POST-FLOOD IMPACT ASSESSMENT on BIODIVERSITY Selected Faunal Groups

OCTOBER 2019

POST-FLOOD IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON BIODIVERSITY Selected Faunal Groups

FINAL REPORT

Submitted to

Kerala State Biodiversity Board

World Wide Fund for Nature - India (WWF India) PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR Renjan Mathew Varghese

DATA COLLECTION TEAM Sujith V Gopalan (Field Team Leader/ Expert) Balachandran V (Field Expert) Govind G (Field Expert) Kiran S Kumar (Field Expert) Vivek Chandran A Harikrishnan S Elias Rowther Jeffin John Yadhumon A

DATA ANALYSIS & DRAFTING Sujith V Gopalan

PHOTO CREDITS Sujith V Gopalan Harikrishnan S Goivnd Girija Vivek Chandran A Afsar Nayakan Subin K S

Published by WWF-INDIA & KERALA STATE BIODIVERSITY BOARD CONTENTS

Sl.No Content Page

1. Introduction 3 2. Study area (Transect and habitat details) 3-18 3. Visual Impact of Flood 18 4. Methodology 19 5. Bird Checklist and Transect data 22-75 6. Birds – Results and Discussion 76-80 7. Birds - Photo Gallery 78-81 8. Amphibian Checklist and Transect data 84-106 9. Amphibian – Results and Discussion 107-108 10. Butterfly Checklist and Transect data 109-142 11. Butterfly – Results and Discussion 143-144 12. Butterfly - Photo Gallery 145-146 13. Odonate Checklist and Transect data 147-175 14. Odonates – Results and Discussion 176-177 15. Odonates - Photo Gallery 179-186 16. Final Conclusion and Recommendation 187 17. Scenarios and Recommendation 188-198 18. Site specific restoration program 199-200 19. Glimpses-filed work 201-203 20. Forest Permission 204 21. Pookode Lake - Permission 205 22. Acknowledgements 207

Wire-tailed Swallow (I¼nhme³ I{XnI) documented from Kattampally Wetlands

Sujith V Gopalan

A INTRODUCTION

The 2018 monsoon brought excessive rainfall within a short period of time, resulting in flash floods and heavy landslides across the State. Nine out of the fourteen districts in Kerala were severely affected (Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Pathanamthitta). Idukki and Wayanad in particular were affected by landslides because of the hilly terrain.

Kerala has a tropical climate, the dominant climatic phenomena being the monsoons, called the South-West monsoon (June to August) and the North-East monsoon (September - November), the former being more significant (80% of total rainfall) than the latter with respect to the amount of rainfall. In Kerala, there are forty four (44) rivers, of which 41 are west flowing and only three (3) are east flowing. All are monsoon-fed rivers originating from the Western Ghats.

The study by CESS (2010) shows that 5642.68 sq.km., which is 14.52% of the total area of the State is prone to floods. In Alappuzha district, more than 50% of area is identified as flood prone. These are mostly confined to the Kuttanad region that host seasonally waterlogged flat lands with anastomosing waterways connected to Vembanad Lake. The Kole lands of Thrissur and Malappuram district, the coastal tracts of Ernakulam and the western part of Kottayam district flanking Vem- banad Lake are other major areas prone to floods. Even though Wayanad district is located in an elevated plateau, flood prone areas are noted in the broad flat bottom valleys and flood plains adjacent to Mananthavadi River. Idukki district is the least flood prone area in Kerala owing to the elevated topography, rugged terrain and absence of flat bottom valleys.

In light of the flash floods that ravaged the State during August 2018, there are different ecosystems that could have been affected by flood. These different ecosystems have many food webs and food chains and also countless species that occupy different niches in the web of life. Knowing which species inhabits an ecosystem, and estimating thier populations, is critical in understanding the structure and function of that ecosystem and thereby understanding the impact of the natural disaster and predicting future changes. Hence a study with the following design was adopted by the Study Team.

It is estimated that the rate of decrease in global biodiversity over the past centuries is quiet similar to previous mass extinctions in Earth’s history. In an era of increasing anthropogenic distur- bances, global environmental changes, habitat loss and species extinction, designing conservation strategies are a crucial step toward minimizing biodiversity loss.

STUDY AREA SELECTED

The flood affected districts are Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Pathanamthitta. The study area were selected based on the different habitats and elevations representing the flood affected areas, namely:

1. Kattampally Wetlands (Kannur) 2. Pookode Lake (Vythiri, Wayanad) 3. Pullu Kole Wetlands (Thrissur) 4. Vazhachal Forest Division (Thrissur) 5. Nedumudi (Vembanad, Alappuzha) 6. Melepadam (Upper Kuttanad, Alappuzha) 7. Vandiperiyar (Periyar Tiger Reserve, Idukki)

3 1. KATTAMPALLY WETLANDS Kattampally Wetlands (11º 55’ 00” N, 75° 19’ 60” E) with an area of 750 ha is situated in the floodplains of the Valapattanam River. The area falls in an altitudinal gradient of 0-5 MSL and receives a rainfall of 3,000 - 4,400 mm annually. The habitat consists of fresh/ brackish water swamp, tidal marsh, sub-tropical secondary scrub and mangroves. The area is a declared Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) on the following criteria A1 (Threatened species), A4i (≥1% of biogeographic population), A4iii (≥20,000 waterbirds). Kattampally is not officially protected and ownership is partially private and State. The area comes under coastal biogeographic zone with a temperature gradient of 20 to 38 ºC.

The bird and amphibian transect at Kattampally was fixed from 11° 56’ 5.892” N, 75° 22’ 48.36” E to 11° 56’ 1.608” N, 75° 23’ 21.12” E. The map of the transect area is as above. The transect consists of a variety of habitat from fresh/ brackish water swamp, tidal marsh, sub-tropical secondary scrub, paddy-fields and mangroves. The Odonate and Butterfly transect was fixed from 11° 55’ 19.812” N, 75° 22’ 21.468” E to 11° 55’ 13.116” N to 75° 22’ 27.984”E. The map showing the transect area is given below.

4 4 ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS - KATTAMPALLY

1. Dated: 11-01-2019 2. Dated: 29-05-2019

3. Dated: 25-06-2019 4. Dated: 23-07-2019

5. Dated: 15-08-2019 6. Dated: 25-08-2019

5 5 2. POOKODE LAKE Pookode Lake (11° 32′ 24” – 11° 32′ 35″ N and 76° 01′ 34″ – 76° 01′ 43″ E) is situated in Vy- thiri Taluk in Wayanad district, Kerala. The Lake is one of the high altitudinal (770 MSL), perennial, rain-fed freshwater lake of the State. The Lake is almost elliptical in shape and nested within the biodiversity rich evergreen forest and mountain slopes of Western Ghats. The Panamaram Rivulet, one of the main tributaries of the Kabani River takes its origin from the Pookode Lake. The Lake has a rich repository of floral and faunal species. Pethia pookodensis (Pookode Lake Barb) is a species that is endemic to the Lake and classified as Critically Endangered by IUCN.

The Bird, Butterfly, Odonate and Amphibian transect at Pookode was fixed from 11° 32’ 26.556” N, 76° 1’ 36.228” E to 11° 32’ 26.628” N, 76° 1’ 38.46” E. The map of the transect area is as above. The transect consists of a variety of habitat from freshwater swamps, bamboo reeds, forests, aquatic and semiaquatic vegetations. The transect was taken clockwise around the Lake.

6 ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS - POOKODE

1. Dated: 15-01-2019 2. Dated:28-05-2019

3. Dated: 26-06-2019 4. Dated: 25-07-2019

5. Dated: 14-08-2019 6. Dated: 24-08-2019

7 3. KOLE WETLANDS Kole Wetlands (10° 11’ 29” N, 76° 10’ 50” E) with an area of 13,632 ha is one of the largest inter- connected wetland ecosystem extending from the south of Malappuram District to south of Thrissur District. The area falls in an altitudinal gradient of 0-1 MSL and receives a rainfall of 2,760 mm. The habitat consists of mainly freshwater swamp. The area is a declared Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) with following criteria A1 (Threatened species), A4i (≥1% of biogeographic population), A4iii (≥20,000 waterbirds). Kole Wetlands is a declared Ramsar Site. Ownership of Kole Wetlands is mostly private. The area comes under coastal biogeographic zone with a temperature gradient of 21 to 38 ºC.

The bird transect at Pullu Kole was fixed from 10° 28’ 6.4308” N, 76° 9’ 17.2332” E to 10° 28’ 14.772” N, 76° 8’ 26.232” E. The map of the transect is as above. The transect consists mainly of freshwater swamp habitat and paddy-fields. The Amphibian, Odonate and Butterfly transect was fixed from 10° 28’ 4.836” N, 75° 22’ 21.468” E to 10° 28’ 2.64”’ N to 76° 9’ 56.16” E. The map showing the transect is as given below.

8 ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS - KOLE WETLANDS

1. Dated: 11-01-2019 2. Dated: 30-05-2019

3. Dated: 27-06-2019 4. Dated: 13-07-2019

5. Dated: 26-07-2019 6. Dated: 25-08-2019

9 4. VAZHACHAL FOREST DIVISION Vazhachal Forest Division lies in Mukundapuram Taluk of Thrissur district and Aluva Taluk of Ernakulam district. (10° 19’ 4.0440” N, 76° 42’ 7.4880” E) with an area of 41,300 ha. The area falls in an altitudinal gradient of 200–1,300 MSL and receives rainfall of 3,000 mm annually. The habitat consists of low-elevation riparian, evergreen, degraded semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous forests, teak and Oil-palm plantations. The area is a declared Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) on the following criteria A2 (Endemic Bird Area 123: Western Ghats), A3 (Biome 10: Indian Peninsula Tropical Moist Forest). Vazhachal, being forests, is under the ownership of the State. The reserve forest falls in Western Ghats biogeographic zone and has a temperature gradient of 14 to 36 ºC.

The bird transect at Vazhachal was fixed from 10° 18’ 12.384” N, 76° 35’ 36.168” E to 10° 18’ 6.228” N, 10° 18’ 6.228” N. The map of the transect is as above. Transect consists of habitats like riparian and evergreen forests. The Amphibian, Odonate and Butterfly transect was broken into segments of 50 mts each to cover various habitats like swamps, fresh water ponds, rivers and reed patches along the road from Vazhachal to Valparai. Each location is marked on the map below.

10 ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS - VAZHACHAL

1. Dated: 10-06-2019 2. Dated: 28-06-2019

3. Dated:12-07-2019 4. Dated: 27-07-2019

5. Dated: 07-08-2019 6. Dated: 23-08-2019

11 5. NEDUMUDI WETLANDS - VEMBANAD Nedumudi Wetlands is part of the Vembanad - Kole Ramsar Site (9° 35’ 60” N, 76° 23’ 30” E). The habitat consists of paddy-fields, isolated forest patches, sacred groves and freshwater swamps. The area falls in an altitudinal gradient of 0 - 2 MSL and receives an annual rainfall of 5,000 mm. The area is a declared Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) with following criteria A1 (Threatened species), A4i (≥1% biogeographic population), A4iii (≥20,000 waterbirds). Nedumudi is mostly under private ownership. The area falls under the coastal biogeographic zone and has a temperature gradient of 20 to 35 ºC.

The Bird, Butterfly, Odonate and Amphibian transect at Nedumudi was fixed from 9° 26’ 30.444” N, 76° 23’ 17.88” E to 9° 26’ 2.76” N, 76° 23’ 18.636” E. The map of the transect is as above. Transect consists of different habitats including freshwater swamps, sacred groves, aquatic and semi aquatic vegetations. Transect was along the road that separates the paddy fields.

12 ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS - VEMBANAD

1. Dated: 16-03-2019 2. Dated: 09-06-2019

3. Dated: 19-07-2019 4. Dated: 03-08-2019

5. Dated: 19-08-2019 6. Dated: 30-08-2019

13 6. MELEPADAM - UPPER KUTTANAD Kuttanad is a deltaic formation of five river systems: Meenachil, Pamba, Manimala, Muvattu- puzha and Achencovil. It is an integral part of the Vembanad - Kole Ramsar Site. Kuttanad region is separated from the Arabian Sea by a narrow strip of land. It is broadly divided into Lower and Upper Kuttanad. The study area Melepadam falls in Upper Kuttanad. The area is 0 to -2.7 MSL and is one of the lowest altitudinal regions in India. Kuttanad Farming System recognised as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). Melepadam lies between two rivers i.e. Achankovil River to the south and Pamba River to the north. Much of the area falls under paddy cultivation.

The Bird, Butterfly, Odonate and Amphibian transect at Melepadam was fixed from 9° 19’ 30.864” N, 76° 29’ 3.336” E to 9° 19’ 9.804” N, 76° 28’ 48.792” E. The map of transect is given above. Transect consists of freshwater swamps and paddy-fields. Transect was fixed along the bund road bi- secting the paddy-fields. Transect has Achankovil River to the south and Pamba River to the north.

14 ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS - MELEPADAM

1. Dated: 17-03-2019 2. Dated: 11-06-2019

3. Dated: 20-07-2019 4. Dated: 04-08-2019

5. Dated: 28-08-2019 6. Dated: 31-08-2019

15 7. VANDIPERIYAR - PTR Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) is one of the most famous Tiger Reserves of India. It has an area of 925 sq. km., including the Periyar Lake (2,600 ha). PTR is a declared Important Bird and Biodiversi- ty Area (IBA) on the following criteria A1 (Threatened species), A2 (Endemic Bird Area 123: Western Ghats), A3 (Biome 10: Indian Peninsula Tropical Moist Forest). PTR has enjoyed protection since it was established in August, 1950 as a Wildlife Sanctuary, which was later declared as a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Vallakadavu is a range of Periyar Tiger Reserve with an area 116.31 sq.km. The area chosen for the study was along the Periyar River.

The Bird, Butterfly, Odonate and Amphibian transect at Vallakadavu was fixed from 9° 31’ 39.9” N, 77° 6’ 46.764” E to 9° 32’ 8.772” N, 77° 6’ 25.74” E. The map of the transect is as above. Transect consists of a variety of habitats ranging from riparian forests, tropical wet evergreen forest, grasslands and wetlands.

16 ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS - VANDIPERIYAR

1. Dated: 15-03-2019 2. Dated: 08-06-2019

3. Dated: 17-07-2019 4. Dated: 02-08-2019

5. Dated: 20-08-2019 6. Dated: 29-08-2019

17 VISUAL IMPACT OF FLOOD

Erosion of Riparian Vegetation in Minor erosion of Trek path in Periyar Tiger Vazhachal Reserve Forest Reserve.

Kattampally as on 10-08-2019 Flood water level marked at Vembanad

Flood water level marked in Kole Kattampally transect as on 10-08- 2019

18 METHODOLOGY

Line Transect method was adopted to assess the diversity and abundance of the faunal group targeted in the study. The methodology was fine tuned according to each of the faunal group included in the study. The specific micro-habitat selected for the study in all the 7 locations were selected based on the faunal groups and transect was determined primarily based on the diversity and abundance of the faunal group studied. At certain locations like Vazhachal, transect was broken into several segments in different locations with the objective of covering the divergent habitat available. Apart from the transect observations, all species sighted in the study area was included into the checklist. While on transect the following data was recorded:

Habitat and Micro habitat: Photograph of the habitat and micro habitat, GPS co-ordinates of transect. Species: Diversity and abundance of each species was recorded. Species were photographed when- ever and wherever possible. The species that were not identified on field were photographed with particular focus on their taxonomic keys and identified with further examination and discussions with experts. Weather: In the case of Butterflies, Birds and Odonates, all transects were conducted during clear or partially clouded sky with ample sunshine; and for Amphibians - moist and humid conditions after sunset. Transect was paused with change in climatic condition and resumed with the resuming of the former climatic condition. When the climatic condition did not meet the standards of the survey protocols, the transect walks were postponed.

BIRDS Transects were established in each of the study area, largely based on the availability of previous e-bird data. The established transect was surveyed on foot at a constant speed (100m/5 min.) by walking at a steady pace. The observers field of observation was limited to 50 mts on either side, and only birds heard and sighted in front of the observer was considered in the transect survey. The species was recorded based on direct sighting and on the basis of call. Transect was conducted between 6.30 to 8.30 am.

AMPHIBIANS

Transects were established in each of the study area, based on the diversity and abundance of the Amphibians. The transect areas were intensely searched. All amphibians encountered in the transect of 200 mts length * 10 mts width were documented. The species was recorded based on direct sighting and on the basis of call. Transect was conducted between 7.00 to 9.00 pm.

BUTTERFLIES

Transects were established in each of the study area, largely based on the diversity and abundance of Butterflies. The established transect was surveyed on foot by walking at a constant speed (100m/10 min.). The observers field of observation was limited to 5 mts on either side, and only butterflies sighted in front of the observer were considered in the transect survey. The species were recorded based on direct sighting. Transects were conducted between 10.00 to 11.30 am.

ODONATES

Transects were established in each of the study area, largely based on the diversity and abundance of Odonates. The established transect was surveyed on foot by walking at a constant speed (100m/10 min.). The observers field of observation was limited to 5 mts on either side, and only Odonates sighted in front of the observer were considered in the transect survey. The species were recorded on the basis of direct sighting. Transect was conducted between 9.00 to 10.00 am. 19 20 1. BIRDS

21 1. KATTAMPALLY

1.1 CHECKLIST OF BIRDS DOCUMENTED FROM KATTAMPALLY

Common name Species name Malayalam name 1 Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica Nqf³ Fc@ 2 Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus abnÂ 3 Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha ]pÅn¨p@³ Xmdmhv 4 Rock Pigeon Columba livia A¼e{]mhv 5 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Acn {]mhv 6 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis D¸³ 7 Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus sIm¼³IpbnÂ 8 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus Icn¦pbnÂ, \m«pIpbnÂ 9 Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii sN¦pbnÂ 10 Grey-bellied Cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus sNdpIpbnÂ 11 Common Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius t]¡pbnÂ 12 Indian Swiftlet Aerodramus unicolor Nn{XIqS³ ic¸£n 13 Indian cuckoo Cuculus micropterus hnjp¸£n 14 Asian Palm-Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis ]\¦qf³ 15 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Ipft¡mgn 16 Grey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio \oet¡mgn 17 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus ]hng¡men 18 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus sN¦®n Xn¯ncn 19 Greater Painted-Snipe Rostratula benghalensis Imfn¡mS 20 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago hnidnhme³ Np@³ImS 21 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus sXäns¡m¡³ 22 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia ]¨¡men 23 Little Stint Calidris minuta Ipcphn aWeqXn 24 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos \oÀ¡mS 25 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola ]pÅn¡mSs¡m¡v 26 Common Redshank Tringa totanus tNmc¡men 27 Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans tNcms¡m¡³ 28 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Icphmc¡pcp 29 Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster tNct¡mgn 30 Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger sNdnb \oÀ¡m¡ 22 Common name Species name Malayalam name 31 Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis In¶cn \oÀ¡m¡ 32 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Nmcap@n 33 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Nmbap@n 34 Great Egret Ardea alba s]cpap@n 35 Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia sNdpap@n 36 Little Egret Egretta garzetta Nn¶ap@n 37 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Imenap@n 38 Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii Ipfs¡m¡v 39 Striated Heron Butorides striata Nn¶s¡m¡v 40 Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax ]mXncms¡m¡v 41 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus sN¼³ AcnhmÄsIm¡³ 42 Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Ij@ns¡m¡v 43 Osprey Pandion haliaetus Xmen¸cp´v 44 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus shffn Fdnb³ 45 Shikra Accipiter badius {]m¸nSnb³ 46 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus IcnX¸n 47 Black Kite Milvus migrans N¡n¸cp´v 48 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus IrjvW¸cp´v 49 White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla shÅhbd³ ISÂ¸cp´v 50 Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis sNdnb ao³sIm¯n 51 Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis Im¡ao³sIm¯n, 52 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis ao³sIm¯n¨m¯³ 53 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis ]pÅnao³sIm¯n 54 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis \m«pthen¯¯ 55 Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus henb then¯¯ 56 Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis ]\¦m¡ 57 White-cheeked Barbet Psilopogon viridis Nn¶¡p«pdph³ 58 Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos moluccensis ap@³ acwsIm¯n 59 Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense \m«pacwsIm¯n 60 Shaheen Falcon Falco peregrinus ImbÂ¸pÅv 61 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri tamXnc¯¯ 62 Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo aª¡nfn 63 Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis No\aª¡nfn 64 Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus aª¡dp¸³ 65 Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus CWImt¯h³ 66 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Atbmd 67 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus B\dm©n 68 Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus efnX¡m¡ 69 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus ImSpapg¡n 70 Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus XhnS³ ss{j¡v 71 Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus Akpc¡nfn 72 Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda Hmteªmen 73 House Crow Corvus splendens t]\¡m¡ 74 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos _en¡m¡ 75 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Xp¶mc³ 76 Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii Xmen¡pcphn 77 Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis IXnÀhme³Ipcphn 23 Common name Species name Malayalam name 78 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata hbÂ¡pcphn 79 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis s]mXs¸m«³ 80 Booted Warbler Iduna caligata aqSn¡me³ Ipcphn 81 Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Cuäs]mf¸³ 82 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica hbÂt¡mXnIv I{XnI 83 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii I¼nhme³ I{XnI 84 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica hcb³ I{XnI 85 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer \m«p_pÄ_pÄ 86 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Cc«¯e¨n 87 White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus XhnS³ _pÄ_pÄ 88 Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps ]pÅn¨ne¸³ 89 Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata Icnbne¡nfn 90 Yellow-billed Babbler Turdoides affinis ]q¯m¦ocn 91 Rosy Starling Pastor roseus tdmkv ssa\ 92 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis \m«pssa\ 93 Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis a®m¯n¸pÅv 94 Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos sNs¦m¡³ C¯n¡®n 95 Purple-rumped Sunbird Leptocoma zeylonica aª tX³Infn 96 Loten's Sunbird Cinnyris lotenius sIm¡³ tX³Infn 97 Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons Im«ne¡nfn 98 Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar Imbemä 99 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus Bä¡pcphn 100 White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Bä¡dp¸³ 101 Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata Np«nbmä 102 Tricolored Munia Lonchura malacca Bäs¨¼³ 103 Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii »bv¯v hc¼³ 104 Paddy-field Pipit Anthus rufulus hbÂhc¼³ 105 White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis henb hmepIpep¡n 106 Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica acXI{]mhv 107 Orange Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Xo¡pcphn 108 Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina s\·Wn¡pcphn HIGHLIGHTS KATTAMPALLY

Isabelline Wheatear, (s\·Wn¡pcphn). A migratory species documented in August 2019. The species is a rare winter migrant to Kerala.

Afsar Nayakan

24 Shaheen Falcon (ImbÂ¸pÅv), This species is the fastest bird on earth. It was recorded from Kattampally consistently Afsar Nayakan

Western Marsh Harrier (IcnX¸n), A species of Accipitridae found mainly in Wetlands.

Vivek Chandran A

Shikra ({]m¸nSnb³) A common species of Accipitridae found through out the wetlands and midlands. Sujith V Gopalan

25 1.2 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM KATTAMPALLY

Common name 14-01-19 29-05-19 25-06-19 24-07-19 15-08-19 25-08-19 1 Lesser Whistling-Duck 0 29 9 23 18 11 2 Indian Peafowl 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 Indian Spot-billed Duck 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 Rock Pigeon 69 220 12 6 3 1 5 Spotted Dove 16 9 7 14 17 5 6 Greater Coucal 4 3 4 1 4 4 7 Pied Cuckoo 0 0 1 0 0 1 8 Asian Koel 2 4 5 3 4 1 9 Banded Bay Cuckoo 0 0 1 0 0 0 10 Grey-bellied Cuckoo 1 0 0 0 0 0 11 Common Hawk-Cuckoo 1 1 0 0 0 0 12 Indian Swiftlet 1 0 0 0 0 0 13 Asian Palm-Swift 0 0 0 1 10 0 14 White-breasted Waterhen 7 1 0 0 1 0 15 Grey-headed Swamphen 0 0 0 0 0 1 16 Black-winged Stilt 0 0 0 0 2 0 17 Red-wattled Lapwing 1 1 0 22 7 4 18 Greater Painted-Snipe 0 0 0 2 2 0 19 Common Snipe 1 0 0 0 0 0 20 Whimbrel 0 0 0 0 0 1 21 Common Greenshank 1 1 1 1 0 0 22 Little Stint 0 0 0 0 1 0 23 Common Sandpiper 0 0 0 0 1 2 24 Wood Sandpiper 0 0 0 8 6 0 25 Common Redshank 0 0 0 1 0 0 26 Asian Openbill 0 0 0 1 0 0 27 Woolly-necked Stork 4 0 0 0 0 0 28 Oriental Darter 3 0 0 1 1 0 29 Little Cormorant 27 34 24 66 5 5 30 Indian Cormorant 7 3 0 1200 2 1 31 Grey Heron 0 0 0 0 1 0 32 Purple Heron 1 1 6 0 1 0 33 Great Egret 0 7 2 0 1 0 34 Intermediate Egret 6 0 2 1 1 0 35 Little Egret 14 2 1 26 2 0 36 Cattle Egret 21 4 3 29 1 0 37 Indian Pond-Heron 32 1 7 42 3 2 38 Striated Heron 1 0 0 0 1 0 39 Black-crowned Night-Heron 0 1 1 1 2 0 40 Glossy Ibis 0 0 0 8 11 0 41 Black-headed Ibis 3 4 3 53 5 1 42 Osprey 0 0 1 0 0 0 43 Black-winged Kite 1 0 0 0 0 0 26 Common name 14-01-19 29-05-19 25-06-19 24-07-19 15-08-19 25-08-19 44 Shikra 0 0 0 0 1 0 45 Black Kite 6 1 0 1 3 5 46 Brahminy Kite 26 11 7 4 8 6 47 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 1 0 0 0 0 0 48 Small Blue Kingfisher 2 2 3 1 1 2 49 Stork-billed Kingfisher 0 1 2 2 2 1 50 White-throated Kingfisher 4 1 4 3 5 3 51 Pied Kingfisher 0 0 0 1 0 0 52 Green Bee-eater 0 2 0 2 2 0 53 Blue-tailed Bee-eater 4 0 0 1 2 10 54 Indian Roller 0 1 0 1 0 0 55 White-cheeked Barbet 2 0 1 1 1 1 56 Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker 0 0 0 0 0 3 57 Black-rumped Flameback 6 1 6 7 2 2 58 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 0 1 0 59 Rose-ringed Parakeet 21 0 2 2 1 3 60 Indian Golden Oriole 3 0 0 0 0 0 61 Black-naped Oriole 1 0 0 0 0 0 62 Black-hooded Oriole 0 1 1 0 1 2 63 Ashy Woodswallow 0 0 0 1 4 0 64 Common Iora 0 0 0 1 2 0 65 Black Drongo 8 3 3 0 1 1 66 Bronzed Drongo 0 0 2 0 2 1 67 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 0 1 1 2 2 2 68 Brown Shrike 1 0 0 0 0 0 69 Bay-backed Shrike 1 0 0 0 0 0 70 Rufous Treepie 0 0 1 1 1 1 71 House Crow 35 1 25 25 7 6 72 Large-billed Crow 0 0 5 0 1 3 73 Common Tailorbird 0 1 2 1 2 1 74 Grey-breasted Prinia 0 0 0 0 4 1 75 Ashy Prinia 3 10 12 8 1 5 76 Plain Prinia 4 5 6 1 1 2 77 Zitting Cisticola 0 4 0 0 0 0 78 Booted Warbler 2 0 0 0 0 0 79 Blyth's Reed Warbler 5 0 0 0 0 0 80 Barn Swallow 3 2 0 0 0 0 81 Wire-tailed Swallow 5 5 11 5 14 6 82 Red-rumped Swallow 2 5 0 0 0 0 83 Red-vented Bulbul 0 0 0 0 2 1 84 Red-whiskered Bulbul 6 7 11 16 4 2 85 White-browed Bulbul 0 0 0 1 0 0 86 Puff-throated Babbler 0 0 2 1 0 0 87 Jungle Babbler 0 0 0 0 3 10 88 Yellow-billed Babbler 0 4 0 0 0 0 27 Common name 14-01-19 29-05-19 25-06-19 24-07-19 15-08-19 25-08-19 89 Rosy Starling 1950 0 0 0 0 0 90 Common Myna 26 17 3 44 17 7 91 Oriental Magpie-Robin 1 1 9 1 3 2 92 Pale-billed Flowerpecker 1 0 0 1 2 3 93 Purple-rumped Sunbird 3 5 4 7 2 2 94 Loten's Sunbird 0 0 0 0 0 2 95 Golden-fronted Leafbird 0 0 0 0 0 2 96 Streaked Weaver 0 0 0 3 0 0 97 Baya Weaver 64 500 4 13 2 2 98 White-rumped Munia 0 0 2 0 0 0 99 Scaly-breasted Munia 0 7 0 2 4 0 100 Tricolored Munia 0 7 26 6 12 0 101 Blyth's Pipit 1 0 0 0 0 4 102 Paddy-field Pipit 3 0 0 0 0 0 103 White-browed Wagtail 0 0 0 0 2 0 104 Asian Emerald Dove 0 0 0 0 1 0 105 Orange Minivet 0 0 0 0 3 0

1.3 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Birds at Kattampally

2424 2500 Species number Abundance 2000 1678

1500

932 1000

500 245 242 146 54 45 44 55 66 48 0 14-01-19 29-05-19 25-06-19 24-07-19 15-08-19 25-08-19

Indian Cuckoo (hnjp¸£n), Though heard regularly, the bird is comparitively lesser sighted. Sighted from Kattampally wetlands

Sujith V Gopalan

28 2. POOKODE

1.4 CHECKLIST OF BIRDS DOCUMENTED FROM POOKODE

Common name Species name Malayalam name 1 Red Spurfowl Galloperdix spadicea sN¼³ apÅ³tImgn 2 Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon Columba elphinstonii ac{]mhv 3 Grey-fronted Green-Pigeon Treron pompadora Nmchcnb³ {]mhv 4 Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica acXI{]mhv 5 Mountain Imperial-Pigeon Ducula badia s]mIW {]mhv 6 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis D¸³ 7 Indian Swiftlet Aerodramus unicolor Nn{XIqS³ ic¸£n 8 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Ipft¡mgn 9 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus I\ymkv{XosIm¡v 10 Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster tNct¡mgn 11 Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger sNdnb \oÀ¡m¡ 12 Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis In¶cn \oÀ¡m¡ 13 Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia sNdpap@n 14 Little Egret Egretta garzetta Nn¶ap@n 15 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Imenap@n 16 Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii Ipfs¡m¡v 17 Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax ]mXncms¡m¡v 18 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus shffn Fdnb³ 19 Crested Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela Np«n¸cp´v 20 Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis Icn¼cp´v 21 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus shÅ¡dp¸³ ]cp´v 22 Besra Accipiter virgatus s_{k {]m¸nSnb³ 23 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus IrjvW¸cp´v 24 Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum sN¼³\¯v 25 Brown Hawk-Owl Ninox scutulata ]pÅp\¯v 26 Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus Xo¡m¡ 27 Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus tImgn thgm¼Â 28 Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis sNdnb ao³sIm¯n 29 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis ao³sIm¯n¨m¯³ 30 Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephalus sN¼psIm«n 31 White-cheeked Barbet Psilopogon viridis Nn¶¡p«pdph³ 29 Common name Species name Malayalam name 32 Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus henb s]m¶n acwsIm¯n 33 Common Flameback Dinopium javanense XnbwKpen acwsIm¯n 34 Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense \m«pacwsIm¯n 35 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus ImbÂ¸pÅv 36 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri tamXnc¯¯ 37 Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides \oe¯¯ 38 Vernal Hanging-Parrot Loriculus vernalis X¯¨n¶³ 39 Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus Xo¨n¶³ 40 Orange Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Xo¡pcphn 41 Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo aª¡nfn 42 Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus CWImt¯h³ 43 Malabar Woodshrike Tephrodornis virgatus Akpc¡mS³ 44 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Atbmd 45 Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus efnX¡m¡ 46 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus ImSpapg¡n 47 Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea th¬\oen 48 White-bellied Treepie Dendrocitta leucogastra Im«pªmen 49 House Crow Corvus splendens t]\¡m¡ 50 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos _en¡m¡ 51 Cinereous Tit Parus cinereus Nmcacs¸m«³ 52 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Xp¶mc³ 53 Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis IXnÀhme³Ipcphn 54 Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Cuäs]mf¸³ 55 Grey-headed Bulbul Brachypodius priocephalus Nmc¯eb³ _pÄ_pÄ 56 Flame-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus aWnIWvT³ 57 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer \m«p_pÄ_pÄ 58 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Cc«¯e¨n 59 Yellow-browed Bulbul Acritillas indica aª¨n¶³ 60 Square-tailed Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus Icn¼³ Im«p_pÄ_pÄ 61 Green Warbler Seicercus nitidus ISpw ]¨s¸mSn¡pcphn 62 Greenish Warbler Seicercus trochiloides Cfw ]¨s¸mSn¡pcphn 63 Indian White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus shÅ¡®n¡pcphn 64 Dark-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps s]mSn¨ne¸³ 65 Indian Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus horsfieldii tNme¡pSph³ 66 Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps ]pÅn¨ne¸³ 67 Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis sKufn¡nfn 68 Southern Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Im«pssa\ 69 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis \m«pssa\ 70 Orange-headed Thrush Geokichla citrina Ipdn¡®³ Im«p]pÅv 71 Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica Xhn«p]mä]nSnb³ 72 Brown-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui ap¯p¸nÅ 73 Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis a®m¯n¸pÅv 74 Indian Blue Robin Larvivora brunnea \ne¯³ 75 Malabar Whistling-Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii Nqf¡m¡ 76 Rusty-tailed Flycatcher Muscicapa ruficauda sN¼phme³ ]mä]nSnb³

30 Common name Species name Malayalam name 77 Nilgiri Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor Icn©pï³ C¯n¡®n 78 Crimson-backed Sunbird Leptocoma minima sNdptX³Infn 79 Loten's Sunbird Cinnyris lotenius sIm¡³ tX³Infn 80 Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella efnX 81 Jerdon's Leafbird Chloropsis jerdoni \m«ne¡nfn 82 Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons Im«ne¡nfn 83 House Sparrow Passer domesticus A§mSn¡pcphn 84 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea hgnIpep¡n 85 White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis henb hmepIpep¡n 86 White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Bä¡dp¸³

HIGHLIGHTS OF POOKODE

Malabar Trogon (Xo¡m¡), A brightly coloured bird, sole representative of the order Trogoniformes from Western Ghats documented during the study. Vivek Chandran A

Orange-headed Thrush(Ipdn¡®³ Im«p]pÅv), A ground dwelling thrush species recorded from Pookode Sujith V Gopalan

31 1.5 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM POOKODE

Common name 15-01-19 28-05-19 26-06-19 25-07-19 14-08-9 24-08-19 1 Red Spurfowl 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon 1 0 0 1 0 1 3 Grey-fronted Green-Pigeon 0 0 0 0 0 16 4 Emerald Dove 0 0 0 2 0 0 5 Mountain Imperial-Pigeon 0 0 7 6 0 3 6 Greater Coucal 0 0 1 0 0 1 7 Indian Swiftlet 0 18 0 0 0 1 8 White-breasted Waterhen 1 1 1 0 0 0 9 Oriental Darter 1 0 0 0 0 0 10 Little Cormorant 3 3 0 1 2 3 11 Indian Cormorant 0 0 0 0 1 0 12 Intermediate Egret 3 0 0 0 0 0 13 Little Egret 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 Cattle Egret 8 1 0 0 0 0 15 Indian Pond-Heron 1 0 0 0 0 0 16 Black-crowned Night-Heron 0 1 0 0 0 0 17 Crested Serpent-Eagle 0 0 0 0 2 0 18 Black Eagle 0 0 0 1 1 0 19 Besra 0 0 0 1 0 0 20 Brahminy Kite 0 0 2 2 3 1 21 Jungle Owlet 1 0 0 0 0 0 22 Brown Hawk-Owl 0 1 0 0 0 0 23 Malabar Trogon 0 0 0 0 1 0 24 Malabar Grey Hornbill 5 5 3 0 1 3 25 Small Blue Kingfisher 2 0 0 0 0 0 26 White-throated Kingfisher 1 0 3 2 2 1 27 Coppersmith Barbet 1 2 0 0 0 0 28 White-cheeked Barbet 4 7 2 1 3 1 29 Greater Flameback 0 1 0 0 0 0 30 Common Flameback 2 0 0 0 0 0 31 Black-rumped Flameback 0 0 1 1 0 1 32 Peregrine Falcon 1 0 0 0 0 0 33 Rose-ringed Parakeet 0 1 0 0 0 0 34 Malabar Parakeet 0 0 0 0 2 4 35 Vernal Hanging-Parrot 3 4 2 1 4 1 36 Small Minivet 0 2 0 0 5 0 37 Orange Minivet 0 2 0 0 0 4 38 Indian Golden Oriole 1 1 0 0 0 0 39 Ashy Woodswallow 60 0 0 0 0 0 40 Malabar Woodshrike 0 0 4 0 0 0 41 Common Iora 0 0 0 0 2 0 42 Bronzed Drongo 0 0 2 3 0 1 43 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 4 4 1 3 5 2 44 Black-naped Monarch 0 1 0 0 1 0 32 Common name 15-01-19 28-05-19 26-06-19 25-07-19 14-08-9 24-08-19 45 White-bellied Treepie 0 0 0 0 0 1 46 House Crow 11 0 1 4 0 1 47 Large-billed Crow 2 8 11 2 2 10 48 Cinereous Tit 0 3 0 0 0 0 49 Common Tailorbird 0 2 0 0 0 0 50 Ashy Prinia 1 0 0 0 0 0 51 Blyth's Reed Warbler 1 0 0 0 0 0 52 Grey-headed Bulbul 0 0 0 0 2 4 53 Flame-throated Bulbul 3 0 0 0 1 2 54 Red-vented Bulbul 0 0 0 0 0 2 55 Red-whiskered Bulbul 1 2 0 0 2 2 56 Yellow-browed Bulbul 5 6 2 15 18 22 57 Square-tailed Bulbul 0 0 0 15 0 0 58 Green Warbler 4 0 0 0 0 0 59 Greenish Warbler 3 0 0 0 0 0 60 Indian White-eye 5 3 1 0 3 4 61 Dark-fronted Babbler 5 6 1 5 8 3 62 Indian Scimitar-Babbler 4 2 3 0 5 1 63 Puff-throated Babbler 1 1 2 2 1 3 64 Velvet-fronted Nuthatch 0 0 0 4 0 3 65 Southern Hill Myna 10 0 2 8 2 8 66 Common Myna 0 0 1 1 0 0 67 Orange-headed Thrush 4 0 0 1 1 0 68 Asian Brown Flycatcher 1 0 0 0 0 0 69 Brown-breasted Flycatcher 1 0 0 0 0 0 70 Oriental Magpie-Robin 1 0 0 0 0 0 71 Indian Blue Robin 1 0 0 0 0 0 72 Malabar Whistling-Thrush 0 0 1 0 0 0 73 Rusty-tailed Flycatcher 1 0 0 0 0 0 74 Nilgiri Flowerpecker 2 1 0 1 5 3 75 Crimson-backed Sunbird 6 0 0 1 1 1 76 Loten's Sunbird 0 1 0 0 0 2 77 Asian Fairy-bluebird 0 0 0 3 0 2 78 Jerdon's Leafbird 0 0 0 0 0 2 79 Golden-fronted Leafbird 0 0 0 2 2 1 80 Grey Wagtail 1 0 0 0 0 0 81 White-browed Wagtail 2 1 0 0 2 0 82 White-rumped Munia 0 0 0 3 0 0

Yellow-browed Bulbul (aª¨n¶³), A bird species regularly sighted during study at Pookode Lake. Sujith V Gopalan

33 1.6 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Birds at Pookode

200 182

180 Species Adundance 160

140 121 120

93 100 91 90

54 60 45 36 40 29 29 30 22 20

0 15-01-19 28-05-19 26-06-19 25-07-19 14-08-9 24-08-19

Black-winged Kite, (shffn Fdnb³). A species belonging to the family Accipitridae sighted at Pookode

Sujith V Gopalan

Orange Minivet (Xo¡pcphnn), A bird species regularly sighted throughout midland forest areas. Sujith V Gopalan

34 2. KOLE WETLANDS

1.7 CHECKLIST OF BIRDS DOCUMENTED FROM KOLE WETLANDS

Common name Species name Malayalam name 1 Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica Nqf³ Fc@ 2 Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos apgb³ Xmdmhv 3 Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromandelianus ]¨ Fc@ 4 Garganey Spatula querquedula hcn Fc@ 5 Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha ]pÅn¨p@³ Xmdmhv, 6 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis ap§mt¦mgn 7 Rock Pigeon Columba livia A¼e{]mhv 8 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Acn {]mhv 9 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis D¸³ 10 Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus sIm¼³IpbnÂ 11 Grey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio \oet¡mgn 12 Watercock Gallicrex cinerea Xos¸mcn¡®³ 13 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra shÅs¡m¡³ Ipft¡mgn 14 Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus ]«t¡mgn 15 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Ipft¡mgn 16 Ruddy-breasted Crake Zapornia fusca NpI¶ s\Ãnt¡mgn 17 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus ]hng¡men 18 Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva s]m³aWÂt¡mgn 19 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus sN¦®n Xn¯ncn 20 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus hme³ Xmact¡mgn 21 Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus \mS³ Xmact¡mgn 22 Common snipe Gallinago gallinago hnidnhme³ Np@³ImS 23 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos \oÀ¡mS 24 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Icn¼³ ImSs¡m¡v 25 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia ]¨¡men 26 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola ]pÅn¡mSs¡m¡v 27 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Icn Bf 28 River Tern Sterna aurantia ]pg Bf 29 Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans tNcms¡m¡³ 30 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Icphmc¡pcp 31 Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala hÀ®s¡m¡v 35 Common name Species name Malayalam name 32 Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster tNct¡mgn 33 Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger sNdnb \oÀ¡m¡ 34 Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis In¶cn \oÀ¡m¡ 35 Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis aªs¡m¨ 36 Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis Icns¦m¨ 37 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Nmcap@n 38 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Nmbap@n 39 Great Egret Ardea alba s]cpap@n 40 Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia sNdpap@n 41 Little Egret Egretta garzetta Nn¶ap@n 42 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Imenap@n 43 Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii Ipfs¡m¡v 44 Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax ]mXncms¡m¡v 45 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus sN¼³ AcnhmÄsIm¡³ 46 Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Ij@ns¡m¡v 47 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus shffn Fdnb³ 48 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus shÅ¡dp¸³ ]cp´ 49 Eurasian Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus IcnX¸n 50 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus IrjvW¸cp´v 51 Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis sNdnb ao³sIm¯n 52 Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis Im¡ao³sIm¯n, 53 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis ao³sIm¯n¨m¯³ 54 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis ]pÅnao³sIm¯n 55 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis \m«pthen¯¯ 56 Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus henb then¯¯ 57 White-cheeked Barbet Psilopogon viridis Nn¶¡p«pdph³ 58 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus B\dm©n 59 House Crow Corvus splendens t]\¡m¡ 60 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos _en¡m¡ 61 Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis IXnÀhme³Ipcphn 62 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata hbÂ¡pcphn 63 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis s]mXs¸m«³ 64 Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Cuäs]mf¸³ 65 Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus ssIX¡Å³ 66 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica hbÂt¡mXnIv I{XnI 67 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica hcb³ I{XnI 68 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer \m«p_pÄ_pÄ 69 Rosy Starling Pastor roseus tdmkv ssa\ 70 Malabar Starling Sturnia blythi shÅ¯e¨n¡mfn 71 Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus In¶cnssa\ 72 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis \m«pssa\ 73 Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis a®m¯n¸pÅv 74 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus Bä¡pcphn 75 Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata Np«nbmä 76 Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava aª hmepIpep¡n 36 HIGHLIGHTS OF KOLE

Black-winged Stilt (]hng¡men), This species was previously considerd as migratory for lack of data. But recent records including this has recorded them nesting.

Sujith V Gopalan

Ruddy-breasted Crake(NpI¶ s\Ãnt¡mgn), An elusive species from Rallidae family recorded from Kole

Sujith V Gopalan

Red-wattled Lapwing (sN¦®n Xn¯ncn) A common species of Lapwing recorded nesting in Kole wetlands

Harikrishnana S

37 1.8 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM KOLE WETLANDS

Common name 16-01-19 30-05-19 27-06-19 13-07-19 26-07-19 29-08-19 1 Lesser Whistling-Duck 0 1600 6 10 2 12 2 Knob-billed Duck 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 Cotton Pygmy-Goose 0 4 8 2 1 5 4 Garganey 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 Indian Spot-billed Duck 0 1 2 2 0 5 6 Little Grebe 1 0 3 0 0 1 7 Rock Pigeon 0 13 13 0 0 1 8 Spotted Dove 1 0 0 2 1 2 9 Greater Coucal 0 1 2 0 1 2 10 Pied Cuckoo 0 1 0 0 0 0 11 Grey-headed Swamphen 0 17 1 0 0 0 12 Watercock 2 8 4 4 0 0 13 Eurasian Coot 0 0 0 0 0 26 14 Eurasian Moorhen 0 0 0 0 0 1 15 White-breasted Waterhen 0 2 0 0 0 0 16 Ruddy-breasted Crake 0 3 2 0 1 0 17 Black-winged Stilt 0 18 2 6 0 0 18 Pacific Golden-Plover 31 0 0 0 0 0 19 Red-wattled Lapwing 11 1 0 1 1 2 20 Pheasant-tailed Jacana 0 1 4 0 0 0 21 Bronze-winged Jacana 0 6 0 0 0 0 22 Common snipe 1 0 0 0 0 0 23 Common Sandpiper 1 0 0 0 0 4 24 Green Sandpiper 19 0 0 0 0 0 25 Common Greenshank 1 0 0 0 0 0 26 Wood Sandpiper 80 3 0 0 0 0 27 Whiskered Tern 18 6 7 0 0 0 28 River Tern 0 0 2 0 0 0 29 Asian Openbill 18 11 0 0 0 0 30 Woolly-necked Stork 12 0 0 0 0 0 31 Painted Stork 6 0 0 0 0 0 32 Oriental Darter 0 1 3 12 4 5 33 Little Cormorant 650 12 40 27 15 10 34 Indian Cormorant 0 16 26 24 1 31 35 Yellow Bittern 0 0 0 1 2 0 36 Black Bittern 0 0 0 1 0 0 37 Grey Heron 2 0 0 0 0 0 38 Purple Heron 6 12 11 8 4 15 39 Great Egret 10 1 0 1 0 0 40 Intermediate Egret 22 9 5 3 1 1 41 Little Egret 65 42 1 0 0 0 42 Cattle Egret 840 40 0 1 2 0 43 Indian Pond-Heron 101 19 8 7 12 9 44 Black-crowned Night-Heron 5 2 0 0 0 1 38 Common name 16-01-19 30-05-19 27-06-19 13-07-19 26-07-19 29-08-19 45 Glossy Ibis 0 9 0 0 0 0 46 Black-headed Ibis 16 15 10 1 0 0 47 Black-winged Kite 0 1 0 0 0 0 48 Booted Eagle 1 0 0 0 0 0 49 Eurasian Marsh-Harrier 3 0 0 0 0 0 50 Brahminy Kite 6 4 1 4 3 3 51 Small Blue Kingfisher 2 0 1 1 0 0 52 Stork-billed Kingfisher 0 1 0 1 1 0 53 White-throated Kingfisher 6 1 3 4 5 3 54 Pied Kingfisher 0 1 1 1 0 3 55 Green Bee-eater 0 2 1 0 0 0 56 Blue-tailed Bee-eater 7 0 0 22 1 13 57 White-cheeked Barbet 0 2 0 0 0 0 58 Black Drongo 2 0 2 0 1 2 59 House Crow 22 25 1 17 8 18 60 Large-billed Crow 0 1 5 0 3 6 61 Ashy Prinia 3 10 6 5 3 8 62 Plain Prinia 2 2 4 20 4 9 63 Zitting Cisticola 1 2 8 5 12 9 64 Blyth's Reed Warbler 4 0 0 0 0 0 65 Clamorous Reed Warbler 2 0 0 0 0 1 66 Barn Swallow 68 0 0 0 0 2 67 Red-rumped Swallow 0 0 2 0 0 0 68 Red-vented Bulbul 0 0 1 0 3 0 69 Rosy Starling 7 0 0 0 0 0 70 Malabar Starling 0 0 4 4 4 1 71 Jungle Myna 0 0 0 0 0 2 72 Common Myna 9 3 7 1 10 10 73 Oriental Magpie-Robin 0 0 1 0 0 0 74 Baya Weaver 70 2 0 0 0 0 75 Scaly-breasted Munia 2 0 0 0 0 0 76 Western Yellow Wagtail 18 0 0 0 0 0

Ashy Prinia (IXnÀhme³Ipcphn), A species regularly sighted during the transect surveys at Kole wetlands.

Sujith V Gopalan

39 1.9 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Birds at Kole Wetlands

2500 Species 2155 Adundance 1932 2000

1500

1000

500 208 198 223 106 44 44 37 30 27 33 0 16-01-19 30-05-19 27-06-19 13-07-19 26-07-19 29-08-19

Plain Prinia (hbÂ¡pcphn), A species that was sighted regularly at Kole wetlands throughout the survey

Sujith V Gopalan

Zitting Cisticola (s]mXs¸m«³) A common species of Cisticolidae recorded in Kole wetlands Sujith V Gopalan

40 HIGHLIGHTS OF KOLE SURVEY

Booted Eagle (shÅ¡dp¸³ ]cp´v), A bird of prey that is found both in wetlands and forests. In photo feeding on Pond Heron kill.

Vivek Chandran A

Blue-tailed Bee-eater (henb then¯¯) A migratory bee eater species found in Wetlands Vivek Chandran A

Lesser Whistling Duck (Nqf³ Fc@) This resident duck species was recorded in large numbers during a transect survey at Kole Wetlands

Vivek Chandran A

41 Rufous-bellied Eagle (apbeap¡³) with a Malabar Grey Hornbill (tImgn thgm¼Â)kill. The incidence of the hunt was witnessed during the transect survey at Vazhachal.

Sujith V Gopalan

42 4. VAZHACHAL

2.0 CHECKLIST OF BIRDS DOCUMENTED FROM VAZHACHAL

Common name Species name Malayalam name 1 Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus abnÂ 2 Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii Im«ptImgn 3 Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica acXI{]mhv 4 Mountain Imperial-Pigeon Ducula badia s]mIW {]mhv 5 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis D¸³ 6 Sri Lanka Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger am¡m¨n¡mS 7 Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus henb apÄhme³ iç£n 8 Indian Swiftlet Aerodramus unicolor Nn{XIqS³ iç£n 9 Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans tNcms¡m¡³ 10 Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster tNct¡mgn 11 Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger sNdnb \oÀ¡m¡ 12 Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii Ipfs¡m¡v 13 Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus tX³sImXn¨n¸cp´v 14 Crested Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela Np«n¸cp´v 15 Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii apbeap¡³ 16 Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus ae¼pÅv 17 Besra Accipiter virgatus s_{k {]m¸nSnb³ 18 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus IrjvW¸cp´v 19 Lesser Fish-Eagle Icthyophaga humilis sNdnb ao³]cp´v 20 Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus Xo¡m¡ 21 Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis aeapg¡n 22 Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus tImgn thgm¼Â 23 Malabar Pied-Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus ]m@³ thgm¼Â 24 Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis sNdnb ao³sIm¯n 25 Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis Im¡ao³sIm¯n, 26 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis ao³sIm¯n¨m¯³ 27 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis ]pÅnao³sIm¯n 28 Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti sNéb³ then¯¯ 29 Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis Im«p ]\¦m¡ 30 Malabar Barbet Psilopogon malabaricus BÂ¡nfn 31 Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephalus sN¼psIm«n 43 Common name Species name Malayalam name 32 White-cheeked Barbet Psilopogon viridis Nn¶¡p«pdph³ 33 Heart-spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente Nn{XmwK³ acwsIm¯n 34 Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus henb s]m¶n acwsIm¯n 35 Greenish Warbler Seicercus trochiloides Cfw ]¨s¸mSn¡pcphn 36 Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense \m«pacwsIm¯n 37 Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala Hmteªmen 38 Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides \oe¯¯ 39 Vernal Hanging-Parrot Loriculus vernalis X¯¨n¶³ 40 Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus Xo¨n¶³ 41 Orange Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Xo¡pcphn 42 Malabar Woodshrike Tephrodornis virgatus Akpc¡mS³ 43 Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo aª¡nfn 44 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Atbmd 45 Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus efnX¡m¡ 46 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus ImSpapg¡n 47 Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea th¬\oen 48 House Crow Corvus splendens t]\¡m¡ 49 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos _en¡m¡ 50 Cinereous Tit Parus cinereus Nmcacs¸m«³ 51 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Xp¶mc³ 52 Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii Xmen¡pcphn 53 Flame-throated Bulbu Pycnonotus melanicterus aWnIWvT³ 54 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Cc«¯e¨n 55 Yellow-browed Bulbul Acritillas indica aª¨n¶³ 56 Dark-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps s]mSn¨ne¸³ 57 Indian Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus horsfieldii tNme¡pSph³ 58 Rufous Babbler Argya subrufa sN©ne¸³ 59 Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis sKufn¡nfn 60 Southern Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Im«pssa\ 61 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis \m«pssa\ 62 Orange-headed Thrush Geokichla citrina Ipdn¡®³ Im«p]pÅv 63 Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis a®m¯n¸pÅv 64 White-bellied Blue Flycatcher Cyornis pallidipes Im«p\oen 65 Indian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi \mItaml³ 66 Brown-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui ap¯p¸nÅ 67 Rusty-tailed Flycatcher Muscicapa ruficauda sN¼phme³ ]mä]nSnb³ 68 Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica Xhn«p]mä]nSnb³ 69 Malabar Whistling-Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii Nqf¡m¡ 70 Nilgiri Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor Icn©p@³ C¯n¡®n 71 Purple-rumped Sunbird Dicaeum concolor aª tX³Infn 72 Crimson-backed Sunbird Leptocoma minima sNdptX³Infn 73 Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella efnX 74 Indian Swiftlet Aerodramus unicolor Nn{XIqS³ iç£n 75 Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons Im«ne¡nfn 76 White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis henb hmepIpep¡n 44 HIGHLIGHTS OF VAZHACHAL

Great Hornbill (aeapg¡n), The State bird of Kerala was recorded more than three times during the current survey Subin K S

Malabar Pied Hornbill (]m@³ thgm¼Â), A comparitively rare Hornbill sighted at Vazhachal

Sujith V Gopalan

Malabar Grey Hornbill (tImgn thgm¼Â) A common species of Hornbill recorded frequently at Vazhachal Sujith V Gopalan

45 2.1 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM VAZHACHAL

Common name 10-06-19 26-06-19 12-07-19 27-07-19 07-08-19 23-08-19 1 Indian Peafowl 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 Grey Junglefowl 4 1 2 0 2 0 3 Asian Emerald Dove 0 0 3 0 1 2 4 Mountain Imperial-Pigeon 0 1 5 2 0 0 5 Greater Coucal 2 0 3 0 1 2 6 Sri Lanka Frogmouth 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 Brown-backed Needletail 0 0 0 0 0 2 8 Indian Swiftlet 0 650 0 0 0 2 9 Asian Openbill 0 1 0 0 0 0 10 Oriental Darter 5 2 1 1 2 0 11 Little Cormorant 14 15 0 1 1 1 12 Indian Pond-Heron 0 1 0 0 0 0 13 Oriental Honey-buzzard 0 1 0 0 0 0 14 Crested Serpent-Eagle 1 0 1 0 0 0 15 Rufous-bellied Eagle 0 0 0 1 0 0 16 Crested Goshawk 0 1 1 0 0 0 17 Besra 0 0 1 0 0 1 18 Brahminy Kite 0 2 0 0 0 0 19 Lesser Fish-Eagle 1 0 0 0 1 1 20 Malabar Trogon 1 0 0 0 0 0 21 Great Hornbill 0 2 3 0 0 0 22 Malabar Grey Hornbill 7 2 6 11 5 3 23 Malabar Pied-Hornbill 0 0 2 0 0 0 24 Small Blue Kingfisher 0 0 0 0 1 1 25 Stork-billed Kingfisher 0 2 2 0 2 1 26 White-throated Kingfisher 0 2 1 1 1 1 27 Pied Kingfisher 0 0 1 0 0 0 28 Chestnut-headed Bee-eater 0 3 0 0 0 5 29 Oriental Dollarbird 0 0 0 1 0 4 30 Malabar Barbet 0 0 0 0 1 0 31 Coppersmith Barbet 0 0 1 0 0 0 32 White-cheeked Barbet 1 0 3 0 2 2 33 Heart-spotted Woodpecker 0 0 0 0 1 0 34 Greater Flameback 0 3 0 0 1 2 35 Greenish Warbler 5 0 0 0 0 0 36 Black-rumped Flameback 0 0 1 1 0 3 37 Plum-headed Parakeet 0 0 0 0 0 0 38 Malabar Parakeet 1 1 3 3 4 0 39 Vernal Hanging-Parrot 1 18 3 3 4 5 40 Small Minivet 0 14 0 4 2 0 41 Orange Minivet 4 0 0 3 3 3 42 Malabar Woodshrike 0 0 0 0 0 4 43 Indian Golden Oriole 2 0 0 0 0 0 44 Common Iora 0 0 2 0 1 2 46 Common name 10-06-19 26-06-19 12-07-19 27-07-19 07-08-19 23-08-19 45 Bronzed Drongo 0 0 0 0 4 0 46 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 6 1 2 2 5 4 47 Black-naped Monarch 0 0 1 0 0 0 48 House Crow 0 2 0 5 0 0 49 Large-billed Crow 0 5 0 0 0 0 50 Cinereous Tit 0 0 0 2 0 0 51 Common Tailorbird 0 0 0 1 0 0 52 Grey-breasted Prinia 0 2 0 1 1 2 53 Flame-throated Bulbu 3 0 0 1 0 0 54 Red-whiskered Bulbul 6 4 2 4 6 0 55 Yellow-browed Bulbul 2 4 8 2 4 6 56 Dark-fronted Babbler 0 0 6 0 3 0 57 Indian Scimitar-Babbler 0 0 1 0 0 0 58 Rufous Babbler 0 0 0 0 0 6 59 Velvet-fronted Nuthatch 0 0 0 1 0 0 60 Southern Hill Myna 4 10 1 7 9 3 61 Common Myna 2 0 0 2 2 2 62 Orange-headed Thrush 0 1 0 0 0 0 63 Oriental Magpie-Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 64 White-bellied Blue Flycatcher 0 3 1 0 0 0 65 Indian Paradise Flycatcher 1 0 0 0 0 0 66 Brown-breasted Flycatcher 1 0 0 0 0 0 67 Rusty-tailed Flycatcher 1 0 0 0 0 0 68 Asian Brown Flycatcher 2 0 0 0 0 0 69 Malabar Whistling-Thrush 1 1 1 0 3 6 70 Nilgiri Flowerpecker 0 1 1 0 1 1 71 Purple-rumped Sunbird 3 0 0 0 0 0 72 Crimson-backed Sunbird 4 0 0 2 1 0 73 Asian Fairy Bluebird 1 0 0 0 0 0 74 Indian Swiftlet 6 0 0 0 0 0 75 Golden-fronted Leafbird 0 0 0 1 0 0 76 White-browed Wagtail 0 1 0 2 1 0

Cinereous Tit (Nmcacs¸m«³), This is a bird species that is well adapted to use their beak and feet to tear insects and wedge hard seeds.

Sujith V Gopalan

47 2.2 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Birds at Vazhachal

800 757

Species 700 Adundance 600

500

400

300

200 92 69 76 78 100 65 29 31 30 26 31 29

0 10-06-19 26-06-19 12-07-19 27-07-19 07-08-19 23-08-19

Lesser Fish Eagle (sNdnb ao³]cp´v), A rare bird of prey. Their prey largely consist of fishes.

Vivek Chandran A

Rufous Babbler (sN©ne¸³) A species of Babbler endemic to Western Ghats known to forage in groups. Documented from Vazhachal

Vivek Chandran A

48 White-bellied Blue Flycatcher (Im«p\oen), One of the bird species endemic to Western Ghats.

Vivek Chandran A

Oriental Honey-buzzard (tX³sImXn¨n¸cp´v)A bird that is known to feed on larvae of honey bees.

Vivek Chandran A

Crested Goshawk (ae¼pÅv), A bird of prey belonging to Accipitridae family

Sujith V Gopalan

49 5. NEDUMUDI (VEMBANAD)

2.3 CHECKLIST OF BIRDS DOCUMENTED FROM NEDUMUDI

Common name Species name Malayalam name 1 Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica Nqf³ Fc@ 2 Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha ]pÅn¨p@³ Xmdmhv, 3 Cotton Pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianus ]¨ Fc@ 4 Rock Pigeon Columba livia A¼e{]mhv 5 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis D¸³ 6 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus Icn¦pbnÂ, \m«pIpbnÂ 7 Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus ]«t¡mgn 8 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra shÅs¡m¡³ Ipft¡mgn 9 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus sN¦®n Xn¯ncn 10 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Ipft¡mgn 11 Grey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio \oet¡mgn 12 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus ]hng¡men 13 Watercock Gallicrex cinerea Xos¸mcn¡®³ 14 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus hme³ Xmact¡mgn 15 Bronzed-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus \mS³ Xmact¡mgn 16 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago hnidnhme³ Np@³ImS 17 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Icn Bf 18 Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster tNct¡mgn 19 Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger sNdnb \oÀ¡m¡ 20 Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis In¶cn \oÀ¡m¡ 21 Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus ags¡m¨ 22 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Nmbap@n 23 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Nmcap@n 24 Great Egret Ardea alba s]cpap@n 25 Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia sNdpap@n 26 Little Egret Egretta garzetta Nn¶ap@n 27 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Imenap@n 28 Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii Ipfs¡m¡v 29 Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax ]mXncms¡m¡v 30 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus sN¼³ AcnhmÄsIm¡³ 50 31 Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Ij@ns¡m¡v Common name Species name Malayalam name 32 Shikra Accipiter badius {]m¸nSnb³ 33 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus shffn Fdnb³ 34 Black Kite Milvus migrans N¡n¸cp´v 35 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus IrjvW¸cp´v 36 Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum sN¼³\¯v 37 Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis Im¡ao³sIm¯n, 38 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis ao³sIm¯n¨m¯³ 39 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis \m«pthen¯¯ 40 Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus henb then¯¯ 41 Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephalus sN¼psIm«n 42 White-cheeked Barbet Psilopogon viridis Nn¶¡p«pdph³ 43 Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense \m«pacwsIm¯n 44 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri tamXnc¯¯ 45 Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo aª¡nfn 46 Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus aª¡dp¸³ 47 Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus CWImt¯h³ 48 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus B\dm©n 49 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus ImSpapg¡n 50 Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda Hmteªmen 51 House Crow Corvus splendens t]\¡m¡ 52 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos _en¡m¡ 53 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Xp¶mc³ 54 Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis IXnÀhme³Ipcphn 55 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata hbÂ¡pcphn 56 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis s]mXs¸m«³ 57 Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Cuäs]mf¸³ 58 Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus ssIX¡Å³ 59 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica hcb³ I{XnI 60 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer \m«p_pÄ_pÄ 61 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Cc«¯e¨n 62 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis \m«pssa\ 63 Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus In¶cnssa\ 64 Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis a®m¯n¸pÅv 65 Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos sNs¦m¡³ C¯n¡®n 66 Purple-rumped Sunbird Leptocoma zeylonica aª tX³Infn 67 Loten's Sunbird Cinnyris lotenius sIm¡³ tX³Infn 68 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus Bä¡pcphn 69 White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Bä¡dp¸³ 70 Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava aª hmepIpep¡n

Cinnamon Bittern (ags¡m¨), A elusive species of heron sighted during the current study at Nedumudi.

Sujith V Gopalan

51 HIGHLIGHTS OF NEDUMUDI

White-throated Kingfisher (ao³sIm¯n¨m¯³), One of the most common species of Kingfisher found throughout Kerala.

Sujith V Gopalan

Stork-billed Kingfisher (Im¡ao³sIm¯n), The largest species of Kingfisher in Kerala.

Sujith V Gopalan

Black-crowned Night Heron (]mXncms¡m¡v) A roosting site of the species was identified in Nedumudi. Adult male (below) Juvenile (above) Sujith V Gopalan

52 2.4 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM NEDUMUDI

Common name 15-03-19 09-06-19 19-07-19 03-08-19 19-08-19 30-08-19 1 Lesser Whistling-Duck 0 13 0 2 0 5 2 Indian Spot-billed Duck 0 19 0 0 10 2 3 Cotton Pygmy-goose 0 4 0 0 0 0 4 Rock Pigeon 4 29 0 4 0 1 5 Greater Coucal 2 4 0 3 2 1 6 Asian Koel 5 2 0 3 3 3 7 Eurasian Moorhen 0 2 0 0 0 0 8 Eurasian Coot 0 25 0 0 0 0 9 Red-wattled Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 1 10 White-breasted Waterhen 6 0 0 0 0 0 11 Grey-headed Swamphen 0 14 0 0 7 0 12 Black-winged Stilt 0 17 0 0 0 0 13 Watercock 0 3 0 0 0 0 14 Pheasant-tailed Jacana 0 1 0 0 0 0 15 Bronzed-winged Jacana 0 2 0 0 0 0 16 Common Snipe 3 0 0 0 0 0 17 Whiskered Tern 0 1 1 0 0 0 18 Oriental Darter 0 0 2 14 11 7 19 Little Cormorant 6 42 7 8 24 19 20 Indian Cormorant 1 0 0 4 8 0 21 Cinnamon Bittern 0 1 0 0 0 0 22 Purple Heron 8 6 1 3 8 1 23 Grey Heron 0 4 0 0 0 0 24 Great Egret 0 4 2 0 1 1 25 Intermediate Egret 3 11 0 2 2 5 26 Little Egret 0 0 23 16 18 4 27 Cattle Egret 59 0 3 4 2 5 28 Indian Pond-Heron 13 9 9 8 16 21 29 Black-crowned Night-Heron 0 1 0 1 2 6 30 Glossy Ibis 0 4 0 0 0 0 31 Black-headed Ibis 2 26 0 3 1 1 32 Shikra 0 0 0 0 1 1 33 Black-winged Kite 1 0 0 0 0 0 34 Black Kite 0 0 1 0 0 0 35 Brahminy Kite 2 2 0 3 2 3 36 Jungle Owlet 0 1 0 0 0 0 37 Stork-billed Kingfisher 1 1 2 5 3 2 38 White-throated Kingfisher 6 2 3 3 4 2 39 Green Bee-eater 0 2 7 0 0 0 40 Blue-tailed Bee-eater 2 0 0 0 0 0 41 Coppersmith Barbet 0 0 0 1 0 0 42 White-cheeked Barbet 4 2 0 3 3 1 43 Black-rumped Flameback 1 0 0 0 2 1 53 Common name 15-03-19 09-06-19 19-07-19 03-08-19 19-08-19 30-08-19 44 Rose-ringed Parakeet 0 0 2 8 2 2 45 Indian Golden Oriole 3 0 0 0 0 0 46 Black-hooded Oriole 3 2 2 1 4 2 47 Ashy Woodswallow 3 0 0 0 0 0 48 Black Drongo 7 12 2 14 5 19 49 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 0 0 0 0 1 0 50 Rufous Treepie 2 2 0 3 0 4 51 House Crow 11 4 0 10 36 13 52 Large-billed Crow 0 0 0 0 0 6 53 Common Tailorbird 3 0 1 2 3 5 54 Ashy Prinia 2 1 1 2 2 2 55 Plain Prinia 0 2 1 5 2 2 56 Zitting Cisticola 0 9 0 3 7 5 57 Blyth's Reed Warbler 1 0 0 0 3 0 58 Clamorous Reed Warbler 1 0 0 0 0 0 59 Red-rumped Swallow 0 0 0 0 0 1 60 Red-vented Bulbul 6 0 0 2 0 3 61 Red-whiskered Bulbul 0 0 0 2 0 0 62 Common Myna 17 8 2 34 11 24 63 Jungle Myna 6 3 0 4 0 2 64 Oriental Magpie-Robin 3 1 0 0 1 2 65 Pale-billed Flowerpecker 2 1 0 0 2 3 66 Purple-rumped Sunbird 2 0 1 2 11 4 67 Loten's Sunbird 2 0 0 0 0 1 68 Baya Weaver 0 9 80 3 9 23 69 White-rumped Munia 0 0 8 2 1 1 70 Western Yellow Wagtail 1 0 0 0 0 0

4.1 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Birds at Nedumudi (Vembanad)

350 Species 308 Adundance 300

250 230 217 204 187 200 161

150

100

42 42 37 35 37 50 22

0 15-03-19 09-06-19 19-07-19 03-08-19 19-08-19 30-08-19

54 6. MELEPADAM (UPPER KUTTANAD)

2.5 CHECKLIST OF BIRDS DOCUMENTED FROM MELEPADAM

Common name Species name Malayalam name 1 Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica Nqf³ Fc@ 2 Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromandelianus ]¨ Fc@ 3 Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha ]pÅn¨p@³ Xmdmhv, 4 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis ap§mt¦mgn 5 Rock Pigeon Columba livia A¼e{]mhv 6 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Acn {]mhv 7 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis D¸³ 8 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus Icn¦pbnÂ, \m«pIpbnÂ 9 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba shÅhbd³ ic¸£n 10 Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus ]«t¡mgn 11 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra shÅs¡m¡³ Ipft¡mgn 12 Grey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio \oet¡mgn 13 Watercock Gallicrex cinerea Xos¸mcn¡®³ 14 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Ipft¡mgn 15 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus ]hng¡men 16 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus sN¦®n Xn¯ncn 17 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus hme³ Xmact¡mgn 18 Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus \mS³ Xmact¡mgn 19 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago hnidnhme³ Np@³ImS 20 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos \oÀ¡mS 21 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Icn Bf 22 Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster tNct¡mgn 23 Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger sNdnb \oÀ¡m¡ 24 Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis In¶cn \oÀ¡m¡ 25 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Nmcap@n 26 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Nmbap@n 27 Great Egret Ardea alba s]cpap@n 28 Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia sNdpap@n 29 Little Egret Egretta garzetta Nn¶ap@n 30 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Imenap@n 31 Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii Ipfs¡m¡v

55 Common name Species name Malayalam name 32 Striated Heron Butorides striata Nn¶s¡m¡v 33 Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax ]mXncms¡m¡v 34 Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Ij@ns¡m¡v 35 Eurasian Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus IcnX¸n 36 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus IrjvW¸cp´v 37 Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum sN¼³\¯v 38 Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis Im¡ao³sIm¯n, 39 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis ao³sIm¯n¨m¯³ 40 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis \m«pthen¯¯ 41 Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus henb then¯¯ 42 White-cheeked Barbet Psilopogon viridis Nn¶¡p«pdph³ 43 Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense \m«pacwsIm¯n 44 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri tamXnc¯¯ 45 Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala Hmteªmen 46 Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus aª¡dp¸³ 47 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus B\dm©n 48 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus ImSpapg¡n 49 Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda Hmteªmen 50 House Crow Corvus splendens t]\¡m¡ 51 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos _en¡m¡ 52 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Xp¶mc³ 53 Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis IXnÀhme³Ipcphn 54 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata hbÂ¡pcphn 55 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis s]mXs¸m«³ 56 Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Cuäs]mf¸³ 57 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica hcb³ I{XnI 58 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer \m«p_pÄ_pÄ 59 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Cc«¯e¨n 60 Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata Icnbne¡nfn 61 Rosy Starling Pastor roseus tdmkv ssa\ 62 Malabar Starling Sturnia blythi Icn´e¨n¡mfn 63 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis \m«pssa\ 64 Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus In¶cnssa\ 65 Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis a®m¯n¸pÅv 66 Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos sNs¦m¡³ C¯n¡®n 67 Purple-rumped Sunbird Leptocoma zeylonica aª tX³Infn 68 Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar Imbemä 69 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus Bä¡pcphn 70 Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava aª hmepIpep¡n 71 Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala hÀ®s¡m¡v 72 White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Bä¡dp¸³ 73 Shikra Accipiter badius {]m¸nSnb³ 74 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Atbmd

56 HIGHLIGHTS OF MELEPADAM

Grey Heron (Nmcap@n), One of the largest heron species in Kerala. They were seen in good numbers at Melepadam

Sujith V Gopalan

Purple Heron (Nmbap@n), This a heron species that makes nest in the reeds. The numbers indicate that they have survived the flood.

Sujith V Gopalan

Black-headed Ibis (Ij@ns¡m¡v) The species was commonly found throughout the wetlands and in good numbers at Melepadam

Sujith V Gopalan

57 Indian Spot-billed Duck (]pÅn¨p@³ Xmdmhv) One of the resident duck species found in all seasons in wetlands of the State.

Vivek Chandran A

Little Egret (Nn¶ap@n), A small egret species found in most of the wetlands.

Vivek Chandran A

Painted Stork (hÀ®s¡m¡v) A species well adapted to dry climatic conditions, now thriving in Kerala.

Vivek Chandran A

58 2.6 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM MELEPADAM

Common name 16-03-19 11-06-19 20-06-19 04-08-19 20-08-19 31-08-19 1 Lesser Whistling-Duck 0 32 2 6 16 24 2 Cotton Pygmy-Goose 0 0 2 5 4 7 3 Indian Spot-billed Duck 0 0 2 18 0 3 4 Little Grebe 0 2 8 0 0 0 5 Rock Pigeon 5 0 12 0 1 0 6 Spotted Dove 1 0 0 3 0 0 7 Greater Coucal 1 3 3 4 1 2 8 Asian Koel 3 0 2 3 1 1 9 Alpine Swift 2 0 0 2 0 0 10 Eurasian Moorhen 0 0 1 4 1 0 11 Eurasian Coot 0 0 10 17 1 0 12 Grey-headed Swamphen 0 0 23 28 19 11 13 Watercock 0 0 2 10 0 0 14 White-breasted Waterhen 0 2 0 0 0 0 15 Black-winged Stilt 0 0 4 4 0 0 16 Red-wattled Lapwing 0 0 0 1 0 0 17 Pheasant-tailed Jacana 0 0 1 4 1 4 18 Bronze-winged Jacana 0 0 0 0 2 0 19 Common Snipe 0 0 0 1 0 0 20 Common Sandpiper 7 0 0 0 0 0 21 Whiskered Tern 2 2 0 0 0 0 22 Oriental Darter 0 5 1 4 4 3 23 Little Cormorant 1200 36 24 77 15 17 24 Indian Cormorant 0 14 5 3 4 5 25 Grey Heron 0 0 8 8 0 0 26 Purple Heron 1 8 15 9 5 4 27 Great Egret 1 0 5 5 5 3 28 Intermediate Egret 3 16 4 6 9 8 29 Little Egret 2 33 6 25 4 3 30 Cattle Egret 450 4 3 0 1 3 31 Indian Pond-Heron 14 17 7 17 9 8 32 Striated Heron 0 0 0 1 0 0 33 Black-crowned Night-Heron 0 0 0 1 0 0 34 Black-headed Ibis 3 6 3 2 0 1 35 Eurasian Marsh-Harrier 2 0 0 0 0 0 36 Brahminy Kite 2 6 2 3 4 3 37 Jungle Owlet 0 0 0 0 0 1 38 Stork-billed Kingfisher 2 2 2 3 2 1 39 White-throated Kingfisher 0 6 2 3 3 3 40 Green Bee-eater 0 0 0 2 1 3 41 Blue-tailed Bee-eater 2 0 0 0 0 0 42 White-cheeked Barbet 3 2 2 2 2 2 43 Black-rumped Flameback 1 4 0 4 2 1 44 Rose-ringed Parakeet 0 16 0 1 0 3 59 Common name 16-03-19 11-06-19 20-06-19 04-08-19 20-08-19 31-08-19 45 Plum-headed Parakeet 0 0 0 0 2 0 46 Black-hooded Oriole 3 3 0 1 4 2 47 Black Drongo 11 11 6 6 6 4 48 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 1 3 0 0 3 0 49 Rufous Treepie 1 4 1 0 1 2 50 House Crow 19 11 13 3 8 2 51 Large-billed Crow 1 5 0 0 0 1 52 Common Tailorbird 0 2 0 1 2 2 53 Ashy Prinia 1 0 1 1 0 1 54 Plain Prinia 0 2 2 2 1 2 55 Zitting Cisticola 14 0 3 14 0 0 56 Blyth's Reed Warbler 2 0 0 0 0 0 57 Red-rumped Swallow 1 0 0 0 0 0 58 Red-vented Bulbul 2 0 2 1 7 1 59 Red-whiskered Bulbul 0 4 0 0 0 0 60 Jungle Babbler 0 0 4 0 0 0 61 Rosy Starling 4 0 0 0 0 0 62 Malabar Starling 0 0 4 0 7 5 63 Common Myna 3 17 11 2 9 5 64 Jungle Myna 0 5 0 0 3 2 65 Oriental Magpie-Robin 0 4 2 2 1 0 66 Pale-billed Flowerpecker 0 2 0 2 2 1 67 Purple-rumped Sunbird 1 2 3 2 1 3 68 Streaked Weaver 0 0 1 0 0 0 69 Baya Weaver 40 0 13 35 0 10 70 Western Yellow Wagtail 90 0 0 0 0 0 71 Painted Stork 0 8 0 0 0 0 72 White-rumped Munia 0 6 0 0 0 0 73 Shikra 0 0 0 0 0 1 74 Common Iora 0 0 0 0 0 2 2.7 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Birds at Melepadam (Upper Kuttanad)

2000 1901

1800 Species Adundance 1600

1400

1200

1000

800

600 358 400 305 227 170 200 37 36 42 47 40 74 42 0 16-03-19 11-06-19 20-06-19 04-08-19 20-08-19 31-08-19 60 7. VANDIPERIYAR

2.8 CHECKLIST OF BIRDS DOCUMENTED FROM VANDIPERIYAR

Common name Species name Malayalam name 1 Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus abnÂ 2 Red Spurfowl Galloperdix spadicea sN¼³ apÅ³tImgn 3 Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii Im«ptImgn 4 Rock Pigeon Columba livia A¼e{]mhv 5 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Acn {]mhv 6 Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica acXI{]mhv 7 Grey-fronted Green-Pigeon Treron pompadora Nmchcnb³ {]mhv 8 Mountain Imperial-Pigeon Ducula badia s]mIW {]mhv 9 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis D¸³ 10 Malabar trogon Harpactes fasciatus Xo¡m¡ 11 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus Icn¦pbnÂ, \m«pIpbnÂ 12 Common Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius t]¡pbnÂ 13 Indian Swiftlet Aerodramus unicolor Nn{XIqS³ ic¸£n 14 Asian Palm-Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis ]\¦qf³ 15 Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger sNdnb \oÀ¡m¡ 16 Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis In¶cn \oÀ¡m¡ 17 Little Egret Egretta garzetta Nn¶ap@n 18 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Imenap@n 19 Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii Ipfs¡m¡v 20 Lesser Fish-Eagle Icthyophaga humilis sNdnb ao³]cp´v 21 Brown Fish-Owl Ketupa zeylonensis ao³Iqa³ 22 Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum sN¼³\¯v 23 Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis aeapg¡n 24 Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris \m«pthgm¼Â 25 Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis sNdnb ao³sIm¯n 26 Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis Im¡ao³sIm¯n, 27 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis ao³sIm¯n¨m¯³ 28 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis ]pÅnao³sIm¯n 29 Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus henb then¯¯ 30 Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephalus sN¼psIm«n 31 White-cheeked Barbet Psilopogon viridis Nn¶¡p«pdph³ 32 Heart-spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente Nn{XmwK³ acwsIm¯n 61 Common name Species name Malayalam name 33 Rufous Woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus sN¼³ acwsIm¯n 34 Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense \m«pacwsIm¯n 35 Lesser Yellownape Hemicircus canente Nn{XmwK³ acwsIm¯n 36 Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis Icn¼cp´v 37 Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala Hmteªmen 38 Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides \oe¯¯ 39 Vernal Hanging-Parrot Loriculus vernalis X¯¨n¶³ 40 Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus Xo¨n¶³ 41 Orange Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Xo¡pcphn 42 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus B\dm©n 43 Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus efnX¡m¡ 44 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus ImSpapg¡n 45 Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda Hmteªmen 46 White-bellied Treepie Dendrocitta leucogastra Im«pªmen 47 House Crow Corvus splendens t]\¡m¡ 48 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos _en¡m¡ 49 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Xp¶mc³ 50 Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii Xmen¡pcphn 51 Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Cuäs]mf¸³ 52 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica hcb³ I{XnI 53 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer \m«p_pÄ_pÄ 54 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Cc«¯e¨n 55 Grey-headed Bulbul Brachypodius priocephalus Nmc¯eb³ _pÄ_pÄ 56 Yellow-browed Bulbul Acritillas indica aª¨n¶³ 57 Green Warbler Seicercus nitidus ISpw ]¨s¸mSn¡pcphn 58 Indian White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus shÅ¡®n¡pcphn 59 Indian Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus horsfieldii tNme¡pSph³ 60 Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps ]pÅn¨ne¸³ 61 Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis sKufn¡nfn 62 Rufous Babbler Argya subrufa sN©ne¸³ 63 Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata Icnbne¡nfn 64 Southern Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Im«pssa\ 65 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis \m«pssa\ 66 Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus In¶cnssa\ 67 Orange-headed Thrush Geokichla citrina Ipdn¡®³ Im«p]pÅv 68 Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis a®m¯n¸pÅv 69 Malabar Whistling-Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii Nqf¡m¡ 70 Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos sNs¦m¡³ C¯n¡®n 71 Nilgiri Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor Icn©p@³ C¯n¡®n 72 Crimson-backed Sunbird Leptocoma minima sNdptX³Infn 73 Purple Sunbird Leptocoma minima sNdptX³Infn 74 Loten's Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus Idp¸³ tX³Infn 75 Asian Fairy-bluebird Cinnyris lotenius sIm¡³ tX³Infn 76 Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons Im«ne¡nfn 77 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea hgnIpep¡n henb hmepIpep¡n 62 78 White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis HIGHLIGHTS VANDIPERIYAR

Red Spurfowl (sN¼³ apÅ³tImgn), An elusive Phasianidae sigted during Pookode transect walk.

Sujith V Gopalan

Vernal Hanging-Parrot (X¯¨n¶³) A small species of Parrot which regularly advertises its presence in flight by its sound.

Vivek Chandran A

Little Cormorant (sNdnb \oÀ¡m¡) and Indian Cormorant(In¶cn \oÀ¡m¡) groups were found in large numbers at Vandiperiyar. Vivek Chandran A

63 3.0 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM VANDIPERIYAR

Common name 14-03-19 08-06-19 18-07-19 02-08-19 21-08-19 28-08-19 1 Indian Peafowl 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 Red Spurfowl 0 2 2 0 0 0 3 Grey Junglefowl 1 4 1 1 2 5 4 Rock Pigeon 7 6 5 1 0 0 5 Spotted Dove 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 Asian Emerald Dove 0 0 0 0 2 0 7 Grey-fronted Green-Pigeon 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 Mountain Imperial-Pigeon 0 0 1 0 2 2 9 Greater Coucal 1 0 1 1 2 1 10 Malabar trogon 0 0 0 0 0 2 11 Asian Koel 1 0 0 0 0 0 12 Common Hawk-Cuckoo 1 2 0 0 0 0 13 Indian Swiftlet 0 0 28 51 0 0 14 Asian Palm-Swift 0 0 1 0 0 0 15 Little Cormorant 4 2 1 1 5 0 16 Indian Cormorant 0 0 15 0 0 0 17 Little Egret 1 2 0 0 0 0 18 Cattle Egret 1 0 0 0 0 0 19 Indian Pond-Heron 1 5 0 0 0 0 20 Lesser Fish-Eagle 0 0 0 1 0 0 21 Brown Fish-Owl 0 0 0 1 0 0 22 Jungle Owlet 1 1 0 3 0 0 23 Great Hornbill 0 0 0 0 1 0 24 Malabar Grey Hornbill 10 6 0 4 1 1 25 Small Blue Kingfisher 0 0 2 0 1 0 26 Stork-billed Kingfisher 1 2 0 0 0 0 27 White-throated Kingfisher 3 4 2 1 1 0 28 Pied Kingfisher 0 1 0 0 0 0 29 Blue-tailed Bee-eater 0 1 0 0 0 0 30 Coppersmith Barbet 1 0 1 1 1 0 31 White-cheeked Barbet 4 4 4 7 7 3 32 Heart-spotted Woodpecker 0 1 2 0 0 0 33 Rufous Woodpecker 0 0 0 1 0 0 34 Black-rumped Flameback 0 0 1 2 1 0 35 Lesser Yellownape 0 0 0 1 0 0 36 Black Eagle 1 0 1 0 0 0 37 Plum-headed Parakeet 3 4 0 0 2 0 38 Malabar Parakeet 7 7 14 16 2 7 39 Vernal Hanging-Parrot 2 2 1 4 5 2 40 Small Minivet 5 0 0 0 0 0 41 Orange Minivet 0 5 3 1 4 5 42 Black Drongo 0 2 1 0 0 0 43 Bronzed Drongo 2 0 0 0 3 0

64 44 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 5 4 6 6 6 3 Common name 14-03-19 08-06-19 18-07-19 02-08-19 21-08-19 28-08-19 45 Rufous Treepie 2 1 2 3 1 0 46 White-bellied Treepie 5 3 2 6 4 12 47 House Crow 0 3 6 3 1 0 48 Large-billed Crow 4 6 0 4 0 0 49 Common Tailorbird 0 2 1 3 4 1 50 Grey-breasted Prinia 0 0 0 1 0 0 51 Blyth's Reed Warbler 1 0 0 0 0 0 52 Red-rumped Swallow 1 0 0 0 0 0 53 Red-vented Bulbul 0 4 0 0 0 0 54 Red-whiskered Bulbul 5 20 2 12 5 3 55 Grey-headed Bulbul 0 0 0 0 0 1 56 Yellow-browed Bulbul 2 6 0 5 0 0 57 Green Warbler 1 0 0 0 0 0 58 Indian White-eye 0 0 0 2 0 0 59 Indian Scimitar-Babbler 1 0 2 4 1 3 60 Puff-throated Babbler 0 0 0 0 1 0 61 Velvet-fronted Nuthatch 0 0 0 0 2 2 62 Rufous Babbler 3 0 0 0 0 0 63 Jungle Babbler 4 16 2 14 0 6 64 Southern Hill Myna 13 16 19 33 2 12 65 Common Myna 0 5 0 5 0 0 66 Jungle Myna 3 0 0 0 0 0 67 Orange-headed Thrush 1 0 0 0 0 0 68 Oriental Magpie-Robin 1 2 1 0 1 0 69 Malabar Whistling-Thrush 0 2 2 2 1 2 70 Pale-billed Flowerpecker 0 2 0 0 0 0 71 Nilgiri Flowerpecker 6 2 1 7 3 3 72 Crimson-backed Sunbird 0 0 0 0 0 1 73 Purple Sunbird 0 2 0 0 0 0 74 Loten's Sunbird 2 0 1 0 0 0 75 Asian Fairy-bluebird 0 0 0 0 11 6 76 Golden-fronted Leafbird 0 0 0 2 3 3 77 Grey Wagtail 2 0 0 0 0 0 78 White-browed Wagtail 2 0 1 0 0 0

Jungle Owlet (sN¼³\¯v), A common owl species found throughout the State.

Sujith V Gopalan

65 3.1 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Birds at Vandiperiyar

250 Species 211 Adundance 200

159

150 135 123

100 88 86

42 37 50 34 36 32 23

0 14-03-19 08-06-19 18-07-19 02-08-19 21-08-19 28-08-19

Malabar Whistling- Thrush (Nqf¡m¡) A bird that earns its name from the whistling calls that they make at dawn.

Sujith V Gopalan

White-cheeked Barbet (Nn¶¡p«pdph³), A common species well heard throughout the State

Vivek Chandran A

66 3.2 CHECKLIST OF BIRDS DOCUMENTED FROM THE STUDY

Common name Species name Malayalam name ORDER ANSERIFORMES Family Anatidae 1 Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica Nqf³ Fc@ 2 Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos apgb³ Xmdmhv 3 Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromandelianus ]¨ Fc@ 4 Garganey Spatula querquedula hcn Fc@ 5 Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha ]pÅn¨p@³ Xmdmhv, ORDER GALLIFORMES Family Phasianidae 6 Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus abnÂ 7 Red Spurfowl Galloperdix spadicea sN¼³ apÅ³tImgn 8 Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii Im«ptImgn ORDER PHOENICOPTERIFORMES Family Podicipedidae 9 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis ap§mt¦mgn ORDER COLUMBIFORMES Family Columbidae 10 Rock Pigeon Columba livia A¼e{]mhv 11 Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon Columba elphinstonii ac{]mhv 12 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Acn {]mhv 13 Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica acXI{]mhv 14 Grey-fronted Green-Pigeon Treron pompadora Nmchcnb³ {]mhv 15 Mountain Imperial-Pigeon Ducula badia s]mIW {]mhv ORDER CUCULIFORMES Family Cuculidae 16 Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis D¸³ 17 Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus sIm¼³IpbnÂ 18 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus Icn¦pbnÂ, \m«pIpbnÂ 19 Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii sN¦pbnÂ 20 Grey-bellied Cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus sNdpIpbnÂ 21 Common Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius t]¡pbnÂ 22 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Ip¡q IpbnÂ ORDER CAPRIMULGIFORMES Family Podargidae 23 Sri Lanka Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger am¡m¨n¡mS Family Apodidae 24 Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus henb apÄhme³ iç£n 25 Indian Swiftlet Aerodramus unicolor Nn{XIqS³ iç£n 26 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba shÅhbd³ iç£n 27 Little Swift Apus affinis A¼ewNpän 28 Asian Palm-Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis ]\¦qf³ ORDER GRUIFORMES Family Rallidae 29 Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus ]«t¡mgn 67 Common name Species name Malayalam name 30 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra shÅs¡m¡³ Ipft¡mgn 31 Grey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio \oet¡mgn 32 Watercock Gallicrex cinerea Xos¸mcn¡®³ 33 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Ipft¡mgn 34 Ruddy-breasted Crake Zapornia fusca NpI¶ s\Ãnt¡mgn ORDER CHARADRIIFORMES Family Recurvirostridae 35 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus ]hng¡men Family Charadriidae 36 Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva s]m³aWÂt¡mgn 37 Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malarbaricus aª¡®n Xn¯ncn 38 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus sN¦®n Xn¯ncn Family Rostratulidae 39 Greater Painted-Snipe Rostratula benghalensis Imfn¡mS Family Jacanidae 40 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus hme³ Xmact¡mgn 41 Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus \mS³ Xmact¡mgn Family Scolopacidae 42 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus sXäns¡m¡³ 43 Little Stint Calidris minuta Ipcphn aWeqXn 44 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago hnidnhme³ Np@³ImS 45 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos \oÀ¡mS 46 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Icn¼³ ImSs¡m¡v 47 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia ]¨¡men 48 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola ]pÅn¡mSs¡m¡v 49 Common Redshank Tringa totanus tNmc¡men Family Laridae 50 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Icn Bf 51 River Tern Sterna aurantia ]pg Bf ORDER PELECANIFORMES Family Ciconiidae 52 Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans tNcms¡m¡³ 53 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Icphmc¡pcp 54 Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala hÀ®s¡m¡v 55 Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster tNct¡mgn Family Phalacrocoracidae 56 Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger sNdnb \oÀ¡m¡ 57 Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis In¶cn \oÀ¡m¡ Family Ardeidae 58 Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis aªs¡m¨ 59 Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus ags¡m¨ 60 Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis Icns¦m¨ 61 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Nmcap@n 62 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Nmbap@n 63 Great Egret Ardea alba s]cpap@n 64 Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia sNdpap@n 65 Little Egret Egretta garzetta Nn¶ap@n

68 Common name Species name Malayalam name 66 Western Reef-Heron Egretta gularis Xncap@n 67 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Imenap@n 68 Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii Ipfs¡m¡v 69 Striated Heron Butorides striata Nn¶s¡m¡v 70 Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax ]mXncms¡m¡v Family Threskiornithidae 71 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus sN¼³ AcnhmÄsIm¡³ 72 Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Ij@ns¡m¡v ORDER ACCIPITRIFORMES Family Pandionidae 73 Osprey Pandion haliaetus Xmen¸cp´v Family Accipitridae 74 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus shffn Fdnb³ 75 Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus tX³sImXn¨n¸cp´v 76 Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes In¶cn {]m¸cp´v 77 Crested Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela Np«n¸cp´v 78 Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii apbeap¡³ 79 Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis Icn¼cp´v 80 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus shÅ¡dp¸³ ]cp´ 81 Eurasian Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus IcnX¸n 82 Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus ae¼pÅv 83 Shikra Accipiter badius {]m¸nSnb³ 84 Besra Accipiter virgatus s_{k {]m¸nSnb³ 85 Black Kite Milvus migrans N¡n¸cp´v 86 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus IrjvW¸cp´v 87 White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla shÅhbd³ ISÂ¸cp´v 88 Lesser Fish-Eagle Icthyophaga humilis sNdnb ao³]cp´v ORDER STRIGIFORMES Family Tytonidae 89 Barn Owl Tyto alba shÅnaq§ 90 Brown Fish-Owl Ketupa zeylonensis ao³Iqa³ 91 Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum sN¼³\¯v 92 Brown Hawk-Owl Ninox scutulata ]pÅp\¯v ORDER TROGONIFORMES Family Trogonidae 93 Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus Xo¡m¡ Family Bucerotidae 94 Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis aeapg¡n 95 Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris \m«pthgm¼Â 96 Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus tImgn thgm¼Â 97 Malabar Pied-Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus ]m@³ thgm¼Â ORDER CORACIIFORMES Family Alcedinidae 98 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis sNdnb ao³sIm¯n 99 Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis Im¡ao³sIm¯n, 100 White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis ao³sIm¯n¨m¯³ 101 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis ]pÅnao³sIm¯n 69 Common name Species name Malayalam name Family Meropidae 102 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis \m«pthen¯¯ 103 Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus henb then¯¯ 104 Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti sN´eb³ then¯¯ Family Coraciidae 105 Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis ]\¦m¡ 106 Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis Im«p ]\¦m¡ ORDER PICIFORMES Family Ramphastidae 107 Malabar Barbet Psilopogon malabaricus BÂ¡nfn 108 Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephalus sN¼psIm«n 109 White-cheeked Barbet Psilopogon viridis Nn¶¡p«pdph³ Family Picidae 110 Heart-spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente Nn{XmwK³ acwsIm¯n 111 Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos moluccensis ap@³ acwsIm¯n 112 Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus henb s]m¶n acwsIm¯n 113 Rufous Woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus sN¼³ acwsIm¯n 114 Common Flameback Dinopium javanense XnbwKpen acwsIm¯n 115 Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense \m«pacwsIm¯n 116 Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus aª¸nSen acwsIm¯n ORDER FALCONIFORMES Family Falconidae 117 Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus hndb³]pÅv 118 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus ImbÂ¸pÅv ORDER PSITTACIFORMES Family Psittaculidae 119 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri tamXnc¯¯ 120 Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala Hmteªmen 121 Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides \oe¯¯ 122 Vernal Hanging-Parrot Loriculus vernalis X¯¨n¶³ ORDER PASSERIFORMES Family Pittidae 123 Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura Imhn Family Campephagidae 124 Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus Xo¨n¶³ 125 Orange Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus Xo¡pcphn Family Oriolidae 126 Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo aª¡nfn 127 Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis No\aª¡nfn 128 Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus aª¡dp¸³ Family Artamidae 129 Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus CWImt¯h³ Family Vangidae 130 Malabar Woodshrike Tephrodornis virgatus Akpc¡mS³ 131 Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus Akpcs¸m«³ Family Aegithinidae 132 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Atbmd 70 Common name Species name Malayalam name Family Dicruridae 133 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus B\dm©n 134 Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus Im¡¯¼pc³ 135 Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus efnX¡m¡ 136 Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus ImSpapg¡n Family Monarchidae 137 Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea th¬\oen Family Laniidae 138 Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus XhnS³ ss{j¡v 139 Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus Akpc¡nfn Family Corvidae 140 Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda Hmteªmen 141 White-bellied Treepie Dendrocitta leucogastra Im«pªmen 142 House Crow Corvus splendens t]\¡m¡ 143 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos _en¡m¡ Family Paridae 144 Cinereous Tit Parus cinereus Nmcacs¸m«³ Family Cisticolidae 145 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Xp¶mc³ 146 Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii Xmen¡pcphn 147 Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis IXnÀhme³Ipcphn 148 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata hbÂ¡pcphn 149 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis s]mXs¸m«³ Family Acrocephalidae 150 Booted Warbler Iduna caligata aqSn¡me³ Ipcphn 151 Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Cuäs]mf¸³ 152 Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus ssIX¡Å³ Family Hirundinidae 153 Dusky Crag-Martin Ptyonoprogne concolor XhnS³ I{XnI 154 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica hbÂt¡mXnIv I{XnI 155 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii I¼nhme³ I{XnI 156 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica hcb³ I{XnI Family Pycnonotidae 157 Grey-headed Bulbul Brachypodius priocephalus Nmc¯eb³ _pÄ_pÄ 158 Flame-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus aWnIWvT³ 159 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer \m«p_pÄ_pÄ 160 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Cc«¯e¨n 161 White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus XhnS³ _pÄ_pÄ 162 Yellow-browed Bulbul Acritillas indica aª¨n¶³ 163 Square-tailed Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus Icn¼³ Im«p_pÄ_pÄ Family Phylloscopidae 164 Green Warbler Seicercus nitidus ISpw ]¨s¸mSn¡pcphn 165 Greenish Warbler Seicercus trochiloides Cfw ]¨s¸mSn¡pcphn 166 Western Crowned Warbler Seicercus occipitalis Ipdn¯eb³ Ce¡pcphn Family Zosteropidae 167 Indian White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus shÅ¡®n¡pcphn Family Timaliidae 71 Common name Species name Malayalam name 168 Dark-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps s]mSn¨ne¸³ 169 Indian Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus horsfieldii tNme¡pSph³ Family Pellorneidae 170 Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps ]pÅn¨ne¸³ Family Leiothrichidae 171 Rufous Babbler Argya subrufa sN©ne¸³ 172 Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata Icnbne¡nfn 173 Yellow-billed Babbler Turdoides affinis ]q¯m¦ocn Family Sittidae 174 Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis sKufn¡nfn Family Sturnidae 175 Southern Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Im«pssa\ 176 Rosy Starling Pastor roseus tdmkv ssa\ 177 Malabar Starling Sturnia blythi 178 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis \m«pssa\ 179 Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus In¶cnssa\ Family Turdidae 180 Orange-headed Thrush Geokichla citrina Ipdn¡®³ Im«p]pÅv Family Muscicapidae 181 Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica Xhn«p]mä]nSnb³ 182 Brown-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui ap¯p¸nÅ 183 Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis a®m¯n¸pÅv 184 Indian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi \mItaml³ 185 White-bellied Blue Flycatcher White-bellied Blue Flycatcher Im«p\oen 186 Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus \oeta\n ]mä]nSnb³ 187 Indian Blue Robin Larvivora brunnea \ne¯³ 188 Malabar Whistling-Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii Nqf¡m¡ 189 Rusty-tailed Flycatcher Muscicapa ruficauda sN¼phme³ ]mä]nSnb³ 190 Blue-capped Rock-Thrush Monticola cinclorhyncha ta\n¸md¡nfn 191 Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus NcÂ¡pcphn Family Dicaeidae 192 Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos sNs¦m¡³ C¯n¡®n 193 Nilgiri Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor Icn©p@³ C¯n¡®n Family Nectariniidae 194 Purple-rumped Sunbird Dicaeum concolor Icn©p@³ C¯n¡®n 195 Crimson-backed Sunbird Leptocoma minima sNdptX³Infn 196 Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus Idp¸³ tX³Infn 197 Loten's Sunbird Cinnyris lotenius sIm¡³ tX³Infn Family Irenidae 198 Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella efnX 199 Jerdon's Leafbird Chloropsis jerdoni \m«ne¡nfn 200 Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons Im«ne¡nfn Family Ploceidae 201 Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar Imbemä 202 Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus Bä¡pcphn Family Estrildidae

72 Common name Species name Malayalam name 203 White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata Bä¡dp¸³ 204 Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata Np«nbmä 205 Tricolored Munia Lonchura malacca Bäs¨¼³ Family Passeridae 206 House Sparrow Passer domesticus A§mSn¡pcphn Family Motacillidae 207 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea hgnIpep¡n 208 Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava aª hmepIpep¡n 209 White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis henb hmepIpep¡n 210 White Wagtail Motacilla alba shÅ hmepIpep¡n 211 Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii »bv¯v hc¼³ 212 Paddy-field Pipit Anthus rufulus hbÂhc¼³

3.3 Representation of Bird diversity according to order

PHOENICOPTERIFORMES, 1 ANSERIFORMES, 5 GALLIFORMES, 3 COLUMBIFORMES, 6

CUCULIFORMES, 7

CAPRIMULGIFORMES, 6

GRUIFORMES, 6

PASSERIFORMES, 90 CHARADRIIFORMES, 17

PELECANIFORMES, 21

ACCIPITRIFORMES, 16

PSITTACIFORMES, 4 STRIGIFORMES, 4 FALCONIFORMES, 2 TROGONIFORMES, 5 PICIFORMES, 10 CORACIIFORMES, 9

73 74

3.4 Seasonal diversity of Birds documented in the current study

70 66

60 55 54

48 50 47 45 45 44 44 44 42 42 42 42 42 40 40 37 37 37 37 37 36 36 36 35 34 33 32 31 31 30 30 30 29 29 29 29 30 27 26 23 22 22

0 Kattampally Pookode Kole Vallakadavu Vembanad Upper kuttanad Vazhachal 3.5 Seasonal abundance of Birds documented in the current study

2500 2424

2155

1932 2000 1901

1678

1500

1000 932

757

500 358 308 230 305 245 242 198 223 211 204 217 182 159 187 227 170 146 121 161 91 93 90 208 106 123 135 88 86 92 54 74 69 65 76 78

0 Kattampally Pookode Kole Vallakadavu Vembanad Upper kuttanad Vazhachal 75 BIRDS – RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The intimate linkage between birds and their ecosystem makes them one of the best indicators of the status and health of that particular ecosystem. The current study was carried out in the major bird habitats of the State and most of them were declared IBAs. The data analysis indicates that the birds have been least affected by the flood that lashed the State in August 2018 for the reasons stated below:

The floods lashed the State during the non-migratory season; hence the resident birds are the only one that would have been directly affected by floods. To study the impact of floods on resident birds, the data acquired from the current study was compared to the data documented in e-bird in the previous years (from 2015 onwards). For this purpose, four species of resident birds were chosen for the study. The selection was made on the basis of their association with the wetlands and their breeding behavior. The birds selected were: 1. Cotton Pygmy Goose (Nettapus coromandelianus) 2. Lesser Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna javanica) 3. Indian Cormorant or Indian Shag (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) 4. Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) The results from the analysis indicates that the flood has not affected the resident birds as their population has not shown any variation in 2018 as compared to previous years. The trend in their population has been the same, though it is different with respect to the species. This is largely because of their breeding and nesting behavior and habitat preference. Cotton Pygmy Goose (Nettapus coromandelianus): This is a resident duck species that is highly associated with wetlands. The species has shown steady decline since 2015. By comparing the data from Heronry Count, Asian Waterbird Census and e-bird for the past five years, it is estimated that Cotton Pygmy-Goose has a decline of 40% in the country. The decline is not an effect of the floods of 2018, but many other anthropogenic factors including habitat destruction, loss of nesting area etc.

76 Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis, In¶cn \oÀ¡m¡). A large flock sighted in Pullu Kole wetlands

Subin K S

77 Lesser Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna javanica): This is a species of duck that are regularly sighted in wetlands in groups. Their presence hardly goes unnoticed because of the whistling sound they make during their flight. These ducks are known to roost and nest in wooded areas near to wetlands. Data analysis indicates that the population of these ducks has been more or less stable for the last five years. Hence it can be concluded that they are unaffected by flood. In the current study, they were recorded in high numbers from Kole Wetlands. During the transect on 30 May 2019, approximately 1600 individuals were spotted at Pullu Kole Wetlands.

Indian Cormorant or Indian Shag (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis): This is a species of Cormorant that is associated with larger wetlands, unlike its smaller cousin, the Little Cormorant, which is more adapted to water bodies of all sizes. It was interesting to note that this is one of the bird species that shows a steady increase in their population over the last few years. This can be attributed to the fact that they are capable of nesting in large numbers close to human habitations.

78 Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea): This species was selected for the study for the fact that they are known to roost and nest among reeds in wetlands. Hence we assumed that their population should have been affected considerably by the flood. But the analysis clearly shows that the population of this species is unaffected by flood.

The analysis of the resident bird populations indicates that the flood did not have any major negative impact on their population; but on the flip side, the factors that affect their population are largely anthropogenic. The current study documented nesting behavior of Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus), Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea). According to expert birders, the survey transects have documented considerably good diversity and abundance of resident birds, irrespective of whether it was wetlands or forest habitat.

The flood might not have had any direct effect on migratory species, but the change in habitat and other factors could have influenced them directly or indirectly. Hence the study was also re-focused to analyze the same. Transects chosen for the study are largely based on the availability of previous e-bird data. On comparing all the transect data with previous e-bird data (since 2015), it is evident that there is decline in the bird population that visits the State over the years. But this is niether related to the flood nor its impact. The reduction in number is attributed to factors that are anthropogenic which has effected the forest and wetland habitats of the State. The study has documented anthropogenic activities such as filling of wetlands in Kattampally (Kannur), unscientific constructions for tourism promotion at Pookode and post-harvest burning of paddy-fields at Nedumudi (Vembanad) and Melepaddam (Upper Kuttanad).

The data from the study indicates that the flood has neither impacted the diversity nor the abundance of birds in the State. The bird diversity and population would continue its decline for the change in habitat and climate, which are mostly human-induced.

79 SOME BIRDS PHOTOGRAPHED

SPOTTED DOVE NILGIRI WOOD-PIGEON Acn {]mhv ac{]mhv Streptopelia chinensis Columba elphinstonii

GREY-HEADED SWAMPHEN RED-WATTLED LAPWING \oet¡mgn sN¦®n Xn¯ncn Porphyrio porphyrio Vanellus indicus

LITTLE STINT ASIAN OPENBILL Ipcphn aWeqXn tNcms¡m¡³ Calidris minuta Anastomus oscitans

80 SOME BIRDS PHOTOGRAPHED

WOOLLY-NECKED STORK GLOSSY IBIS Icphmc¡pcp sN¼³ AcnhmÄsIm¡³ Ciconia episcopus Plegadis falcinellus

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON BRAHMINY KITE ]mXncms¡m¡v IrjvW¸cp´v Nycticorax nycticorax Haliastur indus

GREY-BREASTED PRINIA RED-WHISKERED BULBUL Xmen¡pcphn Cc«¯e¨n Prinia hodgsonii Pycnonotus jocosus

81 82 2. AMPHIBIANS

83 1. KATTAMPALLY

3.6 CHECKLIST OF AMPHIBIANS DOCUMENTED FROM KATTAMPALLY

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus Common Indian Toad sNmdn¯hf 2 Minervarya brevipalmata Short-webbed Frog NXp¸³ Nne¸³ 3 Minervarya sp Warty Frog Nne¸³ 4 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Indian Bullfrog \m«pam¡m¨n 5 Euphlyctis aloysii Aloysii Skittering Frog Atemjn hbÂ Xhf 6 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Skittering Frog Nm«¡mc³ 7 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis Jerdon’s Bush Frog hb\mS³ Icnbne¯hf 8 Polypedates maculatus Common Indian Tree Frog NphÀ¯hf

HIGHLIGHTS KATTAMPALLY

Polypedates maculatus (NphÀ¯hf). One of the most common tree frog. Documented during the transect survey at Kattampally.

Sujith V Gopalan

84 3.7 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM KATTAMPALLY

Species name 14-01-19 29-05-19 25-06-19 23-07-19 14-08-19 25-08-19 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 Minervarya limnocharis 7 0 0 160 220 140 3 Minervarya granosa 0 0 0 40 80 30 4 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus 1 0 2 0 10 6 5 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 Euphlyctis cf hexadactyla 0 0 0 5 15 20 7 Polypedates maculatus 1 0 1 0 0 0

3.8 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Amphibians at Kattampally

350 326 Species Abundance 300

250

205 197 200

150

100

50 10 4 0 0 2 3 3 5 5 0 14-01-19 29-05-19 25-06-19 23-07-19 14-08-19 25-08-19

Minervarya sp(Nne¸³), A species that is common in wetlands

Sujith V Gopalan

85 Where there are frogs..there are snakes too Trimeresurus malabaricus (Malabar Pit Viper, tNme aÞen)

Sujith V Gopalan

86 2. POOKODE

3.9 CHECKLIST OF AMPHIBIANS DOCUMENTED FROM POOKODE

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus Common Indian Toad sNmdn¯hf 2 Duttaphrynus parietalis Ridged Toad Im«psNmdn¯hf 3 Pedostibes tuberculosus Malabar Tree Toad acs¨mdnb³ 4 Minervarya brevipalmata Short-webbed Frog NXp¸³ Nne¸³ 5 Minervarya cf rufescens Rufescent Burrowing Frog sN¦Â Nne¸³ 6 Minervarya cf sauriceps Mysore Wart Frog Nne¸³ 7 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Skittering Frog Nm«¡mc³ 8 Indosylvirana indica Indian Golden-backed frog C´y³ kzÀW¯hf 9 Indosylvirana intermedius Rao’s intermediate Golden-backed frog dmhp kzÀW¯hf 10 Uperodon triangularis Malabar Ramanella ae_mÀ Ipdnhmb³ 11 Indirana beddomii Beddome's leaping frog s_tSmw \ne¨mS³ 12 Indirana paramakri Rocky-terrain Leaping Frog ]mdam{In \ne¨mS³ 13 Nyctibatrachus minimus Miniature Night Frog Ipª³ cm¯hf 14 Clinotarsus curtipes Bicoloured Frog Im«paWhm«n 15 Polypedates maculatus Common Indian Tree Frog NphÀ¯hf 16 Polypedates occidentalis Charpa Tree frog NmÀ¸ NphÀ¯hf 17 Raorchestes akroparallagi Variable Bush Frog ]¨ Ce¯hf 18 Raorchestes anili Anil's Bush Frog A\nen Ce¯hf 19 Raorchestes ochlandrae Ochlandrae Reed Bush Frog Cuä¯hf 20 Raorchestes nerostagona Water Drop Frog ag¯pÅn Xhf 21 Raorchestes ponmudi Large Ponmudi Bush Frog henb Ce¯hf 22 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis Jerdon's Bush Frog hb\mS³ Ce¯hf 23 Rhacophorus malabaricus Malabar Gliding Frog ]¨ne¸mdm³ 24 Rhacophorus lateralis Small Tree Frog hcb³ ]¨ne¸mdm³ 25 Ichthyophis bombayensis Bombay Caecilian XSnb³ IpcpSn

Malabar Gliding Frog (]¨ne¸mdm³), A pair in amplex sighted during the study at Pookode Lake

Sujith V Gopalan

87 HIGHLIGHTS POOKODE

Raorchestes ochlandrae, (Cuä¯hf). A species specially adapted to live on reeds of Ochlandrae. The eggs are laid inside the reeds. Endemic to Western Ghats Sujith V Gopalan

Uperodon triangularis, (ae_mÀ _eq¬Xhf). A species of burrowing narrow- mouthed frog. Endemic to Western Ghats

Sujith V Gopalan

Rhacophorus lateralis (aª¡cb³ ]¨ne¸mdm³), The smallest tree frog species. Endangered and endemic to Western Ghats Sujith V Gopalan

88 4.0 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM POOKODE

Species name 15-01-19 28-05-19 26-06-19 25-07-19 14-08-19 24-08-19 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus 0 0 1 2 2 0 2 Duttaphrynus parietalis 0 1 1 0 0 0 3 Pedostibes tuberculosus 0 0 2 1 0 0 4 Minervarya cf rufescens 2 0 2 3 1 0 5 Minervarya limnocharis 1 0 3 2 0 0 6 Minervarya cf sauriceps 0 0 2 0 0 0 7 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis 0 0 1 1 2 0 8 Indosylvirana indica 0 0 0 1 1 0 9 Indosylvirana intermedius 130 320 330 320 210 160 10 Uperodon triangularis 0 0 1 0 0 0 11 Clinotarsus curtipes 240 1 2 2 36 0 12 Raorchestes anili 1 12 16 17 14 5 13 Raorchestes ponmudi 1 0 4 6 4 0 14 Raorchestes akroparallagi 1 10 24 26 30 26 15 Raorchestes nerostagona 0 7 12 13 15 3 16 Raorchestes ochlandrae 0 0 2 3 0 0 17 Polypedates maculatus 1 0 1 0 0 0 18 Polypedates occidentalis 0 1 0 0 0 0 19 Rhacophorus malabaricus 0 0 7 2 1 1 20 Rhacophorus lateralis 0 0 2 2 1 1 21 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis 6 22 32 38 12 8 22 Indirana beddomii 9 4 12 2 0 0 23 Indirana paramakri 6 1 6 1 0 1 24 Nyctibatrachus minimus 0 0 1 8 12 0 25 Ichthyophis bombayensis 0 0 0 1 0 0

4.1 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Amphibians of Pookode

500 464 Species 451 450 Adundance 398 400 379 341 350

300

250 205 200

150

100

50 22 20 11 10 14 8 0 15-01-19 28-05-19 26-06-19 25-07-19 14-08-19 24-08-19

89 2. KOLE WETLANDS

4.1 CHECKLIST OF AMPHIBIANS DOCUMENTED FROM KOLE WETLANDS

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus Common Indian Toad sNmdn¯hf 2 Minervarya brevipalmata Short-webbed Frog NXp¸³ Nne¸³ 3 Minervarya sp Wart Frog Nne¸³ 4 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Skittering Frog Nm«¡mc³ 5 Euphlyctis cf karaavali Karaavali Skittering Frog s]m·m³ Xhf 6 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Indian Bullfrog \m«pam¡m¨n 7 Indosylvirana urbis Urban Golden-backed frog \m«p kzÀW¯hf 8 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis Jerdon's Bush Frog hb\mS³ Ce¯hf

HIGHLIGHTS KOLE

Euphlyctis karaavali, (s]m·m³ Xhf). A species that was described from Uttara Kannada in 2016, was identified from Kole in the current survey. Sujith V Gopalan

90 4.2 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM PULLU KOLE

Species name 16-01-19 30-05-19 27-06-19 13-07-19 26-07-19 29-08-19 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus 0 3 0 0 3 1 2 Minervarya granosa 1 6 30 3 24 0 3 Minervarya limnocharis 0 14 90 2 32 0 4 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis 0 2 5 0 4 20 5 Euphlyctis cf karaavali 5 16 12 8 28 32 6 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus 1 2 0 40 42 0 7 Indosylvirana urbis 0 308 60 320 330 289 8 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis 0 0 0 1 2 0

4.3 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Amphibians at Pullu Kole

500 465 Species 450 Adundance 400 374 351 342 350

300

250 197 200

150

100

50 3 7 7 5 6 8 4 0 16-01-19 30-05-19 27-06-19 13-07-19 26-07-19 29-08-19

Indosylvirana urbis (\m«p aWhm«n¯hf) A species recorded from Kole.

Harikrishnan S

91 4. VAZHACHAL

4.4 CHECKLIST OF AMPHIBIANS DOCUMENTED FROM VAZHACHAL

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus Common Indian Toad sNmdn¯hf 2 Minervarya keralensis Kerala Warty Frog tIcf Nne¸³ 3 Minervarya brevipalmata Short-webbed Frog NXp¸³ Nne¸³ 4 Minervarya cf rufescens Rufescent Burrowing Frog sN¦Â Nne¸³ 5 Minervarya nilagirica Nilgiris wart frog \neKncn Nne¸³ 6 Minervarya sp Wart frog Nne¸³ 7 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Skittering Frog Nm«¡mc³ 8 Euphlyctis cf karaavali Karaavali Skittering Frog s]m·m³ Xhf 9 Clinotarsus curtipes Bicoloured Frog Im«paWhm«n 10 Indosylvirana sreeni Sreeni’s Golden-backed frog {io\n kzÀW¯hf 11 Indosylvirana doni Don’s Golden-backed frog tUmWn kzÀW¯hf 12 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Indian Bullfrog \m«pam¡m¨n 14 Raorchestes anili Anil's Bush Frog A\nen Ce¯hf 13 Raorchestes akroparallagi Variable Bush Frog ]¨ Ce¯hf 18 Raorchestes nerostagona Water Drop Frog ag¯pÅn Xhf 16 Raorchestes ochlandrae Ochlandrae Reed Bush Frog Cuä¯hf 17 Raorchestes ponmudi Large Ponmudi Bush Frog henb Ce¯hf 19 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis Jerdon's Bush Frog hb\mS³ Ce¯hf 20 Rhacophorus malabaricus Malabar Gliding Frog ]¨ne¸mdm³ 21 Mercurana myristicapalustris Myristica Swamp frog sX¡³ NXp¸³ 22 Polypedates occidentalis Charpa Tree frog NmÀ¸ NphÀ¯hf 23 Polypedates maculatus Common Indian Tree Frog NphÀ¯hf 24 Indirana brachytarsus Anamallais Leaping frog B\ae \ne¨mS³ 25 Indirana semipalmata South Indian Frog sNdpIme³ \ne¨mS³ 26 Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis Purple Frog ]mXmf Xhf 27 Nyctibatrachus cf minimus Miniature Night Frog Ipª³ cm¯hf 28 Micrixalus sp Torrent Frog ]nenKncnb³

92 HIGHLIGHTS VAZHACHAL

Mercurana myristicapalustris (sX¡³ NXp¸³). A species limited to Myristica swamps south of Senkottai gap. Reported for the first time from Vazhachal.

Sujith V Gopalan

Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis (]mXmf Xhf). A fossorial species that comes out only for few weeks during June. fully metamorphosed tadpole found in late August.

Sujith V Gopalan

Indosylvirana doni (tUmWn aWhm«n¯hf), One of the most heard frog species found amongst marshes and stagnant water bodies Sujith V Gopalan

93 4.5 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM VAZHACHAL

Species name 10-06-19 26-06-19 12-07-19 27-07-19 07-08-19 23-08-19 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus 1 3 2 3 1 1 2 Minervarya keralensis 0 2 3 1 4 0 3 Minervarya limnocharis 2 3 2 0 1 0 4 Minervarya cf rufescens 0 4 6 6 4 0 5 Minervarya nilagirica 0 0 0 2 6 0 6 Minervarya granosa 0 1 2 0 0 0 7 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis 2 2 4 2 0 0 8 Euphlyctis cf karaavali 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 Clinotarsus curtipes 0 2 1 2 0 0 10 Indosylvirana sreeni 0 1 0 1 0 7 11 Indosylvirana doni 2 12 14 13 11 0 12 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus 1 2 2 1 0 0 13 Raorchestes akroparallagi 0 8 12 12 8 2 14 Raorchestes anili 0 2 4 3 2 1 15 Raorchestes glandulosus 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 Raorchestes ochlandrae 0 3 5 4 2 1 17 Raorchestes ponmudi 0 1 3 4 1 5 18 Raorchestes nerostagona 1 2 12 12 9 0 19 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis 12 14 18 16 8 3 20 Rhacophorus malabaricus 0 2 0 1 0 0 21 Mercurana myristicapalustris 2 18 19 12 0 0 22 Polypedates occidentalis 0 0 1 0 0 0 23 Polypedates maculatus 2 1 0 0 0 0 24 Indirana brachytarsus 5 4 4 3 1 1 25 Indirana semipalmata 0 2 6 4 2 1 26 Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis 0 12 14 12 4 2 27 Nyctibatrachus cf minimus 0 0 0 14 3 2 28 Micrixalus sp 0 0 0 1 1 2 4.1 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Amphibians at Vazhachal

134 140 129 Species

120 Adundance 101 100

80 68

40 30 28 22 22 20 17 20 10 12

0 10-06-19 26-06-19 12-07-19 27-07-19 07-08-19 23-08-19

94 5. NEDUMUDI (VEMBANAD)

4.6 CHECKLIST OF AMPHIBIANS DOCUMENTED FROM NEDUMUDI

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus Common Indian Toad sNmdn¯hf 2 Minervarya brevipalmata Short-webbed Frog NXp¸³ Nne¸³ 3 Minervarya sp Warty Frog Nne¸³ 4 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Skittering Frog Nm«¡mc³ 5 Euphlyctis hexadactylus Indian Pond Frog hbÂ Xhf 6 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Indian Bullfrog \m«pam¡m¨n 7 Indosylvirana urbis Urban Golden-backed frog \m«p kzÀW¯hf HIGHLIGHTS NEDUMUDI

Duttaphrynus melanostictus (sNmdn¯hf). The commenest toad species found vocalising during the study at Nedumudi, Vembanad

Sujith V Gopalan

95 4.7 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM NEDUMUDI

Species name 15-03-19 09-06-19 19-07-19 03-08-19 19-08-19 30-08-19 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus 0 5 1 2 1 0 2 Minervarya limnocharis 0 1 1 5 2 1 3 Minervarya granosa 1 2 3 2 3 4 4 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis 0 1 3 2 1 2 5 Euphlyctis karaavali 19 20 22 32 12 9 6 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus 3 4 1 7 3 1 7 Indosylvirana urbis 0 12 11 12 0 2

4.8 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Amphibians at Nedumudi

70 Species 62 Adundance 60

50 45 42

30 23 22 19 20

10 7 7 7 6 6 3

0 15-03-19 09-06-19 19-07-19 03-08-19 19-08-19 30-08-19

Euphlyctis hexadactylus (hbÂ Xhf) A species of pond frog found in Vembanad.

Harikrishnan S

96 6. MELEPADAM (UPPER KUTTANAD)

4.9 CHECKLIST OF AMPHIBIANS DOCUMENTED FROM MELEPADAM

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus Common Indian Toad sNmdn¯hf 2 Minervarya brevipalmata Short-webbed Frog NXp¸³ Nne¸³ 3 Minervarya sp Warty Frog Nne¸³ 4 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Skittering Frog Nm«¡mc³ 5 Euphlyctis karaavali Karaavali Skittering Frog s]m·m³ Xhf 6 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Indian Bullfrog \m«pam¡m¨n 7 Indosylvirana urbis Urban Golden-backed frog \m«p kzÀW¯hf

HIGHLIGHTS MELEPADAM

Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (\m«pam¡m¨n). One of the largest species of anuran from the State. They are found in wetlands.

Sujith V Gopalan

97 5.0 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM MELEPADAM

Species name 16-03-19 11-06-19 20-06-19 04-08-19 20-08-19 31-08-19 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 Minervarya granosa 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 Minervarya limnocharis 1 1 1 0 2 1 4 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis 0 1 1 3 5 2 5 Euphlyctis karaavali 8 80 78 28 20 12 6 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus 56 5 4 64 6 3 7 Indosylvirana urbis 0 1 2 4 1 2

5.1 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Amphibians at Melepadam

100 100 Species 88 87 90 Adundance 80

70 65

40 34

30 20 20 6 10 3 5 5 5 5

0 16-03-19 11-06-19 20-06-19 04-08-19 20-08-19 31-08-19

Euphlyctis karaavali (s]m·m³ Xhf ) A species of pond frog found in Upper Kuttanad. Harikrishnan S

98 7. VANDIPERIYAR

5.2 CHECKLIST OF AMPHIBIANS DOCUMENTED FROM VANDIPERIYAR

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus Common Indian Toad sNmdn¯hf 2 Duttaphrynus parietalis Ridged Toad Im«psNmdn¯hf 3 Pedostibes tuberculosus Malabar Tree Toad acs¨mdnb³ 4 Minervarya keralensis Kerala Warty Frog tIcf Nne¸³ 5 Minervarya brevipalmata Short-webbed Frog NXp¸³ Nne¸³ 6 Minervarya nilagirica Nilgiris wart frog \neKncn Nne¸³ 7 Minervarya cf rufescens Rufescent Burrowing Frog sN¦Â Nne¸³ 8 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Skittering Frog Nm«¡mc³ 9 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Indian Bullfrog \m«pam¡m¨n 10 Indosylvirana sreeni Sreeni’s Golden-backed frog {io\n kzÀW¯hf 11 Indosylvirana doni Don’s Golden-backed frog tUmWn kzÀW¯hf 12 Clinotarsus curtipes Bicoloured Frog Im«paWhm«n 13 Indirana brachytarsus Anamallais Leaping frog B\ae \ne¨mS³ 14 Indirana semipalmata South Indian Frog sNdpIme³ \ne¨mS³ 15 Indirana yadera Yadera's Leaping Frog CSp¡n \ne¨mS³ 16 Polypedates maculatus Common Indian Tree Frog NphÀ¯hf 17 Polypedates occidentalis Charpa Tree frog NmÀ¸ NphÀ¯hf 18 Raorchestes akroparallagi Variable Bush Frog ]¨ Ce¯hf 19 Raorchestes anili Anil's Bush Frog A\nen Ce¯hf 20 Raorchestes ochlandrae Ochlandrae Reed Bush Frog Cuä¯hf 21 Raorchestes nerostagona Water Drop Frog ag¯pÅn Xhf 22 Raorchestes ponmudi Large Ponmudi Bush Frog henb Ce¯hf 23 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis Jerdon's Bush Frog hb\mS³ Ce¯hf 24 Rhacophorus malabaricus Malabar Gliding Frog ]¨ne¸mdm³

Raorchestes anili Raorchestes akroparallagi (A\nen Ce¯hf) (]¨ Ce¯hf)

Sujith V Gopalan Sujith V Gopalan

99 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis (hb\ mS³ Ce¯hf) One of the most common and widespread bush frog. A calling male photographed from Vandiperiyar

Sujith V Gopalan

100 5.3 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM VANDIPERIYAR

Species name 14-03-19 08-06-19 18-07-19 02-08-19 21-08-19 28-08-19 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus 0 1 2 1 2 1 2 Duttaphrynus parietalis 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 Pedostibes tuberculosus 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 Minervarya keralensis 1 2 0 2 1 0 5 Minervarya limnocharis 2 3 3 2 0 1 6 Minervarya cf rufescens 0 1 0 1 2 0 7 Minervarya granosa 0 0 2 1 0 0 8 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis 6 4 8 12 2 0 9 Clinotarsus curtipes 3800 0 0 1 0 3 10 Indosylvirana sreeni 0 1 2 0 0 0 11 Indosylvirana doni 0 10 13 15 10 12 12 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus 0 1 14 0 0 0 13 Raorchestes akroparallagi 0 3 12 15 15 20 14 Raorchestes anili 0 1 2 4 8 5 15 Raorchestes ochlandrae 0 0 2 1 0 0 16 Raorchestes ponmudi 0 1 2 2 1 0 17 Raorchestes nerostagona 0 0 1 2 15 12 18 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis 3 6 12 16 14 15 19 Rhacophorus malabaricus 0 0 1 1 0 0 20 Polypedates maculatus 0 1 0 0 0 0 21 Polypedates occidentalis 0 0 1 0 0 0 22 Indirana brachytarsus 1 1 3 2 1 1 23 Indirana semipalmata 0 2 4 3 1 1 24 Indirana yadera 0 1 2 1 0 0

5.4 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Amphibians at Vandiperiyar

4000 3813 Species 3500 Adundance

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500 6 16 39 20 88 18 82 12 72 10 71 0 14-03-19 08-06-19 18-07-19 02-08-19 21-08-19 28-08-19

101 5.5 CHECKLIST OF AMPHIBIANS DOCUMENTED FROM CURRENT STUDY

Species name Common name Malayalam name ORDER: ANURA FAMILY: BUFONIDAE 1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus Common Indian Toad sNmdn¯hf 2 Duttaphrynus parietalis Ridged Toad Im«psNmdn¯hf 3 Pedostibes tuberculosus Malabar Tree Toad acs¨mdnb³ FAMILY: DICROGLOSSIDAE 4 Minervarya brevipalmata Short-webbed Frog NXp¸³ Nne¸³ 5 Minervarya keralensis Kerala Warty Frog tIcf Nne¸³ 6 Minervarya nilagirica Nilgiris wart frog \neKncn Nne¸³ 7 Minervarya cf rufescens Rufescent Burrowing Frog sN¦Â Nne¸³ 8 Minervarya cf sauriceps Mysore Wart Frog Nne¸³ 9 Minervarya sp Wart frog Nne¸³ 10 Euphlyctis aloysii Aloysii Skittering Frog Atemjn hbÂ Xhf 11 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Skittering Frog Nm«¡mc³ 12 Euphlyctis cf hexadactyla Indian Pond Frog hbÂ Xhf 13 Euphlyctis cf karaavali Karaavali Skittering Frog s]m·m³ Xhf 14 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Indian Bullfrog \m«pam¡m¨n FAMILY: RANIDAE 15 Indosylvirana doni Don’s Golden-backed frog tUmWn kzÀW¯hf 16 Indosylvirana indica Indian Golden-backed frog C´y³ kzÀW¯hf 17 Indosylvirana intermedius Rao’s intermediate Golden-backed frog dmhp kzÀW¯hf 18 Indosylvirana sreeni Sreeni’s Golden-backed frog {io\n kzÀW¯hf 19 Indosylvirana urbis Urban Golden-backed frog \m«p kzÀW¯hf 20 Clinotarsus curtipes Bicoloured Frog Im«paWhm«n FAMILY: MICROHYLIDAE 21 Uperodon triangularis Malabar Ramanella ae_mÀ Ipdnhmb³ 22 Uperodon taprobanicus Painted Frog Nn{X Xhf FAMILY: RANIXALIDAE 23 Indirana beddomii Beddome's leaping frog s_tSmw \ne¨mS³ 24 Indirana brachytarsus Anamallais Leaping frog B\ae \ne¨mS³ 25 Indirana paramakri Rocky-terrain Leaping Frog ]mdam{In \ne¨mS³ 26 Indirana semipalmata South Indian Frog sNdpIme³ \ne¨mS³ 27 Indirana yadera Yadera's Leaping Frog CSp¡n \ne¨mS³ FAMILY: MICRIXALIDAE 28 Micrixalus gadgili Gadgil's Torrent Frog KmSvKnÂ ]nenKncnb³ 29 Micrixalus sp Torrent Frog ]nenKncnb³ FAMILY: NYCTIBATRACHIDAE 30 Nyctibatrachus gavi Gavi Night Frog Khn cm¯hf 31 Nyctibatrachus minimus Miniature Night Frog Ipª³ cm¯hf 32 Nyctibatrachus poocha Meowing Night Frog ]q¨¯hf FAMILY: NASIKABATRACHIDAE 33 Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis Purple Frog ]mXmf Xhf FAMILY: RHACOPHORIDAE 34 Raorchestes anili Anil's Bush Frog A\nen Ce¯hf 102 Species name Common name Malayalam name 35 Raorchestes ponmudi Large Ponmudi Bush Frog henb Ce¯hf 36 Raorchestes akroparallagi Variable Bush Frog ]¨ Ce¯hf 37 Raorchestes nerostagona Water Drop Frog ag¯pÅn Xhf 38 Raorchestes ochlandrae Ochlandrae Reed Bush Frog Cuä¯hf 39 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis Jerdon's Bush Frog hb\mS³ Ce¯hf 40 Rhacophorus malabaricus Malabar Gliding Frog ]¨ne¸mdm³ 41 Rhacophorus lateralis Small Tree Frog hcb³ ]¨ne¸mdm³ 42 Mercurana myristicapalustris Myristica Swamp frog sX¡³ NXp¸³ 43 Polypedates maculatus Common Indian Tree Frog NphÀ¯hf 44 Polypedates occidentalis Charpa Tree frog NmÀ¸ NphÀ¯hf ORDER: GYMNOPHIONA FAMILY: ICHTHYOPHIIDAE 45 Ichthyophis bombayensis Bombay Caecilian XSnb³ IpcpSn

5.6 FAMILY WISE REPRESENTATION OF AMPHIBIAN DIVERSITY

ICHTHYOPHIIDAE, 1

BUFONIDAE, 3

RHACOPHORIDAE, 11

DICROGLOSSIDAE, 11

NASIKABATRACHIDAE, 1

NYCTIBATRACHIDAE, 3

RANIDAE, 6

MICRIXALIDAE, 2

RANIXALIDAE, 5

MICROHYLIDAE, 2

Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis (]mXmf Xhf, A white coloured tadpole of Purple Frog.

Sujith V Gopalan

103 Rhacophorus malabaricus(]¨ne¸mdm³)‍ The Malabar Gliding Frog gets its name from the ability to leap down from tree tops and break its fall by extending its web between toes.

Sujith V Gopalan

104 5.7 Seasonal diversity of Amphibians documented in the current study

22 22 22

20 20 20 20 18 17 16

15 14

12 12 11 10 10 10 10 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 3 3 3 3 2

0 0 Kattampally Pookode Kole Vallakadavu Vembanad Upper kuttanad Vazhachal 105 106

5.8 Seasonal abundance of Amphibians documented in the current study

900

3813 800

700

600

500 465 451 464 379 398 400 374 341 351 342 326

300

205 197 205 197 200 134 129 100 101 88 82 88 87 100 72 71 62 65 68 45 42 39 34 30 23 22 19 20 28 10 0 3 7 0 Kattampally Pookode Kole Vallakadavu Vembanad Upper kuttanad Vazhachal AMPHIBIANS – RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Amphibians are the best known biological indicators. Unlike birds, for which e-bird data were available for previous years, there was no previous transect data available that could be used to com- pare the diversity and abundance of amphibians for the data collected from the present study. Hence the analysis was largely based on the observation of certain specific indicator species and their abundance. Hence, the conclusion of this study was derived from the following observations - The presence of indicator species like Mercurana myristicapalustris and Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis was used primarily to understand the impact of flood and also others like Euphlyctis sp., Raorchestes and Indosylvi- rana.

1. Mercurana myristicapalustris: This is a species of arboreal frog that descent to breed from late May to early June. This is a monotypic Rhacophorid species which is endemic to the Western Ghats. The range of the species is limited to the Myristica Swamps south of Shenkotta gap. What makes the frog an indicator species is its breeding behavior. The frog is documented to live in canopy of Myristica Swamps. They descent down to the base of the tree during pre-monsoon for breeding. After breeding the females lay eggs on the forest floor by making shallow burrows in the soil. The tadpoles hatch out when the monsoon floods the forest floor and metamorphose in due course of time (Almost 40 days). The flood that has occurred during August 2018 could have impacted the species as the tadpole could have been washed downstream resulting in the decline in the population of the species. The current study recorded the species from Vazhachal, Thrissur. This is a new range extension record of almost 250 kms from the currently recorded range of the species. The analysis of data from the study confirms that the species has not been impacted by the flood as at the peak of the breeding season, the study recorded 15 individual males and four females from a transect of 50 mts. The variation in the breeding season and time of activity may be because of the difference in habitat and different climatic conditions at Vazhachal.

2. Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis: Commonly known as Purple Frog, this is a species of frog that is known to be evolutionarily distinct from other frog species seen in the Western Ghats. This is a fossorial frog endemic to the mountains and foothills of southwest India. The frog has a very peculiar breeding behavior which makes it an indicator species. The frog is well known for its burrowing habitat. The frog remains underground throughout the year and comes out for a brief period of a week with the arrival of the monsoon, when they breed and lay eggs. The tadpoles of the species are well known for a life in torrential streams. The floods that lashed the State in Au- gust 2018 could have impacted the tadpoles of the species. The study documented the species in all transects at Vazhachal. Good numbers of tadpoles were documented in each stream, indicating that the breeding population of the species is stable at these sites. This confirms that the flood has not affected the species.

3. Indosylvirana species of frogs were found from all the seven areas selected for the study, even though the species differs from place to place. These frogs are known to live a mostly aquatic life in stagnant waters like ponds, paddy fields and seasonal puddles and some species alongside streams. The flood of August 2018 occurred right through the breeding season of the genus. But frogs of the genus have been recorded in good numbers in all study areas, indicating that the Indosylvirana

species of frogs has been least affected by flood. 107 Clinotarsus curtipes (tIm«paWhm«n), The tadpole of this species is the largest one documnted in the State.

Sujith V Gopalan

4. Pseudophilautus and Raorchestes species are recorded in good numbers from much of the study area, indicating a healthy and stable population. Only Raorchestes ochlandrae was documented in lesser numbers in transects compared to previous observations. This is largely for the Ochlandrae reed that have died off following its flowering couple of years ago. Raorchestes ochlandrae is closely associated with Ochlandrae reeds. 5. Hoplobatrachus tigerinus and Euphlyctis species was documented in good numbers in all wetlands in the study area. A considerably healthy breeding population of adults was recorded during the study and high number of juveniles. The study also documented the late breeding of H. tigerinus - the breeding started by late July 2019 in most of the study area. 6. Other species of frogs belonging to Minervarya, Duttaphrynus, Indirana, Uperodon, Rhacophorus and Polypedates genus was also documented in the current study. Much of their population and breeding populations were found to be stable, which indicates that the flood has not had much impact on the diversity and population of the species. 7. There was a considerable reduction in number of Indirana frogs documented at Pookode during transect survey, though there were considerably good numbers sighted from the forests nearby. The change in diversity and abundance at Pookode was because of the paving of interlock tiles in the trek path around the Lake. 8. Clinotarsus curtipes : This species has the largest recorded tadpole from the State. This species is known to breed in stagnant waters like ponds and lakes and also in slow moving streams. The species is often noted for the large groups of schooling tadpoles. The study documented an approximately 3800 number of sub-adult frogs of the species Clinotarsus curtipes from Vallakadavu, PTR and also compact schools of tadpoles were sighted at Pookode indicating that the species is largely unaffected by floods. To conclude the amphibians population of the state are relatively unaffected by flood.

108 3. BUTTERFLIES

109 5.9 CHECKLIST OF BUTTERFLIES DOCUMENTED FROM KATTAMPALLY

Common Name Species name Malayalam name 1 Malabar Rose Pachliopta pandiyana ae_mÀ tdmkv 2 Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae \m«ptdmkv 3 Common Bluebottle Graphium sarpedon \oe¡pSp¡ 4 Tailed Jay Graphium agamemnon hndhme³ 5 Common Jay Graphium doson \m«p¡pSp¡ 6 Common Mime Papilio clytia hg\¸q¼mä 7 Lime Butterfly Papilio demoleus \mcI¡mfn 8 Malabar Raven Papilio dravidarum ae_mÀ dmh³ 9 Common Mormon Papilio polytes \mcIie`w 10 Malabar banded Peacock Papilio buddha _p²abqcn 11 Common Emigrant Catopsilia pomona aª-¯-I-c-ap¯n 12 Mottled Emigrant Catopsilia pyranthe X-I-c-ap¯n 13 Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe aª]m¸m¯n 14 Three-spot Grass Yellow Eurema blanda aps]m«³- ]m¸m¯n 15 Common Jezebel Delias eucharis hnem-kn\n 16 Psyche Leptosia nina s]m«psh-Åm«n 17 Chocolate Albatross Appias lyncida tNmt¢äv BÂ_t{Smkv 18 Common Wanderer Pareronia hippia \mtSmSn 19 Common Palmfly Elymnias hypermnestra Hme-¡-³ 20 Common Bushbrown Mycalesis perseus Xhn-S³ 21 Common Five-ring Ypthima baldus ]©-t\{Xn 22 Rustic Cupha erymanthis hb-¦-X³ 23 Tamil Yeoman Cirrochroa thais atcm«nie`w 24 Common Sailer Neptis hylas s]m´-¨p-ä³ 25 Clipper Parthenos sylvia ¢n¸À 26 Common Castor Ariadne merione Bh-W-t¨m-¸³ 27 Lemon Pansy Junonia lemonias ]pÅn-¡p-dp-¼³ 28 Peacock Pansy Junonia almana abnÂ¡®n 29 Grey Pansy Junonia atlites h-bÂt¡mX 30 Chocolate Pansy Junonia iphita tNm¡vteäv ie`w 110 Common Name Species name Malayalam name 31 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Nn{XnX 32 Great Eggfly Hypolimnas bolina h³sNm-«-i-e`w 33 Danaid Eggfly Hypolimnas misippus sNm«-i-e`w 34 Blue Tiger Tirumala limniace \oe-¡-Sph 35 Dark Blue Tiger Tirumala septentrionis Icn-\o-e-¡-Sph 36 Glassy Tiger Parantica aglea sXfn-\o-e-¡-Sph 37 Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus Fcn¡vX¸n 38 Striped Tiger Danaus genutia hc-b³¡-Sph 39 Indian Common Crow Euploea core Ac-fn-i-e`w 40 Common Pierrot Castalius rosimon \m«p-tIm-amfn 41 Common Quaker Neopithecops zalmora ]mW-ep®n 42 Gram Blue Euchrysops cnejus ]bÀ\oen 43 Common Cerulean Jamides celeno s]m«phm-em«n 44 Common Lineblue Prosotas nora \m«p hcb³\oen 45 Tiny Grass Blue Zizula hylax Nn¶-]pÂ\oen 46 Yamfly Loxura atymnus Ipªnhm-e³ 47 Monkey Puzzle Rathinda amor Ccp-X-e¨n 48 Indian Sunbeam Curetis thetis kqcy-i-e`w 49 White-banded Awl Hasora taminatus shÅn hcb\mc 50 Common Awl Hasora badra ]pÅnbmc 51 Common Small Flat Sarangesa dasahara Ipªn-¸-c-¸³ 52 Giant Redeye Gangara thyrsis h³sN¦®n 53 Oriental Palm Bob Suastus gremius ]\-¦p-dp-¼³ 54 Pale Palm-Dart Telicota colon aª]\´pÅ³ 55 Dark Palm Dart Telicota bambusae ]\´pÅ³ 56 Rice Swift Borbo cinnara ic-i-e`w HIGHLIGHTS KATTAMPALLY

Yamfly, (Ipªnhm-e³). A species of butterfly known for consuming nectar secreted from the extrafloral nectaries stimulated by the ants.

Sujith V Gopalan

111 6.0 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM KATTAMPALLY

Common name 14-01-19 29-05-19 25-06-19 24-07-19 15-08-19 25-08-19 1 Malabar Rose 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 Common Rose 0 1 0 1 0 0 3 Common Bluebottle 0 0 0 0 1 3 4 Tailed Jay 0 1 1 16 6 4 5 Common Jay 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 Common mime 0 1 2 1 1 0 7 Lime Butterfly 0 0 0 0 1 0 8 Malabar Raven 0 0 0 0 1 0 9 Common Mormon 0 2 2 1 2 5 10 Malabar banded Peacock 0 0 1 0 0 2 11 Common Emigrant 0 1 9 6 6 7 12 Mottled Emigrant 0 0 0 4 2 2 13 Common Grass Yellow 0 0 1 2 1 0 14 Three-spot Grass Yellow 0 0 0 3 0 2 15 Common Jezebel 2 0 0 0 1 0 16 Psyche 0 0 1 4 0 3 17 Chocolate Albatross 0 0 0 0 0 1 18 Common Wanderer 1 0 0 0 1 2 19 Common Palmfly 0 0 0 0 1 1 20 Common Bushbrown 0 0 0 2 0 0 21 Common Five-ring 0 0 0 0 0 1 22 Rustic 0 0 2 0 0 1 23 Tamil Yeoman 0 0 0 0 1 2 24 Common Sailer 0 0 0 1 0 0 25 Clipper 0 0 0 0 1 0 26 Common Castor 0 0 2 0 1 0 27 Lemon Pansy 0 1 0 0 0 0 28 Peacock Pansy 0 0 0 1 2 0 29 Grey Pansy 0 0 0 0 2 2 30 Chocolate Pansy 0 0 0 0 1 2 31 Painted Lady 0 0 1 0 0 0 32 Great Eggfly 0 0 0 0 1 0 33 Danaid Eggfly 0 0 2 1 1 0 34 Blue Tiger 0 2 2 0 2 1 35 Dark Blue Tiger 0 1 0 0 0 0 36 Glassy Tiger 0 1 1 1 1 0 37 Plain Tiger 0 0 1 0 0 0 38 Striped Tiger 0 0 0 0 0 1 39 Indian Common Crow 2 2 5 0 1 3 40 Common Pierrot 0 0 2 0 0 1 41 Common Quaker 0 0 1 4 2 0 42 Gram Blue 2 0 5 0 0 0 43 Common Cerulean 4 10 4 5 1 2

112 Common name 14-01-19 29-05-19 25-06-19 24-07-19 15-08-19 25-08-19 44 Common Lineblue 0 0 4 0 0 1 45 Tiny Grass Blue 11 14 3 0 0 1 46 Yamfly 0 0 0 1 0 0 47 Monkey Puzzle 0 0 1 0 0 0 48 Indian Sunbeam 0 0 3 1 0 0 49 Common-Banded Awl 0 0 0 0 0 6 50 Common Awl 0 0 0 0 0 1 51 Common Small Flat 0 0 1 2 0 0 52 Giant Redeye 0 0 0 0 2 2 53 Oriental Palm Bob 0 0 0 1 0 0 54 Dark Palm Dart 0 0 1 0 0 1 55 Pale Palm-Dart 0 0 2 6 0 1 56 Rice Swift 0 0 1 0 0 1

6.1 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Butterflies at Kattampally Wetland

70 Species number 64 62 Abundance 61 60

50 44

38 40

29 30 27 27

22 21 20 13

10 6

0 14-01-19 29-05-19 25-06-19 24-07-19 15-08-19 25-08-19

Common Banded Awl (shÅn hcb\mc) It is a behaviour of Awls to rest underneath the leaf.

Sujith V Gopalan

113 2. POOKODE

6.2 CHECKLIST OF BUTTERFLIES DOCUMENTED FROM POOKODE

Common name Species name Malayalam name 1 Southern Birdwing Troides minos KcpUie`w 2 Malabar Rose Pachliopta pandiyana ae_mÀ tdmkv 3 Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae \m«ptdmkv 4 Common Bluebottle Graphium sarpedon \oe¡pSp¡ 5 Common Jay Graphium doson \m«p¡pSp¡ 6 Tailed Jay Graphium agamemnon hndhme³ 7 Red Helen Papilio helenus Np«n¡dp¸³ 8 Common Mormon Papilio polytes \mcIie`w 9 Blue Mormon Papilio polymnestor IrjvWie`w 10 Malabar banded Peacock Papilio buddha _p²abqcn 11 Paris Peacock Papilio paris Np«nabqcn 12 Common Emigrant Catopsilia pomona aª-¯-I-c-ap¯n 13 Mottled Emigrant Catopsilia pyranthe X-I-c-ap¯n 14 Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe aª]m¸m¯n 15 Three-spot Grass Yellow Eurema blanda aps]m«³- ]m¸m¯n 16 Painted Sawthooth Prioneris sita tNmehnem-kn\n 17 Psyche Leptosia nina s]m«psh-Åm«n 18 Common Albatross Appias albina BÂ_t{Smkv 19 Chocolate Albatross Appias lyncida tNmt¢äv BÂ_t{Smkv 20 Great Orange-Tip Hebomoia glaucippe sN©nd-I³ 21 Common wanderer Pareronia hippia \mtSmSn 22 Common Evening Brown Melanitis leda Icn-bneie`w 23 Great Evening Brown Melanitis zitenius h³Icn-bneie`w 24 Common Palmfly Elymnias hypermnestra Hme-¡-³ 25 Bamboo Treebrown Lethe europa apf-´-hn-S³ 26 Common Treebrown Lethe rohria a-e´-hn-S³ 27 White-bar Bushbrown Mycalesis anaxias ]pÅn-Xhn-S³ 28 Common Bushbrown Mycalesis perseus Xhn-S³ 29 Medus Brown Orsotriaena medus Idp-¸³ 30 Common Five-ring Ypthima baldus ]©-t\{Xn 31 Common Four-ring Ypthima huebneri \mÂ¡®n 114 Common name Species name Malayalam name 32 Common Nawab Charaxes athamas \hm_v 33 Cruiser Vindula erota {Iqbn-kÀ 34 Rustic Cupha erymanthis hb-¦-X³ 35 Common Leopard Phalanta phalantha ]pen-s¯-¿³ 36 Tamil Yeoman Cirrochroa thais atcm«nie`w 37 Common Sailer Neptis hylas s]m´-¨p-ä³ 38 Common Map Cyrestis thyodamas ta¸v ie`w 39 Common Castor Ariadne merione Bh-W-t¨m-¸³ 40 Lemon Pansy Junonia lemonias ]pÅn-¡p-dp-¼³ 41 Peacock Pansy Junonia almana abnÂ¡®n 42 Grey Pansy Junonia atlites h-bÂt¡mX 43 Chocolate Pansy Junonia iphita tNm¡vteäv ie`w 44 Danaid Eggfly Hypolimnas misippus sNm«-i-e`w 45 Great Eggfly Hypolimnas bolina h³sNm-«-i-e`w 46 Blue Tiger Tirumala limniace \oe-¡-Sph 47 Dark Blue Tiger Tirumala septentrionis Icn-\o-e-¡-Sph 48 Glassy Tiger Parantica aglea sXfn-\o-e-¡-Sph 49 Striped Tiger Danaus genutia hc-b³¡-Sph 50 Indian Common Crow Euploea core Ac-fn-i-e`w 51 Malabar Tree-Nymph Idea malabarica h\-tZ-hX 52 Common Pierrot Castalius rosimon \m«p-tIm-amfn 53 Angled Pierrot Caleta decidia hc-b³ tImamfn 54 Zebra Blue Leptotes plinius ko{_-\oen 55 Hampson's Hedge Blue Acytolepis lilacea Im«p-th-en-\oen 56 Plain Hedge Blue Celastrina lavendularis then-\oen 57 Common Quaker Neopithecops zalmora ]mW-ep®n 58 Malayan Megisba malaya ae-b³ 59 Pea Blue Lampides boeticus ]«m-Wn-\oen 60 Common Cerulean Jamides celeno s]m«phm-em«n 61 Tailless Lineblue Prosotas dubiosa hcb³\oen 62 Tiny Grass Blue Zizula hylax Nn¶-]pÂ\oen 63 Red Pierrot Talicada nyseus sNt¦m-amfn 64 Common Imperial Cheritra freja shÅn-hm-e³ 65 Indian Awlking Choaspes benjaminii BccmP³ 66 Common Dartlet Oriens gola \m«pNn¶³ 67 Common Small Flat Sarangesa dasahara Ipªn-¸-c-¸³ 68 Common Spotted Flat Celaenorrhinus leucocera \m«p- ]pÅn-¸-c-¸³ 69 Chestnut Angle Odontoptilum angulata hc-b³-]-c-¸³ 70 Chestnut Bob Iambrix salsala sN¦p-dp-¼³ 71 Bush Hopper Ampittia dioscorides s]m´¨mS³ 72 Madras Ace Thoressa honorei klym{ZokmbIw 73 Common Banded Demon Notocrypta paralysos hc-b³ Nm¯³ 74 Hampson's Hedge Hopper Baracus hampsoni thenXpÅ³ 75 Pale Palm-Dart Telicota colon aª]\´pÅ³ 76 Dark Palm-Dart Telicota bambusae ]\´pÅ³ 77 Rice Swift Borbo cinnara ic-i-e`w 115 HIGHLIGHTS POOKODE

Red Helen (Np«n¡dp¸³). A species of butterfly belonging to Papilionidae family regularly sighted at Pookode.

Sujith V Gopalan

Chestnut Angle (hc- b³-]-c-¸³). A species of butterfly belonging to Hesperiidae family sighted at Pookode

Sujith V Gopalan

Cruiser ({Iqbn-kÀ), One of the large and brightly coloured butterfly belonging to the Nymphalidae family

Sujith V Gopalan

116 Not only Butterflies, but moths too Naxa textillis (]mhmS¡mcn ), An adult just emerged clinging on to its pupa. Documented from Pookode.

Sujith V Gopalan

117 6.3 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM POOKODE

Common name 15-01-19 28-05-19 26-06-19 25-07-19 14-08-9 24-08-19 1 Southern Birdwing 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 Malabar Rose 0 1 0 4 0 0 3 Common Rose 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 Common Bluebottle 2 3 0 1 0 0 5 Common Jay 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 Tailed Jay 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 Red Helen 0 4 3 0 5 2 8 Common Mormon 0 0 2 0 0 0 9 Blue Mormon 1 2 3 1 0 1 10 Malabar banded Peacock 0 0 0 0 0 1 11 Paris Peacock 0 0 2 0 0 0 12 Common Emigrant 1 4 1 0 0 0 13 Mottled Emigrant 0 0 0 1 0 0 14 Common Grass Yellow 3 0 4 1 0 4 15 Three-spot Grass Yellow 1 0 0 1 0 1 16 Painted Sawthooth 1 0 1 0 0 0 17 Psyche 0 0 0 1 0 0 18 Common Albatross 1 0 0 0 0 0 19 Chocolate Albatross 0 0 0 0 1 0 20 Great Orange-Tip 6 4 0 0 0 0 21 Common Wanderer 1 0 0 0 0 0 22 Common Evening Brown 1 0 0 0 0 0 23 Great Evening Brown 0 0 0 1 0 0 24 Common Palmfly 0 0 2 0 0 1 25 Bamboo Treebrown 0 0 0 1 0 1 26 Common Treebrown 0 0 0 1 0 1 27 White-bar Bushbrown 0 0 0 0 1 1 28 Common Bushbrown 0 0 0 1 0 0 29 Medus Brown 0 0 0 1 0 0 30 Common Five-ring 0 0 0 1 0 0 31 Common Four-ring 9 0 0 2 5 12 32 Indian Nawab 0 0 1 0 0 1 33 Cruiser 0 0 0 0 1 0 34 Rustic 9 3 0 0 0 0 35 Common Leopard 1 0 0 0 0 0 36 Tamil Yeoman 1 0 0 0 0 0 37 Common Sailer 3 0 0 0 0 0 38 Common Map 2 0 0 0 0 0 39 Common Castor 0 0 1 0 0 1 40 Lemon Pansy 0 0 3 0 0 0 41 Peacock Pansy 0 0 0 0 0 1 42 Grey Pansy 5 4 0 0 0 0 43 Chocolate Pansy 5 3 5 1 1 1 44 Danaid Eggfly 0 3 0 0 0 0 118 Common name 15-01-19 28-05-19 26-06-19 25-07-19 14-08-9 24-08-19 45 Great Eggfly 1 0 0 0 0 0 46 Blue Tiger 0 1 0 0 0 0 47 Dark Blue Tiger 70 0 0 0 0 0 48 Glassy Tiger 1 0 0 0 0 1 49 Striped Tiger 0 1 0 0 0 0 50 Indian Common Crow 40 5 0 0 0 0 51 Malabar Tree-Nymph 0 0 0 0 1 0 52 Common Pierrot 0 0 0 1 0 0 53 Angled Pierrot 0 0 1 1 0 0 54 Zebra Blue 0 0 0 1 0 0 55 Hampson's Hedge Blue 0 0 0 0 0 1 56 Plain Hedge Blue 0 0 0 0 0 1 57 Common Quaker 0 0 2 0 0 0 58 Malayan 0 0 0 0 1 0 59 Pea Blue 0 0 0 1 0 0 60 Common Cerulean 1 1 0 0 0 1 61 Tailless Lineblue 0 1 0 0 0 0 62 Tiny Grass Blue 5 1 0 0 0 0 63 Red Pierrot 0 2 0 0 0 0 64 Common Imperial 1 0 0 0 0 0 65 Indian Awlking 0 1 0 0 0 0 66 Common Dartlet 0 0 0 1 0 0 67 Common Small Flat 0 0 0 0 1 0 68 Common Spotted Flat 0 2 0 0 0 0 69 Chestnut Angle 0 0 1 0 0 0 70 Chestnut Bob 0 2 1 0 0 0 71 Bush Hopper 0 0 1 1 3 0 72 Madras Ace 0 1 0 0 0 0 73 Common Banded Demon 0 0 0 0 1 0 74 Hampson's Hedge Hopper 0 0 0 0 1 0 75 Pale Palm-Dart 0 0 0 0 1 0 76 Dark Palm-Dart 1 0 0 1 0 1 77 Rice Swift 0 0 0 0 1 0

6.4 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Butterflies at Pookode

175 180

Species 160 Adundance

140

120

100

60 51

37 34 40 28 26 23 22 24 18 19 14 20

0 15-01-19 28-05-19 26-06-19 25-07-19 14-08-9 24-08-19 119 2. KOLE WETLANDS

6.5 CHECKLIST OF BUTTERFLIES DOCUMENTED FROM KOLE WETLANDS

Common name Species name Malayalam name 1 Southern Birdwing Troides minos KcpUie`w 2 Common Mormon Papilio polytes \mcIie`w 3 Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae \m«ptdmkv 4 Lime Butterfly Papilio demoleus \mcI¡mfn 5 Common Emigrant Catopsilia pomona aª-¯-I-c-ap¯n 6 Mottled Emigrant Catopsilia pyranthe X-I-c-ap¯n 7 Blue Tiger Tirumala limniace \oe-¡-Sph 8 Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus Fcn¡vX¸n 9 Common Crow Euploea core Ac-fn-i-e`w 10 Twany Coaster Acraea violae Xo¨n-d-I³ 11 Peacock Pansy Junonia almana abnÂ¡®n 12 Grey Pansy Junonia atlites h-bÂt¡mX 13 Common Castor Ariadne merione Bh-W-t¨m-¸³ 14 Common Cerulean Jamides celeno s]m«phm-em«n 15 Drak Grass Blue Zizeeria karsandra Ccqf³ ]pÂ\oen 16 Gram Blue Euchrysops cnejus ]bÀ\oen 17 Pale Palm Dart Telicota colon aª]\´pÅ³ 18 Dark Palm Dart Telicota bambusae ]\´pÅ³ 19 Ceylon Swift Parnara bada kntem¬ icie`w 20 Rice Swift Borbo cinnara ic-i-e`w

Dark Palm dart (]\´pÅ³), many maing pairs of the species were sighted at Kole wetlands.

Sujith V Gopalan

120 6.6 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM KOLE WETLANDS

Common name 16-01-19 30-05-19 27-06-19 13-07-19 26-07-19 29-08-19 1 Southern Birdwing 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 Common Mormon 3 2 0 0 0 0 3 Common Rose 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 Common Lime 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 Common Emigrant 0 4 5 0 0 0 6 Mottled Emigrant 0 0 6 8 10 1 7 Blue Tiger 0 1 0 0 0 0 8 Plain Tiger 2 0 0 0 0 0 9 Common Crow 0 1 0 0 0 0 10 Twany Coaster 0 2 8 4 0 0 11 Peacock Pansy 0 1 3 1 1 0 12 Grey Pansy 0 2 0 0 0 0 13 Common Castor 0 1 0 0 0 0 14 Common Cerulean 0 2 0 0 0 0 15 Drak Grass Blue 14 1 2 1 0 0 16 Gram Blue 0 1 0 0 0 0 17 Pale PalmDart 0 1 1 0 0 0 18 Dark Palm Dart 0 0 2 0 0 0 19 Ceylon Swift 0 1 0 0 0 0 20 Rice Swift 0 1 0 0 0 0

6.7 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Butterflies at Kole Wetland

30 Species 27 Adundance 25 22

19 20

15 14 15 12

10 7

4 5 3 3 2 2

0 16-01-19 30-05-19 27-06-19 13-07-19 26-07-19 29-08-19

121 4. VAZHACHAL

6.8 CHECKLIST OF BIRDS DOCUMENTED FROM VAZHACHAL

Common name Species name Malayalam name 1 Southern Birdwing Troides minos KcpUie`w 2 Malabar Rose Pachliopta pandiyana ae_mÀ tdmkv 3 Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae \m«ptdmkv 4 Common Bluebottle Graphium sarpedon \oe¡pSp¡ 5 Tailed Jay Graphium agamemnon hndhme³ 6 Common Jay Graphium doson \m«p¡pSp¡ 7 Lime Butterfly Papilio demoleus \mcI¡mfn 8 Red Helen Papilio helenus Np«n¡dp¸³ 9 Malabar Raven Papilio dravidarum ae_mÀ dmh³ 10 Common Mormon Papilio polytes \mcIie`w 11 Blue Mormon Papilio polymnestor IrjvWie`w 12 Malabar banded Peacock Papilio buddha _p²abqcn 13 Common Emigrant Catopsilia pomona aª-¯-I-c-ap¯n 14 Mottled Emigrant Catopsilia pyranthe X-I-c-ap¯n 15 Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe aª]m¸m¯n 16 Three-spot Grass Yellow Eurema blanda aps]m«³- ]m¸m¯n 17 One-spot Grass Yellow Eurema andersonii tNme]m-¸m¯n 18 Common Jezebel Delias eucharis hnem-kn\n 19 Chocolate Albatross Appias lyncida tNmt¢äv BÂ_t{Smkv 20 Great Orange-Tip Hebomoia glaucippe sN©nd-I³ 21 Common Wanderer Pareronia hippia \mtSmSn 22 Common Evening Brown Melanitis leda Icn-bneie`w 23 Great Evening Brown Melanitis zitenius h³Icn-bneie`w 24 Common Palmfly Elymnias hypermnestra Hme-¡-³ 25 Bamboo Treebrown Lethe europa apf-´-hn-S³ 26 Common Bushbrown Mycalesis perseus Xhn-S³ 27 Dark-Branded Bushbrown Mycalesis mineus CcqÄhc-b³ Xhn-S³ 28 Tamil Catseye Zipaetis saitis ]q¨-¡®n 29 Common Five-ring Ypthima baldus ]©-t\{Xn 30 Common Four-ring Ypthima huebneri \mÂ¡®n ssekv ie`w 122 31 Tamil Lacewing Cethosia mahratta Common name Species name Malayalam name 32 Cruiser Vindula erota {Iqbn-kÀ 33 Rustic Cupha erymanthis hb-¦-X³ 34 Tamil Yeoman Cirrochroa thais atcm«nie`w 35 Common Sailer Neptis hylas s]m´-¨p-ä³ 36 Commander Moduza procris shÅn-e-t¯mgn 37 Clipper Parthenos sylvia ¢n¸À 38 Common Map Cyrestis thyodamas ta¸v ie`w 39 Angled Castor Ariadne ariadne Nn{X-I³ 40 Common Castor Ariadne merione Bh-W-t¨m-¸³ 41 Grey Pansy Junonia atlites h-bÂt¡mX 42 Chocolate Pansy Junonia iphita tNm¡vteäv ie`w 43 Blue Admiral Kaniska canace \oe-cm-P³ 44 Danaid Eggfly Hypolimnas misippus sNm«-i-e`w 45 Great Eggfly Hypolimnas bolina h³sNm-«-i-e`w 46 Blue Tiger Tirumala limniace \oe-¡-Sph 47 Dark Blue Tiger Tirumala septentrionis Icn-\o-e-¡-Sph 48 Glassy Tiger Parantica aglea sXfn-\o-e-¡-Sph 49 Striped Tiger Danaus genutia hc-b³¡-Sph 50 Indian Common Crow Euploea core Ac-fn-i-e`w 51 Common Pierrot Castalius rosimon \m«p-tIm-amfn 52 Angled Pierrot Caleta decidia hc-b³ tImamfn 53 Banded Blue Pierrot Discolampa ethion \oe-h-c-b³ tImamfn 54 Hampson's Hedge Blue Acytolepis lilacea Im«p-th-en-\oen 55 Common Quaker Neopithecops zalmora ]mW-ep®n 56 Manttailed Oakblue Thaduka multicaudata XfnÀ\oen 57 Centaur Oakblue Arhopala centaurus bh\ XfnÀ\oen 58 Monkey Puzzle Rathinda amor Ccp-X-e¨n 59 Common Imperial Cheritra freja shÅn-hm-e³ 60 Slate flash Rapala manea tÉäv ^vfmjv 61 Fulvous pied Flat Pseudocoladenia dan sN¼-c-¸³ 62 Water snow Flat Tagiades litigiosa Ce-ap§n 63 Dusky Partwing Psolos fuligo tNcm-¨n-d-I³ 64 Pygmy Scrub Hopper Aeromachus pygmaeus Nn¶]pÂ¨mS³ 65 Chestnut Bob Iambrix salsala sN¦p-dp-¼³ 66 Tamil Grass Dart Taractrocera ceramas aª]pÂXpÅ³ 67 Common Grass Dart Taractrocera maevius \m«p]pÂXpÅ³ 68 Dark Palm-Dart Telicota bambusae ]\´pÅ³ 69 Pale Palm-Dart Telicota colon aª]\´pÅ³

Angled Pierrot (hc-b³ tImamfn), The species was seen puddling on bird excreta.

Sujith V Gopalan

123 HIGHLIGHTS VAZHACHAL

Malabar banded Peacock (_p²abqcn). This species of swallowtail butterfly is the State Butterfly of Kerala

Sujith V Gopalan

Clipper (¢n¸À). A species of butterfly belonging to nymphalid family sighted at Pookode

Sujith V Gopalan

Great Orange-Tip (sN©nd-I³), The species was regularly sighted in good numbers at Vazhachal

Sujith V Gopalan

124 6.9 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM VAZHACHAL

Common name 10-06-19 26-06-19 12-07-19 27-07-19 07-08-19 23-08-19 1 Southern Birdwing 1 1 2 1 2 3 2 Malabar Rose 1 4 2 2 1 1 3 Common Rose 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 Common Bluebottle 3 6 4 4 4 5 5 Tailed Jay 0 1 2 0 2 3 6 Common Jay 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 Lime Butterfly 1 0 0 0 1 1 8 Red Helen 1 2 0 2 3 4 9 Malabar Raven 0 0 1 1 1 2 10 Common Mormon 1 0 1 0 1 3 11 Blue Mormon 3 3 4 5 2 4 12 Malabar banded Peacock 0 1 0 0 2 4 13 Common Emigrant 2 7 10 8 0 2 14 Mottled Emigrant 0 0 0 11 3 3 15 Common Grass Yellow 4 1 4 6 2 3 16 Three-spot Grass Yellow 0 1 3 5 6 2 17 One-spot Grass Yellow 0 1 0 0 2 0 18 Common Jezebel 0 1 0 0 1 2 19 Chocolate Albatross 0 0 1 6 1 2 20 Great Orange-Tip 0 1 5 10 12 3 21 Common Wanderer 3 1 2 1 1 0 22 Common Evening Brown 0 0 0 0 0 1 23 Great Evening Brown 0 0 0 0 1 0 24 Common Palmfly 0 0 0 1 0 2 25 Bamboo Treebrown 0 0 0 0 0 1 26 Common Bushbrown 0 2 0 0 1 2 27 Dark-Branded Bushbrown 0 0 0 1 0 1 28 Tamil Catseye 0 0 0 0 0 1 29 Common Five-ring 0 0 0 3 2 4 30 Common Four-ring 6 4 1 13 12 13 31 Tamil Lacewing 0 0 1 0 0 0 32 Cruiser 0 0 0 0 1 1 33 Rustic 5 1 1 4 5 6 34 Tamil Yeoman 1 1 2 0 0 0 35 Common Sailer 1 0 0 1 0 1 36 Commander 0 1 0 0 1 1 37 Clipper 0 2 2 1 0 0 38 Common Map 0 0 0 0 0 1 39 Angled Castor 0 0 0 0 1 2 40 Common Castor 0 0 0 0 0 1 41 Grey Pansy 1 1 1 0 1 1 42 Chocolate Pansy 2 0 1 8 5 4 43 Blue Admiral 0 0 1 0 0 0 44 Danaid Eggfly 0 0 1 0 0 1 125 Common name 10-06-19 26-06-19 12-07-19 27-07-19 07-08-19 23-08-19 45 Great Eggfly 0 0 0 0 1 2 46 Blue Tiger 0 5 3 10 12 14 47 Dark Blue Tiger 0 2 0 0 2 5 48 Glassy Tiger 0 1 0 0 1 2 49 Striped Tiger 1 1 4 2 4 4 50 Indian Common Crow 2 3 1 6 2 6 51 Common Pierrot 0 1 0 1 1 2 52 Angled Pierrot 0 0 0 1 1 0 53 Banded Blue Pierrot 0 0 0 0 0 1 54 Hampson's Hedge Blue 0 0 0 0 1 0 55 Common Quaker 0 0 3 0 0 0 56 Manttailed Oakblue 1 0 0 0 0 1 57 Centaur Oakblue 0 1 0 0 0 0 58 Monkey puzzle 0 0 1 0 1 0 59 Common Imperial 1 1 0 0 0 0 60 Slate Flash 1 0 0 0 0 0 61 Fulvous pied Flat 0 0 0 0 1 0 62 Water snow Flat 0 0 0 0 0 1 63 Dusky Partwing 0 1 0 0 0 0 64 Pygmy Scrub Hopper 0 1 0 0 0 0 65 Chestnut Bob 0 0 0 0 1 0 66 Tamil Grass Dart 0 1 0 0 0 0 67 Common Grass Dart 0 1 0 0 0 0 68 Dark Palm-Dart 0 1 0 0 0 2 69 Pale Palm-Dart 0 0 0 1 2 3

7.0 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Butterflies at Vazhachal

137 140 Species 115 120 Adundance 107

100

80 63 64

60 49 42 41 40 34 27 27 21 20

0 10-06-19 26-06-19 12-07-19 27-07-19 07-08-19 23-08-19

126 5. NEDUMUDI (VEMBANAD)

7.1 CHECKLIST OF BUTTERFLIES DOCUMENTED FROM NEDUMUDI

Common name Species name Malayalam name 1 Common Mormon Papilio polytes \mcIie`w 2 Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae \m«ptdmkv 3 Tailed Jay Graphium agamemnon hndhme³ 4 Common Emigrant Catopsilia pomona aª-¯-I-c-ap¯n 5 Mottled Emigrant Catopsilia pyranthe X-I-c-ap¯n 6 Three-spot Grass Yellow Eurema blanda aps]m«³- ]m¸m¯n 7 Common Crow Euploea core Ac-fn-i-e`w 8 Twany Coaster Acraea violae Xo¨n-d-I³ 9 Peacock Pansy Junonia almana abnÂ¡®n 10 Grey Pansy Junonia atlites h-bÂt¡mX 11 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Nn{XnX 12 Danaid Eggfly Hypolimnas misippus sNm«-i-e`w 13 Common Cerulean Jamides celeno s]m«phm-em«n 14 Common Sailer Neptis hylas s]m´-¨p-ä³ 15 Drak Grass Blue Zizeeria karsandra Ccqf³ ]pÂ\oen 16 Pale Palm Dart Telicota colon aª]\´pÅ³ 17 Ceylon Swift Parnara bada kntem¬ icie`w 18 Rice Swift Borbo cinnara ic-i-e`w

Ceylon Swift (kntem¬ icie`w) One of the most abundant species documented from Vembanad

Harikrishnan S

127 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui (Nn{XnX ), A seasonal migrant, this species was sigted throughout the State during late June and early July.

Sujith V Gopalan

128 7.2 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM NEDUMUDI

Common name 15-03-19 09-06-19 19-07-19 03-08-19 19-08-19 30-08-19 1 Common Mormon 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 Common Rose 0 1 1 0 0 0 3 Tailed Jay 0 0 0 0 3 0 4 Common Emigrant 0 1 0 1 2 1 5 Mottled Emigrant 0 0 1 1 0 0 6 Three-spot Grass Yellow 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 Common Crow 0 0 1 0 0 0 8 Tawny Coaster 0 0 0 0 1 0 9 Peacock Pansy 0 0 0 1 1 0 10 Grey Pansy 0 0 0 1 1 0 11 Painted Lady 0 1 0 0 1 0 12 Danaid Eggfly 0 0 0 1 0 0 13 Common Cerulean 0 0 0 1 0 0 14 Common Sailer 0 0 0 0 2 0 15 Drak Grass Blue 0 1 0 0 0 0

7.3 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Butterflies at Nedumudi

140 Species 122 120 Adundance

100

40 29

20 10 10 11 6 6 4 4 3 0 0 0 15-03-19 09-06-19 19-07-19 03-08-19 19-08-19 30-08-19

129 6. MELEPADAM (UPPER KUTTANAD)

7.4 CHECKLIST OF BUTTERFLIES DOCUMENTED FROM MELEPADAM

Common name Species name Malayalam name 1 Southern Birdwing Troides minos KcpUie`w 2 Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae \m«ptdmkv 3 Common Emigrant Catopsilia pomona aª-¯-I-c-ap¯n 4 Mottled Emigrant Catopsilia pyranthe X-I-c-ap¯n 5 Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe aª]m¸m¯n 6 Glassy Tiger Parantica aglea sXfn-\o-e-¡-Sph 7 Common Crow Euploea core Ac-fn-i-e`w 8 Twany Coaster Acraea violae Xo¨n-d-I³ 9 Common Albatross Appias albina BÂ_t{Smkv 10 Common Castor Ariadne merione Bh-W-t¨m-¸³ 11 Common Sailer Neptis hylas s]m´-¨p-ä³ 12 Dark Grass Blue Zizeeria karsandra Ccpf³ ]pÂ\oen 13 Bush Hopper Ampittia dioscorides s]m´¨mS³ 14 Rice Swift Borbo cinnara ic-i-e`w

Dark Grass Blue (Ccpf³ ]pÂ\oen), This species is one of the most abundantly sighted species in Upper Kuttanad.

Sujith V Gopalan

130 7.5 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM MELEPADAM

Common name 16-03-19 11-06-19 20-06-19 04-08-19 20-08-19 31-08-19 1 Southern Birdwing 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 Common Rose 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 Common Emigrant 0 0 1 1 1 0 4 Mottled Emigrant 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 Common Grass Yellow 0 0 0 1 1 0 6 Glassy Tiger 0 0 1 0 0 0 7 Common Crow 0 0 1 1 1 0 8 Twany Coaster 1 0 0 0 0 0 9 Common Albatross 0 0 1 0 1 0 10 Common Castor 0 0 1 1 0 0 11 Common Sailer 1 0 0 0 0 0 12 Dark Grass Blue 42 1 0 0 0 0 13 Bush Hopper 0 1 0 0 0 0 14 Rice Swift 1 1 0 1 0 0

7.6 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Butterflies at Melepadam

45 45 Species 40 Adundance 35

10 6 6 6 6 5 5 4 3 3 5 2 2

0 16-03-19 11-06-19 20-06-19 04-08-19 20-08-19 31-08-19

Bush Hopper (s]m´¨mS³) Harikrishnan S

131 7. VANDIPERIYAR

7.7 CHECKLIST OF BUTTERFLIES DOCUMENTED FROM VANDIPERIYAR

Common name Species name Malayalam name 1 Southern Birdwing Troides minos KcpUie`w 2 Malabar Rose Pachliopta pandiyana ae_mÀ tdmkv 3 Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae \m«ptdmkv 4 Common Bluebottle Graphium sarpedon \oe¡pSp¡ 5 Common Jay Graphium doson \m«p¡pSp¡ 6 Red Helen Papilio helenus Np«n¡dp¸³ 7 Common Mormon Papilio polytes \mcIie`w 8 Blue Mormon Papilio polymnestor IrjvWie`w 9 Common Emigrant Catopsilia pomona aª-¯-I-c-ap¯n 10 Mottled Emigrant Catopsilia pyranthe X-I-c-ap¯n 11 Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe aª]m¸m¯n- 12 Three-spot Grass Yellow Eurema blanda aps¸m«³ ]m¸m¯n 13 Common Jezebel Delias eucharis hnem-kn\n 14 Psyche Leptosia nina s]m«psh-Åm«n 15 Chocolate Albatross Appias lyncida tNmt¢äv BÂ_t{Smkv 16 Great Orange-Tip Hebomoia glaucippe sN©nd-I³ 17 Common Wanderer Pareronia hippia \mtSmSn 18 Common Evening Brown Melanitis leda Icn-bneie`w 19 Great Evening Brown Melanitis zitenius h³Icn-bneie`w 20 Common Palmfly Elymnias hypermnestra Hme-¡-³ 21 Bamboo Treebrown Lethe europa apf-´-hn-S³ 22 Common Treebrown Lethe rohria a-e´-hn-S³ 23 White-bar Bushbrown Mycalesis anaxias ]pÅn-Xhn-S³ 24 Common Bushbrown Mycalesis perseus Xhn-S³ 25 Dark-Branded Bushbrown Mycalesis mineus CcqÄhc-b³ Xhn-S³ 26 Gladeye Bushbrown Mycalesis junonia ]q¦®n 27 Common Five-ring Ypthima baldus ]©-t\{Xn 28 Common Four-ring Ypthima huebneri \mÂ¡®n 29 Cruiser Vindula erota {Iqbn-kÀ 30 Rustic Cupha erymanthis hb-¦-X³ 31 Tamil Yeoman Cirrochroa thais atcm«nie`w 132 Common name Species name Malayalam name 32 Common Sailer Neptis hylas s]m´-¨p-ä³ 33 Clipper Parthenos sylvia ¢n¸À 34 Common Map Cyrestis thyodamas ta¸v ie`w 35 Angled Castor Ariadne ariadne Nn{X-I³ 36 Common Castor Ariadne merione Bh-W-t¨m-¸³ 37 Lemon Pansy Junonia lemonias ]pÅn-¡p-dp-¼³ 38 Peacock Pansy Junonia almana abnÂ¡®n 39 Grey Pansy Junonia atlites h-bÂt¡mX 40 Chocolate Pansy Junonia iphita tNm¡vteäv ie`w 41 Danaid Eggfly Hypolimnas misippus sNm«-i-e`w 42 Great Eggfly Hypolimnas bolina h³sNm-«-i-e`w 43 Blue Tiger Tirumala limniace \oe-¡-Sph 44 Dark Blue Tiger Tirumala septentrionis Icn-\o-e-¡-Sph 45 Glassy Tiger Parantica aglea sXfn-\o-e-¡-Sph 46 Striped Tiger Danaus genutia hc-b³¡-Sph 47 Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus Fcn¡vX¸n 48 Indian Common Crow Euploea core Ac-fn-i-e`w 49 Malabar Tree-Nymph Idea malabarica h\-tZ-hX 50 Common Pierrot Castalius rosimon \m«p-tIm-amfn 51 Angled Pierrot Caleta decidia hc-b³ tImamfn 52 Banded Blue Pierrot Discolampa ethion \oe-h-c-b³ tImamfn 53 Hampson's Hedge Blue Acytolepis lilacea Im«p-th-en-\oen 54 Common Quaker Neopithecops zalmora ]mW-ep®n 55 Common Lineblue Prosotas nora \m«p hcb³\oen 56 Common Cerulean Jamides celeno s]m«phm-em«n 57 Tailless Lineblue Prosotas dubiosa hcb³\oen 58 Tiny Grass Blue Zizula hylax Nn¶-]pÂ\oen 59 Manytailed Oakblue Thaduka multicaudata XfnÀ\oen 60 Centaur Oakblue Arhopala centaurus bh\ XfnÀ\oen 61 Common Imperial Cheritra freja shÅn-hm-e³ 62 Common Small Flat Sarangesa dasahara Ipªn-¸-c-¸³ 63 Common Spotted Flat Celaenorrhinus leucocera \m«p- ]pÅn-¸-c-¸³ 64 Fulvous Pied Flat Pseudocoladenia dan sN¼-c-¸³ 65 Water Snow Flat Tagiades litigiosa Ce-ap§n 66 Indian Grizzled Skipper Spialia galba -]p-Ån-¨m-S³ 67 Chestnut Bob Iambrix salsala sN¦p-dp-¼³ 68 Common Banded Demon Notocrypta paralysos hc-b³ Nm¯³ 69 Pale Palm-Dart Telicota colon aª]\´pÅ³ 70 Dark Palm-Dart Telicota bambusae ]\´pÅ³ 71 Rice Swift Borbo cinnara ic-i-e`w

133 HIGHLIGHTS VANDIPERIYAR

Tamil Yeoman (atcm«nie`w). This species of Nymphalid butterfly is found in forested areas. This is the State Butterfly of Tamil Nadu

Sujith V Gopalan

Blue Mormon (IrjvWie`w). A species of butterfly belonging to Palpilionidae. This is the second largest butterfly in India. Sujith V Gopalan

Plain Tiger (Fcn¡vX¸n), As the bright colours suggest, they are unpalatable to most predators and hence widely mimicked.

Sujith V Gopalan

134 Three-spot Grass Yellow( Eurema blanda, aps¸m«³ ]m¸m¯n). A freshly emerged adult clingling on to the pupae.

Sujith V Gopalan

135 7.8 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM VANDIPERIYAR

Common name 14-03-19 08-06-19 18-07-19 02-08-19 21-08-19 28-08-19 1 Southern Birdwing 0 0 0 5 1 1 2 Malabar Rose 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 Common Rose 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 Common Bluebottle 0 0 0 0 2 2 5 Common Jay 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 Red Helen 0 0 0 1 0 1 7 Common Mormon 0 1 0 1 0 2 8 Blue Mormon 0 0 0 0 1 1 9 Common Emigrant 0 2 0 6 3 2 10 Mottled Emigrant 0 0 0 0 0 1 11 Common Grass Yellow 2 2 1 1 1 1 12 Three-spot Grass Yellow 4 5 2 2 0 2 13 Common Jezebel 0 0 1 0 0 0 14 Psyche 0 0 0 1 0 1 15 Chocolate Albatross 0 0 0 1 0 1 16 Great Orange-Tip 0 1 0 1 1 2 17 Common wanderer 0 0 0 0 0 1 18 Common Evening Brown 0 0 0 0 1 0 19 Great Evening Brown 0 0 0 0 0 1 20 Common Palmfly 0 0 0 1 0 0 21 Bamboo Treebrown 0 0 0 0 1 0 22 Common Treebrown 0 0 0 0 1 3 23 White-bar Bushbrown 0 0 0 0 3 1 24 Common Bushbrown 0 0 0 4 4 0 25 Dark-Branded Bushbrown 0 0 0 0 0 1 26 Gladeye Bushbrown 0 0 0 0 2 2 27 Common Five-ring 0 0 0 0 1 1 28 Common Four-ring 0 0 1 1 1 1 29 Cruiser 0 1 0 0 0 2 30 Rustic 0 0 1 2 0 4 31 Tamil Yeoman 4 2 0 1 0 2 32 Common Sailer 0 1 0 0 0 3 33 Clipper 0 0 0 0 1 1 34 Common Map 0 0 0 2 0 0 35 Angled Castor 0 0 1 0 0 1 36 Common Castor 0 0 1 1 1 0 37 Lemon Pansy 0 0 0 0 0 2 38 Peacock Pansy 0 0 0 1 0 1 39 Grey Pansy 0 0 1 0 0 0 40 Chocolate Pansy 0 2 0 1 1 2 41 Danaid Eggfly 0 0 0 0 0 1 42 Great Eggfly 0 1 0 0 0 0 43 Blue Tiger 0 0 0 0 0 2

136 44 Dark Blue Tiger 0 0 0 0 1 0 Common name 14-03-19 08-06-19 18-07-19 02-08-19 21-08-19 28-08-19 45 Glassy Tiger 0 1 0 0 0 1 46 Striped Tiger 0 0 0 1 1 0 47 Plain Tiger 10 7 1 1 0 2 48 Indian Common Crow 23 0 0 4 0 1 49 Malabar Tree-Nymph 0 0 0 0 1 0 50 Common Pierrot 0 0 0 1 0 1 51 Angled Pierrot 0 0 0 0 1 0 52 Banded Blue Pierrot 0 1 0 0 0 0 53 Hampson's Hedge Blue 0 0 0 0 1 0 54 Common Quaker 0 0 0 2 0 0 55 Common Lineblue 1 0 0 1 0 0 56 Common Cerulean 1 0 0 0 0 1 57 Tailless Lineblue 2 0 0 0 0 0 58 Tiny Grass Blue 0 2 0 0 0 1 59 Manttailed Oakblue 0 0 1 0 0 0 60 Centaur Oakblue 2 0 0 0 1 2 61 Common Imperial 0 0 0 0 0 0 62 Common Small Flat 0 0 0 0 1 0 63 Common Spotted Flat 0 0 0 0 0 1 64 Fulvous Pied Flat 0 0 0 2 0 2 65 Water Snow Flat 0 0 0 1 0 0 66 Indian Grizzled Skipper 0 0 0 0 1 0 67 Chestnut Bob 0 0 0 0 1 1 68 Common Banded Demon 0 0 0 3 0 0 69 Pale Palm-Dart 0 0 0 0 0 1 70 Dark Palm-Dart 0 0 0 0 0 1 71 Rice Swift 0 0 0 0 0 1 7.9 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Butterflies at Vallakadavu

67 70 Species Adundance 60

49 49 50 46

40 36

29 27 27 30

20 14 11 9 10 10

0 14-03-19 08-06-19 18-07-19 02-08-19 21-08-19 28-08-19

137 8.0 CHECKLIST OF BUTTERFLIES DOCUMENTED FROM THE STUDY

Common name Species name Malayalam name Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera FAMILY: PAPILIONIDAE 1 Southern Birdwing Troides minos KcpUie`w 2 Malabar Rose Pachliopta pandiyana ae_mÀ tdmkv 3 Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae \m«ptdmkv 4 Common Bluebottle Graphium sarpedon \oe¡pSp¡ 5 Common Jay Graphium doson \m«p¡pSp¡ 6 Tailed Jay Graphium agamemnon hndhme³ 7 Common Mime Papilio clytia hg\¸q¼mä 8 Lime Butterfly Papilio demoleus \mcIie`w 9 Red Helen Papilio helenus Np«n¡dp¸³ 10 Malabar Raven Papilio dravidarum ae_mÀ dmh³ 11 Common Mormon Papilio polytes \mcIie`w 12 Blue Mormon Papilio polymnestor ae_mÀ dmh³ 13 Malabar banded Peacock Papilio buddha _p²abqcn 14 Paris Peacock Papilio paris Np«nabqcn FAMILY: PIERIDAE 15 Common Emigrant Catopsilia pomona aª-¯-I-c-ap¯n 16 Mottled Emigrant Catopsilia pyranthe X-I-c-ap¯n 17 Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe aª]m¸m¯n 18 Three-spot Grass Yellow Eurema blanda aps]m«³- ]m¸m¯n 19 One-spot Grass Yellow Eurema andersonii tNme]m-¸m¯n 20 Painted Sawthooth Prioneris sita tNmehnem-kn\n 21 Common Jezebel Delias eucharis hnem-kn\n 22 Psyche Leptosia nina s]m«psh-Åm«n 23 Common Albatross Appias albina BÂ_t{Smkv 24 Chocolate Albatross Appias lyncida tNmt¢äv BÂ_t{Smkv 25 Great Orange-Tip Hebomoia glaucippe sN©nd-I³ 26 Common Wanderer Pareronia hippia \mtSmSn FAMILY: NYMPHALIDAE 27 Blue Tiger Tirumala limniace \oe-¡-Sph 28 Dark Blue Tiger Tirumala septentrionis Icn-\o-e-¡-Sph 29 Glassy Tiger Parantica aglea sXfn-\o-e-¡-Sph 30 Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus Fcn¡vX¸n 31 Striped Tiger Danaus genutia hc-b³¡-Sph 32 Indian Common Crow Euploea core Ac-fn-i-e`w 33 Malabar Tree-Nymph Idea malabarica h\-tZ-hX 34 Common Evening Brown Melanitis leda Icn-bneie`w 35 Great Evening Brown Melanitis zitenius h³Icn-bneie`w 36 Common Palmfly Elymnias hypermnestra Hme-¡-³ 37 Bamboo Treebrown Lethe europa apf-´-hn-S³ 38 Common Treebrown Lethe rohria a-e´-hn-S³ 138 Common name Species name Malayalam name 39 White-bar Bushbrown Mycalesis anaxias ]pÅn-Xhn-S³ 40 Common Bushbrown Mycalesis perseus Xhn-S³ 41 Dark-Branded Bushbrown Mycalesis mineus CcqÄhc-b³ Xhn-S³ 42 Medus Brown Orsotriaena medus Idp-¸³ 43 Long-Branded Bushbrown Mycalesis visala \oÄhc-b³ -Xhn-S³ 44 Gladeye Bushbrown Mycalesis junonia ]q¦®n 45 Tamil Lacewing Cethosia mahratta ssekv ie`w 46 Tamil Catseye Zipaetis saitis ]q¨-¡®n 47 Common Five-ring Ypthima baldus ]©-t\{Xn 48 Common Four-ring Ypthima huebneri \mÂ¡®n 49 Common Nawab Charaxes athamas \hm_v 50 Cruiser Vindula erota {Iqbn-kÀ 51 Rustic Cupha erymanthis hb-¦-X³ 52 Common Leopard Phalanta phalantha ]pen-s¯-¿³ 53 Tamil Yeoman Cirrochroa thais atcm«nie`w 54 Common Sailer Neptis hylas s]m´-¨p-ä³ 55 Common Map Cyrestis thyodamas ta¸v ie`w 56 Clipper Parthenos sylvia ¢n¸À 57 Commander Moduza procris shÅn-e-t¯mgn 58 Common Castor Ariadne merione Bh-W-t¨m-¸³ 59 Angled Castor Ariadne ariadne Nn{X-I³ 60 Twany Coaster Acraea violae Xo¨n-d-I³ 61 Lemon Pansy Junonia lemonias ]pÅn-¡p-dp-¼³ 62 Peacock Pansy Junonia almana abnÂ¡®n 63 Grey Pansy Junonia atlites h-bÂt¡mX 64 Chocolate Pansy Junonia iphita tNm¡vteäv ie`w 65 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Nn{XnX 66 Blue Admiral Kaniska canace \oe-cm-P³ 67 Danaid Eggfly Hypolimnas misippus sNm«-i-e`w 68 Great Eggfly Hypolimnas bolina h³sNm-«-i-e`w FAMILY: RIODINIDAE 69 Plum Judy Abisara echerius B«¡m-cn FAMILY: LYCAENIDAE 70 Apefly Spalgis epeus aÀ¡Si-e`w 71 Common Pierrot Castalius rosimon \m«p-tIm-amfn 72 Angled Pierrot Caleta decidia hc-b³ tImamfn 73 Banded Blue Pierrot Discolampa ethion \oe-h-c-b³ tImamfn 74 Zebra Blue Leptotes plinius ko{_-\oen 75 Hampson's Hedge Blue Acytolepis lilacea Im«p-th-en-\oen 76 Plain Hedge Blue Celastrina lavendularis then-\oen 77 Common Quaker Neopithecops zalmora ]mW-ep®n 78 Malayan Megisba malaya ae-b³ 79 Gram Blue Euchrysops cnejus ]bÀ\oen 80 Pea Blue Lampides boeticus ]«m-Wn-\oen 81 Common Cerulean Jamides celeno s]m«phm-em«n 82 Common Lineblue Zizula hylax Nn¶-]pÂ\oen 139 Common name Species name Malayalam name 83 Tailless Lineblue Prosotas dubiosa hcb³\oen 84 Tiny Grass Blue Zizula hylax Nn¶-]pÂ\oen 85 Manttailed Oakblue Thaduka multicaudata XfnÀ\oen 86 Centaur Oakblue Arhopala centaurus bh\ XfnÀ\oen 87 Yamfly Loxura atymnus Ipªnhm-e³ 88 Monkey Puzzle Rathinda amor Ccp-X-e¨n 89 Red Pierrot Talicada nyseus sNt¦m-amfn 90 Common Imperial Cheritra freja shÅn-hm-e³ 91 Indian Sunbeam Curetis thetis kqcy-i-e`w 92 Slate Flash Rapala manea tÉäv ^vfmjv FAMILY: HESPERIIDAE 93 White-banded Awl Hasora taminatus shÅn hcb\mc 94 Common Awl Hasora badra ]pÅnbmc 95 Indian Awlking Choaspes benjaminii BccmP³ 96 Hampson's Hedge Hopper Baracus hampsoni thenXpÅ³ 97 Pygmy Scrub Hopper Aeromachus pygmaeus Nn¶]pÂ¨mS³ 98 Bush Hopper Ampittia dioscorides s]m´¨mS³ 99 Common Dartlet Oriens gola \m«pNn¶³ 100 Common Small Flat Sarangesa dasahara Ipªn-¸-c-¸³ 101 Common Spotted Flat Celaenorrhinus leucocera \m«p- ]pÅn-¸-c-¸³ 102 Fulvous Pied Flat Pseudocoladenia dan sN¼-c-¸³ 103 Water Snow Flat Tagiades litigiosa Ce-ap§n 104 Indian Grizzled Skipper Spialia galba -]p-Ån-¨m-S³ 105 Chestnut Angle Odontoptilum angulata hc-b³-]-c-¸³ 106 Dusky Partwing Psolos fuligo tNcm-¨n-d-I³ 107 Chestnut Bob Iambrix salsala sN¦p-dp-¼³ 108 Madras Ace Thoressa honorei klym{ZokmbIw 109 Common Banded Demon Notocrypta paralysos \m«phcb\mc 110 Oriental Palm Bob Suastus gremius ]\-¦p-dp-¼³ 111 Giant Redeye Gangara thyrsis h³sN¦®n 112 Drak Grass Blue Zizeeria karsandra Ccqf³ ]pÂ\oen 113 Common Grass Dart Taractrocera maevius \m«p]pÂXpÅ³ 114 Tamil Grass Dart Taractrocera ceramas aª]pÂXpÅ³ 115 Pale Palm-Dart Telicota colon aª]\´pÅ³ 116 Dark Palm-Dart Telicota bambusae ]\´pÅ³ 117 Ceylon Swift Parnara bada kntem¬ icie`w 118 Rice Swift Borbo cinnara ic-i-e`w

8.1 Family based representation of Butterfly diversity

50 42 40 23 25 30 14 20 12 10 1 0 140 PAPILIONIDAE PIERIDAE NYMPHALIDAE RIODINIDAE LYCAENIDAE HESPERIIDAE 8.2 Seasonal abundance of Butterflies documented in the current study

180 174

160

137 140

121 120 115 107

100

80 67 63 64 61 61 60 60 50 49 49 45 44 42 38 40 36 34 36 29 28 25 22 23 24 19 21 20 14 12 11 9 4 6 6 6 5 2 0 2 2 0

141 Kattampally Pookode Kole Vallakadavu Vembanad Upper kuttanad Vazhachal 142

8.3 Seasonal diversity of Butterflies documented in the current study

140 137

120

100

46 41 40 31 27 27 28 27 27 27 27 27 22 21 21 20 19 20 17 13 13 14 14 11 9 10 10 6 6 6 6 5 4 4 4 5 3 3 2 3 2 2 0 0 Kattampally Pookode Kole Vallakadavu Vembanad Upper kuttanad Vazhachal BUTTERFLY - RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Butterflies are quick to react to minor changes in the environment making them good ecological indicators and also an early warning system for shrinking wilderness. The study was carried out across some of the best butterfly habitats in the State. Unlike birds, there is no data available for butterflies prior to the floods for comparison. Hence the presence of particular species and their abundance was used to judge the effect of flood on butterflies of the State.

The analysis of data indicates that the diversity of butterflies have had notable reduction, which could be an impact of the flood. As the study progressed from January to August 2019, the diversity and abundance of butterflies showed a steady increase; this can be largely for the fact that the diversity and abundance are higher in August as this coincides with the flight season for majority of the species. August is also associated with the greening and flowering of much of the landscapes of the State.

The population and diversity of butterflies belonging to Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae is noted to have considerable decline till August 2019. The diversity of species belonging to these families was quite too low in Pookode, Vazhachal and Vallkadavu, while it is also noted that certain species like Dark Grass Blue and Ceylon swift were sighted in large numbers in low altitude wetlands.

Butterflies like Chocolate Pansy, Peacock Pansy and Grey Pansy that were usually sighted in good numbers in both wetlands and midland forests prior to the flood had notable reduction in numbers during the initial surveys. Towards the end of the study, the diversity and abundance of butterflies belonging to Papilionidae, Pieridae and Nymphalidae showed steady increase, both in diversity and abundance.

The experts are of the opinion that the flood could have resulted in the destruction of egg and larval forms of many of the butterfly species. Much of the larval forms would have been washed downstream during the flashflood and some of the larvae that survived may not have had enough food because of the limited access to their host plants. It was noted that the butterflies sighted soon after the flood were smaller in size, maybe for the reason that the larval forms of many of the species could not take proper feed.

The reasons for the reduction in diversity and abundance of Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae is largely for the fact that Lycaenidae have relatively smaller larvae and hence their chances for being washed down in torrential rain and flood are more. While much of the Hesperiidae have their host plants in grasses, palms and bamboos, all of them are prone to impact of flood for the lesser shelter they can offer to the egg and larval forms that thrive on them. The pupae also could have been affected by the penetration of water from the heavy and continuous rains. The egg, larval and pupal forms of the butterfly on the grasses might have submerged in flood water causing decline in their population.

According to experts, though butterflies show considerable impact of flood on their diversity and abundance, their populations can pick up given an undisturbed situation in the days ahead. The abundance and diversity has not gone very low as an impact of the floods, but what concerns more is the large scale habitat destruction that could drive much of the species to the verge of local extinction.

At sites like Pookode, Kattampally and Vembanad, more than the flood impact, the unscientific constructions and anthropogenic activities have impacted the population of the butterflies. 143 The unscientific construction at Pookode has led to a decrease in diversity and abundance of butterflies. Only 73 of the previously recorded 88 species (Pookode Biodiversity Register) could be documented during the study. Unlike other sites, Pookode showed reduction in diversity and abundance throughout the progress of the study. The unscientific constructions have led to microhabitat loss around the Lake.

The land filling in Kattampally has directly impacted the study as part of study area was altered during the course of the study. The land filling will lead to destruction of many of the host and nectaring plants. The land filling is also known as one of the main cause for the spread of invasive species like Mikania micrantha.

The burning of paddy stubbles in Upper Kuttanad and Vembanad has impacted the study as well, as many of the larval, egg, pupae forms of butterflies belonging to Hesperiidae family might have been destroyed during the large scale burning of paddy fields.

Hampson’s Hedge Hopper(). This is a rare species of hesperiidae recorded from Pookode

Sujith V Gopalan

Common Palmfly (Hme-¡-³). Pupa found at Pookode Lake.

Sujith V Gopalan

144 SOME BUTTERFLIES PHOTOGRAPHED

COMMON BLUEBOTTLE MALABAR RAVEN \oe¡pSp¡ ae_mÀ dmh³ Graphium sarpedon Papilio dravidarum

TAILED JAY THREE-SPOT GRASS YELLOW hndhme³ aps]m«³- ]m¸m¯n Graphium agamemnon Eurema blanda

TAMIL LACEWING GREAT EGGFLY ssekv ie`w h³sNm-«-i-e`w Cethosia mahratta Hypolimnas bolina

145A SOME BUTTERFLIES PHOTOGRAPHED

COMMON PIERROT COMMON CERULEAN \m«p-tIm-amfn s]m«phm-em«n Castalius rosimon Jamides celeno

COMMON LINE BLUE GRAM BLUE Nn¶-]pÂ\oen ]bÀ\oen Prosotas nora ardates Euchrysops cnejus

MADRAS ACE PALE PALM-DART klym{ZokmbIw aª]\´pÅ³ Thoressa honorei Telicota colon

146146 4. ODONATES

147 1. KATTAMPALLY

8.4 CHECKLIST OF ODONATES DOCUMENTED FROM KATTAMPALLY

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Anax guttatus Pale-spotted Emperor acXI cmP³ 2 Gynacantha bayadera Parakeet Darner X¯½Xp¼n 3 Gynacantha dravida Brown Darner kqNnhme³ cmsImXn¨n 4 Aethriamanta brevipennis Scarlet Marsh Hawk tNm¸³ Ipdphme³ 5 Brachydiplax chalybea Rufous-Backed Marsh Hawk Xhn«p sh®od³ 6 Brachydiplax sobrina Little Blue Marsh Hawk sNdp sh®od³ 7 Brachythemis contaminata Ditch Jewel N§mXn Xp¼n 8 Bradinopyga geminata Granite Ghost aXnÂXp¼n 9 Crocothemis servilia Ruddy Marsh Skimmer hbÂXp¼n 10 Diplacodes trivialis Ground Skimmer \m«p \ne¯³ 11 Diplacodes nebulosa Black Tipped Ground Np«n \ne¯³ 12 Lathrecista asiatica Asiatic Blood Tail tNmchme³ Xp¼n 13 Lyriothmis acigastra Dwarf Blood Tail IpÅ³ hÀ®Xp¼n 14 Hydrobasileus croceus Amber Winged Marsh Glider ]m@³ ]cp´³ 15 Neurothemis fulvia Fulvous Forest Skimmer Xpcp¼³ Xp¼n 16 Neurothemis tullia Pied Paddy Skimmer kzman¯p¼n 17 Orthetrum chrysis Brown-Backed Red Marsh sN´hnS³ hymfn 18 Orthetrum glaucum Blue Marsh Hawk \oe hymfn 19 Orthetrum luzonicum Tricoloured Marsh Hawk XnhÀ®³ hymfn 20 Orthetrum pruinosum Crimson-Tailed Marsh Hawk ]hnghme³ hymfn 21 Orthetrum sabina Green Marsh Hawk ]¨ hymfn 22 Pantala flavescens Wandering Glider Xpem¯p¼n 23 Potamarcha congener Yellow-Tailed Ashy Skimmer ]pÅnhme³ 24 Rhodothemis rufa Rufous Marsh Glider sN¼³ Xp¼ 25 Rhyothemis variegata Common Picturewing HmW¯p¼n 26 Tetrathemis platyptera Pigmy Skimmer IpÅ³ Xp¼n 27 Tholymis tillarga Coral-Tailed Cloud-Wing ]hnghme³ 28 Tramea basilaris Red Marsh Trotter sN¼³ ]cp´³ 29 Tramea limbata Black Marsh Trotter Icn¼³ ]cp´³ 30 Trithemis aurora Crimson Marsh Glider knµqc¯p¼n 148 Species name Common name Malayalam name 31 Trithemis festiva Black Stream Glider ImÀ¯p¼n 32 Trithemis pallidinervis Long-Legged Marsh Glider ImämSnXp¼n 33 Urothemis signata Greater Crimson Glider ]m@³ hbÂsX¿³ 34 Zyxomma petiolatum Brown Dusk Hawk kqNnhme³ kÔyXp¼n 35 Vestalis gracilis Clear-Winged Forest Glory sNdnb XWÂ Xp-¼n 36 Aciagrion occidentale Green-Striped Slender Dartlet \oeNp«n 37 Agriocnemis keralensis Kerala Dartlet ]¯n ]pÂNn¶³ 38 Agriocnemis pieris White Dartlet shÅ ]pÂNn¶³ 39 Agriocnemis pygmaea Pygmy Dartlet \m«p ]pÂNn¶³ 40 Archibasis oscillans Blue-Banded Longtail Acp-hn Xp-¼n 41 Ceriagrion cerinorubellum Orange-Tailed Marsh Dart I\Âhme³ NXp¸³ 42 Ceriagrion coromandelianum Coromandel Marsh Dart \m«p NXp¸³ 43 Ceriagrion chromothorax Sindhudurg Marsh dart knÔpZpÀKv NXp¸³ 44 Ceriagrion rubiae Orange Marsh Dart Xo NXp¸³ 45 Mortonagrion varralli Brown Dartlet Icn-bn-e-¯p¼n 46 Ischnura rubilio Golden Dartlet aª ]pÂamWn¡³ 47 Ischnura senegalensis Senegal Golden Dartlet \oe ]pÂamWn¡³ 48 Pseudagrion decorum Green-Striped Grass Dart Cf\oen ]q¯men 49 Pseudagrion rubriceps Saffron-Faced Grass Dart sN½pJ¸q¯men 50 Pseudagrion microcephalum Blue Grass Dart \m«p ]q¯men 51 Lestes elatus Emerald Spreadwing ]¨ tNcm¨ndI³ 52 Copera marginipes Yellow Bush Dart aª¡men ]mÂXp¼n 53 Copera vittata Blue Bush Dart sN¦men ]mÂXp¼n

HIGHLIGHTS KATTAMPALLY

Lyriothemis acigastra, (IpÅ³ hÀ®Xp¼n). A species with very limited flight season after the onset of monsoon. Hence can be treated as an indicator species.

Harikrishnan S

149 Neurothemis fulvia (Xpcp¼³ Xp¼n). A species of dragonfly that is found mainly in forest areas sighted at Kattampally Wetland

Sujith V Gopalan

Ceriagrion chromothorax, (knÔpZpÀKv NXp¸³). A species recently described from Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, found from Kattampally.

Sujith V Gopalan

Diplacodes trivialis, A common species assuming “wheel” posture during mating .

Sujith V Gopalan

150 8.5 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM KATTAMPALLY

Species name 14-01-19 29-05-19 25-06-19 23-07-19 15-08-19 25-08-19 1 Diplacodes trivialis 1 1 4 6 9 12 2 Pantala flavescens 2 0 5 2 11 8 3 Neurothemis tullia 2 0 1 1 6 11 4 Lyriothmis acigastra 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 Orthetrum sabina 1 12 38 8 20 21 6 Crocothemis servilia 0 0 0 1 4 16 7 Brachythemis contaminata 0 0 13 5 2 0 8 Tholymis tillarga 0 0 0 2 0 0 9 Mortonagrion varralli 0 0 0 1 1 0 10 Ischnura rubilio 0 3 0 1 0 0 11 Rhyothemis variegata 0 1 3 1 1 0 12 Agriocnemis pygmaea 0 21 0 4 0 0 13 Hydrobasileus croceus 0 0 0 1 0 0 14 Aethriamanta brevipennis 1 0 0 0 0 0 15 Lathrecista asiatica 0 3 0 0 0 0 16 Ictinogomphus rapax 0 2 0 0 0 1 17 Trithemis pallidinervis 0 2 0 0 0 0 18 Orthetrum pruinosum 0 1 0 0 0 0 19 Ischnura senegalensis 0 1 0 0 0 1 20 Orthetrum chrysis 0 0 2 0 0 1 21 Ceriagrion olivaceum 0 0 1 0 0 0 22 Pseudagrion microcephalum 0 0 0 0 4 12 23 Anax guttatus 0 0 0 0 1 0 24 Ceriagrion coromandelianum 0 0 0 0 1 0 25 Ceriagrion chromothorax 0 0 0 0 0 4 26 Ceriagrion cerinorubellum 0 0 0 0 0 40 27 Trithemis aurora 0 0 0 0 0 1 8.6 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Odonates at Kattampally

140 128 Species number 120 Abundance 100

80 67 60 60 47 34 40

20 10 13 11 12 5 7 8

0 14-01-19 29-05-19 25-06-19 24-07-19 15-08-19 25-08-19

151 2. POOKODE

8.7 CHECKLIST OF ODONATES DOCUMENTED FROM POOKODE

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Anax guttatus Pale-spotted Emperor acXI cmP³ 2 Anax immaculifrons Blue Darner \oecmP³ 3 Gynacantha bayadera Parakeet Darner X¯½Xp¼n 4 Gynacantha dravida Brown Darner kqNnhme³ cmsImXn¨n 5 Hemicordulia asiatica Indian Emerald Im«p acXI³ 6 Heliogomphus promelas Spotted Lyretail ]pÅnhme³ tNme ISph 7 Ictinogomphus rapax Common Clubtail \m«pISph 8 Merogomphus tamaracherriensis Malabar Long Legged Clubtail ae_mÀ ]pÅnhme³ tNme¡Sph 9 Macrogomphus wynaadicus Wayanad Bowtail hb\mS³ ISph 10 Paragomphus lineatus Common Hooktail Nq@hme³ISph 11 Acisoma panorpoides Trumpet-Tail hme³ISph 12 Aethriamanta brevipennis Scarlet Marsh Hawk tNm¸³ Ipdphme³ 13 Brachydiplax chalybea Rufous-Backed Marsh Hawk Xhn«p sh®od³ 14 Brachydiplax sobrina Little Blue Marsh Hawk sNdp sh®od³ 15 Brachythemis contaminata Ditch Jewel N§mXn Xp¼n 16 Bradinopyga geminata Granite Ghost aXnÂXp¼n 17 Cratilla lineata Emerald-Banded Skimmer Im«p]Xp§³ 18 Crocothemis servilia Ruddy Marsh Skimmer hbÂXp¼n 19 Diplacodes trivialis Ground Skimmer \m«p \ne¯³ 20 Hydrobasileus croceus Amber Winged Marsh Glider ]m@³ ]cp´³ 21 Hylaeothemis indica Blue Hawklet \oe \oÀt¯mg³ 22 Neurothemis tullia Pied Paddy Skimmer kzmanXp¼n 23 Orthetrum chrysis Brown-Backed Red Marsh sN´hnS³ hymfn 24 Orthetrum glaucum Blue Marsh Hawk \oe hymfn 25 Orthetrum luzonicum Tricoloured Marsh Hawk {XnhÀ®³ hymfn 26 Orthetrum pruinosum Crimson-Tailed Marsh Hawk ]hnghme³ hymfn 27 Orthetrum sabina Green Marsh Hawk ]¨ hymfn 28 Pantala flavescens Wandering Glider Xpem¯p¼n 29 Rhodothemis rufa Rufous Marsh Glider sN¼³ Xp¼ 30 Rhyothemis triangularis Lesser Blue Wing Icn\oeNndI³ 31 Rhyothemis variegata Common Picturewing HmW¯p¼n 152

Species name Common name Malayalam name 32 Tramea limbata Black Marsh Trotter Icn¼³ ]cp´³ 33 Trithemis aurora Crimson Marsh Glider knµqc¯p¼n 34 Trithemis festiva Black Stream Glider ImÀ¯p¼n 35 Trithemis pallidinervis Long-Legged Marsh Glider ImämSnXp¼n 36 Urothemis signata Greater Crimson Glider ]m@³ hbÂsX¿³ 37 Epophthalmia vittata Common Torrent Hawk \m«p \oÀImhe³ 38 Macromia cf cingulata Rambur’s Torrent Hawk Bäp s]cpwI®³ 39 Vestalis gracilis Clear-Winged Forest Glory sNdnb XWÂ Xp-¼n 40 Aciagrion occidentale Green-Striped Slender Dartlet \oeNp«n 41 Agriocnemis keralensis Kerala Dartlet ]¯n ]pÂNn¶³ 42 Agriocnemis pieris White Dartlet shÅ ]pÂNn¶³ 43 Agriocnemis pygmaea Pygmy Dartlet \m«p ]pÂNn¶³ 44 Agriocnemis splendidissima Splendid Dartlet Im«p ]pÂNn¶³ 45 Ceriagrion cerinorubellum Orange-Tailed Marsh Dart I\Âhme³ NXp¸³ 46 Ceriagrion rubiae Orange Marsh Dart Xo NXp¸³ 47 Pseudagrion indicum Grass Dart aªhcb³ ]q¯men 48 Pseudagrion malabaricum Jungle Grass Dart Im«p ]q¯men 49 Copera marginipes Yellow Bush Dart aª¡men ]mÂXp¼n 50 Copera vittata Blue Bush Dart sN¦men ]mÂXp¼n 51 Esme mudiensis Travancore Bambootail sX¡³ apfhme³ 52 Onychargia atrocyana Marsh Dancer F®¡dp¸³

HIGHLIGHTS POOKODE

Hemicordulia asiatica, (Im«p acXI³). This endemic dragonfly species was reported after 80 years at Periyar Tiger Reserve in 2017. During the current survey, it was documented from Pookode Lake

Renjith J M

153 8.8 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM POOKODE

Species name 15-01-19 28-05-19 26-06-19 25-07-19 14-08-19 24-08-19 1 Anax guttatus 0 0 2 0 2 2 2 Anax immaculifrons 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 Gynacantha bayadera 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 Gynacantha dravida 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 Hemicordulia asiatica 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 Heliogomphus promelas 0 0 0 1 0 0 7 Ictinogomphus rapax 0 3 2 3 2 0 8 Merogomphus tamaracherriensis 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 Macrogomphus wynaadensis 0 0 0 2 0 0 10 Paragomphus lineatus 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 Acisoma panorpoides 0 0 1 0 2 0 12 Aethriamanta brevipennis 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 Brachydiplax chalybea 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 Brachydiplax sobrina 0 0 0 1 1 0 15 Brachythemis contaminata 0 1 0 0 3 0 16 Bradinopyga geminata 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 Cratilla lineata 0 0 0 0 1 0 18 Crocothemis servilia 4 0 0 0 0 0 19 Diplacodes trivialis 3 0 0 0 2 0 20 Hydrobasileus croceus 0 6 5 0 1 0 21 Hylaeothemis indica 0 0 0 0 0 1 22 Neurothemis tullia 0 9 7 9 8 8 23 Orthetrum chrysis 0 1 5 1 2 1 24 Orthetrum glaucum 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 Orthetrum luzonicum 0 3 4 0 1 0 26 Orthetrum pruinosum 1 0 0 0 1 0 27 Orthetrum sabina 1 1 0 0 0 0 28 Pantala flavescens 1 0 0 0 1 0 29 Rhodothemis rufa 0 0 2 2 1 0 30 Rhyothemis triangularis 0 0 12 0 8 1 31 Rhyothemis variegata 0 12 1 0 3 0 32 Tramea limbata 1 0 0 0 0 0 33 Trithemis aurora 1 1 2 5 4 3 34 Trithemis festiva 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 Trithemis pallidinervis 0 1 0 0 4 0 36 Urothemis signata 0 1 0 0 0 0 37 Epophthalmia vittata 0 0 2 0 0 0 38 Macromia cf cingulata 0 0 0 0 0 1 39 Vestalis gracilis 1 0 0 0 3 0 40 Aciagrion occidentale 3 0 0 2 1 1 41 Agriocnemis keralensis 4 0 0 0 0 0

154 Species name 15-01-19 28-05-19 26-06-19 25-07-19 14-08-19 24-08-19 42 Agriocnemis pieris 0 0 1 0 3 4 43 Agriocnemis pygmaea 2 1 0 0 4 0 44 Agriocnemis splendidissima 0 0 12 3 2 6 45 Ceriagrion cerinorubellum 5 16 26 14 16 7 46 Ceriagrion rubiae 1 0 0 0 4 5 47 Pseudagrion indicum 0 0 4 6 2 4 48 Pseudagrion malabaricum 0 0 0 0 0 28 49 Copera marginipes 1 0 3 0 2 2 50 Copera vittata 0 0 0 7 3 0 51 Onychargia atrocyana 0 14 10 0 0 0

8.9 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Odonates at Pookode

120 Species 105

100 Abundance 87 77 80 70

56 60

40 29 28 20 18 20 14 14 13

0 15-01-19 28-05-19 26-06-2019 25-07-2019 14-08-2019 24-08-2019

Rhyothemis triangularis (Icn\oe¨ndI³), A rare dragonfly recorded from Pookode.

Sujith V Gopalan

155 2. KOLE WETLANDS

9.0 CHECKLIST OF ODONATES DOCUMENTED FROM KOLE WETLANDS

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Anax guttatus Pale-spotted Emperor acXI cmP³ 2 Ictinogomphus rapax Common Clubtail \m«pISph 3 Acisoma panorpoides Trumpet-Tail hme³ISph 4 Aethriamanta brevipennis Scarlet Marsh Hawk tNm¸³ Ipdphme³ 5 Brachydiplax chalybea Rufous-Backed Marsh Hawk Xhn«p sh®od³ 6 Brachythemis contaminata Ditch Jewel N§mXn Xp¼n 7 Bradinopyga geminata Granite Ghost aXnÂXp¼n 8 Crocothemis servilia Ruddy Marsh Skimmer hbÂXp¼n 9 Diplacodes trivialis Ground Skimmer \m«p \ne¯³ 10 Hydrobasileus croceus Amber Winged Marsh Glider ]m@³ ]cp´³ 11 Lathrecista asiatica Asiatic Blood Tail tNmchme³ Xp¼n 12 Neurothemis tullia Pied Paddy Skimmer kzmanXp¼n 13 Orthetrum chrysis Brown-Backed Red Marsh sN´hnS³ hymfn 14 Orthetrum sabina Green Marsh Hawk ]¨ hymfn 15 Pantala flavescens Wandering Glider Xpem¯p¼n 16 Potamarcha congener Yellow-Tailed Ashy Skimmer ]pÅnhme³ 17 Rhodothemis rufa Rufous Marsh Glider sN¼³ Xp¼ 18 Rhyothemis variegata Common Picturewing HmW¯p¼n 19 Tholymis tillarga Coral-Tailed Cloud-Wing ]hnghme³ 20 Trithemis pallidinervis Long-Legged Marsh Glider ImämSnXp¼n 21 Epophthalmia vittata Common Torrent Hawk \m«p \oÀImhe³ 22 Urothemis signata Greater Crimson Glider ]m@³ hbÂsX¿³ 23 Aciagrion occidentale Green-Striped Slender Dartlet \oeNp«n 24 Agriocnemis keralensis Kerala Dartlet ]¯n ]pÂNn¶³ 25 Agriocnemis pygmaea Pygmy Dartlet \m«p ]pÂNn¶³ 26 Ceriagrion coromandelianum Coromandel Marsh Dart \m«p NXp¸³ 27 Ischnura rubilio Golden Dartlet aª ]pÂamWn¡³ 28 Ischnura senegalensis Senegal Golden Dartlet \oe ]pÂamWn¡³ 29 Paracercion calamorum Dusky Lily Squatter Np«nhme³ XmacXp¼n 30 Pseudagrion decorum Green-Striped Grass Dart Cf\oen ]q¯men \m«p ]q¯men 156 31 Pseudagrion microcephalum Blue Grass Dart HIGHLIGHTS OF KOLE

Paracercion calamorum (Np«nhme³ XmacXp¼n), is one of the rare species of Odonates. The species was recorded from Kole Wetlands during the current study.

Sujith V Gopalan

Epophthalmia vittata(\m«p \oÀImhe³), recorded from Kole Wetlands.

Sujith V Gopalan

Acisoma panorpoides female feeding on Ischnura rubilio male, an act of cannibalism in Odonates. Harikrishnan S

157 9.1 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM PULLU KOLE

Species name 16-01-19 30-05-19 27-06-19 13-07-19 26-07-19 29-08-19 1 Anax guttatus 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 Anax immaculifrons 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 Acisoma panorpoides 1 4 36 50 68 22 4 Aethriamanta brevipennis 0 0 2 0 0 0 5 Brachydiplax chalybea 0 1 0 0 5 5 6 Brachythemis contaminata 22 2 27 27 77 55 7 Crocothemis servilia 0 11 46 43 26 4 8 Diplacodes trivialis 1 4 15 2 0 0 9 Hydrobasileus croceus 0 1 2 0 0 0 10 Neurothemis tullia 0 3 36 25 8 3 11 Orthetrum sabina 11 11 20 6 7 1 12 Pantala flavescens 2 1 0 2 0 0 13 Rhodothemis rufa 0 2 1 0 1 1 14 Rhyothemis variegata 0 19 23 6 8 5 15 Tholymis tillarga 0 0 0 2 1 1 16 Trithemis pallidinervis 0 0 38 6 9 2 17 Urothemis signata 0 16 14 10 0 0 18 Agriocnemis pygmaea 1 1 29 28 4 24 19 Ceriagrion coromandelianum 0 1 1 2 0 2 20 Ischnura rubilio 0 0 2 2 0 0 21 Ischnura senegalensis 1 0 1 1 2 12 22 Pseudagrion decorum 0 0 1 0 1 0 23 Pseudagrion microcephalum 0 0 0 0 17 62

9.2 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Odonates at Kole Wetlands

294 300 Species Abundance 250 235 212 199 200

150

100 78

39 50 15 17 15 15 14 7

0 16-01-19 30-05-19 27-06-19 13-07-19 26-07-19 29-08-19

158 4. VAZHACHAL

9.3 CHECKLIST OF ODONATES DOCUMENTED FROM VAZHACHAL

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Anax immaculifrons Blue Darner \oecmP³ 2 Gynacantha dravida Brown Darner kqNnhme³ cmsImXn¨n 3 Burmagomphus laidlawi Plain Sinuate Clubtail NXpchme³ ISph 4 Ictinogomphus rapax Common Clubtail \m«pISph 5 Merogomphus tamaracherriensis Malabar Long Legged Clubtail ae_mÀ ]pÅnhme³ tNme¡Sph 6 Microgomphus souteri Pigmy Clubtail ISphmNn¶³ 7 Paragomphus lineatus Common Hooktail Nq@hme³ISph 8 Brachydiplax sobrina Little Blue Marsh Hawk sNdp sh®od³ 9 Brachythemis contaminata Ditch Jewel N§mXn Xp¼n 10 Bradinopyga geminata Granite Ghost aXnÂXp¼n 11 Cratilla lineata Emerald-Banded Skimmer Im«p]Xp§³ 12 Diplacodes trivialis Ground Skimmer \m«p \ne¯³ 13 Epithemis mariae Rubytailed Hawklet XoIdp¸³ 14 Lathrecista asiatica Asiatic Blood Tail tNmchme³ Xp¼n 15 Neurothemis fulvia Fulvous Forest Skimmer Xpcp¼³ Xp¼n 16 Neurothemis tullia Pied Paddy Skimmer kzmanXp¼n 17 Orthetrum chrysis Brown-Backed Red Marsh sN´hnS³ hymfn 18 Orthetrum glaucum Blue Marsh Hawk \oe hymfn 19 Orthetrum luzonicum Tricoloured Marsh Hawk XnhÀ®³ hymfn 20 Orthetrum pruinosum Crimson-Tailed Marsh Hawk ]hnghme³ hymfn 21 Orthetrum sabina Green Marsh Hawk ]¨ hymfn 22 Palpopleura sexmaculata Blue-Tailed Yellow Skimmer \oe Ipdphme³ 23 Pantala flavescens Wandering Glider Xpem¯p¼n 24 Potamarcha congener Yellow-Tailed Ashy Skimmer ]pÅnhme³ 25 Rhyothemis variegata Common Picturewing HmW¯p¼n 26 Tetrathemis platyptera Pigmy Skimmer IpÅ³ Xp¼n 27 Tholymis tillarga Coral-Tailed Cloud-Wing ]hnghme³ 28 Tramea limbata Black Marsh Trotter Icn¼³ ]cp´³ 29 Trithemis aurora Crimson Marsh Glider knµqc¯p¼n 30 Trithemis festiva Black Stream Glider ImÀ¯p¼n 159 Species name Common name Malayalam name 31 Trithemis pallidinervis Long-Legged Marsh Glider ImämSnXp¼n 32 Zygonyx iris Iridescent Stream Glider \otcm«¡mc³ 33 Zyxomma petiolatum Brown Dusk Hawk kqNnhme³ kÔyXp¼n 34 Neurobasis chinensis Stream Glory ]oenXp¼n 35 Vestalis apicalis Black-Tipped Forest Glory Np«n¨ndI³ XWÂ Xp-¼n 36 Vestalis gracilis Clear-Winged Forest Glory sNdnb XWÂ Xp-¼n 37 Heliocypha bisignata Stream Ruby \oÀamWn¡³ 38 Libellago indica River Heliodor Xhf¡®³ 39 Aciagrion approximans krishna Violet-Striped Slender Dartlet \oeNn¶³ 40 Aciagrion occidentale Green-Striped Slender Dartlet \oeNp«n 41 Agriocnemis pieris White Dartlet shÅ ]pÂNn¶³ 42 Agriocnemis pygmaea Pygmy Dartlet \m«p ]pÂNn¶³ 43 Agriocnemis splendidissima Splendid Dartlet Im«p ]pÂNn¶³ 44 Ceriagrion coromandelianum Coromandel Marsh Dart \m«p NXp¸³ 45 Ceriagrion olivaceum Rusty Marsh Dart Icnw]¨ NXp¸³ 46 Ceriagrion rubiae Orange Marsh Dart Xo NXp¸³ 47 Pseudagrion indicum Yellow-striped Grass Dart aªhcb³ ]q¯men 48 Pseudagrion rubriceps Saffron-Faced Grass Dart sN½pJ¸q¯men 49 Dysphaea ethela Black Torrent Dart Icn¼³ Acp-hnb³ 50 Euphaea fraseri Malabar Torrent Dart sN¦dp¸³ Acp-hnb³ 51 Lestes dorothea Forest Spreadwing Im«p tNcmNndI³ 52 Caconeura ramburi Coorg Bambootail ae_mÀ apfhme³ 53 Copera marginipes Yellow Bush Dart aª¡men ]mÂXp¼n 54 Copera vittata Blue Bush Dart sN¦men ]mÂXp¼n 55 Prodasineura verticalis Black Bambootail Icns©¼³ apfhme³ 56 Protosticta gravelyi Pied Reedtail ]pÅn \ngÂXp¼n HIGHLIGHTS VAZHACHAL

Merogomphus tamaracherriensis, (ae_mÀ ]pÅnhme³ tNme¡Sph). An endemic dragonfly species. This was documented during the current survey from Vazhachal

Sujith V Gopalan

160 9.4 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM VAZHACHAL

Species name 10-06-19 28-06-19 12-07-19 27-07-19 07-08-19 23-08-19 1 Anax immaculifrons 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 Gynacantha dravida 1 0 0 0 2 1 3 Burmagomphus laidlawi 0 0 1 4 0 1 4 Ictinogomphus rapax 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 Merogomphus tamaracherriensis 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 Microgomphus souteri 0 1 0 0 0 0 7 Paragomphus lineatus 0 0 1 0 0 0 8 Brachythemis contaminata 3 0 2 0 2 2 9 Bradinopyga geminata 0 0 2 5 0 3 10 Cratilla lineata 4 0 2 0 0 0 11 Diplacodes trivialis 0 1 0 0 3 3 12 Epithemis mariae 0 0 0 0 0 4 13 Lathrecista asiatica 0 0 1 0 0 0 14 Neurothemis fulvia 0 0 0 1 0 3 15 Neurothemis tullia 0 0 4 5 3 6 16 Orthetrum chrysis 4 0 14 5 6 5 17 Orthetrum glaucum 0 3 1 2 0 0 18 Orthetrum luzonicum 0 0 0 2 3 0 19 Orthetrum pruinosum 3 2 0 0 2 0 20 Orthetrum sabina 0 2 1 0 0 0 21 Palpopleura sexmaculata 0 0 0 0 0 1 22 Pantala flavescens 0 3 7 0 1 1 23 Potamarcha congener 0 0 1 0 0 0 24 Rhyothemis variegata 0 0 2 2 0 0 25 Tetrathemis platyptera 0 0 6 2 0 2 26 Tramea limbata 0 0 2 0 0 4 27 Trithemis aurora 7 7 3 7 3 5 28 Trithemis festiva 5 5 1 2 4 0 29 Trithemis pallidinervis 0 1 0 0 1 0 30 Zygonyx iris 6 5 3 0 1 1 31 Neurobasis chinensis 0 2 0 0 0 0 32 Vestalis apicalis 4 2 0 1 4 0 33 Vestalis gracilis 0 1 0 0 2 0 34 Heliocypha bisignata 10 1 1 0 2 1 35 Libellago indica 0 0 0 1 3 2 36 Aciagrion approximans krishna 0 0 1 1 0 1 37 Aciagrion occidentale 0 0 0 0 0 1 38 Agriocnemis pieris 0 0 4 1 0 4 39 Agriocnemis pygmaea 0 1 0 0 2 1 40 Agriocnemis splendidissima 0 0 5 1 0 2 41 Ceriagrion coromandelianum 0 0 1 0 2 1 42 Ceriagrion olivaceum 0 0 0 0 1 0 161 Species name 10-06-19 28-06-19 12-07-19 27-07-19 07-08-19 23-08-19 43 Ceriagrion rubiae 0 0 3 1 0 13 44 Pseudagrion indicum 0 0 2 0 2 3 45 Pseudagrion rubriceps 0 0 0 0 0 0 46 Dysphaea ethela 8 0 3 0 4 1 47 Euphaea fraseri 0 1 0 0 0 0 48 Lestes dorothea 0 0 3 0 2 7 49 Caconeura ramburi 0 0 0 0 2 0 50 Copera marginipes 0 0 8 0 1 0 51 Copera vittata 0 0 6 0 2 0 52 Prodasineura verticalis 0 0 1 1 0 0 53 Protosticta gravelyi 0 0 0 0 0 1

9.5 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Odonates at Vazhachal Reserve Forest

100 Species 92 90 Abundance 80 80

70 60 57 60

50 45 38 40 30 30 25 23 19 16 20 13

0 10-06-19 28-06-19 12-07-19 27-07-19 07-08-19 23-08-19

Epithemis mariae, (XoIdp¸³). A rare and endemic dragonfly species. This was documented during the current survey from Vazhachal

Sujith V Gopalan

162 5. NEDUMUDI (VEMBANAD)

9.6 CHECKLIST OF ODONATES DOCUMENTED FROM NEDUMUDI

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Ictinogomphus rapax Common Clubtail \m«pISph 2 Acisoma panorpoides Trumpet-Tail hme³ISph 3 Brachydiplax chalybea Rufous-Backed Marsh Hawk Xhn«p sh®od³ 4 Brachythemis contaminata Ditch Jewel N§mXn Xp¼n 5 Crocothemis servilia Ruddy Marsh Skimmer hbÂXp¼n 6 Diplacodes trivialis Ground Skimmer \m«p \ne¯³ 7 Neurothemis tullia Pied Paddy Skimmer kzmanXp¼n 8 Orthetrum sabina Green Marsh Hawk ]¨ hymfn 9 Pantala flavescens Wandering Glider Xpem¯p¼n 10 Potamarcha congener Yellow-Tailed Ashy Skimmer ]pÅnhme³ 11 Rhyothemis variegata Common Picturewing HmW¯p¼n 12 Tholymis tillarga Coral-Tailed Cloud-Wing ]hnghme³ 13 Trithemis pallidinervis Long-Legged Marsh Glider ImämSnXp¼n 14 Urothemis signata Greater Crimson Glider ]m@³ hbÂsX¿³ 15 Agriocnemis pygmaea Pygmy Dartlet \m«p ]pÂNn¶³ 16 Ceriagrion cerinorubellum Orange-Tailed Marsh Dart I\Âhme³ NXp¸³ 17 Ceriagrion coromandelianum Coromandel Marsh Dart \m«p NXp¸³ 18 Ischnura rubilio Golden Dartlet aª ]pÂamWn¡³ 19 Ischnura senegalensis Senegal Golden Dartlet \oe ]pÂamWn¡³ 20 Pseudagrion microcephalum Blue Grass Dart \m«p ]q¯men 21 Ceriagrion olivaceum Rusty Marsh Dart Icnw]¨ NXp¸³

Ictinogomphus rapax (\m«pISph) A common species of Clubtail.

Sujith V Gopalan

163 9.7 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM NEDUMUDI

Species name 15-03-19 09-06-19 18-07-19 03-08-19 19-08-19 30-08-19 1 Ictinogomphus rapax 0 0 0 0 2 1 2 Acisoma panorpoides 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 Brachydiplax chalybea 2 0 0 0 0 1 4 Brachythemis contaminata 11 128 4 11 26 31 5 Crocothemis servilia 10 0 0 10 3 46 6 Diplacodes trivialis 1 0 2 1 0 28 7 Neurothemis tullia 0 0 2 0 1 2 8 Orthetrum sabina 16 3 1 3 6 9 9 Pantala flavescens 3 1 0 2 4 0 10 Potamarcha congener 3 0 0 0 0 0 11 Rhyothemis variegata 0 7 0 18 2 6 12 Tholymis tillarga 0 0 0 0 0 3 13 Trithemis pallidinervis 3 76 0 0 0 0 14 Urothemis signata 0 2 0 0 1 0 15 Agriocnemis pygmaea 9 9 0 0 0 18 16 Ceriagrion cerinorubellum 3 2 0 0 0 0 17 Ceriagrion coromandelianum 4 4 0 0 4 2 18 Ischnura rubilio 0 10 0 0 0 3 19 Ischnura senegalensis 0 3 0 0 2 3 20 Pseudagrion microcephalum 2 6 2 0 1 2 21 Palpopleura sexmaculata 0 0 0 0 0 1

9.8 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Odonates at Nedumudi

300 Species Abundance 251 250

200 155 150

100 67 53 45 50 12 12 12 14 5 11 6 0 15-03-19 09-06-19 18-07-19 03-08-19 19-08-19 30-08-19

164 6. MELEPADAM (UPPER KUTTANAD)

9.9 CHECKLIST OF ODONATES DOCUMENTED FROM MELEPADAM

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Anax guttatus Pale-spotted Emperor acXI cmP³ 2 Ictinogomphus rapax Common Clubtail \m«pISph 3 Acisoma panorpoides Trumpet-Tail aIpSnhme³ 4 Aethriamanta brevipennis Scarlet Marsh Hawk tNm¸³ Ipdphme³ 5 Brachydiplax chalybea Rufous-Backed Marsh Hawk Xhn«p sh®od³ 6 Brachythemis contaminata Ditch Jewel N§mXn Xp¼n 7 Crocothemis servilia Ruddy Marsh Skimmer hbÂXp¼n 8 Diplacodes trivialis Ground Skimmer \m«p \ne¯³ 9 Hydrobasileus croceus Amber Winged Marsh Glider ]m@³ ]cp´³ 10 Neurothemis tullia Pied Paddy Skimmer kzmanXp¼n 11 Orthetrum sabina Green Marsh Hawk ]¨ hymfn 12 Pantala flavescens Wandering Glider Xpem¯p¼n 13 Rhodothemis rufa Rufous Marsh Glider sN¼³ Xp¼ 14 Rhyothemis variegata Common Picturewing HmW¯p¼n 15 Tholymis tillarga Coral-Tailed Cloud-Wing ]hnghme³ 16 Trithemis pallidinervis Long-Legged Marsh Glider ImämSnXp¼n 17 Urothemis signata Greater Crimson Glider ]m@³ hbÂsX¿³ 18 Agriocnemis keralensis Kerala Dartlet ]¯n ]pÂNn¶³ 19 Agriocnemis pygmaea Pygmy Dartlet \m«p ]pÂNn¶³ 20 Ceriagrion cerinorubellum Orange-Tailed Marsh Dart I\Âhme³ NXp¸³ 21 Ceriagrion coromandelianum Coromandel Marsh Dart \m«p NXp¸³ 22 Ischnura rubilio Golden Dartlet aª ]pÂamWn¡³ 23 Ischnura senegalensis Senegal Golden Dartlet \oe ]pÂamWn¡³ 24 Pseudagrion microcephalum Blue Grass Dart \m«p ]q¯men 25 Platylestes cf platystylus Green-eyed Spreadwing ]¨¡®³ tNcm¨ndI³

Agriocnemis keralensis (]¯n ]pÂNn¶³), A species endemic to Western Ghats 165165 10.0 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM MELEPADAM

Species name 16-03-19 11-06-19 20-07-19 04-08-19 20-08-19 31-08-19 1 Anax guttatus 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 Ictinogomphus rapax 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 Acisoma panorpoides 12 0 2 2 1 7 4 Aethriamanta brevipennis 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 Brachydiplax chalybea 0 0 23 12 4 7 6 Brachythemis contaminata 22 90 40 103 36 39 7 Crocothemis servilia 21 0 0 4 0 0 8 Diplacodes trivialis 0 0 3 7 0 2 9 Hydrobasileus croceus 0 1 0 0 0 0 10 Neurothemis tullia 1 0 2 17 5 11 11 Orthetrum sabina 37 10 3 0 2 0 12 Pantala flavescens 0 0 0 0 0 2 13 Rhodothemis rufa 0 0 0 1 4 0 14 Rhyothemis variegata 5 2 5 7 1 0 15 Tholymis tillarga 0 0 4 6 0 0 16 Trithemis pallidinervis 1 16 1 5 2 0 17 Urothemis signata 23 1 3 0 0 0 18 Agriocnemis keralensis 0 0 5 13 1 14 19 Agriocnemis pygmaea 0 3 20 54 13 23 20 Ceriagrion cerinorubellum 0 0 0 1 7 7 21 Ceriagrion coromandelianum 0 0 1 0 11 8 22 Ischnura rubilio 0 0 2 0 0 0 23 Ischnura senegalensis 0 8 9 37 6 13 24 Pseudagrion microcephalum 0 17 46 109 20 26 25 Platylestes cf platystylus 0 0 0 0 1 1

10.1 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Odonates at Melepadam

400 380 Species Abundance 350

300

250

200 169 160 149 150 122 114

100

50 16 16 8 10 15 13

0 16-03-19 11-06-19 20-07-19 04-08-19 20-08-19 31-08-19 166 7. VANDIPERIYAR

10.2 CHECKLIST OF ODONATES DOCUMENTED FROM VANDIPERIYAR

Species name Common name Malayalam name 1 Anax immaculifrons Blue Darner \oecmP³ 2 Hemicordulia asiatica Indian Emerald Im«p acXI³ 3 Burmagomphus laidlawi Plain Sinuate Clubtail NXpchme³ ISph 4 Heliogomphus promelas Spotted Lyretail ]pÅnhme³ tNme ISph 5 Microgomphus souteri Pigmy Clubtail ISphmNn¶³ 6 Brachythemis contaminata Ditch Jewel N§mXn Xp¼n 7 Bradinopyga geminata Granite Ghost aXnÂXp¼n 8 Cratilla lineata Emerald-Banded Skimmer Im«p]Xp§³ 9 Diplacodes trivialis Ground Skimmer \m«p \ne¯³ 10 Neurothemis fulvia Fulvous Forest Skimmer Xpcp¼³ Xp¼n 11 Neurothemis tullia Pied Paddy Skimmer kzmanXp¼n 12 Onychothemis testacea Stellate River Hawk Im«p]pÅ³ 13 Orthetrum chrysis Brown-Backed Red Marsh sN´hnS³ hymfn 14 Orthetrum glaucum Blue Marsh Hawk \oe hymfn 15 Orthetrum luzonicum Tricoloured Marsh Hawk XnhÀ®³ hymfn 16 Orthetrum pruinosum Crimson-Tailed Marsh Hawk ]hnghme³ hymfn 17 Orthetrum sabina Green Marsh Hawk ]¨ hymfn 18 Pantala flavescens Wandering Glider Xpem¯p¼n 19 Tholymis tillarga Coral-Tailed Cloud-Wing ]hnghme³ 20 Tramea limbata Black Marsh Trotter Icn¼³ ]cp´³ 21 Trithemis aurora Crimson Marsh Glider knµqc¯p¼n 22 Trithemis festiva Black Stream Glider ImÀ¯p¼n 23 Trithemis pallidinervis Long-Legged Marsh Glider ImämSnXp¼n 24 Zygonyx iris Iridescent Stream Glider \otcm«¡mc³ 25 Zyxomma petiolatum Brown Dusk Hawk kqNnhme³ kÔyXp¼n 26 Epophthalmia vittata Common Torrent Hawk \m«p \oÀImhe³ 27 Macromia cf cingulata Rambur’s Torrent Hawk Bäp s]cpwI®³ 28 Macromidia donaldi Dark Daggerhead \ngÂ tImacw 29 Neurobasis chinensis Stream Glory ]oenXp¼n 30 Vestalis apicalis Black-Tipped Forest Glory Np«n¨ndI³ XWÂ Xp-¼n 31 Heliocypha bisignata Stream Ruby \oÀamWn¡³

167 Species name Common name Malayalam name 32 Libellago indica River Heliodor Xhf¡®³ 33 Agriocnemis pieris White Dartlet shÅ ]pÂNn¶³ 34 Agriocnemis pygmaea Pygmy Dartlet \m«p ]pÂNn¶³ 35 Agriocnemis splendidissima Splendid Dartlet Im«p ]pÂNn¶³ 36 Ceriagrion cerinorubellum Orange-Tailed Marsh Dart I\Âhme³ NXp¸³ 37 Ischnura rubilio Golden Dartlet aª ]pÂamWn¡³ 38 Ischnura senegalensis Senegal Golden Dartlet \oe ]pÂamWn¡³ 39 Pseudagrion rubriceps Saffron-Faced Grass Dart sN½pJ¸q¯men 40 Euphaea fraseri Malabar Torrent Dart sN¦dp¸³ Acp-hnb³ 41 Copera marginipes Yellow Bush Dart aª¡men ]mÂXp¼n 42 Copera vittata Blue Bush Dart sN¦men ]mÂXp¼n 43 Prodasineura verticalis Black Bambootail Icns©¼³ apfhme³ 44 Protosticta gravelyi Pied Reedtail ]pÅn \ngÂXp¼n HIGHLIGHTS VANDIPERIYAR

Macromidia donaldi, (\ngÂ tImacw). First record of the species from Periyar Tiger Reserve. The species was documented during the current study.

Sujith V Gopalan

Microgomphus souteri, (ISphmNn¶³). A gravid female sighted during the study from Vallakadavu, PTR

Sujith V Gopalan

168 10.3 TRANSECT DATA DOCUMENTED FROM VANDIPERIYAR

Species name 16-03-19 11-06-19 20-07-19 04-08-19 20-08-19 31-08-19 1 Anax immaculifrons 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 Hemicordulia asiatica 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 Burmagomphus laidlawi 0 1 0 1 0 1 4 Heliogomphus promelas 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 Microgomphus souteri 0 1 0 1 0 1 6 Brachythemis contaminata 3 1 0 8 6 7 7 Bradinopyga geminata 0 2 3 0 0 4 8 Cratilla lineata 2 0 0 1 0 2 9 Diplacodes trivialis 7 1 0 0 0 4 10 Neurothemis fulvia 0 1 0 0 0 0 11 Neurothemis tullia 0 0 0 8 0 2 12 Onychothemis testacea 0 0 0 0 1 0 13 Orthetrum chrysis 0 2 1 4 1 4 14 Orthetrum glaucum 0 0 0 0 3 3 15 Orthetrum luzonicum 1 0 0 0 0 0 16 Orthetrum pruinosum 1 2 0 3 0 3 17 Orthetrum sabina 11 3 0 0 0 1 18 Pantala flavescens 6 2 0 1 0 3 19 Tholymis tillarga 1 0 0 0 0 0 20 Tramea limbata 0 0 1 0 0 0 21 Trithemis aurora 9 25 8 26 9 12 22 Trithemis festiva 10 25 1 12 7 8 23 Trithemis pallidinervis 0 0 1 0 0 0 24 Zygonyx iris 0 9 0 1 0 2 25 Zyxomma petiolatum 0 0 0 4 50 40 26 Epophthalmia vittata 0 0 0 0 1 0 27 Macromia cf cingulata 0 0 2 0 1 0 28 Macromidia donaldi 0 0 1 0 3 4 29 Neurobasis chinensis 0 0 1 1 3 2 30 Vestalis apicalis 0 4 2 5 1 4 31 Heliocypha bisignata 0 4 12 32 13 14 32 Libellago indica 0 0 0 1 3 4 33 Agriocnemis pieris 1 0 1 2 4 3 34 Agriocnemis pygmaea 3 0 0 2 0 1 35 Agriocnemis splendidissima 0 0 1 0 0 0 36 Ceriagrion cerinorubellum 0 0 0 1 0 0 37 Ischnura rubilio 4 0 0 0 0 0 38 Ischnura senegalensis 0 0 0 1 0 0 39 Pseudagrion rubriceps 9 0 0 7 2 3 40 Euphaea fraseri 0 0 0 0 1 1 41 Copera marginipes 2 0 3 0 0 2 42 Copera vittata 0 0 2 1 2 2

169 Species name 16-03-19 11-06-19 20-07-19 04-08-19 20-08-19 31-08-19 43 Prodasineura verticalis 0 0 0 1 3 4 44 Protosticta gravelyi 0 1 0 0 0 0

10.4 Seasonal diversity and abundance of Odonates at Vandiperiyar

160 Species 141 Abundance 140 125 115 120

100 85

80 70

60 40 40 28 24 20 15 16 15 20

0 14-03-19 08-06-19 17-07-19 02-08-19 21-08-19 22-08-19

HIGHLIGHTS VANDIPERIYAR

Heliocypha bisignata, (\oÀamWn¡³). Documented community egg laying in Females of the species from Vandiperiyar, PTR .

Sujith V Gopalan

170 10.5 CHECKLIST OF ODONATES DOCUMENTED FROM THE STUDY

Common name Species name Malayalam name Class: Insecta Order: Odonata Suborder: Anisoptera Dragonflies IÃ³Xp¼nIÄ Family: Aeshnidae Darners kqNnhme³ IÃ³Xp¼nIÄ 1 Pale-spotted Emperor Anax guttatus acXI cmP³ 2 Blue Darner Anax immaculifrons \oecmP³ 3 Parakeet Darner Gynacantha bayadera X¯½Xp¼n 4 Brown Darner Gynacantha dravida kqNnhme³ cmsImXn¨n Family: Corduliidae Daggerheads acXI¡®·mÀ 5 Indian Emerald Hemicordulia asiatica Im«p acXI³ Family: Gomphidae Clubtails ISph Xp¼nIÄ 6 Plain Sinuate Clubtail Burmagomphus laidlawi NXpchme³ ISph 7 Kodagu Clubtail Gomphidia kodaguensis ]pgISph 8 Spotted Lyretail Heliogomphus promelas ]pÅnhme³ tNme ISph 9 Common Clubtail Ictinogomphus rapax \m«pISph 10 Malabar Long Legged Clubtail Merogomphus tamaracherriensis ae_mÀ ]pÅnhme³ tNme¡Sph 11 Wayanad Bowtail Macrogomphus wynaadicus hb\mS³ ISph 12 Pigmy Clubtail Microgomphus souteri ISphmNn¶³ 13 Common Hooktail Paragomphus lineatus Nq@hme³ISph Family: Libellulidae Skimmers \oÀ ap¯³amÀ 14 Trumpet-Tail Acisoma panorpoides hme³ISph 15 Scarlet Marsh Hawk Aethriamanta brevipennis tNm¸³ Ipdphme³ 16 Rufous-Backed Marsh Hawk Brachydiplax chalybea Xhn«p sh®od³ 17 Little Blue Marsh Hawk Brachydiplax sobrina sNdp sh®od³ 18 Ditch Jewel Brachythemis contaminata N§mXn Xp¼n 19 Granite Ghost Bradinopyga geminata aXnÂXp¼n 20 Emerald-Banded Skimmer Cratilla lineata Im«p]Xp§³ 21 Ruddy Marsh Skimmer Crocothemis servilia hbÂXp¼n 22 Ground Skimmer Diplacodes trivialis \m«p \ne¯³ 23 Rubytailed Hawklet Epithemis mariae XoIdp¸³ 24 Amber Winged Marsh Glider Hydrobasileus croceus ]m@³ ]cp´³ 25 Blue Hawklet Hylaeothemis indica \oe \oÀt¯mg³ 26 Asiatic Blood Tail Lathrecista asiatica tNmchme³ Xp¼n 27 Dwarf Blood Tail Lyriothmis acigastra IpÅ³ hÀ®Xp¼n 28 Fulvous Forest Skimmer Neurothemis fulvia Xpcp¼³ Xp¼n 29 Pied Paddy Skimmer Neurothemis tullia kzmanXp¼n 30 Stellate River Hawk Onychothemis testacea Im«p]pÅ³ 31 Brown-Backed Red Marsh Orthetrum chrysis sN´hnS³ hymfn 32 Blue Marsh Hawk Orthetrum glaucum \oe hymfn 33 Tricoloured Marsh Hawk Orthetrum luzonicum XnhÀ®³ hymfn 34 Crimson-Tailed Marsh Hawk Orthetrum pruinosum ]hnghme³ hymfn 35 Green Marsh Hawk Orthetrum sabina ]¨ hymfn 36 Blue-Tailed Forest Hawk Orthetrum triangulare \oe Idp¸³ hymfn 37 Blue-Tailed Yellow Skimmer Palpopleura sexmaculata \oe Ipdphme³ 171 Common name Species name Malayalam name 38 Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens Xpem¯p¼n 39 Yellow-Tailed Ashy Skimmer Potamarcha congener ]pÅnhme³ 40 Rufous Marsh Glider Rhodothemis rufa sN¼³ Xp¼ 41 Lesser Blue Wing Rhyothemis triangularis Icn\oeNndI³ 42 Common Picturewing Rhyothemis variegata HmW¯p¼n 43 Pigmy Skimmer Tetrathemis platyptera IpÅ³ Xp¼n 44 Coral-Tailed Cloud-Wing Tholymis tillarga ]hnghme³ 45 Red Marsh Trotter Tramea basilaris sN¼³ ]cp´³ 46 Black Marsh Trotter Tramea limbata Icn¼³ ]cp´³ 47 Crimson Marsh Glider Trithemis aurora knµqc¯p¼n 48 Black Stream Glider Trithemis festiva ImÀ¯p¼n 49 Long-Legged Marsh Glider Trithemis pallidinervis ImämSnXp¼n 50 Greater Crimson Glider Urothemis signata ]m@³ hbÂsX¿³ 51 Iridescent Stream Glider Zygonyx iris \otcm«¡mc³ 52 Brown Dusk Hawk Zyxomma petiolatum kqNnhme³ kÔyXp¼n Family: Macromiidae Torrent Hawk \oÀImhe³amÀ 53 Common Torrent Hawk Epophthalmia vittata \m«p \oÀImhe³ 54 Rambur’s Torrent Hawk Macromia cf cingulata Bäp s]cpwI®³ Family: Synthemistidae Tigertails tImac¯p¼nIÄ 55 Dark Daggerhead Macromidia donaldi \ngÂ tImacw Suborder: Zygoptera Damselflies kqNnXp¼nIÄ Family: Calopterygidae Glories acXIXp¼nIÄ 56 Stream Glory Neurobasis chinensis ]oenXp¼n 57 Black-Tipped Forest Glory Vestalis apicalis Np«n¨ndI³ XWÂ Xp-¼n 58 Clear-Winged Forest Glory Vestalis gracilis sNdnb XWÂ Xp-¼n 59 Montane Forest Glory Vestalis Submontana Im«p XWÂ Xp-¼n Family: Chlorocyphidae Stream Jewels \oÀcXv\³amÀ 60 Myristica Sapphire Calocypha laidlawi taLhÀ®³ 61 Stream Ruby Heliocypha bisignata \oÀamWn¡³ 62 River Heliodor Libellago indica Xhf¡®³ Family: Coenagrionidae Marsh Darts \ne¯³amÀ 63 Violet-Striped Slender Dartlet Aciagrion approximans krishna \oeNn¶³ 64 Green-Striped Slender Dartlet Aciagrion occidentale \oeNp«n 65 Kerala Dartlet Agriocnemis keralensis ]¯n ]pÂNn¶³ 66 White Dartlet Agriocnemis pieris shÅ ]pÂNn¶³ 67 Pygmy Dartlet Agriocnemis pygmaea \m«p ]pÂNn¶³ 68 Splendid Dartlet Agriocnemis splendidissima Im«p ]pÂNn¶³ 69 Orange-Tailed Marsh Dart Ceriagrion cerinorubellum I\Âhme³ NXp¸³ 70 Coromandel Marsh Dart Ceriagrion coromandelianum \m«p NXp¸³ 71 Sindhudurg Marsh D-art Ceriagrion chromothorax knÔpZpÀKv NXp¸³ 72 Rusty Marsh Dart Ceriagrion olivaceum Icnw]¨ NXp¸³ 73 Orange Marsh Dart Ceriagrion rubiae Xo NXp¸³ 74 Golden Dartlet Ischnura rubilio aª ]pÂamWn¡³ 75 Senegal Golden Dartlet Ischnura senegalensis \oe ]pÂamWn¡³ 76 Brown Dartlet Mortonagrion varralli Icn-bn-e-¯p¼n 77 Dusky Lily Squatter Paracercion calamorum Np«nhme³ XmacXp¼n

172 Common name Species name Malayalam name 78 Malayan Lilysquatter Paracercion malayanum aeb³ Xmac¯p¼n 79 Green-Striped Grass Dart Pseudagrion decorum Cf\oen ]q¯men 80 Grass Dart Pseudagrion indicum aªhcb³ ]q¯men 81 Blue Grass Dart Pseudagrion microcephalum \m«p ]q¯men 82 Jungle Grass Dart Pseudagrion malabaricum Im«p ]q¯men 83 Saffron-Faced Grass Dart Pseudagrion rubriceps sN½pJ¸q¯men Family: Euphaeidae Torrent Darts Acp-hnb³amÀ 84 Black Torrent Dart Dysphaea ethela Icn¼³ Acp-hnb³ 85 Travancore Torrent Dart Euphaea cardinalis sX¡³ Acp-hnb³ 86 Malabar Torrent Dart Euphaea fraseri sN¦dp¸³ Acp-hnb³ Family: Lestidae Spreadwings tNcmNndI³amÀ 87 Forest Spreadwing Lestes dorothea Im«p tNcmNndI³ 88 Emerald Spreadwing Lestes elatus ]¨ tNcm¨ndI³ 89 Green-eyed Spreadwing Platylestes platystylus ]¨¡®³ tNcm¨ndI³ Family: Platycnemididae Bush Darts ]mÂXp¼nIÄ 90 Coorg Bambootail Caconeura ramburi ae_mÀ apfhme³ 91 Yellow Bush Dart Copera marginipes aª¡men ]mÂXp¼n 92 Blue Bush Dart Copera vittata sN¦men ]mÂXp¼n 93 Marsh Dancer Onychargia atrocyana F®¡dp¸³ 94 Black Bambootail Prodasineura verticalis Icns©¼³ apfhme³ Family: Platystictidae Reedtails \ngÂXp¼nIÄ 95 Pied Reedtail Protosticta gravelyi ]pÅn \ngÂXp¼n 10.6 Family based representation of Odonate diversity

Platystictidae, 1 Platycnemididae, 5 Aeshnidae, 4 Corduliidae, 1 Lestidae, 3 Euphaeidae, 3

Gomphidae, 8

Coenagrionidae, 21

Libellulidae, 39

Chlorocyphidae, 3

Calopterygidae, 4

Synthemistidae, 1 Macromiidae, 2

173 174

10.7 Seasonal diversity of Odonates documented in the current study

30 30 28 28

25 25 24 23

20 20 20 19 18 17 16 16 16 16 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 14 14 14 14 13 13 13 13 12 12 12 12 11 10 10 10 8 8 7 6 5 5 5

0 Kattampally Pookode Kole Vallakadavu Vembanad Upper kuttanad Vazhachal 10.8 Seasonal abundance of Odonates documented in the current study

400 380

350

300

251 250

200 169 160 155 149 150 141 128 125 122 115 114 105 92 100 87 85 77 80 67 70 70 67 60 60 56 53 57 47 45 45 40 50 34 38 29 15 17 15 15 14 7 7 11 0 Kattampally Pookode Kole Vallakadavu Vembanad Upper kuttanad Vazhachal 175 Lestes dorothea (Im«p tNcmNndI³), A recent addition to the checklist of Odonates of Kerala.

Sujith V Gopalan

176 ODONATES - RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Odonates have a significant role as biodiversity indicators, biocontrol agents of vectors and water quality indicators. They have been in existence for more than 325 million years. The areas selected for the study are good habitats of Odonates. Since systematic data for comparison is limited to one of the study site i.e. Vallakadavu because of a survey conducted earlier by Indian Dragonfly Society at PTR in 2017 and 2018, much of the analysis is limited to the observations conducted in the field on species diversity and abundance.

The heavy rains, flood, soil erosion and movement of sediments have affected the larval population of Odonates. This was evident from survey reports by Indian Dragonfly Society in 2018. The survey was conducted in September 2018, immediately after the flood in August. The survey reports considerable decline in number of Damselflies and Dragonflies.

Since systematic data for comparison is limited, it would be incorrect to draw more conclu- sions, other than the ones below:

The flood has altered the microhabitat of Odonates; this is evident from streams and stagnant waterbodies. The population of Damselflies and Dragonflies have shown a drastic decline along streams as observed in the surveys conducted earlier. The study identifies a substantial decline in the population of many of the stream dwelling Damselfly species like Heliocypha bisignata, Libellago indica, Euphaea fraseri, Neurobasis chinensis, Copera marginipes, Copera vitata and Vestalis gracilis. This was very evident in the initial surveys conducted during January to March in the current study, whereas the population seems to have gradually picked up by August 2019 i.e. towards the last part of the study. It is clear that the flood has not affected the population of Odonates to the extent that it threat- ens their future existence. The survey targeted analyzing the population and diversity of certain species:

Lyriothemis acigastra is a species of Dragonfly that has a very limited flight season of less than four weeks in a year. The adults are seen flying in the month of June by the onset of monsoon and by July most of the adults die out after breeding and laying eggs. Eggs are laid in slow moving streams and ponds. The species are recorded more from the midland wetland ecosystem. During the survey, the species was spotted in Kattampally, Kannur which is a new record of the species from this place. Other than the record from Kattampally, the experts documented the species in good numbers from its al- ready reported midland habitats. The presence of this species in good numbers indicates that the flood has not impacted the population of the species. The flood in August could have washed away the eggs and larvae of the species from its habitat and could have brought considerable damage or even local extinction to this species.

Similar to Lyriothemis acigastra many of the species like Rhyothemis triangularis, Hemicordulia asiatica, Palpopleura sexmaculata and damselflies likeHeliocypha bisignata, Libellago indica, Euphaea fraseri, Neurobasis chinensis, Copera marginipes, Copera vittata, Pseudagrion indicum, Pseudagrion malabaricum, Pseudagrion rubriceps and Vestalis gracilis were monitored for their abundance in thier respective flight seasons. The study has documented good numbers of these species across the seven study sites. The results suggest that, after an initial drop in the population, the species have recovered 177 by August 2019.

The transect data from the current study was compared to the data from PTR Odonate Survey data from Vallakadavu in 2017 and 2018. The analysis of 2018 post flood data with 2017 pre-flood data indicates that the Odonate diversity and abundance had drastically declined after the flood of 2018. While comparing the 2018 PTR post-flood data with the current transect data (21st August 2019), it proves that the Odonata diversity and abundance have considerably come back over the time.

70 120 60

50 54

40 40 30 23 20 7 10 1 1 4 3 0 2 4 4 12 0 0 0 2 3 3 8 14 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 37 0 0 0 2 0 2 4 0 0 2 4 4 2017 0 0 3 0 0 2 2 0 1 3 0 0 2 1 2 2 4 2018 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2019 2017 Cratilla lineata Cratilla Zygonyx iris Epithemis mariae Epithemis Diplacodes trivialis Neurothemis tullia chrysis Orthetrum Acisoma panorpoides Acisoma Orthetrum sabina Orthetrum Microgomphus souteri Microgomphus Trithemis aurora Trithemis Burmagomphus laidlawi Burmagomphus Orthetrum glaucum Orthetrum Bradinopyga geminata Bradinopyga Trithemis festivaTrithemis Pantala flavescens Vestalis apicalis Vestalis Libellago indica Orthetrum pruinosum Orthetrum Rhyothemis variegata Brachythemis contaminata Brachythemis Copera vittata Macromidia donaldi Macromidia Euphaea fraseri Zyxomma petiolatum Palpopleura sexmaculata Neurobasis chinensis Neurobasis Agriocnemis pieris Heliocypha bisignata Copera marginipes Agriocnemis pygmaea Pseudagrion rubricepsPseudagrion Prodasineura verticalis Pseudagrion malabaricum Pseudagrion Aciagrion approximans approximans Aciagrion krishna

Migration: Pantala flavescens, the migratory Dragonfly has been sighted less in number compared to 2017 and 2018. The reduction in number can be attributed to delayed migration because of the ex- tended rainy season. But the numbers have been gradually increasing as observed in the field work in October 2019.

To conclude, the Odonate populations have been impacted by flood initially, but the current study identifies that they have gradually recovered and still continue to do so. The survey has documented the flight of many of the indicator species and the abundance of these species were considerably good to report that the Odonate populations have recovered from the impact of the flood.

The study further identifies that Odonates are the best among the indicator species studied. They reflect the changes in the environment instantly. By monitoring these species, the health of the ecosystem they thrive in can be monitored on real-time basis.

Onychargia atrocyana mating pair

178 SOME ODONATES PHOTOGRAPHED

BLUE DARNER WAYANAD BOWTAIL \oecmP³ hb\mS³ ISph Anax immaculifrons Macrogomphus wynaadicus

IRIDESCENT STREAM GLIDER PLAIN SINUATE CLUBTAIL \otcm«¡mc³ NXpchme³ ISph Zygonyx iris Burmagomphus laidlawi

TRUMPET-TAIL SCARLET MARSH HAWK aIpSnhme³ tNm¸³ Ipdphme³ Acisoma panorpoides Aethriamanta brevipennis

179 SOME ODONATES PHOTOGRAPHED

DITCH JEWEL RUDDY MARSH SKIMMER N§mXn Xp¼n hbÂXp¼n Brachythemis contaminata Crocothemis servilia

GROUND SKIMMER ASIATIC BLOOD TAIL \m«p \ne¯³ tNmchme³ Xp¼n Diplacodes trivialis Lathrecista asiatica

PIED PADDY SKIMMER BROWN-BACKED RED MARSH kzmanXp¼n sN´hnS³ hymfn Neurothemis tullia Orthetrum chrysis

180 SOME ODONATES PHOTOGRAPHED

BLUE MARSH HAWK TRICOLOURED MARSH HAWK \oe hymfn {XnhÀ®³ hymfn Orthetrum glaucum Orthetrum luzonicum

CRIMSON-TAILED MARSH HAWK GREEN MARSH HAWK ]hnghme³ hymfn ]¨ hymfn Orthetrum pruinosum Orthetrum sabina

WANDERING GLIDER YELLOW-TAILED ASHY SKIMMER Xpem¯p¼n ]pÅnhme³ Pantala flavescens Potamarcha congener

181 SOME ODONATES PHOTOGRAPHED

COMMON PICTUREWING PIGMY SKIMMER HmW¯p¼n IpÅ³ Xp¼n Rhyothemis variegata Tetrathemis platyptera

CORAL-TAILED CLOUD-WING CRIMSON MARSH GLIDER ]hnghme³ knµqc¯p¼n Tholymis tillarga Trithemis aurora

BLACK STREAM GLIDER LONG-LEGGED MARSH GLIDER ImÀ¯p¼n ImämSnXp¼n Trithemis festiva Trithemis pallidinervis

182 SOME ODONATES PHOTOGRAPHED

STREAM GLORY BLACK-TIPPED FOREST GLORY ]oenXp¼n Np«n¨ndI³ XWÂ Xp-¼n Neurobasis chinensis Vestalis apicalis

CLEAR-WINGED FOREST GLORY STREAM RUBY sNdnb XWÂ Xp-¼n \oÀamWn¡³ Vestalis gracilis Heliocypha bisignata

RIVER HELIODOR VIOLET-STRIPED SLENDER DARTLET Xhf¡®³ \oeNn¶³ Libellago indica Aciagrion approximans krishna

183 SOME ODONATES PHOTOGRAPHED

GREEN-STRIPED SLENDER DARTLET KERALA DARTLET \oeNp«n =]¯n ]pÂNn¶³ Aciagrion occidentale Agriocnemis keralensis

WHITE DARTLET PYGMY DARTLET shÅ ]pÂNn¶³ \m«p ]pÂNn¶³ Agriocnemis pieris Agriocnemis pygmaea

SPLENDID DARTLET ORANGE-TAILED MARSH DART Im«p ]pÂNn¶³ I\Âhme³ NXp¸³ Agriocnemis splendidissima Ceriagrion cerinorubellum

184 SOME ODONATES PHOTOGRAPHED

COROMANDEL MARSH DART ORANGE MARSH DART \m«p NXp¸³ Xo NXp¸³ Ceriagrion coromandelianum Ceriagrion rubiae

GOLDEN DARTLET SENEGAL GOLDEN DARTLET aª ]pÂamWn¡³ \oe ]pÂamWn¡³ Ischnura rubilio Ischnura senegalensis

BROWN DARTLET YELLOW-STRIPED GRASS DART Icn-bn-e-¯p¼n aªhcb³ ]q¯men Mortonagrion varralli Pseudagrion indicum

185 SOME ODONATES PHOTOGRAPHED

JUNGLE GRASS DART BLUE GRASS DART Im«p ]q¯men \m«p ]q¯men Pseudagrion malabaricum Pseudagrion microcephalum

SAFFRON-FACED GRASS DART BLACK TORRENT DART sN½pJ¸q¯men Icn¼³ Acp-hnb³ Pseudagrion rubriceps Dysphaea ethela

186 CONCLUSION

The flood that lashed the State in August 2018 has had different impacts on different faunal groups studied. The analysis of data from the current study indicates that the diversity and abundance of the invertebrate faunal groups like Odonates and Butterflies have had considerable decline in their numbers as a direct impact of the flood, while the vertebrate faunal groups studied had very less impact of the flood.

As the study progressed from January to March covering the summer months, to pre-monsoon April to May, and monsoon period of June to August, the invertebrate faunal groups showed recovery from the impact of the flood. Further, the flood of 2019 had very negligible impact on the abundance and diversity of the studied faunal groups in the locations studied.

The experts are of the opinion that the flood that affected the State has not disturbed the web of life and hence the equilibrium has been maintained which helped the faunal groups to recover at a faster rate. When a flood occurs, the predator, prey and ecosystem are all affected and even if a single species is affected drastically, it recovers provided they are left in an undisturbed habitat. RECOMMENDATIONS Availability of systematic and temporal data – The non availability of systematic data prior to the flood limited the study from having a more accurate data analysis. There are many studies related to fauna and flora taken up at different levels by individuals, institutions, NGOs, University Depart- ments, research scholars etc. in different time frames. But the issue is that, no standard protocol is used for data collection and also there is no collective repository of such reports. Reports are just shelved and people move to the next projects. Hence it is recommended that standard and uniform protocols have to be designed for surveys on flora and fauna groups and reports have to be made available in an authorized online database.

Ecological monitoring is of fundamental importance to natural resource management. In the larger spectrum that covers quantifying changes in climate, air and water quality, surface and ground water dynamics, monitoring the status and distribution of vertebrates like Birds and Amphibians and invertebrates like Odonates and Butterflies are as vitally important as studies on larger Mammals. Odonates can be considered to be a keystone species critical to the maintenance of the ecological integrity since their presence or absence is indicative of the quality of waterbodies. Similarly Amphibians, Birds and Butterflies also help aid in monitoring ecosystems in which they thrive.

The faunal groups impacted by flood have every chance to bounce back if the system they thrive in is left undisturbed. The current study has observed and documented unscientific construction and practices in the prime habitats of the State that needs urgent attention. The detailed documentation and recommendations follows.

The data generated by the study can be used as a baseline for future conservation actions. This data can also be used for systematic analysis of the area and also for ecological monitoring.

187 LAND FILLING-KATTAMPALLY

land filling was noted at various places at Kattampally.

Harikrishnan S

188 1. LAND FILLING - KATTAMPALLY Wetlands are one of the most undervalued ecosystems; but they provide a range of vital values, functions and services. They provide food; they filter water and offer a unique habitat for many different species. Wetlands contribute in no small way to our quality of life - indeed, to our very survival. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment gave wetlands a value of US$15 trillion in 1997. Kattampally is one of the perfect examples of a wetland ecosystem. It consists of variety of habitats from fresh/ brackish water swamp, tidal marshes, sub-tropical secondary scrub, paddy-fields and mangroves. Kattampally is a declared IBA and apart from birds it has been identified as the most biodiversity rich ecosystem among the other wetland ecosystems surveyed in the current study. During the course of the current survey, land filling was sighted at two locations at Kattampal- ly. Both of these land filling was across the transect area fixed at Kattampally. The first land filling was noted opposite Koyili College of Nursing (11° 56’ 7.8108” N, 75° 23’ 12.0084” E) which was across the bird transect of the current study at this site. The second land filling was larger in magnitude and a well-planned execution to fill up and convert the wetland into plots for other uses. This filling was at the end of the Odonate and Butterfly transects at (11° 55’ 13.116” N to 75° 22’ 27.984’E.). The filling was even evident in the Google Map. This filling of wetland in this particular location was a long-term process, as we ourselves have observed the filling twice during the study period. There are more of such land fillings happening at various locations in Kattampally that has been reported by locals. But this has not been documented in the current study for the reason that these were not along the transect area. At certain places, apart from filling with lateritic sand or the so-called waste sand, plastic and other trash was also used, which raises serious concern.

RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Strict action should be taken to counter such wetland filling activities. The State Wetland Authority Kerala (SWAK) needs to be informed of the same and strict action taken. 2. The Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) of the Panchayat has to take note of such illegal activities and take necessary course of action against the defaulters jointly with other concerned mainline Government Departments and enforcement agencies. 3. Conservation and restoration activities needs to be put in place at the earliest before permanent damage is done. 4. Many of the land filling is done using unsegregated waste which has large quantity of plastic waste and other trash which are non-biodegradable. This needs to be checked. 5. Awareness programs should be conducted targeting the local community, in which the local people should be made aware of the need for protecting the wetlands around to ensure their own survival and also the direct and indirect impacts of such rampant wetland reclamation activities. 189 UNSCIENTIFIC CONSTRUCTION-POOKODE

Interlock tiles paved around the walkway after elevating the stretch using concrete

Sujith V Gopalan

190 2. POOKODE LAKE - UNSCIENTIFIC CONSTRUCTION The high altitudinal unique freshwater lake of the State, which is well known for its aes- thetic value because of the beautiful lake with the natural greenery and forests around and the resultant high biodiversity, is now in a deteriorating condition. In the name of ecotourism, the authorities have knowingly or unknowingly converted the Lake into a closed system. The outflow from the Lake has been blocked for the past few decades to maintain the water level for boating to promote tourism. The walkway around the Lake was a partially tarred road till late 2018, and still that microhabitat which is the transition zone between the surrounding natural greenery and the water body maintained good butterfly activity as the mud and rocks were exposed in many locations and also it permitted inflow into the Lake from the surrounding areas at certain points. But by January 2019, the authorities had paved interlock tiles around the walkway after elevating the stretch using concrete. This has restricted the much needed inflow into the Lake from the surrounding marshes. The depth of the Lake has been considerably reduced over the years. There is high growth of Cabomba and other water weeds and also invasive species.

When many resorts and other tourist attractions across the State are spending time and money to develop Butterfly Gardens and ponds to promote the Butterfly and Odonate population of the area, Pookode Lake authorities have adopted unscientific constructions and activities in and around the Lake resulting in the destruction of the natural habitat for Butterflies and Dragonflies, ultimately facilitating biodiversity loss.

The transect data from the current study shows that the diversity and abundance of Butterflies has reduced since January 2019 in Pookode, compared to other sites, where it was observed to increase towards August i.e. the end of the study period.

The interlock tile roads have been built around the Lake to promote cycling. The tourists who have been visiting the area use cycles on rental basis which is charged per hour. Hence the tourists, especially youth, go multiple rounds around the Lake at maximum speed. In this process, they ride over the invertebrates and lower vertebrates. Solar lights have been erected at some points around the Lake. This could have some serious effect on moths and other invertebrates. The Lake opens after 8.30 am for tourists. Till 8.30 am there is good activity of birds and lesser mammals. As soon as the area is opened for tourists, with the resultant disturbance, the activity of birds and mammals decreases and diminish as the day progresses. The number of tourists that are allowed in, usually seen in large crowds, is much more than the carrying capacity of the Lake. The tourists have absolutely no activity linked to a better understanding of the lake ecosystem, surrounding forests and the inhabiting biodiversity. All the activities available to the tourists are in the name of adventure. The Fisheries Depart- ment has introduced cage culture in the Lake for Cyprinus species, whereas ideally it is not advisable to introduce cage culture into such freshwater lakes for the reasons of easy spread of diseases and chances of captive fishes escaping from the cage into natural waterbodies and competing with other endemic species. We need to be reminded of the fact that, the Pookode Lake is home to the endemic Pookode Lake Barb (Pethia pookodensis) which is Critically Endangered. The sight at Pookode Lake is one of the most alarming as for the destruction of a unique high altitude freshwater lake in the State.

191 RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Authorities should be cautious before making any interference in nature. Appropriate studies and consultations should be carried out covering seasonality before undertaking any such constructions, especially ones involving the alteration of the natural habitat. 2. Appropriate measures should be taken to restore the habitat around the Pookode Lake. The elevated walkway around the Lake and the pavement of tiles are unsuitable/ unscientific constructions. If they cannot be removed totally, they should atleast be altered to allow the inflow of water into the Lake and facilitate natural plant growth. 3. The number of tourists allowed is more than the carrying capacity of the area. Steps should be

taken to limit tourists entering the area for a particular period of time. 4. The ecotourism activities in and around the Lake are limited to adventurous activities. Steps should be taken to make the tourists, especially students and youth, more aware about the Lake, its surrounding ecosystems and inhabiting biodiversity. This can be done through guided transect walks and small classes or video sessions before allowing the tourists into the area. 5. The Lake is the only habitat of the Critically Endangered Pookode Barb (Pethia pookodensis). All efforts should be focused on the rejuvenation of the Lake which is critical not only for the Pookode Barb, but also for the numerous life forms that thrive in and around the Lake. The healthy suste- nance of the Lake is also critical for maintaining the water table of the area and hence should be top-priority for the local inhabitants. 6. The health of the Lake has to be monitored periodically and steps should be taken for the timely removal of algal weeds and other invasive species, which would help native species to regain their lost abode. 7. There are solar lights beings erected on poles at some points around the lake. This could cause disorientation to moths and other night flying invertebrates. Hence it is recommended to switch the lights off after evening hours.

Solar lights erected on poles around trek path of Lake. Exotic Fish Cage Culture in the middle of Pookode Lake

Sujith V Gopalan

192 BURNING OF PADDY FIELDS

During mid March, the paddy fields are set on fire. This deliberate burning is done across the farm lands of Vemband and Upper Kuttanad.

Sujith V Gopalan

193 3. BURNING OF PADDY FIELD The current study documented the post harvest burning of paddy paddy stubbles at Vembanad and Upper Kuttanad. The paddy fields are set on fire after the harvest season in March. The harvesting is seasonal and hence vast extents of paddy fields are harvested together in one go. And then, large hectares of the same paddy fields are burned at the same time, both day and night. This contributes largely to the loss of biodiversity in the area. Since large hectares are burned together, there is less chance for most of the faunal groups to escape the fire.

This was not the practice of the farmers in earlier days. Earlier, the straw was collected sepa- rately manually during the harvest itself and used as cattle feed in the local households or taken in bulk by companies to make cardboard. But now, most farmers rent a Combine Harvester, which leaves up to 80% of the residue in the field. Farmers are of the opinion that they don’t have the time or money to store the straw or plough the stubble back into the ground. With the increase in the usage of mechan- ical tractor, this issue has further escalated as the residual straw left behind after the harvest makes it difficult for the tractor to plough the land. This issue has been further aggravated by the low demand and value for straw. Hence the farmers have started following their North Indian counterparts by burning the paddy fields soon after harvest. The farmers also shared their own observation with the Study Team that this process also reduces pest activity and also brings considerable reduction in weed. Though this is easy, economical and beneficial for farmers, the consequence on the ecosystem and the surrounding atmosphere is alarming. India has seven of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, and toxic air was responsible for one in eight deaths in 2017. The life of a child born in India today is likely to be 2.5 years shorter because of poor air quality. The high air pollution recorded in our Capital City Delhi, mainly attributed to stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, has led to the closure of schools and halting public life for several days. It was reported that stubble burning contributed largely to about 40% of Delhi’s PM2.5 level, a measure of dangerous particles in the air. The day is not very far away, when extensive stubble burning in our paddy fields will bring down the quality of life in cities in our State too in the near future.

Apart from this, a study suggests that burning of straw reduces soil quality. Razing 1 ton of rice straw results in the loss of 5.5 kilograms of nitrogen, 2.3 kilograms of phosphorous, 25 kilograms of potassium and 1.2 kilograms of sulphur.

RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Awareness programmes have to be conducted to sensitise the farmers about the consequence of stubble burning on the ecosystem, its inhabiting lifeforms, on the environment and their health. 2. The farmers should be provided with an option to either sell the straws or an alternative has to be made where they can turn the straw to a value added product. 194 4. INVASIVE SPECIES The current study recorded high numbers, both species and individual count, of invasive species in most of the habitats covered under the survey. The invasive species recorded are listed below:

1. Big-sage (Lantana camara): This species was sighted all along the wetlands and high altitude transect areas in the current study.

2. Bitter vine (Mikania micrantha): This species of climber was documented in almost all the transects in all the seven locations in the current study.

3. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): This was sighted in large spreads in Kole and Vemband.

4. Cabomba (Cabomba sp): Cabomba was seen spread over 3/4th of Pookode Lake. This is also found in most of the ponds across the State.

5. Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta): This invasive species was found in most of the wetlands in the current study, and otherwise across the State also.

RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Invasive species pose serious threat to native plant and animal species and also to the ecosystem as a whole as they spread across at a very fast rate. Hence it is recommended that large scale awareness program has to be conducted to make the common man able to distinguish between invasives and native species, understand their dreadful ecological consequences and do the necessary to control it in the initial stages itself. Only large scale volunteering efforts can control and reduce the spread of invasive species in the State. 2. Measures should be taken to prevent the spread of invasive species. Recommendation for consti- tuting an Expert Committee is put forward to fine tune R&D efforts on invasives into practical field-oriented solutions and mobilise volunteer efforts to counter spread of invasive species. 195 5. ROAD KILLS The study recorded road kills at various transects during the present study. Amphibians are the major victims of such road kills. A rainy night transect at Nedumudi, Vembanad in July recorded 56 road kills in a one kilometer transect. These 56 kills included 47 Minervarya sp, 4 Hoplobatrachus tigrinus, 3 Euphlyctis sp, 1 Indosylvirana sp and 1 Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle (Chitra indica).

The road kills were not restricted to any one transect, but recorded at Kattampally, Vazhachal and Pookode. In Kattampally, Vazhachal and Nedumudi, where the transects were along the public roads, vehicles speeding through the road was the main cause of road kills; whereas in Pookode, it was the cycling tourists who was riding over many smaller species.

At Vazhachal, bikers were the main cause of such road kills, as a group of speeding bikers leave no chance for escape to a lower vertebrate crossing the road. The videos on social media are enough proof of the harassment the bikers cause to even bigger wildlife like Elephants, which can worsen the man animal conflict in these regions.

RECOMMENDATIONS Awareness to public by erecting sign boards at bio-diverse points. A group of fast driving bikers is now a regular sight at much of the roads that transect wildlife sanctuaries. These eco-tourists should be made aware of the concept of ecotourism and the need to maintain respectful distance from wildlife. Strict regulations should be put in place to limit speed of vehicles traversing such roads and the violators heavily penalized. 196 6. OTHER THREATS Apart from the threat of habitat destruction, unscientific construction and other interventions, road kills and invasive species, certain other threats to bird life have been documented during the course of the present study and that needs to be addressed. With regard to the construction of large halls with glass panels in resorts in natural settings, the present study records instances of bird deaths in Vandiperiyar. In many instances, the birds seem oblivious of the glass and attempt to fly through, eventually resulting in a head-on collision with the glass, which leads to the death of the birds. Two bird species were found dead in a day of our stay at the place which included an endemic species. Grey-headed Bulbul (Nmc¯eb³ _pÄ_pÄ) and Or- ange-headed Thrush (Ipdn¡®³ Im«p]pÅv). The locals informed us that they have witnessed more than seven bird deaths in a week’s time before.

Grey-headed Bulbul (Nmc¯eb³ _pÄ_pÄ) Orange-headed Thrush (Ipdn¡®³ Im«p]pÅv) RECOMMENDATIONS 1. The large glass paneled halls and houses with large windows need to paste colored stickers or sun film stickers on the glasses so as to enable the bird top clearly recognize the large glass wall or window as an obstacle in its flight path. Planting vertical gardens or climbers can also be considered. But birds like Asian Emerald Dove may not treat this as an obstacle as they are known for speeding among the woods in forest areas. 2. Regulations on building such large windowed houses and halls can also be considered. 197 Harikrishnan S

7. STRAY DOG PACKS HUNTING WILDLIFE

Packs of Stray dogs have been documented in the process of hunting wildlife in many places like Kattampally and Kole. There were also instances where they chased off nesting birds like Black-winged Stilt and Red-wattled Lapwing. At certain places near Wildlife Sanctuaries, stray dogs have also been reported seen hunting deers. There are studies that report the spread of Canine distemper from stray dogs to wildlife. Hence measures needs to be taken to control the population of stray dogs. 198 SITE SPECIFIC RESTORATION PROGRAM

1. KATTAMPALLY

• Eco-restoration of the reclaimed/ filled wetland and Wetland Awareness Program. • Removal of plastic and non-biodegradable waste from the wetlands with the help of volunteers. • Regular monitoring of biodiversity, systematic survey using standard protocols and temporal data to be collected and made available on an online portal. • Awareness to reduce usage of pesticides and promote organic farming. • Stray-dog population to be controlled using appropriate measures. • Awareness and volunteer effort for eradicating invasive species.

2. POOKODE

• Alteration of the trek path around the Lake so as to ensure better water inflow and outflow. • Plant butterfly host plants and selected nectaring plant to promote butterfly activity. • Regular monitoring of biodiversity, systematic survey using standard protocols and temporal data to be collected and made available on an online portal. • Guided ecotourism - awareness programmes for tourists. • Regulating lights along the trek path, especially during late evening hours. • Removal of invasive plants (aquatic and terrestrial). • Regulation in cycling and other adventurous activities that affects the surrounding microhabitat and inhabiting biodiversity.

3. KOLE

• Awareness to reduce usage of pesticides and promote organic farming. • Regular monitoring of biodiversity, systematic survey using standard protocols and temporal data to be collected and made available on an online portal. • Awareness and volunteer effort for invasive species control. • Awareness programmes among farmers to control stubble burning. • Alternatives to stubble burning to be provided.

4. VAZHACHAL

• Eco-tourism regulations. • Awareness programs for public using private vehicles through the reserve forest, especially bikers . • Removal of invasive plants. • Systematic survey using standard protocols and temporal data to be collected and made available on an online portal. • Regulation in use of plastic within the reserve forest limits and ensure proper disposal of used plastic and food waste.

199 5. UPPER KUTTANAD

• Awareness to reduce usage of pesticides and promote organic farming. • Regular monitoring of biodiversity, systematic survey using standard protocols and temporal data to be collected and made available on an online portal. • Awareness programmes to prevent stubble burning in paddy fields and long-term scheme for removal of straw post-harvest. • Removal of plastic and non-biodegradable waste from wetlands with the help of volunteers. • Eco-restoration of the reclaimed/ filled wetland and Wetland Awareness Program. • Awareness and volunteer effort for invasive species control.

6. VEMBANAD

• Awareness to reduce usage of pesticides and promote organic farming. • Regular monitoring of biodiversity, systematic survey using standard protocols and temporal data to be collected and made available on an online portal. • Awareness programmes to prevent stubble burning in paddy fields and long-term scheme for removal of straw post-harvest. • Removal of plastic and non biodegradable waste from wetlands with the help of volunteers. • Eco-restoration of the reclaimed/ filled wetland and Wetland awareness programmes. • Stray-dog population to be controlled using appropriate measures. • Awareness and volunteer effort for invasive species control.

7. VANDIPERIYAR

• Regular monitoring of biodiversity, systematic survey using standard protocols and temporal data to be collected in PTR and made available on an online portal. • Awareness and volunteer effort for invasive species control along the edges of the Park. • Awareness and measures to prevent disposal of poultry waste along the fringes of the forest. • Stray-dog population to be controlled using appropriate measures. • Stickers to be applied on glass walled halls and houses with bigger windows to prevent bird death.

200 GLIMPSES-FIELD WORK

At Kattampally: Sujith V Gopalan and At Pookode: Govind Girija and Afsar Nayakan Sujith V Gopalan

At Pookode: On transect walk. Govind G At Kole Wetlands: Sujith V Gopalan and and Sujith V Gopalan Subin KS

At Kole Wetlands: Sujith V Gopalan, At Vazhachal: Odonate photography, Sujith Vivek Chandran A and Jeffin John V Gopalan and Vivek Chandran A

201 GLIMPSES-FIELD WORK

At Vazhachal: Jeffin John and Vivek At Vazhachal: Govind G, Vivek Chandran A Chandran A and Sujith V Gopalan

At Vazhachal: Balachandran V, Sujith V At Nedumudi: Govind G and Gopalan, Vivek Chandran A, Govind G Jeffin John

At Nedumudi: Kiran S Kumar, Sujith V At Upper Kuttanad: Govind G, Jefffin John, Gopalan and Govind G Sujith V Gopalan

202 GLIMPSES-FIELD WORK

At Melepadam: Balachandran V. on At Melepadam: Govind G and Odonate Transect Walk Jeffin John

At Vallakadavu: Sujith V Gopalan and At Vallakadavu: Govind G and Sujith V Balachandran V on Odonate Transect Gopalan on Bird Transect

At Pookode: Kiran S Kumar and Govind G At Vazhachal: Sujith V Gopalan and Vivek on Amphibian Survey Chandran A on Amphibian Survey

203 Permision for field work in forest area

204 Permision for field work at Pookode Lake

205 206 THE SEQUENCE OF EMERGENCE OF A CICADA

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Sujith V Gopalan ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS WWF India would like to thank Kerala State Biodiversity Board for sanctioning the project and also for providing an opportunity to better understand the impacts of flood on various faunal groups and selected ecosystems. We take this opportunity to thank Shri. S.C. Joshi, IFS, Chairman and Dr. Balakrishnan, Member Secretary for their timely guidance and support. We are thankful to Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department for giving the necessary permission and field support to study the impact of the flood in forest areas. We are grateful to Shri. P. K Kesavan IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force for the same. We are thankful to Ms. Silpa V. Kumar IFS, Deputy Director, Periyar East Division for her support and guidance for the study at Vallakadavu, PTR. We also thank Shri. Vinod S.V., DFO, Vazhachal for his constant support in conducting the present study in Vazhachal. The excellent support and assistance of the Field Staff of PTR, Vazhachal Forest Division and Vazhachal CFR Co-ordination Sangam is gratefully acknowledged. We are indebted to Director of Fisheries, Govt. of Kerala for permitting study at Pookode Lake and to Smt. M. Chithra, Assistant Director, Wayanad for her support in conducting systematic studies at Pookode Lake. We are also thankful to Shri. Tiju C. Thomas, Program Officer, WWF-India for his field level support in Vazhachal, Shri. Afsar Nayakan, Volunteer for field support at Kattampally, Shri. Subin K.S., Volun- teer for field support at Kole Wetlands and Ms. Suraya Khan and Ms. Kavya, Volunteers for providing the field support at Pookode.

We are much obliged to Mr. Balakrishnan Vallapil for his support and help in identifying butterflies. The wholehearted commitment of the team members who took part in the survey was crucial in data gathering; we would like to thank them individually and also their family for supporting the tiresome field work and documentation.

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