Egrets have date with Kanchi after 3 years

Chennai: Egrets have arrived in large numbers to Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram after a span of three years, thanks to recent monsoon rains and the harvest season, Pongal.

The birds are usually found in paddy fields. “With monsoon bringing back farming in neighbouring districts, the fields are now flocked by egrets and other terrestrial birds. Bird migration is also at its peak with the painted stork arriving at Vedanthangal bird sanctuary”, said a forest official in Chennai.

This year migration has been good across the state due to excess rainfall in all districts. Several tanks and lakes have more than 70 per cent of water and a prolific breeding season till March is being hoped for. The nesting migratory birds may also extend their stay till May, the official added.

Naturalists have demanded more scientific studies on the common birds frequenting paddy fields of south India. “Egrets and herons play a crucial role in helping farmers and they act as natural predators feasting on insects thereby saving the crops from damage.

The birds also behave as natural pesticides and play a crucial role in organic farming. Bird droppings in the paddy field increase soil nutrients thereby strengthening the food chain”, explained seasoned bird watcher and founder of Nature Trust, K V R K Thirunaranan.

There are literary works in Tamil explaining the significance of nattu khoku (egret) and naarai or madaiyaan (pond heron) in farming. Cattle egret plays a crucial role through its symbiotic relations. Bird watchers gauge the early arrival of summer by studying the breeding plumage of the egret, Thirunaranan added.
“All paddy fields in Kancheepuram district sport a milky white look due to the large arrival of egrets. Villages like Nathapattu, Vaiyavoor and Kaliyanoor are full of egrets,” said Gowthaman Ganesan, an avid bird watcher in Kancheepuram. 

Cattle egret, little egret, pond heron and bee-eaters have arrived at Kancheepuram in large numbers he said.