KOCHI: The population of the feathered visitors coming to the state every year from far-off countries has been decreasing due to the extreme weather conditions and changes in monsoon pattern.
This year, after the beginning of the season in October, ornithologists have observed 10 to 15 per cent decrease in several species of migratory birds.
“Compared to the similar period in previous years, there has been a decrease of 15 per cent in the bird population visiting the Thattekkad sanctuary this year.
During the weekly census conducted at the sanctuary, it has been identified that the number of water bird species like warblers from Siberia, open billed stork, sandpipers, and river terns has decreased compared to last year,” said Dr. R. Sugathan, ornithologist at the Thattekkad bird sanctuary.
Last year, 25 to 30 flocks of warblers were sighted in the 4-km area while this year only 8 groups were spotted. The number of black baza was seven while it was more than 16 in the same period last year at Thattekkad. The total number of bird species at the bird sanctuary is 322.
However, Dr. Sugathan added that the diversity of species was not hit as almost all varieties had been spotted. Extended monsoon and extreme temperature might have influenced the birds and their breeding patterns, according to ornithologists.
Another phenomenon is the change in the breeding season and pattern of birds. “Nests and eggs of frogmouths, which usually breed during January to May, were seen throughout the year indicating a changing pattern.
While the breeding season of certain species has been expanded a few other bird species like bulbul have shrunk the breeding period,” observed Dr. Sugathan.
