Authors :

S. Mukunda Rao,

Author Address :

Department of Zoology, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam- 500003, Andrapradesh, India

Abstract :

The present studies deal with winter migratory birds that arrive in à very healthy pond namely  Petcheruvu in Lakhamdiddi  Village in Kotabommali mandal of Srikakulam district, Andrapradesh.  The present study reveals that a total of 42 species of wetland birds belonging to 14 orders and 19 families were observed from this pond. Out of these 42 species of wetland birds, 14 species of birds were winter migratory, 7  species were local migratory, 11 species were  resident,  and 10 species were resident / local migratory. The present studies hint towards those conditions and reasons which have discouraged birds during 2012 - 2014. The familiar migratory birds observed in 2012 include Spot billed pelican, painted stork, asian open billed stork, spot billed duck,  comb duck, tufted pochard,  pale harier, Kentish plover, herring gull, common snipe among  several other terrestrial ones. However, the birds seen in 2013 declined which continued through 2014. The main reason for this destructive development of migratory birds includes the large scale interference with the topography of the pond. The large part   of the pond has been land filled and encroached upon for the sake doing hackneyed daily chores by the villagers. This paper attempt to highlight the practice of deliberate destruction of the rural pond  which have served as good sojourning locations for migratory birds which come from as far away  distance like Siberia, China, Russia, and mid Himalayas since time immemorial. This negative trend if not checked on war footing, the migratory birds’ arrival in Lakahmdiddi Petcheruvu will be in the doldrums.  The paper urges the government authorities to take urgent steps make to ensure conservation of Petcheruvu  ponds and thus conservation of avian diversity.

Keywords :

Spot billed pelican, painted stork, asian open billed stork, spot billed duck, comb duck, tufted pochard, pale harier, Lakhamdiddi village, Petcheruvu, migratory birds and Kotabommali