The Land Birds of Sriharikota Island, Southern India and Conservation Issues

2009·9.4 MB·

by  Ranjit Manakadan

Journal ofthe Bombay Natural History Society, 106(1), Jan-Apr 2009 15-2®
THE LAND BIRDS OF SRIHARIKOTA ISLAND, SOUTHERN INDIA
AND CONSERVATION ISSUES
RanjitManakadan1'5, Prakash Rao2, K.K. Mohapatra3, S. Sivakumar1-6,J. Patrick David1-7,
B. SenthilMurugan1-8andV. Santharam4
'BombayNatural HistorySociety,HornbillHouse,S.B. SinghRoad,Mumbai400001,Maharashtra, India.
2WWF-India, 172-B,Lodhi Estate,NewDelhi 110003, India. Email: [email protected]
•JPSAssociatesPrivateLimited,R-16HauzKhasEnclave,NewDelhi 110016,India. Email:[email protected]
“•InstituteofBirdStudies&Natural History,RishiValleyEducationCentre,RishiValley517352,Chittoordistrict,AndhraPradesh, India.
Email: [email protected]
5Email: [email protected]
6Email: [email protected]
’Email: [email protected]
8Email: [email protected]
Surveys, censuses and mist-netting were carried out during 1976-1977, 1990-1994 and2001-2008 to enumerate the
land birds ofSriharikota Island, southern India. A total of 125 species ofland birds were recorded comprising of
70residents, 33 wintermigrantsand 12seasonalmigrants;the statusofanother 10 species is uncertain.Anannotated
checklistofthesespecies isprovidedwith specialreferencetotheirdistribution in differenthabitattypes.TheWhite-
rumpedVulture Gyps bengalensis has become locally extinct in the area. The conservation issues facing the Island,
andespeciallytheimpactofplantationsontheavifauna,arediscussedandrecommendationstomitigatetheseaddressed.
Key words: Sriharikota, land birds, conservation issues, plantations, invasives
INTRODUCTION andTamilNadurespectively. Itisboundedontheeastbythe
BayofBengalandonthenorth,southandwestbythewaters
Sriharikota Islandinthesouth-easterncoastofIndiais ofPulicat lake (Fig. 1). The Island comprises oflow ridges
m
important from the biodiversity point ofview as it has the ofsand,marineandaeolian inorigin,rising4.5-6.0 above
last remaining, largest and best-preserved tracts ofcoastal msl and sloping from west to east. The water table is c. 2 to
TropicalDryEvergreenForestin India(MeherHomji 1974; 5 m. Sriharikota has been connected by road to Sullurpet
Suryanarayana et al. 1989, 1998). The Island serves as the (18 km) on the mainland since 1970.
spaceport ofIndia and has been underthe administration of The rainfall is largely from the North-East Monsoon
theIndian SpaceResearchOrganization(ISRO)since 1969. (October-December). Somerainfall isalsoreceivedfromthe
The faunal and floral diversity of the Island is fairly well- South-West Monsoon (June-September). The area is prone
documented through a number ofresearch projects overthe to cyclones, usually in the early part ofMay and October,
years. The first investigation ofthe avifauna ofSriharikota duringthe onsetofthe twomonsoons. Theannualrainfall is
Island were surveys of 10 and 15 days undertaken by the c. 1,200 mm. December to February is the winter season,
Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) during 1976 and withtemperaturesbeingaslowas 10°C.MarchtoSeptember
1977 respectively (BNHS 1977). This was followed by an isthe summerseasonwith temperatures soaringover40 °C.
in-depthstudybytheBNHSfrom 1990to 1994(Samantand Relative humidity is lowest during May (18%), while the
Rao 1996; Rao 1998). Subsequenttothis,datawascollected maximum(99%) isrecordedduring October.
on the birds (and other wildlife) ofthe Island through two Priorto the takeover ofthe Island by the Indian Space
otherprojects(ManakadanandSivakumar2004a;Manakadan ResearchOrganization(ISRO)between 1969and 1972,there
etal. 2008).Apaperonthewaterbirdsofthewetlandsofthe were around 20 villages on the Islandwith atotalpopulation
region was published from the investigations in Sriharikota of around 10,000 individuals. At present, besides the
island and from studies carried out in the adjoining Pulicat establishments ofthe Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR
lake, besides other wetlands and heronries in the mainland (SDSC-SHAR), there are colonies established by ISRO for
(Kannanetal. 2008). Inthispaper,weprovideanannotated theformersettlersandtribalsoftheIsland,manyofwhowork
checklist of the land birds of Sriharikota Island and also as labourers forISRO.Accessandmovementonthe Island is
discussthe conservation issues facing land birds. restricted.TheSDSC-SHARhasaConservationandLandscape
Division fortheconservation andmanagementoftheforests.
STUDYAREA
Sriharikota Island is important from the biodiversity
Sriharikota is a spindle-shaped island (181 sq. km) point ofview as it has the last remaining, largest and best-
situatedinNelloreandTiruvallurdistrictsofAndhraPradesh preserved tracts of coastal Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest
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LAND BIRDS OF SRIHARIKOTA ISLAND AND CONSERVATION ISSUES
freshwaterbodiesandcourses. Patchesofabandonedcoconut,
tamarind, mango and palmyra (overgrown with native
vegetation)plantedbytheformersettlersareseen,especially
in the southern tracts ofthe Island. Besides these, there are
extensive grasslands with scattered shrubs or trees in the
southern part ofthe island, and remnants ofmangrove and
salt marsh vegetation alongthe western edge ofthe Island.
The recorded fauna ofthis Island, otherthan birds, is
representedby27mammalspecies, 12speciesofamphibians,
34 species ofreptiles, 44 species offish and 51 species of
butterflies. The mammals include the endangered Slender
Loris Loris lydekkerianus Jungle Cat Felis chans. Rusty
,
Spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus. Bonnet Macaque
Macaco radiata, Golden Jackal Canis aureus, Small Indian
Civet Viverriculaindicaandthe IndianFlyingFoxPteropus
giganteus.ThesouthernpartoftheIslandhasferalcattle(both
buffaloes and cows) and a small population offeral horses
(Anon 1908; Champion and Seth 1968; Meher Homji 1974;
Reddy 1981, 1983; Agrawal et at. 1985; Suryanarayana et
al. 1989, 1998; Manakadan and Sivakumar 2004a,b,c;
Sivakumar and Manakadan 2004; Sivakumar et al. 2004;
Manakadan etal. 2004).
METHODS
This paper is based on findings ofdifferent workers
who carried out field investigations on the land birds of
Sriharikota from data obtained through surveys, systematic
censuses, bird banding and specific studies (BNHS 1977;
SamantandRao 1996;Rao 1998;ManakadanandSivakumar
2004a;Manakadanetal. 2008).Thespeciesaccountislargely
based on.the findings oftwo major projects: i) Samant and
(TDEF) left in India. The forests had a long history of Rao (1996), Rao (1998) and ii) Manakadan and Sivakumar
systematicclear-fellingforfuelwoodandtimberstartingwith (2004a)asmoreintensivestudieswerecarriedoutunderthese
the British Era. PlantationsofEucalyptus (Eucalyptusspp.), projects. Between these two studies, the first project was
Casuarina Casuarinaequisetifolia)andCashew(Anacardium totallyfocusedonbirdswithsystematiccensus,birdbanding
(
occidentale) had been raised over the years by the Forest andhabitatstudiesundertaken.Thesecondprojectwasapart
Department and settlers, now covering approximately more ofanoverallfaunalinventoryprojectoftheIslandandwithout
than 20% of the landmass. After the establishment ofthe bird banding, andthus was less intensive in data collection.
SDSC-SHAR in 1969, it’s Conservation and Landscape The study by David et al. (2008) was also long-term and
Division (C & LD) continued raising these plantations for intensive, but was confined to frugivores. Thus, records of
quick afforestation of bare or degraded areas, creation of the other surveys/studies (BNHS 1977; David et al. 2008)
shelterbelts,andrevenueandworkgenerationforthetribals. and unpublished records (V. Santharam, Patrick David and
Acacia auriculiformis was also introduced on a small scale B. Senthil Murugan) are discussed only ifsignificant.
inthe 1970s by the C & LD. The invasive Chilean Mesquite RESULTS
Prosopis chilensis has proliferated insome areas, especially
alongthewesternedgeoftheIslandthatbordersPulicatlake, The status, distribution and abundance of125 species
andtowardstheextremesouthernpartsoftheIsland.Another of land bird species of Sriharikota, with the English and
invasive species. Cane Calamus rotang introduced during scientific names following Rasmussen andAnderton(2005)
,
thelate 1 thcenturybytheBritish,hascolonisedtheedgesof are discussed below:
16 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 106 (1), Jan-Apr2009
LAND BIRDS OF SRIHARIKOTA ISLAND AND CONSERVATION ISSUES
Status: R=Resident,withorwithoutbreedingrecords. 2005), is also not common in the small towns on the
WM=WinterMigrant:AspeciesthatbreedsinthePalaearctic mainland.
region/Himalayas during spring and ‘winters' in the Indian
subcontinent. SM = Seasonal Migrant: An ‘Indian species' 5. White-rumped VultureGyps bengalensis (R O/Extinct)
thatoccurs seasonally in the area. ?= Status Uncertain The first survey (BNHS 1977) discussed the White-
Abundance: VC -Very Common: Sightings possible rumped Vulture as ‘soaring over many parts of the Island’.
on almost all days in a year/season in suitable habitats. Rao (1998) recorded around 75-100 birds nesting on tall
C=Common: Sightingsofaboutonceaweekinayear/season TamarindusindicatreesbetweenNovemberandMarch near
in suitable habitats. O = Occasional: About one sighting Kodaledu. The largestflock size sightedby Manakadan and
fortnight/month in a year/season in suitable habitats. Sivakumar (2004a) consisted of 13 birds; all the other
Ra = Rare: Less than 5 sightings per year or 3 sightings sightingsconsistedof1-3birds.Onlyone(unsuccessful)case
a season. VRa = Very Rare: Record based on only 1 or ofnesting was recorded during 2001. The birds disappeared
2 sighting.VRa/O = Speciesrecordedtobe very rare during towards the end of2003 and have probably become locally
the earlier studies but was occasionally recorded during the extinct (seeDiscussion)
laterstudies; and corresponding inferences for variations of
these (e.g., O/VRa, C/VRa). 6. Short-toed Eagle Circaetusgallicus (R VRa)
The only record of the Short-toed Eagle was by
WM
1. Black BazaAviceda leuphotes ( VRa) ManakadanandSivakumar(2004a), whosightedapairinthe
The only records of the Black Baza were by Patrick western stretchofFireline-12 inAugust2003. Alongwith the
David (unpublished data), who sighted two birds on characteristic ‘piuuu-piiuu calls (Ali and Ripley 1987), the
November 12 and 14, 2007, and on February 06, 2008. The birds soared overhead for sufficient time to confirm
birdsweresightedinthestretch between ‘STEX’and ‘PSLV’, identification. The status of the species is uncertain and the
near the culvert over the Pedda Vagu. The second sighting birds could be more common in the southern grassland areas
was close to the first site and the third sighting was about ofthe Island (which wasrarely visited) as it ispartial toopen
200mfromthefirsttwosightingareas,allindicatingthatthe habitats(AliandRipley 1987;RasmussenandAnderton2005).
sightings were ofthe same pair.
7. Crested Serpent-EagleSpilornis cheela (R Ra)
2. Oriental Honey-Buzzard Pernisptilorhyncus (R C) Rao (1998) recorded the Crested Serpent-Eagle only
Rao (1998) found the Oriental Honey-Buzzard to be twicefromeucalyptusplantationsnearKeepakam.Manakadan
fairly common on the Island in well-wooded areas and andSivakumar(2004a)didnotrecordthespeciesduringtheir
particularly near eucalyptus plantations at Keepakam. study, nor was the species recorded during the first BNHS
ManakadanandSivakumar(2004a)recordedthespeciesonly survey(BNHS 1977).However,SenthilMurugan(unpublished
inTDEF andeucalyptus plantations. data)recordeditoccasionallyfrom 2004to2008.
3. Black-winged KiteElanus caeruleus (R O) 8. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus (WM Ra)
Rao (1998) obtained only one sighting of the Black- Rao (1998) obtained only two sightings of the Pallid
winged Kite in an open grassy patch near Beripeta on Harrier: one bird on February 01, 1990, from Ravanappa
August 20, 1990, but found it to be fairly common in Chatram and another on March 05, 1992, soaring over
agriculturalfieldsonthemainlandnearSullurpet.Manakadan Keepakam. Santharam (unpublisheddata) saw amaleonthe
and Sivakumar (2004a) recorded the species on a few IslandinFebruary 1990. ManakadanandSivakumar(2004a)
occasions only in open scrub during summer. The species obtainedonly one sightingofabirdflying overPulicatlake
would probably be more common in the grassland areas in andheadingtowardsSriharikotainFebruary2003,andPatrick
the southern part of the Island, which was rarely surveyed David (unpublished data) recorded the species once on the
due to difficult logistics. Island. The species could probably be more common in the
grasslandareas in the southernpartofthe Island, which was
4 Black KiteMilvus utigrans (RVRa) rarely surveyed due todifficultlogistics.
The only record of the Black Kite in Sriharikota
isofabirdinAugust 1990nearKothachenuclosetoPulicat 9. ShikraAccipiterbadius (R O)
lake (Rao 1998). This species, which inhabits towns The Shikra was occasionally sighted in TDEF forest
and cities (Ali and Ripley 1987; Rasmussen andAnderton and plantations by all the workers.
J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 106 (1), Jan-Apr 2009 17
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LAND BIRDS OFSRIHARIKOTA ISLANDAND CONSERVATION ISSUES
10. Besra SparrowhavvkAccipitervirgatus(WM VRa) SpurfowlinscrubvegetationintheRavanappaChatramarea.
The only record of the Besra Sparrowhawk in ManakadanandSivakumar(2004a)recordeditonlyonce(two
Sriharikota is through a solitary individual ringed on birds) inTDEF forest.
February27, 1991,fromKeepakam.Thespeciesisknownto
winterintheEasternGhats(AliandRipley 1987;Rasmussen 18. GreyJunglefowl Gallussonneralii(RVC)
andAnderton 2005). The Grey Junglefowl is the commonest galliform
species on the Island, occurring in almost all the forested
11. White-eyed Buzzard Butasturteesa (R O) areas of the Island. Manakadan and Sivakumar (2004a)
The White-eyed Buzzard was occasionally seen locatedtwonestsincasuarinaplantation,andPatrickDavid
throughoutthe Island mostly inanopen scrubhabitatandat and Senthil Murugan (unpublisheddata)recorded a nest in
the edges ofthe forests and plantations. TDEF forest.
12. Common KestrelFalcotinnunculus (WM O) 19. Yellow-legged Buttonquail Turnixtanki(RVRa)
The Common Kestrel was occasionally recorded in The only record oftheYellow-legged Buttonquail is a
coastalsandduneareas,openscrubandthesoutherngrassland female ringed on March 27, 1990, from scrub forest in the
areas during winter. The species would probably be more north-east part ofthe Island. Buttonquails due to their small
common in the open grassland areas in the southern part of sizeandsecretivenatureeasilyescapenoticeandmaybemore
theIsland,whichwasrarelysurveyedduetodifficultlogistics. common thanrecorded.
13.AmurFalcon Falco amurensis (WMVRa) 20. Barred Buttonquail Turnixsuscitator(RVRa)
TheAmurFalconwasrecordedonlyontwooccasions: Rao (1998) recorded the Barred Buttonquail
a male in open scrub in November 2002 and a flock offive occasionallyinopenscrubforesthavingshortgrasspatches.
birdsactivelyhuntingdragonfliesalongcasuarinaplantations ManakadanandSivakumar(2004a)didnotrecordthespecies.
adjoining the seashore in May 2003 (Sivakumar and
Manakadan 2006). Records ofthe Amur Falcon in Andhra 2 LesserFlorican Sypheotidesindicus (SM?VRa)
.
Pradesharerare,beingknownfromonlytwooldrecords,one The Lesser Florican was not recorded by BNHS
from Nellore and another from Rajamundry (Ali and Ripley workers, but Rao (1998) mentions ofapossible sightrecord
1987). in 1988 by K.R. Seetharaman (former Head, Photography
Division)fromagrassypatchatBeripeta. Thereisaveryold
14. Peregrine FalconFalcoperegrinus(WMVRa) recordoftheexistenceofthethreatenedLesserFloricanfrom
ThePeregrineFalcon(race:calidus)wasrecordedonly the Chennai area (AliandRipley 1987),c. 80km south. The
once flying low near coastal sand dunes in the nearestknownrecentwinteringsite(withbreedingrecorded
Chandrasikuppam area onNovember02, 1990. foroneyear)forthespeciesisRollapaduWildlifeSanctuary,
Kumool district,AndhraPradesh(SankaranandManakadan
15. Grey Francolin Francolinuspondicerianus(RC) 1990; Manakadan and Rahmani 1999), c. 300 km north of
TheGreyFrancolinisacommonspeciesinSriharikota, Sriharikota.SuitablehabitatfortheLesserFloricanisavailable
but restricted to open scrub habitat. The species is likely to in the grassland areas to the south ofthe Island, which was
bemorecommoninthesoutherngrassland-openscrubareas. rarelyvisited due to difficult logistics.
16. Blue-breastedQuailCoturnixcltinensis(BJSM?VRa?) 22. Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellusmalabaricus (RRa)
The only record of the Blue-breasted Quail is by Rao (1998) recorded three Yellow-wattled Lapwings
Manakadan and Sivakumar (2004a) who sighted a party of onAugust21,1990,atagrassypatchnearBeripeta.Theearlier
threebirdsneartheSTEXGate inJune2003. Beingsecretive BNHS survey (BNHS 1977) had recorded the species once
andsmallgrounddwellingspecies,quailseasilyescapenotice andManakadanandSivakumar(2004a)recordedthespecies
and may be more common than recorded. Rasmussen and ontwooccasions.Thespeciescouldprobablybebreedingin
Anderton(2005 describethespeciesstatusintheIndianregion theundisturbed southern grasslandareas.
)
as ‘largelyresident,butmovementsrequire furtherstudy'.
23. Indian Stone-Curlew Biirhinusindicus (RO)
17. Red Spurfowl Galloperdixspadicea (R VRa) The Indian Stone-Curlew was occasionally recorded
Rao(1998)obtainedonlyonesightingofapairofRed in open scrub and grassy patches near Beripeta, and often
18 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 106 (1), Jan-Apr2009
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LAND BIRDS OF SRIHARIKOTA ISLAND AND CONSERVATION ISSUES
flushed under cashew bushes. Calls were also heard in the 30. Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameri(R VC)
late evenings fromKothachenuand the surrounding scrub. The Rose-ringed Parakeet is widely distributed over
mostareasoftheIsland,butismorecommonintheabandoned
24. Rock Pigeon Columbialivia (R C) village forestareas, nesting in dead palm trunks.
TheRockPigeonisacommonspeciesoccurringmostly
around buildings in the Island and near housing colonies, 3 .Plum-headedParakeetPsittaculacyanoeepltala(SMVRa)
avoidingforested areas. Rao (1998) recorded the Plum-headed Parakeet in
overhead flight and only from calls on a few occasions. It
25. OrientalTurtle-DoveStreptopeliaorientalis (R/SMO) was recorded only once in overhead flight over casuarina
Rao(1998) occasionallyrecordedtheOrientalTurtle- plantation by Manakadan and Sivakumar(2004a). The only
DovefromscrubareasintheIslandduringdifferenttimesof sightrecordwasofa flockby Santharam(unpublisheddata)
the year, and more frequently near open scrub patches in inApril 1990. Judging from the few records, the species is
Beripeta. Manakadan andSivakumar(2004a)hada sighting probably a visitor from the Eastern Ghats.
of five birds around a waterhole in June 2002 and also
recorded the species once each during census in TDEF and 32. Greater Coucal Centropussinensis (RC)
casuarina plantation. Patrick David and Senthil Murugan TheGreaterCoucal isfairlycommon,occurringalmost
(unpublisheddata) obtained several sightings during 2007. throughout the island, often seen foraging on ground near
roads in a grassy patch. A nest was recorded on Syzvgium
m
26. Laughing DoveStreptopeliasenegalensis(R Ra) cuminitree ata height of7 near Kodaledu.
Rao (1998) obtained a few sightings ofthe Laughing
Dove mostly in scrub forest near Kodaledu and once near 33. Blue-facedMalkohaPhaenicophaeusviridirostris(RC)
Beripeta in short grass. Manakadan and Sivakumar (2004a) TheBlue-faced Malkoha is fairlycommon inall areas
recorded the species only once alongthe road adjoining the oftheIslandand ispartialtothornyscrubhabitatandbushes
Buckingham Canal during March 2003. Patrick David and up to 3-4 m.
Senthil Murugan recordedthe species regularlyduringtheir
WM
visits for study to the same area. The species is probably 34.Chestnut-wingedCuckooClamatorcorontandus{ Ra)
disappearing from areas inside the Island with the Rao (1998) obtained only two sight records of the
abandonment ofvillages and afforestation as it is partial to Chesntnut-wingedCuckooinwinterfromdensethornyscrub
openscrub, village borderenvirons and cultivation (Ali and nearKodaledu(December 1990)andPeddaVagu(November
Ripley 1987; Rasmussen andAnderton 2005). 1991). Santharam (unpublished data) obtained a sighting
during March 1990. Manakadan and Sivakumar (2004a)
27. Spotted DoveStreptopeliachinensis(RVC) obtained only two sightings ofsingle birds in January 2002
TheSpottedDoveisthecommonestdoveontheIsland, and February 2004 in TDEF forest.
occurring in all localities including dense forest, openscrub
andeven plantations. 35. Jacobin Cuckoo Clamatorjacobinus (R/SM O/Ra)
Rao(1998)recordedtheJacobinCuckoooccasionally
28.RedCollared-DoveStreptopeliatranquebarica(R/SMVRa) inmanyareas,butespeciallyindensescrubpatches.Analbino
Rao (1998) obtained a few sight records of the Red was recorded in June 1991. However, Manakadan and
Collared-Doveduring 1991,allfromtheKodaleduscrubarea. Sivakumar(2004a)rarelyrecordedthespecies.PatrickDavid
There areno otherreports ofthe species on the Island. andSenthilMurugan(unpublisheddata)recordedthespecies
only once during theirstudy.
29.Orange-breastedGreen-Pigeon Treronbicinctus(SM/R?)
The Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon was not recorded 36.Asian KoelEudynamysscolopaceus (RC)
duringthefirstsurvey(BNHS 1977)andRao(1998)obtained TheAsianKoeloccursindenseforestsandparticularly
only two sightings from dense forest and scrub near aroundlargefruitingtreeslikeFicus,abundantinabandoned
Chandrasikuppam in November 1990. Manakadan and village forest.
Sivakumar (2004a) recorded a small flock in January 2002
near Urugayya lake and again in March in the same area. 37. Grey-bellied Cuckoo Cacomantispasserinus (SM Ra)
Davidetal. (2008)recordedthespeciesonadozenoccasions Rao (1998) described the status of the Grey-bellied
feeding in flocks onFicus spp. fruits. Cuckoo as ‘hardly seen but presence mainly noted through
J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 106 (1), Jan-Apr2009 19
LAND BIRDS OF SRIHARIKOTA ISLAND AND CONSERVATION ISSUES
ringed individuals inwinter’, most caughtfromdense scrub (Rao 1998). Manakadan and Sivakumar (2004a) sighted a
patches at Kodaledu and Ravanappa chatram. Santharam pair in the Kothachenu area, where the pairwas resident.
(unpublished data) recorded the species thrice between
February andApril 1990. A bird (dark phase) was recorded 45. Spotted OwletAthenebrama (R O)
byManakadanandSivakumar(2004a) inshrubvegetationin The SpottedOwletwas occasionallyrecorded in open
January 2002 in the central part ofthe Island. Patrick David scrub forest and aroundhumanhabitation.
(unpublished data) recorded a solitary bird in the Mavalam
WaguareainMay2007.Thespeciesis‘resident’intheEastern 46. Indian Jungle Nightjar Caprimulgusindieus(RC)
Ghats(AliandRipley 1987;RasmussenandAnderton2005). Manakadan and Sivakumar(2004a) recordedthe calls
of the Indian Jungle Nightjar frequently in TDEF and
38. Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus (lugubris) eucalyptus plantations duringnight surveys. The calls heard
dicruroides(SM VRa) werechuckchuckchuck sometimesendingwithwowo,wowo,
,
The only record ofthe Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo is wowo thecallreportedfromSri Lanka(AllandRipley 1987).
,
by Senthil Murugan (unpublished data), who recorded a
solitarybirdonNovember22,2006, inopentallforestinthe 47. Indian Little Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus (R O)
abandonedvillageforestsouthofJonagipallam.Thespecies Manakadanand Sivakumar(2004a)recordedthe calls
is ‘a resident’ in the Eastern Ghats (Ali and Ripley 1987; oftheIndianLittleNightjaroccasionallyduringvisitstoopen
RasmussenandAnderton 2005). scrub areas duringnight surveys.
39. Common Hawk-CuckooHierococcyxvarius (R O) 48. Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis(WM VRa)
The Common Hawk-Cuckoo presence was mainly Therecordofthe SavannaNightjaris basedonlyfrom
recorded through its calls, mostly in forest habitats, except a road kill in December 1990near Kothachenu (Rao 1998).
casuarinaplantations.
49. Little SwiftApusaffinis (R O)
40. Small Cuckoo Cuculuspoliocephalus (WM VRa) The Little Swift was only recorded aroundresidential
Rao (1998) recorded the Small Cuckoo only once on colonies, but not in the forestareas.
May 10, 1990, from cashew plantations near sand dunes in
thenorthernpartoftheIslandpresumablyonreturnmigration. 50.Asian Palm-Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis (RVC)
ManakadanandSivakumar(2004a)recordedabird(inhepatic The Asian Palm-Swift occurs throughout the island,
phase) in open scrub between PSLV I and II inApril 2003. and is more abundant in areas that have palmyra Borassus
flabelliferpalms.
41. Common Barn-Owl Tyto alba (R Ra)
Rao (1998) obtained only a few sightings of the 51. Little Green Bee-eaterMeropsorientalis (RC)
Common Barn-Owl, mostly from abandoned village forest TheLittleGreenBee-eaterwasmainlyrecordedinopen
areas. Manakadan and Sivakumar (2004a) recorded it only scrub habitat throughout the Island, and is probably more
once (in casuarina plantation). common inthe southern grasslandareas.
42. Indian Scops-Owl Otus bakkamoena (RVRa) 52. Blue-tailed Bee-eaterMeropsphilippinus(WM O)
TheoccurrenceoftheIndianScops-Owl in Sriharikota The Blue-tailed Bee-eater, which arrives by October
isnotfullyestablishedwithtwobriefsightingsinabandoned each year and departs by March, is more common in open
village forest areas (Rao 1998). areas at the edge offorests and plantations.
43. Indian Eagle-Owl Bubo bengalettsis (RVRa) 53. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis (RC)
TherecordoftheIndianEagle-Owl isbasedonlyona The Indian Roller frequents open scrub areas,
call heard by Rao (1998) once from a palmyra grove near particularlyinthewestern sideofthe Island. Itcouldalsobe
swampy fields at Peddarettamala inMarch 1990. more common in the southern grassland-openscrub areas.
44. Mottled Wood-OwlStrixocellata (RVRa) 54. Common Hoopoe Upupa epops (R O)
ThepresenceoftheMottledWood-Owl isknownonly The Common Hoopoe was mostly recorded in open
from ajuvenile ringed from Peddarettamala in March 1990 scrubareasandabandonedvillage forest.
20 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 106 (1), Jan-Apr2009
LAND BIRDS OF SRIHARIKOTA ISLANDAND CONSERVATION ISSUES
55. Coppersmith BarbetMegalaimahaemacephala(RO) Island are by Santharam (unpublished data), who sighted a
The Coppersmith Barbet is largely confined to the fewbirdsinflightduringFebruaryandApril 1990. However,
abandoned village forest, which has an abundance ofFicus hugeflockswereseenperchingonwiresalongtheSriharikota-
trees. Intherestofthe Island, it is found mainlywhereFicus Sullurpet road during winter as discussed under Barn
treesoccur,andsometimesonfruitingtreesofSyzygiumcumini. Swallow.
56.Black-rumpedFlamebackDinopiumbenghaleuse(RO) 63. Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundosmithii(R/SMVRa)
The Black-rumpedFlamebackwasrecordedmostly in The Wire-tailed Swallow was only recorded by Rao
well-wooded areas ofthe Island, includingplantations. (1998), who obtained a few sightings from Kothachenu of
small flocks of up to eight birds perched on telegraph
57. Indian Pitta Pittabrachyura (SM C/Ra) wires.
Rao(1998)foundtheIndianPittatobeafairlycommon
wintervisitor. He sawandhearditscalls from manyareas in 64. Forest Wagtail Motacillaindieus(WM O)
the northern and central parts ofthe Island in dense scrub The Forest Wagtail was regularly sighted from TDEF
forest. ManakadanandSivakumar(2004a)obtainedonlyone forest and Prosopis chilensis forest and also ringed from
recordfromtheedgeofacasuarinaplantationborderingscrub. Keepakam during winter. Some sightings were in lateApril
and the first week ofMay.
58. Jerdon’s BushlarkMirafraaffinis (R O)
Rao(1998)obtainedonlyafewrecordsoftheJerdon’s 65. Paddyfiekl PipitAnthus rufulus (R C)
Bushlark in open grass patches near Beripeta and ThePaddyfieldPipitoccursmainlyonthewesternside
Chengalapalem, with one ringed around Chengalapalem. of the island near open scrub and grassy patches at
Manakadanand Sivakumar(2004a)recordeditoccasionally Chengalapalem and it is common in the southern grassland
inopenscrubandyoungcashewplantationswithlowground areas.
cover.
66. Large Cuckooshrike Coracinamacei(SM VRa)
59.Ashy-crowned Finch-LarkEremopterixgriseus(RO/C) Rao (1998) obtained a few sightings of the Large
TheAshy-crownedFinch-Larkwas only occasionally Cuckooshrikefromtallmixedforestdominatedbypalmsnear
recorded in the central and northern open sandy areas ofthe Peddarettamala in November 1990. Manakadan and
Island, but was a common species in the southern grassland Sivakumar (2004a) sighted only one bird in eucalyptus
areas. plantationinFebruary2003duringtheirstudy. PatrickDavid
and Senthil Murugan did not record the species.
60. Oriental SkylarkAlaudagulgula (R C/O?)
Rao (1998) found the Oriental Skylark to be common 67. Black-headed Cuckooshrike Coracina melanoptera
inopengrasspatchesaswell asaround driedwaterbodiesof (WM O)
Chengalapalem, Pedda Vagu and some other areas. The Black-headed Cuckooshrike was occasionally
ManakadanandSivakumar(2004a)recordedthespeciesonly recorded fromthecentral forestareasofthe Islandalongthe
onceinthedried-upbackwatersofPulicatlakenearBeripeta. PeddaandChinnavagus,PalliveedhiandSabaricolony(Rao
Thespeciescouldprobablybemorecommoninthesouthern 1998; Manakadan and Sivakumar2004a).
grasslandareasoftheIsland,whichwasrarelyvisiteddueto
difficult logistics. 68.Ashy MinivetPericrocotusdivaricatus(WMVRa)
Rao (1998) recorded two birds once from tall mixed
61. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica (WM O) forest at Peddarettamala on February 27, 1991. Santharam
The Bam Swallowarrivesby mid-Augustanddeparts (unpublisheddata)obtainedcallandsight(apair)recordson
by March. Large numbers were seen on the Sriharikota- three occasions during February 1990. Manakadan and
SullurpetroadinNovemberbyRao(1998)andbyManakadan Sivakumar(2004a)obtainedonlyonerecordofsixbirdsalong
andSivakumar(2004a)alongwiththeRed-rumpedSwallow the Pedda Vagu area on the Zero Point- PSLV road during
Hirundodaurica. February2003.ThespecieshasbeenreportedfromChennai
(Santharam 1990), c. 80 km south ofSrihaikota. The Ashy
62. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica (WM VRa) MinivetwhichbreedsinNEAsiaandwinters inSEAsiaisa
The only records ofthe Red-rumped Swallow in the ‘winterstraggler’tothe Indianregion (Ali and Ripley 1987;
1 Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 106 (1), Jan-Apr 2009 21
1
LAND BIRDS OF SRIHARIKOTA ISLAND AND CONSERVATION ISSUES
RasmussenandAnderton2005).TheoccurrenceoftheAshy 77. Brown ShrikeLaniuscristatus (WM C)
Mmivet in Sriharikota and Chennai (=Madras) repeatedly The Brown Shrike is a common wintervisitor and was
(Santharam 1990) suggests that it is perhaps a regular but recorded throughout the Island with the races cristatus and
scarce wintervisitortothe eastcoastofIndia. lucionensisrecorded;thelatterlesscommon.Tireracelucionensis
wasfirstringedinApril 1990(MohapatraandSantharam 1992)
69. Small Minivet Pericrocotuscinnamomeus(VVRa) neartheSDSC-SFLARtempleareaandsubsequentlythreemore
The onlyrecordofthe Small Minivet in Sriharikota is were ringed from the Kodaledu area (Rao 1998). The race
byPatrickDavid(unpublisheddata)whorecordedasolitary cristatus arrives by mid-September and departs by mid-May.
bird hunting for insects in dense forest at Keepakam on TheracelucionensisisknowntowintermainlyintheAndaman
June 06, 2006. Islands,butinrecentyears,theyhavebeensightedincreasingly
inpeninsularIndia(MohapatraandSantharam 1992).
70.CommonWoodshrike Tephrodornispondicerianus(RC)
The Common Woodshrike is a fairly widespread 78. Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus(WM Ra)
species,butratherrareinTDEFforest.Itprefersthornyscrub The Bay-backed Shrike was mostly recorded in the
patches and eucalyptus plantations, and in TDEF where southern part of the Island having open scrub and sandy
eucalyptus treeswerepresent. areas.
7 Asian ParadiseFlycatcher Terpsiphoneparadisi(SMO) 79. Long-tailed ShrikeLaniusschach (WM Ra)
.
TheAsian Paradise Flycatcher is occasionally seen in Rao (1998) recorded the Long-tailed Shrike
Sriharikota in a variety ofhabitats, including dense forest infrequentlywithafewsightingsfromscrubhabitatnearthe
groves. It occurs throughout winter and occasionally in hospitalandMavalamVaguareas.ManakadanandSivakumar
summer. (2004a) did not recordthe species duringtheirstudy.
72. Black-napedBlueMonarchHypothymisazurea(SMRa) 80. Orange-headed ThrushZootheracitrina(WM Ra)
There are only a few records ofthe Black-naped Blue The Orange-headed Thrush is an uncommon winter
MonarchinSriharikotawithabirdringedonMarch20, 1990, visitor, with both the races recorded. It prefers heavy
at Beripeta. Manakadanand Sivakumar(2004a) andPatrick undergrowth in TDEF forest.
David (unpublished data) recorded the species only once
WM
duringtheirstudies. 81.Asian Brown FlycatcherMuscicapadauurica( O)
The Asian Brown Flycatcher is a widespread winter
73. Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotusjocosus (RVC) visitorthoughnotcommon Rao(1998)recordedindividuals
.
TheRed-whiskeredBulbulisverycommonthroughout occasionally in the Kodaledu, Peddarettamala, Kothachenu
the Island. In winter, large flocks congregate around areas and in the TDEF forest patches and ringed five birds
eucalyptus blooms fornectar. between 1990-1992. Manakadan and Sivakumar (2004a)
recordedthespeciesinMarch2003 ineucalyptusplantations
74. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer(RC) andPatrickDavidandSenthil(unpublisheddata)recordedit
The Red-vented Bulbul is less common than the duringwinter inmany areas.
other two bulbul species and is more partial to open scrub
habitat. 82. Brown-breastedFlycatcherMuscicapamuttui(WMVRa)
The presence of the Brown-breasted Flycatcher is
75. White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotusluteolus(RVC) knownonlyfromtwoindividualsringedinMarch 1991 from
The White-browed Bulbul is a very common species, the Kothachenuarea, possibly onreturnmigration.
more frequently heardthan seen in dense scrubpatches.
83. Red-breasted FlycatcherFicedulaparva (WMVRa)
76. Common loraAegithinatiphia (RVC) The presence of the Red-breasted Flycatcher (race:
TheCommonloraisaverycommonspeciesoccurring albicilla) are known from a solitary female ringed on
all over the Island, but was more frequently recorded in March 12, 1991, in dense Prosopis chilensis scrub at
dense scrub and TDEF forest. It breeds from March till Keepakam and sightings of solitary birds by Santharam
August, during which males were seen in full breeding (unpublished data) and Manakadan and Sivakumar (2004a)
plumage. duringJanuary 1990 and March 2003 respectively.
22 1 Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 106 (1), Jan-Apr2009
i
LAND BIRDS OF SRIHARIKOTA ISLAND AND CONSERVATION ISSUES
(WM
84.Blue-throatedFlycatcherCyornisrubeculoides C) towards the coast and did not see it elsewhere in the Island.
The Blue-throated Flycatcher winters throughout the Thespeciescouldprobablybemorecommon inthesouthern
Islandfrommid-OctobertoearlyApril.Thespecieswasseen grasslandareas.
ofteninTDEFforestundergrowth,aswellasinscrubhabitat.
94. Plain Prinia Prinia inornata (RRa)
85. BlackRedstartPhoenicurusochruros(WM VRa) The Plain Prinia was recorded in areas ofdense grass
Rao (1998) sighted the Black Redstart on a few near Kodaledu and in open scrub patches near Ravanappa
occasions in scrub areas near Kodaledu and Kothachenu ChatrambyRao(1998).Thespeciescouldprobablybemore
during winter. A female ringed was on February 10, 1992. common inthe southern grasslandareas.
Thespecieswasnotrecordedduringthesubsequentstudies.
95. Common Tailorbird Orthotomussutorius (RVC)
86. Indian Blue Robin Luscinia brunnea (WM VRa) The Common Tailorbird is a very common species,
TheIndianBlueRobinisknownonlythroughtwobirds occurring inmost areas ofthe Island.
ringed from dense scrub at Keepakam (April 03, 1990) and
WM
Beripeta (December 30, 1991), and is possibly a passage 96. Thick-billed WarblerAcrocephalusaedon( VRa)
migrant. Rao (1998) records two Thick-billed Warblers from
Kodaledu in December 1989 and January 1992. Santharam
87. Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsycbussaularis(RC) (unpublished data) and Manakadan and Sivakumar (2004a)
The Oriental Magpie-Robin is a common species in recordedsolitarybirdsduringMarch 1990andFebruary2002
Sriharikota, occurring in scrub aswell asTDEF forest. respectively.
WM
88. White-rumped Shama Copsycbusmalabaricus(R C) 97.Blyth’sReed-WarblerAcrocephalusdwnetorum( C)
TheWhite-rumpedShamaoccursthroughouttheIsland, The Blyth’s Reed-Warbler was frequently recorded
but onlywherethere is dense forestcoverordense patches. duringwinteroveravarietyofhabitattypesandparticularly
in TDEF. It arrives soon after the onset of the North-east
89. Indian Black RobinSaxicoloidesfulicatus (R Ra) monsoon and departs by the end ofApril. The site fidelity
The Indian Black Robin is not a common species in was recorded in the species with banded birds returning to
Sriharikota, recorded only occasionally in scrub areas at the same site during subsequentwinters.
Kodaledu,Kothachenu,PeddarettamalaandMavalamVagu,
all ofwhich were formervillage areas. 98. Indian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus (stentoreus)
bnmnescens(WMVRa)
90. Yellow-billed Babbler Turdoidesaffinis (R C) Therecordofthe Indian Reed-Warbleris known from
TheYellow-billedBabbleriscommonintheIslandand twobirdsringedinChengalapalemduringJanuary 1990.The
recorded occasionally in gardens in residential areas. The species could be more common in the reed beds around
species is broodparasitized bythe Jacobin Cuckoo. Katangayya Lake and the upper reaches ofthe Mavalam or
MalliplateVagu.
91.Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysommasinense(SM?VRa)
The only record of the Yellow-eyed Babbler in 99. Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides (WM C/
Sriharikota is by Santharam (unpublished data), who heard VRa)
its call during February 1990 and sighted a bird in March Rao (1998) found the Greenish Warbler to be a
1990 nearthe STEX area. widespreadwintervisitor inareaswith goodtreecoverwith
recordsfromlateSeptembertoApril. Birdswererecordedto
92. Zitting Cisticola Cisticolajuncidis (R O) occupy the canopy ofSyzvgium cumin throughout winter
The Zitting Cisticola is mostly seen in the north-east andwerealsorecorded incasuarinaplantations. Manakadan
areas in open scrub and grass patches. It could probably be andSivakumar(2004a)didnotrecordthespecies,butSenthil
more common inthe southerngrasslandareas. Murugan obtained frequent sightings duringwinter.
93. Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii(R Ra) 100.Large-billedLeaf-WarblerPhylloscopusmagnirostris
Rao(1998)recordedtheGrey-breastedPriniaonafew (WM Ra)
occasions from short grass and scrub near Kodaledu and The Large-billed Leaf-Warbler was rarely recorded.
J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 106 (1), Jan-Apr2009 23
)
LAND BIRDS OF SRIHARIKOTA ISLAND AND CONSERVATION ISSUES
Two individuals ringed at Kodaledu (April 07, 1990) and common in the southern grasslandareas ofthe Island.
Beripeta (April 30, 1991). Two birds were recorded on
May 15, 1991, in Albizzia amara forest near Beripeta. 108. Tricoloured IVIuniaLonchuramalacca (RVRa)
Manakadan and Sivakumar (2004a) recorded two birds in TheonlyrecordoftheTricoloured Muniawasby Rao
the PHC-II residential areas in January 2002. (1998), sighting of a flock of six birds from the
ChandrasikuppamnearthecoastinNovember 1990. Munias
WM
101. LesserWhitethroatSylvia curruca( Ra/C) could possibly be more common in the southern grassland
Rao (1998) found the Lesser Whitethroat to be areas ofthe Island.
relatively uncommon in Sriharikota with a very few sight
records and only ten individuals were ringed in three years 109. House SparrowPasserdomesticus(RVC/VRa)
mostly from dense scrub patches in Keepakam, Kodaledu, The House Sparrowwasrecordedthroughouttheyear
and Chengalapalem. However, Manakadan and Sivakumar nearhuman habitation, butwas rarely seen in the forest.
(2004a) recorded the species frequently during census in
winter, and the species was also recorded by Patrick David 110.Yellow-throatedSparrowPetroniaxanthocollis{RO)
and Senthil Murugan TheYellow-throatedSparrowwasoccasionallyrecorded
inscrubhabitatatBeripetaandKodaledubyRao(1998)andin
102. Pale-billed FlowerpeckerDicaeum erythrorhynchos the Penubakkam area (Manakadan and Sivakumar 2004a).
(R VC) Besides occasional sightings, Patrick David and Senthil
The Pale-billed Flowerpecker has a widespread Muruganrecordedanestneartheold launchpad.
distribution in the Island. It is especially abundant in old
plantationsofcasuarinaduetotheabundanceofitsfoodplant 111. Baya Weaver Ploceusphilippinus(R Ra)
Dendrophthoefalcata (=Lorcmthus longiflonts growing as Rao (1998) recorded nests (with a male and three
a stemparasite on casuarina. females) ofthe Baya Weaver hanging from a casuarina tree
indenseevergreen scrubnearUrugayya in September 1990.
103. Purple-rumpedSunbirdLeptocomazeylonica(RVC) The species was also recorded by the first BNHS (1977)
ThePurple-rumpedSunbirdisthemostcommonspecies surveyteamintheChinnaVagu,BeripetaandMavalamVagu
ofsunbirdonthe Island, occurringoveravarietyofhabitats. areas. Manakadanand Sivakumar(2004a)didnotrecordthe
species in the northern forested areas, but a few nests were
104. Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus (R C) oncerecordedduringasurveyofthesoutherngrasslandareas.
The Purple Sunbird was recorded in most parts ofthe Patrick David and Senthil Murugan (unpublished data)
Island, occurring in a variety of habitats. Patrick David recorded them nesting inthe Penubakkam area.
(unpublished data) found it to be the least common among
the three sunbirds species ofthe Island. 1 12. BrahminyStarling Temenuchuspagodarum(SMRa)
Rao (1998) found the Brahminy Starling to be
105. Loten's Sunbird Cinnyrislotenius (R O) uncommon with 2-3 individuals noted occasionally from
TheLoten’sSunbirdiswidespreadbutisnotascommon MavalamVagu,BeripetaandKodaleduareas.Afewsightings
as the other two sunbirds with a restricted presence on the were also obtained in the Beripeta near cashew plantations.
Island (Rao 1998; Manakadan and Sivakumar2004a). Manakadan and Sivakumar (2004a) sighted 10 birds in
February 2002 near the PHC-I residential area and Patrick
106. Indian Silverbill Enodicemalabarica (RVRa) DavidandSenthil Murugan(unpublisheddata)recordedthe
The Indian Silverbill was recorded during the first speciestwice (PenubakkamandUrugayya areas).
survey (BNHS 1977)at BeripetanearBuckinghamcanal,but
notbyRao(1998).ManakadanandSivakumar(2004a)obtained 113. Rosy StarlingSturnusroseus(WMVRa/O)
onlyonesightingoftwobirdsonacasuarinatreeinscrubforest The Rosy Starling was not recorded during the first
near Urugayya lake inApril 2004. Munias could possibly be (BNHS 1977) and second surveys (Rao 1998). Manakadan
morecommon inthesoutherngrasslandareasofthe Island. andSivakumar(2004a)firstrecordeditaslargeflocksfeedmg
on the fruits ofPhoenixfarinifera in the southern grassland
107. White-rumped IVIuniaLonchurastriata (RVRa) areas in March 2002. Afew small flocks were occasionally
The White-rumped Munia was recorded only during sighted subsequently, including in residential areas. Large
thefirstsurvey(BNHS 1977).Muniascouldpossiblybemore flocksroostingin mangotrees intheresidentialareasduring
24 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 106 (1), Jan-Apr2009