Bird census at Ranganathittu on March 4

The first ever bird census at Ranganathittu will be conducted by the Forest Department in association with Mysore Bird Watchers’ Group on Sunday to create a scientific database of the bird population in the sanctuary.

Ranganathittu was declared a bird sanctuary owing to the initiative of ornithologist Salim Ali who noted that the six islets supported a huge bird population. He succeeded in getting the area declared a sanctuary in 1940.

But the Forest Department does not have comprehensive and scientific data on the bird population and it now intends to make it a regular exercise every season. Deputy Conservator of Forests V. Yedukondalu said the census will be taken out every year in February, May, August, and November (four times a year) as the sanctuary is frequented by different species during different seasons.

“We want to ascertain the bird species and their preferred season when they come to roost and nestle here,” he said.

In addition, the type of vegetation preferred by the birds will also be scientifically documented. “We may not know the preferred vegetation type of a particular species and may ignore its conservation. This study will help us ascertain the vegetation and the kind of landscape the birds prefer for survival and breeding,” the official said.

2018 will be used as the base year and nearly 50 birdwatchers from Bengaluru, Mysuru and other parts of the country will participate in the census. A workshop will be conducted in connection with the census at Aranya Bhavan here at 3.30 p.m. on Saturday.