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EDITOR’S NOTE

“The last quarter of the year showcases imported sightings and observations and conservation initiatives in Salem throughout the year 2021. Each observation highlights the significant efforts of the passionate birders across the district. The year had a beautiful end for the launching event of the Asian Waterbird Census 2022. All these accomplishments highlight the value of citizen science and collaborative efforts in protecting Salem’s bird life.” — Ganeshwar S V

FIRST RECORD (1) 

On October 02, 2021, Dr. Sakthi Chinnakannu sighted and photographed Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea for the first time in Salem at Stanley Reservoir–Pannavadi, Mettur. To see the complete checklist of birds, please click here.

FIRST RECORD (2) 

On October 09, 2021, a team of SOF birders sighted and photographed Green Imperial-Pigeon Ducula aenea for the first time in Salem. To see the complete checklist of birds, please click here.

FIRST RECORD (3) 

On October 23, 2021, B E Rajendran sighted and photographed Spotted Crake Porzana porzana for the first time in Salem at Thennangudipalayam Lake. This is the first photographic record of one of the super rare migratory birds for Tamil Nadu from Salem.  The mention of the first record for Tamil Nadu is based on the data from eBird India. To see the complete checklist of birds, please click here.

SIGNIFICANT SIGHTINGS FROM STANLEY RESERVOIR–PANNAVADI 

SIGHTINGS (1)

On October 17, 2021, Dr. Sakthi Chinnakannu sighted and photographed Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus for the first time at Stanley Reservoir–Pannavadi. To see the complete checklist of birds, please click here.

SIGHTINGS (2)

On October 09, 2021, the team Ananth T, Angeline Mano M, Ganeshwar S V, Geetha Ananth, Karunya, Subash Babu, Magizhndhan S K, Mithran A, Sakthi Chinnakannu, Subash Babu sighted Blyth’s Swift (Fork-tailed Swift) Apus leuconyx for the first time at Stanley Reservoir–Pannavadi. To see the complete checklist of birds, please click here. 

OCTOBER BIG DAY/ WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY

On the occasion of World Migratory Bird Day and Wild Bird Day on October 09, 2021, Salem Ornithological Foundation organized bird walks at Stanley Reservoir–Pannavadi & Stanley Reservoir–Thanamoorthikadu, and in total, 78 species were recorded. Ananth T, Angeline Mano M, Ganeshwar S V, Geetha Ananth, Karunya, Subash Babu, Magizhndhan S K, Mithran A, Sakthi Chinnakannu, Subash Babu, and Suguna R participated. Sankar V and Kalaivendhan K S submitted their bird observations from Yethapur. All mandatory precautions were strictly followed during bird walks.

BIRD WALKS FOR SALIM ALI BIRD COUNT 2021

Salim Ali Bird Count commemorates the birth anniversary of the Birdman of India Salim Ali. Salem Ornithological Foundation organized bird walks for eight days, from 5 – 12 Nov 2021 at Jamboothumalai and at different hotspots of the Stanley Reservoir. A team of birders Akshara R U, Angeline Mano M, Elavarasan M, Ganeshwar S V, Kalaiselvan V, Ramachandran M, Senthil Kumar S, Sithanathan S, Tamilselvi R, Umarajeswari R, Venkatesh S, Yaadhumaagi R U participated in the bird walk at Jamboothumalai. One of the notable observations was the sighting of a Brown Wood-Owl during the nocturnal session. Other highlights of the trip were Jerdon’s Nightjar, Jungle Owlet, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Green Warbler, Forest Wagtail, White-tailed Iora, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, and Painted Spurfowl. All the checklists were submitted to ebird.org/india

OUTREACH 

On December 03, 2021, our bird educator Angeline Mano M was invited to give an introduction about bird watching and citizen science programs. This session was organized by the Vidhayal Ayudham Sei, Thanjavur. 

ASIAN WATERBIRD CENSUS 

Asian Waterbird Census 2022 was flagged off by the Salem District Collector, S Karmegam I.A.S on December 29, 2021, at Manivilundhan Old Tank, Salem. Salem Ornithological Foundation (SOF) is thankful to ACSEN Foundation for their tremendous support in our efforts towards the conservation of birds through research and monitoring. The ACSEN Foundation is committed to supporting biodiversity – on land, air, and water. We also thank the Manithuli Sutrusoolal Membaattu Iyyakkam and Manivilundhan Panchayat for their joint support in our initiatives.

Some of the notable dignitaries who graced the occasion: S Karmegam I.A.S, Salem District Collector, Veeramani, Forest Range Officer, Attur, Sumathi, Tahsildhar, Thalaivasal, Venkatraman, Block Development Officer, Thalaivasal, Thamaraiselvi, Panchayat Union Commissioner, Thalaivasal, Vijayakumari Natesan, Panchayat President, Kaliyannan, Balakrishnan–Panchayat Union Councilors, Govindharaj, Sugarcane Farmers Association President, Manithuli Sutrusoolal Membaattu Iyakkam, S Senthilnathan, Executive Chairman, ACSEN Group, S Senthil Vel, Trustee, ACSEN Foundation, Ganesan, Amman Sago Factory, Prabhu, Apex Industries, Sathiyamoorthy, Bharat Sago Factory, Abhishek Senthilnathan, CEO, ACSEN Tex Pvt. Ltd. and staff of ACSEN Tex Pvt. Ltd.

We also thank Dr Radhakrishnan, a professor from Forest College and Research Institute, and Prasath Selvaraj, a junior research biologist from Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History for their visit, appreciation, and valuable input. The memorable compliments (photo frames of Peregrine Falcon) presented to the dignitaries were possible only due to the excellent photography skills of Thirumalai RT Venkatraman. We extend our sincere thanks to T Jayamurugan for writing, composing, and singing a song on the spot about AWC. Click here for the AWC Anthem. Disclaimer: The list of notable people given here is in no particular order.

SALEM EBIRD – 2021 STATS 

Salem is the second most district in India for submitting 21,300+ complete checklists to eBird in 2021. A total of 4,500+ bird photographs, 200+ bird calls & songs were uploaded by 100+ resident and migrant eBirders. In the year 2021, 270+ species were recorded with eight new additions in the Salem district.

EDITOR’S NOTE

“We are happy to announce the release of an extensive district-level report on House Sparrow based on eBird India data. In our continued efforts to monitor wetlands, SOF’s team has contributed observations furthering our understanding of the wetland’s ecosystem. We are proud to conclude SOF’s Sunday Talkies – Season 1, which saw 52 webinars with 62 speakers and over 500 participants. SOF expresses heartfelt thanks to all the speakers, participants, and coordinators who made this series successful.” — Ganeshwar S V

DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSE SPARROW IN TAMILNADU & PUDUCHERRY

A detailed report on the district-level distribution of House Sparrow in each of the 38 districts in Tamil Nadu and of Puducherry was prepared with the help of eBird India data. The Salem Ornithological Foundation publishes the report. SOF expresses thanks to thousands of bird watchers and eBirders for their contribution, because of which such maps and reports are made possible. For the bilingual report, please click here. To view the interactive distribution map, click here. 

BIRD MONITORING AT MANIVILUNDHAN OLD TANK

From July to September, SOF birders Angeline Mano M, Ganeshwar S V, and B E Rajendran visited Manivilundhan Old Tank and documented birds. As of September 2021, 94 bird species are recorded at the wetland which includes migratory and resident birds. To see the checklists from the hotspot, click here.

BIODIVERSITY DOCUMENTATION  AT STANLEY RESERVOIR

Stanley Reservoir, also popularly known as the Mettur Dam is one of the largest freshwater reservoirs in India. The Reservoir is also one of the major biodiversity hotspots in Salem. The documentation is carried out in the select areas of Stanley Reservoir which is a potential Ramsar site. All bird observations are added to eBird, an international database for bird sightings. Other observations are added to the iNaturalist database under the project titled “Biodiversity of Stanley Reservoir” in which 690 observations with 230 species are submitted to date. 

SOF’S SUNDAY TALKIES – SEASON 1

In the third quarter of the year, the last seven sessions of the season – 1 were hosted and coordinated by the team. The sessions were packed up with stories by Dr. Devi R, Kavitha G, Thangamari K, Nandhini C, Jairakshitha S, Jaishree S D, Jailathika S. The storytellers narrated subject-based stories for Tamil, English, Mathematics, Science, History, and Geography. Sathyapriya spoke on the role of citizen science in Land governance and management. Renukadevi K gave a brief introduction to the types of bird nests with a detailed explanation of nesting behavior and patterns of House Sparrows. Geetha N shared her family birding experiences. Anooja A., Ashwathi A., and Nandita R. presented their project work and gave an introduction to the Coastal Fauna of Chennai. This was followed by the valedictory session of Sunday Talkies – Season 1. For recorded sessions, do check out Salem Ornithological Foundation’s Facebook and YouTube page. Click here for the playlist link.

VALEDICTORY SESSION OF SOF’S SUNDAY TALKIES – SEASON 1

Ms.Vanjulavalli Sridhar I.F.S, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Puducherry & Karaikal was invited as a special guest for the concluding session. She delivered a talk on “How Citizen science can aid the Forest Department in Biodiversity Management?” A total of 52 webinars were hosted by the team for the time of one year with 62 speakers and more than 500 participants. Heartfelt thanks to all the speakers for the insightful presentations. Thanks to the participants’ consistent participation in making this Tamil Nature Webinar Series “SOF Sunday Talkies – Season 1” a grand success. For the detailed report of Sunday Talkies – Season 1, please click here.

FIRST RECORD (1) 

On July 25, 2021, Dr. Sakthi Chinnakannu, Senthil Kumar S (Vasen Suli),  Vadivukkarasi A sighted and photographed Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris for the first time in Salem at Stanley Reservoir–Thanamoorthikadu Area, Mettur. To see the complete checklist of birds, please click here.

FIRST RECORD (2) 

On July 27, 2021, Angeline Mano M and Venkatesh S sighted  Greater Sand-Plover Anarhynchus leschenaultii for the first time in Salem at Stanley Reservoir–Thanamoorthikadu Area, Mettur. To see the complete checklist of birds, please click here.

ALL INDIA RADIO, TIRUCHARAPALLI

On 2021, Ganeshwar SV from Salem Ornithological Foundation was invited for a one-hour interview by All India Radio, Tirucharapalli. He shared his story about how birds inspired him to work in the field of ornithology and to spread this awareness to the next generation. SOF expresses heartfelt thanks to Arokiyaraj and the team for the wonderful opportunity. 

OUTREACH (1)

On 17 September 2021, SOF bird educators Angeline Mano M and Ganeshwar SV visited Irukkam Island. The school students were introduced to bird watching with Early Bird flashcards. Later, in the evening they were taken for a bird walk. There was abundant joy seen on the faces when the children held the binoculars in their hands. “Akka, here is a fish for you, take it (caught from a nearby water patch)…Come let’s dance, we will teach you…Why are you leaving tomorrow? Please stay with us for a week. Will you come again soon? were all the loving words from them. SOF expresses a heartfelt thanks to Aarti Rajarathinam ma’am for her support. We also thank the people on the island for their love, care, and hospitality showered on us during our stay. To see the complete checklist, please click here.

ONLINE PRESENTATIONS

From September 22-24, 2021, a three-day faculty development program on Building a greener ecosystem and quality audits for impactful accreditation was conducted by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell, BI-PLAN Care and Conservation Club & CREGWAV of Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College, Sivakasi. On September 23, 2021, for the second-day session, Angeline Mano M and Ganeshwar S V were invited to deliver a lecture on “Essentials of Building a Greener Ecosystem”. The key takeaways are the inclusion of the green agenda as a component in the curriculum, key ways to document and increase the biodiversity of the campus, introduction to citizen science platforms to engage students in nature conservation, and a brief outline of carbon neutrality. Salem Ornithological Foundation thanks the college management and the organizing committee for the opportunity.