The Coimbatore Nature Society in the annual bird census conducted by the Asian Waterbird has recorded 133 species and 7,438 bird counts, for the year 2022.
Coimbatore: The Coimbatore Nature Society in the annual bird census conducted by the Asian Waterbird has recorded 133 species and 7,438 bird counts, for the year 2022.
According to the press release issued, the census was conducted in 29 wetlands in and around Coimbatore including, at Krishnampathy Lake, Walayar, Muthannankulam, Pallapalyam, Narasampathy Lake and 25 participants took part in the program. In the 9th year of the census that is conducted in January annually, 106 resident species and 27 migrant species were identified.
The press release read, “Ninth year in running, Coimbatore Nature Society (CNS), has participated in the citizen-science programme of Asian Waterbird Census, conducted usually in January of every year.”
“The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) is part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC). This citizen-science programme is supporting conservation and management of wetlands and water birds worldwide. The information 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 water birds. The result of the census and information are also used to promote national water bird and wetland conservation and international cooperation.”
“29 wetlands in and around Coimbatore have been surveyed in the exercise, spanning a week (Jan 09-15) with 25 participants taking part in the exercise, which is usually done in the morning time when birds are mostly active.”
“A total of 133 bird species have been recorded and the total bird count (bird population) is estimated to be at 7,438. Among the 133-bird species recorded, 106 of them are resident and the remaining 27 are migrants. The breakup between water birds and other birds stands at 47 and 86.”
“On the bird count, 5,858 birds were resident in nature and 1580 birds were migrants. The breakup between water birds and other land birds seen around the wetland is 2,883 and 4,555, respectively.”
“Most populous birds were Barn Swallow (762), Red-rumped Swallow (491), Cattle Egret (391), House Crow (278), Indian Pond Heron (259), Rose-ringed Parakeet (258) and Little Cormorant and Little Egret (252 each).
Among migrant birds, Barn Swallow (762), Blue-tailed Bee-eater (141), Wood Sandpiper (127), Chestnut-tailed Starling (111) and Western Yellow Wagtail (89), were high in numbers.”
“Among water birds alone, Cattle Egret (391), Indian Pond-Heron (259), Little Egret (252), Little Cormorant (252), Grey-headed Swamphen (220), Wood Sandpiper (127) and Indian Spot-billed Duck (124), were seen in high numbers.”
“Krishnampathy Lake with 88 bird species top the wetlands on species account followed by Selvampathy Lake with 60 bird species, Narasampathy Lake with 59 species Achankulam with 56 bird species, and Kolarampathy Lake with 54 bird species.
On population account, Krishnampathy Lake again topped the wetlands with 1,065 bird count followed by Selvampathy with 749, Muthannankulam with 522, Pallapalayam with 418, and Tamil Nadu side of Walayar with 330. Average number of species found in a wetland stood at 40 while the average bird population of a wetland was at 256.”
“Indian Pond Heron, Little Cormorant, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, and Indian Spot-billed Duck were seen on the most wetlands, these species are well spread, and were recorded from almost all wetlands. Among the migrants Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Barn Swallow, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, and Blyth’s Reed Warbler were widespread.”