Status and conservation issues of wetland birds in Komaranahalli Lake, Davanagere District, Karnataka, India

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the status and conservation issues of migratory water birds in Komaranahalli Kere, a lake in Malebennur, Harihar Taluk, Davanagere District from November 2012 to October 2013. The dominant family was Ardeidae represented by 10 species, followed by the Scolopacidae with seven species. The families with lowest representations of one species were Podicipididae, Anhingidae, Rostratulidae and Recurvirostridae. The study revealed that the lake harbors many resident and a few migratory bird species. Among the species recorded five species namely the Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala and River Tern Sterna aurantia are Near Threatened. The present study location is also facing tremendous conservation challenges by the impact of anthropogenic alteration of the habitats in and around the lake. Though the lake is highly disturbed, it still provides some potential habitats for a few migratory and several resident water bird species.