In a bird count conducted at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mumbai, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has found three new species — the Indian Roller, Mongolian Short-toed Lark, and Eurasian Hobby.
The BNHS is documenting the Avian Diversity of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (Mumbai).
In the Bird Count conducted at the SGNP and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, the BNHS team recorded 101 bird species.
“Our endeavour reaffirmed the two sanctuaries' status as avian paradises. We found three new species-- the Indian Roller, Mongolian Short-toed Lark, and Eurasian Hobby – during our bird count”, a BNHS spokesperson said.
“These new discoveries now join the esteemed company of 219 other recorded avian species in the region, enriching the sanctuaries' ecological heritage,” a BNHS spokesperson added.
The Bird Count was conducted and coordinated by Dr Raju Kasambe, Assistant Director Conservation and Asif Khan from the Programmes Department, at 12 different sites in SGNP and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.
The SGNP has been monitoring birds in Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary since February 2021, through a citizen science programme called the “SGNP Bird Monitoring Programme or SGNP Bird Count” for short.Under this programme, BNHS conducts a Bird Count every month at various locations of the SGNP and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. The count takes place every month with the help of BNHS Members, bird watchers and other volunteers