A recent waterbird survey in Palakkad district showed a 22% increase in their population. From January 3 to 18, 50 birdwatchers counted more than 4,200 waterbirds across 44 species. The survey covered many locations, including Malampuzha, Mangalam Dam, and Kakkanad. Storks and cormorants numbers went up, but duck numbers fell. Lijo Panangadan, secretary of the Natural History Society of Palakkad, said, "We have recorded the Citrine wagtail in the district for the first time in 25 years during this survey." He also noted, "Similarly, the sighting of the rare Grey-headed lapwing within the town underscores the importance of conserving our water bodies." The Grey-headed lapwing is a migratory bird that breeds in northeast China and Japan in summer and winters in Southeast Asia, including India. The survey was done with help from Wetlands International, Bombay Natural History Society, the State Forest and Wildlife department, and biodiversity boards.