Mid Winter Waterbird Count in East Nepal.

The result of the mid-winter water bird count has been published for Koshi Tappu and its adjacent wetland areas. The water bird count is an annual event that is celebrated across the globe from 5th-20th January. This edition is the 33rd such event of its kind.
Counting Waterbirds in Barju Lake


The event was organized around the Koshi area from 5th-11th January, 2019. This event was supported by more than 30 volunteers from Koshi Bird Society, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Himalayan Nature, Nepalese Ornithological Union, and Koshi Camp.

Boating in Koshi River


This edition of mid-winter water bird count was conducted in Mangalbare and Betana wetland area of Morang, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Chatara, Tarahara and Barjutaal of Sunsari, Koshi Barrage, Bharhdaha wetland area and Kamalpur Lake of Saptari, and Bhagalpur wetland area of Udaypur. This year’s count recorded high number of birds.

What are the results?
This year’s count recorded a total of 21,774 water birds representing 58 species. More than half of the total number was recorded from Barju Lake alone.

Flying flock of Lesser Whistling Duck in Barju Lake


A total of 6,959 water birds representing 52 species were recorded from KWTR among which Ruddy Shelduck was the most abundant, numbering 2,321 individuals. Similarly, a total of 2,330 water birds were recorded from areas around KWTR and Koshi Barrage. Ruddy Shelduck was recorded more frequently (474 individuals) than others.
During the count, 12 and 14 nests of Lesser Adjutant waere recorded from Sunsari’s Tarhara and Morang’s Mangalbare respectively.
Barjutal of Sunsari is considered an important habitat for duck species. 12,248 birds representing 30 species were recorded from this area among which the most recorded was the Common Till (5722) followed by the Lesser Whistling Duck (3722).

Fulvous Whistling Duck seen after 31 years

A group of Fulvous Whistling Duck in Barju Lake


A flock of 16 Fulvous Whistling Duck were seen after 31 years from Barjutal in Sunsari, making this recording the largest sighting in Nepal. This species is a native of North-east India and Bangladesh, while a migratory species for Nepal. It was first recorded on 12th February 1979 from Koshi Barrage and subsequently on March 16th 1987 for second time. Both sightings recorded a single individual.

Large flock of Bar-Headed Goose in Nepal

 Big flock of Bar-headed Goose in Koshi Tappu

During the count, a large flock of Bar-Headed Goose numbering in at 1200 individuals was spotted from KTWR. These birds migrate to the Terai from central Asia (most probably Tibet, Mongolia and Russia), flying over the Himalayas, making their migration one of the most arduous in animal kingdom.
Sanjib Acharya :- A Keen birder, working as a Freelance Tour guide/naturalist in Nepal and India. Field Ornithologist of Eastern Nepal at Himalayan Nature. Main focus on birds of Indian Subcontinent. Increasingly interested in mammals, butterflies and reptiles. Crazy on raptors and shorebirds. Love all birds..!! Ibisbill is favorite…!!

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