Bird survey spots a ‘newcomer'

K.S. Sudhi
KOCHI,  
The Hindu,February 15, 2011 

Grey-necked bunting, a dry area bird, has been spotted from the shola forests of south Kerala. The bird, usually found in normal plains, was spotted at an altitude of 1,200 metres at Athirumala in Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary recently. Researchers said the bird was very rare in southern Kerala. Its presence was first recorded in Kannur in 2006.

The bird was spotted in a survey conducted in Neyyar and Peppara, the southernmost wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala. This was the 66 {+t} {+h} survey conducted in Kerala, said P.O. Nameer, who led the survey. Three vulnerable species including Broad-tailed Grassbird, White-bellied Shortwing and Nilgiri Wood Pigeon were recorded during the survey. However, four others, Wayanad Laughing-thrush, Great-eared Nightjar, Blue-bearded Bee-eater and Great Black Woodpecker, were conspicuous by its absence.

Even though these species could not be spotted during the survey, other birds which occupied the same niche were identified. Of the16 species endemic to Western Ghats, 14 were recorded, Dr. Nameer said.

Blanford's Laughing-thrush, Nilgiri Pipit, Great Pied Hornbill, Darter, Lesser Fish-Eagle and Nilgiri Flycatcher are some of the near threatened species, according to the classification of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Guidelines, that could be spotted during the survey.

Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, Grey-headed Bulbul, Oriental-Dwarf Kingfisher, Black-capped Kingfisher and Black Baza were also spotted. Ceylon Frogmouth was reported from many mid and low altitude sites in the sanctuaries.

The survey team consisted of S. Kalesh of the Travancore Nature History Society and J. Praveen of the Kerala Birder.