Four to five census teams will fan out in each sanctuary to cross-check and double-check census inputs. To support the census documentation, photographs of flocks, nests and chicks will be recorded by local rangers and will be cross-checked by independent bird watchers. Movement of small mammals and reptiles like the jackal, python, monitor lizard, porcupine, otter, palm civet and wild boar will also be documented during the census as indicators, sources said.

“For Tamil Nadu, the bird migration starts by November and the season ends by March. There was a change of migration pattern in birds visiting the central districts of TN last year due to cyclone Gaja. This year, the census data is crucial to ascertain the long-term impact of the cyclone on birdlife,” explained conservation scientist A Kumaraguru, who assists the bird census programmes in the delta region. The Forest Department has been documenting the bird census data from all bird sanctuaries. Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Tiruchy will work with foresters in recording birdlife at Vaduvoor and Udayamarthandapuram bird sanctuaries. The census will also cover the Muthupet lagoon. In Chennai, the census will be taken up at the historical Vedanthangal bird sanctuary, Karikilli bird sanctuary, Pulicat bird sanctuary and Pallikaranai Marshland. The Chennai Conservator of Forests and the Chennai Wildlife Warden have shared the prototype instructions to be followed.

“Bird watchers from different walks of life are gearing up for the mega exercise, said KVRK Thirunaranan, founder, The Nature Trust. “This season, our volunteers and bird watchers will be covering Pallikaranai and Vedanthangal bird sanctuaries.”

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