Rare birds sighted during survey of Kerala coast

Thiruvananthapuram: Rare bird species like the Red-necked Phalarope (Pambarakkada) and a tiny wader that swims in open sea have been sighted during the first pelagic bird expedition in southern Kerala. Red-necked Phalarope was recorded in Neendakara in Kollam district for the first time in the Kerala coast, a release said here on Wednesday.

Streaked Shearwater (Varayan Thiravetti), another rare bird, was recorded twice by bird-watchers who participated in the event, which concluded on October 1, and carried out transects from Neendakara to Kollam for two days. The transects included both deep-sea and off-shore birding following fishing boats. The bird-watchers also recorded several migratory seabirds including Swinhoe's Storm-petrels, Wilson's Storm-petrels, Flesh-footed Shearwaters, Arctic Skua, Masked Booby, Bridled Terns and Sooty Terns during the expedition.

Bird-watchers from different bird-watching societies like Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS), Kerala Birder and Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS) participated in the event, led by University College professor E Kunhikrishnan, the release said.

Species like the Red-necked Phalarope (Pambarakkada) and a tiny wader that swims in open sea have been sighted.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)