Winged sightings in city boroughs

CHENNAI: Green Bee Eater, Indian Golden Oriole, Black Drongo, and White-throated Kingfisher have emerged as common birds found in Ambattur, Korattur, Tambaram, Red Hills and Madhanapakkam during the first-of-its-kind terrestrial birds’ survey taken up in greater Chennai covering the city, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur areas.

The data has thrown diversified details bringing a better understanding for bird watchers and conservationists in the city, opined KVRK Thirunaranan, founder, The Nature Trust.

“In the Madhanapakkam beat in Tambaram that comprises small patches of reserve forests and scrub jungle, recorded a maximum of 47 species of terrestrial birds ranging from common crow to Oriental Honey Buzzard,” he said. As expected, Vandalur beat that supports patches of reserve forests and hillocks recorded 30-40 species of terrestrial birds that are endemic to the locality.

As part of the census, lakes in Ambattur and Korattur were also covered and the Puzhal area was also documented. Most of these areas do support birdlife but they’re not documented in detail. “For example, close examination of Kingfishers and Indian Rollers will help policymakers to ascertain the pollution level in water bodies and the city backyards,” observed techie turned seasoned bird watcher N Balaji.

“The sighting in Red Hills was encouraging; it was an opportunity to record the terrestrial birds for TN Forest Department. We usually participate in the wetland bird census counting migratory birds, but this is closer to us as these birds are found residing along with residents inside the concrete city,” said bird watcher R Narayanan.

Apart from the daily routine, the sighting and recording of Red-vented and White-browed Bulbul were a visual delight. “We could only record some of their calls but we couldn’t see them,” said S Hemanth Kumar, a bird watcher from north Chennai.

White-throated kingfisher dominated the Ambattur lake, and a few Tailor birds were also documented in Ambattur, recalled A Udayakumar of Nature Trust.