Decline in number of migratory birds at Nanjarayan tank

Rise in water level in the tank following the recent rain cited as a reason

Birdwatchers expressed concern over the sharp decline in the number of migratory birds that visit the Nanjarayan tank, in the outskirts of Tiruppur, between December and March every year.

According to K. Ravindran, president of the Nature Society of Tiruppur (NST), who has been documenting the arrival of birds at the tank, waders (birds that are found along shorelines and mudflats) and ducks from various parts of India and the world have particularly declined this year. “In November 2020, we recorded around 85 garganeys that come from Europe. However, no garganey was spotted this time,” he said on Wednesday.

Similarly, around 45 northern shovelers, another migratory bird that breeds in Europe, was recorded in November last year, but only five was observed during a recent enumeration of birds done by the NST team at Nanjarayan tank. The number of common sandpipers also dipped sharply from 51 last year to three this year, according to Mr. Ravindran.