck (192), Spot-billed Pelican (151) and Grey-headed Swamphen (148).
Ukkulam with 67 bird species top the wetlands on species account followed by Achankulam (61 bird species), Ukkadam (61 bird species) and Selvampathy Lake (60 bird species). On population account, Singanallur topped the wetlands with 486 bird count followed by Kannampalayam (410 bird count), Achankulam (388 bird counts) and Kumaraswamy Lake (375 bird counts).
An average number of species found in a wetland stood at 43 while the average bird population of a wetland was at 252.
AWC Data over last 5 years show that the migratory bird population is on decline. The drop in migrant bird population is 62%.
CNS is planning to continue the exercise in the years to come by adding wetland managers to provide a suitable habitat for birds as it is one of the best-known functions of wetlands.