VIRUDHUNAGAR: A two-day bird census conducted across waterbodies in Virudhunagar district has recorded more than 120 species of rare birds, forest department officials said.

The census was carried out on December 27 and 28 across several locations, including Srivilliputhur, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar, Aruppukottai and Sivakasi.

The exercise was led by Murugan, Deputy Director of the Srivilliputhur–Megamalai Tiger Reserve, and involved forest department personnel, trained volunteers, college students and bird enthusiasts, who were given prior training.

Officials said around 25 bird species were documented in the Kullur Sandhai reservoir area, while more than 18 rare species were identified in and around Srivilliputhur.

The census also recorded the presence of House Martin birds from Europe and North Africa in the Srivilliputhur–Rajapalayam region. These migratory birds were found to have arrived for breeding. They are known to build nests using wet mud, lay eggs and rear their chicks before returning to their native regions after the breeding season.

An increase in the population of waterbirds, including pelicans, was also observed during the survey. A forest department official said the rise in bird numbers could be attributed to the availability of fish and food resources in existing waterbodies across the district.

In addition, rare pigeon species were also identified during the census this year, officials said. The findings are expected to help the forest department monitor bird diversity and plan conservation measures in the district.