An Ornithological Survey of Manaslu Conservation Area. Report Submitted to: Oriental Bird Club, UK. Submitted by: Jyotendra Jyu Thakuri Bird Conservation Nepal, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal
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[email protected] 2013 i Summary Bird surveys of Manaslu Conservation Area were conducted on December 2012 and April-May 2013 to cover both winter and summer visitor and breeding birds. The surveys started at Jagat, Gorkha and covered two major Valleys, the Tshum and Nubri. The overall objective of the study was to determine the seasonal and overall bird diversity and species richness of the Manaslu Conservation Area and identify the bird rich areas within the Manaslu Conservation Area. Mackinnon’s list and direct count methods were used to survey the birds. The purpose of this study is also to recommend Manaslu Conservation Area to be declared as new IBA site. A total of 191 bird species were recorded from 77 Mackinnon’s lists spending 31 days field survey. The December survey produced a total of 121 species and the April May survey 151 species independently. The April survey was able to add 70 more species in December list. The most significant bird species recorded during the survey were globally threatened Red-headed Vulture (critically endangered), Satyr Tragopan (near threatened), River Lapwing (near threatened) and nationally threatened Ibisbill (endangered), Lammergeier (vulnerable) and Himalayan Griffon (vulnerable) . Forest is the important habitat for the birds in MCA which is reflected by the recording of 116 Forest, 17 Wetland, 13 Forest and agriculture, 14 Forest and Mountain, 20 Mountain and open area, 3 Mountain and agriculture, 3 Grassland and agriculture, 3Human settlements and 2 Agriculture - human settlements dependent bird species.