Abstract
We surveyed water birds in Haripura-Baur Reservoir using total count method between 2013 and 2015. A total of 65 species were recorded representing eight orders and 14 families. Numerically Anatidae was the dominant family followed by Ardeidae and Scolopacidae. Common Coot Fulica atra, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Gadwall Anas strepera, and Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula were dominant species in the reservoir. The Shannon diversity of water birds was more or less consistent over the years and ranged between 2.56 (2013–14) and 2.23 (2015–16). The reservoir supports water birds having declining population trends globally (41% of species), including three Vulnerable (Asian Woollyneck Ciconia episcopus, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, and Sarus Crane Grus antigone and four Near Threatened species (Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, and River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii). Bird species belong to four feeding guilds with the domination of the carnivore group. The current information is expected to serve as preliminary database of water birds for further research and monitoring.
Highlights
MATERIALS AND METHODSTerai-Arc Landscape ( TAL)—a green belt, runs along the foothills of the Himalaya from the river Bagmati in the east to the Yamuna in the west
Bird species categorized under the various categories of IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, viz., Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, Lesser Adjutant Leptostilos javanicus, Sarus Crane Grus antigone, and River Tern Sterna aurantia find home in these water bodies
A total of 65 species of water birds belonging to eight orders and 14 families were recorded in Haripura-Baur Reservoir (HBR)
Summary
Terai-Arc Landscape ( TAL)—a green belt, runs along the foothills of the Himalaya from the river Bagmati in the east to the Yamuna in the west It represents two distinct zones, i.e., Bhabar tract and the Terai plains of India (Rodgers & Panwar 1988). The Bean Goose Anser fabalis, vagrant bird species which breed in the high Arctic and winter in temperate and sub-tropical regions (BirdLife International 2016) have been reported from these wetlands (Bhattacharjee 2013). The occurrence of these species highlight the significance of such wetlands for conservation of water birds, these water bodies do not have any legal conservation status and are basically managed for irrigation purposes. These wetlands are used for commercial fishing which reduces food availability to many native fish and bird species but is a major cause of disturbance to the water birds
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