Abstract
The Pichavaram Mangrove Forest (PMF) is one of the important wetlands in southern India. The PMF is harboring numerous species of shorebirds seasonally. The current study assessed the population characteristics of small wading birds by using direct count method from 2015 to 2016. In total, 27 species of small wading birds were recorded, in which the Little stint showed highest density 177.24±20.515 (No./ha.) and the Bar-tailed godwit showed lowest density 0.13±0.099 (No./ha.). Indeed the Little stint was only species turned highest density across the three different seasons studied. However, the bar-tailed godwit not recorded during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, the Dunlin, Grey plover and Great sand plover not sighted during the post-monsoon season. The density, diversity and species richness of small wading birds showed significant differences among the seasons (P<0.001). The study inferred that the population characteristics of small wading birds are declining when compared to the previous studies. However exhaustive studies are essential to explore the quality of the PMF which is need of the hour since it is supporting various species of shorebirds seasonally.
Highlights
Shorebirds are well known for their long distance migration[1] and they are travelling thousands of kilometer annually from breeding grounds to wintering grounds vice versa.[2,3] Shorebirds use different aquatic habitats and they are intensely dependent on various stop over sites for rest and refuel during their migration.[4]
In total, 27 species of small wading birds were recorded from the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest during the study
The study found that the temporal factors could influence the population characteristics such as density, diversity and species richness of wading birds in the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest (PMF)
Summary
Shorebirds are well known for their long distance migration[1] and they are travelling thousands of kilometer annually from breeding grounds to wintering grounds vice versa.[2,3] Shorebirds use different aquatic habitats and they are intensely dependent on various stop over sites for rest and refuel during their migration.[4] Several wetlands which are situated along the coastal regions are showing critical foraging sites for various species of shorebirds during their migratory periods,[5,6] coastal wetlands regarded as a most productive and are energetic habitats for numerous species of shorebirds.[7] Shorebirds are always consuming.
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