Willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus), one of longest migrating small bird which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe and the Palearctic, sighted for the first time in the country at Punchakkari in the capital. Posting of the photos of the bird in the birding team whatsapp group and consultations with 10 international experts helped identify the sighted bird at Punchakkari as Willow warbler. Biodiversity consultant Sujith V. Gopalan says 17 species of warblers have been recorded from Kerala and the willow warbler forms the 18th warbler and 533rd species of bird to be recorded from the State. It’s known to harbour more than 213 species of birds which includes both resident and migratory birds. As many as seven species of warblers were recorded from Vellayani-Punchakkari paddy fields of which Blyth's Reed Warbler and Clamorous Reed Warbler are common.

Source: The Hindu November 19, 2020 11:22 UTC