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Observations on Some Nesting Birds of the Tso-Kar Basin, Ladakh

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Observations on Some Nesting Birds of the Tso-Kar Basin, Ladakh AHMED ET AL.: Tso-Kar Basin 13 We sent these pictures too to Peter Clement who confirmed by the mixed gene-flow. These dark spots, fairly small though that the bird was a first winter female Naumann’s Thrush (Dalvi they are, should have ideally worn down by mid-winter, but it et al. 2017 reproduced pl., 42 from Clement & Rose 2005; may be due to individual variation” (Peter Clement, in litt., e-mail illustrations numbered 121b and 121). The overall tones of the dated 13 February 2019). We also transmitted the images to Paul crown and upperparts of the bird were light brown and the pale Holt, via Pritam Baruah, who also agreed with this identification, panel in the wing was sufficiently well indicated. The coverts had as a pure form, though he preferred to leave the sex as unknown no bright, rich brown, or coppery tinges like those of a Dusky. due to variability in the sexes. Though the ten or so dark brown There was a suggestion of an orange-tinged feather showing on spots visible on its left flank are odd, or anomalous, he felt it is the scapulars in the photos, which also indicated Naumann’s. within the considerable variation in Naumann’s (Paul Holt, in litt., From what can be seen of the tail, it appeared to have the e-mail dated 14 February 2019). right pattern of warm or rufous-brown at the base, becoming Hence, the Mandala bird seems to be the first definite browner on the rest of the tail, bearing no trace of any dark photograph of a Naumann’s Thrush from the Indian brown of Dusky. According to Clement, the pale supercilium, Subcontinent—and the only one, apart from the sight record by the light brown cheeks and ear coverts, together with the pale Peter Clement, from Bhutan (Dalvi et al. 2017). moustachial and dark malars, were right for a first winter female. The presence of a few small black arrow-head spots on the breast Acknowledgements and one or two on the flanks were the remnants of its juvenile plumage, and were, presumably, in the course of being abraded, We thank Peter Clement and Paul Holt for commenting on the identification of the birds in our photographs, and Pritam Baruah and Praveen J for helping us with revealing more of the orange tones [7]. A hybrid with Dusky was identification. considered, and the “difference between these dark/blackish spots on naumanni and the larger blackish chevron shaped spots on intergrades is one of size in that the spots are smaller, more References individual or in rows on naumanni whereas on intergrades the Dalvi, S., Oláh, J., Zalai, T., Ritschard, M. R., Rahman, A. R. A., Vaidya, A., Ewing, G., & whole colour tone of the underparts (or at least the centers to Clement, P., 2017. Status of Naumann’s Thrush Turdus naumanni in the Eastern most feathers) are darker or deeper (not orange) and influenced Himalayas. Indian BIRDS 12 (6): 157–161. Observations on some nesting birds of the Tso-Kar Basin, Ladakh Tanveer Ahmed, Pankaj Chandan & Afifullah Khan Ahmed, T., Chandan, P., & Khan, A., 2019. Observations on some nesting birds of the Tso-Kar Basin, Ladakh. Indian BIRDS. 15 (1): 13–16. Tanveer Ahmed & Afifullah Khan*, Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, Uttar Pradesh, India. [*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].] Pankaj Chandan, WWF-India, 172-B, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi 110003, India. Manuscript received on 31 December 2017. large number of migratory waterfowl breed in the Tso-Kar is located about 125 km south-eastwards of Leh, Ladakh. The Basin (Chandan et al. 2005; Hussain & Pandav 2008; Zanskar Range forms its southern border, the Sumdo rivulet (a A Ahmed et al. 2014), and hence it is designated as an tributary of River Indus) the eastern, and Tanglang La (5360 m Important Bird Area (Islam & Rahmani 2004). Ornithological asl), the second highest pass in the world, the northern. The studies in the region have largely focussed upon the Black- basin has two large waterbodies adjacent to each other, namely, necked Crane Grus nigricollis either to assess the status of its Tso-Kar, and Tsartsapuk Tso (Fig. 1). Tso-Kar is a dumbell- breeding population (Hussain 1986; Pfister 1998; Chandanet shaped brackish waterbody, while Tsartapuk Tso is an irregularly al. 2014), or its ecology (Khan et al. 2014; Chandan et al. 2014). shaped fresh waterbody encompassing areas of about 19.5 sq Other studies have highlighted the status of water, and terrestrial, km and 2.5 sq km respectively. The basin is considered colder birds (Hussain & Pandav 2008; Namgail 2009; Ahmed et al. and drier than other parts of Ladakh. Severe arid conditions 2014). We spent the summer of 2013 visiting different parts of exist here throughout the year, and rainfall seldom exceeds 50 the Ladakh landscape (Jammu & Kashmir) collecting ecological mm annually (Kaul 1983). The Tso-Kar Basin is rich in flora data on the flora and fauna of Ladakh. We visited the Tso-Kar and fauna as compared to other similar climatic regions of the Basin four times between May and June 2013. world (Kaul 1983; Humbert-Droz 2000; Pfister 2004; Hussain & Pandav 2008; Rawat & Adhikari 2005; Namgail et al. 2009). The Study area vegetation of the Tso-Kar Basin is represented by scrub, desert The Tso-Kar Basin (35.28–33.35ºN, 77.88–78.08ºE; 4530 m steppe, and marsh meadows (Rawat & Adhikari 2005). The area asl) is within the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and is inhabited by nomads and semi nomadic communities known 14 Indian BIRDS VOL. 15 NO. 1 (PUBL. 10 MAY 2019) Fig. 1. Tso-Kar and Tsartapuk Tso in Tso-Kar Basin, Changthang, Ladakh. © Google Earth as ‘Changpas.’ The total human population of this area comprises about 300 people who earn their livelihood by rearing goats and sheep for their wool (Chandan 2014). Methods Between May and June 2013, we gathered information on the breeding of some birds of the Tso-Kar Basin. We used standard optical equipment for our observations, and a movable hide [12], and a fixed hide that matched the background in such a way that allowed closed observation by maintaining a reasonable distance that did not disturb the breeding birds. Chandan (2014) observed Black-necked Cranes through such hides, without disturbing them. Khan et al. (2014) also studied the time budget activity of Black-necked Cranes from close quarters. We followed the methodology of acclimatising the waterbirds to the presence of the hides as described in Chandan (2014), and Khan et al. Tanveer Ahmed Tanveer (2014). All the photographs of breeding waterbirds were taken from these hides. Results 12. Author taking observation on breeding birds through movable hide in Tso-kar In Tso-Kar Basin (Tso-Kar and Tsartapuk Tso), we found 140 nests Basin, Changthang, Ladakh AHMED ET AL.: Tso-Kar Basin 15 belonging to six waterbirds (130 nests), and five terrestrial birds nest) were located towards the centre of the waterbody while a (ten nests). Among waterbirds, we recorded the Black-necked few (five) were at some distance away from the shore. Chandan Crane [13], Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Great-crested et al. (2005) reported 90 floating nests of this species in 2002, Grebe Podiceps cristatus, Brown-headed Gull Chroicocephalus and 120 in 2003. brunnicephalus, and Common Tern Sterna hirundo. Hussain (1986), Chandan et al. (2005), and Hussain & Pandav (2008) mentioned the Tso-Kar Basin as a breeding ground for migratory birds such as Bar-headed Goose, Great Crested Grebe, Brown- headed Gull, Common Tern, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, and Black-necked Crane. Our observations re-affirm that Tso-Kar Basin continues to be a breeding ground for some of these waterbirds. We did not spot nests of either the Northern Pintail Anas acuta, or the Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, though the latter was abundant at Tsartpuk Tso, and a pair of Northern Pintail was sighted once. Osmaston (1927) reported Ruddy Shelduck breeding in the hills of Rupshu around Tso-Kar, Tosmoriri, and Puga. He observed many families of Ruddy Shelduck, along with ducklings of various age, at Puga in Rupshu. 14a. Nests of the Great Crested Grebe in Tsartapuk Tso, Changthang, Ladakh Three pairs of Black-necked Cranes were found nesting: (02 June 2013) one at Tsartsapuk Tso and two at Tso-Kar. All three nests were ground nests, and were constructed on different grassy islands. Two nests were built using mud and dry grasses, while one was Only two nests of the Common Coot were spotted [14b] composed only of grasses. All nests were either circular in shape, in Tsartpuk Tso, even though the species was abundant. They or elliptical, and were situated at some distance from the shore. construct solitary circular nests in water, using dry grasses. Both Chandan (2014) reported, that Black-necked Crane constructed nests were situated in the water, at some distance from the shore. grass nests, mud nests, or mound nests in Changthang, Ladakh. He equated a mound nest with an island nest as described by Wu et al. (2009). Such a nest offers greater safety from predators, to its occupants, and reduces the risk of its occupants drowning during floods (Chandan 2014). 14b. Nest of a Common Coot in Tsartapuk Tso, Changthang, Ladakh (02 June 2013) Brown-headed Gulls (21 nests) were found to nest in colonies. They constructed round nests using dry grasses; preferring to locate them on islands (20 nests), rather than on water (1 nest). All: Tanveer Ahmed The nests were situated on islands that were more towards the 13.
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