Statewide Bird Census Underway for 2025-2026

The Forest department is conducting a synchronized Terrestrial Bird Census for 2025-2026 this weekend across several districts in the central region. This statewide initiative involves bird experts, enthusiasts, volunteers, and college students, coordinated by field-level Forest department officials. Orientations were held in Tiruchi and Pudukkottai to guide participants on census methods and bird identification.

In Tiruchi district, the census will take place at 20 locations, including M.R. Palayam and Semmalai reserve forests. Approximately 20 teams will cover these sites, equipped with binoculars and cameras. The census operations are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., including nocturnal terrestrial birds.

Pudukkottai district will host the census at 25 locations across five forest ranges, such as Narthamalai and Mullur reserve forests. The primary objective of this exercise is to ascertain the species, diversity, and habitats of terrestrial birds. This information will be crucial for initiating protective measures for these avian populations and their environments. A similar statewide census last year recorded numerous resident and migrant terrestrial bird species.