Arrival of migratory birds to Therthangal bird sanctuary on the rise

Therthangal bird sanctuary in Ramanathapuram district sees delayed but positive arrival of migratory birds this season.

With winter season slowly fading away, the arrival of migratory birds to Therthangal bird sanctuary in Ramanathapuram district has picked up.  

Though the arrival was delayed by more than two to three months, the number of migratory birds that have arrived so far can be seen on a positive note, say forest officials.  

“The migratory season which usually starts around mid-October, got delayed till December this year due to climate changes and other unpredictable reasons,” an official added.  

Not only at Therthangal bird sanctuary but also in other sanctuaries in the State, a slight to prolonged delay was observed, official noted.  

“Though the delay can be predicted as effects of climate change, the exact reason of the change in birds’ arrival pattern is yet to be studied. Some institutes and researchers are already working on it,” an official stated.  

The total count of migratory birds recorded from the beginning of the season till date was more than 2,100, said the official. The total number of species recorded was around 65 to 70. 

Some of the general bird species identified in the sanctuary were Grebes, Pelicans, Cormorants, Darters, Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, Storks, Ibises. Spoonbills, Ducks, Hawks, Eagles, Buzzards, Kites, Pheasants, Partridges, Quails, Moorhens, Coots, Lapwings, Parakeets, Cuckoo, Owls, Kingfishers, Bee-eaters, Woodpeckers, Munias, Sparrows, Mynas, Crows and Flamingos.