Vol. 7 No. 3 | Vol. 7 No. 3 rds | Vol. i Indian B Ashwini Kumar Bhat Persian Persian Contents Guest Editor: Praveen J.

58 Observing oceanic in Indian BIRDS Rex I De Silva www.indianbirds.in Vol. 7 Nos. 3 Date of Publication: 21 October 2011 63 Some Observations from and the Laccadive Sea off ISSN 0973-1407 Mike Prince Editor Emeritus: Zafar Futehally Editor: Aasheesh Pittie 66 Significant pelagic sightings from off-shore waters of the , southern [email protected] Praveen J., Dipu Karuthedathu, Muhamed Jafer Palot, Associate Editor: V. Santharam Mike Prince & Sathyan Meppayur Editorial Board Maan Barua, Anwaruddin Choudhury 70 A note on pelagic bird sightings off the Mulki coast of Bill Harvey, Farah Ishtiaq, Rajah Jayapal southern India Madhusudan Katti, R. Suresh Kumar M. Shivashankar, S. Subramanya, D. Karuthedathu, Taej Mundkur, Rishad Naoroji, Suhel Quader & A. Shivaprakash Harkirat Singh Sangha, C. Sashikumar S. Subramanya, K. S. Gopi Sundar 72 Sighting of Stercorarius parasiticus in Contributing Editors Little Rann Of Kachchh, Gujarat Praveen J., Ragupathy Kannan, Lavkumar Khachar Prasad Ganpule

Contributing Photographers Swinhoe’s Storm- Oceanodroma monorhis and 73 Clement Francis, Ramki Sreenivasan other pelagic birds from the coast, Kerala Layout & Cover Design: K. Jayaram Vivek Chandran A., Praveen J., P. P. Sreenivasan, Office: P. Rambabu P. O. Nameer & Dilip K. G.

75 White-tailed Phaethon lepturus from Kerala, New Ornis Foundation Registration No. 314/2004 Muhamed Jafer Palot Trustees Zafar Futehally, Aasheesh Pittie 76 Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus at coast, V. Santharam, PhD., Rishad Naoroji south-western India Taej Mundkur, PhD., S. Subramanya, PhD. C. Sashikumar, C. K. Vishnudas, S. Raju, P. A. Vinayan Suhel Quader, PhD. & V. A. Shebin Aims & Objectives • To publish a newsletter that will provide a platform to 77 Bridled- Sterna anaethetus and Sooty- Sterna fuscata birdwatchers for publishing notes and observations from Thrissur coast, Kerala primarily on birds of South Asia. P. O. Nameer & P. P. Sreenivasan • To promote awareness of birdwatching amongst the general public. 78 A bibliography of pelagic ornithology from South Asia: 1847–2011 • To establish and maintain links/liaison with other associations or organized bodies in India or abroad Aasheesh Pittie whose objectives are in keeping with the objectives of the Trust (i.e. to support amateur birdwatchers with 87 Sighting of the Sooty Sterna fuscata near cash / kind for projects in ornithology). , Andhra Pradesh, India Humayun Taher, Umesh Mani, K. B. Rao & Nilay Raha Subscription Information Type Annual 3-year 88 Ring recoveries of Thalasseus Individual Rs. 300 Rs. 900 bengalensis along the Maharashtra coast, India Student (up to 10th) Rs. 200 Rs. 600 Raju Kasambe & Vaibhav Deshmukh Institution Rs. 800 Rs. 2,400 Foreign Individual $30 $90 90 Marine Important Bird Areas (IBA) Programme in India Foreign Institution $85 $225 Raju Kasambe Please make payments favouring New Ornis Foundation 91 Pelagic birding off India’s western coast: a first Add Rs. 75/- for outstation cheques. (No Couriers) person account For online payment: S. Subramanya www.indianbirds.in/Subscribe.html 93 Photo Gallery Send subscriptions by ordinary post to: Editor, Indian Birds, New Ornis Foundation, P.O. Box # 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500 034, India. Front Cover: Masked immature. Photographer: A. K. Raju 58 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011)

Observing oceanic birds in Sri Lanka Rex I De Silva

De Silva, R. I., 2011. Observing oceanic birds in Sri Lanka. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 58–62. Rex I De Silva, Seabird Watch, 31 Dampe, Madapatha 10306, Sri Lanka. Email: [email protected]

bserving and studying oceanic birds has recently oceanic birds, which follow, are based on my personal experience become popular with both professional ornithologists as observer of Seabird Watch (Sri Lanka) since 1981. I broadly Oand recreational birders. Nevertheless there are a few categorise the observation of seabirds into two classes. They are observational considerations that serve to differentiate this aspect (1) land-based observations, and (2) observations at sea. Each of ornithology from general birding. method has its advantages and disadvantages. (1) Observing from land can be carried out either at sea level or from an elevated site. The advantages of land-based Oceanographic factors that influence sea- observations include: birds • The ability to carry out observations at almost any time, The study of oceanic birds is best made with due attention to, and including during monsoon storms where observations can in consideration of, oceanographic factors such as, winds, currents, be made in inclement weather when most small craft would temperature differences in the sea and the seasonal upwelling not venture out to sea. of nutrients as well as the presence or absence of freshwater • As land-based observations can be carried out from either influx. In the Sri Lankan context, the two most important oceanic sea level or an elevation it can be the more versatile method phenomena are the southwest monsoon (c. May–September), of the two. For example observing from sea level is best and northeast monsoon (c. November–March). Wind and when it is required to monitor populations and movements current patterns change with each monsoon and these have of large numbers of birds between shoreline and horizon, as their effects on marine life in general and seabirds in particular. well as for point counts. This method is ideal, for instance, A consequence of the southwest monsoon is upwelling of deep in observing the seabird mass-migration. However, it is nutrient rich water off the west coast of Sri Lanka in May, with sometimes necessary to observe from a height (cliff top or the intensity of upwelling increasing progressively off the western high rise building) for example, when watching birds such and southern coasts as the monsoon progresses. By July the as Wilson’s Storm-, etc., which stay very close to the upwelling increases greatly off these coasts, with some upwelling surface, as these birds can often be hidden by the waves occurring off the south-eastern coast as well (Vinayachandran et when observed from sea level. al. 2004; Shree Ram & Rao 2005). This encourages blooms of When using either of the foregoing methods the Seabird plankton, which greatly increase oceanic productivity providing Watch (Sri Lanka), whenever possible, uses a three-man team ample nourishment for seabirds and other predators. During with one observer at a telescope, another using binoculars, and the southwest monsoon, winds and ocean currents around the third acting as timekeeper and recorder. These roles are Sri Lanka move in a predominantly easterly and north-easterly rotated at intervals. direction. It is likely that the greatly enriched oceanic productivity The main disadvantages of land-based observation are: and favourable winds during May–September/October influence In general it requires the birds to come to the observer. the high density of seabirds and also facilitate the seabird mass- • Birds flying at a distance, and small birds, cannot often migration. be viewed in detail. Birds flying beyond the horizon are The northeast monsoon period brings calm seas to the western obviously not visible. and southern coasts. It is during this period that boat-based study • When observing from an elevation only a relatively small is best carried out. Lesser Noddies Anous tenuirostris, Black elliptical patch of ocean, subtended by the field-of-view of Noddies A. minutus, flocks of Wilson’s Storm Petrels Oceanites the instrument, can be viewed at any one time and birds oceanicus, and many other species are relatively common in occurring outside this ellipse will not be seen. November (see below). (2) Observations from a boat can have advantages over land- The northeast monsoon period is a rather bleak one for based observations as outlined below. shore-based observations of pelagics on the western and south- • The observer can go out to where the birds are. Birds can be western coasts. Due to the prevailing calm weather, boat-based observed beyond the horizon visible from land. observations will reveal many species of , petrels, • In general birds can be observed from close up and can , and . These species may be observed only a therefore be studied in greater detail. few kilometers out at sea, however, the most visible birds are the Nevertheless, there are several constraints when observing various species of terns, which congregate around fishing boats from a boat. These are outlined below. in large numbers. • Observing from a boat can be difficult or impossible in rough weather. This restricts such observations from the western and southern coasts to the northeast monsoon period or Methodology to occasional, relatively calm days during the southwest Comments on the observational methodology for the study of monsoon. This is a great disadvantage in Sri Lanka as the De Silva: Oceanic birds in Sri Lanka 59

major seabird activity, namely, the seabird mass-migration occurs during the height of the southwest monsoon when the seas are frequently rough, preventing small craft from venturing out to sea. • In general, telescopes cannot be used as, even in a calm sea, there is some motion in the vessel which makes it very difficult to hold a telescope steady on the targeted birds; hence, one has to rely mainly on binoculars. It might be argued that using a boat obviates the need for a telescope

but actual observation refutes this, as birds sometimes prefer Danielsson Benght to keep at a distance from a boat. Ideally, whenever possible, a combination of land and sea- based observation will provide the best results.

Equipment Fig. 1. Soft-plumaged Petrel Petrel mollis. Equipment considerations will vary somewhat between land and sea-based observing, but one common denominator is usage of good binoculars. For land-based studies binoculars of 10x–12x and thence northwards to be picked up by southwest monsoon magnification are best. Whereas, for observing at sea binoculars winds which could bring them to Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, I must producing 7mm exit pupils (e.g., 7x50, 9x60, etc.) will be emphasise that at present this is conjecture. advantageous as a large exit pupil will help to keep the subject in Barau’s Petrel P. baraui was first recorded from Sri Lanka by view in an unsteady boat. Of course stabilised binoculars will be me in September 1991. Since then there have been a few more even better if their high cost is not a constraint. “Zoom” binoculars sightings of the species, mostly in September. generally provide relatively poor images and are best avoided. Flesh-footed Shearwater carneipes leave their When observing from land a good telescope is the sine qua non breeding grounds in south-western Australia in May to commence although hand held binoculars could supplement the telescope a post-breeding dispersal that takes them on an extensive migration when birds are flying relatively close to shore. The ideal telescope northwards into the . They return to their breeding should provide high resolution (preferably with diffraction-limited grounds towards the latter part of the southwest monsoon when optics), high contrast, high throughput, and absence of gross they fly southwards along the western coast of Sri Lanka and can optical aberrations. This would imply a good spotting-scope or be observed from land (De Silva & Perera 1994). Their distinctive (ideally) a small apochromat or semi-apochromat astronomical form of dynamic soaring is an ornithologist’s delight. telescope with an erecting eyepiece. The telescope should always Wedge-tailed Shearwater P. pacificus. This relatively common be used on a sturdy and vibration-free tripod. Also useful are species can be seen frequently off the western coast during the sharp-cutoff optical filters (such as Y44, W12,etc .), and polarizers southwest monsoon, although there are records at other times which, when attached to the telescope objective or eyepiece, can of the year, as well as from the eastern coast. In my opinion be of some use in penetrating haze. A GPS unit, and a sighting or this and the Flesh-footed Shearwater compete for the title of the orienteering compass are useful accessories, as are tally counters, ‘commonest’ shearwater in Sri Lanka. maps, and hydrographic charts. Audubon’s Shearwater P. lhermieneri. I first recorded it from Finally a good field guide is an absolute necessity. Whereas Sri Lanka in 1982. I suggested that the bird seen by me probably general country and regional guides are useful, I have found belongs to the race bailloni. A further sighting of bailloni was Harrison (1983) to be of great use in identification of difficult made in October 2007 (Pepper & Hettige 2008). Recently there species. have been a few sightings in April from the north-western coast, of another sub-species P. l. persicus which is sometimes treated as a separate species, the Persian Shearwater P. persicus. Comments on selected seabirds Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas. This is a rare White-headed Petrel Pterodroma lessonii. I observed this species species in Sri Lankan waters known from two specimens, and a on three occasions off the coast of Colombo in September 1990 very few sightings. The most recent sighting was of 25+ birds in (De Silva 1992). It is not clear if this was a single bird observed April from deep water off Kalpitiya (08º17’N 79º35’E) (de Silva on three separate occasions or different birds. It is difficult to Wijeyratne 2010). account for this species in tropical waters as it is a resident of Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax was first recorded, based on a sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters and is seldom seen north of specimen, from Sri Lanka in 1978 (Kotagama 1979). Since then 30° south. there have been several sightings of the species off the south- Soft-plumaged Petrel P. mollis. I observed this species off the eastern and south-western coastal regions. A related species, coast of Colombo on four occasions in September 1988 (De Bulwer’s Petrel B. bulwerii is known from several sightings, mainly Silva 1989a). This species is also a resident of cool temperate off the western coast of Sri Lanka. and sub-Antarctic waters, and like the White-headed Petrel is Wilson’s Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus. After breeding in seldom seen north of 30° south. As both this and the preceding the Antarctic, Wilson’s Storm-petrels migrate and disperse widely, species were observed in September (although in different with many of the birds spending the southwest monsoon period years), I speculate, that in September conditions are conducive in our coastal waters. The birds always keep about 2 km or more for these two species to enter the sub-polar low belt and then from land and, although rather plentiful, are very difficult to see be carried by westerly high belt winds into the sub-tropical highs from shore, as they are small dark birds that keep close to the 60 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011)

sea surface. Nevertheless, they are easily seen if one ventures a of our boobies and the Seabird Watch has many sightings of the few kilometers out to sea in a boat. However, in November, at the species during the southwest monsoon. I have also observed the beginning of the northeast monsoon when the sea is very calm, species on many occasions while on diving expeditions (De Silva the birds approach close to the shore and can easily be observed 1995). Like other boobies this species feeds voraciously on flying using land-based methods, especially if the observation site is at fish Cypselurus( sp., Exocoetus sp., Hirundichthys sp., etc). an elevation. S. dactylatra. The Seabird Watch has not Black-bellied Storm-petrel Fregetta tropica. There is a single observed this species during the seabird mass-migration. There sighting of this species from the western coast in October 2007 are, however, numerous sightings from both the western and (Pepper & Hettige 2008). eastern coasts. Swinhoe’s Storm-petrel Oceandroma monorhis appears to be Great- Fregata minor and Lesser- F. ariel . Great- an occasional visitor to our coastal waters during the southwest and Lesser- are occasional visitors to the Sri Lankan monsoon. It is occasionally seen in the company of flocks of coast, mainly during the southwest monsoon. Both species are Wilson’s Storm-petrels. present as non-breeders in the (c. 600 km. east of Sri Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus. This is the Lanka) and monsoon winds probably assist their passage to Sri commoner of the two species of tropicbirds visiting Sri Lanka. It Lanka. is a regular visitor to the western and southern coasts during the A few records exist of the F. andrewsi southwest, and early part of the northeast monsoon. Nevertheless being sighted on our western coast during the southwest the species has not been seen off the western coast during the monsoon. Nevertheless the same winds, which assist their seabird migration. congeners from the Maldives to our coast, would severely hinder White-tailed Tropicbird P. lepturus visits Sri Lanka during the the Christmas Island species from travelling c. 3,600 km against southwest monsoon when they are seen occasionally. Sightings the strong head- and cross- winds which it would encounter on have also been made at other times of the year. The species its journey from Christmas Island to Sri Lanka. Hence, I suspect has not been recorded during the seabird migration. It is less that most records of this species from our western coast are common than the preceding species. misidentifications of the Greater- and Lesser- Frigatebirds (De Red-footed Booby Sula sula. This is a visitor, in very small Silva 2011). numbers, to our western and southern coasts. The Seabird Brown Catharacta (antarctica) lonnbergi. Brown Watch (Sri Lanka) has a few records of this species during are regular visitors to Sri Lanka’s western coastal waters the southwest monsoon, and I have sighted and been able to during the southwest monsoon (De Silva 1989b, 2003). This closely approach two specimens while diving off the western species, which is a visitor from the Southern Ocean, is particularly coast during December/January (northeast monsoon). While common when the seabird migration is at its peak. Skuas, being scuba diving off the western coast, I once saw a Red-footed kleptoparasites, chase migrating Bridled Terns Sterna anaethetus Booby plunge in to a depth of c. 12 m to prey on a school of and other seabirds forcing them to relinquish their catch. They sardines (Amblygaster sp.). will often grab a tern’s wing, thereby unbalancing and, forcing Brown Booby S. leucogaster. This is probably the commonest it to drop its catch, which is then picked off the sea surface by

Fig. 2. Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes, and juvenile Masked Booby Sula dactylatra, September 2010. AK Raju De Silva: Oceanic birds in Sri Lanka 61

the skua. I showed (De Silva 1994) that Brown Skuas occurring Juvenile Lesser Noddies are sometimes confused with this in Sri Lanka (and the northern Indian Ocean) originate from species (see below). Black Noddies are species of the tropical New Zealand and the sub-polar islands of Amsterdam, Crozet, Atlantic- and Pacific- Oceans. The closest populations to Sri Heard, Prince Edward, etc. The Brown Skua, and its congener the Lanka occur in the area around the Philippine Islands. As the first C. maccormicki regularly visit Sri Lankan waters sighting was in November, I speculate that it could be a bird from in small numbers (De Silva 1989; Simpson & De Silva 1990) the Philippine population, which was assisted in its passage to Sri although they appear to be grossly under-observed by Sri Lankan Lanka by northeast monsoon winds. ornithologists. Lesser Noddy A. tenuirostris. The Lesser Noddy was Stercorarius pomarinus is another first recorded from Sri Lanka in November 1978 (De Silva kleptoparasite that visits the western coast of Sri Lanka during the 1979, 1998). There have been many sightings of the species southwest monsoon (De Silva 1986). Unlike the Brown Skua, the subsequently. There has been some confusion in Sri Lanka Pomarine comes to Sri Lanka from the far north. It too parasitizes regarding this species as some juvenile Lesser Noddies have dark migrating seabirds but unlike its congener, the larger and less lores, which are sharply demarcated from the white cap. This has, maneuverable Brown Skua, on forcing a tern to relinquish its catch, on occasion, misled some birders into erroneously identifying the the more agile Pomarine will often seize the falling prey in midair. birds as ‘Black Noddies.’ However, there is really no cause for Pomarine Jaegers breed in the far north during summer (which confusion as on close inspection it may be seen that the lores, coincides with the southwest monsoon in the tropics). However while dark, are lighter than those of the Black Noddies enabling there is a presence of the species in the Indian Ocean throughout one to clearly see the black triangular markings in front of and the year (Harrison 1983). It is possibly these individuals that are behind the eyes, which are characteristic of these variant juvenile seen during the seabird migration. The birds are probably more Lesser Noddies, but are not visible in the Black Noddy (De Silva visible during this period as they concentrate along the migratory 1998). Lesser Noddies breed in the Maldives from where the route in order to prey on terns. I suspect that during the northeast birds seen in Sri Lanka probably come. monsoon they disperse widely since food is not easily obtainable, Sterna anaethetus. The exact status of this hence, they are not seen as frequently. (A note on identification: species in Sri Lanka is enigmatic. Henry (1955) considered it to Pomarine Jaegers are best identified by the elongated, twisted be a winter visitor. I consider it to be primarily a passage migrant spoon-shaped middle tail streamers. Unfortunately many of the (De Silva 1990) and there is some evidence that the species birds seen in Sri Lanka have their “spoons” broken off.) may breed in small numbers on islets off the north-western Brown Noddy Anous stolidus. This is the commonest of our coast. Perhaps it is all of these: winter visitor, passage migrant, noddies. It is primarily a pelagic species, which is moderately and occasional breeder. The Bridled Tern is the main component abundant during the southwest monsoon. The birds are often of the southward mass migration of seabirds, which takes place forced close to land, by storms and squalls, when they can be each year off the western coast of Sri Lanka during the southwest observed from shore. Brown Noddies occur in the entire Bay monsoon. The birds migrate over a broad front parallel to the of Bengal and also the Indonesian region. However, as most coastline. When migrating they usually fly at low altitude and in sightings are during the southwest monsoon, I suspect that our stormy weather may actually fly in the troughs between waves. birds arrive wind-assisted from the Maldive Islands. In the early stages of migration the birds are mostly adults but, as Black Noddy A. minutus. The Black Noddy (De Silva 1992) the migration intensifies, the number of juveniles progressively is probably more common than records suggest. The birds are increases. (De Silva 1987, 2003). I devised a simple method commonest during the early part of the northeast monsoon, but for estimating the flight-speeds of migrating Bridled Terns and there are also a few sightings during the southwest monsoon. found these to vary between 13 and 26 kmph with a mean of

Fig. 3. Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus, April 2011. Ashwini Kumar Bhat 62 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011)

approximately 19 kmph. These figures are tentative and should be to visit Sri Lanka? Properly equipped and prepared observers can confirmed or modified in the light of new studies. It is estimated seek answers to some of these mysteries and add greatly to the that in peak years as many as 400,000 Bridled Terns fly within knowledge of our marine avifauna. sight of land during daytime. It is important to note that recent taxonomic revisions have assigned the dark brown-backed terns to the genus Onychoprion. Hence the Bridled Tern now becomes Acknowledgements Onychoprion anaethetus (Australian Government 2011; Gill & I thank Prof. S. W. Kotagama for commenting on the manuscript. Many Wright 2008), and the birds visiting the western Indian Ocean, thanks to Benght Danielsson for his image of a Soft-plumaged Petrel. India, and Sri Lanka are reassigned to the sub-species O. a. Finally I thank the Guest-Editor of Indian BIRDS for inviting me to write fuligula (Australian Government 2011). this paper. In addition to Bridled Terns other species also participate in smaller numbers in the seabird migration. Hence, during my References thirteen-year study of the phenomenon, in addition to the normal Australian Government. 2011. Onychoprion anaethetus. Biodiversity Spe- methods of identification, I used a simple technique for rapid cies Profile and threats database. recognition of Bridled Terns. In still air, and mild breezes, Bridled http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies. pl?taxon_id=814#names (Accessed 5 August 2011). Terns flap their wings twice per second. Among Sri Lankan terns, this De Silva, R. I., 1979. A new addition to the sea-birds of Sri Lanka [Anous wing-beat frequency is unique to Bridled Terns; hence, I used this tenuirostris worcesteri (McGregor)]. Loris 15 (1): 28–29. as a supplementary guide to identification. After some practice, it De Silva, R. I., 1986. A short note on the Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius becomes a rather effective technique for separating Bridled Terns pomarinus). Loris 17 (4): 174–175. from their congeners, especially in difficult conditions. However a De Silva, R., 1987. Observations on the mass migration of Bridled Tern caveat; it is only useful in poor light if the birds are within 300 m Sterna anaethetus off Colombo. 129 (1): 88–92. from the observer. In conditions of good visibility the technique De Silva, R. I., 1989a. Seabird notes from Sri Lanka 1988. Sea can be extended to identify Bridled Terns flying up to a kilometer 38: 61–62. De Silva, R. I., 1989b. Identity of Skuas in Sri Lanka. or so away. The technique is, of course, not infallible and is totally Catharacta Cormo- rant 17 (1&2): 79–81. ineffective in strong winds when Bridled, Sooty, and other terns De Silva, R. I., 1990. The seabirds of Sri Lanka (an annotated check-list). tend to glide. Ceylon J. Sci. (Biol. Sci.) 21 (1): 28–33. Sooty Terns S. fuscata. Sooty Terns form a small proportion De Silva, R.I., 1992. Recent sightings of new species from Sri Lanka. Mal- of the seabird migration being largely outnumbered by Bridled koha. (Unnumbered): 4 Terns. Sooty-, and Bridled- Terns often fly together in mixed De Silva, R.I., 1992. First sight record of a Black Noddy Anous minutus flocks. Whereas the juveniles of both species are distinctive and from Sri Lanka. Loris 19 (5): 175–176. easily separated in the field, in less-than-ideal conditions, it is De Silva, R.I., 1994. Identity of the Home Ranges of Brown Skuas Cathar- collected in the sometimes difficult to differentiate the adults of the two species acta antarctica lonnbergi (AVES STERCORARIIDAE) Northern Indian Ocean. Cey. J. Sci. (Biol Sci) 23 (1): 52-55. from each other. In some years many Sooty Terns are found dead De Silva, R. I., 1995. A short note on the Brown Booby Sula leucogaster inland. The reason for this mortality remains a mystery. As already plotus in Sri Lanka. Loris 20 (4):192-193 mentioned the dark brown-backed terns are now assigned to the De Silva, R. I., 1998. The Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris – after 20 genus Onychoprion hence, the becomes O. fuscata years. Ibid. 21 (6):232-237 (Australian Government 2011; Gill & Wright 2008). De Silva, R. I., 2000. Notes on a possible mass-migration of marine spe- cies off the West Co[a]st of Sri Lanka. Ibid. 22 (4):39-47 De Silva, R. I., 2003. The mass migration of Bridled Terns (Sterna anaethe- A mass-migration of marine species? tus) off the coast of Sri Lanka 1981-1994. Ibid. 23 (3&4):25-31 De Silva, R. I., 2011. Comments on Sri Lanka’s Marine Avifauna with a It is interesting to note that concurrent with the seabird migration, note on observing the seabird migration. Sathsamudra. 1: 6–10. I also observed, during the southwest monsoon, what appears De Silva, R. I., & Perera, L., 1994. Shearwater migration off the coast of Sri to be, a southward movement of scalloped hammerhead sharks Lanka. Loris 20 (3): 97–100. Sphyrna lewini, and also a possible southward migration of de Silva Wijeyratne, G., 2010. Off to see seabirds, Sunday Times Plus. humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae (De Silva 2000). May 16, 2010. p. 6. Whether this indicates that a mass-migration of several groups of Gill, F. & Wright, M., 2008. IOC English names of Birds Project (Version marine including sharks, seabirds, whales, and possibly 1.1). http://www.worldbirdnames.org/n-shorebirds.html (Accessed other species, occurs during the southwest monsoon, I leave for 5 August 2011) Harrison, P., 1983. Seabirds: an identification guide. 1st ed. London & other researchers to determine. Wellington: Croom Helm Limited & A.H. and A.W. Reed Ltd. Henry, G. M., 1955. A guide to the birds of Ceylon. 1st ed. London: Ox- ford University Press. Concluding remarks Kotagama, S. W., 1980. A further addition to the seabirds of Sri Lanka Despite an increased interest in seabirds in recent years, Sri Lanka’s Bulweria fallax. Loris 15: 171. marine avifauna continues to be under-observed. A majority of Pepper, T., & Hettige, U., 2008. A first record of Black-bellied Storm-petrel observations are from the southern and south-western coastal Fregetta tropica in Sri Lankan waters. BirdingASIA 10: 92. waters, hence, there is great need for more information from Shree Ram, P. and Rao, L.V.G., 2005. Upwelling features near Sri Lanka the eastern and northern seas. There is wide scope for more in the . Proc. Natl. Sym. HACPO. Andhra Univ. Pub. 30-33. intensive studies of pelagic species and the oceanographic factors Simpson, M. N., & De Silva, R. I., 1990. Seabirds observed around Co- that influence them. Many questions remain unanswered about lombo, Sri Lanka. Sea Swallow 39: 65–67. seabird migration; e.g., what is the ultimate destination of the Vinayachandran, P. N., Chauhan., P., Mohan, M., & Nayak, S., 2004. Bio- migrating terns, and what return route do they use? What factors logical response of the sea around Sri Lanka to summer monsoon. influence birds from the south temperate- and sub-polar- regions Geophysical Research Letters. 31: 4 pps. Prince: Lakshadwep & Laccadive Sea 63

Some Observations from Lakshadweep and the Laccadive Sea off Kerala 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, Karnataka, India. Email: [email protected]

aving been brought up and lived most of my life within a few kilometres of the coast 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 archipelago 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 seas. 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 mainland. 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 Reef- 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 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) Pandion haliaetus Two in Kochi harbour on 13 February were all referred for identification aid. 2008. All observations were made between departure from Kochi 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 Charadrius mongolus * One on 8 February 12 February 2008, both dates inclusive. 2008. Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax * One possible was seen not C. leschenaultii * Two sand 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 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 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 Arctic 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 Kannur 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 fishing 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 Larus heuglini A few near Kochi. About five large central tail feathers were clearly seen. The immature bird was white-headed seen near Kochi were probably “Steppe suspected to be Parasitic on structure: it appeared slimmer and Gull” L. (heuglini) barabensis ( 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 Goa” 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. Eudynamys scolopacea* Fairly common on Kavaratti. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica One in Kochi on the Interestingly Corvus sp. are apparently recent colonisers, outbound journey, and two on the return. and some islands have koels but no crows (Deepak Apte Lesser Crested Tern 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 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. Sterna hirundo About 30 were seen approaching Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus* Fairly common and Kochi on the return journey. the only small recorded. Little Tern S. albifrons About 100 seen at Kochi, not well enough House 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 Colombo. Ibis 129 (1): 88–92. the Lakshadweep archipelago (Pande et al. 2007). At this time of Harrison, P., 1985. Seabirds: an identification guide.R evised 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. 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 Asia: 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. , 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. 66 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011)

Significant pelagic bird sightings from off-shore waters of the Malabar coast, southern India Praveen J., Dipu Karuthedathu, Muhamed Jafer Palot, Mike Prince & Sathyan Meppayur

Praveen J., Karuthedathu, D., Palot, M. J., Prince, M., & Meppayur, S., 2011. Significant pelagic bird sightings from off-shore waters of the Malabar coast, southern India. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 66–69. Praveen J, B303, Shriram Spurthi, ITPL Main Road, Brookefields, Bangalore 560037 Email: [email protected] Dipu Karuthedathu, #301, Jaya Emerald, Maruthinagar, Bangalore 560075, Karnataka. Email: [email protected] Muhamed Jafer Palot, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre, 673006 Email: [email protected] Mike Prince, GA Regency Alandon, 2 Ware Road, Frazer Town, Bangalore 560005 Email: [email protected] Sathyan Meppayur, Malabar Natural History Society, Susheela Mandir, B.G. Road, Nadakkavu Post, Kozhikode 673011. Email: [email protected]

ffshore trips from the western coast of India have been extends c. 80 km (45 nautical miles) (Courtesy: Google Earth); few and hence our knowledge about the birds of our seas our observations were not in the deep sea, and hence, this was Ois limited. KeralaBirder and Malabar Natural History Society not strictly a pelagic survey (Bailey 1968). A total distance of (MNHS) jointly organised three offshore expeditions during 2010- approximately 75 km along the coastline was covered during the 2011 off the coasts of Malabar, from Azheekal, surveys covering the offshore of , in (11º56’59”N, 75º18’58”E) and Chombala, Vatakara, Kozhikode the south to the coast of in district in the district (11º33’98”N, 75º35’35”E) in northern Kerala (Table 1). north (Fig. 1). Except for one (Chombala Harbour), all the surveys were initiated About 32 birdwatchers from Kerala and Karnataka participated at Azheekkal estuary, where the two major rivers, Kuppam, and in these surveys and this large number of observers in the boat Valapattanam, empty into the sea. This is also a major fish ensured at least two people on the lookout always, even during landing centre in north Kerala. The continental shelf in this area the hottest parts of the day. Birds were observed using binoculars or with the naked eye; though Table 1. Details of Offshore Trips spotting scopes were rendered useless on the boat, at least two No of Distance from Date Timings Start Point Direction photographers were always quick Observers the coastline to pounce and snap most of the 18 September 2010 0800–1600 hrs Azheekal 16 5–15 km SW birds. If the birds were floating in 19 September 2010 0600–1500 hrs Azheekal 18 15–30 km NW the sea, the engines of our boat 3 April 2011 0800–1600 hrs Chombala 6 5–10 km NW were switched off and it was 4 April 2011 0700–1730 hrs Azheekal 15 20–40 km SW navigated slowly near the birds in 5 April 2011 0700–1600 hrs Azheekal 10 20–40 km NW a wide circle that allowed closer 28 May 2011 0915–1600 hrs Azheekal 5 15–45 km NW observation and images. Birds 29 May 2011 0600–1430 hrs Azheekal 4 10–35 km SW were identified using Harrison (1985, 1996), Grimmett et al. (1998), Kumar et al. (2005), and Rasmussen & Anderton (2005). Identifications were later compared and confirmed from the photographs taken.

Significant sightings Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes: Considered a scarce but regular summer visitor to the between March and October (Rasmussen & Anderton 2005); but till date only one wind-blown specimen has been collected on the Malabar coast (Palot 2008). We found it to be exceedingly common in September, and fairly common in May. The bird was however absent during April. In September, birds were following shoals of mackerel Rastrelliger sp. in loose flocks even within 10 km of the coast. A raft of 75 birds (Fig. 2) seen on 18 September 2010 is probably the second largest congregation observed on the Arabian Sea (De Silva & Perera 1994; Van Den Beg et al. 1991). It is of interest that fishermen call this bird ‘Ayila Kakka,’ Fig. 1. Map of pelagic expedition. meaning “mackerel-crow” in . Praveen et al.: Malabar coast 67 Ashwini Kumar Bhat Kumar Ashwini

Mike Prince Fig. 4. Persian Shearwater Puffinus persicus, April 2011. Fig. 2. Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes, September 2010.

Wedge-tailed Shearwater P. pacificus: This is a new record for balance. Ours is the second record of this species from Kerala, Kerala (Sashikumar et al. 2011), but has been reported sporadically the first being more than a century ago (Ferguson & Bourdillon from the eastern Arabian Sea (Rasmussen & Anderton 2005). Our 1903-1904). The birds might have been on spring passage from observations indicate that this bird could be easily overlooked as the warmer equatorial waters to their breeding islands near the Flesh-footed Shearwater in the sea and could escape detection. Arabian, and Makran coasts. Local fishermen call this bird ‘Matthi One of the shearwaters photographed on 28 May 2011 was Kakka,’ meaning “sardine-crow” in Malayalam. identified later as this species – the thinner beak, less contrast of Wilson’s Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus: Generally the black tip on the otherwise paler grey beak, slightly elongated considered a spring to fall visitor off the western coast of India, head and the longer tail that projects beyond the wings at rest and a common “pelagic, but less often inshore” (Rasmussen & are field marks which separate the species from its congener Anderton 2005). However, there have been just two previous (Fig. 3). Wings are apparently held well-forward in bow-shape but reports from the coasts of Kerala, in 1957 (Philips 1957), and this feature is tricky in the field, presumably dependent on wind 1987 (Sashikumar et al. 2011). During this survey, two sightings conditions, and hence should be used with caution. From a good of single birds in flight were noted on 28 May 2011 and on view of the underside in flight, the legs fall short of tail tip. This both occasions the clear white rump and lack of white in the single bird was seen approximately 30 km from the coast in a under parts were clearly seen. On a close view, it was possible to mixed fishing flock comprising two Flesh-footed Shearwaters, a note the extension of the toes beyond the tail. The first sighting Wilson’s Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus, and several Bridled- was a lone bird at a distance of 20 km from the coast while Sterna anaethetus and Sooty- S. fuscata Terns. the second sighting was among a mixed fishing flock of birds Persian Shearwater P. persicus: About 40 birds seen on two comprising of numerous Bridled- and Sooty- Terns, and Wedge- days in April (4-5 April 2011) including a flock of 23 floating tailed- and Flesh-footed- Shearwaters c. 30 km from the coast on the sea, which is perhaps the largest congregation recorded (Fig. 5). Both birds were flying in an erratic manner, flying close to from the western coast of India (Fig. 4). Seperation of this species the waves, and resembled a House Swift Apus affinis. It has been from Audubon’s Shearwater P. Iherminieri, with which it has been noted previously that this species is present in large numbers lumped for long, is complicated; however the presence of dark during some years, and totally missing in others from the coasts axillaries separates it from the latter. The birds were mainly seen of southern India (Philips 1957). near the trawlers, feeding on the leftovers along with Bridled- and Masked Booby Sula dactylatra: Three sightings during Common- S. hirundo Terns. Their feeding method was similar September, and none recorded during April–May. One of the to dabbling - immersing their head in the water for few birds was a juvenile which looked not unlike an adult Brown seconds and picking up the fish while swimming leisurely. While Booby S. leucogaster but could be told apart by the white feeding, the wings were frequently held open for maintaining the Mike Prince Mike Mike Prince Fig. 3. Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus, May 2011. Fig. 5. Wilson’s Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus, May 2011. 68 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011)

collar and upper breast which does not meet the brown of the number of Bridled Terns always had associated pelagic birds like back and upper-wing. Another bird was an older immature with skuas and shearwaters. Our sightings also included several birds brown speckling on its head, neck and forewing was seen on in juvenile and transitional plumages. both outings in September. All the birds were seen alongside Sooty Tern S. fuscata: Though this tern is reported wind-blown swimming group of gulls Larus sp. It is regularly wind-blown more often than the previous one, there has been a general onshore, every monsoon (Sashikumar et al. 2011). paucity in sightings during these offshore trips. Two juveniles and Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus: Considered a vagrant two adults were recorded on 28 May 2011 and about 70 birds, to the western coast of India by Rasmussen & Anderton including one dead bird floating in the sea, were recorded on 29 (2005); with just two sightings off the Kerala coast from the May 2011. Confusion with the previous species exists for birds Lakshadweep Sea (Prince 2008). Its congener and potentially seen far from the boat. confusable Pomarine Jaeger S. pomarinus has been observed In summary, three gull species and eight tern species were more frequently (Sashikumar et al. 2011). During these trips, recorded during these surveys (Table 2). Numerous Common Terns several jaegers were observed on all days during September seen possibly include two subspecies. One bird photographed in (Fig. 6) and April and all birds which were positively identified were September was in breeding plumage and sported a full black of this species. The birds were seen pirating food from Common- cap, long black bill and legs indicating the race longipennis (Fig. and Crested- Terns Thalasseus sp. Some of the chases lasted up 7). A flock of birds photographed in April had dark washon to a minute, and occasionally two jaegers ganged up on a single their under-parts, black beak and reddish legs (Fig. 8) indicating tern. Interestingly, Bridled Terns were never chased, though they possible minussensis. Most of the Crested Terns Thalasseus sp. were present in good numbers at the same locations – much in seen far out at sea were Great Crested Terns T. bergii. Lesser contrast to prior observations (De Silva 1987). It is surprising that Crested Terns T. bengalensis were seen closer to the coast. these offshore trips failed to record Pomarine Jaeger. Besides birds, movements of butterflies such as crimson rose Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus: Though there is a reported Atrophaneura hector, common rose A. aristolochiae, great eggfly mass-migration along the western coast of India and Sri Lanka Hypolimnas bolina, lime butterfly Papilio demoleus, common (Rasmussen & Anderton 2005; De Silva 1987), there have been crow Euploea core, dark blue tiger Tirumala septentrionis, only three records of this bird from the Kerala coast; two were common grass yellow Eurema hecabe, common emigrant wind-blown recoveries, way back in 1978 and 1979, while the Catopsilia pomona, and tawny coster Acraea terpsicore were third was a sighting in 1987 (Sashikumar et al. 2011). This is one noticed during the survey, some of them as far as 30 km from species which was recorded on all days of the pelagic survey and the coast. Large scale migration of the global skimmer dragonfly must rank as one of the commonest bird species of our offshore Pantala flavescens was also noted during September. Sightings waters. On 19 September 2010, at least 100 birds were recorded of dolphins were frequent and the species was confirmed flying south, singly or in small loose flocks, all of them between from photograph as Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphin Sousa 15-30 km from the coast, indicating a distinct south-bound chinensis. migration. A massive 500 strong fishing flock was recorded on 5 April 2011. The birds were seen in groups of 30-100 scattered in an area of approximately 1 km2 and were actively feeding, Acknowledgements fluttering over the water, and diving to the surface to pick up fish. Sincere thanks to Dr Dinesh Cheruvat, Deputy Director of Fisheries and It regularly followed fishing trawlers and congregated near the sub-inspector Venugopal P.K. for all the logistical planning for these trips by-catch which was thrown away by the vessels. Areas with good – without whom none of these sea trips would have materialised. Many

Fig. 6. Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus, April 2011. Ashwini Kumar Bhat Praveen et al.: Malabar coast 69

Table 2. Summary of observations on birds during the offshore trips September 2010 April 2011 May 2011 Species 18 19 2 3 4 28 29 Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes 500 100 0 0 0 12 40 Wedge-tailed Shearwater P. pacificus 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Persian Shearwater P. persicus 0 0 0 40 40 0 0 Wilson’s Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Masked Booby Sula dactylatra 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus 7 5 3 15 10 0 0 Unidentified Jaegers Stercorarius sp. 8 5 0 5 6 0 1 Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus 4 100 10 300 650 100 70 Sooty Tern S. fuscata 0 0 0 0 0 4 70 Total 521 211 13 360 696 119 181

Common Tern S. hirundo √ √ √ √ √ √ Gull-billed Tern Gefochelidon nifotica √ √ Great Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii √ √ √ √ √ √ Lesser Crested Tern T. bengalensis √ √ √ √ √ √ T. sandvicensis √ √ √ Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida √ √ √ √ √ Heuglin’s Gull Larus heuglini √ √ Brown-headed Gull L. brunnicephalus √ √ Common Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus √

board debates, excellent photographs and overall great company.

References Bailey, R. S., 1968. The pelagic distribution of sea-birds in the western Indian Ocean. Ibis 110 (4): 493–519. De Silva, R. I., 1987. Observations on the annual mass migration of Bri- dled Tern Sterna anaethetus of the coast of Colombo. Ibis 129 (1): 88-92. De Silva, R. I., & Perera, L., 1994. Shearwater migration of the coast of Sri Lanka. Loris 20 (3): 97–100. Ferguson, H. S., & Bourdillon, T. F., 1903. The birds of , with notes on their nidification. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 15 (2): 249- 264. Ferguson, H. S., & Bourdillon, T. F., 1904. The birds of Travancore, with Fig. 7. Common Tern S. h. longipennis. September 2010. notes on their nidification. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 15(3): 455- Mike Prince 474. Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., & Inskipp, T., 1998. Birds of the Indian Subcon- tinent. New : Oxford University Press. Harrison, P., 1985. Seabirds: an identification guide. Revised ed. London: Christopher Helm. Harrison, P. 1996. Seabirds of the World. A photographic guide. London: Christopher Helm. Kumar, A., Sati, J. P., Tak, P. C., & Alfred, J. R. B., 2005. Handbook of Indian wetland birds and their conservation. 1 ed. .: Director, Zoo- logical Survey of India. Neelakantan, K. K., 1981. The Brownwinged Tern (Sterna anaethetus): an addition to the birds of Kerala. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 78 (1): 167–168. Palot, M. J., 2008. Occurrence of Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus car- neipes on the Kozhikode coast, Kerala. Indian Birds 4 (2): 73. Prince, M., 2008. Skuas (Jaegers) in India. Oriental Birding. http:// groups/yahoo.com/group/orientalbirding/message/9845 Februay 17th 2008. [Accessed on 3 June 2011.] Fig. 8. Common Tern S. h. minussensis(?). April 2011. Rasmussen, P. C., & Anderton, J. C., 2005. Birds of South Asia: the Ripley Sandeep Das guide: field guide. 2 vols. 1st ed. Washington, D.C. and Barcelona: Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions. thanks to our birding companions Ajay Shekar, Anush Shetty, Arun C.G., Sashikumar, C., Praveen J., Palot, M. J., & Nameer, P. O., 2011. Birds of Ashwini Kumar Bhatt, Atanu Mondal, V.C. Balakrishnan, K.G. Bimalnath, Kerala: status and distribution. 1st ed. Kottayam, Kerala: DC Books. Guruprasad Timmappur, Jayan Thomas, Jayaram Jahgirdar, Khaleel Cho- van den Berg, A. B., Smeenk, C., Bosman, C. A. W., Haase, B. J. M., van der vva, E.Kunhikrishnan, Praveen E.S., Rajaneesh Suvarna, P.C. Rajeevan, Niet, A. M., & Cadée, G. C., 1991. Barau’s Petrel Pterodroma baraui, A.K. Raju, Sachin Shurpali, Sandeep Das, C. Sashikumar, Shashank Dalvi, Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax and other seabirds in the northern Shyam, H. Sreekumar, S. Subramanya, Vijay Ramachandran, Vinay Das, Indian Ocean in June–July 1984 and 1985. Ardea 79 (1): 1–14. Vinayakumar Thimmappa and Vivek Chandran for sharp spotting, on- 70 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011)

A note on pelagic bird sightings off the Mulki coast of southern India M. Shivashankar, S. Subramanya, D. Karuthedathu, & A. Shivaprakash

Shivashankar, M., Subramanya, S., Karuthedathu, D. & Shivaprakash, A. 2011. A note on pelagic bird sightings off Mulki coast, southern India. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 70–71. M. Shivashankar, Sarasvath nagar, Karkala 576117, Karnataka, India. Email: [email protected] S. Subramanya, PHT Scheme, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore 560065, Karnataka, India. Email: [email protected] Dipu Karuthedathu, #301, Jaya Emerald, Maruthinagar, Bangalore 560075, Karnataka, India. Email: [email protected] A. Shivaprakash, # 478, 3rd Cross, 8th Main, H Block, Ramakrishna Nagar, 570002, Karnataka, India. Email: [email protected]

he first ever pelagic bird survey along the south-western Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus Only one individual coast of India was conducted off Kannur, Kerala, in of this species was seen on 4 April 2011. This was near Kaup TSeptember 2010. Encouraged by the sightings of Masked Paar Island about 10 km off Mulki coast. The bird gave only a Booby Sula dactylatra, Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus, very little time to observe as it flew away along the direction we Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes, etc., during that trip were moving and disappeared. The bird was later identified using (see Praveen et al. 2011 in this issue), two similar pelagic trips photographs (Fig. 3) where the long pointed central rectrices were organised off Mulki on the Karnataka coast, situated 20 km were considered as a pointer. north of Mangalore city. This note provides details on the pelagic birds sighted during these surveys. Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus Around 40-50 of these birds were observed during the entire trip on 4 April 2011. Once we Methodology observed a gathering of 25-30 birds feeding on fish. There have been only three records of this tern from Karnataka (Madsen Both the surveys were conducted off Mulki by employing small boats. During the first trip, we did not venture out deep into the sea, but travelled along the coast. During the second survey, two fishing boats were employed and we ventured as far as 12 km into the sea. Details of these trips are given in Table 1, and the route marked in Fig. 1. The birds were usually identified visually with binoculars and efforts were also made to take photographs of birds seen and the same were examined later to ascertain the identity of birds seen.

Significant sightings Six pelagic bird species were sighted during the two trips. The details of our sightings are as follows:

Persian Shearwater Puffinus persicus One bird was sighted about 10 km off the coast of Mulki on 4 April 2011. Two more individuals were sighted near Kaup Paar Island, about 8 km off the coastline on the same day. On both occasions, the birds were seen close to groups of Bridled- Sterna anaethetus and Little- S. albifrons Terns and they flew away without giving much opportunity to observe. The species was identified later by their photographs (Fig. 2), where the pale brown upper parts and extensive white undertail coverts were considered as pointers.

Table 1. Details of pelagic trips No of Distance from Date Duration Direction Observers the coastline 29 Jan. 2011 0830-1300 hrs 8 08-10 km NW 04 Apr. 2011 0800-1730 hrs 14 10-12 km NW & SW Fig. 1. Route map of the pelagic trip. Shivashankar et al.: Mulki coast 71

in the open sea. The sightings of Persian Shearwater and Parasitic Jaeger, are the first records of their pelagic presence in the state. We consider the sighting of the Persian Shearwater, to be significant as this is a rare record of the species for Karnataka. Karnataka Bird Checklist (Praveen 2011) contains a reference to Audubon’s Shearwater P. lherminieri and we presume that, this record could have been of P. persicus, which was earlier considered as one of the populations of Audubon’s Shearwater, but now considered to belong to a separate persicus clade (West Indian Ocean): P. l. persicus which breeds on Khuriya Muriya Islands (Arabian Sea) and ranges throughout the Arabian Sea (Wikipedia 2011). Unfortunately, the pelagic bird distribution off the coast of

Shivashankar M Karnataka is still sketchy. A proper understanding of the pelagic Fig. 2. Persian Shearwater Puffinus persicus. bird movements, their seasonality, status and ecologies can only be better understood by carrying out regular concerted surveys and also find reasons for the same, as for example, the seasonal dynamics of fish availability in the Arabian Sea off Karnataka coast. The two pelagic surveys indicate that if ventured deeper into the sea (more than 10 km), there are good chances of sighting the pelagic birds. These trips also stress the difficulty in identifying the species on such off-shore trips and the importance of photographs for successful identification.

Acknowledgements The authors wish to thank Miss. Kavitha, who helped to make first trip possible. Thanks are also due to Smt. Girija, Dr Krishna Mohan, Neethi, Ashiwini Kumar Bhat, Vinay Kumar Thimmappa, Anush Shetty, Ramit Singhal, Sachin Shurpali, Atanu Mondal, Rajneesh Suvarna, Jayaram Jah-

Shivashankar M girdar, Dijiraj , Yonus, and Prem Anand for being part of the two trips Fig. 3. Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus. and for helping in sighting and photographing birds.

1988; Madyastha & Madyastha in prep.) and hence the present References sighting of this large group is interesting. Anonymous. 1966. Recovery of ringed birds. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 62: 564–565. Sooty Tern S. fuscata One bird was sighted on 4 April 2011 BirdLife International. 2011. Species factsheet: Puffinus persicus. Re- as one of the boats was heading out to sea at the mouth of trieved June 28, 2011 from http://www.birdlife.org. Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., & Inskipp, T., 1998. Pocket guide to the birds of Mulki River. Previous records from Karnataka were all of wind- the . : Oxford University Press. blown birds recorded from the coastal region on three separate Madsen, S. T., 1988. Some birds in the marine and estuarine systems of instances (Madyastha & Madyastha in prep.). Uttara Kannada, Karnataka. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 28 (3-4): Other seabirds sighted during the two trips, are presented in 10–12. Table 2. Madsen, S. T., 1990. Skuas Stercorarius sp. on the west coast. Journal of Details on the occurrence of pelagic bird species off Karnataka the Bombay Natural History Society 87 (2): 297. coast are very few. Much of the available records come from Madyastha, N.A. and Madyastha, A.N., (in prep). Pelagic vagrents in Dak- the wind blown species records of Anon. (1966), Madyastha shina Kannada – Udupi. Madhyastha, N. A., 1988. First report of Masked Booby, Sula dactylatra, (1988), Madsen (1988, 1990), and Madyastha & Madyastha (in from the shores of coastal Karnataka. Journal of the Bombay Natural prep.). Thus, the two pelagic surveys off the Mangalore coast History Society 84 (2): 433–434 (1987). have helped in understanding the occurrence of pelagic birds out Praveen, J., 2008. Karnataka Birds: Information Compiled for V2. Post- ed on January 28, 2008 from BngBirds http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/bngbirds/message/13411. Table 2. Other coastal and sea birds seen during the two trips Praveen, J., 2010. First Pelagic Bird Survey in Kerala: Report. Posted on Date Species No. September 27, 2009 from KeralaBirder . Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus 3 Rasmussen, P. C., & Anderton, J. C., 2005. Birds of South Asia: the Ripley 4 April 2011 Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1 guide. 2 vols. Washington, D.C. & Barcelona: Smithsonian Institution & Lynx Edicions. Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus 2 Wikipedia. 2011. Audubon’s Shearwater. Retrieved June 25, 2011 from Great Black-headed Gull L. ichthyaetus 2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Shearwater. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 2 Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis 6 Great Crested Tern T. bergi 6 Little Tern Sterna albifrons 15 Common Tern S. hirundo 1 White-bellied Sea Haliaeetus leucogaster 1 72 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011)

Sighting of Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus in Little Rann Of Kachchh, Gujarat Prasad Ganpule

Ganpule, P., 2011. Sighting of Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus in Little Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 72. Prasad Ganpule, C/o Parshuram Pottery Works, Opp. Nazarbaug Station, Morbi 363642, Gujarat, India. Email: [email protected]

n 27 September 2009, at 1600 hrs, I went to the western juvenile or a dark-phase bird. most point of the Little Rann Of Kachchh near Venasar The pelagic Parasitic Jaeger is reported from the coast of Ovillage (23°08’N, 70°56’E), which is c. 45 km from Morbi, , and off the western coast of Sri Lanka (Kazmierczak Rajkot district, Gujarat. 2000). There are a handful of records from the western coast This is a coastal lagoon with a freshwater lake on one side. of India during winter. It is reported from Colaba Point, The area is quite large and is usually flooded till the month of (Sinclair 1977), and from Gokarn, Karnataka (Madsen 1990). February. The only previous record of the Parasitic Jaeger from Gujarat I was observing birds at the coastal lagoon and saw hundreds is of a possible juvenile bird from Diu, which was identified of Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus along with good numbers tentatively as this species or a Pomarine Jaeger S. pomarinus of Pallas’s Gulls L. ichthyaetus, Caspian Terns Sterna caspia, etc. (Mundkur et al. 2009). The present record is the first photographic I then observed a large bird in flight, which I could not identify. documentation of the species from Gujarat. It had a white belly with a darker breast band, long wings of dark brownish colour, and darker patch on head. It had slightly elongated tail feathers. Its flight was fast. I then saw that a similar References bird, which had an overall darker brown colour i.e., the underparts Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., & Inskipp, T., 1998. Birds of the Indian Subcon- and upperparts including head were of similar colour, joined it. tinent. London: Christopher Helm, A & C Black. The beak, long wings, the flight jizz, and the overall structure of Kazmierczak, K., 2000. A field guide to the birds of India,S ri Lanka, Paki- stan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. London: Pica the birds were different from other birds in the area, and did not Press / Christopher Helm. seem like either a tern or a gull. Madsen, S. T., 1990. Skuas Stercorarius sp. on the west coast. J. Bombay The birds flew in from the sea towards the fresh water lake Nat. Hist. Soc. 87 (2): 297. and then went out towards the sea. The total observation time Mundkur, T., Naoroji, R., & Shetgaonkar, A., 2009. Sighting of a juvenile was about one minute. skua at Diu. 7 (3&4): 5–6. I took photographs of both the birds, and from Grimmett et Sinclair, J. C., 1977. Sight records of unusual birds from Colaba Point, al., (1998) identified one as a pale phase of an adult Parasitic Bombay, Maharashtra. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 73 (3): 530–531. Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus (Fig. 1), and the other as either a

Fig. 1. Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus. Prasad Ganpule Vivek Chandran et al.: Thrissur coast 73

Swinhoe’s Storm-petrel Oceanodroma monorhis and other pelagic birds from the Thrissur coast, Kerala Vivek Chandran A., Praveen J., P. P. Sreenivasan, P. O. Nameer & Dilip K. G.

Vivek Chandran, A., Praveen, J., Sreenivasan, P. P., Nameer, P. O., Dilip, K. G., 2011. Swinhoe’s Storm-petrel Oceanodroma monorhis and other pelagic birds from the Thrissur coast, Kerala. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 73–74. Vivek Chandran A., 36/473, Punkunnam, Thrissur, Kerala, India. Email: [email protected] Praveen J,B303, Shriram Spurthi, ITPL Main Road, Brookefields, Bangalore – 560037. Email: [email protected] P P Sreenivasan, B-27, Dewasom Staff Quarters, Puthanpally (PO), Tamarayur, Thrissur, Kerala. India. Email: [email protected] P O Nameer, Department of Wildlife Sciences, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala. India. Email: [email protected] Dilip K G, Department of Sociology, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, , 683574, Kerala, India. E-mail: [email protected]

nformation on oceanic birds of India is scanty. Although it The weather was cloudy with occasional showers and the sea is known that several migratory species visit Indian seas, a was calm. The following salient observations were made during Icomprehensive list of species, their distribution and abundance this trip, which lasted for about eight hours (0800–1600 hrs). are found lacking. The off-shore bird surveys held in the Malabar Wilson’s Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus: At least a region (see Praveen et al. pp. 66–69 in this issue) had resulted hundred individuals were seen, flying either solitarily or in small in sightings of pelagic birds like the Flesh-footed Shearwater groups, typically just above the water, dipping into it occasionally. Puffinus carneipes and Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus. This species was readily identified by the white rump and dark Taking note of the fact that no such survey was ever undertaken upper, and under parts, with legs trailing behind the tail. Care in central Kerala, an off-shore bird survey was jointly organised was taken to check as many individuals as possible for the by KeralaBirder, Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN), and presence of other potential storm-petrels with white rumps like, Cochin Natural History Society (CNHS) in the Laccadive Sea White-bellied- Fregetta gralleria or Black-bellied- F. tropica Storm- off , Thrissur (10°30’N, 76°02’E) on 31 July 2011. petrel. Considered a non-breeding visitor off the western coast of A fishing boat took the team 42 km into the sea. Birds were India, Sri Lanka, Lakshadweep, Maldives, and Chagos, it breeds observed using binoculars (8x40 & 10x50), and photographed in the sub-Antarctic region in the Southern Ocean (Rasmussen with digital cameras equiped with zoom lens (400 mm & 600 & Anderton 2005). Birds arrive in Indo–Sri Lankan waters in May mm). and stay for approximately six months (Phillips 1955). Though it is Vivek Chandran Vivek

Fig. 1. Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma monorhis, July 2011. Fig. 2. Swinhoe’s- & Wilson’s- O. oceanicus Storm-Petrels, July 2011. Vivek Chandran

reported to be a straggler off the Kerala coast, with just two former the country (Sashikumar et al. 2011). However, the 500 strong reports (Sashikumar et al. 2011), it is grossly under-reported as congregations in this survey, surpass that count. It is known by the mass migrations have been reported from the coasts of India and local name ‘Oolikakka,’ which in Malayalam means ‘diving crow.’ Sri Lanka (Robertson 1994). Fishermen call them, ‘karivandu,’ The large congregations were seen near fishing boats that had Malayalam for ‘black beetle,’ because they are prominently black cast nets around shoals of fish. The birds were in a noisy feeding and fly around restlessly like bees. frenzy. Evidently, they were taking advantage of the fishing activity Swinhoe’s Storm-petrel Oceanodroma monorhis: While and also benefited from the by-catch thrown into the ocean by carefully observing the Wilson’s Storm-petrels, a single bird was fishermen. observed that did not show a white-rump. It was squabbling with Apart from these key species, a jaeger Stercorarius sp., was two Wilson’s Storm-petrels, and appeared slightly larger than seen resting on floating vegetation but flew off before our boat them. This bird was photographed and later, on closer scrutiny of approached it, remaining unidentified. Around 40 Bridled Terns the photographs, revealed a moderately forked tail, and feet that Sterna anaethetus, and 15 Sooty Terns S. fuscata were also did not project beyond its tail. The whole body appeared sooty- encountered, including juveniles of both species. Three Crested brown with the head lighter than the rest of the body (Fig. 1). Terns Thalasseus sp. were also observed, flying higher than the Its upper-parts showed small pale shafts on the primary coverts other pelagic birds. (Fig 2). The dark rump and forked tail eliminates all regular and hypothetical storm-petrels of the region except for the Matsudaira’s Storm-petrel O. matsudairae. ‘Our’ bird differs from this species Acknowledgements by its smaller size (slightly larger than Wilson’s), shorter tail, and We would like to thank all the participants of the pelagic survey: S. Pras- lack of extensive pale flashes on the upper primaries. Swinhoe’s anth, Ginu George, Manoj, Jai Jacob, Vishnupriyan, Basil Peter, Praveen Storm-petrels breed in the north-west Pacific and are reported E.S., P.M. Kochupaul, Shijin, C.V. Manojkumar, Praveen P. Mohandas, Asha and V. Ayappan. as a non-breeding visitors to the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Past sightings from the Andamans, and Lakshadweep require confirmation (Rasmussen & Anderton 2005). This might be the References first confirmed sighting of the species from India territory. Phillips, W. W. A., 1955. Wilson’s Petrel [Oceanites oceanicus (Kuhl)] in Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes: About 1,000 Indo–Ceylon waters, with special reference to the 1954 southward birds were seen in two large congregations, one of them at least migration. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 53 (1): 132–133. 500 strong, and many smaller flocks. This is the only large, dark Rasmussen, P. C., & Anderton, J. C., 2005. Birds of South Asia: the Ripley shearwater in our region with a heavy dark-tipped pale bill. It guide: field guide. 2 vols. 1st ed. Washington, D.C. and Barcelona: breeds in the South Indian Ocean and Australasia, and ranges Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions. in the Pacific-, and Indian- Oceans. It is thought to be a regular Robertson, A. L. H., 1995. Occurrence of some pelagic seabirds (Pro- cellariiformes) in waters off the Indian subcontinent. Forktail 10: visitor from March to October, at least from Lakshadweep to 129–140 (1994). western Sri Lanka (Rasmussen & Anderton 2005). About 500 Sashikumar, C., Praveen J., Palot, M. J., & Nameer, P. O., 2011. Birds of birds in a day, with more than 80 birds in one congregation, were Kerala: status and distribution. 1st ed. Kottayam, Kerala: DC Books. seen on an earlier pelagic trip off Kannur coast in September 2010 and this was reported to be the largest congregation from Palot: White-tailed Tropicbrid 75

White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus from Kerala, South India Muhamed Jafer Palot

Palot, M. J., 2011. White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus from Kerala, South India. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 75. Muhamed Jafer Palot, Zoological Survey of India, Regional Centre, Kozhikode 673006, Kerala, India. Email: [email protected]

n 18 January 2010, a tropicbird (Phaethontidae) was Lindsay J. McDougall, flying close to the beach at , Kerala caught at Palavayal (12°31’N, 75°41’E; c. 240 m above on 2 March 2006 (Sashikumar et al. 2011). According to Ali OMSL) about 84 km NE of Kannur town in northern Kerala. & Ripley (1983), the species breeds in Mascarene, Seychelles, The bird was being mobbed by crows. Though no external injuries Maldives, Andaman, and Cocos-Keeling Islands. were visible, it was in an exhausted condition and was reluctant to The present record is the second report of the White-tailed fly. In captivity it took sardinesS ardinella sp., and small anchovies Tropicbird from the west coast. Interestingly, this is yet another Anchoviella sp., and was administered glucose water for quick instance of the species getting wind-blown far inland. The rejuvenation. By 20 January, it recuperated well and in the evening nearest seacoast is about 50 km away at Ezhimala. The recorded of the same day it was released at Palavayal. It flew off westwards, site (Palavayal) is very close to Karnataka state, adjoining the towards the sea. Mundroth range of forests in the Brahmagiri part of southern I identified the bird as an immature White-tailed Tropicbird Western Ghats. Phaethon lepturus (Harrison 1996; Grimmett et al. 1998; Kumar Earlier, the related Red-billed Tropicbird P. aethereus was also et al. 2004). It had predominantly white plumage with black wing recorded from Kerala’s coast on three occasions: district in tips (Fig. 1). The characteristic wing pattern (the diagonal black June 1982 (Krishnan 1991), Kozhikode district in November 2003 bars on the upper wing were faintly visible) and the contrasting (Palot 2003), and Kannur district in March 2007 (Sashikumar et black tips of the primaries were diagnostic; black outer primaries al. 2011). These records show that the tropicbirds, which breed were in contrast with the white primary coverts. Tail feathers were in the oceanic islands of the Indian Ocean, are vagrant visitors to complete and each feather had a black spot near the tip. Central the Kerala coast. white tail steamers were half-grown. Black patches around the eyes were distinct. The upper parts of the body, especially around the nape and back, were barred or mottled. The throat and upper- Acknowledgements breast were pure white. Bill was pale yellow with a dark tip and The author is grateful to the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata legs were blackish. and the Officer-in-Charge, Western Ghat Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Kozhikode for facilities and encouragement. Thanks are There have been only three known instances of this also due to Shri. Suresh Palavayal for the photograph and help rendered species occurring from mainland India. A pair of birds in flight at during the field visit. Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu on the south-eastern coast of India on 1 April 1989 (Balachandran 1992), a bird caught alive from River Barrak [=Barak] well inland, in Cachar on 9 April 1877 (Hume References 1877; Rasmussen & Anderton 2005), and a single bird seen by Ali, S., & Ripley, S. D., 1983. Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan together with those of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Compact ed. Delhi: Oxford University Press. Balachandran, S., 1992. Occurrence of White or Longtailed Tropic-bird Phaethon lepturus on the South-East coast of India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 88 (3): 441–442. Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., & Inskipp, T., 1998. Birds of the Indian Subcon- tinent. 1st ed. London: Christopher Helm, A & C Black. Harrison, P. 1996. Seabirds of the world. A photographic guide. London: Christopher Helm. Hume, A. O., 1877. Notes. Stray Feathers 5 (5&6): 495–502. Krishnan, O. G., 1991. Red-billed Tropic Bird Phaethon aethereus Linnaeus from Neendakarai, Kerala. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 87 (3): 449. Kumar, A., Sati, J. P., Tak, P. C., & Alfred, J. R. B., 2005. Handbook of Indian wetland birds and their conservation. 1 ed. Kolkata.: Director, Zoo- logical Survey of India. Palot, J., 2003. Occurrence of Redbilled Tropic Bird, Phaethon aethereus at Kozhikode, Kerala. Malabar 1 (4): 2–3. Rasmussen, P. C., & Anderton, J. C., 2005. Birds of South Asia: the Ripley guide. 2 vols. 1st ed. Washington, D.C. and Barcelona: Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions. Fig. 1. Immature White-tailed Tropicbird at Palavayal, January 2010. Sashikumar, C., Praveen J., Palot, M. J., & Nameer, P. O., 2011. Birds of Kerala: status and distribution. 1st ed. Kottayam, Kerala: DC Books. Suresh Palavayal 76 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011)

Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus at Kannur coast, south-western India

C. Sashikumar, C. K. Vishnudas, S. Raju, P. A. Vinayan & V. A. Shebin C. K. Vishnudas K. C. Sashikumar, C., Vishnudas, C. K., Raju, S., Vinayan, P. A., & Shebin, V. A. 2011. Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus at Kannur coast, south-western India. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 76. C. Sashikumar, Sree Nilayam, Pattanur P O, Kannur 670595, Kerala, India. Email: [email protected] Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus off Kannur C. K. Vishnudas,Vishnu Nivas, Karimkutty P O, 673121, Wayanad, Kerala, India. coast, January 2011. Email: [email protected] S. Raju, Kavil Variam, , Thrissur, Kerala, India. Email: [email protected] P. A. Vinayan, Pandancheri House, Vemom P O, , Wayanad 670645, Kerala, India. Email: [email protected] V.A. Shebin, Valiyaparambil House, Chiramanangad P.O, Thrissur, 680604. Email: [email protected]

s part of the Malabar Ornithological Survey, organised along 66–69 in this issue). the lines of the Travancore-Cochin Ornithological Survey Parasitic Jaeger (aka Arctic Skua or Parasitic Skua) breeds A2009 (Sashikumar et al. 2011), and sponsored by the north of Eurasia, North America, and Scotland, and winters in the Forests and Wildlife Department, Kerala, an offshore expedition whole of the southern oceans; in South Asia it occurs, “probably was organised to survey the diversity of pelagic birds off the regular off Pakistan coast in non-breeding season; sighted as a Malabar Coast on 24 and 28 January 2011. The survey team, vagrant elsewhere along the coasts. Only specimen traced for consisting of the authors and two forest department personnel, entire region is from Mekran Coast …” (Rasmussen & Anderton surveyed the sea off Kannur in northern Kerala, starting from 2005; Jones et al. 2008). Parasitic Jaeger is a colonial breeder Azhikkal fishing harbour, in a motor boat, entering the sea through in islands of northern hemisphere along with other skuas. Some the river mouth at Azhikkal estuary (11°57’N, 75°22’E), where of the recent studies in Scotland (Jones et al. 2008) show that the Valapattanam and Kuppam rivers have their confluence at the the breeding of the species is affected by the presence of, and Lakshadweep (Arabian) Sea. The survey started around 0900 hrs predation by, Greater Skua S. skua, and the UK population of on both days, and concluded by 1400 hrs. breeding S. parasiticus has seen a sharp decline of around 37% On 24 January, at 1000 hrs, one km offshore, we spotted a since 1980 (Furness & Ratcliffe 2004). large group of Brown-headed- Larus brunnicephalus and Black- Considering rarity of the species within Indian waters, headed- L. ridibundus Gulls circling around the fishing boats. we consider these sightings important. A regular sea-board While observing the flock we noticed a brown bird chasing some monitoring programme off the coast of Kerala and elsewhere of the gulls. We approached the flock as close as possible to in India will give more insight into the wintering population and have a good look at the bird. Soon, another similar bird was feeding ecology of the less known seabirds. seen chasing the gulls. It landed near our boat, and despite the swaying boat, we managed to take some photographs of this bird. It was well camouflaged in its low flight over the water and Acknowledgements the gulls seldom realised its presence until it was close to them. We express our sincere gratitude to Shri T. M. Manoharan, Principal Chief Once it reached the flock of gulls they flew off the water, and Conservator of Forests and the staff of Forests and Wildlife Department, the bird chased selected individuals, probably those who had for initiating and supporting the Malabar Ornitho- logical Survey and Dr Dinesan Cheruvat, Deputy Director, Bay recently gorged on food—a typical case of kleptoparasitism. Fisheries Complex, Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, Kan- nur for logistic support. Description Upper parts grey-brown, brownish cap, an indistinct brown References breast, faint bands on flanks band and barred upper and under Furness, R. W., & Ratcliffe, N., 2004. Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus. tail-coverts. Under parts whitish. Distinctly pointed central tail Pp. 160–172. In: Seabird populations of Britain and Ireland. Mitch- feathers were clearly visible. In flight, we could see the dark ell, P. I., Newton, S., Ratcliffe, N., & Dunn, T., (eds). London: T & AD primaries with white, “flash”. Poyser. On 28 January 2011, on our trip from the same location, we Rasmussen, P. C., & Anderton, J. C., 2005. Birds of South Asia: the Ripley saw a single bird of the same species, around 1200 hrs, 2 km guide. 2vols. 1st ed. Washington, D.C. and Barcelona: Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions. from the shore, again around a flock of gulls. Sashikumar, C., Vishnudas, C. K., Raju, S., Vinayan, P. A., & Kannan, S., From our field observations and from the photographs, this 2011. On the status of Lesser Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis in seabird was identified as Parasitic JaegerS tercorarius parasiticus, southern Kerala. Indian BIRDS 7 (1): 7–9. a pale morph adult in winter plumage. This species was earlier Jones, T., Smith, C., Williams, E., & Ramsay, A., 2008. Breeding perfor- recorded from the same area during a pelagic bird survey mance and diet of Great Skuas Stercorarius skua and Parasitic Jae- organised by Malabar Natural History Society and KeralaBirder gers (Arctic Skuas) S. parasiticus on the west coast of Scotland. Bird on 25 and 26 September 2010 (see Praveen et al. 2011, pp. Study 55: 257–266. Nameer & Sreenivasan: Terns from Thrissur coast 77

Bridled- Sterna anaethetus and Sooty- Sterna fuscata Terns from Thrissur coast, Kerala P. O. Nameer & P. P. Sreenivasan

Nameer, P. O., & Sreenivasan, P. P., 2011. Bridled- Sterna anaethetus and Sooty- Sterna fuscata Terns from Thrissur coast, Kerala. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 77. P. O. Nameer, Department of Wildlife Sciences, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala. India. Email: [email protected] P. P. Sreenivasan, B-27, Guruvayur Dewasom Staff Quarters, Puthanpally (PO), Tamarayur, Thrissur, Kerala. India. Email: [email protected]

ut of the 15 species of terns known from Kerala (Sashikumar et al. 2011), four are pelagic, namely, OBridled- Sterna anaethetus, Sooty- S. fuscata, White- cheeked- S. repressa Tern, and Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris. Reports of pelagic terns from the coast of Kerala are few. Here we report the recent sightings of Bridled, and Sooty Terns from .

Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus

One exhausted bird was obtained by PPS from Puthenkadappuram V. S. Sreehari beach of Chavakkad (10°34’20’’N, 76°03’25”E) on 21 April 2011, which later died (Fig. 1). This bird was found lying on the beach and was unable to fly. Its wings were soaked with water. On the previous day, PPS had seen a large flock of about 100+ Fig. 2. Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata at , June 2011. dark terns from the beach, flying far out at sea. There are only two earlier wind-blown records of Bridled Tern from the Kerala coast, and 23 June 2011, both by PPS. both from Poovar, district, in November There are quite a few earlier records of Sooty Tern from 1978, and March 1979 (Neelakantan et al. 1993). Thus the Kerala (Sashikumar et al. 2011). The earliest record was present record, after 32 years, is significant. from (Mathew & Shukkur 1974). From the nineties there are two records, one from Thattekad Bird Sooty Tern S. fuscata Sanctuary (Sugathan et al. 1996), and the other from Kannur in 1997 (Sashikumar et al. 2011). A bird, which was ringed in Three individuals were reported on separate occasions from the Seychelles, was retrieved at Vaakatanam, in 2001 Thrissur coast during 2011. The first bird was recovered from (Sashikumar et al. 2011). In 2008 one bird was obtained from Azhikode estuary (10°10’28”N, 76°09’45”E) by PON on 22 May Guruvayoor on 8 October 2008, and two birds, one adult and 2011 (Fig. 2) and later two different individuals were obtained one immature, from Kadalundi on 17 June 2008 (Sashikumar from Puthenkadappuram beach (Chavakkad) on 13 June 2011, et al. 2011). Interestingly, in 2011 an unusually large number of Sooty Terns were recovered from the coast of Kerala between May and July (Courtesy: KeralaBirder).

Acknowledgements We thank Praveen J. for commenting on an earlier draft of the manu- script.

References Mathew, D. N., & Shukkur, E. A. A., 1974. Notes on a Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata nubilosas Sparrman) collected near Calicut. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 71 (1): 144–145. Neelakantan, K. K., Sashikumar, C., & Venugopalan, R., 1993. A book of Kerala birds. Part 1. Trivandrum: World Wide Fund for Nature-India. Kerala State Committee. Sashikumar, C., Praveen J., Palot, M. J., & Nameer, P. O., 2011. Birds of Kerala: status and distribution. 1st ed. Kottayam, Kerala: DC Books. Sugathan, R., Jacob, K. C., & Varghese, A. P., 1996. Sooty Tern record from Fig. 1. Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus at Chavakkad, Thattakkadu in the Western Ghats. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 35 May 2011.

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A bibliography of pelagic ornithology from South Asia: 1847–2011 Aasheesh Pittie

Pittie, A., 2011. A bibliography of pelagic ornithology from South Asia: 1847–2011. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 78–86. Aasheesh Pittie, P. O. Box 68, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500034, India. Email: [email protected]

Introduction Abdulali, H., 1961. The Christmas Island Frigate-Bird, Fregata andrewsi Mathews, in Indian waters - a correction. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. This bibliography has been extracted from my larger database, 57 (3): 667–668. “A bibliographic index to the birds of South Asia.” It comprises Abdulali, H., 1961. Occurrence of the Least Frigate-Bird [Fregata ariel (G.R. papers, popular articles, pertinent books, chapters, published Gray)] in Bombay. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 57 (3): 668–669. and unpublished reports, trip reports, etc. Books of a general Abdulali, H., 1965. The birds of the Andaman and . J. nature, not dealing largely with pelagic ornithology, have been Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 61 (3): 483–571 (1964). omitted, e.g., country/region handbooks and field guides, family/ Abdulali, H., 1968. A catalogue of the birds in the collection of the Bom- species monographs, etc. It covers a period of one hundred and bay Natural History Society-1. Gaviiformes to Ciconiiformes. J. Bom- sixty-four years, from 1847–2011. A bibliography of this nature bay Nat. Hist. Soc. 65 (1): 182–199. cannot pretend to be complete and this is no exception. There Abdulali, H., 1970. A catalogue of the birds in the collection of the Bom- are always publications beyond the reach of the bibliographer. bay Natural History Society-7. Scolopacinae (part), Phalaropinae, Ro- A case in point being the various birding trip reports prepared stratulidae, , Dromadidae, Burhinidae, , Stercorariidae, . 67 (2): 279–298. by bird tour operators. However a majority of the published J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Abdulali, H., 1980. A catalogue of the birds in the collection of the Bom- ornithological work on pelagic ornithology is listed here. Accuracy bay Natural History Society. Parts 1–17 — non-Passeriformes. Errata. in transcribing is a basic tenet of bibliography and though great J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 77 (1): 145–148. care has been taken to ensure it, mistakes may have crept in Abdulali, H., 1981. Additional notes on Andaman birds. J. Bombay Nat. and pertinent published material inadvertently left out. This is the Hist. Soc. 78 (1): 46–49. more likely in that I have not seen all the entries listed below in Abdulali, H., & Ali, S., 1940. Additional notes on the birds of Bombay and the original, but have freely taken them secondhand from the Salsette. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. XLII (1): 191–197. ‘References’ or ‘Further reading’ sections of papers and books. I Abdulali, H., & Grubh, R. B., 1983. Pinkfooted Shearwater [Procellaria would be grateful if readers sent me citations of material that is carneipes (Gould)] in India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 79 (3): 666– missing here. 667. Authors have been arranged alphabetically and their work Aitken, E. H., 1887. Mergus merganser. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. II (1): chronologically. Multi-author papers have been listed under 56. the name of the senior author. Separate entries have not been Alexander, H. G., 1929. Some birds seen in the Indian Ocean and the inserted for co-authors. Where a title was not given in the original, Mediterranean. Ibis 5 (1): 41–53. a suitable descriptive substitute was coined, generally comprising Alexander, H. G., 1931. Shearwaters in the Arabian Sea. Ibis 1 (3): 579– 581. a part of or the complete first sentence, and is placed within Alexander, H. G., 1974. Seventy years of birdwatching. 1st ed. Berkham- brackets. sted: T. & A. D. Poyser. Alexander, W. B., 1928. Birds of the ocean. A handbook for voyagers Bibliography containing descriptions of all the sea-birds of the world, with notes on their habits and guides to their identification. 1st ed. New York; Anonymous., 1966. Notes and comments. NLBW 6 (6): 8. London: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. Anonymous., 1970. White-bellied Storm-Petrels, Fregata grallaria, in Alexander, W. B., 1955. Birds of the ocean. A handbook for voyagers north Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea in the summer. Sea Swallow containing descriptions of all the sea-birds of the world, with notes 20: 41–42. on their habits and guides to their identification. New & Revised 2nd Anonymous., 1977. Masked Booby. 1977 (January-March): ed. London: Putnam. 27–28. Alexander, W. B., 1963. Birds of the ocean. A handbook for voyagers Anonymous., 1981. The Christmas Island Frigate Bird. NLBW 21 (8): containing descriptions of all the sea-birds of the world, with notes 2–3. on their habits and guides to their identification. New & Revised 2nd Anonymous., 1985. Masked Boobies on the West coast. NLBW 25 (7-8): ed. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. 2–3. Ali, R., 1967. The Short-tailed or Red-billed Tropic-Bird (Phaethon aethere- Anonymous., 1990. Recent reports: Sri Lanka. OBC Bull. 11 (May): 47. us indicus Hume) at Kihim on the Maharashtra coast. J. Bombay Nat. Anonymous., 1998. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Hist. Soc. 63 (2): 437–438 (1966). Nadu, India. Ali, R., 1970. Occurrence of Least Frigate Bird (Fregata ariel iredalei) Abdulali, H., 1940. Swifts and Terns at Vengurla Rocks. J. Bombay Nat. Mathews in Bombay. NLBW 10 (10): 8. Hist. Soc. XLI (3): 661–665. Ali, R., 1971. Occurrence of Least Frigate Bird (Fregata ariel iredalei Abdulali, H., 1948. Wilson’s Petrel in India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 47 Mathews) in Bombay. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 67 (3): 569–570 (3): 550–551. (1970). Pittie: Bibliography of pelagic ornithology 79

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Waterbird population estimates—fourth Ardea 70 (1): 81–82. edition. Delany, S., & Scott, D. (eds.). Wageningen, The Netherlands: van den Berg, A. B., Smeenk, C., Bosman, C. A. W., Haase, B. J. M., van der Wetlands International. Niet, A. M., & Cadée, G. C., 1991. Barau’s Petrel Pterodroma baraui, Whistler, H., 1913. Bird notes from Trieste to Bombay. Bird Notes IV Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax and other seabirds in the northern (June): 172–178. Indian Ocean in June-July 1984 and 1985. Ardea 79 (1): 1–14. Whistler, H., 1922. Diary of a voyage from Karachi to Marseilles, 1920. Varu, S. N., 1987. Brown Booby Sula leucogaster in Kachchh Coast. NLBW Bird Notes (3) 5 (4): 79–82. 27 (9-10): 15–16. Whistler, H., 1944. The avifaunal survey of Ceylon conducted jointly by Varu, S. N., 1988. Brown Booby in Kachchh coast. Blackbuck 3 (3&4): the British and Colombo Museums. Spolia Zeylanica 23 (3&4): 31. 119–321. Varu, S. N., & Bapat, N. N., 1990. Brown Booby Sula leucogaster (Bod- Whistler, H., & Kinnear, N. B., 1937. The Vernay Scientific Survey of the daert) on the western coast. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 86 (3): 443. Eastern Ghats. (Ornithological section). Part XVI. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Vaurie, C., 1965. The birds of the Palearctic fauna: a systematic reference: Soc. XXXIX (3): 447–463. Non-passeriformes. Vol 2. London: H.F. & G. Witherby Limited. Whyte, A., 1877. Ornithological notes taken during a voyage from Ceylon Voous, K. H., 1965. Notes on sea-birds 14. White-faced Storm Petrels in to England. Ibis 1 (2): 148–151. the Indian Ocean: correction and additions. Ardea 53: 237. Wijemanne, A., 1994. Mutwal; Maharagama. CBCN 1994 (September): Vyas, S., 1981. The birds of Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam - II. Mayura 98–99. 2 (1): 3–8. Wijesinghe, D. P., 1985. On the status of the Fleshfooted Shearwater Wait, W. E., 1925. Manual of the birds of Ceylon. 1st ed. Colombo & (Puffinus carneipes) in Sri Lankan waters.CBCN 1985 (January) London: Director, Colombo Museum & Dulau & Co. Ltd. Wijesinghe, D. P., 1994. Checklist of the birds of Sri Lanka. 1st ed. Co- Wait, W. E., 1930. Oceanic bird wanderers to Ceylon. Spolia Zeylanica 16 lombo: Ceylon Bird Club. (2): 181–198. Wijeyeratne, G. d. S., 2008. Sea S-E of Mirissa; Hungama 1.4; Kalametiya Wait, W. E., 1931. Manual of the birds of Ceylon. 2nd ed. Colombo & Sanctuary 1.4; Wirawila Sanctuary 2.4; Kirinda to Great Basses 2.4; London: Director, Colombo Museum & Dulau & Co. Ltd. Bundala N P 2.4; Kosgoda 4.4; Kalpitiya 8.4; Chilaw sand spit 8.4; Wait, W. E., 1933. Masked Boobies (Sula dactylatra) at sea 350 miles Talangama wetlands; Hiyare 22.4; Koggala 26.4; Colombo: Borella from Bombay. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 36 (3): 753–754. 28.4. CBCN 2008 (April): 68–72. Waite, H. W., 1934. Birds observed at Fort Munro, Sulaiman Hills. J. Bom- Wijeyeratne, G. d. S., 2009. Colombo: Borella; Talangama wetlands; bay Nat. Hist. Soc. XXXVII (3): 688–693. Kotte marshes 21.2; Sea off Mirissa 28.2. CBCN 2009 (February): Walden, A., 1876. (Letter about two examples of Sterna albigena shot on 23–24. the Bombay coast near Hurnee.). Ibis 6: 384–385. Wood, J. D., 1949. Probable Pomatorhine Skua off Burma. Ibis 91: 690. Walters, M., 1994. Birds’ eggs. 1st ed. Metcalf, J. (ed.) London, New York, Yahya, H. S. A., & Ahmad, A., 2002. White Tern Gygis alba sighted at Nar- Stuttgart: Dorling Kindersley. condam Island, Bay of Bengal, India. Forktail 18: 148–149. Warakagoda, D., 1992. Some sightings of Frigate-birds in 1991. CBCN 1992 (March): 55–56. Warakagoda, D., 1992. An immature Red-billed (Short-tailed) Tropic-bird (Phaethon aethereus indicus). CBCN 1992 (April): 63–64. Warakagoda, D., 1992. Nugegoda; Colombo; Colpetty-Bambalapitiya. CBCN 1992 (July): 92–93. Warakagoda, D., 1993. Comments on the specific identity and status in Sri Taher et al.: Sooty Tern near Hyderabad 87

Sighting of the Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata near Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India Humayun Taher, Umesh Mani, K. B. Rao & Nilay Raha

Taher, H., Mani, U., Rao, K. B., & Raha, N., 2011. Sighting of the Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata near Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 87–88. Humayun Taher, 2-B Atlas Apartments, Road No. 10, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500034, Andhra Pradesh, India. Email: [email protected] Umesh Mani, 502, Siva Sai Apartments, Road No. 9, West Marredpally, Secunderabad 500026, Andhra Pradesh, India. Email: [email protected] K. B. Rao, 88, Vinayaka Nagar, Gachi Bowli, Hyderabad 500032, Andhra Pradesh, India. Email: [email protected] Nilay Raha, Vani Nilayam, 6-3-903/A/4/1, 2nd Floor, Surya Nagar Colony, Hyderabad 500082, Andhra Pradesh, India. Email: [email protected]

n Saturday, 28 May 2011, four members of the west of Hyderabad. From what we could see, the total spread Birdwatchers’ Society of Andhra Pradesh (BSAP) were appeared to be between 6 to 8 km2 with the current water level Oout on a birdwatching trip to an area about 70 km west being about 70% of the total spread. of Hyderabad city called Anantgiri Hills. This is a small series of We reached this spot at about 1230 hrs. There were c. forest-clad hillocks with good tree cover, close to a large temple. 20–25 River Terns Sterna aurantia, flying about over the water Having done some birding in this area, we decided to explore and occasionally diving for food. While watching these birds, we the region further west of this place near a large reservoir called spotted a tern, which seemed markedly different from the others. Nagasamundar (aka Kotepally Reservoir). The man-made lake, We concentrated on this bird and took several photographs for aid despite the heat, appeared to be of fair depth close to the dam. in identification. The bird was larger than the River Terns that were The depth appeared to be about 0.6 m at the southern end of flying around—this was the first feature we noted. It appeared to the lake where we were standing. be deep black all over the upperparts and spotless white below. Kotepally Reservoir (17º21’16”N, 77º45’21”E) is located in There was a white forehead that extended to just above the eyes. Ranga Reddy district of Andhra Pradesh and lies about 100 km The leading edges of the wings appeared to be white and the tail was deeply forked and edged with white again. Referring to the field guides we were carrying, we tentatively identified the bird as a Sooty Tern S. fuscata. There was initial confusion with the very similar Bridled Tern S. anaethetus but the absence of the white supercilium (marked feature of the Bridled Tern) in the bird we were observing and the upperparts appearing to be uniformly dark (vis-á-vis difference in shade between the dark back and the black head in Bridled), distinguished it readily from the Bridled Tern. Referring to the photograph(s) (Fig. 1) and the field guides, we were able to clinch the identity of the bird as a Sooty Tern. The Sooty Tern is not known from Andhra Pradesh (Taher & Pittie 1989). According to Ali & Ripley (1987), it is known to breed in considerable numbers in the Laccadive (=Lakshadweep) Islands. It is also reported to breed on the Vengurla Rocks off the western coast of the peninsula, and also in the Andamans (Ali & Ripley 1987). “Vagrants (storm-blown?) have occurred far inland, e.g., Cachar (Assam), Darbhanga (Bihar), Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) and in the hill zone of Ceylon,” (Ali & Ripley 1987). Rasmussen & Anderton (2005) give the distribution of this species as, “Breeding visitor—Vengurla Rocks (off S. Maharashtra), Lakshadweep, Chagos and perhaps Maldives … presumably occurs well off W. coast of India. Storm-driven vagrants very rarely occur far inland … ” Historical records are from Cachar (Baker 1912), Laccadive (=Lakshadweep) Islands—breeding (Betts 1939), Darbhanga (Inglis 1902) and Thattakadu, Western Ghats (Sugathan et al. 1996). Ambedkar (1983) gives a record of a sighting from Point Calimere, and another record from Bombay (=Mumbai) Fig. 1. Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata near Hyderabad, May 2011. (Ambedkar 1981). There is a record of a specimen collected K. B. Rao 88 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011)

near Calicut (=Kozhikode) (Matthew & Shukkur 1974), and Pakistan together with those of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri another recent specimen recovered near Valparai in Tamil Nadu Lanka. 2nd ed. Delhi: Oxford University Press. (Robin & Rao 2006). Recent sight records for this decade are Ambedkar, V. C., 1981. Occurrence of the Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata) from the Lakshadweep archipelago, and Kerala. Mike Prince in Bombay - an authentic record. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 78 (2): 377–378. records two individuals seen off Agatthi and Kavaratti Islands Ambedkar, V. C., 1983. Occurrence of the Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata) at in the Lakshadweep group of islands (Prince 2008). One was Point Calimere, Tamil Nadu. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 80 (1): 215. found at Kallambalam, Kollam, and another at , Baker, E. C. S., 1912. The Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa) in Cachar. J. both in Kerala, at the end of May 2011 (Sreekumar 2011). A Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 21 (2): 684. flock was observed at sea off the coast near Kannur on 28 May Betts, F. N., 1939. The breeding of the Indian Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata 2011 (Praveen 2011). infuscata) in the Laccadive Islands. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 40 (4): From the distribution map given in Kazmierczak (2000), 763–764. there are only a few scattered records of the bird, mostly along Inglis, C. M., 1902. Occurrence of the Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa) in the Darbhanga district, Tirhut. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 14 (3): the western shores, and very few off the eastern seaboard. This 627–628. is consistent with the records of the species given above. Ali & Kazmierczak, K., 2000. A field guide to the birds of India,S ri Lanka, Paki- Ripley (1987) record the species as being, “A pelagic tern seldom stan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. 1st ed. New coming to land except in the breeding season … Usually seen in Delhi: Om Book Service. flocks well out to sea.” In a straight line, the nearest coast from Mathew, D. N., & Shukkur, E. A. A., 1974. Notes on a Sooty Tern (Sterna Kotepally, where we observed the bird, is approximately 350 km. fuscata nubilosas Sparrman) collected near Calicut. J. Bombay Nat. This record (vagrant) of the Sooty Tern is an addition to the Hist. Soc. 71 (1): 144–145. birds of Andhra Pradesh (Taher & Pittie 1989), and appears to Praveen J., 2011. [keralabirder] Fwd: Kallambalam Sooty … (www.kerala- [email protected]); 2 June 2011. be the farthest inland record of the species for India; the earlier Prince, M., 2008. [delhibird] Pelagic birding from Kochi to Lakshadweep, inland record could be of a bird from Cachar (Baker 1912), which India ([email protected]); 17 February 2008. is about 125 km. from the sea. Once again, our observation Rasmussen, P. C., & Anderton, J. C., 2005. Birds of South Asia: the Ripley seems to emphasize the cardinal rule of birdwatching: to observe guide. 2 vols. 1st ed. Washington, D.C. and Barcelona: Smithsonian each individual even in a large flock of any species. Institution and Lynx Edicions. Robin, V. V., & Sudheendra Rao, N. R., 2006. A record of a Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata from the Valparai plateau, south India. Indian Birds 1 Acknowledgements (6): 142–143 (2005) (With one col. photo on back cover). We thank Aasheesh Pittie for assistance and help in identifying the bird Sreekumar, B., 2011. [keralabirder] sootty tern (www.keralabirder@ya- from our photographs, and for encouraging us to write and send in our hoogroups.com); 3 June 2011. sighting for publication. Sugathan, R., Jacob, K. C., & Varghese, A. P., 1996. Sooty Tern record from Thattakkadu in the Western Ghats. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 35 (6): 111–112. References Taher, S. A., & Pittie, A., 1989. A checklist of birds of Andhra Pradesh. Ali, S., & Ripley, S. D., 1987. Compact handbook of the birds of India and Hyderabad, India: Published by the authors.

Ring recoveries of Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis along the Maharashtra coast, India Raju Kasambe & Vaibhav Deshmukh

Kasambe, R., & Deshmukh, V., 2011. Ring recoveries of Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus benghalensis along the Maharashtra coast, India. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 88–89. Raju Kasambe, A-205, Trimurti Apartment, Tilak Nagar Vidyalaya, Tilak Nagar, Dombivli (East), District Thane 421201, Maharashtra, India. Email: [email protected] Vaibhav Deshmukh, Bazar Peth, Alibag, District Raigad, Maharashtra, India. Email: [email protected]

ccording to Ali & Ripley (1987) the Lesser Crested Tern Anderton (2005) state that it, “Breeds towards end of monsoon Thalasseus bengalensis is, “Resident? According to in Pakistan … [It is] Resident, breeding on small islets on Sind ATicehurst [it is] the commonest tern of Karachi Harbour and coast, possibly Lakshadweep and Maldives, and reported breeding coast-line. [It] Occurs commonly along the western and eastern Orissa coast. [It is a] Winter visitor to coasts of rest of region, from seaboards of India, Andaman and Nicobar Is., and in Ceylon [Sri Mekran Coast to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Andamans … and Lanka] waters practically throughout the year; more abundant Nicobars.” between September and end April. Presumptively breeding on We report three instances of ring recoveries of Lesser Crested the Makran coast (W. Pakistan), Rameswaram Island, Laccadive Terns along the Maharashtra coast, which are significant in and Maldive Is. … but no direct evidence as yet.” Rasmussen & understanding the migration pattern of the species. 89 . Fig. Map showing 1. migration of Lesser Crested Thalasseus Tern bengalensis

Ring recovery at Arnala Beach, Mumbai: D. P. Bannerjee found January indicating that they migrate towards the Indian coast as a sick Lesser Crested Tern at Arnala Beach, Virar, along the Mumbai soon as their breeding is over. All the birds were ringed as chicks coast on 31 December 2009. The exhausted bird had a ring (pullus) as they breed on the islands in the Persian Gulf. Though embossed with, “Inform British Museum London, SW-DD08695.” the breeding status of the species in India remains a question, The bird died subsequently. The author (RK) reported the ring these records indicate that we do get migratory birds from the recovery to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). The Ringing Persian Gulf, which travel nearly 2500 km to reach our coasts for Unit of BTO provided the ringing information (Table 1). wintering (Fig. 1). Ring recovery at Sindhudurg: A ringed Lesser Crested Tern was found dead at Sindhudurg Fort near the coastal Sindhudurg town in Maharashtra (south of Mumbai) on 11 November 2010. Acknowledgements It was widely reported in local newspapers, which gave the ring We thank Vinod Patil, Bhau Katdare, D. P. Bannerjee, Hamid number as, “ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN DH2377.” This information Amini, and Zahra Elahi-Rad for their help. We also thank Lee was given to RK by his friends, Vinod Patil, and Bhau Katdare. Barber, Recoveries Officer, British Trust for Ornithology, Norfolk, RK contacted Hamid Amini, Senior Ornithologist at the Wildlife for providing ringing data. Thanks to S. Balachandran, BNHS, Bureau of Tehran. The latter provided the ringing details of the and Taej Mundkur, Programme Manager-Flyways, Wetlands tern (Table 1). International Headquarters, The Netherlands for following up the Ring recovery at Alibag, Raigad: VD found a dead Lesser findings with the Iranian ornithologists. Thanks to Noor I. Khan Crested Tern at Akshi beach near Alibag, in Raigad dist., (IBA–BNHS) for help in preparing the migration map. Maharashtra on 9 January 2010. It had a ring on its left leg with, “ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN DW07196,” embossed on it. Hamid Amini, Senior Ornithologist of Wildlife Bureau of Tehran References once again provided the ringing details of the tern (Table 1). Ali, S., & Ripley, S. D., 1987. Compact handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan together with those of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. 2nd ed. Delhi: Oxford University Press. Conclusion Rasmussen, P. C., & Anderton, J. C., 2005. Birds of South Asia: the Ripley guide. 2 vols. 1st ed. Washington, D.C. and Barcelona: Smithsonian These recoveries of ringed Lesser Crested Terns from the Institution and Lynx Edicions. Maharashtra coast have thrown light on some facts about their migration. All the birds were recovered between November and

Table 1. Ring recovery data on three Lesser Crested Terns Thalasseus bengalensis along the Maharashtra Coast, India

Ringing Information Recovery Information Findings Date Location Coordinates Date Location Coordinates Lifespan Distance Jarim Island South, 31 December One year and seven 27 June 2008 26º23’N, 50º28’E Mumbai 19º27’N, 72º44’E 2428 km Baharin and Qatar 2009 months 11 November Four years and three 16 July 2006 Nakhilu Island, Iran 27º49’N, 51º28’E Sindhudurg 16º02’N, 73º27’E 2599 km 2010 months 9 August 2009 Nakhilu Island, Iran 27º49’N, 51º28’E 9 January 2010 Alibag 18º37’N, 72º53’E Five months 2400 km 90 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011)

Marine Important Bird Areas (IBA) Programme in India Raju Kasambe

Kasambe, R., 2011. Marine Important Bird Areas (IBA) Programme in India. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 90. Raju Kasambe, A-205, Trimurti Apartment, Tilak Nagar Vidyalaya, Tilak Nagar, Dombivli (East), Dist. Thane 421201, Maharashtra, India. E-mail: [email protected]

Introduction for example, holds more than 20,000 terns and noddies is one such site where seaward extension needs to be considered India has one of the longest shorelines in the world and many (Islam & Rahmani 2004). pelagic birds are found in Indian waters and along the coast (Singh 2. Non-breeding (coastal) concentrations: These include sites, 2003). It has been documented that as many as 300,000 seabirds usually in coastal areas, which hold feeding and moulting are being caught on the hook annually as bycatch (http://www. concentrations of water-birds, such as divers, grebes and benthos- birdlife.org/action/science/species/seabirds/seabird_calling_ feeding ducks. They could also refer to coastal feeding areas for card.pdf). Hence, there is considerable international attention for boobies, noddies, shearwaters, etc. Sites like the Burnt Island the conservation of pelagic birds. Unfortunately, we do not have (Vengurla Rocks), Maharashtra, which are already declared as an much data on the bird mortality by bycatch of longline fishing in IBA (Islam & Rahmani 2004), will qualify this criteria. Indian waters. Information about our pelagic birds is scanty and 3. Migratory bottlenecks: These are sites whose geographic is limited to the records of stray pelagic birds blown to the coast positioning enable the pelagic birds to fly over or round in the by monsoon gales. course of regular migration. These sites are normally determined BirdLife International’s Important Bird Area (IBA) Programme by topographic features, such as headlands and straits. is a method of identifying the most significant sites for birds 4. Areas for pelagic species: These sites comprise marine areas globally. These sites, called IBAs, can then form the basis for remote from land where pelagic birds regularly gather in large more detailed conservation planning, and the focus for practical numbers. These areas usually coincide with specific oceanographic advocacy, action and monitoring. In India, Bombay Natural History features, such as shelf-breaks, eddies and upwellings, and their Society (BNHS) have already identified 466 IBAs with the help of biological productivity is invariably high. its members and volunteers (Islam & Rahmani 2004). A workshop on the Marine IBAs was held at Hornbill House, BNHS on 28 September 2010 and a select group of biologists Background working in the marine environs of India attended this workshop. This workshop aimed at developing the strategies and future Although the identification stage of the Important Bird Area (IBA) action plan towards identification of Marine IBAs with in the programme is currently approaching completion in terrestrial geographical limits of India. environment; the process is still at an early stage in the marine We request all the marine biologists and ornithologists realm. The process of identification of marine IBAs has already working on pelagic birds to join Indian Bird Conservation Network been completed in many countries like Portugal, Spain, Australia, (IBCN) and share their data on marine birds which will help in Japan and U.K. the identification of marine IBAs in India. The data shared will be Extending the IBA programme to the oceans, while a logical acknowledged in all publications. and significant development, has posed both conceptual and practical challenges. IBAs have formed a significant scientific reference in most of the countries and even in India they are Acknowledgements getting recognised as priority sites for conservation. It is therefore Thanks to Ms. Mayumi Sato, Marine Programme Officer, BirdLife Japan appropriate that the IBA selection criteria should be reviewed and to Mr. Ben Lascelles, International Officer, Marine IBA, Programme, and, as necessary, adapted, in order to use them to identify BirdLife, U.K. for help in writing this article. marine IBAs in India. Types of marine IBAs: Osieck (2004) has recognized four types of marine IBAs as described below, that include the References different aspects of pelagic birds at-sea activities. It should be BirdLife International .2010. Marine Important Bird Areas toolkit: Stan- noted that there is some overlap between non-breeding (coastal) dardised techniques for identifying priority sites for the conservation congregations and areas for pelagic species. of seabirds at-sea. BirdLife International, Cambridge UK. Version 1.1: May 2010 1. Seaward extensions to breeding colonies: While, many seabird Islam, M.Z. & Rahmani, A.R. 2004. Important Bird Areas in India. Pri- breeding colonies have already been identified as IBAs, their ority Sites for Conservation. Indian Bird Conservation Network, boundaries have been, in almost all cases, confined to the land Bombay Natural History Society and BirdLife International (UK). on which the colonies are located. The boundaries of these sites Pp.xviii+1133. can, in many cases, be extended to include those parts of the Osieck, E. R. 2004. Towards the identification of marine IBAs in the marine environment which are used by the colony for feeding EU: an exploration by the Birds and Habitat Directives Task and social interactions. Such extensions are limited by the Force. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. (Internal report). foraging range, depth and/or habitat preferences of the species Singh, H.S. 2003. Marine Protected Areas in India. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences. 32(3): 226-233. concerned. The seaward boundary is, as far as possible, colony- Wildlife Institute of India .2009. Consultation Workshop on Conservation of specific and/or species-specific, based on known or estimated Marine Species for Development of Species Recovery Plans and ma- foraging and maintenance behaviour. Pitti Island, Lakshadweep, rine Protected Areas in India. 6-7 March, 2009. Resource Material. Subramanya: Pelagic birding 91

Pelagic birding off India’s western coast: a first person account S. Subramanya

Subramanya, S,. 2011. Pelagic birding off India’s western coast: a first person account. Indian BIRDS 7 (3): 91–92. S. Subramanya, PHT Scheme, `J’ Block, GKVK, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore 560065, Karnataka, India. Email: [email protected]

West-coast Pelagic Birding Trip was held between 2 and 4 seeking food resources. There are two common sources: one, the April 2011 at Mulki, and Kannur, and what an unforgettable fishing boats that use drag-nets, which, as they plough through Aexperience it turned out to be! For birders who have never the waters, churn-up animalcules from the depths on to the ventured out to sea, any amount of narration falls short of what I surface and you see seabirds foraging in the wake of the boats: experienced: the boat ride, spending a whole day on a trackless gliding and circling effortlessly around them, swooping-down vast expanse of open water seeking birds—and to be swamped from time to time to pick-up scraps from the water. Sometimes by them, and the ultimate experience of watching the high drama they settle momentarily to gobble down a morsel before catching of skuas harassing terns, unfolding right in front of me— all this up with the ship again by seemingly leisurely wing-beats. The would remain etched in my mind forever. second source: shoals of fish. When the birds discover a moving Over 20 birders from Kerala and Karnataka participated in shoal of fish, there are a few birds initially, but within minutes, call this pelagic bird survey, jointly organised by the Malabar Natural it local enchantment, their numbers swell by the second, as the History Society and KeralaBirder at Kannur in northern Kerala, and frenzied feeding sends out visual signals far and wide, across the by the S. A. Hussain Memorial Trust at Mulki coast in southern vast open sea, and you see birds arriving in earnest to partake the Karnataka. We hired boats at both the locations and ventured into bounty offered by the sea around you. This is similar to the mixed the sea from 0730 to 1630 hrs. hunting parties that you come across in the dense wet forests. While you are out on a pelagic birding trip, forget the fishing There are Bridled- and Common- Terns, Greater- and Lesser- boats that are around you. You are alone on the vast sea that crested Terns, shearwaters, and skuas. This only seems to indicate affords you a 220 degree view, on your left, right, and centre, that, thanks to their acute vision, pelagic birds appear to keep an as you head out into the sea. The open sea is a habitat that eye on other birds around, are familiar with their behaviour when we have never been exposed to, and so its bird dynamics are they come across fish, and rapidly advance miles across the open a new experience. You usually see birds moving around in the sea to join-up mixed-fishing flocks. Flocks pursue the shoals of distance, and in the next few minutes there is one, or a few, fish, with birds diving from above amidst waves and scooping passing by your boat; with the bird and the boat moving away them up from the surface. The fish are quickly swallowed, head from each other, you get such a short time to identify the birds first by manoeuvring it expertly in mid-air, and in a few seconds that you see. If you thought that you missed identifying your bird, the bird wheels around to resume its slaughter of the shoal. don’t be disappointed. Within a short time there are scores of In this melee of frenzied feeding, each species has its own them wandering around your boat, and within the next hour, you feeding technique: Bridled Terns, which are usually found in may sail close to a mixed fishing party: lo-and-behold, the birds scattered ones and twos or in small parties, sometimes in large are all there to see. However, there is a problem: while on a gatherings of 50–100, pick up fish, usually from the surface. seabird watching trip, you are never on a firm surface, like you Common Terns do not hesitate to plunge into water. Shearwaters, are during normal birding on terra firma. The rolling and heaving which usually maintain a more close knit group swimming the of the boat, as it rides the waves, makes it impossible for you to churning waters – dipping their heads to pick-up fish, often you have a firm footing or hold your binoculars or your camera steady, will see one of these birds patter along the surface of water with not to mention, that the birds are in constant motion:—you are its booty to distance itself from the boat, which you have ordered heaved up while the boat rides a wave or dipped-down, as it to steer closer for a better look. hits a trough. It steadies again and tries to tip over to the other The congregation gets more interesting with the arrival of skuas! side. As a result, if you are not holding on to something on the Skuas are thugs on wings, wreaking a trail of violence across the boat or seated firm with necessary support: you may even go open seas that they frequent! You rarely see these skuas feeding sailing over-board and may end up giving company to those on their own, as they are given to a life of piracy, call it ‘avian occasional dolphins that you get to see in the sea. But don’t goondaism,’ harassing helpless terns, be they Common-, Lesser-, be disheartened; self-preservation will make you learn the ropes or Great-crested, that have hunted a fish –chasing them down of bird-watching on the high seas. Photographing from a rolling relentlessly, showing great agility in pursuit—matching the tern’s boat riding a choppy sea could well be very challenging. Thus, every move—turning and twisting with them in tandem and at the despite missed chances, the open sea springs many surprises end of it all, hounding them to give-up any fish held in their beaks and presents you with plenty of opportunities – so much so that, or even disgorge the contents of their stomachs, swallowed only at the end of the day you are an expert at identifying all those that a few seconds back, in a bid to escape from the skua. No sooner have been off-limits to normal birders: Thus, the open sea is one is the fish voided by the tern, the skua expertly rolls on its wings of the last frontiers of bird-watching. to catch it a few feet below the departing tern, well before the Out on this pelagic environment, the birds are constantly fish hits the rolling waves below. This drama unfolds right in front 92 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011)

of you, a few meters from your boat, while you stand and watch every move the skua makes and you are stunned by the ways of this tyrannical bully of the high seas. These Parasitic Skuas (also called as Arctic Skua or Parasitic Jaeger), never fail to impress you with their strength and forceful presence and you find that they are unparalleled in their speed and agility in the air, the traits that make them so successful at harrying terns, forcing them to drop the food they are carrying as they race over the sea (Figs. 1–3).

Fig. 3.

In the morning, birds are on the wing, constantly scanning the surface of waters for food, but in the afternoon, most birds seem to settle down on the water, in twos or in small congregations that may swell to considerable numbers. One of the most significant aspects of the terns that you would not fail to notice is their predilection to sit on floating debris and riding buoyantly on the wave crests - getting hidden now and again behind the swell (Fig. 4). Often you wonder at their ability to sit on small debris, be it a piece of wood, a chunk of thermocole, or an up-turned sole of discarded footwear, and Fig. 1. as we observed, even a discarded tube light! You are amazed at the effortless ease with which these birds ride these pieces of debris: dipping into a trough, riding the crest, never flinching for even a second with the fear of losing balance, appearing as if they are an extension of the debris itself. What is more, they even engage in a copious bout of preening as the debris carries them away from you. Besides the wonderful birding opportunity that this trip provided, it was also a great meeting ground for birders, some of those who were mere names, I could now put faces to them and shake hands. I had the privilege of meeting some of those whom I had known for well over two decades. Kumar Bhat Photos: Ashwini

Fig. 2. Fig. 4. Sterna bergii on thermocole debris. Photo gallery 93

Photo Gallery Shearwaters AK Raju AK Raju Flesh-footed Shearwater, September 2010. Flesh-footed Shearwater, September 2010. Mike Prince Praveen ES Wedge-tailed Shearwater, May 2011. Wedge-tailed Shearwater, May 2011. Ashwini Kumar Bhat Rajneesh Suvarna Persian Shearwater, April 2011. Persian Shearwater, April 2011. 94 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011)

Petrels, Storm Petrels & Boobies Praveen ES Mike Prince Jounain’s Petrel, February 2008. Wilson’s Storm-petrel, July 2011. AK Raju Vivek Chandran Vivek Swinhoe’s Storm-petrel, July 2011. Masked Booby, juvenile, September 2010. Sachin Shurpali AK Raju Masked Booby, immature moulting to adult plumage, September 2010. Masked Booby, juvenile, September 2010. Photo gallery 95

Jaegers Mike Prince Mike Prince Pomarine Jaeger adult, February 2008. Pomarine Jaeger immature, February 2008. AK Raju Ashwini Kumar Bhat Ashwini Kumar Parasitic Jaeger adult, April 2011. Parasitic Jaeger immature, September 2010. AK Raju Ashwini Kumar Bhat Ashwini Kumar Parasitic Jaeger immature, April 2011. Parasitic Jaeger immature, September 2010. 96 Indian Birds Vol. 7 No. 3 (Publ. 21 October 2011)

Dark Terns Ashwini Kumar Bhat Shivashankar M Bridled Tern adult, April 2011. Bridled Tern juvenile, April 2011. Mike Prince Rajneesh Suvarna Bridled Tern adult, April 2011. Brown Noddy, May 2011. Mike Prince Mike Prince Sooty Tern adult, February 2008. Sooty Tern juvenile, May 2011. Photo gallery 96A

Pale Terns AK Raju Shivashankar M Great Crested Tern, April 2011. Lesser Crested Tern, September 2010. Sandeep Das Ashwini Kumar Bhat Ashwini Kumar Little Tern, April 2011. Sandwich Tern, April 2011. Sandeep Das Ashwini Kumar Bhat Ashwini Kumar Common Tern, April 2011. Common Tern, April 2011. For private circulation only. AK Raju

Flesh-footed Shearwater

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