Khonoma & Pangti _October_Nagaland 2018

Date: 17th October 2018 to 23rd October 2018

Habitat:

Montane Forest. Broad-leaf / Temperate Coniferous. Riverine / Streams / Dam. Alluvial. Jhum Cultivation / Agriculture Land. Alder forest / Scrub / Forest edge. Human Habitat. Temperature Range: 5°C ~ 28°C

Places: Khonoma, Mezoma, Dzuleke in Kohima district and Pangti, Doyang, Longsa villages in Wokha district; Nagaland, India

Bird Checklist (As per Birds of Indian Subcontinent field guide by Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp, Tim Inskipp): 1. Mountain Bamboo Partridge – Six different groups were seen . On 18th Oct, saw two of them while moving out of Alder trail (1) on foot. On 19th morning, six were seen, foraging on road side early in the morning around 5:40 AM. On the same day, two groups we saw but missed photography opoortunity since they rushed into the bush fast. The fourth group on 19th was seen at close distance. Fifth group was seen adjacent to parking lot. 2. Rufous-throated Partridge – Not seen, but heard multiple times (22nd Oct), calls recorded. Straight trail which goes up from parking area. Otherwise, during every visit to KNCTS for three days, the bird was heard. 3. Kalij Pheasant – Two birds flew while trekking up, after crossing 1st resting shed area on 22nd Oct. 4. Little Cormorant – One spotted by Vikas M. On the way back from Pirephema to Dimapur on last day (23rd Oct). Excluding Great Cormorant – since gape didn’t had yellow. Indian is also excluded because of lack of sighting records from the state. Little cormorant is the only possibility. 5. Common Kestrel – One was hovering on 18th daytime during lunch hours just adjacent to lower circular road, adjacent to our stay. 6. Amur Falcon – Huge gathering (35-40% arrived) of the birds above Doyang. Observed, early roosting hours, hovering up around the reservoir area and adjacent grassland on 20th Oct. 7. Black Kite – One seen near Medziphema, on right side of the road, on our way back to Dimapur on last day 23rd Oct. www.goingwild.in Page 1

Khonoma & Pangti _October_Nagaland 2018

8. Oriental Honey Buzzard – Seen above Doyang reservoir area soaring around on 20th Oct. Another seen while we covered KNCTS on 18th morning, soaring high at the edge of the hill. 9. Crested Serpent Eagle – One heard on 18th October in KNCTS. 10. Accipiter Species. – A medium sized, flew near the prayer hall area on the last day 23rd. 11. Himalayan Buzzard – One seen on 20th near Kohima flying high after lunch hours, most likely a migrant burmanicus, captured by Nawal A. 12. Mountain Hawk Eagle – Multiple sightings, but all were seen in the south west part of the Khonoma village. 13. Common Pigeon – Feral distribution around Kohima. 14. Barred Cuckoo Dove – Seen around khonoma, in flight sometimes. Long-slender tail was a major pointer. 15. Oriental Turtle Dove – Commonly seen around the edges of the village 16. Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon – Seen on our way to Dzuleke on 18th afternoon. Otherwise on 21st west of the village near stream had seen a flock. 17. Grey-headed Parakeet – The only parakeet recorded from the area. The flock of five was seen feeding on wild apple tree. 18. Common Hawk Cuckoo – One seen on the way to Dzuleke and one heard in the alder trail on 21st afternoon birding session. 19. Asian Barred Owlet – Heard almost every afternoon in the alder trail area in Khonoma. 20. Mountain Scops Owl – distinct two notes of tut-tut was heard just adjacent to our stay in lower circular road in the Khonoma village. The call was coming from the streak adjacent to cultivation field are forest patches. Heard on 17th night, 22nd 4:30 AM around while hiking uphill inside KNCTS near the resting shed. 21. Caprimulus sp. – One nightjar during our early morning drive to KNCTS on 22nd. It can be either of two Large-tailed Nightjar or Grey Nightjar. Could not conclude because of imperfect observation. 22. Asian Palm Swift – Saw in forest clearing inside KNCTS, hovering above with Asian House Martin 23. Dark-rumped Swift – On our way to Sechu-zubza on 17th saw a flock of 12-15 soaring. Gave ample time to photograph. 24. Blue-bearded Bee-eater – Saw one while coming back from Pangti. After crossing Doyang village in a forest patch. Flew in front of our vehicle. 25. Great Barbet – Heard and seen multiple times in different locations throughout the tour. 26. Blue-throated Barbet – Heard multiple times, but seen twice in KNCTS. 27. Golden-throated Barbet – Seen once at the edge of the alder forest beside road on 22nd Oct. 28. White-browed Piculet – One seen by Nawal A. Though not uncommon from the area, but seen just once. 29. Crimson-breasted Woodpecker – One seen before parking lot area in KNCTS on 18th around 10 AM in the morning. www.goingwild.in Page 2

Khonoma & Pangti _October_Nagaland 2018

30. Greater Yellownape – Seen on 21st morning birding session on south-west of the village. 31. Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike – At Pangti village during morning birding session on 20th. 32. Short-billed Minivet – Multiple sighting around Khonoma, sometimes with Grey-chinned Minivet. 33. Grey-chinned Minivet – Seen twice in a mixed flock with Short-billed minivet; 21st morning session and 23rd morning session beside prayer hall. 34. Grey-backed Shrike – Seen on 17th afternoon after Medziphema, on the way to Khonoma. 35. Long-tailed Shrike – Multiple sightings in and around Khonoma. 36. Ashy Drongo – Most commonly seen almost all sessions; it was the only Drongo sighted during this tour. 37. Maroon Oriole – One near the prayer hall in the morning birding session on 23rd; one heard loud shrill call on 22nd afternoon, before sighting of Golden-throated barbet. 38. Yellow-bellied Fantail – Was seen commonly with mixed flock of Phylloscopus warblers. 39. White-browed Fantail – Less common than yellow-bellied; seen four times. Mostly flock with siva-minla allies. 40. Grey Treepie – Heard and seen few times inside Khonoma village. 41. Eastern Jungle Crow – Seen a flock on 20th morning beside Doyang reservoir area in the early morning during thr Amur Falcon sighting. The only Corvus sighted from the trip. 42. Green-backed Tit – Seen few times in the village as well as inside KNCTS. Sparsely distributed in the area. 43. Black-throated Tit – manipurensis subspecies of the was seen. During our visits to Alder trails on 22nd afternoon. Also seen on 20th afternoon, in a reserve forest area adjacent to Kohima. 44. Asian House Martin – Seen at a height of 7,500 ft at forest clearing inside KNCTS (east). Seen on 22nd morning session. 45. Striated Bulbul – Seen a flock of 5-7 while hiking down from KNCTS on 22nd Oct. Mostly seen perched on the top of the tree. Bolder than Crested Finchbill. 46. Crested Finchbill – The most commonly and abundantly seen bird along with Grey Sibia throughout Khonoma. 47. Black-crested Bulbul – Seen in Doyang-Pangti area on 20th morning, on our way back. 48. Red-whiskered Bulbul – A flock of 5-6 seen crossing the road on 20th, before reaching Wokha. 49. Red-vented Bulbul – Commonly seen throughout. 50. Flavescent Bulbul – Seen multiple times – KNCTS, Doyang, Khonoma-Mezoma road etc. 51. Mountain Bulbul – Seen a flock of 4 birds on 21st morning birding session to the west of the village. 52. Black Bulbul – Seen post lunch on 20th afternoon; before reaching Kohima in a reserve forest area; on our way back to Khonoma. 53. Mountain Tailorbird – One seen with the mixed flock of timilidae Babblers inside KNCTS. 54. Brown-flanked Bush Warbler – On the way to Pangti, seen on 19th afternoon. www.goingwild.in Page 3

Khonoma & Pangti _October_Nagaland 2018

55. Slaty- bellied Tesia – Seen beside degraded area, at the edge of the forest. Foraging beside a dry nullah. 56. Ashy-throated Warbler – Seen multiple times with mixed flock of other Phylloscopus 57. Yellow-browed Warbler – Most frequently seen warbler than others. 58. Whistler’s Warbler – Seen just once on Khoonoma-Mezoma road. 59. Grey-crowned Warbler – Seen in mixed flock with Nepal Fulvetta and allies. 60. Grey-hooded Warbler – Commonly seen, bolder than other Phylloscopus. 61. Chestnut-crowned Warbler – Seen in the mixed flock, around wet and shadowy area. 62. Pygmy Wren Babbler – One seen for 10 minutes, inside KNCTS. It was vocal, call recorded. 63. Naga Wren Babbler – Most sought after wren from the area, was seen twice on 22nd Oct. Call recorded. Could not be photographed due to low light and thick vegetation. 64. Pin-striped Tit Babbler – Seen a flock of 4 beside a stream on 20th late morning, after crossing Doyang. 65. Rufous-capped Babbler – Seen in a mixed flick with Rufous-winged Fulvetta on 18th Oct. 66. Golden Babbler – Seen multiple times, responded well against playback on 21st morning session. 67. Spot-breasted Scimitar Babbler – The first bird seen in Khonoma on 18th Oct, very early morning low photographs. Highly vocal in early hours. 68. Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler – Seen on 22nd Oct, while hiking down from KNCTS at 1,800 meters. Flocked with Rusty-capped Barwing. 69. Yellow-throated Laughingthrush – Broad description – Seen in Wokha district. Open availability of recorded data can worsen this highly sought after bird species. 70. White-browed Laughingthrush – On 21st afternoon, first bird sighted just at the edge of Alder plantation area. Four birds were seen. 71. Striped Laughingthrush – Seen on 18th morning session and on 22nd while hiking down through coppice forest. Only individuals sighted, not in flocks. 72. Blue-winged Laughingthrush – Very much vocal, call recorded seen with Red-faced Liocichla, did not appear in open. 73. Assam Laughingthrush – Flock of three birds were seen high up, in the Oak forest inside KNCTS on 22nd Oct. Highly vocal, call recorded. 74. Rusty-fronted Barwing – Four birds seen below KNCTS on 22nd Oct while hiking down, flocked with Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler and was also seen previous day in between Khonoma- Mezoma, south-west of the village. 75. Red-faced Liocichla – A great songster from the area, seen with Blue-fronted Laughingthrush. Heard multiple times from different location. Very much vocal during late afternoon. Considerably better sighting on 22nd Oct late afternoon. 76. Silver-eared Mesia – Was seen multiple times, at the edge of the forest and even inside the village.

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Khonoma & Pangti _October_Nagaland 2018

77. Blue-winged Siva – Multiple sighting - Beside the riverine area, small nullahs, flock with Red- tailed Minla-Nepal Fulvetta and Golden Babbler. 78. Red-tailed Minla – As mentioned before 79. Bar-throated Siva – In higher areas of KNCTS, a variant of nominate race. 80. Blyth’s Shrike-babbler – A recent split of White-browed SB; Both male and female were seen on 21st morning session. 81. Black-eared Shrike-babbler – Three birds were seen in a mixed flock with Rufous-winged Fulvetta and Mountain Tailorbird high up KNCTS at 6,800 ft. 82. Rufous-winged Fulvetta – Seen multiple times with Nepal Fulvetta and other timilidae babblers 83. Rusty-capped Fulvetta – Seen in Alder plantation area beside prayer hall on 21st morning and on 18th afternoon session beside the KNCTS main road. 84. Nepal Fulvetta – Most vocal, easy to locate when call loud and forage beside small streams and shadowy area. 85. Grey Sibia – Abundantly seen bird in all birding days. 86. Whiskered Yuhina – Mostly seen in the village and KNCTS Shikekie area. 87. Stripe-throated Yuhina – Not seen in flocks, a single bird seen at 7,200 ft in KNCTS on 22nd Oct 88. Oriental White-eye – A flock was seen at the forest edge on 21st afternoon. 89. Chestnut-vented Nuthatch – Saw twice, one on 22nd afternoon on a dead tree at the forest edge and on the next day morning adjacent to prayer hall area birding trail. 90. White-tailed Nuthatch – At 7,200 ft in high altitude of KNCTS on 22nd foraging on Oak tree at canopy level 91. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch – Commonly seen at multiple places with mixed flock 92. Blue Whistling Thrush – Identified by early morning whistle adjacent to our stay from forest patches near the cultivation field. 93. Black-breasted Thrush – Seen between Khonoma-Mezoma forest patch on 21st morning session. 94. Oriental Magpie Robin – Seen in Longsa and in Khonoma at village edges 95. White-rumped Shama – One seen at coppice forest at Doyang, before Amur watch tower. 96. Plumbeous Water Redstart – Seen near streams at Dzuleke on 18th afternoon 97. White-capped Redstart – same as above. And inside Khonoma, near streams. 98. Slaty-backed Forktail – South of Khonoma on 21st morning. 99. Common Stonechat – Near cultivation area in Khonoma mostly every day. 100. Grey Bushchat – In Alder-Coppice forest and near Job’s tear cultivation 101. Chestnut-bellied Rockthrush – Two sightings, one bird seen in flight on 18th morning birding session and a pair of birds both male and female on 22nd afternoon. 102. Dark-sided Flycatcher – Multiple sightings, mostly seen atop of dead trees. 103. Little Pied Flycatcher – Multiple sightings at different location. Male seen only once. 104. Verditer Flycatcher – Commonly seen around KNCTS parking.

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Khonoma & Pangti _October_Nagaland 2018

105. Pale Blue Flycatcher – Seen in alder forest patch in forest clearings on 21st and 22nd afternoon. 106. Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher – Typical behavior, little shy in nature, thus most of the time perch inside thickets. Seen with mixed flocks of timilidae babblers. 107. Orange-bellied Niltava – Seen a male with two females in a mixed flock with short-billed and grey-chinned minivets on 21st morning session. 108. Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker – One seen on 18th near the parking lot. 109. Fire-breasted Flowerpecker – Most commonly seen that Yellow-vented, very much vocal during noon. 110. Green-tailed Sunbird – Only one male is seen with some females at 6,500 ft in KNCTS on 22nd while hiking down. 111. Fire-tailed Sunbird – Even more common than Green-tailed. Non-breeding males were seen in multiple numbers. 112. Little Spiderhunter – Two different birds were seen on 18th; also seen on 19th morning around KNCTS. 113. Streaked Spiderhunter – A bird was seen foraging on nectarine flower for longer duration in the afternoon of 21st Oct. 114. Eurasian Treesparrow – Flock seen at Khonoma and at Dimapur. 115. Grey Wagtail – Seen commonly near water bodies in all birding session. 116. White Wagtail – One adult and one juvenile seen at Dzuleke on 18th afternoon. 117. Olive-backed Pipit – Commonly seen at forest clearings and edges. 118. Yellow-breasted Greenfinch – Seen with mixed flock of Common Rosefinch. 119. Common Rosefinch – as described above

Mammal checklist (as per the Indian Mammals | A Field Guide by Vivek Menon): 1. Himalayan Striped Squirrel 2. Orange-bellied Squirrel 3. Northern Treeshrew 4. Mole-rat sp. (Photograph yet to be IDed)

Participants: 1. Dibyendu Ash (L) 2. Nawal Ahuja 3. Vikas Mahajan 4. Vimal Dhawan www.goingwild.in Page 6

Khonoma & Pangti _October_Nagaland 2018

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