Tamil Nadu to hold statewide synchronized bird census for 2025–26 in two phases

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has proposed to conduct a Synchronized Bird Census for the year 2025–2026, aiming to strengthen long-term bird monitoring and conservation efforts across the state.

The large-scale exercise will be carried out in two phases, comprising a Wetland Bird Census and a Terrestrial Bird Census.

According to the Forest Department, the Wetland Bird Census will be conducted on 27 and 28 of December, covering both inland and coastal wetlands.

The timing has been carefully chosen to coincide with the early phase of the migratory bird season, which typically begins with the onset of the North-East Monsoon in October and continues until April.

Officials said the census would help bridge data gaps during the early part of the migratory season, when large numbers of migratory birds begin arriving in Tamil Nadu.

During last year’s census, a total of 397 bird species, including resident and migratory birds were recorded across the state. The overall bird population documented during the survey was estimated at around 5.5 lakh, highlighting Tamil Nadu’s importance as a major habitat for avian diversity.

As part of the upcoming exercise, the Wetland Bird Census will be conducted in a minimum of 25 locations per Forest Division, ensuring extensive coverage across the state.

The state-wide census will see participation from experienced birdwatchers, volunteers, NGO representatives, professional wildlife photographers, and Forest Department officials, making it one of the largest coordinated bird-monitoring exercises in Tamil Nadu.

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden of Tamil Nadu has appealed to volunteers, school and college students, NGO representatives, and professional photographers who are interested in participating to register their names with the concerned Forest Department offices well in advance of the survey.

Officials underscored that bird conservation and monitoring are vital imperatives for Tamil Nadu, which is recognised as a key biodiversity hotspot for both resident and migratory birds.

In recent years, the state has launched several flagship initiatives to strengthen avian conservation, including the establishment of a Hornbill Conservation Centre, conservation initiatives for raptors through the Raptor Research Foundation at the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC), and the setting up of an International Bird Conservation Centre at Marakkannam.

The upcoming synchronized bird census is expected to generate valuable scientific data, support conservation planning, and further reinforce Tamil Nadu’s leadership in bird conservation and biodiversity monitoring.