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Prince: Lakshadwep & Laccadive 63

Some Observations from and the off Mike Prince

Prince, M., 2011. Some Observations from Lakshadweep and the Laccadive Sea off Kerala. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 63–65. Mike Prince, GA Regency Alandon, 2 Ware Road, Frazer Town, 560005, , . Email: [email protected]

aving been brought up and lived most of my life within a few kilometres of the in England, my time living in HDelhi and Bangalore has been disappointingly devoid of coastal or pelagic birding! It was with much excitement therefore that I joined the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) camp in Lakshadweep in February 2008. Whilst this was not particularly a birding visit, instead concentrating on the rich marine life of the through a combination of snorkelling and diving, I was particularly keen to visit the spectacular tern breeding colonies (Pande et al. 2007) and to see whether I could find any interesting pelagic species on the long ship journey across the

Laccadive Sea from , Kerala. Prince Mike As it was, we were unlucky with strong winds making the ship ride, aboard the MV Amindivi, very unpleasant for most people on board, and the weather played havoc with our schedule when we finally got there. It was not possible to visit Island (the Fig. 4. Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax, February 2008. main nesting colony), we were delayed for three days on the return journey, and we were unable to do much snorkelling or and the pale upperwing band I believe was not as obvious. scuba-diving when there, because of the choppy . The photographed bird was clearly in mid moult: the outer two In seven days based on Island I recorded just 18 primaries were old whilst the inners were new, and the tail and species in total. Long periods of sea-watching from the island secondaries were also in the process of being replaced. with a telescope produced very few birds except for a few distant, Rasmussen & Anderton (2005) consider Jouanin’s Petrel to and usually unidentifiable, terns and noddies. The ship journeys be a “regular visitor off W[est] coast”, although there are very there and back took a total of 59 hours and, considering I spent few confirmed records from the . Lainer (2004) quotes virtually all of the 35 daylight hours actively watching for birds, just one record despite “regular seabird watches”, although this there wasn’t much to see. My effort did at least produce a couple was of a passage of 342 birds in just 90 minutes in September of notable sightings including Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax and 2001. There is just one record from Kerala, of a storm-blown bird several Pomarine Jaegers Stercorarius pomarinus. found exhausted at Marari beach in July 2009 and presumed this species (Sashikumar et al. 2011). It seems likely that regular observations from the coast, or offshore, should produce more Species notes sightings. The full species list from Lakshadweep (plus some records Western -Egret Egretta gularis Up to 100, in both light and from offshore Kerala waters just outside Kochi itself and from dark plumage morphs, seen at Kochi. the ship in Kochi harbour) is below. Lakshadweep records are Grey Heron Ardea cinerea * One seen flying over Kavaratti. from Kavaratti unless otherwise indicated. Species indicated with Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii * Two seen on 7 February an asterisk were recorded from Lakshadweep. Harrison (1985), 2008. Rasmussen & Anderton (2005), and Svensson et al. (1999) Osprey Pandion haliaetus Two in Kochi harbour on 13 February were all referred for identification aid. 2008. All observations were made between departure from Kochi Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus * Two seen briefly at the on 5 February 2008 and return there on 13 February 2008. southern end of Kavaratti on 10 February 2008. Lakshadweep observations were between 6 February 2008 and Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus * One on 8 February 12 February 2008, both dates inclusive. 2008. Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax * One possible was seen not Greater Sand Plover C. leschenaultii * Two sand plovers only far from Bangaram Island on the outbound journey on 6 February seen distantly on 8 February 2008 were thought to be this 2008 and another very worn bird was photographed between species. Kavaratti and Agatti on the return journey on 12 February 2008 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus * One or two on two dates. (Fig. 1). Whilst Bulwer’s Petrel B. bulwerii was not completely ruled Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia * One on 8 February out, this bird had a shorter tail and was a bit bulkier than I would 2008. expect Bulwer’s to be (not having seen either species before), Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos * Up to six daily. 64 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011) Mike Prince Mike Mike Prince Fig. 2. An adult Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus, February 2008. Fig. 4. Probable Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus, February 2008.

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres * Up to eight on 7 February total lack of barring on upper- and under-tail coverts. Whilst the 2008 and 8 February 2008. whiteness and coldness of the head and underparts can suggest Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus Some very good Long-tailed Jaeger S. longicaudus, the under-tail coverts would views of skuas were had within three hours from Kochi on both be expected to show some barring, even taking into account journeys. More than 50% of the birds seen were identified as the possible effect of bleaching under the tropical sun. There is Pomarine, and most of the unidentified birds were probably no hint of a darker trailing edge to the upperwing, as shown by also this species. I confirmed at least 17 on the outbound adult (at least) Long-tailed. Also field views suggested Parasitic journey and 29 on the return (Fig 2 & 3). or Pomarine based on structure and flight, whereas Long-tailed’s Birds were seen in a variety of immature and non-breeding lighter flight could have expected to be more obvious. Olsen & plumages, whilst several adults had developed the diagnostic Larsen (1997) note the, “tendency for dark bars on underwing “spoons”, or elongated, spoon-shaped, central tail feathers. and undertail coverts to disappear on very pale Skuas” Several birds were in active primary moult. Otherwise identification which could well be the case for this individual. was based primarily on structure, with birds appearing relatively Opinion was sought on the identity of this bird via a posting heavy-bodied and with long and broad “arms”, and with a on the Oriental Birding email discussion group, and responses generally powerful and direct flight lacking the more buoyant received favoured all three potential species! This really indicates movement shown frequently by Parasitic Jaeger S. parasiticus. the difficulty of identifying jaegers, immature in particular, based Due to the age and plumage variation I found plumage features on photos alone and without the benefit of field views. On themselves not so useful for identification; on most birds the reflection and taking into account received comments I feel it is pale-based under primary coverts were not very obvious, so the most likely a Parasitic Jaeger, probably a 2nd winter bird, and at the oft-quoted double white patch as an identification feature was extreme pale end of plumage variation. rarely clear. Instead most showed extensively white bases to the Interestingly whilst Sashikumar et al. (2011) lists no other primaries and inner secondaries. The vast majority were light records of this species, Praveen et al. (2011 see this issue) morphs, or light/intermediate immatures, with just one or two recorded several during the pelagic surveys off the coast, dark morphs seen. More photographs are available for viewing further north in Kerala. Madsen (1988), in his observations online (Prince 2011). from northern Karnataka between September and December, The majority of sightings were within a few kilometres of the recorded 50 jaegers in total; although most of his observations fleet from Kochi, with birds undoubtedly attracted by the were unidentified, “all appeared to be Arctic Skuas [Parasitic feeding flocks of terns that were congregating there. Birds were Jaegers]”. It seems unlikely that the relatively short geographical seen between about 3 km and 30 km from the coast. Although distance between these and my observations could be a factor Sashikumar et al. (2011) list just three other sightings from Kerala in the different occurrence of the two species. The timings of it should be presumed that Pomarine Jaegers are regular winter the sightings could suggest that Parasitic is seen more regularly visitors in good numbers, and more frequent watches from land on passage whilst Pomarine is more regular as a wintering should produce further sightings. species, but further observations would be required to test this Parasitic Jaeger S. parasiticus One adult was seen on the return hypothesis. journey on 13 February 2008 about 10 km from Kochi, and Unidentified jaeger sp. Nine on the outbound journey and 30 a very pale immature that was concluded, based on field on the return. These were mostly more distant birds: on very impression as well as responses to photographs taken, to be few of the better seen birds did I have reasons to suspect that probably this species (Fig. 4). they may not have been Pomarine. The adult was just seen briefly, although the long, pointed Heuglin’s Gull Larus heuglini A few near Kochi. About five large central tail feathers were clearly seen. The immature bird was white-headed gulls seen near Kochi were probably “Steppe suspected to be Parasitic on structure: it appeared slimmer and Gull” L. (heuglini) barabensis (taxonomy dependent). lighter-bodied with a slightly finer bill, thinner-based wings and There are few confirmed records of this form from Kerala generally less powerful “jizz.” The head and underparts were (Sashikumar et al. 2011), probably due to a combination of strikingly pale with just an ill-defined upper breast band/neck taxonomic and identification confusion. Rasmussen & Anderton collar. There was a little broad barring on the axillaries but a (2005) consider barabensis to be “common in winter from Prince: Lakshadwep & Laccadive Sea 65

Pakistan to at least ” although Lainer (2004) treats all “large This species is a common breeder according to Pande et white-headed gulls” as Herring Gull L. argentatus, a taxonomic al. (2007) so my sightings within the archipelago were to be view now more generally disregarded. At Purathur estuary in expected. district, Kerala, on 26 November 2009, there were Unidentified tern Sterna sp.* From Kavaratti about 300 approximately 1500 large gulls of which 70% were considered to presumably Lesser or Large Crested were seen on one day, be barabensis, and 30% heuglini (pers. obs.). otherwise about 50 seen around the islands and a similar Pallas’s Gull L. ichthyaetus One outbound and about five on the number approaching Kochi. return, all near Kochi. Blue Rock Pigeon Columba livia* A small flock of feral birds Brown-headed Gull L. brunnicephalus A few near Kochi. seen regularly. Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus Many near Kochi. Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea* Fairly common on Kavaratti. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica One in Kochi on the Interestingly crows Corvus sp. are apparently recent colonisers, outbound journey, and two on the return. and some islands have koels but no crows (Deepak Apte Thalasseus bengalensis * About 150 near pers. comm.), so if this is true one wonders what species they Kochi on the outbound journey and 300 during the return; parasitise? seen on a few occasions in Lakshadweep, with no more than Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis* Not seen by me, but 20 per day. one was seen by another observer at . Great Crested Tern T. bergii * One near Kochi on the outbound Unidentified swift Apus sp.* One seen battling against the strong journey and four on the return; seen on a few occasions in winds and blown further out to sea on 8 February 2008 was Lakshadweep, with no more than 15 per day. probably a House Swift A. affinis. Common Tern Sterna hirundo About 30 were seen approaching Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus* Fairly common and Kochi on the return journey. the only small passerine recorded. Little Tern S. albifrons About 100 seen at Kochi, not well enough House Crow C. splendens * Up to 13 seen on Kavaratti. to differentiate conclusively from Saunders’s Tern S. saundersi. Bridled Tern S. anaethetus* Just one bird seen briefly between Kavaratti and Agatti in a small feeding flock containing Sooty Acknowledgements and other terns. It was an enjoyable trip despite the setbacks and thanks go to my fel- This species is not present in large numbers like Sooty Tern low participants (who found my birding antics quite amusing considering S. fuscata (just about 20 birds seen in March 2006 as opposed the almost complete lack of birds most of the time) and to BNHS for their organisation, in particular to Dr. Deepak Apte and Isaac Kehimkar to more than 15,000 Sooty; Pande et al. 2007) so it is not for their guidance and companionship on the trip. Thanks also to the surprising that I did not record more. Noting more recent records several people who responded via email to discuss identification of the from the pelagic surveys (Praveen et al. 2011 see this issue), and problematic pale jaeger. its known mass migration south in late summer (De Silva 1987), suggests that few would be present at this time of year anyway. Sooty Tern S. fuscata* Just two seen between Agatti and Kavaratti References on the outbound journey and about ten on the return. De Silva, R., 1987. Observations on the mass migration of Bridled Tern Sooty Tern is a very common breeder on some islands within Sterna anaethetus off . Ibis 129 (1): 88–92. the Lakshadweep archipelago (Pande et al. 2007). At this time of Harrison, P., 1985. Seabirds: an identification guide. Revised ed. London: year birds would have been present at the breeding colonies, so Christopher Helm. Lainer, H., 2004. Birds of Goa. A reference book. Mapusa, Goa: The Goa it is somewhat surprising that I did not manage to record more, Foundation. with the main breeding colony on Pitti Island just 24 km from Madsen, S. T., 1990. Skuas Stercorarius sp. on the west coast. Journal of Kavaratti. the Bombay Natural History Society 87 (2): 297. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus About 40 at Kochi. Olsen, K. M., & Larsson, H., 1997. Skuas and Jaegers. A Guide to the Skuas Brown Noddy Anous stolidus* On the outbound journey seen and Jaegers of the World. Mountfield: Pica Press. between Bangaram, Agatti and Kavaratti: about 800 in total Prince, M., 2011. Skuas (Jaegers) off Kochi, Kerala; February 2008. http:// including a feeding flock of 300; on the return journey about www.flickr.com/photos/mikeprince/sets/72157626762977993/ (Accessed 20 July 2011). 150 seen. Just one sighting of 60 from Kavaratti itself (Fig. 5). Rasmussen, P. C., & Anderton, J. C., 2005. Birds of South : the Ripley guide: field guide. 2 vols. 1st ed. Washington, D.C. and Barcelona: Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions. Sashikumar, C., Praveen J., Palot, M. J., & Nameer, P. O., 2011. Birds of Kerala: status and distribution. 1st ed. Kottayam, Kerala: DC Books. Pande, S., Sant, N. R., Ranade, S. D., Pednekar, S. N., Mestry, P. G., Kharat, S. S., & Deshmukh, V., 2007. An ornithological expedition to the Lak- shadweep archipelago: Assessment of threats to pelagic and other birds and recommendations. Indian Birds 3 (1): 2–12. Svensson, L., Mullarney, K., & Zetterström, D., 1999. Collins bird guide. London: Harper Collins. Mike Prince Fig. 5. Brown Noddy Anous stolidus, February 2008.