Dear all:
Here is the preliminary report of the Bird survey at Kole wetlands held on 2nd
Jan 05. There was about 75 to 80 participants from different part of Kerala and
two from Banglore. There were seven base camps at Adat, Aranattukara, Enamavu,
Palakkal, Marancherry, Punnayurkulam (Uppungal I) and Uppungal II. These were
also the camps that was covered during the bird surveys done in 1992, 1993 and
1994.
When compared to the earlier surveys, the present survey indicated a decline in
the total number of birds as well as total number of species. While during the
last survey we counted around 85, 000 birds in 109 species, where as during the
present survey we could see only 40, 000 birds in 70 species! There has been
considerable reduction in the number of the ducks, herons, egrets and
cormorants.
On the positive side we counted around 2000 + Purple Moorhens as well as about
700+ Openbills. The Conservator of Forests, Central Circle has already deployed
forest watchers to different parts of Kole.
The survey was organised with the financial support from the Kerala State Forest
department and in collaboration with the Forestry College and NEST.

NAMEER

PO Nameer
Asst. Professor
Department of Wildlife Sciences
College of Forestry
Kerala Agricultural University
KAU(PO). 680 656. Thrissur.
Kerala. India.
& South Asian co-ordinator in situ for Conservation Breeding Specialist Group,
IUCN
Ph: + 91-487-2370 050 (Work); + 91-487-2373 106 (Home)
Mobile: + 938855 6966
Fax: + 91-487-2371 040
Email: trc_nameer@...


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