Coimbatore : Despite Anthropogenic pressure mounting on and altering their ecosystem constantly, birds that live in the open grasslands of Coimbatore are finding new ways to adapt to the change in the environment and thrive here.
Coimbatore : Despite Anthropogenic pressure mounting on and altering their ecosystem constantly, birds that live in the open grasslands of Coimbatore are finding new ways to adapt to the change in the environment and thrive here.
A pilot study carried out by bird watchers and researchers here on select dry grasslands has revealed that how the birds are taking every effort necessary to cope with the changes and overcome the threats posed by humans.
According to K. Selvaganesh, a regular bird watcher from Coimbatore, their team started the study with the objective of learning about the diversity of bird species and threats to their existing habitat of dry grasslands around Coimbatore. Ten locations, mostly unexplored areas with dry grassland cover in and around Coimbatore were selected for the pilot study.
Bilichi Grassland, Kamatchi Puram Grasslands, Kallipalayam Grasslands, Vellanaipatti Grasslands, Kaniyur Grasslands, Sinniyampalayam Grasslands, Peelamedu Grasslands, Pappampatti Grasslands, Kallamadaithottam Grasslands and Kovai Hills Grasslands were marked as the study areas.
“Birding visits to these ten locations were made during the study period from Since April 2018. At least one-day time visit and one nocturnal visit were carried out to each of the locations,” said Selvaganesh.
The initial survey has yeilded the team a total of 88 Species of birds with a total count of 1126 birds. Out of these, a total of 28 Species and a total count of 247 birds were available during the nocturnal observations.
“We found some no-so-common birds including migrants like Eurasian Wry neck, Great Grey Shrike, Montagu's Harrier, Hume's White throat, Sykes's Warbler, Richard's Pipit and Blyth's Pipit. Resident birds like Indian Courser, Chestnut-bellied Sand grouse, Indian Eagle Owl, White-eyed Buzzard, and Rain Quail were also spotted,” he informed.
Nocturnal birds included Spotted Owlet, Indian Peafowl, Red-wattled Lapwing, Indian Nightjar and Indian Thick-knee among many others.
K. Bhavi, one of the researchers said that in every grassland location visited, the gross residential and business interference and human intrusions were some of the major threats to the birds.
“In a place near Kamatchipuram Grasslands, Heavy duty Rig well Trucks are sinking bore wells right in the middle of the grassland patch at the foothills with very high decibel noise pollution. In another place near Kallipalayam, a big residential project has almost come up very close by and tarred roads are getting laid affecting the ecological balance dramatically. In a sprawling Peelamedu grassland patch adjacent to the Coimbatore airport runway, local youngsters are playing cricket all over the place and motor racing bikers are also practicing close by which results in noise and dust pollution. In yet another grassland location near Kalangal where Indian Courser and Chestnut-bellied Sand grouse regularly roost, a TASMAC liquor shop has come up giving rise to alarming human activity all through the day and late into the night,” Bhavi added.
T. Arulvelan, another member added that it was the responsibility of the authorities to safeguard such ecologically important sites as birds that thrive there contribute more to the environment.
“It is interesting to note that in spite of all these live threats, the birds making every effort to pursue their journey called Life. This encourages birders and researchers,” Arulvelan said.