Indore: Bird watchers in city have planned to collect data of the baya weavers around Indore for the annual survey conducted by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).The baya weavers, which are found throughout the country, are facing habitat threat and to document their numbers in India, a pan-India baya weavers’ count is being held for past two years. From Indore, bird experts Ajay Gadikar and Pravar Maurya, have volunteered to send their count to the BNHS.The count is being held on a citizen science method using inputs from locals to ascertain the number of birds. “Unlike the lesser florican, which is seen on fixed patches, baya weaver is found in different parts. Hence, the data is being collated from the citizens, who have also been directed to send the GPS location of spot where the weaver nest is seen,” Gadikar said.India is home to four species of weaver birds- baya (common baya or Indian weaver), streaked, black-breasted (black-throated) and finn’s (yellow weaver). All Indian weaver species are protected in Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.Around the city, sightings of baya weaver nests have been recorded at some spots along the Bypass Road at Silver Springs, at Ralamandal sanctuary.“Of the total 41 nests I saw, only 15 were successful and 20 were abandoned half way. Six were seen fallen on the ground due to different reasons,” Gadikar said reporting his findings of the past two months. One of the reasons for threat to baya weavers is the lack of grassland or grassy areas from where they obtain necessary material for building their nests.

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