Pongal Bird Count completes 10 years Premium

As the Pongal Bird Count completes 10 years, birders across Tamil Nadu document regular visitors along with unusual sightings such as the white-bellied sea eagle in a forest area

It’s that time of the year when forested areas are aflutter with the high-pitched sounds of the wispy little greenish warbler and the guttural teek teek of the Indian blue robin. One can also catch a glimpse of brown shrike that comes from Japan, the blue-tailed bee eater from Europe and Russia, as well as birds like Indian pita and paradise flycatcher that come from the Himalayas.

As many as 300 plus bird species have been documented across Tamil Nadu during the Pongal Bird Count coordinated by the Tamil Birders Network and Bird Count India. The data provides information on the distribution and abundance of the birds of Tamil Nadu.  

This year, copious rains filled wetlands in Coimbatore and in neighbouring districts. Birders documented a decline in numbers of migratory birds and this has been attributed to many reasons including rains and unscientific de-silting of water bodies that wiped off natural vegetation from the bunds. Another concern is untreated sewage being let in. However, a handful of birders have documented unusual sightings.

Government High School teacher, Sugunapuram

An active participant in birding every year, he covered as many as six districts including Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Madurai, Tiruppur, Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore, and Dindigul over four days. “In Coimbatore, 30 birders took part, while across Tamil Nadu, the number was over 300. At Ponnuthu, a birding hotspot, we recorded 45 species during a bird walk. And 60 species at Perur lake,” he says. However, there was a decline in the number of migratory ducks like garganeys because of copious water in the lakes. He was lucky enough to spot the brown-breasted flycatcher at Ponnuthu.

Government school teacher & co-ordinator of Puducherry Birders Network

Surendhar and his team covered a whopping 52 lakes in Puducherry, Villuppuram, and Cuddalore and enroute for four days, starting January 14, recording 129 species. A birding enthusiast for over a decade, he caught a glimpse of the migratory red-throated flycatcher that comes from the lower Himalayas at Karasur Lake in Puducherry, a well-maintained water-body. “The number of water birds was less. People dump waste in lakes unaware of the presence of domestic and migratory birds. We spotted the Eurasian spoonbill, black-headed ibis, but strangely no pelicans.” Urban birds like crows, mynas, rollers, and black drongos were present in good numbers. While nature education at schools and colleges opens up the world of Nature among students, such bird walks makes them aware of conservation. “For example, they should know about stopover of birds like Pacific golden plover and why we have to ensure that our lakes are clean with abundant greenery for such unique visitor.”