நீர்கோழி 

ஒவ்வொரு முறையும் பறவை நோக்கலுக்குச் செல்லும் பொழுது இன்று என்ன பறவை பார்ப்போம் என்ற எதிர் பார்ப்போடு செல்லுகிறோம் . வலசை  வரும் பறவைகள் ஏதேனும் பார்ப்போமா அல்லது அங்கேயே குடியிருக்கும் resident பறவைகள் புதியதாய் ஏதேனும் கண்ணுக்குத் தெரிகின்றதா என்று தொலைநோக்கி மூலம் ஒரு இடம் விடாமல் கரைகளையும் நீரிலும் காட்டின் உச்சி மரங்கள் மீதும் பார்த்து ஏக்கம் அடைய அவ்வாறு ஏதேனும் பறவைகளை பார்த்து விட்டால் அடையும் சிலிர்ப்பே தனிதான். 

25/10/2015 அன்று பேரூர் அல்லது புட்டுவிக்கி எனப்படும் ஏரி சென்றோம். பேரூர் ஏரி மிகவும் அழகான ஏரியாகும். சுற்றிலும் மலைகள் சூழ்ந்து தூய நீராதாரமுடைய ரம்மியமான ஏரி மட்டுமல்லாது வலசை வரும் பறவைகளும் அதிகம் வரும் ஏரியாகும். 

ஏற்கனவே garganey, pin -tail , போன்ற வலசை வரும் வாத்துகளை அங்கேதான் முதல் முதலில் நான் கண்டேன். Wooly necked stork, Open billed என்ற நாரை வகைகளையும் அங்கே பார்த்திருக்கிறேன். 

இம்முறை அங்கே செல்லும் பொழுது வித்தியாசமான ஒரு பறவையினை பார்க்க நேர்ந்தது.WATER COCK  எனும் நீர் கோழி ஒன்றின் பெட்டையினை கண்டேன். மர நிறத்து வரிகளையும், சாதாரண கோழியினை விட சிறிது பெரிதாகவும் ஆனால் மிகுந்த எச்சரிக்கையுடனும் அந்த கோழி புதர்களிடை மறைந்து சென்றது. 

கிடைத்த சிறிது நேர இடைவெளியில் எடுத்த புகைப்படம் இரண்டை உங்களுக்காக இணைத்துள்ளேன். நீங்களும் அதைப் பார்த்து மகிழுங்களேன்!

MIGRATION OF BIRDS TO COIMBATORE.

Come September, the migratory birds start arriving at the fresh water lakes in and around Coimbatore. This season (2012-13) saw flow of birds much earlier. As the western coast of India did not have enough rains, the migration to Coimbatore started earlier and also some new birds never found so far and birds not found for so many years visited Singanallur, Sulur and other tanks in and around Coimbatore.

Bird watchers in and around Coimbatore cherished their happy moments with these migrators. The early visitors were painted storks, spotted pelicans and common swallows. These are local migrants. The other visitors included pied cuckoo, Indian Pitta, Rosy patchers, garganey, whistling teels, wooly necked stork, spoon bills, white and glossy ibis. However, amidst of median egrets, a grey coloured bird was seen. It was identified as Western Reef Egret. Some people spotted Heuglin's gull at Singanallur Lake.

In early October, some more new visitors were received in Coimbatore. Lesser Sand Plover, Grey Plovers and Little Stints were seen.  These birds are mostly Arctic migrators seen near the coastal areas. However noticing in inlands is a surprise.  The most popular migrator and surprise was a juvenile flamingo visited by every bird watcher.

It is not known whether these birds used to come to Coimbatore en-route to their far away destinations or is it because of changed climatic factors?

Some have reasoned the sighting of these birds in inlands is due to microwave towers which disturb the magnetic eye in migratory birds. It is a well known fact that waves from microwave towers have already taken a toll on House Sparrows.

The complete dryness due to draught in other parts of the route and availability of water in Coimbatore tanks would have attracted these birds. The other factors as told are that there was no observation and recording of the rare sightings in earlier periods. But now with digital photography and more enthusiastic bird watchers in and around the city with latest communication devices, movement of these migrators are closely watched.

No professional approach for study of these migratory birds has been made in Coimbatore. A branch of Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural Sciences (SACON) has its centre at Anaikkatti and involves local volunteers for study of wet land bird population. Though it has not opened up their research findings to the public, eventually, its study should be used to educate and preserve the habitation and improve the quality of awareness on the bird population. Birds give early warning to the polluted environment. A study in change in migration behavior and linking to environment should be carried out to stop further deterioration of nature.

There are amateur bird watchers like CNS who have started recording and some others who have formed groups or do birding individually with keen interest to preserve nature. Such groups may be involved by SACON and more student volunteers can be developed for observing the migration.

 Western Reef Egret

Juvenile Flamingo

 Lesser Sand Plover

Grey Plover

MALABAR BARBET

In Tamilnadu there are 4 types of Barbets. They are Brown-headed Barbet, White-cheeked Barbet, Malabar and Coppersmith Barbets. While the Brown-headed is the biggest, Malabar and the Coppersmith barbets are smaller and are of the size of a house sparrow.  Barbets are noisy often sitting on the top of the trees and making repetitive noises.  So it is easily identifiable.

In the Plains of India, it is always possible to see a Coppersmith Barbet making continuous tuk tuk noise, sitting on the top of a tree. Their noises become louder at mating season. They are Olive green birds, with forehead and a small breast patch in crimson colour.

The White cheeked and Brown headed barbets are found in the cool climate. They are found often in the thickly vegetated hilly regions. Both look similar excepting the Brown headed Barbet a little bigger in size.

Of all, the Malabar Barbet looks more colourful and is endemic to the Western Ghats. They are also noisy birds with Olive green body, bright red coloured cheeks and breast. A blue band also runs in the side of the head.

I found a Malabar Barbet during my visit to Siruvani in October, 2015 and I am posting the picture. You can also enjoy and the next time you visit a thickly wooded hills of the Western Ghats, you may look out for this small bird.