Taking the avian high ground

Ahead of the birding season, here is a pictorial presentation of what can enhance bird life at the Perumbakkam wetland

A wider view of the Perumbakkam wetland

Though separated from the Pallikaranai marsh by an IT-SEZ and a busy road, the Perumbakkam wetland is considered a part of it. Bird species associated with the marsh show up at the wetland, often in impressive numbers. Located on a reasonably wide road that branches off the IT Corridor, the wetland is marked by ease of access, which encourages many birders to stick only to it. This patronage should be adequate reason to introduce elements in the wetland that have been developed in the marsh over the years. Mounds have been created and trees planted on a section of the marsh found right behind the IT-SEZ in Sholinganallur. These elements enhance bird life. Dotted with barringtonia trees, the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary illustrates this fact very well.

Ahead of the birding season, I am presenting a few snapshots of avian life on the few mounds and shrubs found in the Perumbakkam wetland, hoping that this would make a successful case for having more of these.

A flock of Indian spotbilled ducks on a mound of earth. The birds are found through the year, and prefer to stay on dry ground in the middle of a wetland. When the water levels in a wetland go up, submerging the mounds, they will shift home – a case here for taller mounds.

 

 

 

In the Perumbakkam wetland, most shrubs seem to bemonopolised by cormorants. In their defence though, they are not averse to having visitors. This time, it is a blue-tailed bee eater.

 

 

The snakebird occupies the perch only to vacate it hurriedly when a bigger resident, a pelican, lays claim to it.

 

The snakebird occupies the perch only to vacate it hurriedly when a bigger resident, a pelican, lays claim to it.