Nepal has small population of Indian Spotted Eagle and believed to have 30-70 individuals. Since 2016 we are studying Indian Spotted Eagle using various methods such as nest survey (both visual observation and using camera traps), and GPS tracked of birds. We found these birds extensively forage over the farmland habitats (over 75%), home range area is farmlands. Their main diet during breeding season is Frogs (>70%), which are common in the farmlands during the monsoon time (Gurung et al 2019). Heavy use of pesticide (Organophosphates) during the peddy plantation in monsoon has high impact to this species due to contamination with its main diet.
Farmlands of Lumbini is the important habitat of this species and in the past we monitored 5 nests and the breeding success was very low (<30%).
Low breeding success is contamination of diet, disturbances from local people, logging of nesting trees etc. Thus we believe this species is still in risk in Nepal.
Therefore, I request not to downgrade this species into NT status.
Ref.
Gurung, S., Subedi, T.R., Virani, M., Buij, R., Thomsett, S., Baral, H.S. and Chaudhary, D., 2019. Prey Item Selection and Prey Delivery of Indian Spotted Eagle during Chick‐Rearing Period in Nepal. In Proceeding of The 11th Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network (pp 42 – 49). ISBN: 978‐602‐294‐396‐9. Udayana University Press Bali, Indonesia.
Indian Spotted Eagle is affected by use of pesticides and loss of nesting habitat. I think it can continue being in the Vulnerable category.
Nepal has small population of Indian Spotted Eagle and believed to have 30-70 individuals. Since 2016 we are studying Indian Spotted Eagle using various methods such as nest survey (both visual observation and using camera traps), and GPS tracked of birds. We found these birds extensively forage over the farmland habitats (over 75%), home range area is farmlands. Their main diet during breeding season is Frogs (>70%), which are common in the farmlands during the monsoon time (Gurung et al 2019). Heavy use of pesticide (Organophosphates) during the peddy plantation in monsoon has high impact to this species due to contamination with its main diet.
Farmlands of Lumbini is the important habitat of this species and in the past we monitored 5 nests and the breeding success was very low (<30%).
Low breeding success is contamination of diet, disturbances from local people, logging of nesting trees etc. Thus we believe this species is still in risk in Nepal.
Therefore, I request not to downgrade this species into NT status.
Ref.
Gurung, S., Subedi, T.R., Virani, M., Buij, R., Thomsett, S., Baral, H.S. and Chaudhary, D., 2019. Prey Item Selection and Prey Delivery of Indian Spotted Eagle during Chick‐Rearing Period in Nepal. In Proceeding of The 11th Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network (pp 42 – 49). ISBN: 978‐602‐294‐396‐9. Udayana University Press Bali, Indonesia.