Sun Dec 28 02:23:58 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the article and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

Summary:

An article from The Hindu e-Paper on December 28, 2025, reports that Stella Maris College is a close second to Adayaru Estuary for the highest number of eBird checklists submitted in Chennai for the year 2025. While the college campus may not have the species diversity of the estuary, its consistent and diligent reporting of bird sightings, fueled by a strong eBirding culture and dedicated zoology department initiatives, has propelled it to the top of the checklists leaderboard. Key factors include regular campus bird counts, even during the pandemic, encouraged group checklist submissions, and a certificate course in birdwatching emphasizing the importance of citizen science.

News Article:

Stella Maris College Soars in Chennai Birding Race, Nearing eBird Checklist Crown

Chennai, India – December 28, 2025 – Stella Maris College is making waves in the Chennai birdwatching community, currently holding a strong second place on eBird’s checklist leaderboard for 2025. The college is hot on the heels of Adayaru Estuary, a known biodiversity hotspot, proving that dedication and consistent reporting can rival sheer species count.

As of December 27th, Stella Maris boasted 442 submitted checklists for the year, a mere nine behind the leading Adayaru Estuary’s 451. The college’s success is attributed to a deeply ingrained “eBirding” culture, nurtured by the Zoology Department.

“It’s not about having the most exotic birds, but consistently documenting what you see,” explains Kalpana Jayaraman, former head of the Zoology Department. “Even seeing the same species repeatedly provides valuable data.”

The college initiated campus bird counts in 2013, with significant progress starting in 2015. The program emphasizes training students on bird identification, optimal observation locations on campus, and proper eBird submission techniques. Notably, the college continued the campus bird counts even during the pandemic, demonstrating its commitment.

Current department head S.A. Vidhya also contributes through her regular “patch birding” on campus. Furthermore, Stella Maris offers a popular certificate course, “Essentials of Birdwatching,” open to students across all departments, which underscores the significance of citizen science in bird conservation.

By encouraging students to work in small groups and survey multiple areas of the campus, the college ensures thorough coverage and minimizes overlooked sightings. Stella Maris has shown that even a smaller, less diverse area can make a significant contribution to bird research and conservation through diligent observation and reporting. The birding race is expected to conclude on the last day of the year.

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