Waterbirds of Atrangarai Estuary, Southeastern India: A First Baseline Assessment with Emphasis on Breeding Waterbirds at a Traditional Fishing Center

Estuarine ecosystems provide important feeding, roosting and breeding habitats for waterbirds, yet many smaller coastal wetlands remain poorly documented. Atrangarai Estuary, a traditional fishing center on the southeastern coast of India, has received no systematic ornithological attention. We conducted monthly surveys (August 2025 to July 2026) to document the composition, richness, abundance and breeding activity of waterbirds. A total of 40 waterbird species were recorded, comprising 20 shorebirds, 12 gulls and terns and 8 large waders and others. Total annual waterbird abundance was 9291, with gulls & terns being the highest (n = 5029), followed by shorebirds (n = 3738). Monthly analysis showed peak total abundance (n = 2650) in February and January 2026 (n = 2179). Waterbird richness reached a maximum of 22 species in January and April 2026. Lesser Crested Tern, Greater Crested Tern, Tibetan Sand Plover, and Greater Sand Plover were the most abundant species. Breeding was documented for Little Tern, with 26 nests recorded in June 2026 and a further six nests in July. In addition, Great Stone-curlew juveniles and Hanuman Plover chicks were observed, providing strong evidence of local breeding. These observations demonstrate that Atrangarai is not only used as a seasonal foraging habitat but also as a breeding site for coastal waterbirds. Waterbird habitat, especially the nesting area, spatially overlaps with regular human use, with disturbances from stray dogs. The findings provide the first baseline assessment of the waterbird assemblage of Atrangarai and highlight the ecological significance of estuarine habitats within traditional fishing landscapes.