The birds really rule the roost here

M.T. SHIVA KUMAR

Spot-billed Pelicans, Painted Storks and other species have started arriving at Kokkare Bellur

• Around Rs. 1.2lakh is given annually as relief to persons on whose property the birds nest
• ‘Kokkare Bellur may be given ‘Community Bird Sanctuary’ status to develop it’

Here again: More than 1,500 birds of several species
descend on Kokkare Bellur village in
Mandya district every year to nest.

Much to the delight of bird-watchers, several species of birds have started arriving at Kokkare Bellur, on the banks of the Shimsha, near Maddur, in the district.

Kokkare Bellur is among the 465 bird sites identified in the country by the Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN).

Around 300 Spot-billed Pelicans, nearly 1,100 Painted Storks as well as other species of birds have landed at Kokkare Bellur in the last few weeks, occupying around 140 trees.

‘Increase in numbers’

“There is a considerable increase in the number of migratory birds compared with last year,” G. Mahesh, Deputy Range Forest Officer (Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary), told The Hindu here on Tuesday.

The increase in the number of winged visitors had left bird-watchers elated, Mr. Mahesh said.

More than 1,500 birds of several species descend on the village every year to nest. Last year, around 800 Painted Storks visited the village. Kokkare Bellur is considered one of the safe places for pelicans in India with local people passionately safeguarding the birds.

According to local people, the birds have been coming to Kokkare Bellur to nest for several decades and depart with the onset of monsoon. The Forest Department has been requesting local residents not to harm the birds and not to cut or trim the branches of trees.

It distributes around Rs. 1.2 lakh annually as compensation to persons on whose property the birds nest.

For rescued chicks

The department has also hired a local person, P. Lokesh Kumar, to keep an eye on the movements of the birds and to protect chicks from stray dogs. An enclosure with a mesh has been established at the village where chicks that have fallen from their nests are taken care of.

Recently, he and some others rescued three chicks recently which are being looked after at the enclosure.

The village also attracts tourists from different parts of the country, Mr. Lokesh told The Hindu .

Meanwhile, according to Mr. Mahesh, the Forest Department is contemplating giving Kokkare Bellur ‘Community Bird Sanctuary’ status to develop it.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/the-birds-really-rule-the-roost-here/article4457339.ece

Agri pattern, poaching affect keep migratory bird arrivals

By T Ramavarman, TNN | Jan 17, 2013

KOCHI: The water bird count conducted at the Kole wetlands of Thrissur has found a significant dip in arrival of birds this year, compared to the last two years.

Kole wetlands had been declared 'Ramsar Site' or wetlands of international importance, as it is one of the globally recognized areas that see noticeable bird movements and is rich in biodiversity.

The survey was conducted as part of the Asian Water-bird Census, with support from the Kerala state forest department, Indian Bird Conservation Network, Kerala Birder and College of Forestry.

"A total of 30,764 birds were counted this year. This is about 16,000 birds less than the 46,002 counted in 2012, and about 7,000 birds less than the count of 37,742 in 2011,'' PO Nameer, head of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), who led the survey team told TOI.

Dr Nameer, however, observed such fluctuations in bird population have shown in past annual surveys as well, hence there was no need for undue anxiety over this.

"Kole fields have been witnessing changes in the cropping periods according to the water availability. This could be one of the reasons that has caused fluctuations in bird arrivals. There have been reports of poaching incidents in the area, and we must be vigilant about this,'' Nameer said.

Indian Pond Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Great Egret, Lesser Whistling Duck, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Asian Openbill and Whiskered Tern are some of the birds that have shown a decline in their arrival trend this year.

On the brighter side, the survey team located two vulnerable species -- Indian Spotted Eagle (Aquila hastate) and Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga). There has been a steady increase in the population of the near-endangered Oriental Darter, from 148 in 2011 to 163 in 2012 to 189 this year, Nameer said. Other threatened birds sighted at Kole this year included Black-tailed Godwit, Painted Stork and Black-headed Ibis.

About 100 birdwatchers participated in the counting conducted at 10 places in Kole.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/Agri-pattern-poaching-affect-keep-migratory-bird-arrivals/articleshow/18055138.cms