Tamirabharani Waterbird Count spots over 21,000 birds of 69 species

The precocious conducted Tamirabharani Waterbird Count successful 68 irrigation tanks successful Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi districts with the assistance of 250 volunteers has led to the spotting of implicit 21,000 waterbirds of 69 species.

The perennial Tamirabharani stream and its tributaries, which collectively signifier the lifeline of the confederate districts of Tamil Nadu by invigorating agriculture, are besides location to respective taxon of waterbirds, some home and migratory. The centuries-old irrigation strategy associated with the Tamirabharani stream continuously supplies h2o for irrigation done a web of canals and irrigation tanks, earning the portion the rubric of the ‘Rice vessel of confederate Tamil Nadu’.

The tanks crossed these districts relation arsenic captious habitats for wetland birds and collectively enactment astir 100 vertebrate species, of which much than 30 are migratory and get from antithetic parts of the world.

With the nonsubjective of promoting conservation of waterbirds and their habitats, the Tamirabharani Waterbird Count (TWC) has been conducted annually since 2011 by the ATREE’s Agasthyamalai Community Conservation Centre (ACCC) with progressive information from section voluntary organisations and the wide public.

This year, the workout was jointly organised by the Agasthyamalai Community Conservation Centre, Manimutharu, District Science Centre, Tirunelveli, Nellai Nature Club, Tirunelveli, Pearlcity Nature Society, Thoothukudi, and the Tamil Nadu Science Forum, Tenkasi. The survey was conducted from January 23 to 25 crossed 68 irrigation tanks successful Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi. Over 250 volunteers, divided into 8 teams, participated successful the survey with guidance from vertebrate experts.

Survey findings

A full of 21,091 wetland birds belonging to 69 taxon were recorded from the 68 irrigation tanks. The highest vertebrate abundance was observed astatine Kadambakulam successful Thoothukudi territory with 2,292 birds of 45 species, followed by Vellur Kaspa (1,804 birds, 39 species), Perungulam (1,531 birds, 39 species), Gangaikondan vessel successful Tirunelveli territory (1,232 birds, 32 species), and Melputhukudi Spring (1,217 birds, 35 species).

Among idiosyncratic species, Little Cormorant recorded the highest numbers with 2,579 individuals, followed by Eurasian Coot (2,155), the migratory Whiskered Tern (1,148), Glossy Ibis (1,107), Pheasant-tailed Jacana (1,095), and the migratory Barn Swallow (1,093).

“More than 36% of the recorded birds were migratory species, utilizing the Central Asian Flyway, which connects breeding grounds successful bluish Eurasia with wintering wetlands successful South Asia, including India. The Tamirabharani irrigation tanks enactment arsenic important habitats for these migratory birds. A full of 8,912 migratory birds were recorded, including the adjacent threatened Black-tailed Godwit, and migratory duck taxon specified arsenic Bar-headed Goose, Northern Pintail, Garganey, and Eurasian Wigeon,” said M. Mathivanan, coordinator, TWC.

Active breeding was observed successful respective irrigation tanks, including the tanks successful Vadakku Kazhuvur, Gangaikondan, Manur, and Maranthai successful Tirunelveli territory and Vagaikulam successful Tenkasi district. Species specified arsenic Spot-billed Pelican, Black-headed Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Oriental Darter, Indian Shag, Little Cormorant, and Asian Openbill were observed breeding.

Thoothukudi district, lodging sprawling larger irrigation tanks, supported higher vertebrate abundance and taxon richness. In the 2026 TWC, Thoothukudi territory accounted for 51% of full vertebrate abundance and 80% of taxon diversity, underlining the value of ample irrigation tanks for some nonmigratory and migratory waterbirds.

‘Threats persist’

“Several threats proceed to impact these captious habitats, including coagulated discarded dumping, liquor depletion on vessel bunds and bathing ghats, invasive works and food species, and sewage intrusion successful municipality tanks. These issues airs superior risks to waterbird habitats and necessitate urgent absorption interventions,” Mr. Mathivanan said.

The irrigation tanks service arsenic wintering grounds, wherever migratory birds walk respective months feeding and resting, and besides arsenic stopover sites that let birds to replenish vigor during agelong migratory journeys. The nonaccomplishment oregon degradation of these wetlands would disrupt planetary migratory routes. Therefore, the protection, restoration, and sustainable absorption of irrigation tanks are indispensable for the semipermanent conservation of waterbirds, helium observed.