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Kannur district has the highest number of heronries

Staff Reporter

According to a study by Malabar Natural History Society

KANNUR: Even as the number of heronries in the region is declining, Kannur district is found to have the highest number of heronries, nesting species and nests.

A study conducted by the Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS) in association with the Forest Department to identify the heronries in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Wayanad districts showed that Kannur has 20 heronries, five nesting species and 1,212 nests followed by Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kasaragod.

The study lists 95 heronries in the State of which 25 belonged to the five northern districts. The heronry census was conducted by C. Sashikumar of the MNHS with the help of a network of 50 birdwatchers. As many as 2,927 nests of nine water bird species were counted from 53 sites during the census.

The study shows the distribution of each species in the heronries. Indian Pond Heron with 1,161 nests in 38 heronries is found to be the most numerous and widespread among the species.

It is followed by Little Cormorant with 1,130 nests in 35 heronries, Black-Crowned Night Heron with 275 nests in 15 breeding places. Median Egret and Little Egret follow next. The study finds that Cattle Egret is also found in large numbers - 2,715 birds counted from 51 sites, though they are not found breeding in the region.

A pair of Lesser Whistling-Duck, a resident duck of the State, along with five chicks was seen on the banks of the Banasura Sagar Reservoir, Wayanad. O. Jayaraj, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry Division, here said in a release on Wednesday that the Indian Pond Heron accounted for 40 per cent of the breeding water birds in the heronries.

It was closely followed by Little Cormorants with 39 per cent, he said adding that all the other seven species together occupied the remaining share. Mr. Jayarajan said all the heronries here were found to be located close to human habitation and on either side of major roads including the National Highway.

Though the majority of heronries were located in Government land, the study found that felling of roadside trees every year and other human interventions were seen as threats to the conservation of heronries.

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