The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : White storks sighted at Chemmanchery Thoppu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

White storks sighted at Chemmanchery Thoppu

By P. Oppili

CHENNAI, JAN. 18. A pair of white storks, a rare species, has flown in from Europe to Chemmanchery Thoppu, about 20 km from here, on a brief visit.

Their snow-white complexion is in stark contrast to the dark clay of Chemmanchery Thoppu on Old Mahabalipuram Road.

The area has attracted a large number of winged visitors in the last two years, said K.V.R.K. Thirunaranan of the Nature Trust. Storks arrived at the Thoppu for the first time last year, and they have returned this season, he said. Some days ago, this naturalist also saw four black storks, including two young ones, that had migrated from Europe.

The fish population in the area has attracted nearly 2,000 local visitors, such as grey pelicans and painted storks. The water-spread is shallow and enables the pelicans and painted storks to find feed easily, said Mr. Thirunaranan.

Apart from availability of feed, the other attraction of Chemmanchery Thoppu is the vast open land, with little pollution, naturalists say.

A large number of juvenile grey pelicans have been sighted here, as also the painted stork, belonging to the non-breeding group.

The visit of the white stork is significant as three of them were sighted eight years ago at the Simpsons Estates in Sembium, said V. Guruswamy, a bird watcher.

"They are not regular visitors to the wetlands in and around the city." A small group visits the Indian sub-continent during winter, he said.

But the birds at Chemmanchery Thoppu face a threat from poachers, said some locals. However, support has come in the form of local fishermen, whose presence keeps the poachers away.

The fishermen are only too happy to chip in as they are assured of a good catch once the birds have their fill, Mr. Thirunaranan said.

Naturalists want the Government to take steps to protect the wetlands in the State as the number of birds visiting them has gone up.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu

News Update

Stories in this Section