Pongal Bird Count

It’s that time of the year when forested areas are aflutter with the high-pitched sounds of the wispy little greenish warbler and the guttural teek teek of the Indian blue robin. As many as 300 plus bird species have been documented across Tamil Nadu during the Pongal Bird Count coordinated by the Tamil Birders Network and Bird Count India. “For example, they should know about stopover of birds like Pacific golden plover and why we have to ensure that our lakes are clean with abundant greenery for such unique visitor.” Kalaiselvan V, Salem Government school teacher, executive member of Salem Ornithological Foundation With over a decade’s experience in bird watching, Kalaiselvan travelled 538 kilometres covering 20 blocks in the district for three days and recorded 130 species on ebird. “Our aim is to build a team, spark an interest and create opportunities like Pongal Bird Count to meet and network,” explains Vinod. In Kanniyakumari, coastal areas are urbanised with coconut groves or settlements which may have forced the bird to explore the forest to build a nest.” The team documented resident birds like Asian fairy-blue bird, racket-tailed drongos, Jerdon’s leafbird, orange minivet in good numbers.