status and distribution of greater adjutant ) in the …...i sincerely thank joydeep bose for...

Status and Distribution of Greater AdjutantStorks (Leptoptilos dubius) in the Ganga andKosi River Floodplains Near Bhagalpur, Bihar

Believed to be confined to the Brahmaputra valley of Assam, thesighting of 25 endangered Greater Adjutant Storks in the floodplainsof the Ganga and Kosi rivers paved the way for a Rapid ActionProject on studying the status and distribution of this endangeredbird in Bihar. This report documents the sightings of the GAS inBihar and recommends measures to conserve the species.

Sunil K. Choudhury

A-220 New Friends Colony, New Delhi-110025Tel.: 011 26326025, 26326026, Fax: 011 26326027

Website: http//www.wildlifetrustofindia.org

SIGHTING STORKS

OCCASIONAL REPORT NO. 18

Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), is a non-profit conservation organisationcommitted to urgent action that prevents destruction of India's wildlife. Itsprincipal concerns are crisis management and the provision of quick,efficient aid to those areas that require it the most. In the longer term ithopes to achieve, through proactive reforms, an atmosphere conducive toconserving India's wildlife and its habitat.

Suggested Citation: Choudhury, Sunil K. (2007). 'Sighting Storks' : Statusand Distribution of Greater Adjutant Storks (Leptoptilos dubius) in the Gangaand Kosi floodplains near Bhagalpur, Bihar. Wildlife Trust of India, NewDelhi.Keywords: Conservation; Rapid Action Project, Bihar, Greater AdjutantStork, Rapid SurveyThe designations of geographical entities in this publication and thepresentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinionwhatsoever on the part of the authors or WTI concerning the legal status ofany country, territory or area, or of its authorities, or concerning thedelimitation of its frontiers or boundaries

All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in thispublication for educational or other non-commercial purposes areauthorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holdersprovided the source is fully acknowledged and appropriate credit given.Reproduction of material in this information product for or other commercialpurposes is prohibited without written permission of the copyright holders.Applications for such permission should be addressed to the ExecutiveDirector, Wildlife Trust of India or by e-mail to [email protected]

This report was prepared in March 2004First published in this form in March 2007Copyright © WTI 2007Photo credits:All pictures: Sunil Kumar Choudhury

Project InvestigatorSunil K . Chowdhury

Editorial Team

Series Editor: Vivek MenonTechnical Editor: Rahul KaulEditor: Rupa Gandhi Chaudhary

SIGHTING STORKS

Status and Distribution of Greater AdjutantStorks (Leptoptilos dubius) in the Ganga andKosi River Floodplains near Bhagalpur, Bihar

Sunil K. Choudhury

An Occasional Report of a Rapid Survey conducted by the Wildlife Trust of India

March 2004

CONTENTSList of Tables iiPreface iiiAcknowledgements ivExecutive Summary v1. Introduction 12. Objectives 23. Project Area 24. Methods 4

4.1 Field Survey for GAS 45. Discussion 76. Results 97. Recommendations 10

7.1 Continuance of Project 107.2 Project Treatment 107.3 Involvement of the State Governement 107.4 Interactive Conservation Forum 10

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Survey for Greater Adjutant Storks in the Ganga & Kosi flood plains area from 20th October 2003 to 22 January 2004 11

Table 2: Survey for Greater Adjutant Storks in the Ganga & Kosi flood plains area from 6th February 2004 to 30th March 2004 17

Occasional Report No. 18

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PREFACEWTI has involved itself in many classic Rapid Action Projects that havehelped conservation, but one that sticks in the memory is that of rescuingfalling Greater Adjutant Stork chicks in Assam using circus-style safetynets. Therefore, when another Greater Adjutant Stork RAP came up, wewere ready for it.

This one, although equally important, was not as charismatic as theearlier one; it only involved a survey. The results, though, were equallydramatic—the first confirmed sighting of the endangered stork species inBihar. The Greater Adjutant Stork is one of the most endangered of storksglobally and India has 80 % of the global population of 1000 birds. Anyaddition to the population of this species by sighting them from previouslyunknown areas is of immense conservation value. This range extensionof the species further west of Assam is commendable and theVikramshila Biodiversity Research and Education Centre require kudosfor conducting the surveys. The Gangetic and Kosi floodplains havethrown up another important species to conserve and the Wildlife Trust ofIndia is committed to help establish the breeding status of the species inthis ecosystem.

Vivek MenonExecutive Director, Wildlife Trust of India

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I gratefully acknowledge financial assistance from the Wildlife Trust ofIndia (WTI). Special appreciation goes to Vivek Menon, AniruddhaMookerjee, Joydeep Bose, and Rakesh Kumar Singh from WTI, and Dr.A.R.Rahmani from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) forchampioning the project. I sincerely thank Joydeep Bose for organizingthe funds. I also thank Sushant Dey, Subhasis Dey, Karelal Mandal,Roopan Mandal and Laddu Sahni, volunteers from the Department ofBotany, T.M.Bhagalpur University and Vikramshila Biodiversity Researchand Education Centre who assisted us during the surveys.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYOf the 20 species of storks found in the world, the Greater Adjutant StorkLeptoptilos dubius is perhaps the most endangered (IUCN 2003). InIndia, this largest of Asian storks has drastically reduced in numbers, andis confined to the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam, (Saikia andBhattacharjee 1989, Rahmani et al. 1990).

No information was available on sightings of the Greater Adjutant Storksfrom the Gangetic plains of Bihar, India, prior to sightings in 2001.Sightings of 25 Greater Adjutant Storks from the floodplains ofVikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary were reported by the author tothe Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. A Rapid Action Project(RAP) based on this report was commissioned for systematic search andtracking the movement of Greater Adjutant Storks for nesting and roostingplaces within and around Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary.

Field surveys revealed that the Greater Adjutant Storks were regularlysighted in two areas, Narainpur - Pasraha - Maheshkhut area underBhagalpur and Khagaria districts and the wetlands near Bahattra andJagatpur village under Bhagalpur district. However, in spite of all searchefforts, nesting and roosting trees could not be located. Loss of habitatcaused due to agriculture, fishing and a shift in land-use patterns poseda threat to the existing stork population that could be conserved byimplementing the following recommendations:

1. Continuance of the project: Though the nesting of GreaterAdjutants could not be located,continuance of the project and afurther search of Greater Adjutants is highly recommended.

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2. Project treatment: In future, the species should be treated asa conservation-dependent and future projects should bear this inmind.

3. Government involvement: State government officials(preferably the Forest department) should also be involved.

4. Conservation forum: An interactive forum for differentworking groups, working on the protection and conservation ofGreater Adjutants may be established for proper sharing ofexperiences. WTI may take a lead in this direction.


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Sighting Storks

INTRODUCTION

Of the 20 species of storks found in the world, the Greater Adjutant StorkLeptoptilos dubius is perhaps the most endangered (IUCN 2003). Earlierwidely distributed in Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodiaand South Vietnam (Baker 1929, Flemming et al. 1979, Ali and Ripley1987, Hancock et al. 1992), this largest of Asian storks has drasticallyreduced in numbers, and is confined to the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam,India (Saikia and Bhattacharjee 1989, Rahmani et al. 1990) with a smallbreeding population in Cambodia (Mundkur et al. 1995).

No information was available on the recent sightings of Greater AdjutantStorks from the Gangetic plains of Bihar, India, prior to the author’ssightings in 2001. The sightings of 25 Greater Adjutant Storks werereported from the floodplains of Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary(VGDS: 25º17' N and 86º49' E) in Bhagalpur district of Bihar(Communicated to the Journal of Bombay Natural History Society,Accepted for publication). According to Dr. Asad R. Rahmani, Director,Bombay Natural History Society, Greater Adjutant Storks have not beensighted outside Assam in India in recent decades (pers. comm, 2002–03).Based on this report, the Wildlife Trust of India(WTI) awarded a project forsystematic search and tracking the movement of Greater Adjutant Storksfor nesting and roosting places within and around the VikramshilaGangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (0013/02/WTI/RAP). The project wassuccessfully completed and the findings were quite interesting.

Based on field surveys, it was found that the Greater Adjutant Storks wereregularly sighted in two areas, Narainpur-Pasraha-Maheshkhut areaunder Bhagalpur and Khagaria districts (25º23'17'' N and 86º58'18'' E),and the wetlands near Bahattra and Jagatpur village in the Bhagalpur

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Occasional Report no. 11

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district (25º20' 282'' N and 87º02'372'' E). However, in spite of all searchefforts, nesting and roosting trees could not be located (2002–03).

Greater Adjutant Storks are resident migratory wetland bird species witha resident population of special conservation interest. Keeping itsendangered status in view and with Bhagalpur and adjoining districtsconfirmed as its new distribution range; WTI was approached for financialsupport for a study on further search of Greater Adjutant Storks in Gangesand Kosi river floodplains near Bhagalpur. WTI sanctioned the presentproject for six months, i.e. from November 2003 to April 2004) underRapid Action Project (RAP).

2. OBJECTIVES

• Extensive search for Greater Adjutant Stork (GAS) populationin the Ganga and Kosi river floodplains near Bhagalpur.• Search for breeding population and nesting and roosting treesof Greater Adjutant Stork in the study area.• Data collection on the habitat conditions and the vegetation ofthe areas of their sighting.• Documentation of human activities around the areas of GreaterAdjutant Stork sightings.• Recommendations for future action plan in the area.

3. PROJECT AREA

The areas selected for this study were the middle Ganga floodplains andKosi river floodplains near Bhagalpur in the state of Bihar. In Bihar,meanders, loops, ox-bow lakes, and extensive floodplains characterizeboth the rivers. The River Kosi originates in Himalayas and flows out to

the plains between the Nepal border and the Ganga. The Kosi is one ofthe major tributaries of the river Ganga and is known for changing itscourse and abandoning channel beds. These oxbow lakes, swamps inthe floodplains and abandoned channel beds are good repository offishes and a preferred habitat for a variety of birds.

The field survey was conducted from October 2003 to March 2004. Theareas surveyed for Greater Adjutants include:

1. Bhagalpur-Narainpur-Pasraha-Maheshkhut. (Mainly Gangariver floodplain)

2. Maheshkhut-Sonbarsa Raj-Karua mor on NH 31 (Mainly Kosiriver floodplain)

3. Bhagalpur-Naugachhia-Karhagola on NH 31(Both Ganga andKosi river floodplains)

4. Bhagalpur-Katihar-Surapartal-Bagharbil-Mujawar tal-GogabilBird Sanctuary (mainly Kosi river floodplain)

5. Bhagalpur-Lakhisarai-Balgudar (Harohar river floodplain)

6. Bhagalpur-Sonbarsa diara-Sultanganj (Ganga river floodplain,Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary)

These six routes were selected for field surveys based on the feedbackfrom the previous study on Greater Adjutant Storks in the area, and on thefeedback taken from local people.

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4. METHODS

A survey sheet was designed to collect relevant information, such ashabitat conditions and vegetation of the area of GAS sightings, GPScoordinates (as far as practicable), weather conditions, human activitiesin the area, number of birds, age (sub-adult or juvenile), number andtypes of roosting and nesting trees, number of nests (if found) and otherdetails. Based on background information on the topography of the area,the habitat was classified into ten types and each type was assigned acode. Habitat types comprised temporary water-pool, permanent water-pool, pond, lake, river floodplains, river island, river dead/abandonedchannels, grassland, cropland and wasteland.

Birds were observed using naked eyes and 7x50 binoculars. Birdidentification was made by referriing to Ali (1979), Ali & Ripley (1978),Sonobe & Usui (1993) and Grimmet (1999).

4.1 Field Survey for GAS

Altogether 42 field surveys were conducted from 20th October 2003 to30th March 2004 in search of Greater Adjutant Storks. For search trips,seven pre-selected routes were followed. Two research personsindependantly followed a route each, accompanied by volunteers ofVikramshila Biodiversity Research and Education Centre (VBREC).

Of all the routes selected for surveys, six were in the floodplain areas ofRiver Ganga and Kosi; and one in the Harohar river floodplain. RiverHarohar joins River Keul near Rehua (Lakhisarai District) that ultimatelyjoins the River Ganga near Surajgarha (Munger District). Thus, extensivesurveys for search of Greater Adjutant Stork population were made, and


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this comprised the area under the districts of Bhagalpur, Khagaria,Katihar, Purnea, Lakhisarai and Munger.

During these surveys, attention was focused on search of GreaterAdjutant Storks, but data on the sightings of Lesser Adjutant Storks wasalso recorded. The project on GAS. has thus yielded additional data onthe Lesser Adjutant Stork.

Not a single Greater Adjutant Stork was recorded during the survey madefrom 20th October; 2003 to 22nd February 2004. This was contrary to theobservations made during 2002–03 by the team. At that time, GAS wasrecorded four times between 13th November 2002 and 21st Feb. 2003.All the sightings were in Naugachhia-Satishnagar-Maheshkhut-Khagaria(25º23'17'' N & 87º58'18'' E) route on either side of NH 31. The sightingareas comprised the shallow water pool with sparsely distributed sedgesand grasses, marshy wetland in Kosi floodplains shallow water poolbetween the railway track and NH 31, crop lands and water drying muddypans.

Roopan Mandal, the local contact person informed the projectinvestigator that 16–17 GAS had arrived on 13th February 2004 at apermanent water pool by the side of NH 31, seven kilometers fromNaugachhia towards Purnea. Santosh Kumar Tiwari, one of the researchpersons with a team of volunteers visited the area on 23rd February 2004and sighted 21 adult GAS near Situwaldhar wetland (formed due tooverflow of river Kosi during monsoon), almost five kilometers west ofNaugachhia (25º24'18'' N & 87º11' 16''E). Eleven adult GAS wereobserved foraging in the shallow water of the wetland (30–60cm deepwater), two were seen roosting on a babul tree Acacia sp., three on asemul tree Bombax ceiba; and three were in flight. Gular pouch was

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visible in only five GAS, but were not prominent. A bulge (half-ball size) ofbrick red/deep orange colour was observed on the neck of only four GAS.The team observed the activities of the birds initially for three and halfhours, i.e. 12:00PM to 3:30 PM. Except three, all other Greater Adjutantstook flight and spread out in the area (not visible). The survey teamfollowed the GAS in flight, went a further three kilometers towards thewest and sighted one GAS in a wetland near Madrauni. Both thewetlands, where the GAS were sighted, had sparse vegetation. Thewetlands were around village settlements and near NH 31. Hence, thearea was full of human activities. A number of babool trees Acacia sp.were found distributed haphazardly in the nearby agricultural fields.

The area near Madrauni village under Naugachhia P.S. and 10 km westto Naugachhia has a network of large and small wetlands. The wetlandssouth to NH 31 have the overflow waters of River Kosi and the wetlandsnorth to NH 31 have waters of the River Ganga. The area has a numberof orchards and has a good tree cover of different species. This providesa good habitat for foraging and roosting of GAS. This was furthersubstantiated by the sightings of 13 GAS on 26th February and 3 GAS on9th March 2004 in the same area. About 20 GAS landed in Situwaldharwetland in the morning hours and flew to adjacent wetlands, mainlyMuralichak wetland, Gidraha dhar, Madrauni wetland etc. during theafternoon hours. This was also confirmed by the local people of thevillages Bania, Madrauni etc. who visit their agricultural fields near thewetland everyday. In addition to GAS, other bird species were alsorecorded from the wetland areas. They included open billed storks, littleegret, median egret, white ibis, black ibis, marsh harrier, kestrel, redwattled lapwing, spotted sandpiper, etc.

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Another contact person trained for GAS sighting in 2002 - 03, KarelalMandal reported the sighting of five adult GAS on 15 February 2004 inBisauni Diara, near Mouzma, about 16 km upstream of Bhagalpur; andthe sighting of six adult GAS in Kulharia wetlands, seven km towardsBhattkhand near Narainpur. Both sightings were in the Ganga riverfloodplains.

5. DISCUSSION

Threat to Greater Adjutant Storks: Loss of habitat.

Table 1 shows that the GAS were sighted in three areas during the surveyconducted under this project:

Madrauni: Located at 25º24'18''N & 87º11'16''E, where a number oftemporary and permanent wetlands have been formed due to overflow ofRiver Ganga and Kosi water, about 10 km from Bhagalpur. The area hasa good stand of trees, agricultural fields and human settlements near thewetlands. Fishing is a common activity in these wetlands. Temporarywetlands dry up by April – May. GAS have not been sighted in this areaafter March. This is the season when farmers harvest their crops and thewhole area is full of activity and noise causing disturbance to wetlands.Hence, GAS depart from this area in search of another place for food andshelter.

Pasraha: Only one GAS was sighted near Pasraha (25º23'17''N & 86º58'18''E) , GAS had previously been sighted in more numbers and morefrequently in the years 2001–03. There has been a great change in theland-use pattern in this area. Earlier, the stretch of land between therailway track and NH.31 was not under cultivation. The contour of the

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area was uneven. In post-monsoon period, this stretch was full of watergiving an appearance of a river corridor. Hence, the longitudinal stretchalong the rail-track and NH. 31 was an ideal habitat for the GreaterAdjutant Storks. Since the last two years, people have started cultivating'sunflower' in the area. Hence, the land is now under active cultivation,associated with various activities all through the year. Farmers use waterfrom the temporary water pools for irrigating the crops. As a result of allthis, the features of the land have changed and probably that is thereason GAS have abandoned this area, since only one GAS was sightedtwice during the project period.

Ganga floodplains: GAS was sighted in the River Ganga floodplains,near Bhagalpur, near Bisauni diara. 17 km upstream of Bhagalpur andnear Bhattkhand, nearly 40 km from Bhagalpur. GAS have been regularlysighted in the River Ganga floodplain since 2001.

Jagatpur Wetland: In the year 2002–03, 20 GAS (13 adults and 7immature) were sighted in the Jagatpur wetland (25º20'235'' N &87º02'625''E) –a highly eutrophic permanent wetland, under Bhagalpurdistrict. Several field surveys made to Jagatpur wetlands, could not resultin observing any Greater Adjutant Stork on any trip. A change in theattitude of local people was also noticed here. They were more interestedin farmland than the wetland and had converted a major portion of thedried wetland in the post monsoon period to cropland for cultivation ofcash crops like vegetables and banana. As the area is only 15 km fromthe city and well connected by road, the people are motivated to growvegetables in the area. This has shrunk the wetland and upset its eco-balance. All sorts of human activities including the operation of tractorsare a deterrent for the visiting birds. That may be a reason that theGreater Adjutant Storks have not visited this wetland in 2004.

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Sighting Storks

However, GAS could not be sighted in other potential areas, which wereselected this year based on feedback by local people. The area is so vastthat it is difficult to move with limited resources. Another major problem isthe threat of violence by anti-socials in the area. Several secondaryinformation about sightings of GAS in remote floodplain areas of therivers Ganga and Kosi could not be followed up because of securityreasons. The nesting of Greater Adjutants could not be located in spite ofthe best efforts of the project team. Despite records of GAS present in thearea for seven to eight months and the belief that they also breed in thisarea, the hypothesis could not be proved. The questions that arose fromthis survey are: - 1. Is this GAS population an isolated population or a migratory

population from the Brahmaputra valley?2. Why do they migrate from Assam to this area?3. Do they return to the Brahmaputra valley for breeding?4. How should the 'Search of GAS' program be designed to collect

more authentic information on GAS?

6. RESULTS

1. Confirmation on the presence of a small population of GreaterAdjutant Storks in the River Kosi and middle Ganga plain near Bhagalpur.Since 2001, when 25 Greater Adjutants had first been sighted, this highlyendangered bird species is sighted every year (2000–04) numbering overtwenty.

2. Confirmation of the project area under study as new range ofdistribution for Greater Adjutants in India.

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3. Important information collected on the distribution, roosting,nesting and feeding of Lesser Adjutant Storks.

7. RECOMMENDATIONS

7.1. Continuance of Project:Though the nesting of Greater Adjutants could not be located, thecontinuance of the project on further search of Greater Adjutants is highlyrecommended. Compared to the Brahmaputra valley in Assam, where thenodes of the breeding population are well identified, this area is quitelarge with a heterogeneous landscape; it needs more search efforts tocover the area to ascertain the actual number of Greater Adjutantspresent in the area.

7.2 Project Treatment:In future, the species should be treated as conservation dependent andfuture projects should bear this in mind

7.3 Involvement of the State Government:State government officials (preferably Forest department) should also beinvolved.

7.4 Interactive Conservation ForumAn interactive forum for different working groups, working on theprotection and conservation of Greater Adjutants may be established forproper sharing of experiences. WTI may take a lead in this direction.

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Table 1: Survey for Greater Adjutant Storks in the Ganga & Kosi flood plains area From 20th October 2003 to 22 January 2004

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SurveyArea

GPSCoordinates

No. ofBirdsSighted

Place ofsighting

Trees/Vegetation Nesting/Roosting Trees

No.ofNests

Remarks

VillageGandhigram,Bihpuriatola atKarhagola,Dist-Katihar(72 km fromBhagalpur)

25º29'324'' N;87º22'989'' E

29 LAS:15chicks and14 adults

Villagearea

Pakar(Ficusinfectoria), Bargad(F benghalensis),Kadamb(Anthocephalus cadamba),Bamboo (Bambusaindica)

Nesting tree-Silk-cotton tree(Bombaxceiba),Roostingtree -Pakar(Ficus infectoria),Bargad -(Fbenghalensis),Kadamb(Anthocephaluscadamba)

7 One adultbirdpresent oneach nesttendingtheirchicks.

KoylaVillage,Pashara,Dist-Khagaria

NR 4 LASAdult

Villagearea

Arjuna (Terminaliaarjuna), Sisham(Dalbergia sissoo)

Nesting tree -Arjuna(Terminaliaarjuna) -Nos.2

3 Adults innest.

BetweenPiparpantiand KoylaVillage ,atPashara,Dist-Khagaria

NR 3 LAS: 2Chicks, 1Adult

Farmland,Temporarywaterpool

Arjuna (Terminaliaarjuna), Wheat(Triticum vulgaries)

Nesting tree -Arjuna(Terminaliaarjuna) -No.1

1 Adulttendingchicks.

VillageSonbarsaghat ,Dist -Khagagia,(1 km fromKosi Riverbridge )

NR 2 LASAdult

Villagearea andGrove

Arjuna (Terminaliaarjuna), Sisham(Dalbergia sissoo),Bamboo (Bambusaindica)


0 Birdsobservedbuildingnest.

BetweenUsarahaandRamnagar,at DumariSonbarsa (2km fromKosi Riverbridge )

NR 2 LASAdults

Grove Arjuna (Terminaliaarjuna), Sisham(Dalbergia sissoo),Bamboo (Bambusaindica)


2 -

WetlandsnearBahattraandJagatpurvillage

25º20'282'' N;87º02'372'' E

1 LASAdult

Permanent waterpool

Eichhornia sp. Inwetland, Arhar(Cajnous cajan) &water weeds

- - Bird wasobservedforagingfor food ina smallpatch ofmarshyland.


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Jagatpurwetlands,Bhagalpur

25º20'282'' N,87º02'372'' E

4 LASAdults

Marshywetland -littoralzone

Eichhornia sp.,Nymphaea sp. & otheraquatic weeds

- - -

BihpuriaTola,Karagola,Dist.Katihar.

25º29'324'' N;87º22'989'' E

28 LAS:14Chicks and14adults

Villagearea

Pakar(Ficus infectoria),Bargad (F benghalensis),Kadamb(Anthocephaluscadamba), Bamboo(Bambusa indica)

Nesting tree-Silk-cotton tree(Bombax ceiba),Roosting tree -Pakar (Ficusinfectoria), Bargad-(F benghalensis),Kadamb(Anthocephaluscadamba)

7 Comparedto20.10.2003sighting, onechick haddied due toa fall fromthe nest asreported byvillagers.

Pasraha -Satishnagar, Dist.Khagaria

NR 6 LASAdults

Temporary marshywetlandnearrailwaytracks

Grasses and sedgessparsly distributed inshallow water.

- - -

VillageGharari,Navtolia atMirganj,Dist- Purnia,(29 Kmapprox fromPurnia)

NR 3 LAS:2Chicks,1 Adult

Villagearea

Bamboo (Bambusaindica) Pakar(Ficusinfectoria), Silk-cottontree (Bombax ceiba)

Nesting tree -No.1Peepal (Ficusreligiosa)

1 Chicks weremaking theirexplorataryflights.

Mokamavillage,Bishnupur,Dist-Purnia(49 kmapprox fromPurnia)

NR 16 LAS:8Chicks,8 Adults

Villagearea

Bamboo (Bambusaindica), Silk-cottontree,(Bombax ceiba),Sisham (Dalbergiasissoo), Peepal (Ficusreligiosa), Bargad (Fbenghalensis)

Peepal (Ficusreligiosa) Nestingtree Nos.3,Lachhaura orLathauva ,Nestingtree No.1,Kadamb(Anthocephalus cadamba),Silk-cotton tree(Bombax ceiba)Roosting tree

4 -

Orlahavillage ,atBishnupur,Dist-Purnia(38kmapprox fromPurnia)

NR 2 LAS PermanentWetlandShallowwaterwithsparselydistributedgrassesandEichhornia sp.

Cyperus sp., Eichhorniasp. and other 30 to 60 cmlong grasses

- - -

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VillageSonsa,Brahaman tola atGowasi, Dist -Purnia (9 kmapprox toPurnia)

NR 9 LAS:6Chicks,3 Adults

Village areatemporary waterpool adjacent towesternboundary wall ofChunapur AirForce Station

Bamboo (Bambusaindica), Babol (Acacianilotica), Jungle jilabi(Pithecobium dulce),Kadamb(Anthocephaluscadamba), Arjun(Terminelia arjuna),Mango (Mangiferaindica), Titvant sp.,Lantana sp. Sisham(Dalbergia sissoo)

Bargad (Fbanghalensis),Nesting tree No.1,Mango (Mangiferaindica), Bamboo(Bambusa indica)

3 -

1.5 Km on theoutskirts ofManihari Block(27km fromKatihar)

NR 1 LASAdult

Mahanandafloodplain ,Temporary waterpool

Drying grasses andother aquatic weeds

- - -

BetweenSurapartal andKanta Koshvillage (33Kmapprox fromKatihar)

NR 1 LASAdult

Temporary andpermenant waterpools, farmlandnear the village.

Babool (Acacianilotica)

Babool (Acacianilotica)

- -

Bagharbil,1.5km from toGogabil (34Km approxfrom Katihar)

NR 12 LASAdults

Permanentwetland withweeds, villagefarmland.

90 - 100 cm highgrasses Cyperussp.Paddy seedlingsand wheat crop in thefields

Sisham (Dalbergiasissoo),Kadamb(Anthocephalus cadamba)

- -

Mujwartal toRasmohanChowk, 12 kmfrom Gogabill,Katihar

NR 3 LASAdults

Farmland Wheat crop - - -

Gogabill BirdSanctuary(38km fromKatihar)

NR 4 LASAdults

PermanentWetland ,Farmland

100 - 120 cm highgrasses

- - -

Bhagalpur -Sultanganj(bothupstream &downstream),VGDS

NR 5 LASAdults

Floodplain nearSonbarsa(upstream) &near Moujama(downstream)

- - -

Naugachhia -Bihpur, Dist.Bhagalpur

NR 3 LASAdults

Ganga & Kosifloodplain

Mixed vegetationincluding herbaceous& woody sps

- - -

Madraunivillage,Naugachhia,Bhagalpur

NR 4 LASAdults

Kosi floodplains Grasses sedges &marshy plants

- - -


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BihpuriaTola,Karagola,Dist.Katihar.

25º29'324'' N;87º22'989'' E

28 LAS:14Chicks and14adults

Villagearea

Pakar(Ficusinfectoria), Bargad(F benghalensis),Kadamb(Anthocephalus cadamba),Bamboo (Bambusaindica)

Nesting tree-Silk-cotton tree (Bombaxceiba), Roosting tree-Pakar (Ficusinfectoria), Bargad -(F benghalensis),Kadamb(Anthocephaluscadamba)

7 Compared to earliersighting at thesame place, thegrownup chickswere observedtrying to makeexploratory flights.

GangafloodplainsnearBhagalpur

25º17'336 N,86º59'258'' E

2 LASAdults

Diaraland,wetsandysoil

Saccharumspontaneum,Tamarix sp. sparslydistributed

- - -

From 6th February 2004 to 30th March 2004Survey Area GPS

coordinates

No. ofbirdssighted

Place ofsighting

Vegetation Nesting/Roosting trees

No. ofnests

Remarks

Maheshkhunt -KaruwamorSonbarsaraj(Dist.-Khagaria)

NR 04 LAS(Chicks)

Diaralandandvillagearea.

Dalbergiasisso

02 Adult Storksfeeding theirchicks.

Maheshkhunt -Pirnagra,Chakarmania(Dist.-Khagaria)

NR 00 Kosi floodplain area

Terminaliaarjuna

02 Villagersreported that it isthe nest of LAS.

Khurahan-AalamnagarBasanbara-Pansalwa, (Dist.- Madhepura &Khagaria)

NR 12 LAS(Younger)

Kosi floodplainsandvillagearea.

BombaxCeiba-2Dalbergiasisso

06 Younger of LASwere makingmock flights

Shankarpurdiara , NearJamunia dhalaat Navgacchia(Dist.-Bhagalpur)

NR

Harohar river,from Balgudar toRehuwa,(Dist.Lakkhisari)

NR 00 - - - 00 Hundreds ofLesser WhistlingDucks and LittleCormorantsobservedfeeding in river.

Sighting Storks

15

Bhagalpur -Kahalgaon,(Dist.-Bhagalpur)

NR 02 LAS(Adults)

Wetlands &Gangafloodplains

Shallow water Poolwith sparselydistributed grassesand sedges inbetween riverGanga andHighway.

- 00 Birds were sightedfeeding in waterpool.

MurliChauk,Situwaldhar, WetlandatNavgacchia, Dist.-Bhagalpur,05 KMaway fromNavgacchiatowardsPurnia byNH-31.

25 2418 N,87 1116 E

21 GAS(Adults)

Spilledwater ofriver Gangatemporarywater pool.

Water surface clear,marginal areacovered by grassesup to 1-10 cm.Height.

Bombaxceiba, Ficusreligiosa,Accasianilotica

00 11 GAS sightedfeeding in a loosegroup,05 GASobserved with GularPouch, their neckback had ¼ Orangesized & Orangecoloured ridge.02GAS observed onAccasia nilotica & 05GAS on Bombaxceiba while 03 GASwere hovering overwetland.

WetlandsnearBahattraandJagatpurVillages(Dist.-Bhagalpur)

25 20282 N,87 02372E

05(BlackneckedStork, 02adult &03Young)

TemporaryandPermanentWetlands inGangaflood plainarea.

Eichhornia sp.Hydrilla sp.Potamogeton sp.etc. 45 % of watersurface covered byEichhornia sp.

- 00 All birds sightedfeeding withOpenbilled Storksand Herons.

MurliChauk,Situwaldhar WetlandatNavgacchia, Dist.-Bhagalpur,05 KMaway fromNavgacchiatowardsPurnia byNH-31

25 2418 N,87 1116 E

13 GAS(Adults)


Water surface clear,marginal areacovered by grassesup to 1-10 cm.Height.


00 GAS Were feedingvery close approx50m to busy NH.OneGas was searchingprey in approx 60cmdeep water.

BadiCattingWetland, atPasraha(Dist. -Khagaria)

NR 01 GAS(Adult),02 LAS(Adult)

PermanentWetland &Gangafloodplains

Eichhorniasp.,Hydrillasp.,Potamogetonsp. Wetland wascircled byherbacious weedsand grasses

Bombaxceiba, Ficusreligiosa

00 GAS was sitting witha flock of LittleCormorants &Intermediate Egrets.LAS observedfeeding. At 10:20AMa mixed flock ofabout 21 LAS &GAS observedhovering very high inthe western sky.


Sakroharvillage, atBeldaur,(Dist-Khagaria,107 KM fromBhagalpur,by NH-31and NH-107)

25 36260 N,86 49537 E

40 LAS (24young & 16Adults) 15WhiteBackedVulture(Adult)

Orchards.Village area,swamparea in Kosiflood plain

Bombax ceiba-02, DiablerieSisso -01,(Nesting treesof LAS), Palmsp. (02+02 =04)

12LAS,02WhiteBackedVulture

Young of LAS observedon nesting trees, adultswere bringing young'smeal. One Vultureobserved sitting on theirnest where as fourVultures observed sittingon two palm trees andrest 10 Vultureshovering very high.

PasrahaDhala (Dist.-Khagaria.

NR PermanentWetland &Gangafloodplains

Eichhornia sp.,Hydrilla sp.Potamogetonsp.Wetlandwas circled byherbaciousweeds andgrasses


Navgacchia-Murli chauk -MadrauniChauk ,Dist.-Bhagalpur,05-08 KMaway fromNavgacchiatowardsPurnia byNH-31.

25 2418 N,87 1116 E


Water surfaceclear, marginalarea coveredby grasses upto 1-10 cm.Height.


Navgacchia-Murli chauk -MadrauniChauk ,Dist.-Bhagalpur,05-08 KMaway fromNavgacchiatowardsPurnia byNH-31

25 2418 N,87 1116 E

01 GAS(Adult) 07LAS, (03Young & 04Adults)

Spilledwater ofriver Gangatemporarywater poolandrecedingwater pool.

Water surfaceclear, marginalarea coveredby grasses upto 1-10 cm.Height.


00 GAS observed onBombax ceiba. Inevening when hundredsof Open billed Storksarrived on the tree GASflew out to sit onAccasia nilotica . Inanother receding waterpool young of LASobserved feeding withthe group of Ibis andEgrets while adultsobserved feeding inanother water pool.

16

Table 2: Survey for Greater Adjutant Storks in the Ganga & Kosi flood plains area From 6th February 2004 to 30th March 2004

Sighting Storks

SlNo.

SurveyDate(s)

SurveyArea

GPSCoordinates

No. OfBirdsSighted

No.ofNests

Habitat Vegetation(s)

Nesting/Roosting TreesSighted

Remarks

01. 06.02.2004

Maheshkhunt -Karuwamor,Sonbarsaraj(Dist.-Khagaria)

NR 04 LAS(Chicks)

02 Diaralandandvillagearea.

Dalbergiasisso

Adult Storksfeeding theirchicks.

02. 07.02.2004

Maheshkhunt - Pirnagra,Chakarmania (Dist.-Khagaria)

NR 00 02 Kosi floodplain area

Terminaliaarjuna

Villagersreported thatit is the nestof LAS.

03. 08.02.2004

Khurahan-Aalamnagar,Basanbara-Pansalwa,(Dist. -Madhepura& Khagaria)

NR 12 LAS(Younger)

06 Kosi floodplains andvillagearea.

Bombaxceiba-2,Dalbergiasisso

Young ofLAS weremaking mockflights

04. 15.02.2004

Shankarpurdiara , NearJamuniadhala atNavgacchia(Dist.-Bhagalpur)

NR

05. 20.02.2004

Haroharriver, fromBalgudar toRehuwa(Dist.Lakkhisari)

NR 00 00 - - - Hundreds ofLesserWhistlingDucks andLittleCormorantsobservedfeeding inriver.

06. 22.02.2004

Bhagalpur -Kahalgaon(Dist.-Bhagalpur)

NR 02 LAS(Adults)

00 Wetlands& Gangafloodplains

Shallow waterpool withsparselydistributedgrasses &sedges btnriver Ganga&Zhighway.

- Birds weresightedfeeding inwater pool.

17


SlNo.

SurveyDate(s)

SurveyArea

GPSCoordinates

No. OfBirdsSighted

No.ofNests

Habitat Vegetation(s)

Nesting/RoostingTreesSighted

Remarks

08 24.02.2004

25 20282 N 8702 372E

05(Blacknecked Stork,02 adult &03 young )

00 Temporary andpermanent wetlandsin Gangafloodplainarea.

Eichhorniasp.,Hydrilla sp.Potamogeton sp. etc.45 % ofwatersurfacecovered byEichhorniasp.

All birdssightedfeeding withOpenbilledStorks andHerons.

09 26.02.2004

Murli Chauk,Situwaldhar wetland atNavgacchia, Dist.-Bhagalpur,05 km awayfromNavgacchiatowardsPurnia byNH-31

25 24 18N. 87 1116 E

13GAS(Adults)

00 Spilledwater ofriverGangatemporarywaterpool.

Watersurfaceclear,marginalareacovered bygrasses upto 1-10 cm.Height.

Bombaxceiba, Ficusreligiosa ,Accasianilotica

GAS Werefeeding veryclose approx50m to busyNH, oneGAS wassearchingprey inapprox 60cmdeep water.

10 02.03.2004

BadiCattingWetland, atPasraha(Dist. -Khagaria

NR 01 GAS(Adult) 02LAS(Adult)

00 Permanent Wetland& Gangafloodplains

Eichhorniasp.Hydrillasp.Potamogeton sp.Wetlandwas circledbyherbaceous weedsandgrasses


GAS waswith a flockof LittleCormorants&IntermediateEgrets. LASobservedfeeding. at10:20AM amixed flockof about 21LAS & GASobservedhoveringvery high inthe westernsky.

18

Sighting Storks

SlNo.

SurveyDate(s)

SurveyArea

GPSCoordinates

No. OfBirdsSighted

No.ofNests

Habitat

Vegetation(s)


Remarks

11 03.03.2004

Sakroharvillage, atBeldaur,(Dist-Khagaria,107 kmfromBhagalpur, by NH-31 andNH-107)

25 36260 N 8649 537 E

40 LAS(24 Young&16Adults)15WhiteBackedVulture(Adult)

12 LAS02 WhiteBackedVulture

Orchards. villagearea,swamparea inKosifloodplain

Bombaxceiba -02,DiablerieSisso -01,(Nestingtrees of LAS)Palm sp.(02+02 = 04)

Young of LASobserved onnesting trees,adults werebringing youngmeal. OneVultureobservedsitting on theirnest whereasfour Vulturesobservedsitting on twopalm trees and10 Vultureshovering veryhigh.

12 03.03.2004

PasrahaDhala(Dist.-Khagaria.

NR Permanentwetland&Gangafloodplains

Eichhornia sp.Hydrillasp.Potamogeton sp.Wetlandwascircled byherbaceous weedsandgrasses


13 09.03.2004

Navgacchia-Murlichauk -MadrauniChauk ,Dist.-Bhagalpur, 05-08km awayfromNavgacchiatowardsPurnia byNH-31.

25 24 18N 87 1116 E

Spilledwater ofriverGangatemporary waterpool.

Watersurfaceclear,marginalareacoveredbygrassesup to 1-10cm.Height.


19


SlNo.

SurveyDate(s)

SurveyArea

GPSCoordinates

No. OfBirdsSighted

No.ofNests

Habitat

Vegetation(s)


Remarks

14 16.03.2004

Navgacchia-Murlichauk -MadrauniChauk ,Dist.-Bhagalpur,05-08 kmaway fromNavgacchia towardsPurnia byNH-31

25 24 18N 87 1116 E

01 GAS(Adult)07LAS (03Young &04 Adults)

00 Spilledwater ofriverGangatemporary waterpool andrecedingwaterpool.

Watersurfaceclear,marginalareacoveredbygrassesup to 1-10 cm.height.

Bombaxceiba,Ficusreligiosa,Accasianilotica

GAS observed sittingon Bombax ceiba.Inevening whenhundreds of Openbilled Storks arrivedon the tree GAS flewout to sit on Accasianilotica . In anotherreceding water poolyoung of LASobserved feedingwith the group of Ibisand Egrets whileadults observedfeeding in anotherwater pool.

15 18.03.2004

Gogabill -Mandua -Bhendiyahi-Bagharbil-Bholahan.(Dist. -Katiharapprox 34km south -east toKatihar.

NR 05 LAS(Adults)

00 PermanentWetlands, WaterpoolsandFarmlands.

Marginalareawas fullof 200-300cmlonggrassesandPaddycrop.

Bombaxceiba

02 LAS in Gogabilland 03 LAS inBagaharbill observedsearching prey.Appropx 120fishermen and theyfishing with 30 smallboats, moreover 15labour-eradicatingwaterweeds forMAKHANA cropdisturbed Gogabill.People reported GAScould frequentlysighted here duringflood seasons.

16 19.03.2004

Lahitola -Bardia\bari(Dist. -Katihar )

NR 04 LAS(Adults)

00 PermanentWetlands, WaterpoolsandFarmlands.

Waterpoolswith fewwaterweeds.

Accasianilotica

02 LAS observedsitting on Accasianilotica nearLahitola.At Bardiabari02 LAS observedfeeding in apermanent wetland.

20

Sighting Storks

Sl No. SurveyDate(s)

Survey Area

GPSCoordinates

No. OfBirdsSighted

No.ofNests

Habitat

Vegetation(s)


Remarks

17 20.03.2004

Manihari-Naryanpur (Dist. -Katihar,20 kmsouth toKatiharinManihariroad)

NR 02 LAS(Adult)

00 PermanentWetlandcircledbycultivated fields.

Eichhornia sp.,Hydrillasp.,Eliocharis etc.presentin thewaterbody.

Dalbergia sisso

LAS observedsitting onDalbergia sissobetweenwetland androad.

18 21.03.02004

Munjwartal -Rasmohan chauk(Dist. -Katihar,36-40km fromKatihar.)

NR 02 LAS(Adult)

00 Villagearea,Temporary waterpoolsandcultivated fields.

Waterbodieswith fewwaterweeds.

- 02 LAS and 01EurasianMarsh Harrier(Circusaeruginosus)observedhovering overwater bodies ofMunjwartal.

19 30.03.2004

FloodplaintowardsNorthernbank -oppositeto " PaniTanki"Ghat,Barari.(Dist. -Bhagalpur)

NR 02 GAS(Adult)

00 Gangariverfloodplains

NoVegetation.

- GAS observedforaging forfood in theshallow watersof the river.

21

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Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), is a non-profit conservation organisationcommitted to urgent action that prevents destruction of India's wildlife. Itsprincipal concerns are crisis management and the provision of quick,efficient aid to those areas that require it the most. In the longer term ithopes to achieve, through proactive reforms, an atmosphere conducive toconserving India's wildlife and its habitat.

Suggested Citation: Choudhury, Sunil K. (2007). 'Sighting Storks' : Statusand Distribution of Greater Adjutant Storks (Leptoptilos dubius) in the Gangaand Kosi floodplains near Bhagalpur, Bihar. Wildlife Trust of India, NewDelhi.Keywords: Conservation; Rapid Action Project, Bihar, Greater AdjutantStork, Rapid SurveyThe designations of geographical entities in this publication and thepresentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinionwhatsoever on the part of the authors or WTI concerning the legal status ofany country, territory or area, or of its authorities, or concerning thedelimitation of its frontiers or boundaries

All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in thispublication for educational or other non-commercial purposes areauthorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holdersprovided the source is fully acknowledged and appropriate credit given.Reproduction of material in this information product for or other commercialpurposes is prohibited without written permission of the copyright holders.Applications for such permission should be addressed to the ExecutiveDirector, Wildlife Trust of India or by e-mail to [email protected]

This report was prepared in March 2004First published in this form in March 2007Copyright © WTI 2007Photo credits:All pictures: Sunil Kumar Choudhury

Project InvestigatorSunil K . Chowdhury

Editorial Team

Series Editor: Vivek MenonTechnical Editor: Rahul KaulEditor: Rupa Gandhi Chaudhary

Status and Distribution of Greater AdjutantStorks (Leptoptilos dubius) in the Ganga andKosi River Floodplains Near Bhagalpur, Bihar

Believed to be confined to the Brahmaputra valley of Assam, thesighting of 25 endangered Greater Adjutant Storks in the floodplainsof the Ganga and Kosi rivers paved the way for a Rapid ActionProject on studying the status and distribution of this endangeredbird in Bihar. This report documents the sightings of the GAS inBihar and recommends measures to conserve the species.

Sunil K. Choudhury

A-220 New Friends Colony, New Delhi-110025Tel.: 011 26326025, 26326026, Fax: 011 26326027

Website: http//www.wildlifetrustofindia.org

SIGHTING STORKS

OCCASIONAL REPORT NO. 18

status and distribution of greater adjutant ) in the …...i sincerely thank joydeep bose for...

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