DOCSLIB.ORG

P962 Survey of Indian Skimmer and Its Threats in Bangladesh

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
P962 Survey of Indian Skimmer and Its Threats in Bangladesh Survey of Indian Skimmer and its Threats in Bangladesh Samiul Mohsanin Bangladesh bird club House 11, Apt. 4B, Road 4, Bonani DOHS, Dhaka-1206, Bangladesh Email: [email protected] Report on OBC Conservation Project # P962 Samiul Mohsanin for BirdingASIA 20 Survey of Indian Skimmer and its threats in Bangladesh Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis is listed as globally vulnerable due to its rapid decline by >30% in the last 18 years (BirdLife International 2001) and its global population is estimated only about 6,000-10,000 individuals (BirdLife International 2013 Species factsheet). Bangladesh holds an important role in the world for the conservation of this species as every year a large part of the population (c.1,100-5,400) winters in the south coast (Li et al. 2009). Last two years (2011 and 2012) Asian Waterbird Census results show that the distribution of Indian Skimmer in Bangladesh is shifting. Thus this study was designed to monitor the wintering population and identify the threats of the threatened Indian Skimmers in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. The author and his team conducted the boat based surveys in the historic range of the Indian Skimmers between November 2012 and April 2013. During the surveys it has been observed that the Indian Skimmers arrive Bangladesh in early January and stays till the mid May and mainly confined to the estuaries of the Domar Char (island) (22⁰.N, 91⁰.E) of southern Hatia Island of Noakhali District in Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta; their wintering counts were about 600, 559, 200, 89 and 13 individuals respectively from January till May. The team had to abandon the survey in May 2013 due to tropical cyclone Mahase alert in the coast. However, the team managed to collect the field data on skimmer population of 13 individuals from the local source (the boatman, who was hired during the surveys and was trained to identify the skimmer). The local source was unable to confirm any nest of the Indian Skimmer. In March, the team noticed at least 20 pairs and 5 active nests (22⁰.7N, 91⁰344.6E) of River Terns Sterna aurantiaI in the highest mound of sandy beach at Domar Char, indicating the Domar Char remains one of very few places where River Tern still breeds in Bangladesh. During the survey tenure a total of 55 (Appendix 1) waterbirds were listed from the Domar Char and its adjacent chars including a globally threateed Nordas Greeshak Tringa guttifer (Endangered) and highest 600 Indian Skimmers Rynchops albicollis (Vulnerable). Furthermore, six Near Threatened species i.e. 2,300 Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa, 180 Eurasian Curlews Numenius arquata, 5 Asian Dowitchers Limnodromus semipalmatus, 40 River Terns S. aurantiaI, 331 Black-headed Ibises Threskiornis melanocephalus, and 7 Painted Storks Mycteria leucocephala were recorded from the study site. Though the habitat is very potential for Spoon-billed Sandpipers Eurynorhynchus pygmeus (Critically Endangered) but none of it were spotted during the survey. The threats identified were over fishing; disturbance in the roosting ground from increasing cattle grazing (mainly feral Water buffalo) and human disturbance by heavy seasonal day and night fishing activity covering all tidal cycles; island conversion to cultivable lands and; river pollution from industrial waste, pesticides used in the farmland, fuel debris from marine vessels; land erosion; and taking over newly formed mudflats and chars by the influenced peoples in the society. Survey results show that about 90% (c.5400 to 600 individuals) decline in Skimmer population from Bangladesh only in last 12 years (2000-2013). Rahmani (2012) also reported over 50% (c.555 to 230 individuals) declines between the years 1994 to 2010 from its core breeding area in Madhya Pradesh, India. This indicates that the species is facing rapid decline over its ranges. Urgent long term monitoring to understand its movement (identifying the breeding ground of the wintering population in Bangladesh) and conservation initiative need to be started throughout its range. Collaborative research is also needed between the range countries especially between India and Bangladesh. Moreover, considering the rate of overall population decline, the threat category (IUCN/BirdLife International) of this species needs urgent reassessment. Acknowledgement: Survey team is very grateful to OBC council for awarding the AEC-OBC conservation grant to support this study. Special thanks to Bangladesh bird club members, Enam Ul Haque, Paul Thompson, Philip D Round, Bill Jones, Kevin Thornton, Sayam U. Chowdhury, Simon Carter, Ron Hodgson and Helen Smith to help support the study. References: BirdLife International. (2001). Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K. BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Rynchops albicollis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 02/10/2013. Li, Z.W.D., Bloem, A., Delany S., Martakis G. and Quintero J. O. (2009). Status of Waterbirds in Asia-Results of the Asian Waterbird Census: 1987-2007. Wetlands International, Kualalumpur, Malaysia. Rahmani, A. R. (2012). Threatened Birds of India-Their Conservation Requirements. Bombay Natural History Society. P.870 Appendix 1: Waterbirds recorded from Domar Char, Hatia between November 2012 and April 2013) 19-20 26-28 14-15 14-16 11-13 19-20 Species Total Nov 12 Dec 12 Jan 13 Feb 13 Mar 13 Apr 13 Greylag Goose Anser anser 50 50 Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus 36 200 8 2 3 249 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 19 20 35 74 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 101 480 150 74 45 15 865 Gadwall Anas strepera 22 60 82 Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope 2,060 650 1,400 570 30 49 4,759 Common teal Anas crecca 15 15 Northern Pintail Anas acuta 4 50 5 59 Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata 32 20 25 63 22 18 180 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa NT 171 240 370 163 2,300 250 3,494 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 20 150 170 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 25 11 24 25 13 98 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata NT 101 32 75 93 180 37 518 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 13 13 Common Redshank Tringa totanus 102 50 32 30 52 23 289 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 1 4 5 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 5 3 12 3 3 2 28 Nordmanns Greenshank Tringa guttifer EN 1 1 2 Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 3 10 32 22 43 31 141 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 2 10 2 5 4 23 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 2 5 2 9 Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus NT 5 5 Sanderling Calidris alba 13 2 25 3 43 Little Stint/Red-necked Stint Calidris minuta/ruficolis 5 12 11 62 5 95 Dunlin Calidris alpina 10 2 11 23 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 8 36 2 6 28 11 91 Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus 60 2 5 15 12 94 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 5 50 140 12 3 8 218 Small Pratincole Glareola lactea 320 2 6 50 27 405 Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva 800 100 65 42 39 1,046 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 91 65 4 85 48 21 314 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 26 30 13 21 90 Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus 5,000 830 500 1,665 1,250 450 9,695 Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii 100 165 15 110 250 640 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 2 2 Pallass Gull Larus ichthyaetus 90 10 65 65 17 12 259 Heuglins Gull Larus heuglini 3 3 Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus 400 75 145 2,500 800 250 4,170 Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica 8 17 3 22 50 River Tern Sterna aurantia NT 6 14 5 13 40 28 106 Common Tern Sterna hirundo 4 16 2 4 26 Little Tern Sterna albifrons 2 30 5 12 49 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 12 2 17 31 Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis VU 600 559 200 89 1,448 Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger 15 18 7 40 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 12 18 25 8 7 70 Great Egret Casmerodius albus 10 6 26 78 22 28 170 Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia 200 10 92 10 12 324 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 160 10 9 100 35 54 368 Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii 50 15 12 5 8 11 101 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 2 1 2 5 Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax 4 2 6 Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus NT 331 18 34 31 15 8 437 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 4 4 Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala NT 7 2 9 Unidentified Shorebirds 1,000 500 400 250 20,000 300 22,450 Total 54,010 Map: Map 1: Map showing the study area Map 2: satellite image of the study site Photographs: (All the photographs taken by the author) Fig. 1. Indian Skimmers skimming in Meghna river estuary near Domar Char (13 March 2013) Fig. 2. One single flock of Skimmers (n=559) at Domar Char (15 Feb 2013) Fig. 3. Largest flock of Painted Storks (n=7) ever recorded in Bangladesh from Domar Char (19 Nov 2012) Fig. 4. Cattle grazing (feral Water Buffalo) is one of the major threats at Domar Char (12 Mar 2013) Fig. 5. Over harvesting of fish is another major threat for Indian Skimmers in Bangladesh (14 Feb 2013) Fig. 6. Continuous fishing gears across the whole river reducing the foraging places near Domar Char (14 Feb 2013) Fig. 7. Indian Skimmer survey team in March 2013 at Domar Char, Hatia, Bangladesh Samiul Mohsanin Bangladesh bird club House 11, Apt. 4B, Road 4, Bonani DOHS, Dhaka-1206, Bangladesh Email: [email protected] .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Building Bridges for Migratory Waterbird Conservation in the Central Asian Flyway
    46 Indian Birds Vol. 1 No. 2 (March-April 2005) SATHIYASELVAM, P. 2004. Nidification and site middle of the woods. 44 (5): 79. February): Backcover. fidelity of the Black-crowned Night SINGH, Baljit. 2004. Comments on the cover THAKUR, Sanjay, and Aparna Watve. 2004. Heron, (Nycticorax nycticorax). 44 (4) photo. 44 (1) (January-February): Report of Lesser Kestrel (Falco (July-August): 63. Backcover. naumanni Fleischer) flock near SAXENA, Rajiv, and Gaurav Parihar. 2004. SINGHA, Hilloljyoti, Amarjit Narayan Dev, Thoseghar, Satara Dt. Maharashtra. 44 (4) Pesticides killing Demoiselle Cranes. 44 Rimpul Hazarika, Kaustoov Gopal (July-August): 60. (3) (May-June): 48. (With one b&w Goswami, and Banita Roy. 2004. Waterfowl TULJAPURKAR, Vijay. 2004. Birds in my photo.). census in Dheer Beel, Assam. 44 (3) garden. 44 (5): 75-78. SHARMA, Arunayan. 2004. Red-necked Grebe (May-June): 45. UTTANGI, J. C. 2004. Non-stop call of the (Podiceps griseigena) in West Bengal, a SIVAKUMAR, S., and Vibhu Prakash. 2004. Coppersmith, (Megalaima correction. 44 (1) (January-February): 15. Miscellaneous breeding information of haemacephala) observed lasting for —. 2004. Asian Koels are the first caller birds Collared Falconet Microhierax seven minutes in Dharwad urbans. 44 (2) of the day. 44 (2) (March-April): 29-30. caerulescens. 44 (4) (July-August): 57-58. (March-April): 29. (With two text-figs.). SRIDHAR, S. 2004. A note from the publisher: —. 2004. Robbing of eggs by female Koel, SHIVAPRAKASH, A. 2004. Nature trai in Anshi E. Hanumantha Rao no more. 44 (2) from the nest of Red-whiskered Bulbul forest area, North Kanara District, (March-April): 19.
    [Show full text]
  • CMS/CAF/Inf.4.13 1 Central Asian Flyway Action Plan for Waterbirds and Their Habitat Country Report
    CMS/CAF/Inf.4.13 Central Asian Flyway Action Plan for Waterbirds and their Habitat Country Report - INDIA A. Introduction India situated north of the equator covering an area of about 3,287,263 km2 is one of the largest country in the Asian region. With 10 distinctly different bio geographical zones and many different habitat types, the country is known amongst the top 12 mega biodiversity countries. India is known to support 1225 species of bird species, out of these 257 species are water birds. India remains in the core central region of the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) and holds some crucial important wintering population of water bird species. India is also a key breeding area for many other water birds such as Pygmy cormorant and Ruddy-shelduck, globally threatened water birds such as Dalmatian Pelican, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Siberian crane, oriental white stork, greater adjutant stork, white winged wood duck etc. Being located in the core of the CAF, and several important migration routes the country covers a large intra-continental territory between Arctic and Indian Ocean. Being aware of the importance of the wetlands within the geographic boundary of the India for migrating avifauna, India has developed a wetland conservation programme. India currently has 19 RAMSAR sites. India has identified more than 300 sites which has the potential to be consider as the RAMSAR sites. However, being the second most populus nation in the world with agricultural economy, wetlands are one of the most used habitat with water bird and human interface. Much of the Indian landmass also being dependent to the normal monsoonal rainfall for precipitation is also subjected to extremes of drought and flood making the wetlands vulnerable to drastic ecological changes.
    [Show full text]
  • India's National Action Plan for Conservation of Migratory Birds and Their Habitats Along Central Asian Flyway
    India’s National Action Plan for Conservation of Migratory Birds and their Habitats along Central Asian Flyway (2018-2023) CAF National Action Plan 2018 -India Drafting Committee: The Draft India National Action Plan for Conservation of Migratory Birds in Central Asian Flyway was prepared by the following committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Dr. Soumitra Dasgupta, IG F (WL), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Chairman) Dr. Nita Shah, Bombay Natural History Society (Member) Dr. Ritesh Kumar, Wetlands International South Asia (Member) Dr. Suresh Kumar, Wildlife Institute of India (Member) Mr. C. Sasikumar, Wildlife Division, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change The Committee met at Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur on December 12-13, 2017 and at the office of IG F (WL) on March 15, 2018 and April 12, 2018 to review drafts. The final draft National Action Plan was submitted by the Committee on April 14, 2018. Final review of the draft was done in the office of IG (WL) on May 8, 2018. [1] CAF National Action Plan 2018 -India Contents Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................... 3 Preamble ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Goal and Objectives .........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Nepal's Birds 2010
    Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) Established in 1982, Bird Conservation BCN is a membership-based organisation Nepal (BCN) is the leading organisation in with a founding President, patrons, life Nepal, focusing on the conservation of birds, members, friends of BCN and active supporters. their habitats and sites. It seeks to promote Our membership provides strength to the interest in birds among the general public, society and is drawn from people of all walks OF THE STATE encourage research on birds, and identify of life from students, professionals, and major threats to birds’ continued survival. As a conservationists. Our members act collectively result, BCN is the foremost scientific authority to set the organisation’s strategic agenda. providing accurate information on birds and their habitats throughout Nepal. We provide We are committed to showing the value of birds scientific data and expertise on birds for the and their special relationship with people. As Government of Nepal through the Department such, we strongly advocate the need for peoples’ of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation participation as future stewards to attain long- Birds Nepal’s (DNPWC) and work closely in birds and term conservation goals. biodiversity conservation throughout the country. As the Nepalese Partner of BirdLife International, a network of more than 110 organisations around the world, BCN also works on a worldwide agenda to conserve the world’s birds and their habitats. 2010 Indicators for our changing world Indicators THE STATE OF Nepal’s Birds
    [Show full text]
  • Birds of Nepal an Official Checklist 2018
    Birds of Nepal An Official Checklist Department of National Parks Bird Conservation Nepal and Wildlife Conservation 2018 Species Research and Contribution Anish Timsina, Badri Chaudhary, Barry McCarthy, Benzamin Smelt, Cagan Sakercioglu, Carol Inskipp, Deborah Allen, Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary, Dheeraj Chaudhary, Geraldine Werhahn, Hathan Chaudhary, Hem Sagar Baral, Hem Subedi, Jack H. Cox, Karan Bahadur Shah, Mich Coker, Naresh Kusi, Phil Round, Ram Shahi, Robert DeCandido, Sanjiv Acharya, Som GC, Suchit Basnet, Tika Giri, Tim Inskipp, Tulsi Ram Subedi and Yub Raj Basnet. Review Committee Laxman Prasad Poudyal, Dr. Hem Sagar Baral, Carol Inskipp, Tim Inskipp, Ishana Thapa and Jyotendra Jyu Thakuri Cover page drawing: Spiny Babbler by Craig Robson Citation: Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and Bird Conservation Nepal (2018). Birds of Nepal: An Official Checklist, Kathmandu, Nepal. Great Thick-knee by Jan Wilczur 1 Update and taxonomy note This official checklist is based on “Birds of Nepal: An official checklist” updated and published by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and Bird Conservation Nepal in year 2016. New additions in this checklist are as below, New recorded species Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus Rufous-tailed Rock- thrush Monticola saxatilis Himalayan Grasshopper-warbler Locustella kashmirensis New species after split (HBW and BirdLife International 2017) Indian Scops-owl Otus bakkamoena, split from Collared Scops-owl Otus lettia Eastern Marsh-harrier Circus spilonotus, split from western Marsh-harrier Circus aeruginosu Indochinese Roller Coracias affinis, split from Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis Indian Nuthatch Sitta castanea, split from Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sitta cinnamoventris Chinese Rubythroat Calliope tschebaiewi, split from Himalayan Rubythroat Calliope pectoralis This checklist follows the BirdLife International’s taxonomy; HBW and BirdLife International (2017) Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world.
    [Show full text]
  • The Asian Waterfowl Census 1994-1996
    WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL Conserving wetlands for people and wildlife Wetlands International, the world’s leading non-profit wetland conservation organisation, was created by the integration of the Asian Wetland Bureau, the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau, and Wetlands for the Americas. The achievements of the founding organisations date back 40 years, and include the launch of (and support to) the Ramsar Convention, major regional surveys and conservation programmes for wetlands and wetland species, and the development of international programmes for migratory waterbird conservation. Sound technical information is the basis for Wetlands International’s work, which includes coordinating conservation, management and assessment projects at international level, providing technical and fundraising support to national and local projects, and helping to build the capacity of relevant agencies. Wetlands International produces a wide range of publications and awareness materials, and organises numerous workshops, training courses and conferences each year. Wetlands International’s global network provides rapid access to wetland conservation specialists throughout the world. Together with the staff of the organisation’s 17 regional and project offices, they provide a unique force to support wetland conservation activities. Partnership is at the heart of Wetlands International, and strong links exist with other international conservation agencies such as IUCN, WWF and Birdlife International, and the secretariats of the Ramsar
    [Show full text]
  • North Indian Wetlands (PDF, 455
    North Indian wetlands W12 W12 Threatened species HIS region includes the wetlands on the Gangetic plains, Ttogether with the coastal and freshwater wetlands of Rajasthan CR EN VU Total and Gujarat. It supports more breeding Sarus Cranes (on shallow 1—34 wetlands and associated agricultural land) and Indian Skimmers (on the vast system of rivers) than any other region, and the scattered ———— lakes and reservoirs also provide habitat for non-breeding flocks of 1 1135 Sarus Crane and significant numbers of breeding and wintering Pallas’s Fish-eagles. The ‘central population’ of Siberian Crane Total 2169 winters in the region, but has declined to near extinction in recent years. The swampy wetlands of northern India, particularly in Bihar, Key: = breeding in this wetland region. = passage migrant. were once the stronghold for Pink-headed Duck, a species which = non-breeding visitor. may now be extinct, although it could possibly survive in the more 1 The Conservation Dependent Dalmatian Pelican is also a non-breeding visitor to inaccessible parts of its former range. The conservation of grassland this region. birds on the Gangetic plains is covered in G02. ■ Key habitats Freshwater wetlands on riverine plains, and associated agricultural land; coastal wetlands. ■ Countries and territories India (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar); Nepal. Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan is one of the most actively protected wetlands in Asia, but even here maintenance of inflow during drought is often a major problem. PHOTO: OTTO PFISTER 191 North Indian wetlands W12 Tibetan plateau Tibetan Table 1. Outstanding Important Bird Areas in the north Indian wetlands.
    [Show full text]
  • Crested Caracara Vol 18
    Crested Caracara January/March 2014 Hendry-Glades Audubon Society Audubon mission: To conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitat for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. Officers Margaret England, President Butch Wilson, Vice - President Kim Willis, Secretary Janet Falk, Treasurer President’s Message Board Members Julie Jeffords Martha Valiant Rhonda Roff Ring in the New Year with Hendry-Glades Audubon! Sonny Mowbray Terri Lazar Hendry-Glades Audubon (501c3) celebrated its 8th year as an official Audubon Add Austin chapter in on January 15, 2014. Some of the past year’s highlights include membership of over 100 individual and family memberships plus “chapter only" STA-5 2013 Schedule memberships. Gift memberships are available. Invite your friends and neighbors to become a member of HGAS. Feb 15-17 (Great Backyard Bird Count) Mar 8-9 (Big “O” Birding Festival) Hendry-Glades Audubon is a member of the Clewiston Chamber, LaBelle Chamber, Mar 22 Glades TDC, and Big "O" Birding Festival Committee. Our chapter representatives attended the Florida Audubon Assembly, Everglades Coalition, and manned a booth at both Space Coast Birding Festival and the Wings and Wildflower Festival. Meetings - 7:00 p.m. second Monday During the past year chapter volunteers participated in the Big "O" Birding Festival, of the month September - May LaBelle Area Earth Week Field Trips, and the Hendry County Fair. HGAS lead over Meetings held at the Dallas Townsend 25 trips to STA5, organized the Fall Hendry North American Migration Count, Great th Bldg., located at 1085 Pratt Blvd., Backyard Bird Count for inland Florida, and 7 Annual Clewiston-STA5 Christmas LaBelle or the Clewiston Museum 109 Bird Count.
    [Show full text]
  • Breeding Status of Indian Skimmer Rynchops Albicollis in the National Chambal Sanctuary, India Delip K
    DAS: Indian Skimmer 53 Breeding status of Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis in the National Chambal Sanctuary, India Delip K. Das Das, D. K., 2015. Breeding status of Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis in the National Chambal Sanctuary, India. Indian BIRDS 10 (2): 53–54. Delip K. Das, Department of Zoology, Jagannath University, Dhaka-1100, Bangladesh. E-mail: [email protected]. Manuscript received on 22 May 2015. Abstract Even though the Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis is listed as a ‘Vulnerable’ species, and its population is declining rapidly as a result of widespread degradation and disturbance of lowland rivers and lakes, it is one of the least studied species in India. India holds the only known remaining breeding grounds for this species. Its best-known nesting site is the National Chambal Sanctuary, India, where I conducted a survey from 17 to 30 May 2013 with the aim of identifying and collecting information on its breeding colonies. A total of ten breeding sites were identified, and 92 nests recorded, during the survey, from six localities. The maximum number of nests was recorded from a small island in Ater, Etawah. Intensive sand mining is a threat that directly affects nesting. Introduction river systems of northern India, notably the Chambal-, and Ganges The population of the Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis is Rivers (Ali & Ripley 1987; Grimmett et al. 1998; Rasmussen & declining rapidly as a result of widespread degradation, and Anderton 2012.). It is one of the least studied species in India disturbance, of lowland rivers and lakes, and therefore it is listed (Rahmani 2012). Detailed information on its ecology, breeding as Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2014).
    [Show full text]
  • Government of India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
    GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2035 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2018 Central Asian Flyway Action Plan 2035. SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT: SHRI DHAHAHJAY MAHADIK: SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO: DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN: SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM: SHRI SATAV RAJEEV: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has launched Central Asian Flyway Action Plan recently; (b) if so, the details thereof and the aims and objective behind the move; (c) whether the Government has set any time-frame for implementation of action plan and if so, the details thereof; (d) the details of bird species that will be prioritized under the action plan; and (e) whether the Government has identified wetlands and wetland clusters for conservation as they are the congregation sites for several migratory water bird species and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA) (a), (b) and (c) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched the ‘National Action Plan for conservation of migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway’. The Action Plan emphasizes on coordinated efforts of all relevant stakeholders in conservation of migratory birds. India provides a critical stopover as well as wintering habitats to more than 370 species of migratory birds and for ensuring healthy populations of the migratory species in India, within their range across the Central Asian Flyway, this National Action Plan has been developed.
    [Show full text]
  • A Survey for Black-Bellied Tern Sterna Acuticauda and Other Riverine Birds on the Jamuna and Padma Rivers in Bangladesh
    FORKTAIL 30 (2014): 84–89 A survey for Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda and other riverine birds on the Jamuna and Padma rivers in Bangladesh SAYAM U. CHOWDHURY, MOHAMMAD FOYSAL, JOHN SHARPE & OMAR SHAHADAT Owing to disturbance, degradation and destruction of riverine habitats, the Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda has become extremely rare in Bangladesh. A casual sighting of a pair in breeding plumage on the Jamuna River in January 2011 generated hope that the species might still breed. This paper sets out the findings of surveys carried out between December 2011 and April 2012 to determine the current status of the Black-bellied Tern and other riverine birds along the Jamuna and upper Padma rivers. Potentially suitable and undisturbed sandbanks away from the main channels were identified from satellite images. In addition, more intensive searches were targeted on the locations of recent and historical sightings of Black-bellied Tern. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with local fishermen and villagers on the occurrence of Black-bellied Tern and potential threats to riverine birds such as hunting and egg collection. A total of 75 species of birds was recorded during the survey: 69 on the Jamuna and 49 on the Padma rivers. Although no evidence of continued breeding (or even presence) of Black-bellied Tern was found, the extent of potentially suitable habitat suggests that its presence in small numbers cannot be entirely ruled out. As a consequence a number of recommendations are made which if implemented would benefit not only Black-bellied Tern but also the remaining riverine species in Bangladesh.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Breeding Location of Indian Skimmer Rynchops Albicollis, And
    DILAWAR & SHARMA: Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary 35 A new breeding location of Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis, and notes on other birds in Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh, India Mohammed Dilawar & Varun Sharma Dilawar, M., & Sharma, V., 2016. A new breeding location of Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis, and notes on other birds in Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh, India. Indian BIRDS 11 (2): 35–38. Mohammed E. Dilawar, Nature Forever Society, Row House No. 17, Gayatri Nagar, Nashik–Pune Road, Nashik 422011, Nashik District, Maharashtra, India. E-mail: [email protected]. Varun Sharma, Nature Forever Society, Row House No. 17, Gayatri Nagar, Nashik–Pune Road, Nashik 422011, Nashik District, Maharashtra, India. Manuscript received on 18 May 2015. Abstract Here we report of a new breeding population of Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis, in the Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary. Breeding of Indian Skimmers indicates that the sanctuary could be a potential Important Bird Area (IBA), and provides opportunities for locating other breeding sites of the birds, on Son River, and its tributaries—Banas, and Gopad. We also present notes on some common, and rare birds found in the sanctuary, and a bird list of 111 species, compiled from earlier published reports and our own opportunistic observations, adding 24 species to the sanctuary’s checklist. We feel that detailed scientific bird surveys are needed in the Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary to comprehensively document its avifaunal diversity. Introduction Study area Son Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary (hereafter Son) is situated in Son is a shallow, meandering sand-bed river with an extensive Sidhi District of Madhya Pradesh.
    [Show full text]