Preliminary observation on migratory birds on the island of Mandaitivu, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Migratory birds are regularly present in the Jaffna peninsula from September to April. No previous studies have been carried out in the Jaffna peninsula on the diversity and abundance of migratory bird species, mostly due to the security status of the area in the past. Proper scientific studies are essential for the effective managementof these species. The objective of the present study was to identify the major migratory bird species on the Island of Mandaitivu, which is notable for its bird diversity among the other islands in the Jaffna peninsula, as well as being a major mangrove habitat in the area. The dominant types of vegetation on Mandaitivu are marshlands and mangrove habitats, which provide suitable habitats for migratory birds. The present study was carried out from September to November 2013. Point transects were used to count birds. Peak counting hours were between 0630 and 0830 h each day, and counts were taken weekly. A 10 km² area was selected from each habitat and six sampling points were selected using simple random sampling. A minimum distance of approximately 100 m was kept between points to avoid pseudoreplication. Birds were counted for 20 minutes at each point, using binoculars. Nine species of migratory birds were identified. The most abundant species was the gull-billed tern (𝘎𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢) (total count: 192). Among the other abundant species were common sandpiper (𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘺𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘶𝘤𝘰𝘴) (93), Richard’s pipit (𝘈𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪) (33), and common redshank (𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘴) (27). The highly endangered slender-billed curlew (𝘕𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘴) (1) and the spoonbilled sandpiper (𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘺𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘩𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘺𝘨𝘮𝘦𝘶𝘴) (3), both of which are winter vagrants to Sri Lanka, the very rare wood snipe (𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘢) (1), wood sandpiper (𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘢 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘰𝘭𝘢) (2), and pintail snipe (𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘳𝘢) (3) were also observed during this study. Given the large number of birds species (both migrant and resident) present in this area and the ecotouristic potential it holds, the Mandaitivu Island is undoubtedly an important area for bird conservation.