Bird survey on Wayanad sky islands records 144 species

Black-and-orange fly catcher

A three-day avian survey, organised by the South Wayanad and North Wayanad forest divisions and Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur in association with the Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology across the sky islands in the region revealed that the islands in the landscape played host to an array of avian wonders.

Banasura Chialappan

Banasura Chialappan

According to preliminary findings, the survey recorded an astonishing 144 bird species, including the elusive Hume’s Warbler, Nilgiri Sholakili, Eurasian Crag Martin, and the critically endangered Red-headed Vulture and recently described Banasura Chilappan.

Red-headed Vulture

Red-headed Vulture

The survey, which commenced from an elevation of 1,200 metres above sea level, traversed fifteen sky islands in the Western Ghats, stretching from the southern tip of Wayanad to Ambalapara, bordering the Aaralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur district and Brahmagiri sanctuary in Coorg district of Karnataka.


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“The discovery of these rare bird species underscores the importance of conserving Wayanad’s unique mountain ecosystem,” says C.K. Vishnudas, Director of the Hume Center.

Nilgiri Sholakkili

Nilgiri Sholakkili

Mr. Vishnudas said that the sky islands of Wayanad were the habitat of the endangered Banasura Chilappan, an endemic bird recently discovered from the mountain peaks of Wayanad. “As none of these areas fall in any protective category, it is important to take immediate steps to declare the Banasura Chilappan National Park covering the entire Camel Hump mountain ranges,” he added.

South Wayanad Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ajith K. Raman inaugurated the survey.

A rare congregation of as many as 60 Olive-backed Pipit, a migratory bird, atop the Kurichiar Mala in the district was an unusual treat for the birders.

Hume’s Warbler

Hume’s Warbler

As many as 55 bird enthusiasts from across the State and Mumbai took part in the survey.

While Mr. Raman and Martin Lowel, DFO, North Wayanad, coordinated the survey in South and North Wayanad forest divisions, G. Pradeep, warden, and Remya, forest range officer of the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, coordinated Amabalappara mountain camps during the survey.