25.12.13 Bird watching programme report
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Transcript of 25.12.13 Bird watching programme report
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Report of the one day Bird watching Programme for NGOs
organized by the C.P.R.Env.Edn.Centre, Chennai in Ousteri lake
under Bio-Diversity Conservation Programme
Ousteri is a wetland situated on
the western side of Puducherry
(Pondicherry). The entire wetlandcovers an area of around 390 hectares
and the radius of the lake is 12kms. It isgeographically located in Puducherry
and Tamil Nadu. Interestingly theeastern side of the lake belongs to
Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu andthe western side belongs to Puducherry .
It attracts many migratory avian
species. It is recognized by the
International Union for
Conservation of Nature as one of
the important wetlands of Asia.From the Stone inscriptions of
Thiruvakarai Temple, it is learnt that thelake was dug during the reign of
Krishnadeva Rayar (i.e.,15091529).
In order to make the NGOs of
Puducherry to understand the time
memorial important wetland of theirregion which is situated very clos to
their proximity the C.P.R.Env.Edn.
Centre, Chennai organized a BirdWatching Programme .
The Bird Watching Programme
started on 25th December 2013 at06.30am.. 35 interested members of
various NGOs of Puducherryparticipated in it. They were guided
by the environmentalist Mr. C.S.Ramanathan and Mr. S. Ganapathy
taking them to the Lake Estate of SriAurobindo Ashram of the Ousteri. Mr. V.
Ramalingam programme co-ordinatorbriefed the participants about the CPR
Environment Education Centre ofChennai and the immense need of
protecting the bio-diversity. He also toldabout the history of the Ousteri lake.
The visibility of the lake is very clear in
the morning for bird watching. Almost
all the participants were new to Bird
Watching; Mr. Ganapathy vividlydescribed the Dos and Donts of Bird
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watching. They were also instructed
how to view through binocular. Thethings to keep in mind while watching
birds and the information of the bird
migration were clearly explained tothem.
The participants were provided
Binoculars and pictures denoting thename of the parts of a bird. Model
worksheets stating the importantpoints of bird watching were distributed
to the participants for their future use. .A list containing the name of avian
visitors of Ousudu lake depicting their
English name Tamil name and scientific
name was also been distributed to them.
They were taken to the top of a mound
from where the lake is clearly visible inthe morning sunshine. Being the firsttime for them, every one of the
participant were greatly astonished and
excited to view the lake throughBinocular.
The participants were asked to feel free
to refer the Hand Book of Indian Birdspublished by the Bombay NaturalHistory Society, immediately after
watching a bird. Mr. Ganapathy assistedthem in this new venture of the
participants.
The following birds were visible in the
lake on that day.
Wigeon male and female 27 Nos
Terns 7 NosBrahmini kite 1 NoSmal Green Beeeater 12 Nos
Palm swift 5 Nos
While walking in the garden they cameacross White headed Barbler, Sunbird
male, Myna etc . They were made to
listen carefully and hear the calls ofthe birds. They identified Koel song.
The calls of Red vented bulbul, Parakeetand Sun bird were heard from nearby
shrubs and trees.
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While walking along the passage, Mr.
Ramanathan helped the participants in
identifying various herbs found on bothsides . Their medicinal value and themethods to use them were also
elaborated to the participants. The needto protect them for the benefit of all
living things of the world was insisted.
The garden was filled with colourful
flowers of various plants. The butterflies
of 12 varieties were noted by the
participants. Besides these, manyvarieties of beetles, insects andcentipedes were also identified.
After the breakfast, we marchedthrough the road which leads to a small
village Poothurai. On the way we had aninteresting sight of a cattle grassing in
the wetland meadows and the cattle
egrets of 17 nos. surrounding the cattleand eating the insects flying around
while the cattle was moving. In turn theegrets help the cattle by eating the
parasites on the body of the cattle. Theinter dependence of living things and
helping one another in their attitude was
made known to the participants.
We went to the Grass Land farm, whichis further towards the north of theeastern side of the lake. Here we
identified the following.
Grey Heron 5NosPurple Heron 2Nos
Palm Swift 12 Nos
Open bill 9 Nos
Brahmini kite 3Nos
Large Grey Barbler 1No
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We then went to the peacock garden
of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.. Mr.Ramanathan briefed about the birds in
Tamil literature to the participants.
Around 1 Oclock we reached theAranya forest of Aroville. Mr. Saravanan
In-charge of the place cordially
welcomed us. We all had our lunch
here which was hot and tasty. Theparticipants were shown an exhibition of
some migratory and common bird
pictures. After this Mr. Saravanan leadus through bushes and ravines of the
place.
All along the way he described about
the rare varieties of trees , shrubs andplants. Many endangered species of trees
and plants were reared here. Along the
route of short trekking we came acrossdropping of various animals such as fox,
rabbit, porcupine and rabbit. Foot printsof fox were also visible nearby the
artificial pond created by the efforts ofMr. Saravanan. On returning from the
trekking we were refreshed by hot and
tasty herbal juice. With this we came tothe end of the days programme.
Mr. Krishnan, Deputy Director
(Training), State Training Centre ofPuducherry appreciated the active
participation of the NGOs and their rolein conserving Bio-Diversity . He gave
away the Certificates to the participants.Everyone departed with joyful memories
lasting for a long time, expressingheartful gratitude to CPR
Env.Edn.Centre for having organizedsuch a wonderful and useful programme.