Happy New year My dear friends. May this year be filled with chirpings and twitterings galore.
Happy Birding. :)

Prasanth’s Birdwatching Report 26-12-2010

Today I went for birdwatching in Fact Township Eloor along with Madhu Krishnan from 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm. We had seen the following birds,

1. Purple Heron
2. Median Egret
3. Indian Pond Heron
4. Black Kite
5. Brahminy Kite
6. Western Marsh Harrier
7. Bronze winged Jacana
8. Red wattled Lapwing
9. Blue Rock Pigeon
10. Rose ringed Parakeet
11. Asian Koel
12. Greater Coucal
13. White breasted Kingfisher
14. Small Bee-eater
15. Blue-tailed Bee-eater
16. White cheeked Barbet
17. Coppersmith Barbet
18. Common Swallow
19. White Wagtail
20. Large Pied Wagtail
21. Yellow Wagtail
22. Red whiskered Bulbul
23. Oriental Magpie Robin
24. Indian Robin
25. White headed Babbler
26. Streaked Fantail Warbler
27. Ashy Prinia
28. Blyth's Reed Warbler
29. Common Tailorbird
30. Greenish Leaf Warbler
31. Asian Brown Flycatcher
32. Asian Paradise Flycatcher
33. Rosy Starling
34. Common Myna
35. Black Drongo
36. Ashy Drongo
37. Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
38. Indian Treepie
39. House Crow
40. Jungle Crow

Dr. S. Prasanth

Prasanth's Birdwatching Report 12-12-2010

Today I went for Birdwatching to Vallarpadam Container Terminal Road from 4.30 pm to 6.30pm. I have seen the following birds,

1. Grey Heron
2. Purple Heron
3. Median Egret
4. Cattle Egret
5. Indian Pond Heron
6. Brahminy Kite
7. Purple Moorhen
8. Lesser Sand Plover
9. Common Sandpiper
10. Asian Koel
11. White breasted Kingfisher
12. Small Bee-eater
13. Blue-tailed Bee-eater
14. White Wagtail
15. Large Pied Wagtail
16. Paddyfield Pipit
17. Red whiskered Bulbul
18. Oriental Magpie Robin
19. Indian Robin
20. White headed Babbler
21. Black headed Munia
22. Rosy Starling
23. Common Myna
24. Black Drongo
25. House Crow
26. Jungle Crow

Dr. S. Prasanth

Nilgiri Pipit

Nilgiri Pipit-Anthus nilghiriensis

A resident of SW Indian hills.Comparatively heavily streaked body.Can be seen skulking at ENP Munnar.This picture was shot from Rajamalai in Feb.2010.It was very skulking but finally came out in the open from the dried grass bed.See how well camoflauged it is!Posted on the backdrop of Birdlife International plan to uplist the conservation status of Nilgiri Pipit to Vulnerable.See thr link below:

http://www.birdlife.org/globally-threatened-bird-forums/2010/12/nilgiri-pipit-an/thus-nilghiriensis-uplist-to-vulnerable/

Regds

Vishnu

Bhoothathan Kettu-Idamalayar Birding Trip

Dear friends,
CNHS held a one day birding trip to Bhoothathankettu-Idamalayar region on 5th December.We started from Perumbavoor early morning and had breakfast at Bhoothathankettu and started our birding there.We saw a group of Grey Jungle in the fields behind the dam.On our way to old Bhoothathankettu we saw many birds including,a large flock of White Bellied Tree pies flying in a group.It was a good omen as it is our logo.Many chestnut headed bee-eaters were seen and photographed there.We also saw a guy with 600mm Nikkor lens on a strap around his neck.It was amazing how he could carry it so effortlessly;should be having a neck of steel!!!We next proceeded to Idamalayar at about 11.30am. We saw the eclipse male of Purple Sunbird on the way and all of us clicked it to the heart`s content in the scorching sun for some time....We reached the Dam site at about 2.00 and had a spartan lunch at the KSEB Canteen there.We went up to the tunnel , birding till about 5.30pm there and returned.
This is the complete list of birds sighted:

1. Darter 2. Cattle Egret 3. Indian Pond Heron 4. Little Green Heron 5. Crested Serpent Eagle 6. Shikra 7. Changeable Hawk Eagle 8. Grey Junglefowl 9. Red-wattled Lapwing 10. River Tern 11. Whiskered Tern 12. Blue Rock Pigeon 13. Pompadour Green Pigeon 14. Mountain Imperial Pigeon 15. Indian Hanging Parrot 16, Plum-headed Parakeet 17. Blue-winged Parakeet 18. Brainfever Bird 19. Drongo Cuckoo 20. Indian Edible nest Swiftlet 21. White-rumped Needletail Swift 22. Malabar Trogon 23. White-breasted Kingfisher 24. Lesser Pied Kingfisher 25. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater 26. Oriental Broad-billed Roller 27. Malabar Grey Hornbill 28. Greater Golden-backed Woodpecker 29. Heart-spotted Woodpecker 30. Dusky Crag-Martin 31. Red-rumped Swallow 32. Large Pied Wagtail 33. Large Cuckoo Shrike 34. Black-headed Cuckoo Shrike 35. Ruby-throated Bulbul 36. Yellow-browed Bulbul 37. Common Iora 38. Brown Shrike 39. Blue-headed Rock Thrush 40. Malabar Whistling Thrush 41. White-throated Ground Thrush 42. Black-headed Babbler 43. Jungle Babbler 44. Common Tailorbird 45. Greenish Leaf Warbler 46. Large-billed Leaf Warbler 47. Asian Brown Flycatcher 48. Brown-breasted Flycatcher 49. Asian Paradise Flycatcher 50. Plain Flowerpecker ( Nilgiri Flowerpecker) 51. Purple-rumped Sunbird 52. Small Sunbird 53. Purple Sunbird 54. Chestnut-tailed Starling 55. Common Myna 56. Jungle Myna 57. Eurasian Golden Oriole 58. Black-headed Oriole 59. Black Drongo 60. Ashy Drongo 61. Bronzed Drongo 62. Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 63. Ashy Wood Swallow 64. Indian Treepie 65. White-bellied Treepie 66. House Crow 67. Jungle Crow

68.PlainPrinia
69.Little Cormorant

70. Egret

71. Gold-fronted Chloropsis

72. Red-whiskered Bulbul

73. Crested Tree-Swift

74.Cheeked Barbet

75. Crimson-throated Barbet

76. Grey Wagtail

77. Oriental Magpie-Robin

78. Southern Hill Myna
79.Green Imperial Pegion.

Participants:
Dr.Dileep K G,Ginu George ,Jai P Jacob and his son,Dr.Prasanth,Dr.George Moti,Prasad M George,Anna George,Gopinathan Nair,Madhukrishnan,Binny V A,Jayesh,Rifaz,Manjesh,Rajsree Bhatter,Firoze,Prof.Muthafa, Ramanathan and myself.

Vishnu

Should we sacrifice the sanctity of our wilderness for luxuries?

Friends,
Recently my attention was captured by an article that appeared in 'The Hindu" newspaper.
It seems like there's a move to introduce air taxi for sabarimala pilgrims. Is it really a necessity?
Don't you think it will create a disturbance in the pristine forests which is also a project tiger reserve. Wild animals and trees also need space to live and thrive. We cannot invade and steal what little is left for them for our luxuries. Necessities, I can understand, but luxury????


Please read the article.:
Helicopter taxis for pilgrims A Correspondent

From Nedumbassery to Nilackal base camp

Nedumbassery: With more number of devotees from the neighbouring States opting for a flight to Kochi en route to the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, the airport here is expecting a quantum jump in the movement of domestic passengers during the ongoing two-month annual pilgrimage season.

According to official sources, the number of devotees arriving at the airport here had been registering a steady increase over the last few years and the trend was expected to continue in the current season as well. During the period, a largest number of devotees are expected to arrive from Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai.

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), in association with Bharath Airways Private Limited, has introduced a helicopter taxi service to the Nilackal base camp.

The Travancore Devaswom Board, in September, gave permission to CIAL for operating the service, subject to the necessary security clearance and permission from the authorities.

The first flight of the season, carrying five devotees from Hyderabad, is scheduled to take off from here next week. The services will be operated with a Bell-407 type chopper having a passenger capacity of five. There are also provisions to avail of a bigger chopper with 12-14 seats. The flying time from Nedumbassery to Nilackal will be 30 minutes and the fares will be charged on hourly basis.

The airport has also introduced pick and drop services for the pilgrims landing here from various destinations.

CIAL has been reporting a consistent growth in domestic traffic on the back of a sharp jump in the number of domestic tourists arriving here.

Domestic traffic in the airport here during the last fiscal grew by a healthy margin of 26.7 per cent along with a 6 per cent increase in domestic aircraft movements.

Smitha Komath's Gallery

Simply awesome photographs. One would wish to see MORE pictures of this genre in this gallery. Congrats Smitha!!!

Film on TIGER WASP Released...

Hi, friends,

A short film on TIGER WASP is available for viewing in the VIDEOS section. Click over the thumbnail and go top. Your comments and criticisms are most solicited.

Thank you,

Dr.Dilip K G

CNHS House Sparrow Monitoring Project

Thank you, Dr. Anilkumar T R for your post in the "CNHS House Sparrow Monitoring Project". The data you provided is of immense value. Please continue posting.

One Day Birding Trip to IDAMALAYAR

Dear Friends,

Cochin Natural History Society is conducting a one day bird watching programme on Sunday
5th December.
Area : Bhoothathankettu to Idamalayar Dam Area.
Vegetation : Semi Evergreen and Plantation
Date : 5th December 2010
Route of Travel :Perumbavoor – Kothamangalam – Keerampara- Bhoothathankettu – Thundathil-Idamalayar
Distance : Approx: 50 kms from Perumbavoor
Starting Time : 5 45 a.m Near Perumbavoor Transport Bus stand
(There is a pay and park facility there where you can park your vehicle)
We will travel t by a Mini bus/Tempo traveler from Perumbavoor.
Cost : The actual cost of transportation & food to be shared by all

Instructions:
1. Please register before 30th November 2010 by email (cochinnhs@yahoo.com) or by phone Vishnu: 9446437410 Registration is limited to 20 persons.
2. You should carry light snacks, umbrella, caps, enough water etc.
3. We will be birding along the road and immediate vicinity. Most of the road from Bhoothathankettu passes through thick forest and we are likely to see 70 – 90 species on a good and lucky day including Malabar Trogon, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Blue Bearded Bee Eater, Chestnut Winged Cuckoo, Yellow Browed Bulbul, and Scarlet Minivet, Barn Swallow, Dusky Crag Martin and many more species of beautiful birds. We are likely to see many species of Butterflies and dragon flies etc. also.
4. We will start at 5.45 a.m on 05.12. 2010 from Perumbavoor KSRTC Bus station and do birding till 2 p.m and return.
5. Breakfast and lunch will be had along the way from small teashops (cost sharing basis).

Bird Race 2010 - Team OWL

Hi, All,

I am Parvana Dilip . I am from team owl, a two member team. The captain of my team was my father Dr Dilip KG. We started our race by six in the morning. We first went to a field close to our home were we spotted almost 43 species. Remaining were spotted on the way to and the main spot located near Manjali, Pandiyolichal . We were able to spot only 55 species in total because we ended up the race by 12 at noon to attend a family function.

Bird of the day - Watercock

Dip of the day - Pied wagtail

Kerala Bird Race 2010 Sparrow Team

Kerala Bird Race 2010 Ernakulam
Team - Sparrow
Location - Koottikkal,Bhuthathankettu and Iringolkavu.
Time : 6.30 am to 5.30 pm (14-11-2010 Sunday)
Captain - Madhu Krishnan
Team Members - Dr. S. Prasanth, Saranya
Total No. of Species - 67
Bird of the Day - Heart-spotted Woodpecker
Dip of the Day - House Sparrow

List of Birds

1. Lesser Whistling Duck
2. Racket-tailed Drongo
3. Blyth's Reed Warbler
4. Little Cormorant
5. White-breasted Kingfisher
6. Indian Pond Heron
7. Rose-ringed Parakeet
8. House Crow
9. Jungle Crow
10. White-headed Babbler
11. Indian Treepie
12. Oriental Magpie Robin
13. White-cheeked Barbet
14. Red-whiskered Bulbul
15. Plum-headed Parakeet
16. Yellow-legged Green Pigeon
17. Mountain Imperial Pigeon
18. Gery Jungle Fowl
19. Oriental Broad-billed Roller
20. Brown-breasted Flycatcher
21. Purple-rumped Sunbird
22. Black-naped Oriole
23. Jungle Babbler
24. Southern Hill Myna
25. Asian Paradise Flycatcher
26. Asian Fairy Bluebird
27. Black Drongo
28. Blue-winged Parakeet
29. Red-vented Bulbul
30. Eurasian Golden Oriole
31. Median Egret
32. Large Egret
33. Ashy Drongo
34. Little Egret
35. Common Myna
36. Jungle Myna
37. Brahminy Starling
38. Bronzed Drongo
39. Heart-spotted Woodpecker
40. Great Black Woodpecker
41. Small Blue Kingfisher
42. Spotted Dove
43. Small Bee-eater
44. Western Marsh Harrier
45. Purple Sunbird
46. White-bellied Treepie
47. Crested Serpent Eagle
48. Common Tern
49. Purple Heron
50. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
51. Greenish Leaf Warbler
52. Streaked Fantail Warbler
53. Cattle Egret
54. Red-wattled Lapwing
55. White-breasted Waterhen
56. Red Spurfowl
57. Golden-headed Fantail Warbler
58. Malabar Grey Hornbill
59. Blue-tailed Bee-eater
60. Common Tailorbird
61. Large Pied Wagtail
62. Greater Coucal
63. Common Swallow
64. Asian Koel
65. Indain Pitta
66. Blue Rock Pigeon
67. White-throated Ground Thrush.

Dr. S. Prasanth

Bird Race 2010 - Kochi - Team Swallow (CNHS)

Hi all,

Please see our brief report below.

Team - Swallow

Birding area - Bhoothathankettu Dam to Edamalayar Dam, Kothamangalam & Nedumbassery,

Time - 6.30 AM to 5.45 PM

Team Captain - Ginu George

Team Members - Jai.P. Jacob, Prinson , Noble, Elias.

Total species count = 92

Bird of the day = Rufous-Bellied Eagle

Dip of the day = Tailor Bird

Mammals = Stripe-necked Mongoose, Dusky Palm Squirrel, Malabar Gaint Squirrel.

Rgds

Ginu George

See below for full species count.

1. Little Cormorant

2. Little Egret

3. Purple Heron

4. Large Egret

5. Indian Pond

6. Cattle Egret

7. Asian Openbill-Stork

8. Shikra

9. Rufous-Bellied Eagle

10. Crested Serpent Eagle

11. Grey Jungle fowl

12. Purple Moorhen

13. Bronze-Winged Jacana

14. Red-Wattled Lapwing

15. Yellow-Wattled Lapwing

16. Common Sandpiper

17. Whiskered Tern

18. Rock Pigeon

19. Emerald Dove

20. Rose-Ringed Parakeet

21. Plum-Headed Parakeet

22. Blue Winged Parakeet

23. Indian Hanging-Parrot

24. Common Hawk-Cuckoo

25. Greater Coucal

26. Mottled Wood Owl

27. Jungle Owlet

28. Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet

29. Malabar Trogon

30. White-Throated Kingfisher

31. Chestnut-Headed Bee-eater

32. Blue-Tailed Bee-eater

33. Green Bee-eater

34. Indian Roller

35. Malabar Grey Hornbill

36. White-Cheeked Barbet

37. Black-Rumped Flameback

38. Heart-Spotted Woodpecker

39. Greater Flameback

40. Malabar Lark

41. Dusky Crag Martin

42. Barn Swallow

43. Brown Shrike

44. Eurasian Golden Oriole

45. Black-Hooded Oriole

46. Black Drongo

47. Ashy Drongo

48. Bronzed Drongo

49. Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo

50. Ashy Wood Swallow

51. Chestnut-Tailed Starling

52. Common Myna

53. Jungle Myna

54. Southern Hill Myna

55. Rufous Tree Pie

56. White-Bellied Tree Pie

57. House Crow

58. Jungle Crow

59. Bar-Winged Flycatcher Shrike

60. Large Cuckoo-Shrike

61. Black-Headed Cuckoo-Shrike

62. Scarlet Minivet

63. Small Minivet

64. Common lora

65. Gold-fronted Chloropsis

66. Asian Fairy Bluebird

67. Grey-Headed Bulbul

68. Black-Crested Bulbul

69. Red-Whiskered Bulbul

70. Red-Vented Bulbul

71. Yellow-Browed Bulbul

72. Indian Rufous Babbler

73. Jungle Babbler

74. Asian Brown Flycatcher

75. Asian Paradise Flycatcher

76. Black-Naped Monarch Flycatcher

77. Plain Prinia

78. Greenish Leaf Warbler

79. Large-Billed Leaf Warbler

80. Oriental Magpie-Robin

81. White-Throated Ground Thrush

82. Malabar Whistling-Thrush

83. Great Tit

84. Large Pied Wagtail

85. Pale-Billed Flowerpecker

86. Purple-Rumped Sunbird

87. Purple Sunbird

88. Loten's Sunbird

89. House Sparrow

90. Black-Throated Munia

91. Scaly-Breasted Munia

92. Black-Headed Munia

Kerala Birdrace 2010 Report

Kerala Bird Race 2010 concluded

The 4^th edition of the Kerala Bird race was held on 14^th November 2010. 130 odd bird watchers and nature enthusiasts in 31 teams from Ernakulam, Kottayam and Thrissur took part actively in the event. This included veteran birdwatchers to VII standard students like Ijas Muhammed and Parvana.

The event was organised in Kochi, by Cochin Natural History Society, a premier conservation organization in central Kerala.

Highlights of the dawn to dusk bird watching event was sighting of Malabar Pied Hornbills, Blue Bearded Bee Eaters and Rufous Bellied Hawk Eagles.

In the valedictory function, prizes to the winners were distributed by Hon. Minister for transport, Adv. Jose Thettayil. The team led by Sandeepdas won first prize (168 species). Bird of the Day prize was won by the team led by Gopal Prasad and Dr. Anudath who sighted a big flock of 16 Malabar Pied Hornbills in Athirappally-Vazhachal area. Dr. B.S. Corrie, Chief Conservator of Forests spoke on project of compensating and encouraging farmers who protect large roosting sites of Cormorants, Egrets and other wetland birds in the State. Dr. N.C. Induchoodan, DFO, spoke on the afforestation and bird conservation project of the Forest Department near CIAL Nedumbassery.Dr.B. Sreekumar,President of Kottayam Nature Society was the Adjudicator of the event. Sri.Sunjoy Monga,Mr. Renu Varghese, Dr. P.O. Nameer,Head Center for Wildlife Studies,KAU also spoke on the occasion .

KERALA BIRD RACE 2010

Dear all,

This is a call for registration for the teams participating in Kerala Bird Race 2010; the 4th bird race to happen in Kerala. For more details CLICK here

CNHS House Sparrow Monitoring Project

Thank You, Mr.Vishnu, for your posting in the CNHS House Sparrow Monitoring Project. Pls. continue posting. We request all the readers of this Blog to post their record (if any) in the page available at the bottom of the Blog.

Thank you.

for

CNHS

Harry Potter Blamed for Fuelling India Owls' Demise

Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Velli Moonga

To read the BBC report CLICK here

Again on Encroachment

The female elephant was supposed to be poisoned. She was pregnant.

Pls. click over the picture to enlarge to read.

Encroachment

Over the years as the number of humans on the planet grew, pressure on the land and the natural resourses grew and we began encroaching more and more on the forest land, mostly to cater to growing greed than needs of us .Now the situtaion has so worsened that the animals are forced to move out of their shrinking natural habitats and into the human settlements and plantations in search of food....Every other day we read stories of leopards mared in traps,elephants dead due to poisoning or munching on firecrackers or hit by speeding trains... Now who are the `Encrochers' we humans or the animals? The pictures are from the tea estates of Valparai,TN.

Think of the effect the pesticide laden foliage has on the breeding biology and genes of all these animals and smaller organisms.

Think how we are killing off the future- our own...

As some Red Indian chief said Earth is not inherited from our ancestors, but borrowed from our children...

Vishnu

Atlas moth

The Atlas moth (Attacus atlas) is a large moth found in the tropical and subtropical forests in Asia. Atlas moths are considered to be the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area (upwards of c. 400 square cm or 65 square inches). Females are appreciably larger and heavier. Females are sexually passive, releasing powerful pheromones which males detect and home in on with the help of chemoreceptors located on their large feathery antennae. Males may thus be attracted from several kilometres downwind.

Once mated the female lays a number of spherical eggs 2.5 mm in diameter on the undersides of leaves. Dusty-green caterpillars hatch after about two weeks and feed voraciously on the foliage of certain citrus and other evergreen trees. The caterpillars are adorned with fleshy spines along their backs which are covered in a waxy white substance. After reaching a length of about 115 mm (4.5 inches), the caterpillars pupate within papery cocoon interwoven into desiccated leaves. The adult moths emerge after about four weeks.

This is a photograph of a male Atlas moth found in Kalady town on 15-10-10. In September 2009 also, there was a sighting of a male atlas moth from the nearby Onampilli.

JohnC

Aadaraanjalikal...

John C Jacob (1936—October 12, 2008) was one of the pioneers of the environmental movement in Kerala. He started a zoology club that would form the genesis of campus-based nature conservation activities. JohnC also started "green" magazines stressing the need to preserve nature. He also set up the Society for Environment Education, Kerala (SEEK), which published an environment-focused magazine Soochi Mukhi. He actively led and succeeded in the movement against the Silent Valley project

TREE PIE

We used to feed the squirrels around our place. Bread is their favourite food. Feed them banana or nuts, they look at you with an expression, "what the heck Lady, we get it all the time from your orchard!". Guess like human beings, they are also getting addicted to junk food.

Recently, our guest list has stretched to include a couple of other species - a pair of Red whiskered Bulbul , a pair of Magpie Robins, a family of Treepies and mynas and few crows. Among them, the juvenile Treepies are my favourites. They are so friendly that if I'm late to feed them in the morning, they unabashedly make a racket with their loud "kekke kekke kekke".(By the way has anybody noticed one thing? Treepies do make this sound when they come across food.)Infact, one of them is a such a daredevil that he/she doesn't mind taking the bread pieces left on my window sil.:)
They don't mind fighting with the squirrels for their share of bread. It's quite a sight to see them trying to intimidate the squirrels by puffing up their feathers.
So anybody interested in befriending a treepie, try to lure them with bread.

Chestnut Winged Cuckoo

Great pic. Vishnu. I myself had only two previous sightings (only glimpses) of the bird. One at Thekkady (dormitory area) and another at Thattekkad (?).

Greeenish Leaf Warbler

(Pacha Podikuruvi)

Heard the first GLW of this season today(8-10-10) at 6.55 am. The typical 'chiruvi... chiruvi...' call was heard three-four times and then the bird went silent.

Greenish leaf warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides viridanus) is the commonest of the Phylloscopi wintering in Kerala. Breeds (summer) in N.Europe, W.Siberia, NW. Mongolia south to Gilgit and Kashmir.

CNHS Sparrow Monitoring Project

Thank you MI Jijo for your posting to the CNHS Sparrow Monitoring Project. Plz. continue posting.

HAVE YOU SEEN/HEARD THE MIGRANTS?

Hai everybody,

This is a look-out notice for Migrants. Have anybody seen any migrants of this season in Ernakulam?. There are reports of sightings from elsewhere.

Hi all,

Wildlife week celebrations organized by Forest Department was inaugurated on Sunday (3rd October 2010) by Mr.Benoy Viswom (Minister for Forest and Housing) at Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Cochin.

Mr.V.R. Krishna Iyer (Former judge of the Supreme Court), Dominic Presentation (MLA), Simon Britto (MLA), Trivedi Babu (CCF), B.S. Corrie (CCF) attended the function. The Minister also presented prizes to the winners of various competitions held by forest department. An exhibition on biodiversity also began at the sanctuary. It will be on till October 8.

CNHS members Dr.Dilip KG, Vishnu, Manoj, Basil Peter, Nelson & myself attended the function in which Mangrove tree saplings were distributed to various organizations. Representing CNHS, Basil Peter a hardcore Mangrove enthusiast received a sapling from the Minister. CNHS will be receiving 100 more Mangrove saplings from the Forest Department which is decided be planted along the costal belt around Cochin.

Regards
Ginu George

Wildlife week

Hi all,

Wildlife week celebrations organized by Forest Department was inaugurated on Sunday (3rd October 2010) by Mr.Benoy Viswom (Minister for Forest and Housing) at Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Cochin.

Mr.V.R. Krishna Iyer (Former judge of the Supreme Court), Dominic Presentation (MLA), Simon Britto (MLA), Trivedi Babu (CCF), B.S. Corrie (CCF) attended the function. The Minister also presented prizes to the winners of various competitions held by forest department. An exhibition on biodiversity also began at the sanctuary. It will be on till October 8.

CNHS members Dr.Dilip KG, Vishnu, Manoj, Basil Peter, Nelson & myself attended the function in which Mangrove tree saplings were distributed to various organizations. Representing CNHS, Basil Peter a hardcore Mangrove enthusiast received a sapling from the Minister. CNHS will be receiving 100 more Mangrove saplings from the Forest Department which is decided to be planted along the costal belt around Cochin.

Regards
Ginu George

tahr

Russell's Viper

Hai, all,

Chelamattom, Perumbavoor, 30-9-2010, 5pm

My neighbor caught a different kind of fish with his net - a lethal one. The plastic net he used to cover his well ensnared (accidentaly) a small sized Russell's Viper (Malayalam - Anali) and the poor creature died of injury, fatigue and starvation as the casualty was noticed only after some days. I myself have two previous experiences of snakes getting entangled in similar nets on their own.

Hi, watch this,

Purplerumped Sunbird (male) Video clip by Dilip KG. Chelamattom

Hi, all,

NEWS ....

It is informed that there is a sunset cruise which starts from Kochi towards the evening and takes you about 8km into the sea and back at dark. Tickets are available daily at same counter. It should be worth from a birding perspective. Wouldn't that be a good way to check out for pelagics ?

Hi, all,

The construction of the proposed Cricket stadium at Edakochi has been stayed by the District Collector for want of proper clearances. The Kerala Cricket Association is being charged for offences like the destruction of mangroves, permanent construction etc., infringing the CRZ Act. Let us hope that the Govt. and the forest dept. will take necessary steps to thwart the attempts of the stalwarts of the already tarnished and corrupt 'cricket industry' to unscrupulously destroy the remaining mangroves in the area, as if mangroves are wastelands!!!.

some pics of the mangroves nearby Edakochi is enclosed

dilip k g