It was a busy October for birdwatchers in Tiruchi as some species show up after 50 years
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Long-tailed Shrike | Photo Credit: S. Harish Sundhar
Paddyfield Warbler. | Photo Credit: S. Harish Sundhar
Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler | Photo Credit: S. Harish Sundhar
Dark sided Flycatcher. | Photo Credit: S. Harish Sundhar
A wide range of migratory birds visited Tiruchi district in October, with some being spotted here after 50 years, showing the potential of the region’s varied landscape as an avian haven.
Birdwatcher S. Harish Sundhar, a postgraduate in Environmental Science from Tiruchi, recorded uncommon to rare migratory birds such as Eurasian Wryneck, Siberian Stonechat, Paddyfield Warbler, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, and Richard’s Pipit in the past month.
“I recorded sighting a Long-tailed Shrike on October 17. According to available historical records on eBird, the species had previously been documented only twice in Tiruchi, on January 23 and February 6, 1975, both at Umaiyalpuram. The latest sighting represents the third documented occurrence in the district and the first recorded since February 1975, after more than 51 years,” Mr. Sundhar told The Hindu.
October also saw the first documented district records of three species: Bank Swallow on October 11, Dark-sided Flycatcher on October 12, and Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler on October 17.
A broader regional compilation indicates that Tiruchi district plays host to over 300 bird species, largely due to its geographical diversity.
“Wetland and aquatic habitats around Tiruchi support an array of wintering birds. The Bank Swallow, for instance, was recorded at Kiliyur Lake, on October 11. Other notable species recorded at the lake included Greater Spotted Eagle, Osprey, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, and Western Marsh Harriers. These observations highlight the lake’s importance as a habitat supporting a diverse assemblage of migratory waterbirds and raptors,” said Mr. Sundhar.
Variations in avian migration patterns are an indicator of long-term climate change that need greater study. “Though grasslands and other wooded areas are slowly getting swallowed up by urban development, they are an important habitat for birds and other small animals. Tiruchi district’s birdwatching enthusiasts should make an effort to document and report the various bird species and publish a pictorial guide. This will help us to conserve our natural environment for future generations as well,” said Justus Joshua, senior fellow, Indian Regional Association for Landscape Ecology.
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