Early migratory birds make Pallikaranai wetland home

Chennai

Various migratory birds have arrived in large numbers at the marshland to the delight of naturalists early and the numbers will go up. Forest officials’ efforts to protect the birds have fructified too. 

“Unlike last year, when Pallikaranai wetland was nearly dry, this year the conditions are favourable for the birds to nest and breed,” says KVRK Thirunaranan, founder of The Nature Trust to DTNext. His team is in the process of taking a census of the migratory birds. 

He adds “What amuses the bird observers is that migratory birds like black-tailed godwit, ruff, sandpipers and little stint are seen in large numbers. More so, those birds which frequent Vedanthangal like Eurasian spoonbills, black-headed ibis, spot-billed pelicans and near-extinct species like painted stork and Indian spot-billed duck are spotted at Pallikaranai in large numbers this year.” One of the noteworthy arrivals is that of the greater flamingos, Thirunaranan says and adds “Such birds will arrive only during the north east monsoon, but this year we are surprised to see the flamingos now itself.”

The Madras Naturalists Society president KV Sudhakar says, “Arrival of large number of birds is a clear indication that the marshland is providing ample protection to the birds.” 

“Earlier, there were human activities near the marshland and large quantities of garbage were dumped. But the forest officials have stepped in and taken some conducive measures to host the birds,” he says and adds “The forest officials have successfully prevented hunting and poaching of the birds this time around.” 

Ashokan, District Forest Officer, Chennai, says “We are desilting in some areas. Further, we have deployed forest staff to monitor the marshland and we expect the number of birds arriving in Pallikaranai to go up gradually in the coming months.” “Awareness has also gone up, unlike the past, as many people are eager to know about the visiting birds,” says Sudhakar.

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