During the Thamirabarani Waterbird Count, 24,000 birds were seen

The 14th edition of the Thamirabarani Waterbird Count (TWC), which took place between February 16 and 18, had 24,207 birds of 66 species sighted. The majority of the bird sightings were in tanks receiving inflows from the Thamirabarani River.

The Agasthyamalai Community Conservation Centre (ACCC) of ATREE, the Pearl City Nature Trust, the Nellai Nature Club Trust, and the Pushpalata Educational Center coordinated TWC 2024. About 150 people, divided into seven teams, enthusiastically took part in the extensive Asian survey conducted in 57 tanks in the districts of Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi.

According to TWC organizer Mathivanan, the number of birds seen during the TWC sets an amazing record for the Thamirabarani area, which recently experienced significant flooding.

With over 4,861 birds sighted, the resident species of the egret family—the Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Medium Egret, and Large Egret—dominated the count. In addition to these, 4,245 migratory duck species were sighted, including the Northern Pintail, Bar-headed Geese, and Eurasian Wigeon, which fly in from European and Asian nations.

3,039 Little Cormorants, Indian Shag, and Oriental Darter were seen among the native Cormorant species.

At Kuppaikurichi Tank in Tirunelveli district, volunteers saw the most number of birds (2,005), followed by 1,094 at Vijayanarayanam, 1,050 at Arumugamangalam in Thoothukudi district, and 1,037 at Vijaya Achampadu in Tirunelveli district.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list lists the Black-tailed Godwit as a near-threatened species. Mathivanan described the sighting of 450 birds of this species in Kuppaikurichi tank as a noteworthy record. The birds fly in from Europe.

Several tanks have been identified as nesting grounds for birds such as the Black-headed Ibis, Oriental Darter, Indian Shag, Little Cormorant, Asian Openbill, and Grey Heron. These tanks include the Gangaikondan, Nainarkulam, and Rajavallipuram in the Tirunelveli district, and Vagaikulam and Rakagopalaperi in the Tenkasi district.

The absence of nesting locations in Thirupani Chettikulam and Nallur pond in Thoothukudi, where these birds are often seen, shocked the volunteers. At Nallur Tank, a Spot-billed Pelican’s nest was seen.

“According to Mathivanan, the Thoothukudi area was severely damaged by the unusually heavy rainfall and the ensuing floods, which caused tanks to burst and become empty. “Water was allowed into the tanks by the public works department after the repair of the breaches. The birds did not nest in the Thoothukudi area this year because the tanks were not full, he said.

“The rain and flooding also resulted in a marked decrease in the number of birds in the Thoothukudi area. The food supply for the birds was also restricted when tanks spilled or burst, he said.

In addition to natural calamities, Mathivanan, who has been keeping track of bird counts for the last 14 years, said that inappropriate garbage dumping, sewage water drainage, and the abuse of tanks for anti-social activities were all seen at many tanks.

The volunteers urged the government to enact a comprehensive and integrated management plan for the next five years in order to prioritize the protection of tanks and keep them clean in honor of World Wildlife Day, which is commemorated on March 3.