Abstract
Maduru Oya National Park (MONP) including its largest reservoir, Maduru Oya Reservoir (MOR), has been identified with a high waterbird density. However, a limited number of researches have been conducted on waterbirds in MONP. In this study, diversity, habitat use of waterbirds at MOR and their nesting characteristics were analyzed. Bird survey was carried out using the point count method and block count method. A common ethogram was constructed to identify the behavior categories. Percentage cover of habitat types was estimated by quadrat method. A total of 30 species belonging to 15 families were recorded, including two globally threatened species and three winter visitors. Year around Shannon-Weiner index for MOR was 1.491. Little Cormorant had the highest relative abundance. Percentage coverage of grass had increased gradually from March to September with the highest in September (69.27%) while open water had the highest coverage in the other months. Significantly high number of individuals used areas of grass, open water and mud for feeding and exposed rocks, dead trees/logs for resting (One-way ANOVA, p ≤ 0.05). Four waterbird species were observed building nests. Occupied nesting tree species were Senna spectabilis (Kaha Kona), Dymorphocalyx glabellus (Weliwanna) and Alstonia scholaris (RukAththana). The number of nests observed in three layers of canopy was significantly different (p ≤ 0.05). The highest average number of nests was observed in middle layer (8.90 ± 2.67). Black-headed Ibises had high preference to nest in Dymorphocalyx glabellus (p ≤ 0.05, 3.30 ± 1.32) while Great Cormorants (p ≤ 0.05, 2.38 ± 0.74) and Grey Herons (p ≤ 0.05, 4.27 ± 2.12) in Alstonia scholaris. Little Cormorants had no significant difference in their preference for nesting trees. As a preliminary study, this can be used for future research on waterbirds and to compose management and conservation plans.
Highlights
Wetland habitats constitute permanent or temporary accumulation of water with associated floral and faunal communities [1]
Little Cormorants had no significant difference in their preference for nesting trees
This study revealed that the availability of valuable habitats in the Maduru Oya Reservoir (MOR) varies throughout the year being a determining factor in the variation and in the high abundance and diversity of waterbirds in the place
Summary
Wetland habitats constitute permanent or temporary accumulation of water with associated floral and faunal communities [1]. Wetlands support and maintain a diverse community of waterbirds by providing important habitats for their feeding, resting, breeding and other social interactions [2] [3]. Some important factors affecting the relationship between wetlands characteristics and waterbirds include the availability of habitats, quality water, food, shelter and protection from predators. Comprehension of waterbird species diversity and abundance in wetland ecosystems is important in selecting areas for designing regional conservation strategies [5]. 164 species of waterbirds recorded in Sri Lanka belong to the 23 families [6] [7]. Waterbirds inhabit a wide variety of wetlands throughout Sri Lanka and large concentrations are found in the coastal and inland wetlands of the dry zone [6]
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