Arrival of rare birds excites nature lovers

MALAPPURAM: The Mavoor wetland region near Chaliyar River is turning out to be a favourite spot for rare species of birds. The dawn-to-dusk survey organized by a collective of environmental groups in Malappuram and Kozhikode in association with the Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS) on February 12 found the rare water bird Oriental Darters apart from thirty other species of birds.
The Indian Darters (Anhinga Melanogaster), also called snakebirds, is classified as near-threatened by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The team said they spotted nearly 20 Indian Darters from different parts of the wetland.
Dr Jafar Palott of Western Ghats Regional Centre of Zoological Survey of India, who was also a member of survey team, said the south Asian bird is rare. "They are considered threatened with extinction, although it does not currently qualify for that status. The darters inhabit fresh water lakes, rivers, marshes, and swamps," he said.
The team also spotted a group of more than 2,000 Cotton Teals, small perching ducks commonly found in still freshwater lakes or rain-filled ditches, in the marsh lands of Mavoor and Kalppalli region. Jafar said it can be the largest group of Cotton Teals ever seen in the state.
Another rare species Bronze- Winged Jacana (Thamarakkozhi) were also spotted during the survey. More than 1,000 Gargeni, 500 Whiskered Terns, Open Bill Stork, Purple Heron, and Grey Heron were also spotted by the team. The participants included young enthusiasts, teachers, social activists and nature lovers. The teams spent the entire day logging details of the birds across Mavoor, Kalppalli, Oorkadavu, Vazhakkadu, Kanniparambu, Thengilakkadavu, and Cherooppa.
The members of the group said the filling of the wetlands pose a threat to the migratory birds in the region. Muhammed Ali Vazhakkad, a nature lover who was part of the survey team, said Mavoor and Vazhakad regions have become a major bird-watching centre in Kerala, and the authorities should take steps to protect the region.