Final Update - Raptor Migration Study in Thoolakharka (Nepal)- autumn 2013

-
Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) - first plumage or juvenile bird
The autumn migration study of the raptors in Thoolakharka Nepal has been completed from 8 Dec 2013 that was started from 15 September (total of 85 days). In total we have counted 35 species of migrating raptors ( 13,485 individuals) with highest number of 8684 Steppe Eagles. Other migrant raptor species were 11 species of Eagles, Five species of Vultures, Six species of Falcons, Three species of Buteos, Two species of Accipiters, Four species of Harriers, Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhyncus), Black kite (Milvus migrans) and Black-eared Kite (Milvus lineatus). Steppe Eagle migration was started from 7th October and continued till last of the season with highest number of 308 Steppe eagles per hour in 21 Nov and highest daily count of 1102  eagles on 20 Nov. In Thoolakharka watch site approximately 57% (4967) Steppe Eagles passing overhead were aged; among them we identified and counted 19.4% (964) Juveniles, 36.6% (1816) Sub-adults and 44% (2187) adults. This age ratio indicates the healthy population of steppe eagles. Overall number of migrating raptors increased this year by around 3,500 and we conclude this is due to good weather condition and rain around the breeding area that makes favorable conditions for prey species.  Overall, the best time to see the most species in one day was early November – but different species peak at different times during the autumn migration.  For example, Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) and Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) migration peaked from approx. 20 October through 5 November, Oriental Honey-buzzard peaked from 25 to 31 October, Himalayan Vulture (Gyps himalayensis) peaked from 15 to 30 November.  On the other hand, the largest movement of Steppe Eagles occurred in mid-November to third week.  Among the 35 species of migrating raptors one species (white-rumped vulture) is critically endangered, two species (Egyptian vulture and Saker falcon) are endangered, Three species (Pallas’s fish eagle, Imperial eagle, Greater spotted eagle) are vulnerable and two species (Cinereous vulture and Pallid harrier) are near threatened in the IUCN list. Beside the 35 migrating species 7 additional non migratory species (including 2 critically endangered species) were regularly seen in the area.

Detail  about migrating species and number with highest daily count and comparison with last year count is given below.  

Species 2012 Total  Highest Daily Count  Total Count till date 
Oriental Honey-buzzard 381 60 642
Common Buzzard 180 12 102
Long-legged Buzzard 4 3 11
Upland Buzzard 4 2 8
Unidentified Buteo 3 1 3
Northern Sparrowhawk 107 7 110
Northern Goshawk 3 4 10
Unidentified Sparrowhawk 9 1 1
Steppe Eagle 6597 1102 8684
Booted Eagle 155 7 109
Short-toed Eagle 2 1 2
Crested Serpent-eagle 26 1 5
Pallas's Fish Eagle 2 1 1
White-tailed Eagle 0 1 2
Imperial Eagle 0 1 1
Indian Spotted Eagle 3 0 0
Greater Spotted Eagle 3 1 2
Bonelli's Eagle 13 4 30
Mountain Hawk-eagle 1 2 6
Golden Eagle 7 1 4
Unidentified Eagle 8 1 2
Black Kite 324 40 356
Black-Eared Kite 22 153
Osprey 3 2 5
Hen Harrier 19 2 9
Eastern Marsh Harrier 0 1 1
Pallid Harrier 1 1 2
Pied Harrier  0 1 1
Unidentified Harrier 3 0
Peregrine Falcon ssp. calidis 29 2 18
Saker Falcon 5 1 1
Northern  Hobby 80 33 211
Amur Falcon 78 24 90
Lesser Kestrel 66 14 69
Common Kestrel 83 29 318
Unidentified Falcon 21 2 14
Egyptian Vulture 24 6 40
White-rumped Vulture 16 127
Himalayan Vulture 1270 221 2215
Cinereous Vulture 73 11 57
Griffon Vulture 85 12 44
Unidentified Vulture 3 1 1
Unidentified Raptor 79 3 18
Total         9,754             1,238         13,485

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 10, 2013 at 7:30 AM

    Thanks for up dates. Great work. Cheers Andy Lee

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 10, 2013 at 11:55 AM

    gr8 .... hats off 2 u !!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Goh Pei HaoDecember 15, 2013 at 12:06 PM

    Great job! Thanks for updating and kudos to you and your team. Cheers, Pei Hao

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

GPS telemetry supporting to investigate threats to endangered steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis) and other raptors

-
Image
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
Read more

Story: Nepal Bearded Vulture trip

-
Image
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
Read more

We are Counting: Big Migration of Eagle on the Way

-
Image
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
Read more