Wildlife Research and Conservation Society
Celebrating Avian Diversity: Ujani Bird Count December 2024
The Ujani Waterbird Count, a collaborative effort with the Solapur Forest Division, was conducted as a Citizen Science Program on 22nd December 2024, from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM across 11 distinct locations. This comprehensive survey aimed to document the rich avian diversity of the Ujani Reservoir, with a particular focus on waterbirds. The objectives included assessing their conservation status, understanding migratory patterns, and formulating a management action plan for the reservoir.
The survey encompassed key waterbird habitats across 11 prominent locations: Bhigwan/Takrarwadi, Diksal, Kondhar Chincholi, Kumbhargaon, Dalaj, Vitthalwadi, Khatgaon, Kettur, Kalthan, Shaha, and Wangi. Each site plays a vital ecological role in sustaining waterbird populations. The accompanying map provides a detailed overview of the survey sites, highlighting their geographic distribution and significance.
A total of 135 bird species were documented during the Ujani waterbird Count Dec- 24. Among them, 25% were migratory, 70% were resident, 4% were local migrants.
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The graph below, illustrates the highest species diversity documented at top five locations during the birdcount. Among the surveyed sites, Bhigwan is the most diverse location, with a total count of 105 bird species. Followed by Dalaj, Vitthalwadi, Khatgaon and Kettur.
The survey highlighted the presence of several species listed on the IUCN Red List. The Ujani reservoir and its associated habitats serve as critical stopover sites for migratory birds and breeding grounds for resident waterbird species. These findings emphasize the importance of protecting these vulnerable populations and their habitats.
The graph below highlights the Top 5 waterbird species with the highest number of individuals recorded during the birdcount. The Eurasian Coot had the highest count, , followed by the Whiskered Tern, Northern Shoveler, Brown-headed Gull and River Tern
Below is the detailed checklist of bird species recorded during the December Bird Count 2024. This comprehensive list represents the incredible diversity of avian life observed during the survey and highlights the rich biodiversity of the region.
Species Name |
|---|
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) |
Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) |
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) |
Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) |
Blyth's Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum) |
Booted Warbler (Iduna caligata) |
Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) |
Brahminy Starling (Sturnia pagodarum) |
Brown Crake (Zapornia akool) |
Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus) |
Brown-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus) |
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) |
Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnia malabarica) |
Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola) |
Clamorous Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus) |
Common Babbler (Argya caudata) |
Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) |
Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) |
Common Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius) |
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) |
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) |
Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) |
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) |
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) |
Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) |
Dusky Crag-Martin (Ptyonoprogne concolor) |
Eastern Cattle-Egret (Ardea coromanda) |
Eastern Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica) |
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) |
Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) |
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) |
Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) |
Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla) |
Gadwall (Mareca strepera) |
Garganey (Spatula querquedula) |
The Ujani Waterbird Count owes its success to the enthusiastic and selfless contributions of all the participants.
Illustration Credit: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/home