Over 24,000 birds from 66 species recorded during Tamirabharani Waterbird Count

Tamirabharani Waterbird Count 2024 in Tirunelveli records 24,000+ birds, including Black-tailed Godwit, highlighting conservation challenges and efforts.

The Tamirabharani Waterbird Count 2024 organised recently has recorded over 24,000 birds in the irrigation tanks getting water from the perennial river.

 Interestingly, the survey has confirmed the visit of Black-tailed Godwit, a near-threatened species according to International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, to the waterbodies in southern Tamil Nadu.

 Tamirabharani and its major tributaries, including Chithar, Pachchaiyar, Gadana, and Ramanathi serve as crucial water sources for the districts of Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and Thoothukudi. These rivers are channelized for irrigation through an intricate network of canals and tanks. Centuries-old irrigation tanks, in particular, play host to a diverse array of water birds year-round, with the winter witnessing the arrival of thousands of migratory birds.

 Out of over 100 recorded species of waterbirds in these wetlands in the past, 40 are identified as migratory birds. While numerous tanks in the Tamirabharani basin support significant population of water birds for feeding, roosting and nesting, only a select few, such as Koonthankulam and Kaadankulam in Tirunelevli district are known for their avian inhabitants. To expand awareness and understanding of birdlife in lesser-known irrigation tanks, ATREE’s Agasthyamalai Community Conservation Centre (ACCC) initiated the citizen-centric bird monitoring program, the Tamirabharani Waterbird Count, in 2011.

 The 14th edition of the Tamirabharani Waterbird Count, co-organized by ATREE’s ACCC, Pearl City Nature Trust, Thoothukudi, Nellai Nature Club Trust, Tirunelveli, and Pushpalata Educational Centre, Tirunelveli, took place from February 16 to 18 last. Superintending Engineer, Water Resource Department, Thamirabharani Basin Circle, S. Sivakumar, inaugurated the count on February 16, 2024, at Pushpalata British International School. With the active participation of over 150 volunteers divided into 7 teams, a comprehensive survey was conducted across 57 tanks in Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi districts.

 This year’s count recorded an impressive 24,207 birds belonging to 66 different species. Egret species including Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Medium Egret and Large Egret dominated the count with approximately 4,861 individuals. Migratory duck species such as Northern Pintail, Bar-headed Geese, and Eurasian Wigeon, followed closely with a count of about 4,245. Cormorant species, including Little Cormorant, Indian Shag, and Oriental Darter accounted for 3,039 birds.

 Noteworthy counts were observed in specific tanks with Kuppaikurichi tank in Tirunelveli district leading with 2,005 birds followed by Vijayanarayanam tank (1,094), also in Tirunelveli district, Arumugamangalam in Thoothukudi district (1,050), and Vijaya Achampadu in Tirunelveli district (1,037).