Bengaluru: The first Karnataka Rajyotsava Bird Count (KRBC), which concluded on Nov 2, recorded an impressive 407 bird species in the state.The unique initiative, organised by Bird Count India and Karnataka Bird Monitoring Network, aimed to document Karnataka’s avian diversity by encouraging citizens to spend at least 15 minutes watching birds and upload their observations as complete checklists on the eBird portal.The event brought together 2,252 birders who submitted 8,223 checklists over four days, from Oct 30 to Nov 2.The preliminary results of the bird count, accessed by TOI, highlighted interesting geographical variations in bird diversity. The biodiversity-rich and forested Uttara Kannada district emerged as the district with the highest species count (300), followed by Mysuru (260) and Bengaluru Urban (241). Kodagu (235), Chamarajanagar (237), Udupi (239) and Chikkamagaluru (229) were among the other districts that recorded rich avian diversity. KRBC was held in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including Karnataka forest department and eBird India.The four-day event witnessed the participation of 2,252 birders from across Karnataka. Bengaluru Urban topped the list with the highest number of birders (341) and the maximum number of checklists (788). This was followed by Tumakuru (686) and Chamarajanagar (613), indicating substantial participation beyond the major urban centres.“Contrary to the perception that Bengaluru has been converted into a concrete jungle, with significant loss of vegetation, the city is home to more than 240 bird species. Waterbodies on the outskirts and the forest landscape along Bannerghatta and Kanakapura Road have substantially supported the bird population,” explained Vignesh Bhat, one of the coordinators of KRBC.“When common citizens become aware of the bird life around them, the actual conservation starts then. Going forward, the event is expected to gain greater popularity and attract wider participation,” Sahana M, one of the regional coordinators of Bird Count India, said.State’s everyday birds!An interesting finding of the exercise was that while some bird species were found across Karnataka, others were recorded in only one district. “As many as 52 bird species were recorded across all 30 eBird regions (with Ballari and Vijayanagara considered one region) in Karnataka, indicating their widespread presence and adaptation to various habitats. These have been identified as ‘Karnataka’s everyday birds’. However, 32 species were reported in only one district each. Udupi and Uttara Kannada accounted for 10 such species each. These were largely shorebirds, wetland birds and occasional visitors (migrants),” Bhat explained.
Photographs of some rare bird species captured by birdwatchers during the four-day Karnataka Rajyotsava Bird Count across the state.
Oystercatcher among documented birdsSome of the common birds documented across Karnataka included Asian koel, ashy prinia, grey heron, great egret, greater coucal, green sandpiper, house sparrow, cormorants, Indian paradise flycatcher, Indian peafowl, Indian roller and rock pigeon.Among the species recorded in only select districts were Eurasian oystercatcher and Eurasian hobby in Udupi, red-backed shrike and little bunting in Uttara Kannada (Kumta), Indian nuthatch in Chamarajanagar, orange-breasted green pigeon in Bengaluru Urban, eastern marsh harrier in Bengaluru Rural and white-naped tit in Kolar.
