25.12.13 bird watching programme report

7/27/2019 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.

25.12.13 bird watching programme report

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