A state-wide census of birds carried out by the Forest department recently found out that over 41,000 birds from 68 species were located in the Chennai region. On February 7 and 8, personnel from the forest department, in collaboration with five teams from bird conservation organisations across the city conducted the survey in two sanctuaries (Vedanthangal and Karikili bird sanctuaries), and five lakes (Madurantakam, Sithalamangalam, Pudupettai, Andavakkam and Morapakkam with surrounding lakes of Pazhaverkadu).

According to bird watchers who involved in surveying the bird counts, the bird sanctuaries and wetlands in Chennai have become comfortable habitations for both resident and migratory birds. Data available with the forest department showed that Vedanthangal bird sanctuary recorded 24, 018 birds including migratory birds and its surroundings lakes had around 4,000 birds. 

Also, contrary to expectation, the bird count in Madurantakam lake was unexpectedly high this year as the numbers reached 7,085. “Similarly, 532 birds from 39 species were counted at Karikili — one of the oldest sanctuaries in Chennai region — and the remaining five lakes recorded a large number of birds,” said a forest official. 

KVRK Thirunaranan, an avid bird watcher and founder of The Nature Trust, said, “Since feeder lakes around Vedanthangal bird sanctuary are filled with rainwater, we spotted a great number of birds in the area.” 

“Birds like tufted pochard, eurosian wigeon and common pochard were documented in the feeder lakes,” he said. Madurantakam lake recorded over 7,000 birds, as the lake was brimming with rainwater collected during the during the NorthEast monsoon, the bird watcher added. 

A senior forest official said on conditions of anonymity, “Since there is enough water in the sanctuaries and feeder lakes, the number of birds have remained in the city. With cyclone Vardah and scarce rainfall, the sanctuaries had witnessed lower number of birds in the season last year.”