MAYILADUTHURAI: The statewide synchronised wetland bird census undertaken in Mayiladuthurai during December 27-28 counted around 40 bird species as against 32 last year, forest department officials said.
The census covered 14 locations spread across the Sirkazhi and Mayiladuthurai forest ranges like Perunthottam lake, Pudhupattinam mangroves, Thiruvalli lake, Thirumullaivasal Uppanar, Tharangambadi and Chinnangudi.
Forest department officials, who along with students of AVC College and other volunteers undertook the survey, said the number of incoming birds is higher than that of last year.
"This season has seen adequate rainfall, which increases the feed for the birds and provides for a good atmosphere," said Sirkazhi Forest Range Officer P Ayub Khan, adding that the exact numbers are yet to be analysed. "Pintail ducks and whistling ducks were spotted in huge numbers.
Curlews, yellow-wattled lapwing, black-headed ibis and brahminy kite were also spotted. Painted storks were spotted nesting in the Thirumullaival mangroves," Khan told TNIE. Prior to the field survey, on December 27, Khan briefed participants on bird identification and census methodology.
The census was then organised under the guidance of Tiruchy Forest Circle Chief Conservator R Kanchana and Mayiladuthurai District Forest Officer S Ganesalingam. Bhaskaran, head of the zoology department at AVC College, launched the exercise and coordinated it.
More than 60 participants, divided into groups and guided by forest personnel, including foresters J Selvam and M Anandeeswaran, carried out the census. Meanwhile, in Nagapattinam, the bird census was launched at the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary under the Vedaranyam range.
Forest department staff along with students of the Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam, Government Arts and Science College in Vedaranyam and the government higher secondary school, Point Calimere, and researchers from the Bombay Natural History Society stationed at Point Calimere, conducted the census in 12 locations at the sanctuary. Vedaranyam Forest Range officer A Joseph Daniel said greater flamingoes, painted storks and other birds were spotted during the census.