Rare migratory birds sighted during Pongal bird count

140 bird species recorded and more than 13,000 individual birds counted

The Pongal bird count organised by the Salem Ornithological Foundation evoked good response.Special ArrangementHandout_email

The fourth edition of Pongal bird count conducted in various parts of Salem district for four days evoked overwhelming response.

The bird count was coordinated by Salem Ornithological Foundation.

Students from various schools and colleges and teachers along with the general public enthusiastically participated.

In Mettur’s Pannavadi area, more than 700 Asian openbills, 1,000 Whiskered terns and several foreign migratory birds such as Northern pintail, Green-winged teal, 300 plus Brown-headed gulls, Rosy starlings, Garganey, Sandpipers, Reed warblers were recorded by a team of students hailing from Taramangalam block.

With the help of their teachers S. Senthil Kumar, V. Kalaiselvan and P. Rajangam, students of Panchayat Union Middle Schools in Krishnampudur and Thalavaipatty villages and Primary School in Neermullikuttai participated in large numbers in the event and learned about the need to protect birds.

In Kannankurichi Mookaneri Lake maintained by Salem Citizens Forum in the city, four female birders A.Vadivukkarasi, S. Divya, R. Suguna and S. Ida spotted rare birds such as Baillon’s crake, Yellow bittern, Paddy field warbler, Citrine wagtail and Streak-throated swallow.

Migratory birds such as Brown shrike, Ashy drongo, and Chestnut-tailed starling were sighted in Yercaud Foothills.

In four days, members of Salem Ornithological Foundation collectively recorded 140 bird species and counted more than 13,000 individual birds.

“The results of such bird counts will be very crucial to conserve them in the long run,” sources said.