In its endeavour to have a holistic documentation of bio diversity of avifauna, the Forest Department conducted a State-wide birds’ census simultaneously in all bird sanctuaries and wetlands.

The two-day exercise was carried out in the 14 bird sanctuaries and wetlands involving department officials, ornithologists, local community, and college students besides representatives of non-governmental organisations.

A standard format along with a list containing names of different species was circulated among the officials prior to conducting the census that was carried out in the first week of February.

A gamut of aspects was covered as part of the census, including arrival season of migratory birds in the respective sanctuaries, change in their habitat if any and the impact on climate change. The census covered land birds, water birds, local species, and migratory birds.

The officials were provided with necessary paraphernalia to carry out the census that was conducted on the direction of the Chief Wildlife Warden, Chennai.

The Tiruchi Circle encompassing eight districts in the central region alone accounts for four bird sanctuaries located at Vaduvoor and Udhayamarthandapuram in Tiruvarur district, Point Calimere in Nagapattinam, and Karaivetti in Ariyalur district.

The census was carried out at sanctuaries at places including Vettankudi, Vedanthangal, Mela Selvanur, and Keezha Selvanur, Theerthangal, and the one near Pulicat Lake.

Split into teams, the officials conducted the census in their respective sanctuary and wetlands. The teams recorded the species and ascertained arrival of any new ones and their habitat.

The area was mapped as part of the exercise and a ground count as well as survey by boats was undertaken by the officials.

At Point Calimere sanctuary alone, 130 birds’ species were recorded during the census that included Eurasian Spoonbill, Pacific Golden Plover, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Drango Cudoo, and Caspian Tern.

Comprehensive data

The objective was to ascertain the bio-diversity of birds and have in possession a holistic documentation of avifauna, C. Meenakshi, District Forest Officer and Wildlife Warden, Nagapattinam, told The Hindu on the phone.

Ms. Meenakshi was the nodal officer for the State-wide census.

Detailed census report from every sanctuary had been obtained using which a comprehensive analysis would soon be done, Ms. Meenakshi said.

The population density of birds, habitat study and threats, bio-geographical representation of birds’ population, impact of pollution, and the effects of groundwater depletion on migratory birds and local species would all be analysed, she added.

The census conducted simultaneously this time was a synchronised effort involving even the local community as they had a better grasp of the topography and the species that frequent the wetlands, she said.