Jalaplavit_Vol10_No1_2020

World Wetlands Day-2020 Vol.10, No.1 February-March, 2020 (Wetlands & Biodiversity) ISSN 2321-1881 World Wildlife Day-2020 (Sustaining all Life on Earth) World Water Day-2020 (Water & Climate Change) Changing Scenario of Wetland birds in Gujarat New Ingredients in Dietary Spectrum of Purple Heron Ring Recovery from Ruff and Dalmatian Pelican Vadodara Wetlands-A Photo Note, Sopona lake-A Photo Note WII’s Walden, Dehradun-A Photo Note Marking WWD-2020 through Waterbird Picture Gallery

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.10, No. 1, Feb.-March 2020 Editorial Dr. Ketan Tatu……………………………………………………………..3 Changing Scenario of Wetland Birds in Gujarat Dr. Rohan Thakker & Dr. P. S. Thakker.................5 Avichal Tatu Ingredients in Dietary Spectrum of Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) Jalaplavit, Vol. 10, No. 1, February 2020 Dr. Raju Vyas & Rudrapratap Singh Rajawat.........12 (Marking World Wetlands Day, Word Wildlife Day, World Water Day-2020) Founding Editor: Dr. Ketan Tatu Longevity and Migratory Distance of Ruff and Dalmatian Pelican Based on Ring Recovery Supporting Editors: Dr. Amita Tatu & Avichal Tatu Devvratsinh Mori........................….................18 Core Team Sopona Lake in Trans-Himalayas Dr. Akshaya Mane…………….......................….......23 Directors, Foundation for Ecological Welfare(FEW) (a not-for-profit Foundation) Glimpses of Wetlands in and near Vadodara, Gujarat, India Principal Technical Advisor Dr. Anika Tere..............................................25 Prof. James T. Anderson, USA Senior Advisors: Dr. Raju Vyas Reviewing Support: Dr. Anika Tere WII’s Walden, Dehradun Avichal Tatu.................................................28 Front Cover Photo (by Avichal Tatu) Picture Gallery-Glimpses of Waterbirds of Some Plumbeous Water-redstart Indian Wetlands............... .................…………….32 Views expressed by the contributors in ‘Jalaplavit’ are not necessarily those of editors. Editors are not responsible for any kind of plagiarism by any author.

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.10, No. 1, Feb.-March 2020 EDITORIAL Ketan Tatu [email protected] Every year, “World Wetlands benthos, herps and innumerable phyto- Day”, “World Wildlife Day” and “World plankton and zoo-plankton, waterbirds Water Day” are observed all over the are their “flagship animals”. In other world during February-March. This issue words, wetlands usually draw attention of Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) is being of the masses through waterbirds. launched to mark all the three “Days” Wetlands in this part of the world (i.e. for the year 2020. India), had been vibrant till recently (i.e. winter-end 2019-20) due to This year, the global theme for numerous species of hundreds of the World Wetlands Day celebration was thousands of migratory ducks and geese, “Wetlands and Biodiversity”. It is a grebes, pelicans, cranes, wetland- matter of great pleasure that Jalaplavit dependent raptors and shorebirds. And (ISSN 2321-1881) was instigated in 2009 now, many of them might be on their for sensitizing people to appreciate and return journey. Migratory ducks or other conserve wetland biodiversity. Thus, kinds of wintering migratory wetlands since over a decade, Jalaplavit has been birds need great amount energy to deal silently working on a theme which the with challenges of return migration that Standing Committee of Ramsar may include great distances to travel on Convention has chosen as the global wings, harshness or vagaries of weather, theme for the celebration of World harshness of landscape over which they Wetlands Day-2020. need to fly etc. A migratory waterbird before leaving its stop-over (refueling) Many of us know that several wetland site for further journey or one wetlands are biodiversity-rich which wants to indulge in return ecosystems in the world. Though migration, keeps feeding on food items wetlands are the treasure-troves of aquatic plants, aquatic insects, macro- 3

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.10, No. 1, Feb.-March 2020 that help accumulating fat (and other So, dear reader! You can easily understand that your favourite birds are lipids) and also provide carbohydrates. available to you for birding only because wetlands are biodiversity-rich and in Of course, they also get proteins, but turn, they provide a variety of plants and invertebrates to birds as food. their major interest lies in fats and carbohydrates from migration view- point. Fats function as source of energy much required for flying thousands of Why just birds! Wetlands have been providing food and other livelihood kilometers. Fats and other lipids, unlike material for daily living to human beings also. Rice (paddy), fish, salt, thatch proteins can be accumulated rapidly material are the best examples of what humanity derives from wetlands on this when food is favourably available and blue planet. they can also be used rapidly when conditions to access new food resources are harsh. Some of the fat-provisioning foods for waterbirds include plants like And on this World Water Day- paddy, millet, barnyard grass, 2020(22nd March 2020), how can we switchgrass, sedges (nutlets), forget wetlands’ utility for provisioning pondweed, buckwheat etc and tiny of water to the entire humanity! animals like crustaceans (e.g. Humans have been exploiting water gammarus, cladocera and anostraca), from wetlands since centuries for dipteran larvae (e.g., chironomid fulfilling their drinking, domestic and larvae), molluscs (e.g. pond snails) etc. irrigation water requirements. Majorities of these fatty foods are Wetlands’ role in ground water available from natural or man-made recharging cannot be over emphasized. wetlands. Waterbirds derive carbohydrates mainly from seeds, Let us take a pledge that we shall strive for the wise use of our wetlands agricultural grains (available in the and we will conserve their biodiversity. fields surrounding wetlands) and tubers of wetland plants and to certain extent -Ketan Tatu from invertebrates and the leafy submerged aquatic vegetation. 4

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Changing Scenario of Wetland Birds in Gujarat Rohan Thakker & 1P. S. Thakker 1Email:[email protected] Based on our many years’ Ahmedabad, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara, experience of bird-watching and bird Mahisagar and Dahod districts in Central census in Gujarat (45 years and 37 years Gujarat as also in the wetlands of respectively in case of second author) as Saurashtra region. White-fronted Goose also review of the available literature, is reported from Little Rann Kachchh we wish to share our observations and mostly every year since last ten years. scientific opinions. They are regarding We had seen them at Dharoi reservoir changing scenario (including increased too and had taken pictures (but the population) of some waterbirds in pictures were taken by a simple camera Gujarat state (Western India) and about from a distance). the birds to be carefully seen for in Gujarat in the modern times. Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) was not reported from Gujarat in the We believe that several remote past. The individuals of this waterbird species which were rare in the species were seen for the first time at past in Gujarat are now commonly seen Dantiwada dam (Banaskantha district) in in and around wetlands of the state. For the year 1988. Later, they were also example, Greylag Geese (Anser anser) recorded at various wetlands of were reported in the past from Chhari Sabarkantha, Panchmahals, Mehsana Dhandh wetland (58 km NW of Bhuj in and Ahmedabad districts and in Kachchh). In the modern times, they are Saurashtra region. Now the species is not usually seen there. However, these common in the regions of Central and birds are commonly seen in the wetlands North Gujarat as well as Saurashtra and of North Gujarat in the districts of Kachchh regions. Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana and Sabarkantha. Similarly, the geese are Common Shelduck (Tadorna also found in the wetlands of tadorna) is a rare waterfowl in Gujarat. In the past, it was reported in 1986-87 5

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 from Bhavnagar coast. Late Mr. Lalsinh species is seen in many wetlands of Raol (an eminent ornithologist from Gujarat. The authors and Prof. Yogesh Gujarat) had received a letter from his Jashray had recorded a group of over 30 friend from Bhavnagar, inviting him to individuals in a small wetland in the see the species at Gaurishankar lake Great Rann of Kachchh on the way to during that year. He went to see the bird Vighakot from Eagle Point. Today, and that was his lifer. Later, 9 birds Mallard is an uncommon winter visitor were seen at Jagmal bet(island) though seen regularly in small number. adjoining Nada bet(island) near Suigam in Great Rann of Kachchh by the second Late Dr. Salim Ali had not author in the company of Late Mr. recorded White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) Lalsinh Raol, Mr. Uday Vora and Dr. in Kachchh during his ornithological Bakul Trivedi. The bird has also been survey in Kachchh. But Lester had seen reported from Bhuj as also Shervo a pair of this stork at Devisar pond in Dhandh and Bhagadia Thath wetlands in August 1895. We had found more than Banni grassland in Kachchh region. In 20 individuals in the Great Rann. Kachchh, the species has also been reported from Jakhau. Common According to Butler, Red-crested Shelduck has also been recorded at Pochard (Netta rufina) has not been a Wadla wetland located between common bird in North Gujarat. But Viramgam and Lakhtar and also at about 50 birds were seen for the first Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary near Jamnagar. time at Sidhada dam in Santalpur taluka of Patan district during bird-watching When the second author had programme organised by Bird started bird-watching and conducting Conservation Society of Gujarat (BCSG) bird-censuses in Gujarat with his in North Gujarat. These birds are now friends, Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), a seen in good numbers at Bajana wetland migratory species for the state, was not near Forest Department camp-site in encountered. But after some years, they the Little Rann of Kachchh and at were glad to see a single bird in a village Wadhvana irrigation reservoir near tank Limbhoi near Modasa in Dabhoi in Vadodara district. Sixty-six Sabarkantha district. Nowadays, this individuals were seen very recently by 6

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Mr. Nirav Bhatt, the second author and member countries. As a result, he staff of Gujarat Forest Department at received a mail from the coordinator of Bhaskarpara wetland (Surendranagar East Africa— “Thank you for the district) during the waterbird census at information; we were thinking that our Nal Sarovar organized by Gujarat Forest birds are dying, but now we know that Department on 8th and 9th February, our birds are migrating to longer 2020 (Figs.3 & 4). distance for Survival.” Dr. Salim Ali reported such a large congregation in In the portion of Great Rann of Little Rann of Kachchh, at the mouth of Kachchh between Shiraani Vaandh River Banas, opposite Dhutari bet, near village on mainland on Rapar-Khadir Amarapur, Santalpur Taluka, Patan road and Khadir island amidst the Rann, district in North Gujarat. the second author and his ornithologist colleagues had seen lakhs of Lesser Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) Flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor). was reported to be an uncommon or rare Though the second author believed visitor in Gujarat in the past. Thus, there were more than 15 lakh according to Dutta (2000), the bird was individuals, he had declared a noted in Bhuj-Kachchh, Viramgam and conservative population estimate of Kharaghoda Gujarat. Stuart Baker about 7,50,000 individuals only. Dr. B. mentioned in 1920s— “Glossy Ibis breeds M. Parasharya (a senior leading in Rann of Kachchh.” The species had ornithologist from Gujarat) had bred colonially at Luna wetlands in published an estimate of about 6,50,000 Banni region of Kachchh in late 1990s by individuals. An internationally accepted Mr. Jugal Kishore Tiwari. In the modern authentic population estimate of this times, Glossy Ibis is commonly found in flamingo species for Gujarat state was the state. only 1,50,000 only. Therefore, the second author had sent a note to the Black-headed Munia (Lonchura “Flamingo Specialist Group” (FSG) malacca) was believed to occur south of mentioning the occurrence of about 10- Maharashtra. Late Mr. L. M. Raol (an 15 lakh Lesser Flamingos at that place. eminent ornithologist from Gujarat) has The FSG sent his information to the not mentioned it as a bird of Gujarat, 7

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 whereas Dr. R.B. Balar in his book on earlier reported from Kachchh. As per birds of Gujarat has mentioned it as a Dutta (2000), the species had been widespread species of the state. We had noted at Deesa (North Gujarat) on 18th seen this bird in Shahwadi suburb of July 1976 and 29th February 1976 by Ahmedabad city which is dominated by Butler and in the year 1944-45 by Sir industrial (mainly, textile) units. Peter Clutterbuck. According to Barnes, the bird is migratory during monsoon Thus, the distribution range of and is not uncommon in Gujarat (Barnes many birds has extended to Gujarat in an article by Harinarayan Acharya). H. state in recent years. We have not Acharya had reported the bird from covered other birds in this article as we Aslali wetland near Ahmedabad (in an are discussing here about wetland birds article by H. Acharya). Barnes (1885) only. considered it to be “not uncommon” in Central India and Gujarat; while A. O. These observations indicate Hume (footnote to Butler 1875–1877) changes in wetland bird scenario in mentioned that it occurred “somewhat Gujarat state. The likely reason for sparingly” in Gujarat. Recent records these changes might be increased area are from Bhavnagar coast and coast near under wetlands and expansion of canal Gujarat-Maharashtra boarder (Collar N. network due to the construction of many J.). If the bird was found during 1940- reservoirs on different rivers in the 1980 at Aslali near Ahmedabad, why state. Number of birdwatchers and bird can’t it found in the modern times? photographers has also increased in the state leading to likely increased According to Late Mr. Hari magnitude of authentic reporting of various wetland birds. Narayan Acharya (an eminent naturalist There are also some examples of from Gujarat), Late Mr. birds that might be relatively “commoner” in the past, but in the Dharmakumarsinhji (an eminent modern times, they are rare or non- existent. The Adjutant Stork and Lesser ornithologist) and Mr. Prasad Ganpule Adjutant are believed to be rare/non- existent in Gujarat. But they were (Associate Editor, “Flamingo”-Gujarat), there are many other historical records of waterbirds like Fulvous or Large Whistling Teal, Snow Goose, Bean 8

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Goose, Tundra Swan, Marbled Duck, times, there are large number of bird- Falcated Duck, Baikal Teal, Greater watchers who are equipped with good Scaup, Smew, Goosander, Shearwaters, cameras as also bird photographers or Petrels, Frigatebirds, Red-billed bird videographers. Hence, if some new Tropicbird and Boobies. sightings occur in Gujarat state, one can easily provide its proof of occurrence in Therefore, wetland/waterbird the state to entire international bird- enthusiasts should keep looking for watcher/ ornithologist community these birds carefully in different whenever required. wetlands of Gujarat. In the modern Rohan Thakker Fig. 1 A record shot of a flock of Mallards in Great Rann of Kachchh in November 2012 Rohan Thakker Fig. 2 A record shot of White Storks in Great Rann of Kachchh November 2012 9

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Nirav Bhatt Fig.3 Red-crested Pochard- a male at Bhaskarpara wetland, Gujarat Nirav Bhatt Fig.4 A few individuals of Red-crested Pochard out of total 66 individuals recorded at Bhaskarpara wetland on 8th February 2020 10

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Bibliography Oats, E. (1889). The Fauna of British India (FBI)-Birds. Vol.1, Vol. II. Taylor Acharya, H. (1949). Gujarat naa Praanio and Francis, London. ni Saarani (in Gujarati), pp. 1-190. Thakker P.S. (1982). Why Did Flamingo Ali, S. (1945). The Birds of Kutch. Oxford Shift their Breeding Ground? ISRO Tech. University Press, pp.1-175. Report, Space Applications Center, ISRO-SACTR-26-82. Baker, S. (1929). The Fauna of British India Vol.VI (Birds), Taylor and Francis, Thakker, R, H. Solanki and P. Thakker London, pp.327-330. (2013). Waterbirds observed in Great Rann of Kachchh (GRK). Jalaplavit Barnes, H. E. (1885). Handbook to the 4:123-125. Birds of the Bombay Presidency. The Calcutta Central Press Co., Ltd., Thakker, R. (2014). Past and Present Calcutta. 449 pages. Climatic Conditions and Present Bio- Diversity of North-Western Parts of Blanford W. T. (1898). The Fauna of Great Rann of Kachchh. M. Phil. British India, including Ceylon and Dissertation (Unpublished), Department Burma Vol. IV (Birds). Taylor and of Climate Change Impacts Francis, London, Pp. 1-500. Management, Gujarat University Ahmedabad. pp. 101 Dutta B.B. (2000). Aves. Fauna of Gujarat (Part-1) Vertebrates. State Tiwari, J. K. and A. R. Rahmani (1998). Fauna Series 8. 1:85-241. Director: Large heronries in Kutch and the nesting Zoological Survey of India. Kolkata, of Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus at India. Luna jheel, Kutch, Gujarat, India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Ganpule, P. (2017). The Birds of Society 95: 67-70. Gujarat-Status and Distribution. Flamingo: VIII 3-XII4:1-40 Whistler, H. (1949). Popular Handbook of Indian Birds. Gurney and Jackson. Gopi Sundar, K.S. and S. Kittur (2019). London, pp.1-560. Glossy Ibis-Distribution and Abundance in an Indian Agricultural Landscape: _______________ Seasonal and Annual Variations. SIS Conservation Issue 1 (Special Issue: Glossy Ibis Ecology & Conservation), pp 135–138. 11

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 New Ingredients in Dietary Spectrum of Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) Raju Vyas1 & Rudrapratap Singh Rajawat 1E-mail: [email protected] The Purple Heron Ardea purpurea of 57% fish, 21% reptiles (especially is a large, wide-ranging and globally snakes), 14% crustaceans, and 8% Insects distributed wader. It breeds in many (Mukherjee 1971). countries of Europe, Asia and Africa. The food menu of Purple Heron includes Another study on nestlings in nine diverse organisms like fish, small nests from Anzali wetland, Iran (Ashoori mammals, amphibians (frogs, newts and & Rakhshbhar 2013) revealed fish (30%), salamanders), nestlings or small birds, reptiles (30%) and amphibians (28%) as reptiles (snakes, lizards, and skinks), diet constituents. Such foods and crustaceans, mollusks (snails), spiders feeding habits of Purple Heron indicate and insects like hemipterans, bees, that there is a wide range of food items grasshoppers, dragonflies, flies, in its diet menu. Undoubtedly, diet beetles, aquatic larvae (Witherby 1943; composition of this species of the Cachia 1984–1985; Johnson 1988; Ardiedae family (herons, egrets, Martínez-Vilalta & Motis 1992; Kushlan & bitterns etc.) depends on geographical Hancock 2005). The stomach analysis of area, range and seasonal changes of 70 adult Purple Herons from mangrove habitat, along with its breeding or non- forests of Sundarbans, West Bengal, breeding status (Kanongdate 2012) of an India has shown that their diet consisted individual. It is beyond doubt that the species is an obligate carnivore. 12

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Here, we add some unusual items different times, locations and occasions. to the list of food already known for the The details of observations are species based on observations noted at explained hereby. Raju Vyas Amita Tatu Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) is a wetland bird. It utilizes a variety of wetland habitats i.e. open water area (left) and marshy emergent aquatic vegetation(right). It is a successful predator which wait still for capturing a prey. Purple Heron may be harassed by Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea). It steals its prey when the two herons are foraging in proximity of each other. Predators of eggs and chicks of Purple Heron include otters, marsh harrier, some crakes, foxes, snakes and rats. Purple Heron usually flies at the speed ranging from 33 km/hr to over 44 km/hr (Sources: “Animal Diversity Web” and “oiseaux-birds.com”). 13

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Observations which prey on muggers; either eggs or On 25th June 2017, one of the full-grown adults. The published authors (RR) made an observation, whereby he noted an adult Purple Heron literature indicates particular (Ardea purpurea) being able to catch a large prey from the grasslands along the vertebrate animals, from classes banks of Chambal River (Palighat area, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan). The heron including reptilians, mammals and even was sighted from a distant location, which made it difficult to detect the birds, including few confirmed species of prey hanging from its beak. The jerking movements by the prey identified species of Pariah Kite (Milvus were visible; and despite repeated attempts the prey, it was still held migrans govinda), Black-necked Stork intact in the heron’s beak. Upon careful examination, the visible prey in the (Eiphippiorhynchus asiaticus) and heron’s beak was confirmed to be a small (22-25 cm) hatchling of Mugger Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) Crocodile Crocodylus palustris. Eventually, the bird managed to engulf and other unconfirmed avian species the entire crocodile hatchling after struggling for 15-20 minutes. (Crow, Egrets and Herons) (Somaweera Most recently similar observation et al. 2013). was noted by R. Srivastava (Facebook post: 20th June 2019) that depicted an Purple Heron has developed adult Purple Heron predating upon a successful hunting techniques. It either freshly hatched Mugger infant (C. chases a prey or indulges in ‘still- palustris) at Ranthambhore National hunting’ (i.e. waiting patiently and Park, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. motionless for capturing a prey). It has However, there are very few predators also been observed that it hides amidst/behind vegetation to capture a prey or slowly stalks a prey (Witherby 1943; Mistry & Patel 2018). These are the common hunting strategies adopted by the species. However, there are few publications on Purple Heron, wherein some special ability of the bird to predate on various species of birds, belonging to families such as Rallidae and Podicipedidae has been indicated (Kushlan and Hancock 2005; Montesinos 14

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 et al. 2008), Passerines (Barbraud et. al. Barred Buttonquail (Turnix suscitator) 2001) Ploceidae (Hockey et al. 2005) (Patel et al. 2018), Ruddy Breasted and Alaudidae (Mistry and Patel 2018) in Crake (Porzana fusca) (Patel: In Press) accounts with specific birds species and Common Quail (Cotumix cotumix) including Jungle Babbler (Turdoides (Tere et al. 2019). Recent observation striatus (Johnson 1988), Village Weaver of Purple Heron preying on Mugger Bird (Ploceus cucullatus) and Southern hatchling is a new observation and adds Masked Weaver Bird (Ploceus velatus) a novel food items to the dietary (Hockey et al. 2005), Eurasian Coot spectrum of the species. (Fulica atra) (Montesinos et al. 2008), Rudrpratap Singh Rajawat An adult Purple Heron with a Mugger hatchling as its prey, Chambal River (Palighat area, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan) 15

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Acknowledgments: Authors are very grateful to Mr. R. Srivastava (Patan, Uttar Paradesh) and Mr. Rahul Bhatt (Vadodara, Gujarat) for sharing information and providing pictorial evidences. References Ashoori, A. & Y. Rakhshbhar (2013). Kushlan, J. A. & J. A. Hancock (2005). Nestling diet of the Purple Heron, Ardea Herons. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford purpurea, in Anzali wetland, Northern University Press. Pp. i–xvii, 1–433. Iran (Aves: Ardeidae). Zoology in the Middle East 59 (3):280-282, DOI: Martínez-Vilalta, A. & A. Motis (1992). 10.1080/09397140.2013.841438 Family Ardeidae (Herons). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., & Sargatal, J., (eds.). Barbraud, C., M. Lepley, V. Lemoine & Handbook of the birds of the world. H. Hafner (2001). Recent changes in the Ostrich to ducks. Barcelona: Lynx diet and breeding parameters of the Edicions. Vol. 1. Pp. 376–429. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea in Southern France. British Trust for Mistry, V. & N.S. Patel (2018). Purple Ornithology, Bird Study 48: 308-316 Heron Ardea purpurea hunts a lark. Indian BIRDS 14(3): 87-88. Cachia, D. (1984–1985). Purple Heron Montesinos, A. F. Santoul, F. & A. Green eating a skink. II Merill (23): 14. (2008). The diet of the Night Heron and Purple Heron in the Guadalquivir Johnson, J. M. (1988). Purple Heron Marshes. Ardeala 55(2): 161-167 (Ardea purpurea) swallowing a Jungle Babbler. Journal of the Bombay Natural Mukherjee, A. K. (1971). Food-habits of History Society 85 (1): 190. water-birds of the Sundarban, 24- Parganas District, West Bengal, India-II. Hancock, J. & J. A. Kushlan (2010). The Herons and Bitterns. Journal of BNHS 68 (1): 37–64. Herons Handbook. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 108–110. ISBN 978-1- 4081-3496-2. Hockey, P., W. Dean & P. Ryan (2005). Patel, M., P. Kapdi, N.Tandel & U. Roberts birds of southern Africa (7th Bangoria (2018). Purple heron preying ed). Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird on a Barred Buttonquail. Flamingo Book Fund, Cape Town. 16(4): 13-14. Kanongdate, K. (2012). Driving forces Patel, P.R. (2018). Purple Heron Praying influencing the fluctuation of the on a Ruddy Breasted Crake. Flamingo number of Purple Herons (Ardea 17(2) purpurea) at Bung Khong Long Ramsar Somaweera, R., M. Brien, & R. Shine Site, Thailand. Ph. D. Thesis, Environmental Sciences, Faculty of (2013). The role of predation in shaping Environmental Sciences and Process Engineering, Brandenburg University of crocodilian natural history Technology, Yala, Thailand. 116 pp. Herpetological Monogram 27: 23-51. 16

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Srivastava, R. (2019). Ranthambore Gujarat State, India. Jalaplavit 9(2):53- National Park, 20th June 2019. Facebok 57. post. Witherby, H. F. (Ed.) (1943). Handbook Tere, A., K. Upadhyay, R. Bhatt & N. of British birds. Vol. 3: Hawks to Ducks. Solanki (2019). Purple Heron Preying on H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd. Pp. 133–13 a Common Quail at Wadhwana Wetland, Purple Heron-Interesting Facts  Purple Heron is a shy, secretive and solitary predator. Though it can be seen foraging during the day-time, it is a nocturnal of crepuscular forager at large.  Despite the word “purple” in its English common name, the Purple Heron actually has a chestnut-red head and neck with striking vertical black stripes, grey shoulders and outer-wings, and a rich chestnut stomach and inner-wings  Among novice bird-watchers, the long and thin neck of the Purple Heron sometimes creates confusion and they consider it to be an Oriental Darter. Its juvenile’s plumage is quite different from that of the adult. Juveniles are light brown body plumage.  The Spanish name for the Purple Heron is garza imperial, whereas its Latin name is Ardea purpurea.  As per IUCN, the Purple Heron has been experiencing globally “declining” population, mainly due to the drainage of wetlands. However, its Red List status is \"Least Concern\"(LC).  Purple Heron is a colonial nester, but can nest solitarily too. In Gujarat, its nesting is seldom seen in mix heronries. The nests are often seen in reed-beds or low bushes/trees at water’s edge. (Sources:https://steemit.com/science/@keuudeip/some-interesting-scientific-facts-about- purple-heron,https://avibase.bsc-oc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=8D6CB009B4D20368) 17

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Longevity and Migration Distance of Ruff and Dalmatian Pelican Based on Ring Recovery Devvratsinh Mori [email protected] Ringing has been an important December 2005 below an overhead research tool for conservation electric transmission lines by a villager biologists over the last hundred years of Limali village (220 40’ 16.9” N, 710 (Anderson and Green, 2009). Ringing 34’ 07.4” E), Muli Taluka of provides valuable information of Surendrangar district. Probably, it died geographic distribution of species, their due to collision with the overhead home range, movements between cables. Close observation of the bird feeding and breeding grounds, revealed the presence of a ring migration routes, survival rates, (Kazakhstan, Almaty 32, KK 3924) on breeding ecology and genetic one of its legs (Fig. 1 and 2). A similar relationships (Anderson and Green, ring (No. Moskwa P-257 268) was 2009; Karlionova et al., 2007; Verkuil collected from a dead Ruff et al., 2008; Jaatinen et al., 2010; (Philomachus pugnax) at Mulbavla Pigniczki et al., 2016). However, a village (220 44’ 26.6” N, 710 58’ 23.7” challenge with bird ringing studies is E) near Surendranagar in December that the number of resighted 2005 (Fig.3). The photographs of rings individuals is often very low, especially of both the birds were taken for the when birds have only been fitted with a future reference. On tracing the metal ring (Robinson et al. 2009). numbers and details on the rings, it was Hence, reporting of recovery records of revealed that both the birds were ringed birds become very important. ringed in Kazakhstan in Russia. Here, I share information on the Communication with Bird Ringing recoveries of two bird species having Centre of Russia was carried out to get metal rings on their legs. more information. The Dalmatian Pelican was ringed at Lake Balkash (450 A carcass of Dalmatian Pelican 22’N, 740 08’E) at its breeding colony (Pelecanus crispus) was found in 18

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 near the delta of Ili river in Moscow, in Grimmett et al., 2011; Catsadorakis et Kazakhstan, Russia on 10th July 1994. al. 2015; Ganpule, 2016; Birdlife Large numbers of juveniles of pelicans International, 2018). Ruff is also a were ringed at that time. From the ring migratory and globally least concerned recovery data, it is revealed that the species. It breeds in wetlands of pelican travelled almost 2570km from Eurasia and migrate to tropics (Birdlife its birth place to Gujarat, India (Map International, 2018). The age of Ruff is 1). The approximate age of the pelican recorded to be 11 years in the is considered to be about 11 years. The description of EURING and about 13 Ruff was ringed at a breeding site (48o years and 11 months in studies by 28’N, 62o09’E) downstream of River Robinson (2009). However, in this case Turgay, near Nurinskiy on 3-8-1975 in the bird is recorded to have survived Kazakhstan province. It was a female for about 20 years. bird. It revealed that the bird travelled about 2989 km from its birth place and Two Views of a Dalmatian Pelican ring reached to Indian Territory (Map 2). The approximate age of the bird is considered to be 20 years based on the ring recovery record. The Dalmatian Pelican is categorized as Near Threatened species with the global population of 11,400-13,400 individuals (Birdlife International, 2018). Its geographic distribution is limited to the Palaearctic Region, from Europe to Mongolia. It breeds in Eastern Europe and east-central Asia and migrates to Indian subcontinent in winter (Ali &Ripley, 1983; Collar et al. 1994; Crivelli, 1996; Parasharyaet al., 2004; 19

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 References: Ali, S. & S. D. Ripley (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. A view of a ring from a Ruff’s leg Anderson G. Q. A and R. E. Green Migratory route of Dalmatian Pelican (2009). The value of ringing for bird Migratory route of Ruff conservation. Ringing and Migration 24, 205-212. BirdLife international (2018). Pelecanus crispus (amended version of 2017 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. Catsadorakis, G., O. Onmu, S. Bugariu, O. Gül , D. Hatzilacou, O. Hatzofe, M. Malakou, T. Michev, T. Naziridis, H. Nikolaou, A. Rudenko, D. Saveljic, S. Shumka, M. Sıkı, A. J. Crivelli (2015). Current status of the Dalmatian pelican and the great white pelican populations of the Black Sea/Mediterranean flyway. Endangered Species Research 27:119-130. 20

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Collar, N. J., M. J. Crosby and A. J. Karlionova N., P. Pinchuk, W. Stattersfield (1994) Birds to watch Meissner and Y. Verkuil (2007). 2: the world list of threatened Biometrics of Ruffs Philomachus birds. Cambridge, U.K.: BirdLife pugnax migrating in spring through International (BirdLife Conservation southern Belarus with special Series no. 4). emphasis on the occurrence of ‘faeders’. Ringing & Migration 23: Crivelli, A. J. (1996). Action Plan 134–140 for Dalmitian Pelecan (Pelecanus crispus ) in Europe. Station Parasharya, B. M., C. K. Borad and Biologique de la Tour du Valat, D. N. Rank (2004). A checklist of France. Birds of Gujarat. Bird Conservation Society, Gujarat, Pp 1-27. Ganpule, P. (2016). The birds of Gujarat: Status and distribution. Pigniczki, C. J. Kralj, S. Volponi, A. Flamingo8 (3)-12 (4): 2-40 Zuljevic, M. A. Dakhli, T. Mikuska, H. Azafzaf and Z. Vegvari (2016). Grimmett, R., C.Inskipp&T.Inskipp Migration routes and stopover sites of the Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea (2011). Birds of the Indian leucorodia) between the Carpathian Basin and wintering areas. Ornish Subcontinent.2nd ed. London: Hungarica 24 (1): 128-149 Oxford University Press Robinson, R. A. (2009). Ruff Philomachus pugnax (Linnaeus, &Christopher Helm.pp. 1-528 1758).BirdFacts: profiles of birds occurring in Britain & Ireland, BTO Jaatinen K., A. Lehikoinen & David Research Report 407, April 2009. B. L. (2010). Female-biased sex ratios and the proportion of cryptic male morphs of migrant juvenile Ruffs (Philomachus pugnax) in Finland. Ornis Fennica 87:125–134. 21

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Robinson, R. A., R. Julliard and J. F. Acknowledgments: I am grateful to Saracco (2009). Constant effort: Shri Bhavanisinhji Mori, Mr. Prasad studying avian population processes Ganpule and Ms. Madhumita Pranigrahi using standardized ringing. Ringing for their support and encouragements. I and Migration 24, 199-204. also thank Mr. Andrey Gavrilov and Ms. Irina Kharitonova from the Bird Ringing Verkuil, Y., J. Jukema, J. A. Gill, N. Centre of Russia for providing information about the rings collected Karlionov, J. Melter, J. C. e. W. during the present study. I convey special thanks to Shri Vikramsinhji Hooijmeijer and T. Piersma (2008). Parmar for helping in field. I thank Dr. Anika Tere for improving the text and Non-breeding faeder Ruffs helping in publishing it. Philomachus pugnax associate according to sex, not morphology. British Trust for Ornithology. 55, 241–246 Avichal Tatu 22

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Sopona Lake in Trans-Himalayas Akshaya Mane [email protected] Akshaya Mane Mane Village is located deep Akshaya Mane within the Trans-Himalayan region of Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh, which is 34 km away from Kaza, Spiti Valley. The proglacial lake called Sopona or Mane lake (Location: 32°0' 22.75\"N, 78°16' 59.87\"E; Altitude: 4000 meters) is around 4.5 km away from Mane village formed and it is located at the base of ice capped mountains. Glacial lakes are created by direct action of glaciers and/or inland ice sheets. Different types of glacial lakes are difficult to classify. The types that have been recognized are lakes in direct contact with ice⎯ glacially carved rock basins and depressions; morainic and outwash lakes; and glacial drift basins. Glacial lakes include proglacial lakes, subglacial lakes, finger lakes, and epishelf lakes. Mane Lake is a proglacial lake. It is formed by the damming action of a moraine during the retreat of a melting glacier, a glacial ice dam or by melt-water trapped against an ice 23

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 sheet. The siltation and deposited in India with respect to their formation, sediments gradually turn a proglacial ecology and conservation. There is a lake into a swamp. Such lakes and need to focus on them for future swamps are not hithrto studied in detail research. Akshaya Mane Mane/Sopona Lake 24

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Glimpses of Wetlands in and near Vadodara, Gujarat, India Anika Tere [email protected] Vadodara city harbours many wetlands in and around it. Wadhvana and Timbi are well-known amongst these wetlands. Nonetheless, various village ponds are also very important in supporting biodiversity.Beside forming the ideal habitat for various species of flora and fauna, the wetlands are sources of irrigation water and fisheries. However, due to these and several other anthropogenic unsustainable activities, many wetlands are under anthropogenic pressures. Dumping of wastes, encroachment and construction of fish ponds, release of chemicals by washing clothes, habitat disturbances are rampant at the wetlands of Vadodara (and elsewhere). Here are some glimpses of biodiversity richness of some Vadodara wetlands and anthropogenic pressures on them. Anika Tere Striated Heron near Chikhotra on Dhaniyavi-kayavarohan road near Vadodara 25

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Anika Tere Himanshu Jadhav Glimpses of Lotus Anika Tere Anika Tere A Purple Swamphen on leaves of Lotus Small Blue Kingfisher on Typha Himanshu Jadhav A Mugger Crocodile, Vishwamitri River 26

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Anika Tere Anika Tere Livestock at Wadhvana wetland Encroachment by fishermen Anika Tere Anika Tere Disturbance at Timbi reservoir Solid waste at a wetland Burning of vegetation at Hanumanpura Wetland Anika Tere 27

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 WII’s Walden, Dehradun Avichal Tatu [email protected] Avichal Tatu Avichal Tatu Glimpses of WII’s Walden 28

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Walden Pond in Massachusetts, crested Pochard (Netta rufina) resting USA, which inspired USA’s between umpteen Mallards and Spot- internationally acclaimed philosopher billed Ducks. Sometimes, a pair of Henry David Thoreau is visited by well Ferruginous Ducks (White-eyed Pochards over five hundred thousand people Aythya nyroca) emerges from the every year. This kettle hole that was emergent vegetation on the periphery of formed 10,000-12,000 years ago due to the wetland. If one is fortunate, one retreating glaciers, had inspired might also spot a Eurasian Woodcock Thoreau and therefore, it has gained (Scolopax rusticola) lurching through world-wide fame. the dense emergent vegetation. Trees like Bombyx ceiba and Albizia procera The Wildlife Institute of around the wetland become diving India(WII), Dehradun (Uttarakhand boards for Rhesus Macaque troops in the district) has its own “Walden”. WII’s afternoon. At nights one might catch a “Walden” was formed in 1996 as a result Brown Fish Owl (Ketupa zeylonensis) of embankment of the “Chandrabani” staring at him/her from its perch on a stream which drains into Asan River. It Bombyx ceiba tree. In monsoons, one is a small palustrine wetland and the can see an assortment of turtles basking only permanent source of water on the on the periphery in the afternoon. In campus. It is a stopover site for several springs, the wetland turns into a migratory birds. In winter, Mallards flowered mirror with petals of Pyrus (Anas platyrhynchos) are usually the pashia floating on it. most plentiful among the ducks while Spot-billed Ducks (Anas poecilorhyncha) Fortunately, there is a bench rule the summers. WII’s Walden near the wetland from where you can becomes a “mystery box” of sorts during enjoy this show in the nature’s own winters. One might spot a lone Red- theatre. 29

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Avichal Tatu Ferruginous Duck which is also known as White-eyed Pochard (as the picture reveals) Avichal Tatu Red-crested Pochard- one of the most beautiful ducks wintering in India 30

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Avichal Tatu Mallard-it occurs in good number every year during winter at WII’s Walden Avichal Tatu WII’s Walden is also inhabited by our resident waterfowl-Indian Spot-billed Duck 31

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 PICTURE GALLERY GLIMPSES OF WATERBIRDS OF SOME INDIAN WETLANDS 32

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Avichal Tatu Avichal Tatu Glimpses of Waterfowl at Asan Conservation Reserve, 40 km West of Dehradun, Uttarakhand 33

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Avichal Tatu A pair of Ruddy Shelduck, Mangalajodi freshwater wetlands, Odisha Avichal Tatu Northern Pintail, Mangalajodi freshwater wetlands, Odisha 34

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Avichal Tatu Ruddy-breasted Crake, Mangalajodi freshwater wetland, Odisha Avichal Tatu Purple Heron, Mangalajodi freshwater wetland, Odisha 35

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Avichal Tatu Bar-headed Geese at Chilika lake, Odisha Avichal Tatu A pair of Brahminy Kite at Chilika lake, Odisha 36

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Avichal Tatu Brown-winged Kingfisher, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha Avichal Tatu A flock of Pied Avocets at Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha 37

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Avichal Tatu White-winged Ducks at Nameri Tiger Reserve, Assam Avichal Tatu Indian Spot-bill Duck at a village pond in Gujarat 38

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.10, No.1 Feb.-March 2020 Avichal Tatu Crab Plovers at Balachhadi sea coast(Saurashtra), Gujarat Waterfowl at Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary (Ramsar Site), Gujarat in February 2020 39

Authors of the Issue Dr. Rohan Thakker Dr. P. S. Thakker Dr. Raju Vyas Asst. Prof., Shri K. K. Shastri Research Scientist (Rtd.) Herpetologist & Zoo Inspector Science College, Ahmedabad Space Applications Center(ISRO) (Rtd.), Sayaji Baug Zoo,Vadodara Mr. Rudrapratap Singh Rajawat Mr. Devvratsinh Mori Dr. Akshaya Mane Naturalist Avian Biologist & Conservationist Ornithologist & Conservationist Dr. Anika Tere Mr. Avichal Tatu Ornithologist & Conservationist Master’s Student,WII, Dehradun

The next issue will be the “World Environment Day”-2020 Special that will be launched in June 2020. Please send your articles, research papers, observation notes, photographs etc. pertaining to wetlands and their biodiversity till 15TH May 2020.

Creating resilience to support people's health and combat climate change can be done through supporting the vital ecosystem services we rely on from nature, such as restoring forests to improve air quality, re-planting mangroves to buffer against severe storms and store carbon, and leaving watersheds intact for safe and clean water supply. (Source: “IUCN Water Programme”. <https://digital.iucn.org/water/nature-based-solutions-for- water/ >for creating awareness to mark World Water Day-2020)