Amur Falcons Return: What Makes Point Calimere a Survival Hotspot?
A rare wildlife sighting is exciting birdwatchers throughout Southern India. The elusive Amur falcon was first recorded in this region in 2020, following the landfall of two major cyclones. And now, confirmed sightings have happened once again in 2025. Birders have remained hopeful for the falcon’s return, and this newest sighting is significant in more ways than one for Tamil Nadu’s Point Calimere in South India, including the health of its ecosystem.
As news of the Amur falcon sighting spreads, more locals are optimistic that its revival bodes well for the region. Here’s what else the appearance of the rare raptor means for Southern India.
Why Is the Amur Falcon So Elusive?
In 2012, conservationists blew the whistle on hunters at the Doyang Reservoir. The artificial reservoir had become a feeding ground for Amur falcons, who stopped mid-migration to feed on the insects gathered there. When local hunters realized this, it also became a hotspot for netting and catching the falcons. Once caught, the falcons were traded for meat and as trophies.