Salt pans witness early arrival of migratory birds in Kanniyakumari

The arrival of migratory birds, particularly waders, has begun early this year at the salt pans of Puthalam, Andivilai and Swamithoppu in Kanniyakumari district. Several birds that were ringed at these salt pans last year were also spotted at the sites, indicating their return to the wetlands.

The salt pans of Puthalam, Andivilai and Swamithoppu, which were once extensively used for salt production, have considerably shrunk over the years. At present, only a few patches are being used for salt production. However, the reduction in salt producing areas has not prevented the migratory birds from returning to these sites.

Waders have started arriving a few days earlier than usual this year, with the salt pans providing feeding and resting grounds for the birds during their long-distance migration along the Central Asian Flyway.

S. Balachandran, former Deputy Director of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and managing trustee of Migratory Bird Monitoring Trust (MBMT), said the waders usually arrived at the salt pans around the middle of August. “However, their arrival has begun as early as the end of July this year.”

The number of waders started declining after the initial arrival, but was expected to increase following the onset of the northeast monsoon, when more migratory birds were likely to reach the region.

Mr. Balachandran added that the present period was also the peak season for terns. The salt pans served as important resting and feeding grounds for the terns along the Central Asian Flyway before they continued their southward journey to countries such as Sri Lanka and Australia.

C. Sudhamathy, scientific consultant with MBMT, said that several waders and terns that had been ringed last year were spotted this year. Among the ringed birds sighted were Tibetan Plovers, Red shank and Little stint.

Pointing out that a bar-tailed godwit, one of the long distance migrant species known for undertaking exceptionally long journeys, was also recorded during the recent sightings. For many wader species, the salt pans functioned as a terminal or seasonal wintering habitat where they remained for several months before beginning their journey.

The repeated sightings of ringed birds also highlighted the importance of the salt pans as regular stopover and wintering sites for migratory birds.

Mr. Balachandran stressed the need to protect the habitats from disturbance. With the sites increasingly attracting visitors and birdwatchers, he said people visiting the salt pans without adequate awareness could inadvertently disturb birds that were feeding or resting.