To increase public awareness about birds, the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka has launched its annual nationwide program to assess and study the distribution and occurrence of birds in Sri Lanka.
nationwide program to assess and study the distribution and occurrence of birds in Sri Lanka.
Participants should make a list of birds that they are able to identify in a given location and either email it to fogsl@slt.lk or post to FOGSL, Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Colombo 3.
The list should include the date, location, weather at the time of observation, the habitat that the bird was observed in, species seen and name plus contact details of the observer. By counting how many birds of each species were seen, you can come out with a list that will be useful for comparison with future years. Participants can also enter data directly to http://www.worldbirds.org/srilanka which is part of an international network of databases used to analyze status of world’s birds.
BirdLife International’s partner for USA – the Audubon society has already found evidence that the northward and inland movement of birds due to climate change.
This trend has been confirmed by analyzing data collected by thousands of citizen-observations over 40 years through the similar Christmas Bird Count which was started 110 years ago and has become a family tradition among generations of participants. This demonstrates the value of "citizen scientists", so the Sri Lankan general public now has the opportunity to take a first step this December.
To create a database FOGSL invites those who are interested to pay special attention to counting the following common birds. Red-Vented Bulbul (kondaya), Common Myna, Spotted Dove (alu kobeiya), Common Babbler (demalichcha), White-vented Drongo (Kawda), House crow, Brown-headed Barbet (polos kottoruwa), Magpie Robin(polkichcha), White-throated King Fisher (pilihuduwa), Tailor bird (battichcha) are the list of common birds that FOGSL plan to derive a baseline to monitor the status of SriLankan birds. So please keep a special attention on them while counting the birds, the society’s Ornithologists’ urge.
Birds of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, rich in ornithological resources has 26 endemic species of birds with seven more proposed. Also, its location at the tip of the Indian subcontinent has made it a termination point in the North-South migratory paths of birds. December is in the peak migratory season, which is one of the reasons for making it the bird month.
Deforestation on a large scale has affected several special species of local birds such as the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie. One of the most critically endangered species is the Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush.
Bird Counting Month
The environment around us is changing. How do we know this? The common birds that visit our garden are good indicators. For example, the Magpie robin that was present may not be there any more or the Crow population in the area may be expanding. These changes may be indicators of what is to come of a degraded habitat. To monitor such changes and to attempt to change this trend would be by keeping records of the birds in the area. Readers are encouraged to count the birds at least once per year, on the same day at the same time. By monitoring the birds, and detecting environmental changes, you may, in a small way, be able to help your country to be aware of, and take steps to improve protection of the environment.
Bird counting month is an opportunity for you to pay attention to the birds around you, count them and record them.
Why ‘December’..?
As December is the midpoint of the migratory season Sri Lanka will have the maximum number of birds. December too is a holiday month, where you visit various locations, so you get more opportunities to observe birds. Since December is the last month of the year you can include the data for the month in your records.
How to participate..?
Observe birds in as many places as you can. This need not necessarily be a wilderness - your home garden, school premises, workplace are good places for starting this exercise.
Keep a notebook about birds. We all have "pencil and paper", the traditional reliable device that will never be replaced. You may, if you wish, do so electronically.
To be an expert or not to identify birds
We all can identify a "bird". Do not worry about what bird to start with, Just the bird. Black, blue or gold does not matter. You will be surprised at what you will observe when you begin. Your own initiative will help you seek to identity the bird and thus to identify them by name. This is just the beginning. At this point seek the help of an experienced birder or field guide.