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Biodiversity-rich areas tied to heritage, religious tourism, and ecotourism, often face changes to their landscapes due to infrastructure development. Such activities may threaten the species survival and disrupt the delicate ecosystems in these regions. Hence it becomes imperative to build up baseline species data from such areas for biodiversity conservation and management interventions. Towards achieving this objective, avifaunal inventories were documented from Kothandaramar Lagoon, Dhanushkodi Lagoon, and the Arichalmunai beach in Rameswaram Island, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, which is an important site for winter migrants. A total of 147 avian species belonging to 17 orders and 45 families from August 2021 to July 2023 were recorded. Order-wise, Charadriiformes (52 species) dominated the area, followed by Passeriformes (27 species) and Pelecaniformes (21 species). According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 11 'Near Threatened', three 'Vulnerable', two 'Endangered' (Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris and Siberian Sandplover Anarhynchus mongolus), and one unassessed species (Hanuman Plover Charadrius seebohmi) were recorded. The relative abundance based on the frequency of observations indicated that 61% (90 species) were common, 22% (32 species) were uncommon, and 17% (25 species) were rare. Winter visitors constituted 42% (62 species) and one was a passage migrant (Rosy Starling Pastor roseus). Coastal lagoons of this region comprise diverse habitats that play a vital role for birds, which provide places for nesting, roosting, and foraging. This baseline data emphasizes the importance of Dhanushkodi Lagoon along with adjacent areas as an important wintering site on the southeastern coast of India for migratory shorebirds as well as highlights the importance of adjoining small forested patches thus required to be declared as a protected area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study offers a comprehensive avifaunal diversity assessment within the Therthanagal Bird Sanctuary (TBS) in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, India, conducted from April 2021 to March 2023, covering two breeding seasons. A total of 96 bird species from 18 orders and 44 families were recorded. The family representations by species included: Ardeidae with 10 species, Accipitridae and Rallidae with six species each, Anatidae with five species, Alcedinidae, Cuculidae, Columbidae, Threskiornithidae and Cisticolidae with four species each. Four globally "Near Threatened" species (IUCN Red List) were reported: Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, Asian Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus, and Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis. The observed frequencies of species classes were: common (n=58, 60%), uncommon (n=28, 29%), and rare (n=10, 10%). The majority of species were residents (n=83, 86%), followed by winter visitors (n=12, 12%), and a single passage migrant, (Rosy Starling Pastor roseus). Of conservation significance was the finding that 23 of 40 waterbird species recorded in the sanctuary were breeding on-site. Maximum numbers of birds and nests were recorded in the second year, which was presumed to be due to improved rainfall and water availability. The findings underscored the importance of the sanctuary in providing bird habitat, and emphasised the need for its conservation, particularly in safeguarding breeding waterbird habitat. This study provided essential baseline data for any management plan that the forest department may develop for the sanctuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over-summering of shorebirds refers to the phenomenon where certain species of shorebirds, primarily migratory, remain on their non-breeding grounds during the summer months for one or more years instead of migrating to their breeding grounds. The present study investigates the presence and abundance of over-summering shorebird species at four distinct sites covering 24 scanning points along the southeastern coasts of Tamil Nadu for 2017-2023. A total of 13 species were observed over-summering, with Lesser Sand Plover being the most dominant species, followed by Greater Sand Plover. Notably, 10 species were found across all four sites, while three species--Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Common Sandpiper--were exclusive to Dhanushkodi Lagoon, observed only during 2023. The study examined the year-wise abundance of these species, revealing a decline in over-summering shorebirds across all study sites. The Eurasian Curlew, Curlew Sandpiper, Bar-tailed & Black-tailed Godwits are the 'Near Threatened' species observed during the study. Furthermore, the research highlighted variations in Shannon species diversity index (H) location-wise and year-wise - Manoli Island (H = 2.25) in 2023; Dhanushkodi Lagoon (H = 1.8) in 2023; Valinokkam Lagoon (H = 1.63), and Pillaimadam Lagoon (H = 2.08) in 2017. Key findings are that among the study sites, in Pillaimadam Lagoon all 10 species' abundance declined; in Valinokkam Lagoon, Greater Sand Plover and Little Stint marginally increased, and eight species declined; Common Redshank and Ruddy Turnstone marginally increased in Manoli Island, while other eight species declined; Grey Plover population increased in Dhanushkodi Lagoon along with a marginal decrease in Common Redshank and Ruddy Turnstone as other species declined, over the years of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Threatened Taxa is the property of Wildlife Information Liaison Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Threatened Taxa is the property of Wildlife Information Liaison Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Crab Plover Dromas ardeola is endemic to the subtropical and tropical coastlines of the Indian Ocean. It breeds along the eastern coasts of Africa, the Persian Gulf, and southern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula; occurs also in the western Madagascar and most islands northwards to Seychelles. It is a winter visitor to Pakistan, Gujarat, and peninsular India, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, northern Sri Lanka, Maldives, and a vagrant to Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to assess the breeding records of the Crab Plover in Point Calimere. After some preliminary surveys and interactions with local birders, between June and August 2023, boat surveys and foot surveys were carried out in the Great Vedaryanam Swamp (GVS) and nearby islets to document the presence of Crab Plover and locate its nests. The presence of five nests of D. ardeola was recorded in Manaaran Theevu islet near Siruthalaikkadu of GVS. This observation marks the first documentation of breeding of Crab Plover in the Indian subcontinent. In the context of species conservation within the peninsular Indian region, there is a need for comprehensive and continuous monitoring of breeding sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This avifaunal checklist from the Samanatham tank of Madurai District of Tamil Nadu is the first baseline data for this wetland. The study was done from August 2015 to March 2019 and from August 2020 to January 2022. A total of 150 species of birds comprising 17 orders and 52 families were documented. Order wise, Passeriformes 35% (n = 53), Pelecaniformes 15% (n = 22), and Charadriiformes 14% (n = 21) dominated the wetland bird community. The relative diversity (RDi) of families with the most species were Anatidae, Scolopacidae, and Accipitridae with 7.33%. Among the 150 species, 37 (25%) were winter visitors; and one passage migrant Rosy Starling Pastor roseus. The relative abundance indicated that 56% (84 species) were common, 28.6 % (43 species) were uncommon, and 15.4 % (23 species) were rare. The study recorded eight globally Red Listed 'Near Threatened' species-Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, River Tern Sterna aurantia, & Osprey Pandion haliaetu-and two 'Vulnerable' species-Indian Spotted Eagle Clanga hastata & Great Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Any new economic activity in a virgin area brings landscape changes, making it essential to document baseline biodiversity areas to understand the impacts on habitats. Avifaunal inventories are critical for previously undocumented areas like the Valinokkam Lagoon in the Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu, which is an undocumented wintering site for shorebirds in the Central Asain Flyway (CAF). To formulate site and species-specific conservation management tools, the first bird baseline recorded 154 species of 16 orders and 46 families from August 2016 to February 2023. Order-wise, Charadriiformes (47 species) dominated the study area, followed by Passeriformes (39 species) and Pelecaniformes (20 species). Furthermore, according to the IUCN Red List Category, 11 Near Threatened (NT) species, one Endangered (EN) species (Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris), and one unassessed Hanuman Plover (Charadrius seebohmi) were recorded. The relative abundance indicated that 61 % (94 species) were Common (C), 26.6% (41 species) were uncommon (UC), and 12.3 % (19 species) were rare (Ra). Based on the residential status, winter visitors constituted 37.6 % (58 species) and one Passage Migrant (Rosy Starling Pastor roseus). This baseline data emphazises the importance of Valinokkam Lagoon as a crucial wintering site in the CAF on the southeastern coast of India for migratory shorebirds and the need for more conservation priorities for regional endemic birds like Hanuman Plover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every research endeavour must start with closing the information gap about species distribution and biodiversity systematically. Even though enough avifaunal research has been done on the Gulf of Mannar, southeastern India, there have been limited studies about the avifauna from all 21 islands except two. Increasing species occurrence data on distribution from all the islands is highlighted for the future conservation plans for this Important Bird Area. We provide an updated and detailed checklist and distribution of bird groups for all islands individually from a sampling period of 2015-2022. A total of 96 bird species belonging to 34 families from 13 orders were recorded from all the islands; of which 58 species were waterbirds and other terrestrial ones. Of the 29 shorebird species recorded, one is Endangered and seven are Near Threatened by IUCN Red List. Some of the earlier recorded species, not seen in our survey, are not annotated as no record exists for the last decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changaram wetland is an important stopover ground for migratory shorebirds, gulls, terns, and other waterbirds in the western coast of Kerala and it encompasses major habitats like exposed mudflats, mangrove fringes, and an agroecosystem. A total of 77 species of waterbirds (shorebirds, large wading birds, gulls, and terns) including long distance migrants, local migrants, and resident species were encountered in our survey carried out during 2018 and 2019. Ten out of these 77 species fall under threatened category in the IUCN Red List and hence the Changaram wetlands demand immediate attention from the conservation perspective. Considering tremendous anthropogenic pressures faced by these wetlands, and the decline in the abundance of waterbirds, a regular system for monitoring the bird population and the wetlands must be deployed for the conservation of the ecosystem and of the birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]