Wed Mar 26 16:40:08 UTC 2025: ## Rare Seabird Breeding Colonies Discovered in Adam’s Bridge
**Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu –** A team of researchers has made a significant discovery in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, uncovering breeding colonies of six seabird species on the sandbars of Adam’s Bridge. The finding, published in the *Journal of Threatened Taxa*, highlights the crucial conservation potential of this unique marine ecosystem.
The researchers, from Annamalai University and working in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, documented breeding colonies of Brown Noddy, Bridled Tern, Saunders Tern, Little Tern, Greater Crested Tern, and Roseate Tern on sandbars located 8 km southeast of Arichalmunai. This marks the first confirmed nesting of the Brown Noddy along India’s southeastern coast.
The study focused on sandbars I-VII, largely undisturbed due to restricted access. While the discovery celebrates the rich biodiversity, researchers also noted the presence of dead bird carcasses, raising concerns about potential threats. Although human interference is minimal, the researchers observed instances of poaching and pollution from plastic waste and discarded fishing gear. Transgressions by Sri Lankan fishermen onto Indian sandbars to collect eggs and birds were also reported.
Lead researcher H. Byju emphasized the importance of improved conservation efforts to protect these breeding colonies and the fragile ecosystem of Adam’s Bridge, which previously has recorded other rare and endemic bird species. The findings underscore the need for stronger measures to combat poaching and pollution to safeguard this vital habitat.
First Piper 