Second edition of Puducherry Bird Atlas records 33,000 birds, 174 species

The second edition of the Puducherry Bird Atlas documents 33,000 birds across 174 species, highlighting regional ecological diversity.

The second edition of the ‘Puducherry Bird Atlas’, a bird-mapping exercise in and around the Puducherry-Villupuram-Auroville-Cuddalore (PVAC) bioregion, concluded recently with over 33,000 individual birds belonging to 174 bird species recorded during the survey.

The survey was organised by Svarnim, Sri Aurobindo Society, with the support of several expert birdwatchers and volunteers. As many as 25 birdwatchers from different parts of the country joined the effort, demonstrating the growing interest in community-driven biodiversity documentation.

The survey followed the first edition of the Puducherry Bird Atlas conducted from December 25 to 28, marking an important continuation of systematic bird monitoring in the region. As many as 171 species were recorded during the first season.

The four-day survey brought together birdwatchers, researchers, students, and citizen scientists to document the region’s avifaunal diversity through a coordinate, grid-based survey.

Oriental Pratincole sighted during the second season of the Puducherry Bird Atlas. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

“During the survey period, participants carried out systematic morning and evening field sessions, covering wetlands, agricultural landscapes, scrublands, urban habitats, and coastal areas. The initiative followed a scientific atlas methodology to ensure uniform survey effort and reliable data collection,” said T.P. Raghunath of Svarnim Puducherry.