Population structure and annual migration pattern of Steppe Eagles at Thoolakharka Watch Site, Nepal, 2012-2014

We studied the east-to-west migration of the endangered Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) in Nepal at Thoolakharka (elevation 2050 masl) from mid-September to early December 2012 – 2014, to estimate the age structure of the population and describe its annual migration pattern. We counted 6100 to 8700 individuals/year, and aged approximately 60% of the eagles that passed: 20% juveniles (902), 37% subadults (1679) and 43% adults (1910). We observed the bulk (67%) of eagle migration after 1200 H, with a peak between 1400 – 1500 H. For these 3 yr, the median passage date of juveniles was earlier than the median passage date of subadults and adults. The proportion of different age classes in 2012 was significantly different from that in 2013 (G = 18.4, P < 0.001) and 2014 (G = 147.4, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences among years in the number in each age class (χ2 = 1.655, P = 0.437; χ2= 1.125, P = 0.570; and χ2= 3.240, P = 0.198, respectively for juveniles, subadults and adults), however median of the number of total migrating Steppe Eagles counted each year were significance different (χ2= 6.318, P = 0.042). We did not see a difference in the yearly migration pattern of Steppe Eagles but we observed high proportion of juveniles earlier, adults later in the season and also fewer Steppe Eagles passing through the area than previous short-term studies had estimated

NOCTURNAL HUNTING BY PEREGRINE FALCONS AT THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY

Volume: 118Start Page: 53End Page: 5

Timing and abundance of grey-faced buzzards Butastur indicus and other raptors on northbound migration in southern Thailand, spring 2007-2008

Volume: 25Start Page: 90End Page: 9

Population and breeding success of Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus and Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus in central west Nepal

This study on population and breeding success of Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) and Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) was carried out in the middle mountain region of central west Nepal covering Arghakhanchi, Kaski, Palpa, Salyan and Pyuthan districts. A total of 34 days of study were conducted from October 2011 to February 2013 and on each study day observation was conducted between 9h00 to 15h00. We did absolute counts of vulture aggregations in flight in Arghakhanchi, Palpa, Pyuthan and Salyan districts, and on a garbage dump in Kaski district, and used a jack-knife technique to estimate the population size of each vulture species. We estimated a total of 24 Red-headed Vultures and 241 Egyptian Vultures across these five districts. Periodic monitoring of each identified nest was done to determine breeding success and we followed Postupalsky (1974) for the categorisation of nests. Based on active nests as a primary unit, the breeding success of Egyptian Vulture was 62.5% for nine nests identified in breeding year 2012; average nesting cliff/tree height was 27.8 m and that of nests was 14.8 m. In the study we did not find any Red-headed Vulture nests, however fresh juvenile birds were recorded repeatedly in the autumn season. Historical reports indicate Red-headed Vultures and Egyptian Vultures were abundant in Nepal, but have undergone rapid population decline across their ranges in the recent past, which is likely to continue into the foreseeable future. Recent information from India indicates the rate of population decline is 44% per year for Red-headed Vultures and 35% per year for Egyptian Vultures

First nesting of Cooper\u27s Hawks (Accipiter cooperii) in New York City since 1955

Volume: 39Start Page: 109End Page: 10

Mass northbound migration of blue-tailed Merops philippinus and blue-throated M. viridis bee-eaters in southern Thailand, spring 2007-2002

Volume: 26Start Page: 42End Page: 4

Migration of black drongo Dicrurus macrocercus in southern Thailand in autumn 2003

Volume: 20Start Page: 143End Page: 14

Autumn 2003 raptor migration at Chumphon, Thailand: a globally significant raptor migration watch site

Volume: 20Start Page: 49End Page: 5

Observations on the 2009 southbound migration of three bee-eater species at Radar Hill, Thailand

Volume: 27Start Page: 106End Page: 10