Though the count is higher compared to the previous year’s number, it is still not the highest, he said. The eighth edition of TWC was conducted from January 25 to 27 by Agasthiyamalai Community Conservation Centre, Pearl City Nature Society(PCNS), Thoothukudi, Nellai Nature Club (NNC), Tirunelveli, District Science Centre, Tirunelveli. 

Totally, 80 volunteers divided into six teams carried out the three-day exercise in 34 irrigation tanks in Tirunelveli district and 12 in Thoothukudi district. After the count, the data was submitted to ATREE and it was consolidated and submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 

According to the enumeration, a total of 34,189 birds belonging to 69 species were recorded in 46 water bodies in both the districts. A majority of them were found in Peykulam tank in Thoothukudi as 3,154 birds were recorded. 

Water bodies in Thuppukudi, Vellur and Caspa too had significant number of birds. Similarly, Korampallam tank in Thoothukudi district recorded the maximum number of species, numbering 36. Kadambakulam, Peykulam, Vellur and Arumugamangalam all put together recorded 35,33,32 and 30 bird species. 

Among the total number of birds, Cattle Egret was found more with its number being 10,409. Lesser Whistling Duck, Little Cormorant and Glossy Ibis were the others that were found in significant numbers. Also, over 10,000 migratory birds such as Northern Pintail, Garganey, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Pochard, Bar-headed Goose and Common Teal were spotted during the exercise in the two districts. 

Mathivanan said that Tamiraparani wetlands have the capacity to attract a large number of birds when compared to other places in the state. The water bodies were also economically important as they support irrigation and act as ideal location for fishery, floriculture and harvesting medicinal plants. 

In 2016, the southern districts went dry completely and as a result the bird count decreased drastically. However, in 2017, there was moderate rainfall and the water bodies had a decent storage enough for the birds to visit. Despite moderate rainfall, big tanks like Manur, Gangaikondan and Vadakarai had less than 25 per cent storage.