According to bird experts, despite gradual habitat loss of birds and animals, sighting 6 types of migrant birds and 48 of their species in Kathamndu is a good sign. [break]
The bird count was jointly organized by the Department of National Park and Wild Life Conservation (DNPWC) and Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) at Godavari botanical garden on Saturday on the occasion of 8th Migratory Bird Day. Bird lovers were invited to participate in the program through social networking sites.
“We could count 48 birds´ species in total during the 2 hours of watch and 6 of them were migratory birds including Eurasian cuckoo, Asian cuckoo and Chestnut headed bee-eater,” said bird expert Bimal Thapa. “As compared to earlier years, the count is not much high, however, given their gradual habitat loss due to ever widening urbanization. Still, the results should be considered positive,” he added.
Three teams consisting of 11 to 12 people each had participated in bird count.
According to Sushila Nepali, chief executive officer at BCN, networking of migratory birds has emerged as a very important issue as the birds migrate during summer and winter especially for breeding.
“In search of better climate, they travel miles during the two seasons. Why their stay at the migrated place is important is because that is that time they spend to expand their population. In light of many birds going extinct, we have a serious responsibility to take care of these birds,” Nepali said. “As such, this year´s World Migratory Bird Day theme is also ´networking for migratory birds´, which is aimed at raising awareness on conservation of the birds,” said
According to ornithologist Hem Sagar Baral, it is the time when one can hear the calls of cuckoos near woodlands and gardens. “It is a special time for nature lovers. The musical call can be heard throughout spring and summer,” Baral said.
Baral stated that it is perhaps the Pied Cuckoo that travels the longest distance to come to Nepal during summer. “Some of the summer birds travel around 5000 km to reach here. They come from Asia, Sub-Saharan and African region,” he said, adding, "They visit Nepal for breeding."
Bimal Thapa added that in Kathmandu, Katustauke murali chara or chestnut headed bee-eater must be the first comer among the migrant birds. “It makes its entry the earliest, making the first calls of spring,” he added.
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