Red Billed Sterling sighted at Waithou Pat
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 15 2020: For the first time in the entire Indian sub-continent, the endangered Red Billed Sterling found in Eastern China, was photographed in Manipur by Wildlife Explorers Manipur and the Forest Department at Waithou Pat on February 13 .

The rare bird was spotted during a bird counting survey conducted by Divisional Forest Officer, Thoubal and Wildlife Explorers Manipur at some areas under Thoubal district namely Waithoupat, Kharung Pat and Ikop Pat.

Red Billed Sterling sighted at Waithou Pat

Speaking to The Sangai Express, president of Wildlife Explorers Manipur, Brajesh Khoiyumthem said that to verify the bird, details were sent to the Indian Bird Conservation Network and it was confirmed that this was indeed the first sighting of the bird in the Indian sub-continent.

Informing that members of Wildlife Explorers Mani-pur RK Jotin, E Premjit, Dhanabir Oinam, Harmen Ningthouja, Jogmani Sharma and RK Robindro were involved in the bird count survey, the president said that he and RK Jotin were able to photograph the elusive bird.

Stating that numerous research can be conducted in Manipur with regard to wildlife, Brajesh opined that proper research will eventually unearth many new information about wildlife which earlier research works were not able to uncover.

Expressing delight on behalf of Wildlife Explorers Manipur for recording the first sighting of the bird, Brajesh narrated that the association has always collaborated in undertaking bird count/survey apart from organising various awareness programmes regarding wildlife conser- vation.

When the team, in collaboration with the Forest Department, conducted the survey at Ikop Pat and Kharung Pat, it was able to learn many new things about the waterbodies.

Darters were spotted after many years at Ikop Pat while Glossy Ibis and Black Headed Ibis were also seen at Kharung Pat.

During the survey, 32 bird species were identified at Kharung Pat and 21 were identified at Ikop Pat, he added.

Speaking to the paper, RK Jotin said that he has been a wildlife photographer for around 10 years and added that he is quite thrilled that his photo of the Red Billed Sterling is the first in the Indian sub-continent.

Environmentalist Dr Kh Shamungou conveyed that there are no past records of the bird in Manipur and it is indeed significant that the bird, native to East China, has been recorded in Manipur.

It may be mentioned that similar bird count survey was also carried out at Lamphelpat and Yaral Pat.

On the other hand, out of the Amur Falcons which were tagged with satellite radio transmitters for studying their migratory routes, Chiyulon is currently in South Africa while Barak and Irang are at Botswana and Zimbawe respectively.

The birds will most probably leave southern Africa by April this year.