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Heronries of Mathura District, western Uttar Pradesh, India Rajneesh Dwevedi, Sandeep K. Singh & Vinoy Krishna Dwevedi, R., Singh, S. K., & Krishna, V., 2014. Heronries of Mathura District, western Uttar Pradesh, India. Indian BIRDS 9 (4): 93–95. Rajneesh Dwevedi, Department of Life Sciences, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110002, India. Email: [email protected] [RD] Sandeep K. Singh, Department of Zoology, Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India. [SKS] Vinoy Krishna, Department of Life Sciences, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110002, India. [VK] Manuscript received on 27 February 2014. Abstract Five heronries were identified in Mathura district, U.P., India. Govardhan is a lost heronry, while there is lack of information on Mathura-Tangalle. Khanpur, Chhata and Mathura Oil Refinery are active heronries, each supporting more than five breeding species. Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, and Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus are the species of conservation importance. Keoladeo National Park is a closely located large heronry and is possibly the source population in fluctuating season for the heronries of Mathura. There has been a lack of systematic surveys in the region; however, recent findings of heronries in the region are a good sign for further exploration. Mathura is undergoing rapid urbanisation that threatens the existence of heronries. Heronries of Mathura need long-term scientific monitoring and local participation to achieve objectives of conservation. Fig. 1. Heronries of Mathura, India. Introduction Wetlands in an agriculture-dominated landscape are known to support high bird diversity (Sundar & Subramanya 2010; Sundar 2011). Besides supporting bird populations these wetlands also provide ecosystem services in the form of cattle grazing, harvest of multiple wetland products (e.g., reeds, fish, silt, etc.), and water for agricultural and domestic purposes (Sundar & Kittur 2013). These wetlands support non-breeding as well as breeding populations of waterbirds, including those that form heronries, such as Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans, and Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus (Dwevedi & Urfi 2011). Heronry birds are flagship species and good indicators of the health of the wetland ecosystem (Kushlan 1993; Frederick et al. 2009). Monitoring of heronry birds, hence, is useful in understanding the impact of pollution on the wetlands of agriculture-dominated landscapes, and patterns of climate (Urfi 2010, 2011). Mathura district has an agriculture dominated landscape, and is known to have heronries in the past (Subramanya 1996), but there has never been a systematic survey for heronries in the region. In this paper we review the current status of heronries based on past and recent studies. Study area & methodology Mathura (27°41’N, 77°41’E) is situated in the semi-arid region of western Uttar Pradesh (Fig 1). It is located on the banks of River Yamuna. Heronries, reported till date, from this region, were visited to examine whether they still held active breeding bird populations. Heronries were located with the help of description provided in the literature. If the location was not clear from literature, local people were asked about the presence of any heronries in the region. All such heronries were visited between October 2013 and January 2014. Based on the response of local people, heronries were classified either as lost, or active. A heronry was DWEVEDI ET AL.: Heronries of Mathura District 93
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Heronries of Mathura District, western Uttar Pradesh, IndiaRajneesh Dwevedi, Sandeep K. Singh & Vinoy Krishna

Dwevedi, R., Singh, S. K., & Krishna, V., 2014. Heronries of Mathura District, western Uttar Pradesh, India. Indian BIRDS 9 (4): 93–95.Rajneesh Dwevedi, Department of Life Sciences, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110002, India. Email: [email protected] [RD]Sandeep K. Singh, Department of Zoology, Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India. [SKS]Vinoy Krishna, Department of Life Sciences, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110002, India. [VK]Manuscript received on 27 February 2014.

AbstractFive heronries were identified in Mathura district, U.P., India. Govardhan is a lost heronry, while there is lack of information on Mathura-Tangalle. Khanpur, Chhata and Mathura Oil Refinery are active heronries, each supporting more than five breeding species. Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, and Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus are the species of conservation importance. Keoladeo National Park is a closely located large heronry and is possibly the source population in fluctuating season for the heronries of Mathura. There has been a lack of systematic surveys in the region; however, recent findings of heronries in the region are a good sign for further exploration. Mathura is undergoing rapid urbanisation that threatens the existence of heronries. Heronries of Mathura need long-term scientific monitoring and local participation to achieve objectives of conservation.

Fig. 1. Heronries of Mathura, India.

IntroductionWetlands in an agriculture-dominated landscape are known to support high bird diversity (Sundar & Subramanya 2010; Sundar 2011). Besides supporting bird populations these wetlands also provide ecosystem services in the form of cattle grazing, harvest of multiple wetland products (e.g., reeds, fish, silt, etc.), and water for agricultural and domestic purposes (Sundar & Kittur 2013). These wetlands support non-breeding as well as breeding populations of waterbirds, including those that form heronries, such as Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans, and Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus (Dwevedi & Urfi 2011). Heronry birds are flagship species and good indicators of the health of the wetland ecosystem (Kushlan 1993; Frederick et al. 2009). Monitoring of heronry birds, hence, is useful in understanding the impact of pollution on the wetlands of agriculture-dominated landscapes, and patterns of climate (Urfi 2010, 2011).

Mathura district has an agriculture dominated landscape, and is known to have heronries in the past (Subramanya 1996), but there has never been a systematic survey for heronries in the region. In this paper we review the current status of heronries based on past and recent studies.

Study area & methodologyMathura (27°41’N, 77°41’E) is situated in the semi-arid region of western Uttar Pradesh (Fig 1). It is located on the banks of River Yamuna. Heronries, reported till date, from this region, were visited to examine whether they still held active breeding bird populations.

Heronries were located with the help of description provided in the literature. If the location was not clear from literature, local people were asked about the presence of any heronries in the region. All such heronries were visited between October 2013 and January 2014. Based on the response of local people, heronries were classified either as lost, or active. A heronry was

DweveDi et al.: Heronries of Mathura District 93

considered lost only if there was absence of nesting for five years. Habitat type, nesting tree species, and a list of nesting species at each heronry were recorded. Habitat types were categorised under industrial, rural, or urban. Species were identified in the field using Grimmett et al. (1999). A species was recorded as nesting only if an active nest was observed. Active nest was identified with the presence of incubating adults, or juveniles/eggs.

Results

Heronry statusA total of five heronries were identified in Mathura District (Table 1). Among them Govardhan is now considered lost. This herony was the oldest on record, described by Hume & Oates (1890). There has been no report on this colony since, nor did we find any evidence about its existence. The Mathura-Tangalle heronry (Hume & Oates 1890) could not be discovered because of the lack of a clear description. This heronry was purportedly located halfway between Mathura and Tangalle, in a large lake inhabited with ‘alligators,’ (Hume & Oates 1890: p. 242).

Only three heronries were found to be active. Each heronry supported a large number of nests. Information from local inhabitants of the region revealed that Khanpur is the youngest heronry, and is approximately a decade old. Chhata is the largest heronry, and has been in existence for more than 100 years. Detailed information on Mathura Oil Refinery (MOR) heronry was not available due to inaccessibility. We can only ascertain the active nature of MOR heronry through literature (Pisharoty 2011).

Colony characteristicsInformation on the five heronries shows considerable variations in their character (Table 1). The colonies fall broadly under the following categories. (1) heronries in pond of industrial area, Mathura Oil Refinery, (2) heronries on larger trees (Ficus and Bombax species) in the vicinity of village ponds such as Govardhan and Mathura-Tangalle, and (3) heronries on island of mesquite trees Prosopis juliflora in the village ponds of Khanpur and Chhata.

Species compositionTen species, from six families, were recorded nesting either

historically, or in recent years. Species composition at each heronry varied (Table 1). Species composition of three active heronries is of mixed type.

Among the heronries that could not be located using literature alone, Govardhan was a mono-specific colony of Painted Storks, while Mathura-Tangalle was a mixed heronry comprising nests of Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, Eurasian spoonbill Plateola leucorodia, pelicans (Pelecanidae), herons and egrets (Ardeidae).

Khanpur and Chhata, each had six species nesting (Table 1). However both heronries were slightly different in species composition. Painted Stork was the dominant species in Khanpur and had the maximum number of nests—27. Except Painted Stork, which nested on island of mesquite trees, other species were nesting at the periphery of the pond in Khanpur.

Chhata supports three Near Threatened species, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Painted Stork, and Black-headed Ibis. Asian Openbill and Oriental Darter were observed nesting only in Chhata. All species nested together on large island of mesquite trees except Grey Heron, which nested separately on a small island of mesquite trees.

DiscussionExtinction and formation of heronries is a continuous process (Frederick & Mayer 2008). However, there are very few studies to conclude on extinction, formation, and current status of heronries of Mathura. There has been lack of systematic surveys in these regions (Subramanya 1996) and a complete list of heronries is not available. Few heronries might have been missed because of their sporadic nature, i.e., these heronries are not formed regularly. Recent discovery of two heronries is good sign to focus on further exploration of the region.

Heronry-nesting birds are known to travel long distances for food and breeding habitat (del Hoyo et al. 1992). It is possible that these heronries are linked to each other, especially when they are closely located. Keoladeo National Park is known for its large heronry. It has experienced fluctuating rainfall in the past decade and, possibly, is the source of heronries of Mathura. But to ascertain these facts heronries in the region require continuous, scientific, and long-term monitoring.

Heronries of Mathura have breeding population of birds of conservation importance. Several of them are Near Threatened such as Painted Stork, Oriental Darter and Black-headed Ibis

Table 1: Details of Heronries of Mathura, India.

S No.

Village /Area

CordinatesFirst

ReportCurrent status

Type Area Nesting SubstrateHeronry Species

Reference

1 Govardhan27º30’N 77º28’E 1890 Lost Pond Rural

Tamarindus indica, Ficus religiosa, Bombax malbaricum, Ulmus sp.

PS Hume & Oates 1890

2 Mathura–Tangalle Not Aailable 1890 Unknown Pond Rural NA Herons, Pelican, BNH, ES Hume & Oates 1890

3 Khanpur27º42’N 77º29’E

2013 Active Pond Rural Prosopis juliflora PS, GH, LE, BHI, LC, BNH B. B. Sharma pers. comm.

4 Chhata27º44’N 77º31’E

2011 Active Pond Rural Prosopis juliflora PS, BHI, OD, GH, LC, OBS Dwevedi & Urfi 2011

5Mathura

Oil Refinery (MOR)22º23’N 77º41’E

1999 Active Pond Industrial NAPS, ES, Egrets,

Cormorants, HeronsIslam et al. 1999;

Pisharoty 2011

Abbrevations: BHI: Black-headed Ibis; BNH: Black-crowned Night Heron; ES: Eurasian Spoonbill; GH: Grey Heron; LC: Little Cormorant; LE: Little Egret; OBS: Asian Openbill; OD: Oriental Darter; PS: Painted Stork.

94 Indian BIRDS vol. 9 No. 4 (Publ. 20 May 2014)

(BirdLife International 2014). These heronries lie outside protected areas and are closely associated with the human population.

Although there is lack of awareness among the local people, they usually do not harm a heronry directly. Instead, habitat deterioration through sewer discharge, encroachment, and eutrophication are the primary threats (Dwevedi & Urfi 2011). Hence, preservation of heronries needs an integrative approach with the participation of all the stakeholders. Active participation of locals in long term monitoring and creating awareness will improve the chances of heronries to remain protected and the birds they harbour, to be conserved.

AcknowledgementsRD acknowledges the training skills inparted by his teacher A. J. Urfi, which helped immensely in carrying out the study. We acknowledge the help of Virat and Aniket Kumar, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, for their comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript. RD would like to especially thank Mukesh, a farmer of Chhata, for his support in field work and hospitality.

ReferencesBirdLife International 2014. IUCN Red List for birds. Website: http://www.birdlife.org,

[Accessed on 31 January 2014].del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., & Sargatal, J., (eds.) 1992. Handbook of the birds of the world.

Volume 1. Ostrich to Ducks. 1st ed. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. Vol. 1 of 17 vols.: Pp. 1–696.

Dwevedi, R., & Urfi, A. J., 2012. Discovery of a large heronry at Chhata, near Mathura, in western Uttar Pradesh. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 108 (3): 231–232 (2011).

Frederick, P., Gawlik, D. E., Ogden, J. C., Cook, M. I., & Lusk, M., 2009. The White Ibis and Wood Stork as indicators for restoration of the everglades ecosystem. Ecological Indicators 9 (S): S83–S95.

Frederick, P. C., & Meyer, K. D., 2008. Longevity and size of Wood stork (Mycteria americana) colonies in Florida as guides for an effective monitoring strategy in Southeastern United States. Waterbirds 31 (Special publication 1): 12–18.

Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., & Inskipp, T., 1999. Pocket guide to the birds of the Indian Subcontinent. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Pp. 1–384.

Hume, A. O., 1890. The Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds. 2nd ed. London: R.H. Porter. Vol. III of 3 vols. Pp. i–ix, 1–461.

Islam, Z.-u., Ugra, G., Rahmani, A. R., & Prakash, V., 1999. An illustrated guide to the birds of Mathura Refinery. Mumbai: Bombay Natural History Society; Indian Oil Corporation Limited.

Kushlan, J. A., 1993. Colonial waterbirds as bioindicators of environmental change. Colonial waterbirds. 16 (2): 223–251.

Pisharoty, S. B., 2011. Green, green plants. The Hindu. Published on 16 June 2011.Subramanya, S., 1996. Distribution, status and conservation of Indian heronries. Journal

of the Bombay Natural History Society 93 (3): 459–486.Sundar, K. S. G., 2011. Agricultural intensification, rainfall patterns, and large waterbird

breeding success in the extensively cultivated landscape of Uttar Pradesh, India. Biological Conservation 144: 3055–3063.

Sundar, K. S. G., & Kittur, S., 2013. Can wetlands maintained for human use also help conserve biodiversity? Landscape-scale patterns of bird use of wetlands in an agricultural landscape in north India. Biological Conservation 168: 49–56.

Sundar, K. S. G., & Subramanya, S., 2010. Bird use of rice fields in the Indian Subcontinent. Waterbirds 33 (Spl): 44–70.

Urfi, A. J., 2010. Using heronry birds to monitor urbanization impacts: A case study of Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala nesting in the Delhi Zoo, India. Ambio 39 (2): 190–193.

Urfi, A. J., 2011. Climate change and its impacts on Indian birds: monsoon phenology and monitoring heronry birds. Current Science 101 (9): 1140–1142.

Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus feeding on Indian flap-shell turtle Lisseymys punctataManoj Thaker & Raju Vyas

Thaker, M., & Vyas, R., 2014. Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus feeding on Indian flap-shell turtle Lisseymys punctata. Indian BIRDS 9 (4): 95–96.

Manoj Thaker, 52/C Divyajyot Society, Near Akashvani, Makarpura Road, Vadodara 390009, Gujarat, India. Email: [email protected] [MT]Raju Vyas, 505, Krishnadeep Tower, Mission Road, Fatehgunj, Vadodara 300002, Gujarat, India Email: [email protected] [RV]Manuscript received on 08 December 2013.

On 06 January 2013 we visited Wadhavana Reservoir (22°10’N, 73°29’E) for bird watching, and to assess the status of winter migratory bird species. During the

visit we came across an interesting sight of a Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus feeding on a turtle in the evening hours. MT was able to click few photographic evidences of the actions [124].

Wadhavana Reservoir (Dabhoi tehsil, Vadodara District, Gujarat) is spread over an area of 11.2 km2. It is a century-old (1909–1910) man-made earthen dam, constructed by Shrimaan Maharaja Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad III of the erstwhile State of Baroda. Its waters are mainly used for irrigation, but it is also one of the important wetlands for birds in Gujarat. In 2004, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Forest Department of Gujarat declared it a Nationally Important Wetland, on the

basis of the rich diversity of migratory birds during winter, and also a stable abode for many local birds, and reptiles.

The Black-necked Stork is one of the large storks (Ciconiidae), and is a globally Near Threatened species (BirdLife International 2014). Two races are recognised, E. a. asiaticus and E. a. australis: the former widely distributed in South and Southeast Asia, the latter having a disjunct population in southern New Guinea, and Australia. The Black-necked Stork feeds characteristically while wading in shallow water pools. It feeds on various species of aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates (Hancock at al. 1992). It is a known obligate carnivore with a diet including water birds (Breeden & Breeden 1982; Verma 2003; Ishtiaq et al. 2004), fish, amphibians, and reptiles (Sundar & Kaur 2001; Maheswaran & Rahmani 2002; Sundar 2011). In Australia, the Black-necked Stork is known to occasionally feed on marine

thaker & vyas: Black-necked Stork 95


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