The Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS) and the Kerala Birders jointly organised a survey of shorebirds and seabirds in North Kerala on September 21 and 22.
The survey covered the Muzhappilangad beach here and the Thaikadappuram estuary in Kasaragod. Over 30 birdwatchers from various parts of the country participated in the survey, a press release said.
On the first day of the survey on Muzhappilangad beach, they spotted 30 species of migratory birds, including Pectoral sandpiper and Caspian plover, which, the press release said, were reported for the first time in the State.
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Previously the sighting of Pectoral sandpiper was reported only from the Harike wetland in Punjab. Caspian plover has been reported earlier from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, it added.
A separate group of birdwatchers who were not part of the survey also claimed to have sighted Caspian plover at Madayipara and Pectoral sandpiper.
The birds were sighted by bird watchers P.C. Rajeevan, Khaleel Chovva and Jayan Thomas.
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The sighting of the birds calls for the protection of the ecologically sensitive and fragile Madayippara, Dr. Chovva said adding that the area was frequented by many rare migratory birds.
The birdwatchers who participated in the survey ventured into the sea from the estuary on the second day of the survey.
They spotted 13 seabirds. A dead specimen of Cory’s Shearwater was also spotted from the coast, the release said adding that the species was first reported in India.
Birdwatchers J. Praveen, Dipu Kuttedathu, Manoj Tiwari, Jaffer Palot, K.V. Uthaman and K. Praveen Kumar were among those who participated in the survey.