Tamenglong: For the first-time ever in Manipur, experts conducted a census survey on Amur Falcons at Tamenglong’s Chiuluan village and recorded approximate number of the long-distance migratory birds currently roosting is 1,41,274.
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The survey was carried out by 11 members of Wildlife Explorers Manipur (WEM), an animal lovers’ group in the state, with assistance by volunteers of the Rainforest Club Tamenglong (RCT) and forest staff by using gadgets like drones, Global Positioning System (GPS) devises, telephoto cameras, etc.
The census exercise took place at Chiuluan village, about 160 km from Imphal and one of the seven roosting sites of the long-distance migratory birds in the Zeliangrong-Naga dominated district.
The other five roosting sites are Guangram, Bhalok, Matung, Puching, Punglam and Duigailong.
According to WEM president Khoyumthem Brajesh Kumar, the falcons’ roosting site at Chiuluan is located in bamboo forest near the banks of Barak river.
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He also stated that the objectives of the survey for population estimation of Amur falcons was to estimate the number of the birds roosting in Chiuluan village area as a pilot project so that a complete census of Amur falcon population for the district could be taken in the future.
Prior to the census exercise, the team members also trained 15 volunteers of RCT on handling of GPS and other devices on November 7 and the following day conducted a drill census survey on the site.
“Our team will be the first in India carried out the census survey on Amur falcons with a result,” said Brajesh.
For the last 10 years, according to him, his team has involved in bird counting and other ecological survey including wetlands.
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Locally known as Akhoipuina or Kahoipuina in the Rongmei dialect, Amur falcons have landed in Manipur, mostly in Tamenglong and neighboring Nagaland in mid-October from their breeding locations in South Eastern Siberia and Northern China.
After roosting for about a month, this migratory birds will fly towards the Southern and Eastern parts of Africa and flock for a short time before moving towards their breeding grounds.
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Amandeep, divisional forest officer, Tamenglong also informed that they are planning to take up the same exercise at other roosting sites in the district next year following the successful survey conducted this year.
We are also planning to tag two Amur falcons by next year with the help of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) which he said will enhance the understanding about their migratory pattern, he informed.
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