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An Ornithological Survey of Manaslu Conservation Area, Potential Important Bird Area, Nepal

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An Ornithological Survey of Manaslu Conservation Area, Potential Important Bird Area, Nepal 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 [email protected] & [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. The major threats detected during the survey were deforestation, forest fires and grazing. The major recommendation in this area were conservation awareness, placement of informative signs about MCA, further research on ecology, distribution and population on Satyr Tragopan and Ibisbill and monitoring of migratory waterfowls in Kaltal, birdwatching tourism promotion, Adopt a bird as an Indicator species for forest management, alternate energy promotion and income generating activities for effective conservation of the area as well as the birds. i Acknowledgement This project was funded by Oriental Bird Club, UK, I would like to thank to Conservation Officer, Dr. David Buckingham and Treasure, Graeme Spink for providing this opportunity. Sincere thanks goes to Dr, Santa Raj Janawali for providing additional fund under the WWF Nepal’s USAID funded Hariyo Ban Program. I express thanks to Madhu Chetri, Hira Chetri, Yubraj Basnet and Seejan Gyawali for their hard work during the field survey. I am thankful to Tim Inskipp and Carol Inskipp for reviewing the checklist of birds prepared after the survey. All the local peoples and hotel owner of MCA and Manang deserve our sincere thanks for their support and providing logistic during the period of this project. Dr. Sushila C. Nepali provided technical guidance in the report. ii Contents Summary .................................................................................................................................................. i Acknowledgement................................................................................................................................... ii Background ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Objectives ............................................................................................................................................... 2 Study Area ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Data collection .................................................................................................................................... 6 Results .................................................................................................................................................... 8 Bird diversity, species richness and abundance .................................................................................... 8 Seasonal bird diversity ....................................................................................................................... 11 Important birds and bird rich areas .................................................................................................... 12 Bird habitat ....................................................................................................................................... 13 Birds under IBA Criteria and category ................................................................................................ 16 Threats .............................................................................................................................................. 19 Discussion ............................................................................................................................................. 21 Recommendations ................................................................................................................................ 23 References ............................................................................................................................................ 24 Annexes ................................................................................................................................................ 27 iii Background The great diversity of Nepalese fauna is revealed by the recording of 871 species of birds (BCN and DNPWC, 2012). This is a reflection of Nepal’s unique geographical position, altitudinal variation and climatic differences (Grimmett et al., 2000). These factors create a remarkable diversity of habitats ranging from bare rock and scrub in the alpine zone to tropical rainforest in the lowlands, the exception being any marine habitat. Alpine habitat, forest and scrub, wetlands, grassland, agricultural land and human settlements are the key habitats found in Nepal (Grimmett et al., 2000 and Baral and Inskipp, 2005). Due to Nepal’s unique geographical position, altitudinal variation and climatic differences here is unique distribution of different bird species in different areas. Birds found in western part do not occur in eastern part of Nepal. For example Sarus Crane Grus antigone is recorded west to Chitwan National park, Cheer Pheasant is recorded west to Kaligandaki valley, Koklass Pheasant found from central to western Nepal, Sultan Tit Melanochlora sultanea is found only east from central Nepal and Rusty- fronted Barwing Actinodura egertoni is found in eastern Nepal. Due to altitudinal variations and geographical setting here are created many remote areas which are not explored for the birds they occur. Therefore it is necessary to conduct bird surveys in unexplored areas to update biodiversity profile of Nepal and any particular areas for the implementation of conservation management. It helps to know the east-west and north- south distribution of birds in Nepal in different seasons. Regular monitoring of bird diversity helps to know the impact of climate change for their home range shift and distribution. Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are places of international significance for the conservation of birds at the global level. The IBA criteria are internationally agreed, standardised, quantitative and scientifically defensible. Any area to be included under the IBA initiative should qualify under one or more of the following criterion/categories; A1: Globally threatened species, A2: Restricted-range species, A3: Biome-restricted assemblage, and A4: Congregations (Baral and Inskipp, 2005). BCN has identified a total of 27 IBAs in Nepal, covering about 18% of the country’s land area. Including Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA) five sites are listed as potential IBAs which may qualify for IBA (Baral and Inskipp, 2005). Manaslu Conservation Area is one of the under surveyed area for the bird species though it holds long history of conservation management as a conservation area. Although 110 species of birds is estimated to occur in the area (KMTNC 2002 in Baral and Inskipp, 2005) it can support many birds in the area including globally threatened birds like Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra, Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola and other 1 restricted-range species. Hence it was identified as one of the potential IBA in Nepal by BirdLife International and Bird conservation Nepal in 2005 (Baral and inskipp, 2005). Protected areas (PAs) and IBAs are key sites for Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) to conduct research and practise the conservation of birds. BCN has already published bird checklists for Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Sagarmatha National Park, Chitwan National Park, Shivapuri National Park, and Rara National Park. Detailed bird surveys have also been conducted in Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and Api Nampa Conservation Area and Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. Objectives The anticipated aim and objectives of the proposed project are as follow, 1. To determine the seasonal and overall bird diversity and species richness of the MCA. 2. To identify the bird rich
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