Nemilichery Lake Emerges as Critical Refuge for Greater Flamingos
In a surprising ecological shift, Greater flamingos are increasingly abandoning their traditional habitats in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, only to find a new sanctuary at Nemilichery Lake along Chennai's East Coast Road. This development comes as conservationists raise alarms over the birds' dwindling numbers across key sites.
Vanishing from Traditional Hotspots
District forest officials have confirmed a stark absence of flamingos from both sides of Pulicat Lake in Tiruvallur district, a long-standing hotspot for these iconic pink birds. This disappearance coincides with plans by the water resources department to construct a sixth reservoir at Nemilichery, intensifying concerns about habitat pressures and human encroachment.
Further south, the situation is equally dire. S Balachandran, former deputy director of the Bombay Natural History Society, reported a sharp decline in Greater flamingo sightings at the Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary in Vedaranyam. "The numbers here are very low compared to previous years," he stated, highlighting a worrying trend that extends beyond Tamil Nadu.
Scarcity Across Designated Sanctuaries
The recently declared Greater Flamingo Sanctuary in Ramanathapuram has also mirrored this scarcity. Wildlife warden Akhil Thampi noted no arrivals yet this season, with last year's counts falling far short of 2024 levels. He pointed to broader migratory disruptions, possibly linked to climate shifts or food scarcity, citing delayed arrivals even at Thane Creek in Maharashtra.
Nemilichery Defies the Gloom with Astonishing Diversity
Despite these declines, Nemilichery Lake has emerged as a beacon of hope, attracting an astonishing 50,000 birds, including migratory and resident species. Among them, around 400 Greater flamingos have made the lake their temporary home, defying the overall negative trend.
Birder K V R K Thirunaranan highlighted rare sightings such as the little tern, a seabird seldom seen inland, alongside more than 700 Brown-headed Gulls. The lake also hosted impressive flocks of:
- Caspian Terns
- Gull-billed Terns
- Additional Little Terns
- Large groups of ducks including garganey, northern shoveler, northern pintail, and Eurasian wigeon
What Attracts This Avian Spectacle?
Thirunaranan explained that the lake's inter-tidal dynamics churn up abundant prawns, creating a feast that lures diverse species year after year. Most migrants were observed sporting vibrant breeding plumage, signaling their imminent departure. Wildlife officials estimate that within the next 25 days, these birds will head back to northern breeding grounds, underscoring the lake's critical role as a stopover site.
This concentration of avian life at Nemilichery raises important questions about conservation priorities and the need to protect such vital habitats amidst ongoing development pressures.
