New Delhi:
The fifth edition of Great Backyard Bird Count was organised from February 17 to 20 in Salem. In total 163 species of birds, including 39 species of migrants and partial migrants were recorded on the fourth day of the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) held from February from February 17 to 20.
This was the fifth edition of the global event and coordinated by Bird Count India and United Salem for Bird Life.
The team was led by bird watchers S.V. Ganeshwar, Murugesh Natesan, M. Elavarasan and their friends and they found some rare birds such as the Hair-crested Drongo and Blue-capped Rock Thrush in Yercaud and Ruddy-breasted Crake in Kannankurichi Lake.
The team also spotted rare European Bee-eaters, the elusive Yellow-throated Bulbul and Rusty-tailed Flycatcher and were surprised to find them.
For the first time in Salem at Kannankurichi Mookaneri Lake, Pin-tailed Snipe was recorded. The bird originally breeds in Northern Russia.
The team also found some 21 Baillon's Crakes, the highest count for species recorded in the State.
In Pudhu Eri, rare species such as the Rock Eagle Owl, Mottled Wood Owl and Jerdon’s Nightjar were spotted.
