2008-'09 - Kerala Forest Research Institute

Annual Report 2008-09
Eurasian eagle owl
Spotted owlet
an influence on the vocal behaviour and response of brown hawk owl. Distribution
of brown fish owl was influenced by the water bodies. Forest eagle owl utilized the
riparian forest adjacent to the dry thorn forest, which supported good population
of blacknaped hare and giant squirrels. Mottled wood owl utilized the open rocky
areas with scattered woody vegetation in the low altitude. Microhabitat utilization
of barred jungle owlet revealed that the species was abundant in low altitudes and
disturbed forest areas.
Butterfly Gardening
Butterfly gardening is a conservation cum educational programme. It involves
recreation of lost habitats of butterflies through careful landscaping and host plant
introduction. Butterfly gardens can be set up in any location by introducing host
plants and by creating suitable habitats. Generally, locations that are close to
natural forests or natural vegetation will attract more number of species compared
to urban areas. Similarly, larger gardens are likely to contain more number of
View of butterfly garden at Nilambur (L) and Peechi (R)
42
Kerala Forest Research Institute