Rare dragonflies species were found at the Thirssur-Ponnani kole fields during a recent survey. In all, 31 species of dragonflies, including the rare Platylestes platystylus, were found during the survey.
Though a bird survey used to be conducted every year, this is the first time that a dragonfly survey was being held here. Around 70 bird and dragonfly watchers participated in the surveys held from Thommana to Biyyam Kayal.
Large dragonflies species such as Acisoma panorpoides (Asian pintail), Urothemis signata (Greater crimson Glider), Rhodothemis rufa (Spine-legged Redbolt); Rhyothemis variegate (Common picture wing); and Crocothemis servilia (Scarlet skimmer) were found during the survey.
Pollution level
The presence of Brachythemis contaminata (Ditch jewel), which lays eggs in contaminated water, shows the high level of pollution in the kole fields, say researchers.
A pre-AWC (Asian Waterbird Census) bird count in the kole fields documented more than 10,000 birds in 115 species. Daurian starling, a rare bird, was found in Uppungal Kole.
This is the second time that the bird, which was first found in Vellayi Kayal in 2015, has been documented here.
Apart from regular water birds, Greater flamingo, Peregrine falcon, Paddyfield warbler, Pallas’s grasshopper, and Greater spotted eagle were found in the kole fields. The digital survey was done using e-bird, a citizen science platform.