EDITOR’S NOTE
“SOF recorded several first sightings and photographic records for Salem district. In the last quarter of 2022, the Salem Ornithological Foundation (SOF) continued to make remarkable strides in bird documentation, conservation outreach, and educational programs. November saw SOF’s enthusiastic celebration of BirdNov, a festival honoring Dr. Sálim Ali, the Birdman of India. To close the year, yearly eBird stats, Top eBird photos, and First records for the year were shared across social media.” – Ganeshwar S V
FIRST RECORDS (1)
On 6 October 2022, Ashwin Vishwanathan and Bhanu Sridharan sighted European Roller Coracias garrulus for the first time in Salem district. To view the checklist, please click here.
FIRST RECORDS (2)
On 3 November 2022 Angeline Mano M, Ganeshwar SV, Kasiviswanathan A sighted Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii for the first time in Salem. To view the complete checklist, click here.
RECENT RECORD (1)
Ganeshwar SV, Mubarak K, Senthil Kumar S, Shanavas Mohamed, and Vadivukkarasi A sighted Amur Falcon Falco amurensis at Needhipuram Tank. To see the complete checklists, click here.
FIRST PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD (1)
On 30 October 2022, Ganeshwar SV, Raghav V, and Venkatraman R sighted and photographed Painted Sandgrouse Pterocles indicus at Needhipuram Tank which is the first photographic record for Salem. To view the complete checklist, please click here.
FIRST PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD (2)
On 21 October 2022, Angeline Mano M and Ganeshwar SV sighted and photographed a Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon Treron phoenicopterus. This is the first photographic record. To view the complete checklist, please click here.
OUTREACH PROGRAM (1)
On 28 October 2022, SOF’s Nature Educator Angeline Mano M was invited to conduct a bird-walk for the students of Kalpavriksh Montessori Community School at Forest High School, Nellivasal, Jawadhu Hills. A total of 45 bird species were recorded during the walk. To view the complete checklist, click here. SOF extends a heartfelt thanks to Alageshwari Ma’am from the Iyalvagai organization for the opportunity.
OUTREACH PROGRAM (2)
On 2 November 2022, SOF’s Founder & Director Ganeshwar SV was invited as a guest to deliver a talk on the “Role of Citizen Science in Bird Conservation” organized by the Rotary Club of Salem Midtown.
BIRD WALKS AT PALAR BRIDGE, TAMIL NADU SIDE (1)
| Date | Observers | No. of bird species recorded | Checklist link |
| 26 October 2022 | Amudha, Angeline Mano M, Ganeshwar SV, Jayamurugan, Sakthi Chinnakannu | 27 | Click here |
| 29 October 2022 | Ananth T, Angeline Mano M, Ganeshwar SV, Geetha Ananth, Mithran A | 53 | Click here |
#BIRDNOV2022
BirdNov is a month-long festival in November to celebrate the birds and the Birdman of India, Dr. Sálim Ali. It is also a time when lots of birds migrate to the Indian subcontinent. Salem Ornithological Foundation posted a month-long “Did you Know” series on birds. To view the BirdNov challenge works, please click here.
BIRD TALKS
On 30 November 2022, Ganeshwar SV spoke about the experience of reaching a very special milestone in his birding journey, i.e. 300 Lifers in Salem. To listen to his talk, click here.
NOVEMBER eBIRDER OF THE MONTH
Salem Ornithological Foundation’s woman birder Angeline Mano M was the winner of the national-level monthly eBirding challenge for November conducted by Bird Count India. She receives a T-shirt (Endemic Birds of India) as a small gift in appreciation.
SALEM eBIRD 2022 STATS
Salem is the second most district in India for submitting 14,800+ complete checklists to eBird in 2022. A total of 2,480+ bird photographs were uploaded by 100+ resident and migrant eBirders. In the year 2022, 260+ species were recorded with four new additions in the Salem district.
