Heronry

Heronries are communal breeding colonies of various species of waterbirds. Birds of different hues, colours, shapes and sizes like cormorants, herons, egrets, ibises and storks build their nests and raise their young ones side by side, mostly during the same season, in such heronries. Several such heronries are situated within human habitations and have been traditionally protected by the local community over several centuries. Koonthangulam and Vedanthagal in Tamil Nadu and Kokkare Bellur in Karnataka are three good examples from south India for the peaceful co-existence of human beings and birds. Both benefit mutually: the birds are offered security from predators and in return they provide the local community with ‘guano’ – the excreta of the birds- which is highly valued as bio-fertilizer rich in phosphorous, nitrogen and calcium. Undisturbed and safe breeding colonies are essential for the existence of waterbirds, which form an integral part of the wetland ecosystem. The heronries attract not only birds but lots of birdwatchers, nature lovers and tourists also.

Pamburuthi Heronry is probably the second largest heronry in Kerala, after Kumarakom (Kottayam District). This breeding colony is known to exist here for more than 30 years. Four species of waterbirds – Little Cormorant Phalacrocorx niger, Indian Shag Phalacrocorax fuscicollis, Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii and Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax – has been found to breed here every year. The breeding season begins in May and the young birds leave their nests by the end of October. More than 1000 nests could be seen in all, the majority being those of the Little Cormorant. Mango and Jackfruit trees are mainly preferred by the birds for nesting.


By the second week of May, the atmosphere of this scenic islet changes dramatically. The winged visitors arrive in hordes and the air is vibrant with birdcalls. The heronry bustles with activity. Cormorants fly in from different directions with twigs and sprigs in their beaks for nest-building. The herons don their attractive ‘wedding dresses’ (breeding plumage) and in courtship display, flaunt the silky crests and plumes as they try to woo their mates. After pair formation, the mates work together to complete the nest. Eggs are laid in May-June. Once they hatch, the parents shuttle between the feeding grounds of the nearby wetlands and the nesting colony bringing in fish to feed the hungry nestlings. The cacophony at the heronry is at its crescendo during this period, contributed greatly by the omnipresent and opportunistic House Crows waiting to steal morsels of food from the nesting birds. By early October, the nestlings are ready to fledge and the birds bid adieu to Pamburuthi, only to return again next season. This cycle has been going on for years.

The heronry in full swing is a sight worth going miles to see!!

Even during the non-breeding season (November to April), Pamburuthi is not without excitement. As dusk arrives, wave after wave of snowy white birds fly in from different directions to the islet and settle on the trees and coconut palms. These are egrets, which use this place as their night roost in hundreds, along with numerous crows in a sharp contrast of black and white. Four species of egrets are found here - Little Egret Egretta garzetta, Large Egret Casmerodius albus and Median Egret Mesophoyx intermedia and Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. Interestingly, the egrets have not been observed to nest in north Kerala, though they breed in the southern districts and Wayanad.

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Recently, there was some concern among the residents and the local birdwatchers on the threat posed to the birds of the heronry by poachers who come from outside. Under the initiative of the Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS) a meeting of the local people, ornithologists and the officials of the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department was convened on 10 th September 2005. In the meeting, the importance of the heronry and the need for its conservation were highlighted. The residents, who are keen in conserving the heronry, decided to be vigilant against poaching or any such disturbance. Many youngsters of the area wanted to know more about the birds. There were discussions on how to utilize the ‘guano’ better.