EDITOR’S NOTE
“Kicking off the year, SOF, in partnership with ACSEN Foundation continued its commitment to bird conservation and wetland restoration through a series of impactful events, surveys, and outreach programs. SOF will be starting with a new project titled “Systematic Bird Monitoring and Biodiversity Documentation at Manivilundhan Old Tank from January to December 2023 funded by ACSEN Foundation. SOF is happy to conduct New Year Nature Walk, the surveys supported by Forest Departments to contribute valuable data to Tamil Nadu’s conservation efforts and all these efforts underline SOF’s commitment to both environmental conservation and local engagement.” – Ganeshwar S V
NEW YEAR NATURE WALK
Salem Ornithological Foundation in association with ACSEN Foundation and Manithuli Sutrusoolal Membaattu Iyakkam organized New Year Nature Walk at Manivilundhan Old Tank. The participants were introduced to the wetland restoration efforts of the ACSEN Foundation and Manithuli Sutrusoolal Membaattu Iyakkam. Values and importance of wetlands, migratory birds, bird behaviors, species identifications, etc. were also taught. We recorded 64 species of resident and migratory birds and the highlights include Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Bay-backed Shrike, and Clamorous Reed-Warbler. Other fauna such as the Long-legged Marsh Glider, Ditch Jewel, Ground Skimmer, Crimson Rose, Lemon Pansy, Joker, Plain Tiger, and Tawny Coster were also observed. The 2023 New Year Nature Walk ended with the shining turquoise blue of a White-throated Kingfisher in golden light while we had our refreshments and exulted!
SALEM ANNUAL WETLANDS SURVEY 2023
A total of 34 wetlands were surveyed as a part of the Salem Annual Wetlands Survey by the participants. Ananth T, Angeline Mano M, Ganeshwar S V, Geetha Ananth, Kalaiselvan V, Kalaivendhan K S, Mithran A, Monica Sri K, Rajangam P, Sankar V. To view the complete eBird Trip Report, please click here.
NAMAKKAL WETLAND BIRD CENSUS 2023
On 28 & 29 January, the Wetland Bird Census was conducted by the Namakkal Forest Division as part of the Tamil Nadu Synchronized Wetland Bird Census. The census was coordinated by Angeline Mano M from Salem Ornithological Foundation. A total of 110 bird species which includes 38 waterbirds, 15 foreign migrant birds & 3,000+ individual birds were identified from 18 wetlands that were surveyed by volunteers and FD staff. For the brief report of the census, please click here. SOF expresses its gratitude to Thiru. Kashyap Shashank Ravi, I.F.S, for the opportunity, and the rangers, foresters, guards, and the entire staff of Namakkal Forest Division for their wonderful support.
ATTUR WETLAND BIRD CENSUS 2023
On 28 & 29 January, the Wetland Bird Census was conducted by the Attur Forest Division as part of the Tamil Nadu Synchronized Wetland Bird Census. The census was coordinated by Ganeshwar S V from Salem Ornithological Foundation. A total of 117 bird species which includes 34 waterbirds, 15 foreign migrant birds & 6,500+ individual birds were identified from 23 wetlands that were surveyed by volunteers and FD staff. For the brief report of the census, please click here. SOF expresses its gratitude to District Forest Officer, Thiru. Sudhagar K, for the opportunity, and the rangers, foresters, guards, and the entire staff of Attur Forest Division for their wonderful support.
WORLD WETLANDS DAY – LAKE CLEAN-UP DRIVE
On 02 February 2023, the Manivilundhan Lake Clean-Up Drive was coordinated by Manivilundhan Panchayat and People, Bharathiyar Arts and Science College for Women, Deviyakurichi, Salem, ACSEN Foundation, Manithuli Sutrusoolal Membaattu Iyakkam, and Salem Ornithological Foundation. The next and the most crucial step in the conservation of Manivilundhan Lake happened on World Wetlands Day. The lake clean-up drive was a small but important step, like a foundation stone that was laid for the bigger picture that is waiting to happen. We express our thanks to every single individual who took time on a working day to join us for the wetland restoration efforts.
OUTREACH (1)
On 11 February 2023, Jeganathan P introduced birds and bird watching, Angeline Mano M and Ganeshwar S V from Salem Ornithological Foundation gave a presentation on how to identify birds in the field and engaged the students with a bird survivor game. Kirubhanandhini V spoke on the Myths and realities about birds, Selvaganesh K gave a presentation on introduction to eBird, Merlin application, and other resources, and Sivakumar engaged the students with bird sketching. The one-day outreach program was organized by the Sacred Hearts College (Autonomous), Tirupattur. Thanks to the college management and the program coordinators for their wonderful support.
OUTREACH (2)
On March 2023 Ganeshwar S V, Director of Salem Ornithological Foundation was invited to inaugurate the Bird Club of Selvamm College, Namkkal. Ganeshwar gave an introduction to bird watching and spoke on the contribution of the youngsters in citizen science platforms.
GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT 2023
The twelfth Indian edition of Great Backyard Bird Count was held from 17 – 20 February 2023. Salem is the World’s No. 1 district in terms of maximum checklists (10,089) uploaded. Angeline Mano M, Ganeshwar S V, Kalaiselvan V, Monica Sri K, Senthil Kumar S, and Vadivukkarasi A from SOF are in the World’s Top 10 Rankings by checklists in individual categories. The overall huge numbers by Salem were possible because of the major consistent contribution from Panchayat Union Middle School, Krishnampudur which also ranked World No. 1 in the group category. To see the GBBC 2023 results, click here. To view/download Salem’s GBBC 2023 report, please click here.
LIST OF GBBC BIRD TALKS 2023 – SALEM
| S.No | Date | Institution | No. of participants |
| 1 | 16 February 2022 | Panchayat Union Middle School, Thukkiyampalayam | 50 |
| 2 | 16 February 2022 | Panchayat Union Middle School, Mariyamman Pudur | 25 |
| 3 | 16 February 2022 | Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College, Sivakasi | 80 |
| 4 | 18 February | Acsen Tex Private Limited, Manivilundhan, Salem | 10 |
LIST OF GBBC SCHOOL PARTICIPATION 2023 – SALEM
| S.No | School Name | eBird checklists | No. of participants |
| 1 | Panchayat Union Middle School, Krishnampudur | Click here | 135 |
| 2 | Panchayat Union Middle School, Thukkiyampalayam | Click here | 28 |
| 3 | Panchayat Union Middle School, Thalavaipatty | Click here | 23 |
| 4 | Panchayat Union Primary School, Mariyamman Pudur | Click here | 12 |
LIST OF GBBC BIRD WALKS 2023 – SALEM
| S.No | Date | Name of the Hotspot | Link to the Hotspot |
| 1 | 18 Feb 2022 | PUMS, Krishnampudur | Click here |
| 2 | 18 Feb 2023 | Thalavaipatty Tank | Click here |
| 3 | 18 Feb 2023 | Thuttampatti Tank | Click here |
| 4 | 18 Feb 2023 | Kannankurichi Mookaneri Tank | Click here |
| 5 | 18 Feb 2023 | Vadakumarai Tank | Click here |
| 6 | 18 Feb 2023 | Pavalathanoor Lake | Click here |
| 7 | 19 Feb 2023 | Stanley Reservoir–Pannavadi, Mettur | Click here |
| 8 | 19 Feb 2023 | Nangavalli Lake | Click here |
| 9 | 19 Feb 2023 | Stanley Reservoir–Mettur Dam View Point | Click here |
| 10 | 19 Feb 2023 | Kottachedu, Yercaud | Click here |
| 11 | 20 Feb 2023 | Chinna Punalvasal Lake | Click here |
| 12 | 20 Feb 2023 | Nallur Lake | Click here |
| 13 | 20 Feb 2023 | Valappadi Pappan Tank | Click here |
| 14 | 21 Feb 2023 | Manivilundhan Old Tank | Click here |
| 15 | 21 Feb 2023 | Andavar Nagar & Surrounds | Click here |
EXPLORING THE LESSER EXPLORED
On 23 February 2022 Angeline Mano M, Ganeshwar S V, Rajendran B E, Venkatraman R, and Monica Sri K visited Arumbavoor Lake at Perambalur and sighted Common Pochard Aythya ferina, a vulnerable species. To view the complete checklist, click here.
ATTUR TERRESTRIAL BIRD CENSUS 2023
On 04 & 05 March, the Terrestrial Bird Census was conducted by the Attur Forest Division as part of the Tamil Nadu Synchronized Wetland Bird Census. The Salem Ornithological Foundation coordinated the census. A total of 149 bird species which includes 38 terrestrial birds, 15 foreign migrant birds & 3,000+ individual birds were identified from 19 terrestrial hotspots that were surveyed by volunteers and FD staff. SOF expresses its gratitude to District Forest Officer Thiru. Sudhagar K for the opportunity, and the rangers, foresters, guards, and the entire staff of Attur Forest Division for their wonderful support.
WORLD WATER DAY 2023
As a part of World Water Day ACSEN Foundation organized a World Water Day Awareness program in collaboration with Salem Ornithological Foundation at Panchayat Union Middle School & Primary School, Manivilundhan – North & South. The program aimed to educate the students about the significance of water and the need for its preservation. Ganeshwar S V, Director of Salem Ornithological Foundation engaged the children with interactive sessions and activities to learn about the various ways in which we can contribute towards conserving this precious resource
NEW RECORDS FROM MANIVILUNDHAN OLD TANK
Systematic Bird Monitoring at Manivlundhan Old Tank is been carried out by Angeline Mano M and Ganeshwar SV of Salem Ornithological Foundation supported by Acsen Foundation. A total of 37 species including the Indian Silverbill, Sykes’s Warbler, Common Kingfisher, Common Hawk-Cuckoo, Black-headed Ibis, Tricolored Munia, Loten’s Sunbird, Asian Openbill, Blue-faced Malkoha, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Brahminy Kite, Short-toed Snake-Eagle, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Red-necked Falcon, Great Cormorant, Pin-tailed Snipe, Barred Buttonquail, Chestnut-tailed Starling, Red Spurfowl, Common Iora, Whiskered Tern, Marsh Sandpiper, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Little Stint, Small Pratincole, Bluethroat, Yellow Bittern, Rosy Starling, Indian Thick-knee, Common House-Martin, Red Avadavat, Gull-billed Tern, Temminck’s Stint, White Wagtail, Indian Nightjar, and Little Tern were the first records for the lake during January to March 2023.
FIRST RECORDS (1)
On 12 & 14 March 2024, Angeline Mano M, Ganeshwar S V, and Monica Sri K sighted Northern House-Martin (Western House-Martin) Delichon urbicum at Manivillundhan Old Tank. This is the first record for the Salem district. To view the complete checklist, click here.
