Counting winged beauties

Let me get it straight. Not everyone can sit in unfamiliar territory for hours together, scanning every nook and cranny for that rare species, which might just flit past in a twinkling of the eye. But then, the cliched speeding boats, aesthetic boat-houses sliding on the backwaters of Alleppey,reposeful
recreation at the traditional ayurvedic centres are a few snapshots that can lure many a visitor but not those looking for the unusual. Green Planet’s visit to the Venice of India was intended to discover and document some lesser known facts about its rich natural bounty.
An invitation from the wildlife division of Kerala Forests Department to participate in its Ninth Annual Bird Survey at the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur District, was indeed a befitting testimony to our activities over the past few months amidst the concrete jungle-Bangalore. The survey initiated at the behest of the Zoological Survey of India in association with the Kerala Forest Department in 2000, has been attracting more and more bird watchers and ornithologists across the country.

The survey was planned for three long days from March 7-9, 2008 in the thick evergreen forests of the sanctuary. An eight-member team with enough experience in wildlife and nature activities set out for the survey. Even though watching birds was a familiar exercise with all of us, the experience was only restricted to Karnataka. Hence the experience of surveying the bird species on scientific lines assisted by zoologists and professional ornithologists, evoked a lot of interest in the programme. We started with great zeal but the tense atmosphere across Kannur district following a bloody clash between two political parties, threatened to bring our programme to an early halt. Though we managed to reach the sanctuary on our own early on the morning of March 7, we were surprised to find that we were the first to arrive. Intensified clashes on the wee hours of March 7, added to our fears.

We worried if the confirmed birdwatchers would join us for the much anticipated programme. The sanctuary, spread across 55 sq km and bordering the forests of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, was too large for a handul of bird-watchers to cover, however enthusiastic! Our panic did not last long for team after team started arriving slowly and by afternoon around 50 bird-watchers including students, techies, professionals from different parts of the country had landed up at the sanctuary. With a brief introductory session, the survey was flagged off by the wildlife warden of Kannur division.

METICULOUS OBSERVATION
Observing birds, that too in an evergreen forest is never an easy task. But the presence of seasoned ornithologists made the task of spotting our feathered friends and documenting them slightly easier. The entire group was divided into five different groups, with each group covering a section of the sanctuary.
Except for one team that stayed back at the base camp, all other teams were taken to the remotest part of the jungle the same night. Having seen and trekked only through semi evergreen, deciduous forests and shola forests, the sight of an evergreen forest was quite refreshing to all of us. Members of the Green Planet along with a few from Kerala were sent to the core area of the jungle, where it was difficult to get even a bottle of water.

The next two days, amidst the sound of crickets, under the watchful eyes of various wild animals atop a watch tower without any trace of human civilisation, unfolded nature at its best. The survey included a trek of three to five kms in the morning and evening in different directions from the base locations.
Each kilometre was called a transect and we were supposed to take up several transects each in the morning and evening hours, which is when you see the largest number of birds. The eight of us were split into two teams and the trekking routes were swapped alternatively by each group. With the thick canopy of tall trees looming over our heads, the track was absolute dark and filled with dry leaves. Not sure of the actual path due to darkness, each step was taking us in different directions with a few of us stumbling down to see the forest floor close up and getting up.

While all this was happening, we were also supposed to observe birds and document them. Binoculars on one shoulder, lens and cameras on the other, a notebook and a field guide in our hands, the treks could have been miserable. But the forest and winged beauties refreshed us within minutes.
BIRD WATCHING
Even though four hours of trekking in the morning and evening and documentation of birds consumed much of the day, the remaining time was spent exploring the forests and nearby waterfalls. The watch tower located at the Meenmutty area —the highest elevation inside the sanctuary, was frequently visited by many wild animals.
Though a waterfall was situated about 150 metres below the watch tower, it was not easy to fetch water everytime. We had to cover one kilometre to get a bottle of water from a small rivulet. We took turns donning the the role of water bearer.

Exhausted souls were treated with salt and tasteless Upma and Rice-Sambar. We knew that we would not get anything more and managed to eat the same food every day! Nights around the campfire were peppered with long discussions on wildlife conservation, bird migration, biosphere reserves around the world and memorable encounters in the wild.
BACK AMIDST MADDING CROWD
After two days of refreshing survey and trekking deep inside the forest our team was escorted back to more familiar surroundings. Having seen and documented a good number of birds and a couple of rare species, our team was viewed with envy by others who missed a rare chance of spending two memorable days inside the forest. A cross check of species identified by each group helped us learn the species in more detail. The efforts of the bird-watchers this time helped add another species to the list within the sanctuary.