Black-winged Kite in Kathmandu ---- record after 20 years back

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See the following paragraph from the species account of National red data book of Nepal

The first Nepal record of the species was in the 19th century (Hodgson 1837) when specimens were collected from the Kathmandu Valley in May, June and July (year unknown) and the terai (locality and date unknown) (Hodgson 1829). Fleming et al. (1976) found it occasionally on the Chapagaon road in the Valley in summer. Inskipp and Inskipp (1991) reported it was regularly seen in the Valley in summer at about 1370 m. However Mallalieu (2008) noted there were no records from the Valley between 2004 and 2006.

Today when I was traveling through the micro van in Koteshwor (near to international airport) suddenly I saw one bird which was indeed Black-winged Kite my first record in Kathmandu. It was very exciting movement for me and just thinking about this event throughout my way to office.

When we look through the NRDB species account (given above --which is in the final stage of preparation) It seems there is not a very recent record of Black winged Kite in Kathmandu valley (it doesn't tells about the record since 1990s). Any way this was very exciting record for this species in Kathmandu after several years.

Comments

  1. NRCPAugust 4, 2013 at 4:31 PM

    Followings are few email in response to this observation.

    Re: Black-winged Kite
    Inbox
    x
    Hem Baral

    Aug 1 (3 days ago)

    to Inskipp, NOU, Suchit, Hatan, Tika, Laxman, Basu, DB, Bharat, NST, Jyotendra, VimalThapa
    Dear Carol,

    Many thanks. Today I met up with Tulsi and discussed this record. I remember seeing one BW Kite and an Indian Roller between 1990 to 1996 close to Thankot area. Not on the same day - never seen these birds again in the valley. Tulsi great work for sharing this record.

    Hem

    "WORSHIP NATURE"
    -----Prakriti Pujari-----

    On Aug 1, 2013, at 5:37 PM, Inskipp wrote:

    > Dear Tulsi
    > Thanks for letting us know of your interesting record. I don't know of any recent record of this species in the Kathmandu Valley. Mark Mallalieu in his 2008 review of records in the Valley between 2004 and 2006 did not find any records. In our 1991 Guide to the Birds of Nepal, Tim and I reported it was regularly seen in the Valley, especially in summer. I well remember seeing one in the 1980s - when we were also near the airport. Tim and I would also be interested to know if there are recent records for the species in the Valley other than yours.
    > Thanks and Best wishes
    > Carol
    >
    >
    > From: NOU
    > To: Carol Inskipp ; Dr Hem Sagar Baral ; Suchit Basnet ; Hatan Choudhary ; Tika Giri ; Laxman Poudyal ; Basu Bidari ; DB Chaudhary ; Bharat Subba ; NST ; Jyotendra Thakuri ; Vimal Thapa
    > Sent: Thursday, 1 August 2013, 6:39
    > Subject: Black-winged Kite
    >
    > Dear All.
    >
    > Today when I was traveling through the micro van in Koteshwor (near to international airport) suddenly I saw one bird which was indeed Black-winged Kite my first record in Kathmandu. It was very exciting movement for me and just thinking about this event throughout my way to office.
    >
    > When I looked through the NRDB species account (which is in preparation) It seems there is not a very recent record of Black winged Kite in Kathmandu valley (it doesn't tells about the record since 1990s).
    >
    > I am wondering is there any recent record for this species in Kathmandu?
    >
    > Best Regards
    > Tulsi
    >
    >
    > Tulsi Subedi
    >
    > Executive Member
    > Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU)
    > www.birdsofnepal.org
    > Cell: +977- 9851093562
    > Blog: http://raptorsofnepal.blogspot.com
    > Skype: field.biologist
    >
    > *Please consider the environment before printing this email.*
    >


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