Conservation Value of Upper Mai Valley Forest in Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung (PIT) Corridor of Eastern to Receive a Large Number of Manuscripts

Home , Large niltava, Scarlet finch, Schoeniparus

Editorial The launch of the first issue of The Himalayan Naturalist Inside this issue (THN) on May 2018 was highly appreciated by researchers and conservationists in Nepal and abroad. The overwhelming response from our readers was very 3 Diversity of butterflies in eastern lowlands of Nepal motivational and we would like to thank you all for your S. R. Tamang, A. Joshi, J. Pandey, N. Raut & B. R. support. Initially our consensus was to come up with the Shrestha next issue within December 2018 so we called for manuscript submission by mid-September. We were happy 11 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest in Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung (PIT) corridor of Eastern to receive a large number of manuscripts. While we worked Nepal for birds hard to publish the new issue by our December deadline, some factors complicated the process. C. Inskipp, A. P. Sherpa, D. Bista, H. S. Baral, M. Bunskoek, H. Chaudhary & R. Chaudhary Sorting out manuscripts that didn’t fully comply with the author’s guidelines delayed the peer review 26 Distribution of King Cobra in Nepal process. Our team members were also preoccupied with K. B. Thapa, N. Rana & K. B. Shah their primary responsibilities thus creating further delays. 34 Confirmation of breeding colonies of Lesser Adjutant This pushed the publication date back by nearly three Stork in Sarlahi, Nepal months. For this, we offer our sincere apology. S. Bajagain, A. Pradhan & A. Bhusal Unfortunately, few of the manuscripts we received were not quite original and had to be rejected. 37 Status and distribution of King Cobra in Southern THN’s editorial board takes plagiarism seriously and do not Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal compromise in this regard. We would like to request our R. Baral, S. K. Yadav, R. Gautam, M. P. Katila, R. K. readers to help spread awareness about this serious issue in Gurung, A. Subedi & B. Basnet your circles and would like to request future authors to be 42 The largest recorded breeding colony of Great more cautious of maintaining originality. You can visit Cormorant in Nepal https://www.plagiarism.org/ to understand more about S. GC, R. Acharya & N. R. Chapagain plagiarism. 44 Conserving the Asian Woollyneck in Nepal: efforts, With that said, we are very excited to present the outcomes and lessons learnt second issue of The Himalayan Naturalist. There are nine P. Ghimire & N. Pandey articles in this issue including one original contribution, four short communications, two distribution updates, one 46 First record of Crab-eating Mongoose in Dang district, Western Nepal conservation bulletin and a field note, plus the section ‘Photos from the Wild’. The articles cover the taxonomic P. Pandeya & C. Khanal classes herpetofaunas, butterflies, birds and mammals. We 48 Photos from the wild would like to thank our reviewers for their invaluable help S. Giri and advice. 52 My first herpetological field trip We sincerely hope this issue will be useful and K. B. Shah enjoyable and we hope for your feedback and critical comments on how we can keep refining The Himalayan Naturalist. DISCLAIMER: Views and opinions expressed in the articles are those Thank you! of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the editorial board or Friends of Nature.

Email: [email protected] FRONT COVER PHOTO Mountain Weasel by YADAV GHIMIREY Editors Mountain Weasel Mustela altaica is a small mustelid species Bidhan Adhikary Nepal Jeevan Rai Nepal found mostly in areas lying at high altitudes or cold places.

Mohammad Abidur Rahman Bangladesh It lives in rock crevices, tree trunks and abandoned burrows. Yadav Ghimirey Nepal It hunts for pikas, hamsters and other rodents. Globally the species is found in Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Advisor Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation Raju Acharya Nepal and Tajikistan. In Nepal the species has been recorded from Humla, Mustang, Solukhumbu and Taplejung districts. This Layout and Design Bidhan Adhikary Nepal photo was taken in Takche area in Limi valley, upper Humla.

BACK COVER PHOTO View towards north from Nyalu pass in Humla by YADAV GHIMIREY 11 Short Communication Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest in Panchthar- Ilam-Taplejung (PIT) corridor of Eastern Nepal for birds CAROL INSKIPP1,2*, ANG PHURI SHERPA3, DAMBER BISTA3, HEM SAGAR BARAL4,5, MARTIJN BUNSKOEK6, HATHAN CHAUDHARY7,9 and RAMESH CHAUDHARY8,9 1 Self-employed bird researcher, conservationist and writer, UK 2 Himalayan Nature, Nepal 3 Red Panda Network, Nepal 4 Zoological Society of London - Nepal Office 5 School of Environmental Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury-Wodonga, Australia 6 Bunskoek Natuurlijk, Netherlands 7 Nepal Ornithological Union, Nepal 8 Bird Conservation Nepal, Nepal 9 Self-employed nature guide

*Email for correspondence: [email protected]

Abstract The national and global importance for birds of the upper Mai valley, far eastern Nepal has been documented and compiled in a checklist of the 209 bird species recorded here between 2008 and 2018. The checklist is annotated with species’ status and distribution and highlights biome-restricted and globally and nationally threatened bird species. Although the proposed Red Panda Protected Forest is dedicated to the conservation of Red Pandas, it will also help conserve birds in the area. Keywords Birds, conservation, Mai valley, protected forest, temperate forest ______

Introduction The Eastern Himalayan range runs east from the Arun-Kosi valley of eastern Nepal, through Bhutan, north-east India (Sikkim, northern West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh), south-east Tibet autonomous region and north-east Myanmar to south-west China (north-west Yunnan province). Research has shown that many of the birds are altitudinal migrants and that subtropical wet hill forest and

wet temperate forest are particularly important breeding habitats (BirdLife International 2018). Mai valley (FIG. 1), located in Eastern Himalayas, consists of upper and the lower Mai valleys. The whole of the Mai valley was assessed as an Important Bird and

Biodiversity Area (IBA) in the first IBA assessment (Baral SOURCE: RED PANDA NETWORK and Inskipp 2005) and in the second assessment (BCN, FIG. 1: Upper Mai valley region in the PIT corridor. DNPWC and DoFSC in press). Despite this recognition of their international importance for birds in 2005 and the The altitudinal range of the proposed PIT fact that upper Mai valley has some important patches of Protected Forest is from 2000-3600 m. Forests in the area wet temperate forest, currently Mai valley forests remain comprise fragmented patches of lower temperate mixed unprotected. The Red Panda Network (RPN), having over broadleaved forests and higher up extensive stands of ten years of working experience in Panchthar, Ilam and upper temperate broadleaved forest, mainly of Quercus Taplejung districts in eastern Nepal, recommends giving semecarpifolia and Rhododendron spp. with thick bamboo the Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung (PIT) network of community undergrowth and slopes covered with bamboo (RPN forests in the upper Mai valley some kind of protected 2018). These habitats are of major global importance for status for broader conservation (Bista 2018).

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 12 birds, especially breeding species (Grimmett et al. 2016). Ramesh Chaudhary explored the area for birds and Red Other habitats are upland grasslands and scrub, also Panda for week long visits in July 2015, March 2016, March farmlands around villages, which have all been created by 2017 and March 2018, spending time around Dobato, forest clearance. Hangetham, Kaiyakata, Lalbas, Jaubari, Alebhanjyang, Conservation of the Red Panda, which is the Kalapokhari, Sandakpur, Choyatar, Thumki, Maipokhari flagship species of the PIT Corridor, will therefore also and Gorkhe areas. Hathan Chaudhary spent one week secure the habitat of birds and other biodiversity. This making bird observations in the following areas each year paper presents evidence for the global and national from 2015-2018: Gorkhe, Jogmai, Chitre, Choyatar and

importance of this proposed Protected Forest for birds. Jaubari. Hathan Chaudhary and Carol Inskipp spent a week

recording birds in January 2018 covering area above Dobato, Hangetham, Kaiyakata, Lalbas, Kalopokhari, Alebhanjyang and area above Hangetham. This was the only winter visit known to be made by birdwatchers between 2008 and 2018. Relatively few birds were recorded compared to visits between March and September. Using Mackinnon’s List method was attempted but too few observations were made each day to make this possible. Good coverage of the upper and lower temperate forests was made by birdwatchers between 2015 and 2018, mainly in March which is the beginning of the breeding season for most birds here. There were also visits

DAMBER BISTA in January, April, July and September. Most observers PHOTO 1: Dobato village - tourism hub for birding and red covered the altitudinal range from 2000-2800 m, although panda sighting. Ramesh Chaudhary and Hathan Chaudhary each reached 3600 m. Methods A comprehensive checklist of all bird species recorded in Results the proposed PIT Red Panda Protected Forest between A total of 209 species (ANNEX I) were recorded during 2008 and 2018 by bird surveyors and birdwatchers was surveys and visits by bird surveyors and birdwatchers to compiled. The species list was annotated with status and the proposed Protected Forest. Visits were made by B. national threat category. Earlier records have not been Robson and team in 2008, H. S. Baral and team in 2010, M. included because habitats in parts of the area, especially at Bunskoek in 2015, H. Chaudhary annually between 2015 lower altitudes have been changed in recent decade by and 2018, R. Chaudhary annually between 2015 and 2018 some forest clearance, forest degradation and planting of and H. Chaudhary and C. Inskipp in January 2018. non-native conifers (Robson et al. 2008, Carol Inskipp Recent visits by M. Bunskoek in 2015, and H. personal observation). As a result, some previously found Chaudhary and C. Inskipp in 2018 showed that extensive bird species may no longer occur. broadleaved upper temperate forests still remain within Several bird surveyors and birdwatchers have the proposed PIT Protected Forest. Although there was visited the area between 2008 and 2018. A joint five- some evidence of grazing in forests closer to the small person team from Bird Conservation Nepal and Royal settlements here, apart from these peripheral areas, Society for the Protection of Birds (UK) had carried out an forests in the region were in very good condition with ornithological survey of both the lower and upper Mai much bamboo and other undergrowth. Here there were valley in a four-week survey in March 2008. However, the many large trees, mainly of Brown Oak Quercus most productive upper temperate forests were not semecarpifolia and Rhododendron spp. with huge trunks covered. This survey used the Mackinnon’s List method and branches clothed in mosses and epiphytic ferns and and Timed Species Count method for bird recording orchids, which provided good habitats for numerous bird (Robson et al. 2008). Other birdwatchers have casual species. records of their observations in the area. Hem Sagar Baral, Suchit Basnet and Badri Chaudhary spent five days in Discussion September 2010 around Dobato, Kaiyakata and above The Mai valley qualified as an IBA as the number of bird Hangetham. Martijn Bunskoek, Coen Nengerman, Gokarna species recorded between 2006 (Basnet and Sapkota Khanal and Himal Khanal made bird observations while 2006) and 2018 met the biome-restricted assemblage searching for Red Panda in April 2015 mainly covering criteria for the Sino-Himalayan temperate forest and Sino- Mabu, Mai Pokhari, Dobato and Kalapokhari areas. Himalayan subtropical forest biomes (BCN, DNPWC and

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 13 DoFSC in press). However, the lower Mai forests (tropical throated Barwing Sibia nipalensis from the Central EBA. and subtropical) were found to be in relatively much Two of these species occur in the proposed PIT Protected poorer condition and some specialist birds of these lower Forest: Broad-billed Warbler (uncommon) and Hoary- altitude forests have not been recorded here since the throated Barwing (fairly common). As there is extensive 1980s, for example Pale-headed Woodpecker Gecinculus suitable habitat for both species in the proposed Protected grantia and Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella (BCN, DNPWC Forest, it also qualifies as an IBA based on the restricted- and DoFSC in press). In contrast the condition of the range criterion. Broad-billed Warbler is a rare and local proposed PIT Protected Forest is far better and still species in Nepal and was assessed as nationally supports important communities of bird species. The Endangered (Inskipp et al. 2016). It inhabits bamboo and compilation of bird records between 2008 and 2018 other undergrowth in dense evergreen broadleaved forest presented here shows that the proposed PIT Protected in the temperate zone between 2195 m and 2300 m Forest qualifies as an IBA as the number of species (Grimmett et al. 2016). The global distribution of Hoary- recorded meets the biome-restricted assemblage criterion throated Barwing is centered on the Nepal Himalayas, for the Sino-Himalayan temperate forest (64 species mainly in the temperate zone between 1980 m and 3000 recorded between 2008 and 2018, 35 percent of the total m where it is locally fairly common (Grimmett et al. 2016). for this biome-restricted assemblage). Sino-Himalayan It frequents moist oak-rhododendron forests with many temperate forests are one of the two forest types for epiphytes of ferns and mosses (Inskipp et al. 2016). which Nepal is especially important (BCN, DNPWC and Only one globally threatened species has been DoFSC in press). found since 2008: Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis which is The entire Mai valley was also assessed as an IBA probably a passage migrant and possibly also a winter based on the restricted-range criterion, as defined by visitor. BirdLife International (Stattersfield et al. 1998). Species Two species classified as globally Near with restricted-ranges are land-bird species which have Threatened by BirdLife International (2018) have been had, throughout historical times (i.e. post-1800), a total recorded in the proposed Protected Forest between 2008 global breeding range of less than 50,000 km2 (an area and 2018: Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra (uncommon) about a third of the size of Nepal). BirdLife showed that and Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis (fairly common). restricted-range species often tend to occur together on Both species have been assessed as nationally Vulnerable islands or in isolated patches of a particular habitat. These (Inskipp et al. 2016). areas of endemism are termed Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs) Nationally threatened birds recorded in the

(Stattersfield et al. 1998). proposed Protected Forest total 20 species. These

comprise two Critically Endangered species, one Endangered species, 15 Vulnerable species and two species assessed as Data Deficient. Critically Endangered species include Rufous-backed Sibia Leioptila annectans which was recorded near Lalbas in March 2016 (Chaudhary 2016) and inhabits dense, humid, broadleaved evergreen forest in the subtropical and temperate zones between 1450 m and 2650 m (Grimmett et al. 2016). The other Critically Endangered species is Yellow-cheeked Tit Machlolophus spilonotus recorded near Thumke in March

2018 (Chaudhary 2018) which frequents open broadleaved forest between 1980 and 2400 m (Grimmett et al. 2016). In the past two other species nationally categorized as Critically Endangered were recorded in the HATHAN CHAUDHARY PHOTO 2: Red-tailed Minla. Mai valley. Both are very rare and local in Nepal. Single individuals of Slaty-bellied Tesia Tesia olivea were There are three EBAs in Nepal that support such recorded at two localities in Hangetham forests in April concentrations of restricted-range bird species and are 1999: one about 3 km up the ridge above the village and therefore of global conservation importance. These are another about 1 km above the village (Inskipp 2006; Basnet the Western Himalayas, Central Himalayas and Eastern 2007). There are no later records from the Mai valley. Himalayas EBAs. In the whole of the Mai valley, three Rufous-throated Wren Babbler Spelaeornis caudatus, restricted-range species have been recorded and extensive which is also globally near-threatened and a restricted- suitable habitat occurs for all of them: Yellow-vented range species, was first recorded in Nepal in forests at Warbler Phyllocopus cantator and Broad-billed Warbler Hangetham in 1961 and was regularly seen here until 1993 Tickellia hodgsoni from the Eastern EBA, and Hoary- (Inskipp et al. 2016), but despite searches in later years,

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 14 there have been no other records from the area. require bamboo in their habitat or favor forest with Broadleaved lower temperate forests near Hangetham bamboo in the understorey. were cleared in the 1990s and replanted with fast-growing The two Data Deficient species include Black- exotic conifers (Cryptomeria japonica), so becoming tailed Crake Zapornia bicolor, a very local species in Nepal unsuitable for both species, as well as for many other birds. of upland marshes, which was first seen in the reserve near Rufous-throated Wren Babbler frequents mossy rocks, Dobato in September 2010 (Baral et al. 2010) and in April terrestrial ferns and fallen trees and also dense thickets in 2015 on Mai Pokhari marsh (Bunskoek 2015) which lies narrow gullies in lower temperate broadleaved evergreen outside, but close to the border of the proposed Protected forest between 2135 m and 2440 m (Grimmett et al. 2016). Forest. The other Data Deficient species is Mountain Slaty-bellied Tesia inhabits thick low undergrowth of ferns Tailorbird Phyllergates cucullatus which was first recorded and nettles in dense moist forest, especially in evergreens for Nepal in April 2015 (Bunskoek 2015) from several between 1000 m and 2200 m (Grimmett et al. 2016). Some localities below Jaubari and Kalipokhari/Dobato in dense areas of suitable habitat may occur for both species in the and moist undergrowth of temperate forest. It inhabits Mai valley including in the proposed Protected Forest. evergreen biotope (Grimmett et al. 2016). Both species are The nationally Endangered Rusty-fronted Barwing probably residents which have been overlooked Actinodura egertoni which is uncommon in the proposed previously. Protected Forest inhabits dense thickets in humid, broadleaved evergreen forest in the subtropical and lower temperate zones between 1500 m and 2400 m (Inskipp et

al. 2016).

BUNSKOEK

MARTIJN

PHOTO 4: Black-tailed Crake.

RAMESH CHAUDHARY

PHOTO 3: Himalayan Wood Owl.

Amongst the Vulnerable species, the majority: *Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra, Barred Cuckoo-dove Macropygia unchall, Brown Wood Owl Strix CAROL INSKIPP leptogrammica, Black-headed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius PHOTO 5: Upper temperate forest near Dobato. rufiventer, *Hume’s Bush-warbler Horornis brunnescens, The PIT corridor is part of the Kangchenjunga- Grey-sided Laughingthrush Garrulax caerulatus *Golden- Singhalila Complex which provides connectivity between breasted Fulvetta Lioparus chrysotis, *Brown Parrotbill Cholornis unicolor, *Fulvous Parrotbill Suthora fulvifrons, protected areas in India and Nepal. Establishing the PIT *Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus Protected Forest will connect the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area of Nepal with India’s Khangchendzonga superciliaris, and Gold-naped Finch Pyrrhoplectes National Park, Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary and epauletta inhabit temperate forests, and those marked * Singhalila National Park and as the forests are contiguous this will create an uninterrupted stretch of protected land

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 15 extending for 11,500 km2 (Williams et al. 2011; Bista 2018; recording birds from March to May is highly RPN 2018). recommended. Some of the proposed PIT Protected Forest lies adjacent to the larger extent of upper temperate Acknowledgements broadleaved forest in the Singhalila National Park in India, Carol Inskipp and Hathan Chaudhary are grateful to Phinju such as above Dobato and between Ingla and Jaubari so Sherpa, who works for the Red Panda Network for acting there is very likely to be considerable movement of birds as their local guide and his valuable contributions to their between the PIT Protected Forest and Singhalila National bird observations. Martijn Bunskoek much appreciated the Park, although in a few places deforested and overgrazed company on his Mai valley visit of: Coen Nengerman, open land along the border may make this difficult. Gokarna Khanal and his son Himal and local guides from the Red Panda Network in the Ingla and Dobato areas. Hem Sagar Baral thanks Nature Safari Tours for supporting his Mai valley visit. Ramesh Chaudhary thanks Ang Phuri Sherpa and Damber Bista of Red Panda Network for giving him the opportunity to lead their eco trips and Wendy Hare and Nigel for hiring him as their bird guide in 2014 and 2016.

References

Baral, H. S., Basnet, S. and Chaudhary, B. 2010. A checklist of birds and mammals recorded at Ilam District. Unpublished report. Baral, H.S. and Inskipp, C. 2005. Important Bird Areas in Nepal; Key Sites MARTIJN BUNSKOEK for Conservation. Bird Conservation Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal. PHOTO 6: Ingla forest. Basnet, S. 2007. Nepal Rare Birds Committee (NRBC) Report 2007. Danphe 16, 10-11. The proposed Protected Forest will be the largest Basnet, Y.R. and Sapkota, J. 2006. Ornithological survey of lower Mai- “protected forest” in Nepal and the first to be managed by valley, Ilam, eastern Nepal. A report to Oriental Bird Club, U.K, and Bird Conservation Nepal. Unpublished. 31pp. a network of community forests. National Forest Policy Bird Conservation Nepal, Department of National Parks and Wildlife 2019 has a provision for community to declare a portion of Conservation and Department of Forests and Soil Conservation in press. their managed land as “protected”. RPN’s goal is to create Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas of Nepal, Kathmandu. the Red Panda Protected Forest, a network of all BirdLife International 2018. Endemic Bird Areas factsheet: Eastern community forests bordering the proposed PIT corridor Himalayas. http://www.birdlife.org. which will cover at least 438 km2 (Bista 2018). As it will Bista, D. 2018. Communities in frontline in Red Panda Conservation, Eastern Nepal. The Himalayan Naturalist 1, 11-12. include the upper temperate broadleaved forests in the Bunskoek, M. 2015. Birds recorded in the upper Mai valley, April 2015. Mai Valley IBA, the proposed Red Panda Protected Forest Unpublished report. will help conserve birds in the area. Chaudhary, H. 2018. Birds recorded in the Mai valley, 2015-18. Although 12 visits by bird surveyors and Unpublished report. birdwatchers have been made to the proposed PIT Chaudhary, H. and Inskipp, C. 2018. Birds recorded in the upper Mai Protected Forest between 2008 and 2018, the forest valley, January 2018. Unpublished report. remains under-recorded for birds and most observations Chaudhary, R. 2015. Birds recorded in Ilam district, 2015. Unpublished were made on a casual basis. While the upper temperate report. broadleaved forests, which are the most important for Chaudhary, R. 2016. Birds recorded in Ilam district, 2016. Unpublished report. breeding birds have been well covered in March, there has Chaudhary, R. 2017. Birds recorded in Ilam district, 2017. Unpublished been little recording in April and May which are the most report. important breeding months here. It is quite likely that new Chaudhary, R. 2018. Birds recorded in Ilam district, 2018. Unpublished bird species for Nepal will be found in the proposed report. Protected Forest. For example, White-spectacled Warbler Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., Inskipp, T. and Baral, H. S. 2016. Birds of Nepal. Phylloscopus intermedius has been reported here (Mich A field guide. Revised edition. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Coker pers. comm. to C. Inskipp, 2017), but further details Inskipp, C. 2006. Report on rare birds in Nepal 2005. Danphe 15, 4-5. are needed to confirm the presence of this species. In Inskipp, C., Baral, H.S., Phuyal, S., Bhatta, T.R., Khatiwada, M., Inskipp, T., addition, it is probable that this forest area has several Khatiwada, A., Gurung, S., Singh, P.B., Murray, L., Poudyal, L. and Amin, R. 2016. The status of Nepal's Birds: The national red list series. Zoological other globally and nationally threatened species which Society of London, UK. future surveys will record. A spring survey using scientific Red Panda Network 2018. Red Panda Network. methodology by an experienced team dedicated to https://www.redpandanetwork.org/what-we-do/ 15 July 2018.

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 16 Robson, B., Ellsion, M., Keys, A., Pandey, M. and Pokharel, K. 2008. Bird socio-economic dimension of wildlife conservation and believes that survey of Mai Valley. Bird Conservation Nepal and Royal Society for the conservation can only thrive if it is based on good science and Protection of Birds, Kathmandu and Sandy. ensures local community involvement. Stattersfield, A.J., Crosby, M.J., Long, A.J. and Wege, D.C. 1998. Endemic HEM SAGAR BARAL has worked on birds and biodiversity Bird Areas of the world: priorities for biodiversity conservation. BirdLife conservation for over 30 years. His main interests lie on ecology and population monitoring of wildlife. Hem promotes the red list, International, Cambridge, UK. field guides, and various innovative conservation approaches for Williams, B.H., Dahal B.R. and Subedi, T.R., 2011. Project Punde Kundo: nature conservation. Community-based monitoring of a red panda population in Eastern MARTIJN BUNSKOEK is an enthusiastic ecologist and birdwatcher Nepal. In Red Panda Biology and Conservation of the First Panda, A.R. from The Netherlands who has recently started his own business Glatston (eds.). Elsevier Inc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. PP. 393-408. (Bunskoek Natuurlijk) focused on all kinds of nature-related subjects.

Biosketches HATHAN CHAUDHARY has worked as a professional nature guide since 1988, first in Chitwan and later in Koshi Tappu protected areas CAROL INSKIPP is a bird conservationist and naturalist with a and led birdwatching groups throughout Nepal. Hathan has special interest in Nepal and has visited the country many times undertaken numerous bird surveys in protected areas and since 1977. Carol has authored a number of Nepal bird conservation Important Bird Areas and led many training courses. books and Indian subcontinent field guides. RAMESH CHAUDHARY is a professional bird, wildlife, mountain, ANG PHURI SHERPA has over 28 years of experience in biodiversity culture and pilgrimage tour guide in Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. conservation and managing conservation areas in Nepal. His key Ramesh played an instrumental role in establishing the Bird area of interest is promoting public and civil society organisations Education Society in Sauraha, Chitwan in 1994 and became the engagement for sustainability of conservation endeavours. founder secretary of the organization. DAMBER BISTA has nearly ten years of experience in the eastern Himalayas, Damber is concerned with the ecological aspects and

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 17 ANNEX I: Bird Checklist (2008-2018) of proposed Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung Red Panda Protected Forest.

*Status refers to status in the proposed PIT Protected Forest: am = altitudinal migrant, sv = summer visitor, wv = winter visitor, r = resident and pm = passage migrant. ? indicates uncertainty about the Status ** Nationally Threatened Species: VU = Vulnerable, EN = Endangered, CR = Critically Endangered, DD = Data Deficient and NT = Near Threatened *** Surveys: 1. Robson et al. 2008, 2. Bunskoek 2015, 3. Baral et al. 2010, 4. Chaudhary and Inskipp 2018, 5. Chaudhary 2015, 6. Chaudhary 2016, 7. Chaudhary 2017, 8. Chaudhary 2018 and 9. Chaudhary 2015-2018.

x in the table is used for affirmation of Biome-restriction and affirmation of record of species in Surveys***

Surveys***

* **

SN English name Scientific name restricted

tatus

species

pecies

Nationally S

Threatened 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Biome

GALLIFORMES Phasianidae 1 Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola am x x x x x x x x x 2 Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra am x VU x x x x x x x x 3 Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos am x x x x x x ANSERIFORMES Anatidae 4 Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus pm x 5 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea pm x COLUMBIFORMES Columbidae 6 Rock Dove Columba livia am x x x x x 7 Speckled Wood Pigeon Columba hodgsonii r x x 8 Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis am x x x x x x x x 9 Barred Cuckoo Dove Macropygia unchall am VU x x x 10 Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenurus am x CAPRIMULGIFORMES Caprimulgidae 11 Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka sv x

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 18 Apodidae 12 White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus sv x 13 Silver-backed Needletail Hirundapus cochinchinensis sv x x 14 Himalayan Swiftlet Aerodramus brevirostris am x x x 15 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba sv x 16 House Swift Apus nipalensis sv x CUCULIFORMES Cuculidae 17 Large Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides sv x x x x x 18 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus sv x x x 19 Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus sv x x GRUIFORMES Rallidae 20 Black-tailed Crake Zapornia bicolor r x x Scolopacidae 21 Solitary Snipe Gallinago solitaria am x x STRIGIFORMES Strigidae 22 Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei r x x x x x 23 Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides r x x x x x 24 Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica r VU x x 25 Himalayan Wood Owl Strix nivicolum r x x x ACCIPITRIFORMES Accipitridae 26 Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus pm? x 27 Crested Serpent-eagle Spilornis cheela sv x 28 Short-toed Snake-eagle Circaetus gallicus pm x 29 Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis r VU x x x x x x 30 Mountain Hawk-eagle Nisaetus nipalensis r x x x x 31 Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis r x x x x x 32 pm/ Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis VU x x wv?

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 19 33 Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus r x 34 Shikra Accipiter badius am? x 35 Besra Accipiter virgatus am? x 36 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus r x 37 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis r x x x 38 Black Kite Milvus migrans r? x 39 Himalayan Buzzard Buteo refectus r x x x x x 40 Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus wv x x 41 Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius r x x Upupidae 42 Common Hoopoe Upupa epops pm x x PICIFORMES Megalaimidae 43 Great Barbet Psilopogon virens r x x x x x 44 Golden-throated Barbet Psilopogon franklinii r? x 45 Blue-throated Barbet Psilopogon asiaticus r? x Picidae 46 Scarlet-breasted Woodpecker Dryobates cathpharius r x 47 Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus r x 48 Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis r x x x x x x x x CARIAMIFORMES Falconidae 49 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus r x 50 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus ? x x PASSERIFORMES Oriolidae 51 Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii am x x x x x Vireonidae 52 Black-headed Shrike-babbler Pteruthius rufiventer r VU x x x 53 White-browed Shrike-babbler Pteruthius aeralatus am x x x x x 54 Green Shrike-babbler Pteruthius xanthochlorus r x x x x x x x 55 Black-eared Shrike-babbler Pteruthius melanotis r x

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 20 Campephagidae 56 Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris am x 57 Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus brevirostris am x 58 Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus am x x x x xx x 59 Black-winged Cuckooshrike Lalage melaschistos r/sv x x x Rhipiduridae 60 White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis r x x x x x x x Dicruridae 61 Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus am x x x x x Laniidae 62 Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus r/am x x x x Corvidae 63 Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae r x x x x x x 64 Yellow-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa flavirostris r x x x x x x x x 65 Plain-crowned Jay Garrulus bispecularis r x x x 66 Southern Nutcracker Nucifraga hemispila r x x x x x x 67 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos am x x x x x x x Stenostiridae 68 Yellow-bellied Fairy-fantail Chelidorhynx hypoxanthus am x 69 Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis sv? x Paridae 70 Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus am x x x x x x x x 71 Coal Tit Periparus ater am x x x x x 72 Rufous-vented Tit Periparus rubidiventris am x x x x x 73 Grey-crested Tit Lophophanes dichrous am x x x x x 74 Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus am x x x x x x x x x 75 Black-lored Tit Machlolophus xanthogenys am x x x 76 Yellow-cheeked Tit Machlolophus spilonotus r CR x Cisticolidae 77 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis v x x 78 Striated Prinia Prinia crinigera am x x x x x 79 Black-throated Prinia Prinia atrogularis r x

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 21 Pnoepygidae 80 Pygmy Cupwing Pnoepyga pusilla am x x 81 Scaly-breasted Cupwing Pnoepyga albiventer am x x x Hirundinidae 82 Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus am x 83 Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalense am x x x x x 84 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica am x x x Pycnonotidae 85 Mountain Bulbul Ixos mcclellandii r x x 86 Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus r x x x x 87 Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys r x x x x Scotocercidae 88 Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cucullatus am DD x Phylloscopidae 89 Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus wv/pm x 90 Hume's Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus humei am x x x 91 Lemon-rumped Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus chloronotus am x x x x x x x 92 Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher am x x x x x x x 93 Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis am x x x x x x x x x 94 Tickell's Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus affinis am x x 95 Green-crowned Warbler Phylloscopus burkii am x x x x x 96 Whistler's Warbler Phylloscopus whistleri am x x x x x x 97 Chestnut-crowned Warbler Phylloscopus castaniceps am x x x x x x x 98 Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides sv x x x 99 Large-billed Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris sv x x x 100 Blyth's Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus reguloides am x 101 Grey-hooded Warbler Phylloscopus xanthoschistos am x x x x x 102 Grey-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer am x x x x x 103 Chestnut-headed Tesia Cettia castaneocoronata am x x x x x 104 Grey-sided Bush-warbler Cettia brunnifrons am x x x x 105 Black-faced Warbler Abroscopus schisticeps r x x 106 Broad-billed Warbler Tickellia hodgsoni r x EN x x x

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 22 107 Brownish-flanked Bush-warbler Horornis fortipes am x x x x 108 Hume's Bush-warbler Horornis brunnescens r x VU x x 109 Aberrant Bush-warbler Horornis flavolivaceus am x x x Aegithalidae 110 Red-headed Tit Aegithalos iredalei r x x x x x x 111 Rufous-fronted Tit Aegithalos iouschistos r x x x x x x Sylviidae 112 Fire-tailed Myzornis Myzornis pyrrhoura r x x x x x 113 Golden-breasted Fulvetta Lioparus chrysotis r x VU x x x 114 White-browed Fulvetta Fulvetta vinipectus am x x x x x x x x x 115 Brown Parrotbill Cholornis unicolor r x VU x x 116 Fulvous Parrotbill Suthora fulvifrons r x VU x

117 Black-throated Parrotbill Suthora nipalensis r x x Zosteropidae 118 Stripe-throated Yuhina Yuhina gularis am x x x x x x x x x 119 Whiskered Yuhina Yuhina flavicollis am x x x x x x x x 120 Rufous-vented Yuhina Yuhina occipitalis am x x x x x x 121 Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus am x Timaliidae 122 Slender-billed Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus superciliaris r x VU x x x 123 Streak-breasted Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis r x x x x x x 124 Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-babbler Erythrogenys erythrogenys r x 125 Grey-throated Babbler Stachyris nigriceps r x x 126 Rufous-capped Babbler Cyanoderma ruficeps r x x x x x x Pellorneidae 127 Rufous-winged Fulvetta Schoeniparus castaneceps am x x x x x x x Leiotrichidae 128 Nepal Fulvetta Alcippe nipalensis am x x x x 129 Striated Laughingthrush Grammatoptila striata r x x x x x x x x x 130 Spotted Laughingthrush Garrulax ocellatus r x x x x x x x 131 White-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax albogularis r x x x x x x 132 Grey-sided Laughingthrush Garrulax caerulatus r VU x

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 23 133 Scaly Laughingthrush Trochalopteron subunicolor r x x x x 134 Blue-winged Laughingthrush Trochalopteron squamatum r VU x 135 Streaked Laughingthrush Trochalopteron lineatum r x x x x 136 Black-faced Laughingthrush Trochalopteron affine r x x x x x 137 Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush Trochalopteron erythrocephalum am x x x x x x 138 Rufous Sibia Heterophasia capistrata am x x x x x x x x x 139 Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea r x x x 140 Rufous-backed Sibia Leioptila annectens r? CR x 141 Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta am x x x x x x x 142 Hoary-throated Barwing Sibia nipalensis r x x x x x x x x 143 Blue-winged Minla Siva cyanouroptera am x x x x x x 144 Bar-throated Minla Chrysominla strigula am x x x x x x x x x 145 Rusty-fronted Barwing Actinodura egertoni r EN x x x Certhiidae 146 Rusty-flanked Treecreeper Certhia nipalensis am x x x x x 147 Sikkim Treecreeper Certhia discolor am x x Sittidae 148 White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis am x x x x x x x x x Troglodytidae 149 Northern Wren Troglodytes troglodytes r x x Sturnidae 150 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis am x Turdidae 151 Long-tailed Thrush Zoothera dixoni am x x 152 Alpine Thrush Zoothera mollissima am x x x 153 Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul am x x x x x 154 Tickell's Thrush Turdus unicolor am x 155 White-collared Blackbird Turdus albocinctus am x x x x x x x x 156 Chestnut Thrush Turdus rubrocanus wv x x 157 Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis wv x x x x Muscicapidae 158 Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica sv x

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 24 159 Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara am x x x x x 160 Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae r x x 161 Large Niltava Niltava grandis r x 162 Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus sv x x x x x x x 163 Himalayan Shortwing Brachypteryx cruralis am x x 164 Indian Blue Robin Larvivora brunnea sv x x 165 White-tailed Blue Robin Myiomela leucura sv x 166 Himalayan Bush-robin Tarsiger rufilatus am x x x x x x 167 White-browed Bush-robin Tarsiger indicus am x x x 168 Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri sv x x 169 Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus am x x x 170 Blue Whistling-thrush Myophonus caeruleus r x x x x x x x x 171 Slaty-backed Flycatcher Ficedula erithacus wv x x 172 Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra sv x x x x x 173 Pygmy Blue-flycatcher Ficedula hodgsoni am x 174 Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata am x x x x x x x x x 175 Ultramarine Flycatcher Ficedula superciliaris sv x x x 176 Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni sv x x x x x 177 Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla wv x x 178 Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis pm x x x x x x 179 White-throated Redstart Phoenicurus schisticeps wv x x x 180 White-capped Water-redstart Phoenicurus leucocephalus sv? x x x x x x 181 Plumbeous Water-redstart Phoenicurus fuliginosus r x x x x x x 182 Chestnut-bellied Rock-thrush Monticola rufiventris am x x x x x x x 183 Blue Rock-thrush Monticola solitarius wv x x 184 Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferreus am x x x x x Regulidae 185 Goldcrest Regulus regulus am x Chloropseidae 186 Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii am x x Dicaeidae 187 Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum melanozanthum am x x

©2018 Friends of Nature, The Himalayan Naturalist, 2(1), 11-25 Conservation value of upper Mai valley forest for birds 25 188 Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus r x x x x Nectariniidae 189 Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda am x x x x x x x 190 Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis am x x x x x 191 Gould's Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae am x x x x x x Prunellidae 192 Maroon-backed Accentor Prunella immaculata wv x x x x x 193 Rufous-breasted Accentor Prunella strophiata am x x x x x Passeridae 194 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus r x Motacillidae 195 Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni am x x x x x x x 196 Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus sv x x 197 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea am x x x x x x 198 White Wagtail Motacilla alba sv x x Fringillidae 199 Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus sv x 200 Scarlet Finch Carpodacus sipahi r x x x x 201 Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus thura wv x x 202 Brown Bullfinch Pyrrhula nipalensis r x x 203 Red-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythrocephala wv x x x x x 204 Gold-naped Finch Pyrrhoplectes epauletta wv x VU x 205 Dark-breasted Rosefinch Procarduelis nipalensis wv x x x x 206 Plain Mountain-finch Leucosticte nemoricola wv x x x x 207 Yellow-breasted Greenfinch Chloris spinoides sv x x x x x 208 Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra r x x Emberizidae 209 Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla wv VU x x x x

YADAV GHIMIREY YADAV

The Himalayan Naturalist Friends of Nature (FON) Nepal PO Box 23491, Sundhara, Kathmandu, Nepal Email: [email protected] Website: www.fonnepal.org https://www.facebook.com/fonnepal2005/