Wildlife Research and Conservation Society
Ujani Bird Count February 2025: A Glimpse into Avian Diversity
The Ujani Waterbird Count is a collaborative citizen science initiative conducted in collaboration with the Solapur Forest Division from 22nd to 28th February 2025. Conducted from 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM across 14 distinct sites, the survey aimed to document the diverse avian species inhabiting the Ujani Reservoir, with a particular focus on waterbirds. Its primary objectives is to assess the conservation status of these birds, analyze their migratory patterns, and contribute to the development of a management action plan for the reservoir.
The survey covered 14 locations, including Bhigwan, Diksal, Kondhar Chincholi, Kumbhargaon, Dalaj, Vitthalwadi, Khatgaon, Kettur, Kalthan, Shaha, Agoti, Surli, and Wangi. Each of these sites plays a vital role in supporting waterbird populations. A corresponding map provides a visual representation of these survey locations.
During the Ujani waterbird Count , a total of 135 bird species were documented. Of these, 25% were migratory, 65% were resident, and 10% were local migrants.
The accompanying graph highlights the top five survey locations in terms of species diversity. Among these sites, Kumbhargaon recorded the highest diversity with 83 species. Followed by Wangi with 70 species, both Khatgaon and Kondhar Chincholi documented 66 species, while Sangvi reported 65 species.
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 showcases the top five most abundant waterbird species during the birdcount. The Glossy Ibis was recorded in the greatest number, followed by the Eurasian Coot, Brown headed Gull, Northern Shovelar and Whiskered Tern.
Below is the detailed checklist of bird species recorded during the February Bird Count 2025. This comprehensive list represents the incredible diversity of avian life observed during the survey and highlights the rich biodiversity of the region.
Species |
|---|
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) |
Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) |
Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) |
Asian Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus) |
Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans) |
River Tern (Sterna aurantia) |
Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) |
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) |
Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) |
Pallas's Gull (Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus) |
Brown-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus) |
Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum) |
Small Pratincole (Glareola lactea) |
Little Stint (Calidris minuta) |
Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii) |
Ruff (Calidris pugnax) |
Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) |
Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus) |
Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) |
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) |
Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) |
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) |
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) |
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) |
Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) |
Greater Painted-Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) |
Kentish Plover (Anarhynchus alexandrinus) |
Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) |
Yellow-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus) |
Little Ringed Plover (Thinornis dubius) |
Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) |
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) |
Gray-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) |
Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) |
Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) |
Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) |
Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) |
Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis) |
Red Collared-Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica) |
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) |
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon)) |
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) |
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) |
Gray Francolin (Ortygornis pondicerianus) |
Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) |
Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) |
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) |
Garganey (Spatula querquedula) |
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) |
Lesser Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna javanica) |
Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis) |
Indian Robin (Copsychus fulicatus) |
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) |
Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnia malabarica) |
Brahminy Starling (Sturnia pagodarum) |
Indian Pied Starling (Gracupica contra) |
Rosy Starling (Pastor roseus) |
Large Gray Babbler (Argya malcolmi) |
Yellow-eyed Babbler (Chrysomma sinense) |
Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) |
Streak-throated Swallow (Petrochelidon fluvicola) |
Eastern Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica) |
Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii) |
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) |
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) |
Clamorous Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus) |
Blyth's Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum) |
Booted Warbler (Iduna caligata) |
Ashy Prinia (Prinia socialis) |
Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) |
Tawny Lark (Galerida deva) |
Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix griseus) |
Rufous-tailed Lark (Ammomanes phoenicura) |
House Crow (Corvus splendens) |
Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) |
Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus) |
Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) |
Indian Golden Oriole (Oriolus kundoo) |
Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) |
Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) |
Asian Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis) |
White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) |
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) |
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) |
Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) |
Black Kite (Milvus migrans) |
Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) |
Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) |
Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) |
Red-naped Ibis (Pseudibis papillosa) |
Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) |
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) |
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) |
Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) |
Medium Egret (Ardea intermedia) |
Great Egret (Ardea alba) |
Eastern Cattle-Egret (Ardea coromanda) |
Indian Pond-Heron (Ardeola grayii) |
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) |
Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) |
Blyth's Pipit (Anthus godlewskii) |
Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus) |
White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) |
White-browed Wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatensis) |
Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) |
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) |
Red Avadavat (Amandava amandava) |
Indian Silverbill (Euodice malabarica) |
Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus) |
Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) |
Purple-rumped Sunbird (Leptocoma zeylonica) |
Siberian Stonechat (Saxicola maurus) |
Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata) |
Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) |
The Ujani Waterbird Count owes its success to the enthusiastic and selfless contributions of all the participants.
Illustration Credit: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/home