Chennai: From the long-legged bronze-winged Jacanas to fulvous whistling ducks and pied mynas, non-native birds found predominantly in parts of south and north India have had a healthy start to the migratory season at Pallikaranai this year with record breeding.For instance, the Jacanas — which had vanished from the marshland for decades before reappearing in single digits in 2014 — were found in the hundreds this month. In fact, 185 Jacanas were sighted in Sept and 201 in Aug; the highest-ever count for the bird since its reappearance.As for the fulvous whistling ducks, a record 1,155 birds were found in the marshland in Sept, an exponential increase from just 68 birds recorded in the same month last year. Further, 40 pied mynas, with at least 23 hatchlings, were found by birders this month .“It is one thing for Pallikaranai’s native birds to breed in such huge numbers, but truly special for non-native birds to be found in such huge numbers. This indicates a favourable habitat for these birds,” said K V R K Thirunaranan, founder of The Nature Trust.Birders say floating vegetation, coupled with organic waste, may have created a conducive habitat for these birds. “Fulvous whistling ducks and jacanas love to be near floating vegetation. Additionally, the presence of sewage in the marshland creates organic waste, which attracts worms,” Thirunaranan added.Domestic cattle, too, help flush out prey for pied mynas. Forest officials say draining of water from the marshland could have helped too. “We have 12 guards at the marshland, who monitor the site round-the-clock to prevent poaching and make the atmosphere safe for the birds,” said V A Saravanan, Chennai district forest officer.
