Tamirabharani Waterbird Count to record both domestic and migratory waterbirds Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi will be conducted from February 15 to 17

The 14th Tamirabharani Waterbird Count will take place from February 15 to 17. The purpose of the annual event is to identify and record both domestic and migratory waterbirds that visit the water bodies in the districts of Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi. Together with financial support from Brakes India and Sundaram Finance, ATREE's Agathyamalai Community Conservation Centre, Manimutharu; Nellai Nature Club, Tirunelveli; Pearl City Nature Society, Thoothukudi; and Pushpalata Educational Centre, Tirunelveli, are organising this cooperative event.

In addition to supporting agriculture, the perennial Tamirabharani river in the districts of Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Thoothukudi also creates a rice bowl and banana basket in southern Tamil Nadu with its tributaries and irrigation tanks. With over 100 different kinds of waterbirds in the Tamirabharani environment, these tanks serve as wintertime havens for a myriad of migrating birds and ducks. While the Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary is the epicentre of bird viewing in the Tirunelveli district, thousands of species depend on many other ponds in the southern districts as their primary home. The trees that encircle the very polluted Nainarkulam pond in Tirunelveli nevertheless serve as breeding sites for Darter and Grey Heron, while every year, pelicans and ibises nest in the tanks at Vadakku Kazhuvoor and Gangaikondan.

In the Tenkasi district, the Rajagopalaperi and Vagaikulam ponds are flourishing breeding grounds, while in the Thoothukudi district, the Rajavallipuram, Kalkurichi, and Kuppaikurichi tanks, as well as the Perungulam, Vellur, Kadambaakulam, and Nallur tanks, are teeming with migratory species. A pond is fertile if there are many of birds in it.

This study, which has been going on since 2011, tries to preserve and maintain these ponds by avoiding their destruction and guaranteeing appropriate management. Local residents have actively participated in the survey.

Volunteers and specialists on birds are welcome to participate in TWC 2024. Apply online at https://forms.gle/U9BEncWns5fowJ3z8 to register. A. Thanigaivel may be reached by phone at 94429 65315 or by email at [email protected] with any more questions. The deadline for registration is February 14. The organisers claim that by taking part, you will help to preserve and improve both our beloved ponds and the variety of birds that call them home.

The waterbird census in the districts of Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi will take place on February 16 and 17, after volunteer orientation on February 15 at 2:30 p.m. in Pushpalata School, Palayamkottai, according to M. Mathivanan, Coordinator, TWC 2024.