Annual census of water birds begins nationwide

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 5: The annual water bird census began on Saturday. It will span two weeks, covering lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands.

According to Laxmi Prasad Poudel, senior ornithologist and coordinator of the water bird census for Wetlands International Nepal, this census has been conducted annually, beginning on the first Saturday of January.

The census aims to collect data on the population, species, and habitat conditions of water birds. During this time, information will be gathered on both resident and migratory birds that rely on water and its surrounding areas, he explained.

Each winter, thousands of birds from cold regions like the Arctic, Russia, China, and Mongolia migrate to Nepal's wetlands, rivers, lakes and forests in search of favourable temperatures and abundant food. 

The extreme cold and freezing temperatures in the Arctic force these birds to seek hospitable climate and Nepal provides an ideal environment with plentiful fish, insects, and other food sources in its wetlands and protected areas, according to a press statement issued by Nepalese Ornithological Union

The migratory water birds visiting Nepal during winter include species like geese, ducks and cormorants. The Asian Water Bird Census (AWC), a key programme to monitor water birds, was initiated by Wetlands International in 1987. 

Initially conducted in regions like Afghanistan, Japan, South Asia and Australia, Nepal has actively participated in the AWC since its inception. This is Nepal's longest-running wildlife monitoring programme and involves significant contributions from citizens and scientists, the statement said.

“The AWC is part of a global initiative to monitor waterbirds, coordinated by Wetlands International. It collaborates with other regional waterbird census programmes in Asia, Europe, West Asia, Neotropics and the Caribbean. The census collects data on the number, species and habitats of water birds found in the country’s wetlands, rivers and lakes, starting each year on the first Saturday of January. This year, the census runs from January 4 to January 19, 2025,” the statement said.

Nepal's participation in the AWC has been systematic since 1987, beginning with a survey of one Ramsar site and a few other wetland areas. Over the years, the survey has expanded to include key locations like Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Chitwan, Banke, Bardiya, Shuklaphanta and Rara National Parks, major wetland regions like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, Beeshazar Tal, Ghoda Ghodi Tal and Jagadishpur Reservoir and other critical wetland areas.

This year, the goal is to continue monitoring these regions and expand to areas that have yet to receive systematic attention, such as Gokyo, Gosainkunda, Mai Pokhari and Phoksundo lakes, said Poudel.

Birdwatchers visiting these areas are encouraged to participate in the census by sharing their observations. Special efforts will be made in Rara Lake, Rautahat, and all major wetland areas in the Kathmandu and Pokhara valleys, he said.

In 2024, the census in Nepal covered 18 major wetland sites and 84 smaller areas, where 402 volunteers recorded 63,900 waterbirds representing 79 species. Of these, six wetlands are designated as Ramsar sites.

This year's preliminary results will be publicly released on February 2, 2025, to mark World Wetlands Day. A detailed report will be shared during Wildlife Week, observed from April 13 to April 19, 2025. Comparative studies of data from previous years will provide crucial insights into water bird populations, distribution and the state of wetlands, Poudel said.