Steppe eagle (second year) confiscated in Nepal  The most common species of large eagle in Asia, the steppe eagle ( Aquila nipalensis ) population is now rapidly declining throughout its range and that meets the criteria for endangered species. Therefore, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently uplisted steppe eagle as “Endangered” species. Within last two months two individuals of endangered steppe eagles have been confiscated from Myannar and Nepal, both were equippe d with GPS transmitter. In both countries, local peoples captured those eagles. Locals were unaware on the transmitter so that they were curious to investigate on attached device as they were thinking the device could be some spy object sent from other countries. As a result, the eagles were sent to the nearest police station for further investigation, the information became public on this way.   Migration route of steppe eagle (wintering area in Nepal

21 Oct 2018, My colleague Sandesh has begun migration count at Thoolakharka watch site, Nepal. This year we could set up the count little late so that we couldn't meet up our first Steppe Eagle, which is likely to come our watch site between 7 to 12 October. Based on our previous count, it is likely we missed to say Goodbye to approximately 50 (range: 10 - 110) Steppies. Therefore, this is just a beginning for Steppe Eagle migration in this part and  many more still waiting to make their first takeoff of this long journey from the Mongolian Steppes and some already did it and suffering to cross high Himalayas from the eastern Nepal and even Bhutan. Satellite tracking data shows they mostly enter from the eastern Himalayas and follow the east west extension of Himalayan Mountain chain. Besides Steppies we get fairly good species of raptors (however in low number), previously 35 species of migrating raptors were recorded here. Additionally 11 resident raptor species are around thi

Dear friends and supporters, warm greetings on behalf of Raptors of Nepal Team!   Raptor of Nepal is a Raptor Studies Group in Nepal under Nepalese Ornithological Union ( www.birdsofnepal.org ). In Nepal, raptor study is a young field of research. Since 2011, Raptors of Nepal has started intensive study on diurnal birds of prey species throughout the country. In this period, we have conducted several interesting studies focused on birds of prey species. Some of these studies included raptor migration studies, raptor trade studies, wintering raptor survey in Nepal, raptor survey and monitoring in the Himalayas, GPS tracking of Bearded Vulture, breeding study of Indian Spotted Eagle etc. Raptor migration studies is the longest project we are conducting.   In 2012, we discovered a raptor migration watch-site in the elevation of 2050 m at the mountaintop of Thoolakharka along the southern rim of Annapurna Conservation Area at the foothills of Himalayan Mountains. Since its disc

Indian Spotted Eagle chick on nest First of all, my apologize for not posting updates regularly. Now I will have more time and make regular updates if I got something interesting. In this post I am pleased to inform you about Indian Spotted Eagle project. One of my student Sandesh Gurung is currently working hard to collect data about the breeding biology of Indian Spotted Eagle in Nepal. This species is one of the rarest and least known eagle in the Indian subcontinent and that breeds in the lowland belts of Nepal. Currently Sandesh is conducting intensive study of few nests to understand breeding biology. Many interesting data are coming on our way that would definitely help to understand this species better. Dheeraj Choudhary is assisting Sandesh during the field work. I wish all the success of this project. See those recently taken pictures, Sandesh just sent me from the field. For details about the project and more updates please visit the link https://www.rufford.org/proje

Four species of vultures (White-rumped, Himalayan, Cinereous and Griffon) recorded during wintering raptor survey. White-rumped is a resident and others are winter visitors in lowland of Nepal. Himalayan Vulture is an altitudinal migrant breeds in Himalayas and highlands of Nepal, Cinereous and Griffon are the long distance migrant some spend winter in Nepal. Photo: Sandesh Gurung   Dear Colleagues, I hope all of you had a wonderful start of New Year. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017!!! In Nepal a team from Himalayan Nature and Raptors of Nepal has recently completed a wintering raptor survey in the lowland areas (East to West). The aim of this survey was to document the baseline data on the wintering and residential raptor species. The survey was started from 11th of December and completed on 25th December using jeep drive with the average speed of 40 km/hr between 9:00 to 16:00 hrs. Besides the east west highway we covered other important routes/sections that are more than 20 km le

By: Simon Thomsett For this trip it seemed essential that I should gather whatever Nordic looks I may have and be prepared to assume a steely distant stare when summiting mountain tops, the kind adopted by those who conquer Everest and wear Rolex watches. It was important too that I grew a beard, for the ice crystals that would form there and that I wore reflecting sunglasses. You never know, a photographer could be lurking anywhere. In Pokohara it was clear from the numerous super-fit young tourists, that this attire was de rigueur. Some were a bit extreme, wearing spandex and sporting two expensive walking sticks to the restaurants and market places. Shamefully a good deal dripped about with baggy trousers and had goatee beards and looked alarmingly unprepared. They looked like spoilt gap year students and should sharpen up. I was concerned, the Himalayas was clearly no joke. You must be tough, athletic and courageous. But I guess worse was to come for these intre