Express News Service
KARAIKAL: Unseasonal rains this year brought much pain to farmers, wreaking havoc on crops. However, they have brought about a welcome increase in arrival of birds at Kodiyakarai.
After the conclusion of the two-day annual bird census at Point Calimere Wildlife and Birds Sanctuary in Kodiyakarai on Thursday, experts said the recorded number of birds this year was nine times the count last year. Around 56,800 birds in 118 species were recorded this year compared to 6,243 birds in 91 species in 2020. The main reason for this huge jump is the availability of water in and around the sanctuary due to the extended monsoon. Soil fertility and nutrition have increased over the past couple of years. The pH, temperature and salinity have become favourable for attracting birds. Water birds wander in constant search for waterbodies to locate prey, said assistant professor J Pandiyan, a wildlife biologist from AVC Autonomous College in Mayiladuthurai.