Chennai: Going by the early arrival of migratory birds in sanctuaries located in northern and central districts of Tamil Nadu, ornithologists and TN foresters predict good northeast monsoon for the state during this November and December.
“The forecast by the Regional Meteorological Centre here has hinted a normal monsoon rainfall for the year 2016 and we foresters going by the early arrival of birds are positive that there will be adequate rainfall this season,” said a TN forest official adding that the bird migration season has commenced in advance due to the recent spells of rain last week. In places like Tiruvarur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur and Kancheepuram bird migration has begun and their population influx is encouraging till now. If the rains continue bird migration will gain momentum in Karivetti sanctuary in Ariyalur, Vedanthangal and Karikkili in Kancheepuram and Pallikaranai located close to Chennai, the official added.
“For Tamil Nadu, October- December is the main rainy season accounting for bird migration and the start is encouraging. Grey headed lapwing, northern shovellers and garganey all long distance migratory birds have started arriving in Pallikaranai and their numbers are encouraging”, said K.V.R.K. Thirunaranan, founder, The Nature Trust.
However migration in Tirunelveli and western districts is yet to pick up due to deficit rainfall. “Only a few bar headed geese have arrived in Kunthankulam bird sanctuary in Tirunelveli and we are awaiting rains”, said a local bird tracker.
It may be noted that that the IMD has forecast 90 to 100 per cent normal rainfall for Tamil Nadu during the 2016 northeast monsoon. The seasonal rainfall over the Tamil Nadu for the base period 1951-2000 is 438.2mm and the same is expected this monsoon.
