The first pre-monsoon pelagic bird survey, conducted jointly by the Kottayam Nature Society and the Forest Department off the Alappuzha coast, has recorded five species of pelagic birds, according organisers.
The survey of coastal birds was conducted as part of the ongoing Green Partnership Programme.
The birds include Flesh-footed Shearwater, Short-tailed Shearwater, Wilson’s Stormpetrel, Pomarine Skua, and Bridled Tern. According to P.S. Jinesh, team member, the sighting of Short tailed Shearwater and the unusual presence of Pomarine Skua were noteworthy.
The Short-tailed Shearwater is being recorded for the second time on Kerala coast and first time on Alappuzha coast. Unlike the Flesh-footed Shearwater, which is common in Kerala, Short tailed Shearwater is mostly seen in South East Asia and breeds on the Tasmanian coast and off the coast of South Australia. It is shorter in size and has thin, short, dark bills and steeper forehead. The presence of Pomarine Skua is also curious. The only specimen of the species was in adult breeding plumage. “Normally it breeds in far north of Eurasia and North America,” Dr Jinesh said.
The largest of the avian populations spotted was that of Flesh-footed Shearwater of which 111 specimens were identified. The survey also found 28 Bridled Tern while one each specimen of other species were spotted.
S. Prasanth Narayanan, A. Al Badush, K. Dipu, E.S. Praveen and Aneesh Sasidevan led the team.
