Heronries.
Heronries are communal nesting places of large water
birds, such as Indian Pond Heron (കുളക്കൊക്ക്),
Great Egret (പെരുമുണ്ടി), Median Egret(ചെറുമുണ്ടി), Little Egret(ചിന്നമുണ്ടി),Cattle Egret (കാലിമുണ്ടി),Grey
Heron(ചാരമുണ്ടി) ,Purple
Heron(ചായമുണ്ടി),Black-crowned
Night Heron(പാതിരാകൊക്ക്) , Great
Cormorant(വലിയ നീർകാക്ക),Indian
Shag(കിന്നരി നീർകാക്ക),Little
Cormorant (ചെറിയ നീർകാക്ക),Oriental Darter(ചേരക്കോഴി),Glossy Ibis (ചെന്തലയൻ അരിവാൾകൊക്കൻ ),
Woolly Necked Stork (കരുവാരക്കുരു) , Black Headed Ibis(വെള്ള ഐബിസ് ) etc.,. Usually they build
nests on tall trees and reed beds near paddy fields etc. Kerala has about 15
species of resident and breeding water birds, many of which establish mixed
colonies at the time of breeding. Protection of heronries is very important for
the conservation and management of these species, many of which are an integral
part of our agricultural ecosystem. Documentation of these heronries,
information on the species breeding within our area and knowledge of the
current status of our heronries are the first basic steps in the direction of
chalking out a conservation strategy regarding these birds.
Cochin Natural History Society and Social Forestry
Wing of Kerala Forest Department have (under the Green
Partnership Programme) started the data collection and monitoring of
Heronries in Ernakulam and Idukki Districts. In the coming years this will help
to protect their habitats which include Agricultural Lands, Wetlands and
Woodlands.
We request all nature enthusiasts and bird watchers to help
us in this effort. If you have come across any
Heronry(communal nesting sites on large trees and reed beds etc.), near
your home, workplace or while travelling ,in Ernakulam and Idukki Districts,
please contact and provide details to Vishnupriyan (Mob- 9446437410,
cochinnaturalhistorysociety@gmail.com)
on or before 20th July.
Vishnupriyan K
Cochin Natural History Society
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