The third and final phase of the synchronised Tamil Nadu Birds Census 2022, which will be held on March 26-27, would focus on terrestrial birds in all protected areas and places of significant bird habitats across the state, according to Shekhar Kumar Niraj, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, on Saturday, March 12.
The Forest Department has identified 15 wildlife sanctuaries, 16 bird sanctuaries and five national parks where the massive exercise would be taken up by over 40 institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and scientific and civil society groups, the Forest Department said. About a million birds of about 80 different species were sighted during the first synchronised Tamil Nadu Birds Census 2022 Phase-I conducted on January 28 and 29 in 13 coastal districts. A synchronised survey is done to get a roughly accurate estimate on the population of both resident and migratory water birds while looking at the species richness and species diversity and analyse the changing trends due to various environmental stressors.
Approximately 40,000 Greater Flamingos were registered in the state with the maximum in Point Calimere (about 20,000), followed by Valinokkam (10,000), Dhanushkodi (2,000), Thoothukudi (2,000), and Kanyakumari (600) besides those in other minor sites. Major congregations of waders, a number of uncommon species such as Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, duck congregations and large populations of terns were spotted.
The second phase conducted on February 12 and 13 covering 339 wetlands in 25 districts across the state, including the popular Vedanthangal sanctuary near here, was carried out to estimate the population of resident and migratory water birds. In the second phase, Tirunelveli district recorded the highest population of water birds with numbers exceeding 33,000 of 41 water bird species.