Volunteers and budding ornithologists along with Forest Department staff fanned out across Ranganathittu to estimate the bird population there, on Sunday.
The first-ever official bird census commenced at 6 a.m. and concluded at 11 a.m. Seventy-five volunteers participated in the exercise.
Deputy Conservator of Forests V. Yedukondalu said the volunteers were divided into 13 batches. They took the nest count and bird count, and also took photographs of them.
“For the first time, we conducted a vegetation survey as well to ascertain the preference of birds,” the official said. “While we knew that the sanctuary played host to different bird species, there was no database on the kind of vegetation preferred by them and this will help in a more scientific management of the sanctuary,” he added.
The total bird count was impressive and the final estimate would be known after the data analysis. What was significant was that a good number of rare birds were identified, Mr. Yedukondalu said.
The Forest Department would analyse the data and it might take between two and four weeks to provide the final bird estimation. Armed with the data, the authorities plan to seek the Ramsar international wetland site tag for Ranganathittu.
The sanctuary hosts almost 3 to 4% of the world population of the painted stork and the pelicans, and hence qualifies to be declared as a Ramsar Wetland site of international importance. At present, there are 26 such sites in India but none in Karnataka.
Located on the banks of river Cauvery, Ranganathittu comprises six riverine islets and attracts nearly 200 bird species, besides supporting endangered species such as smooth coated river otters and mugger crocodiles.
