A recent three-day survey has indicated the presence of closer to 10 per cent of the forest bird population in general and 24 species of raptors, including three species of vultures, along the Greater Moyar area encompassing Nilgiris (North) and Sathyamangalam divisions.
Initiated by Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore, I. Awardeen, a team under the guidance of S. Balachandran, Deputy Director of Bombay Natural History Society, and headed by S. Chandrasekaran of Madras Naturalists Society and C. Sashi Kumar of Malabar Natural History Society conducted the survey from February 20 to 23.
The survey was conducted from both ends, i.e. Masinagudi for Nilgiris (N) and Sathyamangalam for Sathyamangalam. Ten camps from each end was pitched to cover areas lying in between these reserves so that all representative zones are covered and almost typical raptor zones are scanned, says Mr. Chandrasekaran. Though some work had been done earlier by different NGOs, there was no focus on raptors or birds of prey and their relation with the habitat. The preliminary survey intends to bring forth such correlation, he added. Raptors are apex predators among avian species and their presence is an indication of a healthy habitat and presence of prey base. Focus was on vultures, which are in the red-data list of International Union for Conservation of Nature, especially when presence of Diclofenac threatened the vulture population. The results are quite encouraging and many important facts related to management and conservation of keystone species like vultures are emerging.
Totally around 24 species of raptors are seen in this biotope (some are being identified) supporting the view that this is a paradise for raptors. Twenty-four species in three sessions and in a hostile terrain is a good number, he pointed out.
The earlier sporadic surveys indicated very low numbers of Long-billed vultures, whereas it is established it is not so as 15 numbers were recorded now. The numbers of King or Red-Headed vultures is low and their nests were not located, perhaps due to short time and inability to scan thoroughly, he added.
The White Rumped vultures seem to be stabilising in the area, as their nests are seen almost all along Moyar valley and seem to re-establishing in old sites like Araikadavu, and Mangalapatti, apart from traditional sites like Jagulikadavu and Siriyur.
The nest count comes around 35 and active nests are around 10, even in the fag end of nesting season. The roosting site survey has confirmed about 65 plus White Rumped vultures. To avoid duplicity and ensure near accuracy, sightings were mapped using the numbers on one axis and timings on the other axis.
The raptors sighted now include; White-Rumped vulture (Gyps Bengelensis), Red-Necked or King vulture (Sarcogyps Calvus), Longbilled vulture (gyps indicus) and 21 other raptors.
Mr. Anwardeen said that findings of such surveys are always a tool for the Forest Department to plan its interventions in securing the habitat and improving and reorienting the wildlife management practices.