FIELD REPORT

Birds census techniques and study of selective shore fauna

Duration of field visits:

The fieldtrip was started on 03 rd October 2024 and ended on 06th October 2024 with
13 students and 3 staff incharges. The fieldwork was divided into 3 sessions. Each day has a
different session on different topics based on the wetland birds and fauna Organised by Dr. S.
Jayakumar and Coordinated by Dr. K. S. Abirami and Dr. S. Balasubramanian.
Session 1:
Date:04th October 2024.
Place: Vaduvur Birds Sanctuary.
Introduction:
We used train to reach Mayiladuthurai to Mannargudi. We started our journey by
05:30pm from Mayiladuthurai junction and reached Mannargudi by 08:30pm of 03 rd October
2024. We finished our dinner, and we reached Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary by that night. The
forest department has facilitated us with accommodation and food .They also provide us with
sufficient equipment for our study like binoculars and telescope. On 04 th October 2024
morning by 06:00am we all gathered and went for birding to learn some methods estimate the
population of birds. The methods and outcome of that part is discussed below. After
completing birding by 09:15am, we had our breakfast, and the department had arranged a
small orientation programme on behalf of the Wildlife Week October 2024 on the topic of
Safeguarding the nature. They have conducted some competition like drawing, essay writing
and poem writing based on wildlife. DFO and range officer had given a brief talk on the
importance of wildlife and what we can do to conserve the wildlife? After them Dr. S.
Jayakuram had given us an idea about the relationship between ancient Tamil literature and
wildlife. All the speakers inspired us to conserve and safeguard the nature. Once the
programme had finished, we all thanked them for providing us such a good opportunity and
we left Vaduvur Birds Sancutary by 12:00pm.
Objective:
In session 1, we visited Vaduvur Bird Sanctury along with Dr. S. Jayakumar. The objective of
this visit is detailed below,
 To learn identification of birds.
 To estimate the population of birds using methods like point count, total count.
 To understand the social behaviour of the birds.
 To observe the huddles faced by the birds because of the human acts.
 To know some acts and laws of Indian Wildlife.
Methodology:
As it is a migratory season, the wetland is almost received a large number of migratory birds.
We have learned and practised to identify the birds and to estimate the population of birds
using total count method with the help of binocular and telescope. We have divided whole
area where birds used to roost, forage, etc, into three grids and each started to count the
specific bird which are roosting, foraging and flying.
Results:
We have estimated the population of birds in Vaduvur Birds Sanctuary. The rain is bit less for
this season, but still the birds population is higher now than the previous year. Below is the
list of birds which we have spotted in VBS.
 (a) Group of birds resting

(b) Oriental Darter (c) Diversity of water birds

 S.No Common Name Scientific Name
1 Glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus
2 Black headed ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus
3 Open bill stork Anastomus oscitans
4 Spot-billed duck Anas poecilorhyncha
5 Indian cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
6 Red wattled lapwing Vanellus indicus
7 Brahminy kite Haliastur indus
8 Lesser whiskered tern Chlidonias hybrida
9 Oriental darter Anhinga melanogaster
10 Pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis
11 Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis
12 Black kite Milvus migrans
13 White throated kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
14 Little egret Egretta garzetta
15 Black winged stilt Himantopus himantopus
16 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
17 Night heron Nycticorax nycticorax
18 Grey heron Ardea cinerea
19 Rose ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri
20 Common coot Fulica atra
21 Pond heron Ardeola grayii
22 Rufous treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda
23 Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
24 Black Drango Dicrurus macrocercus
25 White browed wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis
26 Wire tailed swallow Hirundo smithii
27 Little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
28 Lesser whistling duck Dendrocygna javanica
29 Fulvous whistling duck Dendrocygna bicolor
30 Intermediate egret Ardea intermedia
31 Jungle crow Corvus macrorhynchos
32 Palm swift Cypsiurus balasiensis
33 House crow Corvus splendens
34 Purple sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus
35 Common hawk cuckoo Hierococcyx varius
36 Brahminy starling Sturnia pagodarum
37 Green bee-eater Merops orientalis
38 Blue tailed bee-eater Merops philippinus
39 Indian peacock Pavo cristatus
40 Ashy wood swallow Artamus fuscus
41 Blue faced malkoha Haenicophaeus viridirostris
42 Wood sandpiper Tringa glareola
43 Purple heron Ardea purpurea
44 Black tailed godwit Limosa limosa
The population of the Glossy ibis is the highest of all, they are around 4,000. Next to that
black headed ibis are up to 3,000 individuals. The overall population of birds of VBS in
October 2024 is around 8,000 individuals of 43 species.
Session 2:
Date:05th October 2024
Place: Muthupet Mangrove Forest

Introduction:
We took bus from Vaduvur to Udayamarthandapuram and reached there around
04:00 pm on 04th October 2024. We stayed at the accommodation provided by the forest
department at Udayamarthandapuram. On 05 th October 2024 at 06:30 am, we all gathered and
went to Muthupet along with Mr. Srinivasan forester of Vaduvur division. He is an alumni of
Wildlife department of AVC College. Muthupet Mangrove Forest measures 12,020 ha and it
is the first announced RAMSAR site in Tamil Nadu. Once we reached the Muthupet
Mangrove Forest, the boats were already booked and ready to go. We all have splitted into 2
groups and took 2 boats. While travelling we could be able to see different types of mangrove
tress and shore birds which are listed below. We were taken to viewpoint which is in the
mangrove forest. There Mr. Srinivasan had delivered a brief lecture on the importance of
mangrove forest and conservation strategies like Step model and Fish model. He taught us the
identification of different types of mangrove tress, about the morphology of mangroves and
pneumatophores. He clearly explained how the mangroves are used by the animals as habitats
and his experiences in that forest from his childhood. It was really motivating and
mesmerizing to hear his experiences. After Mr. Srinivasan’s lecture, our organiser Dr. S.
Jayakumar had given us a broad view on the habitat, fauna and flora which are available in
that area. He taught us the uniqueness of the pneumatophores which helps fishes to lay eggs
on and he described the mangrove tress as breathing roots with salt vomiting leaves. Overall,
both speakers inspired us to learn more about the mangrove and to conserve them. We all
thanked them for their talk, and we returned to our accommodation.
 (a) Mangrove forest (b) Painted Stork

(c) Pneumatophores

Objective:
 Learn about ecosystems and biodiversity.
 Support conservation and reforestation efforts.
 To study the sandy, muddy and rocky shore fauna.
 To learn about the floral distribution of mangrove forest and its importance.

Outcome:
We have learned about the special features of mangrove trees. Mangroves play a critical role
in coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and water filtration. Mangroves are home to a
wide range of species, including fish, crustaceans, birds, and other wildlife. Observing the
diverse flora and fauna in their natural habitat can help us appreciate the complexity of life in
these ecosystems.

S.No Common Name Scientific Name

1 Oriental darter Anhinga melanogaster
2 Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
3 Rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri
4 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
5 Collared dove Streptopelia decaocto
6 Ashy prinia Prinia socialis
7 Pond heron Ardeola grayii
8 Indian peafowl Pavo cristatus
9 White throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
10 Brahminy kite Haliastur indus
11 Black kite Milvus migrans
12 Blue faced malkoha Phaenicophaeus viridirostris
13 Grey heron Ardea cinerea
14 Green bee-eater Merops orientalis
15 Painted stork Mycteria leucocephala
16 Little ringed plover Charadrius dubius
17 Large egret Ardea alba
18 Intermediate egret Ardea intermedia
19 House crow Corvus splendens
20 White whisked tern Chlidonias hybrida
21 Blue tailed bee-eater Merops philippinus
22 Whistling duck Dendrocygninae
(a) Birds spotted in the mangrove forest
S.No Species name Tamil name
1 Avicennia marina வெண் கண்டல்
2 Avicennia officinalis கருங்கண்டல்
3 Aegiceras corniculatum நரி கண்டல்
4 Excoecaria agallocha தில்லை
5 Rhizophora apiculata பெருங்கண்டல்
6 Rhizophora mucronata சுரப்புன்னை
(b) Mangrove species

Session 3:
Date:06th October 2024
Place: Udaiyamarthandapuram
Introduction:
 The last day was spent in the Udaiyamarthandapuram Birds Sanctuary. We went to
the watch tower by early morning 06:00 am. Dr. S. Jayakumar has taught us the techniques
that are used to count the nests of birds and to draw a panorama diagram for a reference. He
had shared his experience of his PhD works in birds. He explained about how the migratory
birds are choosing the spot, how long they can remember the area which they used, what are
the basic things that they need, and their mating behaviours. We had a great experience of
learning the mating behaviour and the nesting of birds in the last session. We had an idea
about the migratory birds and their breeding ecology. He gave us proper view of the how a
researcher should be and the vision. After learning everything, we are a given with a
particular time to practice observing the bird’s nest and the chicks. We drew our own
panorama diagram which was then corrected by the organiser. We left the Bird Sanctuary by
04:00 pm, we took train from Muthupet to Mayiladuthurai.
Objective:
 Understand nesting habits, breeding cycles, and parental care.
 Watching how parent birds feed and protect their young gives a real-world view of
parental investment in the animal kingdom.
 Recognize threats to bird populations and the importance of protecting endangered
species.
 To learn the methods of calculating the nest population and to draw a panoramic view
of the nesting site of birds.
Outcome:
Gain firsthand knowledge of bird nesting behaviours, breeding patterns, and species
diversity. Improve skills in data collection, species identification, and scientific observation,
which are valuable for ecological studies. Recognize the challenges birds face and the
importance of protecting nesting habitats. Learnt to draw panorama to understand the nesting
habitats of birds.

(a) Panorama diagram

(b) Purple Swamphen (c) Night Heron