A waterbird survey conducted as part of the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) 2024 in the northern parts of Alappuzha recorded 17,652 birds of 101 species on Sunday.
Compared to last year, the number of winged visitors visiting the region has increased slightly. In 2023, the survey recorded 16,392 birds of 116 species.
However, there has been a decline in species and number of some migratory ducks. Lesser whistling ducks fell to 2,943 from 3,838 a year ago. Likewise, birders spotted 421 Cotton pygmy goose as against 657 in 2023. The number of Garganey fell to 31 from 236.