THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The nesting of Little Grebe, a small water bird, was reported for the first time in south Kerala, on the zoo premises here, during the fourth HSBC BirdRace on Sunday.
The nesting was spotted near the pond inside the zoo during the race, held in seven locations in and around the city, in which 62 birdwatchers, aged between 10 and 70 years, participated. It has been revealed that the museum-zoo compound, the capital's lung space, has considerable bird diversity.
Though the area is a habitat for house sparrow, not even one was sighted, hinting at the decline of this species due to non-availability of food in the city.
Oriental Darter, the endangered and red listed snake bird also has a good population here and the team observed 11 nests with chicks.
Peroorkada, Akkulam wetlands, Punchakari paddy fields-Vellayani Lake and surrounding areas, Arippa–Palode, Chathancode–Vithura, Neyyar Dam-Kottoor and Kallar-Ponmudi were the other sites for the dawn-to-dusk event in the city.
Seven teams
The participants were grouped into seven teams and given binoculars and bird log books. An expert bird watcher accompanied each team. The bird race was coordinated locally by WWF-India, Kerala State Office and Warblers & Waders. Thirty-one species of birds were reported from Peroorkada.
The wetland of the city, Akkulam, was a total disappointment. Only eight species, including Reef Egret, could be sighted. Last year, 61 species were reported from here. Reclamation, construction activities and pollution has led to a complete eviction of water birds like cormorants, darters and ducks from the lake.
Common Kestrel and Black naped Monarch Blue Flycatcher were the important sightings from Kallar-Ponmudi.
The fresh water lake, Vellayani and the paddy fields of Punchakkari provided sighting of rare species like Red necked Falcon and Black capped Kingfisher. Marsh Harrier, Chestnut Bittern and Small Pratincole were the other important sightings.
Back Baza team which surveyed the Arippa Forests won the first prize with a sighting of 87 species. Team Osprey, which studied the Punchakkary paddy fields and Vellayani Lake won the second prize, spotting 70 species. Team Honey Buzzard, who was at the Neyyar Dam-Kottur area won the third prize with 58 species.
The Orange-breasted green pigeon, reported from the zoo premises, was declared the Bird of the Day. A. K. Sivakumar, Coordinator of the Bird Race and Education Officer of WWF-India, and C. Sushanthkumar, Executive Member, Warblers and Waders, were in the judging panel.
In all, 139 species were spotted during the day's event. O. M. Mathew, the oldest participant, and Baby Salini Anil, the youngest, were also given awards. Minister for Forest and Housing Benoy Viswom, who was the chief guest at the valedictory, gave away the prizes.
Source: The Hindu,18-11-2010
The nesting was spotted near the pond inside the zoo during the race, held in seven locations in and around the city, in which 62 birdwatchers, aged between 10 and 70 years, participated. It has been revealed that the museum-zoo compound, the capital's lung space, has considerable bird diversity.
Though the area is a habitat for house sparrow, not even one was sighted, hinting at the decline of this species due to non-availability of food in the city.
Oriental Darter, the endangered and red listed snake bird also has a good population here and the team observed 11 nests with chicks.
Peroorkada, Akkulam wetlands, Punchakari paddy fields-Vellayani Lake and surrounding areas, Arippa–Palode, Chathancode–Vithura, Neyyar Dam-Kottoor and Kallar-Ponmudi were the other sites for the dawn-to-dusk event in the city.
Seven teams
The participants were grouped into seven teams and given binoculars and bird log books. An expert bird watcher accompanied each team. The bird race was coordinated locally by WWF-India, Kerala State Office and Warblers & Waders. Thirty-one species of birds were reported from Peroorkada.
The wetland of the city, Akkulam, was a total disappointment. Only eight species, including Reef Egret, could be sighted. Last year, 61 species were reported from here. Reclamation, construction activities and pollution has led to a complete eviction of water birds like cormorants, darters and ducks from the lake.
Common Kestrel and Black naped Monarch Blue Flycatcher were the important sightings from Kallar-Ponmudi.
The fresh water lake, Vellayani and the paddy fields of Punchakkari provided sighting of rare species like Red necked Falcon and Black capped Kingfisher. Marsh Harrier, Chestnut Bittern and Small Pratincole were the other important sightings.
Back Baza team which surveyed the Arippa Forests won the first prize with a sighting of 87 species. Team Osprey, which studied the Punchakkary paddy fields and Vellayani Lake won the second prize, spotting 70 species. Team Honey Buzzard, who was at the Neyyar Dam-Kottur area won the third prize with 58 species.
The Orange-breasted green pigeon, reported from the zoo premises, was declared the Bird of the Day. A. K. Sivakumar, Coordinator of the Bird Race and Education Officer of WWF-India, and C. Sushanthkumar, Executive Member, Warblers and Waders, were in the judging panel.
In all, 139 species were spotted during the day's event. O. M. Mathew, the oldest participant, and Baby Salini Anil, the youngest, were also given awards. Minister for Forest and Housing Benoy Viswom, who was the chief guest at the valedictory, gave away the prizes.
Source: The Hindu,18-11-2010
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