Puthan Kadapuram is becoming a new found bird-beach north of Chavakad coast in Thrissur district of Kerala. It is a calm fishing beach that lures shorebirds and birders.
Plenty of migrant birds from all over the world are coming here. Today (11 Feb 2012) I could see Oystercatchers, Grey Plovers, Kentish Plovers, Lesser Sand Plovers, Sanderlings, Green Shanks and plenty of Gulls there.
In the after noon I moved north to Ponnani. As the Ponnani estuary has lost sand flats due to dredging for the new fishing harbor migrants are shifting to southern shores now.
Gulls are even going upstream to Kutipuram bridge and beyond to rest on sandy banks. The plastic menace is not yet a problem in Puthan Kadapuram and it is considerably clean in terms of waste. Plenty of crabs and other life forms are also vibrant here. I also found a dead turtle on the shore.
At Ponnani estuary I was astonished to watch a White-bellied Sea Eagle just above the port being chased by Brahminy Kites. This threatened bird in Malabar coast was recently reported from Chavakad beach as well.
It is clear that this magnificent bird is straying south in search of survival and sea food. It is not found normally south of Mahe. The loss of Purathur estuary could be another fatal blow to the survival of such innumerable endemic and migrant birds and millions of other life forms for ever.
Hi.All photos are superb.