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