Rainy winter weather draws exotic birds to Tiruchi’s regional biodiversity

The copious rain and resulting chill weather in and around Tiruchi in the last few days has attracted rare migratory birds to the region.

The copious rain and resulting chill weather in and around Tiruchi in the last few days has attracted rare migratory birds to the region.

The Siberian Stonechat (Saxicola maurus), Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) and Black-naped Blue Flycatcher (Hypothymis azurea), are among the birds spotted by local birdwatchers.

The Siberian stonechat was spotted a few weeks ago on the banks of the Uyyakondan river by G. Gopianan, a student of Environmental Sciences at Bishop Heber College.

“I have been studying the bird population of the Uyyakondan canal regularly, and noticed a female Siberian stonechat in a grassy patch near a residential area there. The bird was not seen after that, so I think it would be a passing ‘vagrant migrant’,” Mr. Gopianan told The Hindu.

The insectivorous bird migrates during winter to southern Japan, South Thailand, and India and west to northeast Africa. Vagrant migrants are birds take that ‘incorrect’ routes after breeding or when they are driven off course by external factors.

“This year’s ample summer rains and ensuing active monsoons have created a situation favourable for migrant birds. This has resulted in a bigger variety of species visiting Tiruchi,” said local academic and birdwatcher A. Relton.

“Eagles and ducks have come in greater numbers this year. Birds of prey have been seen in Thuraiyur and Manapparai, which are slightly dryer than the other spots. Water birds are more common near the wetlands of Lalgudi, Kallanai, and Tiruverumbur,” he said.