Media Release

Mangaluru, Oct 3: With the beginning of the Winter Birding season, MRPL (Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd) awaits the arrival of its winged guests for the season.

Malabar pied hornbills spotted recently are among the first guest this year. A rare congregation of nearly 50 Malabar pied hornbills was observed on September 19 at around 7 am. Even on October 3, many of these Hornbills can still be spotted in the green canopies of the MRPL Refinery complex and the MRPL Township.

Hornbills are said to have a crucial role in dispersing seeds of tropical trees and are referred to as ‘forest engineers’ or ‘farmers of the forest. Their presence indicates the prosperity and balance of the forest they build nests.

Nearly 500 Acres of Greenbelt developed by MRPL is a haven for flora and fauna of various species. Birds find this large swathe of green a happy home throughout the year, and during the birding season, it welcomes many new kinds of winged guests. More than 150 birds are regularly spotted in the refinery complex, township, inside refinery forest, and the water bodies inside the refinery greenbelt. Two white-bellied sea eagles visit the refinery on a daily basis.

Rosy starlings, European roller, Siberian stonechat, varieties of flycatchers, buntings, and wagtails warblers were regularly spotted inside the refinery complex during the previous migratory seasons.