Birdwatching Activities of FOB in May, 2007

Saturday Birdwatching at GOKARNA Area, May 5, 2007

This birdwatching program was organized by BCN as of its schedule. Total number of participants were 14. Participants were Abdhesh Jha, Guy Rey (France), Pushpa KC, Surbendra Pachhai, Brigitte Delaveau (France), Ramesh Shrestha, Krishna R. Gurung, Ramesh Chaudhary, Keshav R Joshi, Deepak Shrestha, Vimal Thapa, Birmal Chaudhary, Vicky (USA) and Dev Ghimire. Birdwatching started at 8 am and ended at 11am and the coverage was Eastern part of the Gokarna Golf Course. Following 48 species of birds have been recorded at Gokarn area during 3 hours of birding, in spite of much of disturbances by the golf being played (they might have same feeling from us too).

Rufous Woodpecker (Celeus brachyurus) – call only, Greater Yellownape (Picus flavinucha), Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus), Great Barbet (Megalaima viren), Blue-throated Barbet (Megalaima asiatica), Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala), Eurasian Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea), Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Himalayan Swiftlet (Collocalia brevirostris), Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela), Shikra (Accipiter badius), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Large Cuckooshrike (Coracina macei), Long-tailed Minivet (Pericrocotus ethologus), Scarlet Minivet (Pericrocotus flammeus), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus), Blue Whistling Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus), Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrine), Dark-sided Flycatcher (Muscicapa sibirica), Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassina), Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis) -call only, Slaty Blue Flycatcher (Ficedula tricolor), Blue-thraoted Flycatcher (Cyornis rubeculoides), Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis), Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnus malabaricus), Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus), Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch (Sitta castnea), Velvet-fronted Nuthatch (Sitta frontalis), Great Tit (Parus major), Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), Black Bulbul (Hypsipetus leucocephalus), Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius), Grey-hooded Warbler (Seicercus xanthoschistos), Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus) and Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus). All together 48 species.

Other wildlife seen besides birds were Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulata) and Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjac).

Wildlife Week Around Godawari – Phulchowki Area, May 12, 2007 – Vimal Thapa

Beautiful mountain view from birding trail

Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal organized the birding programme for the educational institutions of Kathmandu valley on the occasion of 12th Wildlife Week. All together seventy-eight participants including some teachers participated this event. The school includes – Arun Jyoti, Jorpati; Bhanu Bhakta Memorial, Panipokhari; Manakamna, Jorpati; RIBS, Balambu; Thankot and Boudhha English School, Bouddha and more.

The participants were divided into six groups and were led by Bhusan, Vimal, Deepak, Surbendra, Krishna and Hathen. The birding sites include – Phulchauki base, Godawari Botanical Garden, Northern and Eastern part of the Deer Park.

Altogether 47 species of birds were recorded as listed below:

Rose-ringed parakeet

Grey-headed Woopecker (Picus canus), Great Barbet (Megalaima virens), Blue-throated Barbet (Megalaima franklinii), Large Hawk Cuckoo (Hierococcyx sparveriodes) - call only, Eurasian Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) - call only, Oriental Cuckoo (Cuculus saturatus) - call only, Asian Koel (Eudynamysscolopacea), Rose-rined Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum), Rock Pigeon (Culumba livia), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela), Cattle Egrete (Bubulcus ibis), Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha), Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Long-tailed Minivet (Pericrocotus ethologus), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Blue Whistling Thrush (Myophonus caerleus), Grey-winged Blackbird (Tudus boulboul) - call only, Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassina) - call only, Oriental Magpie Robin (Copshycus saularis), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch (Sitta castanea), Great Tit (Parus major), Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus) - call only, Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys), Black-throated Tit (Aegithalos concinnus), Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae), Red-vented Bulbul (Pynonotus cafer), Himalayan Bulbul (P. leucogenys), Black Bulbul (Hypsipetus leucocephalus), Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), Grey-hooded Warbler (Seicercus xanthoschistos), White-crested Laughingthrush (Garrulax leucolophus)- call only, Striated Laughingthrush (G. striatus), Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler (Pomotorhinus erythrogenys) - call only, Nepal Fulveta (Alicippe nipalensis), Rufous Sibia (Heterophasia capistrata), Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ingipectus) - one chick being fed by adult bird, Black-throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus), Common tailor bird, Grey-backed Shrike and Spotted Owlet.

WorLd Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) - May 13, 2007

Taudaha, a beautiful place for migrator birds during winter

Participants of the day

May 12-13 was announced as world migratory bird day by UNEP/AEWA ( http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/2007/index.php ). FOB also celebrated May 13, 2007 as a migratory bird day by recording the migrated birds around Chovar Bagmati – Bosan Khola – Taudaha area. The birdwatching duration was for two hours from 7:00 am to 9:00 am. There were only 5 participants (Bhushan R. Shrestha, Dharma Prajapati, Krishna Gurung, Sarbendra Pachhai and Vimal Thapa) due the working day. All together 46 species of birds were recorded, in which only 10 of those were migrated. Even though not many migratory species of birds were sighted, this was the first participation of FOB to support the common agenda of all the concerned people of the world on this occasion of second WMBD. In sighting, few autumn and winter migrants were still found in the valley and would soon be migrating off the place to return back again. The migration period mentioned was strictly on the basis of our experience and knowledge but can differ with any other books and ornithological studies, though some are based on Fleming's guide, " Birds of Nepal" and names according Inskipp. The time was the season of breeding in the world's of birds, we happen to catch some rare and memorable scene like many birds in their nests, nurturing the incoming life and hungry young chicks being fed restlessly, looked very inspiring. List of the birds and their types are as follows:

Autumn / Winter migrated – Common Pochard (Aythya ferna), Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) and Common Coot (Fulica atra)
Spring / Summer migrated - Eurasian Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) and Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea),

Summer migrated – Himalayan Swiflet (Collocalia brevirostris), Red-collared Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica) and Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)

Winter migrated - Black-winged Stint (Himantopus himantopus) and Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)

Other regular and resident birds -

A group of Yellow-breasted Greenfinch sighted

Blue-throated Barbet (Megalaima asiatica), Common Hoopoe (Upupa epos), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis Phoenicurus), Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), Little Egret (Egretta garzeta), Intermediate Egret (Mesophoyx intermedia), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus), Black-backed Forktail (Enicurus immaculatus), Plumbeous Water Redstart (Rhyacornis fuliginosus), Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquata), Pied Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustics), Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), White Wagtail (Motacilla alba), White-browed Wagtail (Motacilla maderapatensis), Baya Weaver (Ploceus phillipinus), and Yellow-breasted Greenfinch (Carduelis spinoides) in the group of 28.

Saturday Birdwatching in Shivapuri National Park, May 19, 2007

This birdwatching program was organized by BCN as its regular schedule. It started at 8:15 in the morning and end at 12 Noon. There were only 7 participants - Deepak Shrestha, Surbendra Pachhai, Vimal Thapa, Bal Gopal Shrestha, Deepak BK, Sanphu and Sarad from Kathmandu Forestry department. Altogether 51 species of birds were sighted as listed below:

Great Barbet (Mealaima virens), Blue-throated Barbet (Megalaima asiatica), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) - call only, Eurasina Cucckoo (Cuculus canorus), Oriental Cuckoo (Cuculus saturatus) - call only, Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea) - call only, Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), House Swift (Apus affinis), Oriental Turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) - call only, Besra (Accipiter vigratus ), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach), Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha) - call only, Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Lon-tailed Minivet (Pericrocotus ethologus), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Blue-whistling Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus), Slaty-backed Flycatcher (Ficedula hodgsoni), Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyas thalassina), Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis) - call only, Small Niltava (Niltava magrioriae ), Blue-throated Flycatcher (Cyornis rubeculoides) - call only, Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis), Plumbeous Water Redstart (Rhyacornis fuliginous), Slaty-backed Forktail (Enicurus schistaceus), Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus), Common Myna (Acrodotheres tristis), Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus), Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), Mountain Bulbul (Hypsipetes mcclellandii ), Hill Prinia (Prinia atrogularis), Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius), Grey-hooded Warbler (Seicercus xanthoschistos), White-crested Laughing Thrush (Garrulax leucolophus) - call only, Straited Laughing Thrush (Garrulax straitsu) - call only, Black-chinned Babbler (Stachyris pyrhops), Nepal Fulveta (Alicippe nipalensis), Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus) - call only, House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) and Stripe-throated Yuhina (Yuhina gularis).

Birders also had an opportunity to see some Rheus Monkeys during birdwatching.

Birds around Jomsom and Annapurna base-camp, May 2007

Gopi Shrestha a member of FOB had trekking around Jomsom and Annapurna from May 1 to May 22, 2007. He had sighted and recorded 86 species of birds during his 22 days trek in this area. List of the birds sighted is as follows:

Gerat barbet (Megalaima virens), Blue throted Barbet (Megalaima asiatica), White throted Kingfiser (Halcyon pileata), Indian cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus), Eurasian cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), Asian koel (Eudynamys passerinus), Grey-belllied cuckoo (Cacomantis Scolopacea), Rose-ringed parakect (Psittacula krameri), Ruck pigeon (Columuba livia), Snow piegon (Columuba leuconota), Oriental Turtel Dove (Streptopelia orientalis ), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinnensis), Black kite (Milvus migrans ), lammergaeier (Gy paetus barbatus), White-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Himlayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis), Red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus ), Crested Serpent Egale (Spilornis Cheela ), Shikra (Accipiter badius), Steppe Egale (Aquila nipalensis), Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Rufous-tailed shrike (Lanius isabellinus ), Long-tailed shrike (Lanius schach), Grey-backed shrike (Lanius tebronotus ), Yellow-billed blue Magpie (Urocissa flavirostris), Gery-treepie (Dendrocotta formasae ), Yellow-billed Chough (Pyrrbocorax graculus ), House Crow (Crovus Splendens ), Large -billed Crow (Crovus macrorbyhchos), Long -tailed Minivet (pericrocotus ethologus), Scarlet minivet (pericrocotus flammenus), Yellow -billed Fantail (Rhipidura hypoxantha ), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Brown Dipper (Cinclus pallassi), Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius ), Blue Whistling Thrush(Myophonus caeuleus ), Pied Thrush (Zoobera wardli ), Scaly Thrush (Zootbera dauma ), Dark-throated Thrush (Turdus ruficollis ), Rufous -gorgetted Flycather (Ficedula strophiata), Little pied Flycather (Ficedula westermanni), Verditer Flycatcher (Ficedula Sapphira), Rufous-billed Niltava (Niltava sundara), Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis), White-capped water Redstart (Chaimarrornis Leucocephalus), Plumbeous water Redstart (Rhyacornis fuliginous ), Little Forktail (Enicurus Scouleri), Grandala (Grandala coelicotor), Grey Bushchat (Saxicola ferrea ), Common myna (Acridotheres tristis), Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus ), Rufous-naped Tit (Parus rufonuchalis), Great Tit (Parus major ), Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus ), Black-Lored Tit (parus xanthogenys ), Sand Martin (Riparia riparia), Plain Martin (Riparia paludicola), arn Swallow (Hirunda rustica ), Asian House Martin (Dielichon dasypus ), Striated Bulbul (Pycnonotus striatus), Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus Leucogenys), Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes Leucocephalus ), Red-Vented Bulbul (Pycnonomus cofer ), Oriental white eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), Common Tailor bird (Orthotomus sutorius ), Lemon-rumped Warbler (Phylloscopus chloronotus ), Hume's Warbler (Phylloscopus humei ), Grey-hooed Warbler (Seicercus xanthoscbistos ), White -throated Laughing Thrush (Garrulax albogulsris), White -crested Laughing Thrush (Garrulax leucolophus ), Refous -necked Laughning Thrush (Garrulax ruficollis ), Scaly Laugning Thrush (Garrulax subunicolor ), Variegated Laughining Thrush (Garrulax Variegatus ), Rusty Cheeked Scimitar Babblar (Pomatorhinus erythrogenys ), Streaked Laughing Thrush (Garrulax lineatus ), Nepal Fulvetta (Alcippe nipalensis), Rufous sibia (Heterophasia capistrata ), Fire -tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga ignicauda ), White Wagtail (Motacilla alba ), Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava ), Yellow-breasted Greenfinch (Carduelis Spinoides ), Dark-breasted Rosefinch (Carpodaus nipalensis ), White-browed Rosefinch (Carpodaus thura ), Crested Bunting (Melophus lathami) and Plain Bunting (Emberiza leucocephalos)

Educational Birdwatching tour to Shyuchatar, Saturday May 26, 2007

Orientation about birds and the site

FOB organized a educational birdwatching trip to Shyuchatar on May 26, 2007 for school children to educate and aware them about birds and the environment. Shyuchatar is located at the western fringe of Kathmandu Valley. The birding trail was up to about seventeen hundred meters from the valley floor. This is an ideal place to see the birds and nature on its eastern facing slopes and hills, which also offers spectacular views of the capital and the mountains in the North on a clear day. FOB has been exploring this area from last few years, but this area is not yet exploded by the nature lovers.

Children enjoying snacks in short break

All the participants were taken on a bus to Shyuchatar, meeting at Kalanki Chowk in the early morning at 6.45am. The total numbers of participants were 36, which included, 30 children from different educational institutes of Kathmandu, teacher, guardian and members of FoB. After boarding off at Shyuchatar three groups were formed each having to list the number of birds seen or heard on a paper or notebook. The children then trekked on an ascending slope to the village and descending down to the starting point after making a small circle going through the forest and farms, which took about 3 hours. There was a little break of drinks in the middle of the trail.

About forty species of birds were seen and heard during this bird walk at Shyuchatar. These birds were usually the regular urban species and many migratory birds too. The list includes Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus), Great Barbet (Megalaima virens), Blue-throated Barbet (Megalaima asiatica), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), Eurasian Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus), Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacae), Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), House Swift (Apus affinis), Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach), Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha), Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae), House Crow (Corvus splendens), Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Grey-bellied Cuckoo (Cacomantis passerinus), Scarlet Minivet (Pericrocotus flames), Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus), Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis), Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnus malabaricus), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus), Great Tit (Parus major),Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica), Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius), Grey-hooded Warbler (Seicercus xanthoschistos), Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga sipraja) House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus).

Childern enjoying bird watching

The participants on this trip were - Akhima Thapa – 8 (Seto Bangalal), Ashmita Ale – 6 and Anisha Ale –4 (Marigold EB School), Binita Dahal - 9 (Budhanilkantha Ashram School), Sneha Gurung – 4 (MM School), Jeena Lama – 5 (Ganesh School), Swartika Shrestha – 3 (Ganodaya Batika School), Sapana Lama - 8 (Shree Ganesh Secondary School), Nima Sherpa – 7 (Ganesh School), Milipa Thapa – 9 (Deepjyoti School), Deepa Thapa – 12 (Ashirwad College), Tara Thapa (Larke School) – Teacher, Anu Sherpa – 10 (Ganesh Ma.Vi - just gave her SLC exam), Chiring Sherpa – 9 (Ganesh Ma.Vi), Pasang Sherpa – 1 (Tokha Valley BS), Sushila Gurung – 3 (Subhakamana School), Rosna Gurung - 2. (Subhakamana School), Anisha Basnet – 4 (Paradigma Public School), Tshering Sherpa – 6 (Shobha Bhagwati School) , Dawa Sherpa – 4 Academy of Secret Heart, Bikash Tamang – 8 National United School, Suman Shrestha – 8 (National United School), Roshani Shrestha, and Rajani Shrestha – 9 (Diomond English School), Dilip Thapa - 8 (Dipjyoti HS School), Anuroop Shrestha –9 (Rai School), Nishad Shrestha – 8 (Chand Bagh School), Shyam Basnet (Parent/Guardian), names of two children are left out. Members of FoB who assisted the above children for the trip were - Gopi Shrestha, Krishna Gurung, Deepak Shrestha, Bal Gopal Shrestha, Bhusan Shrestha and Vimal Thapa.

The trip went well inspite of the scorching heat of the sun, which discouraged the children a little towards the end and the sighting of the birds were also thin. The children coming from the different school of different grades – from grade one to college level enjoyed this outdoor themselves after being shut in their homes due to the closure of the schools. Small amount of money was spent mainly on the transportation and food for the children and participants. The mode of the transportation was local buses. For food and drinks local restaurant from the village Shyuchatar was used, supporting their local economy too and making them known to our intention of creating and educating the children and participants for the benefit of human and nature. Let's help preserve our natural heritage by supporting their existence around us!

Pictures by : Bhushan & Sarbendra