8 new bird species found in Kaiga plant vicinity

As many as eight new bird species, including Indian Swiftlet, Wetramped Spane Tail, Eurasian Hobby, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Yuvre Belly Cuckoo, Greater Spotted Eagle and Eurasian Sparrow Hawk, were photo recorded for the first time in and around Kaiga nuclear power plant during the Kaiga Bird Marathon-2018 that was held on Sunday.

More than 115 bird enthusiasts from Bengaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Goa, including students of Sirsi Forestry College, members of North Karnataka Bird Watchers' Association and others combed the forests of Kaiga to record various species of birds in the region.

The marathon is being organised for the last eight years to create awareness among people regarding 'harmlessness' of the nuclear power plant in the region. Birds are the first to feel any changes in the environment and desert the places if they find place harmful, said organisers.

Site Director of Kaiga plant, Sanjaykumar, who inaugurated the event, said year-on-year there had been an increase in the number of birds and also bird lovers participating in the marathon.