Midwinter Waterbird Count 2020

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 4th-19th January. This edition is the 34th such event of its kind.
Team Koshi for Midwinter Waterbird Count 2020

The event was organized around the Koshi area from 10th-14th January, 2020. This event was supported by more than 30 volunteers from Koshi Bird Society, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Himalayan Nature, Nepalese Ornithological Union, Koshi Tappu Birdwatching Camp, Pokhara Bird Society, Koshi Camp and Koshi Bird Observatory.
 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 low number of birds but high number of bird species compared to last year record.

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, 14 and 15 nests of Lesser Adjutant were 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).

Ibisbill after 10 years
Ibisbill breeds Mountains and an altitude migrant in the winter season. A pair were sighted at the lower stream of  Koshi River. Two were sighted in February 2009.
Ibisbill 
Big Flock of Bar-headed Goose in Koshi



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Mid Winter Waterbird Count in East Nepal.

My Lumbini Visit after 6 years