Breeding tern colonies on the sandbars of Adam’s Bridge, India: new records and significance

Authors

  • H. Byju Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu 608502, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6902-8023
  • H. Maitreyi Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu 608502, India.
  • N. Raveendran Iragukal Amritha Nature Trust, 61, Ramachandra Thadaga Street, Thirumangalam, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625706, India.
  • D.A. Marshal Wildlife Division, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu 623521, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6827-1063
  • S. Ravichandran Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu 608502, India; and Department of Zoology, Government Arts and Science College, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu 629004, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9591.17.3.26680-26689

Keywords:

Breeding colony, Bridled Tern, central Asian flyway, Greater Crested Tern, habitat selection, Little Tern, marine, population estimate, Roseate Tern, Saunder’s Tern, seabirds

Abstract

We conducted surveys on the Indian side of Adam’s Bridge sandbars that separate Rameswaram Island of India and Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the forest department. We report new breeding colonies of five tern species: Greater Crested, Saunder’s, Roseate, Little, and Bridled Terns. Preliminary surveys (2023) followed by rigorous surveys (2024) confirm these sandbars as critical breeding habitats.

Author Biographies

H. Byju, Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu 608502, India.

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H. Maitreyi, Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu 608502, India.

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N. Raveendran, Iragukal Amritha Nature Trust, 61, Ramachandra Thadaga Street, Thirumangalam, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625706, India.

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D.A. Marshal, Wildlife Division, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu 623521, India.

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S. Ravichandran, Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu 608502, India; and Department of Zoology, Government Arts and Science College, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu 629004, India.

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Published

26-03-2025

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Vol. 17 No. 3 (2025)

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Communications

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Copyright (c) 2025 H. Byju, H. Maitreyi, N. Raveendran, D.A. Marshal, S. Ravichandran

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