Along with the dry weather came winged guests to Vellayani, Punchakkari in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sighting of dry weather birds in our backyard may be an ornithologist’s delight. But the visual has a subtle, deeper layer - the changing climatic patterns, from sultry to dry. C Sushanth, an ornithologist, spotted six species of birds so far in the Vellayani lake and Punchakkari paddy fields. “We have seen hoopoe, openbill stork, glossy ibis, white ibis, common stone chat and painted stork at Vellayani and Punchakkari wetlands this year. These birds are normally found in dry weather conditions in states like AP and Tamil Nadu,” said Susanth.
Of course, these birds were spotted earlier too in the state. But such a large flock has never ever visited the state. All this because of the rise in temperature in the state owing to deforestation and rapid urbanisation. However, environmentalist and ornithologist P K Uthaman said the flocking of such birds to the state could also be attributed to the people’s bird-friendly attitude following awareness campaigns by greens.
C Rahim, an ornithologist, said climate change has led to a spurt in peafowl population. He said peafowls, normally found in dry regions, have been spotted in T’Puram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta. “Their population in the state is rising particularly so in Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. It is a clear indication of rising temperature,” he said.