CERTIFICATE COURSE ON BIRD IDENTIFICATION AND BASIC ...

CERTIFICATE COURSE ON

BIRD IDENTIFICATION

AND BASIC ORNITHOLOGY BATCH 3 & 4 ( FEBRUARY – MARCH 2021 )

G R E E N S K I L L D E V E L O P M E N T P R O G R A M M E I E N V I S I M O E F C C I W W F I N D I A

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INTRODUCTION

ENVIS

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), being the nodal agency

in the administrative structure of the Central Government for the planning, promotion, co-ordination

and overseeing the implementation of India's environmental and forestry policies and programmes,

established an Environmental Information System (ENVIS) in 1982 by end of 6th Five year plan as a plan

programme which would serve as a hub of Environmental information vital for formulation of

environmental management policies and decision making aimed at environmental protection and

enrichment for sustaining life. ENVIS is a comprehensive network of environmental information

collection, collation, storage, retrieval and dissemination to various users, which include decision-

makers, researchers, academicians, policy planners and research scientists, etc.

A large number of nodes, known as ENVIS Centres, have been established in the network to

cover the broad subject areas of environment with a Focal Point in the Ministry of Environment &

Forests & Climate Change which assists the Environmental Information (EI) Division in coordinating

the activities of all the ENVIS network partners by making ENVIS a web-enabled comprehensive

information system. ENVIS network at present consists of a chain of 69 network partners out of which

40 are on subject-specific and 29 on State / UT related issues that are located in notable organizations

/ institutions / State / UT Government Departments / Universities throughout the country.

WWF ENVIS Centre and Resource Partner

The ENVIS Centre 07 at WWF-INDIA was established on 27 October 1984 under the

Environmental Information System (ENVIS) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government

of India. The Centre was assigned the responsibility to serve as the focal point of collecting, organising

and disseminating information on:

Wildlife Conservation (including species and habitats) using Geospatial Techniques

Over the past few years, users (NGO, administrators, specialized agencies, researchers, school

and college students, media professionals, and others) both within the country and overseas have

recognized the Centre as a reliable and responsive source of environment-related information. The

ENVIS Centre regularly responds to queries and requests for information on various subjects and

topics concerning the environment in India. The Centre has been continuously striving hard to

enhance and improve the ways of showcasing and disseminating information database so as to serve

its prime goal of providing information useful to its target audience comprising of, decision-makers,

researchers, academicians, policy planners and research scientists, etc.

Green Skill Development Programme

In line with the Skill India Mission, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF

& CC) utilising the vast network and expertise of ENVIS Hubs / Resource Partners (RPs), has taken up

an initiative for skill development in the environment and forest sector to enable India's youth to get

gainful employment and/or self-employment, called the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP).

The programme endeavours to develop green skilled workers having technical knowledge and

commitment to sustainable development through a set of about 70 courses, which will help in the

attainment of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs), National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs), as well as Waste Management Rules (2016).

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WWF ENVIS TEAM

G. AREENDRAN

(PhD) Director, IGCMC

Coordinator, ENVIS

WWF India

KRISHNA RAJ

(PhD) Senior

Coordinator, IGCMC

WWF India

RAJEEV KUMAR

(M.A) Senior Programme

Officer, ENVIS, IGCMC

WWF India

SANDEEP KUMAR

(M.A) Programme Officer

ENVIS, IGCMC

WWF India

MEHEBUB SAHANA

(PhD)

Consultant

IGCMC, WWF India

VARUN DUTTA GUPTA

(M.Sc) Information

Officer & GIS Analyst,

ENVIS, IGCMC, WWF India

KUMAR RANJAN

(M.Sc) Programme

Officer, IGCMC

WWF India

DEBOJYOTI

MALLICK

(B.Tech.)

Web GIS Developer

IGCMC, WWF India

AKHIL

SIVADAS

(B.Tech.)

Consultant

IGCMC, WWF India

ABHIJITHA

C S

(M.Sc)

Project Officer

IGCMC, WWF India

NITU

SINGH

(M.Sc.)

Consultant,

IGCMC, WWF India

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WWF-India, ENVIS RP has conducted four Certificate Courses in the first quarter of 2021, namely:

• Wildlife Management using Geospatial Techniques,

• Bird Identification and Basic Ornithology

• Valuation of Ecosystem and Green GDP

• NTFP Products and Medicinal Plants

under the Green Skill Development Programme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate

Change, Government of India.

Certificate Course on Bird Identification and Basic Ornithology (2 Batches)

The course aims to impart skills to identify birds based on key field characteristics for locally

available birds. The course broadly covers bird evolution and history, bird classification and diversity,

birds’ behaviour and their habitats, adaptation in birds, importance of birds in ecosystem or food

chain, bird conservation and bird tourism as a livelihood option. Course Duration: 160 hours

The trainees would have general knowledge about avifauna which would make them

employable as Bird guide, Eco-tourist guide, Forest watcher, Future conservationist, Field assistant in

biodiversity research organization, Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks. The trained person can also

be part of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) team. The trained manpower may also become

Master Trainers in the field to further skill other youth; they may also be engaged on contractual basis

in conducting district surveys under GRIDSS programme of the ENVIS Scheme.

Course Duration : 160 hours (February 12 - March 1 and Feb 8 - March 23 2021)

Batch strength : 15 (Batch I) and 12 (Batch II)

From among 116 applicants, 27 candidates from diverse backgrounds connected by a common

interest in what the course had to offer, were selected after several rounds of interviews and

interactions that evaluated their knowledge, expectations from the course and how they plan to

benefit from it.

Expected outcome of the course : The trained person would have enough knowledge about the birds

of surrounding forest, wetland, grassland or respective habitat.

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STUDENT PROFILES (BATCH I)

1. Amit Kumar Chaudhary (Unique ID : Amit19101997)

Home State / Address : Moti Bagh, New Delhi

Education : Graduate in Travel and Tourism

Career Interests : Impart the knowledge acquired here to

improve my skills in tourism industry

Email ID : [email protected]

2. Bhuvnesh bairagi (Unique ID : Bhuv12111999)

Home State / Address : Bhopal

Education : B. pharm

Career Interests : Wildlife protection and spreading awareness


3. CHANDAN KUMAR (Unique ID : CHAN01031990)

Home State / Address : Nainital, Uttarakhand

Education : 10th Level

Career Interests : Employment in tourism industry, reduce human - wildlife conflicts by giving tourists knowledge of environment and wildlife


4. DEBAJYOTI MEHER (Unique ID : DEBA20092001)

Home State / Address : Bargarh, Odisha


Career Interests : I want to study in Wildlife Institute of India


5. HIRWANSHEE (Unique ID : Hirw04072001)

Home State / Address : Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh

Education : Graduate in Biotechnology

Career Interests : Discover more about birds and problems we are creating resulting in their extinction


mailto:[email protected]

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6. MANISH BEHERA (Unique ID : MANI06042001)

Home State / Address : Odisha


Career Interests : Continue learning and exploring about birds


7. MODALA RAKESH (Unique ID : Moda08012000)

Home State / Address : Maharashtra

Education : Graduate in Forestry

Career Interests : Masters in Ornithology or wildlife sciences


8. PRASAD VINAYAK MISAL (Unique ID : Pras05081997)

Home State / Address : Washim, Maharashtra


Career Interests : Wildlife protection and spreading awareness among people.


9. RAHUL ANAND PANDEY (Unique ID : Rahu31081993)

Home State / Address : Gurugram, Haryana

Education : BE in Chemical engineering

Career Interests : I am preparing for Indian Forest Services and inspired to become Forest Officer.


10. RISHABH RAWAT (Unique ID : RISH19072002)

Home State / Address : Uttarakhand


Career Interests : Job in Forest department, enhance my skills. Email ID : [email protected]


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11. SAKSHI SINGH (Unique ID : SAKSHI SINGH)

Home State / Address : Mukund Pur, Delhi


Career Interests : GRADUATION IN SCIENCE


12. SANTOSH PRASHRAM IDHOLE (Unique ID : Sant15021994)

Home State / Address : Washim, Maharashtra


Career Interests : Go into the wilderness. There you will find your own revelations.


13. SIMRAN GEHALOT (Unique ID : SIMR16072001)

Home State / Address : Mukund Pur, Delhi


Career Interests : GRADUATION IN SCIENCE


14. SOUMIKA SARKAR (Unique ID : Soum05022000)

Home State / Address : West Bengal

Education : Graduate in Zoology

Career Interests : After learning this i will try my best to make them understand about wildlife and will try to stop them. Also i am a member of a wildlife organisation so this will be helpful for me both in personal and professional life


15. VIPUL KAIRWAN (Unique Id : VIPU23051997)

Home State / Address : Uttarakhand


Career Interests : I want to become a bird guide in Mussoorie.


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STUDENT PROFILES (BATCH II)

1. ANKIT MADAN KHOCHE (Unique ID : ANKI21051998)


Education : Masters in Biodiversity, Wildlife

Conservation and Management

Career Interests : I want to apply this knowledge in various

fields of wildlife.


2. AZHARUDDIN KHAN (Unique ID : Azha01041995)

Home State / Address : Uttar Pradesh

Education : Bachelors

Career Interests : To complete Masters in zoology


3. KALPESH SATISH POWAR (Unique ID : KALP10081996)


Education : Bachelors in Zoology

Career Interests : To work for welfare, preservation of birds


4. KARTHIKAYAN M (Unique ID : KART23081995)

Home State / Address : Andaman and Nicobar

Education : Masters in ECOLOGY

Career Interests : Would like to take up scientific research on birds and its conservation.


5. KESHUR VISHAL BHAI (Unique ID : KESH04022001)

Home State / Address : Gujarat

Education : Bachelors in MICROBIOLOGY

Career Interests : ORNITHOLOGY



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6. KRUTIKA DEEPAK PATHAK (Unique ID : KRUT31071997)


Education : Bachelors in Zoology

Career Interests : I want to work for Bird Conservation projects after completion of my studies


7. NIDHI JAISWAL (Unique ID : NIDH31121992)


Education : Masters in Travel and Tourism Management

Career Interests : Guide people about the types of birds and what type of environmental impacts independent birdwatchers and tour companies should take care of.


8. NITISH GUPTA (Unique ID : NITI25011999)

Home State / Address : Madhya Pradesh

Education : Bachelors in Physics, chemistry mathematics

Career Interests : Searching job in wildlife and nature related.


9. PAKHEE (Unique ID : Pakh06112001)

Home State / Address : New Delhi


Career Interests : Not really decided yet


10. POOJA SINGH (Unique ID : POOJ10061995)


Education : Masters in Biotechnology

Career Interests : Future planning is to join platform (govt or NGOs) where i can give my input.


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11. SHETH AAFTABHUSSAIN LIYAKATALI (Unique ID : SHET17121995)

Home State / Address : Gujarat

Education : Masters in Veterinary Pathology

Career Interests : I will guide students who so ever are interested in bird ID


12. VASHU VERMA (Unique ID : VASH23091999)

Home State / Address : New Delhi

Education : Bachelors in Life Sciences

Career Interests : To do as much as I can to make environment healthy

Email ID : vermavashu023@gmail

From the day of induction of students on February 12 2021 to the conclusion of the courses

on March 23 2021, we had a team of 3 educators from WWF ENVIS Centre, to guide the students in

understanding the theoretical basics and practical applications of bird identification with focus on

ornithology as a science. We were supported by 5 experts from other divisions in WWF India and 10

guest faculties from reputed organisations and institutions like WII, NCF, BNHS etc who chipped in

with their valuable inputs during an elaborate and compact schedule that included interactive

lectures, workshops and field surveys.

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COURSE SCHEDULE AND SPEAKER PROFILES - BATCH I

Day 1 - Feb 12th 2021 Inauguration

Chief Guest - Ms. Lipika Roy, Deputy Director,

Economic Division, MoEF&CC

Key Note Address - Dr. Gopala Areendran,

Director, IGCMC and ENVIS Coordinator

Day 1 - Feb 12th 2021

Afternoon Session - Birding; Birds of Indian region; Some bird behaviours; Topic Ethics of birding; Some adaptations in birds. Speaker - Mr. Kaustubh Srikanth Founder - The Wild Connect

Day 2 - Feb 13th 2021

Morning Session Topic - Birding; Birds of Indian region; Some bird behaviours

Speaker - Dr. Merwyn Fernandes Programme Coordinator, TRAFFIC

Day 2 - Feb 13th 2021

Afternoon Session - Ethics of birding; Some adaptations in birds Topic Speaker - Mr. Kaustubh Srikanth Founder - The Wild Connect

Day 3 - Feb 14th 2021

Morning Session Topic - Bird Behaviour, Songs and calls and How to document

the behaviour

Speaker - Mr. Kaustubh Srikanth Founder - The Wild Connect

Day 4 - Feb 15th 2021 - Field Visit to Lodhi Garden

Afternoon Session - Field Visit to Lodhi Garden for Identification of Common Birds of Lodhi Garden and GPS Training

Guides - Mr. Aditya Singh Chauhan, Supervisor, Kamla Nehru Biodiversity Park

- Mr. Akhil Sivadas, Course Coordinator and Consultant, WWF India

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Day 5 - Feb 16th 2021

Morning Session Topic - Mapping using Google Earth, Introduction to e bid

Speaker - Mr. Varun Dutta Gupta, WWF India

Day 6 - Feb 17th 2021 - Field Visit to Okhla Bird Sanctuary

Full Day Session - Field Visit to Okhla Bird Sanctuary for Identification of Common Birds of Lodhi Garden and GPS Training

Guides - Mr. Aditya Singh Chauhan, Supervisor, Kamla Nehru Biodiversity Park


- Mr. Ashwini Patel, Nature Education Officer, Okhla Bird Sanctuary

Day 6 - Feb 17th 2021 - Field Visit to Okhla Bird Sanctuary

Session - Bird Nest Making and Interactive Workshop on Biodiversity

Speaker - Mr. Rakesh Khatri, Founder, Ecoroots Foundation

Day 7 - Feb 18th 2021

Session - Common birds of Delhi(continued), Field Ethics, Review of Field visit, Introduction to Bird Migration and Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur

Speaker - Mr. Akhil Sivadas

Day 8, 9, 10 - February 19th, 20th, 21st 2021 - Field Visit to Bharatpur

Full Day Session - Field Visit to Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur Guides - Mr. Kaustubh Srikanth, Founder - The Wild Connect


- Mr. Hemendra Singh, Community Trainer, WWF India

Day 11 - Feb 22nd 2021

Morning Session - Documentary - Watching Birds around us

Speaker - Dr. Suhel Quader

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Day 11 - Feb 22nd 2021

Afternoon Session - Wetlands near Delhi - its significance and Characteristics, Bird count techniques, Bird diversity factors, Challenges and conservation measures for wetland. Speaker - Mr. Aditya Singh Chauhan

Day 12 - Feb 23rd 2021

Morning Session - Overview of State of India's Bird (SOIB) 2020 report, Bird Tourism, Review on KNP, Common Birds (continued) Speaker - Mr. Akhil Sivadas

Day 12 - Feb 23rd 2021

Afternoon Session - Ornithobotany and Citizen Science Speaker - Mr. Abhimanyu Yadav Manager - Eco trails, WWF India

Day 13 - Feb 24th 2021

Morning Session - Basics of GIS & Remote, Overview of QGIS

Speaker - Mr. Varun Dutta Gupta, Mr Kumar Ranjan

Day 13 - Feb 24th 2021

Afternoon Session - Bird Tourism and aviation

Speaker - Mr. Akhil Sivadas, Course Coordinator and Consultant, WWF India

Day 14 - Feb 25th 2021

Morning Session - Migration in Birds and migration study techniques and protocols in India Speaker - Dr. Raju Kasambe Associate Director, Education, BNHS

Day 14 - Feb 25th 2021

Afternoon Session - Candidate presentation - Education Roleplay.

Speaker - Mr. Kaustubh Shrikanth, Mr. Akhil Sivadas

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Day 15 - Feb 26th 2021

Morning Session - Bird Ecology, Threats & Sampling

Speaker - Mr Justus Joshua Director, Green Future Foundation

Day 15 - Feb 26th 2021

Afternoon Session - Vulture conservation In India - An overview

Speaker - Ms. Shivani Kalra Conservation Biologist, BNHS

Day 16 - Feb 27th 2021

Morning Session - Common Himalayan Birds of Uttarakhand

Speaker - Mr. Virendra Singh, Naturalist - Birder, Jabarkhet Nature Reserve, Mussourie

Day 17 - March 1st 2021 - Valedictory Function

Afternoon - Project presentation by students, Course Certificate distribution and discussion

Chief Guest - Dr. Sejal Worah, Programme Director, WWF India

Vote of Thanks - Dr. Gopala Areendran, Director, IGCMC and ENVIS Coordinator

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COURSE SCHEDULE AND SPEAKER PROFILES - BATCH II

Day 1 - March 8th, 2021 - Inauguration

Chief Guest - Dr. Dipankar Ghose, Director, Wildlife &

Habitats Programme, WWF India

Welcome Address - Dr. Gopala Areendran,


Key Note Address - Dr. Merwyn Fernandes Programme Coordinator, TRAFFIC

Day 2 - March 9th, 2021

Morning Session Topic - Bird Ecology, Common Birds of Delhi and Identification Speaker - Mr. Nikhil John, Consultant, WWF India


Afternoon Session - EBird Basics and

Topic Overview of GIS and mapping

Speaker - Mr. Varun Dutta Gupta, WWF India


Evening Session Topic - Bird Behaviour, Songs and Calls and How

to Document Behaviour



Morning Session Topic - Ornithobotany and Bird Identification

Speaker - Mr. Abhimanyu Yadav Manager - Eco trails, WWF India


Afternoon Session - Overview of GIS, mapping using Google Topic Earth and ArcGIS Speaker - Mr. Kumar Ranjan, WWF India

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Evening Session Topic - Birds of Indian region; bird behaviour; Ethics of birding; Some adaptations in birds. Speaker - Mr. Kaustubh Srikanth


Morning Session Topic - Bird Ecology and Threats to Birds

Speaker - Dr. Merwyn Fernandes Programme Coordinator, TRAFFIC


Afternoon Session - Overview of GIS, mapping using Google Topic Earth and ArcGIS Speaker - Mr. Varun Dutta Gupta, WWF India


Evening Session Topic - Ethics of birding;

some adaptations in birds.



Morning Session Topic - Introduction to GIS and

mapping using QGIS

Speaker - Mr. Kumar Ranjan, WWF India


Afternoon Session - Landscape dynamics and mainstreaming

biodiversity in urban planning

Speaker - Dr. Ambika Sharma Associate Program Director, WWF


Evening Session Topic - Conservation of Wetlands and Wildlife Management. Speaker - Mr. Suresh Babu Director, Rivers, Wetlands, Water Policy, WWF

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Morning Session Topic - Bird Count Methods, Insights into Bird Identification and Ecology, Desert Birds Speaker - Mr Justus Joshua Director, Green Future Foundation


Afternoon Session - Avian Ecology, Climate Change and

Conservation of Biodiversity

Speaker - Dr. Girish Jathar, ENVIS Coordinator, BNHS

Day 7, 8, 9 - March 15th, 16th, 17th 2021 - Field Visit to Bharatpur

Full Day Sessions - Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur Guides - Mr. Aditya Singh Chauhan, Supervisor, Kamla Nehru Biodiversity Park - Mr. Nikhil John, Consultant, WWF India - Mr. Varun Dutta Gupta, WWF India


Morning Session Topic - Citizen Science, EBird Data Analytics and Use

of Statistics in Wildlife Conservation

Speaker - Dr. Ashwin Vishwanathan, Research Associate, Nature Conservation Foundation


Afternoon Session - Vulture Conservation and Advocacy

strategies at national and state level in India

Speaker - Ms. Rinkita Gurav Manager - Raptor Conservation, WWF India


Morning Session Topic - Spatial Ecology, Big Data, Biodiversity

Informatics and Wildlife Management

Speaker - Mr. Arpit Deomurari, Spatial Ecologist, Lead – WWF India

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Morning Session Topic - Techniques used for Bird Migration Studies in India Speaker - Dr. Raju Kasambe Associate Director, Education, BNHS


Evening Session Topic - Migration in Birds and revision of all topics.


Day 13 - March 22nd, 2021

Morning Session Topic - Educator Roleplay

Moderator - Mr. Akhil Sivadas, Course Coordinator and Consultant, WWF India

Day 13 - March 22nd, 2021

Evening Session Topic - Bird Adaptations

Speaker - Dr. Raju Kasambe Associate Director, Education, BNHS

Day 14 - March 23rd, 2021 - Valedictory Function

Chief Guest - Dr. Diwakar Sharma,

Director, Programme Management,

Monitoring and Evaluation, WWF-India

Key Note Address - Dr. Gopala Areendran,


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FIELD VISITS - 1. KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK, BHARATPUR (February 19 - 21, March 9 - 11 2021)

Few field visits were arranged to apply the concepts learnt in the theory classes. This visit

helped us to learn about the diverse variety of birds that are found in Keoladeo National Park.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park comprises from variety of habitats like grassland, woodland, shrubs,

and wetlands. These varieties of habitats are very much suitable for the resident as well as migratory

species to survive and for breeding. The Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park

formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan, India is a famous avifauna sanctuary

that sees (or saw) thousands of rare and highly endangered birds such as the Siberian Crane used to

came here during the winter season. Over 230 species of birds are known to have made the National

Park their home. It is also a major tourist centre with scores of ornithologists arriving here in the

hibernal season. It was declared a protected sanctuary in 1971. It is also a declared World Heritage

Site. After India's independence, the rulers of the princely states were allowed shooting rights until

1972. In 1982, grazing was banned in the park, leading to violent clashes between the local farmer and

Gujjar communities and the government.

This was the most important field visit throughout the course and this field visit helped us to

identify bird species by seeing them visually, which decreased the confusion about morphological

characteristics of the birds. The field visit was of 2 days in KNP for both batches. It has a perfect

environment and greater opportunities for someone who wants to do birding. The nature trail on first

day was about 15 kilometers. We divided into three groups and provided with binoculars & GPS

devices. We tried to identify the morphological characters and match with the bird's appearance.

There were some watch towers from where we could do point count of birds. We saw many birds

standing still under scorching sun, some trying to catch prey, some making calls, some doing activities

for mating strategies and many more. We walked and after seeing the birds in real life that we studied

made us feel pleased.

We got a chance to interact with Mr. Mohit Gupta, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) and RFO,

KNP Bharatpur. They shared about their experience and the features of KNP. We were told how the

park becomes flooded during monsoon and all dry during the harsh summers. We also learned about

the migratory pattern, that how the KNP is loaded with different migratory birds. We spotted around

120+ species of birds were observed and added on e-bird by our team. On completing the birding trail

we learnt about the beauty of nature and it made us realized the importance of Birds and their

significance for conservation. After completion of our first day trail, we all gathered at a place and

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shared the species we sighted. Thereafter, we combined the three checklists of each group. We

recorded about 117 species on day one. On the second day, the same teams did birding and recorded

the species that weren’t sighted on previous day. Meanwhile, we recorded the Ethogram separately

of 5 species, the duration is 15 - 20 minutes each. We had encountered 131 bird species combined in

two - day trail. As we know this park is famous for migratory birds from ages. We also encountered

with many of the migratory birds. Here is the description of few birds encountered.

SPECIES LIST QR CODE

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Species observed

No. Common

Name Scientific

Name Family Order Habitat

IUCN Status

Population Trend

1 Lesser Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna javanica

Anatidae Anseriformes A gregarious duck found in shallow water bodies with abundant vegetation.

Least Concern

Decreasing

2 Bar-headed Goose

Anser indicus Anatidae Anseriformes Breeds around lakes and marshes on highland plateaus; winters in lowland wetlands and fields

Least Concern

Decreasing

3 Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeata

Anatidae Anseriformes Forages by sifting through the water, often swimming in spirals in groups.

Least Concern

Decreasing

4 Ruddy Shelduck

Tadorna ferruginea

Anatidae Anseriformes Often found around saline lakes; also reservoirs and agricultural fields.

Least Concern

Unknown

5 Graylag Goose

Anser anser Anatidae Anseriformes Inhabits lakes, marshes, and wetlands, and even urban parks in parts of its European range

Least Concern

Increasing

6 Garganey Spatula querquedula

Anatidae Anseriformes Small and often rather unobtrusive duck of wetlands with reedy and other fringing vegetation

Least Concern

Decreasing

7 Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelope

Anatidae Anseriformes Typically in flocks on lakes and wetlands, often grazing in nearby fields.

Least Concern

Decreasing

8 Indian Spot-billed Duck

Anas poecilorhyncha

Anatidae Anseriformes

Often seen in small groups dabbling or tipping up in shallow water or walking on marshy land at the edge of freshwater lakes or in cultivated fields

Least Concern

Decreasing

9 Northern Pintail

Anas acuta Anatidae Anseriformes Forages in wetlands and in fields on agricultural waste grains.

Least Concern

Decreasing

10 Green-winged Teal

Anas crecca Anatidae Anseriformes

Forages by dabbling and tipping-up to reach submerged aquatic vegetation. Also regularly walks around mudflats to feed.

Least Concern

Increasing

11 Indian Peafowl

Pavo cristatus Phasianidae Galliformes

Found in forest, forest edge, and agricultural land. Often seen on paths or alertly feeding in the undergrowth.

Least Concern

Stable

12 Red-crested Pochard

Netta rufina Anatidae Anseriformes Feeds chiefly by diving; ocassionally by upending and head dipping

Least Concern

Unknown

13 Gray Francolin

Francolinus pondicerianus

Phasianidae Galliformes Occurs in open grassy areas such as dry grasslands, scrub, and agricultural land.

Least Concern

Stable

14 Common Pochard

Aythya ferina Anatidae Anseriformes Highly gregarious, often in flocks of several hundred.

Vulnerable Decreasing

15 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Podicipedidae

Podicipediformes

Lakes, ponds, village tanks, reservoirs, ditches, and slow moving rivers; rarely on coastal rivers.

Least Concern

Decreasing

16 Ferruginous Duck

Aythya nyroca Anatidae Anseriformes Inhabits lakes and marshes, usually with surrounding reeds.

Near Threatened

Decreasing

17 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)

Columba livia (Feral Pigeon)

Columbidae Columbiforme

s Feral varieties are common in cities and farmland, often in large flocks.

Least Concern

Decreasing

18 Eurasian Collared-Dove

Streptopelia decaocto


s Favors farms and suburbs; avoids areas with extensive forests.

Least Concern

Increasing

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19 Spotted Dove

Streptopelia chinensis


s

A common garden bird throughout much of Asia, found in open forests, fields, and parks

Least Concern

Increasing

20 Laughing Dove

Streptopelia senegalensis


s

Usually associated with human-modified landscapes, such as plantations, gardens, and urban areas as long as some trees are present.

Least Concern

Stable

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Yellow-footed Green- Pigeon

Treron phoenicopterus


s

Found in lowland forest and forest edge, as well as parks, gardens, and orchards; a common urban bird in much of its South Asian range

Least Concern

Increasing

22 Greater Coucal

Centropus sinensis

Cuculidae Cuculiformes Common across a range of habitats except very dense forests

Least Concern

Stable

23 Gray-headed Swamphen

Porphyrio poliocephalus

Rallidae Gruiformes

A common inhabitant of marshy, vegetated freshwater bodies such as swamps, rivers, and lakes; usually in small groups

Least Concern

Stable

24 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus

Cuculidae Cuculiformes keeping to the interior of dense trees in many habitats, even inner cities and fields.

Least Concern

Stable

25 Eurasian Coot

Fulica atra Rallidae Gruiformes

Common on lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving watercourses, in fresh and brackish marshes, and occasionally on saltwater.

Least Concern

Increasing

26 Common Hawk-Cuckoo

Hierococcyx varius

Cuculidae Cuculiformes Found in gardens, groves, and deciduous and semi- evergreen forests.

Least Concern

Stable

27 White-breasted Waterhen

Amaurornis phoenicurus

Rallidae Gruiformes

Medium-sized, fairly common chickenlike marsh bird found in meadows, ditches, riversides, marshes, as well as parks and farmlands in close proximity to humans; often seen foraging in the open

Least Concern

Unknown

28 Little Swift Apus affinis Apodidae Caprimulgifor

mes

Breeds both in natural cliff settings and in urban area where it nests on buildings.

Least Concern

Increasing

29 Eurasian Moorhen

Gallinula chloropus

Rallidae Gruiformes

Common in fresh and brackish marshes, on ponds, lakes, and along slow-moving watercourses with bordering vegetation

Least Concern

Increasing

30 Sarus Crane Antigone antigone

Gruidae Gruiformes Typically wades in shallow wetlands or in cropped agricultural areas.


31 Black-winged Stilt

Himantopus himantopus

Recurvirostridae

Charadriiformes

Favors wetlands with open shallow water, often brackish; breeds on bare ground near water, often in noisy colonies.

Least Concern

Increasing

32 White-tailed Lapwing

Vanellus leucurus

Charadriidae

Charadriiformes

Often seen in heavily vegetated wetlands.

Least Concern

Unknown

33 Red-wattled Lapwing

Vanellus indicus

Charadriidae

Charadriiformes

Usually found in small groups around water bodies, agricultural fields, and dry land.

Least Concern

Unknown

34 Greater Painted-Snipe

Rostratula benghalensis

Rostratulidae

Charadriiformes

A medium-sized, stunningly plumaged shorebird of grassy fields and marshes.

Least Concern

Decreasing

23

35 Pheasant-tailed Jacana

Hydrophasianus chirurgus

Jacanidae Charadriiform

es

An eye-catching waterbird found on lakes and ponds with extensive floating vegetation

Least Concern

Decreasing

36 Bronze-winged Jacana

Metopidius indicus

Jacanidae Charadriiform

es

Gangly inhabitant of well-vegetated wetlands, especially ponds and lakes with floating vegetation.

Least Concern

Unknown

37 River Tern Sterna aurantia

Laridae Charadriiform

es Favors freshwater sites, breeding on sandy islands.


38 Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinago

Scolopacidae

Charadriiformes

Fairly common in wetland habitats from damp meadows to saltmarshes

Least Concern

Decreasing

39 Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos

Scolopacidae

Charadriiformes

Found in a variety of wetland habitats; breeds on stony ground along rivers and lakeshores, with migrants occurring on muddy and rocky substrates from concrete canal banks to channels in tidal mudflats.

Least Concern

Decreasing

40 Painted Stork

Mycteria leucocephala

Ciconiidae Ciconiiformes Often seen near water bodies such as wetlands, marshes, and flooded agricultural fields.

Near Threatened

Decreasing

41 Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropus

Scolopacidae

Charadriiformes

Breeds in clearings and marshes in wet forest and woodland; migrants occur in fresh and brackish wetland habitats, especially on muddy shores of lakes and small ponds.

Least Concern

Increasing

42 Black-necked Stork

Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus

Ciconiidae Ciconiiformes Usually found singly or in pairs around tropical wetlands and ponds.

Near Threatened

Decreasing

43 Common Greenshank

Tringa nebularia

Scolopacidae

Charadriiformes

Breeds across northern Europe and Asia; migrants and wintering birds in Africa, southern Asia and Australia occur in varied wetland habitats.

Least Concern

Stable

44 Oriental Darter

Anhinga melanogaster

Anhingidae Suliformes Seen singly or in small groups in inland or coastal water bodies. Frequently soars

Near Threatened

Decreasing

45 Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareola

Scolopacidae

Charadriiformes

Migrants and wintering birds occur in varied wetland habitats, especially with grassy and other vegetation cover.

Least Concern

Stable

46 Little Cormorant

Microcarbo niger

Phalacrocoracidae

Suliformes Seen singly or in small groups in inland water bodies.

Least Concern

Unknown

47 Common Redshank

Tringa totanus Scolopacida

e Charadriiform

es

Inhabits fresh and coastal wetlands; also breeds on moorland, usually near water.

Least Concern

Unknown

48 Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Phalacrocoracidae

Suliformes Found in many types of water bodies, ranging from rivers to reservoirs to marine environments

Least Concern

Increasing

49 Indian Cormorant

Phalacrocorax fuscicollis

Phalacrocoracidae

Suliformes Seen in small groups, fishing communally in inland water bodies

Least Concern

Unknown

50 Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Ardeidae Pelecaniforme

s

Fairly common in wide variety of wetlands, at lakes, along rivers, and in estuaries - almost anywhere with small fish.

Least Concern

Increasing

51 Yellow Bittern

Ixobrychus sinensis


s Very small heron of marshy, well-vegetated water bodies.

Least Concern

Unknown

24

52 Intermediate Egret

Ardea intermedia


s

Like most egret species, associates with all types of water bodies including wet fields and usually flocks with other egrets.

Least Concern

Decreasing

53 Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis


s

Medium-sized heron of forested and vegetated wetlands, ponds, and lakes

Least Concern

Decreasing

54 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Ardeidae Pelecaniforme

s

More frequently seen in dry habitats than other egrets; rarely gets its feet wet.

Least Concern

Increasing

55 Gray Heron Ardea cinerea Ardeidae Pelecaniforme

s

Generally quite common and conspicuous in wetland habitats from marshes and tidal flats to small ponds, ditches, and wet fields; nests colonially in tall trees.

Least Concern

Unknown

56 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea


s Favors fresh marshes with tall reeds and other vegetation.

Least Concern

Decreasing

57 Indian Pond-Heron

Ardeola grayii Ardeidae Pelecaniforme

s

A small heron that is common in most aquatic habitats across the Indian subcontinent.

Least Concern

Unknown

58 Great Egret Ardea alba Ardeidae Pelecaniforme

s

Occurs in any shallow wetland, including ponds, marshes, and tidal mudflats.

Least Concern

Unknown

59 Black-crowned Night- Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax


s

Often crouched under overhanging branches during the day. Feeds nocturnally for fish, frogs and other prey.

Least Concern

Decreasing

60 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Threskiornithidae

Pelecaniformes

Usually gregarious, it is found mainly in salty marshes and shallow wetlands.

Least Concern

Increasing

61 Black-headed Ibis

Threskiornis melanocephalus

Threskiornithidae

Pelecaniformes

Found primarily around wetlands including agricultural fields and occasionally around coastal areas, but also seen foraging in dry fields and human-modified landscapes.

Near Threatened

Decreasing

62 Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodia

Threskiornithidae

Pelecaniformes

Found in wetlands with shallow water (including tidal flats)

Least Concern

Unknown

63 Black-winged Kite

Elanus caeruleus

Accipitridae Accipitriforme

s

Found in open savannah, semi-desert, and agricultural lands with scattered woods; frequently seen on exposed perches.

Least Concern

Stable

64 Crested Serpent-Eagle

Spilornis cheela


s Commonly seen perched upright in well-wooded areas

Least Concern

Stable

65 Greater Spotted Eagle

Clanga clanga Accipitridae Accipitriforme

s

Frequents humanmade habitats more often in winter, such as lakes, rubbish dumps, and reservoirs.

Endangered Decreasing

66 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus


s

Found in forested country with open patches, often in hilly areas where it frequently soars with wings slightly pushed forward

Least Concern

Unknown

67 Indian Scops-Owl

Otus bakkamoena

Strigidae Strigiformes Inhabits forests, forest edges, parks, and gardens from lowlands up into foothill and montane regions.

Least Concern

Stable

25

68 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis


s

Frequents open grasslands, deserts, scrub, wetlands, and mountains, and is a regular carcass feeder along with vultures.


69 Dusky Eagle-Owl

Bubo coromandus

Strigidae Strigiformes Perches in tall trees, usually near a water body, where it waits for birds and mammals to pounce upon.

Least Concern

Decreasing

70 Imperial Eagle

Aquila heliaca Accipitridae Accipitriforme

s

Uncommon, breeding in forested areas intermixed with steppes and agricultural areas, where often seen perched on pylons.

Least Concern

Increasing

71 Eurasian Hoopoe

Upupa epops Upupidae Bucerotiform

es

Favors semiopen habitats such as heathland, farmland, orchards, grassy lawns, where it feeds on the ground, probing with its long bill for insects.

Least Concern

Decreasing

72 Eurasian Marsh-Harrier

Circus aeruginosus


s

Gangly raptor with long wings and tail; local in marshes and wetlands with extensive reed beds.

Least Concern

Increasing

73 Spotted Owlet

Athene brama Strigidae Strigiformes Inhabits all kinds of open habitats but avoids dense forest and wetter regions.

Least Concern

Stable

74 Shikra Accipiter badius


s

It hunts for a wide variety of prey in woodland, savannah, and even suburban gardens, dashing out from perches within vegetation to grab its prey.

Least Concern

Stable

75 Indian Gray Hornbill

Ocyceros birostris

Bucerotidae Bucerotiform

es

Prefers open woodlands, plantations, gardens, and parks in cities where it feeds on large, fruiting trees.

Least Concern

Stable

76 Black Kite Milvus migrans


s

Commonly found in urban areas, rubbish dumps, aquatic habitats, grassland, but usually avoids heavily forested areas.

Least Concern

Unknown

77 Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis Alcedinidae Coraciiformes Found along rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds— almost any fresh or brackish habitat with small fish.

Least Concern

Stable

78 White-throated Kingfisher

Halcyon smyrnensis

Alcedinidae Coraciiformes

Common both near and away from water; frequently seen perched on fence posts and telephone lines near wetlands, lakes, agricultural fields, and clearings

Least Concern

Unknown

79 Pied Kingfisher

Ceryle rudis Alcedinidae Coraciiformes Inhabits a wide range of waterside habitats, from lakes to estuaries to mangroves.

Least Concern

Unknown

80 Green Bee-eater

Merops orientalis

Meropidae Coraciiformes Common in open woodlands, fields, farmlands, and around sparse human habitation.

Least Concern

Increasing

81 Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis

Coraciidae Coraciiformes

Prefers open areas, including agricultural landscapes, sitting on exposed perches including electric wires, occasionally pumping its tail slowly.

Least Concern

Increasing

26

82 Coppersmith Barbet

Psilopogon haemacephalus

Megalaimidae

Piciformes

Favors open woodlands, forest edge, and gardens in lowland and foothill areas; ranges up into higher elevations in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Least Concern

Increasing

83 Long-tailed Shrike

Lanius schach Laniidae Passeriformes A large, noisy shrike typical of open habitats across Asia.

Least Concern

Unknown

84 Brown-headed Barbet

Psilopogon zeylanicus

Megalaimidae

Piciformes

Generally prefers drier woodlands compared to White-cheeked Barbet though they co-occur in many localities.

Least Concern

Stable

85 Rufous Treepie

Dendrocitta vagabunda

Corvidae Passeriformes

Found in a wide range of habitats from woodlands to scrubby patches, singly or in pairs feeding in the treetops.

Least Concern

Decreasing

86 Black-rumped Flameback

Dinopium benghalense

Picidae Piciformes

Associated with every lowland wooded habitat except dense tropical forest, it often follows degradation into higher elevations.

Least Concern

Stable

87 House Crow Corvus splendens

Corvidae Passeriformes Found in a wide range of habitats mostly around human habitation.

Least Concern

Stable

88 Eurasian Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

Falconidae Falconiformes

Fairly common in open and lightly wooded country, farmland, heathland; often seen over rough grassland beside roads and at airports.

Threatened Decreasing

89 Large-billed Crow

Corvus macrorhynchos

Corvidae Passeriformes

Occurs in a wide range of habitats including woodlands, urban landscapes, agricultural fields, and open scrub forests.

Near Threatened

Stable

90 Rose-ringed Parakeet

Psittacula krameri

Psittaculidae

Psittaciformes

Vibrantly bright green parakeet, frequently found in woodland, parks, gardens, where feeds mainly in trees.

Least Concern

Increasing

91 Gray-headed Canary- Flycatcher

Culicicapa ceylonensis

Stenostiridae

Passeriformes An unmistakable, dainty woodland flycatcher with a slightly peaked head shape.

Least Concern

Stable

92 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus

Dicruridae Passeriformes

An adaptable songbird of open areas such as farmland, forest edge, meadows, wetlands, and fields and a common sight as a familiar dark silhouette perched on wires, fences, or snags.

Least Concern

Unknown

93 Common Tailorbird

Orthotomus sutorius

Cisticolidae Passeriformes A ubiquitous inhabitant of parks, gardens, and wooded areas across South and Southeast Asia.

Least Concern

Stable

94 Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis Cisticolidae Passeriformes A common prinia that is likely to occur in all habitats except for woodlands with a thick canopy.

Least Concern

Stable

95 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata Cisticolidae Passeriformes Common in various habitats, especially farms and wetlands, but avoids woodlands with a canopy.

Least Concern

Stable

96 Common Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybita

Phylloscopidae

Passeriformes A very plain leaf warbler found in a variety of wooded and scrubby habitats, often near water.

Least Concern

Increasing

97 Zitting Cisticola

Cisticola juncidis

Cisticolidae Passeriformes Found in open grasslands, meadows, and agricultural areas.

Least Concern

Increasing

27

98 Lesser Whitethroat

Sylvia curruca Sylviidae Passeriformes Found in scrubby habitats, especially dense hedges with thorny bushes and trees.

Least Concern

Stable

99 Blyth's Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus dumetorum

Acrocephalidae

Passeriformes Found in forest edges, bushes, marsh edges, and parks, but not particularly associated with water.

Least Concern

Decreasing

100 Common Babbler

Turdoides caudata

Leiothrichidae

Passeriformes A bird of scrubby plains, open forests, forest edges, and overgrown cultivation.

Least Concern

Unknown

101 Large Gray Babbler

Turdoides malcolmi

Leiothrichidae

Passeriformes Favors scrubby areas, forest edge, and open dry forests.

Least Concern

Stable

102 Red-vented Bulbul

Pycnonotus cafer

Pycnonotidae

Passeriformes

Conspicuous and sometimes gregarious, often seen high in trees or perched on wires in urban and rural areas; generally prefers scrubby edge habitat instead of dense forest.

Least Concern

Increasing

103 Jungle Babbler

Turdoides striata

Leiothrichidae

Passeriformes They are often seen in noisy flocks hopping on the ground and flicking litter in search of food.

Least Concern

Stable

104 White-eared Bulbul

Pycnonotus leucotis

Pycnonotidae

Passeriformes

A lowland species of dry forests, scrub, forest edge, parks, and gardens; can be quite common in cities and towns in parts of its range.

Least Concern

Decreasing

105 Asian Pied Starling

Gracupica contra

Sturnidae Passeriformes

Seen in loose flocks close to human habitation feeding on human refuse. Garbage dumps, damp grazing lands, and well watered parks are its favoured haunts.

Least Concern

Unknown

106 Siberian Stonechat

Saxicola maurus

Muscicapidae

Passeriformes Chunky little bird of open landscapes; often sits on exposed perches.

Least Concern

Stable

107 Brahminy Starling

Sturnia pagodarum

Sturnidae Passeriformes

Often seen in small family groups, feeding on fruits and nectar as well as insects on the ground or in the trees.

Least Concern

Unknown

108 Pied Bushchat

Saxicola caprata

Muscicapidae

Passeriformes A sedentary “chat” associated with open habitats in tropical and subtropical Asia.

Least Concern

Unknown

109 Common Myna

Acridotheres tristis

Sturnidae Passeriformes Can be found just about anywhere but the densest forests.

Least Concern

Increasing

110 Purple Sunbird

Cinnyris asiaticus

Nectariniidae

Passeriformes They are found in gardens, cultivated areas, and forests.

Least Concern

Stable

111 Orange-headed Thrush

Geokichla citrina

Turdidae Passeriformes ops about foraging in the leaf litter in forested areas, often in wet gullies and ravines.

Least Concern

Decreasing

112 Red Avadavat

Amandava amandava

Estrildidae Passeriformes

Found in grassy areas close to water and often near human habitation, particularly areas with wet rice paddies.

Least Concern

Stable

113 Indian Robin Copsychus fulicatus

Muscicapidae

Passeriformes Found in open country, at forest edges, around human habitation, and in scrub lands.

Least Concern

Stable

114 Indian Silverbill

Euodice malabarica

Estrildidae Passeriformes Found in semidesert, scrub, and dry woodland but also proliferates in urban areas.

Least Concern

Stable

28

115 Oriental Magpie-Robin

Copsychus saularis

Muscicapidae

Passeriformes These birds are often seen in cultivated areas, open woodlands, and gardens.

Least Concern

Decreasing

116 House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Passeridae Passeriformes

Widespread and abundant in cities, neighborhoods and farms. Avoids dense woods. Flocks cluster in dense bushes

Least Concern

Decreasing

117 Bluethroat Luscinia svecica

Muscicapidae

Passeriformes

Typically found in scrubby, brushy habitat, often in edge areas: reedbeds, overgrown fields, and thickets.

Least Concern

Stable

118 Yellow-throated Sparrow

Gymnoris xanthocollis

Passeridae Passeriformes Inhabits light forests, scrub jungles, villages, and cultivated areas.

Least Concern

Stable

119 Red-breasted Flycatcher

Ficedula parva Muscicapida

e Passeriformes

Breeds in mature deciduous mixed forest, winters in forest, woodland and parks.

Least Concern

Increasing

120 Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Motacillidae Passeriformes

Fairly common by flowing water with nearby rocks or surrogate rocky habitat, from mountain streams to weirs in suburban parkland.

Least Concern

Stable

121 Black Redstart

Phoenicurus ochruros

Muscicapidae

Passeriformes Occupies varied open habitats, often but not always with a rocky component.

Least Concern

Increasing

122 Western Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flava Motacillidae Passeriformes Widespread wagtail, favoring wet meadows, marshland, grassy and muddy lakeshores.

Threatened Decreasing

123 Citrine Wagtail

Motacilla citreola

Motacillidae Passeriformes Widespread and fairly common over much of Asia

Threatened Increasing

124 Gadwall Mareca strepera

Anatidae Anseriformes

Typically found in pairs or small flocks in shallow wetlands, ponds, or bays, sometimes mixed with other species of ducks.

Least Concern

Increasing

125 Ruddy-breasted Crake

Zapornia fusca Rallidae Gruiformes

Small, chickenlike inhabitant of marshes, vegetated river edges, ditches, wet croplands, sometimes dry fields.

Least Concern

Decreasing

126 Indian Thick-knee

Burhinus indicus

Burhinidae Charadriiform

es Favors dry areas, including fields, thorn forest, and dry riverbeds.

Least Concern

Decreasing

127 Woolly-necked Stork

Ciconia episcopus

Ciconiidae Ciconiiformes

Individuals and small groups forage in rivers, shallow wetland margins, urban grassy areas, and flooded grasslands for insects and small vertebrates.

Near Threatened

Decreasing

128 Striated Heron

Butorides striata


s

Normally solitary, found standing quietly around wetland habitats such as marshes, agricultural fields, rivers, and lakes.

Least Concern

Decreasing

129 Egyptian Vulture

Neophron percnopterus


s

An inhabitant of open or semi open areas, nesting on cliffs and less frequently in trees.


130 Hume's Warbler

Phylloscopus humei

Phylloscopidae

Passeriformes Least

Concern Stable

131 Clamorous Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus stentoreus

Acrocephalidae

Passeriformes Least

concern Stable

29

2. OKHLA BIRD SANCTUARY (February 17th 2021)

A field visit was organised to Okhla Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh on 17th February 2021

with an objective to identify, observe and understand the behaviour as well as habitat preferences of

birds and to understand the practical applications of geospatial techniques by collecting spatial data

on the field. The Okhla Bird Sanctuary (OBS) is roughly 4 square kilometres in area and is situated at

the entrance to Noida in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated at a point where

river Yamuna enters into the state of Uttar Pradesh leaving the National Capital Territory of Delhi. So

rich is this stretch of the river in avian diversity that it qualifies as an Important Bird Area (IBA). It is

one among 15 bird sanctuaries in the state. The bird species of thorny scrub, grassland and wetland

are seen in the sanctuary due to its unique positioning. This wetland was formed due to the creation

of Okhla Barrage. The Uttar Pradesh Government notified this as a sanctuary in the year 1990. It is

now one of the 466 IBAs in India.

We carried GPS devices to mark the waypoints in the trail where individual bird species were

spotted and we also traced our track. We were amazed to watch a huge population of migratory

wetland bird species. Different sampling methods, ethics of bird watching and various techniques of

bird watching was discussed during this field study. A session on nest making and fun filled learning

activities was conducted by Mr. Rakesh Khatri (Eco Roots Foundation). The session mainly focused on,

“How to be an engaging Educator”. Interaction with him was very engaging as he conducted the

session in a very friendly manner and it was very informative.

30

Species observed

No. Scientific Name Common Name IUCN Status Longitude Latitude

Accipitriformes

1 Circus aeruginosus Eurasian Marsh Harrier Least concern 77.319405 28.55434

2 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle Least concern 77.31918 28.55381

3 Milvus migrans Black Kite Least concern 77.31918 28.55381

Anseriformes

4 Anas acuta Northern Pintail Least concern 77.318985 28.553406

5 Anas crecca Green winged teal Least concern 77.31855 28.556751

6 Anas poecilorhyncha Indian Spot billed duck Least concern 77.31385 28.56299

7 Aythya ferina Common Pochard Vulnerable 77.319178 28.553891

8 Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck Least concern 77.31853 28.552064

9 Mareca penelope Eurasian Wigeon Least concern 77.31918 28.55381

10 Mareca strepera Gadwal Least concern 77.31879 28.552906

11 Spatula clypeata Northern shoveller Least concern 77.31847 28.55176

12 Spatula querquedula Garganey Least concern 77.31308 28.564175

31

Charadriiformes

13 Vanellus indicus Red Wattled Lapwing Least concern 77.31561 28.560682

14 Chroicocephalus ridibundus Black-headed Gull Least concern 77.31879 28.552906

15 Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus Palla's Gull Least concern 77.318985 28.553406

16 Himantopus himantopus Black-winged stilt Least concern 77.313774 28.563204

17 Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper Least concern 77.31965 28.554945

Ciconiiformes

18 Anastomus oscitans Asian Openbill Least concern 77.318985 28.553406

19 Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Black-necked Stork Near threatened

77.319664 28.554937

20 Mycteria leucocephala Painted Stork Near threatened

77.31385 28.56299

Columbiformes

21 Columba livia Rock Pigeon Least concern 77.31215 28.565353

22 Streptopelia chinensis Spotted Dove Least concern 77.318985 28.553406

23 Streptopelia decaocto Eurasian collared dove Least concern 77.31938 28.554201

24 Streptopelia senegalensis Laughing Dove Least concern 77.31918 28.55381

25 Treron phoenicopterus Yellow-footed Green Pigeon

Least concern 77.319189 28.553904

Coraciiformes

26 Halcyon smyrnensis White-throated Kingfisher Least concern 77.31215 28.565353

27 Centropus sinensis Greater Coucal Least concern 77.31308 28.564175

Falconiformes

28 Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon Least concern 77.30861 28.570227

Galliformes

29 Francolinus pondicerianus Gray Francolin Least concern 77.30865 28.570127

Gruiformes

30 Fulica atra Eurasian coot Least concern 77.318788 28.552688

31 Porphyrio poliocephalus Gray-headed Swamphen Least concern 77.30874 28.570091

32 Porphyrio porphyrio Eurasian moorhen Least concern 77.318695 28.552322

Passeriformes

33 Iduna caligata Booted warbler Least concern 77.31853 28.552064

34 Cisticola juncidis Zitting Cisticola Least concern 77.318985 28.553406

35 Orthotomus sutorius Common Tailorbird Least concern 77.318985 28.553406

36 Prinia socialis Ashy Prinia Least concern 77.31308 28.564175

37 Dendrocitta vagabunda Rufous Treepie Least concern 77.319189 28.553904

38 Dicrurus macrocercus Black Drongo Least concern 77.318695 28.552322

39 Turdoides striata Jungle Babbler Least concern 77.318727 28.552458

40 Copsychus saularis Oriental Magpie Robin Least concern 77.317443 28.558245

32

41 Luscinia svecica Bluethroat Least concern 77.319606 28.555364

42 Cinnyris asiaticus Purple Sunbird Least concern 77.30811 28.570866

43 Phylloscopus collybita Common Chiff Chaff Least concern 77.31928 28.553963

44 Phylloscopus trochiloides Greenish Warbler Least concern 77.31308 28.564175

45 Pycnonotus cafer Red-vented Bulbul Least concern 77.319189 28.553904

46 Sylvia curruca Lesser Whitethroat Least concern 77.31929 28.553997

47 Zosterops palpebrosus Indian White- eye Least concern 77.318985 28.553406

Pelecaniformes

48 Ardea alba Great Egret Least concern 77.31853 28.552064

49 Ardea cinerea Gray Heron Least concern 77.31032 28.567877

50 Ardea purpurea Purple heron Least concern 77.31105 28.566801

51 Ardeola grayii Indian pond heron Least concern 77.30865 28.570127

52 Butorides striata Striated heron Least concern 77.318375 28.557034

53 Nycticorax nycticox Black crowned night heron Least concern 77.318446 28.556933

54 Pelecanus onocrotalus Great White Pelican Least concern 77.30905 28.569517

55 Platalea leucorodia Eurasian Spoonbill Least concern 77.30852 28.570255

56 Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis Least concern 77.3171 28.558666

57 Threskiornis melanocephalus

Black headed ibis Near threatened

77.30852 28.570255

Phoenicopteriformes

58 Phoenicopterus roseus Greater Flamingo Least concern 77.319414 28.554433

Piciformes

59 Psilopogon haemacephalus Coppersmith barbet Least concern 77.316708 28.559285

60 Psilopogon zeylanicus Brown-headed Barbet Least concern 77.31625 28.5599

Podicipediformes

61 Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe Least concern 77.318962 28.553457

Psittaciformes

62 Psittacula eupatria Alexandrine Parakeet Least concern 77.317443 28.558245

63 Psittacula krameri Rose-ringed Parakeet Least concern 77.319189 28.553904

Strigiformes

64 Otus bakkamoena Indian Scops owl Least concern 77.317443 28.558245

Suliformes

65 Anhinga melanogaster Oriental darter Near threatened

77.31847 28.55176

66 Microcarbo niger Little Cormorant Least concern 77.318985 28.553303

67 Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant Least concern 77.31928 28.553963

68 Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Indian Cormorant Least concern 77.3171 28.558666

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3. LODHI GARDEN, NEW DELHI (February 15 and March 12 2021)

This was the field visit arranged to apply the concepts learnt in the theory classes. As part of

this and as the first introduction to field skills and ground truthing, a half day trail was arranged on

Feb 15, Monday to the Lodhi garden, New Delhi. This location is a city park which is generally visited

by many local residents for recreation, spread over 90 acres and protected by the Archaeological

Survey of India (ASI). This park is a mosaic of different habitats like Woodlands (having large dense

tree cover), Grassland (were grasses are dominating) and Aquatic (artificial ponds).

We were a team of 30 students with three guides (Mr. Aditya Singh Chauhan, Mr. Akhil Sivadas

and Ms. Nitu Singh), they divided the team into two groups and we did birding for around two hours.

Before starting our birding, organizers briefed about the birding methods using citizen science

platforms like e-bird, merlin, GPS essential, note cam etc. At the end we documented about 27 bird

species, including different birds categorized as least concern, near threatened or threatened as per

IUCN. We used cameras for documenting, binoculars for clear observation, GARMIN GPS locator for

locating and tracking waypoints.

We observed few activities of fauna, such as -

• Mating of a pair of Rose Ringed Parakeets on a branch of Azadirachta indica.

• Rose Ringed Parakeets coming out of its nest.

• Pollination of flowering plants by bees.

• A juvenile male Peafowl showing territorial display.

• Large group of parakeets and blue rock pigeons feeding on grains provided by visitors is one of the activities not recommended for wild life.

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OUTCOMES

Major outcomes that demonstrate what students learnt are -

Educator roleplays where each student (27) tried to educate others about a bird species of their choice

(27 different species), posters and ethograms that show the bird identification skills and behaviour

study techniques they understood, observed and applied during their field work.

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Ethogram of Bronze Winged Jacana

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Ethogram of Eurasian Coot

TABLE: ETHOGRAM OF COOT AT KNP, BHARATPUR, RAJASTHAN

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Ethogram of Glossy Ibis

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Ethogram of Spotted Owlet

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Ethogram of Lesser Golden backed Woodpecker

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THANK YOU

WWF India - ENVIS team expresses our gratitude towards the Ministry of Environment, Forest and

Climate Change for their support in conducting this course despite the challenging circumstances.

We thank Dr. Ravi Singh (CEO and Secretary General, WWF India) and Dr. Sejal Worah, Programme

Director, WWF India for making this possible and being there for us whenever we needed their

guidance. The knowledge shared by our inhouse experts gave life to the course curriculum and we

cannot thank you enough for your time. Special thanks to the IT division for their logistical support.

A wide range of experts in the field of ornithology and bird identification joined us from different

organisations and institutions around the country to share their experience and expertise in this field

and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.

This was a great learning curve for us and our students were the most integral part of this experience.

Their support in successfully coordinating and organising this course is deeply appreciated.

Citations

Ethogram : Simran Gehalot, Hirwanshee, Sakshi, Prasad and Chandan Kumar

Images : Black Bittern: Kaustubh Shrikanth, Sarus Crane, Yellow Bittern, Woolly Necked Stork Bar Headed Goose: Amit Kumar Chaudhary, Crested Serpent Eagle: Rishabh Rawat, Grey Francolin: Rakesh Modala

CERTIFICATE COURSE ON BIRD IDENTIFICATION AND BASIC ...

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