During the pre-bird census earlier this month, 17,565 birds of 47 species were sighted
The Villupuram Forest Department will conduct a two-day annual bird census on January 28 and 29 at Kazuveli Bird Sanctuary in Villupuram district and Yedayanthittu estuary and Osudu Bird Sanctuary in adjoining areas.
The annual census will be conducted by the Forest Department in coordination with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and technical assistance from Universal Eco Foundation and Indigenous Biodiversity Foundation (IBF), a non-profit organisation.
According to District Forest Officer Sumesh Soman, a 50-member team of volunteers from colleges in Mayiladuthurai and Tiruchi districts and students of Pondicherry University will conduct the census on January 28 and 29 from 6 am to 10 am.
“Participants will be divided into groups and will conduct census together in Kazuveli Sanctuary, Yedayanthittu estuary and Osudu Bird Sanctuary. We have planned 12 transact lines, including eight in Kazuveli and two each in Edyanthittu and Osudu,” he said.
Representatives from institutions such as Federal Bank will also join as volunteers. Each group will consist of at least one subject matter expert, and the data will be recorded in a scientific manner.
The census will also cover important bird areas adjacent to the sanctuaries and will be conducted as per international norms. A forest department official said the data would be compiled in two days.
Mr. Soman said that on January 14 and 15, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) scientist Dr. S. During the pre-bird census conducted by a team led by Balachandran, about 17,565 birds of 47 species were sighted in Kazuveli.
The highest numbers were of ruff (10,000), followed by blue-tailed godwits and sand plovers during the pre-bird census.
Last year, more than 25,000 birds of 57 species were sighted in the sanctuary.
Inland water birds will be included in the second phase of bird census while the third phase will cover terrestrial birds. The official said that the dates for this will be finalized soon.
,