Biodiresity of thattekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala Grows Richer as Survey Reveals Nine New Species

A Comprehensive Three-Day Faunal Survey at Thetkad Bird Santuary, Near Kothamangalam in Ernakulam, Kerala, Has Added Nine Species Records Records to its official biodirsity Checklist. The Findings at Kerala’s first bird sanctuary has reaffed its position as one of the richest ecological zones in the western ghats.

Organized Jointly by the Kerala Forest Department and Thiruvananthapuram-Based Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS), The Survey BROUGHT TOCHER NEARLY 30 SUBCETS FROM ACROM ACEPTERS State. They were supported by forest staff and deployed Across Six Six Survey Camps to Cover all key habitats and elevation zones with.Km. Sanctuary.

The composite faunal survey adopted a multi-taxa approach covering butterflies, odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), birds, ants, crabs, cicadas, mots, amphibions and fishes.

Malabar Trogon | Photo Credit: Kalesh Sadasivan

A total of 113 butterfly species were recorded, Including four new additions, viz., Extra Lascar, Yellow Jack SAILOR, Yellow-Breasted Flat and Bar-Bar-BAR BUSHBRON.

The buddha peacock, kerala’s state butterfly, was frequently sighted exhibiting egg-chickping behavior, while speech such as malabar rose, blue oakleaf and southern birding Diversity.

The Odonate Checklist at thattekad Grew to 88 Species, with Five New Records: Wayanad Bowtail (Macrogomphus Wayanadicus), Spotted Torrent-Hawk (Epophthalmia frontalis), Travancore dagger-head (Idionyx travancorensis), Malabar sprite (Pseudagrion malabaricum) and malabar bambootail (Melanoneura bilineata).

Malabar sprite (Pseudagrion malabaricum)
Photo Credit: Muhammed Ameen

Large Swarms of Common Picture WingAnd wandering glider waste, Along with Western Ghats Endemics Such as Euphaea Fraseri and Lyriothemis abrahmi.

A Total of 104 Bird Species WERE also DOCUMENTED, Featuring Raptors Such as the Lesser Fish Eagle, Eurasian Sparrow Hawk, Created Goshawk and Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl. Forest Specialists

The survey teams also recorded other fauna, including herds of elephants, gaur and scaly anteater. There was also sightings of the king cobra, eight fish speech, 30 specials of ants, two freshwater crab specials, 22 specials of mothers and five amphibians.

Ecologists engaged in the faunal survey at thattekad bird sanctary in ernakulam. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

G. Jayachandran, Wildlife Warden, Idukki Wildlife Division, Who Inauched the program, said thattekad remains a jeweel of the western ghats. “Discoveries such as these remind us of the sanctary’s irreplaceable role in conservation and research,” He points out.

Inputs for Conservation Planning

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He adds that the survey’s findings not only add to the scientific database, but also provide vital inputs for conservation planning. Periodic Documentation Helps Track Ecosystem Changes, Assess Population Trends of Threatened Species and Strengthen the Sanstory’s reputation as a global destination for nature synance.

White-Bar BushBrown | Photo Credit: Suhas R.

According to Kalesh Sadasivan, Research Associate, TNHS, The Survey Highlights the relevance of the biodirsity areae beyond a birding hotspot. “Thattekad is a living laboratory. The addition of the new species records underscores the value of systematic surveys. Every special specs documented is a buystanding block inwarding Function. “