EDITOR’S NOTE
“This issue features a fascinating mix of citizen science events, bird walks, and outreach activities that highlight the enthusiasm and commitment of our birding community. Our outreach initiatives continue to have an impact. SOF encouraged everyone to a global event ‘International Nature Journaling Week’ that promotes environmental consciousness and creativity. We were glad to see enthusiastic participants embrace the art of nature journaling which is reflected in their works. In this quarter, 13 SOF Sunday Talkies sessions were hosted and it was of great use for the audience.” — Angeline Mano M
BIRD WALK AT YERCAUD
On April 03, 2021, a team of SOF birders Ananth T, Angeline Mano M, Geetha Ananth, Mithran A, Sakthi Chinnakannu, and Subash Babu visited a few birding hotspots at Yercaud, a hill range of Eastern Ghats. The bird walk was led by our SOF’s Bird Educator Angeline Mano M. The highlights of the bird walk were Indian Cuckoo, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Black-hooded Oriole, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Grey Wagtail, Crested Serpent-Eagle, and White-naped Woodpecker.
BIRD MONITORING AT MANIVILUNDHAN OLD TANK
On April 08, 2021, Angeline Mano M and Ganeshwar S V visited Manivilundhan Old Tank which is a long-term monitoring wetland. The documentation included a total of 63 bird species including migratory birds and 221 individuals. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus with a hunt was one notable observation. To see the complete checklist of birds and photographs, please click here.
OUTREACH (1)
On April 12, 2021, Angeline Mano M was invited to give a lecture on Why Birds Matter. Women: The Hope to Conserve Birds for the Future. The webinar was organized and hosted by the Eco Club & Women’s Cell, Sri Adi Chunchanagiri Women’s College, Cumbum. To watch Angeline’s presentation, please click here.
OUTREACH (2)
On May 04, 2021, Angeline Mano M was invited to give a motivational talk by sharing her birding experiences and challenges with fellow women. The webinar was organized by the Women’s Club of Nallore Vattam, Chennai.
OUTREACH (3)
On June 05, 2021, Ganeshwar S V was invited to give a talk on Citizen science programs in conservation organized by Science Junction. The key takeaways from the session were how contributions to citizen science databases help generate a huge set of data that produces new findings and responsibilities of the students in participating and contributing to citizen science.
ENDEMIC BIRD DAY 2021
On 8 May 2021 fifteen eBirders from Salem uploaded lists containing 200 bird observations. In all, 83 species including endemic ones were sighted during the seventh edition of the Endemic Bird Day. The day also coincides with the Global Big Day. Senthil Kumar S carried out the bird count in Mettur Taluk where he spotted Marshall’s Iora. B E Rajendran documented birds at Yercaud including the endemic bird, White-cheeked Barbet. Angeline Mano M, Ganeshwar S V, Sankar V, Raj Guhan, Vadivukkarasi, and Subramania Siva made their observations from home. All the checklists were submitted to ebird.org/india
INTERNATIONAL NATURE JOURNALING WEEK 2021
International Nature Journaling Week was celebrated from June 01-07, 2021 with nature journaling prompts and themes. The themes for this year were Words, Pictures, and Numbers with three prompts I notice, I wonder, It reminds me of. This nature journaling week is a time to come together as a global community to enjoy nature journaling. Nature journaling is one of the best ways of documenting various aspects of nature which will be of great value after many decades. Nature Journaling enthusiasts from Salem and other districts of Tamilnadu participated in this event. To learn more about Nature Journaling, please click here.
SOF SUNDAY TALKIES – SEASON 1
During the second quarter of the year, thirteen sessions of SOF’s Sunday Talkies were organized by the coordinators and there was a positive response from the participants. School students Raghavee R V, Magizhmathi K H, and Akshara R U shared their birding journey. Aswatha B spoke in the Evolution of Birds. Umarajeswari R gave inputs on understanding nature through bird watching with family. Student storytellers Kayalvizhi G, Kalaiselvi G, Janapriya T, and school teachers Sathya N, and Suji Manikandan K engaged the participants with value-based bird stories. Nivedhini Gopalsamy and Subhashree N shared their memorable birding trips and gave the participants a visual treat through their beautiful bird photographs. Priyatharsini Rajendran spoke on the Wetlands of Madurai, which has the potential to hold bird diversity. Meghaa presented a brief introduction to Spiders, and Gowri G engaged the participants with a new subject Entomology. Vijayarani Biju K T spoke on the essential ways of Storytelling and parenting. Madhumitha M & Nivedha Biju narrated bird stories. Elamathi T M presented her views and the positive impact that bird watching has created on her. For recorded sessions, do check out Salem Ornithological Foundation’s Facebook and YouTube page. Click here for the playlist link.
