Bird census on January 19 as winter migration peaks in Mysuru region

Nearly a 100 waterbodies spread across Mysuru, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar will be covered by volunteers during the bird census on January 19, even as winged migration associated with winter has peaked in the region.

Nearly a 100 waterbodies spread across Mysuru, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar will be covered by volunteers during the bird census on January 19,even as winged migration associated with winter has peaked in the region.

Around 50 volunteers will be part of the initiative and 21 routes have been chalked out to cover about 100 waterbodies spread across the three districts, according to Shivaprakash, a well-known birder who is leading the initiative and invovled with the exercise from its inception nearly 40 years ago.

This was also reckoned to be the longest running voluntary initiative pertaining to bird census as the exercise commenced in 1987 and was being held every year since then without a break, said Mr. Shivaprakash.

A positive fallout of this initiative is the voluminous and scientific data generated since 1987 which has helped in assessing the migratory pattern of the birds, the reason for decline or increase in their population, the status of their habitat etc.

Mr. Shivaprakash said they expected a decline in the total bird count this year, as the waterbodies were filled to the brim owing to above average rains. 

Contrary to popular belief, an overflowing lake or pond is not preferred by birds of all species and the waders that tend to scour for prey in the shallow waters, would skip such habitats. Given the current situation of lakes, the number of migratory ducks are expected to be low.

A preliminary assessment based on general observation indicated the presence of 85 species of migratory birds in Mysuru region so far and their actual count would be known once the bird census was completed and the results tabulated, Mr. Shivaprakash said.