Kerala   

Decline in bird sightings causes concern

— PHOTO: by special arrangement

RARE BIRD: A Malabar grey hornbill photographed during the bird race.

The presence of avifauna with dry lands as their natural habitat is increasing across the State, which points to a possible desertification of large parts of wetlands, according to a report of the Kerala Bird Race-2009 held here on Sunday.

The unique race for bird watching conducted in the Kochi zone also threw light on some findings that could be a cause for concern for environmentalists. Against the tally of 300 bird species spotted in and around Kochi last year, only 241 bird species were sighted this time.

Some species recorded a dip in the frequency of sightings compared to the past two races. Several other varieties which were sighted either regularly or intermittently in the region also showed a decline.

As per the survey results, only half the number of the total 320 varieties identified from the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary could be sighted in the region this time.

The most interesting finding from the Ernakulam zone was the spotting of spoonbills in large numbers at Pandy Island in Alappuzha and the sighting of bunting, which was first located last year at the Kattambilly wet lands, Kannur, said the organisers.

Meanwhile, two varieties of buntings, namely red headed and black headed buntings, were spotted in Akkulam during the Thiruvananthapuram edition of the event while spotted red shank was identified at the Kozhikode zone for the second straight time, indicating a growth in the number of the bird species.

Whiskered tern, a migratory bird from the Himalayan ranges, which are often found in large numbers in the wetlands of the State were the least spotted species during the race.

Extended over an area ranging from the kole fields in Thrissur to the birding hot spots in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts, about 120 bird watchers divided into 30 teams spent the entire day watching out for birds in and around the region.

The race was followed by a get-together of the participants at a hotel near here to interact among themselves and recount their day’s experiences.

Distribution of prizes for the teams that recorded the most number of bird species was also held.

Transport Minister Jose Thettayil inaugurated the evening session. Sunjoy Monga, environmental activist and writer, and P.O. Nameer of the Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, also spoke on the occasion.

The event, organised in connection with the birth anniversary celebrations of the legendary ornithologist Salim Ali, was organised by HSBC Bank in association with Kerala Birder, the Kochin Natural History Society, the Nature Education Society and the Kottayam Nature Society.

U. Hiran

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