EDITOR’S NOTE
“Exploring one of the least visited locations has given rise to a new photo record; the special campus sighting by the the renowned P.U.M.S, Krishnampudur students and the 6th Tamil Birders Meet in a least-birded district Theni have all made this final issue of the year a great one! With this 12th issue, DARTER completes three years of online publication successfully. We are thankful to each of the contributors and our readers worldwide. Sightings and records which are entered in eBird are only taken into account towards the writing of this e-magazine.” —Ganeshwar SV.
FIRST PHOTO RECORD
On October 6, 2019, Senthil Kumar S photographed a MONTAGU’S HARRIER Circus pygarus for the first time in Salem. Please see the complete checklist here.
ECO CLUB MEET
On October 6, 2019, the Eco Club meeting was held at Panchayat Union Middle School, Thalavaipatty to review the past and present eco activities of the school. They also planned new ways to enhance the set of activities which they were already doing. The meet was coordinated by teacher P Rajangam.
CAMPUS RECORD BY STUDENTS
On October 12, 2019, the students of Panchayat Union Middle School, Krishnampudur recorded ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER Muscicapa dauurica in their school campus for the first time. Their guide and teacher Vadivukkarasi A conveyed that the students were thrilled to see a migratory bird in their school. Salem Ornithological Foundation congratulates the students and teachers for their consistent and dedicated efforts in campus bird monitoring. Please see the complete checklist here.
OCTOBER BIG DAY
During the October Big Day on October 6, 2018, birders collectively recorded 90 species and submitted 170 checklists in total. The participants were Angeline Mano, Elavarasan M, Himavat Gouresh, Pavithra Sangee, Pradeepa Sudhakar, Rajendran BE, Subramania Siva, Vadivukkarasi A and Senthil Kumar S. Notable sighting of the day was a ‘Vulnerable’ RED-NECKED FALCON Falco chicquera near Tharamangalam and a small flock of ASIAN FAIRY-BLUEBIRDS Irena puella, both sighted by Senthil Kumar S. For more details about the day’s event, please click here.
SÁLIM ALI BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
To commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali, on November 12, 2019 several programs such as classroom presentations with songs and games, drawing competitions, bird walks were conducted at many schools including Panchayat Union Primary School, Neermullikuttai (conducted by Kalaiselvan V), Panchayat Union Middle School, Krishnampudur (Senthil Kumar S) and Panchayat Union Middle School, Thalavaipatty (Rajangam P).
CERTIFICATE COURSE IN BASIC ORNITHOLOGY
India’s top prestigious research institutions IISER, Tirupati, SACON, NCBS and NCF collaborated to bring out a Certificate Course in Basic Ornithology: Research & Conservation which was held at IISER, Tirupati. It was supported by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. Out of over 1600 applications for the course, 100 aspiring students who are pursuing or would pursue a career in wildlife or ornithology were selected after scrutiny. One among the selected lot was a member of Salem Ornithological Foundation, Ganeshwar SV who successfully completed the course and received the certificate. To listen to the course lectures, basic ornithology, bird biology, conservation and research, please visit: https://www.ornithology.in/
6TH TAMIL BIRDERS’ MEET
With more than 100 participants from many parts of Tamil Nadu and neighboring states, the 6th Tamil Birders Meet was great success. It was organized with the help of Sri Adi Chunchanagiri Women’s College, Cumbum, Theni. Three members from Salem Ornithological Foundation delivered their presentations. Angeline Mano, engaged children with several nature and bird education games which were greatly enjoyed by the participants. Ganeshwar SV, along with senior birder Dr Badrinarayan gave a lecture on the basics of using eBird and best practices to submit a good checklist. Senthil Kumar S (Vasen Suli) presented his observations on the monitoring of the ‘Vulnerable’ White-naped Tit.
A BIRDWATCHER’S PLEDGE
If you agree with these sentiments, do help circulate by downloading the poster above and sharing them. The pledge is also available in 11 other Indian languages; to take the pledge in your regional language, please click here.
