5 months ago
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The Red-necked Phalarope (locally known arsenic Pamparakkada) has been recorded for the archetypal clip successful Thrissur’s offshore waters during the 2025 Pelagic Bird Survey conducted jointly by the Kerala Forest department’s Social Forestry Division and the Kole Birders Collective.
The survey, carried retired connected November 30, covered a 41-nautical-mile deep-sea way disconnected the Chavakkad coast. A 25-member squad spent implicit 10 hours successful the Arabian Sea and documented 37 vertebrate species, including 11 pelagic species. The expedition was led by birdwatchers Sreekumar K. Govindankutty, Subin K.S., Latheesh R. Nath, Manoj Karingamuttom and others.
A uncommon sighting astatine sea
The calm voyage turned bonzer erstwhile the squad spotted the Red-necked Phalarope for the archetypal time. For astir members, it was a first-in-lifetime sighting. Initially, 1 vertebrate was identified; soon after, groups of 7 and 5 appeared—bringing the full sighted to 13.
Red-necked Phalaropes are singular long-distance migrants susceptible of flying astir 6,000 km without stopping. They tin stay connected h2o for days, spinning similar a tiny whirlpool — ’pambaram’ — to disturbance up tiny food and micro-organisms from the surface. The sanction Pamparakkada is derived from this spinning behaviour. The taxon breeds successful Arctic, North American and Eurasian regions and walk winters successful tropical oceans, occasionally straying into Kerala’s offshore waters.
According to the eBird database, this is the 449th vertebrate taxon recorded from Thrissur district. Earlier this year, the taxon was besides reported from inland wetlands successful Palakkad and Kottayam.
Other pelagic taxon recorded
The survey squad besides documented Arctic Skua (Mulvalan Skua), Pomarine Skua (Karandivalan), Pallas’s Gull and Heuglin’s Gull, Lesser Crested Tern and Greater Crested Tern.
The survey was led by Thrissur Social Forestry Division adjunct conservator of forests K. Manoj, scope wood serviceman Viji P. Varghese and scope conception wood serviceman Pramod A.D.
The expedition received enactment from the Thrissur Fisheries lawman director, Chavakkad Coastal Police, Munakkakadavu Harbour vessel unit and birdwatchers of the Kole Birders Collective.
