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Birds & Butterflies Survey of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
Discussion
Over 200 bird species and 157 butterfly species have been recorded from the recently concluded two-day survey conducted by
Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) of Tamil Nadu Forest Department and jointly supported by The Nature and Butterfly Soci-
ety (TNBS), Coimbatore Nature Society (CNS), WWF-India and Vulture Conservation Forum (VCF) mentioned Dr V Naganathan
IFS, Chief Conservator of Forest & Field Director of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
Explaining the findings and highlights of the survey, the CCF & FD, Dr V Naganathan mentioned that the healthy numbers of
Birds and Butterflies recorded confirms the healthy eco-system present in the Tiger Reserve and reflects the various conserva-
tion program in place. The critically endangered vulture species continue to thrive in the STR, and renewal of earlier aban-
doned nesting sites by them is a good and welcome site for the Vulture Conservation managers He also mentioned that the
rare Sinhalese Five-ring butterfly, has a well-established presence across STR and suitable scientific studies will be planned to
conduct on them on the favorable conditions that exist for their high and healthy population and the same will be protected.
He also happily announced the sighting of Nilgiri Tit (Hypolycaena nilgirica), probably a first sighting for their presence in the
Eastern Ghats. This butterfly belongs to the Lycaenidae family and is present in the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Another rare
butterfly, Common Onyx (Horaga onyx) is also recorded for the first time at STR.
Announcing the results, Mr. P. G Arunlal, DFO has congratulated all the participants and forest officials for the successful exer-
cise despite a cloudy and rainy conditions in many parts of the division during the survey. He also mentioned that the updated
checklist of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve based on this current survey data, added to the previous recorded data, now
stands at 291 bird species and 184 butterfly species. The DFO has also explained various conservation measures that are taken
in STR and various measures to eliminate invasive plant species and invited involvement of all participants in the exercise.
Among the total number of 157 butterflies recorded, 10 belongs to swallowtails (Papilionidae), 24 belongs to the whites and
yellows (Pieridae), 44 belongs to the Nymphalidae family, 48 belongs to blues and judies (Lycaenidae and Riodinidae) and 31 to
the Skippers (Hesperiidae).
Butterflies such as Common Rose, Common Banded Peacock, Common Grass Yellow, Yellow Orange-tip, Common Jezebel,
Common Gull, Psyche, White Four-ring, Tawny Coster, Common Sailer, Yellow Pansy, Chocolate Pansy and Lemon Pansy are
seen dominating in all ranges of the forest division during survey.
Interesting
butterfly
sightings include Nilgiri
Tit (first known record
for the Eastern Ghats),
Common Onyx, Pale Four
-Lineblue, Blank Swift,
Canara Swift (all signifi-
cant records for the East-
ern Ghats), Sinhalese
Five-ring, Blue Admiral,
Rounded Palm-redeye,
Restricted Demon, An-
gled Flat and Common
Shot Silverline.
The highlights of the sur-
vey belong to the follow-
ing three species:
Nilgiri Tit, a Lycaeni-
dae family butterfly, so far sighted from the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, is sighted first time from the Eastern Ghats,
from known records. Location: Jeerahalli Range .
Common Onyx, another important and rare species sighted from Gundri, Kadambur camp. A second record for the Eastern
Ghats of Tamil Nadu, as Salem registered a record a few months back.
Sinhalese Five-ring, discovered in STR last year, which was a second sighting for the state, is well established all over STR
especially in abundance in a few areas like Jeerahalli and Bungalow Pudur. This is good news and need good protection.
PATTAMPOOCHI
A TNBS MAGAZINE
WINGS 4 VEINS 1
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