Over 60 wetland birds sighted

Kochi: Egrets, herons, water hens, kingfishers, kites and cormorants were among 60 of the species sighted at the annual Kochi Wetland Bird Count, the annual census undertaken by the Cochin Natural History Society (CNHS) and Kerala Forest Department.
The yearly exercise covered six major wetlands in Ernakulam, including Kadamakkudy and Devaswom Padam in Varapuzha area; and Kandakkadavu, Kalathara and Kuthirakoor Kari in Thoppumpady area.
Over 20 ornithologists and numerous nature lovers scoured these areas from 6.30am to catch a glimpse of their favourite waterfowl species and record the same.
The wetland bird count, which began in 1987, is being conducted as part of the Asian Waterfowl Census. "The idea behind starting such a census is to obtain information of water bird populations on an annual basis during the non-breeding period (January). It also helps to monitor the status and condition of wetlands and promote conservation," said Vishnupriyan Kartha K, the secretary of CNHS.
In Varapuzha area alone, the society was able to count over 2,000 birds on Sunday morning.
Water birds are indicators of the quality of certain types of wetlands as they are sensitive to subtle changes in the environment. "Major wetland and wetland-dependent birds such as little egrets, cattle egrets, intermediate egrets, great egrets, purple heron, grey heron, white-breasted water hen, little cormorants, brahminy kite, kingfishers, common sandpiper were found at all the wetlands. All these wetlands are facing various threats such as construction of roads, dumping of waste, illegal filling, waste water and loss of agriculture," he said.
"As these wetlands act as a water bowl of the Ernakulam district, the government and civil society need to take urgent steps to conserve them. An event like the annual bird count will help give a better idea about the condition of wetlands and the flora and fauna of the region," he added.