Thiruvananthapuram: The rains and Cyclone Ockhi had affected the migratory movement of birds travelling to Kerala from other countries and continents.
However, with the effects of natural calamities receding, migratory season has begun to flourish with the sighting of flocks of birds in Punchakari-Vellayani wetlands.

A flock containing 15 individual birds was recorded at Punchakari by Mr G. Sangeeth, a bird watcher from Thirumala.





This is the highest number of this local migrant bird recorded at Punchakari. The sighting was confirmed by ornithologist C. Susanth.

Mr Susanth and Mr Sangeeth observed 35 glossy ibis, 20 white ibis and a spot-billed pelican during their morning visit to Punchakari on Tuesday.

Normally, migratory birds arrive at Punchakari –Vellayani wetlands, Thiruvanathapuram, during the winter season. The migratory water birds and waders like green sandpiper, wood sandpiper and common sandpiper are seen wading in the partially submerged water-logged marshy places of the Punchakari wetlands during the season.

Green shank, the largest sandpiper species visiting the state, was also seen at Punchakari wetlands, Mr Susanth told Deccan Chronicle. The plover species that visited the wetlands were golden plover, Kentish plover, little ringed plover and lesser sand plover.

Grey-headed lapwing was also seen here. The flock with three individual birds was seen feeding with the mixed flocks of waders, said Mr Susanth. This year the presence of black-winged stilts was slightly higher than that last year.

As many as 50 individual birds were seen. Painted stork, a threatened stork, was seen in large numbers. Spot-billed pelican is a nearly threatened species.

This bird was occasionally visiting Punchakari-Vellayani wetlands during the migratory season. Greater spotted eagle, a globally threatened bird of prey, was also sighted at Punchakari.

Booted hawk eagle, Eurasian marsh harrier and pallid harrier are the other migratory raptors seen at the wetlands. Small flock of garganey teal, a migratory wild duck, species was also observed during the visit, Mr Susanth said.