A group of early risers, armed to the teeth, were seen near a sprawling wetland nestled between a special economic zone on one side and educational institutions and residential projects on the other.
The pack were a group of over 25 nature enthusiasts, armed with their binoculars, cameras, pen and paper, taking part in a ‘Bird Walk’ organised by the Madras Naturalists’ Society on Sunday. Their targets were the feathered friends visiting Perumbakkam wetland. The two-hour bird walk along the wetland on Perumbakkam Main Road that links Sholinganallur and Medavakkam proved to be a worthy trip especially for the youngsters.
T.N.C. Vaageesh, a Class VII student in a city school, spotted a ruddy-breasted crake, chestnut-shouldered Petronia and spot-billed pelican. “I learnt that these birds, which primarily feed on insects found in bushes or on grassy patches, can no longer do so with increased demand for space that has eliminated such landscape which is now replaced with concrete paving. There is an urgent need for the Forest department to intervene,” said the worried young lad.
Honorary secretary of Madras Naturalists’ Society, G. Vijay Kumar, said: “As part of the Madras Week celebrations, we thought we could make people understand the Nature here and its trail. Thereby everyone could pitch in to protect the nature and environment.”
“We were lucky to spot a purple heron, spoonbills, painted storks, pheasant-tailed jacanas and yellow bitterns that belong to the heron family,” said Mr. Vijay Kumar. The group also spotted over 40 species of birds, including aquatic and raptors. While getting a thorough insight about the all of species’ way of life, the group also learnt about the threat posed to this wildlife hotspot.
According to a few visitors who have been regularly visiting the wetland, they were unable to spot as many birds this year and that the group aims to protect and preserve these wetlands that is nature’s gift to this city.
