By Prem Adhikari
Pashupatinagar, Sept. 19: Rare species of birds have been recorded in different areas of Suryodaya Municipality and Rong Rural Municipality of Ilam.

A three-day study led by the Koshi Bird Society in Kanyam of Suryodaya Municipality and Kutidanda area of ​​Rong Rural Municipality has found various species of birds considered rare in Nepal.
Sanjeev Acharya, President of the Koshi Bird Society, said that the species of birds such as ban tiktike (Forest Wagtail), rato dhande puspa kukil (Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker), thulo nilatwa (Large Niltava), sasiya (White-browed Piculet), chadi kane mesiya (Silver-eared Mesia) and Lalpuchre milla (Red-tailed Minla) were traced in these areas.

Forest Wagtail is considered rare in Nepal. The bird was found in Kanyam. Similarly, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, which is considered very rare in Nepal, was found for the first time in Kutidanda area of ​​Rong Rural Municipality, Acharya said. The team found 50-60 species of birds during their study.

The team included Acharya, President of Koshi Bird Society, Chakra Timsina, Joint Secretary of the Society, and Nature Guide, Sanjay Tha Shrestha, Wildlife Photographer (Bird Watch) and Devendra Kharel, Photo Journalist and wildlife conservation campaigner. They carried out the study at Kutidanda in Rong Rural Municipality and Kanyam in Suryodaya Municipality.
Acharya said that the Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker was found in Kutidanda for the first time in Nepal. “This is the first time that birds of this species have been captured on a camera.” According to the team, the Forest Wagtail and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker are found only in eastern Nepal.

Campaigner Kharel informed that these birds migrate to the hills in the summer and to the lowlands in the winter. Although Ilam district is a destination for domestic tourists, birds can now be additional means for attracting foreign tourists, he added. “If the bird species can be studied and conserved, more tourists, both domestic and international, can be attracted towards the area,” he said.

As foreign tourists are eager about bird watching, the team has stated that the birds should be counted and information publicised.
The team also informed that there are about 450 species of birds that have been recorded in Ilam district. Currently, the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary and the National Nature Conservation Fund are working to conserve the birds.

There are 531 species of birds in the reserve and 888 species of birds in Nepal.