Wildlife Research and Conservation Society
Ujani Bird Count November 2024: A Citizen Science Program
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The Ujani Waterbird Count was organized in collaboration with Solapur Forest Division. This was a Citizen Science Program conducted on 24th November 2024 from 7:00 AM to 11:00 Am at 14 different locations. We are excited to share the outcomes of the recent Ujani Waterbird Count, conducted across 14 locations surrounding the Ujani reservoir. This extensive survey aimed to document the Ujani's rich bird diversity, particularly focusing on waterbirds, assess their conservation status, migratory pattern and develop management action plan for Ujani reservoir.
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The survey covered prominent waterbird habitats across 14 distinct locations, including Bhigwan/Takrarwadi, Diksal, Kondhar Chincholi, Kumbhargaon, Dalaj, Vitthalwadi, Khatgaon, Kettur, Agoti, Kalthan, Shaha, Surli, Wangi, and Sangvi. Each site holds its own ecological significance in supporting waterbird populations. The accompanying map offers a detailed visualization of these survey sites.​​​​​​​​
A total of 161 bird species were documented during the Ujani waterbird Count Nov- 24. Among them, 27% were migratory, 65% were resident, 37% were waterbird species and 9% were local migrants.
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The graph below, illustrates the highest species diversity documented at top five locations during the Ujani Waterbird Count. Among the surveyed sites, Kaltan emerged as the most diverse location, with a total count of 94 bird species. Followed by Vitthalwadi being the second most diverse location with 85 species and Bhigwan with 79 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 highlights the Top 5 waterbird species with the highest number of individuals recorded during the survey. The River Tern had the highest count, with nearly 500 individuals, followed closely by the Brown-headed Gull. The numbers then gradually decrease, with the Eurasian Coot, Whiskered Tern, and Little Cormorant showing lower counts.
Here is the detailed checklist of bird species recorded during the November 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 |
|---|
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) |
Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) |
Lesser Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna javanica) |
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) |
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) |
Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) |
Gray Francolin (Ortygornis pondicerianus) |
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) |
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) |
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) |
Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) |
Red Collared-Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica) |
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon)) |
Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis) |
Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) |
Common Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius) |
Gray-bellied Cuckoo (Cacomantis passerinus) |
Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) |
Pied Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) |
Asian Palm Swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis) |
Little Swift (Apus affinis) |
Brown Crake (Zapornia akool) |
Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) |
Gray-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) |
White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) |
Indian Thick-knee (Burhinus indicus) |
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) |
Little Ringed Plover (Thinornis dubius) |
Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) |
Yellow-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus) |
Greater Painted-Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) |
Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) |
Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) |
Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) |
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) |
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) |
Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) |
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) |
Ruff (Calidris pugnax) |
Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus) |
Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii) |
Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) |
Barred Buttonquail (Turnix suscitator) |
Small Pratincole (Glareola lactea) |
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) |
Brown-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus) |
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) |
River Tern (Sterna aurantia) |
Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) |
Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans) |
Asian Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus) |
Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) |
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) |
Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) |
Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) |
Cinnamon Bittern (Botaurus cinnamomeus) |
Eastern Cattle-Egret (Ardea coromanda) |
Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) |
Great Egret (Ardea alba) |
Indian Pond-Heron (Ardeola grayii) |
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) |
Medium Egret (Ardea intermedia) |
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) |
Yellow Bittern (Botaurus sinensis) |
Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) |
Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) |
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) |
Red-naped Ibis (Pseudibis papillosa) |
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) |
Black Kite (Milvus migrans) |
Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) |
Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) |
Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) |
Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga) |
Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) |
Shikra (Tachyspiza badia) |
Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) |
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) |
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) |
White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) |
Asian Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis) |
Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) |
Coppersmith Barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus) |
Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla) |
Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) |
Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) |
Indian Golden Oriole (Oriolus kundoo) |
Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia) |
Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) |
Bay-backed Shrike (Lanius vittatus) |
Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) |
House Crow (Corvus splendens) |
Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) |
Asian Tit (Parus cinereus) |
Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix griseus) |
Indian Bushlark (Plocealauda erythroptera) |
Mongolian Short-toed Lark (Calandrella dukhunensis) |
Rufous-tailed Lark (Ammomanes phoenicura) |
Tawny Lark (Galerida deva) |
Ashy Prinia (Prinia socialis) |
The success of this Ujani Waterbird Count can be contributed to all the participants who selflessly participated for this count.
Illustration Credit: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/home