Migratory bird willow warbler spotted and recorded in Mangaluru

Willow warbler spotted and recorded at Kenjar, on the outskirts of Mangaluru, on November 11. | Photo Credit: ARNOLD GOVEAS With the winter migration of birds on, birders have spotted and recorded the willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) in Mangaluru. It is said to be the first time this has been recorded in Karnataka.The bird was spotted and recorded by birder Arnold Goveas alongside fellow birder K. Vivek R. Nayak on Wednesday.“The bird was spotted at 8.45 a.m. at Kenjar, on the outskirts of Mangaluru by Mr. Goveas who photographed it,” Mr. Nayak told The Hindu.“It is first record for Karnataka and fifth record for India,” Mr. Nayak, with his more than a decade of experience in birding, said.Earlier it was recorded twice in Keralam, once each in Tamil Nadu and the north east, Mr. Nayak said.The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the willow warbler under the conservation status of ‘least concern.’According to The Bird Count of India, Phylloscopus trochilus breeds across northern latitudes, stretching from western Europe to eastern Siberia, with all populations migrating to Africa.“Just like the northern wheatear, and exactly opposite to the Arctic warbler and red-flanked bluetail, eastern populations of willow warbler do not migrate to Africa along the shortest diagonal route. They instead migrate westwards towards west Asia before moving south into Africa! An incredibly long journey and one that is repeated when they go back!” the Bird Count of India stated.“While it migrates through the Arabian Peninsula to Africa, regions along the Indian west coast like Keralam may be likely destinations for birds that lose their way,” it added.Mr. Nayak said that on November 8, he and birder Abhay Yellore recorded the black-breasted weaver (Ploceus benghalensis) at Jokatte, on the city’s outskirts. This represents the first record of the species in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, with about seven birds spotted between 8.45 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Sunday. The species is also listed as ‘least concern’ by the IUCN. Published - November 13, 2026 07:44 pm IST