The arrival of a large number of birds to the water spread area of Mettur Dam at Pannavadi has brought cheer to the local people.
The presence of the birds of various varieties has brought much solace to the local people who are worried a lot due to the poor water level in the Mettur Dam.
According to V. Kalaiselvan, an active bird watcher who is teaching in the Neermullikuttai Panchayat Union Elementary School, a large number of wooly necked storks, browd headed gulls, painted storks, spot billed pelicans, Asian open billed stork, pond herons, little egret, great egret, cattle egret, yellow and white browed wagtails, black winged stilt are found in abundance in the Pannavadi area where water is found in the form of pools.
Of them, birds such as brown headed gull, yellow and while browed wagtails and sand pipers have arrived from foreign countries.
It is the painted storks which are found in large number compared to other winged visitors. More than 300 painted storks alone move in the water spread area, Mr. Kalaiselvan says.
The painted storks are often noticed in the beds of lakes and rivers. These birds live on the small fishes, frogs, and crabs available in the waters.
Mr. Kalaiselvan said that the presence of such a large number of winged visitors is a god given opportunity for the active bird watchers and research scholars to further study about them. He called upon the local residents not to disturb or harm these winged visitors.
