COIMBATORE: The latest bird census in the wetlands across the Coimbatore district would cheer conservationists.
When compared to last year more birds were noticed during this year’s two-day census conducted by the Coimbatore Nature Society (CNS), The Nature and Butterfly Society (TNBS) and WWF-India jointly with the Coimbatore Forest Division on January 27 and 28.
While 201 bird species with a total population of 16,069 birds were noticed in the census covering 25 wetlands like Walayar backwaters, Kurichi, Ukkadam, Senkulam, etc. A total of 9,494 birds were noticed during the census in 2023, covering only 20 wetlands.
Among 201 species, 60 are water birds which include waterfowls, grebes, rails, and crakes with a population count of 7,234. Highest bird counts were reported from Ukkulam (2,288), Walayar backwaters (1,797), followed by Krishnampathi (1,387) and low bird counts were reported from Irugur, Vedapatti and Narasampathi wetlands. Likewise, the number of bird species across wetlands varied from 31 to 101 with an average of 57 species per wetland.
The highest number of birds were reported from Pethikuttai (101) and Krishnampathi (101). These two wetlands have reported the highest number of species from the last census too. The low numbers were reported from dried-out Irugur wetland (31) and Vedapatti wetland (32). Black-capped Kingfisher (from Pallapalayam wetland), River Tern and Oriental Pratincole (Walayar backwaters), Lesser crested Tern, Osprey and Greater Spotted, Eagle (Pethikuttai) and Lesser Fish-Eagle (Nandankarai) are the important findings.
The synchronised bird census was conducted in two phases in every district to institutionalise long-term monitoring of birds from the state. While the first phase of the bird census is over, in the second phase to be held on March 1 and 2 terrestrial birds would be accounted for.
Divisional Forest Officer N Jayaraj said, “In comparison with 2023 findings, an increase in average bird species per wetland (from 54 to 57) and an increase in average bird count per wetland (474 to 643) is observed. This is an encouraging trend.”