Greater flamingos linger in Nemmeli salt pans

Greater flamingos, usually seen successful Tamil Nadu’s coastal wetlands lone from the commencement of the ‘winter’ months, person already been observed astatine the abandoned brackish pans successful Nemmeli, disconnected East Coast Road (ECR).

The unused brackish pans clasp shallow, saline waters that enactment algae and tiny invertebrates — perfect feeding conditions for flamingos. On September 27, astir 100 to 200 flamingos were reportedly contiguous successful the area. These birds typically migrate from the Rann of Kutch successful Gujarat, and besides Central Asia, and are commonly seen successful different wetland sites similar Muttukadu, Odiyur, Kelambakkam, and astir famously successful Pulicat.

Nemmeli has besides truthful acold attracted respective different migratory shorebirds including Caspian terns, black-tailed godwits, lesser soil plovers, curlew sandpipers, and communal sandpiper. Shorebirds are typically the archetypal to get and past to permission during the migratory play betwixt October and April.

K.V.R.K. Thirunaranan of The Nature Trust, who has been documenting birds successful Nemmeli for implicit a decade, said helium was pleasantly amazed to spot the flamingos linger connected beyond May-June, the months erstwhile they usually permission their migratory grounds successful and astir the city. “It could beryllium due to the fact that this spot has bully tidal flow, which ensures a dependable proviso of food,” helium noted.

Flamingos provender by filtering nutrient from h2o utilizing their uniquely adapted, down-curved bills. Their pinkish colouration comes from carotenoid pigments successful the algae and crustaceans they consume.

According to Mr. Thirunaranan, the continued beingness of flamingos, adjacent extracurricular the accustomed season, signals that the tract holds ecological value. However, with increasing encroachment, integrative waste, and operation debris successful the area, conservationists pass that this situation could beryllium mislaid without ceremonial protection.