Chennai: In a major boost for birdwatchers and conservationists, two rare species of terns, the Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) and the white-cheeked tern (Sterna repressa), have been recorded for the first time in Tamil Nadu at the Puthalam saltpans in Kanniyakumari district.
The sightings, made on September 13 and 14, were listed on the global birding database eBird, marking a significant addition to the state’s ornithological records.
Independent bird researcher Anand Shibu first spotted the Arctic tern, known for undertaking the world’s longest annual migration, about 70,000 km between the Arctic and Antarctic regions. A day later, during a follow-up visit with birder Bagavathi Balasubramanian, the pair observed the white-cheeked tern, a species typically found along the coasts of the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
The Arctic tern sighting marks just the fifth confirmed record of the species in India, with previous sightings reported in Ladakh (1990), Mumbai and Kerala.
The discoveries highlight the growing ecological importance of the Puthalam saltpans, which serve as a vital habitat for migratory and coastal birds. In recent months, the site has also hosted two other rare visitors, the red knot (Calidris canutus) and the red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis), both of Arctic origin and considered near-threatened.
With 224 bird species documented so far, Puthalam has become a key wintering and feeding ground for migratory waders travelling thousands of kilometres across continents.
Experts, however, warn that the fragile habitat is under threat from unregulated waste dumping and encroachments. Conservationists stress the need for urgent protection of the saltpans and adjoining mudflats to ensure the survival of these migratory species.