The 2025 edition of the Pelagic Bird Survey, conducted by the Kerala Forest Department – Social Forestry Division and the Kole Birders Collective, was carried out in the Arabian Sea on 30 November.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Shri. K. Manoj Sir, Assistant Forest Conservator, Thrissur Social Forestry Division, for the initiation of the survey, Viji P Varghese Sir (Range Forest Officer Social forestry Range, Thrissur), Pramode AD Sir (Section Forest Officer Social Forestry Range ,Thrissur), and all other Forest officials for their participation and support.
We are also grateful to the Deputy Director, Fisheries Department, Thrissur, and the Inspector of Police, Chavakkad Coastal Police for the necessary permissions. Our sincere thanks to Munakkakadavu Harbour, Chavakkad, and the boat staff for their cooperation and support.
We also thank our colleagues and birdwatchers at the Kole Birders Collective for their cooperation, support, and standing with us during crisis time.
What began as an almost uneventful boat ride into the sea became extraordinary when we spotted our first Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) |പമ്പരക്കാട—a lifer for most members of the team. We never expected it to be just the beginning; soon, we encountered 12 more individuals, in groups of seven and five, on either side of the boat.
We successfully completed the survey with a 25-member exploration team, representing different ages, genders, and social backgrounds—united by a deep passion for birds and nature. The team travelled 41 nautical miles during a 10-hour journey into the Arabian Sea from the Chavakkad coast. A total of 37 birds, including 11 pelagic species, were documented. Trip Report on eBird can explore here https://ebird.org/tripreport/437273 . We are still working on the data for more observations and insights.
Other exciting sightings included Parasitic Jaeger (Arctic Skua), Pomarine Jaeger (Pomarine Skua), Pallas’s Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Bridled Tern, Common Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, and Great Crested Tern.
Weather conditions were favourable, with far less seasickness compared to our previous trip. We also explored aspects of marine biodiversity, observing dolphins, fishes caught during trolling, and even documenting a few butterflies.
On behalf of the Organizing Team