Arrival of predatory birds hint deficit monsoon

Foresters and bird watchers have noticed large arrival of falcon and harrier - predatory birds in Kancheepuram district, which according to their observation means that greater Chennai will end with a deficit monsoon this year.

“The inadequate rainfall had also delayed the arrival of Painted Stork and other migratory birds in Vedanthangal bird sanctuary,” said a senior forest department official. There is a visible change in the pattern of bird migration visiting the State due to the deficit rains in north Tamil Nadu, the official said.

According to Regional Meteorological Centre, Tamil Nadu in this monsoon has recorded a rainfall deficit of 22 percent. While, the deficit is maximum in north Tamil Nadu with Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur recording 54, 34 and 40 percent deficit respectively in seasonal rainfall.

“Falcons, Osprey and Harriers have arrived in large numbers and these are birds that prey on grasshopper, fishes and birds in the water bodies that will turn dry, in to grassland without water,” explains K V R K Thirunaranan, founder, The Nature Trust. Thirunaranan said that efforts should be taken to ensure there is no human disturbance in these grasslands, so that the cycle of bird migration would remain unaffected. However, as usual the migratory birds have arrived in Tamil Nadu, but there is a change in their roosting and migratory movement. This year large number of ducks have thronged Koonthakulam Bird Sanctuary in Tirunelveli. Movement of migratory ducks like Shoveller, Pintail and common teal are encouraging in southern districts due to surplus water.

Again, heavy winds due to Gaja has brought a sense of disorientation among birds like Swallows and Wagtails stressing on the need for in-depth studies, Thirunaranan added.

“While Vedanthangal is a disappointment till now, the bird population in Pallikaranai and pockets of Kancheepuram are encouraging. Large number of Red necked falcon and Harrier have arrived in Kancheepuram,” Gauthaman Ganesan, an avid bird watcher in Kancheepuram said. The deficit in rainfall has dried the water bodies early making them vulnerable for encroachments, Gauthaman rued.